Learn the facts: Can Diet Pills keep you Lean?

Yes, amazing is it not? Despite the fact that the fitness industry is booming?there are obviously still significant problems in America with people loosing weight and being able to keep it off. Pills alone are obviously not the answer. There are documented facts that state that more than half of American adults are unable to lose excess fat, in spite of their exercise and diet efforts.

Federal officials have, based on these facts, recently declared that obesity is a national epidemic. More than 60 percent of American adults overweight, and 30 percent of all Americans are considered obese?according to the ?Journal of the American Medical Association.?

Why? We as a country are literally bombarded with health and fitness marketing every day, and diet fads and healthy eating plans have never been more popular! So despite what the label might say, non-FDA approved dietary supplements may be a total waste of your money.

Facts: Deception in weight loss advertisements promise unachievable goals: Billions of dollars worth of advertisements for dietary supplements and diet and exercise services in America more often than not, include misleading and quite overly exaggerated promises of rapid and effortless weight loss. This deception is not only devastating and costly to the people who fall for it?but the lies keep America in this trend of tendencies towards obesity.

In order to survive the diet industry needs you to fail at your attempts to loose weight: Dieting is business just like any other, and of course there is an enormous interest in this business to maintain and excel in financial gain. Making sure that this happens, the pills you take religiously will have to fail?so that you will constantly be trying new ones. Even if you use dietary supplements in combination with diet and exercise and you are losing weight, you will continue to take them, because you believe that they are part of working for you.

The people who sell them, who intentionally keep you in the dark write most of the information you can find out about diet pills. This means that even if you wanted to research a product you would only get the information they want to give you?falsified information.

There are in fact diet pills out there that can do some good. But it is better to discuss which ones you should take with a nutritionist or look for information on products that is unbiased.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on fur boots and fashion please visit Brazilian Bikinis and Swimwear.

Gastric Bypass: Remembering Surgery 6 Years Later

September 13, 1999

Do you remember where you were six years ago today?

I do. It was the day I underwent gastric bypass surgery ? a day that changed my life forever.

I don?t recall much about that day. I remember feeling embarrassed lying on the preparation table, my enormous belly exposed to be cleansed antiseptically. I remember feeling frightened, but calm with a total acceptance that gastric bypass surgery was the best decision for me. I remember the anesthesiologist, a beautiful woman, not very old and not very big.

Then I went to sleep.

I woke up puking violently, an unpleasant reaction to anesthesia. I didn?t have my glasses so things were blurry, particularly the flowers from my husband. And I can remember a push-button device that helped me sleep. Later that night I realized I was not yet smaller. In fact my stomach was bloated and sore. In my drug induced vagueness I became convinced the surgeon had mistakenly done the wrong operation because I was getting bigger, not smaller.

The day after surgery my surgeon visited me, taught me to drink tiny sips of water, patted my hand and told me I was going to do just fine. I remember walking around the hospital hallway. I remember a female nurse bathing me. I remember a very good-looking male nurse ? he didn?t bathe me. Rats! I remember drinking some nasty liquid chalk and getting an x-ray to confirm my stomach had been whacked, stapled and bypassed. I remember the super-sized wheel chair and being embarrassed that it fit just fine.

I remember being discharged from the hospital to spend the next several days in a hotel room because we had traveled a great distance for my ?last resort? surgery. I watched ?Mame? on TBS several times. The sofa at the hotel was scratchy. My husband and I went on ?outings? each day, little drives around a strange town. He emptied my surgical drain for me. I thought it was disgusting.

One week after surgery we went to Sea World where I wept in profound disbelief at the great whales circling the pool and performing flawlessly for a bite of fish. Being from out-of-town, we sat in the ?Splash Zone?. Turns out those warnings are for a reason. The great swimming mammal whacked his tail and we were drenched!

On Thursday of the second week Leslie, the darling nurse and counselor herself a WLS patient, removed my drain. We could go home. She asked me the four rules and I repeated them to her. She told me, ?Take advantage of this window of opportunity. Learn everything you can. If you don?t learn early to follow the rules and take care of yourself you can regain this weight.?

Starry eyed and hopeful we packed ourselves in the car and headed for home. Almost 1,500 miles later we pulled into the driveway of home sweet home. My fabulous husband said to me, ?Welcome to your new life ? You Have Arrived.?

Kaye Bailey ? 2005 - All Rights Reserved

An award winning journalist and former newspaper editor Kaye Bailey brings expertise in writing and personal experience with gastric bypass surgery to EzineArticles.com. Having spent most of her life overweight Ms. Bailey is strongly empathetic toward the obese, particularly overweight children. This compassion compelled her to found the website http://www.livingafterwls.com, a fast-growing resource of information, understanding and support for the weight loss surgery community.

The LivingAfterWLS.com site is complimented with daily blog. The blog, http://livingafterwls.blogspot.com offers readers the chance to comment or leave feedback about fresh content added daily. This site contains success stories and recipes, general information and WLS inspired topics. Complementing the site is a monthly newsletter titled ?You Have Arrived? available exclusively to people who subscribe through the website or the blog.

Understanding the Medical Insurance Review Process Five Key Steps in Medical Insurance Reviews

Medical insurance reviews provide results in a timely fashion. Filing a medical claim can be a lengthy process prone to miscommunication and breakdowns in the chain of paperwork. Bringing in an independent review organization can tap into deep reservoirs of medical expertise. The review on this level can determine an objective approval or denial of an insurance claim. The denial will be based on medical fact, however and not on anecdotal evidence.

The Five Key Steps in Medical Insurance Review

The following steps illustrate how a medical claim is reviewed.

?A patient is prescribed a treatment for a condition or injury. The medical opinion of the attending physician along with related charts and information may be submitted or requested in order to request coverage of the insurance claim.

?Medical and physician resources are provided the medical information and asked to review the treatment and prescribed recommendations.

?The medical specialist assigned to the case will provide an unbiased opinion with regard to the treatment.

?An insurance expert reviews the terms of the patient?s coverage as offered by the insurance company. They will offer an unbiased determination with regard to whether the patient is covered for the treatment in question.

?Finally, the two opinions are combined to return an objective recommendation for approval or denial.

On Time Decisions

This process allows for healthcare decisions to be made in a timely and expert fashion. The resource is invaluable for all aspects of the healthcare profession. Patients will receive approval for vital treatment that may be otherwise rejected by a large insurance company that handles its own medical reviews internally and without expert sources.

Anecdotal evidence is never used to deny a claim or pay for an unnecessary treatment. The use of third-party experts and medical specialists provides claim managers with the verification and authentication needed to do not only the right thing, but also the best thing. The medical insurance review process removes the factor of uncertainty that claim managers may face in a world of rising medical costs, complex specialization and treatments.

Avoids Ill-Informed Approvals and Denials

Healthcare costs skyrocket in an atmosphere where a claim manager must err on the side of caution to either pay for unnecessary treatment or deny one that is necessary. Without using an independent review organization, the insurance company may lack the resources to make a decision in a timely fashion.

As illustrated by the five key steps of the review process, experts from both sides of the equation are consulted. Complicated medical technology combined with equally complicated insurance policies and terms can make for a morass of misunderstanding without the right types of expertise. The process also reduces the amount of frustration felt by claim managers, patients and physicians by filtering the claims through the right hands to get the right advice and interpretations.

Fiscal Responsibility

The more approvals of unnecessary treatments, the higher insurance costs will soar. The medical insurance review process allows a claim manager to make an informed decision and eliminate unnecessary treatments. Patients and physicians rely on insurance coverage to underwrite potential treatments for a multitude of conditions.

