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Suffering From Joint Pain?

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:20:00 +0000

Suffering From Joint Pain?

Suffering From Joint Pain?

Joint pain can be caused by any number of things. It can be the result of an injury or overuse of the joint. If your joint pain is caused by arthritis, you will need to begin your search for an effective way to treat it. But, in order to do that, you need to know the symptoms of arthritis. All forms of arthritis share the common symptoms of severe pain, loss of range of motion, and a diminished quality of life. What you will find is that this painful, life altering condition can be found in any individual at any time of their lives. But, there are joint pain treatments that can be effective.

The first thing to do when you have joint pain is to go to a doctor. Symptoms of arthritis include severe pain in the joints and other factors as mentioned above. If your pain is accompanied with fever, the advice of a doctor is urgent because this specific type of arthritis can be deadly. Arthritis can be brought on by any number of things including overuse of the joint, sports, injury, and degeneration of the joints through time. In any case, it is important to relay to your doctor when it was first noticed, any related injuries you may have had, and what types of activities you perform on a regular basis. Your doctor will determine if the pain is arthritis through x-rays and blood tests. Once the doctor knows which type you have, treatments can begin.

For instance, the joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis is a function of the immune system destroying the cartilage in the joints affected. Cartilage is what keeps the bones from grinding against each other. As your immune system eats away at your joint cartilage, pain is brought on by the formation of nerve endings in the affected area. Eventually, the pain is so sever that mobility in those joints is virtually impossible.

But, again, there are treatments that can help or reverse the damage and pain. Your doctor can lead your treatment and some things you might expect could include surgery, pain medication, physical therapy, and even loss of use of the joint. But, there are other forms of medication as well. In fact, one of the most beneficial medications is a simple natural food supplement that is not even medicine at all. It is a natural treatment that is called collagen type II. When taken, this product can stop the pain by stopping the immune system’s battle against your joints. It can then help to repair damage. In some cases, patients saw results within days, in others it took up to a few months. There are no known side effects of this treatment.

No matter what your joint pain is caused from or how you will treat it, the most important thing to remember is that you can find treatment. You can find it in a number of ways, which gives everyone a solution to try. Joint pain can effectively change and ruin your life if you let it. Or, you can fight back and regain your body’s well being.

For more information http://readaboutitnow.net/joint-advance.html

Natural Remedies For Ear Infections

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:31:00 +0000

Infections of the ear most often occur after swimming, specifically when polluted water enters the ear canal. Also scratching inside the ear to alleviate itching or trying to remove ear wax are other ways in which you can develop an ear infection. If the onset of the symptoms begins with itching followed by pain, these are signs the ear may be infected. Here are some natural remedies for ear infections which may help.

Apply a heating pad over the ear or a clean cotton pad. Keep the ear clean and dry, and remove any pus with a cotton ball. When taking a shower, wear a shower cap to prevent any water from entering the ear. Remove any water from the ear with a blow dryer.

Other natural remedies include:

1. Add a few drops of garlic juice into the ear.
2. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a ¼ cup of warm olive oil.
3. Add a few drops of warm olive oil into the infected ear.
4. Add a drop of hydrogen peroxide in the ear.
5. Heat up some baby oil and place a few drops in the ear.
6. For wax buildup which results in an infection, place a few drops of mineral oil into the infected ear and remove the loosened wax with a suction bulb.

While these are tried and true natural remedies for ear infections, you can prevent them from occurring by using a remedy that has worked for generations – take a teaspoon of cod liver oil every day. According to research, this old but familiar remedy has been proven effective.

Experts suggest taking a teaspoon of the new lemon-flavored cod liver oil followed by a multi-vitamin tablet with selenium. They assert this may also prevent ear infections in children.
Of course, if the ear infection persists after you’ve applied these natural remedies, it would be advisable to see a doctor. However, the general consensus among those who have used these natural remedies for ear infections agree that any one of the above methods do indeed work.

Choosing The Right Walking Shoe

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:58:00 +0000

Take an inventory of your shoes and determine how many pairs are most comfortable for walking. How many did you choose? One? Two? Choosing the right walking shoe is essential in preventing foot injuries and other problems.

Sure, buying a pair of the latest styles might be fashionable, but can you honestly wear them all day without grimacing in pain? Years ago, a good pair of walking shoes consisted of one style which was not at all flattering. Today, however, you have a wide variety of good walking shoes to choose from, and it is in your best interest to keep your feet healthy by selecting the appropriate walking shoe.

Some of the types of shoes which you can choose are those that are shaped like your feet and provide more toe room. With tight shoes, you run the risk of bunions, blisters, calluses, and a host of other conditions which can make your life miserable.

According to leading podiatrists, shoes should be comfortable. You should be able to wiggle your toes, and the shoes should have a sole that flexes at the ball of your foot.Also, it is important to wear the proper size. More often than not, if there is a pair of shoes we have to have, but are a bit smaller, we make the sacrifice. The end result, however, is more pain.

Have your feet sized when you go to the shoe store. As you get older, changes occur to the feet in that their size and shape become more pronounced.

The next time you are sitting at your desk or at home, and you suddenly find you’ve taken off your shoes because they are causing pain, this may be a good time to visit a good shoe store. They will not only measure your feet, but provide you with a variety of shoes more comfortable for wearing.

5 Foods To Keep You Warm and Healthy

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:50:00 +0000

There is nothing like sitting down and having a meal that leaves you feeling warm and healthy. Here are five foods that will accomplish this goal.

1. Homemade chicken soup. This is not only a healthy soup but also great for colds and flu. Served as a meal, it brings back memories of childhood and those snowy days of long ago. As a broth, it can sooth sore throats and is the best medicine for healing as well as providing a restful sleep.

2. Homemade vegetable soup. No matter what vegetables there are on hand, adding a can of chicken soup and a can of tomato sauce and there’s the makings for a soup that is healthy, hearty and full of nutrients. Serve it with or without elbow macaroni and it will leave you feeling sated as well as warm and fuzzy inside.

3. If you prefer a heartier soup, add fresh ground turkey instead of stew type meat. Turkey has less fat and adding vegetables will make this a more desirable and healthy soup for even the man in your home.

4. Another warm and healthy meal is chicken cacciatore. Remove the skin from the cutlets. Add a can of any type of vegetable as well as a can of tomato sauce and a can of sodium free chicken soup. It may be cooked in a crock-pot or a saucepot whichever is easier. Either way, this is one meal all will absolutely love and crave on those cold winter nights.

