Living Fit, Healthy and Happy: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Improve Your Posture And Look 10 Pounds Thinner Instantly!

By Janice Novak

Do you think you'd look better if you could just lose ten pounds? Many would answer 'yes,' but what most don't know is they can instantly look 10 pounds thinner simply by standing straighter.

That's right – improving posture can help you look pounds thinner instantly. Here's why. When the upper back slumps forward, your ribcage presses down onto your lungs and internal organs. This puts a downward pressure on the midsection. Your internal organs have nowhere to go except down and out, instantly making your mid-section wider, by several inches, than it really is. Slumping also forces your belly to protrude more which actually adds to and accentuates a pot belly.

That's right - poor posture instantly adds a couple of inches to your mid-section and makes your mid-section and belly appear larger than they really. And what person do you know feels they look better with a larger waistline and belly? No one that I know needs or wants a larger waist and belly.

Try this little test. Pretend you are waiting for a bus or an elevator and assume your normal stance. Place a cloth measuring tape around your waist. Now lift up your rib cage slightly, as if a string attached to your breastbone were pulling it toward the ceiling. Check the tape measure again and you will see that you can pull that tape measure a good few inches tighter. Your waistline will instantly lose an inch or two in girth.

Clearly posture matters. Your mother was right when she told you to straighten up. And you have probably heard, many times throughout your life, that you need to stand up straight. But has anyone ever shown you exactly how to do this? When most people try to improve their posture, they jam their shoulders back and stand as stiff as soldiers.

This is wrong not only because no one can sustain this position for more than a few seconds, but also because it does not align the body properly. Standing up straight and improving alignment is more than just trying to jam your shoulders back as this position looks odd and unnatural and actually puts more stress and tension in your neck and upper back muscles. Many people tend to hold too much tension in this area anyway. The last thing we need to do is add more.

You know you have good posture, when from a side view, your ear, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle are in a straight line. Janice Novak’s 'One Minute To Better Posture Technique' will have you standing straighter instantly. Try it. You won’t be disappointed.

1. Stand with your feet about 6 inches apart. Your knees should be straight, but not locked.

2. Inhale. As you exhale, pull your belly button towards your spine, just like you would if you were trying to zip up a tight pair of pants.

3. Next, lift your ribcage. Think of separating the bottom of your rib cage from your hip bones, as if a string attached to your breastbone was pulling the rib cage up slightly towards the ceiling. This little movement helps flatten the upper back and realigns your head over your shoulders, and instantly slims your waistline.

4. Gently press your shoulders down, away from your ears. Pull your shoulder blades back, towards the spine, then press them down, as if you wanted to tuck your shoulder blades into your back pockets. This movement will instantly un-round your shoulders.

About the Author: Janice Novak has a Master's Degree in Health & Physical Education and is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker and wellness consultant. Her program improves health, decreases sick days and improves productivity, alertness, energy and motivation. Visit Improve Your Posture

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This article offers some useful tips for improving your posture. This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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Monday, September 29, 2008

Dhea Supplements: Possible Benefits Of Maintaining Youth And The Possible Side Effects

By Connie Limon

The most abundant steroid in the human body is DHEA. DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands. DHEA is involved in creating testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and corticosterone. As we age the production of DHEA declines. By age 75 the body makes only 10 to 20 percent what it produced at age twenty.

Decreasing DHEA levels are closely associated with a number of age-related diseases and disabilities. Researchers and scientists speculate if aging men and women can restore their DHEA to levels produced in their youth, youthful health and vigor will also be restored.

Studies have shown:

•Adult men with high plasma DHEA-S levels are less likely to die of cardiovascular disease

•DHEA increases the body’s ability to transform food into energy and burn off excess fat

•Anti-inflammatory properties of DHEA combined with conventional treatment could potentially improve the quality of life across a wide range of illnesses such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and certain types of cancer

•DHEA is secreted throughout the body during sex. High levels of DHEA have beeb associated with several health benefits which include longevity, building muscle mass, depression as well as enhanced libido.

