Yoga for Back Pain Relief

The back is a well-designed body part that is made up of bones, muscles, nerves, and soft body tissues. It is a very important part of the human body because the bones of the back acts as a supporting frame for the back and the whole body. The back muscles work with abdominal muscles to keep the body upright and mobile. However, because of the stress of everyday life, many individuals tend to overwork or overuse  their back muscles, which then leads to back pain. This condition may hamper performance and affect everyday. Common symptoms of back pain may include spasms, stiffness, pain, numbness, and sometimes pain in the leg area and depends on the cause of pain and its severity. Back pain is one the most frequent health complaints that are received by doctors in the United States. However, individuals experiencing back pain should not despair because of the availability of many methods and medication that may give back pain relief.  One of the most popular alternative back pain treatments is the ancient Indian meditative exercise called yoga.

Not long ago, the primary treatment for chronic back pain was sufficient rest and the use of painkillers. Nowadays, doctors are encouraging their patients to manage pain and illness by engaging in activities like yoga. Many medical researches suggest that yoga is one of the most effective treatments for body pain. Yoga has gone from a spiritual discipline practiced by many in the Far East into a mainstream exercise routine that is taught in many fitness gyms around the world. Other than back pain relief, many medical researches also show that yoga helps strengthen one's bones and muscles, reduce stress, and promote moments of relaxation. Yoga works by building strength, improving flexibility, and reducing joint and muscle pain.

Other proven benefits of yoga include:

Increases muscle strength, endurance, and stamina;
Develops muscles in the abdomen, legs, and arms;
Release of physical tension;
Helps maintain good and proper posture;
Serves as a good warm up for athletes; and
Improves an individual's overall performance

However, not all forms of yoga can be used for back pain relief. When the back is injured or hurting, slow-paced and gentle stretches and poses should be practiced. Some yoga posses and stretches may aggravate back pain and lead to serious injuries. A type of yoga called Viniyoga is adapted from yoga that gives emphasis on precise deep breathing and slow stretches. Another type of yoga called Iyengar yoga, focuses on accurate bodily alignment. Students of this practice use different props like straps, blocks, blankets, and many more. This type of yoga works best with individuals who have little mobility and need some support.  

Individuals who want to engage in physical activities like yoga should consult doctors and other health professionals before taking yoga classes. Certain injuries to the wrist, back, and ankles may prevent some individuals from practicing yoga postures and positions. Furthermore, yoga should be practiced with care and precaution. Some people have reported injuries that were acquired by executing yoga postures without focus, or by attempting difficult positions without working on them gradually or by not having proper supervision. Oftentimes, beginners complain of muscle soreness and fatigue after engaging in yoga. These effects may disappear with continuous practice. Yoga is a great way to strengthen the body and improve overall health.


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You Want To Gain Weight?

It may be hard for you to believe in this morbidly obese country that we live in but there do exist people who have trouble gaining weight and need help to do it. This is true in famine ravaged countries in say Africa for obvious reasons but it is less intuitive in this country where there is no shortage of calorie rich food. So who are these people who want/need to gain weight?

Well there are at least three major groups of people in America that need help to gain weight. These are athletes, persons with iatrogenic and disease-caused cachexia, people, who are unable to feed themselves correctly, and lastly people whose bodies are using calories at a higher rate than "normal" people and not counting athletes. So lets take a few minutes to at least consider these groups of people.

First and perhaps most obvious are athletes who have trouble gaining weight on a normal diet because they are burning off as much or more calories than they are taking in. Athletes, especially those at the elite level, often consume ungodly amounts of food just to supply their bodies with enough fuel to work at supernormal levels of physical activity and support fantastically high rates of metabolism.   Second are those with diseases that cause a loss of appetite such as anorexia for an obvious one or mental illness or cancer with associated cachexia that are maybe less obvious. In the case of anorexia nervosa there needs to be cognitive behavioral therapy that changes the basic structure of thought for these people that makes them think that they are fat. For mental illness a mixture of both behavior therapy and drugs that stimulate the appetite and helps the person want to consume enough calories to gain weight. For cancer patients these appetite stimulating drugs are really the solution if they work.

The group that is unable to feed themselves is the third group to discuss and these are mainly people at the extremes of age. It is obvious that babies need to be fed in order for them to gain weight but it is perhaps less obvious in the elderly who often survive on what is known as a "tea-and-toast" diet because they either do not possess the physical energy or they no longer have the mental faculty to provide themselves with a good nutrition.

The last group are those that have a high metabolic rate but aren't athletes with lots of physical activity. The best example of this are people whose bodies are fighting serious illness, most commonly infection. The immune system needs lots of energy so it is important to keep these patients well fed so that they can at least maintain if not gain weight.


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Your 3 Best Options for Increased Lung Capacity

Copyright 2006 Marc David

Imagine the frustrated person who says, "I do at least 30 minutes of cardio in every training session I do spinning classes, cross trainer and StairMaster.  But when it comes to going running I feel so unfit and can't last more than 10 mins!"

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have a bigger lung capacity?

The question ended with "is it possible to increase my lung capacity and if so how?"

Yes, it's true...

You can change the capacity of your lungs to a certain point.  But before I go too far into the details, let's learn a little bit about the lungs in general.  Trust me, this will not be hard.

Facts About Lung Volume (capacity):

* Average human lungs hold about 5 liters of air
* Volumes can vary with height and age
* Total lung capacity depends on person's age, height, sex, weight and degree of physical activity
* Females tend to have 20-25% lower capacity than males
* Tall people tend to have more lung capacity then shorter people
* Heavy smokers have less lung capacity
* Altitude affects lung capacity

For starters...

Because you are doing cardiovascular activities already, that alone will help to increase your lung capacity thru your physical exercise.  As you progress, the workouts become more challenging, your lung capacity will increase so that your body can get more oxygen from the air.

As you will see, that is the single biggest thing you can do right now to increase your overall lung capacity!

Tip #1 for Increased Lung Capacity:

- Do challenging cardiovascular activities - Start slow and work your way to more intense cardio depending on your goal.  Cardio workouts can be progressive.

Tip #2 for Increased Lung Capacity:

- Train at higher altitudes

Frankly, this isn't something most people can do all the time but it's a well known fact that runners who are serious will train for a time period at higher altitudes before a race.  Their lung capacity will be larger at higher altitudes because there is less pressure from the atmosphere.

Once they come down to sea level, they have a larger overall lung capacity for a short period of time.

FACT:  When somebody from sea level goes to a higher elevation, they often develop altitude sickness because their lungs cannot process enough oxygen for their body's needs.

Tip #3 for Increased Lung Capacity:

- Don't smoke

These 3 tips will help you increase your lung capacity.

Your Body Wants To Fight The Flu

The body's immune system is our first line of defense against attacks from germs, bacteria, and viral agents like the flu. The immune system detects these harmful invaders and begins the process of isolating and destroying them. But the immune system only works if it has the fuel that it needs.

You see, the immune system is called a "system" because it is comprised of various organs and sub systems that work together in harmony. The major parts of the immune system include:

Thymus
Spleen
Lymph system
Bone marrow
White blood cells
Antibodies
Complement system (30 specific proteins which circulate in our blood plasma).
Hormones

Each part of the immune system depends upon proper nutrition in order to be able to function at peak efficiency. If even one component of the immune system under-performs, the entire system is at risk of failing. A failed immune system leaves the body with no protection from any type of attack. That's why HIV and AIDS are such devastating diseases.

Unfortunately, most people have diets that fail to provide even the minimum nutritional levels that our immune systems requires to do its work. And that's one of the major reasons why this flu season may be the worst one ever. Citizens of developed countries are eating diets that are high in saturated fats and sugars and low in vitamins and minerals. Many citizens of underdeveloped nations are suffering from malnutrition and even starvation. Whether the immune system is affected by too much of the wrong food, or not enough of any food is not what's important right now. What is important is that most people's immune systems are ill prepared to ward off this latest flu menace.

But you don't have to let your immune system fail you when you need it the most. You have options.

You can give your body's immune system exactly what it needs to operate a peak efficiency, and you can do it without having to eat a variety of special foods or ingesting handfuls of vitamins and minerals. All you need to do is Winterize your body by taking just one capsule per day.

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Your Diet... Is It Putting Your Health At Risk?

Are you feeling tired, stressed, or apathetic? Did you know these are all common signs of a diet lacking nutritional value? If you are dieting, ill, or eating a fast-food diet, you should you be concerned that you and your family are getting proper nutrition from your food.

- How can you know that you are getting enough nutrition?

