Good health for you.

Skin Care Tips - Spring Has Sprung

2007-04-06T08:30:00.001-07:00

The arrival of spring brings more hours of sunlight and a glow of the new season. Barbara Harrington, Independent Distributor with SeneGence International® SenseCosmetics, has some special skin care tips to get you out of winter's shadow and into healthy, radiant fresh skin for spring.

Spring is definitely the season of renewal and the time to revitalize your skin and refresh your skin care program," says Ms. Harrington. "Luminous, gorgeous and glamorous skin is the essence of a fresh look."

Here are some skin care tips for obtaining that desired healthy-look of the Spring Season:

Moisture in all for seasons: It is a must. Even though the gloomy, dull winter months have passed, it is still important to moisturize in all seasons. What you want to do is balance pH and promote cellular renewal. "Many people think that it is vital to hydrate your skin only in the winter months. This is simply not true. "It is important not only to moisturize, but nourish your skin to maintain its health all year long," says Ms. Harrington.

Lighten up with lighter colors in your cosmetic products: Think about moving up a shade in shadow and blush hues for a clean spring look. "Dark colors can really weigh your face down during spring months," says Ms. Harrington. "Right now warm, neutral colors such as gold, pink (particularly all shades of pink) and turquoise are in style for this season's freshest look." SeneGence® has an entire line of long-lasting, smudge-proof eye and blush products that provide a healthy spring glow, while nourishing your skin. "And the best part is that the SeneGence product line is a anti-aging skin care line of cosmetics. And these cosmetics last all day with just one application all the while, drawing moisture to the skin," says Ms. Harrington.

Remember, our skin doesn't stop at your neck: Keep in mind to exfoliate and moisturize consistently to leave your entire body smooth and ready for the elements. "With bathing suit season right around the corner, it's important to make sure that you exfoliate and moisturize to keep your skin radiant and smooth," says Ms. Harrington. SeneGence's® SeneDerm® Moisturizing Body Cream with SenePlex® and Shea Butter skin care products help make your skin healthy, radiant and hydrated."

You can have your glow with a year-round tan: Use either a bronzer or self-tanner for a sun-kissed glow without the harsh, damaging effects of the sun. According to Ms. Harrington, SeneGence's® Shea Butter Body Bronzer gives your skin a beautiful glow for the spring without having to battle the sun's damaging UV rays. It is long-lasting and anti-aging patented formula sets it a part from other self tanners on the market. "Plus, using a bronzer or self-tanner is a safe and healthy way to liven up your skin and create a natural-looking, luminescent glow," said Ms. Harrington.

By: Barbara Harrington

Barbara Harrington is one of the nation's leading skin care and cosmetics experts, please send an email to or call Barbara Harrington at 302-507-3927/877-771-5296 (Facesensation@comcast.net, www.facesensation.com, www.no-nonsensecosmetics.blogspot.com)

Is Your Skin Getting These Benefits From The Sun?

2007-04-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

To sun or not to sun, that is the question. You hear people talking about skin cancer and the incredibly harmful rays that it extends to the earth. These rays encourage growth in trees, plants, animals, and humans. How do you know what is truth? Are the suns rays good for your skin or are they bad for it? Actually, these rays are both.

The rays which are emitted from the sun are called the broad spectrum of Ultraviolet (UV) rays. Many of them are very intense and can be harmful to your skin through over exposure. This harm to you skin can result in a number of things: slower healing, accelerated aging, hyper pigmentation, and skin cancer, to name a few.

To protect your skin from the full spectrum of UV rays, you need to use a good sunscreen. This does not have to be expensive; the protective factor listed on the packaging determines how well you will be protected. I recommend that you purchase an organic sunscreen because you will not be adding even further toxins to your skin.

Now that we have discussed the bad part of sun exposure, let us talk about the good, because there is a lot of good that comes from sunshine. Of course, this is not a constant sun exposure, nor is it sun exposure between 11:00am and 3:00pm. These times of the day are when the suns rays are the strongest, which means that you are more apt to suffer the damaging effects of the UV rays on your skin. What we are talking about is a moderate amount of sun exposure on a daily basis.

Sunlight helps remove toxins from your body. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of good effects of the sun is my son. When he was born, he was bruised all over, I jokingly say that he looked like a prize fighter that did not do so well in his last fight. The truth is that he had jaundice which is a condition where your liver is not properly removing toxins from your body.

The doctors sent us home on a Friday with instructions to keep him in sunlight with a lot of skin exposed as much as I could. It rained all weekend, which made it impossible to keep him in sunlight and he got worse instead of better. By Monday his skin was yellow in color, we returned to the doctor and he was immediately sent to the hospital and admitted.

To cure his jaundice, he was given lots of water and kept under a UV light with only a diaper on. By helping the liver to work better, toxins are more easily removed from your entire body, including your skin. With the removal of toxins, your skin can perform much better and will look younger.

Studies have shown that sunlight has a tremendous impact on many patients depression. This is very easily seen by looking into seasonal suicide rates. I have seen it in myself, friends, and family. When winter hits and the sunlight fades with it, spirits fall.

As spring comes and summer steps into the picture, moods lighten and everyone has more fun with each other. Emotional strain affects your skin in a number of ways, from triggering psoriasis to triggering skin breakouts.

The third major way that sun can help your skin is by giving your body much needed vitamin D. Among other things, vitamin D gives a serious boost to you immune system, encouraging the production of cells that fight toxins and disease in your body. When your skin has less toxins, it not only looks more youthful, but performs better.

The other thing that vitamin D will do that affects how your skin looks is help keep your muscles from breaking down. By keeping your muscles from wasting, your skin has a better foundation and does not sag as easily.

While you hear all kinds of things about sun damage and the horrors of what the sun can cause, but there are not enough people who are telling us the advantages.

These advantages can be gained with moderate sun exposure, not over exposure because too much sun does create the bad effects on the skin that you have heard so much about. Keep a bit of sunshine in your life (with sunscreen) and you will reap tremendous benefits.

By: Louise Forrest -

Keep yourself looking great with these skin care tips from www.NaturalElements.co.uk You can now get the very latest information on Natural Skin Care by subscribing with RSS

Importance Of Digestive Health

2007-04-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

Many people focus on their heart health or nutrition needs and overlook the importance of digestive health. The digestive system begins in the mouth and finishes with the colon. Poor digestion can make you feel sluggish, gassy or lead to constipation or diarrhea. It can also inhibit the absorption of vital nutrients from the foods we eat.

One of the more common problems associated with the digestive tract is heartburn. Many people experience occasional heartburn. Some of the cases can be attributed to eating choices. Spicy foods are one cause as are rich foods. Some people can pinpoint the specific causes for their heartburn, while others are completely in the dark about the reasons for their symptoms. Social situations can be limited because the person doesn't feel well enough to stay. Work suffers due to a lack of concentration and time lost at work. This is just one thing that can be avoided when you are aware of the importance of good digestive health. Constipation and diarrhea can be another problem resulting from poor digestion. Many people have experienced elimination concerns. Some researchers estimate that as many as 32% of adults have found themselves in an embarrassing situation due to the occurrence of diarrhea.

Another issue that can come up with your digestive health is nausea. There isn't a person anywhere who hasn't combated the horrible feeling of nausea. When a person feels nausea often for no apparent reason, the signs may point to digestive health as the reason. The toll poor digestive health can take on your lifestyle can be extensive. Many people who suffer from occasional poor digestion will purposely avoid social engagements and miss time at work. Others live in fear of the possibility of an embarrassing occurrence.

An individual should always first discuss any health concern with his/her physician or health provider. This includes any digestive concerns. There are things you can start today to maintain excellent digestive health. It starts with eating well balanced meals, doing daily exercise and following a healthy lifestyle, including stress avoidance.

The importance of good digestive health can't be overstated. Your comfort and health depend so much on how well your stomach, abdomen and colon feel. There is no need to compromise the quality of your personal and work life. Good digestive health is another aspect of your health that deserves more daily attention.

By: Craig Smith

Liquid Nutrition After Surgery

2007-04-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

Against a background of widespread obesity among all US and UK age-groups, and the relative failure of conventional weight loss methods, doctors are increasingly resorting to gastrointestinal surgery in order to curb the rise of weight-related disease, and associated costs and strain being placed on the health service providers.

For people who are of a normal weight, there are claims that having the operation is the easy option – for people who have had or are having the operation, nothing about it is easy and in some cases, it is not even an option.

There are various types of gastric surgery but the most popular are banding and bypass. Different surgeons will use different techniques to perform variations of these two procedures but the principles and outcomes are the same.

Banding is where a silicon band is put around the top part of the stomach. It is usually stitched into place to stop slippage. Most bands fitted now are adjustable – there is a port connected to the band, which is placed under the skin just below the breast bone. The idea being, as you loose weight the band is tightened.

Bypass surgery is much more invasive and involves having a section of your stomach removed and some of your small intestines are re-routed. This operation should be viewed as non-reversible, even thought the bypass can be reverse once your stomach is removed it is gone forever.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these operations before, during and after the procedure. All of these need to be thought through very carefully before making any decisions as they can easily be regretted.

After having one of these procedures your diet will change dramatically, not just in the early post op days. After your operation you will probably see a dietician who will advise that you take nutritional vitamin and mineral supplements. This is very important after bypass surgery as different parts of your stomach absorb different nutrients and some of these areas will now be missing.

Until recently the problem with this is the lack of suitable supplements available to anyone who had undergone gastric surgery. There are shelves and shelves of supplements in tablet form – these are unsuitable for two reasons. In people who have not had this operation it has already been proved that vitamins in tablet form quite often pass through the digestive system untouched. Secondly after these operations the opening into the stomach is reduced in size – this is done so that food passes into the stomach slower and the person feels fuller after eating a smaller amount. Which means these tablets can get stuck.

Now, at last, there is a high quality liquid supplement available. Being a liquid there are no problems with getting it down. Not only does it contain a complete range of vitamins it also includes;

Mineral Matrix – an advanced blend of trace minerals often missing from today’s diets.
High Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) Fruit Extracts – a big boost of antioxidants to protect against free radical damage.
Amino Acids – your body can’t make these essential building blocks, so a daily supply is a must.
Phytochemicals – support your body’s key functions with micro-nutrients found in fruits and vegetables.
Prebiotic – encourage friendly bacteria for greater bio-activity, that means quicker and more effective absorption of minerals and nutrients by your body.

It gets even better – there are 3 versions of this liquid supplement. One for vegans and vegetarians, another for sensitive stomachs and the classic version which is sugar free and suitable for diabetics.

And the name of this amazing product is Maximol.

By: Mich Crawley

Most Popular Low-carb Diets

2007-04-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

Low-carb diets limit the intake of certain carbohydrates. Researchers believe that carbohydrate intake increases the insulin level, which leads to weight gain. Two of the most popular low-carb diets are the Atkins diet and the South Beach diet.

The Atkins diet has four phases. The first three focus on weight loss, while the last one centers on maintaining the weight lost during the first three phases. During the first two weeks the carbohydrate intake is almost totally restricted. Following the first two weeks, the carbohydrate intake is increased step by step.

The first phase allows dieters to eat no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates daily. The second phase is similar to the first one, except that the amounts of carbohydrates are increased, and nuts, seeds, and some plants with berries are allowed.

When the dieter has about twelve pounds left to lose to reach his or her target weight , the third phase starts. New food along with up to ten grams of carbohydrates is allowed if the dieter`s weight is constant. The fourth phase establishes the amount of carbohydrates allowed per day that do not cause weight gain.

The Atkins diet includes eggs, meat, fish, olive oil, butter, cheese, olives, spinach, salad, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, and avocado. The foods that are not permitted include sugar and pastry products, vegetables that contain starch like corn and peace.

Bread, pasta, potatoes, and fruits are not allowed in the first phase but may be eaten starting with the second phase. The same with alcohol, nuts, and peanuts.

The South Beach diet

The South Beach diet has three phases and encourages “good” fat and carbohydrates intake. To read the rest of this article, go to ProjectWeightLoss, an online weight loss community featuring calorie counter, carbs counter, BMI calculator, diet planner, workout planner and other weight loss tools.

(c) ProjectWeightLoss 2007. All rights reserved.

By: Andrea-Pelin

Detoxification- How To Detox The Human Body

2007-04-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

The body has a very sophisticated and complex detoxification system that is working on your behalf all the time so do you need to bother with programs and plans that tell you how to detox the human body?

