Health and Fitness

The Ten Simple Ways To Improve Your Health

2009-08-13T10:26:00.001+07:00

By Karen Lea

Many of us make health-related resolutions, such as to lose weight, stop smoking or join the neighborhood health club. While it is common to set high goals, experts say that setting smaller goals could do more for our health.

"Small steps are achievable and are easier to fit into your daily routine," says James O. Hill, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. "They are less overwhelming than a big, sudden change."

Here are 10 to try:

1. Stop gaining weight. Even if you gain just a pound or two every year, the extra weight adds up quickly.

2. Take more small steps. Use a pedometer to count your daily steps; then add 2,000, the equivalent of one extra mile. Keep adding steps, 1,000 to 2,000 each month or so, until you take 10,000 steps on most days.

3. Eat breakfast. Breakfast eaters tend to weigh less and have better diets overall. For a filling and nutrition-packed breakfast, top Whole Grain Total® with fresh fruit slices and low-fat or fat-free milk.

4. Switch three grain servings each day to whole grain. If you're like the average American, you eat less than one whole grain serving a day.

5. Have at least one green salad every day. Eating a salad (with low-fat or fat-free dressing) is filling and may help you eat less during the meal. It also counts toward your five daily cups of vegetables and fruits.

6. Trim the fat. Fat has a lot of calories, and calories count. Purchase lean meats, eat poultry without the skin, switch to lower-fat cheeses, use a nonstick pan with only a dab of oil or butter.

7. Consider calcium by including two or three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt. Dairy calcium is good for bones and may also help you lose weight.

8. Downsize. The smaller the bag, bottle or bowl, the less you will eat.

9. Lose just 5 to 10 percent of your current weight. The health benefits are huge - lower blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides.

10. Keep track of your eating. Write down what you eat over the next couple of days and look for problem spots. Often, just writing things down can help you eat less.

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About author: Karen Lea has written other useful articles about what is prostate cancer and prostate cancer symptoms.

Small Things That Make a Huge Difference in Your Body and Looks

2009-07-30T08:33:00.005+07:00

By Gen Wright

Ever had one of those really unhealthy days when simply everything you did felt wrong? You should not have skipped breakfast, you should not have eaten that burger and you definitely should not have drunk that much at the party that night. The upshot of it was that you looked and felt so bad the morning after that you simply felt like curling up in to a ball and crying.

Sometimes, we do not realize how small things can gather up to snowball us down. We all have habits and bad habits but being aware of these little things can actually keep you looking and feeling great day in and day out.

Our mothers and grandmothers have often told us that skipping breakfast is a bad thing. That is because when you wake up in the morning, you have not had food for 8 hours or so. Your body is craving for a nice big meal. Instead you just grab a coffee and pretzel and rush off to a meeting.

Your body responds by building up a good amount of digestive acids inside your stomach. As you head for lunch, having something unwholesome and fatty ends up in you having an acidity problem. Then, as you progress in to a night of eating and drinking, your body functions breakdown completely.

There are ways to avoid these things. If you are late for work grab two apples for breakfast. During lunch eat something that you are sure will agree with you like more fruits, yoghurt, a salad and some boiled meat. If you can't eat a big meal, eat in fits and starts. Eat crackers but never go on an empty stomach. This will keep you looking healthy and glowing. The previous situation will make you look like you have been starved and tortured for months.

Getting enough sleep is very important to looking good. It is so very important that you will hear celebrities talking about it all the time. Calming your mind before going to sleep will help you have a deep sleep. Spray some perfume, put on the eye-pads, have a relaxing soak or a shower. In the morning after, you will look fresh as a daisy and not like a dried flower.

If you use make-up regularly, always clean it off before sleep. In fact, make-up should be kept on no longer than absolutely necessary. It damages your skin and accelerates the aging process. During hot weather, keep a check on your fluid loss. You might want to cut that can of soda and have some fresh juice instead. Not only will it keep you hydrated, it will also stop the soda from releasing harmful acids within your body. The best thing to do is to drink a lot of water.

After a night of eating and drinking to your heart's content follow up with a clean detox diet. That way, you can have your fun and come out looking none the worse for it.

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Coronary Artery Disease - What You Need to Know

2009-07-25T11:26:00.001+07:00

By Blubert Tavedorn

Coronary Artery Disease is commonly known as Heart Disease or Atherosclerosis. In coronary artery disease, plaque builds up inside the arteries. These plaques are formed by fats and cause the arteries to harden. The deposits are made of fat that came from the food that we eat. These fat deposits narrow the arteries and impede circulation. The narrowing of the arteries also causes high blood pressure because the body tries to compensate for the inadequate supply of blood throughout the system.

Fat deposits in arteries are very dangerous. Aside from the fact that these deposits should not be present in the arteries, these deposits also cause a disturbance in the heart's normal functioning. The blood vessels with fat deposits are narrowed. It also causes hardening that inhibits the normal elastic function of the vessels. It causes decreased blood flow to the heart which results in chest pain called angina.

Angina occurs when the heart doesn't have enough supply of oxygen for it to function properly. The heart muscles need oxygen for them to function because it is necessary for the energy formation of muscles that it uses for working. Without adequate energy, muscles will fail to work. Angina is described as a painful squeezing feeling in the chest that is also felt in the jaws, extremities and the back.

A heart attack occurs after angina. The heart ceases to function because its muscles did not receive much oxygen. Certain muscles in the heart have died because of the inadequate supply of oxygen and therefore the remaining muscles have to compensate for the loss. Compensation gives extra workload and fatigue, causing it to stop.

There are a lot of factors that cause coronary heart disease. One of them is a major risk factor that can't be avoided and that is family history. If your family is known to have coronary heart disease, then you will likely also have the condition. Little is known about this theory but it is very consistent among patients with coronary heart disease.

If you are living a sedentary or inactive lifestyle, it is now time to change your ways and to do some serious physical work. A sedentary lifestyle will increase your risk of developing heart disease because without physical activities, your heart muscles will become flabby and weak. You need to do some simple exercises to tone your heart muscles and make it strong.

Obesity also increases the chance of having heart disease. Fat is a major contributory factor for the development of heart disease and people who are obese or overweight have a lot of fat stored in their bodies. These fats need to be burned down to lose weight and prevent having serious complications such as heart disease.

All in all, heart disease is caused by living an inappropriate lifestyle. Keep in mind that no matter how rich you are, it is not an excuse for you not to work. Exercise should also be a regular habit so that your muscles will be tougher and can reach their optimum functioning.

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How to Grow Taller Naturally - The Truth Revealed!

2009-07-01T14:47:00.000+07:00

By Julia Dunham

If you are looking for information on how to grow taller naturally, you are more than likely short or you may feel short. Either way, you have a problem. It is a well known fact that tall people often judge people of less stature (I mean height) as inferior. This preconception is more often than not a subconscious one. Whether it is subconscious or not, does not change the fact that shorter people are at a disadvantage when compared to their taller counterparts.

It is also a well known fact that height has a very important effect on professional success and the ability to climb the professional ladder. Shorter people have a harder time at it. Being vertically challenged also creates some serious self-confidence issues that make social interactions very difficult. Never mind that people find taller individuals more attractive.

Having said all that, it is possible to grow taller naturally within a relatively short period of time. No, there are no pills or potions that can make your bones grow. It is simply impossible to stimulate bone growth a few years after the end of puberty.

Credible methods of height increase center around the lengthening and strengthening of the spine. You see, bad posture and spinal compression take away several inches from our overall height. There are exercises that decompress the spine at the same time as they strengthen the muscles supporting it. Other exercises are effective at filling and strengthening the cartilage between the vertebrae. A combination of these exercises can make your posture straight giving you several inches in height that you never knew you had! In fact, you could add between 2 and 4 inches with consistent focus and action over a few weeks.

