Monday, April 20, 2009

Wearing Contact Lenses

Wearing Contact Lenses
 by: Jeff Lakie
If you've never worn contact lenses, you may not appreciate the amazing selection available on today's market. Be glad: you have much more choice than in the past. With so many options, how do you choose the right type of contact lenses?
Your doctor can probably help you figure out which contact lenses are best for you. Some contact lenses are suited to certain vision problems, like astigmatism. Others, like extended-wear contact lenses, are marketed to suit certain lifestyles. Colored contact lenses sometimes are used by people who don't even need prescription lenses but just want to change their eye color. Regardless, contact lenses should only be purchased by a professional eyecare practitioner, who knows how to properly fit the lenses and help you take care of your eyes. In fact, in the United States, it is illegal to purchase contact lenses without a valid prescription.
It's good to be informed about the different types of contact lenses before making your decision. Different contact lenses need to be replaced on different cycles. Some pairs last a month, some only two weeks. Other contact lenses are made to be worn only for one day. These contact lenses usually cost more, as you are paying for convenience.
It is important not to sleep in your contact lenses unless your practitioner says it's okay. Even contact lenses made for this purpose may not be good for you, especially if your eyes tend to be very dry. Be sure to ask.
Soft contact lenses have become most popular, as they are easy to get used to and are very comfortable to wear. While gas permeable contact lenses take longer to get used to, they last longer and tend to have less deposit buildup. Also, these contact lenses are less expensive in the long run because they don't need to be replaced as often. Some people also believe gas permeable contact lenses are better for your eye health and may even help improve vision. However, they are rigid and some people don't like how they feel.
As contact lenses have improved, so have their uses. Bifocal wearers rejoice! Many contact lens manufacturers have started making lenses that even you can wear. Ask your practitioner for details.

Home Gyms Provide A Great Environment

Home Gyms Provide A Great Environment
 by: Abdul Martin
Home gyms provide a great environment
Are you the one who want some peace of mind during workout sessions? Use a home gym.
Home gyms are the best thing ever happened to the fitness world.
Home gyms provides us the luxury when to exercise. Using our own time and place lets us have a great feeling that we are not obliged to prepare to go to gym .For most of us going to gym is the problem We get lazy. But not with home gyms, we can exercise at our will.
And an added advantage is that we do not have to wait for our turn and God is not that horrible.
Selecting the best home gym and at an affordable price is a challenge or was a challenge but not any more.
Another advantage for having a home gym is the music. We can play the music we love for a change and it will refresh you like nothing ever did.
When buying a home gym consider all your requirement sand then proceed.
Finally read all the online reviews available at the consumer reviews sites.
You may find different comments about same home gym from different people.
When confused always ask for a long-term warranty.
Recently epinions.com displayed reviews from customers who were utterly unhappy with the home gyms they bought but at the other end of the spectrum there were happy faces yelling the great home gyms.
For more information on home gyms, what to look for and where to buy visit our home gyms site www.homegymsforyou.com
Visit our site www.homegymsforyou.com to learn all about home gyms.
http://www.homegymsforyou.com
http://www.exercise-equipments101.com
http://www.nutritioninfopage.com

Lichen Sclerosis

Lichen Sclerosis
 by: David Chandler
What is lichen sclerosis and what does it look like?
Lichen sclerosis (LS) is a skin condition that makes the vulva look white, slightly shiny, and smooth. The skin's surface becomes thin and delicate so that it tears easily. This can cause bleeding under the skin. In severe cases of lichen sclerosis of the genital area, scarring can occur. This causes the inner lips of the vulva to get smaller. The clitoris can become covered in scar tissue.
What causes lichen sclerosis?
We do not know the exact cause of lichen sclerosis. Scientists have different theories to try to explain the cause. Some scientists think that an overactive immune system may play a role in causing the disease. Some people may also develop lichen sclerosis due to their genes or to changes in hormones. Since lichen sclerosis is not caused by an infection, it cannot be spread and is not contagious.
What are the symptoms of lichen sclerosis?
Symptoms of lichen sclerosis may be different from one person to another and can be mild to severe. Girls and young women who have this disease may experience some or all of the following symptoms in the vulva area:
Mild to severe itching in the vulva area
Skin that appears fragile, pale, and/or white
Bruised skin with broken blood vessels or "blood blisters"
Small tears or fissures in the skin
Scar tissue covering the labia or clitoris
Bleeding or tearing of skin when having bowel movements
How is lichen sclerosis diagnosed?
Lichen sclerosis can be a difficult diagnosis to make. It is not unusual for someone to see more than one doctor before the disease is finally diagnosed. Most of the time, doctors who see many patients with lichen sclerosis can often make the diagnosis just by looking at the skin. However in most cases if you are in the early stages of lichen sclerosis, the doctor may have to do a biopsy (removal and examination of a small sample of affected skin) to identify the cause of your symptoms.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Precor Treadmills - Exercise Equipment You Can Trust

