Must Have List Of Foods That Lower Cholesterol

by: Dave Saunders
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two ways; our liver produces cholesterol and we eat foods containing cholesterol. High amounts of cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol that is bad for us, can lead to many health complications and significantly increase your risk of heart diseases.

While there are many foods that are high in LDL cholesterol, there are a lot, which can actually help to lower your LDL cholesterol levels and increase your HDL cholesterol or the good cholesterol. Here's a list of foods that lower cholesterol, which is a must have for anyone who is trying to reduce their LDL levels and increase their HDL levels.

Apples: Everyone has heard of the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Well, apples are also very good for lowering your LDL cholesterol levels. 2 full apples, or 12 ounces of apple juice, if taken everyday, can reduce your risk of heart diseases by as much as 50%.

Garlic: Garlic helps to lower LDL cholesterol and thins your blood naturally. This prevents clogging up of arteries and thus lowers your risk of heart diseases.

Onions: Eating just half a raw onion everyday can increase your HDL levels by 25% and lower your LDL as well.

Beans and Legumes: These contain soluble fiber which helps to increase your HDL cholesterol and reduce your LDL cholesterol. All kinds of beans and legumes such as pinto, kidney, black-eyed, lentils, pink beans, etc are good for your heart.

Unsaturated Fats: Contrary to the misconception that all kinds of fat are bad for you, unsaturated fats and omega 3 fatty acids can actually be good for your heart. Monounsaturated fats (olive oil, canola, peanut, and almond oil) and polyunsaturated fats (corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil etc) increase the HDL cholesterol and lower the LDL cholesterol and are thus good for your heart.

Other Cholesterol Lowering Foods: Oats, fenugreek, artichokes, turmeric, guggul, green tea, nuts, and black tea, are all known to lower LDL cholesterol in your body.

Of course, diet is no substitute for a doctor’s care when you are ill. Diet and nutrition represent "the other side of the coin" and always inform your doctor whenever you make a dietary change, especially if you are on a pharmaceutical drug.

Avoiding High Cholesterol Foods

by: Dave Saunders
Cholesterol finds its way into our bodies in two main ways. The first is through our liver, which produces differing amounts of cholesterol in different people, and the second is through our diet.

A certain amount of cholesterol is needed by our bodies, but the liver makes all that is required for us. Any cholesterol that we intake through our food, is all extra cholesterol, and should be avoided as far as possible. Thus, what to eat and what not to eat becomes a major concern for people who are trying to become healthier and lower their cholesterol levels.

Many foods contain cholesterol and many don’t. Food stuffs such as oils, fats, and animal products including meat, eggs etc are cholesterol containing foods. Plant foods do not contain cholesterol.

Within the category of cholesterol containing foods, there are those that are cholesterol high foods, while some may contain lesser amounts of cholesterol. Egg yolks as opposed to egg whites contain a very high amount of cholesterol. But of late, research has lead doctors to believe that egg yolks increase the HDL cholesterol, which is good for your heart and not the LDL cholesterol that is bad for you.

If you are in a quandary as to what to eat to lower your cholesterol levels, you should minimize your intake of meat, fats, and dairy products. Increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains can be very good for your heart as they are not cholesterol high foods.

About The Author

Dave Saunders is a certified nutritional educator, wellness coach and author. He is also the host of a weekly, nation-wide telephone lecture on health and nutrition. For additional information, please visit www.glycoboy.com or email Dave at dave@glycoboy.com

Chocolate and Heart Health – Fact or Fallacy?

by: Nicholas Webb
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if chocolate and heart health went hand in hand. However, there is so much information lately about the health benefits of chocolate that it is only natural that people get confused.

It is true, that if people only ate pure cocoa, then there might be heart health benefits. The problem is that most people eat processed chocolate bars containing sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, dairy cream not to mention other “baddies” contained in some of those tasty fillings. Some of these added ingredients can clog up arteries and create havoc to your waistline.

That said, you might be surprised to find out that chocolate isn’t as bad as it was once thought. The fat content in chocolate, derived from cocoa butter contained in premium grade dark chocolate, is comprised of equal amounts of oleic acid (a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil), stearic and palmitic acids. Stearic and palmitic acids are forms of saturated fat – not so good. Saturated fats are linked to increases in LDL-cholesterol and risk of developing heart disease.

Research indicates that stearic acid appears to have a neutral effect on cholesterol; neither raising nor lowering LDL-cholesterol levels. Palmitic acid on the other hand, does affect cholesterol levels but only comprises one-third of the fat calories in chocolate. Therefore, if we base our chocolate eating habits on latest research, the fat issue isn’t so worrying.

Beware milk chocolate may not be so heart healthy

When we eat milk chocolate or lower grade chocolate, part of the total fat content comes from milk fat or various other types of fat contained in the processed chocolate, and not from the pure cocoa, which do adversely affect cholesterol levels.

Despite all the good news on cocoa not raising LDL cholesterol, even dark chocolate is a very calorie-dense food, so while the fat content may not invite heart disease or clogging of the arteries, its regular consumption will add a lot of extra calories to someone's daily total. In fact, many chocolate bars list sugar as the number one ingredient. And as we all know lots of white refined sugar is not going to help you keep your waistline nice and slim. Remember obesity is a serious risk factor for developing heart disease.

Concerning cholesterol, new and yet-to-be-published studies are showing that some antioxidants contained in chocolate, in particular dark chocolate and cocoa powder, may actually increase "good" (HDL) cholesterol levels by as much as 10 percent.

In the studies, the selected people ate 22 grams of cocoa powder and 16 grams of dark chocolate every day The result: Their "bad" (LDL) cholesterol was less susceptible to oxidation, a process that normally leads to artery-clogging plaques. While many people take vitamins and other antioxidants to help prevent plaque development, the study shows that cocoa could help.

In summary, whether chocolate and heart health do walk hand in hand is still an open topic, however, in moderation it won’t do your heart any harm, however, watch those calories. Most of all, enjoy it cause it tastes so good!

For more information about heart health and living your life to the full come across and visit www.allabout-heart-disease.com

About The Author
Nicholas Webb is the author and webmaster of the site www.AllAbout-Heart-Disease.com that offers user-friendly articles, tips and advice for avoiding heart disease and living your life to the full!

Getting To Grips With A Healthy Lifestyle

by: Trish Powell
In a perfect world we would all be eating the right food, exercising, sleeping well and just generally enjoying life.

In the real world most of us manage a percentage of the healthy lifestyle and muddle through as best we can with the rest of it. Part of the problem is we are encouraged to think, mostly by the media, that we should be doing everything possible towards a healthy lifestyle, all of the time. For most of us this is just not possible.

Constant concern about what we should or shouldn't be doing causes our stress levels to go up and that negates any good work that we've done. Yes, we should certainly try for a healthy lifestyle, but the two key words are “moderation” and “balance”. By applying these criteria to achieving a healthy lifestyle we won't be beating ourselves up for failing another diet or dropping out of the latest exercise regime.

A common mistake that many people make when they decide to adopt a healthy lifestyle is to try to do too much too soon. They then give themselves a guilt complex when it all falls apart. It is also easy to be influenced by others, when we should only be adopting a healthy lifestyle plan to suit ourselves.

Ah! Did I say lifestyle plan? Do you have one, or do you just try the next thing that is in your magazine or Sunday supplement? By all means read these articles and take them into account as you plan how you want your healthy lifestyle to take shape.

Leading a healthy lifestyle doesn't mean you have got to run a mile before breakfast, eat seeds and think pure thoughts. Great if that's what you want, but for most of us “healthy” means being in reasonable shape, eating our fruit and vegetables and generally having a feeling of vitality.

Decide on your definition of a healthy lifestyle, and then plan a strategy that works for you.

As part of my health plan I decided I wanted to walk in the mornings before breakfast, but there was no way I wanted to get up at the crack of dawn to do it. So I planned a ten minute circuit that includes a short flight of steps and a not too steep incline. I power walked that route every day and felt really good. Sure l wouldn't make the City to Surf marathon, but I compromised and made it work for me.

