Hair loss is incredibly common. But how many people are affected with it and why does it occur? Hair loss and a receding hairline are just one of the signs that age is starting to take a toll on our bodies. For men, there is a very good chance that it's only a matter of time before you start to notice that your hairline is receding. For a fifth of men, androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness as it commonly know as, starts as they reach puberty. They will probably have extensive hairloss by the age of 30 or even younger. For them, male pattern baldness is extremely rapid and extensive. For a further 60% of men, the hair loss process is more gradual, and starts later on in life. Regardless of the time frame however, near total baldness across the majority of the head areas affects most of the male adult population. Female Hair Loss Hairloss for men is more socially acceptable. Women on the other hand, often face a more traumatic experience from unexpected hair loss. While early adolescence and the 20s are potential problem times for women susceptible to generic hair loss, menopause is an equally critical time. Hair Growth The rate of hair growth is 3mm per week (faster than any other part of the body except bone marrow). This process of hair loss and hair regrowth is continuous and natural - it is only when daily hair loss greatly exceeds this rate that an unnatural condition may be present. The human head has an average of around 100,000 hair follicles, which can each produce about 20 hairs in a lifetime Does Hair Colour Make a Difference? People with red hair have 25% fewer scalp hairs than those with brown hair; whilst blonds have over a quarter more scalp hairs than brunettes. This fact may account for the belief that men with red hair are more likely to go bald than anyone else. Normally, this would be an ample amount of hair for one person, if it weren't for many factors, including particularly D.H.T. or Dihyrotestosterone. DHT - A Factor in Male Hair Loss This is a powerful hormone in our bodies, which can adversely affect the hair on our head. It is very important for a person to have proper nutrition to maintain hair. When DHT reaches the hair follicles and dermal papilla, it tends to prevent proteins, vitamins and minerals from providing the necessary nourishment to sustain life in the hair of these follicles. Due to this, the hair follicles tend to reproduce at a slower rate and this in turn either shortens the growing phase of the hair follicles or lengthens its resting stage. This can result in a shrinking of the hair follicle, which makes hair growth more difficult and makes hair more vulnerable to falling out. Other Hair Loss Factors In addition to the chemical effects of D.H.T. other factors can affect the growth of hair. Stress, poor nutrition and of course old age also affect adversely an individuals ability to reproduce hair at fast enough rates. Hair Loss Treatment, Prevention and Hair Loss Products If you want to reverse or prevent hair loss, what can be done? - There are a lot of treatments available from creams to Hair Transplants - many are quite costly, and all achieve mixed results. It is essential that you do your research into all of the alternatives that are available on the market. Remember always that new / improved treatments are constantly being developed. This means that even if you have had no success in the past a solution that works for you may become available at any time.
- By: Christopher Evans
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Alcohol Use, Abuse, Dependence, and Addiction
There are many types of alcohol consumption ranging from the healthy to the deadly. Some people of the prohibitionist persuasion will ague that any use is destructive, but neither medical research nor personal experience supports that conclusion. Unhappily, most "screening" protocols are heavily weighted towards a diagnosis of addiction justifying punitive treatment approaches and "abstinence only" outcomes. In reality, many different degrees of alcohol use exist, and the following thumbnail guide can be helpful in deciding what category is appropriate, and in predicating various – as well as usual - outcomes. Healthy alcohol consumption has been found to be approximately two drinks of distilled spirits, two bottles of beer, or one half bottle of wine per day for an adult man, and half that for an adult women. These amounts confer the most health benefits without any associated detrimental effects. Obviously, not everyone consumes these set amounts, nor do most people who drink necessarily always stop at one or two. Certain social settings may find one consuming more over the duration of an event, for example, but the average should remain within the recommended parameters. People who clearly fall into this category may, unfortunately, still find themselves in need of help. Particularly in child custody disputes, but in other legal matters as well, unfounded accusations are frequently hurled and difficult to refute. As John Donne noted, "Two things will be believed of any man whatsoever, and one is that he has taken to drink." Alcohol abuse is defined as consumption which consistently exceeds the recommended levels and/or is done in isolation rather than socially. Frequent contributing factors include loneliness, exhaustion, and a paucity of peers or activities. At this stage, remediation is common enough to be the norm, with a return to healthy use the usual outcome. Counseling may expedite the process and help with the underlying causes. Clients who find themselves at this level can usually benefit from a process of assessment, skill building through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the adoption of non-alcohol related activities. As in more serious conditions to follow, the key lies in the creation of a life with reduced alcohol use that is more satisfactory than the current one. An onerous life, or a continued focus on alcohol, will nearly guarantee a return to misuse. Alcohol dependence occurs after long periods of excessive use leading to social, physical, and emotional dependence. Drinking becomes a primary coping mechanism across multiple categories; for example, socially, recreationally, vocationally, and spiritually. Symptoms may include physical withdrawal following cessation, depression, increased isolation, significant weight gain, decreased liver function, and possible legal, financial, and/or employment problems. As multiple problems need attention, counseling can help with the reorganization, prioritization, and systematic accomplishment of necessary changes. While a return to moderate or healthy use is normal, a period of abstinence, possibly one to two years, is recommended. Many people who do this never return to drinking at all, having successfully modified their lives in satisfactory ways. Alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, results when a person's physical, emotional, and psychological being is permeated by alcohol and its consumption. Distinct withdrawal symptoms – physical (i.e. tremors, seizures) and psychological ones (i.e. blackouts) – are present and alcohol related disintegration in several areas of life (i.e. financial, legal, vocational, marital, recreational, social, medical) is present. While approximately a third of diagnosed alcoholics return to moderate drinking, this is not generally recommended. At this stage both medical and counseling help is usually necessary given the physical, social, emotional, and psychological aspects. Recovery prospects are uncertain at best and outcomes vary. As always, motivation, spousal support, and a belief in personal efficacy, as opposed to "powerlessness," are the primary factors in success. In general, alcohol problems of all magnitude are remarkable for both their persistence over time (being stabile rather than progressive) and their frequent spontaneous remission. While some individuals do follow a path from use to abuse to dependence to addiction, and death, they are the exception, not the rule.
- By: Mary Ellen Barnes, Ph.D.
Mary Ellen Barnes, Ph.D., is a therapist with offices in Rolling Hills Estates who approaches all clients as unique individuals capable of overcoming difficulties through the development and redirection. Mary Ellen can be contacted through her profile here:
- By: Mary Ellen Barnes, Ph.D.
Mary Ellen Barnes, Ph.D., is a therapist with offices in Rolling Hills Estates who approaches all clients as unique individuals capable of overcoming difficulties through the development and redirection. Mary Ellen can be contacted through her profile here:
Thursday, September 25, 2008
LIVING HEALTHY – THE BEGINNING OF HOPE
A sound physical and mental health is the state of being free and well from illness and sickness in the body and the mind. A sign of wholeness in your body and mind is shown in your vitality and high energy level to accomplish any task or goals. Taking control of your well being is of utmost importance because the soundness of your body and mind is your most valuable asset. You can improve or maintain your personal wellbeing by practicing some common sense and a few self help techniques.
· Eating right and getting adequate Nutrition
Getting proper and adequate nutrition is important. Your body requires fresh food and lots of water. Fresh food, vegetables and fruits provide nutrients, enzymes and are water rich. They act as your body cleansing agent to eliminate waste. Other than consuming lots of water rich food, you need to feast on a healthy combination of food to help you with your digestive system. Too little water rich food – having too much food consisting of carbohydrates, proteins and high fat food and consuming beyond moderation are among the causes of weight problem and low energy. When you are dieting or working on weight gain or loss plans, you need to watch your nutritional intake so that it will not give you an adverse effect.
· Physical fitness and exercise
Aerobic exercise and other forms of moderate to vigorous body movements improve physical fitness and the soundness of the mind. Your brain and other internal organs will function effectively when you choose to engage your body in activity. Regular and organized exercise like walking briskly or gardening affects your brain mechanism. Activities involving cardiovascular fitness help you avoid depression and other mood and personality disorders and enhance your wellbeing. Having regular exercise outdoors provides you with sufficient sunlight and plenty of fresh air.
· Rest and recreation
You need to make it a daily habit to sit quietly and relax you body and feel calm inside. Sufficient rest includes getting sound sleep. It helps you reduce stress and allows your body to renew. Regardless of your time pressures, you need to take a break and practice the habit of making your own leisure time for rest and recreation.