Precor Treadmills - Exercise Equipment You Can Trust
 by: Dean Iggo
Precor treadmills are synonymous with quality. They have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years and have invested millions into research and development to provide the best quality machines. All their treadmills have long warranties which are a testament to their quality.
Just go down to your local gym and you are bound to see a number of Precor treadmills being battered continuously for hours a day. Just think...if they are good enough for these commercial gyms then you can guarantee that they will stack up in your own home gym.
Although super high quality, Precor treadmills are also quite expensive. You will be lucky pick one up for much less than $3000 so if you are trying to buy a treadmill on the cheap then this may not be the best option for you.
However if you consider all the advantages you get with the trusted Precor brand, you'll understand why they price these machines as such.
Advantages
Precor treadmills are backed by one of the best warranties around. They offer lifetime warranties on their treadmill frames and welds, 10 years on parts and a year on labor. They use the highest quality materials and their customer testimonials are superb. This just shows how confident the company is with the quality and durability of their treadmills.
Aside from quality, Precor treadmills are also known for being loaded with features. They have powerful motors, wide running surfaces and are very quiet.
Disadvantages
The price is the only disadvantage I can see with these machines. I feel that $3000-$5000 is a lot to pay for a treadmill to be used at home. I believe the Precor name increases the purchase price and unless you are a dedicated runner, have money to spare or know you are going to be using the treadmill often then it might be more than you need.
Some people also say that it is too big. However I feel this is one of its benefits as it adds stability and a long, wide running surface.
Recommendation
Precor manufactures probably one of the highest quality treadmills in the market today, which they back up wholeheartedly as can be seen by the length of their warranties. So, I would recommend buying Precor treadmills but only if you could afford one. It is one of the best in the market right now but at the same time it is also one of the most expensive.

Summer Skin Tips

Summer Skin Tips
 by: Gary Gresham
Once again, winter has faded into Spring and Spring has burst into Summer along with Summer skin. Next comes the invincible Summer sun, your skin's arch-enemy, particularly if you play or exercise outdoors.
Most people know that using sunscreen protection is essential. There are a number of ways to promote a healthy glow without exposing your skin to harmful rays. To help avoid Summer skin when playing or exercising outdoors on a hot, sunny day here are a few tips.
Lightweight and light colored clothing combined with plenty of sunscreen protection on exposed and unexposed skin is a good way to protect yourself.
If overheating isn't a concern, dark colored, tightly woven clothing is more effective at blocking UV rays. Light colored clothing lets the sun and UV rays reach the skin more easily.
Another barrier against sun damage comes in the form of eyewear. Protect not only your eyes, but also the skin around them by wearing sunglasses that block 90 percent to 100 percent of the sun's UV rays.
Always wear a hat. Though a cap may be more comfortable for jogging, try a wide brimmed hat that will shade your neck and face while gardening or walking outside.
Now that you know how to protect the skin's surface, it's time to start thinking about what you can do to make a healthy glow from the inside out. You're already off to a good start with some form of exercise, which gets the blood circulating and delivers fresh oxygen to the skin all over your body.
The next step is to drink plenty of water. Outdoor play or exercise, especially in the Summer, increases your risk of dehydration. This is one risk you don't want to take since it not only affects your performance and robs your skin of vitality, but also may be potentially hazardous to your health.
Be sure to drink fluids before, during and after physical activity. To replenish your fluids after any outdoor activity, weigh yourself before you participate and then weigh again after. Any weight you lost is water and should be replaced by drinking two glasses (16 ounces) of water for every pound you have lost.
Summer is a time for sun, fun and physical activity. Sipping on a cool drink, participating in your favorite activity and enjoying the long days of summer. No matter what you like to do, with a little insight and these few tips you can help alleviate the effects of Summer skin and make your Summer one you will enjoy.
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Image Treadmills - The Cheapest Treadmills in the Icon Range

Image Treadmills - The Cheapest Treadmills in the Icon Range
 by: Dean Iggo
Image treadmills are a well known brand, being made by the world recognized company, Icon Health and Fitness. Icon produce a number of high quality brands including Proform, Weslo and Healthrider as well as licenses to the popular Golds Gym and Reebok brands. However despite this proud family of fitness equipment I believe the Image treadmill range is the runt of the litter!
Don't get me wrong...Image treadmills have there place in the market but if you are serious about exercising at home for the long run (excuse the pun) then you should look at better quality machines.
The first thing that makes me suspicious is...the price. The treadmills range from between $400 to $1700. If you expect to spend $500 and buy a good quality treadmill that will last for years and years then you're kidding yourself. This might also reflect on why they are the least popular of the Icon range of fitness equipment.
Also the warranty on the machines is only 90 days. This is very low and probably a reflection of their quality. Most decent treadmills have at least a 6 month warranty so this in itself would put me off the range.
However...if you really are on a budget the only image treadmill I would recommend is the Image 10.0 treadmill.
Advantages
Image treadmills belong to the low to mid price category with treadmills priced from as low as $400 to some as high as $1,700 however most are less than $1000. They have a good range of features including heart rate monitors and impact absorption. The Image 10.0 treadmill is the best model.
Disadvantages
Being in a low price range makes you question their quality and durability. The 90 day warranty is further proof that this is a budget range. It is the least popular brand in the Icon range which suggests that customer testimonials and experience is quite average.
Recommendation
In conclusion, I don't recommend buying Image treadmills due to their poor quality and warranty. Don't expect their treadmills to be problem free for long. If however you really are on a tight budget then the Image 10.0 treadmill is a budget treadmill to consider.