Today, much is made of organic foods, but the reality is that organic food is generally more expensive and well out of the range for most budgets. Yes organic is probably the best option, but it doesn't mean that if you're not eating all organic you are not eating right. If you're concerned about general produce, be a bit discerning when you shop. Look for fruit and vegetables that are fresh and unblemished. You should also buy product brands that you can trust. If you shop wisely, you can have a well-balanced healthy diet that won't break the bank.

Basically living a healthy life means looking at your lifestyle as a whole, it is not just about diet and exercise. It is not always necessary to make major changes. Most people know their weak spots, and are happy if they can make a few changes that show results.

A friend of mine was drinking several cans of soft drink a day. She was feeling tired and generally under the weather. When I read an article about the health risk of soft drink I copied it and gave it to her, whereupon she decided to give up the soft drink there and then. A week later she got back to me and said she couldn't believe the difference, her energy levels were up and she was feeling great. Just that one change was able to make a difference and she feels good about the healthy choice.

Sleep and leisure time play a big part in a healthy lifestyle, and for the most part people underestimate the value of good sleep. Our bodies aren't designed to operate at peak performance twenty four hours a day. Anyone in industry knows that machines that have to work continuously need a lot of maintenance. When we are sleeping our body is healing and regenerating itself and we should wake up feeling refreshed and revitalized.

We can go without sleep for extended periods, but we can't do it indefinitely. The amount of sleep an individual needs varies a great deal, and there is no such thing as the right time to sleep. Obviously most people sleep at night, but if you are one of those folk that comes alive in the small hours, you might need to catch up with your sleep during the day.

A big part of healthy living is being comfortable with yourself. Don't be pressured into trying to attain a certain look, or push yourself down a career path you are not suited to. Constant worry about what you are doing will only have the opposite effect on your health. Don't get paranoid about your diet, about what toothpaste you should use or about expensive exercise equipment you need to buy.

Allow a common sense approach to dictate when you are making lifestyle choices, and remember, there is nothing wrong with compromise if it means your healthy lifestyle plan will work for you.

About The Author

Trish Powell

For more on Life Coaching and Wellbeing in general, visit Http://wellbeing-information.com

Boost Your Brain With Physical And Mind Exercises

by: Sharon Bell
Decades ago, people believe that senility or frequently forgetting a lot of things is a fact of life for old people. For them, there is nothing that one can do but gracefully accept that at a certain age, probably 70 or 80, one will start to show signs of cognitive function decline.

In recent years, however, researchers have discovered that it is never too late to start to boost your brainpower. If you want to maintain a sharp mind and a keen memory, all you have to do is to eat healthy, drink supplements and exercise both your body and mind.

Physical Exercise Is Also Good For The Mind

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2004 showed that people aged 71 to 93 who walked over 3 kilometers a day were twice more unlikely to develop dementia than those who walked less than a kilometer everyday. Furthermore, women between 71 and 80 who clocked 90 minutes of walking a week did a lot better on cognitive examinations than those who had sedentary lifestyle.

Several studies have shown that increased exercise, even just walking, is crucial in keeping a healthy mind. Experts are not really sure how much exercise and physical activities old people need to perform in order to have a boost on their cognitive functions. It is important to note, however, that regular exercise aids in keeping a healthy blood flow. These activities may also help in creating and maintaining new nerve connections in the brain.

Another benefit of exercise is that it aids in keeping glucose levels normal. Glucose is important in the proper functioning of the brain, so even a slight decline in the level of glucose may have a great impact on brain functions of an old person. A research conducted by the New York University's Center for Brain Health showed that people who have problematic glucose tolerance did not only perform badly in memory tests, but also showed signs of brain shrinkage compared to those who had normal glucose tolerance or control.

Exercise does not really have to be boring or confined in a gym. Old people can find physical activities that they like, such as strolling in the park with colleagues, wading in the pool for a couple of hours, and playing bowling or badminton.

Mind Aerobics Is Essential

Another crucial factor in keeping the brain healthy is through mental exercises. If you don't bother about using your brain, then there is a big likelihood that you will lose it. Our brain functions are impaired or greatly diminished if not used regularly, much like our muscles atrophy when not utilized or exercised.

Nowadays, there are many ways in which you can improve your memory and brain functions. One of which is by enrolling in a brain booster class. There are many institutions in the US that are offering classes specifically designed for old people who want to keep their cognitive functions at their peak.

Reading, doing crossword puzzles, playing board games, enrolling in school, or learning a new language are just some ways wherein you can help boost your mental functions. It is really never too early or too late to start doing mental exercises.

Experts believe that doing mental aerobics can help prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. If your family has a history of dementia, there is a big chance that you will also develop this disease. However, mental exercises can significantly delay the development of such condition for weeks, months and even years.

Aside from physical and mental exercise, you also have to pay attention to what you eat and drink. Try increasing your intake of vegetables and fruits because they contain vitamins and minerals that are important in helping promote brain health. You may also need to take supplements that help maintain the health of your nerves and arteries so a healthy blood flow to your brain is ensured. One brain-boosting supplement that you may want to try is Neurovar. You can visit www.Neurovar.com for more details about brain health.

About The Author

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.healthnfitnesszone.com.

Learn How Exercise Can Control Chronic Pain

by: Sharon Bell
If you are suffering from chronic pain anywhere in your body, you will find that making even the simplest movements can be such a torture. But here comes some scientific discoveries that indicate the role of exercise in effectively treating or managing most types of chronic pain. These findings may sound totally foolish and untrue. How can a person with chronic pain, who can't even get out of bed unassisted, be expected to do some exercises?

Before you convince yourself that chronic pain in your body and exercise just don't mix, consider what many pain rehabilitation experts have to say about the benefits of exercise. For many doctors, exercise should be an integral part of any systematic procedure for controlling chronic pain. The reasons are stated below.

Increased Oxygen Levels

Exercise allows you to breathe in more oxygen into your lungs. In effect, more oxygen gets into your muscles, this is essential for fighting off toxins in your cells that hamper your overall healing process. If the chronic pain is caused by damages in your muscles, exercise should be good for you.

Increased Muscular Stamina

Exercise will greatly improve the strength and endurance of your muscles against diseases, fatigue and other types of impairment. Improved muscle quality will definitely reduce the chances of you experiencing chronic muscle pains.

Increased Endorphin Levels

Whenever you are in pain, your brain produces a natural painkiller that is intended to help you in your most trying times. If you want more of this natural painkilling agent, all you have to do is exercise. Exercise provokes your brain to release more endorphins in your system.

Increased Level Of Weight Control

Everybody knows that exercise is the way to go if you want to eliminate unwanted pounds. Being overweight puts a lot of pressure not only on your muscles but on your joints as well. By burning off calories, exercise can help you maintain or attain the ideal weight that your body can carry without causing pain.

Now, you know how exercise can directly and positively affect your chronic pain treatment. But before you go on shopping for new garters and tights, you must first know which exercise routines can best help you attain your goals without aggravating your condition. Actually, the type of exercise that you choose will be largely dependent on the part of your body that experiences bouts of chronic pain. An exercise routine criterion that is solely based on what is pleasurable or not can be detrimental; there are exercises which you may enjoy that your body cannot perform due to the prolonged pain you are experiencing.

If you are having recurring pain in any part of your body, the best exercises may be the ones with very low intensity or resistance. People who continually suffer from pain in the muscles or skeletal structures are never intended to lift 400-pound barbells. In fact, only a minimal amount of weight can be allowed. Exercises for chronic pain management should also last for only a few minutes each day.

The whole idea is to provide chronic pain sufferers with the right kind of activity; it has never been a question about the intensity of a particular exercise. Always consult with your doctor or physical therapist before doing any exercise. Most importantly, be realistic about your goals and always remember that the reason you are doing any exercise is to reduce or help you control your pain and not to become the world champion in anything.

If you suffer from chronic pain in your joints and other bone structures, you can use products that are specially-made for joints and bones; just like Phosoplex. For more details about stopping pain in the joints and bones, visit www.Phosoplex.com.

About The Author

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.healthnfitnesszone.com.

