Diet For Smokers and Ex-Smokers

As a dietitian, the three most common questions which smokers ask me about diet and smoking, are: (1) Can a diet compensate for health damage caused by smoking? (2) What should I eat if I smoke? (3) If I quit, what type of diet is best to prevent weight gain?

(1) CAN A DIET COMPENSATE FOR SMOKING?

No diet or eating-plan, no matter how nutritious, can neutralise the health damage caused by the 850+ chemicals in tobacco smoke - many of which are carcinogenic. On average, if you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, you double your risk of a heart-attack and are five times more likely to suffer a stroke than a non-smoker. At 40 cigarettes a day, you are five times more likely to suffer from sudden cardiac death. Smoking is also the leading cause of lung cancer.

Thus before we even start to examine an appropriate type of diet for smokers, my overriding advice is: quit smoking today!

(2) WHAT SHOULD I EAT IF I SMOKE?

For anyone who smokes, daily diet nutrition is critical. The damage doneto the body's cardiovascular and respiratory functions requires a constant need for extra nutrients. Even if you smoke 5 cigarettes a day, you have increased nutritional needs due to your increased risk of hypertension, atherosclerosis, emphysema and numerous cancers. As stated, a healthy diet will not prevent these health conditions, but it may delay their development.

INCREASED NEED FOR ANTIOXIDANTS

Tobacco smoke leads to increased levels of free radicals - cancer-causing agents - in the body and a corresponding need for protective antioxidants that can neutralise them. The main antioxidant vitamins are vitamin C and vitamin E (which works best in combination with the mineral selenium). Phytochemicals such as bioflavonoids and carotenoids (eg. beta-carotene) are also rich in antioxidants.

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR ANTIOXIDANT INTAKE

Use the following suggestions are a guide to minimum dietary requirements.

- Eat 3-5 daily servings of deep green, dark red, orange of yellow vegetables.
- Eat 3-5 daily servings of red, yellow, orange or green fruits.
- Switch from coffee to tea, ideally green tea.
- Each day, take 2 tsp of wheatgerm oil (rich in vitamin E) and 6 Brazil nuts (selenium).

[Note: a serving is approx 1 medium fruit, or 1/2 cup chopped]

SPECIAL NEED FOR INCREASED VITAMIN C

One cigarette is estimated to rob the body of 25mg of vitamin C. Thus all smokers have a greatly increased need for this antioxidant-rich vitamin simply to maintain minimum levels. In practice, this need can only be met by taking supplements. As a general guide, I suggest you take 1 gram of vitamin C supplements per day. Choose a "timed-release" brand that includes a minimum of 100mg bioflavonoids.

BEST DIETARY SOURCES OF VITAMIN C

Fruits, such as: blackcurrants, papaya, guava, cantaloupe, elderberries, kiwi fruit, mango, oranges, strawberries.

Fruit Juices, such as: cranberry, grapefruit, lemon, orange.

Vegetables, such as: red peppers, green peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, tomatoes.

PROTECTIVE CAROTENOIDS

Carotenoids are pigments found in plants. All carotenoids are antioxidants, the most common example being beta-carotene. It is found in green plants (eg. spinach), as well as orange and yellow plants, such as carrots, sweet potato and melons. Clinical trials indicate that when consumed in foods - not supplements - betacarotene reduces certain precancerous symptoms.

[Warning: for reasons which are still unclear, beta-carotene supplements actually increase the risk of disease (eg. lung cancer). Thus your intake of beta-carotene should come exclusively from food.]

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR INTAKE OF CAROTENOIDS

Use the following suggestions are a guide to minimum dietary requirements.

Eat 4 daily servings of deep green, yellow or red vegetables, including: carrots, sweetcorn, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato.

Eat 4oz tomatoes daily, either in sauce or chopped.

Eat 3 daily servings of colored fruit, including: melon, oranges, strawberries, mango, cherries.

PROTECTIVE BRASSICAS

According to research evidence, cigarette smokers who eat more brassicas have less incidence of cancers (eg. breast, colorectal, lung, pancreatic, prostate and stomach). As all these cancers are initiated by free radicals, it follows that brassicas may help to prevent other problems initiated by free radical damage and accelerated by smoking, such as: cataracts, emphysema, asthma and age spots.

Brassicas include: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage (all types), cauliflower, cress, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, radish, swede, turnip, watercress.

GARLIC AND ONIONS

Garlic is a good source of unique antioxidants and contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Its anti-tumor properties are well documented. Onions, a member of the same vegetable family, have similar properties to garlic.

MORE DIETARY TIPS FOR SMOKERS

Reduce the total fat in your diet. At the same time, minimize your intake of saturated fat and trans-fatty acids. Eat regular servings of omega-3-rich oily fish (eg. salmon, mackerel, sardines).

Eat healthy carbohydrates. Avoid refined white flour carbs, choose only whole grains such as, oats, brown rice, wholewheat pasta. In addition, choose foods rich in soluble fiber (eg. apples, oat bran).

Eat healthy low-fat protein such as fish, lean chicken/turkey, or egg-whites. Include small amounts of lean red meat in your diet, along with regular servings of soy foods (eg. soybeans) and other vegetable protein.

Reduce sodium in your daily diet. Check food labels and choose low-sodium or sodium-free foods. Also avoid adding salt when cooking or eating.

TAKE REGULAR CARDIO-AEROBIC EXERCISE

No cigarette smokers diet-plan is complete without regular physical exercise. Working within your fitness capacity, gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to about 30-45 minutes a day, on most days. For best effects on lung capacity and cardiovascular function, choose aerobic exercise such as: brisk walking, jogging, jumping rope, swimming and most sports.

(3) CAN YOU PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN AFTER YOU QUIT?

Yes, if you take proper physical exercise and eat a healthy calorie-controlled diet, you are unlikely to gain weight. However, in my experience, some weight gain seems to be inevitable.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WEIGHT GAIN?

Most smokers gain weight immediately after they quit. Current evidence suggests that the average weight gain for both men and women who quit smoking is about 6-8 pounds. The more you smoke, the higher the risk of weight gain when you quit. This weight gain is due to the decrease in metabolic rate and an increase in appetite experienced when you quit smoking. This weight increase is perfectly normal, and need only be a short term event.

SO WHAT SHOULD I EAT?

There is no single diet which will prevent weight gain once you quit smoking. Your best option is to focus on healthy eating combined with regular vigorous exercise (within your fitness capacity) and let Nature do the rest. As a general guide, follow these suggestions.

First, cut down on caffeine. Nicotine withdrawal makes us jittery and nervous. So it's important to avoid coffee and caffeine-rich soft drinks which may increase this nervous tension.

Second, increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. Studies show that an increased intake of fruit and vegetables can help to minimize weight gain after you quit smoking. Eat them for snacks, add them to meals, eat them as starters and/or desserts. Eat them on car journeys instead of sweets or candy.

Third, eat little and often. Avoid the temptation to linger over your meals. Get into the habit of eating smaller meals at more regular intervals. Aim to eat something, no matter how small, every 2-3 hours. This helps to maintain a regular rate of calorie-burning.

Fourth, take steps to learn more about nutrition and choose nutrient-dense foods whenever possible. (See above for information about antioxidants, and healthy fats, carbs and protein.)

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN?

Make physical exercise a top priority in your daily schedule. Ideally join a gym or fitness center and get into shape. Research evidence demonstrates a clear link between exercise and weight control after you quit smoking. Choose both cardio-aerobic and strength-training exercises, as both play an important role in raising metabolic rate.

Also, make sure you get enough sleep. Research evidence shows that lack of sleep may lead to weight gain, as well as an increased craving for cigarettes and food.

by Linda Smyth B.Sc., RD,

The Great Awakening - Menopause

Menopause is a natural transition all women experience, as natural as adolescence. For your grandmother and great-grandmother, life expectancy was shorter. Reaching menopause often meant that their life was nearing an end. But this is no longer true. Today women are living longer—on average, until age 78. How you experience menopause is determined by many factors: attitude, diet, overall health, genetics, and your cultural group. Medical science views menopause as the state of your body after you had completed one full year without having a period. It is most definitely not a disease! By making wise decisions about your menopause and healthy lifestyle, you can make the most of the 20, 30, or more years afterwards!

Attitude

Many women report that they are glad to no longer have their monthly periods and all of the hormonal or just physical issues that accompanied their periods. They feel a freedom from having to be concerned about pregnancy and birth control. There is a sense of more energy, and a sense of freedom that comes without the biological drive to be mother, helper, and nurturer. Many women turn their attention to those things in life they have put aside. Some start new careers or businesses. Others take up creative pursuits like photography or painting, while others travel to places they have wanted to see. These women have a positive attitude.

Those women who dread menopause, see it as unnatural, or a sign of old age and we all get old don’t we!, have more problems enjoying the transition during perimenopause. They report more symptom issues. Negative attitudes result in negative experiences.

Wake-up Call

Everything is magnified, starting in your perimenopause, then continuing on as you make the transition into menopause. Issues you have not reconciled as a woman will surface for you to deal with. Perhaps long overdue lifestyle changes need to be made. Your body is very smart and it will start to purge any “stuffed” emotions. This means the body does not want to carry these negative thought patterns or habits inside anymore. If you have experienced trauma or hurtful experiences—the ones unresolved--they will come up. You will remember incidents you ignored or just could not deal with at the time. Maybe you did not have a safe space to work on them. This is the opportunity to let them go. If you understand this purge and welcome it, you will experience an easier transition.

