Gain More Muscle By Training Less Often

The more work you put into something, the better results you will achieve. This has always been a widely accepted truth that applies to many areas of life. The harder you study, the better grades you will achieve. The more time you spend fine-tuning your athletic skills, the better athlete you will become. The longer you spend learning to play an instrument, the better musician you will become. Therefore, it only makes sense that the more time you spend in the gym, the stronger and more muscular your physique will become, correct? Contrary to what you might think, the answer to this question is a gigantic, definite, absolute no! It is in this area of bodybuilding that conventional wisdom goes straight out the window, down the street and around the corner.

I know what you might be asking yourself?

?What? Spending less time in the gym will actually make me bigger and stronger??

Yes! It really will, and when we examine the muscle-growth process from its most basic roots, it becomes quite clear why this is the case.

Every single process that occurs within the human body is centered around keeping you alive and healthy. Through thousands of years of evolution the human body has become quite a fine-tuned organism that can adapt well to the specific conditions that are placed upon it. We become uncomfortable when we are hungry or thirsty, we acquire a suntan when high amounts of UV rays are present, we build calluses to protect our skin, etc. So what happens when we break down muscle tissue in the gym? If you answered something to the effect of the muscles get bigger and stronger, then congratulations! You are absolutely correct. By battling against resistance beyond the muscle's present capacity we have posed a threat to the musculature. The body recognizes this as potentially harmful and as a natural adaptive response the muscles will hypertrophy (increase in size) to protect the body against this threat. As we consistently increase the resistance from week to week the body will continue to adapt and grow.

Sound simple? Ultimately it is, but the most important thing to realize in relation to all of this is that the muscles can only grow bigger and stronger if they are provided with sufficient recovery time. Without the proper recovery time, the muscle growth process simply cannot take place.

Your goal in the gym should be to train with the minimum amount of volume needed to yield an adaptive response. Once you have pushed your muscles beyond their present capacity and have triggered your thousand-year-old evolutionary alarm system, you have done your job. Any further stress to the body will simply increase your recovery time, weaken the immune system and send your body into catabolic overdrive.

Most people train way too often and with far more sets than they really need to. High intensity weight training is much more stressful to the body than most people think. The majority of people structure their workout programs in a manner that actually hinders their gains and prevents them from making the progress that they deserve. Here are 3 basic guidelines that you should follow if you want to achieve maximum gains:

1) Train no more than 3 days per week.

2) Do not let your workouts last for longer then 1 hour.

3) Perform 5-8 sets for large muscle groups (chest, back, thighs) and 2-4 sets for smaller muscle groups (shoulders, biceps, triceps, calves, abs).

Take all sets to the point of muscular failure and focus on progressing in either weight or reps each week. If you truly train hard and are consistent, training more often or any longer than this will be counterproductive to your gains!

Sean Nalewanyj is a bodybuilding expert, fitness author and writer of top-selling Internet Bodybuilding E-Book: The Truth About Building Muscle. If you want to learn how to build maximum muscle mass and strength in minimum time, visit his website: http://www.MuscleGainTruth.com/

Natural Treatment Options for Prostate Bph

If your prostate diagnosis leaves you free of cancer, you may still have Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (prostate BPH). Rather than using hormonal or alpha blockers, many men have opted for a natural approach to avoid some of the unpleasant side effects of the drug therapy. The two prescription drugs, inasteride (Proscar) and terazosin (Hytrin) make lots of money for drug companies because they are the only two approved by the FDA to prevent prostatic proliferation (the growth of new prostate cells that cause prostate BPH in men over 50).

First we will look at 7 different therapy options for prostate BPH. These options are Ayurveda, Reflexology, Food Therapy, Imagery, Hydrotherapy, Vitamin and Mineral Therapy and Yoga. We present you with a brief synopsis of each therapy as it relates to prostate problems.

Ayurveda

The Ayurvedic approach to all disease is to first make certain that you have received an appropriate diagnosis from a medical professional. If the prostate diagnosis is benign the ''flowing'' approach can be used. Mix the following herbal powders: Punarnava, Gokshura and Shilajit. Ingest just 1/4 teaspoon a day either dry or added to warm water. An alternative is to drink any one of horsetail, ginseng or hibiscus tea, consumign as much as you wish each day. All of these herbs should be available at your health food store or by mail order.

Reflexology

Reflexology is the pratice of directing energy toward specific pressure points in the body. Reflexology sessions begin with relaxing the total body then shifting the focus of the reflex to those areas of greatest need. For our purposes that would be the prostate, endocrine, pituitary, parathyroid, thyroid and adrenal glands as well as the pancreas with the reflex in the hands or feet. You can find reflexology charts that give you the reflex points at most health food stores or schedule a session with a professional reflexologist.

Food Therapy

The key to affecting positive change in the prostate by eating specific foods is including any foods high in zinc. The properties in zinc have been proven beneficial in shrinking an enlarged prostate. Take a daily supplement of zinc. In addition to a low-fat diet, particularly avoiding saturated fats, consider adding one or two tablespoons per day of flaxseed oil to your diet as well as pumpkin and sunflower seeds, both know for their high content of zinc.

Imagery

Imagery is closely associated to hypnosis, both practices incorporating positive visualization techniques to effect positive changes. Here is one exercise proven beneficial for our purposes here:

Close your eyes breathe out three times and imagine entering your body through any opening you choose. Find your prostate and examine it from every angle. Next, envision putting a thin golden net around the gland. This net has a drawstring that you can tighten. Cinch the drawstring so that the net is wrapped snugly around the prostate. As you do this, picture the prostate shrinking to its normal size. Then imagine using your other hand to massage your prostate. Sense that urine can now flow evenly and smoothly. The recommendation for this exercise is to practice it twice a day, three to five minutes per session for six cycles of 21 days on and 7 days off.

Hydrotherapy

A hot sitz bath comes highly recommended for the treatment of an inflammed prostate. Sit down in a tub filled with comfortably hot water to a depth of your navel. Soak for twenty to forty-five minutes and follow with a cold bath or shower. This treatment should be done once a day for thirty days or until the symptoms are gone.

Vitamin and Mineral Therapy The ideal vitamin and mineral treatment for prostate problems incorporates herbal medicine. The following regimen is recommended to help control symptoms:

a) 400 international units of Vitamin E per day b) 30 milligrams of zinc twice a day c) 1 milligram of copper twice a day d) One tablespoon of flaxseed oil a day e) 160 milligrams of saw palmetto twice a day.

Flaxseed oil and saw palmetto are easily obtainable in any health food store.

Yoga

Certain Yoga poses can increase blood flow to the groin, thereby relieving certain prostate problems. You can find books on Yoga that include these poses, as well as many others, at any herbal or homeopathic store. The two poses that will benefit prostate problems are the knee squeeze and the seated sun along with the stomach lock.

To do the stomach lock, lie on your back and take a deep breath. Breathe out until all air is expelled from your lungs, then pull in hard on your buttocks, groin and stomach muscles. Hold this pose for a count of three then release the muscles. It is recommended that this session is repeated two or three times a day, three times a session to help prevent prostate trouble. You should not use this yoga pose if you suffer from high blood pressure, hiatal hernia, ulcers or heart disease.

It must be perfectly understood that there is no substitute for your physician. These options are presented as just that. . .options and you should consult your physician before undertaking any new treatment options prostate BPH whether medical or homeopathic.

Mihail Fortomas is a teacher of Biology in a High School of Athens Greece. Free information on prostate diseases, symptoms and treatments of prostate problems , visit:
http://1source-body-health.com/prostate-health.html

Heat Stress and Construction Workers

Due to the high heat indexes in the summer, construction employees need to be aware of the increased possibility of heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them. This is particularly true for those of you who spend most of your day out-of-doors.

Too much heat can make you tired, hurt your job performance, and increase your chance of injury. You can get a skin rash. You can also get: Dehydration. The body loses water and can?t cool off fast enough. You may feel thirsty and weak.

Heat Cramps. Heat cramps may occur alone or be combined with heat exhaustion or heat stroke. They are painful and can sometimes be severe. The cramps will occur in the muscles being used while working, such as the arms, legs or stomach. Heat cramps often don?t occur until later when relaxing after work.

Heat Exhaustion. You will feel tired, nauseous, have a headache, and may be giddy (dizzy and silly). The skin is damp and will be muddy or flushed in appearance. You may faint.

Heat Stroke. The skin will be hot and dry and you will have a high body temperature (above 103 degrees F). You may feel confused and have difficulty breathing. You may also have convulsions or become unconscious. Heat stroke can kill.

