Why Ginkgo Biloba Is The Best-Selling Booster For Brain Function

Why Ginkgo Biloba Is The Best-Selling Booster For Brain Function

By: Steve P Smith

The preparations of ginkgo biloba commonly sold as herbal supplements are derived from the leaves of the ginkgo trees, which are probably the longest living in the world Individual trees are believed to live for up to 1,000 years and are found most commonly in southern and eastern areas of the US, southern France, China, and Korea.

Traditional Chinese medicine has made use of the nuts of the ginkgo tree for around 5,000 years, but the use of the leaves is a relatively recent European development. Widespread recognition of the active properties of the plant have made ginkgo leaf extract products the best-selling of all herbal medicines and supplements in Europe, and also placed them in the ten most popular in the USA, where itÂ's classed as a dietary supplement. In fact itÂ's estimated that around 2 billion 120 mg doses of supplement have been sold in the last twenty years alone.

The principal active elements of ginkgo leaf extract are the flavonoids which, like those derived from other sources (green tea, for example) are a powerful anti-oxidant; and terpene lactones.

As an anti-oxidant, ginkgo biloba is particularly effective in neutralizing the most damaging superoxide free radicals and thereby helping to prevent the atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which is a common precursor of serious cardiovascular disease. And most of the benefits of ginkgo stem in fact from its effect in improving the circulation of the blood - as numerous research studies have demonstrated.

Ginkgo enhanced circulation in the minute capillaries of the eye has been credited with protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. Improved circulation in the ears may also protect against tinnitus and hearing loss.

Studies using supplementation at 240 mg also demonstrated improved exercise tolerance and reduced pain in those suffering from intermittent claudication, or peripheral vascular disease, –a painful and potentially dangerous problem with the circulation in the legs.

But as valuable as these effects undoubtedly are, itÂ's as a stimulant for the brain and a protector against the dreadful effects of AlzheimerÂ's disease and other causes of dementia that ginkgo biloba is best known. Although conventional medicine, as ever, retains its tendency towards caution when considering the possible effects of Â"alternativeÂ" remedies, itÂ's generally conceded that ginkgo biloba has significant therapeutic effects in the treatment of the early stages of AlzheimerÂ's. The benefits, in fact, are closely analogous to those of conventional drug therapies, and although not, of course, offering a cure, may significantly slow down the progress of this most devastating disease.

Research studies have also indicated clinically significant improvements in performance in standard tests of memory and learning when healthy adults were given supplements at the level of 180 mg of ginkgo biloba a day for a period of six weeks. Similar benefits, however, were not shown at lower levels of supplementation.

The common sense hypothesis is that ginkgo biloba improves the blood supply and circulation to the brain as it does to other parts of the body, which can only have a positive effect on the memory and other cognitive functions of the organ. Moreover, improved circulation along with ginkgo bilobaÂ's anti-oxidant properties play a major role in protecting against the circulatory problems which can lead to stroke, still one of the major causes of premature death or incapacity in the Western world.

Although the 180 mg daily dose has been shown to be beneficial, some alternative medical practitioners recommend higher doses, even as high as 360 mg. The generally recommended composition of supplements, and that found in most commercial preparations, is in the proportions 24% ginkgo flavonoids and 6% terpenes.

Ginkgo biloba is recognized as a safe medication and very rarely produces any side effects in the otherwise healthy even in the high doses mentioned above. But itÂ's effect in improving the circulation by reducing the Â"stickinessÂ" of the blood mean it is strongly contra-indicated prior to surgery and for those already taking blood thinning drugs such as warfarin.

In summary it may be said that conventional medicine recognizes ginkgo biloba as a potentially effective treatment for AlzheimerÂ's disease and as an aid to good circulation with some positive effects in cases of cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease in the legs. Alternative practitioners insist that ginkgo biloba is also effective in improving memory, learning and general cognitive function in healthy adults, but orthodox medicine remains reluctant to endorse these claims.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6982.shtml

The Secret To Slim Thighs

The Secret To Slim Thighs

By: Kevin Yates

What's the secret to getting slim thighs? First, let me tell what it is not. You will never get the legs you want just by using those traditional leg machines at your gym or by doing day after day of boring cardio.

The reality is that you always see people at the gym doing this stuff and never seeing the results they want.

The real secret to getting your thighs slim involves 3 components: 1) proper nutrition, 2) strength training and 3) cardio (but not the typical kind of cardio everyone does).

1. Proper Nutrition: I am going to be honest with you. You will never ever get slimmer thighs if you don't put the right foods in your body. It doesn't matter how great your workout routine is or what you may have heard or read. If you eat the wrong foods your body will maintain or store more body fat around your midsection, your arms, your butt and your thighs.

And fat is what blurs the visibility of the underlying muscles. When you have excess body fat you cannot see any muscular definition.

So, if you want to get your thighs slimmer you have to eat enough of the right kinds of nutritious, fat burning foods that will help keep your legs sexy and lean.

A great rule of thumb I tell my clients is to make sure you eat at least 5 small meals each day. But, all 5 are not really "meals".

3 are meals and 2 are snacks. So, it looks like this:

Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Snack
Dinner

Getting into the habit of eating more frequently is how you start to boost your metabolism to burn fat so you can begin to get slim thighs much faster than if you eat fewer meals.

2. Strength Training: Usually when I tell women they need strength training to make their thighs slimmer they look at me like they've just seen a ghost.

"But, I don't want to get bulky muscles" is a typical response I get. I don't know where this myth came from but I want to clarify something here.

Getting "bulky" muscles just from strength training is 100% pure myth. Here's why. Building the kind of muscle mass that you see on a bodybuilder is absolutely unrealistic for the majority of people especially women.

Women naturally have lower levels of testosterone which makes it more difficult to build muscle mass versus men.

Here is something else to consider. If you want slim thighs with nice "tone" you have to possess a certain level of muscularity anyway.

You can burn all the body fat you want but if you don't have any real muscle on your legs your slim thighs will look more like toothpicks instead of sexy legs with curves.

That doesn't mean you will "bulk up". You simply fit the level of muscularity to match your goal. Adding some lean muscle to your thighs will give you that sexy curvacious appeal you are looking for.

And that comes from intense strength training and not from doing the leg machines at the gym with light weights and lots of repetitions.

You will never get slimmer thighs with nice definition that way. You have to lift heavier and smarter with just the right amount of rest in between to allow your body to recuperate which is when your thighs slim down.

Try these thigh slimming exercises to get you started:

squats
forward lunge walks
sideways lunge walks
box or bench jumps

Learn how to get slim thighs faster and lose 10 pounds in the process-
click here

3. Cardiovascular Training I never said no cardio. I said not the traditional cardio everyone else does. I am going to suggest a different twist on your typical cardio routine that will burn more calories and fat while stimulating your thighs to add some lean, sexy muscle tone.

Getting your thighs slim requires the combination of sufficient muscularity and low body fat.

Your muscles lie underneath a layer of fat cells. Fat cells store body fat. The more fat you carry the bigger your fat cells become and the less visible your muscles are.

So, to see those slim thighs underneath you also need to burn the fat from your fat cells.

Here's a tip to get you started:

Perform 90% Heart Rate Peaks- Instead of doing the typical marathon cardio workout in your "fat burning zone" you are going to perform a much higher intensity workout but for a shorter time period.

This will allow you to burn more calories and fat long after your workout is over. Here is what you do:

Use the formula 220 - your age to get a number. Now, multiply that number by .85 and write down the product. Next, multiply the number by .75 and write down that product. The 2 products are your low and high end heart rate ranges.