Healthy Eating Tips which you must follow

by: Dr John Anne
"Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy" - this is a common saying and it is very unlikely if you have not heard it in your lifetime. Every one of us wants to stay healthy. To maintain a healthy life, we need healthy diet too. Without having a healthy diet, we may not even survive too long. But healthy eating style does not necessarily mean a boring diet. On the contrary, you can add a great variety in your healthy diet and enjoy its delicious flavor.

Practically, there is no secret about healthy eating. This should be a perfect blend of variety, balance and regulation. Additionally, you need to promote healthy lifestyle in terms of maintaining few useful strategies such as not smoking, minimum level of alcohol consumption, and stress management. In this article, we will explore few great healthy eating tips that can keep you healthy without compromising your taste-buds.

Add fish meals at least twice a week

Typically fish is a 'must-have' inclusion in healthy eating tips. It is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. If you take at least 2 fish meals in a week, it offers you a great health benefits such as lowering high blood pressure, cardiac problems, and lowering cholesterol level.

Omega-3 fatty acids can not be produced by our body. Omega-3 fatty acids are helpful in decreasing cardiac problems, reducing high blood pressure, reducing the risk of arthritis, regulating abnormal heart rhythms, and promoting healthy brain function.

Add varied lean red meat meals several times a week

While considering healthy eating tips, a special emphasis must be given on lean red meat meals. You may have this meal several times a week. If you are a vegetarian, you must have legume or nuts daily in your diet. If you do not have it or its alternatives in your daily diet, it means you are lacking the required supply of iron and zinc. These are the essential minerals that can keep your brain healthy and active.

Add vegetables and fruits in daily diet

Vegetables and fruits are great source of dietary fiber. We need dietary fiber in our daily diet. It helps us not getting constipated. Additionally, it has other health benefits such as lowering cholesterol level, regulating glucose level and reducing the risk of cardiac problems. Remember it as an important ingredient of healthy eating tips.

Avoid eating in heavy volume

This is one of the important healthy eating tips that you probably should not avoid. Different scientific studies confirm that if you take your food in frequent segments rather than having it in bulk at a given time, it promotes healthy metabolism. That means, if you supply low amount of foods in different periods of time in a day, you actually help you metabolic system to function more efficiently. Hence, it lowers the risk of accumulated fat in the body and allows you to stay fat-free and healthy.

Drink plenty amount of water

'Water is life' and possibly there is no one on the face of earth who can deny the fact. Every one knows the health benefits of water. This is an essential part of healthy eating tips.

Almost 2/3rds part of our body is made up of water. Our blood contains 83% water, our muscles contain 75% water, our brain consists of 74% water and bone contains 22% water. Literally, the benefits we receive from drinking water are countless. Water is essential to absorb vitamins and nutrients in the blood stream. It also promotes the detoxification process by carrying out the bodily wastages from the body. Apart from that, it helps keep skin glowing and healthy. You should drink 5-6 liters of water daily to keep your system clean and healthy.

Exercise, Exercise and More Exercise

Although not directly belongs to the area of healthy eating tips, but if you wish to maintain a life in a healthy fashion, doing regular exercise has no other alternatives. You need to follow a daily schedule for exercise along with healthy diets to keep yourself fit and steady.

About The Author

Dr John Anne is an ayurvedic doctor having years of experience in the field of Ayurveda and Alternative medicine. Visit Evening Primrose Oil Benefits at http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com - Information on Vitamins, Minerals and Amino Acids.

Also visit Vitamin D Benefits and Sources for useful Information on Vitamin D.

Fat Burning Foods - Which Foods Keep you Fit

by: Dr John Anne
Fat burning foods refer to specific type of foods that either burn fats accumulated in the body or improve metabolism. Adding these types of foods in your regular diet, you can easily wash out the fat from your body and keep yourself fit and healthy. In practice, foods function like fuel where metabolism as an engine. You put foods like a fuel to your metabolism engine, and it uses some of the foods to make energy that is required to keep us moving and alive. However, not all parts of the foods we take are used to produce energy, simply because it is beyond the actual demand for producing energy. These foods, which are not absorbed during the energy production, are then stored as fat and the rest of the amount is excreted from the body as waste products.

Individuals become fatty due to several reasons. It can be due to the reason of taking too much food than actually required by the body. The excess amount is then stored for future use. An individual can accumulate fat due to slow metabolic process as well. In a slow metabolic process, foods are not burnt up in sufficient amount. The result is inevitable accumulation of fat. Third reason may include inactivity. If you are not active enough, you body does not get the chance to burn up foods. Although, there are few medical conditions that contribute to obesity, but they are beyond the scope of this discussion.

This article sheds light on various fat burning foods and their various forms. It also suggests different ways to include them in your daily diet.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits contain vitamin C and vitamin C possesses fat burning property. It trims down the efficacy of fat. It can lessen the fat content. Additionally, it can also liquefy the solid fat into diluted one. When fat gets diluted, it loses its ability to stay within the system; rather it washes out from the body effectively.

Vitamin C functions on cholesterol accumulation as well. Hence it reduces the possibility of cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels.

To enjoy the flavor of these fat burning foods rich in vitamin C, you can add oranges, limes, tangerines, and grape fruits in your daily diet. It will definitely enhance your metabolism as well as help you to regulate your cholesterol level.

Soybean

Lecithin is a chemical property of soybean. It helps in making sheath to your body cell, hence protects cells from accumulating fat. It is also capable of breaking fat contents that are already deposited in your body.

You can eat soy products several times a week in order to get rid off the problem of being obese.

Fresh Fruit

Pectin is an essential element that creates a natural limitation on the body cell regarding the amount of fat consumption. Pectin can be found in apples and in most of the berries and other fresh fruits. Pectin can absorb watery substances due to its water binding property. It helps releasing fats from cells. Hence fresh fruits can be an ideal choice for fat burning foods.

Garlic Oil

Garlic oil is found to be effective to reduce the amount of fatty acids from the body cells. If you take this as a part of fat burning foods, it can lower down the level of fat deposits. Garlic including garlic oil offers antibiotic solution. Therefore, you can use it for many bacterial infections.

Liquid Fats

It is not true that all fats are bad for your health. Rather you can consider liquid fats as one of the most essential fat burning foods. It helps your system to eliminate hard fatty substances from the body. Corn oil, Peanut oil, Safflower oil and Sunflower seed oil are great sources of liquid fats.

The liquid fats actually break down the hard fat content by releasing phospholipids fatty acids. Liquid fats functions in two ways. First of all, they provide you the required fats that are needed by your body. Secondly, they help your system to remove the hard fats from the body itself.

About The Author

Dr John Anne is an ayurvedic doctor having years of experience in the field of Ayurveda and Alternative medicine. Visit Flaxseed Oil Benefits at http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com - Information on Vitamins, Minerals and Amino Acids.

Also visit Vitamins Chart for useful Information on Vitamins.

Synergy - The Remedy In The Herbal Supplement

by: Sean W Russell
Synergy refers to the idea that the sum of the parts adds up to more (or less, in some cases) than the whole. This idea is an important one for herbalism where it is essential to combine different herbs thoughtfully and carefully in order to maximize the benefit a patient will receive. When you combine different herbs, the result can be a great deal more powerful (and sometimes different) than any of the herbs taken individually or separately. A well constructed formula will therefore be harmonized so that your body will not respond negatively to individual herbs but instead be able to fully accept the desired actions.

Furthermore, synergy is enhanced when absorption and bioavailability of an herb is increased in a body. It should also be noted that while herbs can work very effectively in combination due to their synergistic effects, alone they can be far less effective and sometimes produce opposite actions. For example, Ginger has an anti-ulcerogenic action which is considered to be the work of a zingerberene compound within it. This compound was isolated and tested to measure its results. It was found that the whole ginger extract was sixty six times more effective than the zingerberene compound.

The synergy of herbal remedies can actually be quantified because less of a herb is required to achieve the same effect when it is enhanced by the action of other appropriate herbs. For example, when 60 mg of Valerian is combined with 40 mg of Hops the results are the same as if the patient had been given 400 mg of Valeriana on its own. This can be an important example as Valerian can cause stomache pain to many people in large doses, therefore the lower the dose of Valerian with the same result would be optimum in herbology.

