Supercharge Your Immune System

Did you know that mushrooms are an amazing immune booster? Mushrooms stimulate the immune system and are powerful metabolic activators of the immune system. Different mushrooms affect different parts of your immune system.

Your immune system fights viruses, bacteria and germs that enter your body. Natural killer (NK) cells are first defense against these "bugs". Natural killer cells attack the invading "bugs" and split them apart destroying them before they can do harm.

Mushrooms increase the immune activity of T cells, macrophages and monocytes. Macrophages actually eat bacteria. They also stimulate the T cells to turn on antibodies to be used against the bacteria.

Shiitake and maitake mushrooms contain beta-glucan which stimulate macrophages and other immune system activators. Shiitake mushrooms help your body produce interferon. Interferon is an anti-viral substance.

Maitake strengthens your white blood cells. They also contain a substance called D-fraction, which supports the immune system.

Reishi mushrooms have a potent anti-viral effect. They strengthen and increase the number of white blood cells. Bitter reishi mushrooms contain triterpenes which have and anti-viral property.

These powerful immune enhancers should be a part of your arsenal against infections. All are rich in beta-glucan which prevents bacteria and viruses from attaching themselves to your cells. Beta-glucan attaches itself to receptor sites on macrophage cells and activates them to destroy invading bacteria, and viruses.

The extracts of these three mushrooms stimulate the body's natural immune defenses. They help your body fight infection. There are many combinations of these three mushrooms and other mushrooms for sale. They work together synergistically to help boost your immunity.

The ancient Chinese believed mushrooms were superior medicines and could give eternal youth and longevity. Keep these immune enhancers on hand to protect you from the flu and winter colds.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Tremer

Compounds in Green Tea May Protect Against Common Eye Diseases

Green tea has increasingly become one of the world’s most popular beverages, and for good reason. The purported health benefits of green tea are nothing short of amazing. It appears to reduce the risk for a wide range of diseases, from bacterial or viral infections to chronic degenerative conditions including cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and periodontal disease. Green tea can also be used as a weight loss tool when used alongside a healthy diet. Researchers in Japan have found that drinking five cups of green tea a day can burn up to 70 to 80 calories, which translates to about seven pounds a year. And recently, researchers at the Chinese University in Hong Kong discovered yet another benefit of drinking this health-promoting brew—it could protect against common eye diseases such as glaucoma.

For their study, published in the current issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Chi Pui Pang and colleagues gave laboratory rats green tea extract and then analyzed their eye tissue. The researchers found that different parts of the eye absorbed varying amounts of catechins, antioxidants which are believed to prevent damage caused by oxidation. The retina, the part of the eye responsible for sensing light, had the highest concentration of the antioxidants, while the least amount was found in the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. The antioxidant activity lasted for up to 20 hours after consumption of green tea extract. “Our results indicate that green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative stress,” the authors concluded. Oxidative stress leads to retinal diseases like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Green tea is the least processed, made by briefly steaming the just harvested leaves, rendering them soft and pliable and preventing them from fermenting or changing color. After steaming, the leaves are rolled, then spread out and dried with hot air or pan-fried in a wok until crisp. Because of green tea’s minimal processing, its catechins, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to green tea, are more concentrated. It wasn’t known until now, however, if the catechins were able to make their way from the mouth, through the gastrointestinal system, and be absorbed into the tissues of the eye. More studies will be needed to confirm the protective effect in humans.

Adding green tea to your diet is simple and inexpensive. It also provides a healthful alternative to sugar-and-chemical laden soft drinks which are helping to fuel soaring rates of diabetes and obesity.

Fish Oil Versus Krill Oil - Which One Is Better

You can find research saying that there is a new omega 3 supplement in the market to challenge the currently reliable oil supplement - that awesome is krill oil. But could there be really much differences between the two? Let's look at more about the fish oil vs. krill oil issue and be aware of facts.

It has already established its prowess as a good supplement. In hopes to make the most out of the health advantages omega 3 in it can grant, experiments have been performed to create supplements that are more effective which will give more omega 3.

Not too long ago, experts have found that there could just be an alternative source that can give as much as other sources can give. This has lead some to convey krill is some kind of miracle, and others to say it's really a marketing ploy to sell you the latest product.

Effects of Krill and Fish Oil to our body

Krill and Fish Oil are considered to potentially help reduce inflammation, boost healthy heart and also cardiovascular health, it can also help improve mood levels, promote weight reduction and much more. All these benefits stem from the one thing they have in common - omega 3 fatty acids. Krill Oil and Fish Oil are both natural supplements that can be safely taken everyday without the unwanted adverse reactions.