•Daily DHEA supplementation remedies some of the side effects of menopause

•DHEA has been found to reduce risk factors associated with age-related heart disease and improves blood vessels by stimulating the linings of arteries to produce nitric oxide, a substance that relaxes arterial tension.

•DHEA supplementation for men and women, in youth or in older age, can be considered as a safe, multi-modal anti-aging supplement, which promotes quality of life and increases the odds of living longer lives.

Side effects and warnings of DHEA supplements

There have been few side effects reported when DHEA supplements are taken by mouth in recommended doses. In clinical trials, acne is a common reported side effect. Patients with HIV commonly complain of fatigue, nasal congestion, headache and insomnia. Women commonly complain of abnormal menses, emotional changes, headache and insomnia. Other side effects may include:

•Agitation

•Delusions

•Mania

•Nervousness

•Irritability

•Psychosis

In addition, high DHEA levels have been associated with Cushing’s syndrome, but may be caused by excessive supplementation. Individuals with a history of abnormal heart rhythms, blood clots or hypercoagulability, and individuals with a history of liver disease should avoid DHEA supplements.

Other possible side effects due to the fact that DHEA is a hormone related to other male and female hormones may include:

•Masculinization in women such as acne, greasy skin, facial hair, hair loss, increased sweating, weight gain around the waist or a deeper voice

•Men may develop more prominent breasts or breast tenderness

•Men may experience increased blood pressure, testicular wasting or increased aggressiveness

DHEA supplementation may also alter the production or balance of various other hormones in the body. These hormonal-related side effects may include:

•Increased blood sugar levels

•Insulin resistance

•Altered cholesterol levels

•Altered thyroid hormone levels

•Altered adrenal function

Use caution if you are an individual with diabetes or hyperglycemia, high cholesterol, thyroid disorder or other endocrine (hormonal abnormalities. Consult with your physician before taking DHEA supplements. The serum glucose, cholesterol and thyroid levels may need to be monitored by your physician and medication adjustments may be necessary.

DHEA supplements are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. DHEA is a hormone and may be unsafe to the fetus or nursing infant.

Source: American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine; Mayo Clinic

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

About the Author: Connie Limon, Trilogy Field Representative. Visit http://nutritionandhealthhub.com and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. Visit http://www.healthylife27.com to purchase an array of superior quality, safe and effective products inspired by nature, informed by science and created to improve the health of people, pets and the planet.

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Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=149302&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

This article discusses DHEA supplementation including studies suggesting its possible role in anti-aging as well as side effects associated with use of DHEA. This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Common Causes of Bad Breath and Some Natural Treatments

Common Causes of Bad Breath and Some Natural Treatments
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Denice_Moffat]Denice Moffat

As a doctor, I go ahead and tell the client that they have bad breath and that it will clear if they do the work. I tell them that it will be used as an indicator of health as we go along. I feel it is part of my job as their health care practitioner. As a spouse, friend, relative or person on the street, a bit of tact is involved in telling someone they have bad breath.

Sick bleeding gums—Pack White Oak Bark powder (not tincture!) around the gums every night for 30 days. Also increase the amount of Vitamin C in the diet.

Rotten Teeth—This really stinks. It can also be associated with sinus problems. One key in diagnosing this is to ask if they have post nasal drip. Solution: Go to the dentist on a regular basis and get that work done. Floss your teeth and smell the floss. If it is the same smell as the bad breath, see your dentist.

Gastric Reflux—Smells kind of sour. Eating for your blood type should help and reviewing Fit for Life’s proper food combining techniques should also help. Fasting can also be good for this.

Kidney Disease—Smells like a dying animal. Uric acid is building up in the body. Appetite will be poor. Processing of proteins is not happening. After a few months, dead cell toxins affect the eating center of the brain and tell it not to eat, because nausea will occur. The tongue is often gray and pasty. It’s important to see a doctor or naturopath with this as it could be life-threatening.

Yeast—This smells sweetish, but stale. The tongue will usually be coated with a sticky white coat and sometimes “crusties” will build up on the corners of the mouth. If the body is infected with yeast, there will also be a bad body odor and stinky feet. There are lots of products out there that will work if you keep searching. Try some Tom’s Natural Toothpaste with Myrrh in it for your teeth and take about 2 Myrrh Gum capsules every day for a couple of months for the systemic infection. Add lots of oregano to your cooking (they actually make Oregano tablets for yeast infections.) Brush or scrape your tongue as well as your teeth, and think about doing a water-only fast for 3-5 days.