Example for a 35-year old: 220 - 35 = 185
185 X .85 = 157
185 X .75 = 138

Heart rate range would be 138 (low end) to 157 (high end).

You will perform your cardio workout on any piece of equipment of your choice. Warm up for 5 minutes by gradually building your heart rate up to your low end range (138 in the above example).

Then you will increase the intensity until your heart rate peaks at your high end range (157 beats per minute in the above example).

Once you reach your high end range you immediately drop the intensity and recover back down to yoru low end range. Once you reach your low end range peak back up again.

Repeat this process of peaking and recovering for 30 minutes. Then record the total number of times you peaked to your high end range.

The next time you perform this you will try to beat the total number of peaks.

Cool down for 5 minutes by gradually decreasing the intensity until your heart rate is at your low end range or lower.

Stretch for 5-10 minutes.

And there you have it. The real secret to getting slim thighs is by adding some lean fat burning, thigh slimming muscle and dropping your body fat levels low enough to see those sexy trim legs.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6929.shtml

High Cost Cosmetic Dentistry

High Cost Cosmetic Dentistry

By: Kathryn Whittaker

Very few people are able to visit the clinics because of the high cost of cosmetic dentistry. Only a few others have constantly and regularly followed their clinic schedules for check-ups.

The costs of porcelain veneers are extremely high. They range from $975 per veneer to a high of $2200 per veneer. But this rate will depend on the country you are in; different countries have different charges. Some countries may be charging a lot, but this is an expensive service. Rates for cosmetic dentistry procedures are high, even in the early years. If you want to be a wise dental consumer, you must understand some of the basic information with regards to cosmetic dentistry and its fees.

A lot of people wonder why cosmetic dentistry fees are not declining at all. There has never been a time when dentist services were priced low. Porcelain is notably high —the cost of all-porcelain crowns is the same as for porcelain veneers.

The cost of white fillings used for black teeth is charged according the amount and the number of the surfaces that are covered by the fillings. In a one-surface filling, the fees will range from $150 up to $250. For the two surfaces, the cost will run from $200 up to $400, and for three surfaces it ranges from $250 up to $500.

Bonding a front tooth is another expensive service you can choose. When bonding the tooth involves a corner of the tooth, it will range from $300 up to $1600. These costs are unbelievably high and expensive because the dentists who do this work need to have a high level of skill and artistry. A dentist carefully fixes patients teeth with expertise and preciseness. They spend long hours fixing up a patientÂ's teeth.

Braces can cost from $5000 to $7000 to cover a complete case — a substantial investment.

Cosmetic dentistry is costly because it the use of expensive materials, first-class cosmetic dental labs, and usually extra time and effort on the part of the cosmetic dentist. All these extra costs are factored into the fee. A clinic also must be very clean, comfortable and free from bacteria, which adds to the cost of this type of dentistry. In fact, these services might even get more expensive in the coming years if the dentists become less common.

You need to keep in mind that as a consumer, you are in the most difficult position of not being legally covered or protected from bad cosmetic dental care. Cosmetic dentistry requires a lot of expertise. It is not really a legally distinct specialty. The dentist during his study years may have been through a lot of training or he might even traveled to remote areas for training. You should ask these questions, and be sure of any professionalÂ's credentials before you begin a treatment program.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6937.shtml

A STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY: GUARANTEED! 7 Simple Steps to Remove Holiday Stress

A STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY: GUARANTEED! 7 Simple Steps to Remove Holiday Stress

By: Stephanie McWilliams

It's that time again... time for gatherings, celebrations and lots and lots of cheer. But are you wondering how feng shui and the holidays go together? Simply put, feng shui is the art of designing and arranging our environment so that we feel as good as we possibly can—and of course during the holidays feeling good is at the very tiptop of all our wish lists. So let's take a look at some quick and easy ways we can decorate and energize our spaces to ensure the most fabulous holiday season ever!

1. ADD GROUNDING & CALMING DECORATIONS

As we all know, color is an important part of the holiday festivities. We bring in sparkling & star-shaped decorations, brightly-colored accessories, red accents, blinking lights, fireplaces, candles, pointed evergreen trees and lots of playful figurines—all of these items falling into the "fire" element category in feng shui, and all meant to inspire celebration and holiday bliss.

Even though many of us thrive in the intense energy so common to this time of year, this fiery intensity can evoke more stress than joy for the rest of us. While all these bold decorations are festive and fun, also try bringing in grounding, earthy colors and elements such as glittering golds which can have a stabilizing effect on a space and help balance all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Also consider incorporating calming and cooling deep blues and water elements, which can add a relaxing effect and help calm the nerves.

Other decorative ways to incorporate more soothing or grounding influences into your arrangements might be to:

• paint an accent wall a shimmering gold

• incorporating a golden yellow table cloth or earth tone napkins

• add sparkling golden ornaments & decorations in earth tones such a pumpkin, goldenrod, and chocolates

• exchanging red or brightly-colored, blinking tree lights with cooling blue or calming white strands

• try adding more mirrors around the home which have a soothing, watery effect, especially over fireplaces.

• adding soothing water features, cut-glass decorations, or reflective glass ornaments

• decorating the table with a glass bowl centerpiece full of water and floating candles

2. INCORPORATE ALL THE SENSES

So often the hustle and bustle of the season, along with our already-overloaded schedules can keep us up in our heads, instead of in our hearts. To help stay calm as well as connected to all our loved ones, using feng shui to help incorporate all your senses into your holiday decorating can be a fantastic and uplifting boost. When all the senses are present and enlivening, it automatically creates a grounding, soothing, and comforting effect on the body. Sensuality within the home's design helps bring people together and stay connected.

• Cook cider and cinnamon sticks to fill the home with a warm, welcoming scent

• incorporate fir and evergreen scented candles

• try adding 5 ml of natural essential oils into 1 gallon of paint which adds a soft, subtle yet inspiring scent to your rooms through the holidays as well as the rest of the year!

• Mix a new set of holiday music that fits all of your guests' ages and tastes to help liven up the mood, yet soft enough to allow conversation.

• incorporate relaxing background music to your holiday cooking, cleaning or shopping.

• Decorate with soft, cuddly throws & pillows in your gathering spaces.

• add flannels and warm wools to the guest room bedding.

• Arrange bowls of nuts, candy, dried fruit and other treats throughout your gathering space.

3. CREATE INVITING ARRANGEMENTS

Creating inviting seating and decorative arrangements in Feng Shui helps to send subtle, unconscious messages to your family and guests. It tells the world how open you are to receiving, and to embracing those who walk through the front door. When furniture is placed in an inviting manner, and your home is laid out so that you can comfortably and safely move through the space, it helps draw energy into your environment, as well as stay focused on embracing your loved ones during the holidays.

Holiday Alert: people in small, cramped spaces may get very feisty! Especially when entertaining large groups, try opening up your seating arrangements by clearing the space of any sharp edges, excess furniture or over-sized coffee tables that could block the flow of energy through the space. Also consider arranging your major seating to face toward the entrance to the room, almost in the gesture of a wide-open embrace. Especially with all the socializing that happens during the holidays, think of your furniture as guests at a gathering and arrange them in friendly, inviting, intimate positions. When you create a space that is open, welcoming and warm, it helps inspire those same traits in your guests, and draw positive energy into your life.