If you find that a day goes by and the only thing you've had to eat is a bagel and coffee or maybe some fast-food you will no doubt be feeling the physical effects of a lack of nutrition. Lack of mental clarity, weakness and irritability are all signs you haven't given your body enough good food to eat.

On the other hand, if you or your children indulge in high calorie diets on a regular basis you will notice the effects of over nutrition. Weight gain and related symptoms will also zap your energy and put a strain on your body.

- Under and over nutrition. Finding balance.

Your diet is a crucial element to feeling good, strong and alert. If you've been suffering from a diet lacking in nutrition, or an over indulgence in nutrition, you'll certainly be feeling the effects on your overall health - and even worse - you may be setting yourself up for more serious disease.

You obviously need calories for energy. It is vital to obtain the necessary amount of calories every day to maintain your optimum health. Individuals who do not take in the proper amount of calories because of ill health, physical disability, dieting or problems with absorption, usually begin to loose weight, lack concentration and as time passes they begin to loose the function of organs such as the reproductive system and eventually major functions of the heart and lungs.

A diet too high in calories will also put your health at risk. More common than under nutrition in developed countries like the United States, obesity puts a strain on the organs and increases the risk for health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.

Knowing what a typical serving size of food is can help you determine if you (or a family member) are taking in the appropriate amount of calories. It is important for parents to teach children moderate eating habits to ensure good eating for life. I cannot stress this point enough!

- How nutritious is your food?

Aside from merely watching caloric intake it is important that your diet has strong nutritional value as well. You could eat an entire box of doughnuts to meet your calorie needs without having met your daily requirements for vitamins, protein, calcium and other minerals.

Choosing a diet that lacks nutrition on a regular basis will lead to a lowered resistance to illness, general weakness, and irritability. Other diet deficiencies, such as a lack of calcium, can lead to more serious disorders like osteoporosis.

While pregnant and/or lactating women, the elderly and ill individuals may have no choice but to to supplement their diet with multi vitamins, the average healthy person should attempt to get most of the nutrition they need in a normal diet that includes fruit, vegetables, protein (meat and lentils), dairy and fibre bread and cereals).

- So what about the occasional burger?

Fast-food in the diet is not harmful if it is only an occasional treat, but may show its negative effects if consumed as a major part of the diet. Educating yourself and your family on what a healthy diet is will help you and your family feel great and enjoy good health for years to come.


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Your Health And Air Cleaners

There are many benefits to using air cleaners. Nowadays air cleaners are quite affordable and every home should have one particularly if you live in large cities where the pollution levels are quite bad.

If you or your family members are suffering from allergies, an air cleaner is a necessity in your home. The reason being an air cleaner can help to remove allergens in the air by filtering and recycling the air thereby reducing the possibility of allergy attacks.

If you are suffering from asthma or sinus problems, an air cleaner will really help you. An air cleaner will dramatically reduce the amount of dust and debris in the air. Other particles that irritate the lung are also removed thereby reducing the rate of asthma attacks. A doctor recommended this to me since he told me for asthmatic patients to reduce the chance of asthma attacks, I should get an air cleaner. Really, if you considered the small price you pay for an air cleaner versus your health, I think it is a worthwhile investment.

An air cleaner can also reduce the number of air-borne germs. It can used particularly useful for those with a weak immune system who are prone to illness and other diseases. For babies and young toddlers, it is equally useful since their immune system is not developed fully yet.

There are various types of air cleaners available on the market these days that do not cost a lot of money. Some air cleaners require you to replace the air filter periodically. The newer models of air cleaners use what's known as an ionic system. An ionic system does not need to replace the air filter but instead by regularly washing the air filter similar to your air-conditioner. In my opinion, an ionic air cleaner is a better choice since you can save a bit of money in buying replacement air filters.

Air cleaners are well worth your investment if you consider your health or your family health is more important than anything. An air cleaner can cut down the chances of a allergy attack or an asthma attack. If you are living in an urban city, chances are the air is a lot more polluted than you think. I got a shock when I saw how dirty the air filter was after a period of time. More than anything, I have cut down the number of times I visit the doctor for my asthma. So what are you waiting for? Go get yourself an air cleaner today.


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Your Personal Fitness Regime

Everybody knows that it is important to be fit. Your level of fitness is a major factor in your lifespan, and getting in shape should be a priority. There are plenty of celebrities, whether qualified or not, offering to sell you their latest fitness video or book, and more and more articles in newspapers and magazines about the cost of not having a daily workout; the impact on your health, the social effects of being unfit, and of course the fact that most fashionable clothes don’t come in plus sizes. Getting fit should be on your ‘to-do’ list all year round, and not just a New Year’s resolution that doesn’t make it past the first few days of January.

It is easy to start a fitness regime, and then run out of enthusiasm. With a busy work schedule, and an equally busy social life, it’s a common enough occurrence that people drop out of exercising on the basis that they don’t have enough time. The most obvious answer to this, and something that most fitness instructors will suggest, is just to get out of bed a bit earlier, and use that time to exercise. Of course, to some this may seem like a nightmare, and not something to inspire them; nightowls should look for something to do in the evening, perhaps a late workout session at the gym, or installing some home exercise equipment so that you can watch TV as the same time as working out.

Not everyone is suited to a traditional fitness regime of steps and ‘dancercise’. You might find it rewarding to try other methods to keep fit, such as martial arts. It is not important how you get fit: only the results matter. If you find that you enjoy fencing, for example, then that will extend your enthusiasm for your fitness regime. Doing something that you hate, or which you feel stupid doing, won’t last very long.

Keep your enthusiasm up in other ways, by working out to favourite tracks, or by keeping a log of how well you’ve done. You can work out with a friend and have a competition; or you can set yourself goals in your fitness regime, and reward yourself when you achieve them.

Fitness should be something that you work towards for all of your life, and a daily exercise routine will certainly help you achieve that goal. Even if your exercising consists of a short run everyday, and you never end up with a full six-pack, that does not matter. Fitness is not about getting the perfect body, it is about a general physical state where you feel more energetic, and you feel good about the way your body looks and works.

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Your Physical Fitness – Keeping Your Body Healthy

It is important to be fit, everyone knows that. Your physical fitness has a big impact upon how you feel about yourself, and how much effort your body has to expend in order to keep working. Lack of physical fitness has supposedly reached an epidemic proportion in America, though the truth is that Americans are obsessed with physical fitness, and TV doctors and celebrities alike make a fortune through selling fitness videos and books to the public. Unless you’re planning to buy ‘em all and use them as weights to lift up and down every day, none of these will ever do your physical fitness any good at all.

The best way to improve your physical fitness is by incorporating regular activity into your daily routine. It is not necessary to take out full membership of your local gym, or even attend one exercise class. What it does mean is choosing an activity that increases your heart rate, or improves your strength and general flexibility. Walking a few more blocks, doing some gardening or housework, climbing the stairs, are all examples of something that can fit quite easily into your routine, but which can also increase your physical fitness. Taking the elevator, driving the car to the shop at the corner of your street, and spending more time in bed are all things that will not improve your fitness level.

A healthy lifestyle cannot be a fad, or something that you will do ‘next year’. It should be on your ‘to-do’ list all year round, not just as a New Year Resolution that you never intend to keep. Once you start on an exercise regime, you will need to keep that up for the rest of your life; or your physical fitness will be lost, and you will have to start all over again. Without regular exercise, the muscles reduce, and fat takes its place (muscles do not become fat, they merely move over to make more room for it if they aren’t used). It is therefore important that you choose a regime that is going to keep you interested in the long term; every year throws up a new ‘fitness fad’, but most people take them up and then discard them after a fortnight. Instead, choose something that you enjoy. If the thought of being instructed on stepping up and down on a plastic board fills you with scorn, then you might try something else – martial arts are always popular, and a physical fitness regime which incorporates some kind of team sport will also help to keep you interested.

Remember: physical activity everyday is the key to fitness, and that is what is important. Improving your physical fitness can provide you with more energy, and will help you to feel more positive about yourself.

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5 Healthy Benefits of Following a Mediterranean Diet Plan

The Mediterranean diet has been around for centuries, but if you don't live in countries where this diet is prevalent such as Greece or Italy, you may not realize the many benefits of eating healthy foods "Mediterranean" style. According to studies, the Mediterranean diet encourages healthy weight loss and helps to reduce risks of many life-threatening diseases. Below are five of the top benefits of following this diet.