The risk of heat stress depends on many things. Such factors as the individual?s physical condition, weather, how much clothing is being worn, type of activity, amount of sun exposure, fatigue, etc., play important roles.

PROTECT YOURSELF

?Drink a lot of cool water all day--before feeling thirsty. Drink a cup of water (5 to 7 ounces) every 15 minutes.

?Keep taking rest breaks.

?Wear light-colored clothing, made of cotton.

?If traveling to a warm area for a new job, you need time for the body to become used to heat. Be extra careful the first two weeks on the job.

?If wearing protective clothing,you will need more rest breaks. You may also need to check your body temperature and heart rate.If an employee has a heat stroke, CALL emergency services (or 911). Move the co-worker to the shade, wipe his/her skin with cool water, and loosen clothing. Use a piece of cardboard or other material to fan the victim.

http://www.yourarticles.com is a great resource for creating employee, company, family, or school newsletter. Get Articles and Ideas here.

Latest and Most Advanced Technology Applied to Health Care

I would like to speak tonight about a new application of existing technology that could very soon have an almost unbelievable impact on your life.

Most health books are referred to as How To type of books because they are basically designed to help you help yourself. This book is different; it's about a major change in the health care system, a change that would provide breakthroughs in human health and life style, far beyond anything we have ever seen.

The current health care system is outstanding in many respects, in fact it?s known world wide for its expertise in trauma care, surgery capabilities, and many other forms of emergency care along with the numerous other areas of expertise. It?s something that is very valuable to all of us, and will no doubt continue to be a very important part of our life. Unfortunately, however, as outstanding as the health care system is in these critical areas, it also has a major weakness that causes an enormous amount of unnecessary physical suffering and medical expense. That weakness is the failure of the medical system to prevent the continuing existence of very high levels of chronic disease. The changes in the medical system being proposed here tonight would dramatically change that.

Over a 100 million people in this country are suffering with chronic disease--that is more than one out of every three of us. Furthermore, many of these diseases are of a very serious nature, including the major terminal and crippling diseases that we are all too familiar with and too often a witness to within our own family, circle of friends and neighbors.

Millions are truly suffering?and with some of these diseases, to often terribly.

And, it doesn't end there, even those of us that are fortunate enough to avoid the diseases still have to live with the continual threat, along with the excessively high cost of health care that such high levels of disease creates.

There are those that believe that because many of these diseases have been around forever, that maybe we just have to live with them. Until now that may well have been the case. Fortunately, however, technology has now caught up to this segment of the health care system as well. It can now bring disease prevention and wellness levels of expertise not only up to, but even exceed, the high level of perfection that most of the rest of the health care system presently enjoys.

Usually any form of successful entry into the health care field is introduced directly through the medical profession itself, whether it involves the introduction of new equipment, new tools, new systems, or new concepts. Furthermore, those additions are usually carefully designed around supporting the current medical system. The system being proposed here is designed to bring more balance into the overall health care system with far more emphasis on the individual?s and public?s best interest. This would be accomplished by introducing into the health care system an effective preventive and wellness program, basically in the form of an addition to the current medical system.

The proposed system involves the addition of a highly sophisticated national medical information system, very unique for a number of reasons. First, not only is it designed to more fully accommodate the needs of the patient and the public, but it?s also a system that would be legislated into existence and controlled by the public through a public commission.

Another logical question that comes up is, how can an electronic engineer with no medical background, possibly hope to accomplish anything like this in health care?

The answer to that is very simple, because primarily what is required here is a special electronic processing system that has the capacity to capture key health data already established by the medical experts and correlate that data to human health in an effective, thorough and efficient manner. As mentioned, it involves a highly advanced national medical information system, completely new to the health care industry.

There are basically two technologies involved here. They include highly advanced clinical laboratory science--a branch of the current medical system--and advanced computer technology, including supercomputers.

With most of us, our knowledge of clinical laboratory science is limited to what we are exposed to through our physician. Whenever we have a questionable health problem our physician will usually run some lab tests. Most of these tests involve clinical laboratory science.

What most of us don't know is that CLS is sort of a separate branch of the current medical system, and is a very rapidly advancing science, in fact so much so that it is far exceeding the capability of the present medical system to fully utilize all of its latest developments. In recent years, the industry has become highly computerized both in its laboratories and research.

Lets read a couple of paragraphs from the book that I believe you will find very interesting, one involves the bio-chemical make-up of the human body (primarily what CLS is based on) and the second discusses major progress recently made in clinical laboratory science and what this progress could mean to us.

First, let's take a look at the bio-chemical aspects of the human body. These statements I will be reading from the book are opinions and statement by experts in the clinical laboratory science field. Most of them are referenced from text books located In the University of Michigan Medical Library. For the purpose of this reading I'll skip their names. This is on page 18 in my book. To view this page click here www.vibranthealthplus.com/page18

Basis for the changes in the new medical system. Article one of seven.

W D Wood author of book and article. An electronic engineer with a successful background in large computer system design and research--Link to about author http://www.Vibranthealthplus.com/aboutauthor.html

Healthy Eating With Sprouting Seeds

There is one activity that you can try both in winter and throughout the year that will give you a supply of fresh, nutritious and cheap salads in as few as four days. I am talking, of course, about sprouting seeds. Many varieties of vegetables and grasses can be used including alfafa, broccoli, fenugreek and mung beans which produce the familiar chinese beansprouts.

What equipment do you need to get started? Seeds can be sprouted in glass jars or trays, so for your first attempt, you can use any jar that you have to hand. Purpose made equipment is available from nurseries and other merchants if you decide to sprout seeds on a regular basis.

How do you grow them? First soak the seeds in water overnight, then drain off the water and place the seeds in your jar or tray. Since the seeds will expand up to 30 times their volume, do not overfill your jar. Keep the container at about room temperature (20c).

The only extra care required is regular rinsing which involves running the trays under a tap for a few seconds or filling the jar and then allowing the water to drain away. Do this two or three times a day, but at least every twelve hours. Make sure that the jars and trays are drained fully since too much water will encourage mould and the seeds to rot.

After a few days mini roots and shoots will develop. Harvest sprouts carefully by gently pulling ripe ones out from the rest. This allows less developed ones to continue growing so you get several harvests of perfect sprouts.

Why are they so good for you? When seeds have just sprouted there is an increase in proteins, enzymes and vitamins. They are also fresh, not having lost goodness in transit from the shop. Broccoli sprouts are rich in sulforaphanes, the anti-cancer agents which stimulate our body's natural resources. Adzuki beans are high in fibre, minerals and vitamin B and are good for weight loss.

Any recipe suggestions? Add them to your salads, use for stir fries and include some in your sandwiches. Scatter a few on your bowl of soup instead of croutons. Try adding some to your baked potato filling or include them in an omlette. After the excesses of the Christmas holiday they are perfect for lightening the load.

Hugh Harris-Evans is the owner of The Garden Supplies Advisor where you will find further articles, gardening tips and product reviews. http://www.garden-supplies-advisor.com

Solutions for Knee Pain

Many people suffer from nagging pain in the front knee area, and may feel as though the pain originates right under the kneecap (patella). This may be a condition known as patellofemoral pain syndrome especially if pain is worse climbing stairs or sitting for long periods of time (?moviegoers sign?). Women are more likely to suffer from this condition due in part to their wider hips affecting the angle between the femur and the patella (Q angle). Quite often pain is noticed in individuals with a history of a previous knee injury and a reduction in size or weakness of muscle a muscle known as the vastus medialis oblique (VMO). This muscle lies just above the kneecap on the inner edge of the thigh and is suspected as being responsible for the stabilization and correct ?tracking? of the kneecap in its groove.

A simple way to test for VMO weakness is to tense the quadriceps (thigh muscles) and compare the size of the muscle on one side to the other. If the VMO on the painful side looks smaller or less developed, then this may be a predisposing condition, and it is important to try and strengthen it. Try performing ball squats (a stability ball placed in the small of the back between you and a wall) in a pain-free range of motion or approximately 60-90 degrees of knee bend while squeezing a child?s plastic ball or a foam roll between the thighs. Also, try performing adduction exercises (bringing the leg in towards the midline of the body) against resistance (e.g. gravity, rubber band, ankle collar and cable machine). These exercises are suggested since the VMO shares a common tendon with a muscle known as the adductor magnus (causes adduction of the leg).

David Petersen is a Personal Trainer/Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and the owner and founder of B.O.S.S. Fitness Inc. based in Oldsmar, Florida. More articles and information can be found at http://www.bossfitness.com

NOTE: You're free to republish this article on your website, in your newsletter, in your e-book or in other publications provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this note, author information and all LIVE website links as above.

