Details of how England's smoking ban will be introduced have been published in the government's Health Bill.
All workplaces, including restaurants and pubs selling food, will have to have a ban in place by summer 2007.
The bill also sets out a range of measures to protect patients from MRSA infections, and a repeat of the Shipman murders.
It also includes details of a new hygiene code for hospitals and reform of controlled drugs management.
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A diet containing the essential nutrients and vitamins are vital to the development of both mother and child. Vitamins are imperative to the health of a developing baby and the well being of the mother. Choosing foods that are rich in vitamins and other nutrients are a critical part of a healthy pregnancy nutrition plan and supplemental vitamins are necessary as well.
Follow a well-planned pregnancy diet to help avoid complications such as morning sickness, fatigue, anemia, and constipation. Your healthy diet must continue after pregnancy if you plan to breastfeed your baby.
Pregnancy food recommendations
* Your pregnancy diet should include plenty of complex and unrefined carbohydrates as they contain important B vitamins, trace minerals, and fiber that are essential to a fit, healthy pregnancy.
* Appropriate quantities of yellow and green leafy vegetables are vital for the growth of the baby and the health of the mother.
* Dairy products contain calcium that will assist in the developing baby's teeth and bones. If your diet is lacking calcium your body will draw calcium from your bones to meet it's increased need.
* Avoid excessive amounts of fat must be avoided during pregnancy, as it will only serve to add excess pounds, which will be hard to lose after the birth of your baby.
* Vitamin C in generous amounts is crucial to a healthy pregnancy, bone growth, and various metabolic processes. Including berries, citrus fruits, raw broccoli and cabbage can help provide you with the Vitamin C that you need.
Ideally, your pregnancy diet should include 3-4 servings of protein and meat, 2-4 servings of fruit, 6-11 servings of grains, 4-6 servings of dairy products, and 6-8 glasses of water, milk, and juice. A pregnant mother must follow a healthy diet that will benefit the developing baby but that will also maintain her general health as well.
Exercise recommendations during pregnancy
Exercise during pregnancy will promote strength, muscle tone, and endurance. Regular activity during your pregnancy will help alleviate swelling, fatigue, and backache. If you expect to remain fit during your pregnancy you will need to work your heart and major muscle groups. The type of exercise you do during your pregnancy will depend on your fitness level prior to pregnancy. Walking, pregnancy yoga videos, and swimming are excellent pregnancy exercises combined with stretching and other low-impact activities.
Exercises that involve a risk of falling or injury should be avoided such as bicycling, racket sports, horseback riding, and skiing. You will need to alter your exercise routine from trimester to trimester to accommodate your growing body. Avoiding over-exertion is necessary to avoid complications such as faintness, dizziness, vaginal bleeding, and premature contractions. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercising to reduce the risk of dehydration, which can raise your body temperature and cause harm to yourself and/or your baby.
A regular exercise program is beneficial to both mother and child, but check with your health care provider to make sure you have no conditions or risks that will prevent you from participating in a regular exercise routine or could cause potential harm to yourself or your child.
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One of the offending symptoms is that of intense itching; a sufferer finds contentment in scratching the offending area where they sometimes use an instrument like a hairbrush, which can be very dangerous therefore making the condition worse. In some cases the whole of the body is massacred and abused by this disease from head to toe. The skin of the patient is crusted with scaly patches creases and cracks. Areas behind the back of the knee caps in between the elbows even the private parts I found to be the worse nook and crannies infected by eczema.
Unaware with his/her compulsive scratching the patient has not realised that they have caused the cracked skin to become an open wound, which is now vulnerable to infections. Adults have a far better chance in controlling eczema than that of kiddies. Young children do not understand how serious this complaint can escalate into if attacked by the human hands.
This skin disease can be so severe at times where patients are wet wrapped and admitted to hospital. Eczema if brought in contact with certain substances can iritate the skin of the sufferer even more, causing the ailment to flare up and react in many different nasty ways. Please check with your local GP on these irritants that causes more pain and suffering to the patient.
Steroid creams are prescribed in severe cases and is very commonly used to ease and control this vicious skin disorder. We also have herbal remedies and cures. I state most importantly before buying over the shop counter that you consult your doctor.
Is it a miracle?
I entered the house of God on the day of my little baby sons christening. His face covered with spots and his red raw weeping neck made me feel helpless as a mother. My little boy was ravished from head to toe with eczema.
My little baby with no name at the time was blessed by me by sprinkling holy water onto his neck.
The eczema was still with him for many years, but his neck was cleared of the eczema from that very day. I sometimes now wish I had had held him by the heel just like the mother of Achilles.
I will never know was this a miracle or just a coincidence. What I do know is that you believe in what you want to believe so I end this article with a thank you to GOD.
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"This initiative makes it easier than ever to understand the quality that goes into our food," CEO Jim Skinner said. "We're very confident that the more information people have, the more they will like what they see at McDonald's."
This step will start next year at the Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy, in February.
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# 1) The first thing to do in the morning is to “Start Exercising “.
The first thing you should do in the morning to have some cardio work out for at least half an hour. Studies have shown that having some aerobics (high impact aerobics class, running, sex) as well as anaerobic (low impact aerobics, weight lifting, circuit training, swimming and walking) exercises in the morning, to be really effective in burning up to 4x more fat as opposed to working out at any other time during the day. Here's lies the reason:
Your body's main source of energy is the carbohydrates which you get from eating your daily meals. As you sleep at night for 6-8 hours, your body burns up all those carbohydrates as energy for various metabolic functions that go on even while you sleep. So, when you wake up in the morning, your body doesn't have any carbohydrates as energy to use as it’s already been consumed by then and it seeks another source to gain energy instead, so it starts burning body fat.
So to utilize this cycle of the body, what you need is to take exercise early in the morning. Avoid eating breakfast because that will give your body some carbohydrates as a source of energy which you don’t need at that time.
It has other advantages too. Your metabolism gets revved up immediately after your morning workout. It will keep the metabolism elevated throughout the day. An elevated metabolism throughout the day means that you'll have to burn more and more calories and thus lose more weight. If you exercise at night you may still burn fat while you workout but as soon as you go to sleep your metabolism will slow down and you'll miss out on all the extra fat that you can burn during the day. When you sleep your metabolic rate is always at its slowest. Also working out in the morning definitely reduces your level of stress throughout the day.
Tip for Naives: Want to burn fat even more? Add another workout to your daily routine 6 hours after your morning workout. If you're seriously thinking about adding another workout to your daily routine then try to do your cardio workouts in the morning because mostly of the fat calories are burned doing cardio at a moderate intensity. Build your 2nd workout of the day with weights. Mostly carbohydrate is burned doing weight-training workouts. 1lb of Muscle burns 50 calories a day or 1lb of fat every 70 days.
# 2) Having Breakfast is a stipulation.
Another way to keep your metabolism revved up all day long is to have breakfast without miss. Eating breakfast in the morning gets your metabolism started. Don't skip breakfast and wait until mid-morning or afternoon to eat, your metabolism will run slower causing you not burn any extra fat.
You can think this way-Your metabolism is a fireplace that'll burn fat for you all day long if you can operate it correctly. When you eat breakfast you are basically adding a catalyst to aggravate the burning of the Fat.
Eating breakfast will help stop those cravings you may have later on in the day and along with working out in the morning, eating breakfast will also keep you energized throughout the day.
Tip for Naives: Instead of eating only, the more general, 2 more meals during the day, i.e. lunch & dinner, try to eat 4-5 mini-meals spaced between 2-3 hours apart during the day. By eating those mini-meals you'll be throwing just the right amount of "wood" on the fireplace to keep your metabolism burning calories throughout the day.
Check list for the morning
1. Cardio workout for at least 30 min early in the morning
2. Have a healthy breakfast
just by using those couple of tips change yourself to fit into that dress for an upcoming event like a wedding, reunion or to impress that special someone for your life and remain pink for the rest time. Whatever your fitness goal is these tips should be able to surely help you reach them.
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For Scientists the largest concern is what causes Alzheimer's and how can it be eradicated. For possible victims and their families it is how do we prevent the dreaded affliction or stop it in its tracks once it is diagnosed.
Scientists are in agreement and have narrowed down the contributing factor causing Alzheimer's disease. Most researchers agree that Beta-amyloid is one of the agents thought to cause damage to the brain in Alzheimer's disease. The research is attempting to find a deterrent and is recognizing antioxidants to be significant in protecting at risk patients.
According to the Harvard Medical Center, continuing research and studies are being conducted with some positive results. Even though some studies by the French point to wine as a protectant, the results are considerably controversial. The component in the wine that was indicated to be responsible for the protectant agent is still somewhat ambiguous.
Recent studies, including the study on wine, point to antioxidants for Alzheimer and Dementia risk reduction.
In an Italian study conducted by A. Russo, et.al., it was found that black grape skin extract protected cells in a test tube from oxidative damage and DNA fragmentation when exposed to beta-amyloid. An even more recent study by E. Savaskan, et.al, examined the red wine ingredient resveratrol, and found it to be neuroprotective against beta-amyloid oxidative stress, again supporting an antioxidant mechanism.
What these studies point to is, red wine may have an effect that could provide some protection against Alzheimer's disease, but indication says it is the antioxidant factor that is the hero. This is consistent with the fact that other antioxidants, most notably vitamin E, are being studied with great interest as potential protective agents against Alzheimer's disease. According to Dr. Steve Seiner, of Harvard Medical School, "While the results of these studies do not necessarily suggest that people should drink wine in order to lower their risk of Alzheimer's disease, they do support the potential role of antioxidant treatment in preventing or delaying Alzheimer's disease.
In another study by Robert P. Friedland, MD chief of the neurogeriatrics laboratory at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, "If antioxidants prove to protect against Alzheimer's disease, it is probably because they reduce what is called 'oxidative stress' in cells." He went on to say that his team believes free radicals are the culprit of oxidative stress in cells caused by the inappropriate consumption of some foods such as those in high fat content. In this study Friedland is recommending a "to-do" list for those who want to improve their chances of maintaining a healthy brain. He suggests:
* Eat a diet high in antioxidants
* Eat fish
* Take vitamin E
* Take B vitamins
* Take folic acid
* Be mentally and physically active throughout life
* Avoid head injuries
When addressing the reduction of free radicals it is essential to recognize the importance of Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC's) as the most powerful antioxidant known in scientific studies. OPC's are products commonly derived from a combination of grape seed extract, red wine extract and/or pine bark extract. They are very powerful bioflavanoids used as a natural food supplement ready to be absorbed into the body and begin to attack the free radicals.
OPC's are safe and have been used for over 20 years throughout Europe. Extensive studies and laboratory testing reveal no evidence for human toxicity, allergic reactions, birth defects, or carcinogenicity. OPC's work synergistically with other antioxidant vitamins, regenerating the antioxidant properties of vitamin C and vitamin E.
However, Bill Thies, PhD, vice president of medical and scientific affairs for the Alzheimer's Association says although Friedmand's recommendations are probably useful and that he agrees with all of them, he wants to "be very clear that the association is not making any recommendations about ways to prevent Alzheimer's. Thies is, however, involved in reading and learning about all studies concerning Alzheimer's Disease.
A study conducted in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Dr. Monique Breteler with the Eras UM Medical Center, found the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E appear to be equally protective as a reducing factor in the fight against Alzheimer's. Her results of the 5,000 volunteers over the past 14 years, confirmed some earlier studies that point to antioxidants as a way to lower risk of dementia. She also said the protective effect of antioxidants was "more pronounced among smokers and among those who are carriers of the Alzheimer's gene."