Health issues that have been neglected will also wake-up. Be sure you get thorough check-ups and tests during this time, including dental, vision, heart health, as well as hormones. Health issues are serious to me. I have walked the path of being unhealthy and the path of health. I very definitely choose being healthy. We can implement preventative health. Diet, exercise, clean water, stress management, healthy environment, and no synthetic drugs go a long way in creating and keeping a healthy body.

Spiritual Awakening

You may find that the changes you are making lead you to an awakening spiritually. This happens to many women who welcome this growth. Seek out your local church, take classes in meditation, discover new spiritual thought, or a renewed connection with God. You are a spirit with a body. Approaching your spiritual wellness includes making choices that take care of yourself physically and emotionally.

Proactive Steps

Although menopause is one of the important physical milestones in a womans life, many women lack concrete information about what is taking place, and what are the options. It is your right to know your body and be informed. With a proper attitude, diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, and simple lifestyle changes, most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be minimized to a great extent. With this knowledge and preparation you can step forward with grace and embrace it!

To make menopause fun and pleasant:

• Make choices to eliminate/reduce stress.
  
• Create a sanctuary space for yourself where you can meditate, write, draw, or anything that expresses your thoughts and emotions.
  
• Find an exercise you like and stick with it.
  
• Evaluate diet and reduce weight, if you have gained pounds over the years.
  
• Become selfish with your time for yourself. Do more things for you and evaluate care-giving roles.
  
• Get enough rest and sleep.
  
• Develop an outside interest or hobby.
  
• Have joy and fun in your life. If this means making new friends, go do it.
  

You can find out more about progesterone in my eBook, Balancing Your Hormones Without Drugs…You Can Feel Good Again and in the articles posted on this Web site. For a free subscription to the worldwide e-newlsetter, Advanced Health & Wellness visit us at www.oasisadvancedwellness.com and www.oasisserene.com.

If you haven’t gone through menopause yet, you’ll want to have an easy adjustment to your body’s changes. Begin to educate yourself about the symptoms and their causes before, or during, perimenopause--the time when you begin to experience symptoms. Be sure to check out all the articles at our Menopause-PMS-Progesterone Resource Center: www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org and www.oasisserene.com.

by Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP

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Syndrome X - What Is It and Have You Got It

Syndrome X or the X factor as it is sometimes known was first described in 1988 by Professor Gerald Reaven , an endocrinologist at California’s Stanford University after twenty years of study. Since this first identification the understanding of Syndrome X has come a long way.

Before we define Syndrome X we need to clarify the role of insulin in the body. When we eat carbohydrates – which are basically sugars, the glucose levels in our blood start to rise. In response to this,the pancreas gland produces insulin. The insulin takes the glucose and changes it into glycogen, which it stores in the muscles and liver cells for future use as energy. When the muscles and the liver cells are full, the glucose is converted into fat and stored in the fatty tissues.

Syndrome X is caused when the body becomes resistant to insulin and so higher and higher levels of insulin need to be produced to have any effect. So what causes this insulin resistance to happen A diet high in refined carbohydrates such as white flour, white bread, sugar, cakes and biscuits in conjunction with large amounts of trans fatty acids which are used to bulk up processed foods is one of the major causes of Syndrome X. Other causes are excess weight, hormonal imbalance, some genetic factors, lack of exercise and some medications.

When insulin resistance has developed, the ingestion of more refined carbohydrates causes the release of higher and higher levels of insulin. The insulin does not work as effectively as it used to; it is still capable of depositing the glucose as fat, but not so capable of putting glucose into the muscles and liver cells to be used as energy. So more glucose becomes fat and less is used up as energy.

So, how do you know if you have Syndrome X

To have Syndrome X officially diagnosed would require a blood test by your doctor. Among the many things to be tested would be cholesterol levels, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance. Perhaps an easier approach is to consider the following list of symptoms – if you answer yes to three or more it is very likely that you have Syndrome X:

* do you find it impossible to lose weight
* do you find low-fat low-calorie diets don’t work
* are you a yoyo dieter
* are you hungry all the time, even shortly after eating
* do you crave carbohydrates and sugary foods
* do you tend to put on weight around your abdomen
* do you have high blood pressure
* do you suffer with cholesterol problems
* do you have high levels of insulin
* do you have problems with blood sugar levels
* do you have a family history of diabetes

Conservative estimates say one in four, others say two thirds of the Western world has Syndrome X. According to the conservative estimate this would mean 4 million Australians and 60 million Americans are affected.

Long term, insulin resistance causes weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, hypertension, Type II diabetes and even some kinds of cancer.

Is there a way to reverse Syndrome X Yes, there is! First we have to eliminate refined and high GI carbohydrates such as white bread, white flour, white rice, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sugar and other sweeteners. Eat as many of your fruits and vegetables raw and make non-starchy vegetables your main source of carbohydrates. Avoid soft drinks, fruit juices, alcohol and coffee if possible. Avoid processed foods as they contain processed vegetable oils instead use extra-virgin olive oil and flaxseed oil. Do not eat deep fried foods, margarine or ay other foods containing partially hydrogenated oils. Eat good quality sources of protein such as fish, chicken, eggs, organic meat and soya products at every meal and snack. Protein produces a moderate amount of insulin and also maintains blood sugar levels. You should also take a multi vitamin with antioxidants every day. If at all possible an exercise program should be started; walking for 20 to 30 minutes a day and strength training for 30mins a day four times a week enhances your lean body mass and helps burn even more fat.

Perhaps the ultimate source of protein can be found in soya. It is low in fat and high in essential amino acids. In fact half the calories in soya beans comes as protein and the rest of the calories come from desirable complex carbohydrates. Start your day with a soy-based protein shake and have another for lunch and you have already taken in two thirds of your daily protein requirement. Combine that with a third meal of low fat protein e.g. chicken or turkey and low glycaemic vegetables to give the ideal program to lose weight, gain energy, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, reverse Syndrome X and avoid Type II diabetes.

by Kay Blackiston

How To Achieve A Great Hair Style

Having stylish hair isn't simply about switching styles for whatever is 'in' this season. You need to tread the line between high fashion and fashion that suits you. Truly stylish hair is carefully styled to make the best of you. A little bit of knowledge will make your next trip to the stylists a joy.

To get the hairstyle you're looking for, follow a few helpful pointers:

1. Get to know your face. Scrape back your hair and look in a mirror. There are all sort of face shapes but the main variations are called Long, Heart shaped, Square, Oval and Round. Decide which best describes yours.

2. If you have an oval face, show it off! An oval face is generally egg shaped and balanced on top and bottom. This shape is considered ideal, so have fun with it. Any kind of hairstyle flatters this type of face so you can go ahead and explore different styles.

3. Long faces can be made to appear shorter and more in proportion by a shoulder-length cut. Layers that are long or bangs look good with oval faces. However avoid parting your hair down the center since the emphasizes the long face - side partings work best.

4. If you have an Square face then try to soften the angles with a cut that's 'wavy'. Those with broad foreheads and cheeks and with squarer chins look great with a curving style. Layers cut at chin or jawbone height have the affect of neatly framing the square face, taking attention away from the chin. With this kind of facial type stiffly angular styles tend not to work well and should be avoided.

5. Round face (defined as a full face with a small chin, wide cheeks and small cheekbones): elongate a round face with longer hair that extends to below your chin. To add volume and height, get layers on top - layers around the cheeks will narrow your face. With this face type, stay away from bangs and chin-length dos.

6. Heart-shaped face (wide forehead that slopes down to a small chin): Shoulder-length hair, with layers from the chin down, works well with this face. To create a fuller bottom, curl or flip out the layers to balance out the small chin. Or try a chin-length bob for the same effect. Stay away from styles that are too full at the top and wispy on the bottom.

More hints

1. Don't neglect hair texture when thinking through styles. If your hair is thinnish, then long haircuts can lead to a flat look (and they'll be hard work to look after). Instead help your fine hair by giving body and keeping it short. If you have wavy natural hair then think about going with quite sculptural layers. Naturally thick hair is great for layers and they tend to add some texture to the hair.

2. Virtual styling programs are available, so take this as a chance to have a close look a some unexpected hairstyles on your virtual head.

The big days

For special occasions there are many different hairstyles from which to choose, so it's a good time to try something new. Whether it's the prom or a wedding, the following tips should help you make that final decision:

- Sift through the glossy mags for hairstyles that you fancy giving a try

- When you're trying out those styles, don't forget to wear the very dress that you'll also be sporting on that special day

- Sweeping your hair looks amazing with a strapless dress, while gel and hair spray offer a more sophisticated appearance

- A special twist can come from hair glitter

- Get your style sorted at least one week before the special occasion!

by Sally Delfito

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Leukemia 101: What You Need to Know About

Cancer in any form is a deadly disease. But when it affects the most vital components of the body then their fatality increases manifold. One such type of cancer is cancer of the blood, technically known as leukemia. Blood is the most important tissue of the body. It is the connective tissue which carries and supplies oxygen and other vital elements to the remotest parts of the body. The importance of blood can be understood by the fact that it is the most important of all the connective tissues which provide the nutrients and other vital elements to the body.