Does krill oil contain more antioxidants?

What's notable in krill oil that makes many people believe that it might be better than fish is that it contains more antioxidants compare to some fish. These antioxidants such as astaxanthin are readily absorbed into the body, providing health benefits. But, there are some fish oil that contain added astaxanthin and deliver more of it compare to krill oil. Hence,there are brands of oils are better than krill if you use this measurement of astaxanthin antioxidants.

Vitamin A and D is also included in Krill Oil

Aside from its antioxidant content, krill oil supplements are also found to contain vitamins A and D which are not present in fish oil. This can be positive or negative, depending on whether you are already taking a multivitamin that already has enough vitamin A and D. Some doctors advices not to take too much Vitamin A or D, so consult your doctor how much of those vitamins are good for you.

In spite of the new fad, many people still seem to stick with fish oil supplements. Here are some reasons why:

Insufficient evidence and possible extinction of krill?

Although the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids have already been established, krill hasn't been as extensively researched as fish oil. Moreover, there's some reason to believe that krill might become an endangered species - consuming them too much might actually not good for the environment. This is also the food of whales so the question arises: are we depriving the whales of their food?

Krill oil is expensive compared to fish oil

These days, you can only find a little reliable companies who manufacture krill oil. As of today, krill oil is usually cosst more than fish oil. What this mean is you will need to spend extra cash on a supplement that has far fewer studies to show if it can really gives health benefits equal to fish oil.

Krill oil has all the most important omega 3 fatty acids

Although Fish oil is said to possess huge amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, krill oil continues to be superior regarding amounts of important omega 3 acids that include EPA and DFA. This means that the actual benefits plus the desired effects might potentially be better acquired with krill oil.

Fish oil vs. krill oil - the verdict

Base on the facts above, paying more for krill oil maybe ideal for consumers like what it is claiming. This means that there are maybe some concerns about taking krill oil supplements for now, such as paying more to buy krill oil supplements, possibly take food away from endangered whales, and maybe get too much vitamin A and D. But the choice is still yours whether you want to stick with tested and proven fish oil until more studies are done on krill oil.

It is also important to remember that there are also brands of fish, have added astaxanthin antioxidants and this means that they have this ingredient just like krill oil does. Consequently the same amount of antioxidants just like krill oil does.

Remember that these statements are not medical health advice and haven't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Fish oil supplements aren't meant to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.

Reasons why krill oil is great for your health

For years, it is a common misconception that all fats that we eat are harmful for the body. This is absolutely not true because there are some fats that are very useful for your body. One such form is the Omega-3 fatty acids. Always keep in mind that foods rich in this fat should form a part of our diet.

What are Krills?

Krills look like tiny shrimp that resides in the bottom of the sea. They are near the bottom part of the food chain, it also serves as meal to many other underwater creatures. Did you know that even the great whale feed on krills?

Human consuming of krills are not new. Maybe you just have not heard of it. Probably even before the 19th century started, krills are usual food in Japan. However, there a lot of krill types as there are fish. Not all kinds of krills are beneficial to our body though.

In fact, there is only one type of krill Oil that have been studied and proven to be healthy to us and that is the antarctic krill oil. Antarctic krill oil has many of benefits which you will learn more after you finish reading the article below. But for now, let us explore the alternatives!

Why Krill Oil Is Better Than Fish Oil

People have been taking fish oil for quite some time now because of the health benefits that we can get from it. But there are various kinds of fish which can end up in making fish oil and we're coming to discover out as time goes on that there may be certain kinds which are better for the body than others. Fish oil are really beneficial to your overall health because it has 2 important omega-3 fats to our health - the DHA and EPA. DHA & EPA are known to enhance heart health as well helps your immune system.

Unlike krill, fish oil has scarcely any antioxidant in it. The problem with thisis, as omega-3 fats intake increased, you need to raise your consumption of antioxidants too! The reason why you need to do this is because fish oil is highly perishable. Antioxidants are needed to prevent fish oil from oxidizing and cause more damage than good.

While Krill Oil, has not only both DHA & EPA but also strong antioxidants property. Which is why you do not have to be anxious regarding increasing your intake of antioxidants!

The Benefits Of Krill Oil

1. It Manage healthy cholesterol levels
2. Ease premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps
3. Fights signs of aging
4. protect cell membranes
5. supports liver function
6. supports memory and learning
7. reinforce immune system
8. vital for healthy skin

Acyanotic Heart Defects in New Borns

This is a wide scope of a collection of congenital heart diseases whereby all blood returning to the right part of the heart transports through the Lungs and Pulmonary Vasculature normally. This problem is always present before or just immediately after birth hence, causing disorders and discomfort for the newly born infants.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus
The direction of flow through a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) depends on the relative resistances in the pulmonary and systemic circuits. During physical examination, you will discover a continuous murmur which begins after S1, peaks with S2 and trails off in diastole.