It was also pointed out that diets rich in antioxidants are helpful, but in order to consume the necessary requirements, a person would have to triple, or more, their current consumption, which Breteler says, is most unlikely. Recommendations for proper amounts of ingestion are through antioxidant supplements including OPC's, vitamin E and vitamin C.
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Functional constipation is a result of not following a proper diet, drinking the proper fluids, having good emotional health, and not having the proper lifestyle that promotes good movement of digested foods through the intestines and colon.
Even though there are many conditions, symptoms and definitions describing constipation, constipation simple is,
A condition where the fecal matter traveling through your colon remains too long in your colon before traveling out the rectum.
Constipation is a symptom that tells you your colon is not working properly or you have some underlying gastrointestinal disease you are not aware of.
Constipation is a warning your diet and lifestyle can be leading to some illness or disease in the future. It is a symptom that many people ignore or it is a symptom that many people try to eliminate by using unnatural dangerous laxatives.
Laxatives are probable the worst product you can use when you have constipation. They can become habit-forming if used too long and have some nasty side effects. They have a tendency to create the problem you are trying relieve – constipation.
It is important to use only natural remedies for constipation so you don’t continue to upset the natural balance and function of your colon. As you begin to apply some of these remedies, keep in mind that one particular remedy does not work for every person. You may have to make some changes to some of these remedies, such as increasing dosage, adding substances, or trying different substances.
The remedies you choose to use will depend on specific herbs, foods, or nutrients you have, you can buy locally, you can buy on the Internet, nutrients you prefer, or you can afford.
Experimenting is part of how you find out what is best for you.
Keep in mind that all remedies you should only be used only for a short time, two to four days and not longer than 2 weeks. They should only be used for the time needed to clear your constipation. Sometimes this might just be one or two times.
There are some herbal combinations you can use longer. These combinations can improve the health of your colon and get your bowels moving.
If you have constipation, I can tell you now the natural balance and function of your colon has been affected. But natural remedies can bring you back into balance.
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Several weeks ago I decided to have a routine dental check-up, maybe get a filling done or some teeth cleaning. One hour later I had one filling on the left side of my jaw and the beginning of root canal therapy on the other!
And so the therapy began.
My next appointment was the following week for more root canal and the week after that also. Not only that my newly filled tooth was now even more painful than before so more work on my filling ensued (as well as more root canal). To cut a long story short I then chose to have a crown in place of a filling that may, or not, have lasted very long.
By now I was helping myself to their filtered coffee and newspaper on arrival.
So today, as I again sat in the dental chair I was prepared. I made sure I was sufficiently relaxed, centred and in the present moment before I turned up.
What did I do? I meditated before my appointment and then meditated through my appointment!
As the shrill piercing sound of the drill reverberated through my head and my face sprayed with water, I simply drifted away to somewhere else – somewhere peaceful. The dentist and the assistant continually asked me if I was okay – I’d slowly nod then zone out again, drifting away and closing the door to the sounds and movements of where my physical body was.
And then it was all over!
The next time you visit your dentist, it really pays to zone out during your procedure (if possible even before you get there) - especially if you’re nervous about any dental procedure at all like I am.
7 Steps to help you Zone out
1. Get a meditation session in before you arrive for your appointment. If you’re not sure how to meditate, do some slow, deep breathing exercises. I generally take around 4 to 5 slow deep breaths, focusing on the outward breath.
2. Be in the present moment. This is when you’re not thinking anything about the future – even 3 minutes into the future! Nor are you thinking about the past – not even 3 minutes ago. The present moment is now whilst you’re sitting in the dental chair, staring at the ceiling becoming aware of and concentrating on the rhythm of your breathing.
3. Once the procedure starts close your eyes and take your mind within. Focus straight ahead – wherever you perceive straight ahead to be once you have your eyes closed – and think of nothing – just blank – the void – staring at the colours and patterns you can see as you sit in the chair with your eyes closed.
4. If you’re about to receive an injection – as the needle goes in, breathe into that area and continue to concentrate fully on your slow breathing until the injection is over.
5. Once that’s over, resume staring into the blank void that is the inside of your eyelids!
6. If you find it challenging to think nothing, focus on a visual image that makes you feel really, really good about yourself then have a look around and see where you are.
7. Whenever you sense you’re starting to again focus on the drilling or whatever else is happening in your mouth, breathe in slowly and deeply focusing on the rhythm of your breathing and allow every single muscle you become aware of, to deflate and relax.
Meditation is a great ‘self help’ tool and when applied during a visit to your dentist – it makes the experience if not enjoyable, at least bearable!
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Afterwards, when what is called "pre-hypertension" is discovered, several other things should be done in order to lower the blood pressure.For example, patients should change their lifestyle quite often. The doctors recommend this for pre-hypertensive people. They are stating that life-style changes helps lowering blood pressure a lot for them. If your blood pressure reading starts exceeding 140/90 mm Hg, you can treat yourself by changing your lifestyle and taking the prescribed medicines. This, together with quitting smoking and drinking significantly helps lowering blood pressure. People must be made aware of these facts in order to help preventing and/or lowering blood pressure, and to reduce the risks of heart attacks and kidney failures.
As said before the blood pressure reading is very important when trying to prevent hypertension. For example, if you discover that the diastolic pressure is situated somewhere between 85 and 90 mm Hg you must consult a doctor and follow a different treatment, because there have been cases where people with blood pressure of these values suffered from end organ damage, and for some patients aged around 65 years-old the risk of cadiovascular damage increased when their diastolic blood pressure increased.These patients were suffering from diabetes and were smoking. Therefore it is recommended to immediately visit a doctor and lower your blood pressure if the readings indicate such levels.
Besides lifestyle changes of course, proper medication has an important role in lowering blood pressure.Medication should be administered right when high blood pressure is discovered in order for it to have its best effects in lowering blood pressure.If you suffer from high blood pressure and also diabetes there are special drugs that help treating both in the same time. Therefore, the conclusion is that in order to successfully and quickly lower blood pressure it must be discovered and treated while it is still in an early stage.
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Thermage treatment is one method of performing non-surgical facelifts which have been revolutionizing cosmetic surgery as we know it. This is a relatively painless procedure that uses radio waves to stimulate natural collagen production which will lift and tighten the skin naturally. Anesthesia is not used in this process and the procedure only takes a few hours to complete. When completed, it can last anywhere from six months to two years. Of course this all depends on the person. Be sure an ask your doctor how long he expects it to last before your treatment.
One of the best features of this procedure is that it will allow you to return to work the same day you receive treatment. There is no invasive surgery or anesthesia and virtually no pain at all. Because of this, thermage facelifts are slowly becoming more popular than regular cosmetic surgery facelifts.
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HGH sprays are orally-administered tinctures that contain any number of a combination of vitamins and amino acids designed to increase the body's natural production of Human Growth Hormone. HGH is produced by the pituitary gland, a small structure at the base of the brain. HGH acts on the liver to stimulate the production of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which is carried in the bloodstream to cells and tissues that use it to maintain the health of old cells and create new ones.
Most HGH sprays tout their ease of use as a major selling point, advising two or three sprays beneath the tongue once or twice a day. Many users of HGH sprays report an immediate sense of well-being following their treatments and many see improvements in their energy, strength, alertness, and physical health after about three weeks.
HGH supplements act in many of the same ways as HGH sprays. HGH supplements come in a capsule, effervescent tablet, or powder form and are usually administered once or twice a day. Like HGH sprays, HGH supplements are formulated to increase the body's natural production of HGH, often resulting in a reduction in body fat and an increase in lean muscle mass as well as other benefits, such as increased alertness, more restful sleep, and increased sex drive and sexual function.
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The excitement over this treatment and its benefits has resulted in a flood of HGH products into the marketplace. It can be confusing and overwhelming to choose the product that's best for you. Here are a few of the best HGH products available today.
Symbiotropin PRO HGH is one of the most popular and well-tested products on the market. The active ingredients in PRO HGH include vitamins, amino acids, and peptides that stimulate the body's natural production of HGH. PRO HGH comes in the form of berry-flavored effervescent tablets. The recommended treatment is two tablets dissolved in four ounces of water taken every morning or night for five days. Skip two days and then repeat the cycle. Combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, the product should result in a noticeable decrease in body fat, an increase in lean muscle mass, increased mental and sexual function, tighter skin, and better, more restful sleep.
Ultimate HGH is a product that contains all-natural ingredients, free of drugs or steroids. Ultimate HGH comes in capsule form. The recommended dosage is two capsules twice a day. After six months of use, the average user sees a 14.4 percent loss in body fat, and an 8.8 percent increase in lean muscle mass, higher energy levels, improved memory, and stronger bones. People of all ages and health levels have reported positive results from their use of Ultimate HGH.
Pinnacle GroTropin boasts an ingredient not found in most other HGH supplements: Alpha GPC. Alpha GPC is short for L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, a soy derivative that offers five crucial health benefits. These benefits are an increase in natural HGH production, increased benefits from strength training programs, increased mental function, better coordination (when combined with regular practice), and increased liptropic function in the liver. GroTropin comes in capsule form and is taken three times a day for five days, followed by two days off.
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The most popular sunless tanning products on the market that are applied directly to the skin are lotions. Their popularity is associated with their convenience and cost. You can apply sunless tanning lotions just about anywhere. With some sunless tanning products you have to apply the product overnight and rinse it off in the morning. Many sunless tanning lotions are formulated with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) so that you can apply it and then proceed with your normal daily activities. One of the main downsides of lotions is that you may not obtain an even tan. Although you may apply the lotion to your entire body, there may be areas that you miss or that may not have absorbed into your skin.
The problem of tan evenness does not exist with airbrush tanning. With this method you can obtain the most coverage of any other sunless tanning product that you apply to your skin. The coverage that you obtain from airbrush tanning is immediate because the tanning solution is what gives you the tan. This is in direct contrast to other methods of sunless tanning that react with the natural chemistry of your skin. The product is available in handheld systems that you apply yourself, or you can visit a salon that provides tan spray booths. The only disadvantage of using airbrush-tanning products is that you will undoubtedly have to apply the product often since the product will eventually fade.
For some people, applying sunless tanning products can cause excessive dry skin. You can purchase a moisturizer separately or purchase a sunless tanning kit. In addition to a sunless tanning product (lotion, spray, or gel), sunless tanning kits generally contain a product for exfoliating the skin before applying the tanning product, and a moisturizer that you apply after applying the product. While these kits are great for providing a complete tanning solution, they can be expensive.
Regardless of the sunless tanning method you choose, you should still use caution when you plan to spend a significant amount of time in the sun. The sunless tanning methods listed here are only a small representative of the products available on the market. You can find additional information about other sunless tanning products, including those that are highly controversial (such as sunless tanning pills) by visiting sunless-tanning-product.net. This website also includes references to sunless tanning products that are available on the market.
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This is the reality for roughly 2000 men and women residing here in the United States every year. These are people who often time have lead healthy lives. In the article, "Mesothelioma Victims - Survival Stories" Kathleen writes:
"At 42, I never thought that I would be facing a terminal illness, especially one relating to the lungs. I've never smoked and have lead a relatively healthy life. I have two beautiful daughters who will be heading to college soon - and I may not be alive to see their graduation."
The primary cause of mesothelioma cancer is linked to exposure to asbestos fibers which are breathed into the lungs or swallowed. Asbestos is a material that was used heavily for many years in hundreds of products. Asbestos was primarily used due to the fact that it is strong, resists fire and corrosion, and has very effective properties for insulation.