Seven Tips to Maximize Savings on Prescriptions

Seven Tips to Maximize Savings on Prescriptions
 by: Dwain Berlin
Seven Tips to Maximize Savings on Prescriptions
1. When you travel, bring a copy of your prescriptions with you.
- In Mexico, only a few meds require a written prescription because most of them are over the counter there. Take your prescription with you though, just in case your medication is the one that requires a written prescription.
- In Canada, a copy of your written prescription is mandatory. You will need to see a Canadian Doctor to get a Canadian prescription. Allow two to four hours for that because you'll be waiting in a walk-in clinic on a first come, first serve basis. The Canadian Doctor will need to see a copy of your written prescription, consult with you, and there will be a charge for that service.
2. Check with the Medicine Program to see if you are eligible for assistance. Here is their contact information. P.O.Box 1089, Poplar Bluff MO 63902-1089 Phone: 866.694.3893 | Fax: 573.778.1420 | help@themedicineprogram.com | themedicineprogram.com
3. Veterans should check with the V.A. for updates on what is available now. Many don't know what their full benefits are.
4. Contact the drug manufacturer. Sometimes they will give you a free treatment or a few months supply, if you can prove your need and are unable to pay for it.
5. Ask your Doctor for samples! Even if it's short term, every little bit helps.
6. Ask your Doctor if he / she knows of someone who's meds have recently changed, or if someone who died recently was taking the same pills as you.
7. Get your meds delivered by mail from Canada. Canadian medications are identical to American medications, the savings can be substantial and there are a number of generics there that are not available State side. Opening an account with a Canadian prescription service is easier than you think.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Cholesterol

Cholesterol
 by: John Moore
Ways To Keep It Low
These days we hear a lot of warnings about cholesterol, but the funny thing is, cholesterol isn't all bad. Your body produces it naturally and it performs some pretty vital jobs - helping to build new cells, as well as produce hormones and insulate nerves. Only when you've got too much do you have a problem.
Unfortunately, there's a lot of confusion surrounding this substance because it's made up of both good and bad cholesterol, and is known as HDL and LDL. So which is the good guy, and which is the bad guy ?
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the good guy (higher the better), and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the bad guy - the artery-clogging little devil.
Every Day Ways Of Keeping Your Cholesterol Low.
Watch your weight.
The more overweight you are, the more cholesterol your body produces. So if your weight is up, this is one more reason to bring it down, but do so with a healthy diet.
Cut Out The Fat.
You'd be wise to cut back on such sources of saturated fat as meat, butter, cheese and hydrogenated oil. Whenever possible, replace these items with fish, poultry, low-fat dairy products and polyunsaturated oils.
Switch To Olive Oil.
Olive oil contains monounsaturates which is said to help lower cholesterol levels if added to your food on a daily basis. Two or Three table spoons full a day should be sufficient
Go Easy On The Eggs
Don't feel you have cut them out entirely, if you want to play safe then limit your eggs to about three a week, or use egg whites only.
Be Full Of Beans
Nutritious and inexpensive, beans and other pulses contain a water-soluble fibre called pectin that helps clear cholesterol out of the body.
Eat More Fruit
Fruit also gets it's cholesterol lowering punch from pectin, so by eating lots of fresh fruit you will help to lower your cholesterol levels.
Have Your Oats
Oat bran also helps to lower cholesterol in a similar fashion to pectin rich fruit. In fact it was a high oat bran diet that helped me to reduce my cholesterol level. I used it on cereals, and mixed it into meals that I ate. It looks a bit like sawdust, but it's really effective.
Other Foods That Are Recommended.
Carrots can lower cholesterol. Carrots by way of their pectin content the same as fruit. Two carrots a day should be enough to help when combined with other foods which have been recommended. Eat them raw if possible.
Take Garlic
Eat raw garlic. As well as reducing your circle of friends, it will reduce harmful blood fats. If you don't fancy eating raw garlic, then use the liquid garlic extract which can be bought in capsule form. These can be purchased at your local supermarket or health food store.
Don't Smoke
Studies have shown that heavy smokers have a higher cholesterol than non smokers, so here's another reason to give up. You'll also save yourself a bundle of cash as well ! - In smoking trials which were carried out in Sweden, smokers tended to suffer from low levels of the beneficial HDL cholesterol.
Medication - Drugs
There's now plenty of drugs on the market for lowering cholesterol levels. But, as with all drugs there's always side effects to take into account, so try the natural methods first. Only use drugs as a last resort.
When I found out my own cholesterol levels were high, I managed to get my levels back to normal by using the methods mentioned in this article. I hope you've enjoyed reading it.
Author - John Moore..please use my link.
http://www.information-city-online.com

