The Physical Dangers of Stress

Following is a list and explanations of the physical damage stress can cause to all our different body parts.

The Brain
Stress begins in the brain, with a surge of hormones causing intense alertness. In this hyped state, we cannot relax or sleep. But our minds cannot function at this extreme level for prolonged periods: Eventually the hormone surges and exhaustion cause tension headaches, irritability, aggression, inability to concentrate and memory loss. Unchecked stress can also trigger depression, which strikes twice as many women as men. Stress suppresses the hypothalamus, the emotion control center in our brains, curbing the production of the hormones that energize us and make us feel well.

The Ears
The surging hormones induced by stress improve our hearing to help us react to danger. But better hearing can actually be bad for the body: A Cornell University study concluded that even moderate noise elevates heart damaging stress hormones. Studies have also shown that a lot of small noisy stressors added together -- honking horns, ringing telephones and loud co-workers -- can be more dangerous to the body than one major stressful event.

The Lungs
One of the first things we do when we feel stressed is hyperventilate. It is part of the body's fight-or-flight response -- in case we are in danger and need the extra oxygen in our bloodstream to run for cover. Those quick breaths can cause dizziness and sharp pains in the diaphragm. Sever stress can aggravate asthma and other dangerous respiratory conditions.

The Eyes
The adrenaline rush from stress dilates the eyes, improving vision. But it also triggers eye ticks because eye muscles become fatigued. Eyes may bulge if stress over-stimulates the thyroid gland.

The Mouth
Dry mouth, bad breath and difficulty swallowing occur when stress makes us take short, shallow breaths. Under constant stress, some people clench their jaws or grind their teeth.

The Hair
Considered a barometer of inner health, hair is often the first to suffer. A body under stress burns nutrients like the vitamin selenium, and that can lead to dull hair and premature graying. Chronic stress can trigger the autoimmune system to attack hair follicles, causing hair to fall out completely or in clumps.

The Heart
A heart under stress pumps fast and hard. Blood pressure rises as the body produces the hormone epinephrine as well as the hormone cortisol. That can lead to heart palpitations and chest pains. In those with heart disease, stress can prevent blood from clotting properly and stimulate the formation of plaque that plugs arteries. Researchers say that even thinking about something stressful raises blood pressure. A Swedish study concluded that stressful romantic relationships were more damaging to a person's heart than work-related stress: Those in troubled marriages were three times more likely to be hospitalized for heart problems.

Immune System
Did you ever get sick after a stressful event? Extreme and constant stress lowers our white blood cell count, making us more susceptible to disease and hampering our body's ability to heal itself. One study showed that the pneumonia vaccine was less effective in people under constant stress. Meanwhile, researchers are studying the link between stress and autoimmune disorders like Graves disease, in which antibodies attack the thyroid, eye muscles and skin.

Joints, Muscles and Bones
At tense moments, our brain sends messages to the muscles, tightening them and preparing them for action. Chronic stress can aggravate rheumatoid arthritis, cause sore muscles and make us prone to sprains.

Skin
Stress causes hormones to be released that make acne, rashes and itchy patches worse. Some people blush, while others go pale when the small blood cells in the skin contract. Under extreme stress, people can become covered in hives. Any skin problem will get worse when you are under stress.

Digestive System
Under stress, the brain shifts blood flow away from the digestive tract, which slows digestion. The result: indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, incontinence and colon spasm. Stress increases acid production, aggravating ulcers. It is also linked to colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, a painful and sometimes debilitating disorder.

Tips from stress experts:
Exercise. Just 40 to 60 minutes three times a week triggers hormones that relax the body and boost the immune system. Try yoga -- many doctors are so sure it relieves stress they send patients with high blood pressure to classes.

Watch your diet. Stress elevates blood insulin levels, so you will be hungry. Avoid sweets, which will only raise insulin levels higher and make you hungrier. Eat food high in protein during the day to keep you satisfied and alert. Fruits and vegetables will help counter stress effects on skin and hair, while dairy products protect bones.