1. Fast Weight Loss

One of the key benefits of the Mediterranean diet is fast weight loss. This is not from the results of a diet pill or a crash starvation diet, but from healthy, portion-controlled eating. Weight loss rates will vary, but some have reported losing an average of 10 pounds per month. Delicious diet recipes are often provided when following the Mediterranean diet that help to speed up the weight loss process without depriving you of much needed vitamins and nutrients. Losing weight alone can offer many health benefits.

2. Good Heart Health

The delicious diet recipes provided while following a Mediterranean diet are all designed to promote good heart health. The Mediterranean diet consists of healthy doses of olive oil, fruits and vegetables, and oily fish. With some participants, a moderate amount of wine is consumed with meals. All these help to lower cholesterol and keep the blood flow to the heart at a normal level, thus, reducing the risk of heart disease tremendously.

3. Lower Cancer Risks

Having too many toxins in the body can cause some types of cancer, such as breast cancer. Eating the types of healthy foods promoted in the Mediterranean diet such as fruits and vegetables will lower the amount of toxins in the body because these foods are natural antioxidants.

4. Prevent Gallstones

Those who have fallen victim to gall stones realize how painful they can be. With around 639,000 people being hospitalized per year with gallstones, many studies are being conducted to help find a cause and cure. The Mediterranean diet is rich in nuts, vegetable oil, and fish. Though gallstones are not always diet-related, consuming these foods can help to reduce the risk of gall stones or eliminate them altogether for some according to recent studies.

5. Lower Blood Pressure

The healthy foods in a Mediterranean diet can also work to lower and regulate blood pressure. Blood cholesterol levels can return to normal when eating less fatty foods and salt, and more healthy vitamins and minerals. Cooking procedures on a Mediterranean diet usually involve roasting or grilling rather than frying, so more nutrients are retained in the food during preparation, and there is much less fat consumption.

These are only a few of the benefits. The Mediterranean diet also offers many other benefits such as reducing the risks of blood clotting, diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and other life-threatening diseases. Don't deprive yourself. Start eating delicious diet recipes on the Mediterranean diet for healthy weight loss today.

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3 Little Known Tips For Helping With Sleep Apnea Research

This may come as a surprise to you, but sleep apnea is more common than you think. Yes, while it might seem like you are the only one who suffers from sleep apnea, we’d be willing to be that at least a few of your close neighbors suffer from it to. Well, the information age now allows you to listen to thousands of different opinions and possible cures for whatever ails you. Sleep apnea is no different. Follow these three tips and you should be all set in your quest for more information.

1) Start with a basic search on multiple websites. Try the regulars like Yahoo, Google, and MSN. Try searching for ‘sleep apnea symptoms’ or ‘sleep apnea treatment.’ Getting multiple sources of information can only make your information quest easier. Some search engines are better for some types of information (Google seems to be especially handy for scientific searches) while others are not. Get a lot of different information sources.

2) Another great source of information for everything is wikipedia.org. While we definitely don’t recommend trying to treat your sleep apnea yourself based upon the information you find (always see a physician, we aren’t physicians and can’t give a medical opinion), wikipedia.org is a good place to start looking for any information as it is “user edited”. “User edited” means that anyone can conceivably change the information on wikipedia.org. It’s almost like a democracy of information presentation. It’s definitely worth a look in your sleep apnea research.

3) Don’t forget to look for information specifically on understanding sleep apnea. If you can’t understand what sleep apnea is, you are going to have a tough time even if you follow tips #1 and #2 to the letter. Get informed and try to understand what sleep apnea is. There are a ton of great resources out there if you look hard enough.

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3 Lessons From The Biggest Loser

All over the world, night after night, millions of people are riveted to their TV sets - but not to watch the latest soap, or CSI. Not to watch Jay Leno or Sex in the City. Not to see who outwits, outlasts and outplays others in Survivor. No - they are spellbound by the efforts of a small band of obese people trying to overcome the effects of years of overeating.

It's not surprising that for so many people this is compulsive viewing. Obesity is the new epidemic. Fat children lumber around school playgrounds while their overweight mothers fill shopping carts with wrong choices. Then... they sit down at night to watch The Biggest Loser. They see dramatic weight loss and startling new body shapes beginning to emerge. They want the same results - and they begin to think it might be possible.

But who has four or five hours a day to work out? Who can afford a personal trainer several times a week? And who has the luxury of their own personal adviser on calorie content and smart food choices? The answer is: not many people. But you have to remember that this is television: it's a false situation. As the players keep reminding themselves and the viewers: "This is a GAME. You have to make the most of your time here - it's going to be so much harder out in the real world."

IS it harder in the real world? Probably. But you can take lessons away from watching this reality show. You can make it work for you, as well as for the contestants. Here are three practical and useful lessons you can put to use immediately.

1. Put Weight Loss First.

In the Biggest Loser household WEIGHT LOSS COMES FIRST. Make it come first in your household, too. Sounds simple, doesn't it? It is. In fact, so simple that many people just overlook it. They try to fit exercise and meal planning around everything else in their lives, instead of making it a priority.

Think: what is most important: getting the weight off, and becoming fit enough to put years on your life - or watching another TV show? Sit down with a pen and paper and allot at least one hour a day to planning meals, recording what you eat, and doing some form of exercise. You've still got 23 hours left to do everything else!

2. E is for Exercise - and Enjoy!

What else do you notice in the Biggest Loser household? The more they exercise, the more they seem to enjoy it. Oh sure, they grunt and they groan; they sweat and they complain. But as the weeks go on, you'll hear them say things like: "I never thought I'd say that I look forward to working out - but now don't feel right if a day goes past without exercise!"

The secret to enjoying exercise is finding what's right for YOU. If you don't really enjoy the gym, look for other forms of exercise. You need a mix of cardio and resistance training - but it doesn't have to be on machines. Walk, swim, dance, climb hills, push a wheelbarrow in the garden... there are endless choices that can be fun for you. Research what happens to various muscle groups - and to your heart - when you exercise, and pick activities that you will enjoy.

3. Identify the Triggers.

Emotions run high when the contestants have to face their demons. Weight gain is rarely from just a physical cause. If you keep a food diary, and faithfully record not only what you eat but when (and why) you eat it, you'll soon see a pattern of emotional eating. What are YOUR triggers? Boredom? Tiredness? Family arguments?

Once you have identified these triggers, you can start working on strategies to defeat them. This can be as simple as challenging yourself every time you want food. ("Am I hungry - yes or no? If I'm not hungry, then why do I want to eat? Am I really just thirsty? If I'm running to the fridge because I'm upset, is there something else I can do to feel better? Is there a long-term solution that will fix this forever?" and so on.) If you're not yet ready to deal with the root cause, then be prepared with food that won't add to your problems with the resulting rolls of fat. Make sure that you have 'good' food at hand - but also food that you LIKE.

These are just three of the lessons that anyone can take away from watching The Biggest Loser. And you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you did it all by yourself.


www.4thehealth.blogspot.com

Ginkgo Biloba and Tinnitus: A Possible Cure?

Ginkgo Biloba and Tinnitus: A Possible Cure?

Talk to any doctor about tinnitus - ringing in the ears - and you're likely to hear those fateful words: "there is no cure". There's nothing you can do for your tinnitus except learn to manage and cope with it - learn to tune it out. Why, then, are companies marketing specific herbal remedies for this common condition? What is the link between ginkgo biloba and tinnitus?

What Is Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo biloba herbal remedies are taken from the tree of the same name. This extract has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, and is commonly used in the Western world to enhance blood flow through the body. As such, it is used to treat or prevent a number of conditions related to the brain, including memory loss, Alzheimer's and dementia. It's also commonly used by tinnitus sufferers.

Has The Link Between Ginkgo Biloba And Tinnitus Been Proven?

As with many herbal treatments, more studies are needed to prove the link between ginkgo biloba and tinnitus. There have been some studies into its effects, however, which seem to suggest that it works no better than a placebo. The British Tinnitus Association (BTA), for example, found no noticeable effects on a study of 2000 tinnitus sufferers.

Should You Take It?

Despite the fact that studies suggest that ginkgo as ineffective as a treatment for tinnitus, it's not quite that simple. For one, many people swear by the remedy in helping to improve the symptoms. The BTA also claim that it has helped to improve general wellbeing in a number of patients which, in turn, has left them in a better state to manage and deal with their tinnitus psychologically.

Keeping yourself well, both in body and mind, it essential to fighting tinnitus. The more run down you get, the more likely it is that you'll focus on the ringing and the detrimental effect it has on your life. Staying healthy, through the use of safe natural supplements such as ginkgo biloba, is useful for keeping your tinnitus under control.