The most dangerous feature of leukemia is that it is related to the blood which has access to almost all body organs including the all important brain and heart. The incidence of cancerous cells being carried to the different parts of the body increases drastically due to this fact. Another striking aspect of the blood cancer is that it affects the leukocytes or the “white blood corpuscles” of the blood. These are the ones that protect the body from external infections. Thus the immunity of the body is seen to decrease drastically due to leukemia. The main effect of the disease is that the body starts producing infected and abnormal cells that hinder the function of blood i.e. carrying of oxygen.

A patient suffering from leukemia is seen to loose weight due to anemia. This happens because the cancerous cells are unable to carry the hemoglobin properly which is the chief source of iron to the body. And due to that the body looses all vitality. The situation of the patient becomes vulnerable because the brain also starts to dysfunction due to infected blood. Headache, night sweats etc. can be commonly seen to occur as an attachment to this deadly disease.

The people living in areas prone to radioactive waste disposal and activity are most common targets of leukemia. Overexposure to radioactivity causes the cells to mutate and function abnormally. The children who are diagnosed with Down syndrome have a high probability to develop leukemia. Over exposure to Benzene, the industrially important hydrocarbon is also a known cause of blood cancer. The abnormal cells are easily detected under the microscope. Thus the doctor suspicious of such a disease advises the patient for a bone marrow examination. The onset can be detected by the swollen lymph nodes of the body which are commonly found in armpits, around the neck and at the thigh.

Chemotherapy is the most effective but a very painful way of killing the cancerous cells. The patient is subjected to drugs orally. The patient undergoes tremendous pressure as he is injected with lot many chemicals at a time. Another treatment is through the radiation. It is also very treacherous way of getting treated. The patients are seen to loose hair and texture of skin.

Leukemia though very dangerous is still curable and the research in the field is also being done on an extensive basis. Proper treatment at the right time can prevent the reflux of this disease. Methods like bone marrow transplant, which may be required at a later stage, are also effective in treating the patient. Above all to over come with the disease a person needs to be loved and supported by all. Leukemia is fatal disease but life is mightier then it.

by Mansi Aggarwal

Arthritis and Exercise

When you have arthritis, your joints hurt you wake up, but you force yourself to get out of bed and as you keep on moving, the pain lessens. Is your body trying to tell you something when you feel better after you start to move? Many studies have shown that bed rest worsens the pain of arthritis, and a strength training program can help to control it.

Most people with arthritis think they should rest their muscles and joints, but resting is the worst thing you can do. When you move around, the cartilage in your joints acts like a shock absorber. Resting weakens cartilage and increases its likelihood to break. Resting also weakens muscles so they can't control the joints, allowing more wobble of the joints with each movement and increasing cartilage damage.

People with arthritis should exercise, but they should not jog, run or engage in sports that cause your feet to pound on the ground, such as tennis or rope-jumping. When you hit the ground hard with each step, your foot stops suddenly and the force is transmitted up your leg to your knees and hips. This force can break cartilage. Choose an activity with smooth motions such as cycling, swimming or rowing. You can pedal a bicycle because pedaling is done in a smooth rotary motion that does not jar your joints.

People with arthritis should also lift weights because this strengthens muscles to stabilize joints, and helps to strengthen cartilage to protect it from breaking. Ideally, everyone with arthritis should have access to weight machines and be taught how to lift weights with proper form, in sets of ten, two or three times week. The combination of a smooth, continuous exercise and a supervised weight lifting can help protect you from further joint damage and reduce your pain.


by Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

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Zinc good for children with HIV

Zinc supplements are a safe and effective way to reduce illness in children with HIV, US researchers say.

Evidence shows that they cut the chance of diarrhoea and pneumonia without any risk of worsening the HIV infection, according to a report in The Lancet.

Questions had been raised over the use of zinc because HIV thrives on zinc for its structure and to help it penetrate immune cells and reproduce. Zinc also activates the body cells that are targeted by HIV - T lymphocytes.

But the work by Dr William Moss and colleagues at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, in Baltimore, suggests any safety fears are unfounded.

They recruited 96 children, aged between 6 months and five years, from Grey's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and randomly assigned the children to receive zinc supplements or a dummy drug each day for six months.

The zinc supplements did not result in an increase in blood HIV viral load - a measure of HIV severity - but the children receiving zinc did have less diarrhoea.

Read more...

Living With Chronic Low Back Pain

They tell me my diagnosis is pretty common, that millions of Americans suffer with low back pain. I've also heard that next to the common cold, missing work from low back pain is the biggest reason. With these two major known facts, I then wondered why getting the correct treatment for low back pain is so difficult.

After being diagnosed with a herniated disc and bone disc degenerative disease, I was immediately scheduled to see a surgeon. The surgeon suggested I have back surgery. To make a long story short, after a lot of prayer, a lot of thought, and after talking to many people who already have had surgery with my same diagnosis, I chose against surgery.

After deciding against surgery, I found I was immediately cast in a different light, by my doctor, and the medical community in general. I found my pain was then not taken seriously. I felt disbelieved about how much I hurt. I actually felt like a drug addict when asking for something for the pain. It appeared my physician felt back surgery was the end all cure all to my back & leg pain. To the contrary studies have shown, back surgery may actually cause more pain, complications, and even damage that requires more follow up surgery.

Knowing physicians and surgeons are already aware of these statistics, it really makes you wonder why they would put you at such risk. I wish some of these healthcare professionals would just once switch places with me for one day living with chronic low back pain. Im not saying all physicians are practicing like this, but seeking treatment for chronic low back pain in general seems to be an ever loosing search to find someone who truly understands your pain, and willing to help you in treating your pain. God bless those physicians who do.

Copyright 2005 Robert Gould

Treatment Without Medicine

The life of a man has been a constant struggle against the odds of the nature. Psychological and physical diseases are one of them. Time to time man also found various treatments to combat them.

Psychotherapy is considered a modern method of treating emotional and mental problems. In most of the countries most of the people are still unaware of the modern methods of psychotherapy and they rarely go to a psychotherapist for any treatment.

Basic Tool of Psychotherapy

Verbal communications is the basic tool of psychotherapy, and this tool was widely used even by our saints in ancient times. In spite of having scientific reasons their methods were attached to some miracle powers. In psychotherapy a person discusses his problems with an expert. He is also asked certain questions relating to his circumstances, aims, behaviour and the therapist analyses his life-script. He also tries to understand the structure of his child, parent and adult personalities. Then a wise therapist can devise a powerful verbal communication strategy that is able to start a healing process in the conscious and subconscious parts of the mind of a patient.

Teaching a Person to Live Positively

The most important part of the treatment is channelising the mental energies of a person in a positive way. The repression is automatically lifted-up giving boost to the natural rhythm of our mind. We are in tune to the ways of the God. Meditation, exercise, balanced diet, laughter and sometimes doing the things we like can become the essential ingredients of the verbal tonic, which is to be pumped up into the mind of a patient. He is also generally asked to change his life style. All these things strengthen the immune system of a patient leading him to a better health.

Who Can be Treated

Now, what are the problems or ailments that can be treated with the help of a psychotherapist? Surprisingly these are from simple tension and headache to cancer (many cancers and so many other serious diseases often breed in the negative psychology of a person). Sometimes powers of verbal therapy prove mind-boggling, even much more powerful than the testified medicines.

In Western world the research on psychosomatic diseases is not new. It is considered that about 70 percent diseases are related to the negative psychological build-up of a person. Thus we can firmly hope that psychotherapy is the main solution to the innumerable afflictions surrounding human beings on this earth.

Psychotherapy is a form of counselling and it is time-consuming. But it is a good way to uproot a problem, especially emotional or mental. Ironically people have a penchant for colourful tablets and capsules so they generally visit a psychotherapist only when they have tried all other methods.

The method of verbal therapy is also costly, as you have to manage several sittings with a psychotherapist. In addition, you have to take the treatment for a long time and under his guidance.

Wall of Hesitation

Wall of hesitation is another problem that a man generally faces. In the beginning he is unable to open his heart to a psychotherapist which can be a setback in the way to proper healing process. People find it very difficult to let others see the scars of their mind or heart. I think that despite this drawback a rational psychotherapist is mostly able to give a proper treatment (based on his sound judgement). A lot can be understood and exracted from the behavioural pattern or words framing of a patient.

Popularise Psychotherapy

The need of the hour is to popularise psychotherapy and make it cheaper with the help of government and social welfare organisations. It will reduce the number of doctors as well as hospitals. And the world will become a much better place to live.


by Anandrahi
(Prominent Writer, Editor and Teacher of English language)
He has trained thousands of persons to get great jobs, improve personality and achieve goals in business.

Director:
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Skills and Personality Development)
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2. Think Your Way to Wealth and Power
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Email: anandrahi@yahoo.co.in

Can Headaches be Caused by Sitting at a Computer?

Has it ever occurred to you that while you are happily typing away on your computer for hours on end you are actually creating a problem in your neck that can lead to chronic headaches? If you suffer from migraine headaches or tension headaches it may be something you should investigate.

When a person with migraine headaches or tension headaches visits a chiropractor for their pain what does the chiropractor typically do for that patient? The usual treatment for most headache patients is to manipulate, or adjust, the neck. Chiropractors teach us that most headaches come from neck problems, and that by adjusting or manipulating the neck tension and migraine headaches can be relieved or cured.