In modern day, asbestos has many uses such as thermal pipe and boiler insulation, floor coverings, ceiling tiles, spray-applied fire proofing and sound proofing, roofing materials and "transite" pipe and sheeting. Though major public use was discontinued in the late 70s, asbestos continues to be a material used in countries outside of the U.S., and due to the fact that we trade for many of these countries goods it is necessary that we educate ourselves as to the materials used in production of the products and items we use daily.
Many more cases of mesothelioma, due to asbestos exposure, are beginning to surface today. First, because our understanding and ability to recognize the disease has increased by leaps and bounds over the years, and second, because this particular cancer lays dormant within the carriers system for 30 to 40 years. With the widespread use of asbestos during the 20th century we are starting to see the consequences of exposure to this toxic material.
Due to the fact that asbestos was in heavy concentration in the industrial and building trades during the mid 1900s, most carriers of mesothelioma cancer are men who where working around asbestos during that time. However, mesothelioma has been reported not only in cases of direct exposure, but also indirect, such as the families of these men, as they often returned home with asbestos fibers on their clothing. Even in today's day and age where asbestos has been all but removed from our lives, it is still possible to be diagnosed with mesothelioma as cases of this cancer have been diagnosed without the presence of asbestos exposure.
It is also important to note that smokers who have been exposed to asbestos carry a far greater risk of mesothelioma. Some figures suggest as much as 3 times the percentage of a non-smoker with the same level of exposure. If you feel that you have been exposed to asbestos set an appointment with your physician to go over your chances of mesothelioma developing. The best thing a mesothelioma patient can do is to detect the presence of this disease early on, as it will increase your chances considerably.
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Many teenagers are either obsessed with tanning or addicted to a darker-complexion. According to psychologists, a cosmetic ideal obsession or an emotional addiction might be the cause. "Younger, healthier, sexier, thinner" - is the message a bronzed complexion is sure to send out. The medical community is trying to confront this trend by educating teenagers that too often and too intense tanning can be risky. It's nothing wrong to be tanned, on the condition of:
* gradual and moderate indoor tanning session * using without exception proper sunscreen indoor or sunscreen/sunblock outdoor * avoiding childhood sunburns
Thus, skin cancer risks are avoided. Are kids complying to medical warnings? According to Associated Press, only a third of 10,079 preteens and adolescents surveyed in 2002 said they had regularly used sunscreen during the former summer. About 10 percent admitted that they had used a tanning bed. And there is more. Most of those surveyed said they have suffered at least one sunburn during the previous summer.
Another significant study comes from Boston University. Researchers questioned about 10,000 children of nurses across the United States participating in the Nurse's Health Study. The study started up in the late 1980s. The conclusions weren't so positive. Only 34 percent of the teenagers - aged 12 to 18 -, reported using sunscreen regularly, and 83 percent had suffered at least one sunburn. 36 percent of surveyers had endured three or even more sunburns during the previous summer. Teenagers were familiar to tanning beds: 14 percent of the girls surveyed had used a tanning bed, rising to 35 percent among 17 year old girls.
Representatives of American Academy of Dermatology are puzzled since indoor tanning is so unnecessary. It's not associated with playing sports or other outdoor activities. It is practiced exclusively for cosmetic reasons. So young, so careless
Modern indoor salons gave up here and there traditional tanning beds and began to offer safer alternatives such as spray-on tanning or tanning booth which do not include UV light. Despite these better choices, youth would rather go to tanning beds using UV radiation because it is cheaper. They got there wrongly believing that tanning beds are safer than real sun exposure. They seem careless even if they are aware that UV rays delivered indoor are as dangerous as those outdoor.
It's obvious that relatively few teenagers are aware that sunburns increase their risk of skin cancer. Yet they continue to use tanning beds regularly. What happens during childhood is crucial; an early sunburn history is the foundation of potential further cancer. Nationalwide warning campaigns in the United States didn't show too many improvements in teens' attitude. But things have to be changed drastically, since melanoma is rising to critical range. In the past years, at least 13 states have begun to regulate teen tanning (bed or booth exposing) by:
1. requiring parental presence 2. asking written parental agreement for teenagers under 18.
The state of California asks for a doctor's prescription; otherwise, indoor tanning sessions are forbidden for kids under 18. Moreover, a bill in Maryland requires all three: parental presence, written consent of parents and medical approval ! The sooner teens learn to protect their skin, the better. Skin cancer is mostly incurable.
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Green Tea extract is an anti oxidant that is one hundred times more potent than vitamin C and over twenty times as potent as vitamin E. Green Tea has also been shown to be an anti-cancer agent, and it may help to lower the low density lipoproteins (or “bad cholesterol”) in our bodies. One of the potential risks associated with Green Tea concentrate, however, is that it includes caffeine. While some may see this as a benefit, there are others out there who have to watch their caffeine intake. To that end, manufacturers have found a way to manufacture Green Tea concentrate that is caffeine free!
You can get Green Tea concentrate as a supplement by itself or you can find it included in herbal supplements that contain many ingredients. This is a matter of personal preference, as it can be good to get many of your necessary nutrients and minerals from one source. The anti oxidants found in Green Tea can help your body fight off the effects of free radicals, which are agents that attack the cell membranes in your body, causing damage.
Now that you know all there is to know about green tea concentrate, you can make a better decision regarding your choice of whether or not to use it. With the caffeine-free blend, there are virtually no side-effects and it can do wonders for your health.
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Or is it?
More and more research studies have shown that while the $2 billion-a-year tanning industry promotes that tanning indoors are safer than sunbathing, ultraviolet exposure from these commercial tanning beds is just as dangerous as direct tanning from lying in the sun.
These findings add credibility to the assertion of most skin experts that tanning is not safe, no matter how it is done.
No Such Thing as a Safe Tan
According to findings published in the May 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, tanning using commercial beds does not mean one's skin is safe from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation as opposed to direct exposure to the sun.
"When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, either through direct sun exposure or at a tanning salon, it produces a tan to prevent further damage. There can be no tan without the DNA damage," said dermatologist James M. Spencer, MD, tells WebMD Medical News in an online report.
The study found out that after a single tanning session, molecular changes linked to melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, are routinely triggered. As a result of these biologic changes from tanning bed use, one could get skin cancer, according to the findings.
Many tanners seem privy to this information. In a study made by two researchers at the Brownman Gray School of Medicine in Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, those who regularly go use tanning beds may be aware of the harmful effects of the sun to the skin, but may not be aware that tanning beds can also do the same.
Even teens know the risks associated with tanning, including tanning bed use. Surprisingly, many teenagers still do it anyway, visiting tanning salons and tan themselves using tanning beds. The Associated Press (AP) on May 2, 2005 reported that the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) conducted a nationwide survey of 505 respondents aged between 12 and 17 on their views about tanning, including commercial tanning bed use. The AAD found out that most teens preferred having a tan. Almost 80 percent said they knew tanning can be dangerous, but 66 percent said it looks better to have a tan.
Skin-related ailments, therefore, come not as a surprise. In 2001, over 50,000 Americans are diagnosed of melanoma, with 8,000 people dying of the disease. Eighty percent of those who died of skin cancer are caused by melanoma. Findings also show that one in five American will develop skin cancer at some point. Worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, there are between two to three million people diagnosed with various skin cancer ailments.
That is why medical experts warn tanners of indoor tanning claims that it has no harmful side effects or that it will not skin cancer or skin aging. Even the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said that tanning using commercial tanning beds damages your skin. One gets a tan because the skin produces coloring or an additional pigment to protect itself against burn from UV radiation. Too much UV exposure can cause you skin cancer, not to mention, eye injury and early skin aging.
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A dietary intake of certain fibers has been shown through studies to alleviate the risks of colon cancer, and the fibers are also known to help ease constipation. Psyllium plays a role in promoting colon health since poor waste elimination by the body can result in a buildup of waste byproducts in the body. The waste byproducts can then lead to bacteria and viruses attacking your colon, compromising your immune system and creating sickness in the body. For this reason, regular normal bowel movements can be crucial to maintaining proper health. Other benefits of regular bowel movements can be their promotion of weight loss, and a chance at lowering low density lipoproteins, the "bad' type of cholesterol.
There are many ways for you to get the fiber your body needs, however, psyllium husks are a particularly rich source. In India, psyllium has been used for thousands of years for the therapeutic qualities we’ve discussed. Western medicine has finally begun catching on to the importance of fiber, and the demand for psyllium husks has gone through the roof.
Psyllium husks are composed primarily of complex carbohydrates. Other uses of these carbohydrates include their helping of diarrhea, since it has binding properties that may help restore normal movements. Also, these compounds may help alleviate hemorrhoids and counter Cystitis. In addition, psyllium husks harbor anti-inflammatory properties and does not cause the irritation that can be found when taking insoluble fibers. Also, blood sugar levels of those with diabetes may improve with use of the husk.
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Searching for the cheapest contacts at eye care retailers who offer contact lenses in different colors can be a daunting task. Try the Internet instead to get the cheapest contacts. You’ll find more success hunting for cheapest colored contacts here because of the sheer number of retailers online.
Reeling In The Cheapest
However, with the huge number of e-tailers of color contacts you need to know how to fish out the cheapest rates for color contacts and avoid a bad deal. Here are some tips to help you out. Before you decide to make a purchase, compare prices for the cheapest colored contacts from several contact lenses suppliers.
One way to do that is to physically check out different contact lenses e-stores. Most of them offer discounts, especially during Halloween. Another way is to try one of the contact lenses comparison sites which will give you a good idea of discounts available for different colors. Most manufacturers offer the cheapest colored contacts right on their website. So hit the homepage and checkout the colors that go with your Halloween costume.
Check out the return policy for your cheap color contacts so that you can return them if required. Without such a policy you might end up with cheapest contacts that you don’t even like.
Here it would be a good idea to also check if your cheap color contacts come with free shipping. If you have to pay freight for your cheap color contacts, you might end up with a Halloween trick and a great story for dinner.
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“Glow in the dark” Halloween contact lenses are an especially popular category of contact lenses for Halloween because that is the scary, goofy, fun time of the year when you want to look different. Well, one way of ‘looking’ at it is through a glow in the dark contact lens.
That Special Halloween Shine
With these special Halloween lenses you can make your eyes glow in the dark and get more treats than tricks. But if this is your first try with them you might need some education. Here are some tips to help you with your ‘glow in the dark contact lens’.
Various types of glow in the dark lenses are available freely on the Internet and are quite affordable if you don’t buy the lens right on Halloween. Check out several online lens suppliers who stock Halloween lenses or contacts that glow in the dark before you make a purchase.
Glow in the dark contacts basically use a luminescent material on the surface that makes them turn into ‘glow in the dark lenses’. Please choose only the kind of glow in the dark lens contact lens which has FDA approved colors. Otherwise you may end up with more than just the lens in your eyes.
Fun as they may be, Halloween lenses or glow in the dark contacts require the same care that you reserve for regular contact lenses. Buying these glow in the dark contacts under medical supervision and with a valid prescription and cleaning of contacts are important for your safety and health.
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But the days when theatrical lenses were available only to movie stars are long gone. Now everybody can get a pair of costume contacts that makes their eyes appear bright and inhuman. The only limit is your imagination.
Many people think of theatrical contact lenses only at Halloween time. But there is no reason why you can’t wear them just for going out to the club. If your eyes look like you just came back from Dune, you can be sure that your appearance won’t go unnoticed.
What are my choices?