4. ENSURE HARMONIOUS DINING

Since most of our holiday gatherings focus around sharing meals together, designing an eating area conducive to harmony, connection and playful interaction is extremely important. First, make sure that everyone at your dining table has a beautiful view from their seat. If you're looking for more harmony in the home, try incorporating a round or oval table this season, which has a less formal feeling than rectangular or square tables. Try this tip, and watch the effects on your connections with loved ones. When everyone can clearly see everyone else, we naturally feel more connected, and it helps smooth out rough relationships and make everyone feel important and honored.

Also try keeping the chairs at a similar size and avoid the classic "king and queen" chairs during the holidays. Having everyone sitting in equally sized chairs helps to bring more connection, and less hierarchy, separation, aggression or dominant behavior.

And lastly, keep centerpieces nice and low. Large, tall or bulky centerpieces create symbolic rifts or divisions between your guests. Tabletop tip: if you're paring down your decorations in the rest of the house, here's a nice place to put shiny, colorful decorative arrangements if you'd like more energized eating experiences.

Watch this Friday's episode and learn many more tips about dining room Feng Shui: December 7th on HGTV / 9:30pm and 1:30am ET (check local listings)

5. BRING NATURE INDOORS

Nature automatically has a balancing effect on a space. By bringing in elements of nature, we create a serene environment. Decorating with plants, flowers and other objects from nature can help reduce stress and make your entire space soothing and inviting. Adding poinsettias, live evergreen trees, fresh wreaths, garland, holly berries and pine cones can be the perfect natural touch. Also try arrangements of colorful fresh fruit, bowls of nuts, or make strands of strung cranberries and popcorn, which can turn into a fun family ritual.

6. REDUCE CLUTTER

The holidays are almost always a time of gathering new possessions and gifts. But in feng shui, when our homes become stuffed, the energy in our homes become blocked and stagnant, prevently new experiences, people and abundance to come into our life. This time of year is the perfect time to celebrate the old, and make way for the new. By sorting and purging old belongings that nolonger are used or necessary, letting them go or passing them on to someone else, we not only create a more calming environment but also allow space for new things to enter. You'll feel lighter going into the new year, with more focus and clarity about the good times to come...

If holiday stress is a big issue, consider keeping holiday decorations to a minimum or contain them to one room. An excess of visual clutter can keep you from focusing on what's at hand...having FUN! Cards, holiday paper, gifts, bows, food, fruitcakes, decorations, lights and candles all can generate a lot of excess energy. If you find yourself less focused and more stressed during the holidays, paring down might be just the thing...

7. CREATE SACRED SPACE

Don't forget this last, but most important step: creating a sacred personal space just for you!

At the end of the day, make sure to take time out for yourself. As you decorate your home for family and friends, make sure to create a separate space, room, or even just a chair, solely for you. Having a comfortable area where you can go to unplug and recharge will give you the energy to handle all of the holiday's many challenges. Find a small spot away from the rest of the family, incorporate your favorite colors, sounds, textures and lighting that fills you up and centers your spirit.

Here's one of the ways I keep myself feeling nurtured during the holidays: Fill a basket with a delicious tea, a scented candle, a soft blanket, writing journal and favorite book and keep it in your special place when you need a little pick-me-up. Do something solely for yourself and that energy will ripple throughout the entire season. Making sure you have a private place - sacred space - helps you to regroup, and by touching that core of ourselves, it opens our hearts, keeps us reminded of the true meaning of the season, and why we come together in the first place.

YOUR HOLIDAY HOMEWORK:

Grab a piece of paper and write down numbers 1 through 7. Beside each number write down one thing you will do in each of the categories above to help create a more calming holiday season for you and your family. Make your choices simple enough that you can accomplish one a day for the following week. This way you'll have plenty of time before the holidays hit to feel grounded, calm and joyful. Now that you've made your list, and have checked it twice, let's see who's going to have a naughty or nice holiday this season! If you follow the steps above, my guess for the happiest holiday household would be.... YOU!

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6915.shtml

Education Is Better Then Medication- Some Facts About Candida, Probiotics And The Gut

Education Is Better Then Medication- Some Facts About Candida, Probiotics And The Gut

By: Hyacinth Allen

Educate rather than medicate! It is obvious that no one diet or treatment suits all in the fight against Candida Albicans. The crucial element that applies to everyone is a healthy Gastrointestinal Tract, and our genetic makeup determines in part precisely how that functions. There are broad generalizations that can be made.

Antibiotics destroy friendly and non friendly gut bacteria, when this happens the bad overgrows and mutate into moles which can penetrate the intestinal wall and then is set free to become a systemic infection affecting the whole body. Replacing friendly bacteria, the acidophilus types of intestinal bacterium is crucial to the health of the gastro intestinal tract. While this is very important all the time it is most important during the die off period, when the Candida can thrive again in the empty pockets of the intestines.

Eating raw vegetables is good because raw foods have enzymes present which assist in the digestion of the food. These enzymes are often destroyed by cooking. When we do not digest food completely we fail to get all the nutrients out of that food. Plant based digestive enzymes in the stomach work whether our body is acid or alkaline the pH Balance is not critical, so our bodies find it easier to digest vegetables, once they reach the stomach the digestive process begins. On the other hand, animal based protein, fish or meat, do not begin to work until the stomach content has a pH balance of around pH 3, which means that it needs acid to be digested. Plants such as Echinacea, and thyme and marigold can build the immune system they do not cause the side effects of antibiotics.

The Immune system is the bodyÂ's natural protection agent. Without it, the body would not be able to defend itself against invading bacteria, viruses, toxins and microbes. Building the immune system is an important part of keeping a healthy body that can repel attacks naturally. Unfortunately, the immune system works silently, we cannot see it working and it is only when factors such as stress or illness affect it that we realize that all is not well.

Homeostasis is a biological condition, which means the inherent tendency in an organism toward the maintenance of physiological and psychological equilibrium. When the body cannot maintain a homeostatic state, unpleasant symptoms occur, these symptoms are the bodies Â"panic buttonÂ", it is saying it is out of synchronization. The body will make sure that all essential functions receive the maximum support, this means the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys as vital organism will get the bulk of all available nutrients. Non-essential bodily functions, which include skin replenishment, muscle tone, skin tone, hair replacement, and keeping the joints healthy becomes secondary functions. Although they are not life threatening the effects of them not being carried out can be seen externally very quickly.

All drugs, including drugs considered safe to be bought without prescription such as aspirin, have negative side effects to the body, as they all deplete nutrients. The body can also be aggravated by exposure to environmental pollutants and stress makes it all worse.

Probiotics contain live bacteria and prebiotics are nutrients designed to promote beneficial bacteria in the gastro intestinal tract. The European union have invested over €15 million, which in dollars is nearer $20,000 in trying to find out whether they have a scientific basis. Michael Blaut, head of microbiology at the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Potsdam has pioneered a lot of this research. He maintains that we know little of the ecosystem in the human gut, other than the fact, it is normal for it to have 1.2 kilograms, 2.4 pounds of bacteria.

Molecular biologist Joël Doré working with the French agricultural research agency (INRA) has found that the faecal matter of adults is quite different. Though his work is unpublished at the moment, it suggests that whilst the gut is capable of supporting thousands of different types of bacteria most people only cultivate about a hundred, partly because we all cultivate bacteria in different ways. Before we are born, our guts are sterile but we accumulate bacteria whilst being born from the vaginal passage and faecal bacteria of our mothers. By the time we are two we have ingested our complement of bacteria and that does not change much as we age. The good news is that this seems to thwart the invasion of new bacteria such as salmonella in the gut. Probiotics cannot permanently affect the contents of the gut; if they are to have any effect at all they must be ingested daily. Preliminary studies show that they can be effective for some people with some types of inflammatory bowel diseases, but not necessarily against a Candida infection.