Negative synergy can apply to herbal combinations. For example, the combination of Echinacea and Andrographis enhances the immune system and is very beneficial in acute infections, however, Echinacea and Astrogalis / Huang Qi in combination can only be used in chronic conditions requiring immune stimulation and will exacerbate an acute condition. This is why where herbal preparations are concerned it is wise to consult with an experienced and qualified herbalist rather than self prescribing.

Each herb enhances the ability or action of the other ones. If you combine Echinacea and angustifolia root you will achieve an immune enhancing result greater than taking Echinacea on its own. If you take Echinacea Purporea on its own you will receive an immune enhancing result. However, if you add the two types of Echinacea together you will obtain at least three times that effect, not twice the effect. Putting them together gives a greater benefit than the two of them separately would give. This is the essence of synergy.

Another example of how the action of herbs alters in combination is that of codonopsis (Dang Shen) and Astragalus (Huan Qi). Both of these herbs behave similarly to Ginseng and will raise your energy and tonify your Qi. However, when they are combined their main action is to increase immunity and increasing energy or tonifying Qi is secondary.

Synergistic results are also obtained when you give someone senna in conjunction with ginger. Senna will not only create a strong laxative effect, it can also cause griping stomach pains. To avoid this negative side effect of the herb, you can add ginger to the mix. By doing this, you will still obtain the laxative benefits but you will no longer have the cramping.

Synergy also lowers the cost of herbal medicine because ‘assisting herbs’ reduce the amount of expensive herbs required to achieve the same result. For example, Ginseng is an expensive herb but if you add ‘assisting herbs’ to create a much longer lasting formula that will also increase energy and tonify Qi you will be able to get excellent results, for the same or even lower cost.

Phytomedicine or herbalism relies heavily on synergy to create natural medicines that promote healing in the best possible way for the patient. The synergistic benefits of herbal combinations can be quantified and used but cannot be fully explained. That said, there is an enormous amount of evidence that synergy enhances the performance of herbs in the right combinations and is an important aspect of natural healing.

Yet the market is still full of single herb products. I believe this is due to the fact that companies rely on selling you herbs that you have heard of, not on making a forumla that is best suited for the ailment or condition. I continuously write on this subject, and the reason I learned Eastern and Western Herbology. I use the best herbs for the job in a carfully developed, and most importantly synergenic formula. There are times that Echinacea is not the right herb for the job, there is a suitable lower cost substitute for Goldenseal in many cases, etc. Feel free to learn more at Dimmakherbs.com

About The Author

Sean W Russell is a Chinese and Western Herbalist. Visit http://www.dimmakherbs.com for more information and product related to this article. To keep up daily with herbal and health tips visit http://www.blogofherbs.com

Boost Health And Wellness With Vitamin Supplements

by: Darrell Miller
It is possible to boost health and wellness with vitamin supplements if you keep an eye on your recommended daily allowance (RDA). It is possible to overdose on some vitamins, especially vitamin A if you are pregnant, but generally a once daily vitamin supplement does you a lot of good.

Many people suffer from one type of vitamin deficiency or another and that deficiency is determined by many different circumstances. It could be because you are on a diet that restricts your food choice so that your intake of nutrients is not what it should be. The human digestive system has been designed for an omnivorous diet, so those that eat meat and neglect their fruit and vegetable intake will ten to be deficient in some of the fat soluble vitamins.

Vegans will be deficient in those vitamins that are unobtainable from vegetables. A prime example is vitamin B12. However, there is nothing wrong with opting for one dietary regime or another if you are aware of the potential deficiencies, and make up for them with supplements.

Vitamin D deficiencies are particularly common, especially amongst those that get little exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is formed in the skin by the action of sunlight, and people who live in the higher latitudes in particular tend to suffer from deficiencies: much more so than residents of Florida or California! However, it is not just in vitamin D that many people are deficient.

Vitamins are essential to your body for proper health and fitness. Vitamins are chemicals that have been identified as being essential to human life, and without them you cannot survive. You can live with certain deficiencies, although much depends on the vitamin. Many are antioxidants, without which you will age quicker and suffer from many unpleasant conditions. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that are generated by both the body’s metabolism and environmental agents. Pollution such as smoking, traffic fumes and pesticides can generate free radicals, as can sunlight which is generally associated with good health; and Vitamin D of course.

Free radicals are compounds that possess unpaired electrons. Electrons normally travel in pairs, but occasionally a compound can lose one of its electrons and is rendered unstable. It immediately begins to look for a new mate, and a favorite source is from the cells of our bodies. In stealing electrons from body cells, free radicals destroy the cells and accelerate aging. They also oxidize the low density lipoproteins that taxi cholesterol around the blood, and cause it to deposit its cholesterol in our arteries creating a condition known as atherosclerosis.

This is a narrowing of the arteries through the arterial walls being thickened by the cholesterol, and in severe cases they can even become completely blocked. This is a very serious condition that near the heart can cause cardiac failure, and in the brain can cause a stroke. The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, therefore, are very important to us for this single property, let alone all the others that they possess that are also beneficial to our health.

It is important that your body is well supplied with all the vitamins it needs, especially the water soluble ones such as vitamin C that are not stored in the body. Vitamin supplements are a good way of maintaining a balanced daily vitamin intake. They affect every part of your body from healthy toenails to healthy hair on your head. They also affect your digestion, your blood and circulation system, the way your brain works, the development and maintenance of healthy bones, skin and muscle. In short, they are essential to just about every part and function of your body. Without them you would not exist.

People can generally boost their health with vitamin supplements, and even those that generally feel fit would likely benefit from a regular course of vitamins and minerals during the winter months. People are no longer subject to the forced seasonal depletion of certain vitamins and minerals due to the non-availability of certain fruits and vegetables in winter time, but a supplement will help them to survive the winter with fewer colds and other viral and bacterial infections.

There are some supplements, however, that should be taken with care under certain circumstances. Pregnant women in particular, while taking a good supply of folic acid, should avoid a vitamin A supplement that could harm the growing fetus. The same is true of liver that is very rich in vitamin A. Anybody suffering from a specific medical condition should seek their physician’s advice if taking or intending to take a supplement that involves them exceeding the RDA for any vitamin or mineral.

The body of evidence indicates that those eating a properly balanced diet with plenty fruit, vegetables and protein from both animal and vegetable sources, should not need any supplements. A balanced diet will provide you with all the vitamins you need, but most people do not eat a balanced diet, not only Americans but generally throughout the world.

The American diet tends to be rich in fats and low in fruit and vegetables, and it is certainly true that this type of diet is one that is usually used as an example when vitamin and mineral deficiencies are discussed. However, it is not only in America, since many other cultures are taking up the fast food solution to working parents that have little or no time to cook for their families. The result is a salt and sugar rich diet that is lacking in amino acids, antioxidants and the vitamins that are needed for general good health.

Apart from those diets made by choice, even if for understandable reasons, many people cannot eat a balanced diet, and others are on diets for weight loss that are restrictive in the range of foods that they eat. Women and children dressed from head to toe in black robes for religious reasons are prone to vitamin D deficiencies, their children being especially prone to rickets. All of these require vitamin supplements of one type or another. Supplementation can be taken as individual vitamins or as a mixture of various vitamins and minerals.

Whether you belong to one of these groups or not is immaterial: you can boost your health and wellness with vitamin supplements if you take them regularly, and combine your vitamin intake with the right amount of exercise for your age. All physicians are agreed that good health is a combination of nutrition and exercise.

About The author

Darrell Miller

More information on health and wellness articles can be found at VitaNet, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Green Tea and its Antioxidising Benefits

by: Phill Hopkins
Antioxidant Benefits From Drinking Green Tea

Oxygen is one of the essential elements that are needed by all the members who belong to the animal kingdom. Oxygen is an element that is present in the air and is responsible for triggering the burning of fat and glucose in order to provide the body with its necessary supply of energy and heat. However essential it may be, oxygen unfortunately also has some effects that are negative.

During the oxidation process, free radicals, which are highly reactive byproducts, are produced. When other molecules interact with these free radicals they themselves get turned into free radicals and their normal functioning gets disrupted. Eventually this could lead to massive tissue damage and cell destruction. It could even lead to the incidence of degenerative diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, artherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and heart disease.