5. Eggplant parmigiana is another wonderful and healthy dish. Utilize low fat mozzarella and prepare the sauce from the tomatoes in your garden or purchase a can of sauce at the local supermarket. This favorite dish can be easily stored in containers. This can make for a hearty lunch or dinner with a nice side salad.

There are a myriad of recipes online, which can be printed out and saved for the winter months. Perhaps you have your own recipes handed down from generation to generation. Treat the whole family to these exquisite meals that are not only healthy but are guaranteed to make you feel warm all over.

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The most powerful anti-inflammatory?

Co Q10 Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:17:00 +0000

Co q10 is a very popular supplement and though a bit more expensive than other antioxidants, many praise it for helping with important areas of concern including diabetes, gingivitis and congestive heart issues.

Co q 10 is found in body tissues of the heart, liver, pancreas and other organs. It is also something that decreases in our body with age.

One exciting study has been testing coq10 with people suffering from early Parkinson's disease. There was a 40 percent slower progression of the disease for those on a high dose of this supplement compared to those on the placebo.

Many Japanese physicians recommend coq10 to patients for their hearts. A UK study has found significant improvement both in the thickness of the left ventricular wall of the heart and mitral valve flow.

Researches have found that statins (medications that lower cholesterol) lower the amount of coq10 in the body and this has been discussed by experts as a concern.

Annual Pap Smears Don’t Stop Cervical Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:55:00 +0000

Cervical cancer is a growing epidemic in younger and sometimes in older women. It is a very serious cancer and can often be deadly. The real problem is that it is now entirely possible to detect it early or even prevent it from occurring at all. However, most women don’t take the time and precautions to educate and protect themselves against this disease.

Cervical cancer caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. While not all kinds of HPV cause cervical cancer, all cervical cancer is caused by HPV. Also, even if you have a strain of HPV that does cause cancer, the HPV could go away on its own and never become serious.
HPV can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse or other membrane to membrane contact. Unlike most other STDs, condoms provide poor protection against HPV transmission. The types of HPV that cause cancer usually produce no visible symptoms and therefore go untreated and lead to cervical cancer or are spread to other sexual partners.

Currently, the most used defense against cervical cancer is called the pap smear. This is a procedure that is routinely performed during your yearly gynecological exam. The doctor uses a tool to take a sample of your cervix and send it to the lab for analysis.

The tissue is simply examined to determine whether the cells that were collected are normal or abnormal. If you have an abnormal pap smear, this usually indicates that you have HPV or cervical cancer. The doctor will ask you to have other tests run and come in more often for pelvic exams.

The biggest problem is with pap smears is that they aren’t always conclusive. Many women are told they have an abnormal pap smear, come back for several other tests, but are still given no diagnosis or treatment. The doctor basically maintains a “watch and wait” stance. This may allow HPV to turn into cervical cancer, making it much more serious.

While cervical cancer is a serious condition, it’s not the only danger to your reproductive health. When you go in to get your annual pelvic exam, you probably have noticed that the pap smear takes up very little time. This is because your doctor is also checking for other reproductive issues. While they may seem secondary to cancer, they can be just as dangerous or painful and are just as important to keep track of.

Pap smears are an effective way of detecting HPV and possibly preventing cervical cancer. But why would you want to prevent just the cervical cancer when you can prevent HPV altogether?
Recently, vaccines have come on the market that can prevent many types of HPV. If given at least 5 years before exposure, these vaccines are very effective at preventing you from ever getting HPV or cervical cancer. Just remember, you still need regular pap smear and pelvic exams to remain cancer-free.

It is important for you to take the proper precautions if you want to stay healthy and happy.

A New Approach To Type 2 Diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:54:00 +0000

Diabetes is an epidemic. Nearly one fourth of the United States population is either already diagnosed with diabetes, or have prediabetes or Syndrome X. Two out of three Type 2 diabetics don’t have their blood sugar level under control even while taking medications. Almost no symptoms are seen in the first couple of years of the disease. When complications set in, it is even harder to control blood sugar levels, and do what is necessary to remain healthy.

Most diabetics don’t check blood levels regularly after the first six months after a diagnosis. Many more are not following healthy diet plans or getting the exercise they need. Most patients diagnosed with prediabetes, or those diagnosed with the disease find their levels are not controlled when they have a yearly check up. Only when they find themselves on several medications for insulin sensitivity and insulin do they realize how important it was for them to exercise and eat healthy.

Despite all the warnings considering potentially life-threatening problems because of diabetes, most Type 2 diabetics are resigned to the disease and are not controlling it. The medical community is concerned about the response they receive from diabetics who are not controlling the disease. They wonder what it will take to make them “wake up and smell the coffee.”

Physical, emotional, and behavioral problems that put people more at risk for diabetes. The profiles of patients with Type 2 diabetes includes excess fat around the middle, poor self-esteem, chronic stress, negative emotions, and unhealthy lifestyles. If the patient hasn’t taken care of their body in the past, it is hard to stress the importance of doing so after a diabetes diagnosis. Self-care is not one of the priorities for them. Most are focused on pleasing others and refuse to put themselves first. Some don’t care enough about themselves enough to work on controlling their diabetes despite the fear of life threatening complications. It is easier for them to go into denial or just resign themselves to the disease than to make the effort to take control of it. Is fear the answer? Fear seems to drive people more toward anger, resentment, and denial.

If they start on the path to a healthier lifestyle, often they don’t stick with it because they don’t have the support they need. If they have had trouble keeping their blood sugar levels under control, they get discouraged, that leads to acceptance of the disease, and they quit working on controlling it.

The best approach is a gradual change in lifestyles. Behavioral changes are important for the newly diagnosed diabetic to succeed in controlling their disease. It doesn’t always have to be drastic or strict. It can be a gradual change in eating healthier meals, consuming less refined sugar, exercising, and getting more sleep. The goal is to enable the patient to make choices that are healthy, fun, and personally motivating. A support structure needs to be in place to encourage and recognize successes for the diabetic.

The bottom line is, the person has to want better health. You can’t force good health on anyone. Those that already have diabetes or predisposed to the disease are struggling with other symptoms of low self-esteem. With a group of supporters that understands their issues and gives them better ways of taking care of their health, may be all that is needed to help them take care of themselves before it is too late.

Read about How To Lower Your Blood Sugar

Breast Health And Diseases

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Sat, 12 May 2007 15:38:00 +0000

The female breasts are a very important part of the female body. Their proper health needs to be maintained. An inability to do so may result in breast related diseases. There are various other conditions that can affect the female breasts. Due to this, care has to be taken and certain tips should be followed for healthy breasts. Diseases that affect the breast include benign fibrocystic breasts as well as breast cancer.