You should always check with a doctor before using any form of herbal supplement, as even natural treatments come with side effects and may interact with other medicine. That said, the main drawback of ginkgo biloba is the cost. Most tinnitus organizations recommend you try it if you can afford it; if you find it helps in any way, then keep using it to manage your tinnitus.

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Antibacterial Cleaners: Can They Do More Harm Than Good?

The chances are that you probably own antibacterial cleaners, whether they are in the form of hand soap or cleaners for your kitchen and bathroom. But are these cleaners actually doing more harm than good?

Why Do We Need to Kill Bacteria?

It’s true that some bacteria can cause disease, illness and food poisoning. Many antibacterial cleaners promise to kill around 99% of bacteria, which helps to explain why they are so popular. After all, we all want to protect ourselves and our family from getting ill.

So Why Are Antibacterial Cleaners Bad for Our Health?

Unfortunately, antibacterial cleaners aren’t as good for us as they may seem. In the short term, their ingredients are known to irritate the skin (this is more of a problem with those that have been developed for cleaning purposes).

The FDA is currently looking into one of the major ingredients of antibacterial soaps: triclosan. Although the evidence isn't yet clear, it suggests it may have a harmful effect on humans (especially children). In the past, the FDA has also stated that there are no extra health benefits to using antibacterial soaps over regular soap and water.

Another long term result of using antibacterial products is that they make bacteria more resistant. This means that, over time, these antibacterial products will no longer be able to kill the germs they set out to kill in the first place.

The truth is that you don’t need to make your home sterile to protect yourself and your family. Bacteria is all around us, and being exposed to small amounts of it is what our body needs in order to build up its defenses against stronger bacteria. Studies have shown that sterile environments in childhood can actually lead to more allergies and other problems later in life.

The American Medical Associated (AMA) has warned against extensive use of such antibacterial cleaners for these reasons. When it comes to killing germs, simple measures like washing your hands often (with traditional rather than antibacterial soap) are a good way to protect against germs.

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Free Weight Loss Tips: What You'll Need To Get Started On Your Goal

When it comes to free weight loss tips, it's not the "magic cures" that you should pay attention to, it's the real, solid advice that will set you on a healthy track for the rest of your life. And when you're starting a new weight loss goal, anything that'll make things easier on yourself is worth trying. With that in mind, here are 5 steps you should take at the start of your weight loss journey.


1) Buy A Scale: This is the first of the free weight loss tips and it's a very important one. You'll need to keep a scale not only to keep track of your weight, but also scales for the kitchen to weigh out proper portions of food. Many of us overeat when we don't strictly measure our portions!

2) Find Support: If you can find an exercise and/ or dieting buddy then you'll have support to continue even when things are at their most difficult. Studies show that dieting alongside someone else makes it a lot easier to meet your targets and set up healthy new habits. If there really isn't anyone who wants to join you, one of the best free weight loss tips is to at least confide in others and share specific goals that will keep yourself accountable.

3) Get A Notepad: You need a notepad to note down the foods you're eating, and even the exercises you're doing if that helps. Although it can be tedious, knowing exactly what goes into your body helps you to improve things little by little. You can also use your notepad as a place to vent if you're feeling frustrated, and to reinforce your goals to help motivate you to continue.

4) Go Through Your Cabinets: If you're going to be dieting then you don't want to have temptation all around you in your home. So go through all your cabinets and get rid of food that will lead you astray and won't serve you well. Then go shopping and buy plenty of healthy snacks, like fruit, that you can have on hand whenever you're feeling peckish.

5) Choose An Exercise Program: Now that you've got everything else sorted, it's time to work out the kind of exercise you want to do. Although you'll have to make sacrifices and sometimes do things you won't enjoy, you can cater your exercise to what feels best for you. This could mean starting by walking every day, or running x amount of miles on the treadmill. Whatever you do, make sure you put it into a solid plan!

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Learning How Not To Worry: Breaking The Habit

Learning how not to worry is something many of us wish we could do. The truth is, we can. Although worry is inevitable in some situations, most of us worry far more than we need to. Worry has simply become a habit and, like all habits, it can be broken!

Understand Whether Worrying Can Be Productive

There are two types of worry. The first is the kind of worry that's good for us, that makes sure we take care of things we need to. The second kind of worry is just a waste of time and leads to mental exhaustion - this is the kind of worry over things that we have no control over.

Think carefully about what you're worrying about. Learning how not to worry means learning how to differentiate between the two types of worry. If it IS something you can do something about, make sure you take steps to do that. If you sit there doing nothing you'll only keep worrying. If you know you've done all that you can, and there's nothing more you can do, keep telling that to yourself to put it out of your mind.

Set Aside Dedicated Worry Time

If you find that you've got a lot of things on your mind, and they are legitimate things to worry about, try setting aside dedicated time every day to do the worrying. This could mean waiting until your partner is home from work so you can discuss productive solutions together, or it could simply mean taking half an hour to worry each day so that you'll feel a little better ignoring your worries later on.

Catch Yourself When You're Worrying

Learning how not to worry isn't always easy - many of us get carried away with worrying without even noticing! Sometimes we can be doing one thing and suddenly find our thoughts wandering, or we start looking up things on the internet related to our worry. Unless this is going to do something to solve a problem, it's a waste of time.

But how do you catch yourself? It is going to take practice. If you find yourself worrying at work, put a post-it on your computer or your desk. It doesn't have to say "stop worrying" - it could be as simple as a picture of a smiley face to remind you to take control of your thoughts again. You also need to be actively looking for worrying thoughts. You won't always catch worry out quickly, but you'll gradually catch yourself sooner and sooner.

Remember, learning how not to worry takes practice. At first you might not think that these strategies are working, but with practice you'll find that taking your mind away from your worries is easier and easier.

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3 D's of sleeping pills

After reading this, I hope you can still sleep well. Sleep-inducing medicines, popularly known  as sleeping pills, have a reputation of helping people get some peace and quiet at night.  Sleep deprivation is such a difficult condition to have since it literally zaps a person's energy to do the more important things in life, at work and at home.  Specifically, it is used by chronic insomniacs who desperately need to get that well-deserved rest.  Insomniacs often flip over the hundreds of cable channels each night hoping to get tired enough to sleep.  For them, it does not matter if they sleep in from of the t.v. as long as they do get to sleep eventually.  But t.v. surfing loses its effectiveness after a few nights, leaving the insomniac up and awake the whole night, and, yes, bone-weary the next morning. Manic workloads, job-related stresses, and the ever-toxic idea of work itself leaves a person with no other option but to trust the “fast” relief. Studies show that people who are prone to stress and other everyday worries are the ones who would most likely resort to the use of sleeping pills.  Other studies, however, also show that long-term use of sleeping pills could cause unwanted side effects or health problems.  People who often take refuge or rely mostly on these sedatives are more prone to negative effects and even life-threatening situations as:

*Degradation of activities

    Studies prove that continuous use of sleeping pills can reduce brain cell activity, affect short-memory term and cause hang-overs. The aftermath of taking these sedatives may seem manageable, but in the long run, these effects may escalate into more serious problems such us forgetfulness and lack of focus. You wouldn't want to report to your workplace with confused and groggy, right? Also, it's a bad thing to forget certain work errands just because of sleeping pills.              
       
*Dependence

    Just like how the body forms its natural defense through the production of antibodies, the body may also develop an immunity to the drug.  The frequent intake of a certain drug would lessen the potency of the active ingredients. Eventually, the user would have to take higher doses of the drug, and be open to the risk of developing a drug dependence or addiction. Sleeping pill addiction is, in fact, fast becoming a common health concern.                    

*  Death

    People who use sleeping pills have undeniably higher mortality rates than those who don't. Sleep apnea patients are advised to refrain from taking sleep-inducing pills. As sedatives, sleeping pills tend to lengthen the pauses in breathing when one is asleep.  This situation can jeopardize the health of people with sleep apnea.  Every year, many cases of death are attributed to the effects of these drugs.   

    As the saying goes, we can buy luxurious bed but we can never purchase a good night's sleep. This proverbial statement just proves that many people are really struggling to board another express train to Dreamland. And the struggle goes on.  For some people, a good night's sleep is like a rare commodity. The artificial inducement of sleep may be necessary but caution must always be exercised to prevent sleeping pill overdose.  Getting some “shut-eye” with the help of a pill or two need not lead to the sleep of death.