Chill out. Allot three hours on the weekend for chores, then go have fun. Massage,meditation and breathing exercises relieve tension. Take up crossword puzzles, or play card games to distract you from stress while stimulating you mentally.

Resources on Stress:
The American Institute of Stress -- Dedicated to Advancing Our Understanding of Stress in many facets of our lives.

Health Education: Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Drug Use -- The Medical Basis of Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Sleep Problems and Drug Use.

Ten Exercise Myths

Although some old fitness fictions, such as "no pain, no gain" and "spot reducing" are fading fast, plenty of popular exercise misconceptions still exist. Here are some of the most common myths as well as the not-so-common facts based on current exercise research.

1. You Will Burn More Fat If You Exercise Longer at a Lower Intensity.
The most important focus in exercise and fat weight control is not the percentage of exercise energy coming from fat but the total energy cost, or how many calories are burned during the activity. The faster you walk, step or run, for example, the more calories you use per minute. However, high-intensity exercise is difficult to sustain if you are just beginning or returning to exercise, so you may not exercise very long at this level. It is safer, and more practical, to start out at a lower intensity and work your way up gradually.

2. If You Are Not Going to Work Out Hard and Often, Exercise Is a Waste of Time.
This kind of thinking keeps a lot of people from maintaining or even starting an exercise program. Research continues to show that any exercise is better than none. For example, regular walking or gardening for as little as an hour a week has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.

3. Yoga Is a Completely Gentle and Safe Exercise.
Yoga is an excellent form of exercise, but some styles are quite rigorous and demanding both physically and mentally. As with any form of exercise, qualified, careful instruction is necessary for a safe, effective workout.

4. If You Exercise Long and Hard Enough, You Will Always Get the Results You Want.
In reality, genetics plays an important role in how people respond to exercise. Studies have shown a wide variation in how different exercisers respond to the same training program. Your development of strength, speed and endurance may be very different from that of other people you know.

5. Exercise Is One Sure Way to Lose All the Weight You Desire.
As with all responses to exercise, weight gain or loss is impacted by many factors, including dietary intake and genetics. All individuals will not lose the same amount of weight on the same exercise program. It is possible to be active and overweight. However, although exercise alone cannot guarantee your ideal weight, regular physical activity is one of the most important factors for successful long-term weight management.

6. If You Want to Lose Weight, Stay Away from Strength Training Because You Will Bulk Up.
Most exercise experts believe that cardiovascular exercise and strength training are both valuable for maintaining a healthy weight. Strenght training helps maintain muscle mass and decrease body fat percentage.

7. Water Fitness Programs Are Primarily for Older People or Exercisers With Injuries.
Recent research has shown that water fitness programs can be highly challenging and effective for both improving fitness and losing weight. Even top athletes integrate water fitness workouts into their training programs.

8. The Health and Fitness Benefits of Mind-Body Exercise Like Tai Chi and Yoga Are Questionable.
In fact, research showing the benefits of these exercises continues to grow. Tai chi, for example, has been shown to help treat low-back pain and fibromyalgia. Improved flexibility, balance, coordination, posture, strength and stress management are just some of the potential results of mind-body exercise such as yoga.

9. Overweight People Are Unlikely to Benefit Much From Exercise.
Studies show that obese people who participate in regular exercise programs have a lower risk of all-cause mortality than sedentary individuals, regardless of weight. Both men and women of all sizes and fitness levels can improve their health with modest increases in activity.

10. Home Workouts Are Fine, But Going to a Gym Is the Best Way to Get Fit.
Research has shown that some people find it easier to stick to a home-based fitness program. In spite of all the hype on trendy exercise programs and facilities, the "best" program for you is the one you will participate in consistently.

What is Skin Cancer?

Each year there are thousands of individuals who die from skin cancer. Skin cancer is mostly developed after a long period of overexposure to the sun or tanning beds. If skin cancer is detected in enough time it is possible for the cancer to be treated. This is often difficult because a large number of skin cancer victims do not display any symptoms or even develop skin cancer until years after their initial overexposure took place.