If you are a bit skeptical, I understand. But think about it for a minute. Did you notice that Grandma and/or Grandpa are noticeably shorter than they used to be? Yes I know, You have grown since those days of old when everyone seemed tall, but the fact remains that people get shorter with age. This is directly related to posture and spinal compression.

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Someone Who Is Busier Than You Is Exercising Right Now

2009-06-02T11:20:00.001+07:00

By Gen Wright

Most people would like to live in a lean, strong, fit, firm, healthy, energetic body. But what separates those who stick to their fitness program and those that call it quits after a few weeks or months? You may think it is lack of motivation or just plain laziness, but this is not so.

It is your state of mind and your attitude that determines whether you will make your exercise program a habit or drop out until you become tired of the way you look and feel again. It is also your reasons for getting strong and fit that if they are the right ones will help you to hang in there long term.

People committed to their exercise regime tend to have one major thing in common; they know the true value of fitness. To them exercise and fitness isn't just about looking good in a bikini or losing weight for the class reunion. They understand the health benefits and enjoy how exercise makes them feel better physically, emotionally and mentally.

So how do you get to this place from where you are now?

Make fitness a priority - Everybody is busy and everyone has career and family obligations and the number one reason why people do not exercise is because they say they don't have time. Yet someone who is busier than you is exercising right now. "I don't have time to exercise" is not something you will ever hear from an active and fit person. These people make time for exercise.

There are all these people right around the world who manage to find the time to get fit because they make it a priority. If you believe you don't have time then you won't have time. The key to finding the time is to put it at the top of your list and then say it is not optional. You will do it, need to do it, must do it. And yes, it is really that easy.

Indeed, these people often hold their exercise time sacred and will always figure out a way to meet their other commitments. They also will still meet their health, diet and fitness needs. The truth is that most people have far more time available in their day than they think. You can bet they will still find time to watch their favorite television program.

A proper exercise program that contains strength training exercise is so efficient and does not need much time. Just 2-3 hour long sessions each week would do the job. Most people easily have that small amount of time available to them; they just choose to use it differently.

Strong and fit people, on the other hand, make their exercise program a priority in their lives. They make a choice to watch an hour less of television some evenings in order to take care of their body and health.

And with all of the studies that show the tremendous benefits to ones health and wellbeing, it is clear that more people should follow their lead and make it a priority as well.

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Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "I've Found the Fountain of Youth - Let Me Show You Too!" here: Ways To Look Younger. For Free Fitness Report here Fitness Weight Loss. Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.

Self-Care as a Mom: How to Listen for, Hear, and Pay Attention to the Whispers

2009-03-19T09:53:00.003+07:00

By Amy E. Willard

Where are you on your daily to-do list? If you're like a lot of moms these days, you probably fall somewhere near the bottom, or perhaps you're not even on the list at all. The thing is, if you want to be able to continue to function at your best, to tackle your to-do list, day after day, tuning into and honoring what you need is absolutely essential.

Let's take a moment to consider the regular maintenance that you extend to the car that you drive. Do you make sure that it is filled up with gas when needed? Do you make arrangements for the oil to be changed on a regular basis? If your car starts making funny noises, do you have someone check it out?

Now, what if you chose to ignore your car's signals, because you were too busy with everything else? Would you expect your car to continue to perform for you? Of course not. But for some reason, we moms expects our bodies to keep going and going, even when we're not providing any regularly scheduled maintenance for them. Should we really be surprised, then, when our bodies stop performing at their best?

Just like your car has signals to communicate its needs (gas gauge, oil light, etc.), our bodies have signals, too. Stop and think about a time when you were feeling stressed, frazzled, run-down, or even experiencing a cold or other symptoms. Chances are there were some moments, over the previous few weeks leading up to this state, when your body asked you to slow down, to rest, to take a break… these are the whispers I'm talking about.

When you don't hear these whispers, eventually your body has to kick it up a notch. This is exactly what used to happen with me. I would end up getting sick, and then I wasn't able to get anything done and I was definitely a lot less pleasant to be around. I convinced myself that I had to do everything and take care of everyone else. Most moms can certainly relate to this.

But when I would think back to the weeks leading up to a cold or whatever I ended up experiencing, I could recall moments when my body whispered to me, requesting that I go to bed instead of staying up late again, asking me to sit still for a few minutes, reminding me that the sugary snack I was reaching for wasn't really going to sustain me. But I didn't listen. I pushed through, again and again. I ignored the signals, and time and time again I would come down with a cold or something worse. This was my body's way of forcing me to rest.

This pattern was repeated so many times in my life. I wasn't keeping up with my body's maintenance plan, but I was still surprised when it would break down. After this happened again and again, I finally got the message: I wasn't paying attention to my body's signals and honoring my own needs. Once I became aware of this pattern, I was then able to make some changes. I'm still a work in progress, but I am definitely more in tune these days with the whispers, so my body no longer has to knock me over the head in order to get my attention!

It hasn't been easy, but the guidelines below have really helped me with this process. I encourage you to give them a try, especially if you're missing the whispers in your own life.

* Offer gratitude on a daily basis for your body. Acknowledge and appreciate the wisdom that it offers.

* Begin to consciously tune into your body throughout the day. Become more aware of its maintenance needs for sleep, healthy food, exercise, and relaxation.

* Create space in your day so that you can regularly check in with your body and hear what it's saying. Allow for some slow, quiet time.

* Start to identify your body's communication patterns: does it speak to you with aches and pains, cold symptoms, headaches, knots in your stomach, etc.?

* Realize that it's about more than just physical needs, too. For example, a knot in your stomach might indicate that just having said yes to yet another committee at school was really not in your best interest.

* Pay attention to the whispers and make the changes necessary. (Go to bed earlier, eat a real meal, step away from your computer, start saying no, etc.).

As moms, we serve as important examples for our children. Honoring our bodies and taking time for self-care serves as a model for our kids; they'll be able to learn at an early age how to tune into their own signals and what they can do to honor their needs.

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Amy E. Willard offers opportunities for moms to learn to take better care of themselves. Please visit http://www.CourageousMotherhood.com to access a free 5-part e-course entitled: 5 Courageous Shifts to Help You Reconnect with Your Best Self (& Help You Become an even more Amazing Mom).

Why Do We Need Strength?

2009-02-23T10:35:00.002+07:00

By Gen Wright

We can live our lives without stamina, endurance, speed or flexibility but, without strength we are unable to live. Every movement we make depends on muscle strength when we talk, walk, eat, breathe, stay upright and move in any way. We couldn't survive without it; most of us have no idea of its importance.

In the past not much importance was placed on muscle strength, now we know that it is critical for us to be able to have the highest quality of life. Although muscles are something that our modern day technology driven lifestyles not longer require, our health is dependant on the strength of them. With proper exercise – strength training – they become stronger and better able to perform daily tasks and activities and learn new functions, making our lives much easier.

Not many people are aware that our muscle tissue serves as the body's armor and defense against illness and disease. When we strengthen our muscular systems, our immune system is also strengthened. The fuel source used by the immune system is stored in the muscles which helps protect against life threatening disease or illness.

Muscles are also where the body stores protein which is necessary to produce antibodies to fight off infections and find and destroy rogue cancer cells and viruses. A store of protein is kept in muscles to draw upon if needed for fighting sickness when it is needed.

