Fitness And Health

Archive for the ‘positive living’ Category

During the last decades there has been a change towards mechanization and homogenization of farming, which uses pesticides, additives, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers and mass-production techniques. All this is clearly affecting mankind’s health, and new diseases are spreading rapidly amongst humans and animals (bird’s flu being the most recent one).

The World Health Organization produces reports to show how the use of chemicals and other products on food, coupled with the manufacturing processes involved, are actually a threat for our health.

If you have space for a few pots or even a small piece of land, it is a wise decision to grow your own organic vegetable garden. Today I’m presenting you with seven reasons for doing this:

1. You will have no additives in your vegetables. Research by organic food associations has shown that additives in our food can cause heart diseases, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity.

2. There will be no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers used. These chemical products are applied to obtain crops all the time regardless plagues or weather conditions, and affect the quality of the vegetables. Besides, pesticides are usually poisonous to humans.

3. Your vegetables will not be genetically modified (GM). Antibiotics, drugs and hormones are used on vegetables to grow more and larger ones. One of the consequences of this practice are vegetables which look all the same and are usually tasteless. Besides, we end up consuming the hormones that have been used on the vegetables, with the potential risks for our health.

4. Eating your own organic vegetables will be much more healthy for you. They will not contain any of the products or chemicals named above, and they will be much more natural than any ones you would find at the supermarket. Your health will not be at risk because you will then know that nothing has been added to your vegetables.

5. Your own organic vegetables will be much more tasty. The use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones and antibiotics make vegetables grow unnaturally and take the taste away from them. With organic vegetables, your cooking will be enhanced as their flavour will show fully.

6. Organic farming is friendly to the environment. Because you won’t use pesticides or other equally harming products on your vegetables, you will not damage the soil or the air with the chemical components.

7. When you grow your own organic vegetables you are contributing to your own self-sustainability and the sustainability of the planet. Small communities have been founded where members exchange products that they grow naturally, thus contributing to create a friendly and better place for us all.

In the end, eating organic products only means that we do not add anything else to them than they would naturally have. As you can guess, additives, fertilizers, pesticides or hormones are not components of naturally grown food. To better care for your health, grown your own organic vegetables -and a few pots is all you need.

Technorati Tags: garden, Health, natural, Nutrition, organic, vegetables

Title:

6 superfoods for age-defying beauty:

1) Goji Berries

Goji berries, hollywoods hottest new food, are one of the most nutritionally dense foods on earth and house a staggering concentration of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytochemicals and essential fatty acids. With such an awesome constitution it is not surprising they are reputed anti-aging marvels. Originating in Tibet and greatly favoured in traditional medicine these dried berries have many noted health benefits including boosting immunity, lowering cholesterol, enhancing vision, fighting cancer cells, relieving depression and aiding weight loss.

Goji berries contain 500 times more vitamin C than oranges by weight and more beta-carotene than carrots making them a superb source of vitamin A. Together with vitamin E and essential fatty acids, these berries are ideal for any anti-aging and beauty regime. They also contain polysaccharides, one of which has been found to stimulate the secretion of the rejuvenating human growth hormone by the pituitary gland, as well as B vitamins, 21 minerals and 18 amino acids.

The most well documented case of longevity is that of Li Qing Yuen, who lived to the age of 252. Born in 1678, he is said to have married 14 times with 11 generations of posterity before his death in 1930. Li Qing Yuen reportedly consumed goji berries daily.

A study cited in Dr. Mindell’s book ‘Goji: The Himalayan Health Secret’, observed that 67 per cent of elderly people that were given a daily dose of the berries for 3 weeks experienced dramatic immune system enhancement and a significant improvement in spirit and optimism.

2) Aloe Vera

Foget botox, Aloe vera increases collagen production 100% naturally for a youthful, wrinkle-free complexion and plump, beautiful skin. The ultimate botox alternative!

The inner gel of the aloe vera leaf contains around 200 active compounds with over 75 nutrients. These include 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins (even vitamin B12 – one of the very few plant sources of this vitamin). Aloe vera also has anti-microbial properties fighting fungi and bacteria and houses anti-inflammatory plant steroids and enzymes. Aloe vera is known to aid digestion and elimination, boost the immune system, and be highly effective at healing, moisturizing and rejuvianting the skin, naturally stimulating the production of collagen.