Researchers are noting that in spite of advances in medical treatment people are getting diseases at younger ages for which there appears to be no answers at the moment. People are surviving longer but they are in the main not healthier. Diabetes, heart disease and cancer are all on the increase. Many scientists are questioning why this is happening. There is little research into what is the underlying cause of these and other degenerative diseases.

There is no doubt that we are all constantly bombarded with toxins that our detoxification systems were not designed for. Although our bodies seem to have an amazing capacity for developing pathways or routes to get rid of some of these chemicals researchers have discovered that we are all now contaminated with chemicals that can persist for years interfering with how our bodies work. The more pronounced the build up the greater the capacity to disrupt the intricate and delicate mechanisms that keep the body functions
running smoothly.

So how do you detox the human body and does it work? There is no doubt that it does work in spite of some very sceptical recent media reports based on some very poorly designed research on only 10 relatively young people without any particular health problems. The 9/11 New York Rescuers Detox Program has shown that a properly designed program can indeed detox the human body and improve symptoms.

Researchers have learned a lot about the how the detox system works.They have discovered specific foods, vitamins and minerals that rev up the different pathways in the liver that is main organ responsible for disarming the toxic chemicals so they can safely leave our bodies.

Naturopathic doctors and proponents of natural healing have long been advocates of cleansing or detoxifying by reducing the amounts of food eaten. They argue that resting the digestive system from the burden of dealing with three or more meals a day enables more energy to be directed towards the body's natural cleansing function. They recommend eating only fruit or vegetable meals or freshly pressed juices and never mixing the two. The vegetables can be eaten raw, lightly steamed or made into a soup. This can be done for 2 days every week or two or for 3-4 days every 3 - 4 weeks.

The foods that you eat to help detox your body should be organically produced to avoid pesticide residues.
Fruit and fresh fruit juices are generally considered to be more aggressive than vegetables for cleansing so go easy on these until you are have some experience with detoxing.

12 top tips for detoxing the human body

1) Include plenty of the following vegetables both raw and lightly steamed: broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, asparagus, kale, bok choy, cress, mustard, turnips, rutabagas (swede), kohlrabi, red beets and avocados.

2) Eat at least 4 pieces of fruit a day if tolerated but in particular watermelon, papaya, oranges, tangerines but not grapefruit which inhibits liver detoxification.

3) Protein foods are needed to supply amino acids to detox chemicals. Choose 300gms a day of organic lean beef, venison, chicken, turkey, eggs or grain and bean combinations.

4) Include at least 1 tbsp. a day of the following cold pressed and unheated vegetable oils on salads or vegetables: flax, walnut, pumpkin seed, olive oil or 1 tbsp. of a balanced blend of oils. Vary the oils you use rather than using one exclusively. Small amounts of nuts and seeds can be eaten instead but too many can hinder the detoxification effect.

5) Drink 8 glasses of pure filtered water a day.

6) Avoid alcohol, smoking, regular tea, coffee, sugar, dairy products, wheat, the hardest grain to digest, excessive starches, processed foods, hydrogenated oils, artificial colours and additives.

7) Use a water filter and consider a shower filter or whole house filtration system.

8) Avoid chemicals as much as possible by using natural cleaning products in the home and garden.
Use only natural non-chemical products on your skin. The skin absorbs a surprising amount of toxic substances from personal care products and make up.

9) Limit fish especialy oily fish such as tuna , swordfish and eel which are likely to contain mercury as well as other toxic pollutants from the sea.

10) Do not run or exercise near traffic.

11)Take a good multivitamin mineral supplement with approximately 25 mg of the main B vitamins.
A fibre supplement to ensure frequent bowel movements to eliminate toxins.
Take a neutral ph or non-acidic (buffered) Vitamin C, 1 - 3 grams a day.
Alternatively consider a supplement designed to support liver detoxification.

12) Do some skin brushing to help move the lymphatic circulation or consider massage to help mobilise the toxins.
Far infrared saunas can help sweat out the toxins.

Periodic bouts of detoxification that rests the digestive system, avoids toxins and supports the detoxification pathways will improve your health in the long run. It is important to eat a nutritious diet and avoid as many toxins as possible in between bouts of detox. Health is a matter of eliminating toxins and nutrient deficiencies. Make a start now.

By: Sandy Halliday

Building Strong Bones With Dried Plums: What Men Need To Know

2007-04-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

Conversations about osteoporosis and the measures that prevent and treat this bone-weakening disease typically focus on it as a women's issue. Although we often think of men having larger, stronger bones than women, that's not always the case-men are also at risk for developing osteoporosis. In fact, 2 million men have the disease and another 12 million are at risk for developing it.

Not only are men at a significant risk, but surprisingly, it is for many of the same reasons as women. Low and decreasing levels of hormones can cause an imbalance in the bone-remodeling process, with more old bone dissolving than new bone reforming. Although it is the decrease in estrogen production that occurs with menopause that increases women's vulnerability to the effects of osteoporosis, men experience a decrease in testosterone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) as they age. Heredity and lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol use and inadequate exercise can also lead to poor bone health in both men and women.

"Men should take many of the same steps as women to protect their bones, including getting enough calcium and vitamin D in their diet, engaging in weight-bearing exercise and changing unhealthy lifestyle habits," says Brenda J. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Assistant Director of Research in the department of surgery at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. "Dairy products-rich in bone-building calcium-are the foods we associate most readily with bone health. But plant-based foods, like fruits and vegetables, may also play an important role in increasing bone mass."

Studies indicate that men and women who consume diets rich in fruits and vegetables have higher bone density and suggest that phytonutrients-health-protective compounds in plant-based foods-may be the reason for the positive effects of fruits and vegetables on bone metabolism.

California Dried Plums offer a convenient option for men looking to add more fruit to their diets. Dried plums are a rich source of several micronutrients involved in bone metabolism, including potassium, vitamin K and boron. In fact, a recently published animal study conducted by researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center indicated that dried plums prevented hormone-related deterioration of the bones of male subjects, preserving bone mass.

Currently, a study is under way at Florida State University examining the bone health benefits of dried plums in women in a year-long clinical trial. "Dried Plums completely reverse loss of bone density and structural properties, observations unique to dried plums among the many foods we have examined in our laboratory," says Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi, principal investigator of the Florida State University study.

Dried plums can easily be incorporated daily into meals or snacks at any time of the day. "I like to add dried plums to hot or cold cereals, on turkey or chicken salad sandwiches or as an afternoon snack," says Leslie Bonci, M.P.H., R.D., director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and spokesperson for the California Dried Plum Board. "Not only do they add nutritional value, but they're an easy way to boost flavor."

Dried plums are not only great tasting and versatile, but are also great for protecting bone health without any adverse effects.

By: Stacey Moore

Yoga Clothes Need To Move With You, Your Favorite Jeans Will Not Do It!

2007-03-20T01:07:00.000-07:00

A pair of jeans and a button up shirt and the full lotus position is not a pretty picture and worse still, if you do get there, getting back to your start position could be worse. Your normal street clothes are not what you want when practicing the art of yoga. Your body builds up in flexibility while you are doing yoga and so must your clothes. They must be able to move with your body and the more advanced you get with your yoga positions, the more movement you need in your clothes.

To start, you don't need to go out and buy yoga specific clothes, you could even have suitable pieces in your wardrobe already. It is so important that you practice your yoga in something that you are comfortable in when performing the various positions. Your yoga clothes need to support, move with the body, not ride up leaving bare skin exposed to the elements.

You will probably find there are clothes in your wardrobe that will suffice for the first few weeks and then when you decide you are going to continue with the yoga lessons, with some guidance from your instructor, you should seek the yoga clothes that will be suitable.

What To Look For When Shopping For Yoga Clothes.

When you are looking for yoga clothes, keep in mind the primary purpose of what you will need the yoga clothes to achieve for you. You will need the clothes to move with you in a myriad of positions and poses so the fabric will need to have a softness and flow to it, with body.

There are many fabrics on the market today that would be suitable, there is French terry, which is like a soft knit and not at all like terry toweling, many of the knits are suitable as long as they are not too heavy and some of the micro fibers would be excellent too.

You also want a fabric that doesn't crease and is low maintenance. Hand washing is a big no-no, you need to be able to wash your yoga clothes in your washing machine. Make sure they can be tumbled dried too. That way if you are practicing yoga every day, you will not need so many yoga clothes to get you through the week.

We are really spoilt for choice these days. With the specialist sporting stores and so many wonderful brands available for all types of sport, finding suitable yoga clothing will not be a problem, finding what you are happy with, should also be easier. You don't need to just look at the clothes made especially for yoga practicing, the gym clothing can be excellent. The sports back tee shirts are excellent for yoga clothes, as they don't restrict your arm movements. These are the things to look for and don't be shy about doing some stretches and bends when trying on the various styles, you won't know if they will work for you if you don't.

With the new technologies today, fabrics will keep the body cooler while exercising, there are fabrics actually keeps the body dry by absorbing the perspiration and keeping it away from the body. You may not think yoga will bring up a sweat, maybe not as much as an aerobic workout, but yoga still works the body.

There is another consideration for your yoga clothing. If you are handy with the sewing machine, you could make your own. Try on a few yoga outfits, find the style of yoga clothes that suit you then source out your fabric, pattern and a few hours later you will have a new wardrobe of yoga clothes.

There is also the Internet to check out. Online yoga stores will give you a good guide as to what to look for and if you are not near a suitable local store, then the online stores are a great option. They are also a good place to find what is available and what to look for when you do go shopping.

As nothing is cast in stone, you basically need yoga clothes that, move with you to the yoga poses, postures and positions when practicing your yoga.

By: CTBaird
Please visit our site YogaInfo-Online for great resources, information, hints and tips for all things and Yoga Clothes

Yoga Exercise Improves Blood Glucose Control

2007-03-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

Yoga exercises strengthen your body and make it more flexible. Yoga also calms your mind and gives you energy. In active sports or strenuous exercises, you use up energy. In yoga classes, students report that they feel tranquil after a class, yet have more energy. Slow and steady motion is the key to going into or coming out of the postures. You hold a yoga pose for several seconds or even minutes and give attention to full, quiet breath. Your yoga instructor will always encourage you to relax as the exercises are being done.

You gently place your body into a yoga posture. Done correctly, there's very little chance of injury or muscle stress. A particular asana is not repeated dozens of times, nor are you ever encouraged to push yourself too much.

A yoga session is designed for balance. You stretch to the right and then to the left. You bend back and then forward. You learn to recognize when one side is stronger or more flexible than the other. Thus harmony and balance are achieved with yoga practice.

People of all ages can practice yoga exercises. They are easily modified to meet your needs and physical condition. Don't be put off by the difficult looking postures you may see in a yoga book. A skilled teacher can adapt most asanas by using chairs, cushions, even a wall or other props. A yoga practice can be tailor-made just for you. If something is really impossible for you to do, just forget it. Never compete with yourself or others. Yoga is a stress-free but powerful way to exercise.

Yoga is good for increasing your flexibility and relieving stress, but it doesn't take the place of aerobic exercise. You should still do regular, aerobic exercise, which increases your cardiovascular fitness, helps you lose weight, and, for people with non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes at least, improves blood glucose control.

Proponents of yoga exercise argue that it has a multiplicity of techniques to counter that cause and, unlike drug therapy, attack the cause, not just the symptoms. It offers, they say, a holistic approach to health and fitness. Many professional athletes, looking for the edge have turned to yoga as a supplementary form of training. They have found that yoga aids their state of mental and physical relaxation between training sessions, and their crucial build-up to big meets, where a competition is usually won or lost in the mind.

By: Ann Marier -

Ann Merier writes articles about the home and family health. Her many article topics include mothers day,diabetes,detox diet,yoga,pilates exercise Beginners Yoga Pilates Exercise

The Many Faces Of Yoga

2007-03-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

Yoga is a scientific system of physical and mental practices that originated in India more than three thousand years ago. It is much more than sitting in a lotus position and chanting in unison, rather, Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophy that enhances personal growth and well being. There are many different styles of Yoga, and whilst it is fun and challenging it is worth considering which Yoga is right for you.

Bhakti Yoga
This is the path of pure spiritual devotion, love and surrender to God.

Hatha yoga
Introduced by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century, Hatha Yoga is considered a preparatory stage towards Raja Yoga. Hatha yoga concentrates on physical purification to ensure that the body is fit enough to practise “Higher Meditation”. Hatha is what most Westerners would associate with Yoga.

Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga, not surprisingly, is a gentle form of Yoga practised whilst sitting in a chair (or standing using a chair for support). Chair Yoga is most commonly practised by people who are unable to perform other types of yoga for health or fitness reasons.