Over 80% of headache patients that receive chiropractic treatment show improvement that ranges from slight improvement up to complete elimination of their headache pain. If this is the case then it seems logical that the majority of migraine headaches or tension headaches originate from spinal (neck) problems. It also seems logical that if we knew what was causing these neck problems, and eliminated what was causing them, we could also eliminate the headaches, both migraine and tension.

As a chiropractor for 25 years I have treated many patients with migraine headaches and tension headaches. After examining thousands of patients I discovered that as many as 95% who were experiencing headaches had one thing in common, a reversed cervical (neck) curve. From the side view a normal neck should have a slight curve in it. But in my experience as a chiropractor I estimate that approximately 95% of my patients with headaches had either a lessening of that curve, no curve at all, or a curve that was completely reversed. When these “poor neck curvatures” were treated with chiropractic adjustments most showed great improvement.

Chiropractors know that headaches can be caused by “poor neck posture,” so the next question becomes “can sitting at a computer cause poor neck posture?” If the answer is yes, then it’s obvious that sitting at a computer can and does cause headaches.

People usually develop poor neck curvatures because of poor posture habits. Anything a person does that places their head in a position forward to their body will lessen or reverse their normal neck curve. And poor neck curvatures DO cause headaches. Chiropractors have been teaching this for decades.

The types of activities that can lead to poor neck posture include sitting at a computer for extended periods of time, reading with the head bent forward, sitting while slouching in a chair or on a couch, sleeping with the head or neck in odd positions, or any other activity that places the head in a position forward to the body. So, to answer our original question, yes, headaches can be caused by sitting at a computer. Sitting at a computer can cause an abnormal neck curvature to develop which can cause headaches.

Good posture can surely prevent the development of poor neck posture, which would seem to be the best remedy, but what can be done if the lessening or reversal of the neck curve has already been developed? Obviously, chiropractic treatment is an option that could be considered. But there are many other alternative treatments for tension or migraine headaches.

Most people just take a pain pill. But are pain pills the best approach? They surely are in some cases, but there are many other headache treatment options that don’t require the use of potentially harmful drugs. All drugs have side effects, some of which can end up being worse than the headaches themselves. Before treating your health problems with drugs it is wise to seek the advice of a health professional.

There are many natural remedies for migraine headaches or tension headaches. These include stress and tension reduction, ice therapy (used at the base of the skull), eliminating food triggers, getting the proper amount of rest, biofeedback, headache pillows or cushions, exercise and many others. Some of these may help relieve headaches, both migraine and tension, and could be investigated further.

by Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C.

Do I Have A Healthy Prostate Gland?

There was a time in history when there was no awareness of the prostate let alone diagnosis and treatment. Countless numbers of men throughout the ages have suffered and died as a result of this ignorance.

Through the miracles of modern medicine, today prostate disease is well defined and is no longer necessarily considered a death sentence. The most effective methods for handling prostate disease are knowledge and prevention.

In our article here we will help you understand prostate disease, various diagnostic tools and provide recommendations for treatment.

WHAT IS THE PROSTATE?

The first step toward understanding how the prostate affects your health is to learn what the prostate is and how it functions.

It is surprising how little many men know about such an important part of their anatomy. The prostate is an important segment of the male reproductive system. It is a gland that is located in the lower abdominal cavity, just below the bladder, in front of the rectum and behind the pubic bone.

It partially surrounds the urethra. The urethra is the channel that carries urine to the penis from the bladder and it runs right through the prostate. A healthy prostate is about the size of a walnut, weighs approximately 1 ounce and is shaped similar to a donut.

There are “seminal vesicles” that are attached to the prostate. They produce a protein that mixes with prostatic fluid which forms semen. How this works is that tubes from the testicles carry sperm up to the prostate where sperm is mixed with the seminal vesicle and prostatic fluids.

This fluid is ejaculated during orgasm through ejaculatory ducts that connect to the urethra. In addition, the prostate helps to control the flow of urine.

Nearly every man will experience some type of prostate problem during their lifetime. Men who are over forty-five may experience an enlargement of the prostate. While this is not a problem in itself, it is uncomfortable and can be a forerunner to other more serious maladies which we will discuss this further.

SYMPTOMS OF PROSTATE PROBLEMS

Enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostate hypertrophy, or BPH. While this growth is usually considered a nuisance, if a man experiences problems with burning, or difficult urination at any time, the prudent course of action is consulting a urologist.

Other symptoms may be:

• A feeling of having to push out urine.
• A sensation that the bladder is not emptying.
• Increased urinating, especially at night.
• An intermittent starting and stopping of the urinary stream

After a diagnosis of BPH, many men will just continue to live with the symptoms and subsequent discomfort. It is not a life threatening condition, and there are treatments. In some cases surgery might be considered if the enlargement is significant.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

Prostate cancer can occur in any man but there are certain “risk groups.” Younger African American men appear to have twice the risk and fatalities of Caucasians. Sadly, many are diagnosed before they reach the age of 50.

Another risk group is men who have a family history of prostate cancer, placing them in the same group who may contract the disease before the age of 50.

The only method to determine whether you are at risk for prostate cancer is diagnostic testing. The earlier you are screened the higher your chances of survival.

by Christopher Ruane

Meditation for the Beginner and Heart Centered Meditation Experience for All

Meditation is one of the most important gifts that you can give to yourself in starting each and every day. There are many ways to meditate, but they all lead to the same wonderful experience - a peaceful way to start your day - reduction in stress - answers to questions that we may have been pondering - a wonderful connection to yourself and Spirit.

Throughout this article I will attempt to give you some ways to help you focus on meditation if you are a beginner, and if you have meditated before this will just be a gentle reminder to stay on your practice.

When beginning to meditate, find a quiet place or area that you are committed to using when you wish to meditate or go inward. Start by either being on a meditation cushion or being in a comfortable chair that allows you to sit upright, so that your breath can flow easily in and out. Close your eyes, and you may wish to have some gentle music in the background (wordless unless it is some type of a chant). Begin by breathing in thru the nose and consciously focus on your belly being allowed to go out - babies do this automatically, but as we get older we are told to "suck in our gut" and get out of practice of breathing this way. On the outbreath, a gentle release of the breath through the mouth and you may wish to go to different parts of your body and release the stress that is there - consciously. I know for myself, I store my stress in my shoulder and neck area and spend more time going there. Your feet should be flat on the floor if you are sitting, and all you are doing is focusing on the breath - your breath - your life sustaining force, and honoring it by being One with it. Periodically, because you are not use to this silence, your "ego-self" will try to get your attention by letting thoughts fly into your head - like your agenda for the day - just notice it and take another concious breath and refocus on your breathing. Sometimes I will consciously get myself back in my meditation when this happens, by breathing and mentally saying "I am One with Spirit". I usually sit with my hands palm up, welcoming any insights and my connection with my breath. All of a sudden, you will realize that 15 or 20 minutes have gone by and you did not even realize it. It is truly a peaceful, connecting, and calming experience.

I just went to a wonderful workshop in the mountains with my spiritual support group, and we stayed focused on meditating on the 4 aspects of the Heart Center. If one aspect was calling us more than another then we focused on that particular aspect. The 4 aspects of the Heart Center that we focused on are:

1. Compassion - Sometimes it is easier to have more compassion with others than we do with ourselves. Pracice must always begin at home by finding compassion with ourselves. Compassion allows you to develop another state of consciousness and awareness. Compassion gives you clarity.
2. Inate Harmony - Accepting all the parts of yourself just as they are, without judgement - this means owning your shadow material, and trying to observe it as a pattern that we have developed, without judgement. I know it is hard to believe and there is a part of us that only wants to accept what we have determined and judged as "good" without ever owning our disowned parts(i.e.greed, jealousy,judgement). We must accept all our parts, and not deny or judge them - just observe them when they appear, and begin to become conscious of the why.
3. Healing Presence - When you can be open to all the parts of yourself without judging them, a wonderful healing and shift takes place. Try to come from a place of assessment rather than than critical judgement - an example might be "today, I made an unkind statement rather than, I am always unkind!!!"
4. Unconditional Love - Just PURE LOVE - the glue that holds all of us and the Universe together - each person playing their part in the greater unfolding process. Shedding light on even the destrucive parts of ourselves, allows for Divine healing to take place. It is all part of the cycle that makes us - us. Once we can love ourselves and all our parts unconditionally, we are different, and the way we look at things is less emotional. Since we are Pure love, we attract pure love into our lives - when you can hold and be in this space, it is a great way to live.

We lit a candle each day and placed our hands on our hearts and meditated on each of the these aspects of the heart center, and some wonderful healings took place - I was truly blessed for the insights that I received and honored to be in nature with like-mined people. Try meditating on the 4 aspects of the heart and see the difference it makes in your life.

by Fran Buckless

Herbal Formula Effective For Diabetes

Diabetes has afflicted my life physically, emotionally and spiritually for the last sixteen years of my life. My wife of twelve years and daughter has had to live with an abnormal functioning husband and father. As the years went by as a diabetic, it became more and more difficult to control my blood sugar levels. My diet had to consist of a lot of calories because I have a fast metabolism and twenty pounds underweight. The increasing periods of uncontrolled blood sugar interfered with my thought processes at work and especially with my family.