Aloe vera is best eaten fresh when possible (you can order large aloe vera leaves which last a few weeks refridgerated). Scrape out the inside gel, avoiding the outside of the leaf which is a strong laxative, and blend with fruit for the ultimate beautifying smoothie. Aloe vera has a mild flavour though a slight bitter edge, hence is best combined with fruit.

3) Avocados

Avocados are smoothing and softening for the skin and easily absorbed; compared with almond, corn, olive, and soybean oils, avocado oil has the highest skin penetration rate.

Avocado also contains vitamin E (excellent for the skin), antioxidant carotenoids and the master antioxidant glutathione that is exceptionally powerful and has anti-carcinogenic potential. High levels of glutathione are found in the liver where the elimination of toxic materials takes place.

Glutathione is effective against pollutants such as cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes as well as ultra-violet radiation. Research is currently exploring the potential benefits of glutathione for numerous conditions including cancer, heart disease, memory loss, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, eczema, liver disorders, heavy metal poisoning and AIDS.

4) Chlorella

The nucleic acids RNA and DNA in Chlorella (one of the highest known sources of such) direct cellular growth and repair and enable our bodies to utilize nutrients more effectively, eliminate toxins and avoid disease. The production of nucleic acids in the body declines progressively as we age, which is no doubt why their intake is recommended by Dr. Benjamin Frank in ‘The No-Aging Diet’. Paul Pitchford in ‘Healing With Whole Foods’ writes that ‘insufficient nucleic acid causes premature aging as well as weakened immunity’, Research at the Medical College of Kanazawa in Japan found that mice that were fed chlorella had a 30 per cent increase in life span. Replenishing RNA and DNA can be key to overall health, immunity and longevity.

In addition to nucleic acids, chlorella is jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and amino acids, making it an incredibly rejuvinating and health-promoting superfood. Spirulina is a virtuous equivalent.

5) Bee pollen

When it comes to young and beautiful skin, bee pollen has outstanding gifts. Swedish dermatologist Dr. Lars-Erik Essen uses bee pollen to successfully treat acne and other skin conditions and observes it’s beautifying and anti-aging effects. He reports that bee pollen ‘seems to prevent premature aging of the cells and stimulates growth of new skin tissue. It offers effective protection against dehydration and injects new life into dry cells. It smoothes away wrinkles and stimulates a life-giving blood supply to all skin cells.’ He believes it’s skin rejuvintoin properties are due to its high concentration of nucleic acids RNA and DNA, as well as its natural antibiotic action. Bee pollen has a host of other health-promoting benefits that include fighting infections, lowering cholesterol, strengthening the blood, Boosting the immune system, increasing physical strength and stamina, aiding longevity and enhancing libido! It has been called a ‘prefect food’ because it is so nutritionally complete.

6) Coconut oil

Coconut oil speeds up your metabolism and can actually help you loose weight. It is also incredibly beautifying and moisturizing for the skin and has antioxidant properties which protect against free-radical damage, keeping the skin youthful and healthy. Taken internally or externally coconut oil is a great ally for any beauty skin care regime. It also contains lauric acid, an anti-microbial fatty acid that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Copyright 2006 Sylvia Riley

Technorati Tags: 10 superfoods, age, aloe vera, Alternative, anti-ageing, anti-aging, antiaging, antioxidant, bee pollen, boosting, botox, chlorella, collagen, Diet, foods, goji berries, Health, healthy, spirulina, super antioxidant, superfood, superfoods

Are there cures for snoring? You probably already know that snoring possibly means you have sleep apnea and all of the dangerous things that may go with that — from just being tired all the time to high blood pressure, weight gain, and a host of things. It’s bad stuff.

Your doctor will send you for a sleep study that will cost you a lot even if you have good insurance and then it’s likely that you will get an expensive (even after your insurance pays their part) CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure).