Coarctation Syndrome
As the ductus arteriosus constricts in the neonatal period, obstruction increases at the coarctation site, leading to increased left ventricular afterload with subsequent left ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension and congestion heart failure.

In clinical manifestation, coarctation syndrome develops during the first year if infant's Life with irritability, lethargy, poor feeding and inadequate growth. Physical examination includes ashen color of skin, its mottling, decreased or absent lower extremity pulse, gallop rhythm, single loud S2, a nonspecific and often low-pitced systolic murmur and hepatomegaly.

Atrial septal defect (ASD)
The clinical manifestation of this syndrome is slow weight gain and frequent lower respiratory infections. In physical examination, right ventricular heave is present. A systolic ejection murmur in the pulmonic area and a mid-diastolic rumble murmur in the lower right sternal area reflect the increased flow across the pulmonary and tricuspid valves. S2 is widely and constantly split.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
VSD may be single or multiple and may be found anywhere along the septum, it is most common in the membranomuscular portion. As long as pulmonary vascular resistance is lower than systemic resistance, the shunt is left-to-right. If pulmonary vascular resistance rises above systemic resistance, the shunt reverses. The main clinical features are growth failure, congestive heart failure, shortness of breath, chest pain and cyanosis.

In physical examination, a left-to-right shunt produces turbulence during isovolumic contraction and the murmur begins with S1. The murmur usually is harsh and is best heard at the midsternal or lower left sternal border. It ends in mid-diastole in case of small defects and extends to the S2 in large left-to-right shunts.

Acquired Heart disease
Acquired heart disease, as opposed to congenital heart disease occurs as a result of a previously existing disease, defect or as a complication of an acute disease. The most common condition classified as acquired heart disease is congestive heart failure, usually as a complication of congenital heart disease, Cor Pulmonaie is the term applied to congestive failure that results from pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic lung disease, principally cystic fibrosis.


from ezinearticles.com

US FDA says acid reflux drugs carry fracture risk

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - U.S. health regulators have cautioned doctors and patients of an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine from high doses or long-term use of a widely used class of drugs to control the amount of acid in the stomach.

The class of heartburn drugs, called proton pump inhibitors, include prescription brands such as AstraZeneca Plc's AZN.L top-selling Nexium and the company's Prilosec, an older generic treatment that is also available over the counter at a lower dosage strength.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday that studies suggest a possible increased risk of bone fractures with the use of proton pump inhibitors for one year or longer, or at high doses.

Click here to find out more!
Package insert labels for the drugs will be changed to describe the possible increased fracture risks, the FDA said.

"Because these products are used by a great number of people, it's important for the public to be aware of this possible increased risk," Joyce Korvick, deputy director for safety in the FDA's Division of Gastroenterology Products, said in an agency statement.

"When prescribing proton pump inhibitors, health care professionals should consider whether a lower dose or shorter duration of therapy would adequately treat the patient's condition," Korvick said.

Moreover, the FDA said doctors and patients should weigh whether known benefits of the drugs outweigh potential risks.

Other proton pump inhibitors used to treat heartburn, known formally as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), include generically available Protonix, Johnson & Johnson's JNJ.N prescription Aciphex brand and Novartis AG's NOVN.VX over-the-counter Prevacid.

The FDA recommended that consumers report any side effects or other product problems to its MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at http:www.fda.gov/MedWatch or by calling 800-332-1088. - Reuters

What is heartburn

Heartburn is a painful condition involving the upper digestive system, not the heart itself. The reason why some people think that it has something to do with the heart is because of the pain that often radiates from the central chest region of out body. There are people who suffers from heartburn that confuses the symptoms of heartburn with a heart attack. Heartburn usually results from stomach acids reacting strongly to certain foods during digestion. Stomach acid is forced up the unprotected area of your esophagus which results to chemical burn and causes moderate to severe pain.

Even if a heartburn sufferer does not have GERD, he or she could have a condition known as acid reflux. The stomach can be overwhelmed with foods that has a lot of spices. The effect is a buring sensation followed by a sudden impulse to vomit. The heartburn pain can be experienced to the entire esophagus from the vocal cords to the stomach. Severe heartburn situation can even lead to excruciating pain and difficulty of speaking.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is common and usually called acid reflux or acid regurgitation. Acid reflux happen when digestive juices—called acids—rise up with the food to your esophagus which carries the food from the mouth to the stomach. Once the acid touches the lining of your esophagus it may cause a burning feeling in your chest or throat. That feeling is called heartburn or acid indigestion. Occasional GER is common and does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Persistent reflux that occurs more than twice a week is considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems. People of all ages can have GERD.