Fortunately for us the human body is naturally equipped with defenses that work to prevent the harmful effects of these free radical compounds. Antioxidants are chemical substances that are naturally present in vegetables as well as fruit. These antioxidants hunt down free radicals and act on them. This causes the free radicals to get neutralized and stops their rampage and the damage they do to the body’s healthy cells, thus preventing or decreasing the incidence of disease.

Antioxidant Effects of Plants

Camellia sinensis is one of many plants that are known to contain a high level of disease-fighting antioxidants. This plant is sometimes also called the tea plant. Chinese households have been serving tea as a healthy beverage for hundreds of years in order to promote general well being and good health. Green tea in particular is very popular because of the many remarkable health benefits it provides.

Green tea is very popular in Japan, India. Thailand and China where people have been drinking it for years. Green tea has been used as one of the ingredients in many traditional Indian as well as Chinese medicines. Green tea is used in medicine as a:
* Stimulant
* Astringent- it helps wounds to heal and also controls bleeding
* Diuretic- promotes urine excretion
* Agent that improves health of the heart.

The benefits derived from green tea are believed to be largely due to the polycatechins that are present in it. These polycatechins have very powerful and highly effective antioxidant effects. Other than polycatechins there are many other ingredients present that contribute to the antioxidant properties of green tea.

The Antioxidant Properties of Green Tea

The antioxidant properties and effects of green tea are due to the presence of powerful polyphenolic antioxidants, also known as catechins. The other substances that give green tea its antioxidant properties include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and tannin. Green tea also has powerful neuro-protective, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial and cardio-protective properties. Epigallocatechin gallate, which is an especially bioactive catechin, has been identified by many scientists as particularly important because its antioxidant effects have been linked to cancer prevention.

To read more about the benefits of green tea and its antioxidising properties visit us here at http://antioxidants.yourinfoguides.com



About The Author

Phill Hopkins writes articles on a wide variety of subjects.

You may reproduce this article on blogs or websites providing it remains unchanged in anyway.

Weight Loss Exercise

A lot of us live our lives like penned animals. Built to move, too often we put ourselves in a cage. We have bodies designed for racing across the savannas, but we live a lifestyle designed for migrating from the bed to the breakfast table; to the car seat; to the office chair; to the restaurant booth; to the living room couch and back to the bed.
A lot of us live our lives like penned animals. Built to move, too often we put ourselves in a cage. We have bodies designed for racing across the savannas, but we live a lifestyle designed for migrating from the bed to the breakfast table; to the car seat; to the office chair; to the restaurant booth; to the living room couch and back to the bed.It was not always this way. Not long ago in the United States, a man who worked on a farm did the equivalent of 15 miles of jogging every day; and his wife did the equivalent of 7 miles of jogging.Today, our daily obligations of work and home keep us tied to our chairs, and if we want exercise, we have to seek it out.In fact, health experts insist that obesity problem is probably caused at least as much by lack of physical activity as by eating too much. Hence, it is important that people need to move around.However, that does not mean that a lap or two around the old high school track will offset a daily dose of donuts. Exercise alone is not very efficient, experts say. They contend that if you just exercise and do not change your diet, you may be able to prevent weight gain or even lose a few pounds for a while. Nevertheless, it is not something that you are likely to sustain unless exercise is part of an overall program. The more regularly you exercise, the easier it is to maintain your weight. Here is what to do every day to make sure that you get the exercise you need.1. Get quality Zzzs.Make sure that you get adequate sleep. Good sleep habits are conducive to exercise, experts point out. If you feel worn out during the day, you are less likely to get much physical activity during the day.In addition, there is evidence that people who are tired tend to eat more, using food as a substance for the rest they need.2. Walk the walk.It is probably the easiest exercise program of all. In fact, it may be all you ever have to do, according to some professional advices of some health experts.Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week. Brisk walks themselves have health and psychological benefits that are well worth the while.3. Walk the treadmill.When the weather is bad, you might not feel like going outdoors. But if you have a treadmill in the television room, you can catch up on your favorite shows while you are doing your daily good turn for your weight-maintenance plan.Most of us watch television anyway, and indoor exercise equipment enables anyone to turn a sedentary activity into a healthy walk.4. Seize the time.Excuses aside, lack of time is certainly a limiting factor in most lifestyles. That is why health experts suggest a basic guideline for incorporating exercise into your schedule.Get as much exercise as you can that feels good without letting it interfere with your work or family life. If you need to, remind yourself that you are preventing many health problems when you prevent weight gain; and keeping your health is a gift to your family as well as yourself.
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Healthy Weight Loss Diet Plans – What Are The Key Ingredients?
by: Melinda Grossman

Healthy weight loss diet plans have a different focus than many of the commercial programs. Too many of the commercial programs compete to show who can have customers losing the most weight in the fastest time. Healthy weight loss diet plans only aim to give participants a better quality of life.

These plans focus on turning you on to a healthy lifestyle. The goal is to teach you this new lifestyle beginning with the moment you start the diet. And you never really go off the diet; you will only adjust it to your new weight. You learn a new diet – or healthy way of eating – for life!

One example of a "new" way of eating is a weight pyramid. At the base of the pyramid are the foods that you can eat without restriction. These include all kinds of fruits and vegetables. There is such a variety of these foods that you should never want for a new choice.

Next up on the weight pyramid are the carbohydrates and grains. Healthy weight loss diet plans will not leave these foods out. In fact, some good plans will allow 4-8 servings per day. An important detail is that the majority of these food choices are whole grains. Oh, the exact number of servings depends on your current weight, height, and fitness level.

Healthy weight loss diet plans also include at least 3 and up to 7 servings of protein and dairy. These include lean meats, chicken, and fish. Cold water fish is the best because it is full of Omega-3 oils which are healthy fats for your body.

Even fats and sweets should be accounted for. You might have a diet that allows you 3-5 servings of fat and 75 calories of sweets. Why? Because your body needs a small amount of fats. You won't stay on your diet for life if you know you can never eat sweets again.

A good plan will also offer sample menus. These give you an idea of what is meant by the requirements of the plan. They make it clear how to put together a meal out of the many choices available.

You'll do better with healthy weight loss diet plans if you learn about correct portions. Check to make certain whatever plan you choose is clear on portion sizes. For example, a medium apple might be the size of a tennis ball. A 3-ounce piece of meat might be the size of a deck of cards.

What's more, some plans even give instructions on how to figure servings on food you buy pre-packaged. Do you go by what the package says is a serving? Or do you go by a certain number of calories or carbohydrate grams? Healthy diet plans will tell you.

There's no quick fix for losing weight. You can't simply sit on the sofa and drop the weight you’ve been carrying. It takes effort to change behaviors you’ve spent a lifetime cultivating. However, healthy weight loss diet plans give you the tools and they make being in shape a life-long habit.

About The Author
Melinda Grossman
Want more healthy food tips or some free diet meal plans? Info on fitness weight loss programs or even some special tips just for women? I finally have my own weight and exercise regimens under control and I want you to join me. That's why I share what I've learned at http://www.WeightLossAnswersOnline.com

Practical Aromatherapy: Bring Health and Happiness This Holiday Season

Aromatherapy is a wonderful way to brighten the atmosphere of your home this holiday season. Many common, inexpensive oils can be used to bring a feeling of cheer, warmth and comfort with these simple-to-use techniques.
This time of year, we're often on the lookout for those extra touches that can make the season special. The unique decorations, flowers, wreaths, and candles all add a little something to our lives and the lives of our family. How far we go in creating the right space can have a significant impact on the overall enjoyment and shared gratitude of our loved ones. So what little something could you use this year that's simple, inexpensive and would go a long way to creating a special space? Real aromatherapy using pure essential oils is a wonderful way to do it that might just have the side effect of promoting your family's health and wellness, too.

Folks have used essential oils and natural aromatics to brighten their surroundings and lift their moods for many, many years. And over the last decade, scientific studies have shown the simple inhalation of essential oils to have measurable positive effects on our health. Like you'd expect from the happy and calm feelings they can bring about, essential oils have been noted to lower blood pressure, decrease stress hormone levels and improve the quality of rest. The use of essential oils as anti-depressants is on the rise, as more people are using nature's pure perfumes to bring smiles to their faces. There may be no better time to use these wonderful natural tools in your own home.