Some information about one particular disease that affects the female breasts is given. Knowledge about the cause and treatment of breast cancer is inadequate. Breast cancer can develop irrespective of the age group. Breast cancer need not necessarily run in families. Breast cancer can happen to any women. But if there are cases of breast cancer within the family then chances increase considerably. So, it is better to get a check up done regularly. Usually, people think that breast cancer occurs due to the presence of a gene that has been mutated. This mutated gene could be BRCA1 or even BRCA2. The absence of this gene doesn't imply that breast cancer will not occur. About ninety percent of women who are detected with breast cancer do not have this particular mutated gene in them or in their family.

Breast cancer does not really develop if the women are exposed to risk factors that are already known. In spite of not knowing the risk factors women can fall prey to breast cancer. A major portion of women who have breast cancer have not really had any exposure to the existing risk factors. This implies that each and every woman has equal chances of developing breast cancer. Unfortunately, breast cancer is not a disease that can be prevented completely. A drug called Tamoxifen can reduce the chances of suffering from breast cancer. But complete prevention is not possible. The cause of breast cancer is still not known. The only method of living through breast cancer is to detect it early and get it treated.

Breastfeeding can reduce the chances of occurrence of breast cancer in the perimenopausal stage. Studies have been conducted to find out if hormone replacement can be done in order to reduce the chances of breast cancer. In spite of tremendous research in the field of breast cancer, its causative factors are relatively unknown. Proper care of breasts should be taken to maintain good health.

Herbal Sleeping Aids

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 22:25:00 +0000

We all know how we feel when we haven’t had a decent nights sleep, grumpy and out of sorts with those around us. Sometimes our sleep problems can be due to stress or anxiety, problems in our life or sometimes there doesn’t seem to be any apparent reason for our restlessness.

With the majority of us needing around 8 hours sleep per night in order to function at our best, we will often try anything from listening to our favorite music to counting sheep to eventually getting so fed up and tired that we drag ourselves to the doctor’s in the hope that he will prescribe a sleeping aid.

Even if your doctor provides you with some relief, it is usually only in the short term and if problems persist then you could find yourself back to square one. Or even worse you have more trouble sleeping when you come off the pills. There is another way you could find sleep and that is by turning to an herbal remedy. Here are some of the most popular natural remedies:

Trytophan
There is a natural substance called Tryptophan that is an essential amino acid. It is found in dairy products and foods that are high in protein, it is also known for its particular effect when it comes to calming the system. Common sources include, milk, bananas, turkey, peanuts and eggs

Calcium
Calcium is another naturally calming agent, this is also found in many dairy products and can help the body and mind to calm down after a busy day and rest.

Herbal teas
There are a huge variety of herbal teas which can help you to get a good night sleep; the most widely used as a sleeping aid include chamomile, lemon balm, passion flower, peppermint and red clover.

Melatonin
Melatonin is a substance that is naturally produced by the body, usually when the body is asleep or resting. It is a hormone that has been studied extensively and is thought to help around 5% of those whose have sleep problems.

Other possible remedies
Valerian, chamomile, California poppy, Skullcap and St.Johns wort are all worth mentioning. In fact some of the ingredients listed can be found in many over the counter remedies that are sold in health food stores.

While the possibility of becoming addicted to any form of sleeping aid is always there, herbal remedies provide no exception. However, natural remedies do not carry as much risk of addiction as do traditional medications prescribed by a doctor.

Read more at Supplement Powerhouse

Diet Fads Versus a Sensible Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 13:43:00 +0000

Diet fads are a dime a dozen as we all know. Every year there is one or more new ways to lose weight and sometimes it's just an old diet being revived. The ones with the most hype usually get the most customers and people jumping on board to try them while other people jump off after trying it and getting another disappointment.

First of all, the promoters of these fads know that people will come and go like they do through a revolving door, but they aren't too worried because everyone leaves their little monetary deposit on the way through. Some other plans that have a more sensible approach also have people coming and going because many people find it too difficult and/or don't get results as fast or as much as they wanted. Others go through because they try every new diet that comes along thinking they have finally found the magic one and when it doesn't give them the magic, they go looking again.

One present fad is people (mostly women) getting up earlier in the morning and going to a weight loss center and exercising. We all need exercise, but exercising just to lose weight is a losing game except for the gym owner. People usually come and go with this approach too because it never gives them all the weight loss they desired.

Another approach is the plans that promote "special" foods that they want you to purchase which is rather amusing since all they are trying to do is get you to eat healthier non-fattening foods. All one has to do to get healthy non-fattening food is to learn what is good for the body and then purchase these items from local stores. These "special" foods usually have a pretty special price tag too.

The most important step in losing weight is to feed the body what it needs via healthy food. Food that is super healthy is also non-fattening. For example, one can eat fresh, uncooked fruit and vegetables all day and not get fat. When the body receives proper nutrition it automatically sheds unneeded pounds. There are extreme cases where organs/glands aren't functioning at 100% capacity and this results in weight gain because foods aren't being processed properly, but this malfunction is usually due to improper nutrition in the first place.

The best way to lose weight is to learn what healthy foods are and some basics about how your body processes foods. Then you will come to realize that it is more what you eat than how much you eat. A good place to start is the bookshelf in a local health food store as well as asking questions. If asked, most people would say that they eat healthy, but if pressed further to explain what healthy eating really is, most do not know how to describe it. For some reason most people think that if they get enough to eat in regard to volume, they are giving their body what it needs and this is actually far from the truth. Also, most people will not pay attention to their health until they have problems. The good part is that a healthy diet can correct many problems without involving doctors or spending a lot of money.

Preventing Cold and Flu Viruses

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 02:58:00 +0000

Cold and flu germs are inhaled with every breath we take. Even in the warm and sunny months of the year, these germs are taken in. So why do we continually get colds and flu? Our body's immune system works hard to try and fight off these unwanted cold and flu viruses.
When a person gets sick, they slow down and will more than likely stay home in hope that they will get better and be able to return to their daily activities soon.

Is it just bad luck that a person can get a cold or flu as many people think? Well, extensive research tells us differently. It has been proven that some things can be done to prevent cold and flu viruses. Becoming a willing host is not one of them.

For the immune system to become stronger, there are four key categories to consider: Sleep, nutrition, exercise and stress management.

If a person loses sleep their body is unable to repair and restore all of its functions, including the immune system. We all know this from first-hand experience: just a couple of poor nights sleep and before you know it, we find ourselves fighting off a sore throat or cold. This is what is known as being a willing host.

Foods can contribute significantly to better immune function. All the necessary anti-oxidants can be found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Chicken soup, garlic, green tea, mushrooms and cayenne pepper are all recommended for preventing and fighting off cold and flu viruses.