· Managing your emotions
Handling your emotions promotes good mental health. Women who are going through menopause may experience mood swings due to sleep disturbance caused by hot flashes. Negative emotions will affect your thinking and show up in the form of illness and ailments. The ability to manage your emotions will allow you to maintain a positive self-image and esteem yourself as worthy. Your optimism and physical vitality will soar and allow you to grow in your relationship and career. Suppressing your emotions worsens illness and disease in mind and body, while releasing them helps you improve your well being.
· Balanced refined breathing and meditation
Focusing your attention on your breathing quiets your mind. A quiet mind permits creativity and helps in the healing process from stress and other disturbing thoughts. Refined slow breathing promotes a complete balance between your body and mind and allows you to focus within, relax and contemplate.
Breathing affects your emotions. Rapid heart rate causes muscle tension and high level of stress and is hazardous. Practicing simple breathing exercise three times a day will relax your mind and influence your body to function effectively.
· Living a healthy lifestyle and practicing good and clean habits
Creating quality relationships and having worthy goals to live for help you become robust and wise. Living with good morals and behaviors that are aligned to your personal values can enrich your mind, body and spirit. Make it a habit to emphasize on your personal hygiene. Cultivate habits that encourage you to avoid infections and improve your general wellbeing. Avoid excessive toxic food and drinks like coffee and alcohol that can affect your wellbeing. Stay away from cigarettes. Quit if you are indulging in that habit. Smoking shortens life expectancy. You can create personal healthy lifestyle by making conscious choices. Taking control of your health will result in more energy, mental alertness, enthusiasm, creativity and improved personal growth, success and wisdom. The inability of balancing your life will show in major afflictions like heart disease and cancer. Give yourself the life you deserve. Read, ask questions and gather information that will help you avoid fatigue and improve your vitality, energy and life itself. Practice the common sense practical actions that are within your control.
14. SIMPLE AND STRATEGIC STRESS BUSTERS
Stress can kill. Take it as a mantra. Most of the killer diseases prevalent today have been directly or indirectly linked to sustained physical, emotional and mental stress.
Stress has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (the leading cause of death among humans), diabetes, cancer, arthritis, etc.
Obvious signs that stress is getting the better of you include:
- Insomnia (inability to fall asleep), or waking in the middle of the night and staying awake till dawn;
- Palpitations – irregular heartbeats such as a racing heart or skipping a beat;
- Cold sweats – excessive sweating especially on the palms, foreheads or soles of the feet for no apparent reason;
- muscle spasms – feelings of tightness in the muscles of the neck, or back shoulders;
- Headaches – persistent headaches that don’t seem to get better with pain killers;
- Mood swings – sudden feelings of irritability, depression, anger, helplessness etc;
- Fatigue – a constant feeling of tiredness, lack of concentration, forgetfulness, loss of libido.
If you have some or all of these symptoms, then you should act now. See your healthcare provider for a consultation. Moreso you can try these self help strategies.
- Don’t take work home or take home to work.
- Take time to make a transition from a cue part of your life to the other.
- Spend time in your car to decompress before entering your office or your home.
- Watch less TV. Avoid violent or depressing movies. Opt instead for comedies, cartoons and jokes. Watch the Discovery Channel. Look for humour in every situation. Learn to laugh at yourself and don’t take the world too seriously. Listen to music that will relax your nerves – Instrumental, classical and jazz are good choices.
- Use Aroma therapy. Have flowers put in your office and home. Spray perfume into the air. Light a scented candle. Fragrances can help to reduce anxiety.
- Get a pet – maybe a dog, cat etc. Activities like these have been used to lower blood pressure and increase longevity.
- Choose to be happy. Being happy is a decision that is entirely within your power to make.
- Take charge of your life. Let people around you know your likes and dislikes.
- Tackle your challenges with a positive volition. Worrying will never make things better.
On a significant note, laughter is indeed the best medicine. There are benefits that can be derived from laughing heartily several times a day.
The biggest pay off seems to be a relieve of tension followed by a relaxation of the skeletal muscles. Laughter has a beneficial effect on all the body systems such as the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, endocrine system and immune system.
Laughter releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, thus producing a general feeling of euphoria or well being. Little wonder that in ancient Greece, hospitals were built next to amphitheatres to help cure the patients.
Stress constricts blood vessels, increases heart rate and blood pressure and increases the sugar levels in the blood. Studies have shown that laughter reduces levels of the stress hormones and adrenaline, and in effect reduces the constriction of blood vessels.
Laughter also provides a good cardiovascular workout. It also forces us to inhale and exhale more forcefully, thus cleansing the lungs of stale air and making room for fresh clean life oxygen to permeate our body cells.
The moment you give a good laugh, all hardness yield, all irritations and resentment slips away and a sunny spirit takes their place.
So the next time you feel stress creeping up on you, take a break and roar in laughter, be happy and find excitement and amusement
· Eating right and getting adequate Nutrition
Getting proper and adequate nutrition is important. Your body requires fresh food and lots of water. Fresh food, vegetables and fruits provide nutrients, enzymes and are water rich. They act as your body cleansing agent to eliminate waste. Other than consuming lots of water rich food, you need to feast on a healthy combination of food to help you with your digestive system. Too little water rich food – having too much food consisting of carbohydrates, proteins and high fat food and consuming beyond moderation are among the causes of weight problem and low energy. When you are dieting or working on weight gain or loss plans, you need to watch your nutritional intake so that it will not give you an adverse effect.
· Physical fitness and exercise
Aerobic exercise and other forms of moderate to vigorous body movements improve physical fitness and the soundness of the mind. Your brain and other internal organs will function effectively when you choose to engage your body in activity. Regular and organized exercise like walking briskly or gardening affects your brain mechanism. Activities involving cardiovascular fitness help you avoid depression and other mood and personality disorders and enhance your wellbeing. Having regular exercise outdoors provides you with sufficient sunlight and plenty of fresh air.
· Rest and recreation
You need to make it a daily habit to sit quietly and relax you body and feel calm inside. Sufficient rest includes getting sound sleep. It helps you reduce stress and allows your body to renew. Regardless of your time pressures, you need to take a break and practice the habit of making your own leisure time for rest and recreation.
· Managing your emotions
Handling your emotions promotes good mental health. Women who are going through menopause may experience mood swings due to sleep disturbance caused by hot flashes. Negative emotions will affect your thinking and show up in the form of illness and ailments. The ability to manage your emotions will allow you to maintain a positive self-image and esteem yourself as worthy. Your optimism and physical vitality will soar and allow you to grow in your relationship and career. Suppressing your emotions worsens illness and disease in mind and body, while releasing them helps you improve your well being.
· Balanced refined breathing and meditation
Focusing your attention on your breathing quiets your mind. A quiet mind permits creativity and helps in the healing process from stress and other disturbing thoughts. Refined slow breathing promotes a complete balance between your body and mind and allows you to focus within, relax and contemplate.
Breathing affects your emotions. Rapid heart rate causes muscle tension and high level of stress and is hazardous. Practicing simple breathing exercise three times a day will relax your mind and influence your body to function effectively.
· Living a healthy lifestyle and practicing good and clean habits
Creating quality relationships and having worthy goals to live for help you become robust and wise. Living with good morals and behaviors that are aligned to your personal values can enrich your mind, body and spirit. Make it a habit to emphasize on your personal hygiene. Cultivate habits that encourage you to avoid infections and improve your general wellbeing. Avoid excessive toxic food and drinks like coffee and alcohol that can affect your wellbeing. Stay away from cigarettes. Quit if you are indulging in that habit. Smoking shortens life expectancy. You can create personal healthy lifestyle by making conscious choices. Taking control of your health will result in more energy, mental alertness, enthusiasm, creativity and improved personal growth, success and wisdom. The inability of balancing your life will show in major afflictions like heart disease and cancer. Give yourself the life you deserve. Read, ask questions and gather information that will help you avoid fatigue and improve your vitality, energy and life itself. Practice the common sense practical actions that are within your control.
14. SIMPLE AND STRATEGIC STRESS BUSTERS
Stress can kill. Take it as a mantra. Most of the killer diseases prevalent today have been directly or indirectly linked to sustained physical, emotional and mental stress.
Stress has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (the leading cause of death among humans), diabetes, cancer, arthritis, etc.