The most detrimental effect of high blood sugar happened when I had to be hospitalized during the birth of my only daughter. My wife was hurt because it appeared that I purposely used the excuse of diabetes to not want to be with her for my daughter’s birth. It seemed I could never get close to anyone because I was living in a world of dysfunctional blood sugar all the time. I woke up in the morning with high blood sugar and grouchy. During the day it was a guessing game to keep my blood sugar at a normal level. I was always just getting by with life and never fully enjoying anything, not even a close relationship with God.

As the years went by, I became desperate and would buy a lot of products to help me try to manage my disease with no results. I could not afford health insurance and Doctor’s visits. This would always get me into trouble with my wife because we would fight about me not trusting God for the answer and wasting money. The people that would sell me products were out to take my money and take up too much of my personal time which took me away from my family.

One late evening after work, I vented my frustrations on a forum for diabetics. A response came back from Dr. Joseph Khoo from Singapore. Dr. Khoo approached me as a brother in Christ and offered me an herbal formula called Combetic on the honor system. I began taking Combetic with Dr. Khoo calling me on the phone everyday to make sure I was safely controlling my blood sugar. Having a new friend caring about me meant more to me than the remedy of my condition. After three days on Combetic, we had results and my hope grew by each passing week. I continued to decrease my insulin and I became an easier husband and father to live with. I could think better and I felt as though a fog had lifted off of me. My wife and I thanked God she had a husband to love. Dr. Khoo needed distributors for Combetic so we agreed to help as a team. Dr. Khoo visited us a few months later and we formed a corporation to market Combetic called Third Day Resources. We are now a growing team to help diabetics get freedom from the imprisonment diabetes causes. Diabetics can now go to: http://www.thirddayresources.com to get informed about diabetes and order Combetic. Dr. Khoo and professional staff offers free consultation in order to provide safe effective advice for every diabetic needing freedom from the “prison” of high blood sugar so they can get back to their lives and their families.

by Robin Roberts

Think Zinc - An Essential Nutrient

Zinc is found in practically every cell in your body. There are about two grams of zinc where it is highly concentrated in the skin, hair, nails, eyes and testes.

Sexually active men need one third more zinc than women. With the exception of breast-feeding women, because the infant will absorb larger amounts of its mother’s zinc supply than normal.

Zinc is a precious mineral. Although our need for this mineral may be small, it plays an enormous part in growth and well-being. This need starts before birth.

It is needed for healthy skin and hair, proper healing of wounds, successful pregnancies and male virility. It also guards against infection and diseases.

Zinc also helps to transport Vitamin A to the retina in the eye. It is a constituent of many enzymes involved in metabolism. There are 156 enzymes that require zinc to be able to function.

Growth and sexual maturity depend on zinc.

What Is An Enzyme?

Enzymes are a protein that helps to break down the nutrients we take into the body through the food we eat; this in turn helps our metabolism.

What Is Metabolism?

Metabolism is the speed that the food we eat is absorbed and used by the body for normal daily living.

How Does Zinc Get Into The Body?

The body cannot manufacture Zinc; it has to be taken into the body by what you eat.

Food Sources are:

Oysters, Red Meat, Beans, Dairy Products, Poultry, Nuts and Whole Grains, Liver and Seeds.

The recommended daily dietary requirements of zinc are 15 mg. Vegetarians may suffer from a zinc deficiency, due to not eating red meat. Most of our intake of zinc is from our eating protein foods.

So a vegetarian should be sure to eat dairy products, beans and lentils. Pumpkin seeds provide one of the most concentrated vegetarian food sources of zinc.

Zinc is lost via the faeces, urine, hair, skin, sweat, semen and also menstruation.

Deficiency can result in weight loss, skin diseases, loss of hair, poor appetite, diarrhoea and frequent infection.

Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may have a zinc deficiency. And heavy drinkers lose a great deal of zinc in their urine.

If you don’t eat enough zinc providing food, you should take Supplementation.

Zinc in Combination

Zinc is usually found in combination with Calcium and Vitamin C.

What Zinc Can Do For You?

It helps to support a healthy Immune System. For example in Wound Healing. Also it helps you to taste and smell.

For normal growth and development during Pregnancy and Childhood Zinc is essential.

Too Much Zinc Can Be Bad For You.

Excess zinc is toxic. In other words it can poison the body. Too much will interfere with the metabolism of other minerals in the body, eg iron and copper.

Symptoms of too much zinc can include nausea, vomiting and fever.

For your good Health ……… Think Zinc.

Copyright 2005 Eva Moffat

Chinese Herbs – Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) to Boost Immune System and Prevent Cancer

The interest of the modern Western world on the wisdom of the ancient eastern Chinese herbal remedy as a complementary or alternative therapy is rising and gaining popularity because of its holistic approach, emphasis on quality of life and prevention of illness by strengthening and restoring the body’s immune system.

Building a strong immune system is essential for the body to recognize and eliminate cancerous cells. Cancer is a disease resulting from uncontrolled defective cell division from damaged genes from any parts of the body. A weaker or impaired immunity will increase your susceptibility to various bacterial and virus infection, allergies, eczema, chronic fatigue, sickness and aging prematurely also.
Modern advanced technology and scientific research have helped to unlock the many preventive and healing secrets in Chinese herbs.

History of Ancient Herbal Remedy

Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) - is a mushroom commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Japanese medicine. In Japan it is called Mannetake meaning ‘thousand year mushroom’.
Its Chinese name is Lingzhi which means “herb of the spirit”. It was a very rare and precious Chinese herb in ancient time and Emperors of the great Chinese dynasties and Japanese royalty drank teas and concoctions of Lingzhi for vitality and long life.

For over 2000 years Reishi mushroom has been the most cherished and sought after medicinal herb in Asia and rated as one of the superior herbs in the "Seng Nong's Herbal Classic", a 2000-year old medicinal Chinese book for:

• its efficacy for multiple diseases
  
• maintaining and restoring balance to the body’s interdependent systems
  
• safety in long-term consumption with no unfavorable side-effects
  
• natural resistance of the body and longevity
  

The dried powder of reishi was popular as a cancer chemotherapy agent in ancient China. Research has shown that reishi clearly demonstrated anticancer activity with cancer cells and has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for an alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer.

Medicinal mushrooms such as Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) and Cordyceps have well been documented in many recent scientific studies to be potent medicine to enhance and support the body’s immune function from certain compounds in them such as polysaccharides which increase the activity of the body’s natural killer cells(lymphocytes) that are vital to eliminate foreign cells(such as cancer cells).

Supporting research reports published in the Journal of Alternative Complement Med. 2003, Journal of Cancer Integrative Medicine 2004, International Journal of Oncology 2004, FASEB 2004 showed that reishi clearly:

• demonstrates anticancer activity in experiments with cancer cells
  
• protects the liver and improves liver functions
  
• has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for an alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer
  

Health Benefits of Reishi(Ganoderma Lucidum):

• supports the body’s own immune system by promoting the activity of antibodies
  
• improves the body's resistance to stress and infections
  
• balances stress response
  
• reduces allergies
  
• promotes healthy liver function
  
• enhances the body’s detoxifying process to reduce accumulated toxins
  
• inhibits invasiveness of breast and prostate cancer cells
  
• supports a normal, restful sleep
  
• enhances vitality and energy
  

Tips to select the Best Reishi

• choose red reishi – it has the highest quality extract and has most scientific evaluations
  
• choose those with cracked spores – which release the medicinal benefits and better absorbed by body
  
• solid wood log cultivation – this determines the potency of the resulting fungus
  
• look for Good Manufacturing Practice(GMP) standards – this ensures the stability of active bio-components harvested
  
• standardization of active constituents – the effectiveness of reishi lies in its polysaccharides and triterpenes contents
  

Many commercial preparations are available, such as extracts, dietary supplement, tinctures, dried fruiting bodies, teas and teabags, tonics and pills.

by Elena Leong

Does Shaving Set A Fire In Your Armpits?

Unless you live in France or some other foreign country, where it's accepted that females aren't shaving their armpits, it's kind of an unspoken rule that once you have hair in your armpits, you need to start shaving it.

At least in western societies, females are considered uncouth or even unkempt/unclean if they're not shaving their armpits.

Just consider the type of negative press any female well known in the media gets if/when it's revealed she's not shaving her armpits. Remember that shot of Julia Roberts with her arm raised exposing a tuft of dark hair? No matter how much we adore Julia - On some level, this tarnished her "clean" image.

You may disagree with this and you may even be justified to take exception to society dictating how you look, but the truth remains that if you aren't shaving your armpits, you're a bit of an outcast.

I don't know about you, but I believe there are much more important issues to deal with, like stopping the use of animals for testing cosmetic products, protecting children from abuse, preventing domestic violence of all types, caring better for our elderly citizens, right down to cleaning up and preserving our planet, to name a few ... That are much more important than whether or not I have to be shaving my armpits.

I have a good friend who often reminds me, "Choose your battles wisely". Which means we all need to decide what issues are really important enough to fight for. Frankly, not shaving my armpits is not one of them.

Politics aside - It remains that shaving our armpits is a "necessary evil", if you will, of living in this privileged society.

So - The issue becomes, what's the best way of removing hair from our armpits?