Several herbal supplements and naturopathic remedies stimulate immune system function. Ginseng and Echinacea have been found to be of benefit after being tested in several clinical trials. These products are very well known because they have a good reputation for working, and they are available in health food stores and pharmacies.

There are other nutritional products that can be beneficial in preventing cold and flu viruses. They are vitamins A, C, E, zinc, astragals, aloe vera and beta-glucan.

Junk foods and sugar should not be part of your diet if you are trying to prevent cold and flu viruses. Other harmful addictive substances and tobacco can damage the body's immune system.

Exercise is also a highly significant and well-known method of preventing colds and flu. People, who run often and participate regularly in any form of exercise, very rarely get any type of cold or flu virus.

Excessive levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, can be associated with some cancers, post-traumatic stress disorder, Type two diabetes, anxiety and depression. Health practitioners recommend natural stress management strategies as an important part of maximum health.

For the most part, it is the simple yet practical choices that we make which will determine whether one will come down with any type of cold or flu virus. A person cannot get more natural remedies for preventing any type of cold and flu viruses than, plenty of sleep, good diet, and the right amount of exercise and stress management. Not to mention that they are known to work, and there are no negative side effects.

Superfoods for Super Bones

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 19:19:00 +0000

Many people believe that the primary cause of osteoporosis is the lack of calcium in their diet. However, in the overall picture, calcium is only a small piece of the puzzle. Though calcium supplements can certainly help, there are other dietary concerns that need to be examined.

Actually, the primary dietary cause of osteoporosis is the eating foods that are highly acidic in nature, such as refined white sugar, refined white flour, high-fructose corn syrup, soft drinks, cookies, candies, sweets, desserts, and anything containing sweeteners. The over-consumption of these products causes the pH level in your blood to become very acidic. In an attempt to counterbalance this, your body reaches out for any calcium and magnesium it can find, and releases those into your bloodstream in an attempt to keep the pH level at a healthy balance.

Therefore, with every soft drink, candy, cake and goodie you indulge in, you are robbing your skeleton of its bone density. The calcium and magnesium the body harvests in an attempt to counteract this acidic environment gets passed through your kidneys, where it can also contribute to kidney stones and exits your body through your urine. To prevent losing your bone mass to dietary causes, simply avoid consuming any white flour, processed sugars, added sugars, soft drinks, sweets, candies, breads, or any other ingredients that are made with refined carbohydrates.

In addition, certain superfoods, like broccoli, cabbage, celery and other dark green leafy vegetables help keep the pH balance in a healthy equilibrium. You need to get plenty of calcium and magnesium from healthy sources such as organic, plant-based vitamins. You also need to supplement your diet with various sea vegetables, which are naturally alkaline. Those include seaweed, kelp, and many others. Sprouts are also an awesome superfood choice.

Diseases That Could Destroy Your Liver

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 04:01:00 +0000

There are many diseases associated with the liver. This brief article is going to cover some general information about three major and most common diseases that can affect the liver.

First of all, Jaundice. Yellow Jaundice is a diseased state in which bile accumulates in the blood stream and colors all the body tissues yellow. This is first noted in the whites of the eyes, but eventually it covers the entire body and may even be seen in urine and perspiration which may have a yellowish tint. This disease is usually caused by one of these three situations. Firstly, it may be an inherited disease involving the spleen. Secondly, it may be due to gallstones blocking the duct from the liver. Thirdly, it may be caused by a liver infection commonly known as Hepatitis.

Uncovering the exact cause of jaundice may be a very difficult task even for the most learned physicians. Besides requiring an accurate and lengthy history, a detailed examination is necessary along with numerous laboratory tests to confirm or dispel all possibilities. We should realize that only the physician is qualified to recognize the extremely serious symptoms of this disease. Though its cause may be deeply rooted, jaundice is often relieved through good medical treatment. Do not self medicate for this disease as delays in getting treatment may result in worsening of the condition.

The second disease that may harm the liver is Hepatitis. Hepatitis is often caused by a viral attack on the liver in which painful swelling of the organ may be felt on the right side of the body. It has a long course of recovery and full recovery is not guaranteed, although many patients do recover fully. The symptoms of hepatitis has a slow onset and therefore, difficult for early detection. It is usually accompanied by the usual fever, a distinct loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Jaundice also frequently occurs with hepatitis, a disease which demands the very best of medical care.

The third disease that is commonly known to damage the liver is the cirrhosis of the liver. Although it is one of the most common liver diseases, it is also one of the most poorly understood. The liver has a roughened, hobnail appearance which was formerly thought to be the direct result of chronic alcoholism. As its cause still remains a mystery, it may exist undetected for many years.

Occasionally, swelling of the abdomen from an accumulation of watery fluids within may arouse the patient's suspicion that something is wrong. At other times, sudden vomiting of large amounts of blood from a ruptured, enlarged vein within the stomach is the first indication of disease.

In the later stages of cirrhosis, blood cannot circulate easily through the liver and is forced to find and build new channels through which to flow. Large veins can then be seen on the surface of the abdomen and the skin covering the chest wall of these individuals. Cirrhosis usually is diagnosed after it has existed a long time, and is then considered incurable but physicians can usually prolong life comfortably through medication, blood transfusions, diet and other measures.

The liver is one of our most vital organs. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle and diet is important in preventing these life threatening diseases. Continued study of liver functions and diseases are being carried out constantly in many medical research programs in the hope of providing patients with a better quality of life.

Probiotics And Their Effect On The Body

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 14:48:00 +0000

Probiotics are nutritional supplements that contain strains of beneficial bacteria. You might wonder why someone would actually introduce bacteria into their diet. Bacteria are living in your body right now, over 3 pounds of it just in your intestines. That probably makes you want to run to the doctor's office and pick up a prescription for antibiotics. But before you do, you should realize that not all bacteria are the same. Everyone's body has a combination of good bacteria and bad bacteria living in it. The object is to have more good bacteria than bad, and this is where Probiotics come into play. They replenish the good bacteria and allow it to thrive and crowd out the illness-causing bad bacteria. And overgrowth of bad bacteria can lead to, or complicate a variety of diseases and even in an otherwise healthy person can cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. Doctors in Europe have long recommended probiotics to their patients, and finally, many doctors in the United States are starting to follow their lead.