Getting started with aromatherapy is a very simple process - you'll need just a bottle of essential oil (single or blended - we'll get to some suggestions in a moment) and a means to diffuse the aroma into your living space. There's often an incredible variety of aromas from which to chose, even at your local market, and even more so via mail-order. Essential oil diffusers are often found at the same stores, with a wide selection of prices and style to suit your needs.

Diffusing essential oils, which really means evaporating them from their oil state into the air around you, can be done in a number of ways. The least complex of all might be making your own potpourri, adding several drops of oils to the bowl or basket. Other folks add a few drops of oil to pinecones and place them about the house. Using this diffusion method, you may want to mix a small amount of a vegetable oil with the essential oil, as to slow the oil's evaporation rate, and lengthen the time you'll be enjoying the aromas. Basic electric units are available which perform a similar task. A little more complex and professional are the ultrasonic humidifying nebulizers - essentially a small humidifyer which makes a mist of both oil and water. Then there are the high-end units of nebulizing diffusers which make a mist of the essential oils to get higher concentrations into larger areas. ANY of these will work for making your home smell lovely for the holidays; if you think you may want to pursue aromatherapy in the future, you may consider investing in a nebulizer-style diffuser, as they generally have a more broad range of therapeutic possibilities.

And now for the fun part - the essential oils. There are SO many to choose from, and you may start by just browsing sites on the internet which will often have listings of over a hundred oils available. An excellent place to start is with the truly 'seasonal' evergreen aromas. Perhaps the most popular are the 'needle' oils, distilled from the needles and twigs of evergreen trees. One of the many species of Fir may be tbe most often used, as their aromas are at once warm, complex and inviting. Black Spruce is another favorite, much for the same reason - their sweetness is quite uplifting, and their complexity keeps us interested. Juniper berry, while not strictly a 'needle' oil is also wonderfully bright and uplifting. While some find it a bit strong on its own, it blends very well with other essential oils distilled from evergreens.

If you're wishing to bring a little more exotic scents into your home, the oils of Frankincense, Myrrh and Sandalwood are perfect choices - aromas that have been used extensively for both their psychological and physiological health benefits for ages. These tend to be more earthy and grounding than the evergreen oils, perhaps a little more calming - exactly what many homes are in need of right about now. Frankincense is both bright and earthy at the same time, with its citrus and woody notes. Myrrh is more hypnotic and mysterious, useful in small amounts. Sandalwood is a classic favorite with both sweet and woody notes, with lovely varieties coming from India, Australia and the South Pacific. These oils can be blended together, or added in small amounts to one or more of the evergreen oils for a pleasant combination.

If you really want to get creative, there are many brilliant aromatics from which to choose. Lavender is well-known for its calming scent; citrus oils like Bergamot, Orange and Grapefruit are lively can easily brighten your space. Spice oils can be added to blends or used on their own in small amounts (they can be potent, and should be used cautiously)...these include Cinnamon, Clove, Peppermint, Cardamom and the like. If you're not familiar with blending, try using these oils singly, or in combinations of two or three at most. Or get enough to make small batches to test your formula, then a just as your nose desires.

Just a little essential oil can bring a new kind of cheer to you and your family this season. One small bottle is often enough to scent your home for several days - more potent oils will last even longer. A little pure essential oil goes a long way; it's always better to get a little hint of aroma than to be overwhelmed by it, so start slowly if this is your first time. The effects of aromatherapy may surprise you; maybe enough to get you hooked and keep you smiling through the rest of the winter.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


The author is a natural health professional and yoga instructor in the Denver Metro area. She regularly uses pure and natural essential oil in a therapeutic environment. More on using essential oils, including carrier oils and aromatherapy diffusers is available online at the Ananda Apothecary.

Acne and its treatment

The general acne skin care products are the ones that are used as acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar products that help prevent acne.
Acne is a menace. However, it’s not something that cannot be tackled. There are loads of acne skin care products around. We can classify acne skin care products into 3 broad categories – * Preventive or general acne skin care products* Over-the-counter, specialised acne skin care products * On-prescription acne skin care products. The general acne skin care products are the ones that are used as acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar products that help prevent acne. In the real sense, these acne skin care products are just those that should anyway be part of your daily routine. However, some of these are more oriented to act like an acne skin care product. These acne skin care products act against the causes of acne e.g. limiting the production of sebum/oil and preventing clogging of skin pores. Basically, these acne skin care products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores and hence hamper the growth of bacteria that lead to acne. The general acne skin care products also include exfoliation products like skin peels. These work towards removing dead skin cells, hence reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development.Then there are specialised acne skin care products that are available over-the-counter i.e. without the need of a prescription. These include products like vanishing creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these acne skin care products are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne). You should start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds to it. Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are also popular as acne skin care products. You might have to try a few, before you zero-in on the acne skin care product that is effective for you. If nothing seems to work, you should contact a dermatologist. On-prescription acne skin care products are the ones that are prescribed by a dermatologist. This can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical treatment. Dermatologist could also suggest a minor surgical procedure to remove the contents of pustules. However, never try to squeeze or do this by yourself, it can lead to permanent damage of your skin. Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment (since hormonal changes are also known to cause acne). Such acne skin care products are known to be very effective in some cases.So, with all those acne skin care products, tackling acne is not that difficult.
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Carbohydrates, Insulin, And Fat

This article explains why it is so important to limit the intake of refined carbohydrates when trying to lose weight.
While a common weight loss recommendation is to reduce carbohydrate intake (primarily foods like breads, cereals, pastas, and sweets), for many people it is unclear why this is so important. In fact, even some doctors and scientists insist that weight loss is a simple matter of burning more calories than one consumes and it doesn't matter what kind of foods those calories come from. This may seem logical at first, but with a greater understanding of how the body processes carbohydrates, it becomes readily apparent that certain kinds of calories are much easier to burn than others and consuming large amounts of carbohydrates, even in the context of a relatively low-calorie diet, most definitely predisposes the body to storing fat.

At the heart of the matter is the hormone insulin. The function of insulin is to stimulate the cells to take up sugar from the bloodstream (when blood sugar is high, as it typically is shortly after eating) and store it for reserve energy.

The surplus of sugar in the bloodstream is initially stored in the tissues of the liver and large muscles in the form of glycogen. Glycogen can be quickly converted back to blood sugar when needed for energy to fuel sudden bursts of activity. The available storage space for glycogen is pretty limited, and when insulin has caused the glycogen storage to be filled up, the remaining excess blood sugar is stored as fat.

There is considerably more storage space in the body for fat than there is for glycogen. There are billions of fat cells in the body, each of which can enlarge to over 100 times it's original size to accomodate extra fat storage. As an aside, this is why it is possible to get fat again after liposuction - even if you remove many of the body's fat cells, those that remain can enlarge considerably to store fat.

Insulin is extremely powerful in its fat storage effects. In fact, not only does it stimulate fat storage, high levels of insulin block the effects of the body's fat burning mechanisms. It is for this reason that minimizing the intake of high-carb foods is so important.

High carbohydrate intake (and it really doesn't need to be very high) stimulates the release of large quantities of insulin. Large amounts of circulating insulin will strongly inhibit the body from being able to burn fat for a period of 1 to 2 days! In fact, a single meal containing 20 to 25 grams of refined carbohydrates (about the amount in a slice of sandwich bread) can completely block your ability to burn fat for 1 to 2 days - regardless of what you eat and how much or how hard you may exercise during that time.

Now, that last point is sometimes confusing to people because many people eat relatively high amounts of carbohydrate and still manage to lose weight - at least in the short-term. Notice that I said that high carbohydrate intake causes high insulin production that blocks FAT burning. You can still lose water weight through various methods (if you happen to be eating a low protein and low fat diet, you will typically lose a lot of water weight), and you can still burn calories, but what you burn will be glycogen and lean body tissue (protein from your muscles) and not fat. As you may be aware, lean body tissue (muscle) is highly metabolically active, and if you burn that tissue, ultimately your metabolism will slow down, making it harder and harder to lose weight.