An insurance expert understands the complex terminology of a coverage policy. Specialized physicians understand the nature of illness and treatment. The combination of expertise improves the process of treatment review and coverage approval. That means no lengthy waits for vital services and no funding for unnecessary ones.

This process has a dramatic impact in reversing the trend of rising healthcare claim costs. By dramatically reducing these riding costs, an insurance company can save money for their consumers, their shareholders and the healthcare community.

Medical Tourism Opportunities in India

More and more people have started travelling to India for Medical Treatment and during the past year alone, over 150000 people travelled to India for their medical requirements. Medical Tourism is finally coming of age.

India boasts of several good private owned hospitals with facilities second to none. They have some of the best doctors, with most top end being educated in USA and UK. When it comes to becoming a doctor, India also has some of the stringest criteria. Language is another plus factor - English, which is widely spoken throughout the country and in all good hospitals. Furthermore, the costs are much lower than most countries and most importantly, there are no waiting lists. With all the media hype about medical tourism, most hospitals have geared themselves up for medical tourists from abroad.

Medical Tourism companies in India such as Health Line - http://www.indiamedicaltourism.net have introduced several packages for patients travelling to India which include holidays and hotel stays during their travel apart from other basic requirements such as airport pickup, meetings with doctors post and pre-surgery etc. Such packages make it convenient for the patient to have peace of mind during travel without the tension of what to do next.

For all those still hesitant to travel abroad for treatment, try getting a package deal with a company such as Health Line and you will get an idea of how much you can save. No coss are incurred for getting a quote or medical advise over email. Doctors are very willing to help patients abroad feel comfortable and will be more than happy to respond to your queries through such medical tourism companies.

With the introduction of the medical visa, it will now be easier than ever to travel to India. If your treatment requires an extension, the medical visa can be extended without any problem. Ending on one final note, do not forget to include your medical reports before travelling to India.

Nakul Jain is a Medical Tourism Advisor for patients travelling to India. Contact him at his site - Medical Tourism in India from USA

Ancestry DNA Testing

DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid is a term used to refer to the genetic material in the cells of a human being. Every human being has a unique DNA pattern with the exception of identical twins. DNA testing refers to a method used to differentiate between individuals of the same species by using their DNA samples. DNA tests are carried out to check the presence or absence of a particular sequence of DNA. Recent advances in DNA testing have made the process extremely helpful in determining a person's ancestry.

Adopted individuals often wonder about their actual ancestry. They are curious about their ancestral heritage. Several people in the US wonder if they are Native Americans or Africans or Asians. All these queries regarding ancestry can be solved with the help of DNA testing. DNA research worldwide led to the discovery of genetic markers that are used to evaluate ancestry. These markers follow three types of inheritance pattern categories. These are autosomal DNA line, the paternal DNA line and maternal DNA line. The autosomal DNA line is made of all DNA in the cells excluding the X - chromosome, Y - chromosome and mtDNA. A person inherits half of autosomal DNA from the biological mother and the other half from the biological father. The Y chromosome markers are paternally related and passed from a father to his son. They are used to trace a person's paternal ancestry. Mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA are maternally related markers and are passed from a mother to her children. They are useful in tracing a person's maternal ancestry.

Various DNA companies provide home testing kits that can be used to collect the DNA sample at home and send them to a laboratory for analysis. DNA testing requires a few drops of blood or a cheek cells specimen collected by rubbing the inside of the mouth with a cotton swab. Some laboratories also use a mouthwash or chewing gum for analysis. The results are fast, reliable and confidential.

DNA Testing provides detailed information on DNA Testing, Paternity DNA Testing, Free DNA Testing, At Home DNA Testing and more. DNA Testing is affiliated with DNA Structures.

Tamiflu Can You Take Tamiflu As A Preventative Measure Before Flu Infection?

Tamiflu as a preventive measure

Can you take Tamiflu as a preventive measure? This is a popular question that everybody is asking the world as of now. For those of the lesser informed a word about what Tamiflu is for, and what causes you to take the drug.

What Tamiflu is?

Tamiflu is a prescription drug for the influenza. What causes this influenza? Influenza is an infection caused by the virus. There are three types of influenza. They are the type ?A? influenza, the type ?B? influenza and the type ?C? influenza.

Type A is the most dangerous among these types. It affects the humans in very bad way. It has caused epidemic in various regions of the world. Some of the famous epidemics attributed to the influenza are the Spanish influenza of 1918, the Asian influenza of 1957 and the Hong Kong influenza of 1969.

Prevention methods

There are different methods to prevent the influenza. The most common among them being getting one administered the flu shot. It prevents one from getting the most common types of flu. This is an injection that has been around for decades.

Nowadays modern medicines have come into the markets which have gained popularity; the most popular among them being the Tamiflu. This is an oral medication. The medicine comes in the form of a capsule, a capsule containing seventy five milligrams of the medication. This medication is also available in the form of a suspension.

I will be discussing the dosages of the medication along with how one should be taking it for when you are taking it as a preventive measure.

How to take Tamiflu

For the medicine to be beneficial for you, you should start this medication within two days / forty eight hours of the symptoms showing up. You should take this medication twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. This is generally prescribed for a course of five days. Do not discontinue the course in any case. As a preventive measure you should take this medicine once a day. This can be done in any of the following ways; one tablet either in the morning or in the evening.

Medication schedule

But if you are taking this medicine in the mornings then you should continue to take this tablet only in the mornings, if in the evenings, then only in the evenings. Taking the tablet one day in the morning and the next day in the evening will reduce the effects of the tablet. Then it is not going to serve any purpose. So strictly stick to a schedule. A preferable schedule will be an evening dosage. This is recommended because there is a chance of a stomach upset on your taking this medication. So you are advised to take this medicine with food. So what better time than in the evenings! You may have to take it for a period of seven days if you have been known to be exposed to the virus or if you have worked in the virus infected area. If you are continuously working in the virus infected area then you should take it as long as you are working there. Protection of the medicine lasts as long as you are taking this drug.

There are some people out there who are having a kidney problem. For them, the prescribed medication is one tablet a day if they are known to be infected. In case they are taking it as a preventive measure then it is prescribed for them to take this medicine every alternate day.

The suspension of Tamiflu is given to children under the age of twelve years. However the recommended dosages for children under the age of twelve have not been determined in case you are giving it to him / her as a preventive measure.

Learn more about human and avian flu viruses, and how Tamiflu can protect you and your family from possible death. This site also offers information on the flu viruses, symptoms, and how to prepare for the threat of a flu pandemic.

Vitamins and Interactions

Vitamins are good for you, so it stands to reason that getting all the vitamins you can everyday is the best course of action. As a general rule, it?s true that choosing foods rich in vitamins is a good idea. But there are times when more isn?t better, even when it comes to vitamins.

The first thing to keep in mind is that several vitamins have toxic levels. In other words, there is a point at which consuming more vitamins is not only unhelpful, it can be dangerous.

Vitamin K helps the body clot blood. If you get a cut, your blood?s natural tendency to clot will keep you from bleeding to death. But there are some people who have blood that clots too readily, or who have health issues that require thinner blood. Some people with specific types of heart problems may actually be on medication designed to thin the blood. Doctors may also prescribe a blood thinner for a patient getting ready for some types of surgeries. If thinning the blood is your doctor?s goal, taking a Vitamin K supplement or eating foods that are particularly rich in Vitamin K may be dangerous.