Bad bacteria can enter your body in a variety of ways. It's in the food we eat. It's on the door handles that we touch the phones that we answer. In short, bad bacteria are all around us. It enters the body and takes up residence in the small and large intestine, and once there, it flourishes. It latches on to the intestinal wall and begins to affect digestion. It causes inflammation of the intestinal lining and begins to inhibit the absorption of many nutrients. It even begins to produce toxic substances, like alcohols and aldehydes. The least serious result of bad bacteria in the gut is gas and bloating, mild abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea. But there are serious side effects as well. Overgrowth of bad bacteria is thought to contribute to many of the intestinal disorders we suffer with, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chrones disease, and Leaky Gut Syndrome. All in all, bad bacteria are bad for your body.

Lucky for us, researchers discovered probiotics, or good bacteria. Most of you probably know more about good bacteria than you think. We've all heard of Acidopholus, right? It is the main culture of most commercially prepared yogurt. We've all been told to look for the label stating "Live and Active Cultures." In essence, yogurt is a very weak probiotic. It contains a specific strain of bacteria that is normally found in our bodies. But this is not the kind of bacteria that makes us sick. This is a good bacterium. And there are many different varieties of it. Good bacteria enter our system, and again take up residence in the intestines. It fights with bad bacteria for nutrients and food, and if there are enough good bacteria, it will crowd out the bad and leave us with a more balanced system. It reduces the amounts of toxic substances in the gut and allows for the more effective production of digestive enzymes, such as lactase, which is needed to digest dairy products. In many cases, people with food sensitivities notice a reduction of their symptoms when they begin a long-term regimen of probiotics. Good bacteria also protect the lining of the intestines and allow our bodies to more easily fight off infection.

There are even more benefits to probiotics. Pediatricians in Finland performed a double-blind placebo controlled study with pregnant and nursing women. They found that women taking probiotics during pregnancy and breastfeeding reduced the chance of infants developing eczema, and also helped to prevent allergies in babies. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a doctor who uses a combination of holistic measures and standard drugs to treat his patients, taking a probiotic every day can reduce or reverse problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis, bad breath or body odor, developmental delays in some children, yeast infections, high cholesterol levels, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and frequent colds and flu.

So, while we should all probably take a probiotic every day, there are some times in our lives when we should "double up". Antibiotics are quite effective at killing off the bacteria that make us sick, but they also kill off the good bacteria. And science has shown that the bad always grows back more quickly. You need to actively replenish your system with probiotics to rebalance your body. You should also increase your probiotic intake after vaccinations, when you are sick with a cold or flu, and any time you have diarrhea.

Also, it is important to note that just eating yogurt is not enough. You need a quality probiotics with at least 10 to 16 different strains of live bacteria. Each strain of bacteria works slightly differently with your body, and some strains only take up residence in the small intestine. Probiotics are available in a powdered capsule form, and also as a liquid mixed with dairy. For children, the capsules can be opened and added to their favorite cold drinks. Many brands suggest refrigeration, and probiotics in general have a relatively short shelf life. In a perfect world, you should never heat a probiotic, or add it to a warm liquid, as this will kill the live cultures. But, a study done by Eyal Raz from the University of California, found that good bacteria is just as effective dead as it is alive.

Your doctor may be able to give you additional information about probiotics, though many doctors in the United States are just learning about these supplements. You may find it helpful to search out a doctor who uses a combination of holistic remedies and standard drugs. In any case, you should look into probiotics as a way to improve your health.

Shopping and Lifestyle Tips for Healthy Weight Loss

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Tue, 30 May 2006 20:19:00 +0000

Don't you wish there was an easy-to-follow practical primer to tell you all the things you should and shouldn't do to help you lose weight? I'm not talking about food choices here - there are dozens of eating plans available. I'm referring to a simple list of do's and don'ts that you can follow in your everyday life to make it easier to stick to your diet. Here are ten tips that I've found work wonders to help avoid temptation and keep me on track.

Shopping Tips

1. Shop the outside aisles.

Supermarkets are designed with the four basic food groups around the perimeter. If you stick to the outside aisles, you'll find produce, bakery, dairy and meat - exactly what you should be buying. Avoid going up and down the aisles where processed 'convenience' foods lurk to tempt you from your good intentions.

2. Don't shop hungry.

It's an old tip, but it works. When you're hungry, everything looks good - especially quick, empty calories. Make it a point to shop on a full stomach and you'll find yourself saving both money and calories.

3. Buy fresh, whole and organic whenever you can.

Processing depletes nutrients and adds calories. If you have a choice, buy fresh vegetables and fruits and whole grain products. Skip the highly processed snack foods and 'convenience' dinners.

Setting Goals

1. Set reasonable, attainable goals for yourself. Remember that a healthy, sustainable weight loss is about 1-2 pounds per week. Setting the goal to lose 30 pounds by next month is setting yourself up for failure.

2. Break your goals down if you have to. The thought of losing 100 pounds can be daunting. Instead, make it your goal to lose 10 pounds this month, or to get through the week without cheating on your diet.

3. Reward yourself! There's nothing more motivating than promising yourself a special treat when you reach a goal - but don't keep rewards just for big milestones. Make a list of positive reinforcers that you can dip into whenever you avoid temptation or need a little boost.

Measuring and Weighing

1. Measure your progress by dress size instead of pounds. Why? One of the by-products of eating healthy and exercising daily is converting fat to muscle. Muscle is denser, and weighs more than fat - but you're still getting smaller, and your clothing will tell you the truth.

2. Measure your food for the first month. Our concept of portion size has been greatly distorted by restaurants, magazine ads and our own eating habits. Invest a month in learning what a real portion looks like - weigh or measure everything.

3. Measure your day in steps - steps walked, that is. Counting the steps you walk each day and aiming to increase them to 10,000 steps daily is a great way to add exercise to your diet. (Hint: Invest in a pedometer!)

Attitude

1. Treat yourself well! Losing weight is something you're doing because you love yourself. Remember to reinforce yourself regularly for your hard work.

2. Focus on your health, not your weight. Eat healthy, exercise sensibly, and put in some 'me time' every day.

3. If you slip, forgive yourself and start again. Every day is a new day, and every day brings you closer to the new you.

Download your free copy of Achieve Your Goals now.

Using Hypnosis To Quit Smoking

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Fri, 12 May 2006 03:49:00 +0000

All habits, inhibitions, and mental blocks are stored in our subconscious mind. With each of these factors there are associated feelings and sensations. Some time in the past these emotional inputs - feelings and sensations - were experienced repeatedly. The repetition reinforced those emotions and made them more dominating than other emotions. The subconscious mind tries to re-live the experience, creates situations so that dominating emotions appear again and again and get further reinforced. As a result the subconscious mind creates and maintains self-made limitations.

