STROKE

Also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), a stroke is a life-threatening event in which part of the brain is deprived of adequate oxygen. A stroke can cause oxygen-starved brain cells to die. The condition must be treated immediately. According to the American Heart Association , stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease and cancer.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or becomes clogged by a blood clot or other mass. This prevents oxygen and nutrients from getting to nerve cells in the affected area of the brain. These nerve cells can die within minutes, and the area of the body that they control may cease to function. This damage can be permanent, especially if the patient is not immediately treated.
There are two main types of strokes: Ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen. This is usually due to a blood clot in an artery leading to the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by excessive bleeding in or around the brain. It may be the result of factors such as high blood pressure , cerebral aneurysm or a head injury. In general, older adults are more likely to experience ischemic strokes, and young people are more likely to experience hemorrhagic strokes.
In some cases, people experience the symptoms of a stroke for a brief period of time. These are called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) – also sometimes referred to as “mini-strokes” – because symptoms are less severe than an acute ischemic stroke, and go away fairly quickly (within minutes, in most cases). However, TIAs may indicate a serious medical complication that may cause another, more serious stroke at some point in the future.
In recent years, rapid treatment of stroke has advanced as physicians have become better at identifying what kind of stroke is occurring and moving quickly to treat it. This has resulted in a higher survival rate, but also a higher rate of hospitalization as more people survive their strokes.
The focus of stroke therapy remains rapid treatment to re-establish blood flow to the brain – but even this carries some risk. When blood flow is restored (a process known as reperfusion) to the affected area of the brain, further damage can occur. Returning blood carries white blood cells that can block smaller blood vessels and release toxins harmful to brain cells . Nevertheless, brain cells deprived of oxygen can die within minutes, causing long–term disability. If the flow of blood is restricted for too long, death could result. Therefore, the benefits of restoring blood flow to the brain are considered by physicians to outweigh the risks.
A stroke may occur in any person, regardless of age. However, strokes are more common in adults than children. When a person under the age of 18 suffers a stroke, it is known as a pediatric stroke. Because they are rare, pediatric strokes are often not recognized and treatment may delayed. This increases the risk of brain damage. Children tend to have different risk factors for stroke than adults, such as congenital heart disease, sickle cell anemia, and other conditions and traumas. It is important that families with children who are at risk of pediatric stroke learn to recognize the signs of stroke.
Although strokes occur with roughly equal frequency in both men and women, women are more likely to die from stroke. This may be due to the fact that women are less likely than men to receive rapid medical assessment and treatment for stroke.
Female stroke victims account for more than 60 percent of the annual deaths due to stroke, according to the American Heart Association. In addition, 25 percent of women who have suffered a stroke will die within a year, and about 50 percent of female stroke survivors will die within eight years. That means that stroke claims more women’s lives than breast cancer. For every American woman who dies of breast cancer, two more die of stroke.
African-Americans have a higher risk of stroke than most other ethnic groups. The reasons for this are poorly understood. However, it is thought to be related to poverty, lack of access to adequate health-care and genetic factors.

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Blood Circulation and its effect on our health

Our Circulatory System
Our body circulatory system have 3 parts: pulmonary circulation (lungs), coronary circulation (heart), and systemic circulation (the rest). This system mainly involves the heart, the lungs and the blood vessels. The lungs provide oxygen for the heart to pump to the rest of our body. This is done through blood circulation, the blood carries the oxygen from the lungs to the heart.
The heart then pumps the blood full of oxygen to all of our body cells. Nutrients are also carried in the blood to these cells. Our body cells and tissues will die if they do not receive blood.
The blood always circulates throughout our body, in arteries, capillaries and veins. It moves in the arteries away from the heart, to other parts of the body. As the arteries gets smaller as the blood travels away from the heart, they become capillaries. It is from here that oxygen is supplied to the tissues and in turn, takes away the waste and carbon dioxide.
The returning blood circulation then enters the right side of the heart and moves on to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is deposited. It then picks up more oxygen and returns to the left side of the heart. The whole process is repeated as the heart pumps the blood again.
So, how do blood circulation affects our health? In many ways, in fact, the circulation affects the whole body and its functions, and is a basic precondition to maintain good health. Below are some cases of the effects of blood circulation.

Brain
In this circulatory system, about 20% of the blood pumped from our heart goes to the brain, which only represents 2% of our body's weight.
Good Blood Circulation gives:
• Good memory and concentration
• Good coordination of body parts
• Quick response to stimulation
Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Headache
• Feeling faint and dizziness
• Reduced or poor mental clarity - forget names easily
• Poor comprehension of figures
Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Dementia
• Short term memory loss, inability to think through problems, confusion, paranoia, bizarre behaviour
• Stroke
• Long term build up of cholesterol in the brain's blood vessels may narrow the blood vessels and hence, disrupt blood flow.
• When the blood vessels in the brain are blocked or rupture due to increased pressure, a person is said to suffer from stroke.
• Stroke victims may suffer paralysis, impaired speech, or even death.

Heart Muscles
Good Blood Circulation gives:
• Good energy and stamina
• Regular and normal heart rate
Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing difficulty is a common symptom of inadequate blood flow to the heart
• Feeling faint and dizziness
• Fatigue
• Easily feels tired when performing physical activities such as jogging
Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Angina
• Chest pains due to poor circulation to the heart
• Heart attack
• Fatty materials build up gradually in the heart's blood vessels, narrowing the path and obstructs blood flow. Eventually, this triggers a heart attack.
• Heart failure have a high risk of death, while a mild or moderate heart attack may gradually cause heart failure months or years after the heart attack.