If you?re taking an aspirin each day, your body may be experiencing a Vitamin C deficiency. Studies have indicated that Vitamin C is typically absorbed by blood cells, but aspirin in the system may block this normal absorption action.

If you need more iron in your body, you may want to consider increasing the amount of Vitamin C in your daily food intake. It seems that having enough Vitamin C in your system makes your body more readily absorb iron, tackling that anemia problem more quickly than taking iron alone.

If you?re taking antibiotics, particularly over a long period of time, your body may have trouble absorbing sufficient amounts of Vitamin A. If you?re taking drugs to lower your cholesterol, you may also experience Vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin E and Zinc work hand-in-hand. If your body has lower-than-normal levels of Zinc, you may also have a Vitamin E deficiency, even if you?re eating healthy. Vitamins C and E also work together.

There are a number of other interactions that can occur between vitamins, or between vitamins and other conditions, minerals and drugs. Remember that it is possible to overdose on some vitamins, and some can cause serious problems with medication, diet and existing health problems. It?s best to talk to a health care professional before you start or alter your daily diet or vitamin intake.

Bob Benson is the founder of Vitamins online. You can check out our website at http://www.discount-nutritional-supplements.info

The Top 3 Reasons For Losing Your Hair

According to scientists, there are three causes of alopecia in either men or women.

Too much DHT
Pseudo-oestrogen chemicals
Lack of vital nutrients

DHT
Free testosterone is broken down into DHT (a more potent form of testosterone). This chemical binds to the hair follicle receptors blocking vital nutrients from accessing the hair. The hair becomes miniaturized and thin and eventually dies. It is what?s called the ?peach fuzz? look on young men with hair loss.

This is why eunuchs never had any hair loss which got Plato wondering. It is also why only men get male pattern baldness and women don?t. Hair loss in women is more evenly distributed with a thinning over the whole scalp. Also, effective DHT inhibiting treatment was only effective on young men with hair loss and not older men or women. Excessive DHT is therefore not the only reason for losing your hair.

PSEUDO-OESTROGEN CHEMICALS
It is normally unheard of for women in China to get hair loss at any age. Over the last 20 years increasing number of Chinese women in the industrialized areas of China are experiencing hair loss. This has been put down to chemicals form the industrial process which mimic the chemical effects of oestrogen. These pseudo-oestrogen chemicals bind tighter to the hair follicle receptors than normal oestrogen does, starving the hair follicle of vital nutrients, similar to the way DHT does.

Also, this seems to the reason for hair loss in obese men. Fat cells in obese and balding men contain more of the enzyme aromatase (responsible for converting testosterone into oestrogen). Also bacteria in fat cells produce oestrogen-like chemicals.

LACK OF VITAL NUTRIENTS
The hair needs a variety of nutrients to sustain itself. The theory is that both DHT and estrogen-like chemicals block the hair follicle by binding to it too tightly. Even without these chemicals, a person lacking in these nutrients will experience hair loss.

There have been experiments on mice which show the effect of a deficiency of certain vitamins or minerals. Scientists knocked out the genes in mice responsible for the regulation of the hair and scalp. These genes are in turn normally regulated by vitamin D. The result was rickets and hair loss with dermal cysts appearing quite early on. When scientists injected naturally ?nude? mice with vitamin D, they started sprouting hair at an alarming rate.

It has been shown that copper and zinc, if lacking together, increase a loss of hair. In fact, a copper peptide was shown to induce hair growth in the skin around the wound of a person. The copper peptide was first used as healing accelerant.

For women, a lack of iron and the essential amino acid L-lysine has been associated with losing one?s hair. This therapy has proven to be very beneficial for women who are losing their hair.

Alastair is an independent researcher in the field of common ailments and alternative medicine. His website gives an unbiased review on each different hair loss product on the market.

Acne Scars

Acne is an inflammation of the skin that affects people from every country and every culture around the world. In the US, acne is predominantly thought of as a teenage dilemma, as more than eighty percent of teens and preteens will develop some form of acne. However, the condition certainly affects a large number of adults and even infants. The scientific name for the condition is acne vulgaris because acne usually strikes in plainly visible locations such as the face, neck, chest and back. There are various types of acne that range in annoyance, severity, and healing time. The most severe type of acne may even lead to scars that if not treated properly, may be visible for a lifetime. If you or a loved one is troubled by severe acne, here's what you need to know about acne scars and what you need to do to avoid and care for them.

How Does Acne Form?

Contact with an oily substance such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, or petroleum is a potential cause of acne, as is the use of certain medication and steroids. However, acne is most often cause by the secretion of androgens. Acne is also aggravated by milk or dairy products, red meat and fast food. Androgens are sex hormones that are initially secreted at the onset of puberty. They are male hormones but they are secreted by females as well. Androgens stimulate the production of oil from the skin's oil glands. Acne occurs when these overactive oil glands become blocked, causing the oil to build up in the gland and swell. A bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes normally colonizes this swollen gland causing the development of inflammation and pus. In particularly severe cases, the glands may burst into the skin and produce cysts.

Types Of Acne

Acne blemishes are categorized into four grades, ranging from mild to very severe.

Grade I: Mild acne falls into this category. People with grade I acne generally have blackheads and whiteheads but pimples are not present. Grade II: The condition is considered moderate acne when blackheads, whiteheads, and small pimples are present, but they are confined to the face and the inflammation they cause is minimal. Grade III: Severe acne includes blackheads, whiteheads, and deeper pimples with more pronounced swelling. Grade IV: acne is considered very severe when it occurs on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back. Pustules and deeper cysts occur with very severe acne and scarring may result if the condition is not cared for properly. Preventing Acne Scars

The most important rule for acne sufferers to remember is that you should never pick or squeeze acne blemishes. This can lead to the spread of acne and the development of acne scars. Instead, there are a number of herbal, homeopathic, and traditional formulas that can be used to treat acne and prevent the development of acne scars. Herbs work naturally with the body to reduce acne blemishes and prevent the development of acne scars. Echinacea and poke root are often used for their anti-inflammatory properties and red clover may be beneficial for its estrogenic action. Witch hazel has excellent astringent properties and may be very effective on acne.

Relieving Acne Scars

Acupuncture: Stagnant of Chi in the channels of the face is said to be the cause of acne. Acupuncture performed on these points of the face may help relieve acne, and prevent the development of acne scars.

Surgery: In moderate to severe cases of acne, doctors may use surgery to open up the blemishes and remove blackheads and whiteheads. Unlike medication treatments, the effects of acne surgery are usually more immediate. And surgery is also effective in reducing the development and visibility of acne scars.

Cleaning the intestinal Tract: Acne can be a by-product of a filthy intestinal tract and colon. In most cases when the colon is clean the acne will go away. I recommend the intestinal cleanser Oxy-Powder.

Other remedies include the skin rejuvenation program including 3 products: Oxy-Skin, Oxy-Zap and a strong Aloe Vera concentrate available at http://www.acne-answers.org. These products should help prevent acne scarring.

Dr. Group is heads the research and development division at http://www.acne-answers.org.

Dr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director for the Global Healing Center, heads a research and development team producing advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To learn more visit http://www.ghchealth.com.

Bodybuilding Training

When you first begin exercising - no matter whether it?s weight training or cardio - your muscles immediately begin to use energy to allow them to work. For the first three minutes of activity, your muscles burn glycogen, the form of sugar stored in the muscles for a quick infusion of energy. During this period fat is not burned. This process is called anaerobic metabolism. During the first few minutes of strenuous activity, especially during anaerobic metabolism, you may experience a burning sensation in the muscles of your arms, legs, or back. This is caused by the accumulation of lactic acid, which is the result of burned glycogen. This burning sensation will soon pass and should not disrupt your workout. Anaerobic metabolism is the main form of energy for activities that require short bursts of power such as sprinting, football, and bodybuilding.