There are many costume lenses on the market; the most popular brands are Crazy Lenses, by Cooper Vision, and Wild Eyes, by CibaVision. Both Crazy Lenses and WildEyes offer bright, exciting designs. Their lenses are also comfortable and affordable.
If you type “costume contact lenses” into a Google or Yahoo search, many different collections will show up. Some of them offer a great look for a reasonable price. However, you should always bear in mind that most paints are toxic; so some of the lenses on offer might seem beautiful, but the could also irritate your eyes. It is always best to go with costume contacts produced by major contact lens manufacturers.
And for a particularly magnificent effect, you can get scleral contacts. Unlike ordinary color contact lenses, sclerals cover not only the colored part of your eye, but the entire visible portion of your eye. Sclerals create a knock-out effect. The only draw back with scleral contacts is that they are awfully expensive.
You can also get custom-made costume lenses. This way, you can be sure that nobody would have eyes like yours, and you can have any design imaginable.
You can see pictures and reviews of different costume contact lens collections at
Do I need a prescription for costume contact lenses?
Most brand name costume contacts come in Plano (no vision correction) as well as with corrective powers. And whether or not you need visual correction, you should ask your eye doctor to fit costume lenses for you. Even if you have perfect vision, it is best to see an optometrist first.
Can I see while wearing theatrical contacts?
Yes, you can. Even though the lens is completely opaque, its center is clear so you can see. The only exceptions are white-out contacts, which create the effect of blind eyes. In this case, the entire lens is fully opaque so, unless you want to find out how it is to be blind, you should wear a white-out contact lens in one eye only.
Are costume contacts safe?
There are many FDA warnings about the dangers of costume lenses, although the lenses themselves are usually not to blame. Unfortunately, some people wear their costume contacts for several days straight, or put them in without washing their hands first, or swap the lenses with their friends, and then blame the theatrical contacts when they get an eye infection.
The truth is that if you get reputable brand name costume lenses and take proper care of them, costume contacts are as safe as any other type of contact lens.
Here are 5 simple rules, to keep costume contact lenses safe:
* Don’t wear your costume contacts for longer than a few hours
* Don’t swap them with other people
* Order your lenses from your doctor’s office or a reputable online retailer. Contacts sold in costume shops or flea markets might be of questionable quality.
* Have an optometrist fit you with theatrical contacts
* Clean your costume lenses properly
How do I take care of my costume lenses?
Novelty contact lenses don’t require any special care; you simply treat them the same way as you would treat any contact lenses.
All you need is a multi-purpose solution and a contact lens case, which you can get in any chemist shop. Rinse your lenses in the solution before inserting them in your eyes, and don’t forget to wash your hands before handling the lenses.
When you’re not using your costume lenses, keep them in the solution, in their case. It is recommended that you change the solution at least once a week, if you don’t use them for long periods of time. But who would bother? If you have to wear contacts that have spent a month or so in their case, just give them a double rinse in fresh solution.
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Paclitaxel, a preferred treatment for lung and breast cancers, has a cancer-promoting risk as well….
Lung cancer remains the biggest cancer killer, projected to claim 163,510 lives this year. Paclitaxel will be used in the attempt to save the lives of many of these patients. However, one little-known effect of Paclitaxel is that in a subset of these patients there will be up to a fivefold increase in the production of Interleukin – 8 (IL-8) – a cellular communication molecule that initiates the growth of new blood vessels to feed the growing cancer. In other words, if you fall into this subset of patients, treatment using Paclitaxel alone may not be effective at preventing recurrence.
NF-kB blockade enhances cancer killing ability of Paclitaxel!
IL-8 is under the control of an inflammatory regulating protein called nuclear factor-kappa Beta (NF-kB). When the activation of NF-kB is blocked, IL-8 dries up, much like a faucet that has been turned off. Thus, blocking NF-kB activation enhances the cancer killing ability of Paclitaxel. These results were seen with many types of cancer cells, including lung and esophageal cancer cells.
Paclitaxel is NOT the Only Drug that Promotes Excessive NF-kB
Paclitaxel is but one of a group of drugs that has this unwanted side-effect of activating NF-kB. Other drugs in this group include Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil, Cisplatin, VP-16 (Etoposide), ARA-C, and Methotrexate. In addition, research demonstrates that excessive NF-kB activity contributes to cancer development in the following types of cancers: non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic, primary liver, head and neck cancer, prostate, breast, esophageal, stomach, colon, Hodgkin’s disease, and multiple myeloma.
Supportive treatment that improves chemotherapy effectiveness…..
Paclitaxel, along with the other NF-kB activating chemotherapeutic drugs, is approved for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. It appears likely that they will continue to be used for the foreseeable future. If you are on (or considering using) Paclitaxel or one of the other drugs in this group to treat cancer, there is a supportive treatment that you need to know about that improves the effectiveness of these drugs and reduces your risk of having a cancer recurrence.
We have a Multi-Dimensional Approach to Reducing Inflammation that Complements and Enhances the Impact of these Drugs!
At the Center for Learning about Healing in Ann Arbor, MI where I practice integrative medicine and behavioral oncology, I focus on multi-dimensional ways to empower patients to evaluate and change patterns of eating, behaving, thinking, and coping that are known to contribute to inflammatory reactions in the body. These methods complement the cancer killing effects of Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin, 5-FU, and other such drugs.
Genomic Testing Can Clarify Your Specific Inflammatory Molecular Mechanisms that Sustain Your Cancer
Inflammation is present before, and during the life of a cancer. In cancer, inflammation is a pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cellular and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. However, inflammation is also essential for tissue repair and tissue rebuilding. Genomic testing (easily performed with saliva or blood samples) allows us to create a personalized map of your inflammatory tendencies based on your genomic predispositions. This method is revolutionary because it allows you to regulate your genomic capabilities to your advantage, which then allows you to reduce the expression of your inflammation-related genes.
What Cancer Patients Need to DO is
Reduce the Expression of Inflammation-Related Genes
Once you know your specific genomic blueprint for excessive inflammation, we work together to develop the tools you need to re-set the expression of your inflammation blueprint. These tools must be unique to you, precisely because your genomic expression capabilities are unique to you. These tools include anti-inflammatory diets supported by oral and intravenous nutrients that block and down-regulate NF-kB. Remember, it is this protein that is responsible for the abnormal rise in IL-8 during Paclitaxel administration. By measuring markers of cellular inflammation before, during, and after chemotherapy treatment, and using your unique tools, we compile a personalized treatment record of inflammatory responses (normal and abnormal) that serves as a benchmark for your risk of cancer recurrence after chemotherapy treatment.
With these personalized guidelines, you will have insider knowledge about choices of foods, behaviors, and interpersonal relationships that will be conducive to keeping your inflammation-related genes quiet. Patients with high inflammatory markers during chemotherapy are at higher risk for recurrence, and thus need to more closely monitor and modulate their NF-kB expression after the chemotherapy ends.
What is important to understand is that:
* There is an optimal amount of expression of NF-kB consistent with health;
* Excessive expression contributes to diseases like cancer recurrence, especially when NF-kB is turned on continuously; and
* You will have the power and the tools needed to regulate NF-kB’s expression.
Become the Captain of Your Healing Team!
As your physician-coach, I recommend that you become the captain of your healing team, and let me and my team partner with you to clarify the specific molecular mechanisms driving your specific cancer. We coach you to learn the skills and to master the tools needed to reduce the collective contribution of foods, emotions, and behaviors to the excessive expression of inflammation-related genes. By working together, you learn to modulate your inflammation blueprint by modulating the expressive capacity of NF-kB. Modulating your expression of NF-kB is the inner game of self-discovery, consciousness expansion, forgiveness, and cell (self) renewal that is what allows healing to occur. (To view diagrams describing NF-kB in health and in disease, visit our website at
Learn More about How You Can Improve Your Chances of Not Having a Cancer Recurrence…
You or a loved one can learn more about how you can improve the effectiveness of your cancer treatments and improve your chances of not having a recurrence. at
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Here are just some of the reasons why you want to turn to therapeutic-grade essential oils for today’s health challenges:
oEssential oils deliver high levels of oxygen and ozone to the cells, creating an oxygen-rich atmosphere in which pathogens cannot survive.
oEssential oils have powerful antioxidant properties.
oEssential oils create a negative-ion environment in which pathogens cannot survive.
oVirtually every essential oil is anti-bacterial, many are anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic.
oA large number of essential oils such as lemon and mountain savory are immuno-stimulators.
oThere are no known viruses or bacteria which have developed an immunity to essential oils through mutation.
oSesquiterpenes (chemical constituents of some essential oils such as lemon, frankincense and sandalwood) have the rare ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, a critical factor in the healing of many diseases.
oEssential oils can deliver vital nutrients to starving cells by “piggy-backing” them through abnormally thickened cell membranes which have developed due to oxygen deprivation.
oEssential oils, such as helichrysum, are natural chelators, driving toxins/metals out of the cells.
oEssential oils normalize and balance the body’s systems.
oProperly produced essential oils are living substances which carry electrical frequency and can help raise the frequency of the human body to levels at which disease cannot exist. Rose essential oil carries the highest frequency.
oEssential oils such as geranium and spruce have the capacity to clear emotional trauma and negative emotional patterns which are at the roots of a vast number of diseases.
oEssential oils stimulate the release of endorphins, relieving physical and emotional discomfort and promoting a feeling of joy and well-being.
oEssential oils can increase our sense of wholeness and connection with the Source of All Healing.
These attributes only apply to therapeutic-quality essential oils. It is vital that essential oils be produced at low temperature and pressure with the intent of preserving their life force and healing properties. Lesser-quality oils, such as perfume-grade oils sold in most health-food stores and bath and body stores, though relatively inexpensive, simply do not embody the range of healing properties contained in oils produced with healing in mind, and in some cases, can do more harm than good. Seek out oils that have been produced for the purpose of healing and that contain the full range of natural chemical constituents nature intended. When you find them, you will have found powerful allies in maintaining and improving your health in these challenging times.
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Unexpectedly, Greg's older sister informed him that she'd developed unstable chest pain symptoms recently, requiring hospitalization. She'd undergone a heart catheterization and received two coronary stents, narrowly averting an open heart procedure. This unsettled Greg's complacency, and he now became concerned about his own health. He underwent a heart scan, which yielded a score of 1387, in the 99th percentile for men his age. This score suggested that, far from being low risk, Greg!|s risk was, in fact, an alarming 25% per year for heart attack and death.
Can cholesterol tell you whether you have hidden plaque lining your coronary arteries?
No. Cholesterol does not tell you whether or not coronary plaque is present. It's just a blood fat that is one among many causes of coronary plaque, and provides an indirect statistical measure of the likelihood of heart disease. Can you have a heart attack with low cholesterol? Absolutely. Can you have high cholesterol yet survive to age 95 with 18 great-grandchildren and never have a stitch of heart disease? No doubt about it.
Does an EKG show hidden coronary plaque? No. EKG's are just simple electrical measures that may show heart attack while it's in progress or much after the fact.
How about stress tests? Don't they detect hidden coronary plaque?
No, again. Stress tests are a measure of blood flow to the heart, abnormal only when flow is substantially reduced. Blockages that occupy 80-90% of the diameter of arteries, for instance, would be detectable on a stress test. The problem is that 90% of people with hidden (asymptomatic) coronary plaque will have entirely normal stress tests, yet are still at risk for heart attack. In fact, most of the people fated to suffer a heart attack in the next year have normal stress tests. So how can you detect and measure hidden coronary plaque easily, inexpensively, and safely? We don't want invasive procedures that involve scalpels and catheters. We need a test that precisely detects hidden plaque without pain, with virtually no risk, that nearly anybody can get. That's precisely what a heart scan can do. And it does it better, faster, and easier than any other test available.