The Benefits of Learning Proper Weight Lifting Techniques

Weight lifting is an excellent sport to enter into seriously or have as a hobby to keep your body in top shape. Whether you choose to participate in competitive weight lifting or only do a few repetitions using light weights with your exercise program, you should learn the proper weight lifting techniques to keep your from injury. Many individuals are afraid to begin a weight lifting program simply because the tools and techniques may seem foreign. Fear not?learn the proper techniques and reap the benefits of your hard work.

1. Work With a Trainer

If you wouldn?t dream of replacing your car?s radiator without the help of a mechanic, then why should you attempt to begin a weight lifting program without help of a professional trainer? Many individuals over look this excellent resource when it comes to learning about proper exercise techniques. Working with a trainer will not only allow you to completely understand the necessary tips, he or she will also come up with a program that will accomplish all your goals and needs.

2. Use a Spotter

Regardless how much weight you are using in your weight lifting routine, failing to use a spotter can result in serious injury. In addition to the company and encouragement a spotter provides, he or she is protecting you against the threat of harm. Even if you are working out in a gym filled with people, a spotter is crucial since his or her attention is trained on your at all times. In addition to having a spotter, remember to return the favor and be a proper spotter to your training partner.

3. Start Small

Many individuals jump into weight training thinking they are capable of lifting much more weight than is safe. The key to weight lifting is not lifting a tremendous amount once, but rather lifting a proper amount of weight many times using the proper techniques. Your muscles do not develop by hefting too-heavy weights, but are developed by properly advancing the amount of weights used and your number of repetitions. By starting small, you will ensure your body is capable of lifting the weight and not allow yourself to become injured.

4. Know When to Say When

Many weight lifters fail to give their muscles the necessary time needed for rebuilding. As you lift weights, your muscles are stretched and strained. To prevent injury, you should have a weight lifting program that is carefully interjected between necessary periods of rest and recovery. Avoid lifting weights on a daily basis or limit the number of repetitions and weight you lift. Also, know when enough is enough in your routine. If you feel yourself beginning to tire or feel pain, immediately stop the exercise before you potentially injure yourself. Also, avoid trying to impress others in the gym by loading on too much weight. You are working to improve your body, so no one else should factor into this equation.

5. Let Your Wounds Heal

Far too many weight lifters ignore their bodies and push themselves back to top performance level after an injury. If you experience any injury from weight lifting, seek medical help from your primary healthcare provider. He or she will be able to estimate the amount of time the injury needs to completely heal.

Be sure to abide by the doctor?s instructions and take your first weight lifting session slow when you are physically capable of returning to the gym. You may need to spend as much as two weeks working your way back up to the number of repetitions and amount of weight you were lifting before the injury. Going back into the gym with too much enthusiasm after an injury can potentially re-injure and old wound.

For more information on Weight Lifting, visit http://www.weightliftingonly.info.

The Cure for Asthma

Asthma is the inflammation of the air passages resulting in the temporary narrowing of the airways from the nose and mouth to the lungs. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing tightness in the chest. In severe cases, it can be deadly.

Traditional medicine has yet to find a cure. Asthma is a very old disease described in the ancient literature. Yet the only progress made to date with this disease is to give drugs to mask symptoms.

According to Dr. Hulda Clark:

?Asthma is associated in all (100%) cases with tiny Ascaris larvae. As soon as eggs hatch (in the stomach, immediately after swallowing filth) the microscopic larvae travel to the lungs, not the intestines. Imagine the stress of lungs full of tiny worms! One tries to cough them up, of course, but in our misguided effort to be polite we teach children to swallow anything they cough up! Some swallowing is inevitable and the young worms are back in the stomach, this time to set up their house keeping in the intestine. Some never leave the stomach, causing children stomach aches and, of course, a large entourage of bacteria which, in turn, have their viruses.?

Once we understand the cause we can remove it, in this case with a zapper and cleansings, remove the cause and the symptoms, along with the disease goes away.

Not all people with Ascaris develop asthma, and we don?t know yet what determines who gets it and who doesn?t; The ages of the person or how many Ascaris are present, etc. But that cough of early childhood should be taken seriously. Don?t wait and call it ?croup?. At the first sign of a cough, use a zapper. (Many variations in zapping technique have been discovered since the one found around 1990).

From Dr. Clark?s book:

Cure For All Diseases:?The original technique showed that very small animals, like our parasites, can be killed with a very small voltage. But only IF the voltage is 100% positive offset and only IF the voltage is varied up and down repeatedly?).

For most when using the zapper, you can?t even feel it. It is such a small charge that there is no discomfort whatsoever.

?A positive electrical force that pulses up and down not only appears to kill tiny invaders, it also seems to energize your white blood cells to go on an all - out attack on your enemies: your parasites, your toxins, everything,?. Remember that killing parasites, by its self, as we can do with herbs, removes the HIV virus source, but this does not return immune power. A zapper, on the other hand, not only eliminates parasites; it does so by returning immune power. Each method has its own virtues. The Cure For HIV and AIDS, by Dr. Hulda Regehar Clark, pg. 71

For more information on Asthma and how to cure it, the zapper, cleanses and many other diseases go to www.drclarkuniversity.org

This is the next big wave in health care. And as much as the FTC, FDA, and AMA may try to stop it, eventually they will not be able to. By using the zapper and doing the cleanses most terminal and non-terminal diseases can be a thing of the past.

The Zapper

The zapper is essentially a pulse generator. It produces electrical pulses at a fixed rate. The Zapper has an output frequency of about 30,000 Hertz (cycles per second Positive-Offset), at a nominal voltage of 9 VOLTS DC. The purpose of the zapper is to destroy undesirable organisms within the body. The pulses are positively charged. This is a very important point, Dr. Clark reminds us. Only positive charges kill pathogens. Negative charges actually enable them! The zapper does not produce uniform results from one person to another, i.e. if one person gets rid of a back ache another person using the zapper may not necessarily get rid of her back ache.

Why? According to Dr. Clark, this is because of problems with insulating chemicals within the body, heavy metals and PCBs, these insulating chemicals shield all or parts of the body from receiving any electricity. In many cases there is so much PCB in the hands that zapping has to be done through the feet.

www.drhuldaclark.org

Michele Michaels has been active in raising awareness for alternative and natural methods of curing and treating all manner of illnesses.

Atkins Diet Review: The Truth About The Atkins Diet

The Atkins diet plan has made an impact in the market for many years. No other diet plan has become as successful as this low carb diet plan. The Atkins diet has helped many people to reduce the weight and minimize the health related problems associated with obesity. It has assisted many people to regain the strength and shape up the body. It has gained popularity with people from all walks of life. However there are some not so good things to consider before going for it.

Some Facts About The Atkins Diet:

Atkins diet plan has gained this popularity mainly because you get the desired results without starving, you can eat significant quantities of the right foods. This diet plan suggests low carbs and high protein diet. Also many think that it is useful for mainly non-vegetarian people as it directs the use of animal proteins. But with some modifications and care, the vegetarian people can also use this diet and get the desired results.

Though this plan has caused the biggest weight loss, there are controversies involved also. To some people, it has worked like magic and is the most useful diet plan. But some people think it to be too good to real diet plan. They think of it as impractical and dangerous diet plan.

As this diet relies on a high protein diet, it is claimed that the high intake of protein can seriously harms the kidney function. But it can not be proved through well documented studies that effects such as these have been noted. Also, long term caloric limitations can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Even Dr Atkins ended up developing a whole line of supplements to balance the nutrition of long term dieters. This is the one of the bad points of this diet plan. But if you carefully follow the Akins diet plan, you will get to know that intake of carbohydrates are restricted only in the first phase and then gradually the carbs intake increases. Also it is highly recommended to take vitamin and mineral supplements with this diet plan.

Some also states that high fat intake may lead to heart attack. But as the carbohydrate intake is limited, the main energy source of body becomes fats so fat intake will not harm as you are balancing it with carbohydrate intake.

Also some wonders that though it is a weight reducing diet plan, how it allows to it almost everything. The main reason of it is, Atkins diet plan insist the wholesome food. As reducing weight by starving is a wrong approach, it will not starve you but make you eat balanced food.

It provides many recipe books which has some really delicious and easy to prepare recipes which will capture your taste buds and heart too. Though many people are following this diet plan, there are some good as well as bad points of it.

There are some very good points about this diet and some bad points but you can get around those points with some care. When all is said and done remember this diet has worked for millions of people, Now you have to think and take right decision.