Oxygen flow is reduced as your throat muscles relax and your airway is restricted. These machines help hold the airways open while you sleep by blowing air into your nose. They help some while others have wasted their money. Still others do not have access to CPAP due to the prohibitive costs.

Here is an anti-snoring program – remember some of the same issues cause snoring also cause sleep apnea, and snoring is a precursor to sleep apnea. This program uses exercise to strengthen muscles in the throat-neck, mouth, tongue, and nose to eliminate the problem. There are 24 exercises in the program to naturally and inexpensively solve the problem naturally by strengthening the air passages. Here is an example of one of the exercises:

Try out this jaw strengthening exercise

The best way to see how simple these exercises are is to try one out.

So here’s an exercise that helps to loosen your jaw – because tight or clenched jaws are considered one of the leading causes of snoring.

This exercise takes only a minute, but before you’re done, you should feel your jaw muscles strengthen and the back of your mouth opening up.

Start by lining up your upper and lower molars and put them together, very lightly.
Now imagine your molars are like a hinge (similar to your door). Lower your jaw while keeping your molars together and your lips closed. Open and close your lower jaw about 20 times.See how easy they can be?

This is just one of the 24 exercises that have been developed to stop people from snoring. Each exercise is designed to strengthen a specific area – turning relaxed, weaker muscles that block your airways and flap like a flag into toned and well-controlled muscles.

We’ve explained what causes snoring, That there are cures for snoring and this is an inexpensive program that you owe it to yourself to tryout.  Here is our affiliate link, the owners of this website will receive a commission if you order here.

You should always check with your doctor if you think you have sleep apnea. Have him work with you on the program.

Technorati Tags: causes of snoring, cpap, cures for snoring, sleep apnea, snore, snoring, weight loss, what causes snoring

In this expert article Shane Ellison presents information about getting healthy fats into your diet. Healthy fats include Olive Oil, Fish Oil, and other non-transfat fats that contain Omega-3s and other healthy nutrients. Olive Oil should be your oil of choice. Consider using it instead of butter. Have you been to a traditional Italian restaurant? Always Olive Oil is on the table and you have to ask for butter. There is wisdom to this borne out by modern science that has shown the health benefits of Olive Oil. If you go to the store you will find different grades and prices for the Oil. The type depends on how it is processed. The best to buy is Extra Virgin. This oil is pressed out and heat is not used to get it. It means that it is as pure and natural as you can get it.

So substitute Olive Oil for butter – Olive Oil and vinegar dressing is good too. By the way there is a whole other story to tell about the benefits of vinegar and you will see them here in future posts.

The Big Fat Scam for the Obese and Diabetic
by Shane Ellison

Traditionally, a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet is recommended for the obese and type II diabetics. This low-fat approach is based on simple math. Fat has about twice as many calories per gram as carbohydrates and protein. Regardless of the lower calorie content, applying the theory has proven disastrous. It has secured America a seat in the worldwide Fat Ass Hall of Fame while giving birth to a diabetes epidemic. No surprise, math isn’t the best measure of a foods effect on the body. Biochemistry is – go figure.

In contrast to carbohydrates, eating fat (not trans fat, but naturally occurring fat) has proven to be the most important method for ensuring fat loss and warding off diabetes. This is courtesy of fats inability to spike the fat storing hormone insulin – and prevent us from feeding our pie hole excess calories. Thus, despite eating fat in the form of grass fed beef, seeds, nuts, avocados, coconut oil or fish, you won’t suffer from unsightly belly fat. This phenomenon has been proven many times.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently showed that eating twice as much fat led to greater weight loss. Researchers compared two eating plans that were similar in caloric intake but vastly different in fat consumption. Obese individuals who consumed 61% fat energy for eight weeks lost 18 pounds; those consuming a mere 30% fat lost 14 pounds (they replaced the fat intake with 46% carbs). (1) Far more staggering than the differences in weight loss are the differences in biochemistry among the two groups.

Low fat, high carbohydrate eaters have the perfect biological environment for obesity and type II diabetes. Their blood levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides skyrocket.(2) The Nurses’ Study by Harvard found that women who adhere to the Big Fat Scam and eat mostly carbohydrates increase their risk of diabetes 2.5 times! Men are not immune to the deadly carbohydrate effect.