Ketones—A byproduct of fat breakdown caused from starvation, dieting or diabetes. Is there an increase in thirst? Do you experience light-headedness, fainting, hypoglycemia, or brain fog? Do you forget to eat or skip meals? If so, you might want to have your blood sugar checked.

Side effects of some foods—It could be that supplement or herb you are taking is causing the halitosis, or some ingredient in a meal like garlic. You can pretty much tell when it’s garlic.

Dog/Puppy or Cat/Kitten Bad Breath—My pathology teacher used to tell us, “Cells are cells. They all act alike.” Treating bad breath in pets is much the same as treating bad breath in humans. One thing I’ve noticed though is that pets get sores on their tongue from Chlamydia or herpes infections more often than humans do. When this happens, the tongue can erode. When this happens, you will see lots of saliva, the pet tries to eat, but can’t, and they start to lose weight. Open their mouth, and check for sores. If it smells like rotten tissue and you see those tell-tale red sores, see your local vet. Feed liquid diets for a while until they recoup and their tongue heals.

If the teeth are red at the gum line, it could be a tooth coming in (pets will be less than 8 months of age) or maybe the teeth need cleaning (you will see lots of tarter built up around the back molars, on the canine teeth, or behind the front teeth.)

Don’t confuse these types of halitosis with the smell of healthy puppy and kitten breath which naturally goes away when the gut flora is established.

With all halitosis, it’s important to determine the cause of the bad breath and rectify it. Halitosis is a symptom of something not working right in the body (except when you eat garlic.) Healthy breath is part of a healthy body. These things can be corrected. Covering up the symptom with mouthwash or mints is only a temporary fix to a deeper problem.

© 2005 by Dr. Denice M. Moffat

Please rate this article

Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at http://www.NaturalHealthTechniques.com and free monthly newsletter. For the core causes of other diseases like headaches, high blood pressure and infertility and thyroid disease go to: http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/SpecificDiseases/specific_diseases1.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denice_Moffat http://EzineArticles.com/?Common-Causes-of-Bad-Breath-and-Some-Natural-Treatments&id=100629

This article discusses some of the causes of bad breath and offers some useful natural treatments to stop bad breath. This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

Does A Sauna Really Help You Burn Calories Or Is It A Myth?

By Amy Nutt

There seems to be a lot of controversy going around lately about whether or not a sauna will help you to burn calories and lose weight. Some people think that the whole thing is just a myth, and some people swear by it. A lot of the sauna manufacturing companies will tell you that saunas definitely help you lose weight and calories, but this information is not as believable coming from someone who wants to sell you their sauna! Some of these companies’ websites even have so called “doctors” who will answer any questions you may have about their saunas, but these people are employed by the company, and are still just trying to sell you their sauna.

Sitting inside of a hot sauna for any period of time will make you sweat. Sweating releases fluid from your body. The longer you sweat, the more fluid you will lose, and this fluid loss is really the only weight loss that you see from sauna use. Once you are done with the sauna for the day, it is highly recommended that you drink lots of water after you’ve cooled off. This basically puts the lost fluid right back inside of your body.

Many sauna companies boldly state that just twenty or thirty minutes inside of their sauna will burn anywhere from three hundred to one thousand calories. This is simply not possible. People are always looking for an easier way to burn calories than exercise, but exercise is the only efficient way to really get rid of calories. Sitting in a sauna for thirty minutes may burn up to three hundred calories, but this type of calorie burn will not have the same effect on your body as the calories burned during exercise.

Calories burnt off while sitting in a sauna are just calories burnt. There is no muscle building, no fat shedding, no after burn (VERY important!) and no muscle strengthening or toning. When you choose to burn calories through exercise, you not only burn more calories, but you also build and tone your muscle, and you get rid of the excess fat on your body. If you choose the right kinds of aerobics exercises, you will also get the added benefit of after burn. After burn is what the body does after you have finished exercising. After burn can burn calories up to fourteen hours after you have stopped exercising. If the only reason you are using a sauna is to lose weight, there are much better things you can be doing to achieve your goal.