Liver
Our liver performs many vital functions, which includes:
• Metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein
• Removal of worn-out cells, drugs and toxins
• Storage for glycogen, vitamins and minerals
• Activating Vitamin D
Good Blood Circulation gives:
• Good energy and stamina
• Few or no allergies
• Smooth and healthy skin
• Normal glucose level
Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Poor appetite and weight loss
• Itchy skin
Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Lethargy
• Jaundice

Kidneys
Our kidneys
• Eliminate excess water, urea, uric acid and other waste materials
• Regulate the blood pressure, blood pH and blood volume
• Help synthesize and secrete hormones
Good Blood Circulation gives:
• Good energy and stamina
• Little or no incidence of water retention
• Normal blood pressure and heart rate
Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Build-up of waste and water in your body
• Symptoms: Swelling of face, hands, ankles or feet
• Fatigue
• Rapid heart rate and light-headedness
Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Kidney failure

Legs/Hands
Good Blood Circulation gives:
• Warm feet and hands
• Low incidence of foot ulcer
• Quick healing of all wounds

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Cold hands and feet, may feel numb
Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Varicose veins
• Poor healing of wounds
• Cyanosis
• Skin looks blue due to lack of oxygen supply to body parts

Reproductive Organs
Good Blood Circulation gives:
• Normal sex drive
• Hormonal balance
• Enhanced vitality
Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Low libido
Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:
• Impotency

LIVER

The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in vertebrates and some other animals. The liver is necessary for survival; a human can only last up to 24 hours without liver function.[citation needed] It plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body, including glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, and detoxification. The liver is also the largest gland in the human body. It lies below the diaphragm in the thoracic region of the abdomen. It produces bile, an alkaline compound which aids in digestion, via the emulsification of lipids. It also performs and regulates a wide variety of high-volume biochemical reactions requiring very specialized tissues.

Anatomy
The adult human liver normally weighs between 1.4 - 1.6 kilograms (3.1 - 3.5 pounds),[4] and it is a soft, pinkish-brown, triangular organ. Averaging about the size of an American football in adults, it is both the largest internal organ and the largest gland in the human body.
It is located on the right side of the upper abdomen below the diaphragm anatomy. The liver lies to the right of the stomach and overlies the gallbladder.
Flow of blood
The splenic vein joins the inferior mesenteric vein, which then together join the superior mesenteric vein to form the hepatic portal vein, bringing venous blood from the spleen, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, so that the liver can process the nutrients and by-products of food digestion.
The hepatic veins of the blood can be from other branches such as the superior mesenteric artery.
Both the portal venules & the hepatic arterioles enter approximately one million identical lobules acini, likened to and changes in the size of chylomicrons lipoproteins of dietary origin brought about by the quantity & types of food fats.[c
Approximately 60% to 80% of the blood flow to the liver is from the portal venous system, and 1/5th of blood flow is from the hepatic artery.

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Low Cholesterol Diet

By Peter Emerson
Nowadays, cholesterol is becoming a real threat to many people. The main reason behind this is that people tend to consume more products that are rich in saturated fats, such as whole milk dairy products, poultry, and egg yolks.
Additionally, most people also rely on food chains for their daily diet or perhaps on processed foods, especially if their schedule is too hectic to accommodate home cooking. So if you are one of these people who love to eat these kinds of foods, it’s time to reassess your diet and start eating a low-cholesterol diet.
The low-cholesterol diet is a diet low in saturated fat, which helps lower your cholesterol level and protect you from various heart diseases. The foods that should be included in this diet are fat-free dairy products, lean meats, fish and shellfish, skinless poultry, and whole-grain foods. Fresh fruits and green vegetables, especially when combined with large quantities of olive oil and monostaturates, should also be included because these are rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for your body and reduce your risk for high cholesterol. In addition to these, certain foods that contain plant stanols or plant sterols such as cholesterol-lowering margarines and salad dressings can also be added to your diet to boost your body’s LDL-lowering power.
Meanwhile, foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fats should only be eaten in moderation. If possible, these should not be included in your diet. Avoid liver and other organ meats, egg yolks, full-fat dairy products, high-fat processed meats, and fried foods. Limiting the intake of these foods can greatly reduce your cholesterol levels and decrease your chances of developing heart disease, as well as protect you from future heart attacks.
A simple low-cholesterol diet is a big help to you, but only if you observe and follow these guidelines regularly. Remember that your health is in your hands.

A Secret Of Anti Aging

By Stephanie Relfe B.Sc. (Sydney)

Anti aging is possible. The body is designed to heal and repair itself with the aid of proper nutrition. The body requires two vital materials to complete this - energy and raw material. These two requirements are needed to maintain the cell's proper functions. The body is made up of cells and all cells are living. All living things need food. Each cell needs the proper food to keep it strong. Cells die and replace themselves at various intervals. To understand antin-aging, understand that when a cell replaces itself it has three options that it can replace itself with:

1. A cell may replace itself with a weaker cell each time. A cell will do this if it hasn't had the right nutritional foods available to it. This process is called degeneration.

2. A cell can replace itself with the same strength cell. This means the body doesn't improve. That is, you have a chronic condition.

3. The cell is capable of replacing itself with a stronger and better cell. This will happen only if the cell has an abundance of energy and the right raw materials. This process is called regeneration. It is anti-aging.

Many of the foods that we have been told are good for us in actual fact may cause degeneration. This can be shown by muscle testing. Your kinesiologist can supply you with information on which foods to avoid to stop degeneration, and which foods to buy to aid regeneration and anti-aging.

FOODS WHICH CAN CAUSE DEGENERATION AND AGING ARE:

High levels of carbohydrate

Sugar

Milk (especially homogenized milk) and cheese

Caffeine - Including Tea, Coffee, chocolate, cola, chuppa chups

Chocolate (it contains dangerous levels of lead!)