As your exercising continues, your body will eventually burn up all the glycogen stored within the muscles. Your muscles will then move into the aerobic metabolism phase. When this occurs, lactic acid production stops. This occurs because the glycogen is now being burned in the presence of oxygen, which is brought to the muscles by the blood stream. Provided you continue to breath correctly, your system will continually bring oxygen to the muscles. These stores of glycogen are expended after about 20 minutes. The body will then start burning its fat stores as an energy source. Thus, the longer you exercise, the more fat your body will burn.

What this means for you

For optimum health and fat burning, your bodybuilding workouts should consist of both anaerobic training and aerobic training. Weight training will strengthen and build the muscles, as well as boost your metabolism so you?ll be burning fat even after you leave the gym. Aerobic exercise such as cardio machines or aerobic classes will both stimulate your cardiovascular systems as well as burn body fat while your doing it.

? Bob Howard 5/5/2006

Bob Howard expert on bodybuilding and steroids. Are you looking for more of his bodybuilding articles? http://www.bodybuildinginformation.com

Why Should I Take Nutritional Supplements?

Do you ever wonder why the experts keep saying that you need to take supplements? Why won't a healthy, balanced diet work?

There are 3 main reasons that you need to take quality nutritional supplements each & every day. In this article, I want to go over these 3 reasons we need to supplement our diets.

Reason #1: Food Production Methods

In between harsh farming methods, toxic chemical sprays, harvesting the foods prematurely, & storing foods for long periods of time, much of the nutrients that should be in our food just aren't there. Recent scientific studies show that a mere fraction of the nutrients that should be in foods are still there.

Especially nutrients such as enzymes & phytonutrients, which are very fragile, are destroyed long before the food reaches your table, if the nutrients were even there to start with.

Reason #2: Modern Day Diets

I sincerely doubt that there are too many health experts that could honestly say that the average American's diet is ?healthy.? Saturated fat is not the only part of our modern day diet that is unhealthy...we don't get enough vitamins, antioxidants, glyconutrients, etc, etc. in our diets. If you would like to know how unhealthy the modern day diet really is, go to http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/04/21/DDG8767ITN1.DTL

Reason #3: Environmental Stress

The amount of toxins that we absorb each day is nothing short of horrendous. Researchers recently announced that if you go to Los Angeles, CA for two weeks, you will absorb more dangerous toxins in two weeks than is healthy for you to absorb during your entire life! All of these toxins have a serious effect on your health. Nutritional supplementation is one way that you can fight the downward pull of sickness.

Even the American Medical Association now recommends that you supplement your diet. Historically, the AMA has been opposed to nutritional supplementation?they believed that most people got all they needed in their food. But, due to the unprecedented poor nutrient supply in the food, & the declining health of the US population, the AMA now considers nutritional supplements essential!

So, if you want to be healthy?if you want to have wellness?get the best supplements that you can, & take them regularly.

The bottom line is that if you don't supplement, you will never have the best health that you could.

To Your Health,

Adam J. Thompson

Adam J. Thompson is a nutritional consultant specializing in glyconutrients, a newly discovered class of nutrients. You can learn more about glyconutrients & order them at discount prices at http://www.glyconutrients-online.com This article may be freely redistributed, published, & printed, as long as the above author info remains, & the above hyperlinks are clickable.

Simple Secrets for Rejuvenating Aging Skin

Which anti-aging rejuvenation skin care strategies are really effective?

For goodness sake, how many secrets can there be and why doesn?t everyone know them all already?

Well, actually many of the simple secrets are quite well known but many of us simply haven?t integrated them into our daily skin care routine yet. As a result we have gradually seen the effects of aging take over our former youthful complexion.

Now the mirror reveals those horrid brown age spots that have started to blossom with wild abandon, fine lines that are deepening into wrinkles with the passing of each day, spider veins that have not only begun to creep over the bridge of the nose but to squiggling across the cheeks, and the list goes on. (For some of us, the list goes on and on and on?.)!

The more obvious simple secrets begin with keeping out of the sun or at least using sunscreen each and every day. As most know by now, many of the signs of aging occur as a direct result of damage caused by over exposure to the sun or from those quick trips to the tanning salons.

As most also know, to achieve healthy skin it is important to eat nutritiously, drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated, not to smoke, and get the recommended eight hours of sleep each night. These anti-aging rejuvenation strategies can really represent ?face saving? lifestyle changes? literally!

Simple secrets for maximizing the benefits from your skin care regime start with keeping the skin hydrated. This can easily be achieved by drinking the recommended amounts of liquid per day and using a good, hydrating moisturizer.

Now, one of the tricks is not to slather on your moisturizer. More is definitely not better in this case because you will only end up clogging your pores. Lightly apply your moisturizer, several times a day, if needed.

Most people only need to cleanse their face once a day. Cleansing at night is usually preferable. Too much soap and water can dry and irritate the skin. Use a cleanser with emollients, avoiding those with astringents. This is especially true for dry or sensitive skin types. Use a light toner to refresh and cleanse the skin in the morning rather than washing your face again.

Appling skin care products to clean, warm, moist skin allows the ingredients to absorb into the skin more efficiently. Even using a warm face cloth that is placed on the skin for a few minutes is helpful prior to toning and moisturizing. Use upward sweeping strokes, from the chin up and outward to the brow area, as you apply the toner and again with the moisturizer.

Gently tap the surface of your skin after applying the moisturizer to stimulate the cells which will allow the skin to more efficiently absorb the nutrients provided by the moisturizer.

Select a moisturizer with active anti-aging rejuvenation ingredients that have been clinically proven to be effective. Products to look for include those with a sufficient concentration of vitamin A, (retinol) and an AHA, glycolic acid with between an 8% and 15% concentration. Use a microdermabrasion scrub or home treatment once a week to exfoliate away dead skin cells.

Last, but not least, use a sunscreen each and every day in order to protect the skin from further damage. You?ll then be on your way to achieving more youthful, radiant skin.

Sue Dolan is a researcher and instructor for an e-learning website the http://www.skincareresourcecenter.com. The Skin Care e-Learning and Resource Center which provides education on anti-aging skin care while focusing on skin rejuvenation strategies, techniques, treatment options and resources for aging skin care issues.

Making the Right Choice with Adjustable Beds

In your condition, you can?t afford to make careless decisions. You have to be smart with your choice and make sure that when it?s indeed choosing time, you end up with the right decision.

To help you make the right choice when it comes to buying adjustable beds, here are some features that you must ascertain your adjustable bed has:

Check Out the Base ? Let?s say you?re interested in buying a car. Smart people with considerable experience in cars know for a fact that the insides of the car ? the engine, radiator and the likes ? matter more than the outside. The bling-blings of a car wouldn?t amount to much if the engine has a remaining lifespan of three months or something equally ephemeral.

When it comes to adjustable beds, there?s another ?inside? factor that you have to know about and that?s the base. You see, with an adjustable bed, it?s not truly the bed that has an adjustable feature but the base. You?re making the right choice if the base of your adjustable bed is manufactured by a well-known company such as Legend and Platt, for example. Bases made by this particular company have sealed motors. And if you?re not aware of the significance of such a thing, it only means that the motor used by your adjustable bed is maintenance-free.