Skin cancer comes in many different forms. It is common for skin cancer to be basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma cancer. Each form of cancer is dangerous and potentially deadly; however, melanoma is the deadliest. Squamous and basal cell cancers are the most common, but melanoma cancer spreads more quickly. When the caner cells spread it effects the body and many important organs.

Skin cancer may not present a lot of warning signs or symptoms; however, individuals who have been tanning in the past or were constantly outdoors are encouraged to keep an eye on their body. The best way to notice signs of all forms of cancer is to look for new body moles and monitor old ones. It is not uncommon for cancer to develop into a new mole or one that is already on the skin. Everyone should always be on the lookout for new moles that develop, ones that bleed, are tender when touched, swollen, or itchy.

Although it is possible for skin cancer to be hereditary it is mostly developed from tanning or a large amount of sun exposure. There are a number of ways that an individual can decrease their chances on contracting skin cancer. When going outside at all, even on a cloudy day, individuals are encouraged to wear sunscreen. Sunscreen should regularly be applied to individuals who will be outdoors for thirty minutes or more. Protective clothing is also another great way to help prevent an individual from developing skin cancer. Clothing should cover the majority of the body. Wide brimmed hats are a great way to protect the head, the back of the neck, eyes, ears, and the nose.

Individuals who notice an odd looking mole on their body are encouraged to visit their doctor or a local dermatologist to have it examined. Each years millions of Americans wonder if their high school tanning spree may now impact their health. When in doubt speak with a healthcare provider because they are likely to give you the answers that you are looking for.

Black tea may relieve stress

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world (the most popular is water). It is made by steeping processed leaves, buds or twigs of the tea bush Camellia sinensis in hot water for a few minutes. The processing can include oxidation (fermentation), heating, drying and the addition of other herbs, flowers, spices and fruits.

There are four types of true tea: black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and white tea. The term herbal tea usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs such as rosehip tea, chamomile tea and Jiaogulan leaves.Tea is a natural source of caffeine, theophylline, and antioxidants, but it has almost no fat, carbohydrates, or protein. It has a cooling, slightly bitter and astringent taste.

Black tea is the most common form of tea in southern Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan etc) and in the last century many African countries including Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The literal translation of the Chinese word is red tea, which may be used by some tea-lovers. The Chinese call it red tea because the actual tea liquid is red. Westerners call it black tea because the tea leaves used to brew it are usually black.

Most recently researchers found that regular cups of tea can help speed recovery from stress, researchers from University College London (UCL).

Men who drank black tea four times a day for six weeks were found to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than a control group who drank a fake tea substitute, the researchers said in a study published in the journal Psychopharmacology.

The tea drinkers also reported a greater feeling of relaxation after performing tasks designed to raise stress levels.

Andrew Steptoe, of UCL's department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and one of the report's authors, said the findings could have important health implications.

"Slow recovery following acute stress has been associated with a greater risk of chronic illness such as coronary heart disease".

"Although it does not appear to reduce the actual levels of stress we experience, tea does seem to have a greater effect in bringing stress hormone levels back to normal".

In the study, 75 tea-drinking men were split into two groups, all giving up their normal tea, coffee and caffeinated drinks.

Half were given a fruit-flavored caffeinated tea mixture made up of the usual constituents of a cup of black tea.

The others were given a caffeinated substitute, identical in taste but without the active tea ingredients.

Neither the participants or the researchers knew who was drinking real or false tea.

At the end of six weeks the participants were given a series of tests designed to raise their stress levels, including being given five minutes to prepare and deliver a presentation.

The researchers found that stress levels, blood pressure and heart rate rose similar amounts in both groups.

But 50 minutes after the tasks cortisol levels had fallen an average of 47 percent among the tea drinkers, compared to 27 percent in the fake tea group.

Steptoe said it was not known which ingredients in tea were responsible for the effects found in the study.