Different Child Health Care Professionals

They say it takes a village to raise a child and that may very well be true when it comes to child health care. By the time your child reaches the age of eighteen, he or she is likely to have seen at least five different child health care workers all specializing in different ailments and treatments. The most common child health care professional is the pediatrician, a doctor who only treats people under the age of eighteen. A nurse is usually in charge of administering vaccinations and may be the one you talk to about minor issues involving your child's health care. Under most circumstances your child will see a dentist every six months or so starting at age three. The orthodontist should be seen whenever your child's dentist first recommends it, usually around age nine or ten. Lastly, your child should see an optometrist annually starting at age five or six just to check for proper vision and good eye health.

Pediatricians

Pediatricians, as stated earlier, are child health care doctors who focus only on patients under the age of eighteen. A pediatrician will likely examine your infant shortly after birth in order to assess the baby's health and will remain a primary force in the health of your child until he or she goes off to college. The pediatrician will perform annual checkups for your child as well as treat injuries and illnesses. Since pediatricians are medical doctors, they are child health care workers that can prescribe medicine if needed.

Nurse

The nurse is responsible for giving vaccinations when they are needed. Usually she will discuss potential side effects and treatments as well as any danger signs you should watch for once the immunization is given. When you call the doctor's office with a concern about your child's health or behavior, it is probable that a nurse will be the one to return your call. They are experts at calming nervous parents and discussing how to treat mild ailments at home. The nurse will also be able to tell from the symptoms whether you should bring your child into the office or not.

Dentist

The dentist is most likely the third child health care worker that your child will visit. Your pediatrician will probably suggest you bring your child for their first visit around the age of three. The first visit is mostly centered around making the child comfortable visiting the dentist. Your child's teeth will be counted and cleaned and they'll most likely leave with a toy, a new toothbrush and other such goodies.

Optometrist

The optometrist, or eye doctor, has the import job of making sure everything is all right with your child's vision and eye health. While some people feel eye exams are only necessary when a problem in vision occurs, nothing could be farther from the truth. The truth is that there are many illnesses that first reveal themselves in the eyes. By having your child's eyes checked regularly, you are in a much better position of catching these issues earlier. For this reason the optometrist is definitely an important member of the child health care team.

Orthodontist

Your dentist will recommend an orthodontist if there is an issue with the alignment of your child's teeth. They are the one who may suggest braces or a retainer for your child and will help you maintain the proper care of the appliance. Although it is possible that your child won't need to see an orthodontist, most children do at one time or another.

source: The health care center

14 ways to make veggies less boring

We don't need to tell you to eat more vegetables — there's only about, oh, a few hundred health reasons to do so.

But unfortunately, some of the very chemicals that make vegetables so healthy are the same ones that cause many of us (and not just 5-year-olds) to shudder at the sight of steamed greens. In fact, as many as 30 percent of Americans are extrasensitive to the bitter taste of the chemicals in these vegetables — food experts call these people supertasters.

For others, it isn't the taste but the lack thereof that makes them turn up their noses at vegetables. Many veggies pack a lot less flavor than they could, points out Tristan Millar, former director of marketing and business development for Frieda's, the specialty produce marketer in Los Angeles. "American growers have focused on varieties that ship well and spoil slowly, and there's been so little emphasis on taste."

But with a little extra know-how at the grocery story or in front of the stove, you can rekindle your love affair with this essential food group. Here are 14 ideas to eat more vegetables and improve your health, starting with dinner tonight.

1. Buy the babies

In some vegetables, flavors intensify as the plant matures, which is why the so-called baby versions have wider taste appeal with just as many health benefits. Experiment with baby artichokes, turnips, squashes, and carrots (the ones sold in bunches, with greens still attached — not those sold in plastic bags, which are simply regular carrots, trimmed down).

You can find the babies at larger supermarkets, specialty grocers, and farmers' markets; some, such as younger brussels sprouts, can even be bought frozen. Not only do many people find baby vegetables more flavorful and less bitter, but they prefer the texture, too: Younger vegetables are more tender and require less cooking, says Barbara Klein, PhD, professor emerita of foods and nutrition at the University of Illinois. "And they're sort of fun."