Keys Treadmills In Review

Keys Treadmills In Review
 by: Dean Iggo
Keys treadmills are a good quality range of treadmills offering brilliant motor warranties and some nice features. They are priced between $1,000 to $2,300 so offer a decent machine at a cost effective price.
The best feature of keys treadmills is the motor warranty which is set to 10 years. One of the most important parts of a treadmill is the motor and if it breaks down the repair cost can usually be quite hefty. With a 10 year warranty you will have no such worries. This also provides testament to the durability of these machines.
If you are overweight or expect to be using the treadmill a lot then a keys treadmill might be worth looking at further.
What amazes me is although the machines have a 10 year motor warranty they are only priced in the mid-price range. A lot of commercial treadmills that have 10 years motor warranties are priced $5,000 and up. Some even approach $10,000
Keys Fitness, manufacture all their treadmills in the USA but import parts from overseas to help them stay competitive. As a result their machines may not be as high a quality compared to other machines made solely in the US where an eye can be kept over the production process.
Advantages
The price tag of these machines range from as little as $1,000 and as high as $2,300. For this price, you'll get a 10 year motor warranty and a lifetime warranty on frames. If durability is your number one concern then Keys treadmills offer a serious advantage over other brands.
Disadvantages
As they are not made entirely in the USA their structural quality may not be as good as other better known brands. Also $2,000 might be a bit steep for some people so you might be better off looking at cheaper treadmills that still have a decent motor warranty (about 3 years).
Recommendation
Although this brand is known for being of average structural quality, newer models have been showing some improvements. For most people a 10 year warranty is not essential 3 years will suffice. I recommend for people considering a Key treadmill to look at other brands with a lower motor warranty but better overall quality.

Aren't all Multi Vitamins Basically the Same?

Aren't all Multi Vitamins Basically the Same?
 by: Max Wardlow
Multi vitamins can provide a convenient way to take a variety of supplemental nutrients from a single product to prevent vitamin or mineral deficiencies, as well as to achieve higher intakes of beneficial nutrients.
In the current state of the vitamin and nutritional supplement industry it can be difficult to decide which supplements will provide real health protection and improvement benefits and which are simply "me too" products designed primarily to ride the wave of public interest in preventative health.
To understand the need to be informed about vitamin and nutritional supplements, you must understand the regulatory environment that currently exists in the vitamin supplement industry in the United States.
Do Vitamin Companies Regulate Themselves?
In October of 1994, President Clinton signed into law the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).
The DSHEA was written to help empower Americans to make choices about their own preventative health care strategies.
Under the DSHEA it was decided that nutritional supplements would continue to be regulated as a food product rather than the more restrictive regulations that drugs fall under.
While this made vitamin and nutritional supplements widely available it also allowed nutritional supplement manufacturers to practically regulate themselves, since there was no agreed upon standard of good manufacturing practice (GMP) and no government pressure to be true to the label on their products.
It was't until March of 2003, nine years after the DSHEA became law, that the FDA proposed new regulations to require current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) in the manufacturing, packaging, and holding of nutritional supplements.
According to the FDA, this is what prompted the new regulation proposal:
"In recent years, analyses of dietary supplements by a private sector laboratory suggest that a substantial number of dietary supplement products analyzed may not contain the amounts of dietary ingredients that would be expected to be found based on their product labels". For example...
"Five of 18 soy and/or red clover-containing products were found to contain only 50 percent to 80 percent of the declared amounts of isoflavones".
"Of 25 probiotic products tested, 8 contained less than 1 percent of the claimed number of live bacteria or the number of bacteria that would be expected to be found in such a product".
The proposed rule will, for the first time, establish standards to ensure that vitamin supplement ingredients are not adulterated with contaminants or impurities, and are labeled to accurately to reflect the active ingredients and other ingredients in the product.
The proposed new regulations will be phased in over the next three years so as not to disrupt the production of nutritional supplements.
While the DSHEA has helped ensure that dietary supplements remain easily accessible without excessive regulation, (doctors prescriptions, etc.), it also has created a "wide open" atmosphere for manufacturers who aren't yet in compliance with good manufacturing practices (at this time, GMP compliance is voluntary).
It's very easy for a supplement company to jump on the bandwagonof the latest fad and put together a product with little or no research and poor quality (and cheap!) ingredients, and then market it with over-blown, unsubstantiated claims and pure hype.
Some of the most common products that this formula is used for are weight loss, HGH (human growth hormone) and multi vitamins.
Supplement users are in the position of having to trust vitamin supplement manufacturers to regulate themselves. Although the dietary supplement industry has an excellent track record of safety, it's been verified by the independent product testing of consumerlab.com that some supplements do not contain what is stated on their label and are sometimes contaminated.
While some vitamin supplement manufacturers are working hard to meet the new FDA guidelines, not all are. At this time, you have to do your own research and take extra precautions to find high quality nutritional supplements.
Tips for Choosing Nutritional Supplements
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients work best when they're combined in a way that mimics nature as closely as possible. Look for nutritional supplements that have nutrients combined to make use of the natural synergy between them.
Companies willing to give a full disclosure and description of their ingredients have usually put more effort and research into their product. For example, instead of just saying "Calcium" the label should be more detailed like this: "Calcium (from 2430 mg Citrate, Malate, Ester-C)". This description indicates that higher quality ingredients and more up-to-date research was used for the supplement.
Verify that the supplement was produced at a pharmaceutical GMP (good manufacturing practices) facility. Since compliance to GMP standards is voluntary it's important to do your own research to verify that macro-biological testing is done at every stage of production.
(This issue shouldn't be taken lightly - as mentioned above, studies by Consumerlab.com have shown that some supplements don't have the true amount of ingredients as stated on the label, or may harbor toxic contaminants.)
Pharmaceutical grade supplements (sometimes called nutriceuticals) are made for "professional" use in the health care field by natural health care providers and consumers who want the best.
In the past decade pharmaceutical grade supplements have become more availableto the general public and this type of nutritional supplement will provide the health benefits that you're looking for, often for a very reasonable price.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Influenza - its Symptoms and Causes