Sahaja Yoga
A unique method of meditation based on an experience called Self Realization (Kundalini awakening) that can occur within each human being. Created by Nirmala Srivastava, or "Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi" or "Mother" as she is also known by followers Sahaja Yoga also refers to the Sahaja Yoga International Organization which she founded in 1970 in Nargol, India.

Anusara Yoga
Anusara Yoga is a style of Hatha Yoga, developed by John Friend in 1997 with a Tantric Philosophy.

Iyengar Yoga
Created by B.K.S. Iyengar, Iyengar Yoga uses props, such as belts and blocks, as aids in performing its postures. It is another form of Hatha Yoga and is considered a powerful tool to relieve the stresses of modern-day life.

Karma Yoga
One of the four pillars of yoga Karma Yoga focuses on the adherence to duty while remaining detached from the reward. In other words, one can attain Moksha (salvation) or love of God (bhakti) by performing duties in an unselfish manner for the pleasure of the Supreme.

Kundalini Yoga
A physical and meditative discipline, comprising a set of simple techniques that uses the mind, senses and body to create a communication between "mind" and "body".

Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga is done in a room heated to 105°F (40.5°C) and accompanied by specific dialogue. It is a style of yoga developed by Bikram Choudhury and consists of 26 yoga postures (or asana) and two breathing exercises lasting 90 minutes.

Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga consists of a number of yogic techniques designed to bring about a profound state of tranquility and God-communion.

Laughter yoga
Laughter yoga uses gentle yoga-breathing and stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and chanting of Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha in unison. In this simulated laughter turns into real laughter. Sessions last about 20 to 30 minutes and are non-religious, non-sectarian, and non-political.

Power Yoga
Power Yoga is the popular term used to describe the style of yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. The asana sequences are largely based on the book Yoga Makaranda. It is an energetic, aerobic style and was originally taught for teenage boys to channel youthful, restless energy and hormones.

Kirshnamacharya then taught a deeper practice as students matured; the intention being that as people mature in their practice, the practice evolves into the more focused, stable, meditative aspects of yoga asana.

Japa Yoga
Another spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a mantra or name of God. Usually the mantra or name is spoken softly, enough for the practitioner to hear it, or more rarely it is spoken purely within the reciters mind. Japa is commonly performed whilst sitting in a yogic meditation posture (said to improve concentration) but this is not always the case in all traditions. It is present in varied forms within most religions in the world, although the Dharmic Religions generally give more emphasis to it as a specific discipline.

Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga is the system of yoga outlined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. It is also sometimes referred to as Ashtanga (eight-limbed) yoga because there are eight aspects to the path to which one must attend. Raja yoga is concerned principally with the cultivation of the mind using meditation to further one's acquaintance with reality and finally achieve liberation.

Yin Yoga
Developed by Paul Grilley Yin Yoga is a Taoist application of Hatha Yoga which “emphasizes the critical difference between Yin and Yang tissues of the body”. The postures in Yin Yoga gently stretch and releases tissues around major joints and also the joints themselves. Postures are held for anywhere between 1 min and 10 min depending upon experience and ability.

So as you can see there are many types of Yoga. Take your time to choose the one which is best suited to you. Yoga is an enjoyable and uplifting activity and it would be a shame to tarnish your experience with a by following a discipline which you you not enjoy.

By: Andy Bowen
You may also want to find out about other types of Yoga such as Dahn Yoga and Yoga Nidra and also about the various Yoga Accessories you might need.

Yoga Exercises And How They Lower Blood Pressure

2007-03-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

To neutralize the effect of high blood pressure on your organs, to refresh your nervous system are compulsory for a hypertensive, in order to have a normal life.

The neutralization of the effect of high blood pressure on the organs and the refreshment of the nervous system are not only necessary, but also extremely benefic for hypertensives. These goals can be achieved by means of yoga exercises, also known as asanas that proved their efficiency in time and in almost all of the cases.

From the extremely large variety of existing asanas, there are four classes that can be used in the battle against hypertension: forward bends, suspine, inversions and sitting.

The most effective with high blood pressure are considered to be the forward bends, which have various methods to lower blood pressure when it is alarmingly high. Their power to calm the brain and to bring back to the normal standard blood flow to the brain and from it, their stress-reducing effect makes this class of asanas the most popular against hypertension.

The deceleration of the pulse, the regulation of the heart beats, the relaxation of the organs with key-functions in sensitivity and of the sympathetic nervous symptoms are also very frequent effects of forward bends on the patients.

Suspine poses, such as Supta Baddhakonasana concentrate on the relaxation of the abdominal area and induce a state of calm and serenity of the nervous system.

Very effective were proved to be the inversion exercises, which restore the lost vitality of the nerves, control and normalize the pulmonary activity and that of the diaphragm. This multiple benefits contribute to the lowering of blood pressure. Such inversion asanas are Viparita Karanti and Halasana, but the automatic nervous system is also kept under control by means of the pranayama and Svanasana, which manage both to refresh the mind and senses and to contra attack hypertension's effects.

Sitting asanas are the last, but not less important category, because they mange to solve one of the greatest problems of hypertension: breathing. The intercostal muscles and the ribs themselves are also relaxed and released, so the blood pressure lowers. Such asanas are the Virasana and Baddhakonasana.

By: Sebastian Bunten -

Read about symptoms of high blood pressure and the causes of high blood pressure

Get Into Asana Twists For A Yoga-calm Mind

2007-03-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

The most popular form of yoga in the western world is hatha yoga, which concentrates on a series of poses, or asanas, designed to increase flexibility, boost energy levels, improve balance and tone muscles.

In this form of yoga, the body is seen as an energy system, divided into areas or chakras. Each asana focuses on increasing energy flow to a particular chakra to stimulate organ function, enhance blood flow, and work specific muscles to generally improve your wellbeing in that chakra.

There are a huge variety of asanas and each person requires a tailored program of poses to address their particular aims or health concerns. Asanas are divided into broad categories with certain properties. One of the major categories is asana twists which are designed to extend and open the spinal channel, tone the abdominal muscles and untwist the mind.

The aim of most asana twists is to bring the shoulders to a right angle with the hips. The pose will be held for between thirty seconds and a minute and with each outward breath we should aim to twist a little further towards our goal. Asana twists can be performed standing or sitting.

One of the most popular asana twists is the spinal twist pose or Matsyendrasana, named after Sri Matsyendrasana who originally conceived hatha yoga. This pose realigns the spinal column, and is used to treat diabetes, constipation, dyspepsia and urinary problems. The spinal twist asana increases energy flow to the stomach, colon, liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys.

All yoga asanas should initially be performed under the supervision of a qualified professional, but twists have particular potential for injury so great care should be taken. When performing a twist you should always lead with the belly or torso, and never the head. The head should be the last part of the body to twist.

You should be particularly careful about performing asana twists if you are pregnant, and if you do not want to avoid doing them altogether, you should always perform open twists. These are asanas that involve keeping the abdominal muscles soft and not contracting them as you would in a closed twist. Other people that should only attempt an open twist with a relaxed belly area are hernia sufferers, menstruating women, and anybody with detached retina or glaucoma.

Some people should avoid asana twists altogether. They are not recommended for people with high blood pressure or those prone to migraine headaches as the restriction of the blood vessels during a twist can trigger an attack.

Back problems such as lumbago, slipped discs or rheumatism can actually be treated by asana twists as they can relieve tension in the back muscles. However, great care should be taken, and professional supervision is mandatory.

By: Rebecca Prescott

If you'd like some in-home yoga instruction, check out this article on choosing the best yoga videos. For more asana articles, click here.

Yoga Bolsters: How To Choose The Right One To Help Improve Your Yoga Practice

2007-03-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

What Are Yoga Bolsters?

Yoga Bolsters are essentially cushions that support your body when you perform yoga poses, especially the more difficult asanas. Depending on the yoga pose, bolsters help by supporting and stretching your back, chest, abdomen, hamstrings, and other parts of your body. For example, placing a bolster underneath your back helps stretch your chest, extend your spine and stretch your thighs.

Why You May Need Yoga Bolsters

To support and provide comfort for your body when performing difficult yoga poses.

How To Choose The Right Yoga Bolster

Yoga bolsters come in various shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. These factors will help determine the one you choose for yourself.

Shape and Size -Yoga bolsters normally come in two shapes: cylindrical and rectangular. And their sizes vary, as well. Cylindrical bolsters are generally 9 inches in diameter x 25 inches long whereas rectangular bolsters are usually 12 inches wide x 6 inches thick x 25 inches long.

So, should you get a cylindrical or a rectangular yoga bolster? Well, both types of bolsters can help equally well with most poses, but the different shapes do offer slight advantages for certain yoga asanas. Consider which poses are difficult to you and decide which type of bolster will help you more. Basically, you want to make sure the yoga bolster you choose supports you properly when you do the more challenging poses.

Also keep in mind that because cylindrical bolsters are longer than rectangular bolsters, they are larger and heavier and may be difficult for you to carry around.

Here's an easy tip: If you like the bolsters you use in your yoga class, then just buy a similar one.

Texture -Yoga bolsters are usually made from material such as natural fibers (for example, pure cotton batting) or a resilient poly blend that helps bolsters retain their shape, even after repeated compression.

Make sure the yoga bolster is not too soft or too hard. It should be firm and dense enough to provide you with optimum support in many yoga postures.

You may also want to consider getting one with light filling so the bolster is easy to tote.

Color -Yoga bolsters come in a variety of colors such as green, cranberry, purple, navy, black. When practicing yoga, it's helpful to be surrounded by soothing, warm colors. Of course, some may get brightly colored bolsters to show their individuality. It is a matter of individual preference.

Other things to consider when choosing a yoga bolster include price (they generally range between $40 to $50), brand (bolsters made by well-known companies may be more durable and last longer), and extra features such as handles and removable, machine-washable covers (rectangular bolsters typically have non-removable covers).

Hopefully, you can now choose the right yoga bolster to help you with those difficult yoga poses.

By: Arun Ravi -

Get your FREE Yoga Book 'Yoga -Everything You Need To Know About Yoga' as a thank you for reading this article by Arun Ravi, editor of the Yoga Bolsters Directory. Visit www.YogaBolsters.1000FreeEbooks.com to get over 20 FREE Yoga Books

The Best Acne Treatment Is Right In Your Kitchen!

2007-03-18T00:33:00.001-07:00

So you have broken out with a bad attack of acne, have you? Chances are that you are quite upset and have probably lost no time at all in looking for a remedy for your acne problem. But if you have thought of looking in the shops, why not stop and think about what you can find closer to home, right in your own kitchen, in fact!!

Acne solutions are closer than you think. Before you work yourself into a state of distress over your acne problem, remember that there is help at hand, no more than a stone throw away, in your own kitchen!! All too often, people with skin problems tend to look at products that are commercially available, quite forgetting that they can get so much more from natural sources such as fruits and vegetables, without spending a penny.

Some magic for your acne problems. So let us take a look at what we have got. You will be amazed once you really try to start looking for acne remedies in your kitchen. Here are a few examples:

Apply a paste of honey and cinnamon powder on your acne before you go to sleep at night. Wash it off the next morning, using warm water. Do this for two weeks and watch your acne vanish for good!

Apply toothpaste on your acne at bedtime and wash it off in the morning. You may have to do this a few times, but you will surely see the difference it makes to your skin.

Apply a pulp of ripe tomatoes on your acne, leave it on for one hour and wash it off. Do this a few times and watch the effect on your skin.

Cover painful acne swellings with strawberry leaves and watch the swellings subside.

Wash your face and then pat the acne affected areas with balls of cotton wool soaked in vinegar.

A paste of fenugreek leaves applied to your acne overnight and washed off the next day is very effective.

Lightly apply a small quantity of egg white on your pimples, leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off.

Grind sesame seeds to a paste with water and use it as a pack to heal skin that has been inflamed by rashes, allergies or acne.

Do the same thing with orange peel, use it as a facemask and remove it after half an hour. Watch your skin glow!

Another effective remedy for acne is a paste of sandalwood made with rose water and applied to the acne. Wash it away after half an hour.

Your best bet for acne problems. Well, those are just a few examples of acne remedies that could be available to you any time you want. Why go through the headache of coping with treatments and medications you know very little about and take the risk of dealing with unpleasant side effects, when you can get so much for so little right in your own home?

What could be better than treating your acne with natural products straight from your kitchen? Even acne treatment products that claim to contain natural ingredients can never be quite the same as the stuff that comes right out of your kitchen. You would surely agree with that!