I haven't heard it recommended that females use a depilatory to remove under arm hair. Probably because the chemicals are too harsh for this sensitive skin and there's a rumor that these chemicals can be easily absorbed in this area.

Nor have I heard about females having their armpit hair waxed. And honestly, I have to plead ignorance as to why not. There are probably a host of females who are having it done, I just haven't come across any information about it in my research.

That brings us back to shaving our armpits.

And while that sounds simple enough, as with most things, there's a catch.

It's called a wet razor. The shaving tool introduced to me when it came my time to start shaving my armpits.

Unfortunately, no one instructed me about the proper ways to start shaving my armpits with a wet razor, so the majority of my life I just suffered the fire under my arms for the first couple of days after shaving.

One thing I don't understand - In my research, I've seen it suggested, repeatedly, that you can use a white stick deodorant to limit skin abrasions after shaving. Yeah right -

It's a well known fact, (and common sense should tell you), and if all else fails - Just read the back of any deodorant ... The last thing you want to do after, "scraping", your skin raw with a razor is apply a strong, chemical based substance.

Hello ...

Instead, just dust your armpits with a talc free powder, or maybe a little cornstarch. Both of these work great on a baby's bottom to prevent diaper rashes, so you know they'll work to put out the fire of shaving your armpits.

Better yet - You could do some research and find out about newer, safer shaving tools to help you stop setting a fire when shaving your armpits.

I haven't had a fire from shaving my armpits for years. And let me tell you - What a relief.

by Kathy Hammond

Facial Hair Removal - Removing Unwanted Hair by Threading

1. What is Threading?

Threading is an ancient method of hair removal still used in many countries in the Middle East as well as India and Pakistan. Called khite in Arabic and fatlah in Egyptian, it's a less common method in the West for removing hair at the root. Traditionally, threading is used on the entire face, including upper lip, chin, eyebrows, sideburns and cheeks. Hair Threading can be done either at home or at many salons. Threading is a great solution for removing fine hair like the hair that grows above the lip. It's more effective than shaving, or bleaching, but it can be as painful as waxing depending upon how sensitive your skin is and how thick your hair grows.

The procedure is called Threading because you use normal sewing thread to remove the hair below the root. Honestly, it's quicker and easier to have it done at the salon but if you're into home remedies, here's what you need to know.

2. How does Threading work?

In general, cotton thread is twisted and rolled along the surface of the skin entwining the hair in the thread which is then lifted out from the follicle.

Start with about 2 feet of strong sewing thread. Take one end of the thread in each hand and knot them together so you end up with a continuous circle. Holding the thread with both hands, wind the thread 10 times until it resembles a bow tie. The wound portion should be in the middle. Next, slide the wound portion towards one of your hands by spreading the fingers of the other hand while closing the fingers of the other. Practice moving the wound area back and forth by alternating the fingers that you spread and close. Once you reach the point that you can easily maneuver the wound area back and forth, you are ready to proceed.

Because you have more area to work with, practice the procedure on leg hairs until you get the hang of it. Sit down on a chair and prop one leg up so it's at a comfortable height. Select the hair that you want to target. Place the wound side of the thread on one side of the hair and then lay the thread from the opposite end around both sides of the hair. Now, do the finger stretching and closing routine to quickly move the wound area to the other side of the thread. This will capture the hair and pull it from the root. Repeat the process until you have treated the entire area.

3. General Tips and Information

It sounds confusing. That's why it's recommended that you have it done at the salon the first time. Pay attention to how it's all done, and then try it at home. Threading is relatively inexpensive. Just think of paying to have it done as tuition because once you learn, you can continue to do it at home. Depending upon how quickly your hair grows back, you may only have to thread once per month. There are no real dangerous side effects to threading although, if you are especially sensitive to pain, you might find the process uncomfortable. The up side is once you learn how to perform the threading procedure, you can do it quickly and as frequently as you need to.

Threading is inexpensive, fast and neat. It's considered less painful than plucking and it's Good for eyebrows and facial hair. Like plucking, results can last up to four weeks.

Copyright 2005
by Chileshe Mwape

Urinary Tract Infections and Living With Menopause

You think to yourself,"I am now on medication, safe from another Urinary Tract Infection." Wrong!

Urinary Tract Infections:

At age fifty seven,a pattern began for me. A Urinary Tract Infection every two or three months over a period of a year. I was constantly taking an antibiodic. My family doctor never suggested a visit to a specialist.

By now my imagination was working overtime. I had heard all the horror stories from friends and relatives. Urinary Tract Infections can be dangerous if not treated properly. I made an appointment with a wonderful woman Urologist. She put me instantly at ease. After an extensive examination, she relieved my anxiety. No surgery was required, I was happy to hear.

Menopause:

The doctor explained to me that Urinary Tract Infections were common in women who are menopausal. She explained the reasons listed below:

(a) Bad bacteria get trapped in the stomach and colon.
(b) Dry vaginas are common in women. Sex could be painful.

This is the advice the doctor gave me listed below:

(1) Drink at least one 8 oz. glass of Cranberry Juice daily.
(2) Eat one 8 oz. container of yogurt with live cultures daily.
(3) Take vitamin C daily 500-1000 mgs.
(4) Use lubrication for the vagina when needed.
(5) Drink plenty of water daily.

You do not need to experience hot flashes, cold sweats, or mood swings to know you are in menopause. Every woman should visit a Urologist. Urinary Tract infections can be complicated and serious. I was lucky. My Urinary Tract Infections are gone. I hope for good. I have made the items listed above a part of my daily regiment.

by Linda Meckler
Linda was born in Pennsylvania and migrated to California with her family. She would like to see children reading. Her first book was published by Infinity Publishing. "Ghost Kids Trilogy." Three books in one. Adventure/Mystery. For children ages 8-12. The house is over 100 years old. (Book 1)Ghost Kids-Two real children Christy, 12 and her brother Brad, 16 team up with two Ghost Kids. The Ghost Kids want to be reunited with their parents.(Book 2)Blue Vase Mystery- Uncle Charlie the villian of the book is placed in a magical Blue Vase.Uncle Charlie wants out of the vase in exchange he will tell where where Pirates' Treasure is hidden in their house. (Book 3)Take an exciting trip hunting for Pirates' Treasure in the house.Order at http://www.buybooksontheweb.com. The ISBN 0-7414-2273-5. site http://members.cox.net/ghostkids.

Intuitive Eating: An 'Anti-Diet' That Works

Stop hating your body, stop counting calories and stop using food for purposes other than to satisfy hunger, and you'll be healthier and slimmer. That, in a nutshell, is the argument in favor of "intuitive eating," or letting your body tell you when, what and how much to eat.

"The basic premise of intuitive eating is, rather than manipulate what we eat in terms of prescribed diets -- how many calories a food has, how many grams of fat, specific food combinations or anything like that -- we should take internal cues, try to recognize what our body wants and then regulate how much we eat based on hunger and satiety," says professor of health science Steven Hawks, lead researcher of an intuitive-eating study at Brigham Young University.

The findings are reported in the American Journal of Health Education.

Hawks, who adopted an intuitive-eating lifestyle himself several years ago and lost 50 pounds as a result, says that "normal" dieting in the United States doesn't result in long-term weight loss and contributes to food anxiety and unhealthy eating practices, and can even lead to eating disorders.

All Diets Work Against Human Biology

Hawks and colleagues Hala Madanat, Jaylyn Hawks and Ashley Harris identified a handful of college students who were naturally intuitive eaters and compared them with other students who were not. Participants then were tested to evaluate their health.

As measured by the Intuitive Eating Scale, developed by Hawks and others to measure the degree to which a person is an intuitive eater, the researchers found that intuitive eating correlated significantly with lower body mass index (BMI), lower triglyceride levels, higher levels of high density lipoproteins and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Approximately one-third of the variance in body mass index was accounted for by intuitive eating scores, while 17 to 19 percent of the variance in blood lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk was accounted for by intuitive eating.

"The findings provide support for intuitive eating as a positive approach to healthy weight management," says Hawks, who plans to do a large-scale study of intuitive eating across several cultures.

"In less developed countries in Asia, people are primarily intuitive eaters," notes Hawks.

"They haven't been conditioned to artificially structure their relationship with food like we have in the United States. They’ve been conditioned to believe that the purpose of food is to enjoy, to nurture. You eat when you're hungry, you stop when you're not hungry any more. They have a much healthier relationship with food, far fewer eating disorders, and interestingly, far less obesity," he points out.

"What makes intuitive eating different from a diet, is that all diets work against human biology, whereas intuitive eating teaches people to work with their own biology, to work with their bodies, to understand their bodies," Hawks explains.

"Rather than a prescriptive diet, it's really about increasing awareness and understanding of your body. It's a nurturing approach to nutrition, health and fitness as opposed to a regulated, coercive, restrictive approach. That's why diets fail, and that's why intuitive eating has a better chance of being successful in the long term," he maintains.

Two Attitudes, Two Behaviors

To become an intuitive eater, a person has to adopt two attitudes and two behaviors. The first attitude is body acceptance.

"It’s an extremely difficult attitude adjustment for many people to make, but they have to come to a conscious decision that personal worth is not a function of body size," says Hawks. "Rather than having an adversarial relationship with my body, where I have to control it, and force it to submit to my will so that I can make it thin, I'm going to value my body because it allows me to accomplish some higher good with my life."