Obvious signs that stress is getting the better of you include:
- Insomnia (inability to fall asleep), or waking in the middle of the night and staying awake till dawn;
- Palpitations – irregular heartbeats such as a racing heart or skipping a beat;
- Cold sweats – excessive sweating especially on the palms, foreheads or soles of the feet for no apparent reason;
- muscle spasms – feelings of tightness in the muscles of the neck, or back shoulders;
- Headaches – persistent headaches that don’t seem to get better with pain killers;
- Mood swings – sudden feelings of irritability, depression, anger, helplessness etc;
- Fatigue – a constant feeling of tiredness, lack of concentration, forgetfulness, loss of libido.
If you have some or all of these symptoms, then you should act now. See your healthcare provider for a consultation. Moreso you can try these self help strategies.
- Don’t take work home or take home to work.
- Take time to make a transition from a cue part of your life to the other.
- Spend time in your car to decompress before entering your office or your home.
- Watch less TV. Avoid violent or depressing movies. Opt instead for comedies, cartoons and jokes. Watch the Discovery Channel. Look for humour in every situation. Learn to laugh at yourself and don’t take the world too seriously. Listen to music that will relax your nerves – Instrumental, classical and jazz are good choices.
- Use Aroma therapy. Have flowers put in your office and home. Spray perfume into the air. Light a scented candle. Fragrances can help to reduce anxiety.
- Get a pet – maybe a dog, cat etc. Activities like these have been used to lower blood pressure and increase longevity.
- Choose to be happy. Being happy is a decision that is entirely within your power to make.
- Take charge of your life. Let people around you know your likes and dislikes.
- Tackle your challenges with a positive volition. Worrying will never make things better.
On a significant note, laughter is indeed the best medicine. There are benefits that can be derived from laughing heartily several times a day.
The biggest pay off seems to be a relieve of tension followed by a relaxation of the skeletal muscles. Laughter has a beneficial effect on all the body systems such as the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, endocrine system and immune system.
Laughter releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, thus producing a general feeling of euphoria or well being. Little wonder that in ancient Greece, hospitals were built next to amphitheatres to help cure the patients.
Stress constricts blood vessels, increases heart rate and blood pressure and increases the sugar levels in the blood. Studies have shown that laughter reduces levels of the stress hormones and adrenaline, and in effect reduces the constriction of blood vessels.
Laughter also provides a good cardiovascular workout. It also forces us to inhale and exhale more forcefully, thus cleansing the lungs of stale air and making room for fresh clean life oxygen to permeate our body cells.
The moment you give a good laugh, all hardness yield, all irritations and resentment slips away and a sunny spirit takes their place.
So the next time you feel stress creeping up on you, take a break and roar in laughter, be happy and find excitement and amusement
REDUCING CHOLESTEROL NATURALLY
We must have all heard that high cholesterol can kill us. Most physicians react by reaching for their prescription pads. Drugs to lower cholesterol especially the statin drugs, are among the most commonly prescribed drugs on the market. Unfortunately, like all drugs, they come with side effects. We would be much better off if we take control of our cholesterol without resorting to drugs. Fortunately, there are ways to do just that.
· The first step is a healthy life style. You already know it, but exercise is part of it too. Exercise has so many benefits – maintaining function, controlling weight, lowering blood pressure, fighting depression, etc – that, if it were a drug, it would be a blockbuster. Most people look for a pill instead of making healthy choices and taking action. Don’t be like them. Exercise is the best way to stay healthy.
· Diet is next. Reduce the saturated fat in your diet and absolutely avoid fat. Nutritionists have vilified beef and other red meats because of their saturated fat content. That is a valid point for most beef, but grass-fed beef is a different matter. That is because naturally, cattle eat grass. Feed them grain, and their meat changes drastically. The total fat increases. Even worse, the ration of omega-3 (the healthy fat associated with fish) changes from 4:1 to 20:1. And that is not good. If you are a meat eater, switch to grass fed beef. Be sure your diet is high in fiber. Five to ten grams of soluble fiber a day lowers the cholesterol by 5%. Oatmeal is a good source of soluble fiber. Also, soluble fiber supplements are available now. As a bonus, soluble fiber can also be taken as a weight loss aid. People who take a serving of soluble fiber in 8 oz of a calorie free liquid 30 minutes or so before every meal tend to eat less. They lose weight without changing anything else.
· After reducing the bad fat, the next step is to increase the good fats. Almonds and nuts are a good way to do this – they both lower cholesterol. Nuts are very calorie dense, but ideally, the saturated fat calories you eliminate from your diet will more than make up for adding them to your diet. Other good fats include omega-3 fatty acids. These are the fats found in fish, as well as in flax seeds. Adding them to your diet helps lower triglycerides. I suggest using both. Eat fish such as salmon once a week and take a fish oil supplement daily (2 – 4 grams a day – more if your doctor recommends it). Also, grind up 2 tablespoons of flax seed every day and have it on cereal, mixed in yoghurt, or any other way you enjoy it. Grind it fresh and don’t heat it – the oil spoils easily. I recommend the whole flax seed rather than just the oil because of the benefits of the fiber and other nutrients in the whole seed. Garlic or garlic supplements are another cholesterol-lowering addition you can make to your diet. If using fresh garlic, let it sit for 5 minutes or so after chopping, before you cook with it. Heat destroys enzymes activated by chopping that form beneficial compounds in the garlic. If you use a supplement, take 600 to 1200 mg a day divided into 2 or 3 doses. Taken together, these recommendations will not only lower your cholesterol, they will contribute to your overall health and vitality. No statin drug can make that claim.
· The first step is a healthy life style. You already know it, but exercise is part of it too. Exercise has so many benefits – maintaining function, controlling weight, lowering blood pressure, fighting depression, etc – that, if it were a drug, it would be a blockbuster. Most people look for a pill instead of making healthy choices and taking action. Don’t be like them. Exercise is the best way to stay healthy.
· Diet is next. Reduce the saturated fat in your diet and absolutely avoid fat. Nutritionists have vilified beef and other red meats because of their saturated fat content. That is a valid point for most beef, but grass-fed beef is a different matter. That is because naturally, cattle eat grass. Feed them grain, and their meat changes drastically. The total fat increases. Even worse, the ration of omega-3 (the healthy fat associated with fish) changes from 4:1 to 20:1. And that is not good. If you are a meat eater, switch to grass fed beef. Be sure your diet is high in fiber. Five to ten grams of soluble fiber a day lowers the cholesterol by 5%. Oatmeal is a good source of soluble fiber. Also, soluble fiber supplements are available now. As a bonus, soluble fiber can also be taken as a weight loss aid. People who take a serving of soluble fiber in 8 oz of a calorie free liquid 30 minutes or so before every meal tend to eat less. They lose weight without changing anything else.
· After reducing the bad fat, the next step is to increase the good fats. Almonds and nuts are a good way to do this – they both lower cholesterol. Nuts are very calorie dense, but ideally, the saturated fat calories you eliminate from your diet will more than make up for adding them to your diet. Other good fats include omega-3 fatty acids. These are the fats found in fish, as well as in flax seeds. Adding them to your diet helps lower triglycerides. I suggest using both. Eat fish such as salmon once a week and take a fish oil supplement daily (2 – 4 grams a day – more if your doctor recommends it). Also, grind up 2 tablespoons of flax seed every day and have it on cereal, mixed in yoghurt, or any other way you enjoy it. Grind it fresh and don’t heat it – the oil spoils easily. I recommend the whole flax seed rather than just the oil because of the benefits of the fiber and other nutrients in the whole seed. Garlic or garlic supplements are another cholesterol-lowering addition you can make to your diet. If using fresh garlic, let it sit for 5 minutes or so after chopping, before you cook with it. Heat destroys enzymes activated by chopping that form beneficial compounds in the garlic. If you use a supplement, take 600 to 1200 mg a day divided into 2 or 3 doses. Taken together, these recommendations will not only lower your cholesterol, they will contribute to your overall health and vitality. No statin drug can make that claim.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
STROKE CAN BE PREVENTED: YOUR LIFESTYLE MATTERS
What more can be more frustrating than when an individual tries to speak, and what should have been words came out as meaningless sounds. Paralysis of the body means experiencing difficulty with the basic things – getting out of bed, eating, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom. But perhaps most frustrating is the inability to talk. I mean after several years of happy and productive life, it becomes heart rendering to see a person with a stroke.