Having strong muscles can greatly reduce a number of health risks. They been proven to have a positive affect on insulin resistance, metabolism (the rate your body burns fuel), blood pressure and high blood fats. These are factors that are linked to illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

High levels of body fat are also linked to killer diseases and muscle tissue is where fat is burned for energy, so having strong muscles will decrease the risk of becoming overweight or obese. Strong muscles will also help you lose weight as muscle tissue burns as much as 15 times more calories per day than fat tissue - even when you are at rest. With more toned active muscle in our bodies, we use up more calories even just sitting around.

It is easy to keep your muscles toned with a proper exercise program that contains at least 60% strength training exercise. No other type of exercise can match it when it comes to producing health benefits. You can count on it to stoke your metabolism, strengthen your bones, joints and heart as well as trimming your waistline.

The benefits of strong muscles for all adults are vast, in fact in the hierarchy of health pursuits, building and maintaining stronger muscles is at the very top. If you wish to slow down the aging process, strengthening your muscles will accomplish this in many ways circulating blood carrying youth preserving oxygen and nutrients to every tissue and cell in the body.

All adults over 30 lose muscle tissue at the rate of 300-500 grams per year with this rate increasing as one gets older. It is imperative that you keep your muscles strong to help avoid this loss. Weakened muscles will cause accelerated aging more than any other factor.

If you have not already cemented a proper exercise program into your life, seek the help of a fitness professional to help you get started. They will set your program up and teach you how to make it effective and time efficient.

The consensus is growing: strong muscles are good for everyone of all ages and it is now recommended that all adults' strength train their major muscle groups twice a week. It is time for you to get on board and reap the many benefits.

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Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and regaining lost vitality and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "I've Found the Fountain of Youth - Let Me Show You Too!" here: reverse aging. Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.

10 Steps To Get A Good Night's Sleep

2008-12-08T13:11:00.001+07:00

By Robert D. Thomson

Everyday, your body is exposed to pollutants around you. At night, when you rest, your body repairs itself of the damage caused by pollutants during the day. Studies show that an average adult needs about 8 hours of sleep a day for the body to get sufficient rest and repair. However, most of us find it difficult to obtain the necessary hours of sleep. Worse, some of us resort to making do with as little as 4 to 5 hours of sleep daily, not knowing what a detrimental position we are putting ourselves in.

Besides not allowing the body to repair itself from daily wear and tear, not having enough sleep can also risk our personal safety and the lives of others (e.g. driving with your loved ones in the car), lower the quality of work put into our jobs (e.g. making mistakes while drafting a detailed proposal) or even negatively affect our relationships with others.

In view of the importance of having the right amount of rest to us, here are 10 pointers on how you can achieve better sleep quality and quantity:

1. Drink less caffeine. This means drinking less or avoiding altogether tea, cola and non-decaf coffee. Caffeine takes up to 8 hours to wear off (so, yes, drinking decaffeinated coffee is also a way to get around this). Drink less of or avoid drinking completely caffeine about 6 hours before bedtime. This will help you fall asleep more easily.

2. Avoid alcohol. For some people, drinking alcohol may induce sleepiness to set in, but it can also cause one to have less restful sleep. Consuming alcohol can cause you to more likely wake up during the night.

3. Chill out before bedtime. Stress makes it harder to sleep. Putting aside some time to wind-down each night can help separate the stresses of the day and the bedtime. For most people, 10 minutes is sufficient. Alternatively, write down the thoughts that are stressing you. This will allow you to get a better sleep at night. Deal with the problem only the following morning, when you are fresher and have better ability to think straight.

4. Exercise. Ever heard of a the Beatles song that went It’s been a hard days night, I should be sleeping like a log? Lack of physical exertion leaves you with unspent energy and little motivation to fall asleep. Regular exercise (requiring actual physical exertion) increases the chance of you getting deeper and more restful sleep. Just avoid exercise right before bedtime.

5. Have a good sleeping location. The bedroom should be cool, quiet, dark and comfortable. To achieve this, use window blinds, curtains, air conditioner or any other item that can help create the ideal environment for restful sleep. Choose room colours that help reduce stress and allow you to sleep more easily. Colours such as blue are usually good choices. Colours like red and orange tend to have the opposite effect.

6. Eat sufficiently. Avoid going to bed hungry, but do not eat anything heavy before bedtime. Eating too much will keep you awake. Allow at least 3 hours after meals before going to sleep. Certain foods contain a high level of tryptophan, a substance which promotes sleep. These include milk, tuna, bananas, turkey, yoghurt, ice cream and peanuts.

7. Restrict smoking. Although having a smoke may feel relaxing before bedtime, it actually increases stimulants in your bloodstream. Nicotine has the same effect as caffeine; it should be avoided as it can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night. This means it is advisable to reduce or even avoid smoking in the evening so that you get some uninterrupted sleep during bedtime.

8. Avoid long naps. If you do need to nap in the afternoon, keep it short to about 20 minutes, this is usually sufficient to feel rejuvenated. Anything longer could potentially disrupt your nightly sleep routine.

9. Keep pets off the bed. Do your pets sleep in the same bed as you? If they do, their movements or allergic reactions might awaken you at night. Pets are better kept off the bed and on the floor.

10. Dress comfortably. Choose to wear loose-fitting pajamas made of material which are highly air-permeable. Avoid wearing tight clothes, as this will affect your blood circulation and can cause you a restless night.

Just as much, how you sleep also plays an important role in getting the right number of sleep hours. Avoid odd sleeping positions which result in stiff necks and strained shoulders by having proper support. This can be answered by specially designed pillows such as the tempurpedic pillow.

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A New Perspective on Stress Symptoms

2008-12-03T10:21:00.000+07:00

By Article Specialist

Do you often suffer from bouts of headaches, anxiety, and restlessness, shortness of breath, back and neck pains, feelings of insecurity, irritability, irregular bowel movement, exhaustion and skin problems for no apparent reason?

Many of us misinterpret these conditions as symptoms of illness rather than as a sign of stress. They are very easy to misinterpret as symptoms of illnesses rather than as indicators of stress because very few people admit (even to themselves) that they suffer from stress.

Most people are affected by stress without their knowledge, some more so than others. However, stress is not dangerous or fatal. In fact, we all have the capability to deal with stress: the body releases adrenaline into our nervous system which helps us to deal with stressful situations. There are people however who can not function under stress because of the lack of information on how to handle nerve-racking situations. Even medical science can not determine why there are people who can and cannot handle stress.

The inability to handle pressure can ultimately lead to health problems if allowed to go on because it affects anyone regardless of sex or age. However, for some reason women are more susceptible than men.Stress is the natural response of our body to an unfavorable situation and the symptoms of headaches, shortness of breath, skin itchiness are simply warning indicators we are getting affected by the situation. The unfavorable situation can be anything that we are having difficulties to cope with such as pressures from work deadlines, school assignments, financial difficulties or misunderstanding with a loved one. If we are successful in handling the stressor and have the presence of mind identify and resolve the situation, the symptoms go away. However, if we fail to cope with the situation then the symptoms persist and reappear every time we are in the exact same situation. This eventually develops into physical and/or emotional problems that prevent us from leading normal lives.

If not relieved, stress can affect and change a person's life in the workplace, at home or at school affecting relationships and performance in general. Stress therefore should be managed so that we can lead a normal and productive life.

We can not live without stress because, believe it or not, it is an integral part of our lives and makes us aware and alert to our environment. It is a signal to be aware of the environment or the situation which needs to be addressed. Learning to read these signals is what is necessary instead of taking medication to relieve ourselves of the symptoms!

Stress becomes a problem when it begins to affect our lives and relationships with people around us. Some people bloom under stress while others wither and fade but that is what gave life to the phrase grace under pressure!

Little Known Ways About Coffee And Positive Effects

2008-11-05T09:57:00.001+07:00

By Nathan Knightley

The smell of coffee brewing can really awaken the senses. But people will start feeling the effects more after sipping because this is when the effects of coffee truly kick in.