The second attitude is that dieting is harmful.

"Dieting does not lead to the results that people think it will lead to, and so I try to help people foster an anti-dieting attitude," says Hawks. "You have to say to yourself, 'I will not base my food intake on diet plans, food-based rules, good and bad foods, all of that kind of thing.' For people who are deep into dietary restraint and dietary rules, again, that's a very difficult attitude adjustment to make, to give up all those rules."

The first behavior is learning how to not eat for emotional, environmental or social reasons.

"Socially we eat all the time in our culture. We go out to eat ice cream if we break up with our boyfriend, we eat to celebrate, we eat when we're lonely, we eat when we're sad, we eat when we're stressed out," says Hawks. "Being able to recognize all the emotional, environmental and cultural relationships we have with food and finding better ways to manage our emotions is part of the process."

The second behavior is learning how to interpret body signals, cravings and hunger, and how to respond in a healthy, positive, nurturing way.

Learning the body's signals can be difficult at first, but Hawks suggests thinking about hunger and satiety on a 10-point scale, where "10" is eating until one is sick and "1" is starving.

Intuitive eaters keep themselves at or around a "5." If they feel they are getting hungry, they eat until they are back at a "5" or "6." They stop eating when they're satisfied, even if that means leaving food on the plate.

No Food Is Taboo

One part of intuitive eating that may be counterintuitive to people conditioned to restrictive dieting is the concept that with intuitive eating there is a place for every food. In other words, there is no food that's ever taboo. There's no food you can't ever have.

"Part of adopting an anti-dieting attitude is the recognition that you have unconditional permission to eat any kind of food that you want," says Hawks. "And that's scary for people who say, 'If I abandon my diet rules, then I'll fill a pillowcase full of M&M's, dive into it and never come up again. That's what I crave, I know that's what I crave, that's all I will always crave.' But that’s not the reality. The reality is that our bodies crave good nutrition."

It is dieting that creates psychological and physiological urges to binge on taboo foods. While people may experience some binges when they first start eating intuitively, they eventually will learn to trust themselves and that behavior will disappear, Hawks maintains.

One technique he suggests is having an abundance of previously taboo foods on hand. Once the foods are no longer forbidden, a person quickly loses interest in them.

"If people are committed to recognizing what their bodies really want, the vast majority of people will say that they very quickly overcame cravings," Hawks says, opening an office desk drawer filled with untouched junk food. "It certainly has worked for me."

Copyright 2005 Daily News Central
by Rita Jenkins

3 Miracles of Yoga and Meditation

For those of you still considering the advantages of yoga and meditation, let me share with you the incredible results I have experienced since sticking to a yoga and meditation regime of 3 times for 40 minutes each week.

1. Digestion - Acid Reflux. I realize I am not alone in experiencing the painful effects of poor digestion, sometimes termed acid reflux. I used to keep Tums and Rolaids antacids in business popping 6-8 just to get through a typical night. This was my reality ever since I can remember - even as a teennager. In fact, this condition ran in my family - so I was resigned to never finding a treatment, let alone a cure.

I am amazed to say that after 4-months of consistent yoga and meditation, my condition is virtually disappeared. I have not taken a single antacid in weeks, have slept better than ever and no longer have to be as careful about my diet.

Sure - if I go overboard, drink or eat too much, then some symptoms reappear, but not near as bad as in the past.

If you live with this condition, then you realize that this sounds like a miracle, and in fact, I look at it that way. This certainly convinced me of the power of yoga and meditation.

2. Feeling of Control Again. One of our biggest negative stressors is when we lose control of a situation or our life. The fast pace of today's society, focus on material things, race to compete with peers and constant media exposure to bad news all lead to a feeling of losing control.

Beyond stress, losing control in one's life can lead to all kinds of negatives including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, violence and more...

For me, the main advantage of yoga and meditation is that it re- empowers you - given you control of yourself. By focusing on yourself, you no longer rely on the need to control your environment, but instead, allowing you to control your own reaction to that environment.

Not only is this incredibly empowering, but is also the ticket to true happiness, great relationships and clear thinking in your life. Yoga and meditation, by calming the mind and giving you back control, lead to a peacefullness letting you deal with the most intense life experiences.

3. Living On Purpose. The two factors outlined above result in a lifestyle that sees us letting life happen to us, instead of allowing us to experience and accomplish what we want.

Until we accomplish true calming of the mind, we do not have the state of mind or body to take control of life and really do with it what we want. How many of you have thought about things you really wanted to experience or do and ended up saying "If only..." or "I just don't have the energy..." or "Maybe later...".

These are all excuses we use to rationalize our inability to step up to a life we really and truly desire.

Through yoga and meditation, we can prepare ourselves better for getting the most out of our lives and can finally stop having to justify why we simply can't.

by Jeff Smith

Creatine: The Natural Bulk Muscle Builder

Creatine is a natural substance found in the body, therefore, is not classified as a drug. It is legal to use in the US and most other countries as it is considered a food supplement. Many athletes who want to remain legal and yet gain muscle bulk and energy, use creatine instead of steroids.

Creatine is made up of three different amino acids - Arginine, Glycine and Methionine. These are produced in the kidneys and pancreas. The liver takes these three and combines them into creatine. A person can also utilize more creatine by adding certain foods to their diet such as fish and beef. However, one could never eat enough of these alone to make a noticeable difference in the body.

Creatine is used by most athletes today because it does basically three things. First of all, it pulls fluid into the muscles, thus hydrating the muscles. The more you workout, the more you sweat, the more dehydrated your muscles become. Simply put, creatine keeps the muscles wet and working. Secondly, creatine enhances actual muscle growth, making muscle fibers bigger and stronger. Thirdly, creatine helps reserve and increase muscle energy by regenerating the muscles' ultimate energy source, ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The result is that you can workout longer, with greater energy output and quicker reflexes.

In double blind placebo studies, creatine has been proven to increase energy levels, resulting in increased strength, endurance levels, and recovery rates. Another benefit of creatine was discovered as well: creatine accelerates fat loss, while building lean body mass! Muscle mass can be significantly increased in as little as two weeks.

Strenuous athletic workouts dehydrate the body, tire the muscles and quickly deplete energy levels. Creatine overcomes all of these hindrances to fitness and bodybuilding by keep the muscles hydrated, building muscle size and giving that extra energy needed for a longer workout or a demanding athletic event. The result is a longer more energetic workout resulting in a bigger, stronger body with greater stamina and endurance. Now you know why athletes use this on a regular basis.

At this time, clinical studies have not revealed any side effects of using a creatine supplement. The muscles naturally contain 3.5 to 4 grams of creatine per kilogram of muscle. The muscles can hold up to 5 grams of creatine. Thus, you can increase your available creatine 25 - 30% by taking an additive. By taking 5 grams of creatine daily you are giving your body the maximum amount it can store and actually utilize. Any more than this will be excreted as waste.

Most supplement companies recommend a procedure called loading where you take in about 20 - 30 grams per day for the first week of so. This is supposed to saturate your muscles with creatine. Although this may allow you to see results a little more quickly, it is not absolutely necessary. Another good idea is to cycle the creatine, that is, to take the creatine for a month and then quit for a week and repeat. The theory behind this is that if you are taking in sufficient amounts of creatine, then the body might decide to quit making it naturally. This is a good idea to implement with all supplements as your body can either quit making the natural product or become immune to its effects. Since creatine has not really been on the market long enough to know it long use effect, it is better to stay on the safe side.

by Johann Erickson

Weight Loss Surgery: What Are The Options?

To understand how surgical procedures aid the grossly overweight person to reduce their body fat, it helps to first understand the digestive process that is responsible for handling the food we take in.

Once food is chewed and swallowed, it’s on its way through the digestive tract, where enzymes and digestive juices will break it down and allow our systems to absorb the nutrients and calories. In the stomach, which can hold up to three pints of material, the breakdown continues with the help of strong acids. From there it moves into the duodenum, and the digestive process speeds up through the addition of bile and pancreatic juices. It’s here, that our body absorbs the majority of iron and calcium in the foods we eat. The final part of the digestive process takes place in the 20 feet of small intestine, the jejunum and the ileum, where calorie and nutrient absorption is completed, and any unused particles of food are then shunted into the large intestine for elimination.

Weight loss procedures involve bypassing, or in some way circumventing the full digestive process. They range from simple reduction of the amount you can eat, to major bypasses in the digestive tract. To qualify for many of these surgeries, a person must be termed “morbidly obese”, that is, weighing at least 100 lbs. over the appropriate weight for their height and general body structure.

Gastric Bypass

In the mid 1960s, Dr. Edward E. Mason discovered that women who had undergone partial stomach removal as the result of peptic ulcers, failed to gain weight afterwards. From this observation, grew the trial use of stapling across the top of the stomach, to reduce its actual capacity to about three tablespoons. The stomach filled quickly, and eventually emptied into the lower portion, completing the digestive process in the normal way. Over the years, the surgery evolved into what is now known as the Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass. Instead of partitioning the stomach, it is divided and separated from the rest, with staples. The small intestine is then cut at approximately 18” below the stomach, and attached to the “new”, small stomach. Smaller meals are then eaten, and the digested food moves directly into the lower part of the bowel. As weight loss surgeries are viewed overall, this is considered one of the safest, offering long-term management of obesity.