Cigarettes

White flour

Microwaved food

Chemicals such as flouride (which is a rat poison)

Artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame / nutrasweet)

Alcohol

Processed foods

Artificial Colorings (as in Gatorade)

Additives

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

Preserved meat

Moderate to high levels of meat

Meat from animals on unnatural diets (eg pork)

Margarine

Vegetable oil

Canola oil

Cotton seed oil

Olestra

Hydrogenated oils

Oil that is not cold pressed / expeller pressed (use olive oil, butter or ghee)

Deep fried foods

Chips / French fries

Puffed grains

Soy products other than soy sauce, miso and tofu (eg soy milk & soy oil)

Meat and eggs raised by `normal' methods which have many toxins and hormones.

Seafood which are garbage eaters (eg oysters)

Foods with high levels of mercury. This includes most fish, such as tuna.

Genetically Modified Food (GMOs). At present this is about 50% of all soy and corn. Even organic soy and corn can have GMOs in it unless otherwise stated.

A MAJOR cause of aging is heavy metals. Virtually all of us suffer from heavy metal toxicity.

The best way to remove heavy metals is by chelation, by I.V. or by suppository.

FOODS WHICH CAN HELP REGENERATION AND ANTI-AGING INCLUDE:

RAW nuts, seeds, soaked and sprouted grains

Fruit and vegetables especially sprouts

Green leafy vegetables

Legumes (bean and lentils - learn Indian cooking to make them interesting)

Goji Juice & Berries - Possibly the best anti-aging substance in the world.

Super Food

Seeds

Bee pollen (not for everyone-some are allergic to pollen from some areas)

Kambucha

Celtic sea salt

Spirulina

Seaweed

Wheatgrass juice

Barley greens

Aloe Vera

Antioxidants (eg vitamin C, vitamin E, pycnogenols, coenzyme Q10)

Olive oil

Evening primrose oil

MSM (organic sulphur)

Foods with omega 3 fatty acids (eg flaxseed oil) and

Foods with omega 4 & 5 fatty acids (eg evening primrose and fish oil).

Gentle sunlight (vitamin D)

Gentle exercise.

A good night's sleep every night, minimum eight hours.

In addition, frequent drinks of good water is crucial. We believe the best water is water that has been filtered by reverse osmosis. Next best would be spring water. Tap water is not as good because of the chlorine and the fluoride (although it is better than nothing). Distilled water is not as good for you - its energy has been altered. In Europe distilled water is labelled ``not for human consumption". Mineral water is not as good because the minerals are not in a form your body likes. Water that comes from the top of mountains is no good because, according to genius Victor Schauberger, it is lacking in oxygen. Many people's health problems and anti-aging would improve if they would just drink more good water!

Nutritionists like to divide food into a number of different groups. I suggest that you think about dividing food up into two food groups. One group produces acids when it is digested. The other group produces alkalies when it is digested. Our bodies are constantly producing waste products, much the same as the exhaust coming from the back of your car. Waste products are acidic. They are called toxins. Toxins cause tiredness, pain and aging. Therefore, if you want more energy and less pain and anti-aging, you need to eat less acid-producing food.

Foods that produce acids are carbohydrates and proteins. 'Foods' such as tea, coffee, softdrinks, sugar, flavourings, artificial sweetener and preserved meats are even more acidic i.e. toxic. And pollutants (such as heavy metals) and pesticides are even worse.

To neutralise an acid you need an alkali. The only foods that produce alkalis are fruit and vegetables, particularly leafy, green vegetables, such as sprouts, parsley and cabbage. That is why people should eat LOTS of fruit and especially vegetables, for anti-aging. Raw is best. And steamed is much, much better than boiled (as it retains the vitamins and minerals).

Once you begin to understand this, it is easy to see why so many people are suffering from health problems. Have a look at what people put into their shopping carts next time you are at the supermarket. (Lots of white bread, soft drinks and preserved meats). And have a look at what people have on their plate next time you are in a restaurant. Lots of carbohydrate and protein, and very few vegetables, except maybe for some lettuce.

This is not to say that we don't need protein and complex carbohydrates. We do. The key is BALANCE. We need to balance the acid-producing foods we eat with much more alkali-producing foods, especially if we suffer from symptoms such as tiredness,pain, illness, gas and skin problems.

The other thing to bear in mind is that the body has hundreds of different chemical reactions going on, for which it needs at least NINETY different things, including vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Therefore, people need more variety in their diet, to ensure that they get everything their body needs, for effective anti-aging.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not medical science or medical advice. This information is not backed up by scientific evidence. This is just for your information. This information and these products have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, disorder, pain, injury, deformity, or physical or mental condition. Individual results may vary.

About the Author : Stephanie Relfe was born in Sydney Australia. She now lives in the USA with her husband and son. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Sydney University. She is a professional kinesiologist and the webmaster of "Health, Wealth & Happiness" at www.relfe.com, a website which provides valuable natural health, mind, spirit, financial and other information unifying the whole, rather than educating a part of the whole.

Bipolar Disease

Definition
Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of excitability (mania) alternating with periods of depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt.

Alternative Names
Manic depression; Bipolar affective disorder

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally and usually appears between the ages of 15 and 25. The exact cause is unknown, but it occurs more often in relatives of people with bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder results from disturbances in the areas of the brain that regulate mood. During manic periods, a person with bipolar disorder may be overly impulsive and energetic, with an exaggerated sense of self. The depressed phase brings overwhelming feelings of anxiety, low self-worth, and suicidal thoughts.
There are two primary types of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder I have had at least one fully manic episode with periods of major depression. In the past, bipolar disorder I was called manic depression.
People with bipolar disorder II seldom experience full-fledged mania. Instead they experience periods of hypomania (elevated levels of energy and impulsiveness that are not as extreme as the symptoms of mania). These hypomanic periods alternate with episodes of major depression.
A mild form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia involves periods of hypomania and mild depression, with less-severe mood swings. People with bipolar disorder II or cyclothymia may be misdiagnosed as having depression alone.