Some strokes are fatal, and many consider that a blessing if they have seen the disabilities survivors have to live with. And although the risk of stroke increases with age, it can happen to anyone. A stroke occurs when an area of the brain dies. 80 percent of stroke are caused by blockage of blood flow. Most of the rest are caused by bleeding in the brain. Apart from that, hardening of the arteries causes stroke too. As plaque builds up, it narrows the artery, reducing flow. This happens slowly, since the body is remarkably adaptive, even a very marked narrowing might not cause any symptoms for some time.
However, plaque in the carotid artery (the main artery supplying the brain – there’s one on each side) is a ticking bomb. At any time it might cause the artery to clot off, starving the brain of blood. Or a portion of the plaque might break off, traveling downstream in the blood flow until it wedges in a smaller artery, blocking it and causing the part of the brain supplied by that artery to die. Physicians call this an embolus.
Joseph McCaffrey noted that the exact symptoms of stroke vary with the part of the brain affected. The person may or may not lose consciousness. An arm or leg or both may become paralyzed or lose feeling. Damage to language processing areas can render the person’s speech garbled or confused. Another possible symptom is the sudden loss of vision in one eye, caused by a tiny bit of plaque – embolus lodging in the artery to the eye. The first part of the retina to die is the area farthest from the blockage. Vision fades there, and then the darkness spreads as more of the retina dies. The person experiencing this often describes it ‘as if a shade was pulled down.
WAYS TO PREVENT STROKES
Perhaps the most disturbing thing about strokes is that the vast majority ought not to have occurred in the first place. They are preventable.
1. Stop Smoking
If you smoke, do whatever you can to stop. Simply put it’s one of the most self destructive habits you can have, and has an increasing risk of stroke.
2. Drink Alcohol in moderation, if you must drink.
The relationship between drinking alcoholic beverages and stroke is quite unclear. It appears that one drink a day may slightly reduce the risk of stroke, while a drink a day more than doubles the risk. It is another reason to refrain from drinking heavily.
3. Control your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure contributes to both heart disease and stroke. It is also a major cause of kidney failure. Most physicians recommend maintaining the systolic blood pressure at 120 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure at 80 mmHg or lower. However, even a reduction in blood pressure (i.e 9 mmHg systolic and 5 mmHg diastolic) can reduce the relative risk of stroke about one
third.
Ideally, you control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle. A diet emphasizing fruits and vegetables and low salt intake helps. So does maintaining a normal weight and exercising regularly. The balance between sodium and potassium in the body is important for blood pressure regulation. Most people get too much sodium from salt and not enough potassium. An easy way to add potassium as well as other nutrients to your diet is to regularly drink a no salt or low salt tomato-based vegetable juice with a little potassium chloride salt substitute added. Magnesium contributes to blood pressure control as well. It won’t do the job by itself, but is a part of an overall program – 500 mg a day is a reasonable dose for most people.
Some strokes are fatal, and many consider that a blessing if they have seen the disabilities survivors have to live with. And although the risk of stroke increases with age, it can happen to anyone. A stroke occurs when an area of the brain dies. 80 percent of stroke are caused by blockage of blood flow. Most of the rest are caused by bleeding in the brain. Apart from that, hardening of the arteries causes stroke too. As plaque builds up, it narrows the artery, reducing flow. This happens slowly, since the body is remarkably adaptive, even a very marked narrowing might not cause any symptoms for some time.
However, plaque in the carotid artery (the main artery supplying the brain – there’s one on each side) is a ticking bomb. At any time it might cause the artery to clot off, starving the brain of blood. Or a portion of the plaque might break off, traveling downstream in the blood flow until it wedges in a smaller artery, blocking it and causing the part of the brain supplied by that artery to die. Physicians call this an embolus.
Joseph McCaffrey noted that the exact symptoms of stroke vary with the part of the brain affected. The person may or may not lose consciousness. An arm or leg or both may become paralyzed or lose feeling. Damage to language processing areas can render the person’s speech garbled or confused. Another possible symptom is the sudden loss of vision in one eye, caused by a tiny bit of plaque – embolus lodging in the artery to the eye. The first part of the retina to die is the area farthest from the blockage. Vision fades there, and then the darkness spreads as more of the retina dies. The person experiencing this often describes it ‘as if a shade was pulled down.
WAYS TO PREVENT STROKES
Perhaps the most disturbing thing about strokes is that the vast majority ought not to have occurred in the first place. They are preventable.
1. Stop Smoking
If you smoke, do whatever you can to stop. Simply put it’s one of the most self destructive habits you can have, and has an increasing risk of stroke.
2. Drink Alcohol in moderation, if you must drink.
The relationship between drinking alcoholic beverages and stroke is quite unclear. It appears that one drink a day may slightly reduce the risk of stroke, while a drink a day more than doubles the risk. It is another reason to refrain from drinking heavily.
3. Control your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure contributes to both heart disease and stroke. It is also a major cause of kidney failure. Most physicians recommend maintaining the systolic blood pressure at 120 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure at 80 mmHg or lower. However, even a reduction in blood pressure (i.e 9 mmHg systolic and 5 mmHg diastolic) can reduce the relative risk of stroke about one
third.
Ideally, you control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle. A diet emphasizing fruits and vegetables and low salt intake helps. So does maintaining a normal weight and exercising regularly. The balance between sodium and potassium in the body is important for blood pressure regulation. Most people get too much sodium from salt and not enough potassium. An easy way to add potassium as well as other nutrients to your diet is to regularly drink a no salt or low salt tomato-based vegetable juice with a little potassium chloride salt substitute added. Magnesium contributes to blood pressure control as well. It won’t do the job by itself, but is a part of an overall program – 500 mg a day is a reasonable dose for most people.
Monday, September 15, 2008
DEHYDRATION – HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU DRINK?
You have been jogging for 20 minutes. You are hot and sweaty, and you are beginning to get tired. What is the problem? The most likely answer is that you are beginning to feel the effects of dehydration. Generally, the average person is not 100 percent hydrated. Add exercise and a warm climate, and it spells dehydration in a big way. Do not depend on thirst as a signal to avoid dehydration. Your body’s drive to drink is not nearly as powerful as its drive to eat, and the thirst mechanism is even less powerful during exercise. Therefore, you must plan to drink early and often.
How much should you drink?
Follow these guidelines:
Before exercise: Drink one to two cups of fluid two hours before exercise to make sure you are well hydrated. Then drink another one-half to one cup immediately before exercise.
During exercise: Drink one-half to one cup every 15 – 20 minutes during exercise. Although this might seem tough at first, once you schedule it into your regular training routine, you will quickly adapt to having fluid in your stomach. In fact the fuller your stomach is, the faster it will empty.
After Exercise: Replace any fluid you have lost. Drink two cups of fluid for every pound of body weight you lose during exercise.
In hot, humid weather, you need to drink more than usual. But do not forget that dehydration also occurs during cold weather exercise – you body temperature rises, and you still lose water through perspiration and respirations.
What should you drink?
Should you just reach for the water bottle when you need to hydrate, or are sports drinks better?
The answer to this question depends on how much and how hard you exercise – and how much you like water.
The ideal fluid replacement beverage should encourage fluid consumption and promote fluid absorption. If you exercise less than one hour, water should be fine. If you exercise longer than one hour, the fluid should also supply energy to your working muscles. In this case, drink about two to four cups per hour of fluids with carbohydrate concentration of 4 to 8 percent (Most sports drinks fall into this category.
What about the sodium in most sports drink? The average exerciser does not need to replace sodium or other electrolytes during exercise. Even well trained marathoners will reserve enough sodium to complete a competition. After heavy exercise, however, it is best to eat a meal that contains some sodium to replace what you may have lost. Follow your cravings – do not worry about restricting the sodium in your food immediately after running a marathon.
If you are participating in an ultra-endurance event that lasts fours or more, you should consume a sports drink that contains sodium. 50 to 120 milligrams consumed during exercise should be efficient. (Sodium content in sports drinks can range from 8 to 116 milligrams)
If you are just an average exerciser, you might think sodium in drinks is just a waste. However, sodium may play a different role for you. Sodium helps your body absorb fluid, and along with sugar, sodium may enhance a drink’s taste, which can encourage you to drink more.