Black teas should be added at the boiling point (100 °C or 212 °F), except for more delicate teas, where lower temperatures are recommended. This will have as large an effect on the final flavour as the type of tea used. The most common fault when making black tea is to use water at too low a temperature. Since boiling point drops with altitude, this makes it difficult to brew black tea properly in mountainous areas.

It is also recommended that the teapot be warmed before preparing tea, easily done by adding a small amount of boiling water to the pot, swirling briefly, before discarding. Black tea should not be allowed to steep for less than 30 seconds or more than about five minutes (a process known as brewing or [dialectally] mashing in the UK).

After that, tannin is released, which counteracts the stimulating effect of the theophylline and caffeine and makes the tea bitter (at this point it is referred to as being stewed in the UK). Therefore, for a "wake-up" tea, one should not let the tea steep for more than 2- 3minutes. When the tea has brewed long enough to suit the tastes of the drinker, it should be strained while serving.

Get more calcium containing food and vitamin D especially after the age 30

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the U.S. government's National Institutes of Health, developed the DASH plan to reduce blood pressure, finding that blood pressure went down after only two weeks of being on the diet. Since the initial studies, researchers have found the DASH plan may offer other health benefits, too, such as protection against osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease and diabetes.The DASH plan is especially effective in reducing blood pressure in blacks and older adults. In addition, if adopted early, the DASH plan can prevent hypertension. The DASH plan is especially effective in reducing blood pressure in blacks and older adults. In addition, if adopted early, the DASH plan can prevent hypertension.

The DASH eating plan is rich in grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. It also includes fish, poultry and legumes. Red meat, sweets and fats are included in smaller amounts. This variety means the DASH plan is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, total fat, and sodium while rich in protein, fiber and healthy nutrients, particularly magnesium, potassium and calcium.

Calcium is an important component of a healthy diet. A deficit can affect bone and tooth formation, while overretention can cause kidney stones. Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium.Calcium is one of the most important minerals for the growth, maintenance, and reproduction of the human body. Calcium is essential for the formation of and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones.It is also important for blood clotting.

The bones incorporate calcium into their structure. The teeth and bones contain the majority of the body's calcium (about 99%). Like other tissues in the body, bones are continuously being reabsorbed and re-formed. Teeth incorporate calcium in their structure in a manner similar to bones.Calcium is essential for the normal growth and maintenance of bones and teeth, and calcium requirements must be met throughout life. Long-term calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, in which the bone deteriorates and there is an increased risk of fractures. Calcium has also been found to assist in the production of lymphatic fluids.

Calcium has other functions in addition to maintaining healthy teeth and bones. Blood coagulation, transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and relaxation, normal heartbeat, stimulation of hormone secretion, activation of enzyme reactions, and other functions all require small amounts of calcium.

In the life of a human bone, it's all downhill after 30.That's the typical cut-off point for bone-building, so experts say it's crucial that younger people take in enough calcium and another nutrient, vitamin D, to maximize the skeleton's potential. After age 30, those same two nutrients are key to slowing the gradual bone loss that comes with age.

Calcium isn't just important to bones, though.

"It's also important to help prevent colon cancer and for good muscle contraction, including heart muscle," said Katharine Tallmadge, a Washington, D.C., dietitian and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "It might even be important for lowering blood pressure and helping to burn off fat."

In fact, calcium is so important to so many aspects of health that "if we don't get enough in our diet, our body pulls it from the bones," Tallmadge said. "It's a critical mineral."

The most important thing about milk is that it's one of the few sources of vitamin D and calcium for children," he notes. "Putting vitamin D fortification into milk has reduced the incidence of rickets in a lot of children, however, for kids who don't drink much milk, rickets is a real threat."Most women 19 and older - including those who are pregnant - don't often get the daily 1,000 mg of calcium that's recommended. Because your growing baby's calcium demands are high, you should increase your calcium consumption to prevent a loss of calcium from your own bones. Your doctor will also likely prescribe prenatal vitamins for you, which may contain some extra calcium.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommended daily allowance of calcium amounts to about 1,000 milligrams a day for adults ages 19 to 50 years of age and 1,200 milligrams a day for adults over 50. While many people turn to supplements for their calcium, Tallmadge said food is always a better bet.