Of course it is true that some of these treatments may have to be repeated several times before you can really see the difference. But then, you know that you are getting the very best of care from natural products. What more could you want?

So the next time you have an outbreak of acne, resist the urge to look for remedies in the shops and go instead to your very own kitchen, where you know you will find everything you need to treat your acne. Plenty of reason to keep smiling!!

By: Louise Forrest

The Truth About Vitamin Supplements Helping To Cure Acne

2007-03-18T00:29:00.000-07:00

Although it has been generally established that the food you eat does not have a direct connection with your developing acne, let us see whether vitamin supplements have any part to play in curing acne.

Unfortunately, the picture is not very encouraging. So if you are an acne sufferer and thought that this was one more way in which you could treat your condition, you are likely to be disappointed.

Vitamin supplements and acne are not such a good idea. Before you jump to conclusions, it would be better not to view the issue of acne in black and white, because there are shades of gray as well. How come, you might say? Well, here is how it works.

You are aware that acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance in the system. Your body has a built in mechanism for regulating hormones. This mechanism can only function effectively you are taking in all the essential nutrients, which, naturally, include vitamins as well.

However, there is no magic solution so do not get the idea that if you have acne, popping a couple of pills will do the trick. If only it were so simple but it is not. For any vitamin to have a beneficial effect on your acne, it will have to be part of a much larger picture.

Vitamin B5 is a deadly choice for acne. There is a popular notion that supplements of Vitamin B5 are effective in curing acne. But do not make the mistake of falling for it, or you are likely to regret it for a long time. The fact is that it has been proven that Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid, taken in high doses, can be extremely damaging to your health. Vitamin B5 does not have any effect in improving the condition of an acne outbreak.

Worse still, you could find yourself saddled with unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, chronic fatigue and loss of energy. Do you really think it is worth sacrificing your health for the sake of beating an acne problem? You may argue that even if there is an excess of Vitamin B5, ultimately it will pass out of your system. That is perfectly true but while it is there, it's wreaking havoc. Do you think you would like to risk so much for acne?

Paying the price for treating acne. B Vitamins are supposed to work together in the correct proportions to maintain the health of your system. If this does not happen, they will not have the effect they are supposed to. So if you take in an excess of Vitamin B5 in the belief that it will cure your acne, all you will have is a new problem on your hands as your body struggles to cope.

In the meantime, the excess Vitamin B5 proceeds to deplete the reserves of other B vitamins in your system such as Vitamins B3, B6 and B12, all of which have their own functions to perform. So do not make this mistake on any account or you will live to regret it.

Safer treatment option for acne. You will be happy to know that the story does not quite end here. Because there is a much safer alternative to Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid. You could try taking pantethine instead. This is also Vitamin B5, but a form of the vitamin that is much more easily absorbed into the body. Even if this seems to be the answer to your acne problem, remember that you should not take more than 1 to 11/2 grams per day.

Even if you are convinced that your acne problem has come about as a result of a deficiency of Vitamin B5, the small dose mentioned above will be more than enough to set you right. This is no time to be adventurous and try to take your acne problem on by yourself.

If nothing else, do check with a doctor that what you are doing is okay. You can hardly afford to turn yourself into a guinea pig, least of all for the sake of your acne!! There are safer ways to go about it, so take care!!

By: Louise Forrest

How To Find The Most Effective Acne Treatments

2007-03-18T00:10:00.000-07:00

It's dreaded by teenagers everywhere - regardless of their skin color, the language they speak or what social circles they run in. If anything is going to bring the youth of today together in a common cause, it's the fight against acne.

Teenagers everywhere are constantly on the lookout for effective acne treatments, but just as acne can come in many forms and degrees of severity, there are many different treatments available. The one that will work best for one person won't necessarily be the best for someone else.

Before you can decide on the best treatment option, it helps to understand what it is that actually causes acne. It's commonly believed to be caused by poor hygiene, but that isn't the case. It is actually caused by changes in the body that can't (and shouldn't) be stopped.

Teenage acne is often due to hormonal changes in the body that causes excess secretion of oil, which can block pores and trap dirt and moisture. The result is the blackheads and pimples that are so common among teens.

Effective treatments are available for the various forms of acne, and a dermatologist will be able to thoroughly diagnose a particular case and recommend the proper treatment.

If you've ever looked at the many acne treatments that are available at any drug store or pharmacy, you'll probably have seen shelves full of creams, gels and lotions that promise to be the cure to end all acne problems.

These treatments work for some people and not for others, but they are often attempting to treat any and all forms of acne, which just isn't possible. The most effective treatments will be tailored for a given person's acne.

Some of these treatments will include azelaic acid creams, benzoyl peroxide or Accutane. They may be in the form of topical creams or lotions. Each of these treatments is best suited to deal with certain types of acne, with varying strengths depending on the severity of the acne.

Many teens spend a lot of time and money trying every possible treatment to get rid of their acne. The trouble is, the treatments are often not dealing with the cause in their particular situation. A visit to a dermatologist is the best way to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, customized for a particular case.

By: Nathan James -

The Best Type Of Laser Acne Treatments For You

2007-03-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Is Laser Acne Treatment The Best For You?

Acne laser treatment is a method that has helped millions to get rid of acne. Consumer sometimes has to face the reality that their run of the mill over the counter just dont work anymore. Youd come to a point that after trying so many products you are on the verge of giving up. Acne laser treatment can actually help to stop acne once and for all for many individuals.

If you are looking to eliminate acne, cure zits and treat pimples you will find that, among other good solutions, laser therapy has some outstanding results. The use of acne laser treatments are further categorized into two main methods; the use of CO2 lasers and nonabalative laser treatment. Eliminating the negative effects of zits and pimples becomes a reality with such techniques. Laser acne treatments has the major disadvantages in term of its cost, however, the procedure is painless and this is a major tip in the scale towards laser acne treatments.

What are the things involve in laser acne treatment?
The use of laser acne treatment has been approved and this should be and added boost in your confident in the procedure involved. The way that the procedure is carried out is by emitting laser beam on directly on the acne affected skin. It emits pulsating heat below the skin's surface and diminishes the size of the sebaceous glands, which are responsible for acne. Patients of acne blemish laser treatment use creams to numb the area where the laser will be applied, so the process is virtually painless.

Explained: Types of laser acne treatment
Nonabalative laser treatment is a more common laser acne treatment. It works by stimulating collagen growth beneath the skin which will result in the underlying skin to begin tightening. Many said that the result of the procedure include an improvement in the skin appearance, great skin tones and not to mentioned non-existence trace of acnes.

This type of acne treatment is best used on those that have moderate acne condition and also facial wrinkles which are not so bad. The procedure used in the ER laser treatment is one of the best ways for removal of acne and blemish.

CO2 laser treatment use short burst light energy in its procedure to remove acne and blemishes. The energy burst vaporizes the affected tissue locally. This type of laser treatment is quite effective in removing acne and blemish as it is proven to do so.

The side effect of using acne treatment: is there any?
There are risk of side effect such as skin discoloration associated with the use of laser acne treatment. High level of pigmentation are known to have ensued after undergoing carbon dioxide laser acne treatment. Even though there are risks of side effect with acne laser treatment, the percentage of occurrence is fairly low as compared to chemical based treatments and it should not be ruled out as possible treatment for you.

By: Nash Burns

Peanut Allergy Symptoms

2007-03-17T23:43:00.000-07:00

A peanut allergy is an illness that is caused by the body's reaction to particular substances. Everytime the body comes into contact with a substance it considers as harmful, it reacts by releasing histamines to fight off these allergens. As the body fights these allergens, the person exhibits the classic symptoms of an allergic reaction. There are many substances that can cause allergy like insect bites, pollen, dust and food. Aside from shellfish, fish and eggs, allergy to peanuts is the most common.

Considered to be one of the deadliest types of food allergy, peanut allergy affects about 3 million Americans. Since this particular allergy can cause death, it is important that you know the facts surrounding this reaction especially if you or someone in your family is allergic to peanuts.

Peanut allergy can be triggered by even the smallest of doses. The allergy is characterized by severe symptoms including anaphylactic shock. The particular symptom causes severe swelling, heart failure, breathing difficulties, circulatory collapse and eventually death. Aside from these, the person also suffers from gastrointestinal discomfort.

Since there is no available treatment for allergies, the same is also true for peanut allergy. Available medications for allergies are only designed to treat the symptoms of the allergic reaction. To prevent any episode of allergic reaction, persons with peanut allergy should avoid peanuts or peanut-ingredients at all cost. In case of an allergic reaction, the individual must be injected by epinephrine or adrenalin. This could prevent or reverse the anaphylactic shock. Adrenalin can increase heart rate, constrict blood vessel, reduce swelling and relax muscles. As soon as the symptom subsides the person must still be taken to the nearest hospital to be checked thoroughly.

Today, people with peanut allergy are given extra consideration. Because of the possible severity of the illness, you should also do your part in making sure that you do not endanger yourself. People with peanut allergies have found themselves having problems when traveling by air.

Peanuts are considered to be a staple in most airlines and if you are not careful, having an allergic reaction while on air will be just a difficult situation. To avoid such situation, you should first check with the airline to find if they do serve peanuts or peanut-ingredient in your flight. For more convenience, you should ask your doctor to give you a document stating your allergy to peanuts.

Before your trip, discuss with your doctor the need for carrying with you extra adrenalin. You should also plan on what food to bring so you are assured of peanut-free food. If you are traveling with your child who has contact sensitivity to peanuts, make sure you wipe the seat, tray table, arm rest and window area. In case an allergic reaction still occur during the flight, you should stay calm and follow all your doctor's instructions in cases like this. Immediately alert the airline crew of the emergency situation so they could contact and request professional medical assistance that would be on standby as soon as you landed.

As you can see, the peanut allergy can be very dangerous. If you have it, it's a good idea to just be aware of it, so you can react in the proper ways to diffuse the allergic reaction. Be alert to especially any peanut allergy symptoms that might arise.

By: Sven Ullmann

I Love This Potent Tonic So Much!

2007-03-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

I love starting my day with a capful of what I refer to as my delicious 'fix' as it truly gets me out of the sleepy, sluggish morning doldrums quickly. Sometimes I dilute it with water in order to prolong the delightfully tasting process; but mostly I love the potency of taking it straight.

Yes, you can actually feel and taste the power in this juice. I liken it to delicately sipping exquisite, fine Port Wine or Sherry; without the buzz, giggles and gradual drop that usually accompanies alcohol! It doesn't spike like coffee, which soon leaves you craving for more. It simply tastes great and makes me feel good!

It gives me a balanced energy; no peaks and no valleys. Any morning stiffness or hint of a joint or muscle ache vanishes and my mood changes from foggy to sunny.

I don't know quite how to describe it, but my whole body feels 'flexible!' There is no rigidity anywhere; it feels as if I've been working out all day - without the time and toil!

My skin looks and feels great, and there are no wrinkles on my 66-year-old face. I'm getting fabulous comments and need to supply identification to get seniors' discounts! Yeah! That's alright with me! Truly I'm looking and feeling younger every day!

Sickness? What's that? My immune system is strong, fighting off any and all the bugs that would try to invade! I do not fully understand how they do it, but the powerful nutrients go directly to any 'trouble spot' and bring the whole body into perfect ph balance!

It's so wonderful to be waking up refreshed every morning from a deep, restful sleep! No more tossing and turning, and no more grogginess and heaviness.

My formerly life-long low blood pressure now is constantly perfect every time! Furthermore, it keeps my weight in check, and shed all the excess!

I could go on and on telling you so much more. How two of my friends noticed their insulin level go up and down and then suddenly, within 24 hours, completely stabilize and stay level to the point their doctor confirmed they needed no further insulin injections!

There are millions of ecstatic customers around the globe, most of whom have written their own story.

Why is this juice so potent, medicinal and wonderful? Well, it has the highest known Spectral Signature of any living thing in this world. That means it is brimful of energy. It contains all the vital nutrients, including protein (unheard of in fruit), germanium, all eight vital anti-oxidants plus 4 more not present anywhere else!

Yes! When I sip my 'shot' in the morning and another one after supper, I know all is well with my body, and I love it! Wouldn't you?

Would you like to know what this wonderful elixir is and how to get it? Remember the name Youth Makeover. That's literally what it is, because it really does defy the aging process and will give you a new lease on youth!
Youth Makeover dot com will tell you all about it.