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3 “Must Do” - Steps To A Happier & Healthier Day

Losing weight and maintaining the weight loss for an extended period of time requires some simple lifestyle adjustments. As long as you keep your adjustments within a sustainable reach, you should be able to lose weight and keep it off without much shock and interruption to your daily life.

Not surprisingly, losing weight does not have to require extended trips to the gym or engagement in some fad diet. Here are there steps to a healthier day that can help you slim down on weight without slimming down on your free time.

Exercise Daily

Daily exercise can make a difference in your body shape and in the way your body processes calories. When you exercise, you work your heart, mind and body. You are building your muscle mass, which in turn will increase the effectiveness of your metabolism.

Additionally, you encourage your heart to pump blood throughout your body more effectively, which means that you will have healthier blood and a reduced risk of heart disease. You reduce fatty deposits, which in turn helps reduce your risk of many health problems, such as diabetes. You also increase the number of endorphins that flow through your body, which means that you will note an increase in your positive attitude.

It does not require a large amount of time exercising to receive all of the above benefit. You simply need to workout regularly for a minimum of half an hour. Working out means taking a two-mile walk at a fast pace, throwing a Frisbee or riding a bicycle. Whatever the workout is, keep in mind that it should elevate your heart above it standing heart rate and it should make you breathe slightly heavier than normal. It is also good if you can break a sweat or feel your muscles challenged.

Eat All Things in Moderation

When you are trying to lose weight or sustain lost weight, it is vital that you allow yourself to eat all foods, but eat the unhealthy ones in moderation. The primary reason for many diets to fail is that people reduce the foods that they allow themselves to eat so drastically that they feel anxious after awhile eating the same things time and time again. When you allow yourself to give into simple cravings, you are rewarding your body and making it less tempted to crave larger portions of the bad foods.

You should also eat small portions of every food, regardless of its nutritional content. Eating smaller portions will help your stomach adjust to consuming less food. You can also drink water to help you feel full. American’s especially have a habit of eating more than one portion of food per meal – so be aware of your food portions!

Call a Buddy

Studies prove that having a Buddy help you work out increases your chances of maintaining a diet, exercise routine, or long-term weight loss. Buddies are fabulous motivators. They will keep you attuned to your habits and help you feel accountable throughout the day. If you must, enlist the help of a partner to be an appointed weight loss guardian. He or she will be tasked with ensuring that you stick to your weight loss goals by encouraging you to report your progress several times a Times a week.

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10 Ways To A Healthier and Better You

Article Body:
Copyright 2006 Eva Moffat

1. Lose Weight 2. Take More Exercise 3. Eat sensibly, with a well balanced diet. 4. Look after your heart and it will look after you. 5. Increase your energy by speeding up your metabolism. 6. Be kind to yourself.  Make time for you. 7. Be positive.  Your thoughts are what make you what you are. 8. Enjoy Family Life, join in games and go out as a family.   9. Improve your knowledge; you are never too old to learn. 10. Drink more water, there are no calories in water.

Lose Weight

Lose weight by going on a safe weight loss plan.  Just by losing weight, you will feel better and healthier. You will look good and feel great.  That should be your Mantra.  ‘I look good and I feel great.’

The main thing is to set your goals so that you lose weight, surely, safely and you will like what you see in the mirror.  People will start complimenting you.

And you will be able to wear clothes you pushed to the back of your wardrobe, as they had shrunk. You might even find you have a brand new wardrobe.

Take More Exercise

If you are able, do more exercise to burn the calories.  Walking is extremely good. Or put on a CD and dance to the music. Don’t put on fast music that you can’t keep up with.  You don’t want to die of exhaustion.

Exercising will help you lose weight, increase your energy, and you will get the feel good feeling as your endorphins will come into play.  Endorphins are your friends.

Eat Sensibly With A Well Balanced Diet

Eat a well balanced diet. Or if you do not eat as you should, use supplementation.  Few people eat a well balanced diet. So by taking supplementation you will be getting all the right vitamins and minerals in the right amounts that your body needs.

Look After Your Heart and It Will Look After You

Your heart is the one thing that keeps you alive. Look after it and it will look after you.  If it is too late and your heart is giving you problems eg High Blood Pressure, you need to take Omega 3, 6 and 9.  Capsules are readily available from your Health Food Shop.

And most importantly, if your GP has prescribed medication, keep on taking them regularly, no matter how well you feel.

Increase Your Energy

Increase your energy by eating foods that help speed up your metabolism.  Using the Mediterranean Diet is ideal.  It will also help you to lose weight.

The Mediterranean Diet means you will be eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially dark green leafy ones.

Be Kind To Yourself by Making Time For You

Pamper yourself every so often. Love your self.

Spend an evening manicuring your nails, use a mudpack.

Put on your favourite music, or watch a video.  The point is to choose what you want to listen to or watch, not what someone else tells you to do.

Get someone to give you a massage. Aromatherapy can be very beneficial.

You may have to promise to give him or her a massage in return.  But not on the same night as your pampering session.

Be Positive.  Your Thoughts Are What Make You What You Are

Keep a positive mental attitude.  Don’t let negative thoughts take over your mind. When this happens, think of something good instead.

Keep telling yourself you feel wonderful, even if you don’t.  If you tell your subconscious mind something enough times, as it does not reason, it will believe it to be the truth.

Enjoy Family Life

Enjoy family time. Show your family that you love them.  Play games with the kids.

It is said that a family that play together stay together.

And arrange things so that you can spend an evening alone with your partner.

Improve Your Knowledge

Never stop learning.  Be like a child, keep asking why.  Curiosity does not kill the cat; it just makes it cleverer.

Drink More Water

Drink enough water to flush the toxins out of your body.  Also not drinking enough water can cause you to be constipated.

10 Powerful Keys To Healing Yourself

1. Be Present

Live in the now. The past is gone. You can never go back and make it right. You can never re-live a life that was yesterday. Live positively in the present moment, no matter what is occurring. It is All right and perfect. Do not look ahead and dread what may come. Our mind creates a lot of chatter and makes us afraid in order to keep us safe. Tell your mind "Thanks for sharing" and affirm "I am here, I am present". You are always at choice and you know how to make this day beautiful.

2. Nature

Sit on the lawn or next to a tree. Feel the pulse of the earth, the grandeur of the sky, the coolness of the breeze on your face, or the warmth of the sun on your face. Smile at nature, say hello to the bugs and all the animals you meet. Take a walk in a park or hike on a trail.

3. Exercise

Daily exercise gives you a break from your mind chatter, helps pump your heart, circulates your blood, clears toxins from your body, charges you with energy and has many other benefits. Choose an activity that is fun and mix it up. Do walking one day and yoga another day. Take a Tai Chi class and meet new people. The list of possibilities is endless.

4. Spirituality

Recognize and know you are important and unique. Meditate, or sit quietly, and be in the moment. Read books that are uplifting and have positive messages. Give thanks for your health, your home, your friends, all the joy and happiness in your life and all the good that surrounds you.

5. Forgiveness

It is time to let it go. Forgive all parts of yourself to be whole and perfect. Forgive yourself for any past mistakes or shortcomings; forgive the child within for being afraid; forgive the teenager that spoke words of anger; forgive the young adult for not being a risk taker. Forgive others in the past. Forgive your parents, your siblings and relatives. Let go of all grudges. Forgiveness is about coming to peace within yourself.

6. Bubble Bath

Give yourself permission to relax and savor quiet times. Read a book for fun. Spend that extra money and get a massage or a facial. Do something selfish for yourself.

7. Nutrition

Listen to your body. Feed it good nutritious food. Take a high quality multi-vitamin or a liquid supplement. Most health challenges can be reduced or eliminated with a dietary supplement.

8. Let Go of Judgment

Give up judgement and give up blame. Never speak critically of others or yourself. Speak words of encouragement to yourself and everyone you meet. Accept everyone for who they are and embrace their differences.

9. Service To Others

Reach out and lend a hand to a friend in need. Offer unconditional service to others. Be a great listener and really listen to people when they speak. Find ways to help others to lift their spirits and help lessen their burdens.

10. Love

Love yourself and use positive words of encouragement. Compliment strangers and make others smile. Speak from a loving heart and shine with joy.

Copyright © 2006 Wayne McDonald. All rights reserved.

10 Fun Ways To Become More Active – Every Day

You know you should be getting some sort of exercise, you know of all the health benefits that come with a more active lifestyle. You’ve tried the whole Gym thing, but it just wasn’t for you. The temptation to just sit in front of the TV, to curl up with a good book, or to spend a little extra time at your computer is just too big. Who wants to head to the gym right now anyway?