Can It Move? ? First and foremost, choose an adjustable bed that has wheels. An adjustable bed with wheels is advantageous in many ways. First, it makes the cleaning process easy because all you have to do is roll it somewhere and then you?re free to clean the space under the bed. Secondly, an adjustable bed with wheels can be easily transported to wherever it has to go for the moment.

Check How It Works ? Always go for an adjustable bed that?s easily assembled because you never know when you have to keep it away for a while then later on bring it out again for personal use. It would be quite a hassle if you always have to call for technical support whenever you need to use your adjustable bed so go for an adjustable bed that has a manual that a 10 year old kid can decipher.

Grace Palce is writing health, diet and exercise articles for the 1200 calories diet site and sleep and rest related articles for her adjustable bed site.

3 Powerful Fitness and Weight Loss Tips

Want to get fit and lose some weight? Are you tired of struggling to stay on your diet and exercise plan? No matter what your current fitness level, there's a good chance that a few small changes can bring you MUCH better results.

Here are 3 of the most powerful fitness secrets to help you get (or stay) on track to a healthier, better-looking body:

1. Workout early in the day.

If you workout early on in the day, you'll probably have a much more effective workout -- mainly because you have more energy and are fresher than you are in the afternoon or evening. Also, studies have shown that people who workout in the morning tend to stick with their exercise programs longer and achieve better long-term results

2. Eat some healthy fat every day.

One of the worst mistakes you can make is to cut out all or most of the fat from your diet. Simply put, the human body needs some healthy fat to function properly. Also, it becomes extremely difficult to lose weight when you begin to cut your fat intake too much. The key is to choose healthy, fitness-friendly fats. A few of the best fat sources include: extra-virgin olive oil, flax oil, fish oil, virgin coconut oil, avocado, and raw nuts/seeds.

3. Don't let yourself get hungry.

Hunger is the enemy of anyone trying to lose weight. If you try to fight hunger, eventually you will lose. The key to real weight loss success is to never let yourself get hungry. If this means snacking all day long then do it! But, of course, you have to choose the right snacks in order to be successful. The next time you start to feel hungry, quickly grab one or more of the following super snacks and eat:

apples
oranges
berries
dried prunes
raw veggies with low-fat dip
unsalted or lightly-salted nuts
low-fat/low-sugar yogurt
a few whole-grain crackers w/ low-fat cheese
a whole-wheat tortilla with hummus
beef/turkey/ostrich jerky
a bowl of whole-grain/non-sugared cereal
a high-protein/low-carb smoothie

...just to name a few! For more healthy snack ideas pick up one of the many healthy cookbooks at your local bookstore.

Jamie Clark is a writer and co-editor for RealFitnessExperts.com. For tons of useful tips and tricks from some of the world's top fitness experts be sure to visit: http://www.realfitnessexperts.com today!

Benefits of Chair Yoga Part 4

Chair Yoga can easily work in harmony with most physical rehabilitation prescriptions. Many physical therapists have knowledge of Yoga or are teachers of Yoga. Many doctors, physical therapists, and medical professionals recommend Yoga to patients who are making a ?come back.?

Yoga gives these patients the strength to move ahead, when many would be discouraged. The comebacks that I have personally witnessed are inspiring to me as a Yoga teacher. Over time, I have seen come backs from strokes, heart attacks, and car accidents.

It touches me that they thanked me for teaching them Yoga or Chair Yoga. The courage to go on came from within their minds, but Yoga became a significant part of their lives. As a Yoga teacher the inspiration was mutual and made me feel helpful. After all, being of help, and being appreciated, are prime motivations for teachers of any subject.

Muscle tone is a result of stretching and flexing any muscle group. Active muscles display themselves on anybody that chooses to use them. This is also a good way to relieve oneself of anxiety, stress, tension, and prevent depression. Like the other benefits, previously mentioned, this results in whole body health. A healthy body does, indeed, compliment a healthy mind.

For those clients who are confined to a chair, it is wise to include some form of a weight bearing, or weight resistance, exercise program. For those who can stand, Chair Yoga is another weight bearing exercise that will stimulate bone building.

With progressive weight resistance, you use free weights or machines, but with Yoga you bear your own body weight. The end result of these exercise programs would be increased bone density and prevention of Osteoporosis.

Seniors spend more time alone, than any other age group. Sometimes, we all need a little solitude, but too much solitude can lead to depression, in some of us. Living life like a monk is not for everyone.

Chair Yoga classes offer a social activity that helps to stimulate the mind and body in a positive way. This becomes an uplifting activity that participants look forward to. Regular attendance, and socializing in Chair Yoga classes, is a healthy activity that leads to building strong relationships.

It also exposes seniors to the many activities that are going on within the community center. Participants of chair Yoga classes are exposed to whole health and gain a nutritional education as a member of a senior, community, or wellness center.

Lastly, all participants in Chair Yoga classes learn to relax and quiet the mind, through breath awareness, meditation, stage-by-stage relaxation, a combination, or another method. The end result being that these Yoga students can control their minds, focus on the good things in life, and prevent depression.

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Aromatherapy Skin Care

When there is easy way to do your aromatherapy skin care at home, why do you have to do it outside your house. You can save money and you can treat your skin properly. You will look fresh and your skin will be healthy although you do it at home.

The important message is that you must not careless with your skin. Although you feel you have complexion and glowing skin, you must understand that?s not forever. You still need to care your skin in order to be healthy because the longer you allow your skin to go without caring, the longer it will get damage. Well, aromatherapy skin care is a good choice.

Why do skins get damage? There are different causes, but generally your skin gets damaged because of allergic, make-up you wear and the sun exposure you endure or maybe stress. In order to control your skin, better you do your aromatherapy skin care since early age so your skin will last you a very long time.

You can do it at home using your aromatherapy skin care or other natural stuffs. Without leaving the comfort of your own home you can relax your body and mind, and also makes your skin better and healthy. Let go of stress. Stress can show up on your face, no matter how well you take care of your skin. Escape from everyday stress with these great home spa ideas that promise to rejuvenate, and renew your natural beauty.

Okay, here are a few tips of aromatherapy skin care that you might want to try at home:

- Use herbs or essential oils for a scent-sational soak in the tub that will melt away your worries and get you ready for your day of pampering.

- Use skin softener and lubricant of sweet almond oil for massage or otherwise applied to the skin. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2 and B6 and some vitamin.

- Steam your face before you do treatment to your facial skin by just standing in the shower for an extra minute or two. This will help to open your pores and improve the effectiveness of your chosen facial treatment.

- Cleanse your face to remove bacteria with aromatherapy skin care that give you natural herbal scent.

- After you are ready, put masker on your face. There is one great fruit masker for all skin types, the papaya facial. You can just mash up a fresh papaya and sieve into a bowl. Pat onto clean skin, leaving on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with warm water, followed by cold water to close pores.

- To relieve puffiness, reduce fine lines and revitalize the sensitive skin around the eyes, you are suggested to use cold compresses. Anything cool will work well.

Everything is so easy. You can do all your aromatherapy for your skin care just from your house. This will be more convenience since you can order your aromatherapy stuff from the Internet. Life has spoilt you, isn?t it?

About The Author: Martha Carles knows aromatherapy very well. She has helped people with aromatherapy. You can visit her Website: MyAromatherapyGuide.com at http://www.myaromatherapyguide.com

Allergies Reducing Bedroom Dust Mites

In this article we're going to discuss simple steps for reducing the dust mite allergens in your bedroom.