Saunas are great for all kinds of other things though, and they can even help you to feel better about yourself. They will improve your skin, your health and your body. If they are used properly and safely, saunas will do a lot for you. I suggest using one at least two or three times a week, and I also recommend a good, weekly exercise routine for those who want to lose weight.

About the Author: Home saunas are believed to produce numerous health benefits and provide a relaxing spa experience. View our large selection of Infrared Saunas, Steam Showers, Sauna Kits, Pre-Fab Saunas, Sauna Heaters, and Steambath Generators.

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This article discusses the many uses of saunas and whether or not they can help a person lose weight. This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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Friday, September 26, 2008

Discover The Power Of Whole Grains

By Randy Powell

Eating whole grains seems to be the nutritional battle cry of the new century. For a large part of the population, this is going to be tough. Most of us grew up eating white bread for our daily school bag lunch. It was all we knew about and it taste like heaven when spread with peanut butter and jam. Worries about things like PH balance and alkaline foods was not thought about much and health food was considered anything that your mother put on your plate. We had no idea that we were supposed to be eating whole wheat, let alone whole grains.

Getting your children to eat whole grain breads or pasta may be a problem especially if they are not starting out young. White bread is an acquired taste. Whole grains can be acquired too. Starting out early helps since children are much more adaptable to accepting foods than adults. But if you only expose them to healthy, whole grain foods they won't have the chance to develop a taste for white bread or other non-nutritious foods. Bologna and cheese taste just as good on sliced whole wheat.

Because of knowledge, Adults must learn to change their diet preferences. We know that we need much more fiber in our diet. We also know that whole grains break down slower and will not spike our blood sugar levels. There is also an increased risk of diabetes in people who eat refined white flour - a risk that has been proven by the increase in cases of diabetes. Refined wheat and high fructose corn syrup may be some of the reasons for the escalating cases of Juvenile diabetes. Understanding why 100% whole wheat is superior to white bread can help you feel good about the compromise and encourage you to make it the standard for your children.

Whole wheat bread has the health benefits of containing lots of fiber. Fiber is good for the digestive system by moving food rapidly along, dragging unwanted waste products along with it. Fiber also helps with making bowel elimination much easier by making your stool softer and bulkier. It gives you a feeling of being full and can help with controlling how much you eat. Research has been done that shows men and women who eat high-fiber foods have less heart attacks and strokes than those who do not.

You really have to read labels when shopping for bread at the grocery store. Watch out for words like 'wheat flour' or 'enriched wheat flour' as they can be mostly made from white flour with just a small amount of whole wheat added in. Always look for bread made from 100% wheat flour or 100% whole grain. Many food companies will try to mislead you by making the name of the product sound healthy. Words like whole bran, stoned wheat, 12 grain and others are still mostly processed white flour. The only way to know for sure is to read the label and have a good understanding of what you feel is best for your family.

About the Author: Randy Powell believes that the world can improve its health crisis through proper a diet high in alkaline foods. Visit his website at: http://www.eating-veggies.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=248574&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

This article discusses some health benefits of making whole grain foods a part of your regular diet and offers some useful tips for selecting the best whole grain foods for you and your family. This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Green Tea Or Black – The Choice Is Yours

By Steve P Smith

Whilst increasing attention is now rightly being paid to the health benefits of white and green teas, the virtues of the much more familiar, and still much more common, black tea, should not be neglected. All three are products of the camellia sinensis plant and as such have many common attributes, particularly in their anti-oxidant functions; the difference between them being entirely attributable to the differing methods by which they are produced.

So-called “herbal teas”, by contrast, are drinks made from infusions of the leaves of a wide variety of other plants. Although these are often very beneficial to health, they are not “teas” at all in the strict sense, this term being restricted to the products of the camellia sinenis plant, and should be considered separately, probably as a branch of herbal medicine or therapy.