To take an example, say a person has a habit of smoking. There are physical and mental sensations connected with smoking. The subconscious mind will try to experience those sensations again. It will create a situation in which smoking will become a "necessity". The data stored with the subconscious will be confirmed and the subconscious mind will happily conclude that smoking is a necessity.

To break any bad habit or limitations set up in the subconscious it will be necessary to change the conviction held by it. The stored emotions of bad habit will have to be replaced with desirable emotions. Hypnotism is one of the methods for changing the beliefs held by the subconscious mind.

There are two broad stages in the process of hypnotism.

1. Relaxation
2. Focus on the problem

In the relaxed condition the subconscious mind is more receptive. You will need to have some perfection in achieving relaxation by practicing stage 1 several times. This is a necessary precondition for hypnosis. After you are sufficiently trained in relaxation you can divert your attention to problem solving. By this technique it is possible to solve virtually any personal problems.

Relaxation

Try to recall an event in which you felt totally relaxed. It could be your recent vacation or meeting with old friends or time you spent in reserve forest away from daily problems. It could be any situation with which memory of your relaxation is connected. If you cannot recall any event you can invent one in your imagination. You can have a combination of real life and imaginary situations.

After deciding the situation you will mentally go there. Write down the steps for going there from your present position. Your steps could be something like this.

1. I am sitting comfortably on my favorite chair.
2. Now I am shutting out my worries.
3. My nerves have calmed down and I am feeling more relaxed.
4. My breathing is becoming more rhythmic and relaxed.
5. I am breathing more deeply. (Concentrate on your breathing for a minute or two.)
6. I am feeling that I have descended into Endcity Park. (Try to remember the park in detail.)
7. I am enjoying the natural surroundings, the smell of fresh air, all around there is feast for my eyes.
8. The atmosphere is so soothing and relaxing.
9. I feel totally relaxed.
10. I am totally relaxed.

After writing these steps, revise and remember them thoroughly because once you start the process of relaxation you cannot break to consult your notes.

In the entire process of relaxation you will be talking to yourself. You can silently talk to yourself or record your talk in your voice and play the recording when you want to relax. While recording speak in slow and soothing voice. For each step give sufficient time in your recording to experience the feelings as if you are really there.

When you are ready to start the process, sit comfortably in your favorite chair. Close your eyes, silently start talking to yourself and go through the steps one by one. (Or play the recording). Give sufficient time and stress to each step to capture the emotions. After you reach equivalent of step 10 given in the example above you can retrace your steps and return back to normalcy. You should practise these steps few times so that you are able to relax quickly at will.

Now you are ready to focus on your attention on resolving the problems. From step 10, or its equivalent, you can go directly to the next stage.

Focus on Problem Solving

There are several methods of concentrating on the problems. A method called 'pattern interrupting' works well for eliminating habits like smoking. In this method you start with writing the steps and feelings associated with execution of your bad habit.

If you wish to quit smoking, make a list of all the steps you take when you smoke. Following steps are only suggestive; you can make your own steps:

1. I am totally relaxed (you will be continuing from the relaxed position).
'2. I have an urge to smoke.
3. I take out a cigarette. There goes my 50c (or whatever the cost of one cigarette).
4. I take out my lighter.
5. I can already feel the excitement of smoking.
6. I light my cigarette.
7. I am now smoking (remember the taste and the sensation of smoking).
8. My cigarette is over and I throw away the stub.
9. The evil act of smoking is over. At last!
10. Feeling of guilt.
11. Feeling of mischievous accomplishment because I finished my cigarette before Anita could see me smoking.
12. Comforting feeling that I will not be smoking for some time at least.
13. I am still relaxed.
14. What a great achievement it will be when I totally quit smoking.

After writing down the steps, try to remember them.

Next time after you are in relaxed stage start with the steps to focus on the problem. Try to re-live the experience. After completing the steps again think of steps 2 to 12 but not sequentially. Think of the steps in random order to break the pattern. Try to think of each step randomly about 3 times.

Now think of desirable steps. For example, you can concentrate on these steps:

1. I am totally relaxed.
2. It is good that my last cigarette is over.
3. It feels great just to think that I will not smoke again.
4. I am happy that I will not have to hide anything from Anita.
5. What a sense of achievement. I have finally quit smoking. I have done it!
6. This is the victory of my will power over my useless habit.
7. I am still relaxed.

After repeating those desirable steps few times you can slowly come back to your normal self.

Hypnotism has amazing power. When used properly it can bring about tremendous benefits. It is a formidable tool and should be used wisely.

Check out this Underground Hypnosis Course.

Dietary Supplements - Botanicals

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 14:13:00 +0000

What is a botanical? The study of plants is called botany, so a botanical is a plant, or part thereof, that is valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties. Some people groups have used these botanical – or herbal - supplements for thousands of years to alleviate some conditions. However, even though they are gaining in popularity, many professional health carers in the western world still doubt their usefulness.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (1994) has ruled that before a botanical can be classified as a dietary supplement, it must…

· Be intended to supplement the diet.
· Contain one or more dietary ingredient like vitamins, or their constituents.
· Be intended for use in oral form such as tablets, capsules liquid or powder.
· Be labelled on the front that it is intended as a dietary supplement.

Many herbal remedies meet these criteria. They are also packaged and sold as teas and infusions, tinctures and extracts, and are becoming increasingly popular in western countries, being used to relieve mild conditions instead of what is seen as the harsher chemical alternative.
For instance, ginger in various forms is used to combat travel and morning sickness, because it does not make the consumer drowsy and dry in the mouth as do some other over-the counter, or even prescription, drugs. It can be taken as a tea, a tablet or in the form of a lolly (sweet). There are many herbal products on the market, and some claim to help mental ability, while others are said to increase strength or energy, help you sleep, or cope with stress. Most of them are quite expensive, so make sure you really do need that product before you buy it.

If you have a disease or are on medication of any kind and wish to try an herbal remedy, it would be wise to consult a knowledgeable health professional before doing so. Some herbal remedies have been shown to react adversely to chemical substances.

Many people accept herbal medications as safe because they are ‘natural’, but this is not necessarily so. Many plants are poisonous, or may have serious side effects or give allergic reactions when taken by susceptible individuals. One such case is bee pollen. Just as you can be allergic to bee stings without knowing it (if you’ve never been stung) so an allergy to bee pollen may also be present. While many herbal concoctions can be useful, you should always approach new herbal products with caution. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Picture Perfect Posture

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 21:07:00 +0000

Picture perfect posture is something we all strive for, but it doesn't exist. The reality today is that most people's posture falls far short of the ideal. Poor posture is not only unflattering - it's a little known health risk. Worse yet, the adverse effects of postural misalignment tend to slowly and silently accumulate over time until substantial pain and even disability occur.