"We now know that 95% to 99% of the heart disease occurs at sites WITHOUT artery narrowing. Thus, the old tests we perform to detect narrowing and blockages have really misled us. We miss over 95% of the heart disease that causes heart attacks." Dr. Steve Nissen The Cleveland Clinic
What exactly is a heart scan?If you've undergone a heart scan, you already know that it's among the easiest and fastest health tests available: hold your breath for 30 seconds and you!|re done. It's about as simple as any test can get. No poking, prodding or pushing, no IV's, no pre-medication, no preparation. Most people are surprised by how easy it is. The most common comment after the scan is finished is, "Is that it?" With this small effort, you'll be provided with the most powerful piece of information you can get about your heart's future.
A heart scan is really 30-V40 cross-sectional images (varying depending on your height) of the heart from top to bottom, all obtained in the few seconds you hold your breath. (Holding your breath eliminates motion of the heart due to expansion of the adjacent lungs.) Within each of the 30 or so images, a "slice" of your three coronary arteries can be easily seen. Because each slice overlaps with those above and below it, the scan provides, in effect, a three-dimensional survey of the chest contents. Each scan is reviewed and a computer applies specific criteria to help decide whether a selected area within your coronary arteries is truly coronary plaque. The area (in square millimeters) is multiplied by the density of the plaque, and this yields a "score" for this specific plaque. All plaques in every image slice are scored and all the scores added up. This yields a total score, the one reported to you. You will sometimes hear the total score called an "Agatston" score, named after Dr. Arthur Agatston from the University of Miami, who first developed this method of scoring. The Agatston score is now one of the standard calculations performed on all heart scans. (This is the same Dr. Arthur Agatston, by the way, who authored the hugely successful South Beach Diet.)
If you haven't yet undergone a heart scan, how do you decide whether you should get one in the first place? Many authorities recommend that men over age 40, women 50 and over be scanned. This is based on the simple observation, in tens of thousands of people, that substantial numbers of men start showing hidden plaque (scores >0) age 40 and older, women 50 and over. Prior to these ages, scores above zero for either sex are unusual. Women are advised to get scans later than men because the development of plaque lags behind men approximately 10 years.
Beyond age, there are no useful criteria to decide who should and who shouldn't be scanned. We could, for instance, use LDL cholesterol to decide whom to scan. If we chose anyone with LDL cholesterol >130 mg/dl, we would miss half the people with heart disease. (In other words, approximately 50% of people with measurable coronary plaque have LDL cholesterols <130 mg/dl.) Likewise, if low HDL(<40) is our cut-off, you will again miss about half the people with heart disease. Similar failures occur for any other screening parameter you can devise.
Consider this: Can we screen you for the presence of heart disease by screening you with another test first? You may begin to see the absurdity in this approach. A study by Drs. Arad and Guerci at the St. Francis Medical Center in New York, for instance, showed that 67% of people classified by the widely-used Framingham risk scoring system (using cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking history, and sex) were mis-classified: people labeled low-risk were actually high-risk; people labeled high-risk were actually low-risk.
Another study by Dr. Stephan Achenbach of the Massachusetts General Hospital showed a very poor 28% correlation between risk factor scoring systems like the Framingham system and heart scan scores. Most concerningly, significant numbers of people classified as low risk by the Framingham scoring system had extensive coronary plaque.
Cholesterol values and conventional risk factors cannot be reliably used to decide whether or not to have a scan. We therefore rely on age as a guide.
If there is some high-risk measure in your life - parent with heart attack before age 55; diabetes, cholesterol >300, smoking - then you might consider having your scan 5 years earlier (35 for men, 45 for women).
What's the best heart scan score? Zero, or no detectable plaque in any of your scan images. What's terrible? Just like playing golf, the higher your score, the worse it is. But just like asking "what's a terrible golf score?", the answer for what constitutes a terrible heart scan score is "It depends". Certainly, the higher your score, the more plaque you have in your coronary arteries, the greater your heart attack risk. Scores of 1000 or greater (that's a lot of plaque!) carry a risk for heart attack of 25% per year (if no preventive therapies are initiated), as it did unexpectedly for Greg, above. Scores between 0 and 1000 are much more common and carry various degrees of risk in-between.
Why is it called a "calcium score"?What precisely is measured on a heart scan? Children's arteries are flexible, thin-walled tubes, free of plaque, with lining tissue that measures a millimeter or so in thickness. The years take their toll, particularly if there are genetic reasons or noxious factors like smoking, high cholesterol, high fat meals, high blood sugar, etc. The lining tissue of arteries is delicate and easily injured, and reflect that injury by thickening. Within the thickened lining, fibrous structural material, calcium (like that in bone), and inflammatory cells also accumulate. The gruel-like material that results is called "atherosclerotic plaque".
Many plaque components can't be easily measured in a living human being, such as inflammatory cells or structural tissue. Remember, we're trying to accurately measure plaque without scalpels, catheters, or other invasive methods. Calcium collects within plaque and can be measured accurately and easily. Interestingly, microscopic studies of atherosclerotic plaque have shown that calcium consistently occupies 20% of the total volume of plaque. This proportion remains true for women, men, young, old, and whether or not you!|ve already had a heart attack. In other words, calcium provides an indirect though accurate means to measure total plaque volume. If we were to measure 2 cubic millimeters of plaque, for instance, then you have a total of 2 x 5= 10 cubic millimeters of total plaque. The rule of coronary calcium scoring is easy: the higher your score, the more plaque lines your coronary arteries. The coronary calcium score predicts your risk of heart attack Study after study has shown that, the higher your heart scan score, the greater your risk for heart attack. This is because the more plaque that lines your coronary arteries, the more opportunity there is for plaque rupture and heart attack, even if the plaque is only a 20% blockage. This remains true even if you feel great, your cholesterol is low, you're a long-distance jogger, etc. A heart scan score is, by far, the most powerful predictor of your heart!|s future. Of course, this does not mean that you can't change your future. In fact, that's exactly what knowledge of your heart scan should prompt you to do. If you find out that you have a high score, the next step is to start or improve your prevention program. Your goal: to lower your risk for heart attack to as close to zero as possible.
Unlike cholesterol, your score represents the sum total of factors contributing to coronary plaque growth up until the day of your scan. Let's say, for instance, that you spent the years between age 30 and 40 overweight, sedentary, smoking, and indulging in unhealthy eating habits. A cholesterol panel during those 12 years may have reflected your unhealthy lifestyle. But, at age 41, you lose 60 lbs., begin an exercise program, follow a healthy diet, and stop smoking. A cholesterol panel after you!|ve achieved all this would be much improved"oeven if you had extensive plaque in your coronary arteries. A heart scan at this point, however, would likely reveal a high score, as it reflects the sum total of influences in your life. Your score would not falsely reassure you, as a cholesterol panel would have. Is it "hard" or "soft" plaque?
A common misconception is that, since calcium is a hard substance, the coronary calcium score obtained on your heart scan only provides a measure of hard plaque. Not true. Calcium measured is a reflection of total plaque, both soft and hard.
Actually, the great majority of people with coronary plaque have a mixture of hard and soft plaque, and this can even change day to day, week to week, since plaque is a dynamic, living tissue. In other words, a soft plaque today can develop hard elements tomorrow, and a hard plaque today can evolve to develop soft parts any time in future. Most plaques, in truth, are both. That's why your heart scan score is such a great measure of hidden, total, plaque.
The most important health test you can getHeart scans are simple and inexpensive. Yet they reveal, with great accuracy, the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. It is a highly accurate, simple, 30-second test that makes heart disease detection a snap. They key is to get your "score" before danger sets in. The heart scan is, first and foremost, a tool for prevention. If you know your score, you know that a vigorous effort at prevention is in order.
Selected References Rationale for coronary calcium measurement as a measure of total coronary plaque
Detrano R, Tang W, Kang X, Mahaisavariya P, McCrae M, Garner D, et al. Accurate coronary calcium phosphate mass measurements from electron beam computed tomograms. Am J Cardiac Imag 1995; 9:167-173.
Janowitz WR, Agatston AS, Kaplan G, Viamonte J Jr. Differences in prevalence and extent of coronary artery calcium detected by ultrafast computed tomography in asymptomatic men and women. Am J Cardiol 1993; 72:247-254.
Rumberger JA, Simons DB, Fitzpatrick LA, Sheedy PF, Schwartz RS. Coronary artery calcium areas by electron beam computed tomography and coronary atherosclerotic plaque area: a histopathologic correlative study. Circulation 1995;92:2157-2162.
Simons DB, Schwartz RS, Edwards WD, Sheedy PF, Breen JF. Noninvasive definition of anatomic coronary artery disease by ultrafast computed tomographic scanning: a quantitative pathologic comparison study. J Am Coll Cardiol 1992;20:1118-1126.by
The eyeball, cornea or lens being shaped imperfectly causes refractive errors of the eyes. The three common types of problem resulting from refractive errors are as follows:
1. Myopia or nearsightedness. This condition is where only nearby or close objects appear clear to the eye.
2. Hyperopia or farsightedness. This condition is the opposite of myopia and it is where only objects far away or at a distance are clear to the eye. Commonly elderly people require glasses to read a book.
3. Astigmatism, these are where images are blurred at a distance and near. A combination of the above two conditions.
As indicated above, LASIK is a procedure-using laser that can change the above condition that results in patients seeing clearly. In effective, LASIK eliminates the reliance on glasses and contact lenses and thus increases the individual's safety during outdoor activities or sport. In addition, the 24 hour corrected vision and improved conveniences are achieved with as little as 1% risk of side effects post surgery.
The LASIK procedure
Prior to the operation, anaesthetic is placed onto the surface of the eye to numb and reduce irritation. The eye surgeon then starts with an instrument (Microkeratome) to cut or peel a hinged thin flap of corneal tissue off the outer layer of the cornea or eyeball. The flap is then lifted to the side where the laser treatment can takes place.
The laser is then precisely pulsed to reshape the underlaying corneal tissue. The LASIK procedure uses an excimer laser, which is a new class of UV laser (approved by the FDA). It was originally developed for use in the microprocessor industry and later found its application in vision correction. These lasers have a much higher precision and accuracy that can change the shape of the cornea in the eye. It does this by breaking the intra molecular bonds in the collagen molecules during the laser pulse and thereby improving the way light is focused or "refracted" by the eye.
One pulse of the laser can remove and reshape the internal cornea with an accuracy of +/-0.25 microns. To understand the accuracy of one micron, a grain of salt is about 60 microns and the eye can see particles to about 40 microns. It would take about 200 pulses from an excimer laser just to cut a human hair in half. Once the corneal is adjusted, the flap is laid back to the original position prior to the cut and serves as a protective layer during the healing process. The whole process takes only 15 minutes for each eye, which is why LASIK has become popular.
After the procedure, the healing takes place quite rapidity as the cornea bonds quickly. Healing can vary from three days to a week with a final clear vision obtained. Your are now ready to view and see the whole world without glasses or contact lens. To find out more news on LASIK I suggest you visit some online LASIK sites.
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So why is it not a remedy? It is not a remedy for the simple reason that it should already be included in the diet, and not simply as an afterthought to add it to the diet because the child or adult has ADHD.
Does this mean that if you give a person with ADHD high-strength pharmaceutical grade fish oil in addition to a poor diet, they will not feel any effects? The answer has to be yes, of course they will feel the effects. If you starve anyone for long enough of vital nutrients then the body will react in certain ways – if you then replace those nutrients, the body will return in time to its correct balance.