One Finnish medical study that was conducted studied the effects on pregnant women of a daily dose of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and later the babies were to these women were given a daily dose for the first six months of their lives. The results were quite conclusive; the babies were less prone to eczema, which is one of the symptoms of Candida. Dr. Erika Isolauri conducted the survey and whilst the reason why the children were protected is not understood she has hypothesized that the probiotic shifted inflammatory factors in the gut.

There are some dietary guidelines for cleansing the body of Candida:

Eat different foods and rotate the food groups daily.
Eat high fibre foods such as chickpeas to absorb the toxins
Drink at least two litres of pure water daily.
Snack on raw veggies.
Make certain that your foods do not form any form of mold, store them correctly in airtight tubs in the refrigerator and eat them before they get moldy.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6944.shtml

Detach Yourself From Your Weigh-loss Ambitions For Dieting Success

Detach Yourself From Your Weigh-loss Ambitions For Dieting Success

By: Justine Richards

Here is a self-help technique that really helps you focus on and achieve your weight-loss goals. Gurus have espoused the art of detachment as a way of turning your dreams into reality. Usually they associate this technique with lofty goals such as perfecting human relationships or achieving spiritual harmony. I have news for you – it works for your weight-loss ambitions too. You should not make the mistake of believing that detachment is easy. In fact it is the hardest step to manifesting what you want. The harsh reality is that most people fail in their endeavors due to an inability to let go of their presumptions and believe utterly that what they want will come true. Call it faith if you like. But if you can detach from your fear of a negative outcome you will achieve fantastic results.

Have you noticed that sometimes you have an idle and relaxed thought about something or someone and the next thing that person or thing pops up in your life? Say for instance you wonder what happened to an old school friend. You arenÂ't worried about it, just inquisitive. You give it some thought and then carry on with your life. Often, very often, the friend pops up out of nowhere, saying they were thinking about you and decided to track you down so you can get together and reminisce about old times. Or maybe you wonder casually where you can find an oak tree to plant in your garden. And then you drive past a plant nursery and there is a big sign saying. Special on Garden Oaks, Hundreds in Stock. This happens to us daily and we think of it as coincidence. Actually this is the art of manifesting in action.

Essentially detachment means applying this kind of idle and unworried approach to everything we do, including losing weight. You simply have to lose the worry, the anxiety, and the fear. All you will be doing is cutting yourself off from the illusion of what tomorrow may bring. If you can do that you are on the way to manifesting your trim new body. Right now everything you are feeling is creating your reality. So how do you detach from your heartÂ's desire so that it can manifest? The key to it is to let go of the notion that what you want is absolutely necessary in your life. In fact nothing is necessary if you really want it. It sounds paradoxical and it is. It also happens to be the truth.

LetÂ's face it. You want to lose weight but there are thousands of other paths you could have taken. Your weight-loss ambition is a fairly arbitrary choice. The universe does not depend on it. Not even you or your family depends on it. So center yourself, find out where you are right now, find the beauty of the moment, and understand your weight-loss ambitions for what they are. They are subsidiary to the issue of being alive in the now. Here are a couple of steps to assist you in looking at your life, and your weight-loss ambitions, in a completely new light. Write down your thoughts in a notebook. It concentrates the mind wonderfully and brings previously suppressed thoughts to the surface of your consciousness.

1. Find the beauty in everything, even the unpleasant and difficult parts of your world.

2. Contemplate all the good things that have resulted from hard and unpleasant situations in your life.

3. Analyze your current experience to find qualities that will enhance what you intend to manifest. Visualize the positive outcome.

4. Once you have identified the beauty and abundance of your current situation, only then will you be able to change the situation and manifest. Concentrate on this.

5. Face up to your experiences. Do not suppress the things that have happened or are happening. This is what gets you stuck in a rut and this is poison to manifestation.

6. Every cloud has a silver lining. It is darkest before dawn. These clichés are based in a timeless truth. The greatest good comes out of the most trying of circumstances. That is why you should revel in hardship and difficulty.

7. Realize that you are rooted in your circumstances as they are today. They are molding you for tomorrowÂ's reality. So bless all parts of your life and you will be astonished to see what happens to the dreams you are trying to manifest.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6969.shtml

Weight Loss Cardio Workout - 3 Awesome Tips to Lose More Weight with Cardio

Weight Loss Cardio Workout - 3 Awesome Tips to Lose More Weight with Cardio

By: Tom Gifford

Have you ever been able to successful use a weight loss cardio workout to successfully lose body fat?

If you are like most people the answer is yes and no ' and usually in the order!

This article is going to go over a few reasons why the average weight loss cardio workout might actually be preventing you from losing weight. Please pay special attention to this article because it can save you lots of time, help you enjoy exercise more, and give you a new outlook on losing with with cardio.

By using "cardio", I am talking about using cardiovascular exercise on a basic cardio machine such as treadmills, rowing machines, upright or recumbent bikes, ellipticals, or any other common cardio machine you see at the gym or at a department store. This also refers to things such as walking outside or going for a bike ride.

It is very common see someone try to lose weight in the gym by getting on a cardio machine and trying to go for 30-60 minutes at a slow pace. They may try to do this 3, 4, or 5 days per week!

In the beginning 2-3 weeks, you see some results pretty quickly. The weight on the scale goes down and you are feeling great. Soon after however, the weight loss slows down and your progress comes to a crashing halt.

Let's go over 3 quick reasons why your hit a frustrating plateau with the normal cardio workout, and more importantly, how to avoid it completely.

Reason #1: It Is Boring!

Unless you are training for a triathlon or are a distance runner, you would more than likely have more engaging things to do with your time then being on a cardio machine for 30-60 minutes. A 60 minute cardio workout 3-5 days a week is a sure way to lose all enthusiasm for exercise and be really bored throughout the whole process.

Lots of people do whatever they can to distract themselves during their cardio workouts. The cover the timer with a towel, watch television, read books, or just about anything else to try and distract themselves.

Reason #2: You Burn Fewer Calories Each Time You Workout

Your body will adapt very quickly to doing a very slow and long weight loss cardio workout. Think about it like this. If you went outside and ran a mile right now it would feel pretty difficult if you were not already a conditioned runner. But what if you ran the same mile 5 days per week for the next two months? It would get easier. Your body would adapt to it because that is what it does best.

The same goes for the average weight loss cardio workout that lasts for 30, 45, or even 60 minutes. At first you might burn a lot of calories, but after doing the same type of cardio workout for too long, the body will become more efficient and will adapt.

This means that the workout that burned 300 calories in January might only be burning 150 calories in March! The only thing you can do it so longer or work harder. Neither one sounds like a very appealing option.

Reason #3: The Average Weight Loss Cardio Workout Does Not Stimulate Your Metabolism

Instead of focusing on the number of calories you burned during a single workout, I want you to instead focus on burning calories during the workout and for hours afterwards!

Research has shown that slow same speed cardio does next to nothing to stimulate your resting metabolism. This means that you workout for 45 minutes, burn 300 calories, and then negate the whole workout with a Gatorade afterwards.

How to Fix This Problem

Did you know that you can use a different type of cardio called interval training that can burn a lot of calories during the actual cardio workout and for hours afterwards as well?