Symptoms
The manic phase may last from days to months and include the following symptoms:
• Elevated mood
o Racing thoughts
o Hyperactivity
o Increased energy
o Lack of self-control
• Inflated self-esteem (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities)
• Over-involvement in activities
• Reckless behavior
o Spending sprees
o Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
o Sexual promiscuity
o Impaired judgment
• Tendency to be easily distracted
• Little need for sleep
• Easily agitated or irritated
• Poor temper control
These symptoms of mania are seen with bipolar disorder I. In people with bipolar disorder II, hypomanic episodes involve similar symptoms that are less intense.
The depressed phase of both types of bipolar disorder involves very serious symptoms of major depression:
• Persistent sadness
• Fatigue or listlessness
• Sleep disturbances
o Excessive sleepiness
o Inability to sleep
• Eating disturbances
o Loss of appetite and weight loss
o Overeating and weight gain
• Loss of self-esteem
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and/or guilt
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Withdrawal from friends
• Withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed
• Persistent thoughts of death
There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. While in either phase, patients may abuse alcohol or other substances, which can worsen the symptoms.
Sometimes there is an overlap between the two phases. Manic and depressive symptoms may occur simultaneously or in quick succession in what is called a mixed state.

Signs and tests
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder involves consideration of many factors. The health care provider may do some or all of the following:
• Observe your behavior and mood
• Obtain your medical history, including any medical problems you have and any medications you take
• Ask about your recent mood swings and how long you've experienced them
• Ask about your family medical history, particularly whether anyone has or had bipolar disorder
• Perform a thorough examination to identify or rule out physical causes for the symptoms
• Request laboratory tests to check for thyroid problems or drug levels
• Speak with your family members to discuss their observations about your behavior
Note: Use of recreational drugs may be responsible for some symptoms, though this does not rule out bipolar affective disorder. Drug abuse may itself be a symptom of bipolar disorder.

Treatment
Bipolar disorder is often treated with mood-stabilizing medications such as valproic acid, lithium, and carbamazepine. These are effective for treating both the manic and depressive phases, as well as preventing future symptoms.
Antidepressant drugs may be useful during the depressive phase IF the antidepressants are used with a mood stabilizer. Mood stabilizers are very important in people with bipolar disorder. Without a mood stabilizer, antidepressants may trigger mania in people with bipolar disorder. (Keep in mind that people with bipolar disorder II may be misdiagnosed with depression only because they do not experience full-fledged mania. If these patients take antidepressants without mood stabilizers, it can trigger a manic episode.)
Anti-psychotic drugs can help a person who has lost touch with reality. Anti-anxiet drugs, such as benzodiazepines, may also help. The patient may need to stay in a hospital until his or her mood has stabilized and symptoms are under control.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to treat bipolar disorder. ECT is a psychiatric treatment that uses an electrical current to cause a brief seizure of the central nervous system while the patient is under anesthesia. Studies have repeatedly found that ECT is the most effective treatment for depression that is not relieved with medications.
Getting enough sleep helps keep a stable mood in some patients. Psychotherapy may be a useful option during the depressive phase. Joining a support group may be particularly helpful for bipolar disorder patients and their loved ones.

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Be Healthy With Organic Food

Today's society is vigilant towards consciousness for health and people are constantly searching for factors that are able to give them an edge for achieving to be healthy. We all know that healthy diet, constant physical activity regime, and sufficient rest have profound impact upon our entire vitality. Subsequently, there are an overwhelming number of groups who swear that organic food is extremely beneficial for the overall health of individuals.

How Are Organic Foods Produced? Produced in organic farms, these foods are grown under stern supervision and guidelines and are packaged and grown without using any pesticides, man-made fertilizers, preservatives, artificial colorings and other chemicals. Non-organic products are subjected to various chemicals, which are usually not thoroughly studied so that their effects over the consumers' body can be understood and contemplated. These chemicals may be linked to anything from some types of cancer to food allergies.

Benefits Of Consuming Organic Food One of the main advantages of consuming organic food is that these food products are not at all subjected to any unreliable substances. Dairy and meat products prepared under organic principles are also free from any form of chemicals. Non-organic agricultural farmers usually subject the livestock to various chemical supplements designed for speeding their weight and growth. Further, cows in the dairies are given chemicals for increasing their milk productivity.

As per the guidelines for organic foods, the livestock is reared without using any antibiotics or growth hormones and are not genetically modified in any way. The benefits of organic foods are that the livestock are given only organic feed which is free from chemicals and supplements.

Another advantage of consuming organic food is its friendliness to the environment. The non-organic foods are treated through chemicals, which are responsible to change the landscape and contaminate the surrounding ground and water supplies. The ground in which organic food is grown experiences no changes. Making commitment towards using organic foods will make you healthy as the benefits of organic foods lie in enjoying natural whole foods free of chemicals.

As the benefits of organic foods are long lasting and varied to the environment, the decision for going organic is responsible and a healthy one.

In several countries, the producers of organic foods need to get an organic certification so that they can advertise their food products as organic. Chemical free food products are not able to cure any existing illness but are believed to reduce the risks of intoxication of the body, thereby leading to lesser health related problems. The market of organic foods has been fast developing, as the customers are becoming increasingly health conscious and aware about the after effects of pesticides and chemical fertilizers used in crops on their health.

Virtually, everyone may agree that organic vegetables, fruits, fish and meats are preferred to non-organic foods grown with insecticides, fungicides and chemical fertilizers. At present, non-organic food growers are allowed to make use of more than 1000 chemicals upon their crops, which may heavily lead to soil erosion because of over-farming to the dangerous toxics running off into drinking water.