The fresh, ie unprocessed, leaves of the camellia sinensis plant are rich in compounds known as polyphenols, and particularly those of a type known as catechins, which are powerful anti-oxidants. The problem is that these compounds are easily destroyed by the processing that the leaves go through. In the case of black teas the process, known as fermentation, results in the almost complete oxidation of the catechins resulting in a dramatic loss of their anti-oxidant power.

The highly prized white teas, by contrast, are produced by steaming the very young leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, protecting them from this damaging oxidation. Green teas are produced by a similar process of heat treatment, but the older leaves used are not generally as rich in the active ant-oxidant compounds. There is yet another category of teas, known as oolong, which fall somewhere between the green and black varieties by being partially oxidised (fermented).

Whilst conventional medicine continues to insist that the evidence for the health giving benefits of all these teas remains inconclusive, there is in fact ample evidence of the anti-oxidant power of these beverages. For example, a number of respectable studies have concluded that moderate tea consumption (just a few cups day) may reduce the risk of heart disease by around a third, in the case of black tea, and a half in the case of green tea. At least one research report further suggests that tea consumption may help reduce the risk of stroke by as much as two-thirds.

Since heart disease and stroke remain two of the biggest causes of premature death and disability in the affluent Western world, these findings alone would seem to make the regular consumption of tea, and green tea in particular, a worthwhile precaution.

But the benefits don’t end there.

Free radical oxidative damage to the lining of the blood vessels is known to be a factor in the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) another major cause of life threatening cardiovascular disease. The consumption of black tea has been shown to have a protective effect on the cells lining the blood vessels (the endothelium) and to the extent that this effect is due to anti-oxidant polyphenols, it appears highly likely that tests with green tea would produce results at least as good.

Less conclusively, but interestingly, there is also evidence that the anti-oxidant qualities of the polyphenols in both green and black tea may have a role in combatting both cancer and osteoporosis.

In the case of cancer, such effects have been clearly demonstrated in animals, though the evidence in respect of humans is less clear cut. But to the extent that cancer is a disease of degeneration, the onset of which may be hastened by oxidative damage in cells caused by free radical activity, the anti-oxidant activity of black and green tea can only be of potential benefit.

Similarly, there is observational evidence that bone mass density is positively correlated with tea consumption, which is therefore protective against osteoporosis, possibly because of the drink’s anti-oxidant properties, but the causal link is not fully understood.

Despite the familiar reservations of conventional medicine, there appears good evidence for the anti-oxidant qualities of the polyphenols in tea in general, and green tea in particular. But that’s not all. Tea is also a good source of some trace minerals, including manganese, which is itself a powerful anti-oxidant. Black tea is a particularly good source, and a convenient way of obtaining this mineral, which is often drastically under supplied in food. In addition to its general anti-oxidant properties, manganese is also known to nutritional therapists as an aid to cardiac and bone health, in relieving the symptoms of diabetes, and in treating certain types of seizure.

The only likely downside to the consumption of significant quantities of tea is that both green and black varieties may contain considerable amounts of caffeine. Strong black tea is also rich in tannin, the acidic substance which also gives the astringent taste to red wines, and which may lead to minor stomach disturbances if overdone This problem does not arise with green tea, however, and both black and green varieties are readily available in decaffeinated form, the latter also in a range of enhanced natural flavours for improved palatability.

About the Author: Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in direct marketing and with a particular interest in health products. Find out more at http://www.sisyphuspublicationsonline.com/LiquidNutrition/HealthBenefitsOfTea.htm

Source: www.isnare.com

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This article discusses the health benefits green, black and white tea. This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

Weight Loss Scams

By Amy Nutt

Anyone who has spent enough time surfing the internet or checking email has seen ads or websites selling weight-loss products. Pills, food programs, strange diets, teas, hypnosis… The list goes on and on. The truth is there is a huge demand for such products. Our society puts increasing value in having a beautiful, toned body, yet fosters unhealthy behaviors like eating fast food and watching television. The result is that many people want to look thin but keep gaining weight. They might not have time or willpower to undertake realistic weight loss programs, so they become susceptible to fad diets, pills and other commercial weight loss products that don’t work. Many of these products are not only ineffective but dangerous for your health.