Influenza - its Symptoms and Causes
 by: David Chandler
Know more about Influenza
Influenza better known as the "flu" is an infection of the respiratory tract that can affect millions of people. The influenza virus can be spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing of an infected individual.
Statistics show about 20,000 Americans die from influenza or influenza related pneumonia each year. Pneumonia and influenza are the sixth common cause of death in the United States. Elderly (65+) make up more than 90% of the 20,000 Americans who die from this illness each year.
A person may contract the influenza virus and not experience any symptoms for a few days. The incubation period for the influenza virus ranges from 1-4 days.
Is there more than one type of Influenza virus?
What is influenza?
There are three different kinds of Influenza viruses: Influenza A, Influenza B, and Influenza C. Influenza A can attack animals and humans, the remaining two (Influenza B and Influenza C) can only attack humans. Influenza C causes a very mild infection and does not provoke epidemics.
When observed through an electron microscope, influenza viruses are figured like filaments or spheres. Immunity to one strain of the influenza virus will not protect you against newly born strains of the virus, which has undergone minor changes or mutations.
The Influenza B and Influenza C virus may infect only human beings while Influenza A may infect several different types of animals. Influenza A virus can sicken many various types of animals, including humans, aquatic mammals, birds, horses, swine, and others.
At times when two different strains of viruses combine in humans or animals, they result in a new unique strain of virus with more immunity. The modern 2004 Influenza Vaccine is made of three strains, which include two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B.

Could Drinking Water Cure Your Ailments?

Could Drinking Water Cure Your Ailments?
 by: Royane Real
Yesterday I was supposed to have lunch with my friend Margaret, but she told me in the morning that she didn't want to walk to the restaurant where we were supposed to meet because she had painful arthritis in her foot.
I asked her, "Do you want to hear what helped my arthritis go away?" and of course she did.
Then I told her about a strange little book I had read a few years titled "Your Body's Many Cries for Water" by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. The theory that Dr. Batmanghelidj proposes is that almost all bodily ailments, no matter where and how they manifest in the body, are usually caused by our body cells being chronically dehydrated, and that the cure for almost all illness is simply to get our cells properly hydrated again.
At the time I read this book, I had arthritis in my fingers so bad that I could not hold a cup in my hands, or turn a door knob. I often had very little energy.
Within a few weeks of trying Dr. Batmanghelidj's recommendations, my arthritis went away. Now whenever I get a few twinges, I simply step up my water intake, and the pain disappears in a couple of days. I have more energy now than I had twenty years ago, and I haven't really changed anything except my water intake.
Dr. Batmanghelidj had been a medical doctor living in Iran when he was arrested and thrown into jail on trumped up political charges. He was scheduled to be executed.
One night a prisoner in the same jail was brought to him for treatment. This prisoner was suffering terribly from an acute ulcer, and Dr. Batmanghelidj had nothing to give the man for his pain except water. To his great surprise, after a few glasses of water, the pain went away.
Over the course of treating other prisoners with nothing but glasses of water, Dr. Batmanghelidj found that he was able to help many serious conditions using water as therapy. When he was eventually released from prison, he conducted many experiments and found many conditions improved with this treatment.
He came to the conclusion that many physical ailments are simply a result of dehydration.
Among the many ailments that Dr. Batmanghelidj believes are really a result of the body being dehydrated are such varied conditions as allergies, asthma, lupus, arthritis, back pain, ulcers, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The book is somewhat hard to read because Dr. Batmanghelidj is not very skilled in writing in English, and he uses a lot of medical terminology, so it can be difficult for a lay person to understand some of it.
According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, only water counts as a hydrating beverage. Other drinks such as juices, milk, coffee, and soft drinks do not have this miraculous ability to reverse disease.
Dr. Batmanghelidj has developed a formula to figure out how much water a person should be drinking each day. According to him, a person should drink one fluid ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight.
Here is a quick summary of his proposed schedule:
About two glasses of water taken upon waking.
Then, one to two glasses of water taken half an hour before meals.
A glass of water two and a half hours after a meal.
Other glasses of water as needed.
Dr. Batmanghelidj also recommends adding a pinch of unrefined sea salt to each glass of water to help the body cells absorb the liquid.
Of course, not all people agree with Dr. Batmanghelidj's recommendations, especially not all other medical doctors. Some people think he is a medical quack, while others think his theory about dehydration being the cause of many ailments is not only simple, but correct.
It is very fascinating to read the letters to Dr. Batmanghelidj from people who say that following his regimen helped cure them of all sorts of longstanding medical problems.
The book "Your Body's Many Cries for Water" is available at various on-line sellers, as well as in some bookstores.
If you wish to try Dr. Batmanghelidj's recommendations, please keep in mind that he says that it takes months for the body's cells to become dehydrated to the point of illness, and it can take months for the cells to become properly hydrated again.