What is ADHD? A good definition is as follows:
A common developmental and behavioural disorder, it is characterised by poor concentration, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness that are inappropriate for the child's age. Children and adults with ADHD are easily distracted by sights and sounds in their environment, cannot concentrate for long periods of time, are restless and impulsive, or have a tendency to daydream and be slow to complete tasks.
Fish oil supplementation
With current research revealing that Omega 3 fatty acid deficiencies may be a factor affecting learning difficulties, authorities in Durham, England, initiated a programme to see if it was possible that an improved diet would lead to improvements in the classroom. But overturning the high-carbohydrate, heavily-processed diets that children typically consume was going to be a momentous task. So they decided to see if fatty acids in the form of a fish oil supplement could be of any use.
This was the largest and most extensive trial looking at Omega 3 fatty acids and learning conditions to be carried out within the United Kingdom.
This trial involved more than 100 children at 12 primary schools in the Durham area. The trial looked at dyspraxia and motor skills, but also assessed for dyslexia and ADHD.
Trial results
At the start of the trial, the percentage of children within the clinical range of an ADHD diagnosis was set at 32% for the fish oil group and 31% for the placebo group.
After 3 months of omega 3 fish oil supplementation, the percentage of children within the clinical range of an ADHD diagnosis reduced to 18% for the fatty acid group, whereas this only dropped 1 % for the placebo group.
A raw score was calculated from the teacher rating form that assessed each child's behaviour. After 3 months there was a highly significant reduction seen in the fish oil supplement group, compared to those on placebo, in this behavioural score. The fatty acid group reduced from an average score of 74.7 to 58.1., whereas the before and after treatment scores for the placebo group were 69.5 and 67.9.
The active fish oil group also saw significantly reduced teacher ratings on the Conners’ DSM ADHD global scale after 3 months, compared with the placebo group. The placebo group saw similar improvements on this scale after crossing over to the active fish oils for the 3-6 month period of the trial.
Within 3 months children on the active supplement saw a significant reduction on the rating scale of Hyperactive-Impulsive behaviour, compared to those on placebo. Further reductions were seen in the 3-6 month period of the study.
Dramatic results were also seen within just 3 months of the dyspraxia trial. The active group supplementing with Omega 3 fish oil saw significant improvements in reading (9.5 months), spelling (6.5 months) and behaviour, compared to the placebo group where no overall improvement was made.
During the 3-6 month period when the placebo group crossed over to Omega 3 fish oil supplementation, considerable improvements were shown in the same areas, with an average reading gain of 13.5 months and an average spelling gain at over 6 months. The active group continuing supplementation displayed further signs of progress or maintained their improvement.
At the start of the trial, children were a year behind their chronological age for reading and spelling, but after the trial, the active group who had been on Omega 3 fish oil throughout the trial made spelling and reading gains over and above their age.
An alternative view
On the face of things these results look fairly conclusive. However, when you take into account that by their own admission they had a real battle with the children (and in some cases parents) to change their eating habits then the results - to a qualified dietician and anyone who knows what a balanced diet is – swing. Far from seeming to show that fish oil cures ADHD and dyspraxia, it rather appears to demonstrate the need for a very balanced diet, with all these nutritional components included in the first place.
What would be far more interesting than turning a lot of unruly children’s diets into the correct balance and then claiming that fish oil helps with ADHD, would be to take a lot of children who eat a very balanced Mediterranean style diet, which is already very balanced, and perform a trial with those children to see if it actually improves their reading or spelling ability.
Conclusion
Not all the children involved in the trial showed great gains in behaviour, spelling and reading, and those children that did show great gains were in my opinion children who were very badly deficient in Omega 3 already through a very poor diet.
The correct approach is not to supplement children with fish oil, but to drastically improve the child’s eating habits, following the example of a Mediterranean diet which includes oily fish, and trying to cut out all additives and preservatives and the wrong kinds of “bad fats”. As most parents will know this is almost an impossibility, but changing a few little things about the diet will make a difference. As for the fish oil capsules, if you really can’t get your child to eat oily fish then as this trial proves, supplementing with a high quality fish oil supplement is highly advisable so that your child can get the correct amount of Omega 3 in their diet.
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The thyroid gland looks like a little bow tie and is located at the base of the throat, below the Adam’s apple in males. Thyroid dysfunction affects both males and females. This gland produces hormones which control the body’s metabolism, your internal thermostat of sorts.
Thyroid dysfunction is generally either an over or under production of the hormone. Under active thyroid hormone production is called hypothyroidism; whereas too much, or overactive thyroid hormone production is called hyperthyroidism.
Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism include chronic fatigue and weakness, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, hair loss or coarse, dry hair, dry and rough skin, intolerance to cold, abnormal menstrual cycles, decreased sex drive, memory loss, depression and irritability, constipation, muscle cramps. Not all symptoms are always present.
Some doctors prefer to diagnose hypothyroidism with a blood test. They will test to check TSH levels (the thyroid stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland) and T4 levels (the main thyroid hormone). Other doctors prefer to take a more holistic approach and are able to diagnose based on symptoms. Morning body temperature readings (below 97.1 consistently) as well as discovery of regular waking up approximately four hours after going to bed, can aid in the diagnosis.
There are chemical, synthetic treatments that can be used to restore healthy thyroid functions, such as Synthroid and Levothyroxine.
Some doctors and sufferers prefer to use a form of natural thyroid hormone extracted from swine and cows. Yup, pig thyroid! It’s the closest to the human thyroid hormone and contains both T4 and T3 thyroid hormones.
Naturopaths have long recognized that there are very effective herbs that can help to promote healthy thyroid functioning and restore thyroid health.
Armour, a natural thyroid is available by prescription. T-100 is another brand of natural thyroid that can be obtained through holistic processionals. Regular use of natural thyroid can help to restore deficient iodine levels, while also stimulating the thyroid to produce crucial thyroid hormones, thereby treating hypothyroidism.
Bladder wrack or kelp, Licorice, Saw Palmetto and Ginger (root) have also been known to stimulate the thyroid to release thyroid hormones and is therefore beneficial in the treatment of hypothyroidism.
If you’re not comfortable taking synthetic medications, give natural thyroid a chance. It’s the closest match to human thyroid and can leave you feeling worlds better. Even natural supplements need to be under the care of your physician. Please do not self medicate.
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Myth #1: Acne only affects appearance Acne can also cause deep psychological distress. Severe acne can lead to low self-image and feeling depressed. There is a strong link between severe acne and social withdrawal.
Myth #2: Acne is caused by poor hygiene While skin infections are associated with acne, lack of cleanliness is not the reason for acne outbreaks. The combination of oil and dead cells which produce acne is located beneath the skin's surface where it is impossible to clean it away. Gentle cleansing with soap and water once or twice daily will keep your skin as healthy as possible. Scrubing too hard may worsen acne.
Myth #3: Acne is caused by specific foods Chocolate has long had a reputation as a pimple producer. Studies have shown no scientific evidence that this is true. The same holds true for potato chips and sugar. There are some foods that do seem to aggravate (not cause) the condition: milk and foods high in iodine, such as seafood.
Myth #4: Acne has to run its course There are many acne treatments available both over-the-counter and stronger medicines from a dermatologist.
Myth #5: The more acne medicine the better Some people believe that if their acne gets worse they should just use more medicine. That's a bad idea because medicines can be dangerous when taken in large quantities. Excess use of acne ointments may just irritate the skin further.
Myth #6: Sunbathing is good for acne Exposure to the sun dries out excess oils, so it does improve acne short-term. However, long-term the skin adapts and the acne is unfazed. Worse, there is scientific evidence that sun exposure damages the skin and increases the chance of skin cancer.
Myth #7: Makeup causes acne Some makeup products can clog the pores, which is bad for the health of your skin. Cosmetics that are labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" are safe to use. Some brands are made with ingredients that actually treat acne.
Myth #8: Acne is only a teenage condition While most teens have acne, so do many adults. Acne generally clears up by the early 20s. But some people experience acne for the first time as late as their 40s. And for the most unfortunate of all, some people endure acne flare-ups their entire lives. Myth #9: Acne is related to sex We've probably all heard that either celibacy or too much sex causes pimples. There is no evidence for this. There is a link between sexual activity and hormone production, but the relationship between sex and the production of sebum (the oily substance which combines with dead skin cells to cause acne) is not known. Stress and anger also affect hormone levels.
Myth #10: Popping pimples is the best way to get rid of them The fact is popping pimples may worsen acne by spreading the bacteria that is causing it. Popping can also lead to eventual scarring, which in severe cases, can be permanent.
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Tobacco intake is the single most preventable cause of premature death in today’s times. Tobacco or nicotine is the chemical that narrows our blood vessels thereby reducing the life giving air that we intake, which in turn forces us to fight for that extra air.
Why we are drawn towards smoking
The younger generation of today’s times is the one, which is the most stricken by this deadly disease. The biggest reason for which is they are in a haste to prove them selves to be grownups and mature.
A 13 yr old boy standing in the streets with his friends puffing the circles of smoke in air, feels he is mature and big enough to take his decisions and thinks that now it is that he has broken free from the shackles of his parents boundations which say that “smoking is injurious to health”. He does so in pure enjoyment and fun, not realizing that he is indeed letting the shackles of a deadly disease trap him and is not in fact breaking free from any.
Hey! Boy, QUIT SMOKING, or else soon you will be in the clutches of the deadly disease.
Ill effects of smoking
It is smoking that triples the risk of dying from various heart diseases, bronchitis and emphysema. It is smoking that leads to asthma and lung cancer in many people. It is smoking that makes a person baffle for air 3 times more that a non-smoker. Smoking makes you weak and unfit for athletics and various other sports. Smoking makes people avoid you because it makes your hair and clothes stink. It stains your teeth and you have bad breath. Your lips are often cracked and you look pale.
Is that what you call looking mature. No. So quit smoking because it will do no good to you.
Smoking is a contagious disease because it not only weakens it victim but also those who are around him. This is better known as passive smoking where the smoke puffed out by a smoker does harm to the lungs and chest of the person who inhales that air.
It is thus the need of the hour that we should take up the matter seriously and do something constructive to free our society from the grips of this deadly disease.
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Underwater treadmill consists of a treadmill submerged in water pool. The water pool in an underwater treadmill is normally maintained at chest height of the person to whom exercise is advised by doctors or recommended by medical specialists. The person then walks or runs at any desire pace on the underwater treadmill. An underwater treadmill has a conveyor belt on which the person walks or runs. The walking belt of the underwater treadmill reacts to the input it receives from the user’s exercise or feet. During exercise on an underwater treadmill resistance is provided by the surface area of the user’s body moving through the water. The walking pace on the underwater treadmill is then increased slightly to increase the resistance substantially.
Increase in walking pace is balanced by the natural resistance offered by the water in contact with the human body during the exercise on an underwater treadmill. This gradually increases motion, muscle strength and strengthens the hip.
Underwater treadmill exercise is recommended under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, doctor, medical specialist or therapist who have received individualized instruction in physical rehabilitation of patients,
Underwater treadmill is used for walking and back stepping during aquatic therapy. Underwater treadmill used during aquatic therapy enables to curb problems relating abdominal, back, knee and strengthens the muscles/hip. Underwater treadmill offers walking, back stepping and retro walking exercise.