Gastric Banding

A procedure that produces basically the same results as the stomach stapling/bypass, and is also classed as a “restrictive” surgery. The first operations, involved a non-flexing band placed around the upper part of the stomach, below the esophagus, creating an hourglass shaped stomach, the upper portion being reduced to the same 3-6 ounce capacity. As technologies advanced, the band became more flexible, incorporating an inflatable balloon, which when triggered by a reservoir placed in the abdomen, was capable of inflating to cut down the size of the stoma, or deflating to enlarge it. Laparoscopic surgery means smaller scars, and less invasion of the digestive tract.

Biliopancreatic Diversion

A combination of the gastric bypass, and Roux-en-y re-structuring, that bypasses a significant section of the small intestine, thereby creating the probability of malabsorption. The stomach is reduced in size, and an extended Roux-en-y anastomosis is attached to the smaller stomach, and lower down on the small intestine than is normal. This permits the patient to eat larger amounts, but still achieve weight loss through malabsorption. Professor Nicola Scopinaro, University of Genoa, Italy, developed the technique, and last year published the first long-term results. They showed an average 72% loss of excess body weight, maintained over 18 years, the best long-term results of any bariatric surgical procedure, to date. BPD patients require lifelong follow-ups to monitor calcium and vitamin intake. The advantages of being able to eat more and still lose weight, are countered by loose or foul smelling stools, flatus, stomal ulcers, and possible protein malnutrition.

Jejuno-Ileal Bypass

One of the first weight loss procedures for the grossly obese, was developed in the 1960s, a strictly malabsorptive method of reducing weight, and preventing gain. The jejuno-ileal bypass reduced the lower digestive tract to a mere 18” of small intestine, from the natural 20 feet, a critical difference when it came to absorption of calories and nutrients. In the end-to-end method, the upper intestine was severed below the stomach, and re-attached to the small intestine much lower down, which had also been severed, thereby “cutting out”, the majority of the intestine. Malabsorption of carbohydrate, protein, lipids, minerals and vitamins, led to a variation, the end-to-side bypass, which took the end of the upper portion, and attached it to the side of the lower portion, without severing at that point. Reflux of bowel contents into the non-functioning upper portion of small bowel, resulted in more absorption of essential nutrients, but also less weight loss, and increased weight gain, post-surgery. As a result of the bypass, fatty acids are dumped in the colon, producing an irritation that causes water and electrolytes to flood the bowel, ending in chronic diarrhea. The bile salt pool necessary to keeping cholesterol in solution is reduced by malabsorption and loss through stool. As a consequence, cholesterol concentration in the gall bladder rises, increasing the risk of stones. Multiple vitamin losses are a major concern, and may result in bone thinning, pain and fractures. Approximately one third of patients experience an adjustment in the size and thickness of the remaining active small intestine, which increases the absorption of nutrients, and balances out the weight loss. However, over the long term, all patients undergoing this bypass are susceptible to hepatic cirrhosis. In the early 1980s, one study showed that approximately 20% of those who had undergone JIB, required conversion to another bypass alternative. The procedure has since been largely abandoned, as having too many risk factors.

While surgical methods of reducing weight are valuable to the morbidly obese, they are not without risks. Patients may require more bed rest post-surgery, resulting in an increased chance of blood clots. Pain may also cause reduced depth of breathing, and complications such as pneumonia.

Before undergoing any fat/weight reduction surgery, a severely overweight person needs to thoroughly understand the benefits and risks, and must make a commitment to their future health. Having a smaller stomach is not going to stop the chronic sugar-snacker, from “grazing” on high calorie sweets. Nor does a steady supply of pop, concentrated sweet juices and milk shakes, reduce the calorie intake. With some bypass surgeries, certain foods can aggravate side-effects that need not be that severe, if common sense diets are adhered to. Surgery can be a “shortcut” to weight loss, but it can also reduce your enjoyment of life, if you are unable to adhere to the regimens that go with it.

by Anthony Ellis

Why Are Most Human Hair Wigs Made Of Asian Hair?

At first sight the answer seems very obvious – they are cheaper. And of course that is true. But in fact Eastern European hair is not that much more expensive – the amount necessary to make a good wig is about 30-50 USD in Poland or Czech Republic. That is not a fortune if you are going to spend a few hundred dollars on a wig. So what is the catch?

The problem is on the supply side. There are over 2 billion people in Asia and only 200 million in Eastern Europe. Most of people in Eastern Europe have no need to sell their hair for economic reasons. Moreover, I don’t have to emphasize how rare it is in rich Western European countries to sell one’s hair. That is what makes European hair rare and explains why local wig-makers purchase only the amount necessary for their own production. Outside of Eastern Europe, due to its rarity, the price of the best European hair (so called “raw virgin hair”) is skyrocketing.

Hence 99% of human hair wigs are made of Asian hair. This hair is marked by such trade names as “human hair” or “remy hair”. If the producer or a sales person does not state directly that the hair is exclusively European, you can be 100% sure that you are dealing with Asian hair.

Asian hair is by nature very dark (black), very straight and thicker than European hair. Subject to a complicated process of a pigmentation removal, the hair looses its natural shine and resilience. Before it finally gets to you it will be dyed several times using synthetic chemical products, which no one would use to dye their own hair. Such a hair has a tendency to show a ting of a dark or red color. This is why it has to be dyed several times and go through a bleaching process. That way any color can be obtained, but hair structure gets damaged during the process. It is not pleasant to the touch anymore and even after as little as twenty weeks it will loose its shine and become dull.

Another issue concerns the manner in which the hair is obtained. It is not planned from the start with the thought of creating wigs. Hair is cut in random hair salons. Part of the hair also comes from ritual ceremonies of cutting of the hair as a sign of entering into adulthood. Such hair in the fervor of the ceremony falls to the floor and is gathered from there and placed in a great pile. In the process the hair is turned against and opposite to each of its strands and not layered in the same direction. Although it may not seem so at first, this does change the fundamental significance in the quality of your wig.

Every strand of hair has a coarse cuticle, which clings to the cuticle of the neighboring hair if they are layered in the opposite direction. In effect hair is twisting and intertwining into a hair clump so difficult to comb out. The only method for solving this problem is to completely remove the natural cuticle, which is then replaced with a silicon one that gives the hair its shine. It is a brutal and destructive process – such a wig will maintain its sheen no longer than for a period of 4 to 12 weeks. After that time hair becomes dull and unattractive.

The best Asian hair comes from India and Pakistan. In reality, it is not much better than hair described above. The advantage is that this hair is less stiff and may have a natural tendency to from slight waves. For that reason, many producers claim that it has the same qualities as European hair, which is not true.

If only there were more Eastern Europeans, life of wig-makers and their clients would be simpler, heh?

by Franek Migaszewski

No Time For Exercise? Try This!

“Fitness” is an elusive term covering a vast array of attributes: flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, strength, power, balance, coordination, body-fat percentage and more. While its generally accepted that multiple 30-60 minute sessions per week are optimal for producing results, the truth is that it’s possible to do a great amount in far less time.

EVERYONE has five minutes a day…the only question is, can anything really useful be done in just 300 seconds?

The answer is a resounding “yes”, but we need choose our exercises carefully. If there is such a limited amount of time, the best choice is to pick the most important muscle group. Chest? Back? Shoulders? Legs? All wrong. The abdominals are the most important muscles in the body. In no particular order, they:

1) Protect the low back.

2) Are vital to sports performance, transferring power from the lower to upper body.

3) Aid digestion, and massage the internal organs.

4) Are important for proper, healthy sexual function.

5) Are “the window of health”—we judge fitness and health more rapidly with a glimpse at the waistline than any other single indication.

6) Are vital for posture, which increases physical energy and mood.

7) Are the linchpin of your entire fitness program. You’ve never seen someone with toned abdominal muscles and flabby arms and legs, have you? The reverse is not true.

8) Are the most important muscle group for physical attractiveness in men or women. No matter the wonderful definition of arms or legs, if your gut is sagging, you have a problem!

There are other reasons, but one of the best is the fact that of all body parts, the abs tend to be the least favorite body part to work. They’re hard! That reason alone should be enough to motivate you: anything other people don’t like working is a golden opportunity for you!

But how can you do anything useful in just five minutes? One daily approach is to perform five minutes of the toughest ab exercises you can find, and a fantastic tool for this is a “Roller Wheel” available for five dollars at any sporting goods store. Not the fancy ones, just the simple get-on-your-knees variety. Try this: perform one rep, and take a breath. Then do two reps, and take two breaths. Then three, and take three breaths…and so on until you can’t go any higher. Then, drop back to one rep, and start climbing again. When that gets easy, take one breath for every two reps.

An even better method is to break up your exercise into multiple daily sessions. The roller wheel is useful here as well, but you might want to investigate some of the powerful “Vacuum” exercises from yoga, or the dynamic-tension style “stomach flattening” exercises. In these, you exhale all air, and flex the abdominal muscles for several seconds. Believe me, if you do these properly, even without aerobic exercise your waistline will decrease!

While there is no serious disagreement that longer sessions produce better, and more balanced results, the busiest man or woman on earth can find five minutes a day…and sometimes, that toehold is what it takes to get you started on a new, healthier lifestyle.

by Steven barnes