By: Ann Stewart

The “miracle” Benefits Of Green Tea Dieting Explained

2007-03-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

In this article I will discuss some of the many benefits of green tea dieting. Although it’s not a diet as such, this simply involves consuming green tea regularly or supplementing with green tea pills. I’ve always been curious why there are countless benefits of green tea dieting. What is it that makes green tea so effective?

One of the greatest benefits of green tea dieting is the occurrence of an anti-oxidant known as EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate. For years researchers were puzzled why the French suffer from relatively few heart diseases despite a diet rich in fat. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains a similar chemical that limits the negative effects of smoking and high-fat foods.

New studies showed one of the biggest benefits of green tea dieting is that EGCG is twice as powerful as the chemical found in red wine. This also explains why in Japan, heart disease is quite low among men, even though around 75% of them are smokers, as the Japanese regularly drink green tea.

You may be wondering why consuming other teas in your diet do not have the same benefits of green tea dieting. This is because green tea is processed differently. While black and oolong tea leaves are oxidized through fermentation, green tea leaves are steamed, preventing the loss of anti-oxidants, which is why we have so many benefits of green tea dieting.

A study published in the January 2006 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people who drank tea fortified with green tea extract every day for three months lost more body fat than those who drank a bottle of oolong tea which proves the effectiveness of green tea in comparison. Researchers say that one of the main benefits of green tea dieting is that it triggers weight loss by stimulating the body to burn more calories and decrease body fat.

Other research shows that another one of the biggest benefits of green tea dieting is that it helps you fight the flu by boosting your system's immunity against viruses. Green tea has a substance in it that makes the certain cells in your body output 10 times the normal amount of interferon, which is what fights the virus. However, there are still many other benefits of green tea dieting.

There is also strong evidence that the benefits of green tea dieting also include a reduction of bladder, colon, esophageal, pancreas, rectum, and stomach cancer by up to 60%. EGCG has been said to be at least 100 more times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E at protecting cells from harmful influence.

Yet another one of the benefits of green tea dieting comes from studies in Britain which show that green tea can help slow the process of Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting chemicals in the brain responsible for plaque and protein deposits in the gray matter of your head. It is these deposits which hinder the ability to think clearly.

Based on the many studies on the benefits of green tea dieting, I recommend at least 3-5 cups a day. Green tea extract supplements are also available. Regardless of whether you want to lose weight or not, the benefits of green tea dieting are too many to ignore, even if weight loss is not a priority.

By: Joseph Cole

Green Tea Can Significantly Increases Metabolism

2007-03-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

Green Tea Extract Increases Metabolism, May Aid in Weight Loss. There are two ways to lose weight -- either reduce energy intake, or increase energy expenditure. Because hypothyroidism -- even after treatment -- may reduce energy expenditure in some people, patients naturally are looking for options that can help safely help raise the metabolism.

In a study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a measure of metabolism), plus also had a significant effect on fat oxidation. While some of the effects were originally theorized to be due to the caffeine content of green tea, the researchers discovered that the tea actually has properties that go beyond those that would be explained by the caffeine.

The same amount of caffeine as was in the green tea, administered alone, failed to change energy expenditure in other studies. This led reseachers to believe that there is some interaction going on with the active ingredients of green tea that promotes increased metabolism and fat oxidation.

The researchers indicated that their findings have substantial implications for weight control. A 4% overall increase in 24-hour energy expenditure was attributed to the green tea extract, however, the research found that the extra expenditure took place during the daytime. This led them to conclude that, since thermogenesis (the body's own rate of burning calories) contributes 8-10% of daily energy expenditure in a typical cubject, that this 4% overall increase in energy expenditure due to the green tea actually translated to a 35-43% increase in daytime thermogenesis.

By: Alex Balbesov

Is Marine Phytoplankton The Best Superfood?

2007-03-17T22:59:00.000-07:00

Our soil is rapidly becoming depleted of its valuable minerals and especially trace minerals, which affect our food supply and ultimately our health. Added to this is the tendency we have to eat fast and prepared foods on the run, and we have a nutritional crisis going on. This can be seen by the poor quality of health found in most developed nations. We can take a vitamin pill, but even if some of it is absorbed, it still doesn’t cover the vast amount of missing nutrients in our diet.

That’s why many experts agree that it is important to supplement your diet with superfoods. Superfoods are whole foods that have a natural concentrated abundance of nutrition and phytonutrients in a form that the body can easily absorb and utilize. Phytonutrients are natural plant-based chemicals that promote proper metabolic functions, such as: general nutrition, cardiovascular health, cholesterol, blood sugars, neurological support, skin care, vision, liver health, and energy.

A few of the many popular superfoods right now are:

Blueberries-- which are high in antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins that reduce free-radicals in the body, which may help to slow the aging process.

Leafy Dark Green Vegetables-- such as spinach, kale, swiss chard and romaine lettuce. They contain beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin that work together to support overall health, as well as vitamin B and some minerals.

Omega-3 Fish-- Cold-water fish like cod, wild salmon, tuna and trout contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Sea Vegetables (Seaweed)-- have anti-inflammatory and stress-relief qualities, as well as the ability to lower the risk of heart disease. Certain types of seaweed, such as kelp, also have very high levels of iodine, which is essential in regulating the thyroid -- the gland that controls most of the body's physiological functions. Some varieties of sea vegetables can be a great sources of vitamin B, magnesium, iron, folate, and calcium.

All these powerhouse foods, and others like them, are important to consume on a regular basis. Even if you eat a well balanced organic diet, and are getting most of what you need, a trace mineral could be chronically missing from your diet. Without this mineral, you could find it hard to stay energetic and may even effect your weight your moods your hormones and many other areas of your health. So supplementing with superfoods may be the answer.

One of the most complete whole food superfoods in the world is marine phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are collectively known as micro algae. These single-cell plants are the basis of all other life forms on planet earth, they are the 'vegetation' of the ocean. Phytoplankton are responsible for making up to 90% of Earth's oxygen.

Marine phytoplankton have the unique ability to transform sunlight, raw inorganic minerals, and carbon dioxide into invaluable superfood for living things. Phytoplankton have all the vitamins, minerals (from 200 sea vegetables), essential fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids that are required for good health. And since they are so nutrient dense, very little is required to achieve significant nutritional benefit.

Marine phytoplankton are a better source of minerals than any other vegetable because they contains all the minerals found in human blood, because the minerals in sea water are similar to those found in our blood, with nearly identical concentrations.

The best source of marine phytoplankton is in an amazing product called FrequenSea™. With over 200 types of diverse chlorophyll rich plankton nutrients for achieving maximum health benefits, FrequenSea™ is one of the best tasting and healthiest supplements ever made.

FrequenSea™ is processed with an exclusive patented AMP Technology (Aqueous Molecular Partitioning) – a process for emulsifying the whole plant in it's integrity, in water, without the use of any chemicals or heat. It combines the benefits of marine phytoplankton’s phytonutrients with a natural and balanced composition of sea minerals. This new process has made all the ingredients completely and easily assimilated and bio-available. It is a raw living food.

FrequenSea™ gives your body what it needs most and is an optimum solution for a high impact total food. The body requires key elements in order to perform as intended and the natural elements in marine plankton provide critical nutrition elements to our bodies and feed our cells with exactly what they want and need most.

FrequenSea™ contains marine phytoplankton specially blended with other key superfoods such as frankincense, astaxanthin, ionic sea minerals, aloe vera, sea vegetables, cranberry and blueberry.

By: Dianne Ronnow

Improve Your Health With Omega-3 Fish Oil

2007-03-17T22:58:00.000-07:00

It is important to strike a balance between omega-3 and omega-6 oils in your body. Diets rich in marine and plant sources provide this. However, people today have too much omega-6 in their body as a result of eating food prepared with most oil, butter and margarine. These foods include fast food, fried food, and processed food. This imbalance results in a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids causing increased levels of the immune system chemicals that promote inflammation and autoimmune disease. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation .

Deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids can result in heart disease, arthritis, psoriasis, and other serious illnesses. Studies have shown that omega-3 intake is associated with a lower cancer risk. Countries with high consumption of fish such as Japan and Iceland have much lower rates of cancer than people living in other parts of the world. In contrast, a “western” diet that is low in omega-3 fish oil is associated with rising cancer rates possibly as a result of ingesting high amounts of saturated and trans fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.

In 2006, the FDA approved the use of fish oil supplements for lowering triglycerides, reducing arrhythmia, reducing blood clot formation and reducing inflammation. Several studies have shown that omega-3 fish oil can easy the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

It is now recommended that we eat 2-3 servings of fish per week. However, most westerners don’t do that either because they don’t like fish or don’t know how to cook it. An additional area of concern is the amount of pollutants
and mercury fresh fish contain. The easy solution to these problems is to incorporate omega-3 fish oil supplements into our diet

You can evaluate the quality of the supplement by following these simple guidelines:

Buy only pharmaceutical grade omega-3 fish oil. This assures you that the supplement has been produced under the same strict procedures required for the production of prescription medications.

The manufacturer must follow the Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations that have been promoted by the US Food and Drug Administration. These regulations require that manufactures of nutritional supplements take proactive steps to ensure that their products are safe, pure, and effective.

The omega-3 fish oil must be molecularly distilled, ensuring that all pesticides, dioxins, PCBs, heavy metals, and mercury have been removed. The manufacturer must have the product independently tested for potency and purity.

You really can improve your health with omega-3 fish oil supplements.

Katie Shaw
www.haveahealthyheart.com

By: Kalesha

Choosing To Eat A Variety Of Fruits And Vegetables – Smack!

2007-03-17T22:53:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the vegetable drink commercial on television where someone gets popped on the head because they didn’t eat their veggies? Well, perhaps that’s what we need these days; a good smack upside the head to knock some sense into us about what we eat.

We all know how important it is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Healthy diets full of these nutritious foods can help reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases. If we ate a better diet, we would get more essential vitamins and minerals that are important for our good health. We’d be less reliant on energy drinks and diet supplements as well since we’d have more energy and less fat.

So what’s up with that? Why do we delve into fast food and junk on every occasion? Because it’s there. Because it’s easy. Because we’re lazy. Choose one. Maybe it’s because we’re so easily persuaded with happy commercials on television and the colorful food packages that bombard us daily. If it’s color we desire, then how about taking a long look at what nature has provided us.

Nature has bestowed upon us the most beautiful rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables. It is vital that we eat a large variety of orange, yellow, red, green, white, blue and purple vegetables and fruit every day. Each color group provides us with beneficial vitamins and minerals, fiber and good tasting, quality foods.

There’s several simple ways to begin adding vegetables and fruit into our meals. How about starting the day with fruit or vegetable juice, sliced bananas or strawberries with cereal, or have a salad with lunch and an apple for an afternoon snack. Include a vegetable with dinner to enjoy about five cups of fruits and vegetables.

The fear of vegetables has long plagued many people, but don’t be afraid to try new foods; even the ones that have been around forever, like broccoli. Imagine that. Remember to keep meals interesting and fresh by mixing or combining veggies and fruit in all of the different color variations such as red grapes with banana slices or green pepper with radishes.

Once the habit of buying fresh fruits and vegetables has started, it will be easy to get enough variety daily. If the food is easily available in the house, then it will be a simple choice. Don’t wait to get smacked upside the head before making the choice to eat healthy.

By: Sherry Frewerd

Sherry Frewerd publishes ‘Mom’s Natural Balance’ a resource to help women lead healthier, well-balanced, meaningful lives. Check it out at momsnaturalbalance.com; and 'Healthy Mom-Healthy Family at healthymom-healthyfamily.blogspot.com

Could Exercise Really Help To Protect Against Skin Cancer?

2007-03-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

The benefits of exercise to the skin have become more and more apparent over the past couple of years. It has been established that exercise provides great benefits in ways there were not ever thought of. When combined with a healthy diet, regular exercise can dramatically help to produce healthy, glowing skin.

However, not only can exercise help with a glowing complexion, it has also been proven to dramatically cut the risk of skin cancer. With skin cancer being such a massive threat these days, anything that can seriously cut the risk of developing it is definitely a positive thing!

Exercise and Skin Cancer:

The tests that were done to prove the link between exercise and skin cancer, were carried out on mice. It was shown that mice who had exercise wheels, and who were exposed to ultra violet light, had a reduced chance of developing tumours than those who did not have a wheel. This does not mean that they did not develop the cancer; it just took longer exposure for them to actually get it.

It is thought that the results are the same with humans, only obviously we wear sunscreen to protect ourselves so we have even less risk of developing the cancer if we exercise and protect ourselves. It is thought that the less fat we have in our body, the less chance we have of developing the cancer.