Here are some guidelines you should use to steer clear of potentially dangerous bogus weight loss products.

According to the FTC, products likely fake if they claim to:

-keep you from absorbing calories or fat.

-cause you to lose at least two pounds a week without exercise.

-cause you to lose a significant amount of weight no matter what you eat.

-cause weight loss by applying the product to the body externally.

-cause you to lose weight forever, even when you stop using the product.

-cause every person who uses the product to lose a lot of weight.

Here some specific products to watch out for.

Natural Fat Burning Pills. These pills are marketed as “natural” weight loss enhancers, but the truth is they’re not much different than the weight loss pills of the 1970’s that were banned because they contained amphetamines, or speed. Just because a product is naturally derived does not mean that it’s safe or effective. In this case, these type of pills use a natural compound that is very similar to ephedrine, the dangerous and addictive chemical present in the original diet pills.

Magic Ab Exercisers. While it is good for you to exercise your abdominal muscles, it won’t make your belly disappear magically. The truth is that we can’t lose weight in a particular part of our bodies be exercising only that part of the body. Only a comprehensive exercise program will work. Some abdominal exercise machines may work better than others, but none will cause weight loss alone.

Goops, goos, gels, herbs, drinks, powders or anything else sold on TV infomercials. The number one warning sign that a product is a fake is that it isn’t sold through conventional distribution channels. These products make claims that would not stand in a normal commercial environment. But in a half-hour TV infomercial where the sellers control all the information, they can seem effective. Be especially wary of ads that use word like “miracle,” “scientific breakthrough,” and “secret formula.”

Fad diets. People spend millions of dollars on books outlining strange diets that supposedly cause weight loss miracles. There are too many of these diets to possibly discuss here, but one principal applies to all of them. If a fad diet causes you to lose weight, you will put the weight back on when you stop the diet. And many of these diets are ineffective to begin with, because every person’s body reacts differently to them. Consult a doctor or nutritionist before you begin any diet, whether it comes from a book or not.

Hopefully this article helped you sort through the mountain of misinformation out there. Remember, if a product sounds too good to be true, it is. A useful is to lose weight is to control your Basal Metabolic Rate, at this way you will control the intake of calories on your body watch what you eat and control how many calories your body burns.

About the Author: TLBC is a specialized Lap Band Centre that will help you with your weight loss issues. Offering now the free BMR Calculator to help to achieve your weight loss goals.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=209498&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

This article discusses weight loss scams and offers some useful tips for avoiding them. This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Reverse Diabetes By Understanding The Causes Of Insulin Resistance

By Mark Hyman, M.D.

Think diabetes is irreversible?

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Despite what the medical establishment tells you, you can reverse diabetes -- without insulin or medication.

Today, I’d like to tell you about a new way of viewing -- and treating -- diabetes.

First, though, you need to understand why diabetes is such a problem.

A Growing Epidemic

The disease has reached epidemic proportions: Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult onset diabetes) now affects nearly 100 million people worldwide, 20 million of which are Americans.

And it’s on the rise -- especially in kids. One in three children born today will have diabetes in their lifetime.

That’s because the path to diabetes starts very early.

The culprit is insulin.

When you eat a lot of sugar and other refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes, your body eventually becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. It requires more and more insulin to keep your blood sugar balanced. High insulin levels increase your appetite -- and your belly fat.

High levels of insulin can occur decades before you’re diagnosed with diabetes. They are warning signs of this condition.

So are the other symptoms of insulin resistance, like belly fat, sugar cravings, feeling tired after meals, high blood pressure and triglycerides, and inflammation.

A family history of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even dementia can increase your chances of developing insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.

And pre-diabetes is just as bad as full-blown diabetes. It, too, can cause heart attacks, strokes, dementia, cancer, and impotence.

So why is diabetes on the rise?

The answer is as close as the food on your plate.

Our bodies were meant to consume a diet that’s high in nutrients, fiber, and omega-3 fats and low in sugar. So when we eat unhealthy foods -- like sugar, trans fats, white flour, and processed foods -- we activate genes that promote diabetes.

Yet type 2 diabetes is almost totally preventable. In fact, in one major study, Harvard researchers found that lifestyle and diet changes could prevent more than 90 percent of all type 2 diabetes cases.