Because of the effects of insulin, minimizing carbohydrate intake is strongly recommended for sustainable fat burning and the most efficient and lasting natural weight loss. This is not to say that everyone will benefit from being on a high protein diet such as Atkins. Excessive protein intake can create its own problems that can ultimately interfere with ongoing weight loss due to detrimental effects on the liver. For the majority of people, the most effective diet is one that is high in fresh or frozen vegetables, nuts, seeds, moderate quantities of fresh fruit, and some protein from eggs, dairy, lean meat, fish, and poultry. The carbohydrates you do consume are best obtained in high-fiber forms from vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts, rather than from refined grains.

A few diet plans will recommend a low carbohydrate intake, yet suggest allowing yourself a "reward" of some high-carbohydrate food like a cookie or other sweet as often as once per week. I disagree with this recommendation as it can sabotage your natural weight loss program on two levels. First, as we've been discussing, the carbs will trigger a high insulin release which will shut off your ability to burn fat for up to two days. So, at once per week, you could lose as much as 8 days per month of potential fat burning - decreasing the effectiveness of your diet by as much as 25%! The other problem is that eating carbs tends to set you up for carb cravings. At the very least, such cravings will test your will-power, and they could cause you to cheat on your diet repeatedly. This could ultimately doom your diet to total failure. I recommend that you refrain from eating refined carbs except on special occasions (parties, holidays, etc.) and this ideally would be at a frequency of at most, once every 4 to 6 weeks.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of why high carbohydrate consumption is so damaging to a natural weight loss plan. If you commit to a healthy diet and avoid the carbs for 2 to 3 weeks, you will likely find that you don't really miss them after that period of time and so avoiding them becomes much easier. With a little extra effort early on, you'll find that eating a healthy diet becomes natural to you and you'll be able to reach your long-term weight goals.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Dr. George Best has been assisting people with their weight loss goals since starting practice in 1992. Please go to diet and exercise motivation for more information.

Which Acne Treatments Work Best

If you are one of the millions of acne sufferers around the world who have tried various products to cure your acne without success, maybe it's time to try a different and more natural approach to eliminate the problem.
Millions of people around the world suffer with acne, and if you're one of them you may find yourself wondering which acne treatments actually work best, and which ones are just wasting your time and money.

Contrary to the popular myth, acne is not just an affliction of pubescent teenagers. Adult acne is also very common, and can cause breakouts not only on the face, but also on the shoulders and back. There are also different types of acne, though in general they are all caused by the same thing: an underlying bacterial infection of the skin.

If you are one of the millions of acne sufferers around the world who have tried various over-the-counter treatments and products to cure your acne without success, maybe it's time to try a different and more natural approach to eliminate the problem.

The first thing you will want to be aware of is cleaning your skin thoroughly on a daily basis, or preferably, two or three times a day. Although there are hundreds of products available that are designed to clean the face, a regular Hypo allergenic soap is often recommended by dermatologist. It is important not to use a regular soap, which can irritate and dry out the skin; but instead, use a moisturizing soap that is gentle enough to not aggravate your acne while cleaning your pores.

It is also important when cleaning your face to not bear down too hard or scrub severely. Although you may think that you are cleaning the trouble spots thoroughly, in reality you will only cause more redness by irritating the acne breakouts in this way.

After cleaning your skin thoroughly, you will want to use an acne fighting solution. Although there are many kinds of products on the market, the benzol peroxide solutions such as Clearasil have a longer proven track record of curing acne than many of the newer products on the market.

Simply apply the topical ointment to the affected areas of your face before going to bed at night. However, it is always important to thoroughly read the warning information, and avoid any exposure to the eyes, mouth or the inside of the nose. If you notice any swelling or exacerbated redness when using these treatments, discontinue using them immediately and see your physician.

There are also dozens of home remedies that you may wish to try for acne, especially if the over-the-counter medications have not been particularly effective in your case. One common remedy is to apply regular toothpaste with fluoride to the acne breakouts. You want to make sure that you use standard white fluoride toothpaste, and not one of the more modern gels. Other than this disclaimer, all brands of regular toothpaste should work about the same.

Simply apply a few small dots of toothpaste to your face on the affected area before bedtime. Many individuals report a decrease in swelling in the area by the following morning.

Another home remedy is to dab a little spot of egg white on the affected area before bed at night. It will quickly dry, and many people report that they find the acne is already beginning to fade the following morning.

There are many other kinds of home acne treatments, including applying ice to pimples before bedtime to reduce swelling and minimize scarring after the pimple is gone.

While there is no empirical evidence that these home acne treatments work for everyone, by trying a few for yourself you will quickly find out which are the most beneficial to you.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on blue light acne therapy and acne treatment at http://www.newacnetherapy.com/

2007 Year-End Health Savings Account Strategy

A Health Savings Account can be an important part of your tax and money-management strategy. Not only can you reduce your health insurance premiums, but when you fund your account you get a nice tax break. Learn how to take advantage of this HSA tax benefit.
A Health Savings Account can be an important part of your tax and money-management strategy. Not only can you reduce your health insurance premiums, but when you fund your account you get a nice tax break. If you stay healthy, that money grows tax-deferred like an IRA, and can amount to a lot of money in retirement.



Every year around this time you should assess your finances and see what you need to do to optimize your situation. Making the most of your Health Savings Account (HAS) is one area that can really make a difference. Here are the key things you need to know to get the greatest tax reduction and the most growth out of your HSA.

Maximizing Your Contribution May Reduce Your Taxes By $1836 or More

If you own an HSA-qualified health insurance plan that has an effective date no later than December 31, 2007, you qualify to make a tax deductible contribution to your Health Savings Account. This will immediately reduce your tax bill come April 15.

The contribution limit is not pro-rated based on the number of months in 2007 in which you had coverage, as it was in the past. However, you do need to remain an HSA-eligible individual throughout 2008, or the extra amount contributed will be counted as income and subject to an additional 10 percent tax.

The maximum HSA contribution in 2007 is $5650 for families, and $2850 for individuals. If you are 55 or older, you may also contribute an additional $800.

Your HSA contribution is deductible on your federal income taxes, and every state (except AL, CA, NJ, and WI) also gives a deduction on state income taxes. So by maximizing their HSA contribution a family in a 28 percent tax bracket, paying 4.5 percent state income taxes, will reduce their April 15 tax burden by $1836.25.

Though your HSA-qualified health insurance must be in place before the end of the year, you do have until April 15 to make your 2007 contribution. Though you cannot put any more 2007 money in if you miss this deadline, you can reimburse yourself in later years for qualified expenses incurred in 2007, even if you do not currently have the money in your account.

Strategic Withdrawals

You can withdraw money from your HSA at any time to pay qualified medical expenses. Keep in mind that this includes over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or cough syrup, dental and vision expenses, and even alternative care such as acupuncture or homeopathy.

One strategy that many of our members take is to save their medical receipts, but to delay reimbursement from the HSA so that the funds have the opportunity to grow tax-deferred. There is no time limit in which you must withdraw the money. Since most people will face larger medical bills during their retirement, it is quite likely that the withdrawals would never be subject to taxes.

If you are not fully funding your Roth, another strategy would be to reimburse yourself for medical expenses from your HSA, and to deposit it in your Roth. Your HSA reimbursement is tax-free, and placing it in your Roth would also give you tax-free growth while enabling you to withdraw the money in retirement tax-free for any reason, including non-medical expenses. You would also avoid any extra state taxes in the states that currently tax Health Savings Accounts.

Remember to Keep Good Records

You should keep a record of any qualified medical expenses you incur. This will ensure that you have documentation substantiating any tax-free withdrawal you make from your HSA. In order to pay for a medical expense from your HSA, it must be a qualified expense.

You can go low-tech and just put receipts in a file, or get a little more organized and track your records online.

2008 Contribution Limit and Deductible Changes

In 2008 the maximum annual HSA contribution limit will again go up, this time to $2900 for individuals and $5800 for families. Those over age 55 will be allowed to contribute an additional $900 to their accounts.

The maximum deductibles will be going up next year to $5600 for individuals, and $11,200 for families. If you've now got some money socked away in your HSA, it might make sense to move to a higher deductible to further reduce your premiums.