Hunching over your desk to do computer work all day might not seem problematic, until the damage is done and you realize you can no longer straighten up! By adulthood, most of us have already fallen into some poor postural habits (of which we may or may not be aware). You can check for some asymmetries in your body by looking in a mirror.

As early as age 8, there is evidence of widespread postural changes associated with dominant hand use. A typical pattern for a right handed individual is as follows: right shoulder is lower than the left, Pelvis is deviated slightly toward the right, right hip is slightly higher, slight deviation of the spine to the left, and the left foot is more flat than the right. Some deviations may be only detectable by the trained eye of a professional such as a chiropractor, doctor, or physical therapist, while others may be quite obvious. Many of these postural deviations are thought to have developed because our society has become quite sedentary. (Can you say, "Couch Potato"?) Even young children are exhibiting signs of postural stress related for sitting for long periods of time in school or while playing computer games. It used to be unheard of for a child to complain of neck and back pain not related to trauma. A poor sitting position causes the entire back and pelvis to round out, as well as the head to come forward in a typical "slump" position.

The human body can be visualized as a kinetic chain. Our joints are linked together in such a way that the position of one joint affects the position of all the others. In other words, segments of the body cannot move in isolation. They are all interconnected. When our major joints are stacked appropriately, the human body can be maintained upright with little muscular effort, little stress to ligaments, and equally distributed compressive forces. However, when posture is less than optimal, imbalances cause increased stress to the muscles, bones and connective tissue which affects the whole kinetic chain.

Our modern day society seems to encourage faulty alignment through the repetitive and restrictive nature of certain work related and everyday activities. People who perform the same activity over and over again in the same position are overusing some muscles and underutilized others. Our bodies easily adapt to the demands we place on them. The dominant hand or leg may become very strong, while the non-dominant side weakens, creating widespread strength and flexibility imbalances. Other muscles attempt to compensate until they too become compromised.

Potential sources of pain include muscle spasms and fatigue, ligament strain, pinching of nerves and blood vessels, joint inflammation and arthritis. Individuals may seek medical attention as a result of the chronic pain, functional limitations and disability associated with postural dysfunction. It is unfortunate that we only tend to recognize that we have a problem when our body's are "screaming" at us. Many postural issues go on ignored until the person experiences a traumatic event. The application of an acute stress, in addition to the chronic postural stress, can result in an injury that might otherwise have been very minor. For example, the victim of a rear-end auto collision at only 5 miles per hour is diagnosed with whiplash due to poor alignment of his/her head to their neck which predisposed them to substantial injury.

Neck pain is highly correlated with poor posture and a forward head position (FHP) is often implicated. Ideally, the ear should be vertically in line with the shoulder. The development of FHP is attributed to occupational or repetitive postures requiring prolonged sitting, forward leaning, habitual slouching and as a result poor vision. The best example of this is working in front of your computer. The extensor muscles in the back of the neck must contract excessively to hold the head up and keep the eyes level. The muscles in the front of the neck become overly stretched and weakened. FHP is frequently associated with Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, headaches, pinched nerves, and arthritis in the neck. The position of the head also affects the orientation of the shoulder, arm and hand. FHP may also be implicated in carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist.

Accompanying the adverse musculoskeletal changes is the loss of position sense. Over time, and individual with FHP loses the ability to position the head correctly on the cervical spine. Eventually poor posture progressively begins to feel like the body's norm.

The good news is that correction of postural alignment has been shown to relieve pain and restore function, such as range of motion and strength. Through specific exercises, the joints and muscles can be retrained. You can improve your posture through simple stretching exercises or reorganizing your workspace. Taking frequent breaks can also help (at least 5 minutes every hour). Also, standing while you work when possible. Finally, remember those words from your mother... stop slouching and sit up straight in your chair! Now is the time to do it.

Are You Fighting A Cold That You Just Can't Get Rid Of?

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 21:06:00 +0000

Have you ever felt that your cold would never end? A cough that follows a cold can last several weeks making you feel like you will never get over it. However, if you have suffered from a lingering cough, it could indicate you are dealing with more than your typical cold virus. If you've had a cold with a cough lasting 3 weeks or longer you may have developed an infection known as sinusitis.

WHAT IS SINUSITIS?

Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the mucous membranes that line your sinus cavities and nose. A blocked sinus can prevent the proper drainage of mucous - usually because of a cold or allergy. The inflamed membranes cause swelling which can lead to a feeling of pressure or pain in the sinus areas.

A blocked sinus cavity is then susceptible to the growth of bacteria and fungus. The condition can come on suddenly (acute) after a viral infection such as a cold, or become long term (chronic) where the individual suffers from symptoms indefinitely.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE SINUSITIS?

The key distinction between a cold and sinusitis, according to one health manual, is that a cold usually lasts about seven days and symptoms begin to lessen. Sinusitis suffers may experience prolonged symptoms which can worsen with time.

A Mayo Clinic study reported on in 'Prevention' magazine claimed that approximately 1/3 of individuals with chronic coughs (lasting more than three weeks) could be suffering from sinusitis. The research was based on CT scans of the sinuses of 132 patients with chronic coughs.
Other symptoms, besides a chronic cough, that can be linked to a sinusitis infection are: headaches, bad breath, post-nasal drip, stuffy nose, fever and tooth pain.

WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK I HAVE SINUSITIS?

Mild cases of sinusitis can be treated at home with over the counter decongestants, keeping air moist with a humidifier (especially in the bedroom) and drinking fluids to thin the mucus.
If symptoms are not responding to home treatment you may need a doctor to prescribe antibiotics or other medication. Fungal infections, which are not treatable with antibiotics, will need to be treated with other medication or surgery.

A chronic case of sinusitis may also need more intense treatment. Your doctor should be able to determine if you are suffering from sinusitis based on your history. Sinusitis may not be identified based solely on a physical exam.

HOW DO I PREVENT SINUSITIS?

Taking care of yourself during a cold - keeping air moist, drinking fluids and resting - can help reduce the inflammation that can lead to sinusitis. However, repeated colds or allergies may make you more vulnerable. Seek the advice of your physician if you feel that your symptoms are not consistent with a typical cold or allergy and you just can't shake that cough.

Enhancing Energy Levels Through Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 17:28:00 +0000

While meditation is most often associated with relaxation and calm, the fact is that meditation can actually increase our level of energy. That is because the stress of modern life can often sap our energy, interfere with our normal sleep patterns and leave us feeling run down and drained of energy. By removing stress and worries from our lives, meditation can have a profound effect on our levels of energy.