The author, Bill Urell, reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles that promote healthier lifestyles. Visit us and claim your FREE ebook, 101 Romantic Ideas as a welcome gift ==>http://www.online-weight-loss-resources.com

Mental Exercises For Alzheimer's: Boost Your Brain And Maximize Your Memory

Use it or lose it! Mental exercises for Alzheimer?s are not only a powerful preventative measure, they can tone and build the brain and memory of an Alzheimer?s sufferer the way physical exercise tones and builds the body.

Mental exercises can slow down, halt, or even help to reverse the early signs of Alzheimer?s disease (AD). Unfortunately, normal day to day living usually doesn?t give the neuron sharpening exercise you need.

The good news is that you?re never too old to start boosting your brainpower, and it can be fun.

The fact that mental exercises can bolster your brain has even been discovered by the press. The Daily Mail in England reports that volunteers aged 65 and over who did just ten hours of training their memory, problem solving and reaction times had mental abilities similar to people seven to fourteen years younger who hadn?t done such exercises.

Studies show that staying mentally active can slash the chance of getting Alzheimer?s by fifty percent. Even the schoolwork that you did when you were young has an effect. A study carried out in China showed that those with no schooling were five times more likely to get Alzheimer?s disease than those who graduated from high school. A Swedish study showed that those with schooling below grade eight were two and a half times more likely to get AD.

So just what sort of mental exercises tunes up the brain and gets it firing on all cylinders?

Luckily you don?t have to do the mental equivalent of sit-ups and push-ups. Mental exercises for Alzheimer?s can be fun and enjoyable. You can even play games to fire up the neurons. Here are some ideas to get you started.

- Playing cards is good mental exercise, and bridge is often touted as an exceptionally good card game to get you thinking.

- Sudoku is a Japanese number game that takes concentration. The local newspaper will often have a game of Sudoku in it near the crossword puzzle, and books of games are easy to find in shops.

- Scrabble, crossword puzzles and jigsaws are all good for the grey matter.

- The solitaire games of FreeCell and Spider are good too, and you can play them on your computer.

- Keep learning! If you?re still working then continuing education not only helps keep Alzheimer?s at bay, it?s a good way to keep at the top in your job or profession.

- Learning new computer programs can be good mental exercise, and there lots to choose from. Go to your favorite computer store and check out the titles. You could learn a photo editing program and turn your snapshots into masterpieces, or get a genealogy program and research your family tree for example.

- Learn a challenging computer game. Once again there are lots to try out. You can become an entrepreneur running your own virtual reality railway, airline, zoo or much more. You can learn to fly with a flight simulator and fly almost anywhere in the world right in your own lounge room. You can battle anything from the ancient Romans to intergalactic warriors. There are lots of online games too, where you can compete against other players anywhere in the world any time of the night or day.

- Build your own website. Share your hobbies, interests or expertise with the rest of the world. You can even make money with this one. Click on over to my website and I?ll tell you the best place to get started, even for complete website building newbies.

- Do a course. Have you ever wanted to learn something but just haven?t done it yet? It could be photography, cooking or advanced calculus. Academic courses will really get your brain working. You?ll feel as though you?re cleaning all the rust off your brain, bit by bit getting it operating more freely until finally it?s running smoothly again.

- Here?s something to do less of. Don?t watch too much television unless it?s something mentally stimulating. Passively watching sitcoms and soapies dulls the brain you?re trying to sharpen.

Mental exercises can make a big difference to your life, whether you?re trying to prevent Alzheimer?s or already have it. You can gain years of life that could otherwise be lost. Get started now, and keep challenging your brain. It?s worth the effort. And remember that there are a lot more things you can do to fight this terrible disease. Of course, if you suspect you have Alzheimer's, see your doctor!

Warren Newson has been exploring natural treatments for diseases for many years and is editor of http://www.about-alzheimers.com. Click to Alzheimer?s treatment to learn how to gain more Alzheimer's-free years of quality life.

A Diet That Works Isn't That What We Are All Looking For? Hurry Up!

Some of us need to lose more than others, but I think most of you would agree we all could stand to lose a few pounds. You may also realize the older we get the harder it is to lose weight, One reason for that could be we are not as active as we use to be, I am sure there are other reasons, but being less active in my opinion would have a big role in gaining weight as we grow older.

Did you know 68% of Americans are overweight? Its true and its not getting any better. As you might have guessed I am one of those in that 68%, but I am also one of those trying to get out of the 68%. I have had some success, but the problem is this is not something you do in one week or even one month. The biggest problem I have is the fast food, as a matter of fact I had a sausage egg and cheese biscuit from a fast food restaurant this morning, saying to myself, well I will cut back on my next meal or even skip the next meal. Will I be able to skip the next meal, don't know, haven't got there yet. I don't want you to think I am not trying, because I am, but you work so hard at losing the weight, you just feel like you need to reward yourself every now and then. The problem seems to be you start rewarding yourself more now than of the then. Have you ever done that?

What is it going to take to lose the weight?

I think we all understand being overweight is detrimental to our health, being overweight is linked to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stoke, heart disease and many other health problems. Our health is a good reason to want to lose weight, but there is another reason, we all want to look our best and in my case that extra weight is not helping. That's right the extra weight hanging over my belt is not helping my looks one bit, but guess what, I have lost 8 pounds, but my stomach is still there. I have lost weight in my face and fingers and maybe a few other places, but the stomach is still there. Have you been there yet? That is why it takes longer to lose the weight than we anticipate, the part we are want to lose is the last to go.

How I lost 8 pounds in 0ne month.

I'm going to tell you what I did to lose the 8 pounds, but just because it worked for me doesn't mean it will work for you. The first thing I did was cut out the fast food, except for maybe once a week. I started drinking nothing but water, I no longer do that, now that I found a soft drink that I like with no calories (coca cola zero). I would eat the same meals I always did, but I did cut out mashed potatoes and ate not bread at meal time. My wife found some butter with no calories and we used that (I can't believe its not butter) I also used splenda instead of sugar when I had cereal. That is how I lost the 8 pounds in a month. There may be people reading this that may have different problems than I do so it is always best to ask your doctor if you should start any kind of diet program.

Where do we go from here?

I spend a lot of time on the Internet and as I was surfing I ran into a diet that I found interesting. They use something called the shifting calories theory. They also talk about losing 9 pounds in 11 days, much better than my 8 pounds in 30 days. If you would like to get more information on this plan you will find a link in my bio at the bottom of this article. I wish you the best, I know its not easy, but its something we all need and want to do.

GOOD LUCK!

Just an average guy trying to lose weight. Why is this one of the top selling weight loss program... Simple, It Works! http://fatloss.ncave.com

Know How Many Calories To Cut For Permanent Weight Loss

It is not recommended to lose more than 1 pound per week for healthily weight loss. The reason for this has do to with the issues which quick and drastic weight loss can have on your body's metabolism and muscle mass. When you lose a lot of weight quickly, you really need to strictly monitor where this weight is coming from. Is it water weight, body fat or muscle mass? The majority of the time, it unfortunately comes from lean muscle mass and this is exactly what will cause serious issues with your metabolism. Muscle is your body's most potent and active tissue for burning calories and body fat. Its basically your body's furnace which you want to always keep burning hot. When someone loses a lot of weight, which usually comes from crash dieting or some other unhealthy way of dropping the weight, the body's lean muscle mass is cannibalized and you lose some of your biggest power tissue for keeping a lean body.

The worst thing is when the person finally decides to get off the diet and start eating again. Their calories go back up, but since their BMR (basal metabolic rate) is lowered and they have lost muscle mass, the end result is they pack on the body fat very quickly! Ever heard of the term yo-yo dieting. This is the reason why tons of people have issues and hard times with their weight loss plans.

Try and focus on creating a max 500 calorie deficit per day which equates out to an overall 3,500 calories per week (1 pound of body fat). Create this overall 500 calorie deficit through a 250 calorie drop in your diet and another 250 burned with an exercise routine. This is the healthiest way to lose body fat while keeping your muscle mass and having your body run at an optimal level. It will also provide you with a much better plan to permanently keep the weight off forever!

Our FREE Weight Loss Analysis will assist anyone looking to safely lose body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass:

http://www.shapefit.com/weight-loss-analysis.html

Kris Bierek is a fitness specialist for the health and fitness site http://www.ShapeFit.com where you can find FREE fitness tools like fitness newsletters, dieting tips, weight loss help, exercise questions and a free fitness analysis to help you get into the best shape of your life!

Some Tips to Help Shorten Your Daily Workout

Does it seem from time to time that when you go to the gym and do your workout routine, it just takes too long? Maybe you've been noticing that you seem to be spending 20 to 30 minutes longer than you would like to. Well, what you need are some little things you can do that will not only shorten your time in the gym, but will still give you a good workout.