Treadmills - Get Fit Stay Fit

Treadmills - Get Fit Stay Fit
 by: Martin Smith
Your exercise program could benefit from the use of treadmills. Using a treadmill provides a wonderful cardiovascular workout for your heart, your lungs, and your circulation. There low impact on your joints, which makes it easier and less painful to workout.
Pregnant women will get an excellent workout. Its low impact and cardiovascular nature it builds endurance which will no doubt help during labor. The lower end models are not expensive and treadmills are easy to use. Using a treadmill could help you lose weight and even body fat.
That they don't take up a lot of space is a non-physical benefit. There are some that could take up a whole room almost but if space is the issue, than you can find manual treadmills that fold and are powered by your movement only. Talk to professionals and do your research to find out which one might be appropriate for you.
Comparing different models is best. Do you know what features you're looking for on a treadmill? You should look at certain things when you are comparing various models. All you really want to do is workout so this can all be overwhelming.
The size of your machine can be affected by the type of the motor. The most important things to look at are the belt trackers. This is the type of movement of the belt and the placement of the running belt as you work out. You don't want a belt that's jerky you want it to move as smoothly as possible over the rollers.
Have you seen the check out belts that move and then jump and move again etc.? There can be more impact than is necessary on your joints and injury can result if the movement on your treadmill is like that. Something else to look at is the length and the width of the belt.
A belt that is too short can cause you to "run-off the end of the belt. A narrow belt might not necessarily support your stance. If possible try out the machine you want or one that is very much like it. The type and percentage of the incline will affect your joints and your workout.
As you progress, on most treadmills you can adjust the incline to be as if you were climbing a steep hill. How fast the belt moves should also be adjustable also. Do you know what the minimum speed and maximum speed is? This knowledge will help you plan your workout routine and make it more effective.
Your treadmill console should a heart rate monitor as one of its main features. If you know your resting heart rate and your target heart rate which is the highest number you can reach for maximum benefits from your workout, your workout will be more beneficial. Your speed, your time and your distance should also be displayed on the console.
Before you attempt to use your treadmill it is of the utmost importance that you learn to properly use your treadmill. The display on the control panel should be clear and easy to read. Is the software program necessary to be able to use the control panel?
A noisy treadmill is something you don't want. There will obviously be some noise but you don't want it to be overwhelming. What is the acceptable level of noise for you? Is the belt thick enough? If a belt is too thin it could wear out too soon, so you would want an appropriately thick belt so it will last.
Stretching can occur with some belts. Checking to see that your belt isn't cracked anywhere or stretched, Make sure the monitor is functioning properly. Consider the weight of the machine. A few of the delivery companies will bring your machine to your door but it's up to you to get it in the house and set it up.
The look of the machine is important because if it doesn't appeal to you, you will be less apt to use it. How easy will it be to store it when you aren't using it? Before you bring it home, consider the probability that it will stay in the same place when it's not in use, then you need to decide if this is ok with you.
Don't put your treadmill near walls to prevent injury. You should put it approximately eight feet away from walls, ledges or windows. You should put the wires and the power supply out of walking areas or it should be taped down to prevent someone from tripping while getting off the treadmill. There are a few tips about how to use your new treadmill.
Before getting on the belt, straddle it and make sure it is set at the proper speed. Your feet will follow your eyes so keep them straight ahead. Staying in the center of the belt will help prevent slips and falls.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Eating Disorders: What Exactly Are They?

Eating Disorders: What Exactly Are They?
 by: Jeff Dedrick
Eating disorders are the diseases caused due to the abnormal eating behavior of an individual. Many people suffer from such eating disorders. They indulge in eating more and more food, which is considered abnormal. A normal person cannot have the amount of food, a person suffering from an eating disorder can have.
Such abnormal patterns of food are not a result of increased hunger. Person having eating disorders have other problems. These problems are related to their lifestyle. Eating disorders are a sign of a problematic time in a person's life. People eat more food to suppress extreme emotions and depression.
There are also different types of eating disorders. Some types of eating disorders are: anorexia, compulsive eating, binge eating disorder and bulimia. These eating disorders are completely curable. You have to detect them on time and seek a medical advice. Treatment may takes a long time. But if the patient is given good support by his family and friends, he can fully overcome the disease.
There are certain misconception about eating disorders. One common misconception is that the males who have any eating disorder are considered to be gay. The fact is that sex has nothing to do with eating disorders. Secondly, if a man has one eating disorder, he cannot have another. Whereas, many people have multiple eating disorders.
The most common misbelieve is that teenage girls are more prone to eating disorders. It is a fact that you can have an eating disorder during your teenage years but anyone, be it children, young girls, and boys, can develop an eating disorder.
If someone around you seems to be suffering with eating disorders, help them. Such people become emotionally very weak and use food as a way to relieve themselves. Emotional support is the most important thing to treat these individuals.