What are exactly the effects of coffee? Studies have shown this can boost someone's vigilance, improve performance and concentration. In the body, this signifies an increase in the heart rate, blood pressure and basal metabolic rate. It will also help relax muscle tension and promote urine production. It is because of this that many have coffee while studying for an exam, to help wake up in the morning or be able to work through the night.

Caffeine is the main ingredient in coffee. Research shows that it is harmless to drink one or two cups a day. However, those who exceed this may endure the negative effects such as headaches, difficulty sleeping, irregular heartbeat, nausea and muscle tension. This may also lead to ulcer or heartburn, which is why experts also recommend individuals to drink moderately.

Coffee isn't good for women who are pregnant or patients who have heart disease and they should not consume it because it may cause birth defects and other health problems.

But those who consume coffee may also have the same effects by having produces that contain caffeine. Examples of these are tea, sodas and chocolates.

Coffee would not make the person do a foolish thing which is generally associated with the use of illegal substances or alcohol. But it may form a habit. Those who drink it on a regular basis and all of a sudden stop might feel what is known as withdrawal effects that will disappear after a few days when they can once again drink a cup of coffee.

But coffee has been known to prevent certain diseases. Java for instance works as an anti-depressant, now that is definitely what we can call good effects of coffee. Others are known to lessen the chances of developing Parkinson's disease in men even if doctors are not yet able to determine the cause of this disease.

In almost every household, coffee is being consumed. It can be purchased from the store or brewed at home or in the office. The effects of coffee has on one person can vary with another depending on how the body reacts to the caffeine so when the person has felt this is enough, it is time to stop rather than feeling the negative effects of using too much.

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Food Additives That Can Challenge Your Health

2008-07-27T20:10:00.000+07:00

By Gaetane Ross

There are a number of food additives that can challenge your health. These additives are particular substances that are added to specific foods in order to improve the appearance, the taste, and even to preserve the flavor that the food has. There are natural based additives and there are artificial based food additives. While additives have been used in various types of foods for hundreds of years, medical professionals have recently discovered that some of these substances can actually challenge the health. Here, you will learn about the food additives that you should avoid because of the fact that they compromise your health.

Additives to Avoid

1. Aspartame - This food additive is a type of artificial sweetener that is used in a number of products like beverages, cereals, over-the-counter medicines, sweeteners, and more. It has been found that this food additive can result in birth defects, cancer - especially in the brain, diabetes, seizures, emotional complications, and more.

2. Sodium Nitrate - Generally, this substance adds coloring and preserves foods like bacon, corned beef, and various types of sandwich meats. Individuals who ingested this additive on a regular basis often were found to suffer from cancers.

3. Sodium Chloride - You probably know this additive by the name "salt". This substance has been linked to health complications like high blood pressure, stroke, and even failure of the kidneys!

4. BHT/BHA - This substance actually has a purpose of preserving foods like gums and cereals. Unfortunately, they are considered to be "oxidants" which can lead to cancer in various areas of the body.

5. White Sugar - We all know what white sugar is. This substance actually has no nutritional value whatsoever and can lead to health complications.

6. Propyl Gallate - This additive is often found in various types of meats. There is strong evidence to indicate that it may be linked to the development of various types of cancers.

7. Potassium Bromate - This additive is used to increase the volume of foods such as flour and various types of breads. When animals were studied to determine the side effects of this substance, it was found that they developed different types of cancers.

8. Monosodium Glutamate - This additive is often added to soups and similar substances to enhance the overall flavoring. It has been linked to damage in the nerve cells of the body and can result in nausea and even headaches.

9. Olestra - You can find this food additive in various types of potato chips. This can affect the body's ability to properly absorb essential vitamins and nutrients. In addition to this, it has been linked to gastrointestinal complications such as cramping and even diarrhea.

10. Food Colorings - Food colorings that are blue, yellow, red, and green have all been linked to various types of tumors and cancers that can develop in the body.

Conclusion

It is important that you avoid the consumption of food additives at all cost. These substances can prove to be a real challenge to your overall health. It is important to consume natural foods that can provide essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to the body. This will ensure that the body is able to function appropriately and maintain itself properly.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Gaetane Ross is a Certified Natural Health Consultant who has spent over 4 years focusing on Nutrition and Health. She also specializes in Alternative Medicine, Spiritual Healing and Healthy Lifestyle. HealthProductsReviewsLive.com Live-O-Natural.com

10 Ways To Reduce Stress

2008-06-29T19:41:00.001+07:00

By Sharon Reid

Finding ways to reduce stress is important as most of us lead busy lives that tend to get busier as we get older. If we're not careful, this can lead to feeling overwhelmed and can cause physical and mental symptoms such as high blood pressure, nervousness, depression and so on.

Learning to deal with stress could save your life. Maybe some of these tips will help to lower the stress in your life.

1. Simplify Things
The best way to do something is usually the simplest way. Don't choose a longer, more complicated route when going the easier route will produce the same results. Making life less complicated reduces stress.

2. Exercise
Getting the body moving is a good way to relieve stress. Doesn't need to be complicated, just go for a brisk 20 minute walk. Do it regularly and you'll maintain good physical health as well.

3. Meditation and Prayer
Take the time to just be alone and self reflect. Sit in a quiet spot, let your mind relax and let the stress just drift away. If you find it easier said than done there are many good meditation products that you can listen to on your iPod.

4. Massage
Getting a massage can relieve stress. All you have to do is lie on your back, and let someone else do the work for a change.

5. Sleep
Assuming the stress is not so bad that it's causing insomnia, sleep is one of the best ways to fight stress. Everything always seems worse when fighting exhaustion as well. If stress is causing insomnia, you'll have to reduce stress using other techniques.

6. Deep Breathing
Taking deep, slow breaths helps relieve stress within the body. Just take a few quiet moments, take a couple of deep breaths and refocus.

7. Writing
Start writing, don't think - just write about what is stressing you. Because stress is mostly mental, getting it off your mind and onto a page can be helpful.

8. Soothing Music
Just listening to music with slow rhythms and relaxing sounds, can quickly put you into a more relaxed state of mind.

9. Friends
Take time to be with your friends. Have a drink, have a laugh! Doing this tends to put the stress into its proper perspective.

10. Pets
Is there anything more relaxing than patting and cuddling your dog, or cat? They listen, don't judge, and ask for nothing in return. Studies have shown that people who have pets tend to live longer and are more independent than those who don't.

My hope is that these 10 ways to reduce stress are helpful in keeping your stress under control. Keep doing them and your health, both physical and mental, will be better for it.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Sharon Reid is creating a self improvement website for those wanting to create abundance in their lives. Visit her website here.

Fighting Stress? Here Are 5 Tips That Can Help

2008-04-25T10:43:00.001+07:00

By Kevin Sinclair

Everybody has heard of stress, but does anyone know exactly what stress is? Stress can be hard on many people, but does anyone know what causes stress? Many people today are wondering what it is about stress that can turn our worlds upside down and how we can help to resolve these issues. Here we will answer these questions.

First things first. A response that is both psychological and physiological due to an upset in the balance of our lives through certain events. The end result of these responses can lead to mental health or physical health issues within our bodies. Since before anyone can remember, stress has been a natural part of the human response to these certain events that may take place.

Any event that has taken place that requires you to make certain adjustments to your lifestyle or environments can be a trigger for stress. Such events can be an emergency situation, death in the family, traumatic accident or may be the end result of a serious disease or illness that you have gone through. There are also many other situations which might also cause stress that are not medically related such as finances, anger, pressures in the work place, not getting the right training needed for something, greed, love, trying to achieve great expectations, jealousy, and hate. All of these events are great causes for stress related issues.