For openers, you can split body parts. Working the legs and arms one day, then working the chest and back one day, then working the shoulders and abdominals the next day is a good, effective way to shorten your exercise time and still give each muscle group a good, solid workout.

Another thing you can do is keep it down to one set. It is usually not recommended to do only one set during exercise despite claims made by other experts that one set can be as beneficial as 2 to 4 sets. But one set, as long as it is one good set, is better than doing nothing at all if time is the issue.

You can also do a circuit style workout with your weight training. All you do here is complete one set of one exercise, then move right along to the next exercise non stop until you've finished each exercise in your routine. Once done, you take a 1 to 1 ? minute rest period for some water, and then start on set two until you've finished all of your sets.

If you haven't done it before, a superset style workout can save a lot of time. This is where you work one muscle, and then work the opposing muscle or you do two exercises for the same muscle without a break. An example would be doing a bicep exercise followed by a triceps exercise. Another would be doing bench press followed by chest flies.

You will need to have a workout plan. A lot of people in the gym wander around looking lost like they are trying to figure out what to do next. That is one of the biggest time wasters there is. Have an exercise routine planned and written out on a log so you know exactly what exercises to do and in what order to do them.

Probably the one single thing that wastes more time in the gym above all is socializing. Either reduce or completely cut out chewing the fat. You may know people in the gym and they may have the time to approach you during a workout for conversation. If they do, just keep moving along while they talk or explain that you are on a time crunch and don't have the time to talk right now. They usually will understand and leave you alone.

More often than not, you can save quite a bit of time by keeping these things in mind and remember to just keep moving. You get more from your exercise program by spending 40 minutes in the gym with 30 minutes exercising than you do by spending 90 minutes in the gym with 30 minutes exercising.

Jim O'Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle. Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at: http://www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes affects the manner in which the body handles digested carbohydrates. If neglected, diabetes can cause serious health complications, ranging from blindness to kidney failure.

Approximately 8% of the population in the United States has diabetes. This means that approximately 16 million people have been diagnosed with the disease, based only on national statistics. The American Diabetes Association estimates that diabetes accounts for 178,000 deaths, 54,000 amputees, and 12,000-24,000 cases of blindness annually. Blindness is 25 times more common among diabetic patients compared to nondiabetics. It is proposed that by the year 2010, diabetes will exceed both heart disease and cancer as the leading cause of death through its many complications.

Diabetics have a high level of blood glucose. The blood sugar level is regulated by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, which releases it in response to food consumption. Insulin causes the cells of the body to take in glucose from the blood. The glucose is used as fuel for cellular functions.

Diagnostic standards for diabetes have been fasting plasma glucose levels greater than 140 mg/dL on two occasions and plasma glucose greater than 200 mg/dL following a 75-gram glucose load. More recently, the American Diabetes Association lowered the criteria for a diabetes diagnosis to fasting plasma glucose levels equal to or greater than 126 mg/dL. Fasting plasma levels outside the normal limit require additional tests, usually by repeating the fasting plasma glucose test and (if indicated) giving the patient an oral glucose tolerance test.

The symptoms of diabetes include excessive urination, excessive thirst and hunger, sudden weight loss, blurred vision, delay in healing of wounds, dry and itchy skin, repeated infections, fatigue and headache. These symptoms, while suggestive of diabetes, may be due to other reasons also.

There are two different types of diabetes.

Type I Diabetes (juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes): The cause of type I diabetes is caused by pancreatic inability to produce insulin. It is responsible for 5-10% of cases of diabetes. The pancreatic Islet of Langerhans cells, which secrete the hormone, are destroyed by the body's own immune system, probably because it mistakes them for a virus. Viral infections are thought to be the trigger that sets off this auto-immune disease. It is more common in caucasians and runs in families.

If untreated, death occurs within a few months of the onset of juvenile diabetes, as the cells of the body starve because they no longer receive the hormonal prompt to take in glucose. While most Type I diabetics are young (hence the term Juvenile Diabetes), the condition can develop at any age. Autoimmune diabetes can be definitely diagnosed by a blood test which shows the presence of anti-insulin/anti-islet-cell antibodies.

Type II Diabetes (non insulin dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes): This diabetes is a result of body tissues becoming resistant to insulin. It accounts for 90-95% of cases. Often the pancreas is producing more than average amounts of insulin, but the cells of the body have become unresponsive to its effect due to the chronically high level of the hormone. Eventually the pancreas may exhaust its over-active secretion of the hormone, and insulin levels fall to below normal.

A tendency towards Type II diabetes is hereditary, but it is unlikely to develop in normal-weight individuals eating a low- or moderate-carbohydrate diet. Obese, sedentary individuals who eat poor-quality diets based on refined starch, which constantly activates pancreatic insulin secretion, are prone to develop insulin resistance. Native peoples such as North American Indians whose traditional diets did not include refined starch until its recent introduction by Europeans have extremely high rates of diabetes, up to 5 times the rate of caucasians. Blacks and hispanics are also at higher risk. Though Type II diabetes is not fatal within a matter of months, it can lead to health complications over several years and cause severe disability and premature death. As with Type I diabetes, the condition is found primarily in one age group, in this case people over 40 (which is why it is often termed Adult Onset); however, with the rise in childhood and teenage obesity, it is appearing in children as well.

If neglected, diabetes can lead to life-threatening complications such as kidney damage (nephropathy), heart disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), retinal damage and blindness(retinopathy), and hypoglycemia (drastic reduction in glucose levels). Diabetes damages blood vessels, especially smaller end-arteries, leading to severe and premature atherosclerosis. Diabetics are prone to foot problems because neuropathy, which affects approximately 10% of patients, causes their feet to lose sensation. Foot injuries, common in day-to-day living, go unnoticed, and these injuries do not heal because of poor circulation through the small arteries in the foot. Gangrene and subsequent amputation of toes or feet is the consequence for many elderly patients with poorly-controlled diabetes. Usually these sequelae appear earlier in Type I than Type II diabetes, because Type II patients have some of their own insulin production left to buffer changes in blood sugar levels.

Type I diabetes is a serious disease and there is no permanent cure for it. However, the symptoms can be controlled by strict dietary monitering and insulin injections. Implanted pumps which release insulin immediately in response to changes in blood glucose are in the testing stages.

In theory, since it caused by diet, Type II diabetes should be preventable and manageable by dietary changes alone, but in practice many diabetics (and many obese people without diabetes) find it personally impossible to lose weight or adhere to a healthy diet. Therefore they are frequently treated with drugs which restore the body's response to insulin, and in some cases injections of insulin.

Please note that this article is not a subsitute for medical advice. If you suspect you have diabetes or are in a high risk group, please see your doctor.

For more information, please visit our site, http://www.diabetes-testing-2006.info

Frank Vanderlugt
http://www.diabetes-testing-2006.info

Fats Explained

Fats provide a concentrated store of energy in the body. Weight for weight they provide twice as much energy as do either carbohydrates or proteins. If you eat too much of any of these three basic food materials your body can store the surplus as fat. A lot has been said about the advantages of vegetable fats over animal fats. This is to over-simplify the problem.

The great change in the balance and quantity of fats in our diet this century has been away from the polyunsaturated fats and towards the hard or saturated fats. Usually animal fats and dairy fats are saturated. We are eating too much fat of all kinds and should reduce the total quantity we consume. After reducing the total quantity of fat we should reduce the saturated fat further and replace this with polyunsaturated fats.

These are found in grains and cereals especially Soya, maize or corn, sunflower, linseed, sesame and safflower. Some vegetable fats are quite saturated as the animal variety; examples of these, which should be taken only in moderation, are coconut and palm oils. There is much evidence, and the majority of nutritionists would support the view, that too much fat in the diet, especially if it is saturated, increases the chance of arteriosclerosis and heart attack.

In comparison, a moderate consumption of the polyunsaturated fats together with some saturated positively reduces the amount of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood and reduces the occurrence of thickening of the arteries. To increase your intake of polyunsaturated fats you can use soft margarine made with vegetable oils, and cook in the best oils such as corn or sunflower. If you eat meat, cut off the fat, which is saturated. Remember too, that cocoa butter is very saturated, so a lot of chocolate is not a good idea.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on home based natural cures and remedies for some of the most common illnesses and health problems .

Celiac Disease and the Grains That Cause this llness

Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long been consider a healthy choice. If you look at the RDA recommendations, grains, at the bottom of the pyramid, are what you should be eating the most of to maintain a healthy body.

The RDA's recommendations do not consider any food to be harmful for you. You must remember that the RDA's recommendations come from a government agency and indicating a particular food could be harmful to your health could financially affect that industry. The government does not want to destroy any industry even if it is harmful to your health. Just look at the smoking industry. It's still alive.