Therefore, if you are an avid water drinker, you will benefit little from using a sports drink unless you are exercising for at least one hour. However, if you do not like water, sports drinks that taste good and contain less than 8 per cent carbohydrate and some sodium might offer you a performance advantage. At the very least, if they encourage you to drink more, they would have done their job.
How much should you drink?
Follow these guidelines:
Before exercise: Drink one to two cups of fluid two hours before exercise to make sure you are well hydrated. Then drink another one-half to one cup immediately before exercise.
During exercise: Drink one-half to one cup every 15 – 20 minutes during exercise. Although this might seem tough at first, once you schedule it into your regular training routine, you will quickly adapt to having fluid in your stomach. In fact the fuller your stomach is, the faster it will empty.
After Exercise: Replace any fluid you have lost. Drink two cups of fluid for every pound of body weight you lose during exercise.
In hot, humid weather, you need to drink more than usual. But do not forget that dehydration also occurs during cold weather exercise – you body temperature rises, and you still lose water through perspiration and respirations.
What should you drink?
Should you just reach for the water bottle when you need to hydrate, or are sports drinks better?
The answer to this question depends on how much and how hard you exercise – and how much you like water.
The ideal fluid replacement beverage should encourage fluid consumption and promote fluid absorption. If you exercise less than one hour, water should be fine. If you exercise longer than one hour, the fluid should also supply energy to your working muscles. In this case, drink about two to four cups per hour of fluids with carbohydrate concentration of 4 to 8 percent (Most sports drinks fall into this category.
What about the sodium in most sports drink? The average exerciser does not need to replace sodium or other electrolytes during exercise. Even well trained marathoners will reserve enough sodium to complete a competition. After heavy exercise, however, it is best to eat a meal that contains some sodium to replace what you may have lost. Follow your cravings – do not worry about restricting the sodium in your food immediately after running a marathon.
If you are participating in an ultra-endurance event that lasts fours or more, you should consume a sports drink that contains sodium. 50 to 120 milligrams consumed during exercise should be efficient. (Sodium content in sports drinks can range from 8 to 116 milligrams)
If you are just an average exerciser, you might think sodium in drinks is just a waste. However, sodium may play a different role for you. Sodium helps your body absorb fluid, and along with sugar, sodium may enhance a drink’s taste, which can encourage you to drink more.
Therefore, if you are an avid water drinker, you will benefit little from using a sports drink unless you are exercising for at least one hour. However, if you do not like water, sports drinks that taste good and contain less than 8 per cent carbohydrate and some sodium might offer you a performance advantage. At the very least, if they encourage you to drink more, they would have done their job.
NUTRITIONAL CLEANSING: AS A WAY OF MAINTAINING HEALTHY LIVING
Nutritional cleansing is a process whereby we simultaneously cleanse and replenish the body internally. This is so important because most of us have many impurities in our body and we are naturally depleted. This combination is like an accident waiting to happen! In this state, our bodies tend to retain extra water and fat as a way to dilute toxins. Our energy levels will drop as cellular efficiency decreases. Nutritionally depleted bodies are not well equipped to undertake the process of cleansing the body internally – a vicious cycle indeed.
Most of us have already heard something about cleansing. Fasting has been a part of most of the world’s major religions. The challenge is that most of us do not have the ability to divest ourselves of our worldly obligations and commit a week to completely relax and fast. In addition, in our depleted and stressful state, a radical fast can overwhelm our organs of elimination, producing uncomfortable symptoms including severe headaches, itching, aches and weakness. Fortunately, there is a way out of this conundrum! We can cleanse and replenish at the same time – a dual process of nutritional cleansing, you may say!
There are transformational evidences of nutritional cleansing which include – energy levels rise, mental clarity increases, mood swings level out and hope is renewed. But that’s not all. Lean muscle mass increases, while extra fat and water are no longer necessary. It is not uncommon for people to need a whole new wardrobe after only a month or two of nutritional cleansing. With nutritional cleansing, the body’s own healing power is liberated and lives seem to be changed at a very deep level.
It is often difficult for people to believe this is possible. But studies have shown that the synergy of high-quality easily absorbable protein, essential fatty acids, low-glycerin carbohydrates, vitamins, macro-minerals and ionic trace minerals, fiber, good bacteria, enzymes, naturally occurring folic acid, healing and cleansing herbs and generous amounts of high quality water combined with moderate caloric restriction and the avoidance of foods that tend to trigger an inflammatory response produce these amazing results.
Suggestions for Effective Nutritional Cleansing
Use a protein powder that is undernatured and that comes from grass fed cows as a good protein source. This will ensure maximum bio-availability and effectiveness. Make sure you are getting plenty of essential fatty acids. Monitor the quality and quantity of your carbohydrate intake by keeping your carbohydrate intake by keeping your carbohydrate count between 100 and 150 grams per day of the following foods – all green vegetables, beans, berries, apples and small amounts of whole grains (if you are not sensitive to them), and sweet potatoes. These low-moderate glycerin carbohydrates will help to re-establish proper insulin response. Drink at least one ounce of water per day for every two pounds of body weight. Consider supplementing with a good multiple vitamins and mineral and vitamin supplement that includes enzymes and beneficial bacteria. Include herbs that are known for their cleansing properties. A good one is Aloe vera. Make sure you are getting at least 20-25 grams a day of a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber. This will help to ensure proper elimination of what your body is released. Use a blender to make your life easier as many nutritious and good tasting meals can be made easily and quickly with the help of a blender.
Most of us have already heard something about cleansing. Fasting has been a part of most of the world’s major religions. The challenge is that most of us do not have the ability to divest ourselves of our worldly obligations and commit a week to completely relax and fast. In addition, in our depleted and stressful state, a radical fast can overwhelm our organs of elimination, producing uncomfortable symptoms including severe headaches, itching, aches and weakness. Fortunately, there is a way out of this conundrum! We can cleanse and replenish at the same time – a dual process of nutritional cleansing, you may say!
There are transformational evidences of nutritional cleansing which include – energy levels rise, mental clarity increases, mood swings level out and hope is renewed. But that’s not all. Lean muscle mass increases, while extra fat and water are no longer necessary. It is not uncommon for people to need a whole new wardrobe after only a month or two of nutritional cleansing. With nutritional cleansing, the body’s own healing power is liberated and lives seem to be changed at a very deep level.
It is often difficult for people to believe this is possible. But studies have shown that the synergy of high-quality easily absorbable protein, essential fatty acids, low-glycerin carbohydrates, vitamins, macro-minerals and ionic trace minerals, fiber, good bacteria, enzymes, naturally occurring folic acid, healing and cleansing herbs and generous amounts of high quality water combined with moderate caloric restriction and the avoidance of foods that tend to trigger an inflammatory response produce these amazing results.
Suggestions for Effective Nutritional Cleansing
Use a protein powder that is undernatured and that comes from grass fed cows as a good protein source. This will ensure maximum bio-availability and effectiveness. Make sure you are getting plenty of essential fatty acids. Monitor the quality and quantity of your carbohydrate intake by keeping your carbohydrate intake by keeping your carbohydrate count between 100 and 150 grams per day of the following foods – all green vegetables, beans, berries, apples and small amounts of whole grains (if you are not sensitive to them), and sweet potatoes. These low-moderate glycerin carbohydrates will help to re-establish proper insulin response. Drink at least one ounce of water per day for every two pounds of body weight. Consider supplementing with a good multiple vitamins and mineral and vitamin supplement that includes enzymes and beneficial bacteria. Include herbs that are known for their cleansing properties. A good one is Aloe vera. Make sure you are getting at least 20-25 grams a day of a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber. This will help to ensure proper elimination of what your body is released. Use a blender to make your life easier as many nutritious and good tasting meals can be made easily and quickly with the help of a blender.
Friday, September 12, 2008
WHY MANY WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS FAIL
Millions of people across the world are trying to lose weight without much success. There are many reasons for this failure, although most would rather give up than fix their mistakes. Weight loss is hard! Without a little patience and knowledge about nutrition and exercise, your best weight loss plan may crumble. Learning the top reasons why weight loss plans fails is important so that you do not make these mistakes in your own life.
1. Many weight loss plans fail because the people trying to lose weight follow too strict a diet. When you cut back you calories, you will burn more than you eat, so you will lose weight. If you do this gradually, then yes, it works like a charm. However, if you suddenly cut too many, you won’t lose any weight at all because your metabolism will slow down. You may also put yourself at danger for not getting enough of the vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients you need every single day in order to stay healthy.