When performed correctly, interval training is faster, more fun, and most importantly, has been shown in research to have a dramatic effect on your resting metabolism. This means that you might burn 300 calories during the actual workout, then another 300 the throughout the rest of the day!

Interval training is an excellent weight loss cardio workout option for this very reason. Interval training simply consists of using both high and low speeds and intensities at set points in your workout. It can be done on any cardio machine and can even be done walking outside!

If you are truly serious about achieving weight loss with a cardio workout, then learning more about interval training is an absolute must. Your will feel like you got twice the workout in half the time and have a lot more results to show for it!

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6895.shtml

How Methionine May Serve As A Natural Anti-depressant

How Methionine May Serve As A Natural Anti-depressant

By: Steve P Smith

Methionine is one of the 10 essential amino acids which cannot be manufactured in the body, and must therefore be obtained from the diet. Like other amino acids, methionine is vital for the formation of the countless proteins which make up not only the bodyÂ's dry tissue, but many of its vital enzymes. Logically enough, as it is an essential component of protein, it is protein foods which are the best source of dietary methionine. Meat, poultry, fish and dairy products are known as first class proteins because they contain all of the essential amino acids. A diet containing a good supply of each of these food groups should normally provide sufficient amino acids, including methionine, for most purposes, but vegetarians can also achieve satisfactory intakes through careful food combining.

Particular attention, however, has been focussed on methionine as the precursor of s-adenosyl methionine, also known as SAM or SAM-e, a compound produced naturally in the body by the metabolism of methionine. S-adenosyl methionine was isolated in Europe in the 1950s, and has been used there as a prescription drug, but it has only very recently been seen as a food supplement in the US. A large number of biochemical reactions are known to require its presence, including the transmission of nerve impulses between cells. Conventional medical opinion insists that healthy people should obtain all the SAM-e they need for these purposes from their intake of dietary methionine, but various clinical or sub-clinical conditions may affect the bodyÂ's ability to metabolize SAM-e in this way.

In particular, the brains of sufferers from depression have been observed to be deficient in s-adenosyl methionine as well as serotonin, the so-called Â"feel-goodÂ" hormone. There is some good research evidence from Europe that supplementation with between 800 and 1,600 mg per day of SAM-e increased serotonin levels, significantly improved the condition of patients suffering from moderately severe clinical depression, and was also helpful in some more severe cases. This research appears to validate the long standing practice of methionine supplementation by psychiatrists interested in the possibilities of nutritional therapy.

So there appear to be encouraging grounds for believing that methionine or SAM-e may be useful alternatives to conventional drug therapies in some cases of depression, and may offer similar benefits without the side effects of drugs.

But depression is only one of the conditions for which s-adenosyl methionine appears to offer therapeutic value. ThereÂ's also good evidence from European studies that supplement doses similar to those used to tackle depression may be useful in tackling problems with liver function, including hepatitis and even cirrhosis. And given SAM-eÂ's apparent potential for boosting emotional and psychological health, it has been suggested by some therapists that it may be useful in the rehabilitation programs of alcoholics and drug addicts.

At least one large scale study has shown the anti-inflammatory effects of s-adenosyl methionine to provide to relief from the symptoms of osteo-arthritis, and there are some more speculative grounds for believing that it may also be of benefit to sufferers from ParkinsonÂ's disease and multiple sclerosis.

Orthodox medical opinion, however, insists that more research is required before the potential value of s-adenosyl methionine for any of the above conditions can be definitively established. While these concerns may appear to reflect undue caution, it is certainly true in any case that supplements of methionine or any other amino acid should not be taken in isolation for any extended period of time because of the risk of creating an imbalance.

And importantly, in the case of s-adenosyl methionine, it needs to be noted that there is a potential risk of supplementation leading to a build up of homocysteine. This is another amino acid produced naturally in the body, but excess levels of which are known to be a factor in increasing the risk of cardiovascular and related diseases. Fortunately, however, this is a risk which may be easily avoided simply by ensuring a generous intake of the B vitamins, folic acid, B6 and B12. And, as always with the B complex, these do not function correctly in isolation, so that a good dietary supply of the entire complex is also required.

With this important caveat, and although its potential benefits have perhaps been exaggerated in the media, it does appear that supplementation with s-adenosyl methionine may be worth trying for sufferers of the specific conditions highlighted above, whose natural levels of methionine and SAM-e are likely to have been depressed both by their condition itself and other factors.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6902.shtml

Type 1 Diabetes Causes and Symptoms – Are you at the Risk

Type 1 Diabetes Causes and Symptoms – Are you at the Risk

By: Dr John Anne

Juvenile Diabetes

For many years, Type 1 Diabetes has been referred to as Juvenile Diabetes. Most often, the people who are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes are children and young adults. Insulin is a natural hormone found in your body that helps the body to convert sugar, starches, and other foods into the energy that is needed to sustain life. People are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when their body fails to produce enough insulin to properly convert the intake of sugars and starches into energy.

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease - a disease that results in the body's failure to fight infections naturally. Autoimmune diseases cause the body to begin attacking its own cells. In Type 1 Diabetes, the cells that are attacked are the beta cells in the pancreas that produce the insulin that turns sugars and starches into the energy needed for your body to function properly.

Cause and Length of Illness

Though the cause of Type 1 Diabetes is unclear, there are several things that we do know about this disease. Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong, yet often manageable disease. Lifestyle and genetics play a large role in the onset and diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. It is not contagious like a cold; therefore Type 1 Diabetes cannot be passed from one person to another. Diabetes is not caused from eating sweets. One symptom of diabetes is that the body fails to produce the hormone that turns sugars and starches into energy - but consuming sugars and starches do not cause the disease.

What To Do if You Are Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

If you are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, the first thing that you should do is to avoid panicking. Type 1 Diabetes is a serious and lifelong illness, though in many cases it can be successfully managed with the proper care and diet. Maintaining your overall health is the first step to successfully managing diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes can sometimes lead to other, more serious health conditions - such as heart attack and stroke. While maintaining a healthy lifestyle may not prevent the onset of these other illnesses, it may increase the onset of the illnesses and can help to lessen the effects of these illnesses dramatically. Skin disorders can also be caused by diabetes; therefore, it is important to maintain a routine regimen of skin care that may help to delay or even avoid the onset of skin diseases associated with diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes could place you at a higher risk for contracting gum diseases and other mouth-related problems. It is important to maintain a proper oral hygiene regimen in order to reduce the risks of illnesses associated with the mouth. Proper eye care and early detection of problems can contribute to saving your sight. Blindness is often associated with diabetes. Nerve damage or poor blood flow associated with Type 1 Diabetes can cause a diabetic to develop many different types of foot problems. It is important that you follow some basic guidelines that will help you protect your feet and avoid the onset of foot-related problems.

Lifestyle choices can help or hinder your management of Type 1 Diabetes. It is very important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle, complete with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper hygiene. In that fashion, there are some things that you should completely avoid or limit.

Smoking is a habit that contributes to the deterioration of your health, especially if you have been diagnosed with a disease that already affects your health, such as Type 1 Diabetes. Smoking is definitely something that should be avoided - and is a good idea even if you have not been diagnosed with diabetes.