Headaches

Headaches
 by: John Moore
Tips To Help Relieve The Pain
Tension Headaches.
About 90% of all headaches are classified as muscle contraction, more commonly known as 'tension headaches'. These are the headaches most of us blame on work, bills and arguments.
The pain is typically all over the head. You may feel a dull ache or sense of tightness, and it mostly feels like a tight steel band is wrapped around your head. Not everyone under stress gets headaches, but millions of people get them time and time again. For them headaches are a cronic problem.
Migraines.
Migraines have an even uglier reputation than tension headaches. Migraines are part of the vascular headache family and most often strike women. About 70% of migraine sufferes are female.Migraines can be crippling, so much so that migraine sufferers lose millions of workdays each year.
Usually migraines bring severe, throbbing pain to either one side, or both sides of the head. This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and dizziness. It can even cause blurred vision, and numbness in the limbs.
Trying To Prevent Them.
I myself have suffered for years with tension headaches, so now I try to head them off before they start. Here's a few tips :-
Medication - Take It Now.
As soon as I feel a tension headache coming on, I take a small dose of medication. It's no use using just a pain killer, you need something that will relax your muscles as well. After all, it's the tight muscles which are causing the pain in the first place, so it makes sense to relax them. If you know what kind of headache you have, your local pharmacy will be able to advise you on the right medication.
Exercise.
Exercise and has helped me a great deal. Exercise helps you to release stress, so regular exercise and stretching will be real of real benefit. If however you've got a severe headache, don't exercise, relaxation is what you need.
Sleep.
Many people sleep a headache off, but too much sleep can actually cause a headache, so don't overdo it. I little nap should be all you need to get rid of a headache.
Peace And Quiet.
Excessive noise is a common trigger for tension headaches, so try to find a quiet place where you can sit and relax. Practice some deep breathing exercises at least three or four times a day, you'll feel better for it.
Protect Your Eyes.
Bright light can cause a headache. Whether it's from the sun, television, or a computer screen, it lead to eye-strain which can then lead to a headache. So protect your eyes whenever possible, and cut down on screen watching if you can.
Watch Your Caffeine Intake.
If you're a heavy coffee or tea drinker, then try to cut down, the general opinion is that caffeine can be a cause of headaches with certain people.
Don't Chew Gum.
The repetitive chewing motion can tighten muscles in the head especially around the jaw and bring on a tension headache.
Cut Down The Salt
A high intake of salt can trigger migraines in some people.
Foods To Avoid.
Food effects everyone differently. Here's some foods that can cause headaches for some :-
Hot dog & mustard - Contains nitrates which dilates blood vessels, this can lead to head pain.
Chocolate - Contains tyramine, a chief suspect in causing headaches.
Nuts & Cheese - These also contain tyramine.
Drinking & Smoking.
We all know the problems we get with these two, don't we ? If you can't stop either, then cut down. Not only will your health improve, you'll save a lot of lovely cash as well.
Have A Sense Of Humour.
We all take life too seriously, and we put ourselves under a lot of unecessary pressure. The stresses of modern life will take it's toll eventually, so lighten up and have some fun before you finish up a wreck !
As a cronic headache sufferer myself, I've finally been able to change my life style and keep my headaches under control. Believe me, I've had my fair share of problems.
Thank you for reading my article, I hope you've found it interesting.
Author John Moore ... Please use my link.
http://www.information-city-online.com