Underwater treadmill helps exercisers who have undergone a total hip replacement to return to their normal activity. Prior to exercise on an underwater treadmill these patients struggle with maintaining normal coordination of gait, range of motion at the hip and hip strength. Exercise on an underwater treadmill addresses these issues for the patients. Hip-replaced individuals are recommended to begin their post-operation rehabilitation work with an underwater treadmill exercise. Underwater treadmill exercise is advised by sports medicine specialists and physical therapists.
Underwater treadmill offers the potential advantage of water buoyancy while walking on the treadmill. Exercising on an underwater treadmill removes the need for the newly reformulated hip to support full body weight during each step of the walk. During exercise on an underwater treadmill, the water provides mild resistance to the motion of the person which enables them strengthen the hip and hip-flexor muscles over the time.
Patients in rehabilitation centers use underwater treadmills to minimize postoperative swelling, increase muscle strength and encourage early use of the operated limb. In rehabilitation centers, underwater treadmill is a part of the program DVSC.
Underwater treadmill exercise includes forward or reverse actuation of the treadmill belt including back stepping or retro walking and a unique back and abdomen strengthening exercise. Design of underwater treadmill is safe and secure for all pool users with no sharp edges or protrusions. Underwater treadmill exercise can be performed with bare feet. No electromechanical or electronic components are needed to be attached to the body of the person while exercising on an underwater treadmill. Underwater treadmills are made of a solid construction which is impervious to pool chemicals allowing continuous submersion without need for any type of maintenance.
Underwater treadmill improves hip-abduction strength and gait stability during the critical rehabilitation period following surgery. Underwater treadmill is safe but is recommended under the supervision of medical specialists, doctors and physical therapists.
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We don’t know what cancers originated in your colon because the medical profession treats symptoms not the causes. Many doctors do not go looking for the cause of your problem. They don’t have the time. In fact, they normally will not tell you what you need to do to prevent your illness. Sometimes the reason they will not tell you is they just do not know.
It is the nutritionist’s job to tell you what foods and supplements you need to prevent and to overcome specific illnesses and what to eat to eliminate or stop constipation.
Why is it that some many people are dying of various diseases at such an early age – at forty, at fifty, at sixty, even 30, or younger? They die of heart diseases, blood diseases, cancers, autoimmune diseases and the list goes on. It has been know for a longtime why diseases occur and what you can do to prevent it.
These death producing illnesses are a result of our life style - the foods we eat, the water we drink, the air pollution we breathe, the thoughts we think, the toxins we are exposed to at work, and the cleaning products we use at home.
What is it that causes us to behave in a way that is harmful to others or ourselves in ways that affect our health, our relationships, and our life? Why do people smoke when they know it causes Cancer? Why do people drink coffee when they know caffeine affects their adrenal gland, which eventually leads to exhaustion? Why is it that people eat sugar when they know it has untold health effects beyond diabetes? The answer is simple but difficult to accept.
All illness originates from repressed traumatic memories resulting from early life trauma.
Dr Arthur Janov explains this clearly in his book, 1996, Why You Get Sick How You Get Well.
“Over the last thirty years I have learned a great deal about humans and what drives them. As trite as it may seem, what I have found is a single yet complex emotion called love. Not the romantic love of novels, but a fundamental love – the love of a parent for a child. When a child lacks love and nurturing, no matter how that lack is manifest, it creates pain, and if this pain is not “felt” or integrated into the system, it will in turn cause physical and emotional illness in later life.”
It takes disciple to change behavior, thought, and life style, which are good for health. This is what is necessary to reduce or eliminate illness. This is what is necessary to bring on a feeling of well-being way into your old age – at 80, at 90, at 100, and well beyond that. With the new anti-aging nutrients and supplements on the market, I can see people living well into 120 years provided they follow a good lifestyle.
How many people are willing to devote the time and money to start eating the right foods and change their lifestyle? This is the first step in reducing or eliminating constipation.
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Omega 3 oils in fish have long been associated with health benefits in conditions such as poor concentration in children and protection against heart disease and dementia, but it now appears that these essential fatty acids protect the skin against the DNA damage that can cause skin cancer.
Sun burn is a major factor in the development of skin cancer. Fair skinned people are particularly susceptible and sun burn increases the chances of developing skin cancer at a later date.
The research consisted of a group of 42 healthy people being given a fish oil supplement that would be the equivalent of three portions of oily fish a week.
After one month, they were less likely to burn and after three months, their resistance had risen to 33% less likely.
A group of people who suffered from sun allergy doubled their defence after 6 months.
These groups were measured against a third group who had been given olive oil which had no effect.
The protection derived from the change in diet would be equivalent to a permanent mild sun screen but would not protect against fierce sun.
Many people only apply sun screen if they're officially sunbathing and then it can be patchy.
Serious damage can happen in as little as 15 minutes - maybe walking to the shops or taking the dog out - doing a bit of gardening - how many of us would bother to put sun screen on for those tasks?
In the UK, skin cancer rates have doubled every decade since 1940 and there are now around 100,000 new cases and 2000 deaths a year. These increases are reflected in pale skinned people all around the world.
Much of the increase in the UK has been put down to more people taking holidays abroad and exposing themselves to excessive sun. However, there are many days in the UK when it would be advisable to protect ourselves but because the climate is mild overall, we don't bother.
Increasing oily fish in your diet is easy - even canned fish (apart from tuna) retains the omega 3s, so salmon, mackerel, sardines and the like can all be used straight from the can.
Now is the right time to make the change in the Northern Hemisphere, so you'll have the additional protection by next summer.
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1. Eat protein at every meal, including breakfast.
2. Eliminate wheat- and flour-based products for the time being. And yes, that definitely includes bread and pasta.
3. Eat unprocessed foods. Ninety percent of what you eat should be a combination of (in this order of importance) raw vegetables, steamed vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and maybe a few fruits if necessary.
4. Reduce starch to one portion a day, and don't eat that portion during your evening meal. Best choices are beans, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal.
5. Don't overdo fruit: one a day maximum, and only the low-sugar, high-fiber variety. Apples, pears, plums and berries all are good choices. For now, fruit should be eaten alone or with something light, like low fat nuts. Lose the fruit juice completely.
6. Reduce or eliminate dairy for the time being, especially cow's milk. Exceptions: reasonable amounts of low sugar, fat free yogurt.
7. Lose the booze. Despite what the "studies" say, you lose no health benefits by giving up alcohol (including wine). There is nothing essential in alcohol that you can't get in fruits and vegetables without all the bad side effects that go along with it.
8. Stop using vegetable oils such as sunflower, safflower and corn. The supermarket kind is highly refined, and it oxidizes easily when heated, contributing to arterial plaque. Use olive oil instead, and apply it to food after the food is cooked when possible. 9. Watch which types of fat you're eating. The amount of fat you eat is probably less important than the kind of fat you eat. The worst are fried foods, margarine and foods that contain hydrogenized or partially hydrogenized oils. The best is omega-3, found in fish and flaxseed oil.
10. Obsessively drink water: At least 8 ounces for every 20 pounds of bodyweight you're now carrying around, each day. Every day. No excuses.
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There are several systems in developmental phase by different pharmaceutical firms with products like AerodoseR, AERxTM Diabetes Management System, QdoseR, and ExuberaR.
An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on September 8th 2005 recommended approval of Exubera an inhaled insulin for adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is predicted that Pfizer would launch Exubera in late 2006. Exubera is produced by Sanofi-Aventis and Nektar Therapeutics, a California biotechnology firm (formerly Inhale Therapeutic Systems, Inc.) in partnership with Pfizer.
Other inhalable insulins still on human testing are by Indianapolis-based Lilly and Alkermes Inc. and another is by the Danish firm Novo Nordisk and Aradigm. The Lilly-Alkermes inhaler is small enough to fit in the palm of the hand and is breath-activated, but Exubera, a larger device and it relies on compressed air to operate. The Lilly-Alkermes inhaler is expected to reach the market only by 2008.
The delivery of the Exubera is designed in such a way that this should be small enough to get into the lungs and not large enough to be breathed out. Exubera is a rapid-acting, fine dry-powder insulin. The blister packs are loaded into the inhaler device and a trigger is squeezed to disperse the insulin powder into the compartment above. When this is inhaled through the mouth the finely powdered air reaches directly into the lungs. Insulin passes through the alveolar wall found in the lung and enters into the blood circulation. Breathing once or twice would be sufficient. The content in the blister pack is 20 % insulin and 80% is not revealed. The insulin is reported to be stable for 6 to 24 months at room temperature. Proper training will also be given to people on how to use the inhaler properly. Inhaled insulin enters the bloodstream more rapidly than by subcutaneous injection.
Blood sugar control was equivalent when compared to injected regular and inhaled regular insulin. There are some concerns about the long term effects of chronic inhalation of a growth protein into the lungs. Some experts are also worried about people exposed to second hand smoke or lung disease like asthma or emphysema especially since there have been minor reductions in breathing efficiency in some patients and some patients reported coughing.
This inhaler is also effective during cold and upper respiratory infections but may not be that effective during pneumonia. Smokers will be excluded from taking the drug because the cells in the lungs will be already damaged due to smoking and their blood sugar could fall dangerously low with Exubera because they absorb much more inhaled insulin through their lungs than nonsmokers.
Delaying insulin treatment can contribute to higher blood sugar levels, which can lead to complications such as nerve damage, cardiovascular problems, vision loss, and kidney disease.
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The cervical cancer vaccine, known as Gardasil, is a genetically engineered vaccine which prevents cervical cancer by blocking infection with two viruses called HPV 16 and 18. These two virus together cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers.
The final-stage study of the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil included more than 10,000 women ages 16 to 26 in the United States and 12 other countries. All were sexually active and were not infected with HPV 16 or 18. Half got three vaccine doses over six months; the other half received dummy shots.
After six months, none of the women who were virus free and who received the vaccine developed either cervical cancer or precancerous lesions likely to turn cancerous during a two year follow up. Twenty one women who got the dummy shots had a virus.
Merck & Co., the developer, jubilantly announced the results of their cervical cancer vaccine research on October 6th, 2005, saying that a 100% efficacy rate is extremely rare.
A second analysis was also done, this time involving hundreds more women. It showed that the vaccine was 97 percent effective after just one dose. Only one of the 5,736 women who got the vaccine developed cervical cancer or precancerous lesions, compared with 36 among the 5,766 who got dummy shots.
A Merck official called the 97 percent rate "real world," since patients sometimes miss or delay follow-up shots or tests. Therefore, even though the vaccine is available, some women may not get it before they contract the disease.
"I see this as a phenomenal breakthrough," said Dr. Gloria Bachmann, director of The Women's Health Institute at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey.
But she added that vaccinations would have to begin early to have maximum impact. "In grammar school, middle school, high school, before girls become sexually active," she said.
Dr. Kevin Ault, a professor at Emory University, told CNN, "We are talking about maybe a generation or two of women to receive this vaccine before we get to no more pap smears. I guess the best example I could give you would be German measles... That vaccine became available in the late '60s in the United States, and it was just last year that our colleagues at the CDC reported that there were no cases of congenital rubella in the United States."
Numerous health officials warned that women will still need to have reular checkups and pap smears.
NBC News has reported that some religious groups fear that the availability of a cervical cancer vaccine will lessen the worry of contracting the disease and lead to increased sexual activity.
Cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in women and their No. 2 cause of cancer deaths. About three thousand women die of cervical cancer in the U.S. each year, and about three hundred thousand women around the world are cervical cancer victims.