2. Another common mistake is trying to go at weight loss alone. Everything you do regarding weight loss, from dieting to exercising will be a hundred times easier if you have a partner because you will push each other not to quit. Working with a support system on a large scale is also important. Your friends and family should know that you are attempting to lose weight so that they can help you on the process and not tempt you by doing things like baking you cookies or taking up your gym time. Also, remember that professionals, like doctors and trainers, should come into the weight loss plan to help you shed the pounds.
3. Setting unrealistic goals is another good way to fail at a weight loss plan. When you set goals that you can’t easily reach, you push yourself to move forward and will feel successful even if you fall short. However, when you set impossible goals, you will find that you are easily frustrated. Don’t weigh in everyday, don’t completely cut out all of the foods you eat on a regular basis, and don’t exercise too much right away. Gradually build up to reaching the goals you really want for your life, but smart out with smaller ideas.
4. Lastly, simply know yourself. Weight loss plans fail when you attempt to be something you are not. Maybe you have wide hips – a weight loss plan won’t completely change that, for example. You have to be happy with yourself on the inside before you change things on the outside in order to succeed at losing weight.
1. Many weight loss plans fail because the people trying to lose weight follow too strict a diet. When you cut back you calories, you will burn more than you eat, so you will lose weight. If you do this gradually, then yes, it works like a charm. However, if you suddenly cut too many, you won’t lose any weight at all because your metabolism will slow down. You may also put yourself at danger for not getting enough of the vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients you need every single day in order to stay healthy.
2. Another common mistake is trying to go at weight loss alone. Everything you do regarding weight loss, from dieting to exercising will be a hundred times easier if you have a partner because you will push each other not to quit. Working with a support system on a large scale is also important. Your friends and family should know that you are attempting to lose weight so that they can help you on the process and not tempt you by doing things like baking you cookies or taking up your gym time. Also, remember that professionals, like doctors and trainers, should come into the weight loss plan to help you shed the pounds.
3. Setting unrealistic goals is another good way to fail at a weight loss plan. When you set goals that you can’t easily reach, you push yourself to move forward and will feel successful even if you fall short. However, when you set impossible goals, you will find that you are easily frustrated. Don’t weigh in everyday, don’t completely cut out all of the foods you eat on a regular basis, and don’t exercise too much right away. Gradually build up to reaching the goals you really want for your life, but smart out with smaller ideas.
4. Lastly, simply know yourself. Weight loss plans fail when you attempt to be something you are not. Maybe you have wide hips – a weight loss plan won’t completely change that, for example. You have to be happy with yourself on the inside before you change things on the outside in order to succeed at losing weight.
KEEPING A FOOD DIARY
When you are trying to lose weight, one of the smartest and easiest steps you can take is to keep a food diary. A food diary is just like what it sounds – a notebook in which you record your daily food intake. You can keep track of a number of things in your food diary or you can keep it simple, but in either case, this is a great way in which to help yourself stick to a weight loss plan.
There are a number of pieces of information you can record in your food diary. First, consider just listing your daily menu. This will help you actually see what you eat on any given day and notice patterns of unhealthy eating that you never considered before. Some like to also record calories, protein, fiber, fat and other nutrients. Portion size may be recorded as well. If you truly want to use diary format, you can also list the reasons you are eating other than hunger, the cravings you experience, and your feelings about your diet on any given day. It is your diary, so do what is right for you.
When you start a food diary, keep in mind that you don’t have to keep a traditional journal by the bed with a lock and key. You can use whatever kind of recording and writing tools you like best. For some people, the traditional journal or just a plain notebooks works fine. You can also keep a food diary on your computer. Simply open up a word processing program and keep the icon on your desktop. Others like to use Excel or other data entry programs, which help quiet a lot when it comes to adding totals at the end of the day. You can keep your food diary on a laptop or palm pilot, or slip a notebook into your bag during the day – whatever works best for your lifestyle.
Remember to update your food diary every day and review it at the end of each week in order to track your progress. You may wish to note in your diary when you hit certain weight loss goals or when you gain weight in order to look for causes. You can show your diary to professionals to make sure that you are staying healthy as well. Food diaries work great for many people, so you should consider starting one today in order to lose the most weight possible.
There are a number of pieces of information you can record in your food diary. First, consider just listing your daily menu. This will help you actually see what you eat on any given day and notice patterns of unhealthy eating that you never considered before. Some like to also record calories, protein, fiber, fat and other nutrients. Portion size may be recorded as well. If you truly want to use diary format, you can also list the reasons you are eating other than hunger, the cravings you experience, and your feelings about your diet on any given day. It is your diary, so do what is right for you.
When you start a food diary, keep in mind that you don’t have to keep a traditional journal by the bed with a lock and key. You can use whatever kind of recording and writing tools you like best. For some people, the traditional journal or just a plain notebooks works fine. You can also keep a food diary on your computer. Simply open up a word processing program and keep the icon on your desktop. Others like to use Excel or other data entry programs, which help quiet a lot when it comes to adding totals at the end of the day. You can keep your food diary on a laptop or palm pilot, or slip a notebook into your bag during the day – whatever works best for your lifestyle.
Remember to update your food diary every day and review it at the end of each week in order to track your progress. You may wish to note in your diary when you hit certain weight loss goals or when you gain weight in order to look for causes. You can show your diary to professionals to make sure that you are staying healthy as well. Food diaries work great for many people, so you should consider starting one today in order to lose the most weight possible.
AN EASY WAY OUT OF EXERCISING? GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY
For people consumed with losing weight, surgery may seem like an easy option. Gastric bypass surgery has helped a number of people and has come to light in recent years due to a number of celebrities receiving this procedure. Although a gastric bypass surgery may seem like an easy way to shed unwanted pounds, it is actually a very serious weight loss method and is not for most people. You should only consider gastric bypass surgery if you are very significantly overweight and need to lose the weight for medical reasons rather than for cosmetic reasons.
Gastric bypass, which is also known as stapling one’s stomach, works by decreasing the amount of food that can be held in the stomach. You lose weight because the food bypasses a part of the small intestine and decreases stomach size, which means that you physically can’t eat as much without vomiting. You also don’t absorb calories as readily, allowing these foods to leave the body naturally instead.
Before you choose gastric bypass surgery, you should consider all other options. First, try losing weight on your own using diet and exercise. This requires lots of will power, but is much easier and safer than gastric bypass surgery. You can also talk to your doctor about medications that could possibly help you lose weight and alternative therapy techniques, like acupuncture and hypnosis.
If you and your doctor do decide that gastric bypass surgery is right for you, start by losing some weight on your own. The more weight you can lose through diet and exercise, the easier the surgery will be on your body. You should follow all of your doctor’s recommendations at this point to get yourself ready for surgery.
After the surgery, you will also need to continue diet control and exercise, complete physical therapy, and take any prescriptions your doctor tells you to take. The work you do after the surgery will help you to lose the weight you want to lose, and this work is not easy.
Gastric bypass surgery simply isn’t for everyone. Statistics show that as many as 10% of the people receiving gastric bypass surgery have medical complications, and even though these risks are decreasing with new technology, this is still a danger. Side effects could include infection, hernia, ulcers, blood clots, complications during the surgery, and even death. Make sure this is what you really need before you decide to go through with any type of procedure to help you lose weight.
Gastric bypass, which is also known as stapling one’s stomach, works by decreasing the amount of food that can be held in the stomach. You lose weight because the food bypasses a part of the small intestine and decreases stomach size, which means that you physically can’t eat as much without vomiting. You also don’t absorb calories as readily, allowing these foods to leave the body naturally instead.
Before you choose gastric bypass surgery, you should consider all other options. First, try losing weight on your own using diet and exercise. This requires lots of will power, but is much easier and safer than gastric bypass surgery. You can also talk to your doctor about medications that could possibly help you lose weight and alternative therapy techniques, like acupuncture and hypnosis.
If you and your doctor do decide that gastric bypass surgery is right for you, start by losing some weight on your own. The more weight you can lose through diet and exercise, the easier the surgery will be on your body. You should follow all of your doctor’s recommendations at this point to get yourself ready for surgery.