Effective Ways To Weight Loss

You are already trying hard to lose weight. You're exercising and eating right. You're drinking more water and less juice. So how about doing a couple extra things this year to lose a couple extra pounds? Let's take a look at a few things you could do to supplement your weight loss :

1. Eat a salad before every meal. If you eat a full salad without dressing before you order or make your main meal, you may not find yourself eating as much of the high calorie foods to get full. You may be able to cut as much as 100 to 200 calories from each meal, which could help you lose one to two pounds per week. More importantly, you'll be eating healthier.

2. Use cinnamon flavored gum as your only snack. Whenever you feel yourself getting hungry and it isn't meal time, try popping a piece of sugar free cinnamon gum in your mouth. we're not sure why, but cinnamon gum seems to provide a hunger satisfaction not received from fruit and mint flavors.

3. Take 20 to 30 minutes to relax before consuming meals. This relaxation time could be taking a walk or talking with friends. In the mornings you may want to have your devotional time before your meal. Water the plants in your house or read a newspaper. Don't watch TV, as contrary to what many think, this causes a physioloical stress reaction in the body.

4. Try new types of fruits and vegetables whenever you see some you haven't eaten before. Every new healthy food that you discover a linking for is another variety of alternative low-calorie food for you to use in your weekly meal plans. many diets feel because they lack variety of flavors, so the more healthy variety you add the less you'll crave a change in diet. You may even play in the kitchen and create two or three great new recipes out of each new food you fnd.

5. Almost never combine eating with other activities. Th only exception are family meals when some healthy conversation at the dinner table may be of more value than weight loss. You will almost always eat more if you're entertained while you eat.

It is important to keep your family and friends close while you are working on your weight loss efforts. Keep your support system close and take time to talk with people. Isolating yourself can undermine your weight your weight loss efforts. Reach out and don't be afraid to ask help whwn you need it.

There is more than one effective way of dieting, the question is which diet is right one for you?To learn more about weight plans in particular how to get fit through sustainable, but quick loss program.

By Gary holdon

5 Tips For Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally

For every three American adults, one is estimated to have high blood pressure. Around 65 million Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure. Scary statistics? You bet. Especially if you consider the fact that, if left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can result in leading causes of death like heart failure, stroke, aneurysm, heart attack, and kidney failure.

Here are the tips to lowering blood pressure naturally:

1. Go easy on the saltshaker.

People consume around two teaspoons of salt a day, an amount that must be lessened for those with high blood pressure. Since a large portion of the sodium you take in is from processed foods, watch out for these. In addition, try using spices, lemon, and salt-free seasoning blends for seasoning what you cook.

2. Improve your diet.

One of the important points in lowering your blood pressure naturally is improving your diet and eating healthier. By limiting the sweets and red meat you take in, and incorporating more fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains (the basics of the famed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension - or DASH - diet), you're definitely on your way to lower blood pressure.

3. Exercise

Regular physical activity lowers blood pressure naturally and improves blood cholesterol levels. Exercise is important since it will help you maintain a healthy weight; being overweight raises your chances of developing high blood pressure. You will probably notice a decrease in your blood pressure within the first nine or ten weeks of regular exercise (around half an hour at least four or five days a week of physical activities like jogging, cycling, swimming, brisk walking and so on).

4. Decaf, please.

Stay away from caffeine, even if you may find it difficult to function in the morning without your cup of coffee. Caffeine does bad things to your blood pressure by increasing the effects of stress and getting your heart to start pumping like there's no tomorrow. To help lower your blood pressure naturally, get decaf instead.

5. Relax.

Close your eyes. Breathe in. Breathe out. Meditation, yoga, and other relaxation techniques can also help to bring your blood pressure down. You can learn these activities from videos or by taking classes.


By Tim Lee

7 Foods to Make Your Diet an Anti Aging Diet

Nobody ever left planet Earth younger than when he or she arrived, and you wont either. Aging is simply the natural consequence of being alive, and while you can do nothing to stop it, you can do plenty of things to keep the physical signs of aging at bay.

One of the most important weapons you have in the struggle to remain youthful is you diet. By committing yourself to following a diet which contains the following seven items, you will not only look younger than your chronological years; you'll feel much younger as well.

Avocado

The monounsaturated fats in avocado oil will boost your cardiovascular function by lowering your cholesterol, but even better, they will hydrate and smooth your skin so that wrinkles are minimized. Any fats which can keep your skin supple are the right fats to be eating.
Avocados make great additions to salads and sandwiches, and who doesn't love fresh guacamole? You should, however, limit yourself to half an avocado each day because of their calories.

Salmon

Salmon, especially wild salmon, is loaded with both lean protein and Omega-3 fatty acids, which like the fats in avocados, will work wonders on your skin. Eating salmon three times each week will get you all of its heart and skin rejuvenating benefits.

Salmon is delicious grilled, roasted, or baked, served hot or added to salad, with a simple sauce of lemon juice and fresh dill. But even canned salmon will get you the Omega-3 fatty acids you need.

Eggs

In spite of what you may have heard about eggs being bad for you cholesterol levels, that only applies if you eat them to excess. Eggs are high in protein, cheap, and can be easily prepared in all sorts of dishes.

Yogurt

Probiotics are all the rage in healthy eating circles, and yogurt is simply bursting with probiotics. It also contains plenty of the lean proteins which will slow the rate at which your body metabolizes carbohydrates, keeping your blood sugar stable and helping you burn fat more efficiently.

Yogurts probiotics not only help you digest your food more completely; they will rid your intestinal tract of the unfriendly organisms which can wreak havoc on your intestines. You'll get the most benefits from all-natural or plain vanilla yogurt, free of the additives which simply take up space that could be given to the probiotics and protein.