Although the tests have shown that the mice fought off the cancer for longer, scientists have yet to discover what it is exactly that helps fight it. It seems that the mice were able to destroy the skin cells which had been damaged by the sun's UV rays once they had undertaken regular exercise, and now the challenge the scientists face, is finding out exactly what it is that helps fight the effects of the rays.

It is obviously better for the body all around if you keep it fit and healthy. Being overweight can really put a real strain on the body, and you are generally more likely to be unhealthy if you are overweight, than if you were the right weight for your height. This means that if we exercise and control our weight, our bodies will be healthier and they will help us to fight off more illnesses, such as skin cancer, than we could if we were overweight.

So there are serious links with exercise and the reduction of skin cancer, but what is the best exercise to participate in?

The Best Types of Exercise:

Generally any exercise is good, but there are some that are better than others. Walking may be considered to be one of the best methods of exercise as it is the easiest to do, but some experts argue that walking is just not enough to provide the best results. However, if you power walk then you are going to achieve better results than slow walking!

Anything that gets the heart rate going and that makes you sweat is definitely the best type of exercise that you can do. Never try and do too much however, you should only go at a pace which you can handle and which is right for you, otherwise you could end up doing more harm than good.

So, whether you want to do jogging, horse riding, swimming or aerobics, as long as it gets your heart rate going, it is doing you some good. Aim to do at least thirty minutes each day, that way you will get the best possible results for you. You should notice that your skin starts to look a little clearer and that you feel more energized after around a week.

Overall, any exercise you choose to do will benefit the skin and help you to fight off skin cancer cells. Keeping yourself fit and healthy has never been as easy as it is today so there really is no excuse!

By: Louise Forrest

Bodybuilding For Teens

2007-03-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

Bodybuilding can be a very healthy and rewarding activity for teenagers for a number of reasons aside from the obvious physical benefits. However, due to their youth and the natural changes occurring in their bodies, parents often wonder if the training regimen of a teenager needs to vary drastically from that of an adult?

Most of the dangers relating to teenage bodybuilding actually have more to do with the “teenage” portion of the equation. No one, other than teenagers, would argue with the fact that teenagers can behave impulsively and can be prone to ignoring the precautions and rules they find themselves faced with. Obviously, this doesn’t apply to all teenagers, but it is something that needs to be taken into consideration.

There has been a longstanding belief that heavy weightlifting can actually stunt the growth of bones. The basis of the belief is that heavy weight lifting can speed up growth plate closure, prematurely stopping the bone growth. This has been suggested, but not proven, but weight lifting at an early age certainly hasn’t stunted the growth of the many professional athletes who started young. However, they may be exceptions to the rule and the jury is technically still out with no definitive proof in either camp.

Regardless, the danger is only really associated with heavy duty lifting and only occurs prior to a teenager reaching full developmental maturity. Though it obviously varies from teenager to teenager, the average age of full developmental maturity is 15 and very few teenagers under that age are pumping heavy iron.

A teenager shouldn’t try to simply emulate the workout routines of the adults that he or she may see at the gym. The odds are that any adult worth emulating in the gym has been training for years and has vast amounts of experience and training, which the teenager is lacking.

While trainers are a good idea for everyone, they are especially important for teenagers. Bad habits in weight training can lead to serious injuries and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states 12% of the annual accidents involving weightlifting equipment involved children between the ages of 5 and 14, and 35% involved people aged 15 – 24.

A good trainer will help a teenager develop the proper form, which is critical to avoiding injury. A trainer can also help reign in a teen who, in excitement and immature reasoning, may try to use weights that are simply too heavy.

Another danger for teenagers is the disturbing trend towards supplement overuse. Again, this can attributed to a lack of intellectual maturity and experience, but teenagers seem especially prone to sucking into the mythology that supplements are a magic key to building muscles and looking better.

Despite what they may believe about their own thinking capacity, teenagers are especially receptive to advertisements and magazine hype. The fact that a majority of bodybuilding magazines are owned and published by companies who also produce supplements isn’t widely known. Obviously, these companies are going to use the magazines they produce to push the products they produce…so don’t believe everything you read.

Realistically, teenagers are under no greater risk than adults while working out as long as it is done properly and intelligently. The key to ensuring that it’s done this way is adult supervision and guidance.

By: Gray Rollins -

The "emergency" Diet

2007-03-17T01:51:00.000-07:00

The “emergency” diet, with seven meals per day, is an easy diet that brings weight loss without starvation and may be followed for a week. The “emergency” diet also improves metabolism and eliminate fats easier.

This diet is based mostly on carbohydrates, proteins, and low amounts of fats. During a day without too much physical activity, a woman can burn up to forty grams of fat, but the daily fat intake is of seventy percent or more.

Monday:

Breakfast includes a muffin and a glass of orange juice. A banana, an orange, or another fruit substitutes for a snack. For lunch, flat bread with salad and bacon and two glasses of water.

The afternoon snack may be a small, low-fat yogurt, and an apple. A large bowl with vegetables and two slices of bread can satisfy the hunger of those who wish to follow this diet. A salad of fresh fruits is recommended as a dessert.

Tuesday:

This diet requires that people eat in the morning a small bowl with low-fat milk with corn flakes, and drink a glass of orange juice; morning snack should be a banana, an orange, or another fruit. For lunch, dieters may have for lunch a bowl with vegetable soup, one or two slices of bread, and two glasses of water.

A slice of bread along with a small and fat-free yogurt is indicated for a snack. Dinner consists of one glass of water and two portions of rice with vegetables. A small cup of ice cream is allowed. To read the rest of this article, go to ProjectWeightLoss, an online weight loss community featuring calorie counter, carbs counter, BMI calculator, diet planner, workout planner and other weight loss tools.

(c) ProjectWeightLoss 2007. All rights reserved.

By: Andrea-Pelin

Dietary Fundamentals: Control What You Are Eating

2007-03-17T01:42:00.000-07:00

When the question of weight-loss arises, people always favor awkward methods. People don’t want to learn ‘Dietary Fundamentals’; they don’t want to pursue healthy food habits. In fact many of you are still looking for overnight results. And that is the reason for hundreds of diet-pills and weight loss supplements on the market. The latest arrival on the Weight Loss circuit is an unbeatable African luscious product known as Hoodia Gordonii.
How does Hoodia Diet Pill Breaking Barrier?

For decades, the diet pill industry has been an all-natural appetite suppressant with no side effects other than the intended weight loss. However many diet pills became very popular within a shot span of time. While many of these worked, they often came with a heavy list of side effects. After a preliminary flurry of sales and excitement, most were dumped off due to dangers associated with its use, and some were even debarred from selling. Hoodia diet pills were launched in the U.S. market in early 2004; Hoodia Gordonii product has been steadily penetrating the market as a powerful appetite reducer that can help you lose weight. Its popularity was significantly boosted through a wide coverage by media giants ABC News and BBC News.

According to Phytopharm, the company that holds the patent on the process to extract ‘P57’ an active ingredient from hoodia, human subjects taking hoodia roots reduced their calorie intake by as much as 2k calories a day. So figures are impressive, and so far the overall results are satisfactory.

Is Hoodia Safe?

Since major News desks like ABC News and BBC News endorse Hoodia diet pill, scammers found it’s extremely easy to sell junks in the name of Hoodia. Many hoodia supplements available on the market actually do not have Hoodia Gordonii. Some even contains dangerous chemicals.
Obviously it’s hard to tell which Company sells genuine products and who don’t. However before rushing to purchase a Hoodia product, consult your doctor, check the product certificate and take guidance from your colleague who has already used the product. Be alert, don’t allow you to be cheated. Hoodia is a very expensive plant. So it’s virtually impossible to sell Hoodia at a peanut price.

By: Alex Balbesov

5 Ways To Change Your Lifestyle With Better Nutrition

2007-03-17T01:39:00.000-07:00

Obesity is at an all time high. As a society, we realize we need to change our lifestyle, and become more active. Make a commitment now to not only looking your best, but also living your best life possible.

1. You are what you eat.
Proper nutrition affects the appearance of your skin. Eating a balanced diet provides you with the proper vitamins, minerals and other nutrients essential for maintaining healthy skin.

While you can't eliminate wrinkles and take away the affects of years worth of over-eating and lack of exercise just by changing your nutritional habits, you can begin rejuvenating your skin by taking control over your eating patterns. A solid nutrition plan should be the start of your overall skin care plan.

2. Create A Balanced Diet.
Currently, the typical American diet is low in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and is high is sodium, sugars, and saturated fats. All of these contribute to obesity, and also increases the risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.

A well balanced diet will not only help rejuvenate your skin, it will also help to slim your body. Balance is the key. For most people, following the Daily Food Guide developed by the US Department of Agriculture will ensure a health lifestyle.

3. Keep Your Body Well Hydrated.
Your body is estimated to be about 70 percent water. Your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, and uses water to protect your joints and organs.

Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day to ensure better health. Remember, coffee and sodas are not substitutes for water. Try and drink between 6 to 8 glasses per day to reduce skin dryness, and help maintain an energetic tone, and to keep your body in full functionality.

4. Losing Weight To Your Optimal Level.
Diet is a word in almost everyone's vocabulary. Getting down to your optimal weight – and staying there – can give you more energy and vitality as you age.

Think of dieting as a way to get into the best shape possible for your body type and lifestyle. It shouldn't be about looking like someone else; always focus on what's best for your body. A balanced diet will help you achieve your ultimate weight, and look your best.

5. Maintain a Weekly Exercise Plan.
Exercising doesn't have to mean several hours a day of intense workout. Just become active. Take a walk in the park. Or sign up for a yoga class at the gym. A moderate exercise program will impact the look and feel.

A healthy lifestyle should be about looking and feeling your best. There is no quick answer to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Instead, choose to eat right, exercise regularly, and take care of your skin. Besides sun tanning, the quickest way to get wrinkles is to gain a lot of weight and then lose it. Maintaining is the key.

And when you're body is in great shape, your mental attitude will follow. Stay active, have fun, and enjoy life.

By: Dr Randolph Robinson

Tribal Tattoo Designs

2007-03-15T09:32:00.001-07:00

Tribal tattoos have existed in society for a long period of time. Though they seemed to become missing for a period of time, they are experiencing a revival again. Tribal tattoos are mainly popular because there is a feeling that they are connected with many secret tribes of the past. It might also be due to the fact that people who have traced their lineage to ancient tribes want something to remind them of their ancestry.

The tribal tattoos can help indicate a wide range of expressions. They can be used to identify a person as belonging to a particular group or tribe or as an enemy. They were also used to indicate the rank of a person in the chain of command in the ancient tribal societies. The tattoo sported by a king would be unique. In the same way, the tattoo sported by a soldier would be different from that of a common man.

The present generation has taken a liking to these tribal tattoos for a very good reason. These tattoos bring to light some very important features of the ancient tribal societies which even the present generation would like to imitate. For instance, the persons getting the same type of tattoos were supposed to remain together for the whole life according to the customs of the ancient tribes. They were also used as a pointer to the presence of various life forces. They were used to represent energy, ability, skill and power and could be used to inculcate positive feelings within the person.

Popularity of certain tribal tattoos depends on the choice of the person getting them. For example, flower tattoos would be favored exclusively by women and armband tattoos by men with well built biceps. In ancient tribes, the caliber of men and women to go through certain tasks was judged by their ability to counter the pain while getting a tattoo.

By: Roberto Bell

Looking Great With The Best Wrinkle Cream Products

2007-03-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for wrinkle creams that work?

If you are, then how should you go about choosing one? After all, there are so many anti-aging creams out there and they all seem to claim that they produce great results.

In this article, we're going to go through how to choose anti-aging wrinkle creams based on a 'checklist' of key points.

And these points will help you when you're choosing a product that will give you the gorgeous skin that you want.

You see, anti-aging technology has improved in recent years, and you can look years younger than your age.

The main trick is to source out the wrinkle creams that work.

So here we go.

When selecting the best wrinkle creams keep in mind these criteria:

1. Results in real life customers, that is testimonials, and before and after pictures

These are important as you can tell how effective the product is. There's nothing more informative than a picture: the picture is worth a thousand words.

2. Independent clinical studies

These reveal the independent views by wrinkle cream judges, as these studies look for the % reduction in wrinkles, seen in a period of time, and in what % of women studied. This is more objective.

3. Good information and explanation of how the cream works

The creams that work have a plausible way in which they work. Their information reveals their unique ingredients and how they work.