Dust mites. You can't see them but they're there. And they do most of their attacking at night while you're asleep. Why? Because dust mites generally live in your bed; on the mattress, the pillows, your blanket, just about anywhere you can think of. Enough of these little creatures can make your life a living nightmare.

But there are simple steps you can take to help reduce the number of dust mites you have to share your bed with and hopefully make your sleeping experience a little more enjoyable.

First, a little bit about what dust mites are. They are actually microscopic spider-like creatures that feed on the flakes of your skin. They reside anywhere that is considered to be a dust trap which include the things already mentioned plus your draperies, carpets and upholstery. And since dust is just about anywhere, dust mites are just about anywhere as well. Dust mite exposure is a significant cause of indoor allergies, which are much different from outdoor allergies. These allergies can lead to asthma and hay fever. Studies show that over 45% of homes in the United States have concentrations of dust mites that are considered to be dangerous enough to cause asthmatic conditions.

So just how do we reduce the number of dust mites in our homes?

For starters we can cover our beds with dust proof covers. These are covers that are specially made to go over our mattresses and pillows. These covers are not cheap but the good that they do far outweighs the cost. These covers can be purchased in a department store that sells bedding supplies.

Another thing that can be done is to vacuum regularly, most preferably with a vacuum that has a hepa filter so that the allergens don't end up just going back into the air when the vacuum is emptied. A hepa filter and bagless vacuum is your best bet for keeping the allergens out of your home after you have picked them up off the floor.

Another thing that is very effective for getting rid of the dust mites in your home is to steam clean as many items as possible. Some articles can't be steam cleaned so you have to use caution when doing this so as not to ruin any of your items. The reason steam cleaning works is because dust mites need a dry environment to live in. The moisture from the steaming is what helps kill them.

It should be noted that while these procedures do reduce the level of dust mite concentrations below severe symptom levels, they do not reduce them to the point where people do not still have sensitivity to the allergens, such as sneezing and coughing. Unfortunately it is impossible to completely reduce the level of dust mite allergens to absolute zero unless you are living inside a bubble and the technology for such an environment is not quite yet with us.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Allergies
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Working Out It's Good For You

When we think about the life in the country, there is always something rosy about it. What is it that the people in the country have that we do not? When you ponder about it you find that those lucky souls eat good food, they work really hard, by work I mean real physical work and they have good night?s sleep. Of course they do not have all the amenities and facilities that the city life has to offer.

But the city life comes with a lot of strings attached. People in the cities are generally less healthy than the people in the country. One of the reasons is pollution of course but the other reason is because people in the city do not get enough exercise.

Now, when I talk about healthy bodies please make no mistake about what I am referring to. I am not talking about the Mr. Universe kind of body, the bodies that we see on WWF.

I am talking about people who are fit. And fitness and exercise are just two sides of the same coin. They both go hand in hand.

In order to stay fit you need exercise and in order to exercise you need to be fit. But just because you are not fit now, it does not mean that you shouldn?t exercise.

And just like that, just because you do not have any visible excess fat on your body right now, it does not mean that you need no exercise. Exercise is the best way to keep obesity, cardio vascular disorders, hypertension and all those lifestyle-related disorders under control.

First of all let us get one point straight, exercise does not necessarily mean pumping metal. If you do have the time to go to a gymnasium everyday, then that is well and good.

But I suppose most of us do not have the time for a regular work out in a gym. So the other alternative is to do it at home of course.

But whether it is at home or at a multi-gym, there is something that I want to tell you. Whatever you are doing, you must try and do it regularly.

Consistency is very important for an exercise routine to have the desired effect on our body. Getting started is the easy part, it is sticking to a regular exercise routine that is difficult and this is what makes most people give up in between.

Most people get on to a beautiful start. They buy track suits and gym-wear, running shoes and a whole lot of other gear. Their first day at the gym is almost a celebration.

Then as the days go on, they find it increasingly difficult to meet the domestic and professional demands and so their routine slows down and finally comes to a complete workout burn out. In other words, the stop working out completely

It is a universal fact that the most chosen time for work outs is the evenings. If you can stick to work out in the evenings then it is well and good. But most of us find ourselves exhausted in the evenings. We find ourselves physically and mentally drained. And at that time our bodies will be just too tired for a work out.

The result is that after the first few days of working out, the interest just dwindles away. The other reason is that in the evenings a thousand and one things may crop up and then there is hardly time for a warm up. So it is best to set aside some time for exercise in the morning itself.

There are two advantages of setting apart time in the morning. The first advantage is that in the morning our bodies are fresh and full of energy. Now over here I want to make one point clear.

There is a popular misconception that exercise depletes the body of energy but the case is just the opposite. Exercise pumps up more blood through the different parts of the body and warms up the body, so in fact, after exercise we feel more charged and ready to face the challenges of the day.

The second advantage is that in the morning we can plan for the whole day without letting the exercise routine affect the rest of our activities.

What about those of us who have never worked out before? In such cases you might need to start off under the personal supervision of an instructor and that may require that you go to a gym. But what I would suggest is that there are two simple things that any one can do for which you do not need the help of any instructor.

You know what these are? They are walking and swimming. Any body can walk and those of you who know how to swim can swim. For these two activities you do not need much gear and experts say that these two exercises have no side effects and are excellent stress busters.

So in the morning wake up just half an hour earlier, put on your walking shoes and hit the roads. Most roads will be less crowded at this hour and less polluted too. It is a wonderful way to start a day. Below I have included some points on how to start and maintain a good exercise routine.

Mia LaCron is the founder of lose-10-pounds-quickly.info - http://www.lose-10-pounds-quickly.info - devoted to helping individuals with their weight loss goals.

Exercise to Delay Aging

In 1490, Ponce de Leon set out to find the fountain of youth. He didn't find it, and now, more than 500 year later, the only mechanism ever found to prolong life and delay aging is exercise. There is no data whatever to show that antioxidants, vitamins, or anything else prolong life. All tests that are used to measure aging really measure physical fitness. A fit 70-year old will score younger on aging tests than an out-of-shape 20 year old.

Scientists measure aging with a test called VO2max, your maximal ability to take in and use oxygen. Studies from Ball State University, Courtland State, Washington University in St. Louis and Mt Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee show that intense exercise maintains fitness. People who do not exercise lose 15 percent of their fitness per decade, those who exercise at low intensity lose nine percent, while those who exercise intensely barely lose any fitness at all.

In the 1930s, Fred Wilt was an Olympian distance runner. At age 50, he was able to run two miles in less than ten minutes. Those of you who run competitively know that this is a magnificent time and that there are very few high school runners who can run faster than that. He was able to run a 9:40 two mile on training of only five to seven a week, by alternating almost flat-out 200 meter runs with jogging until recovery.

Increasing intensity makes you fit. If you go out and jog the same two miles at the same pace every day, you will not improve and you will not be very fit. However, if you run faster on one day, feel sore on the next day, and then run slowly until the soreness disappears, and then run fast again, you will be able to run faster, become more fit on every measure of fitness, and also test better on the tests that measure aging.

However, with increased intensity comes increased risk of injury. So, before you start an intense exercise program, and before you start lifting heavier weights, running faster, jumping, higher, throwing further, hitting a tennis ball harder, or doing anything that requires increased intensity, check with your doctor. The only problem with this recommendation is that the odds are overwhelming that your doctor won't know very much about sports, training, or improving physical fitness. But you should at least check with him or her to see if you have a condition that can be aggravated by hard exercise. Also remember that older people can't train intensely very often. You may have to wait two to ten days between hard workouts.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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Invest in Your Health

What if a trusted friend were to tell you about an investment where you could not possibly go wrong...what would be your reaction? And what if there was a virtual mountain of credible information that supported the investment claims...wouldn't you be inclined to take advantage of the opportunity and not miss out on the rewards? Although the answer to these questions seems apparent, when it comes to investing in our health and quality of life we often choose to ignore what obviously works. Take for example, exercise...