If the events that may be causing stress in your life are not dealt with immediately, these issues can become even more difficult to contend with. Without immediate attention the stress that is caused can result in an extreme decrease in your health both physically and mentally. These stress issues have also at times left some people without homes or even turned them into finding addictions.

Now, you are probably saying "what about the tips you mentioned to help with stress prevention"? Well, just calm down and do not get worked up! I am getting there. Yes, there are 5 steps that you can do to help fight the stress that may be in your life. They are as follows:

Exercise - Aerobic exercise is a great way to release endorphins into your body. These endorphins are natural substances that allow our bodies to feel better and have a good positive attitude. Other types of exercises that are great stress relievers are swimming and walking.

Relaxation techniques - there are several relaxation techniques that are very effective when dealing with stress. These techniques may be one or a combination of deep breathing, yoga, meditation, muscle relaxation and visualization. These techniques can help you get a feeling of well being, lower blood pressure and possibly enable you to get a restful nights sleep.

Pay attention to your children - many times your children may be stresses out and as a result you end up being stressed as well. You want to monitor your child's behavior. See if they show any signs of becoming over burdened or bullying the other children. It is a good idea to be active in our child's life and attend those special sports events or school functions. If your child is showing these signs, you may want to consult with their school teacher and get the inside information on what may be going on. If the problem persists, you may want to seek out more professional consultation.

Time for yourself - A hot relaxing bath may be just what the doctor ordered. A hot bath with herbs and oils with light that is dimmed while listening to some soft music is a great way to relieve stress. Other forms of activities that are all yours and stress free are swimming, reading a book or taking up a favorite hobby.

St. Johns Wort - this formula is regarded very highly by many people. These people believe this natural formula to aid in the relief of anxiety and other symptoms of stress. This allows for your body to feel more relaxed and thus stress free.

It is very important for us to keep our bodies healthy. One of the best ways to do this is done by keeping our bodies as stress free as possible. If you have stress and undergone all 5 of the above mentioned steps and have not seen any relief, you may want to consult with a physician in your local area. This physician will be better able to help you with whatever issues that you may be having in your body to help relieve the stress.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of Be Successful News, a site that provides information and articles on how to succeed in your own home or small business.

Diabetes Facts You Need to Know

2008-04-12T10:24:00.001+07:00

By Lee Wharton

Diabetes is a serious disease which can lead to heart problems, strokes, loss of limbs due to poor circulation, and death. Research continues to indicate that regular exercise and a healthy diet are two factors which can help people avoid diabetes, as well as allow diabetics to have functional lives. Diabetes is increasing faster in the world's developing economies than in developed countries. Seven out of ten countries with the highest number of people living with diabetes are in the developing world. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. However, studies indicate that diabetes is generally under-reported on death certificates, particularly in the cases of older persons with multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension.

Diabetes is emerging from the shadows because the United Nations led the global response and declared a Resolution on diabetes. Diabetes is divided into two subgroups: Type 1 and Type 2. The difference is based on whether the problem is caused by a lack of insulin (Type 1) or a resistance to insulin (Type 2). Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism, which is a process that converts food into energy. Insulin is the main factor in this process, which starts when food is broken down during digestion to create glucose, the main source of fuel for the body.

Diabetes is a serious disease, which, if not controlled, can be life threatening. It is often associated with long-term complications that can affect every system and part of the body. Diabetes is diagnosed when the fasting blood glucose is above 126 mg/dl when tested at least twice. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, as well as the most common cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputations in U.S.

Diabetes is a disability when it substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities. Life activities are normal activities that a person can do with little or no difficulty, such as eating and taking care for oneself. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease-in fact, two-thirds of people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease. Diabetes is identified by constant levels of high blood sugar, it is dangerous because of its possible side effects and consequences.

Exercise and Diet Can Help

Exercise helps improve fitness, reduce body fat, burn calories and increase muscle tone. Physical activity is key to good health. Exercise has other benefits as well. Exercise and a Diabetic Diet. There is medical evidence that regular exercise can actually help prevent a person contracting diabetes as well as controlling it.

Carbohydrate foods that contain dietary fiber is important, as a high fiber diet has been associated with a lower risks of colon cancers. For people with high blood cholesterol levels, lower total fat and saturated fat contents may be recommended. Diabetics still need carbohydrates with every meal, even though carbs will raise blood-glucose levels. With no carbohydrates, the body can't produce energy. Carbohydrates are any food that can be broken down into sugar and the more of these you eat, the higher your blood sugar will rise. Therefore you must monitor the amount eaten at each meal to control blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates with high fiber content take longer to turn into sugar and are preferred.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Lee Wharton is a freelance writer for http://www.diabetes1-diabetes2.com he has built this site around the best and most up to date information that is available on the internet about diabetes. So go and check out the free reports like "7 Startling Facts Every Diabetic Needs To Know".

Being Aware On Diabetes Symptoms

2008-03-31T11:01:00.000+07:00

By Bercle George

Diabetes is a sickness that caused by the blood glucose levels go above normal. The hormone insulin secreted by the pancreas keeps blood glucose level low. The number of person with diabetes is rapidly growing nowadays and a big percentage of those were not aware how serious it is. The reason that so many people do not know that they may have diabetes is because some people show no diabetes symptoms.

There are some usual diabetes symptoms that should be checked out by a physician. It is very essential to have blood work checked every year after the age of 45. Diabetes and symptoms can also be accompanied by stomach pains, vomiting or nausea. If these symptoms occur, it could be the immediate onset of type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as insulin-dependent diabetes.

To, somehow, help you to be aware on this illness, this article provides some essential knowledge to lessen the occurrence of this disease because if not, as what has been said, can lead you to some complications for your body system.

The symptoms for diabetes include excessive or too much urination, excessive hunger, excessive thirst, abnormal or sudden weight loss, blurred sight or vision, delayed recovery from wounds or delayed healing of wounds, repeated infections, headache, fatigue, itchy and dry skin. However, experiencing some of these symptoms does not mean that you already have diabetes because some of these are also present to other illnesses. Thus, to make it sure, it is best option to visit your doctor.

Along with cancer, one of the all time degenerative diseases is diabetes where the functioning of our pancreas means we live with poor health. It is important for people to look after their health and to look out and try to look out for diabetes symptoms so that they can take early action before the full onset of the disease comes into play. The link between diabetes and diet is now known and so it makes sense to start there before we start to use drugs and insulin to treat the condition.

It is of great importance to develop a healthy lifestyle to prevent or even lessen the chances of having such a complicated ailment. Healthy diet and regular exercise are among of the contributory factors for this. It is also important to have a regular visit to your doctor for preventive measure.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

For more information, visit www.diabetesanddiet101.info

Top Ten Dentist Tips

2008-03-27T08:44:00.000+07:00

By Robert D. Thomson

Below are some of the most common tips for keep your teeth clean and white.

1. Brush your teeth after meals for at least 3 minutes. Regular brushing is a great way to keep the teeth in good condition.

2. Don't brush too hard. Overbrush can make your gums bleeding and teeth sensitive to hot, cold and sweets.

3. Use a mouthwash daily. It helps kill bacteria, that cause bad breath and help prevent gum disease.

4. Use toothpaste which contains fluoride. It promotes tooth remineralization and can make a tooth more decay resistant.

5. Don’t eat too much sugar. Sugary foods and drinks encourage tooth decay.

6. Visit your dentist twice a year (even when you think it is not necessary) to make sure your teeth are in good condition. Remember, your dentist can see much more than you.

7. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months. Good quality toothbrush provides a better clearing.