Tofu and tempeh

Both tofu and tempeh are rich in both bad cholesterol-bashing flavonoids, and in lean protein. Tofu is exceptionally versatile as a protein source because it will assume the flavor of the foods with which it is cooked. Tofu has even been used as the base for delicious ice cream-like desserts, which except for t heir much lower fat content are amazingly close to the real thing!

Blueberries

The humble blueberry has not found tremendous respect as a source of free-radical destroying antioxidants, and blueberries make delicious additions t breakfast cereals, pancakes, and yogurt.

Spinach, broccoli, and Chinese broccoli

These leafy green vegetables are, like blueberries, high in antioxidants so they can minimize the free radical damage which plays such a significant role in the rate at which you will age. They will also regulate your body’s insulin levels, so that you can lose weight more easily and age more slowly.

By eating a large serving of leafy green vegetables with your protein meals, you will also counteract the proteinas acidifying affects on your body normal pH with the alkalizing effects of the vegetables. Keeping your body's pH its natural alkaline state is one of the best ways to avoid degenerative diseases.

As you can see, simply adding these seven foods to your diet will go a very long way to keeping you young and healthy. But eating these foods is also going to add some real enjoyment to your meals, so you really have no reason not to eat them, do you?

By Marcus Ryan

The Secrets of a Very Long Life

There are several places in the world that are famous people who live a very long time. These places are usually in mountainous areas, far away from modern cities. Doctors, scientist, and public health experts often travel to these regions to solve the mystery of a long healthy life, the experts hope to bring to the modern world the secrets of longevity.
Hunza is high in the Himalayan Mountains of Asia. There many people over one hundred years of age are still in good physical health. Men of ninety are new fathers, and women of fifty still have babies. What are the reasons for this good health? Scientists believe that the people of hunza have these three benefits:(1) physical work, usually in the fields or with animals; (2) a healthful environment with clean air and water; and (3) a simple diet high in vitamins and nutrition but low in fat, cholesterol, sugar, and chemicals.
People in the Caucasus Mountains in the soviet Union are also famous for their longevity. In this area, there are amazing examples of very long-lived people. Although birth records are not usually available, a women called Tsurba probably lived until age 160; a man called shirali may have lived until age 168. His widow was 120 years old. In general, the people not only live a long time, but they also live well. They are almost never sick, and when they die, they have not only their own teeth but also a full head of hair and good eyesight.
Vilcabamba, Ecuador, is another area famous for longevity of its inhabitants. This region – like Hunza and the Caucasus – is also in high mountains, far away from cities. In Vilcabamba, too, there is very little serious disease. One reason for the good health of the people might be the clean, beautiful environment. The temperature is about 70o Fahrenheit all year long. The wind always comes from the same direction and the region is rich in flowers, fruit, vegetables, and wildlife.
In some ways, the diets of the inhabitants in the three regions are quite different. Hunzukuts eat mainly raw vegetables, fruit (especially apricots) and chapatis- a kind of pancake, they eat meat only a few times a year. The Caucasan diet consists mainly of milk, cheese, vegetables, fruit, and meat, most people there drink the local red wine daily. In Vilcabamba, people eat a small amount of meat each week, but the diet consists largely of grain, corn, beans, potatoes, and fruit.
Experts found one surprising fact in the mountains of Ecuador, most people there, even they very old, consume a lot of coffee, drink large amounts of alcohol and smoke forty to sixty cigarettes daily.
However, the diets are similar in two general ways: (1) the fruits and vegetables that the inhabitants of the three areas eat are all natural , that is, they contain no chemicals; and (2) the people consume fewer calories than people do in other parts of the world. A typical North America takes in an average of 3,300 calories everyday; a typical inhabitant of these mountainous areas, between 1,700 and 2,000 calories.
Inhabitants in the three regions have more in common than calories, natural food, their mountains, and their distance from modern cities. Because these people live in the countryside and are mostly farmers, their lives are physically hard. Thus, they do not need to go to health clubs because they get a lot of exercise in their daily work. In addition, although their lives are hard, the people do not seem to have the worries of city people. Their lives are quit. Consequently, some experts believe that physical exercise and freedom from worry might be the two most important secret of longevity.

Identifying Depression

Everyone knows what depression feels like. Everyone feels the blues at times. Sadness, discontent, and fatigue are natural parts of life. There is a relation between the blues and clinical depression, but the difference is like the difference between the sniffles and pneumonia.

Depressive disorders are whole person illnesses; they touch the body, feelings, thoughts, and behavior. The depression itself can make us feel as if it's of no use to search for help. The nice news is that 80 to 90 percent of people with depression can be treated successfully, but the bad news is that only one sufferer in three seeks treatment. More bad news is that not quite half the American public perceives depression as a character flaw, rather than an illness or emotional disorder. In addition, only half of all cases of depression are exactly diagnosed, and only half of those get adequate treatment.

We tend to muddle depression, sadness, and grief. But the opposite of depression is not happiness, but vitality - the power to experience a full range of emotion, including happiness, excitement, sadness, and grief. Depression is not an emotion itself. It's not sadness or grief, it's an illness. When we feel at our worst, sad, self-absorbed, and helpless, we are experiencing what people with depression experience, but they don't recover from those moods without help.

The trademark of depression is a insistent sad or empty mood, sometimes experienced as tension or anxiety. Life is with out pleasure. People with slight depressions may go through the motions of eating, sex, work, or play, but the activities seem like pointless; people with more severe depression withdraw from these activities, feeling too worn-out, tense, or hostile to take part. There is often a nagging fatigue, a sense of being incapable of focusing, a feeling of being inefficient.