While alcohol consumption should be limited, it is not completely necessary to avoid all consumption of alcohol. If your diabetes is under control and if you are free of any of the health problems associated with diabetes that can be made worse by alcohol consumption, such as nerve damage or high blood pressure, it is often okay to have the occasional social drink. Stress is also something that can contribute to increasing the affects of Type 1 Diabetes. While stress cannot always be avoided, it is essential to both your physical and your mental health to learn how to handle stress in a healthy manner.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6963.shtml

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

By: Gary M. Miller

How do you know if you have sleep apnea? Thanks to the wonderful technology of online resources, millions of sleep apnea patients are now aware of their current health condition and sleep apnea symptoms. Sleep apnea is a very common sleeping disorder affecting more than twelve million people. Studies show that the male-to-female ratio of sleep apnea patient is 2:1 or higher. Men snore at least twice as much as women do that it actually becomes a diagnosable condition! To be more specific, sleep apnea also affects people over forty and the young African American population the most. It is also promoted by being overweight, high blood pressure, having problems in the nose and throat, and smoking. These are all significant factors that can contribute to experiencing sleep apnea. But what about the symptoms? How do we know if we have sleep apnea or just a bad case of snoring?

Sleep apnea comes in three forms and all of them have different symptoms. The first is Obstructive sleep apnea. It is the most common form and is caused by an airway blockage that results in the collapsing and closing of the tissue at the back of the throat during sleep. To put it simpler, a person who suffers from this form of sleep apnea unconsciously experiences a sudden cessation on snoring followed by a silence because of the stoppage in breathing. This alternating pattern of snoring and silence can repeat over a hundred times a night causing poor sleep quality. This is one of the first symptoms to be detected for sleep apnea sufferers. Central sleep apnea is the second form of this disorder and it is brain related. What happens is the nerve signals are not sent to the muscles intended for breathing which causes the breathing problems to get irregular even when there is no blockage in the airways. This irregular breathing is a second symptom to look for. Finally, Mixed sleep apnea is a mixture of the central and obstructive sleep apneas. Despite the different names, you may now conclude that those three forms have the same effect, that the patient stops breathing while sleeping. Think about the life-threatening possibilities and the danger of this experience while you are in an unconscious state of mind! Sleep apnea is a very serious disorder that should be treated with extreme caution.

It is very difficult for anyone to determine if they are suffering from any type of sleep apnea simply because the condition is a sleep disorder and it is impossible to monitor yourself while sleeping. Seek out assistance! A member of your family, for example, can be the most credible in helping you evaluate these matters.

The main symptoms of sleep apnea happen while sleeping. The individual suffering may be unaware of the symptoms such as loud snoring due to breath recovery. They might also be unaware of the silence that comes immediately after, which is due to the inability to breathe caused by the blockage of the airway. Another symptom is the lack of rapid eye movement or REM sleep. Most normal people experience REM whenever they enter a deeper stage of sleeping. This is characterized by the fluttering of the eyelids while sleeping. You may have observed this natural movement of the eye from a normal person who is sleeping. This is easy to observe in children who are healthier and more capable of having a deep sound sleep. REM is impossible for sleep apnea patients because of the blockage in the airways and the lack of breath. The brain of the patient sends signals to the muscles for their breathing to continue again but they never enter a deep state of sleep. This causes constant tossing and turning in bed and a very poor sleep quality.

Aside from the symptoms experienced while sleeping, there are also obvious changes in behavior which can be considered as symptoms related to sleep apnea. They include irritability and excessive sleepiness that can even cause sleeping while driving. They also include less interest in sexual activities and memory problems. If one of your family members is complaining about your loud snoring and, at the same time, you are experiencing some changes that are affecting your daily normal activities, seek medical advice immediately! Untreated sleep apnea can be life-threatening and can develop into high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, impotence, and headaches.

Becoming aware of and treating your sleep apnea symptoms will help you and others in your family to continue with a normal lifestyle. Sleep apnea can be life-threatening so donÂ't let this hinder you in experiencing a happier life with your loved ones.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6984.shtml

The Thyroid And Weight Control

The Thyroid And Weight Control

By: George Best

Thyroid hormone is probably the single strongest stimulator of the metabolism, and therefore sluggish thyroid function is almost always associated with stubborn weight problems. Although decreased thyroid function can be due to problems with the thyroid gland itself, in many cases other factors are actually to blame. Let's examine the whole thyroid hormone system so that you can better understand where things can go wrong and how thyroid function can often be improved with lifestyle changes.

The stimulation of metabolism actually begins in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus - the master hormone controller. The hypothalmus senses the need for more or less thyroid hormone production and when more is needed, it signals the pituitary gland to produce a hormone called TSH (you may have seen this hormone listed on a blood test for thyroid function). Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) does what it's name suggests - it stimulates the thyroid gland to produce the inactive T4 hormone. When the inactive T4 hormone levels increase, it is taken up by the liver and converted to the active form of thyroid hormone, known as T3. The T3 hormone then acts on receptor sites on the cells of the body and causes the cells to produce more mitochondria, which can be thought of a microscopic power plants inside the cells. The mitochondria create energy for the cells (which when combined from millions of cells creates energy for the body as a whole) by burning stored sugar and fat.

When something goes wrong in the thyroid system, the body does not burn fat and sugar as much, so there is a tendency for weight gain. Since energy production is down, fatigue often sets in. And because there is not sufficient energy for certain cellular functions, healing and tissue regeneration may be depressed - this is most commonly noticed as hair loss and brittle nails.

There are several possible reasons why the thyroid system might not work as well as it should. First, there may not be sufficient stimulation of the body to cause the hypothalamus to start the process. The primary stimulator of the thyroid system is exercise - primarily short bursts of intense exercise. In other words, for healthy thyroid function, it is more effective to do interval training in which you do repetetive bursts of intense activity with rest in between, than it is to do long periods of low-intensity exercise, but any form of exercise is helpful.

Another possible problem is that the thyroid gland itself might be damaged, either by infection, or possibly by radiation exposure (either accidental exposure or intentional radiation of the thyroid for cancer treatment). In the case of actual thyroid damage, some type of thyroid medication will usually be necessary to compensate.

Yet another possible problem in the thyroid system is poor conversion of the inactive T4 hormone to the active T3 hormone by the liver. This typically occurs with poor lifestyle - excessive alcohol and/or drug use, and/or bad diet (especially a diet high in fats and animal proteins). The functioning of the liver can usually be greatly enhanced through dietary approaches, and improved liver function will translate to more efficient activation of thyroid hormone.

The active T3 hormone can actually be blocked at the receptor sites on the body's cells and cannot send the signal for the cells to build additional mitochondria, and metabolism becomes sluggish. This is a common side-effect of estrogen and estrogen-like chemicals. The most common sources of estrogen interference with thyroid hormone are birth control medications and estrogen replacement therapy. If you have experienced weight gain and other thyroid-related symptoms since starting on birth control or hormone replacement, you may wish to consult with your physician about other options.

Finally, the formation of mitochondria can be interfered with by the presence of certain chemicals. Sodium benzoate, a preservative found in many processed foods and beverages (especially soft-drinks) can damage the genetic material within the cells needed for mitochondrial formation. Here again, cleaning up the diet can be very beneficial to overall thyroid hormone function and the ultimate goal of weight control.