Early Diagnosis is Key

Diagnosing type 2 diabetes early is crucial to its management and reversal.

Because damage to the body can occur with even small changes in insulin and blood sugar, doctors should diagnose pre-diabetes as soon as possible.

The proof is in the research. One recent study found that people whose fasting blood sugar was higher than 87 were at increased risk of diabetes.

Yet most doctors don’t worry until the blood sugar is over 110 -- or worse, over 126, which is diabetes.

Instead, I recommend early testing with anyone who has a family history of type 2 diabetes, belly fat, or abnormal cholesterol -- regardless of your blood sugar level.

Ask your doctor for these tests:

1.Insulin glucose challenge test with 2-hour glucose challenge, 75 grams measuring fasting, 1 and 2 hour blood sugar AND insulin.

Your blood sugar should be less than 80 fasting and never rise above 110 or 120 after one to two hours. Your insulin should be less than 5 fasting and should never rise above 30 after one to two hours.

I recommend this test for everyone over 50, and for anyone with any risk of insulin resistance, even children.

2.The hemoglobin A1C is an important measure of glycated hemoglobin, which can be an early indicator of sugar problems. It should ideally be less than 5.5. Anything over 6 is considered diabetes.

3.Lipid profiles are important. An HDL under 40 and a triglyceride level over 150 usually means diabetes.

4.An NMR lipid profile identifies the size of your cholesterol particles.

5.High sensitivity C-reactive protein is a measure of inflammation, which is both a cause and result of insulin resistance and diabetes. It should be less than 1.

6.Homocysteine is often abnormal in people with diabetes. It should be between 6 and 8.

7.Fibrinogen measures your risk of clotting and is associated with insulin resistance and diabetes. It should be less than 300.

8.Ferritin is a nonspecific marker of inflammation associated with diabetes. It should be less than 150.

9.Uric acid should be less than 6. Higher levels indicate problems with insulin resistance.

10.Elevated liver function tests result from insulin resistance.

These are tests any doctor can perform and are covered by insurance. If you’re at risk for diabetes, I urge you to get tested.

About the Author: Mark Hyman, MD is a pioneer in functional medicine, practicing physician and best-selling author. A sneak preview of his book "The UltraSimple Diet" is available. See The UltraWellness Blog for more on Testing for Insulin Resistance”

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=221285&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

This article discusses some causes of type II diabetes and offers some useful tips for preventing the onset of the disease . This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Believe In Yourself No Matter What

Believe in Yourself No Matter What

by healthy_blogging

Most people face obstacles in life, it's very rare that anyone can say that they've always gotten what they wanted without having to put effort into it. I like to think that this builds confidence and encourages a sense of appreciation for what we earn because nothing worth having comes without effort. With so many things going on in the world today, people become bogged down by worries about where they will get the money to cover home and car payments; the weekly groceries; buy the latest fashion accessories for their child who wants to stay in the clique with their friends; or even whether or not they will have a job to return to when they punch out at the end of the day to pay for all of these things. These are not trivial concerns and it is affecting millions of people each and every day. Sometimes when these things happen people wonder why it is happening and what, if anything, they may have done to deserve their current situation. Well, things in this world happen for a variety of reasons and we may not always be able to figure out the cause. Sometimes this discourages people and they begin to slack on healthy habits, perhaps because it merely slips their minds or they rationalize them away as not being so important at the moment. Over time they may transform into a completely different person physically, psychologically and spiritually and not even realize the transformation has even taken place!