People with depression generally feel a lowered self-esteem. In a depression, you may feel that you are a defenseless victim of fate, but also feel that you don't deserve any better. Feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness are common.

There are often a host of physical symptoms, of which sleep disturbances are key. People may have trouble falling asleep or may wake up early without feeling refreshed. Others may sleep excessively, again without feeling rested. Appetite may increase or decrease. There may be difficulty in sexual functioning. There may be harassing aches and pains that don't act in response to medical treatment. But there are physical illnesses that cause symptoms like depression - Lyme depression, diabetes, thyroid conditions, anemia - and depressions can cause physical symptoms like other diseases.

If you are feeling depressed, it is important to be sure that an underlying health problem does not exist, and you should see your physician for a checkup. At the same time, if you know you have a health problem and are feeling depressed, don't presume you will feel better once the health problem is under control.

There is a sequential process in the recognition of depression. First is a stage of confused pain in which the sufferer knows he suffers, but doesn't know why. People often blame circumstances. Adolescents blame their home lives, married people blame their spouses, and employees blame their bosses. But there is recognition that the pain is not ordinary.

The second stage is recognition that something is definatley amiss. It may be that external circumstances have changed but the pain is on going, or it may be a slow recognition that the suffering is so dangerous that circumstances can't be blamed. This is a painful recognition that often takes years. It is an acknowledgment of a damaged self. But because of the nature of depression, the self-blame and guilt that are manifestations of the disease, this acceptance does not always lead to seeking help.

People then may move to the third stage, a crisis that frequently leads to professional intervention and diagnosis. It is often a suicide attempt or psychiatric hospitalization. The diagnosis often provides hope, that treatment or a cure is possible, and explanation, a way to understand what has only been confusion before. The fact is that this is a diagnosis of a mental illness, with all the shame and stigma that that entails.

The fourth stage involves acceptance of an illness identity. Depression comes to be seen as an outside agent invading the self, rather than as a manifestation of the self.

It is essential that anyone suffering from depression gets good help from a competent, qualified professional. If the warning signs are clear, always seek a professional diagnosis. Going to a health professional with your problems could prove, at worse, embarrassing, if the problem is really just a seasonal case of the blues that can be treated with without medical intervention, but the potential cost of failing to diagnose a serious case of depression should far outweigh any concern about conceivable embarrassment.

By David B. Smith

Healthy Food Habits for Diabetics

Diabetes is a very serious illness and proper care is essential in remaining healthy. People with diabetes have to beware of what they eat and when they eat it. This particular illness is very sensitive and any little mistake can cause the blood sugar levels to go up tremendously. Very often, people who suffer from this disease are also stricken with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or obesity. Taking all of these things into consideration, a healthy diet for a diabetic is a must.

One healthy food habit for diabetics is to monitor their intake of carbohydrates. The proper carb intake is as important as the proper sugar intake. Carbs are simply a different type of sugar and they can impact the blood levels just the same as sugar in a cake or in candy. Some foods that should be served in controlled portions include pastas, potatoes, and breads. These foods along with other carb rich products raise blood sugar levels. A good diet for someone suffering from this illness should be low in sugar, fat, and carbohydrates.

Another thing to consider when you are a diabetic is to be consistent with meal times. Try not to let your blood sugars become too low by not eating or too high by eating too often. Also, when making a meal, be sure to understand what is written on the food label. Be aware of the ingredients, serving sizes, and any additives that a product may contain. Certain products may contain ingredients that will unknowingly add to your daily sugar intake. Therefore, it is important to be aware of what you are consuming. And for those people who are overweight and suffer from diabetes, it may be beneficial to consult with a doctor regarding any all natural supplements which aid in weight loss and blood sugar control. Natural supplements, along with all of the other tips presented earlier in this article, may aid in reducing the unpleasant side effects of diabetes.

By Lauren S. Johnson

Five Tips for a Flat Stomach

1. Many so-called "health foods" are actually cleverly disguised junk foods that actually stimulate you to gain more belly fat... yet the diet food marketing industry continues to lie to you so they can maximize their profits.

2. Ab exercises like crunches, sit-ups, and ab machines are the LEAST effective method of getting flat six pack abs. We'll explore what types of exercises REALLY work in a minute.

3. Boring repetitive cardio exercise routines are NOT the best way to lose body fat and uncover those six pack abs. I'll show you the exact types of unique workouts that produce 10x better results below.

4. You DON'T need to waste your money on expensive "extreme fat burner" pills (that don't work) or other bogus supplements. A special class of natural foods is much more effective. I'll tell you about these natural foods and their powers below.

5. Ab belts, ab-rockers, ab-loungers, and other infomercial ab-gimmicks... they're all a complete waste of your time and money. Despite the misleading infomercials, the perfectly chiseled fitness models in the commercials did NOT get their perfect body by using that "ab contraption"... they got their perfect body through REAL workouts and REAL nutrition strategies.

by Mike Geary - Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

Parkinson's Disease

What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that is chronic and progressive, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. As many as one million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's disease. Incidence of Parkinson's increases with age, but an estimated 4 percent of people with PD are diagnosed before the age of 50. The cause is unknown, and although there is presently no cure, there are many treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage the symptoms.

Parkinson's disease occurs when a group of cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra begin to malfunction and die. These cells in the substantia nigra produce a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, that sends information to the parts of the brain that control movement and coordination. When a person has Parkinson's disease, their dopamine-producing cells begin to die and the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases. Messages from the brain telling the body how and when to move are therefore delivered more slowly, leaving a person incapable of initiating and controlling movements in a normal way.

Parkinson's disease can also cause several different symptoms. The specific group of symptoms that an individual experiences varies from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms of Parkinson's disease are:

• tremor of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face
• rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk
• bradykinesia or slowness of movement
• postural instability or impaired balance and coordination

Read more...