Physical fitness may be the ultimate investment opportunity. Think of it this way. If you are willing to make the commitment (investment), you will feel and look healthier, have an abundance of energy, be more self-confident, more productive and discover a more joyous and fulfilling life. These are rewards that money cannot buy and the substance of high quality living. And, the investment of exercise becomes even more attractive when you consider that there is absolutely no down-side risk. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. How much better can it get? How many times can you remember ever having a better offer? The honest answer is probably never, and yet many of us fail to act on this extraordinary opportunity. We simply choose to procrastinate or ignore the proven benefits of exercise!

Here are a few reasons that sometimes inhibit our willingness to step out and make a change or take a chance:

- Sometimes our vision gets clouded. We lose tract of what is really important. When this happens, it's time to forget the trees and look at the forest. Try to focus on exactly what you are trying to accomplish. Sometimes we get so caught up in the detail that I forget where I'm going.

- If we look at the big picture, it can seem overwhelming. And the bigger the task, the more overwhelming it can seem. Break the task apart into smaller pieces. Want to lose 50 pounds? Go for 10 pounds, five at a time! Need to start an exercise program? Begin with short, simple exercises and slowly expand your routine. The absolute worse approach to exercise is to overdo it when first starting the program. We seem to have this all or none mindset where we end up killing ourselves the first few times out. We end up stiff, tired, disillusioned, and then quit. Moderation is the key.

- Have you ever not wanted to start something for fear of failure? Take the first step and acknowledge the fear, then the next step will come easier. Fear of the unknown scares us so much we don't want to even begin. Once fears are acknowledged, they usually quiet down. Taking the first step allows us to go past the fear and on to the next step.

- Sometimes we start to think that a task is unpleasant or boring. Just like any other activity, this can also be true for exercise. There are days when we just plain lack the enthusiasm and motivation to continue. It's part of human nature. On days like these focus on 'why' you are doing it. Think about all the people you care about and who may need and rely on you. What would happen if you became ill or disabled and was unable to work for a period of time, or worse, if you were out of the picture completely. How would things change? If something happened tomorrow, how would your family or business manage without you? What do you want your life to be like in the future? There are many tasks or chores we do, that we may not like, but are necessary to live a happen and productive life. Focus on the bigger picture.

- Indecision can be defeating, but doing anything is better than doing nothing. There are no wrong choices and very few choices that can't be undone or done again. Can't decide on a particular exercise program or routine? Pick a few exercises and start with something simple. If you don't like it, go on to the next exercise.

- When you lack the confidence to start something new, take a deep breath and try to figure out why. Are you hesitating because you really lack the skill or is it just imagined? If it's real, try to find out where to gain the skills you need or find someone with the right skills who can help. In the case of exercise, finding a qualified personal fitness trainer can sometimes do the trick, but be wary...some PFT's are overzealous and tend to start newcomers on programs that are too strenuous.

- Life just seems too busy to find time for some activities. Large, uninterrupted chunks of time are very hard to come by. And if we're honest, when they do come, we'd rather do something totally pleasurable! Exercise has to become part of your routine. It can't be an option. Make it a high priority just the same as your career, and other areas of interest. You will be surprised at how easy exercise becomes when approached this way!

- Have you ever subconsciously (or otherwise) invited distractions so that you have a good reason not to get something done? Sometimes it's the simple things like answering the phone or sitting down to watch that one TV program, that distract us. When you find yourself doing this, take control of the situation and make a conscious decision to do what you are avoiding.

To reap the benefits of exercise, or any other health related endeavor, you must agree to become a willing participant. This will require due diligence on your part. And remember, as you embark on your mission you are investing in something near and dear to your own heart...your life and a future of healthy living.

Author: Arnel Ricafranca

Arnel Ricafranca
Fitness Expert/ Master Trainer
Founder of Fitness VIP
Located in Randolph and Stanhope NJ
http://www.fitness-vip.com
AskArnel@gmail.com

Stress and Recover: The Key to Muscle Growth

If you do the same exercises every day and do not feel sore on the next day, you will not become stronger and faster or have greater endurance.

Improvement in exercise comes from stressing and recovering. You take a hard workout that causes your muscles to burn, which damages them. You will feel sore the next day because of the damage, and should take easy workouts until the soreness disappears. Then you take another hard workout. Muscles are damaged by hard exercise and soreness is a sign of the damage. Then when the muscles heal, they are stronger than they were before the hard workout.

If you take another hard workout before the soreness disappears, you place yourself at high risk for injury. If you want to build muscle or improve in any sport, take a hard workout that causes muscle soreness and on the next days, take easy workouts or take off until the soreness goes away.

Serious weight lifters do not take off completely during their recovery days, even though resting when your muscles feel sore allows them to heal faster. If you exercises at low intensity during recovery, your muscles will become more fibrous and resistant to injury when you stress them with the next intense bout of hard exercise.

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Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports -- and the FREE Good Food Book -- at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Onychomycosis

The word onychomycosis simply refers to fungal infection of the nail: onycho is Greek for claw and mycosis is the medical term for fungal infection of any kind. Though this term may be unfamiliar to most people, the infection, unfortunately, is far from uncommon. In North America, as many as 13% of people may suffer from fungal nail infections, with the incidence increasing with age.

Early signs of onychomycosis include a yellowish or brownish discoloration of the nail, often starting near the tip of the toe or the fingertip and progressing back toward the cuticle. In some cases a white spot appears and grows gradually larger. The nail may appear to be separating from the nailbed and it usually becomes distorted and crumbly. Onychomycosis remedies tend to work better when started early in the course of the infection. The first step is to get a proper diagnosis from a medical professional, then begin treatment.

Onychomycosis treatment may require topical application of an antifungal agent or a prescription for an oral medication. Curing the infection tends to take months or years, depending on severity, thus it is better to start in the early stages. Prescription medications for nail fungus infections are relatively new and are still quite costly and plagued with side effects but, because this type of infection has been around since ancient times, there are many home onychomycosis remedies that people swear by. Most of these involve soaking the affected nail in a solution (dilute bleach, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide etc.).

A third category of onychomycosis remedies have sprung up in response to the high cost and side effects of the prescription drugs - natural or homeopathic products that mostly incorporate essential oils of certain plants or herbal extracts. Though many of these products have not been scientifically tested as antifungals, a few common ingredients are backed up by scientific evidence, the most promising of which is tea tree oil. When selecting a natural product for onychomycosis treatment, one that contains tea tree oil is a good choice.

Regardless of whether you choose to use a prescription medication, a natural remedy, or a home onychomycosis treatment, it's a good idea to have a physician confirm that you have a fungal nail infection. Though more uncommon, other conditions can have similar symptoms and should be treated differently.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Onychomycosis, a blog dedicated to the treatment of fingernail and toenail fungus.

Dermatitis Your Toothpaste May Cause Dermatitis Around Your Mouth

Dermatitis- what is perioral dermatitis?

Perioral dermatitis is a skin problem around the mouth. This may also appear on the nose and chin. This dermatitis resembles acne and rosacea, but is neither of them. This is a difficult to treat condition and your everyday toothpaste, skincare products and cosmetics may be causing it. Let us find out more about its prevention and treatment.