In medical and alternative medicine circles, celiac disease is well known for being the cause of numerous detrimental body conditions. In its basic form, celiac disease is the damage of the intestinal lining by gluten proteins, which come from grains - the bottom of the pyramid. Let's get technical for a moment and say that the specific proteins in gluten that damage the intestine are called gliadin.

What you need to know about gliadin is that when you eat it, it acts like an invading substance, which activates your body's immune system to destroy and eliminate the invader ? your favorite food bread and cereals. Eating an excess of gluten causes celiac disease. Where is gluten found? It is found in products made from wheat, rye, barley, kamut, triticale, oats, and spelt.

It is now well established in medicine that 1 in approximately 100 have celiac disease. Many have the disease without having any symptoms. The continual use of and eating of detrimental grains will eventually bring on symptoms. People with celiac disease can expect to have illnesses associated or connected with:

* cancer

* epilepsy

* attention deficit disorders

* auto immune diseases

* osteoporosis

* brain disorders

* neurological diseases

* premature death

* premature births

* chronic liver diseases

* gastrointestinal problems

* food allergies

* chronic fatigue

* malnutrition

* and the list goes on and on

When the intestinal lining is damage by gluten, your overall health is damaged. Your immune system is activated to prevent further intestinal damage causing your overall response to other body crisis to diminish. Your ability to fight off other diseases is diminished. Your ability to absorb nutrients from your food is reduced leading to nutritional deficiencies.

How does gluten create so many problems in the body? As gluten moves into the intestine, it is digested and broken down into small protein molecules - peptides (which consist of 2-3 amino acids bound together) and free amino acids. Amino acids are the basic building blocks the make up protein. Once digestion is complete, peptides and free amino acids easily move into the intestinal wall cell structure and then into your blood stream. This is what happens in a healthy person.

Over many years of eating gluten, the intestinal cell structure deteriorates. Digested protein no longer passes through the cells walls but passes between cells and into the blood. These holes in the intestinal walls is what is know as leaky gut syndrome

Because of the existence of these tiny holes in the intestinal wall, harmful substances can pass into the blood and settle into your organs and cells causing irritations and damage. Your intestinal wall is no longer a barrier keeping out unwanted substances from your blood and body.

Undigested foods can now enter your body creating food allergies. Toxins from various foods - dyes, preservatives, food additives, artificial flavors - can now enter you blood stream. Pathogens such as bacteria, worms, fungus and viruses can also enter your body and invade your organs. When this happens, you will slowly come down with a variety of symptoms and illnesses that you cannot attribute to anything specific. Absorption of undigested proteins is a major threat to the health of your organs and to your immune system.

It is estimated that up to 40% of all people have some intestinal damage from eating gluten and are passing undigested proteins into their blood stream.

There are some of you that do not have the enzymes to digest gluten. Those of you have what is called gluten sensitivity. Those of you that have the enzymes to digest gluten are not as prone to celiac disease and have less damage to your intestinal wall.

So what are the foods that you should be eliminating from your eating habits?

* wheat starch, wheat grass, wheat germ oil, wheat triticum

* bread flour, brewer's yeast, bran, brown flour

* oats, oat straw,

* baking powder, edible starch, germ, gum base, dextrin

* malt, rice malt,

* rye, spelt, kamut, wheat, bleached flour, couscous, pearl barley, bulgar

*soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, shoyu, miso

* durum wheat triticum, semolina, emolina triticum

* beer

* blue cheese

One natural remedy for Celiac is Cardamon, which is found in India. It has been used successful in treating Celiac disease in children.

For women, celiac has been found to be associated with osteoporosis, since the intestinal walls are compromised and absorb Calcium poorly. To over come this make sure you take magnesium and Vitamim B12 to increase your absorbtion of Calcium. Or better yet find some form of ionic calcium and magnesium and use them as a supplement.

Not all is known about the effects of gluten on your body and how it creates illness. What is known is that gluten is responsible for celiac disease and many other diseases that result from having celiac.

Don't always believe what the government says about food. Their interest is in economics and not in your health.

Rudy Silva is a natural nutritionist. He writes a newsletter called ?Natural Remedies That work.? You can subscribe to his newsletter and read some of the back issues which give you information of how to have better health. Read his latest newsletter at: http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com/nl-111.html

Learn About Diet Nutrition Physique

Diet nutrition physique

Today, learning about diet nutrition physique isn't all that difficult any longer. The truth of the matter is what should you do about your overall health and well being? If you're concerned about you weight and physique then a little different twist on things are in order. The question at the core of most nutrition challenges is understanding the actual problem not the symptoms. So learning about diet nutrition physique may take on new meaning here for you shortly.

We live in a country of adequate supply and fast food convenience. But frankly we may be starving ourselves to death. You must read Senate Document 264 to truly get a grip on reality to make decent final progress in meeting your dietary goals. Things like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer were rare just a century ago but look at it now!

The nutrient deficiencies created by our modern diet cause the body to be more prone to viruses, disease, infections, obesity, allergies, headaches, stress, strokes, fatigue, ulcers, bowel and colon problems, tumors, cancer, kidney failure, heartburn, a weak immune system, arthritis, blood pressure problems, heart attacks, and growth and circulation problems to name a few. We are an overfed undernourished nation.

Over 90% of U.S. adults are still deficient in at least one vitamin or mineral. Until your deficiencies are resolved good dietary health doesn't happen and won't. The problems created by poor nutrition are complicated, but the solution is simple - more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables with fewer refined and processed foods. Solving the excessive hydrogenated fats,sodium, and refined sugar their too many calories paves the way for simple success.

Lack of the proper nutrients in the food chain (remember Senate Document 264) can be dealt with by simply using quality supplements and digging a little deeper learning more about diet nutrition physique.

More about
Senate Document 264 - liquid vitamins and minerals

What Are The Health Benefits Of Hiking And Trekking?

Today more and more people, especially in Europe and America, are adopting hiking and trekking as a major outdoor event. Not only in these countries, but the trend of hiking and trekking is also increasing in many other parts of the world. But have you ever thought, what are the health benefits of hiking and trekking? Are these outdoor events really beneficial for health? Is hiking or trekking for everyone or has some age bar? Does hiking only has health benefits or are there any psychological benefits too?

These are some questions which quite often strike in our mind. If someone seeks answer to these questions, although most of them are subjective in nature as far as the degree of benefits is concerned, but certainly the response would be positive. Most of the people would immediately say, ?Yes there are countless benefits.? No doubt, there are many benefits of hiking and trekking ranging from controlling obesity to preventing heart disease to improving the quality of air we breathe.

While many sports activities and games require special equipment or training to get started, the hiking is relatively much simpler and more beneficial than any other exercise. Literally, anyone can put on a pair of shoes along with few necessary gears and equipments and start moving into the woods for a little fresh air?this is called hiking. The scenery, accessibility and diverse nature of hiking trails make this heart-healthy pastime attractive for people of all ages, fitness levels and income brackets. Moreover, except few points, hiking and trekking don?t require any special expertise and skills.

Hiking or trekking allows us to maintain our body in good working condition by walking which is really a good exercise. It improves our physical as well as mental health and the list of benefits from hiking and trekking is infinite. Hiking is essentially walking that is considered to be one of the most perfect forms of exercise for your body. You can get a chance to spend some quality time together with the Mother Nature, so it also provides a mental health antidote. Everyone can find trails to suit their physical strengths. And unlike other activities or sports, it is a pursuit that allows people to determine their own limitations.

Many research findings and studies show that hiking is an excellent way to lose extra pounds and improve overall health. To improve overall health, we don?t necessarily need to do heavy and painful workouts, but just a short brisk walk of few minutes can be more than sufficient. According to the American Heart Association, it?s best to walk vigorously for 30 to 60 minutes 3-4 times per week. But even low- to moderate intensity walking can have both short- and long-term benefits . Similarly, According to Walking for Health, people ?won?t find a better way to lose weight than walking.? The results will be more permanent and pleasurable than any diet or weight loss scheme.

For example, in December, 2001, the US surgeon general called the increased rate of obesity in the United States an epidemic. The report states that 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese, and the number is increasing year after year. In addition, thirteen percent of children are overweight. The report recommends that communities create safe sidewalks or walking trails to encourage physical activity . Not only these, but there are many more research findings that clearly show multiple health benefits of hiking and trekking.