2. Oil 'em up

Years of fat phobia have conditioned us to shun oils whenever possible. But judiciously using fats — especially heart-healthy ones like olive oil — can go far in helping you love your veggies. When fat binds with seasonings and spices, it can transform vegetables from a duty-diet item to something downright yummy, Klein says. And the link between vegetable avoidance and certain cancers is strong enough to justify the extra calories if it gets you closer to your recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Try it: Drizzle olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet of broccoli and bake in the oven at around 375 degrees F about 40 minutes — it's delicious!

3. Use dip

Raw veggies probably aren't the first thing you crave when a snack attack strikes, but you'll be much more tempted to eat them when they're dunked in hummus, low-fat dip, or your favorite salad dressing. Try munching at work or even in front of the TV — sometimes, taking veggies away from the dinner table makes eating them feel like less of a health chore.

4. Say cheese

Moderate amounts of cheese sauce — not 1950s-style smothering — can make broccoli or cauliflower rich and satisfying. Or toss bits of your favorite cheeses (including a little cream cheese or feta) in with green beans, spinach, or kale.

5. Start blanching

Ever wonder why the Chinese tend to consume so many more vegetables than Americans, including the strong-tasting crucifers such as broccoli? While it's true that Asians are less likely than Caucasians to have an extreme sensitivity to bitterness, the real secret is blanching, a technique common among Asian cooks, says Klein.

Steam vegetables for 30 to 60 seconds, then remove them from the heat and drop them in cold water. "That stops the strong flavors from developing," Klein says. Stir-frying also preserves flavor by cooking quickly.

Where's the beef? Try a meatless dinner once a week with our favorite vegetarian recipes.

6. Cook brussels sprouts faster ...

If you normally find that sprouts taste too strong, turn them into a delicacy: Slice diagonally, and separate into rings. Microwave with a little water, butter, and plenty of caraway seeds just until done, suggests cookbook writer Lori Longbotham, author of "Better by Microwave."

7. ...And onions slower

The onion family, which includes leeks, shallots, and garlic, is rich in compounds suspected to fight cancer, says nutritionist Valerie Green, MPH. But for onion haters, the sharp flavors and strong smells can be almost nauseating.

Try slow-roasting onions, which brings out the sweetness and cuts the sharpness. Brush leeks or sliced onions with a little olive oil, wrap in foil packets, and toss on the grill to take the sting out.

8. Buy tomatoes ripe

Although tomatoes rival potatoes as America's favorite vegetable, many people say they taste funny, feel pulpy in their mouth, or are too bland. And in winter, those pale hothouse tomatoes prove their point. The secret is making sure you buy those that are vine ripened, which eliminates almost all the bitter flavors, says Autar Mattoo, PhD, a molecular biologist with the USDA. Ask for them in season at farmers' markets, and at better and specialty grocers.

9. Store produce away from fruit

Parsnips, which have a strong flavor to start with, can become bitter when stored near apples and other fruits, which produce ethylene gas, according to research from Pennsylvania State University. The flavor of carrots, squash, and some herbs will also suffer in the presence of fruit, while crucifers such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage may turn limp and yellow more quickly.

The best way to store parsnips: in a closed paper bag, with ethylene producers (which also include apricots, avocados, peaches, cantaloupes, peppers, and tomatoes) in a separate crisper from ethylene-vulnerable produce.

10. Avoid bitter eggplants

Everyone knows that too-mature eggplants are bitter, but the size of this fiber- and potassium-packed vegetable isn't your best clue: If your thumb leaves an indent that doesn't bounce back, the eggplant will be spongy, tough, and bad tasting, even if it's a little one. To further improve taste, check out its "belly button": At the blossom end, eggplants have either an oval or round dimple. Buy only the ovals — the round ones tend to have more seeds and less "meat."

To reduce eggplant's bitter tendencies even more, after you slice it, sprinkle it with salt, then wait a half-hour, rinse, and proceed with your recipe. The salt draws out water, which contains the bitter-tasting compounds, says Klein. Eggplants are worth the trouble: The insides of these veggies are high in cancer-fighting polyphenols — the same chemicals that make apples so good for you.

11. Shop the farmers' market

The flavor in cruciferous veggies, like broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage, intensifies the longer they're on the shelf, particularly if they're wrapped. "Lots of times, I'll give somebody broccoli I picked that morning, and they'll rave about how delicious it is, convinced it's some gourmet variety. It's just that fresh tastes that much better," says Mark Farnham, a broccoli breeder and geneticist with the USDA. In winter, look for broccoli that's sold in bunches, rather than shrink-wrapped to Styrofoam.

Super foods: Go power grocery shopping with this best-for-health food list.