After the surgery, you will also need to continue diet control and exercise, complete physical therapy, and take any prescriptions your doctor tells you to take. The work you do after the surgery will help you to lose the weight you want to lose, and this work is not easy.
Gastric bypass surgery simply isn’t for everyone. Statistics show that as many as 10% of the people receiving gastric bypass surgery have medical complications, and even though these risks are decreasing with new technology, this is still a danger. Side effects could include infection, hernia, ulcers, blood clots, complications during the surgery, and even death. Make sure this is what you really need before you decide to go through with any type of procedure to help you lose weight.
HATE EXERCISING? SOME WORKOUT TIPS FOR YOU
Some people seem to hate exercising. However, exercising is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, and without it you definitely will not be able to lose weight. There are certain tips, however, for learning to love exercising, even if you truly hate it.
First, try finding some exercises that you like to do. Of course, you should work out all of your body, but if absolutely hate doing one kind of exercise, then look for another to take its place. You don’t have to do crunches to strengthen your core muscles. You don’t have to do lunges to work out your lower body. You don’t even have to run – you can replace it with cycling or swimming. Find the exercise you like to do and your workout will seem more enjoyable right away.
You can also find other activities you like to do and make them work for your body. For example, if you like working on your garden, try doing some exercising by raking or mowing your yard by hand. If you enjoy the winter weather, you can try ice skating or sledding with friends. No matter what you like to do, you can find ways to get some exercise. Thanks to the introduction of online video games, which you can combine with exercises.
Another great tip to liking exercise is to find a training partner. When you work out together, you can help one another stay motivated, even if you don’t absolutely love exercising. With a partner, you can have fun as well, trying things like tennis or challenging one another to meet certain goals. Trainers can also provide this for you, as well as show you new and fun exercises to help you avoid getting bored or feeling overwhelmed at the gym.
Lastly, try taking some classes. Exercising classes are a great way to meet new people, learn new exercises, stay motivated and above all, have fun. Most gyms offer low-cost or free exercise classes with membership or you can check out options at our local community center.
Staying motivated if you hate exercising can be hard, but set goals and don’t quit. You need to exercise as well as diet if you really want to lose weight. Make exercise fun and it won’t seem like such a chore.
First, try finding some exercises that you like to do. Of course, you should work out all of your body, but if absolutely hate doing one kind of exercise, then look for another to take its place. You don’t have to do crunches to strengthen your core muscles. You don’t have to do lunges to work out your lower body. You don’t even have to run – you can replace it with cycling or swimming. Find the exercise you like to do and your workout will seem more enjoyable right away.
You can also find other activities you like to do and make them work for your body. For example, if you like working on your garden, try doing some exercising by raking or mowing your yard by hand. If you enjoy the winter weather, you can try ice skating or sledding with friends. No matter what you like to do, you can find ways to get some exercise. Thanks to the introduction of online video games, which you can combine with exercises.
Another great tip to liking exercise is to find a training partner. When you work out together, you can help one another stay motivated, even if you don’t absolutely love exercising. With a partner, you can have fun as well, trying things like tennis or challenging one another to meet certain goals. Trainers can also provide this for you, as well as show you new and fun exercises to help you avoid getting bored or feeling overwhelmed at the gym.
Lastly, try taking some classes. Exercising classes are a great way to meet new people, learn new exercises, stay motivated and above all, have fun. Most gyms offer low-cost or free exercise classes with membership or you can check out options at our local community center.
Staying motivated if you hate exercising can be hard, but set goals and don’t quit. You need to exercise as well as diet if you really want to lose weight. Make exercise fun and it won’t seem like such a chore.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
FIVE TIPS TO AVOID HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN
If you are working on a weight loss plan, one of the most difficult times of the year can be the holidays. Around Christmas and New Years, the parties and meals you will attend will include foods that are high in fat and calories and low in nutrition. Fortunately, by following these five tips you can stick to your weight loss plan even as visions of sugarplums dance in your head.
1. Avoid the alcohol. Cocktails and beer are usually served at holiday parties, but they can be full of calories. When you drink, you also have a decreased will power when it comes to saying no to other holiday foods and your appetite will be stimulated, so you will eat even more than you normally would eat at a party. Having one drink on a special occasion may be fine, but don’t overdo it every time you head out to celebrate the season.
2. To stick to your plans during the holiday season, you may fashionable show up late after you have already eaten a meal. If you do this, you won’t feel pressured to eat an entire meal of junk foods or snack on cookies or hot chocolate. Of course, showing up late may be insulting at smaller parties, so make sure you are not rude to the party host.
3. Use the holidays to get outside as well. You can play in the snow if the weather allows, which actually burns tons of calories. Walking up the hill to sled and having a snowball fight are great ways to get your heart pumping as well as work off those candy calories.
4. If the weather isn’t cold or snowy, use your time to head to the mall. When gift shopping, make a number of laps around the malls and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Keep this in mind at parties as well – get up and move around as much as possible. Christmas caroling is also a great way to stay off of your rear. This will allow to you to do some walking while spreading the holiday cheer.
5. Avoid gifts of food. Of course, you can’t tell people what to buy for you, but if you find yourself with a bunch of brownies or boxes of chocolates, why not share the love? You can take these products to work and share with colleagues who would want them or even donate unopened items to your local food bank.
These tips keep you staying slim, even as you are surrounded by goodies.
1. Avoid the alcohol. Cocktails and beer are usually served at holiday parties, but they can be full of calories. When you drink, you also have a decreased will power when it comes to saying no to other holiday foods and your appetite will be stimulated, so you will eat even more than you normally would eat at a party. Having one drink on a special occasion may be fine, but don’t overdo it every time you head out to celebrate the season.
2. To stick to your plans during the holiday season, you may fashionable show up late after you have already eaten a meal. If you do this, you won’t feel pressured to eat an entire meal of junk foods or snack on cookies or hot chocolate. Of course, showing up late may be insulting at smaller parties, so make sure you are not rude to the party host.
3. Use the holidays to get outside as well. You can play in the snow if the weather allows, which actually burns tons of calories. Walking up the hill to sled and having a snowball fight are great ways to get your heart pumping as well as work off those candy calories.
4. If the weather isn’t cold or snowy, use your time to head to the mall. When gift shopping, make a number of laps around the malls and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Keep this in mind at parties as well – get up and move around as much as possible. Christmas caroling is also a great way to stay off of your rear. This will allow to you to do some walking while spreading the holiday cheer.
5. Avoid gifts of food. Of course, you can’t tell people what to buy for you, but if you find yourself with a bunch of brownies or boxes of chocolates, why not share the love? You can take these products to work and share with colleagues who would want them or even donate unopened items to your local food bank.
These tips keep you staying slim, even as you are surrounded by goodies.
HABITS OF HIGHLY HEALTHY PEOPLE
For Years, business and motivational gurus have known that there are basic habits that seem to predict professional success and excellence. There seems to be yearning and desire to achieve success by everyone. We don’t yet have the perfect formula for long life, happiness, and physical health, but a little careful distillation of the massive amount of research on health and longevity reveals that cultivating basic habits will significantly increase the odds of your living long, well and happily – in robust, healthy, weight appropriate body.
Eat your vegetables. You should be able to consume about some grams of carbohydrates a day (depending on your weight and exercise level), and you would have to eat a lot of spinach too. Every major study of long-lived, healthy people shoes that they eat a ton of plant foods. Nothing delivers antioxidants, and fiber like stuff that grow in rich soil. Eat fish and/or take fish oil. The omega-3s found in cold water fish like salmon deserve is quite beneficial for healthy living. They lower the risk of heart disease, they lower blood pressure, they improve mood, and they are good for the brain. And if you are pregnant, they may make your kid smarter.
Connect In virtually, every study of people who are healthy and happy into their 9th and 10th decades, social connections are one of the prime movers in their life. Whether volunteer work, community, family, finding something you care about that is bigger than you, that you can connect with and that involves other people or animals will extend your life, increase your energy, and be happier always.
Eat your vegetables. You should be able to consume about some grams of carbohydrates a day (depending on your weight and exercise level), and you would have to eat a lot of spinach too. Every major study of long-lived, healthy people shoes that they eat a ton of plant foods. Nothing delivers antioxidants, and fiber like stuff that grow in rich soil. Eat fish and/or take fish oil. The omega-3s found in cold water fish like salmon deserve is quite beneficial for healthy living. They lower the risk of heart disease, they lower blood pressure, they improve mood, and they are good for the brain. And if you are pregnant, they may make your kid smarter.