To sum things up, there are steps you can take to maximize the metabolism-stimulating effects of the thyroid. First, regular exercise is important, and interval-training is the most effective for thyroid stimulation. Next, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, avoid drugs and medications except for those that are absolutely necessary, and keep fat and protein intake to a moderate level so as not to overwork the liver. In addition, you may wish to consult with your doctor if you are using any kind of birth control or hormone replacement medication containing estrogen. Finally, avoid the preservative sodium benzoate in order to avoid interfering with the production of your cellular "power plants", the mitochondria. In most cases these steps will gradually normalize thyroid hormone function and you will find that weight control becomes much easier. In a few cases, medical treatment for thyroid damage may be needed, but simple lifestyle changes are often the most effective means of improving metabolism.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6947.shtml

Barley: An Ancient Super Food Rediscovered

Barley: An Ancient Super Food Rediscovered

By: Darrell Miller

Most people would be surprised to find out that the number-one cause of premature aging and disease in the Western world is the over-consumption of food. This is true not only because too much food can make us fat, but also because everything we eat must be processed by our bodies, which requires an expenditure of energy. Because the body has to be continually processing calories, we suffer much wear and tear. Within each cell of the human body, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthful fats, and other important nutrients are the important parts that create energy and repair the wear and tear that our body is continually fighting. The modern diet is extremely abundant calories, but yet extremely light on these healing, renewing substances. A diet that is calorie-dense yet nutrient-poor has a serious effect on the state of our health, causing us to be overfed and malnourished.

Barley in the most energy-efficient food available in nature, having major implications for those who are concerned with maximizing longevity, avoiding disease, increasing athletic performance, and fighting obesity. Barley is much more than a supplement found at your local health food store, it is a complete food which has been converted into a super food through an all-natural process, making it so powerful and functional that it can be used to nourish those who are struck by famine. Actually, the United Nations uses it as a relief food for those in famine-stricken countries because of its ability to support human life better than any other single food.

In ancient Rome, sprouted barley gruel was used as a food for gladiators and also as a staple for the roman army. Sprouting is known as a way to transform grains or beans into a more nutrient-dense food that is easier to digest. The unique activating procedure, where the grain isnÂ't sprouted but pre-sprouted instead, uses a low-temperature process that was first used as a replacement for motherÂ's milk, as a formula for infants who were unable to nurse. The process that is used to activate barley preserves enzyme activity, vitamins, and minerals, bringing it just to the point where itÂ's ready to sprout then putting it into a state of suspended animation, where it is then transformed into a powder that mixes easily into any drink or recipe.

Barley transforms into a gel in the GI tract, slowing its passage through the body, which in turn allows maximum nutrient absorption. It also stabilizes glucose levels and is great for use by diabetics. Its composition is unique among others, being extremely energy dense, providing four hundred percent more energy than barley that hasnÂ't been pre-sprouted. Barley is often used to improve athletic endurance, help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, control hunger, boost the immune system, and detoxify the blood. It has a very low glycemic index, allowing it be used in low-carbohydrate diets. This super food is rich in soluble fiber and beta-glucans, which explains its healthy effects on cholesterol, blood sugar balance, and the immune system. The pre-sprouting process that is used also to increase the grainÂ's content of beta-glucan a substance known to boost the immune system. Have you had your barley today?

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6960.shtml

Cut Through The Marketing Hype And Taurine Can Still Be Of Great Benefit

Cut Through The Marketing Hype And Taurine Can Still Be Of Great Benefit

By: Steve Smith

Taurine is one of those perhaps lesser known amino acids which are known to medicine as "non-essential". But "non-essential" in this context simply means that it is not essential to ensure a daily intake from diet, because the compound can be manufactured by the body, albeit in fairly small quantities. It should not be taken as lessening the importance of taurine or the other non-essential amino acids in any way.

Much publicity has recently been given to taurine as a way of preventing hangovers and slowing or even reversing the liver damage caused by long term excess alcohol consumption. So taurine is commonly added with caffeine to the energy drinks increasingly sold as mixers to take with alcoholic drinks. Whilst it has to be said that the "jury's still out" on some of the wilder claims made in this regard, there is evidence that taurine may be beneficial not just for the liver but for the heart, kidneys and other organs which may become subject to inflammation or the accumulation of fluid or fat.

Complementary medical practitioners are particularly enthusiastic in using taurine supplements as therapy for conditions including hypertension, macular degeneration of the eyes, congestive heart failure, fluid retention and asthma. Although these conditions may appear diverse, if there is a common factor it is probably an imbalance in body chemistry, particularly perhaps the relative concentrations of potassium, magnesium and sodium within the cells. And there is some good research evidence to suggest that taurine's effect in restoring proper fluid balance may be very effective in reducing blood pressure and tackling congestive heart failure.

When taken in conjunction with magnesium, taurine may help maintain good heart rhythm, and it is also an anti-oxidant which helps protect against atherosclerosis and the formation of potentially dangerous blood clots.

As a fat soluble anti-oxidant, taurine is also invaluable in protecting the light sensitive cells of the retina, which contain a very high concentration of fats, from the free radical damage which can lead to loss of vision through macular degeneration. Taurine's role as an anti-oxidant has also been highlighted as a possible protector of the lungs against free radical attack, with potentially particularly valuable implications for sufferers from asthma.

Finally, although it remains a matter of some controversy, taurine's role in balancing cell chemistry is also believed by some nutritionists to protect against epileptic and other types of brain seizure. It is also found in very high concentrations in the white blood cells which are the key to a healthy immune system, and is believed to help stabilise blood sugar levels.

To manufacture sufficient taurine within the body a good supply of the essential amino acids is required, particularly methionine. By far the best sources of these are the so-called "first-class" protein foods, called first-class precisely because they contain all of the essential amino acids. Meat, poultry, fish and dairy products are all within this group, and for the purposes of taurine, shellfish are a particularly rich source.

A diet providing normal quantities of these food groups will usually be adequate to prevent taurine deficiency, but not necessarily to secure the maximum benefits for sufferers from the conditions mentioned above. Those following a vegetarian diet will also have to take particular care to combine foods correctly in order to obtain an adequate supply of the essential amino acids; methionine especially.

Fortunately, however, there appear to be no toxicity issues with taurine supplementation, except for sufferers from excess stomach acidity or ulcers. So some nutritional therapists commonly recommend therapeutic doses of up to 4,000 mg a day, particularly when treating the heart and cardiovascular conditions detailed above, with no reports of ill-effects. It's worth noting, however, that some minor gastro-intestinal disturbances have been observed when even higher doses have been applied.

But as always, when considering any program of supplementation, it needs to be remembered that the body is a holistically functioning organism, and that no one nutrient can function 100% effectively in the absence of an adequate supply of all the others. Taking individual supplements of amino acids can create an imbalance, and is not therefore recommended except in the short term, and is in any case best accompanied by a comprehensive multi-vitamin and multi'mineral regime. In the case of taurine, however, it is also worth pointing out that its action seems to be particularly dependent on good supplies of vitamin B6 and the essential mineral, zinc.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6891.shtml

How Would You Know You Have Candida?

How Would You Know You Have Candida?

By: Hyacinth Allen

Unfortunately diagnosing Candida is not easy, because we all have it. A test to see if Candida is present tells the Doctor nothing, when it is out of control there are a number of non specific symptoms, which means that both you and your friend may have Candida Albicans, but both of you may have completely different symptoms. The symptoms that are experienced by a person with a Candidiasis condition are very similar to that of a person with gluten intolerance. Because our genetic makeup is different, we all react in a different way and that makes empirical testing difficult.

The following is a list of symptoms that may occur with Candidiasis it is not extensive and how many you suffer from depend on a number of factors such as, how many years you have had the Candida problem, and your own unique genetic makeup. The genes that you have inherited from your parents, defines your metabolic requirements, which in turn defines your personal nutritional requirements. This means that there can be no single diet or treatment for Candida Infections.