8. Stop smoking. Smoking may cause bad breath and easily stains your teeth.

9. Drink plenty water with fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay.

10. Chew sugarless gum, if you can't brush after a meal. It mechanically cleans the surfaces of your teeth and promotes the flow of saliva.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

You can find more information at Dentist London. Krzysztof is also owner of London transport and Real estate London sites.

Menopause And Gaining Weight

2008-03-17T11:19:00.000+07:00

By Mark Kimathi

For most women over 50 you tend to find that menopause and weight gain are closely linked. Very often women put on weight at this time and while some of this may be due to lifestyle changes, that does not explain why suddenly we develop a tendency to put on weight at different parts of the body, especially the abdomen, while any weight gained when we were younger tended to be centered on the hips.

Although the process is not completely understood, strong evidence show that hormonal changes do have a part to play in this. At menopause a woman stops ovulating, her monthly menstruation periods end, and her body produces much lower levels of the female hormone estrogen which is responsible for the ovulation process.

Low estrogen in animals has been shown to cause weight gain. It almost certainly is the reason why our bodies change shape. Look at it from this point; while women of childbearing age store fat in the lower body, after the menopause they store it on the abdomen instead, like men. This obviously leads to a greater risk of heart disease as is the case with men.

At the same time, both men and women tend to find their muscle density reducing while increasing the amount of body fat as they grow older, and the metabolism slows down. This then means that if you do not adjust your eating habits you will probably find that your weight increases. You should know that a person of 60 year does not need as many calories as a person of 40 years.

To manage and control menopausal symptoms, hormone therapy with estrogen is sometimes prescribed. Many women will be surprised to hear that studies have shown that this kind of hormone therapy does not result to weight gain. However some women do experience bloating and water retention in the early stages of hormonal therapy but this is usually temporary and they do not gained any fat. Hormone therapy to counter menopause weight gain can reduce the risk of heart disease by preventing the changes in storage of body fat around the abdomen and lowering cholesterol. Unfortunately, hormone therapy has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in some studies.

If you find yourself in a position where you are gaining weight in menopause, there are several things you can do that may help.

- Avoiding sugar and eat a healthy low fat diet with plenty of fiber.

- Engage yourself in routine exercise. Usually as people get older their physical activity levels tend to naturally drop. For example work often becomes less physically demanding, you probably be sat most of the time. There are no kids to run around after, we take less active holidays and do things more slowly. So taking out a dedicated 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day will help to balance out the effect of this sedentary lifestyle.

- Maintain your muscle strength and mass using strength training. Use weights for arm muscles and walking or cycling for legs.

- Accept the changes to the shape of your body if they are not life threatening. If for example you are not overweight, but simply have a thicker waist and slimmer legs, that is fine.

If the menopause symptoms are very severe, consult with your doctor. And before starting any exercise program if you have any medical conditions or your fitness levels are low also check with your doctor.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

More on weight loss and related topics like weight loss exercises and weight loss surgery

Is Chocolate Good For Your Heart?

2008-03-07T18:02:00.002+07:00

By Graeme Lanham

Most of us love chocolate but did you know that chocolate is actually good for you? New evidence suggests that eating a little chocolate might help ward off artery-blocking, heart attack provoking blood clots. Truth is, there are healthy and unhealthy chocolates and it is important to select those that are heart healthy.

During a recent US survey, researchers discovered that clots formed more slowly in the blood of chocolate lovers than in those who rarely ate chocolate. Some chocolates however are full of sugar and fat. These include chocolate covered marshmallow hearts, chocolate covered cherries and solid milk chocolate hearts and drops. Some commercial chocolate is made with high-fructose corn syrup and this should be avoided if you are health conscious.

The secret is to eat dark chocolate containing a high percentage of cocao bean. The center of the cocao bean is the nib and cocao beans contain chemicals called flavonoids. These are believed to have similar blood thinning effects to aspirin. Dark chocolate, which is lower in sugar and fat than milk chocolate is the healthy way to enjoy that special treat and as an extra bonus, protect your heart.

Research conducted at Tufts University led to a discovery that dark chocolate improves insulin sensitivity. This is great news for those with type 2 diabetes because millions of people take expensive drugs on a daily basis to increase their insulin sensitivity. Besides boosting insulin sensitivity, there is evidence from research that pure dark chocolate may lower blood pressure, improve blood vessel function and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol.

According to Dr Janet Bond Brill, author of Cholesterol Down, "Dark chocolate is the best nutrition news to come out in years."

Dr Joe Vinson, professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton, explains: "Flavonoids work as antioxidants to protect us from free radical damage and cocoa consumption lowers your risk of heart disease."

As you grow older, your arteries become less and less flexible, making it hard for blood to flow through them. This raises your blood pressure. The flavonoids in dark chocolate boost levels of nitric acid, keeping your arteries flexible and allowing blood to flow to your vital organs more easily.

A 2003 study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, supports this. According to their research, chocolate helped promote healthy blood pressure levels in the subjects studied. Chocolate helps relax blood vessels so blood can flow through them easier.

Like all good things, moderation is the key and premium dark chocolate is the only chocolate that provides the many health benefits. It contains a higher percentage of cocoa than milk chocolate. Avoid the mass produced, highly processed sugary chocolates. "Chocolate is a yummy form of medicine," explains Brill. "But as with any medicine, overdosing can lead to unpleasant side effects."

I love chocolate, but had to severely restrict my consumption of milk chocolate because of congestion problems. Dark chocolate reduces this problem and provides greater health benefits while retaining the delicious chocolate taste. My wife and I enjoy a healthy peppermint tea after our evening meal. Two or three pieces of dark chocolate complement it perfectly.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Discover more about protecting yourself from heart disease in health researcher Graeme Lanham's new Ebook "Heart Disease Solutions". It outlines in easy to read style all you need to know about protecting your heart. Visit: http://www.heartdiseasesolutions.com Free newsletter and Instant download. Special Introductory offer: Just $9.97.

Are You Poisoning Yourself With What You Eat?

2008-01-31T10:32:00.000+07:00

By Max Allen

I just received the results of my annual physical exam the other day. The doctor said that my cholesterol was too high. It was lower last year by 10 points! How can it be too high this year? Anyway he wanted to put me on drugs to get it lower.

Now I've been reading a lot lately about cholesterol, what causes it, and how best to lower it. I decided I would try to find a way to lower it without the drugs. I knew that the drugs could possibly cause liver damage. GREAT, not what I wanted.

Have you noticed all the side effects of almost any drug on the market? Scares me into trying to learn all I can and to find alternatives to the drugs.

My research led me to trans fats. Just what are trans fats and where do they come from. Aren't trans fats in any form bad for you?

There is a difference between good trans fats and bad trans fats. The bad trans fats have been shown to cause heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, but there is some proof that the good trans fat can aid you in getting a leaner body, muscle building, and cancer determent.

Over the last few years it has been stated in the news just how bad synthetic trans fats are for your health. These substances are some of the most offensive food additives and are found in the majority of all processed and fast foods on the market these days.

In their degree of danger to your health, man-made trans fats are as bad as smoking. They are one of the major factors for the outbreak of heart disease since about the 1950's.

The FDA has required that food manufacturers list the grams of trans fat on all nutrition labels. You now have an easier way to avoid packages with trans fat included in them.

I wanted to clear up some things, specifically about bad trans fats vs. good trans fats, with all of the talk about trans fats in the news. If you've never heard of good trans fats before, let me explain.

The Good Trans Fats

The good trans fats are all natural and they are healthy for you. Natural trans fats are produced in the stomachs of animals like cattle, and sheep and make their way into the fat reserves of the animals. Therefore, the milk fat and the fat within the meat of these animals can supply natural healthy trans fats.