There are many other options to get more active that don’t include jogging, weight lifting or other “traditional” ways to work out. Here are a few ideas to get you moving

1) Chase your Kids around the Yard
You’d be surprised at how much of a work out you’ll get playing catch with your kids. Time will fly while you are having fun and your children will enjoy the extra time with you. Just get out there and play.

2) Turn up the Music and Dance around the Living Room
While you’re dusting, putting up dishes, straightening up the kids’ rooms, or after you’ve been sitting around for too long, just play some of your favorite upbeat music and dance around in the house. Not only will you get your heart rate up, but you’ll also have more fun doing some of those chores.

3) Plant some Flowers
When the weather is nice, just get out there and plant some flowers. Or you could start a little vegetable garden, trim some hedges, cut the grass, or plant a tree. You get the idea. Just get out there, enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and play in the dirt. Yes, this actually counts as exercise in our book.

4) Go for a Walk with a Friend
Take a walk and invite a friend to come along. I’ve had some of the best conversations while on a walk. Getting to chat with a friend makes the time fly by and before you know it you’ve been walking for 30 minutes.

5) Listen to some Music or an Audio Book while You Walk
Again, keeping your mind on something else will make the time fly by and you’ll get some extra fun out of your walk. You may even want to consider getting an MP3 Player. You can easily add what you want to listen to and go for your walk.

6) Sign up for a Yoga or Pilates Class
Consider starting a yoga or Pilates class. Both of these workouts are pretty low impact and won’t leave you sweaty and sore (mostly). You may also enjoy meeting some new people in the class.

7) Take some Dance Lessons with your Partner
Ok, here is the tough part: Convince your partner to take some dance lessons. Dancing will give you quite the workout and it’s just plain fun and of course romantic. Think about all your options here. You can pick from anything from Ball Room Dancing, to Line Dancing, to Latin etc. Pick something that sounds fun to you and go for it. You’ll enjoy the extra one on one time with your partner as well.

8) Go for a Swim at Your Local YMCA or Aquatic Center
Swimming makes for some great exercise. It is low impact and easy on your joints. Start by swimming a few laps, or play in the pool with your kids.

9) Go for a Bike Ride
Take the entire family on a bike ride. You can ride through your neighborhood in the evenings or plan a longer trip for the weekend. Pack a picnic for extra fun and start peddling.

10) Go for a Hike
Look for some hiking trails in your area and go for a hike. This could be a fun activity for you and a friend, or take the entire family along. Start with some easy trails and work yourself up to some longer or steeper trails.

Go ahead, pick one or two of the activities and get moving. I’m sure you’ll come up with plenty of versions of your own. The most important thing is to find something you enjoy, so you’ll stick with it. Get out there and get moving today.

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First Trimester Pregnancy Health Tips: What To Do About All Those Symptoms

First trimester pregnancy health tips are always so varied thanks to the fact that everyone experiences pregnancy differently, both physically and emotionally. One thing's for sure, though: just because your bump may not be visible to anyone else, it's certainly making a noticeable impact on your life even in the earliest stages!

Dealing With Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is one of the most commonly reported symptoms during a first trimester pregnancy, probably due to the fact that your body is going through so many hormonal changes. It can actually last all day, and can be very bad for some women. To help improve things you should drink plenty of water, and avoid fatty foods. It goes without saying that you'll want to avoid anything that makes you feel sick by simply thinking about it or smelling it! You can also try candied ginger or ginger tablets to help you feel better. If you can't keep anything down, including liquids, then it's vital that you consult a doctor.

Tender Breasts

One of the earliest first trimester pregnancy symptoms, even before missing a period, can be a feeling of tenderness in the breasts. They're simply preparing to produce milk for your baby, but this can be quite uncomfortable for you. Try wearing a supportive bra to ease discomfort.

Increased Urination

As the uterus starts to press on your bladder you may find that you need to urinate more often. This could be inconvenient, or even make it difficult to sleep as you wake up to urinate during the night. To help prevent this, drink less in the evenings and try to reduce your caffeine intake. Always go when you feel the need, however, as this will help prevent a urinary tract infection.

Mood Swings

Most women will find their emotions fluctuating when they’re pregnant. This is a combination of factors, from changing hormones to the increased responsibility and financial pressures to come. If you're anxious about something in particular, such as labor, then get informed and ask questions. If you're generally feeling low, then try sleeping longer, eating healthier foods, taking a walk or simply talking it through with your partner.

Other Symptoms During The First Trimester And Beyond

Pregnancy symptoms aren't limited to those listed above - far from it! Other common symptoms include heartburn, a sore back, difficulty sleeping and headaches. Every woman is different and you may experience very few symptoms, or less well-known symptoms such as bleeding gums, carpal tunnel, leg cramps, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It isn't easy being pregnant!

Visiting Your Health Care Provider

When you first discover that you're pregnant, it's important to visit your health care provider. They will go through a number of areas with you to help assess your health and to work out whether any current medication could harm the baby. They will also give you some tips on watching your health, and schedule regular appointments with you throughout the pregnancy. You should let them know if you're concerned about any of your first trimester pregnancy symptoms.

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Exploring The Top Five Causes Of Insomnia

Although we all have trouble drifting off to sleep from time to time, it can cause more stress for some than others. Insomnia occurs when you regularly have a problem either getting to sleep, or staying asleep long enough to feel refreshed when you wake up in the morning.

Although you might assume insomnia is just an unlucky condition in itself, it's usually a symptom of something else. This is why it's vital you understand the causes of insomnia and visit a doctor to rule out something more serious.

1) Stress

We've all probably experienced short term stress-related insomnia at some point in our lives. You just can't get to sleep as you have a thousand thoughts and worries running through your mind. For some, however, the insomnia stays even when the stress has gone. Some people learn to associate their bed or trying to get to sleep with being stressed or feeling “awake”.

2) Anxiety And Other Mental Health Issues

Anxiety disorders will often leave people staying awake at night, either due to physical or mental symptoms. Other causes of insomnia include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and others. Treatment of the underlying condition will often help with the insomnia.

3) Medication

Believe it or not, even sleep medication can be one of the causes of insomnia once we become dependent on using it. However, there are a whole range of other prescription medications that can make a difference - from antidepressants to hormone treatments and high blood pressure medication. It's always a good idea to discuss any medication with your doctor to make sure it's not the cause of your sleepless nights.

4) Underlying Conditions

There are a whole host of physical conditions known to be causes of insomnia. This is why you shouldn't just assume it's in your head and that you can treat yourself. It could be a sign of something more serious, so take the time out to visit your doctor to rule other problems out.

5) Drugs

Lastly, we all know that stimulants such as caffeine can keep us awake. But you may not realize that alcohol also negatively effects sleep, despite the fact that we initially feel sleepy and relaxed when we drink it. You should try to avoid these drinks before bedtime if you want to have the best sleep possible.

Remember, although you may recognize one of these causes of insomnia instantly, it's still vital that you talk to your doctor before diagnosing yourself.

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Antibacterial Cleaners: Can They Do More Harm Than Good?

The chances are that you probably own antibacterial cleaners, whether they are in the form of hand soap or cleaners for your kitchen and bathroom. But are these cleaners actually doing more harm than good?

Why Do We Need to Kill Bacteria?

It’s true that some bacteria can cause disease, illness and food poisoning. Many antibacterial cleaners promise to kill around 99% of bacteria, which helps to explain why they are so popular. After all, we all want to protect ourselves and our family from getting ill.

So Why Are Antibacterial Cleaners Bad for Our Health?

Unfortunately, antibacterial cleaners aren’t as good for us as they may seem. In the short term, their ingredients are known to irritate the skin (this is more of a problem with those that have been developed for cleaning purposes).

The FDA is currently looking into one of the major ingredients of antibacterial soaps: triclosan. Although the evidence isn't yet clear, it suggests it may have a harmful effect on humans (especially children). In the past, the FDA has also stated that there are no extra health benefits to using antibacterial soaps over regular soap and water.

Another long term result of using antibacterial products is that they make bacteria more resistant. This means that, over time, these antibacterial products will no longer be able to kill the germs they set out to kill in the first place.

The truth is that you don’t need to make your home sterile to protect yourself and your family. Bacteria is all around us, and being exposed to small amounts of it is what our body needs in order to build up its defenses against stronger bacteria. Studies have shown that sterile environments in childhood can actually lead to more allergies and other problems later in life.

The American Medical Associated (AMA) has warned against extensive use of such antibacterial cleaners for these reasons. When it comes to killing germs, simple measures like washing your hands often (with traditional rather than antibacterial soap) are a good way to protect against germs. 