4. Good pricing

Most wrinkle creams that work are reasonably priced.

5. Company guarantee for their products

The companies of the best wrinkle creams usually offer a guarantee of satisfaction. And many of these wrinkle producers offer you a free trial to sample their products working for yourself before ordering their products.

It's the most reliable way to tell which wrinkle cream is best!

So now that you know this, go ahead and find the wrinkle creams that work.

To make this easier for you, visit the website in the resource box below for how to get the best wrinkle creams available.

And you know what, so many women have had their friends ask them how they were able to look 10 years younger so quickly, without plastic surgery!

This is a compliment for sure.

It's a real face lift in a bottle: the ultimate non surgical face lift!

Wrinkle creams that work are a breakthrough that's had so many people impressed.

So go ahead and get the wrinkle creams that work and see for yourself.

By: Marcus Ryan

Want to learn more about wrinkle creams that work? Marcus Ryan helps you to find the wrinkle creams that gives results, on his review site about the best skin wrinkle cream products. And get free wrinkle cream trials to see the results for yourself!

How to survive a heart attack

2007-02-27T08:19:00.000-08:00

Surviving a heart attack requires prompt identification of the warning signs and quick medical treatment. Do you know the signs of a heart attack?

A heart is a muscle that receives oxygenated blood from the coronary arteries. When one or more of these arteries become blocked, oxygen rich blood can not reach the heart muscle. Muscles that do not get enough oxygen will die. When a heart muscle dies it is called a heart attack or a myocardial infarction.

A heart attack can involve one section of the heart or many areas. The more areas involved the more serious the condition. The good news is that with prompt medical attention, the amount of permanent damage to your heart can be significantly reduced. Various treatments are available to open these clogged arteries and restore blood flow. The faster that you receive these treatments the better your prognosis.

Recognizing signs of a heart attack are very important. The most common sign is chest pain, pressure in the chest, or a feeling of a “heavy” weight on your chest. Pain can extend down either arm, although the left arm and shoulder is most common. The pain or pressure feeling can also extend into your neck and shoulders. Many people initially describe the pain as a feeling of “indigestion.” You may experience trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or feel nauseated. Many people also have a cold sweat.

In the past few years, many research studies have shown that women have slightly different symptoms. Women tend to have more vague aches and pains in the chest and complain of a feeling of sudden “exhaustion.” People with diabetes tend to experience have more complaints of a sudden feeling of weakness and general body aches.

If you suspect that you may be having a heart attack, phone emergency medical services
immediately. Do not attempt to drive yourself or drive someone else to the hospital. Ambulance personnel are highly trained professionals that can begin life saving treatments before you arrive in the hospital.

While waiting for the ambulance, sit quietly. Do not attempt to walk or climb stairs to meet the ambulance. If your doctor has prescribed Nitroglycerin medication, you should take it. Follow the instructions on the bottle carefully.

At your next doctor’s appointment ask him if you should take an aspirin. Aspirin can help with the blood flow to the heart muscle. There are some contraindications, so it is best to talk with your doctor. Do not drink water or eat any food while waiting for the ambulance. This will increase the chance of vomiting.

If the heart attack involves large areas of the heart or your heart rhythm changes, a cardiac arrest can occur. A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops working. The blood flow to the brain and body stops. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a defibrillator are needed. If you have not taken a CPR course, consider taking one. It can save a life!

Once you arrive in the hospital you will be put on a cardiac monitor. This will monitor your hearts rhythm and alert the staff to any changes. An electrocardiogram will be done. This test shows different angles of the heart and will tell the doctor what part of the heart muscle is involved. It is not painful and only takes a few minutes to complete. An intravenous line will be started and blood will be drawn. Blood tests will help to diagnose the heart attack. You will also be given some oxygen. In most cases it will be given through small tubes in your nose.

After a heart attack is diagnosed, the emergency department doctor will discuss the various treatment options. Medications may be given to help open the clogged arteries or he may recommend a surgical procedure. The decision will be based on the hospital’s capabilities and your health.

Written by Elizabeth Molle - © 2002 Pagewise

3 ways to protect your skin from cancer and aging

2007-02-27T08:11:00.000-08:00

Protect your skin from skin cancer and the effects of aging by following these three simple yet effective skincare tips.

There are two skin conditions that every person is afraid to even think about: skin cancer and aging. No one wants their skin to look old and certainly no one wants to be diagnosed with skin cancer. There are three easy ways to steer clear of both conditions.

1) Get smart about sunscreen. It is alarming to think about all the people who still don’t use sunscreen despite the fact that cases melanoma are rapidly increasing. You can love to be in the sun but you shouldn’t ignore the risks of doing so. To be safe, when you plan to spend a day in the sun, bring along plenty of sunscreen. There is absolutely no point in wearing sunscreen if it is not broad-spectrum. You need a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Otherwise you aren’t protecting your skin much at all.

Reapply sunscreen every two to four hours for maximum protection. It is also necessary to reapply sunscreen after every time you get out of the water. Even if the label on the sunscreen bottle says something like “all day protection,” or “lasts for 8 hours,” don’t fall for that trick. The fact of the matter is, no sunscreen is still pulling its weight after about 4 hours.

If you hate the thick sticky feeling that sunscreen leaves on your skin (who doesn’t hate that), try using a sunscreen that says it is sheer or goes on light. It would be a terrible shame to skip sunscreen because you hate the feel and then wind up with permanent skin damage a few years down the road.

Apply a liberal coat; use no less than a glob the size of a ping pong ball to cover your whole body during each application.

2) Never, ever use a tanning bed. Tanning beds used to be considered safe because they used primarily UVA rays which are not the rays that cause sunburn. These “safe” rays are now known to be even more dangerous to your skin’s health than the UVB rays. UVB rays are the rays that cause immediate but temporary problems on the surface of your skin but UVA rays do silent yet permanent damage that shows up years later. The UVA rays emitted from a tanning bed will at least cause excessive wrinkling and at worse skin cancer, both of which are conditions to be avoided when possible.

3) See a dermatologist. Your skin needs to be examined regularly by a professional. If a dermatologist detects skin cancer in its early stages it is usually completely curable. If the cancer isn’t caught until much later, it can be deadly. To get free skin cancer screenings, go the American Academy of Dermatology Web site and click on the link that says “Skin Cancer Screening.” Just type in your city and state to find a certified dermatologist near you who conducts free screenings. A dermatologist can also help you slow down or reverse aging effects and wrinkles through laser procedures, prescriptions, or just good skincare advice.

Written by Angela McKendree - © 2002 Pagewise

Nutritional benefits of apples

2007-02-27T07:22:00.001-08:00

Ever wonder about the nutritional benefits of apples? "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" This old adage may be truer that you think.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away" This old adage may be truer than you think. Recent studies have suggested that the consumption of apples can help control weight gain, lower the risk of heart disease and fight cancer. Though most people think the flesh of the apple is the most delicious part, the skin is definitely the most nutritious.

The apple skin contains 4 milligrams of quercetin, an anti-oxident compound preventing oxygen molecules from damaging individual cells. This can prevent cell changes that can lead to cancer. A Finnish study concluded that men who had the highest intake of quercetin lowered their risk of heart disease by 20%. This compound has also been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors and keep cancer cells from spreading.

The insoluble fiber found in apples is responsible for a host of other benefits. The apple skin is considered roughage and is a great remedy for constipation. Insoluble fiber also helps the digestive tract run smoothly, helping to prevent diverticulosis, a condition which can lead to colon cancer. Another benefit of insoluble fiber is its "filling" effect, this being an effective appetite supressant.

Apples also contain soluble fiber, which has the opposite affect of insoluble fiber, forming a gel-like material in the digestive tract that can help lower cholesterol, as well as, the risk of stroke and heart disease. One of the soluble fibers found in apples is called pectin. Pectin reduces the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver, slows digestion and and the rise of blood sugar making it ideal for diabetes patients.

To get the maximum amount of benefit from your apple, be sure to choose a variety that browns easily, like Granny Smith. Finally, don't substitute apple juice for an apples. Though it contains some iron and potassium, apple juice contains little of the beneficial compounds quertecin and fiber.

Written by Lisa Carattini - © 2002 Pagewise

Cancer Drug May Turn Immune System Against Tumors

2007-02-27T07:12:00.000-08:00

THURSDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers from Rockefeller University say that the cancer drug bortezomib (Velcade) has the potential to enhance cancer patients' immunity to tumors.

The new research suggests that when treating cancer, it's not just killing the cancer cells that matters. How they are killed may be just as important in determining the effectiveness of a cancer treatment.

For a study published this week online by the journal Blood, researchers tested the effects of the chemotherapy drug bortezomib in tissue culture containing multiple myeloma cells. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of immune cells in the bone marrow.

The researchers found that bortezomib's action on cancer cells may enable the immune system to recognize them, which could potentially help cancer patients' fight the disease more effectively.

After exposure to bortezomib, the multiple myeloma cells died in such a way that a heat shock protein, called hsp90, migrated to their surfaces. A group of immune cells, called dendritic cells, are activated when they encounter hsp90 on the dying tumor cells. This causes the dendritic cells to ingest the dying cancer cells and present them to memory and killer T-cells.

If replicated in humans, this progression could potentially lead to enhanced immunity.

"If you could directly target the drug to these cells, it may be sufficient enough to create a vaccine. The exposure of heat shock proteins on dying cells represents an immunogenic form of cell death," Madhav Dhodapkar, head of the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy at Rockefeller University, said in a prepared statement.

The immunity-enhancing effects of bortezomib also seem to extend to other types of cancers.

When the researchers treated lymphoma and breast cancer cells with bortezomib, the dying cells experienced the same increase in hsp90.

What is unclear is whether these findings will extend to actual immune responses in humans. If it does, the researchers hope to directly target tumors in cancer patients.

"A simple experiment that hasn't been done yet is simply injecting bortezomib directly into tumors. By directly targeting the tumor, rather than injecting the drug intravenously, we may be able to take better advantage of bortezomib's distinct properties," said Dhodapkar.

By Krisha McCoy
HealthDay
Thursday, February 22, 2007

Calcium, Vitamin D Supplements Cut Fracture Risk

2007-02-27T07:01:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Even a short period of calcium and vitamin D supplementation can greatly reduce the risk of stress fractures (overuse injuries to the bone) in women, a U.S. study finds.

The study included more than 5,200 female U.S. Navy recruits, ages 17 to 35, doing eight weeks of basic training. They were divided into two groups -- one group received daily pill supplements of 2,000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D, while the other group received placebo pills.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is vital to bone formation and repair.

During the study, 170 of the recruits in the placebo group suffered stress fractures, 25 percent more than the group taking the supplements. The researchers also noted that a history of exercise decreased risk among women in the study, while cigarette smoking increased the risk.

"What really surprised us is that calcium/vitamin D supplements made a significant difference in such a short period of time. Frankly, we were not sure we would see any statistically significant results in only eight weeks," principal investigator Joan Lappe, a professor of nursing and medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., said in a prepared statement.

She said these findings in military recruits may also apply to high-school track and field athletes, who are at increased risk for stress fractures.

"It appears that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D provides a health-promoting, easy and inexpensive intervention that does not interfere with training goals," Lappe said.

The study was presented this week in San Diego at the annual meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society.

By Robert Preidt
HealthDay
Friday, February 16, 2007

Caffeine may be good for some aging hearts

2007-02-27T06:52:00.000-08:00

Reuters Health

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Drinking caffeinated beverages on a regular basis may provide significant protection against death from heart disease in the elderly who have normal levels of blood pressure, according to data from a large U.S. health and nutrition study.

Drinking caffeinated beverages may induce a "healthy" rise in blood pressure that counteracts the drop in blood pressure that occurs after a meal, a phenomenon that becomes more pronounced as people age, researchers note.

Among 6,594 adults participating in the study, 426 died of heart disease during a 9-year period. For subjects 65 years of age or older, the researchers found that greater daily consumption of caffeinated beverages was associated with a lower risk of death from heart disease. This acted in a dose-response fashion - the higher the caffeine level, the lower the risk, and visa versa.

People who consumed four or more servings of caffeinated beverages daily had a 53-percent lower risk of death from heart disease compared with those who consumed less than half a serving daily. Subjects who consumed two to four servings per day had a 32-percent lower risk of dying from heart disease.

Caffeinated ground coffee and caffeinated instant coffee, both of which have relatively large amounts of caffeine per serving, were the only specific beverages associated with a statistically significant protective effect, the authors note.