Natural trans fats in your diet have been thought to have some possible benefit to assist in both muscle building and fat loss attempts. However, keep in mind that the amount of healthy trans fats in the meat and dairy of animals is greatly lowered by their grain diets and methods of farming. Meat and dairy from grass-fed, free-range animals always have much higher amounts of these favorable fats.

One trans fat is called conjugated linoleic acid and has been retailed by many weight loss companies. Keep in mind that these man-made CLA pills may not be the top way to get natural trans fats in your diet, because they are artificially made from plant oils. Once again, man-made just doesn't compare to the benefits of natural sources.

The Bad Trans Fats

The bad trans fats are the man-made kind. Any artificially hydrogenated oils exemplify these. Margarine, shortening, and hydrogenated oils that are in most processed foods are the culprits. These hydrogenated oils are considerably processed using harsh chemical solvents like hexane (a component of gasoline), high heat, and pressure.

They have a metal catalyst added, and are then deodorized and bleached. A small amount of the solvent is allowed to stay in the finished oil. Somehow the FDA still lets the food manufacturers put this in our food in vast quantities, even with the well-documented health dangers.

These hydrogenated oils cause irritation internally, which signals cholesterol as a healing agent to be deposited on artery walls. Heart disease has blown out of proportion since this has been added to our food supply.

Soon science will unveil how fatal these oils really are. Eventually they will be banned from use. The labeling laws were simply the first step. Some countries around the world have already banned the use of hydrogenated oils in food manufacturing.

Most companies are replacing them, with highly refined polyunsaturated oils. These are still over processed oils using high heat, solvents, deodorizers, and bleaching agents. Even refined oils are known to yield irritation in your body...a far cry from natural sources of healthy fats.

Your body will bless you as you avoid highly processed foods completely and choose whole, natural, minimally processed foods.

Keep in mind that if an amount of trans fat is listed on a meat or dairy product, it is most likely the natural good trans fats that we've talked about here. Otherwise, if the quantity of trans fat is listed on any processed foods, it is most likely the hazardous unwholesome fat from artificially hydrogenated oils.

Please stay away from these fats! Now that all of your labels should be listing grams of trans fat it will be easy to spot the bad trans fats.

Stay away from any food that lists hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils as an ingredient. Your body will thank you for it.

I hope you will use this information to arm yourself with more wholesome food choices for a healthier body. This was an intriguing look at good trans fat vs. bad trans fat that I hope you keep in mind while making food choices.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Max Allen is devoted to helping you find the correct methods to help you get a leaner and healthier body without you going through all the fluff and garbage that is out there. Let me be your filter. Free training/nutrition ebook. Click here

Feeling Guilty About Those Resolutions?

2008-01-27T15:24:00.000+07:00

By Lynn Smith

It's been 17 days since we made our New Year's resolutions. How's it going for you? Not so good? You're not alone. We start with good intentions but it doesn't take much to derail our plan. We're going to take a look at two reasons why our resolutions have failed and then we'll come up with a better plan, one that will get us back on track and leave us feeling better about ourselves.

Unrealistic Resolution

When we watch all the ads on TV for diet pills and weight loss programs there's an expectation that, if we give it a try, we can lose 25 pounds in short order, maybe even in two weeks. That is not necessarily true. The marketing experts who write those ads are good at what they do; so good, that we expect those results to be normal. Then, when we give it a try and we don't drop weight that fast, it leaves us giving up in frustration.

In this case, the goal to lose 25 pounds is a good one but we weren't being reasonable in the amount of time it would take. The adjustment needs to be in our expectation.

Resolution Too Complicated

Joining the health club and committing to Pilates three times a week is a great goal. But when you were scheduling those classes, did you have to put your schedule through contortions to get it to fit? Therein may lay the problem. If you had mental dialogue that went something like this: "If I leave work a little early on Tuesdays and my husband picks up the boys from basketball practice on Thursdays, I can do this!" that should have been a little red flag telling you that this would not dovetail very well into your lifestyle. No wonder you've only been to class twice this month. Admirable goal, too complicated to carry out.

So your plans haven't worked out as you've hoped. Don't beat yourself up and don't feel guilty about it. Any experience that causes us to learn something is not failure. You learned that packing too much into your week doesn't work, which is a valuable lesson. Keep on applying that and you can reduce the amount of stress in your life.

Now it's time to re-group. We aren't giving up on our goals and we've learned what doesn't work. How can we have reasonable expectation and reduce the impact on our lifestyle? Creating a healthier lifestyle comes down to our daily choices. How can we make different choices in our daily routine to promote good health?

Start by looking at what you already do every day to see where you can improve your health habits. Do you go out for lunch with you co-workers or hit the drive-thru for your meal? If your goal is weight loss, regularly eating fast food will make the achievement of that goal pretty difficult. Have you considered packing your lunch maybe just once or twice a week? Fast food is full of fats, calories, and sodium. The simple decision to pack your lunch a few times a week can have a significant impact on your health long term.

How about the goal of exercise? Is there a simple way to increase our activity without playing havoc on our schedule? You might want to take a look at how you are using your lunch hour. There was a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine on the effects of moderate exercise. Researchers studied 252,925 men and women between the ages of 50 and 71. Those that did a moderate amount of exercise (at least 30 minutes most days of the week) had a 27% decreased risk of death. A brisk 30 minute walk each day can have a powerful impact. What are you doing during you lunch hour?

The most important element in improving our health is consistency. It would be far better to do a 30 minute walk a few times every week than to do Pilates a few times a month. Look at how you are spending your day. There are always ways to make healthier decisions. And give up on those quick-fixes. Truly being healthy is not something a quick-fix will achieve but the accumulation of healthy daily decisions will.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Lynn Smith is a health and wellness coach with Health Coach Team. Get your free report "10 Energy Zappers and How to Eliminate Them" at www.healthcoachteam.com

Seven Keys to More Energy and Vitality

2007-09-20T09:31:00.000+07:00

By: Jim Somchai

Whether we are healthy is indicated by two factors. These are the level of our energy and vitality. Both are important for our daily life. They can make us perform much better in every aspects of life. We should know what to do in order to gain more energy and vitality. Also, we should learn how to keep both at the highest level. In this article, we will reveal the seven keys to have more energy and vitality.

1. Have light and nutritional breakfast
Try to avoid dairy products as much as you can. Dairies include bread, biscuits, cereals, muffins, eggs and milk. All dairies have acidic content and will make our blood very acidic. Acidic blood is the source of energy draining. It will pull out our energy. Look for some high protein drink mix which is viewed to be the best breakfast. Soy bean milk with some low sugar fruits can be second alternative.

2. Avoid meat
Meat from big animal contains all type of hormones especially adrenaline which is not good for human body. It is believed to cause many illnesses. Try to quit eating meat especially beef, lamb or pork. Meat eating person will get sick easier than a vegetarian. You will not have much energy when you are sick. If you can not be an absolute vegetarian, you can choose to have fish as your protein source since it contains least toxin in comparison with other types of meat.

3. Have vegetables with different colors
Different colors of vegetables contain different type of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are for reducing free radicals in our body. Free radicals are toxins caused by stress in the body, poor food or pollution. It is believed that free radicals can cause some type of cancers, premature aging and other sickness.

4. Drink enough water
Drink at least eight glasses or two liters of water per day. Water will help on the excretion of the waste out of the body and reduce the fat content. If you want to lose some weight, having enough water is one of tips to be practiced. Do not drink soda, cola, juice or coffee since they will add more calories to your diet. Drink some herbal tea can be a good idea especially some green tea without sugar. Avoid brew because it can harm your brain and liver.