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Simple Five Relaxation Techniques For Anxiety

If you regularly feel anxious or stressed it can manifest itself in many different ways, including muscle tension, headaches, chest pain and more. This is why relaxation techniques for anxiety are such an important way to relieve the tension and help your mind to feel more calm. Here are five top relaxation ideas.

1) Diaphragmatic Breathing:

When we feel anxious we may start to hyperventilate, taking very shallow breaths. This is why one of the best relaxation techniques for anxiety is to breathe using the full capacity of your lungs. To do this, imagine that you're breathing into your stomach instead of your chest. Your stomach should rise and fall each time you breathe in and out.

2) Visualization: 

Visualization is a good way of taking your mind away from whatever it is that's making you feel anxious, and training it to feel more relaxed even during situations where you wouldn't normally feel relaxed. Visualize, in detail, sights, sounds, smells and feelings that you would feel if you were in a location that made you feel relaxed and comfortable, like when you're on vacation.

3) Hypnosis:

There are a number of hypnosis relaxation guides available in MP3 form. These will help to guide your mind away from thoughts that leave you feeling stressed or anxious, and can help take you through certain methods to help your body relax, such as progressive muscle relaxation. You can find many of these for free or low cost on the internet or as an app for your smartphone. Make sure you choose one related to your specific issue. For example, there are hypnosis MP3s available for social phobia if your anxiety comes up during social situations, or you could choose hypnosis designed to help you sleep better if your anxiety is increased due to a lack of sleep.

4) Timed Breathing:

If you're stressed and try to breathe deeply you may find it difficult and actually start to hyperventilate. Instead of trying to breathe deeply, for quick relaxation before or during anxious moments you can try timing your breathing. For example, try breathing in for a count of five, and out for a count of 7. Extending your out-breath is shown to help relax your body's nervous system, and the counting gives you something else to focus your mind on.

5) Improve Your Sleep: 

Although it's not a relaxation technique in the same sense as those above, getting enough sleep is important for keeping you feeling physically and mentally relaxed. When you don't get enough sleep you may start to feel anxious, and vice versa. Some tips include writing down any worries on a piece of paper before you go to sleep to help get them out of your mind. You should also avoid caffeine, and take exercise early on in the day.

Establishing a routine helps to make sleep a lot easier. Make sure you go to bed at roughly the same time each day, don't perform activities such as watching TV or using your laptop in bed, and try to wake up at the same time each day. These tips, in conjunction with practicing the relaxation techniques for anxiety mentioned above, will help to ensure you're feeling calm and relaxed throughout the day.

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Cold Prevention - Tips to Protect Yourself From Colds

Cold and flu are the most commonly occurring illnesses in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds per year reported in the United States alone. The common cold is a self-limited illness caused by any 1 of more than 200 viruses. You usually do not need to call your doctor if you catch a cold. For more severe symptoms or a prolonged duration of symptoms, you should visit your doctor. An office visit will usually be fine.

A. How to protect yourself from cold and flu

1. Stop stress - Pushing yourself too hard depresses the immune system. When your defenses are down, you are vulnerable to a cold or flu virus.

2. Healthy diet - A healthy diet is important to keep your immune system strong. Avoid junk food and consume more fruits, vegetables and plenty of non-caffeinated liquids.

3. Taking vitamin C daily - During cold season, taking extra vitamin C helps to strengthen your defenses against cold viruses. This helps to reduce the severity of cold symptoms. Be sure to wash your hand after using any office equipment, especially when one of your co-workers have colds.

B. If you have a cold

1. Drink a lot of hot fluids Traditionally, a family member who has cold or flu is only allowed to take hot chicken soup and chicken congee, avoiding all the hard to digest and cold foods. No one knows why but it works more effectively. Hot tea also keep the nasal passages open.

2. Take an antihistamine to relieve stuffy nose.

3. Treat coughs with the right cough medicine Coughs that produce phlegm can be treated by the ingredient guaifenesin which loosens the mucus that causes you to cough. If you have a dry and irritating cough, dextromethorphan might be used to suppress it during the night so you can sleep. Unless absolutely necessary do not use antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics do more harm than good to your body.

I hope that this article will help, if you need more information please visit my home page at:

Kyle J. Norton

http://bestexpertarticles.blogspot.com/

[http://healthylivingover100yearolds.blogspot.com/]

I have been studying natural remedies for disease prevention for over 20 years and working as a financial consultant since 1990

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

Protect Yourself Against Winter Colds With Powerful Health

Winter is on its way and with it comes cold and flu season. While most people are aware that Vitamin C is crucial to your good health, there are many other steps you can take to avoid getting a cold this winter by creating powerful health for yourself with warm clothing, a healthy diet, adequate hydration, and organic herbs and superfoods.

The human body is able to defend itself against a wide variety of attackers when it is healthy. A tired, overly stressed and poorly fed and hydrated body is subject to many more illnesses and diseases. The human body simply cannot fight off infection without the proper food, sufficient water, adequate sleep, and a reasonable amount of exercise.

Virulent Viruses Need A Host But It Doesn't Have To Be You

Viruses, such as those that cause the common cold, need a host body within which to survive. Viruses are the ultimate Trojan Horse and they can be deadly. The H1N1 virus is a prime example of how fast and how far viruses can spread if not contained quickly and effectively. While no one can control the actions of others, we can protect ourselves from viruses and bacteria that make us ill by keeping our bodies in the best health possible.

Good health is the direct result of consuming healthy, natural foods, drinking plenty of fresh, clean water and staying physically active. The modern American diet, however, is packed full of preservatives, pesticides, and additives that have been shown to compromise our good health. Humans have survived for countless millennium eating wild harvested organic herbs, fruits and vegetables, and meat from animals that eat those same natural foods.

Toxins Take A Toll

The food additives in the modern diet can result in toxins building up in the liver, colon and kidneys, reducing their ability to function effectively. Each of these organ systems work to remove toxins and to get important nutrients into the blood supply. Cells that are well fed and well hydrated are better able to fight off infection and attack than unhealthy cells. You can greatly reduce the likelihood of getting sick this winter by providing your body with the superfoods necessary for powerful health.

Drinking abundant amounts of fresh, clean water is a major step toward powerful health. Eating organic herbs, grains, fruits and vegetables is another. If meat is eaten, it should be organically produced to avoid the hormones, antibiotics and other toxins that can harm your powerful health.

Alternative Healing Moves Front And Center

Until recently, alternative healing methods were scoffed at and natural cures were denied and criticized. Modern research, however, has proven the effectiveness of alternative healing methods such as chiropractic, acupuncture, vitamin and mineral therapy, and other natural healing methods. Aside from the need for surgery or other major medical conditions, there are many cases in which we can give our bodies the materials needed for self-healing without going to the doctor. Eating organic herbs, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, staying well hydrated and maintaining a positive attitude can go a long way to reducing your need for any type of health or medical insurance.

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on Powerful Health please visit http://www.herbdoc.com/.

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

How To Get Sexy And Healthy Skin In Just One Week!

You don't need to adorn your body with fancy jewels to look sexy and beautiful. All you need is healthy and blemish-free skin to feel sexy. You will look good no matter what clothes and jewels you wear.

It is time to focus on improving the health of your skin. Dedicate more of your time to pampering your dermis using the following tips:

Tip 1: Scrub it away!

You can't imagine the amount of impurities locked in the pores of your skin. Most impurities cannot be removed by facial washes or soap. You need to scrub your dermis two times a week to get rid of accumulated gunk. This will immediately make your skin softer, smoother and more vibrant.

While there are a lot of exfoliating scrubs sold in the skin care market, you can actually create your own. It is cheaper and far more effective. Try using brown sugar. Mix a splash of lemon and honey.

Lemon juice can lessen pigmentation spots on your skin. It can also tighten pores to make your skin look firm and refines. Use honey to deeply nourish your dermis. It contains several vitamins and minerals beneficial to the dermis.

Tip 2: Moisturize your body three times a day

Moisturizing two times a day is already enough. However, if you want to have soft and healthy skin fast, you should apply your body moisturizer three times a day. This will keep your skin hydrated all day long.

Make sure you use a product that contains CynergyTK, Phytessence Wakame and Nano Lipobelle HEQ10. CynergyTK is an ingredient extracted from the wool of sheep. This ingredient is comprised of functional keratin. It is a kind of protein responsible for the production of collagen and elastin.