Diabetics usually die early from heart disease, twice as often as those without diabetes. It is so damaging that it can erase 11-20 years from a persons lifespan. Currently, an estimated one in four American’s suffer from it. One in three born in the year 2000 will succumb to the Big Fat Scam and therefore suffer from diabetes according to The Journal of the American Medical Association. (3)

The best way to avoid being an honorary member of the Fat Ass Hall of Fame and the diabetes epidemic is to avoid the Big Fat Scam. Start eating more fat (avoid trans fats, of course, and give preference to fats with omega-3’s). Judge your food based on its effect on insulin (via glycemic load), count calories second. Stop futzing around with fad diets and self-proclaimed weight loss gurus who push wanton pill and supplement use as well as whole grains, fruit juice, sugary yogurt, candy bars disguised as health bars and most anything else served out of a box, package or window.

References:

1. Barclay, Laurie. Low-Carb/High-Fat or High-Carb/Low-Fat Diet Improves Weight Loss, Mood. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;86:580-587

2. YD Chen, AM Coulston, MY Zhou, CB Hollenbeck and GM Reaven.Why do low-fat high-carbohydrate diets accentuate postprandial lipemia in patients with NIDDM? Diabetes Care, Vol 18, Issue 1 10-16.

Liu S, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Hu FB, Franz M, Sampson L, Hennekens CH, Manson JE. A prospective study of dietary glycemic load, carbohydrate intake, and risk of coronary heart disease in US women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2000 Jun;71(6):1455-61.

Gardner CD, Kiazand A, Alhassan S, Kim S, Stafford RS, Balise RR, Kraemer HC, King AC. Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets for change in weight and related risk factors among overweight premenopausal women: the A TO Z Weight Loss Study: a randomized trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2007; 9 (297): 969-77

Frederick F. Samaha, M.D., Nayyar Iqbal, M.D., Prakash Seshadri, M.D., Kathryn L. Chicano, C.R.N.P., Denise A. Daily, R.D., Joyce McGrory, C.R.N.P., Terrence Williams, B.S., Monica Williams, B.S., Edward J. Gracely, Ph.D., and Linda Stern, M.D. A Low-Carbohydrate as Compared with a Low-Fat Diet in Severe Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. Volume 348:2074-2081. May 22, 2003. Number 21

3. K. M. Venkat Narayan, MD; James P. Boyle, PhD; Theodore J. Thompson, MS; Stephen W. Sorensen, PhD; David F. Williamson, PhD. Lifetime Risk for Diabetes Mellitus in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;290:1884-1890.

Shane Ellison holds a master’s degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand experience in drug design. He is an internationally recognized authority on therapeutic nutrition and author of Health Myths Exposed, The Hidden Truth about Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs and The AM-PM Fat Loss Discovery. Read his free report entitled The Foundational Health Education to beat obesity, heart disease and death by prescription drug:
www.thepeopleschemist.com
Article Source: U Publish Articles

Technorati Tags: Diabetes, fish oil, good fats, healthy heart, obesity, olive oil, omega-3

As promised we are posting audio affirmations and will post more from time-to-time. You can subscribe on ITunes or download them directly here.

To use ITunes:

1. Pull down the “Advanced” menu.

2. Pick “Subscribe to Podcast.”

3. Paste the RSS feed URL:

http://fitnessandhealthblog.com/fitnessandhealthblogpodcast.xml

into the box.

4. Click “OK.”

When you play the file you will see it is just over 1 minute. It is important that you set your player to loop repeatedly on the audio. With ITunes you need to make a playlist and put the podcast into it. Then select repeat in controls as seen here:

If you have downloaded the mp3 file directly you can accomplish the looped playback in real player like this:

If you are interested in recording your own affirmations and more ideas about them you might want to check out this hub page.

Technorati Tags: affirmations, positive living, Positive Thinking, Self Help

About Affirmations

“Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better.” This affirmation by Emile Coue is a well known affirmation. Key in this affirmation is giving up the idea of willing your way. Getting there by will power. We all know the things we should do, want to do — we may even write them out or buy a program that promises success in the thing we want. And yet – we may wake up a year later and realize that somewhere down the road from that resolve that we would conquer – to where we are now – that here was just one more thing that slipped away from us: one more thing we couldn’t accomplish.