12. Sneak them in

If you don't like the taste of many vegetables, soup may be your best solution: Most soups cook for so long that the vegetable flavors mellow and weaken, while the seasonings become more pronounced.

You can also sneak grated carrots or zucchini into muffins and breads — and even meat loaf. Next time you make a meat loaf, after you add your usual 1 cup of bread crumbs and an egg, throw in 1 cup of grated vegetables: Onions, zucchini, mushrooms, or even green beans will be virtually undetectable, even to you. While the longer baking time breaks down some nutritive value, minerals and vitamins stay in the casserole, and veggies make for a moister meat loaf.

13. Brush up on their health perks

A study at Monell Chemical Senses Center found that understanding why something that tastes foul is good for you — combined with repeated, regular exposure to that particular food — actually makes it easier for you to stomach it. "If you knew that kale could help protect you from cancer, you might be more willing to forget the taste and eat more of it, particularly if cancer runs in your family and is a concern for you," says researcher Leslie J. Stein, PhD.

14. Cave into your sweet tooth

All babies are born with a natural aversion to bitter foods and a preference for sweets, says Jennifer Fisher, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. While this fades over time, many people still maintain a penchant for sweet-tasting food. Scientists have long speculated that's because so many poisonous plants are bitter. "What we do know is that sweet tastes better to us," she says. So indulge in sweeter vegetables — yams, squash, peas, and carrots — which still pack plenty of nutritional advantages.

By Sarah Mahoney
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com

5 Step Fat Loss Experiment

I really like common sense approaches to things. One thing that always makes sense to me is to use a scientific approach to discovery and problem solving. Rather than letting spontaneous decisions or random occurrences account for the results we achieve it is much more efficient and effective to plan out and have some control over our health. Here are 5 ways you can set up your day-to-day living as a mini experiment to achieve the best health.

Step 1 - Know what the end product is. We have to be really specific here. We can't just say 'lose a few pounds' or 'tone up'. We need to have an exact number in mind and be specific with describing it. For example you might say 'I want to lose 9 pounds by April 1 but lose no muscle mass'. This is very specific, it has a time component and puts restrictions of the type of weight loss allowed.

Step 2 - Look at what you are currently doing and see if you are the fittest, leanest, healthiest person you know. If you answered yes, find healthier, leaner friends. Only somewhat joking about the last part. But seriously, if you aren't 100% happy with the way you look, feel and perform than you need to identify what it is you are currently doing related to your nutritional plan, your exercise and your rest. And you'll need to change at least one of these three.

Step 3 - Identify the weak link with respect to your nutrition
, your training and your rest. If it is your rest aim to get 8-9 hours of sleep a night, be in bed by 10 pm. Go to bed and rise at the same time every day. Likewise if your weak link is your training or nutritional approach then you need to put together a new plan related to these. This I can help you with.

Step 4 - Implement the change for 2 weeks and record the results. In terms of results I mean your tape measures (waist, hips, chest, arms, legs), your photos, your scale weight, your strength, your quality of rest etc. Draw up a list with as many different parameters as possible and track these. After two weeks make note of your observations.

Step 5 - Be very thorough with your observations. I really have to thank HG, my grad school advisor in Regina, for drilling this into me. Log, record, write down everything. You don't know right now what information is useful so record everything. As well, only make one change at a time so it becomes easier to see which change you made gave the best response. For example, if you lose 3 pounds you want to be able to see if that was during the 2 weeks you reduced your carb intake later in the day or when you upped your intake of protein. Don't guess. Let the results guide you.

While my grad school advisor might be proud of me for remembering some of what he drilled into me, my high-school teacher might fail me for my recollection of the scientific method. This approach is meant to be a quick, no-frills approach to allow you to see how your body responds to the various changes you put upon it. In the research a paper may get dismissed if the experiment didn't run for at least 8 weeks to allow for a physiological adaptation. Don't worry about this. You will learn a lot about your health and how to improve it by following these 5 steps.

Now go experiment. And remember to record the results, good or bad.

Chris
okananganpeakperformance.com 'always moving forward'
250.212.2972

The Quickest Way to Feel Younger

By Sara Altshul

2010 seems like an unbelievable number to me. It’s remote and futuristic in a way that 2009 never was. Where’s my Jetsons car, that snazzy monorail system that was supposed to replace highways, and my housecleaning robot? Not to mention the pill that was supposed to replace food. (I’m not a bit disappointed that one hasn’t become a reality.)

This summer, I’ll turn 60. Another remote and impossibly futuristic number, one that’s so far removed from 59 that I can’t believe it’s happening to me. By the time my grandmothers were 60, they were both little old ladies who wore matronly dresses and didn’t go out much except for family events. When my mother was 60, she was certainly more outgoing and energetic than her mother had been, but still, I thought of her as being old.