The thing to remember is that life is going to have challenges. Some people call them "tests". But the bottom line is that when life throws up a wall, will you stop in your tracks, turn around and go back the way you came? Or will you look for a way AROUND, THROUGH, OVER or UNDER that wall? Will you be controlled by your circumstance or will you control your circumstance? Some of you maybe reading this and ask the question how do you control your circumstance? Well, we already know what it is like to be controlled by something. That is when you give up the decision making, outcome, etc. to another person or entity. It's a form of surrender. Some people may think that is actually a good thing. That depends on your point of view. But for me, the very fact that I wake up in the morning means that I have control over what I want to do with my life. I can learn more about a given thing, look for the happiness in the new day, continue to improve my mind, my body, and my spirit. I accept that for me to get what I want in life I must put for the effort to accomplish it. And if one thing seems to not work, then look into ways I can solve that problem and move on. Sometimes we may not immediately see the answer because we're too close ie involved with whatever it is that we are thinking about. In that case take a few steps back and approach it from a different angle. We can always make it through whatever it is that we are facing if we believe that we can do it. Life is meant to be happy, if this were not the case then we would not have evolved emotions of joy, happiness, contentment, ambition, drive and hope. It's what we do with our lives that matters and we can achieve great things in our lives if we believe that we can do it. The key is to ever and always believe in yourself no matter what.

This motivational article offers encouragement to people to believe in themselves and keep working to achieve their goals. This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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What Is Cellulite And How Can It Be Safely Removed?

By Diane Ross

Cellulite can be described as the lumpy "orange peel" like appearance of the skin on some men and women and tends to be more prevalent in older women. Cellulite is a common problem for women who are overweight however, it can affect anyone and with more and more younger women seeking a solution for cellulite removal it is clear that advice and information should be more freely available. Cellulite is really just the formation of fat beneath the skin's surface. The "orange peel" like appearance is merely a build up of fats around the connective tissue below the skin. When the fat becomes excessive it's forced to the skin's surface causing the unattractive dimpled lumps that drive most women to look for a safe way to remove cellulite with treatment.

Cellulite is a by-product of the natural aging process. Similar to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, lower levels of proteins called elastin and collagen in the skin reduces the effectiveness of the connectivity of the skin's tissue. Preventing it's ability to "bounce" or "fight" back against the fatty build up. Older women are more easily affected than both men and women of younger age groups because of cellulite's hormonal nature.

If for any reason you are not able to identify if you have cellulite then just pinch a small portion of skin on your thigh and check for bumps below the surface. If you have cellulite you should not be worried or pass blame to yourself. It is generally experienced by lots of women and it is widely accepted as something that can cause a lack of confidence. It can be overcome easily with the correct cellulite removal treatment, there are suitable solutions available yet, there are also some cellulite treatments that should be avoided.

Why is it Affecting me and What Cellulite Treatments are Available?

Genetic inheritance, age, fitness, weight, amount of body fat and diet are all contributing factors in the build up of cellulite. Not one can be pinpointed to be more responsible than the others for the appearance of cellulite and the diverse combination of all of aforementioned factors will determine just how much cellulite is visible and also how difficult it will be to remove cellulite from your body.

Everyone is a unique individual and it's unknown if cellulite is caused by one factor more than the others. For example, women are more likely to have cellulite than men so this indicates a genetic preference which we have not yet been able to identify fully. One thing is for sure, the effective removal of cellulite requires a combination of treatments known to be effective in removing cellulite completely. Combining a few methods of cellulite removal together guarantees an effective treatment for removing cellulite. Some specialty clinics that specialize in cellulite removal apply deep massaging techniques to puff up the skin and temporarily reduce the cellulite’s appearance. Mesotherapy is a treatment used in cellulite reduction which requires an injection of ingredients specifically designed to help combat cellulite however, without follow up treatment this usually provides unsatisfactory results. Liposuction is often considered as a cellulite treatment by sufferers however this is a treatment designed to remove excess fat from the body - not cellulite.

The above mentioned remedies offer only temporary relief and are likewise not advisable if one is seeking affordable, lasting results.

Cellulite Treatment Doesn't Need to Be Painful to Be Effective.

The quickest and easiest method of removing cellulite is to use several of the more affordable methods together at the same time and attacking the cellulite in this way.

About the Author: For friendly advice on how to remove cellulite or details on effective cellulite treatment please visit our cellulite Removal site.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=208953&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

This article discusses causes and some available treatments for cellulite. This information is for the layman and is not an academic paper. Nor is the material herein intended to advise anyone on any health care issues, treatments or diagnoses. Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical question please consult your health care provider.

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Living Fit, Healthy and Happy does not provide medical advice of any kind and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you hav