Meditation is also important for those with poor self esteem, or those with feelings of inferiority and low ego. There are a number of strategies meditation experts can use enhance the effectiveness of their meditation.

The Aloof Meditator
Meditation can be highly effective at helping cure those with aloof personalities. The reasons for developing such an aloof attitude are many, but this type of attitude often stems from childhood. When children remain quiet, their parents often ask them if something is wrong. This can teach the child that remaining quiet and aloof is an effective way to get attention, and to get what they want. This strategy of aloofness can be inappropriate and harmful in adulthood, and meditation techniques have helped many to overcome it.

Various meditation techniques, including guided meditation, relaxation strategies, and breathing exercises, can be combined in order to allow the aloof individual to focus on his or her mind. This focus on one’s inner self is the first step to healing deep seated problems.

The Victim
Like the aloof personality, the victim personality has learned to gain attention through feelings of illness, or through complaining. Again, meditation can allow these individuals to focus on their inner world and to focus on changing their lives.

It is important for every person to understand their own unique personality, and an understanding of one’s background and personality can be crucial to success. It is important to remember that no one meditation technique will be appropriate for every person, and to understand as well that it may take some time to find the right technique or set of techniques. Every individual is different, and every individual will require a slightly different approach to the practice of meditation.

There are of course time tested strategies for learning to meditate, and most people will end up using a variation of one of these techniques. Some combination of visualization techniques, breathing exercises and calming exercises will be most useful for most personality types.

For many people, simply sitting still and relaxing is enough to enjoy a successful meditation session. Other people will have a much harder time turning off the thoughts churning in their minds. It can be difficult for dynamic Type A personalities to escape the thoughts of the day and clear their minds. While meditation may be more difficult to learn for these often highly stressed individuals, the benefits can be much greater as well. There are many health benefits to reducing levels of stress and anxiety, and learning to mediate is one of the best ways to escape from the stress of the modern world.

Lose Weight Fast For A Special Occasion

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 21:20:00 +0000

If you have just a little weight to lose, and want to take it off fast (say, so you can fit into those great pants for your cousin's wedding), there are a number of diets that you can use. Most of these wouldn't be recommended for long-term weight loss, as they substantially restrict your intake of some essential nutrients, so using them habitually may not be healthy. But if you're normal diet is healthy, and you just want a quick boost to drop 8-10 pounds quickly, or to kick off a new diet with a bang, the Cabbage Soup Diet actually works.

The cabbage soup diet has been around for nearly 30 years. It's based on the notion that your body actually uses more calories to digest cabbage than the amount that it derives from cabbage. It's a so-called 'negative calorie diet', and includes many foods that, like cabbage, are high in fiber and very low in calories.

The base of the cabbage soup diet is - what else? Cabbage soup. There are several recipes for cabbage soup available. Essentially, the soup is made with onions, peppers, mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, celery and spices to taste. You'll be eating the soup every day - as much of it as you want. In addition, there is a seven day routine of foods to supplement the cabbage soup.

Day One: All the fruit you want (except bananas) along with all the soup that you want. No caffeinated beverages or sodas. Drink only water, tea and cranberry juice.

Day Two: Eat all the vegetables that you want, but avoid dried beans, peas and corn. Eat veggies raw, fresh or cooked. No fats, no sauces, no butter. At dinner, you may have one baked potato with butter - and of course, all the cabbage soup that you want!

Day Three: Eat all the fruits and veggies that you want from day two and day three - but NO baked potato.

Day Four: Bananas and skim milk - yes, all the skim milk you want, plus up to eight bananas, along with -- you guessed it, all the cabbage soup you want.

Day Five: Eat ten to twenty ounces of beef (or skinless chicken, or broiled fish). Drink at least 10 glasses of water, and eat up to six fresh tomatoes. (If you substitute for the beef today, you may not tomorrow.)

Day Six: Eat all the beef, vegetables and cabbage soup that you want. No baked potato. Lots of leafy green vegetables.

Day Seven: You can have all the unsweetened fruit juices, brown rice, and vegetables that you want - and at least one bowl of soup. That's it. Remember - this diet is NOT recommended for long term weight loss, or long term use. It doesn't contain enough complex carbohydrates to be healthy for longer than a few days. But if you just need a jump-start or a quick fix, it's a good way to pick up the pace for a week.

The Food Pyramid: Good or Bad?

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 21:38:00 +0000

When the USDA established guidelines for our daily food requirements and set up the “food pyramid” the entire nation embraced the information and took it for absolute divine truth. I’m afraid, however, upon further examination, maybe we should have thought about this a little more.

The food pyramid did do more than anything prior to educate people about the need for consumption of some items from each of the food groups. We need something from all of them in order to eat healthy and maintain our health. That fact no one is disputing. What we, as a population are beginning to question, however, are the daily caloric levels and recommended daily intake levels.

Thanks to a growing awareness of individual needs, and the pressure from all areas of medicine, traditional and alternative, the USDA has now researched and republished their food pyramid.
The original food pyramid had four food groups; the newly established pyramid has five. The new pyramid addresses many different issues, from age, weight, and gender requirements to overall health issues. Limiting the amount of intake and advice about the health concerns when we overeat is also included in the new food pyramid. It is now color coded, so that it is easier for children and adults to find where they fit.

The new food pyramid is much improved in the area of individual concerns, and cautions to readers about individual considerations. For clarities sake, let’s take a look at each food group and offer a bit of explanation.

The bread, cereals, rice and pasta food group has always been at the bottom and is meant to represent the food staples, the foundation of our diet. The next two groups, vegetables and fruits, are pretty much the same as they have always been. The next level of meats, poultry, fish dry beans, and eggs, as well as the milk, yogurt and cheese groups are where the reader will find some definite changes to the suggested consumption.

The addition of information as far as suggested caloric intake, depending upon your lifestyle, and calorie content for fast food items was a demanded and welcome addition to the pyramid food guide. Other items of interest are suggested recipes, food substitutions, and tips on food selection. I think the USDA did a much better job with the new guide, than with the old one in creating an atmosphere of “you create your own plan from this information”.

What we have seen as far as changes to the food pyramid and the addition of usual information is a direct result of some of the health conditions facing our population today. The inclusion of varying recommended levels depending upon your gender, lifestyle and age group is a result of further medical research and information reported by fitness and health facilities across the country. All this goes to reinforce the proof that your good health is an individual concern, and must be given individual attention. The pyramid food guide is just that, a guide. It is not your personal plan of required eating levels. It’s up to you to tailor the plan to meet your specific needs.