There was a basis for my thinking: Because none of my forebears lived much past their 70s, 60 meant closing in on the end. The knowledge of that has taken me by surprise. I never worried about getting older before. But now, I am, a little. Time seems exquisitely precious now that I can practically count it.

You might expect someone who writes about health to list all the things I’m going to do so that I can stay active and vibrant for as long as I possibly can. But really, if you’re a Health.com reader, you don’t need me to tell you to eat less, exercise more, reduce your stress, and eat tons of fruits and veggies. I will, as time goes by, share easier ways of doing all these things. But there’s one thing I can do to feel younger and more energetic almost instantly. So this year, I just have one resolution, only one. Here it is:

I’m cutting back on the time-suckers in my life and investing that time in doing something I’ve always wanted to do.

Honestly, do I need to read celebrity gossip updates or check my Facebook page every 30 minutes? I bet I while away hours a week on pointless stories and Internet activities that aren’t even that entertaining. And really, all those Law & Order marathons that I can watch endlessly? It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen an episode—I can watch it all over again even when I know that the celebrity guest is the murderer. I’m not getting any of that time back, ever.

So what would I rather point to at the end of the day? That I frittered away my time on pointless activities? Or that I invested it in, say, writing the big book that’s been percolating in my head for decades. The answer is easy. And I know this—if I give myself a really compelling reason to stay young-minded, I might just beat my family history.

3 Ways to Eat Slowly (and Lose Weight!)

Maintaining my Feel Great Weight one carrot (and cupcake!) at a time

By Tina Haupert

I never thought my pug could help with my diet, but an incident last week showed me I was wrong.

Every night, Murphy inhales his dinner in a matter of minutes. And last week, in typical Murphy fashion, he scarfed down his food fast—but this time he started to choke. In a panic, I hopped in the car and drove Murphy to the vet. Luckily, by the time I arrived, he was no longer choking, and breathing normally again. After a quick vet checkup, Murphy ended up completely fine. But his lightening-fast eating habits definitely gave me a big scare!

Thankfully, everything worked out with my dog, but the whole experience got me thinking about eating too quickly. More than once, I’ve found myself shoveling down my dinner so fast that I barely taste it. I know it’s a bad habit, but I also find it sort of strange, because I consider myself such a foodie. I truly love food—everything about it—so why can’t I slow down enough to enjoy it?

Eating too quickly can cause a bunch of digestive problems, like indigestion, and (more importantly to my Lose the Dough goals), it can cause you to consume too many calories. So last week I decided to do a little experiment to help me slow down at meals. Here’s what I did:

I made it special. More than once, I’ve stood in my kitchen and chowed down a snack that I just prepared. But keeping my new goal in mind, I made it a point to make my meals and snacks a little more special. For example, instead of just peeling a banana and eating it as is, I sliced it, put it in an attractive bowl, and topped it with chopped walnuts and agave nectar. Increasing the specialness of my snack made me appreciate it more and really savor it.

I paused before my first bite. Before I even tasted my food, I took a moment to relax and consider my hunger level. This reminded me to slow down, which ultimately led me to consume fewer calories. Plus, making it a point to pause before my meal allows me to focus on the meal and really enjoy it.

I put down my fork. It usually takes me about 20 minutes to feel satisfied while eating a meal, so I found it helpful to put down my fork between every few bites to stay in tune with my body’s fullness. Keeping tabs on my satisfaction throughout my meal helped me eat slower.

Newborns of Smokers Have Abnormal Blood Pressure

MONDAY, Jan. 25 (HealthDay News) — Babies of women who smoked during pregnancy have blood pressure problems at birth that persisted through the first year of life, a new study finds.

“What is of concern is that the problems are present at birth and get worse over time,” said Gary Cohen, a senior research scientist in the department of women and child health at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and lead author of a report in the Jan. 25 online edition of Hypertension. “They’re not going away, they’re getting worse.”

The study led by Cohen compared 19 infants of nonsmoking couples with 17 infants born to women who smoked an average of 15 cigarettes a day during pregnancy. At one week of age, the infants of nonsmoking mothers experienced a 2 percent increase in blood pressure when tilted upright, with a 10 percent increase at one year. The pattern for the children of smoking mothers was reversed: a 10 percent blood pressure increase at one week, a 4 percent increase at one year.

And the heart rate response to tilting of the children of mothers who smoked was abnormal and exaggerated, the report said.