This apparent protective effect of caffeinated coffee consumption was not seen in people with severe high blood pressure or those who were younger than 65 years of age.

Studies on caffeine and heart disease have yielded conflicting results, note principal investigator Dr. James A. Greenberg and colleagues from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. "It is possible that the conflict is due to differences between nonelderly and elderly persons," they point out, noting that one study found that drinking coffee increased the risk in younger subjects and that the level of risk decreased with increasing age.

As mentioned, caffeine may protect against heart disease death in the elderly by preventing a decline in blood pressure after meals, a phenomenon that becomes increasing more pronounced with age.

If confirmed, the current findings could have important ramifications, the authors conclude, given that coffee is widely consumed and heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the elderly.

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February 2007.

Reuters Health

Low-fat eating in restaurants

2007-02-27T06:22:00.000-08:00

Low-fat eating in restaurants Low-fat dining in restaurants is very possible if you know what to watch out for.

Restaurants can be real land mines as far as sticking to your low-fat diet goes. Even if you aren’t on a diet, if you eat out often enough, and make the wrong choices, you will soon find yourself in need of one. Try the following tips to make your next meal out a healthy one.

1. Choose meats that are grilled, as opposed to fried or sautéed. Grilled fish, such as salmon or tilapia, is a good choice that is high in protein and all-around healthy.

2. Choose a side of vegetables, when they are offered, as opposed to a baked potato or French fries

3. Order a salad and put your own dressing on it. If you know that you are going out to eat, take a container with you that has your own low-fat dressing in it. Eating a salad with full-fat dressing rarely saves anyone any calories, and if it consists primarily of iceberg lettuce, it is not even very healthy.

4. If you order a steak, order sirloin or tenderloin. Stay away from the high fat prime rib! Also, a serving size of meat is considered to be three ounces. Regardless of where you are eating, when you place your order, ask for a take-out box at the same time. That way, when your meal is brought to you, you can immediately cut your eight-ounce steak (or huge serving of whatever) in half and prepare to take it home. If you have ordered vegetables as a side dish, and are taking it easy on the breadbasket, you have ordered a healthy meal at that point.

5. When eating at a Mexican restaurant, try to stick to chicken or bean dishes. If you order beans, order whole ones, as opposed to the refried variety. Chicken Monterrey, with its colorful vegetable topping, is a great choice if you ask the waiter to hold the cheese. If possible, sit far away from the chip basket. The salsa accompanying the chips is healthy, however, and is great for jazzing up a bland burrito.

6. If you are really craving a high-fat meal, try ordering a smaller version of it as an appetizer. This way, you may still be eating the fat, but you are eating much less of it. Often, appetizers offer a more reasonable portion of food anyway. Of course, eating eight sticks of fried cheese is not a low-fat choice!

7. Don’t hesitate to ask the waiter if the meal can be prepared with less fat. Often, the cook will be happy to accommodate such a request. This works especially well in Chinese restaurants when you have ordered a stir-fried dish. Often, the cook can simply substitute more broth for the oil when preparing the dish. Never order sweet and sour anything in a Chinese restaurant. What this really means is fried food. Stay away!

8. Do not eat any pasta with “Alfredo” in the name. Whoever this person was, he must have loved high fat foods! Alfredo sauce is cream-based, and often has cheese added as well. Instead, if you are ordering a pasta dish, choose one with a tomato-based sauce. Alfredo gets sneaky here, by offering a sun-dried tomato sauce in many instances. It is still fattening. Stay far away from Alfredo!

9. Eat a bowl of soup. Usually restaurants have several to choose from. When you order, make sure to choose a soup such as minestrone or vegetable, and avoid all soups that feature cream or cheese as primary ingredients. A popular soup in many Mexican restaurants is chicken tortilla soup. This can be a good one to order if you request it without cheese, and ask them to go easy on the fried tortillas.

10. If you can’t resist the dessert menu, order one dessert and share it with the entire table. Ask the waiter to bring six forks, or whatever the case may be. This practice is becoming increasingly common, especially since restaurant desserts have reached gargantuan proportions! If there are not six people at the table, promise yourself that you will only have three bites. Even if you ate nothing else besides the dessert, you would add over a thousand fat-laden calories to your day’s intake in most cases. Eating out does not need to be an exercise in deprivation. If you are the person who will be choosing the restaurant, try choosing a Japanese restaurant that offers sushi or low-fat teriyaki dishes. Almost everything on the menu will be low fat, except for the tempura. There is a reason why the Japanese don’t have the same weight problems as Americans, and you can see why when you glance at a Japanese restaurant’s menu. Vietnamese restaurants also offer primarily low-fat options. Taking yourself out of the mainstream can save you many calories as well as provide an enjoyable dining experience. Meanwhile, at other restaurants, take comfort in knowing that you will get two meals for the price of one since you have asked for a to go container at the outset of the meal. Make sure to refrigerate the leftovers when you get home, or better yet, actually give the leftovers to the dog, in remembrance of the doggy bags of old. Your dog will thank you, and so will your scale.

Written by Michelle Gaut - © 2002 Pagewise

Benefits and sources of vitamin b-12

2007-02-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

Benefits and sources of vitamin b-12

Vitamin B-12, or cobalamin, is a member of the vitamin B complex family. It is essential for the growth of red blood cells and maintenance of the nervous system. It is found naturally in meat, eggs and dairy products and if those items are included in your diet, there is little risk of having a vitamin b-12 deficiency. Many researchers believe that B-12 is also in soybeans and soy food products but the form of the vitamin is such that it cannot be absorbed by humans. Those on a strict vegan diet are most at risk for a B-12 deficiency.

Vitamin B-12 is also necessary for the quick propagation of DNA during cell division. Within bone marrow, this is extremely important, as this is where red blood cells are manufactured in the body. If a B-12 deficiency develops, a condition known as anemia occurs. This is where abnormal blood cells form, called megaloblasts and can be debilitating and if left untreated lead to stomach cancer. Symptoms of anemia can include excess fatigue, pallor, breathlessness and lowered resistance to infection and menstrual disorders in women. Anemia can also be caused by a folic acid or iron deficiency, so a blood work up by a qualified doctor would be necessary to determine the exact cause.

Generally when a deficiency occurs it is due to an absorption problem rather than a lack of B-12 in the diet. Absorption of B-12 is dependant on calcium through a process known as the intrinsic factor. Glycoprotein, a secretion from the cells of the stomach lining begins the process and when combined with calcium in the small intestine is absorbed into intestinal walls. Many people who are unable to produce this intrinsic factor on their own require injections of B-12 to avoid anemia.

Small amounts of B-12 are stored in the liver and excreted in the bile where it is then reabsorbed. This process is known as enterohepatic circulation and the amounts can vary among individuals. Those dieting or those who eat the vegan lifestyle may only have this type of B-12 in their system.

It can take up to twenty years for a deficiency disease to manifest itself in some individuals if the deficiency is due to changing diets. If the problem is due to absorption problems, the symptoms can manifest in as little as three years.

Although many plants do have a form of B-12, the only guaranteed sources of the vitamin are eggs, dairy products and meats. Research has shown that many B-12 supplement products in tablet form can possibly increase the chances of deficiency as they cannot be absorbed readily and leaves the user with a false sense that they are getting enough.

A half pint of milk, two eggs or two slices of cheese can insure enough B-12 in a vegetarian’s diet. Meat eaters rarely have a problem with B-12 unless they have absorption problems. Vegans, who are at the highest risk of deficiency, should be sure to consume adequate amounts of B-12 fortified soy products, cereals and yeast extracts such as nutritional yeast.

Yogurt, while a dairy product, is not recommended unless it is fortified as the vitamin B-12 is destroyed during the fermentation process.

Vitamin B-12, along with the other vitamins in the B complex is a vitamin that no one can live with out. It is important to read product levels and make sure you are including the whole B vitamin family into your diet.

Written by Kat Yares - © 2002 Pagewise

Doctors warn of poisoning from hand gels

2007-02-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

Doctors warn of poisoning from hand gels

BOSTON (Reuters) - At least two people have become intoxicated by drinking hand-sanitizing gels, a potentially deadly habit, doctors reported on Wednesday.

A prison inmate and a hospitalized alcoholic both were treated for poisoning from the gels, which contain alcohol -- but not the same kind as found in beverages.

Evidently people misunderstand the labels that show the gels, foams and liquids contain alcohol, the doctors said in separate letters to The New England Journal of Medicine. Cases of people drinking the hand gels because of their alcohol content have not previously been reported in major medical journals.

"The Maryland Poison Center was called about a 49-year-old, usually calm prison inmate who was described as being 'red-eyed,' 'loony,' 'combative,' and 'intoxicated, lecturing everyone about life'," Dr. Suzanne Doyon of the Maryland Poison Center and Dr. Christopher Welsh of the University of Maryland School of Medicine wrote in one letter.

"Other inmates and staff reported seeing this prisoner drinking from a gallon container of Purell hand sanitizer over the course of the evening. "
In the second case, a 43-year-old man with alcoholism was treated for mysterious chest pains and other symptoms.

"Before those results were obtained, the patient was seen in the bathroom drinking the alcohol-based hand wash from its dispenser," Dr. Ashkan Emadi and Dr. LeAnn Coberly of the University of Cincinnati wrote.

"When asked why he ingested the hand cleaner, he pointed to the label, which read, 'Active ingredient 63 percent v/v isopropyl alcohol.' He explained that this percentage is higher than that in vodka," they added.

It only takes a small amount of isopropanol to kill, by depressing the heart and central nervous system, they wrote.

They suggest that makers of the hand gels change the labeling.

Reuters HealthThursday, February 1, 2007
By Gene Emery

How to quit smoking: tips and help

2007-02-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

How to quit smoking: tips and help
Despite the well-known health risks related to smoking, quitting can be very difficult for most individuals. Read on for tips and advice concerning how to quit smoking.

Cigarette smoking is a dangerously addictive habit. The health hazards related to cigarette smoking are numerous and include the increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Despite the well-known health risks related to smoking, quitting can be very difficult for most individuals. Read on for tips and advice concerning how to quit smoking.

The first step in quitting smoking is making a firm commitment. If you want to succeed at kicking the tobacco habit you need to set a date to stop and stick to it. Decide why you want to stop. Make a list of all the reasons you should quit. Making a list may seem unnecessary, but if you are caught in the throes of withdrawal symptoms, looking at your list may help to renew a potentially faltering commitment.

On your chosen quitting date throw away all your cigarettes, ashtrays, lighters, and any other smoking related paraphernalia. Clean your bedding, clothing, house, and your car to get rid of the tobacco smell. Be sure to shower and wash your hair as well. The smell of cigarette smoke lingers in furniture and clothing so you may need to do a thorough cleaning job and leave your windows open for as long as possible to let fresh air in.

Notify your friends, associates, and family of your intent to quit. Ask them to support you by not smoking around you, putting their cigarettes away in your presence, and not offering you cigarettes. To reduce temptation, do not allow others to smoke in your home or car.

Do not smoke at all, not even one cigarette. It will be much harder for you to quit if you allow yourself to cheat here and there. Try to find other activities to engage in to distract yourself from wanting to smoke. Talk to a friend, take a walk, read a good book, go jogging, or get busy with an interesting new activity.

Consider nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug found in tobacco. Smokers must overcome both physical and psychological dependence on nicotine in order to successfully quit smoking. There are many products on the market that deliver a small amount of nicotine to help reduce the urge to smoke. Nicotine replacement products are available over the counter in the form of patches, gums, and lozenges. Nicotine replacement nasal sprays and inhalers require a prescription. A medication called Bupropion, also available only by prescription, can be helpful when quitting smoking as well. Some individuals should not use nicotine replacement products because of certain medical conditions. It is wise to check with your doctor first.

There are withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking, which can include weight gain and depression. Eat healthy and exercise to help combat weight gain. Remember your goal and do not allow gaining a few extra pounds to distract you from it. Remember, continuing to smoke is far more dangerous to your health than gaining a little weight.

Try some different ways of improving your mood and relieving tension such as exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and prayer. Check your local library, bookstore, or newspaper to find listings for stress-management classes and support groups.

For more advice and help for quitting smoking talk to your doctor. He or she should be able to refer you to organizations that provide information, support, and counseling for individuals trying to kick the cigarette habit. Your local hospital or department of health can also provide valuable resources.

Most of all, when quitting smoking, it is important to remember you are only human. If you have a relapse and smoke a cigarette do not waste time berating yourself. Instead, quit again. Never give up!

Written by Nicole Madison - © 2002 Pagewise