Perioral dermatitis- the symptoms

Perioral dermatitis appears around the mouth. Red rashes form around the mouth. That is why the name- perioral. Many times acne like pustules form on the red patches. The red patches look like rosacea skin and the pustules look like acne. The patch may itch. Sometimes the condition spreads below the eyes, on the nose and on the chin.

Perioral dermatitis- the cause-

Use of heavy steroid creams is one of the possible causes of perioral dermatitis. Some flavoring agents used in our daily toothpaste may cause perioral dermatitis. Use of heavy cosmetics and skin care products is another possible cause. Every one of us has to find out why we got perioral dermatitis. If you have not used any heavy cosmetic, you can eliminate that as a reason and focus on the others. Similarly if you have not applied steroids, that reason will not apply to you. We have to discuss the possible reason with our doctor and eliminate that before getting treated. Otherwise the diseases will return.

Perioral dermatitis- treatment

Stopping use of heavy steroids is the first treatment. When you stop the heave steroids, you may get a rebound but that will subside after about a week. If you are not using steroids, you have to talk to your doctor about your toothpaste and use bland toothpaste. Stopping use of every skin care product and cosmetics will help heal faster. The common treatment for perioral dermatitis is antibiotics. Application of topical antibiotics may be prescribed. If the condition is severe, oral antibiotics may be given. Within some days the condition subsides. Please consult your doctor about the treatment when you get perioral dermatitis. Self-treatment with any OTC product will not help. To test your knowledge about this condition that can spoil your facial look for a long time, please try this quiz. You will also learn more about perioral dermatitis with this quiz- Perioral dermatitis quiz, - http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/ds/perioraldermatitis/perioraldermatitis-quiz.php

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a big skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails diseases, treatments and prevention. You can try out some of the unique skin and health quizzes, to test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. Other popular topics on the site include acne, dermatitis, cellulite, melasma, vitiligo, scars, stretch marks, collagen, laser resurfacing, sunscreens, etc.

Breast Enlargement Products are Scams

Don't waste your money on creams or pills that are supposed to enlarge your breasts. Eighty-five percent of a woman's breast is fat, so the only way to make your breasts larger is to make you fatter, but most women don't want to gain weight. The female hormone, estrogen, stimulates breast fat to grow, but it can only be stimulated so much. A woman whose body does not produce adequate amounts of estrogen will have her breasts enlarged by taking more estrogen, even in a cream; but estrogen cream will not grow larger breasts in normal women.

Various devices that claim to enlarge your breasts with suction are nonsensical. They may cause swelling or water retention temporarily, but the effects will quickly disappear.

Since breasts do not contain muscles, they cannot be enlarged by exercising, but you can do exercises to enlarge the pectoralis muscles underneath the breasts. This will push the breasts slightly forward and may make them appear larger. You can use a special weight machine called a pec dec, where you sit with your elbows bent in front of you and bring your elbows together while pressing against resistance. Start with one set of ten, gradually increase to three sets of ten, and when that becomes easy, increase the weight.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition.

Don't Let an Injury Set You Back: Use Cross Transference

Injuries upset competitive athletes because they know their competitors are still training. They can maintain fitness by using a training technique called cross transference, and so can you. Exercising one leg or arm helps to maintain strength, endurance and power in the other limb. The muscles in the injured limb are not strengthened directly because they are not being used. Cross transference strengthens nerves in both limbs, even though only one is being exercised (Journal of Applied Physiology, November 2005). Each muscle is made of millions of fibers, and each fiber is stimulated by a single nerve.

When you exercise, your brain sends messages along these nerves, telling only about five percent of the nerves to contract at the same time. With training, your brain learns to contract a greater percentage of muscle fibers simultaneously. The more you practice a specific exercise, the greater percentage of your muscle fibers you can contract at the same time. When you stop exercising, your brain quickly loses its ability to contract as many fibers at the same time and you lose strength, endurance and coordination. However, if you continue to exercise one arm, your brain retains its ability to contract the fibers in the opposite arm. This concept applies only to opposite limbs; you can maintain strength in an injured arm by continuing to exercise the uninjured one, but exercising your legs will not strengthen your arms and vice versa. So if you are a runner who injures a leg muscle, you can work the uninjured leg on resistance machines to keep up the strength of both legs. If you are a baseball pitcher, you can help to maintain strength in an injured arm by using your other arm to throw and do resistance exercises.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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Why Diets Fail

Maybe it happened to you. You were overweight and watching television at one in the morning, feeling down about yourself. You knew you had to make a change for the better, and fast. Then on the screen appeared an infomercial touting the latest diet craze.

Guaranteed, you could lose up to ten pounds a week, maybe more! All you had to do was either take this supplement twice daily, or drink a certain shake in place of breakfast. Maybe you had to forgo food altogether for 48 hours and just drink a specially formulated juice cocktail designed to cleanse your colon.

Whatever it was, it looked good to you. The screen was filled with before and after pictures of people who tried the diet and were happier, thinner, and healthier. So you called the toll-free number, bought the product, followed the instructions and...nothing.

What went wrong? Why did the diet fail? Why was the only thing lost money from your bank account?

Each year thousands of people begin a diet program with the intent of seeing it through to success. Oftentimes, people do lose the weight and keep it off, but sadly a great number of people become frustrated and quit early in their programs. Discouragement leads to depression, which in some cases leads to a backlash in eating habits...and more weight gain.

What causes these diets to fail? Why is it so difficult to follow a diet plan and lose the weight? Why is it, even when the plan is followed to the letter, nothing happens?

• Frustration - In the world of the quick fix, if you don't see immediate results you assume it's not working. Dieting is not a quick fix, losing weight takes time!

• Starvation - The body needs food to survive. Diet plans that begin with an initial period of food restrictions can prove difficult for some people to handle, causing them to fall off the wagon and binge on the same snacks the body craves.

• Nausea - You took a pill, it made you sick. You stopped the taking the pill. You just spent $100 for nothing. Did you follow all instructions when taking the supplements? You'd be surprised to know how many people don't!

• Time - Your plans calls for home-cooked meals and time set aside for exercise. But between work, kids, recitals, etc. there isn't time. You become distracted, the plan ends, and you're back to square one.

Failure often leads to depression, which triggers hormones in the body that cause you to eat, even when you're not hungry. What started out as a plan to improve your life only tailspinned into further damage to your body and self-esteem.

It doesn't have to be this way! You can follow a program to success!

One important thing to remember when researching diet programs is that not every plan tailored to the public as a whole will work for everybody the same way. When you go to a department store to buy a new shirt, you notice how the racks aren't stocked with identical shirts, right? You will see shirts of different colors and sizes; some shirts will have long sleeves, some short. Some shirts will have pockets, and others will have buttons. Every shirt is designed for the same purpose - to cover you up - yet accomplishes this goal in a different way.

Diet plans work on a similar plane. A person allergic to grapefruit wouldn't go on the grapefruit diet, right? Consequently, a person suffering from celiac disease shouldn't follow a program that prescribes wheat products. For a diet program to work, you need to know what regimen works best for your body and lifestyle. Read up on all programs before making a sound decision. Set aside time to do what is necessary, but don't feel frustrated if you skip a day in your regimen - start over again! Above all, never feel frustrated about having invested time researching weight loss options. Everything is a learning experience, and as time passes and you learn more about how your body works, you will find the answers you need.

Kathryn Lively (http://www.kathrynlively.com) is a freelance writer for the travel and weight loss industries. Her writing appears on the site for Compuslim (http://www.compuslim.com), a weight loss program tailored to individual needs.