It’s not possible to say whether the abnormalities seen in the babies will lead to trouble later in life, Cohen said. But, he noted, “the extent of the condition at one year suggests that it is not going to disappear quickly.”

The reason why exposure to tobacco in the womb affects blood pressure is not clear, Cohen said. A leading possibility is that “smoking might damage the structure and function of blood vessels,” he said, mainly by damaging the endothelium, the delicate layer of cells that line the interior of blood vessels.

Whether that damage will persist is not known. “We’re only up to 12 months at the moment,” he said. “We plan to follow them.”

The damage seen in the Karolinska study is similar to that observed in babies born to mothers whose pregnancies were marked by such abuses as drug use, said Barry M. Lester, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Brown Medical School, and director of the Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk.

“Early kinds of natal insults can cause reprogramming of brain circuitry,” Lester explained. He has led studies of the long-term effects of cocaine and amphetamine use during pregnancy. Many women who take such drugs also smoke, Lester added.

“When we isolated tobacco effects, we showed that there are inborn neural effects of tobacco exposure similar to what we see in cocaine and methamphetamine abuse,” he said.

Some research has connected such problems to overproduction of cortisol, a “stress hormone” that plays an important role in regulation of blood pressure and the immune system, Lester said. “Cortisol overexposure is one hypothesis,” he said. “There is a lot of evidence showing that too much cortisol is damaging.”

It is a reasonable hypothesis, Cohen said. Babies born preterm have problems with blood pressure that have been linked to overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands, he noted, “and there are some parallels between tobacco smoke exposure and preterm babies of the same age.”

Whatever the mechanism of damage, treatment to eliminate the problems after birth does not seem possible, Cohen added.

“What we know from studies in older kids is that even if you remove them from an environment of exposure to tobacco smoke, it is unlikely you will get full restoration of normal function,” he said. “The best intervention to solve these problems is prevention. Women who are pregnant need to avoid exposure to tobacco smoke in the air. Passive smoke exposure can be as bad as being an active smoker.”

source: www.healthday.com

Alternative Therapy for Hand Pain

Living, working, and socializing in the computer age can be very efficient and rewarding, however, sitting dormant at a computer screen all day can wear on your body. While searching the Internet or typing an email, your eyes are scanning the screen but the main body parts that are moving are your hands. Using your wrists and fingers to manipulate the keyboard and mouse can be particularly stressful on your tendons and muscles while the rest of your body is relaxed sitting at a computer all day. Here are some helpful tips for helping your hands get the relief they need after a hard day...whether you have an office job pecking on a keyboard, working outside with your hands, crafting, tending to a garden, or simply suffering from sore and overworked hands.

Posture

The way you sit or stand carries importance to more than just your mother. Posture professionals recommend sitting up while typing and leaning back a little at the keyboard to allow your spine to stretch. Finding the right office chair can be a hassle and they are also very costly, but you can find inexpensive lower back supports to keep you from slouching at your desk and helping to cradle your lumbar for the best possible seated position. Wrist guards, an ergonomically enhanced mouse, and supportive mouse pads can also be found and will help your posture and hopefully, your productivity.

Movement

Whether working with tools and machinery or living on the other side of a screen doing too much of one activity gets tedious and everyone needs a break. Experts say that if you are sitting for long periods of time, get up for two minutes every half hour and stand, walk around a bit, or just stretch from your toes up to your head.

Exercise

A little well known fact is that most of the crafty hobbies and everyday situations in which you use your hands actually need your finger strength instead of your palm strength. Sage advice from Dr. Alejandro Badia of the Badia Hand to Shoulder Center based in South Florida. Dr. Badia recommends finger exercises and wrist strengthening ideas to increase the blood flow to your hands and tighten the muscles in order to lessen pain. Common painful conditions that can arise from hurt upper limbs include: osteoarthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and general overall discomfort. Dr. Badia says that using a resistance band (or a device like the Xtensor, a popular resistance glove-like apparatus that works all your extensor muscles) hones in on certain finger extensor muscles that provide the basis of the finger strength necessary for healthy hands. Improve your range of motion by doing a couple exercises a couple of times per week.

More often than not we take our fingers for granted from driving, holding, gripping, touching, typing, eating, cooking, putting on makeup, shaving, and any other thousand things we do all the time that require the use of our hands we barely remember to take the time to pamper them and give them the support they need to help us throughout the day. Knuckle-cracking and joint pulling have often been used for relief however they have proven over the years not to be the healthiest idea because it can impair your dexterity and possibly decrease your flexibility over time. Ultimately by improving posture, remembering to move around while staying inactive, and building up our tendons, we can prevent injuries, stress, and strains that our joints would normally accrue over time.