Phytessence Wakame preserves the natural moisture content of your dermis. It gets rid of the harmful enzymes that attack hyaluronic acid. This is the acid that supplies moisture to collagen. Nano Lipobelle HEQ10 is the antioxidant that can protect you from the effects of harmful free radicals. These free radicals tend to attack cells in the body.

Tip 3: Drink Vitamin E supplement daily

Vitamin E keeps your skin tissues hydrated. This also slows down the over-all aging process of the skin. It also gives a healthy glow to your dermis.

Tip 4: Get lots of sleep

Make sure you sleep early to allow your integumentary system enough time to recover. Sleep is necessary for the repair of damaged dermis tissues.

And now I would like to invite you to visit http://www.goodhealthyskin.com to find out which are the anti aging products you should use in order to achieve clearer and radiant looking skin.

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

Benefits of Apples

You must have heard of "An apple a day keeps the doctors day". Indeed, this is true. Apples are great for anybody and everybody.

First of all, apple is a great constipation reliever. We all know that the more fiber you consume, the happier your colon is because fiber helps remove all the waste out of your colon. Not only does a medium apple have 4 grams of fiber, it also contains pectin, which is very effective at softening your stools and stimulate bowel movements. However, if you are going to use apples to cure your constipation problems, you would have to eat them on an empty stomach, because the their nutrients are best absorbed when you are on an empty stomach. I recommend eating two apples every morning you wake up. Simply eat them to detoxify your body!

Studies show that apples only have a small amount of vitamin C. But, it has an extremely high amount of antioxidants, which can protect your body from free radicals and other damages to your body.

If you have a high cholesterol, eating apples can lower your cholesterol level. By just eating 2 apples a day, you can reduce your cholesterol level by up to 10%!

If you think eating an apple is troublesome, you can replace apples with apple cider vinegar. It has the same benefits as apples and it is very convenient! You can just add 2 to 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of purified water and drink it every morning you wake up. Apple cider vinegar is especially good for aiding digestion.

Apples are no doubt great, but you have to be cautious when eating apples. You should never eat apple seeds because it can be very toxic if you eat too many. I have a cousin who had a habit of eating fruit seeds because he thought it was too troublesome to spit them out and he ended up having diarrhea.

Also, you should never buy apples that have not been stored in the cold because apples can over-ripe in just a few days. After you buy your apples, make sure you always put them in the refrigerator to prevent them from decaying.

Make eating apples or drinking apple cider vinegar a daily habit and you will soon be able to feel all the benefits of it. I personally feel like I have gained a lot of energy by eating apples everyday. Do what I do and you will receive the same benefits!

Roy Armstrong has always liked to write articles that give people the information they want and need. Not only does he write articles, you can also check out his latest websites on arm workout and liquid vitamins and minerals [http://liquidvitaminsandmineralsshop.com/].

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

4 Beauty Tips For Women To Stay Healthy And Beautiful Through The Ages

Beauty tips for women is an ongoing search, and one great temptation if you can afford it, is to use surgery to help cover up your natural aging. Sadly, there are many reports from women who feel that they now look worse after their expensive plastic surgery than they did before. Rather than taking a chance of an operation gone wrong, there are lots of tips and techniques that you can use to keep yourself looking and feeling beautiful rather than opting for an operation. In this article we will examine some beauty tips for women that will allow you to wear your age with pride and confidence.

Beauty Tips For Women #1: Diet 

Diet is perhaps one of the most important beauty tips for women towards having and maintaining a healthy look. Consuming lots of fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods does more than just benefit your general health. A diet like this also helps to prevent weight gain and increases your energy levels to keep you active during your day. These types of foods also have the benefits of encouraging strong healthy and shiny hair, strong fingernails, and results skin that has a healthy radiance.

Beauty Tips For Women #2: Water 

 

Never underestimate the importance of drinking enough water daily which makes it one of the top beauty tips for women. There are numerous benefits of avoiding dehydration, one of them being the effect it has on the appearance of your skin tone. Many common beverages such as pop, coffee and especially alcohol actually help to dry out your skin and encourage the growth of wrinkles. To avoid these dehydrating effects that may lead to wrinkles, it is important to drink lots of water and use a daily moisturizer. A simple but effective combination to reduce the occurrence of wrinkles. Smokers and sun worshippers also run the risk of seeing premature wrinkles, so it is essential that sun screen be worn on hot summer days, even when cloudy. Giving up smoking will not only discourage wrinkles, but may allow you to live longer as well, which for some of you may be the best one of these beauty tips for women in this article

Beauty Tips For Women #3: Regular Exercise

Any listing of beauty tips for women would not be complete without mentioning the need and importance of regular exercise to maintain good health and good looks as we all age. Keeping active is the key, whether you enjoy simply walking or more strenuous activities such as jogging, swimming, cycling or sports such as soccer, hockey, baseball, tennis, skiing, and the list goes on and on. All of these activities will help to keep you healthy and feeling good about yourself so that you will not even consider any type of surgery to deal with aging. Another spin-off of regular exercise is the hidden benefit it also has on your mental state and how you feel about yourself.

Beauty Tips For Women #4: Age Acceptance

Our final point in beauty tips for women is all about age acceptance. Learning to live with their age is something that many people refuse to accept. Often this age denial results in these people making complete fools of themselves in public! As an example, women in their 50s trying to dress like 20-year olds wearing tight clothing and bleached hair, when clearly they do not have the figure or appearance to pull it off. Certainly not one of the beauty tips for women that we want to encourage!

Instead learn to dress and behave in ways that are expected for people your age. Embrace your age and looks rather than trying to be someone you obviously are not, at least not for the past 20 years. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with wearing fashionable or trendy clothes or for that matter dying your hair to cover up the grey, but don't end up looking like a clown in the process! You can look and feel young at heart without being the centre of attention for the wrong reasons.

Aging is a natural process that everyone must deal with. Sadly many people refuse to accept this fact and rather than learning to live with it and look at the positives, they spend their days, and sometimes large sums of money, trying to cheat nature. Rather than searching online and reading book after book on beauty tips for women and looking for the magic pill for eternal youth they should pay attention to the basics.

Simply eat healthy foods, drink lots of water, engage in a regular exercise routine and learn how to be beautiful by following these basic beauty tips for women. This will help you to look and feel great about your current age, whatever it is now, and will be in the future. I hope that you have found these beauty tips for women useful.

Are you feeling depressed because you do not feel as beautiful as you want to be? Looking for tips and suggestions on how you can transform your looks to become more beautiful. I've been there too and know how you must be feeling. This is what prompted me to create a website devoted to showing you how to be beautiful today. For example read my 7 Beauty Tips For Girls For Creating Natural Beauty, these tips by the way are also applicable for females of all ages. Check back often for tips on hair, make-up and much more including recommended products as well. You can be beautiful today and visiting my website is your first step!

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

Keeping the Relationship Strong and Healthy

Keeping a strong and healthy relationship could be the challenge that each couple is currently facing. There are some factors that would greatly affect the relationship between husband and wife. To keep the relationship on the right track, both husband and wife should have the desire to make things more meaningful amidst whatever trials, circumstances or situation they are currently in.

There will come a time wherein you will know that the feeling towards your significant others is slowly fading and is not what it used to be. At this point of time, do not be deceived with your low feelings. Before making any decision, you must ask yourself first. What could be the reason why you are not feeling the same way as before with your significant others? There might be a problem that arises lately that would have caused the coldness. Or you or your significant others quite naturally outgrown the commitment. This is not a blame game, you just need to determine who is at fault without bias. If you can pinpoint the source why the excitement has faded between you and your significant others, you must open it up and feel free to talk about it so both you and your partner can work it out while it is not yet too late.


If you feel your relationship is precious, then take hold of it and make the most of it. You must do anything and everything just to keep it going. Do not let any single problem to interrupt your desire to nurture and tend a good and healthy foundation with your partner. Remember that everything is up to you and your partner. Nobody can keep your relationship strong and healthy except the both of you. If there are any other external factors that may affect your relationship, bare in mind the promises and the commitment you have with each other.

And most of all, keep the loyalty. If you are a husband, you must treat your wife as the most beautiful woman in the universe so that there is no other woman can take your heart away from her. If you are a wife, treat your husband as the most adorable man in the universe so nobody can take your eyes away from him. However, there are some point in the relationship where in doubts arise. You should not decide or make any move if you are in doubt with your partner about his or her loyalty. All you need to do is to verify first before judging.

Check this website [http://signsthatyourspouseischeating.com/] to determine whether you still have the loyalty of your spouse. This can help you save your relationship from misjudging.

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