High Blood Pressure Diet

When you were diagnosed with high blood pressure, most likely the first suggestion made by your health care provider was to change your diet. High blood pressure can be eased and even cured by changing the foods you eat.

There are some basic rules to curing your high blood pressure using a nutritional approach. Firstly, you should consume unrefined, unprocessed and fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, onions, garlic, soy, olive oil, nuts, beans, oily fish such as salmon, tuna or sardines.
Reducing sodium intake is an important component of any diet aimed to lower high blood pressure. Research has also shown that a reduction in sodium works even better if potassium intake is also raised. Sodium can be found in very high quantities in processed foods, which is why these types of foods should be avoided as much as possible. Make sure you check food labels to see the amount of salt and avoid those with high salt quantities.

Hydration is also important when it comes to lowering high blood pressure. It helps the entire system work efficiently. Guidelines state that you should be drinking fifty per cent of your body in ounces on a daily basis. So, if you weight 150 pounds, then you should be drinking 75 ounces of water daily.

Herbs and supplements should also be included to help lower your high blood pressure naturally. Herbs such as hawthorn, garlic and yarrow can be included. Supplements should include calcium supplements of at least 800-1500mg and should be taken daily. Vitamin C supplements should also be taken daily.

Yoga breathing will induce relaxation of mind and body

A really positive benefit that you will discover soon after starting your yoga practice, that you will learn properly. Yes, you will start breathing in such a way as to bring an instant calmness and total relaxation into your life. As long as you are receiving good instruction, or following an accurate guide, the better you will get at this which will further enhance the quality of your life. Furthermore, if you find yourself in stressful situations, you will be better able to cope and remain calm thanks to your yoga training.

A really common fear or phobia that people suffer with is having to speak in public to an audience. Many of the public speaking courses include components on relaxation techniques. These are incorporated into the course as they are considered vital techniques to either eliminate or control panic, which is a common reaction when people address strangers in public situations. People who perform yoga breathing exercises on a regular basis are found to be a lot calmer as individuals, they seem better able to control these stressful situations better than those who are untrained in these or any other techniques.

If you remain calm and in control of your breathing, the fear of public speaking will subside and the apparent enormity of the situation will seem to be in perspective, making the situation easier to accept and control. By simply breathing correctly you will notice a feeling of calm that will enable a person to complete a public speaking engagement; or any other stressful situation for that matter.

Yoga has also benefited many professional sports men and women by allowing them to perform at, and sometimes beyond, their best by eliminating the tension and anxiety that they feel pre-event. In all sports events optimum performance demands that the muscles and breathing of competitors remain as relaxed as possible at all times to allow for maximum performances. Yoga is the vehicle to allow you to achieve that optimum yet relaxed state of mind and body. Other yoga stretching techniques train the body to become more flexible, which is an additional benefit to athletes as a supple body will pick up fewer injuries.

Correct Yoga breathing exercises will imbibe a relaxed, focused individual who will remain calm under pressure and un-phased in the face of adversity.

Source:
Michael J McKay

The Immortality Enzyme

A newly discovered gene may help scientist combat cancer and linked to aging.

As the human body ages, it loses bone. Individual cells lose something equally vital. Every time one divides, it sheds tiny snippets of DNA known as telomeres, which serve as protective caps a hundred divisions, a cell’s telomeres become so truncated that its chromosomes- site of the cell’s genes-begin to fray, rather like shoelaces that have lost their plastic tips. Eventually, such age cells die-unless like “immortal” cancer cells, they produce telomeres. Scientists have long dreamed of drugs that would inhibit the immortalizing enzyme because, observes M.I.T. biochemist Robert Weinberg then maybe cancer cells would run out of telomeres and just poop out.

Wishful thinking? Maybe not . In papers published just a week apart in the journals science and cell, two teams of researchers – one led by Nobel-prizewinning biochemist Thomas Cech of the university of Colorado, the other by M.I.T.’s Weinberg have announced a breakthrough that could help bring about such a drug. Both teams have managed to clone a gene that controls the activity of telomerase enzyme in human cells. That could set the stage for development not only of inhibiting drugs but also of substances that switch on the enzyme which might help combat degenerative diseases associated with aging

Such possibilities to be sure are speculative but that didn’t stop Wall Street where the stock of Geron Corp a small biotech company based in Menlo Park California. That helped Chech’s group discover the gene more than double to 16 ¹/₈ a share.

In fact, Geron researchers have been looking for antitelomerase compounds for several years, using indirect-screening methods. Because tumor cells – the main source of the human enzyme – produce it in vanishingly small quantities, the scientists lacked pure telomerase, which could have sped the search for drugs that might be used against it.

With the new gene in hand the researchers should be able to churn out at will the protein for which it provides the genetic blueprint. That protein, they believe, is telomerase’s most important building block. For us, exults Calvin Harley, Geron’s chief scientist, it’s like having access to an organism’s brain.

The new protein, it turns out, bears an intriguing resemblance to an enzyme produced by HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS. Indeed, the AIDS dug AZT has already been shown to inhibit telomerase activity. But the viral enzyme and the human enzyme, says Colorado’s Cech, are only 20 % identical, which explains why AZT is not an ideal telomerase inhibitor. What we want, he declares, is a compound that fits telomerase the way a hand fits a glove.

The odds that such a compound will materialize now seem high. But experts caution that it could take years before the first telomerase inhibitors are ready to be tested on humans to determine if they’ll have any serious side effects – or if they’ll actually inhibit tumor growth. Such questions are perhaps one reason Geron’s stock leveled off at week’s end, closing at 12 ¼ share.

By J. Madeleine Nash