Connect In virtually, every study of people who are healthy and happy into their 9th and 10th decades, social connections are one of the prime movers in their life. Whether volunteer work, community, family, finding something you care about that is bigger than you, that you can connect with and that involves other people or animals will extend your life, increase your energy, and be happier always.
Monday, September 8, 2008
LIVING A LONGER, HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER LIFE
You give yourself a better chance to live longer healthier and happier if you were to develop, practice and avoid certain habits and attitudes. They are not something you do once in a while. You have to consistently make them your lifestyle. A great life doesn’t just happen so you can’t leave it to chance.
Here are ways to live longer, healthier and happier:
Abstain from Alcohol
There are many negative effects of drinking. It has been widely associated with irregular heartbeats and increasing the risk of stroke-inducing clots. All alcohol especially red wine contains high amount of tyramine, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Though it gives a certain ‘high’, alcohol will also dehydrate and depletes every vitamin and mineral in your body. When the alcohol moves through your blood stream to your brain, it sabotages your frontal lobe resulting in high blood alcohol levels. People who drink too much will lose judgment and inhibition and do many stupid things that they will regret in the morning. For an inebriated feeling, without the alcohol, try the world’s first digital drug.
Quit Smoking
If you haven’t started, don’t. if you have, quit. Everybody is aware that smoking can cause lung cancer and raise the risk of heart attack and yet it is very difficult to quit once the habit is set in. Smoking also affects your cholesterol level. Heavy smokers are more likely to show premature wrinkling and dry skin.
Work Out
Regular exercise allows you to live longer, healthier and happier. Your exercise routine should combine cardio work and weight training. If you are too busy, you should still put aside about 30 minutes a day out in the open, taking brisk walks. Three times a week at the gym will do a lot of good to your health in the long run. To improve your body mind connection you should try practicing yoga, which has many beneficial effects. It is a great way to de-stress and helps you overcome fatigue due to the combination of stretching, deep breathing and meditation.
Manage your Emotions
Health related problems are linked to negative emotions that lead to stress and anxieties. Free yourself from emotional trauma and learn to let go of anger and hurt in healthy way. Whatever has happened in the past cannot be undone. Admit to yourself that you are affected by something someone did or said. Ask yourself if your reaction is justified. You need to remember that you can choose to ignore, indulge or deal with it. A good exercise is an effective way to manage your emotions. It lowers your blood pressure and releases endorphins, which promotes feelings of calm. It metabolizes your hormones like adrenaline that builds up your stress.
Eat Well
Other than satisfying your hunger, food provides the energy to do the many things that you are meant to accomplish. But you have to eat well and smart, to avoid being overweight and unhealthy. Have your breakfast every day. Eat a lot of greens and fruits and drink plenty of water. Cut back on calories, balance your diet and eat food that provides your nutritional needs. Control your snacking and binging. Reduce your caffeine, salt and sugar intake.
Live a Balanced Life
Have time for every thing important in your life such as your work, family and personal time. Find time for entertainment, a hobby and a laugh. Allow yourself to experience as many things as possible. Get organized and know your priorities. Have plenty of goals to reach for and work out the plans and strategies to accomplish them. Do the important things that will make you live longer, healthier and happier.
Learn to love your job
You spend many hours at work so you should love it. If you don’t like your job, find something else that you are passionate about. When you don’t enjoy your work, it affects the other parts of your life. Whatever it is, do something that keeps you busy, happy and stimulated.
Feed your mind
You need to feed your mind with positive and inspiring thoughts. You must know what to focus on and what to remove from it. Everything that goes in and stays inside is within your control. Acquire as much knowledge as you can. Expand your mind through reading and listening to materials that will improve your personal growth. Read daily and with each book, you ill prosper.
Develop the right attitude
You attitude determines your life. If your attitude is positive and right, you can overcome any challenges, change anything that doesn’t suit or adapt accordingly. Have great expectations and start to believe in possibilities and your strengths. Your approach towards life and people will make many things possible and bearable.
Learn to love
We live in a social world. Our problems always have to do with them so we must know how to communicate, connect and deal with others. Having friends and families is one of the gifts that make life meaningful. They are there for you when you are down and need a shoulder to cry on. Learn to love everyone and stop being judgmental. When you can love others, they will move towards you.
Get enough Rest
Take breaks regularly. Get away from the chaos and noise and go for a retreat. Get enough sleep and sleep well. The amount of sleep is unimportant compared to the quality. You should have ample snooze to relax your body and
Here are ways to live longer, healthier and happier:
Abstain from Alcohol
There are many negative effects of drinking. It has been widely associated with irregular heartbeats and increasing the risk of stroke-inducing clots. All alcohol especially red wine contains high amount of tyramine, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Though it gives a certain ‘high’, alcohol will also dehydrate and depletes every vitamin and mineral in your body. When the alcohol moves through your blood stream to your brain, it sabotages your frontal lobe resulting in high blood alcohol levels. People who drink too much will lose judgment and inhibition and do many stupid things that they will regret in the morning. For an inebriated feeling, without the alcohol, try the world’s first digital drug.
Quit Smoking
If you haven’t started, don’t. if you have, quit. Everybody is aware that smoking can cause lung cancer and raise the risk of heart attack and yet it is very difficult to quit once the habit is set in. Smoking also affects your cholesterol level. Heavy smokers are more likely to show premature wrinkling and dry skin.
Work Out
Regular exercise allows you to live longer, healthier and happier. Your exercise routine should combine cardio work and weight training. If you are too busy, you should still put aside about 30 minutes a day out in the open, taking brisk walks. Three times a week at the gym will do a lot of good to your health in the long run. To improve your body mind connection you should try practicing yoga, which has many beneficial effects. It is a great way to de-stress and helps you overcome fatigue due to the combination of stretching, deep breathing and meditation.
Manage your Emotions
Health related problems are linked to negative emotions that lead to stress and anxieties. Free yourself from emotional trauma and learn to let go of anger and hurt in healthy way. Whatever has happened in the past cannot be undone. Admit to yourself that you are affected by something someone did or said. Ask yourself if your reaction is justified. You need to remember that you can choose to ignore, indulge or deal with it. A good exercise is an effective way to manage your emotions. It lowers your blood pressure and releases endorphins, which promotes feelings of calm. It metabolizes your hormones like adrenaline that builds up your stress.
Eat Well
Other than satisfying your hunger, food provides the energy to do the many things that you are meant to accomplish. But you have to eat well and smart, to avoid being overweight and unhealthy. Have your breakfast every day. Eat a lot of greens and fruits and drink plenty of water. Cut back on calories, balance your diet and eat food that provides your nutritional needs. Control your snacking and binging. Reduce your caffeine, salt and sugar intake.
Live a Balanced Life
Have time for every thing important in your life such as your work, family and personal time. Find time for entertainment, a hobby and a laugh. Allow yourself to experience as many things as possible. Get organized and know your priorities. Have plenty of goals to reach for and work out the plans and strategies to accomplish them. Do the important things that will make you live longer, healthier and happier.
Learn to love your job
You spend many hours at work so you should love it. If you don’t like your job, find something else that you are passionate about. When you don’t enjoy your work, it affects the other parts of your life. Whatever it is, do something that keeps you busy, happy and stimulated.
Feed your mind
You need to feed your mind with positive and inspiring thoughts. You must know what to focus on and what to remove from it. Everything that goes in and stays inside is within your control. Acquire as much knowledge as you can. Expand your mind through reading and listening to materials that will improve your personal growth. Read daily and with each book, you ill prosper.
Develop the right attitude
You attitude determines your life. If your attitude is positive and right, you can overcome any challenges, change anything that doesn’t suit or adapt accordingly. Have great expectations and start to believe in possibilities and your strengths. Your approach towards life and people will make many things possible and bearable.
Learn to love
We live in a social world. Our problems always have to do with them so we must know how to communicate, connect and deal with others. Having friends and families is one of the gifts that make life meaningful. They are there for you when you are down and need a shoulder to cry on. Learn to love everyone and stop being judgmental. When you can love others, they will move towards you.
Get enough Rest
Take breaks regularly. Get away from the chaos and noise and go for a retreat. Get enough sleep and sleep well. The amount of sleep is unimportant compared to the quality. You should have ample snooze to relax your body and
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