Health Reimbursement Arrangements

If you are currently set up as an S-corp, you should strongly consider setting up a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). An HRA enables your S-corp to reimburse you as a tax-free fringe benefit for the cost of your individual health insurance. This is the only way an S-corp can legally pay for individual health insurance, and is saving our average S-corp member over $3000. The HRA must be established by December 31st in order to take advantage of it in 2007.

It may also be beneficial to set up an HRA if you have a spouse who works in your business. Also, many small businesses use an HRA to reimburse their employees for individual health insurance premiums (which is much less expensive than getting group coverage). More information and a simple online application is available on our Health Reimbursement Arrangement page.

What to Do Now

Here are the steps you should take now:

To maximize the potential growth of your funds, you should try to fund your account as early in the year as possible. Every month of tax-deferred growth does add up over time. You can keep the money in a savings account, or invest it in stocks or mutual funds.
If you have your health insurance in place but do not yet have your HSA set up, you can do so online or possibly your local bank.
If you do not yet have an HSA-qualified health insurance plan, you should apply for coverage as soon as possible. Your plan must be effective before January 1 in order for you to qualify for the 2007 tax deduction. By getting your HSA-qualified health insurance in place by January 1, not only will you be able to maximize your tax benefits, but you also may be able to lock in 2007 rates for the next 12 - 24 months.
If you have a small business with employees, are set up as an S-corp, or have a spouse who works in the business with you, you should set up a Health Reimbursement Arrangement.


Through HSAs and HRAs, individuals who pay for their own health insurance have some powerful tax reduction strategies at their disposal. December 31st is the deadline for obtaining 2007 tax deductions, so you should act quickly if these ideas make sense for your situation.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


By Wiley Long - President, HSA for America (http://www.health--savings--accounts.com) - The nation's leading independent health insurance firm specializing in individual and family coverage that works with a Health Savings Account.

An Ayurveda Guide for Beautiful Skin

Naturally fresh and healthy skin is protector of body and a thing of beauty. Ayurveda our ancient science of medicine has suggested many herbal remedies and natural methods to protect our skin from pimples, acne, dark circles, wrinkles and marks left by pimples and to increase the fairness of the skin. Pimples , acne dark circles, wrinkles and marks give a dull and unhealthy look. Here is a herbal guide for naturally fresh, fair and glowing skin.
Naturally fresh and healthy skin is protector of body and a thing of beauty. Ayurveda our ancient science of medicine has suggested many herbal remedies and natural methods to protect our skin from pimples, acne, dark circles, wrinkles and marks left by pimples and to increase the fairness of the skin. Pimples , acne dark circles, wrinkles and marks give a dull and unhealthy look. Here is a herbal guide for naturally fresh, fair and glowing skin.

Structure of skin

It is essential to know about structure of skin before analysing the causes which make changes on skin. Skin is made up of multiple layers of epithelial tissuess. Microscopic section of the skin shows two distinct parts. Epidermis is the top most layer. The upper layer of epidermis contains dead cells which gradually cast off. These cells are gradually replaced by fresh new cells produced by basal layer which is the lower layer of epidermis.

The Dermis lies below epidermis and consists of net work of collagen fibers which is responsible for elastic properties of skin. Sebaceous glands associated with hair follicles and sweat glands, are all present in dermis and get blood supply from the subcutaneous tissue present below dermis. Sebaceous glands get activated during puberty and produce an oil like substance called sebum.

In ayurveda according to Sushrutaachaarya the skin has seven layers. These layers when get affected by imbalanced doshas (vital energetic forces of body ) give rise to different skin diseases. The list of seven layers of skin and diseases which originate from them are as follows.

Avabhasini- The outermost layer of skin. Pimples, acne, dandruff etc arise when this layer gets affected by vitiated doshas.

Lohita - This is the second layer of skin. Moles ,dark circles, black pigmentations occur when vitiated doshas affect this layer.

Shweta - The third layer of skin shweta when gets affected by vitiated doshas precipitates the diseases like eczema ,allergic rashes etc

Tamra - This is the fourth layer of skin which when affected by doshas harbors different types of leprosy.

Vedini- The fifth layer succumbs to herpes when vitiated doshas affect.

Rohini- Harbors cancer, tumors, elephantiasis etc when affected by vitiated doshas.

Mamsadhara - This is the seventh layer in the body which when affected by vitiated doshas , abscess , fistulas arise.

Functions of skin

It covers and protects the underlying muscles and organs. It gaurds our body from the invasion of pathogens, acts as an insulation , regulates body temperature and is one of the sense organ. It palys a major role in sysnthesis of Vitamine D. The melanin pigment of skin protects us from UV radiations of Sun.

What spoils the beauty of skin.?

Several internal and external causes spoil the beauty of skin.

Sun : Sun is the worst enemy of skin.Apply a good sun block on exposed parts of body. Wear full armed lite colored cotton clothes when you move out in sun. Do not forget to wear a hat and cooling glasses. Mix sandal powder in a large glass of water and keep it in refrigerator to cool. Transfer this into a sprayer and keep on spraying this on your body whenever you feel your skin is irritated due to sun rays.

Seasonal Changes:

When climate is hot and humid the skin feels sticky due to sweat. Microbial activity increases on wet skin . Bathe daily to keep the skin clean and lower the microbial activity. Use a mixture of soap nut powder , besan (gram flour) and sandal wood powder to scrub the skin. Drink plenty of water to compensate the loss of fluid through sweat.When climate is cold and dry the moisture level of skin lowers and skin becomes dry and it tends to crack. Apply moisturizing lotion liberally all over body. Smearing fresh aloevera juice improves moisture levels of skin. Massage your body with gingelly oil (til oil) once in a weak. Always wear warm cotton clothes and socks. Regular foot massage with warm gingelly oil or castor oil prevents fissuring of heels and foot. Drink plenty of warm water to keep the skin well hydrated and to prevent dryness.Air Pollution : The air pollutants like dust, smoke, smog, dirt can clog pores and cause acne and pimples. Apply a good moisturizer which acts as a barrier between skin and pollutants. Cleanse the skin care fully when you are back home . Use besan (gram flour) and rose water as scrub in summer. A mixture of Masoor dal flour (orange lentils) and milk make a best scrub for winter.

Life styles :

1. Sleep : Lack of sleep causes dark circles and diminish the glow of skin. 7- 8 hours sleep keeps the skin healthy and glowing2. Exercise : A brisk walk for 45 minutes keeps the skin healthy by improving blood circulation and eliminating toxins. Lack of exercise lead to dull looking skin.3. Stress : Stress causes dark circles, loss of complexion and appearance of permanent lines on facial skin. Yoga, Meditation, Exercise and Body massage are best stress busters and skin friendly therapies.4. Addiction: Tobacco, drugs, alcohol etc make the skin look lifeless and unattractive. Say no to any form of tobacco, alcohol and drugs

Diet :

Unhealthy diet spoils the skin. Junk, spicy , oily foods spoil the beauty of skin causing acne, pimples and black heads . A healthy diet retards ageing process of skin and gives it a charming look. The tips given below help you to adopt a healthy diet.

1. Drink plenty of fresh clean water (2-3 liters daily). It helps to eliminate body wastes and toxins. It keeps constipation at bay.2. Let fresh fruits and vegetables occupy major portion of your diet. Dark green and orange vegetables and fruits have antioxidants and also pocess cancer fighting properties3. Avoid sweets, chocolates, junk foods, deep fried, oily and spicy foods.

Daily and weekly regimen for beautiful skin

1. Take bath daily2. Wash your face twice daily with herbal natural scrubs like besan, methi powder, green gram flour, masoor dal flour etc.Splash clean water on face as soon as you wash.3. Do a complete body massage with gingelly oil once in a week.4. Doing Pranayam daily for 15 minutes keep the skin healthy and radiant.5. Do facials with natural fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables etc once in a week. Cucumber, carrot, water melon , sandal wood paste, turmeric, honey etc can be used according to seasons and skin types.6. Drink a glass of water with a spoon of honey in empty stomach .This should be one of your daily routine.7. Savor milk, curds and butter milk.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com/Read article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/articles/beautifulskin.htm drsavithasuri@gmail.com