5 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Lomi Lomi Treatment

5 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Lomi Lomi Treatment
 by: Tania Hodder
Anyone who's had a hawaiian lomi lomi massage from a skilled and caring practitioner knows very well the deep levels of relaxation and rejuvenation that can be achieved.
However, as powerful as lomi lomi massage is, there are specific things that we can do before and after the lomi lomi treatment to ensure that we get the absolute most out of the experience.
Here are my top 10 tips for getting the most out of your lomi lomi treatment.
1) Make your lomi lomi treatment your number 1 priority.
On the day of your lomi lomi booking, make sure that you organize yourself so that the most important thing in your day is your lomi lomi treatment. This means making sure that you clear your schedule so that you are free 1 hour either side of your lomi lomi treatment.
This will give you enough time to slow down and relax before your treatment, it will ensure you arrive on time without stress, and at the end of your lomi lomi, it will give you time to more slowly integrate back into your world, without having to rush back in.
2) Make sure you are clean and comfortable before your lomi lomi.
When we get onto a massage table, it's only natural that we can become a little self-conscious about our bodies.
In order to be able to relax, it's a good idea to shower before having a treatment. This will not only make sure that you are clean, smell nice and feel comfortable on the table, but will also begin the process of warming up your muscles and relaxing your system.
It is also a good idea for men to have a shave a couple of hours before-hand, so that the face massage is enjoyable (i.e. not rough) and for women, you may feel more comfortable if you have performed your hair removal routine a day or two before your lomi lomi treatment.
3) Make sure you are well hydrated before your lomi lomi.
As lomi lomi can be a fairly intensive treatment in terms of detoxifying the body, you will need to make sure that you are
well hydrated before your treatment.
Now this doesn't mean that you need to flood your body with water, but rather it means keeping a water bottle with you all day, and taking regular mouthfuls to keep your water levels topped up.
However, you shouldn't drink anything at least 3o minutes prior to your lomi lomi treatment, otherwise you may find yourself
needing to go to the bathroom in the middle of your lomi lomi.
In regards to food, it's good idea to avoid eating heavy food, such as meats, pastas and dairy at least an hour befor your lomi lomi treatment, this will help your system relax and ensure that your body's energies are free for healing and not spent in digesting food.
4) Create an intention for your lomi lomi treatment.
As lomi lomi works on treating the whole person, and we each create our own reality with our thoughts, creating an intention for how you would like the lomi lomi to help you is a powerful way to actually 'make it happen'. In fact, it turns the lomi lomi into a powerful 'prayer' for calling what you want into your life, whatever that may be.
"Ask, believe and you will receive!"
5) During your lomi lomi, breathe into your tension.
A skilled and intuitive lomi lomi practitioner will naturally be drawn to your areas of tension and although they will never 'force' their way into these areas, you may feel your body/muscles wanting to 'resist', which can result in some pain/discomfort.
The way to alleviate this is simply to breathe. When your lomi lomi practitioner finds an area that is particularly tense/painful, you should take a deep breath, and visually your breath going into that area.
Then, as you exhale you will feel the tension/pain dissolve as that area relaxes.
The key is to work with your practitioner and let them 'into' your body as they peel back the layers of tension, like removing the layers of an onion.
The philosophy of lomi lomi is where there is 'relaxation' there can be no illness!
After your lomi lomi, it's really nice to have a cleansing warm shower to wash away any lingering 'energy'.
It's also a good idea to go and sit somewhere peaceful, preferably in nature and allow yourself some time to 'come back to earth' and integrate the lomi lomi experience. This is especially so before getting behind the wheel and driving anywhere.
It's also a 'must' to drink plenty of water afterwards as the effects of the lomi lomi in detoxifying/healing your body will continue to work well after the treatment.
So there you have it. I hope these tips help you get the most out of your lomi lomi treatments as they have for myself and my clients.
Aloha!

Here's Hope for Parkinson's Disease

Here's Hope for Parkinson's Disease
 by: Doug Grant
Frank's 85 year-old father was in advanced stages of Parkinson's.
Confined to a wheelchair...his speech jumbled...his face frozen in a Parkinson Mask...he was hardly more than a vegetable.
Day after day, he sat, unmoving, unable to communicate. It broke Frank's heart to see the once robust, active man he always loved reduced to such a tragic state.
One day, a friend mentioned that simple sugars might help his father. Frank had never heard of them and was more than a bit skeptical. After all, they had already tried everything modern medicine had to offer.
But desperation drove Frank to check it out.
He was impressed with the logic of the science and the volume of clinical research available. This was obviously not some new miracle food with extravagant claims, backed by little or no real medical research.
Furthermore, he understood that simple sugars would be no more harmful than giving his dad a blueberry muffin. They were a food. Nothing more...nothing less.
He began with small doses. Then gradually increased the amount his father was taking until they reached the amount suggested by their Recovery Coach.
The results were amazing. Slowly, Frank's father was able to speak more normally. His face lost its frozen expression. And he regained some of his old energy and animation.
One afternoon, Frank's father asked to go bowling. This had been one of his favorite activities before the disease forced him to quit.
Frank was astounded and a bit apprehensive. After all, his father was still in a wheelchair. But the desire on his father's face was so intense he couldn't refuse.
The sound of rolling balls and flying pins was like a tonic to Frank's father. He sat up in his chair and looked around with excitement. After Frank placed his favorite bowling ball in his lap, he rolled himself up to the line on one of the lanes, swung the ball several times beside his chair and let it go.
Frank watched in amazement as the ball hit the pins. On that first try, his father had rolled a perfect strike.
When his father turned his chair around, he gave Frank a grin that split his face from ear to ear. It was one of the most precious moments in Frank's life.
WHAT ARE THESE SIMPLE SUGARS?
Just that. Simple one-molecule sugars. But eight sugars so essential to the body that they must be internally manufactured if not supplied in the diet...which seldom happens.
Although the simple sugars have no healing power, they are a vital part of every cell's communication system. Without them, a damaged cell cannot signal a need for resources to repair itself. Nor can good cells recognize bad cells, such as cancer cells, and trigger the immune system.
When a body becomes starved for simple sugars and does not have the resources to manufacture them, disease is often the result. By the same token, supplying the simple sugars, sometimes in large doses, often reverses the disease and the damage that has been done.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE SIMPLE SUGARS
There is a great deal of information available from both medical journals and consumer scientific magazines. It is worth looking into.
Simple sugars could be the key to renewed health for you, a family member, or a friend.

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