5. Keep your weight at the optimal level
Have your body mass index (BMI) measured and evaluated. BMI is calculated using the following formula:

BMI = Body Weight in Kilogram divided by the square of Height in Meters.
The optimal BMI is at 18-23.

If your BMI is too high or too low, you need to control your weight until you reach the optimal level. Keep your weight in proper ratio with height will give you more agility and vitality.

6. Exercise three times a week
Exercise is very important especially in the contemporary lifestyle. Do it everyday or at least three times a week. You should do both aerobic exercise (move the whole body for the consecutive twenty minutes) or anaerobic (muscle training). One session should contain at least thirty minutes of exercise.

7. Visualize to stimulate your subconscious mind
Energy and vitality also comes from the exercise of mind. Your brain controls big part of body functions. To have the right mindset will improve functions of the whole body. Right visualization in the morning can increase the level of energy and vitality. You will feel more energized and stimulated without using any chemicals. You can use some background soundtrack to enhance the potency of your visualization. There are many types of accelerating soundtrack in the market. Attraction Accelerator can be one of your choices.

We can be healthier by having more energy and vitality. This article shows how to have more of both by seven simple techniques.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Jim Somchai. Read more of his articles from his site. www.visualizationmeditation.com/go/site Get The Attraction Accelerator to help your visualization and attraction. Geting FREE REPORT ON SUCCESS SCIENCE and Earn Money.

Children and Cholesterol

2007-09-11T09:00:00.000+07:00

By: Adrian Kennelly

Many people assume that high cholesterol is a problem that affects middle-aged adults only. In fact, many people don't even worry about their cholesterol when they are younger, eating all the fatty convenience foods they want, assuming that their early diet makes no difference.

Nothing could be further from the truth. More children today suffer from high cholesterol. In fact, the numbers of children who are taking cholesterol drugs is on the rise! Some studies have suggested that a childhood of poor eating choices can contribute to higher cholesterol later in life.

Besides this, many of the eating habits learned in childhood affects eating in adulthood. Children who are used to eating high-fat foods and convenience foods are more likely to make the same choices as adults. Switching to healthy foods in adulthood may be harder for children who have made less-than-heart-healthy food choices all their lives.

For all these reasons, controlling food intake and lifestyle choices even in early life can contribute to life-long heart health and good cholesterol levels.

If you have children, you can help ensure that they make the right food choices that can help them with their cholesterol levels now and later in life.

In fact, if you and other members of your family have high cholesterol, you need to introduce your children to cholesterol-healthy eating, as your children may be at an increased risk of developing high cholesterol themselves.

Luckily, it is not that hard to teach your children how to make smart food and lifestyle choices that are heart-healthy:

* Teach your children about healthy eating and cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol yourself, you may want to speak to your children about this. Informed children are better able to make smart food choices that can help keep their cholesterol levels healthy later in life.

* Let children make healthy food choices for themselves. Give your children some say about the fruits, vegetables and other foods that they like. Go through heart-healthy cookbooks with your children and let them help you decide what recipes to try.

* Be careful of the food and cholesterol attitudes you convey to your children. Children pick up emotional cues from their parents. If you treat a cholesterol-friendly diet as a type of punishment, your children will likely see it the same way.

If your children see you turn to fatty junk food when you are depressed or feeling stressed, they will likely do the same thing. Many parents are fussy eaters and pass this on to their children, which is a terrible disservice. Fussy eaters will simply not try the different healthy foods out there simply because the foods are different.

* Do not reward children with food. If your child does well at a sport or gets great grades in school, do not take them to a restaurant or for take-out to celebrate.

Give them horseback riding lessons or let them choose a toy or favorite activity instead. Many parents are tempted to keep sweet foods such as cupcakes and cakes for "special occasions" and "special treats" but this inadvertently makes children associate sugary foods with good times and vegetables with punishment or everyday life.

* Take your children food shopping - especially when you are shopping for fresh produce. Let your children choose which vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods they would like. Encourage your children to decide which fruits and vegetables look as though they might be tasty. Treat your produce shopping trip as an adventure and your children may be more likely to eat their fruits and vegetables without a fuss.

* Monitor what your children eat. As a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your children eat three meals a day that include foods that are low in fats and high in nutrients. Reduce the amount of sugars and fats your children eat and limit how much junk food is allowed.

* Become involved in your child's school lunch program or cafeteria. Many schools offer less than healthy school lunches as well as vending machines full of sugary foods. At a number of schools, though, parents have banded together to force school boards to provide better foods choices for students. Use this as your inspiration to make sure that your child can make healthy foods choices in school.

* If you are worried about what your children eat, consider taking them to a nutritionist who can help teach them what they should be eating.

* Even if your child has elevated cholesterol levels, realize that growing children still need more fats and nutrients than adults. Never simply place your child on a very low-fat diet - consult with a pediatrician to find a diet plan that can help your child grow while keeping cholesterol under control. A too-low-fat diet may affect childhood development.

* Teach your children about the dangers of smoking. Smoking is a risk factor for cancers, heart disease, and high cholesterol.

* Get your children to exercise. Virtually all health experts agree that North American children do not exercise enough. This has disastrous effects on cholesterol levels and overall health. One of the best things you can do to keep your children away from the dangers of high cholesterol is to get them to exercise at least a little each day. Find an activity they enjoy and encourage them in their activity.

* If your child smokes, is overweight, or has at least one parent who has a cholesterol level of more than 240mg/dl, your child is at an increased risk of high cholesterol - even at an early age. Take you child to the doctor - especially if your child has more than one of the risk factors - for a complete check-up and cholesterol check.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

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How To Identify Depressed Behavior

2007-06-27T19:09:00.000+07:00

By: Faye B. Roberts

Only a member of the medical profession can properly diagnose your symptoms of depression and should be consulted if you, or a loved one is displaying signs of depressed behavior.

There are however, a few behaviors that you can look for that will help you recognize depression. There are two underlying symptoms that are predominant. The first is a loss of interest in daily activities to such a degree that you no longer receive pleasure in activities you used to enjoy. The second is having a depressed mood. You may have crying spells and you feel helpless and hopeless. In addition, for a health professional to make a correct diagnosis, most of the following signs and symptoms of depressed behavior must also be present for at least two weeks:

* Having sleep disturbances. Sleeping too much or too little can be a sign you're depressed. Waking in the middle of the night or early and not being able to get back to sleep are typical.

* Your thinking or concentration may be impaired. You may have trouble concentrating or making decisions and have problems with your memory.

* Your weight changes. An increased or reduced appetite and unexplained weight gain or loss may indicate depressed behavior.

* Agitation. You may seem restless, agitated, irritable and easily annoyed by everyday common occurrences.

* Your body movements slow down or you feel fatigued. You feel weary and lack energy nearly every day. You feel as tired in the morning as you did when you went to bed the night before. You feel like you're doing everything in slow motion or you may speak in a slow, monotonous tone.

* You have low self-esteem. You feel worthless and suffer from excessive guilt.

* Decreased interest in sex. If you were sexually active before developing depression, you may notice your level of interest in having sexual relations is dramatically decreased.

* Persistent thoughts of death. You have a recurring negative view of yourself, your situation and the future. You may have thoughts of death, dying, even of suicide.

Recognizing the symptoms of depressed behavior is the first step, but the proper diagnosis should be done by your family doctor. From there, working together you can design a plan that works best for you. The good news is that depression is treatable.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Faye B. Roberts is an independent researcher and author on depression and is assisting others in their quest to understand this serious illness. Discover a new way of thinking and coping with depression that will change the way you look, feel and live your life. Visit Facts On Depression For more information on depression visit Defining Depression