So many things we intend, so many things we will, and yet where are we? Think of John Lennon’s lyrics:

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

John Lennon’s lyrics highlight the good intentions we all have and at years end: “what have you done?”

Will Power

Coue taught that willpower was the the biggest obstacle in life. We will something so and then it is not – so we are failures. Rather than will power perhaps it is better to slide an idea into mind, to allow it to become part of the self. Allow it to trigger a simple and profound law that is timeless – but that I first heard from Tony Robbins: thoughts precede action. An idea repeated becomes part of our thoughts, our lives and it cannot but help to turn into action. Action that we are aware of and action in parts of our bodies that we cannot seem to control. Can you lower your tension level or blood pressure by will? There is ample proof that your thoughts help rule both of these.

If you can accept our premise I’ll leave you with another thought. What kinds of affirmations are going into your mind and affecting you every day? Give that some thought, try out Coue’s affirmation and we will pick it up there in another post.

Coming soon: free audio affirmations on this site.

Technorati Tags: affirmations, Health, positive living, success

Contributed by India Herbs (http://www.india-herbs.com):

The term diabetes is derived from the Greek word diabaínein that literally means “passing through,” or “siphon”, a reference to one of diabetes’ major symptoms—excessive urine production.

Because insulin is the principal hormone that regulates uptake of glucose into most cells from the blood (primarily muscle and fat cells, but not central nervous system cells), deficiency of insulin or the insensitivity of its receptors plays a central role in all forms of diabetes mellitus.

There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. The American Diabetes ociation recommends the FPG because it is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform.

Major Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that “unlocks” the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes may include fatigue, thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and frequent urination. Some people have no symptoms. A blood test can show if you have diabetes. Exercise, weight control and sticking to your meal plan can help control your diabetes. You should also monitor your glucose level and take medicine if prescribed.

Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women – about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.

Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 54 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 20.8 million with diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are often dramatic and come on very suddenly.

Type 1 diabetes is usually recognized in childhood or early adolescence, often in ociation with an illness (such as a virus) or injury.

The extra stress can cause diabetic ketoacidosis.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis include nausea and vomiting. Dehydration and often-serious disturbances in blood levels of potassium follow.

Without treatment, ketoacidosis can lead to coma and death.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes are often subtle and may be attributed to aging or obesity.
A person may have type 2 diabetes for many years without knowing it.

People with type 2 diabetes can develop hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome.

Type 2 diabetes can be precipitated by steroids and stress.

If not properly treated, type 2 diabetes can lead to complications like blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and nerve damage.
Common symptoms of both major types of diabetes
Fatigue: In diabetes, the body is inefficient and sometimes unable to use glucose for fuel. The body switches over to metabolizing fat, partially or completely, as a fuel source. This process requires the body to use more energy. The end result is feeling fatigued or constantly tired.

Unexplained weight loss: People with diabetes are unable to process many of the calories in the foods they eat. Thus, they may lose weight even though they eat an apparently appropriate or even excessive amount of food. Losing sugar and water in the urine and the accompanying dehydration also contributes to weight loss.

Excessive thirst (polydipsia): A person with diabetes develops high blood sugar levels. The body tries to counteract this by sending a signal to the brain to dilute the blood, which translates into thirst. The body encourages more water consumption to dilute the high blood sugar back to normal levels and to compensate for the water lost by excessive urination.

Excessive urination (polyuria): Another way the body tries to get rid of the extra sugar in the blood is to excrete it in the urine. This can also lead to dehydration because excreting the sugar carries a large amount of water out of the body along with it.

DO3F4RCGXfc

Related diabetes articles

• Consequences of Diabetes: Complications and Costs (oup.com)
• A New Treatment Now Available for Type 2 Diabetes (prweb.com)
• 8 basic diabetes questions answered (cnn.com)

Technorati Tags: ayurveda, blood, Diabetes, Diet, frequent, glucose, herb, india, insuli, lower, medicine, natural, starch, sugar, treatment, urination