For additional information, including symptoms of cervical cancer and options for cervical cancer prevention and cervical cancer treatment, click on http://www.cervicalcancervaccine.us/
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Typically, a patient will have had psoriasis for a number of years before the arthritis develops. A small proportion of patient will develop the arthritis concurrently with the skin disease and an even smaller percentage will develop the skin disease after the joint disease.
Psoriatic arthritis may affect most joints in an oligoarticular pattern, meaning a few scattered joints are affected and the joint inflammationdoes not have the symmetrical pattern seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Enthesitis, which is inflammation of the tendons that attach to bone, is common in psoriatic arthritis. “Sausage digits” – swelling of the fingers and toes so that they look like little sausages is frequent. Nail changes are also common. Some patients will develop carpal tunnel syndrome because of inflammation in the wrist. Inflammation of the eyes is a serious complication, as is involvement of the aortic valve of the heart.
Joint deformity is frequent and affects 40% of patients with the disease. Psoriatic arthritis has a significant impact on quality of life. The skin disease is a tremendous burden and often leads to depression.
The inflammatory process that causes both the skin disease as well as the joint disease is driven by elevated levels of a substance called tumor necrosis factor, or TNF.
A patient with psoriasis who complains of joint pain, swelling, morning stiffness, and fatigue should raise a high level of suspicion for the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.
Laboratory testing will show evidence of inflammation and imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help confirm the diagnosis.
Treatments that improve the skin disease do not necessarily improve joint symptoms and vice versa.
Treatment goals include symptomatic relief and control of disease progression.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are helpful for relieving some symptoms. However the majority of patients with psoriatic arthritis will require a combination of methotrexate and anti-TNF biologic therapy. Anti-TNF therapies have provided a significant advance in the treatment of both the skin as well the joint disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis.
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Look at the cover of any lifestyle magazine today and the chances are that the two words “burning fat” will appear in some form or another. Its an obsession. Even those who don’t necessarily have a weight problem are drawn to articles that discuss fat burning and new strategies to do so more effectively. Fat – more specifically, body fat – has become a topic of increasing debate over the past 10, 20, 30 perhaps even 40 years, and today more than ever, we are constantly trying to find new and effective ways to “burn” fat off our bodies.
Fat is usually “burnt” off through exercise. There are also dietary approaches that claim to put the body into a “fat-burning” state, but generally, the term “burning” is more readily associated with exercise.
There have been many analogies used to define how body fat is burned off – one such analogy being to liken the body’s metabolic system to a “furnace” that needs to be “stoked” to increase its “fat burning” efficiency. This analogy implies that fat is burnt during a particular exercise activity – whilst the activity is being performed. This analogy has also fuelled other theories and mindsets, such as the longer the duration of an exercise activity the more fat will be “burned off” – i.e. the “I’ll-just-run a-few-more-miles-to-burn-off the-extra-slice-of-cake” way of thinking.
Unfortunately, this eat more/exercise more approach can spiral out of control with exercise becoming just a means to an end – almost creating a situation that can be seen as “exercise bulimia”.
This approach not only also leads to potential overtraining injuries, but is extremely time consuming, with some people exercising up to several hours a day to ensure that they continue to “burn fat”.
There is a far more sensible approach to burning fat…one that not only is far less time consuming, but also burns fat whilst at rest….long after the exercise session is finished.
Burning fat – From 10%-90%
As mentioned earlier, the traditional “fat burning mindset” is that body fat is burnt whilst performing a particular exercise activity (the preferred exercise activity usually being aerobic or cardio type exercise). However, even if an exercise activity is performed for 2 hours (e.g. 2 hours on the stationery bike) – which is a considerable amount of time – this still only represents just under 10% of the day. Also, with most aerobic type activity, the metabolic rate returns to normal just 1 hour after the exercise session is completed (the metabolism or metabolic rate being the single most important aspect that affects fat burning).
Surely it would be better to be able to burn fat for 70%-90% of the day? To somehow keep the metabolic rate elevated for as long as possible to ensure that fat was “burnt” long after the exercise session had finished?
Metabolism and Muscle
If you want to burn fat, you need muscle – it’s that simple. The more muscle, the more fat is burnt….whilst exercising and whilst at rest.
Now this does not mean that you need to become a competitive bodybuilder, or even become “musclebound”. But it does mean that you should consider reducing the cardio sessions and increasing or adding resistance training sessions to condition your muscles. To put it in perspective, for every pound of muscle, the body requires an extra 60-100 calories a day to maintain it at rest! Also, resistance workouts keep the body’s metabolic rate elevated for up to 15 hours after the exercise session is completed (assuming that the workout is relatively intense). Also, endurance cardio training makes muscles smaller, which means a less efficient fat-burning furnace in the long-term.
So now that we know that better conditioned and stronger muscles increase the body’s metabolic rate – which in turn leads to more efficient fat burning, how do we do this in 15 minutes?
Fat Burning in 15 Minutes
Please note the following: This exercise approach is very intense. If you are not used to exercise or exercising with resistance, then you should begin the routine with very light weights at first and take a 2-3 minute rest between each exercise. As you become fitter and stronger, you may gradually increase the weight and also gradually reduce the time between each exercise.
The following 2 routines are tough…very tough. There are several aspects that make this routine effective:
1) Each exercise uses several muscle groups – thus placing a higher energy demand on the body 2) Each exercise focuses on larger muscles – by using larger muscles, we also place higher energy demands on the body 3) The level of resistance required places 90-100% demand on each group of muscles (NB: beginners/intermediates must use lighter weight) 4) There is minimal – ideally zero - rest between sets creating a massive cardio and fat-burning effect that literally “fries” calories 5) Both routines are brief – and should not take longer than 15 minutes
The Metabolism Stoking Fat-Frying Routine
For each exercise of the following 2 routines, select a resistance load that allows you to complete no more than 10-12 smooth repetitions. If you can perform a 13th repetition, then the weight is too light (NB: Beginners & Intermediates to select a light weight and progress gradually).
Also, keep rest between each exercise as short as possible (ideally run to next exercise and start as soon as possible). Again, beginners & intermediates take longer rest periods between sets.
Routine 1:
Squats Dumbbell Pullovers Stiff-legged deadlift Squats Bench Press Chins or Pulldowns Bench Press Barbell Curls Shoulder Press
Routine 2:
Squats Bench Press Chins or Pulldowns
Repeat above 3 exercises 3 times with no rest between all 9 sets
Author Info: Ted Frazer has been dedicated to the weight loss and “Wellness Revolution” for 20 years. He has written a fast selling e-book titled “The Total Diet Solution” in which he looks at the various approaches to eating and how we all need to find an individualized and unique eating approach that works for the long-term. Visit http://www.total-diet.com and download the 1st chapter for free.
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What the laser accomplishes, after it's reached into the interior of the skin, is to focus on the hair's pigment. The laser destroys the follicle of the hair but does not damage the remaining hair tissue around it.
While laser hair removal can be quite effective and has been so for many, it is new, and, as compared with older hair removal treatments, relatively untested. What this means is that we really don't know yet just how safe or unsafe it might be and the potential for side effects. The other issue with the newness of this laser hair removal process is that no one has used it for long enough to have continuity of statistics that would indicate the rate of response to the laser hair removal treatment and the rate at which the hair grows back after each laser hair removal treatment.
Two of the most important elements to consider in qualifying potential laser hair removal candidates are skin color and hair color.
1. Skin Colour. Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Due to the lighter pigmentation, the laser hair removal results happen more quickly. Fewer treatments are required, and better, faster results are obtained. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower. They just have to be content with the knowledge that it will take longer to see results and a greater number of treatments are probably going to be needed.
2. Hair Colour. Laser hair removal works best on dark hair. The reason for the difference is the pigment pheomelanin, which is found only in red or blonde hair. It is very hard for a laser to penetrate pheomelanin. On the other hand, the laser goes easily through eumelanin, the pigment found in black and brown hair.
Treatment costs can add up to more than $1,000 as multiple treatment sessions may be necessary to obtain optimal results. This is largely due to the fact that laser hair removal is most effective for hair which is in the anagen phase (the growth phase). Since hair grows in cycles, not all of the hairs are in the anagen phase at any given time. Thus, more sessions are necessary to target hairs while they are in anagen.
How much and how long an individual respond to complete hair removal by laser hair removal differ from case to case. So, no hair removal clinics can guarantee 100% permanent results by a certain period. Consumers are nevertheless well advised, to consult with licensed professional and reputable laser hair removal centers.
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One way that is gaining much popularity as a convenient method to detox is the detox foot patch. The foot patch is simply a patch satchet filled with some natural plant-based ingredients that is applied on the soles of the feet. It has been widely touted as a simple and reasonably effective way to remove waste, toxins, microscopic parasites, heavy metals, chemicals and even cellulite (as some manufacturers claim).
Why detox through the foot? According to Chinese Traditional Medicine, our human body has over 360 acupuncture points, with more than 60 acupuncture points found on the soles of the foot. Known as the “second heart”, they reflect the zones of our major internal organs. These zones also indicate potential homes for toxins. Circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids reach their furthest points in the soles of the feet before being 'pumped' back up into the higher areas of the body.
By applying the patch to the foot, the patch extracts toxins from the body through the blood that circulates in the soles. After putting on the patch for a couple of hours, it turns dark black, with a pungent smell. Changes in the smell and color of the sachet indicate the amount and degree of toxins which have been extracted via the patch.
For a thorough and complete body cleanse, it is still better to go through a proper detox program. But for those who find it difficult to take the time off to detox and cleanse, the detox foot patch is a convenient and safe option to consider. Simply apply the patch to the soles of your foot overnight and look at your results in the morning!
by The scientific research pertaining to alternative or complementary/natural arthritis treatments is truly extensive. For some of the more common arthritis treatments such as glucosamine and chondroitin, there are over 200 separate studies attesting to their effectiveness. No longer do you have to rely on third-party, outdated or unreliable information; many people choose alternative medicine as a result of hearing or reading the uses of botanical medicine/herbs or supplements or as a result of experiences heard from family members, friends or co-workers. Anyone who says that alternative medicine or supplements have not been tested or researched has no idea of what they are speaking of. For example, in the National Library of Congress there are over 300 different scientific papers on the effects of glucosamine on arthritis in humans and animals. It has been my experience the most accurate and useful data bases and compilations of alternative health knowledge have been written for the health professional. The average person has no idea what many of the terms or words mean as science has its own language generally unknown to those outside the field. Of course this is assuming that the average person knows where to begin looking for this specialized knowledge to begin with.
So how do you treat osteoarthritis?
First examine your diet and your hydration levels; how much water do you drink? A simple equation you can use to establish how much water you should drink is half of your body weight in ounces. For example a 200 lb. person should drink 100 ounces of reverse osmosis water per day, on an empty stomach.
If you are not willing to make this one small change the chances of being successful in treating your arthritis using natural and self administered methods are small.
Over 95% of all arthritis patients are dehydrated and have a poor diet, low in essential fatty acids and high in acidic forming foods. Fundamental changes in hydration and diet can have great consequences, dramatically increasing overall health and reducing many of the arthritic symptoms. The great news is that you can also rebuild your damaged joints and reduce overall inflammation throughout the system with the addition of simple supplements designed to speed repair and normalize function of the body.
These supplements include;
o Glucosamine
o Chondroitin
o Omega 3 oils
o Devils claw
o Hydrolyzed gelatine
o Boswellia
o White willow bark extract and numerous others.
Remember that just using the supplements without making fundamental changes in lifestyle will give short lived effects. In fact, in way you're exchanging one set of pills for another, drugs for herbs/supplements; the good news is that herbs and supplements have no side effects.
by Martin Stone
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