When it comes to enlist the health benefits, then the list may go endless consisting of several mental as well as physical health benefits, such as losing excess pounds, preventing heart disease, decreasing hypertension or high blood pressure, improving and maintaining mental health, slowing the aging process, preventing osteoporosis, improving the quality of the air we breathe, preventing and controlling diabetes, improving arthritis, relieving back pain (which has become an epidemic in the modern contemporary world along with healthy habits for a healthy life i.e. team building skills, positive attitude, kindness, empathy,

At last but not the least, hiking has countless health benefits and the beauty is that it doesn?t cost you much. Moreover, while at hiking you can take other family members and your young children along with you without much difficulty. Indeed, it is a good idea to spend more time with your family and children. For young children, it helps improve their physical stamina and team building skills.

Friends, just go for a hike, and see what we mean. Happy hiking!

Mats Lundkvist

Passionate hiker and avid backpacker with exceptional field experience. Lundkvist combines his education and career with his love of nature and being outdoors. Trekking is his call to fame. Find him at: mytrekkingpoles.com

Massage Can Boost The Immune System And Relieve Common Ailments

It is the aim of any form of massage to promote balance and relaxation which in turn will maximize the body?s own healing powers.

If we feel some pain or uncomfortable it can be the body signaling that it is under stress. Most people want a massage because they are suffering from some type of stress. Learning to relax may be very difficult for some people as they are always on the go with family, work and a whole host of other commitments.

You will find that when you do massage some people they will clearly appreciate it and you will see how thoroughly they have enjoyed the experience. You will also feel that you have done something good and that you are appreciated.

People who are stressed will continue to want more massage, as they will find it difficult to change their lifestyle so massage may sometimes become an addiction as it will help to distress them.

Another common ailment is a headache which most of the time can be the result of bad posture. If you can help people learn to relax it will gradually decrease the number of headaches they have.

Massage can help people with terminal illnesses as it will help their body to relax and even reduce their pain. Even though it will not cure them your touch will assist their body to regenerate and ease the destructive forces of their illness. It is great to know that you can help provide them with relaxation and relief even if it is only temporary.

The respiratory system is governed by the nervous system and as well as taking in oxygen the lungs also eliminate waste. The way we breathe can show how relaxed we are. People who practice their breathing technique can learn how to relax the body whenever they need to which can help to reduce stress on the body. Learning some simple breathing exercises will reduce anxiety, create a positive feeling and also assist in getting a good sleep.

The nervous system also governs the circulatory system and massage aids circulation by helping drain the muscle tissues and assist the return of the blood supply to the heart. Poor circulation can create high or low blood pressure and massage can help to reduce this but one must always seek the guidance of a medical practitioner if there is a problem with blood pressure.

Muscular pain can be the result of waste products not being efficiently carried away through our lymph system. Prolonged contraction of muscles affects this drainage system and can reduce the mobility of joints. You will find that many people prefer to have a massage at the and of the day so they can continue to relax at home. The problem for many people working long hours is that they feel they cannot take time to relax, but this is dangerous as the body WILL burn out sooner or later. A short massage during the day will help them float through the day and problems may not seem so insurmountable.

Remember we should also learn to take care of ourselves, as this is an important part of healing. Self-healing can be part of a daily routine, which will help the body relax and thereby help in maintaining our health as well as treating minor ailments. You need to trust your body?s signals and then find out what technique works for you, as we are all different.

Walter Pigatto is an expert on the skill of touch and can assist you in finding solutions to you and your family's relaxation/pain solutions. He can also show you how to develop the sensual side of your relationship and much more. To learn more visit Power Of Touch web site today!

Mattress Cleaner Adjustable Air Mattresses Best Latex Mattress Discount Foam Mattress Pads

It's very difficult to comparison shop when it comes to browsing around for a new mattress for your home. With the internet this has been addressed to a certain degree. Ultimately the educated consumer will always make out with the better deals.

Let's face it, we all desire a good night's rest right? We all want to have pleasant dreams and go off to la la land every once in a while. So why is shopping for a mattress such a hassle? Well for one thing, there are hundreds of manufacturers as well as retailers for mattresses.

To make matters worse, each of those hundreds of retailers and manufacturers have models and features that can be permuted into thousands of different ways. Consider features such as automatic contour mattresses, foam mattresses, flexolators, posturpedic, orthopedic, tempurpedic, etc. The list goes on and on and on.

Here are some tips for the consumer to slice through some of the clutter and get to the heart of the matter. When it comes to coils in a mattress, the type of the coils are not as relevant as the count. And the count by itself isn't always a good indicator of the quality of the mattress as well because you may find fewer counts of coils will be more comfortable depending on the type and quality of the padding.

So if possible, try to test out the mattress- perhaps in store prior to purchasing it. You could probably do a search online to narrow down mattress types and price ranges and the visit in-store to test them out, or vice versa.

Great adjustable air mattresses guides and articles can be gotten from our website.

http://www.mattressbliss.com

How to Wear Make Up and Still Look Natural (Part 1)

There are some who wouldn't be caught dead in public without make up and then there are some who refuse to wear make up at all and prefer the natural look.

Some people have told me they like to let their skin breathe. Well don't worry about it! There's plenty of skin on your body, let the rest of it do the breathing! Your skin is fed from the inside and won't suffer so long as you make sure you cleanse at the end of the day.

But you can actually create a natural look using make up. That way you can have that clean fresh appearance while being able to disguise those flaws that you (and probably only you!) dislike.

So let's have a basic lesson on how to apply make up to create a fresh natural look.

Natural make up techniques

We'll look at base (foundation), concealer, powder and blush this time and in part 2 go on to how to apply make up for the eyes and mouth.

In the case of applying make up the term less is more definitely applies! If your going to enjoy a big night out on the town that's different - use your bright eye shadow, lippie and glittery mascara. You can put on a bit more foundation too, to create a flawless palate on which to paint your masterpiece!

But during the day whether you're at work, at home or hitting the shops you don't want to look like Coco the clown! Too much makeup can actually appear very ageing.

So let's start with a really clean face. For daytime use a moisturizing sunscreen or sun block. If your skin is oily use a non oily one, if it's very dry use both moisturizer and sun block.

Make up base (or foundation) comes in many types, liquid, stick, cream etc. Mostly this is a matter of preference although the stick or solid base usually has a better coverage and will hide things like broken veins almost completely. The liquid bases have a lighter coverage and will give a more natural look.

If your skin is oily, the dry compact bases work well, or opt for an oil free liquid one. Dry skins like the cream bases which give a moist 'dewy' appearance.

Make sure the base you choose matches the colour of your skin as closely as possible. Don't try and create a darker sun tanned look with your base, there are bronzing powders specially created for this. Go outside the store when selecting different colours and make sure they look ok in natural light. It's best to test on your jaw line rather your wrist.

Don't buy pre-packaged make-up bases from the supermarket, you'll not be able to try them on!

Concealers are great for that natural look, you can cover blemishes and broken veins with a concealer without having to use a heavy base all over your face.

Concealers also come in different forms but they all do the same job. You can buy them with built in sunscreen and also with anti bacterial additives if you like. Try to find one just slightly lighter than your skin tone. Pat the concealer onto the area you wish to cover. Don't rub hard or it will disappear into your pores. Make sure it is blended well and has no tide marks.

Now dot the base onto your face. Use the sheerest one you can. Don't use too much at first, you can always add more.

Blend really well. Some make up artists recommend a damp sponge, but fingers work just as well. Make sure you blend into the hairline, sides of face, around the nose and particularly the jaw line. Don't just stop at the jaw, your face will look like a mask. Just blend away to nothing before your throat, that way you won't get make-up stains on your collar.

Powder is optional but I like to use it as it sets your make-up and absorbs excess oil. Press the powder onto your face with a puff or you may prefer to use a powder brush. After a couple of minutes brush the powder off using light downward strokes.

Next apply blusher. Brush this lightly on the apple of your cheeks and up towards the temples. Don't put too much on your brush, you can always go over it again. If you are using a cream blusher, apply this before powder. Dot onto the apple of your cheeks and blend in up to the temples. Blend really well!

Now for my special tip. Place a cool damp (not wet) face washer over your face and press very gently. this will give the whole face a fresh look - Gorgeous!

Copyright 2005 Wendy Owen

Wendy Owen is a health researcher and author. For advice on absolutely natural skin care visit http://www.just-natural-skincare.com

Vitamins: Nutritional Essentials

Although the U.S. has the most plentiful food supply in the world, it's sometimes difficult to get all of the nutrition our bodies need. Our hectic lifestyles cause us to eat out more and buy more prepared foods to eat at home. We eat fewer fresh fruits and vegetables and a greater quantity of nutritionally deficient snack and fast foods than did our parents' generation.