Because so many bacteria live in our bodies quite naturally they are all involved in a power struggle, the good bacteria versus the bad bacteria. When our immune systems are working correctly, the proliferation of Candida is held in check; however, if it has the slightest opportunity it will proliferate and result in a Candida overgrowth.

Below is a list of some of the symptoms that you may have:

Allergies
Anemia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Asthma
AthleteÂ's foot,
Bloating,
Body aches,
Chronic sore throats,
Colitis,
Confusion
Dandruff,
Depressed immune
Depression
Drowsiness,
Ear aches,
Endometriosis,
Food cravings (sugar, sweets, bread, beer),
Gas,
Hay fever,
Headaches,
History of vaginal thrush and/or cystitis,
Hives,
Hyper-activity (mostly in children),
Insomnia
Lethargy,
Loss of libido
Mal-absorption,
Menstrual irregularities,
Mood swings,
Muscle spasms
Muscle weakness,
Diaper rash,
Nasal congestion,
Numbness / tingling
PMT,
Poor appetite
Poor memory
Rectal itching,
Reproductive problems
Skin complaints
Skin irritation,
Symptoms worse in damp and moldy conditions,
Trapped gas
Weight control problems.

It is understandable why being able to diagnose these symptoms to make a determination for Candidiasis is extremely difficult.

It is possible to eat, drink or inhale something to which your body shows an extreme sensitivity, your body may react immediately or at some later time. It is important to determine or to isolate what you are sensitive to so that you can confine that exposure to a minimum of occurrences.

Candidiasis was isolated in the seventies but not all doctors accept that it is a condition, and even if they do, they do not always agree on the method of treatment or the symptoms. There is no standard test. Candida overgrowth will show up in a stool test, but only if someone is testing for it. If you have had a negative stool test it cannot be assumed that you have a Candida overgrowth!

The following is an attempt to break down the stages that the disease may take.

Stage 1

Leaky gut syndrome.

The gastro intestinal tract has many diverse functions it digests food, converts it to energy then it uses specialized proteins to transport the vitamins and minerals from the lining of the gut into the bloodstream. The molecules in the digestive system called enzymes break the food into smaller compounds; the proteins become amino acids, the fats, fatty acids, and carbohydrates become simple sugars such as glucose. These compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream, to be transported to the cells. The gastro intestinal tract is also responsible for ridding the body of its toxic wastes. The gastro intestinal tract also contains immunoglobulin, which are types of protein that acts as antibodies and defend the body against infection.

When the body absorbs digested minerals the process of circulating it into the bloodstream is not simple, it has to have what is known as a carrier protein. Unfortunately, carrier proteins are specific, they only recognize one food or food group, and they grab either amino acids sugars or glucose and transport them across the intestinal wall. When the wall of the gut is swollen the carrier proteins are damaged, they cannot function, and this leads to food deficiencies.

The common stages of a leaky gut are:

• Lack of absorption of nutrients, which leads to bloating, diminished energy and possibly a feeling of lethargy.

• Normally when the gut is functioning correctly the food particles are broken down into small particles, with leaky gut they can be large and this creates a tendency for food intolerances and other symptoms.

• The liver becomes overburdened with a glut of toxins.

• The protective coating of immunoglobulin A is broken leaving the body vulnerable to yeast, viruses and bacteria. Once released from the gut and in the bloodstream they can affect other parts of the body. It is not unusual to suffer migraines, have muscle pains and a fuzzy brain.

• It can be the start of auto immune disease when the body attacks itself.

Once the Candida has access to the rest, of the body, it can disrupt the hormonal balance and it can cause:

Allergies
Asthma
Chronic tiredness
Cystitis
Ear infections
Fungal infections of the nails/skin e.g. athleteÂ's foot
Hay fever
Joint pains
Menstrual irregularities
PMT
Sensitivity to perfume, tobacco smoke and petrol
Sinusitis
Thrush
Weight gain or weight loss

Once this leaky gut has occurred the Candida cells have become invasive they penetrate other cells in order to feed. Once they invade the circulatory system they release their toxins and create a condition knows as Candida Related Complex (CRC) or Candidiasis which is a Candida Yeast Overgrowth.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6943.shtml

Different Sleep Aid Medications

Different Sleep Aid Medications

By: Gary M. Miller

Patients having difficulty sleeping will often resort to a number of possible remedies that are available on the market today. Believe it or not, they arenÂ't always content with the traditional Â"counting of sheepÂ" method! In order to easily doze off to sleep, it often requires much more than just an imaginary fence and a flock of sheep. Patients try different medical options that can help them to feel drowsier and eventually fall into that wonderful, peaceful rest they so desire.

There are many treatments and medications available today. Often patients use white noise devices or sleep pillows as an initial solution to their problem. If this doesnÂ't work, they will usually move to a more serious treatment. Among the more popular medications are the sleep drugs. Sleep drugs are especially successful in helping people who are having an especially hard time making themselves sleep. They use the drugs for only a short time in order to Â"re-trainÂ" their body clock into a normal schedule of sleep. Then, when they have caught up on their rest, they try to transition into a natural method. Over the counter sleep drugs are being used by many people who have an especially tough time sleeping. It is important, however, not to become dependant on these drugs. An FDA warning on sleep drug risks is very alarming as it shows that many people become dependant upon these drugs if they arenÂ't careful.

Medications for curing sleep problems are of two classes; benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepine are usually used for treatment of insomnia but can also be used for other sleep disorders such as in the case of the drugs Dolmane, Ativar, Restoril, Doral, Xanax, Halcion and Prosom. These types of medication are only to be taken for a short period of time. Continuous usage will very likely cause dependence and addiction to the product. Other side effects include a terrible hangover!

Non-benzodiazepine medications are said to be safer and can cause less dependence. Examples of these are Ambien, Sonata and Lunesta. They help to reduce the struggle of falling asleep without increasing the risk of dependence. It is still important, however, that you donÂ't rely on these pills all the time. They may still have different side-effects and characteristics that may be harmful to your long-term health. Ambien is a sleeping pill which is an excellent aid to better sleep. It affects you later on in the night and helps you to sleep more soundly. Sonata is also a good medication used by people who have difficulty dozing off. Finally, Lunesta is approved by the FDA for patients who are not able to get any sound sleep and is also a lot safer than the Benzodiapines.

Compared to the Benzodiazepines, non-Benzodiapines allow a patient to have a worthwhile sleep and, at the same time, avoid a lot of the risk associated with the Benzodiapine medications. They also donÂ't cause hangovers for patients using them! There is less risk of dependence and addiction to the drug and less harmful side effects.

Aside from all these other typed of medication for sleep problems, there are still a few others which should be mentioned. Rozerem is another medication that is approved by the FDA. It targets the brain and controls the sleep-wake cycle of the body. Because it targets the personÂ's brain and is found to be safe for older adults, it has also become very popular. Still, this product is not for use by people with severe cases of sleep Apnea or hepatic impairment or by anyone sensitive to such medications. A number of other medications are benadryl, atarax, and zopiclone. A person can also use chloralhydrate-oral but the FDA warns individuals of its adverse effect on the body.

Always be informed about the warnings of each drug so that you will not go wrong in using any of them. Also, donÂ't overuse any drug! Anything taken over its recommended dosage is not good. Sleep medications can be a great benefit to those suffering from the many disorders out there today. Still, always remember that an overdose of any drug can pose more danger to oneÂ's health and should be properly prescribed by a doctor.

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