To ensure that we're consuming all of the nutrition our bodies need, it's often wise to take a vitamin supplement. Vitamins can fill in the nutritional gaps and shore up our immune systems and stamina. Some vitamins and minerals even act as weight loss pills, by stimulating the body's fat-burning mechanism.

Although it's ideal to consume vitamins through the foods you eat, vitamin supplements can serve to bridge the gap and provide a safety net for those times when you have to grab a bite on the run.

According to the National Institutes of Health, thirteen vitamins are essential for our bodies to function: A, C, D, E, K and the eight B vitamins. Here's the lowdown on eleven of the essentials:

Vitamin A is important for vision, reproductive function, and normal cell reproduction. Beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, helps to fight disease-causing free radicals. Vitamin A is found in milk products, organ meats, and fish oils. Beta-carotene is found in colorful vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, spinach, and sweet potatoes.

Vitamin B-1 (thiamin) processes carbohydrates into energy and is necessary for nerve cell function. Breads and cereals are often fortified with thiamin, though it is also found in whole grains, fish, lean meats, and dried beans.

Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin) helps the production of red blood cells and is important for growth.

Vitamin B-3 (niacin) helps control cholesterol, processes alcohol, maintains healthy skin, and converts carbohydrates to energy.

Vitamin B-5 (pantothenic acid) serves several bodily functions, such as converting fats to energy and synthesizing cholesterol.

Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) is important in the production of hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin, as well as for processing amino acids.

Vitamin B-12 is a crucial component of DNA replication and nerve cell regulation. It is found in milk products, poultry, meat, and shellfish.

Vitamin C is important in wound healing and acts as an antioxidant. It also helps the body absorb iron. It's found in citrus fruits, potatoes, and greens.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which creates healthy bones and teeth. The body can synthesize Vitamin D after exposure to sunshine, but it can also be found in fortified milk products and cereals, as well as in fish.

Vitamin E helps to combat free radicals, which can damage our cells. It's found in nuts and seeds, green leafy vegetables, corn, asparagus, and wheat germ.

Vitamin K is what makes the blot clot. While our bodies produce some Vitamin K, it can also be found in vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Health and Beauty Website and Majon's Health and Beauty directory.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which typically affects the cells in one of two areas of the body in nearly 2,000 people annually. One potential effected area is the lining around the outside of the lungs, just inside of the ribs, known as pleural mesothelioma. The other can be located around the abdominal organs, at which time it is referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma. The tumors associated with the disease may be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The only known cause of malignant mesothelioma is a previous exposure to asbestos fibers, including chrysotile, amosite or crocidolite. Symptoms of this currently incurable disease may not occur until twenty years or so after exposure.

Asbestos manufacturers were quite aware of the hazards some seventy years ago, but decided to keep this information to themselves. Warnings for those at risk of asbestos disease did not arise until the mid 1960?s, but even then, the warnings were not sufficient to the cause. Even today, those who work around asbestos fibers are not fully warned of the situation and that they are at such high risks for dreaded diseases.

Pleural is the most common type of mesothelioma, for nearly 75% of all cases reported involve a tumor around the lungs. Asbestos fibers in the pleura can create a tumor, as well as encourage its growth. The malignant tumor does not depend on any other processes for its development. Although there is no current cure, pleural mesothelioma can be treated in a number of ways including: chemotherapy (and other drug-type therapy), radiation, intra-operative photodynamic therapy, and surgery. Experimental treatments like gene therapy and immunotherapy are also growing in popularity, helping to increase lung function and lessen pain. Peritoneal mesotheliomas are less common, but are still directly connected to asbestos exposure. It?s not known for sure how the asbestos fibers created a tumor in the thin membrane that surrounds many of the organs in the abdomen. Many believe that the fibers are simply swallowed and lodge themselves in the intestines, eventually moving through the intestinal wall into the peritoneum (thin membrane). Therapies for peritoneal mesothelioma include chemotherapy (and other drug therapies), radiation, and surgery.

Other areas of the body have also been known to house such disease- a type of peritoneal Mesothelioma has been found in the testicles while a pleural Mesothelioma has been found in the heart.

Benign (generally not life threatening) mesotheliomas are not believed to be caused by asbestos exposure. Nearly 70% of all such cases occur in females and can usually be removed with surgery. Unfortunately, cystic benign mesothelioma has a high chance of coming back after removed.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, seek out the most up-to-date information available and get the best medical care. There are literally hundreds of resources available to you through support groups, both medical and within your community.

William Johnson recommends that you visit http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/mesothelioma for more information on mesothelioma.

Stretch Marks: The Facts!

Stretch marks are purplish streaks and scars that normally appear on the buttocks, hips, abdomen, breast, and arms. They are a common side effect of growing too fast. They form when the dermis (the middle elastic layer of your skin) is stretched breaking down the elasticity in your skin. As the elasticity breaks down, the skin tries to reinforce itself with collagen in the over stretched skin, thus causing stretch marks.

Factors that contribute to the formation of stretch marks are:

Heredity - some skin types are just genetically predisposed. If you mother had stretch marks, chances are you will.

Weight - excess rapid weight gain as found in pregnancy and bodybuilding or to the other degree excessive weight loss.

Skin type - Some skin types are dryer than others thus having less elasticity, while well-hydrated skin tends to have more elasticity.

Removal and prevention of stretch marks:

Surgical methods - Dermabrasion, chemical peel, and advancement in laser treatments can be used to treat stretch marks. As with any cosmetic surgery, age, skin type, and even diet will influence the results.

Lotions and Cr?mes - Advancements have been made with over the counter cr?mes. If you are pregnant or body building, consult with your doctor to begin a preventative treatment for stretch marks.

Diet - Maintain healthy hydrated skin by drinking plenty of water. Hydrated skin keeps your skin soft, supple, and less likely to develop stretch marks. Caffeinated coffee, tea, and soda tend to dehydrate the skin leaving you more vulnerable to stretch marks. Eat foods that promote skin health such as foods high in zinc, vitamins A, C, and D, and protein rich foods.

Remember that not all stretch marks are created equal. They age and heal differently depending on the skin type, heredity, diet, and hydration. In time, they will fade, but the best advice is to maintain healthy skin, which will minimize the effects of stretch marks if they should occur.

For more information about stretch marks go to: http://www.StrechmarksInfoCenter.com

Melatonin Supplements When Less Is More

Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland. It is believed to play a role in anti aging, as well as helping with jet lag and insomnia. But caution is well advised with using melatonin as a supplement, given how powerful its effects are.

One of the problems with melatonin is that most of the studies were done on animals, like rats, and not humans. Animal studies are used by the scientific community to indicate whether a substance has promise, and can yield valuable results even though they are ethically reprehensible and other alternatives exist. One such study was done at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Whilst it was funded by a grant from the California Walnut Industry, these scientists were able to establish not only that walnuts contained melatonin, but that it was able to be absorbed - at least by rats. But they believe humans would also be able to absorb melatonin from walnuts. Unfortunately, they don't know how many walnuts you'd have to eat to get the benefits they established as a potential in this study. It might be a lot! But using food as a source of melatonin is a good option given that it is much safer, particularly if suffering from serious illnesses.

University of Texas scientists also found that melatonin had an antioxidant effect. Antioxidants protect our cells from damage by oxidation. Antioxidants slow down the aging process, and interestingly, melatonin levels often decrease with age.

The antioxidant effect of melatonin has been presented before. Dr Reiter, also of the University of Texas Health Science Center, believes it can protect the central nervous system as well as the body generally from free radicals. He also thinks melatonin can increase the body's own production of another antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase.

People who should not take melatonin supplements are:

• children
• pregnant women
• breastfeeding mothers
• couples trying to conceive
• people with serious allergies
• HIV and cancer patients

Whilst it is not recommended that people with cancer take melatonin, this is primarily for the reasons that not enough research has been done on humans, at least according to Dr Kenneth Cooper. But some of the research that has been done with people suggests that melatonin may be very helpful - if it is taken with the supervision of a doctor. And herein lies the crux of the problem - melatonin is a very powerful substance. Only small doses are needed to create improvements. For example, Dr Cooper cites the example of dosages as small as 2 to 3 mg only, for some people suffering insomnia.

Overall, melatonin is very promising, and may well help people with serious illnesses like cancer and multiple sclerosis. In the meantime, increasing our dietary intake of foods like walnuts that potentially supply us with this wonderful nutrient, may have a host of protective health benefits as well as slowing down the aging process.

References:
http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=62492
Dr Kenneth Cooper, Advanced Nutritional Therapies (Nelson, 1996)

If you have acne, click here to find out which vitamins are beneficial for acne and what foods to find them in. Or click here for information on diets to clear acne and which foods you should avoid.