"I encourage people to get three high-dairy foods per day, each containing about a third of the daily requirement" she said. "That could be a cup of milk, fortified soy milk, fortified orange juice, a cup of yogurt, one-and-a-half ounces of hard cheese." Lactose-intolerant individuals should still be able to consume skim or lactate-free varieties of milk, or they can turn to fortified non-dairy products.

There are also calcium-laden food sources besides dairy products -- such as grains and vegetables -- but it's tougher for the body to get enough of the nutrient from these foods, Tallmadge said.

Bone-building doesn't rely just on calcium, however.

"The really other important factor here is vitamin D -- it's just as important, if not more important, than calcium," Tallmadge said. Without this nutrient, the body's intestines simply cannot absorb dietary calcium.

There's one big hitch, though: Vitamin D isn't found naturally in most foods. Instead, human skin uses ultraviolet sunlight to manufacture the body's own supply of this nutrient.

That was a great system in prehistoric days, when humans spent most of their lives outside and poorly clad. But it's not so ideal today.

"People aren't out so much anymore and when they do go out, they cover themselves with sunscreen," Tallmadge said. "So, we are experiencing a rash of vitamin D deficiencies -- rickets -- in children. That causes a softening of bones that can lead to bow-legs."

The problem is more pronounced in black children because natural pigments in darker skin block out much of the sun's rays. The problem has gotten so bad, Tallmadge said, that "the U.S. National Academy of Sciences is now working on a new report on vitamin D, and I believe that, unofficially, we're going to double the daily requirement from 400 units to 800 or even 1,000 units per day."

Spending more time outside -- at least a half hour or an hour at midday -- is one way of boosting vitamin D levels. Foods and supplements can also help, according to Tallmadge. "In a cup of milk, you usually get 100 units, and in a multivitamin, you might get 300 or 400 units," she said. Makers of multivitamins are now formulating higher-dose supplements based on the expected change in daily requirements, she added.

The bottom line is that everyone needs to get adequate daily amounts of both of these "partners in health," calcium and vitamin D, beginning in childhood and continuing throughout the life span.

"After your 30s, that will really help to prevent bone loss," Tallmadge said. "And remember, those losses start to really accelerate after your 50s."

Skin Care For Men

Although most of the men do not like to take care of their skin, but it is recommended that at least they should follow some basic steps to make their skin healthy. Skin cell behavior would change automatically with the age. The skin gets thinner, sebaceous glands grow less active, number of blood vessels decreases and skin becomes more fragile. These are the symptoms of skin aging. In order to keep their skin healthy for long time, men should take precautions of their skin health time to time.

Cleansing, moisturizing and toning these 3 steps they should follow everyday like a routine. Pollution, bacteria etc. are mainly responsible for causing blackheads and blemishes. Lines and wrinkles on the face which leads to premature aging happen mainly due to of pollution. So making clean your face is a very necessary step. Generally most men use soap for cleaning their faces. But as most of the soaps contain such ingredients which are not very much friendly to our skin, so it can make skin dry. High alkaline soaps can also alter the pH balance of the skin. So it is recommended to use a cleanser instead of using soap. As men are more exposed to environment, so there is a chance of debris and pollutant factors to their skin’s health. To make skin clear and firm, toning is very necessary. After shaving men should use a moisturizing cream which is non irritant. Fair and Handsome of Emami is a cream for men which moisturizes skin even after shaving. It also enhances skin’s natural tone. UV rays of sun are very harmful for our skin. So men should also avoid sun as much as possible to protect their skin from serious damages.

Besides applying moisturizer, cleanser they should also eat healthy foods containing Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Drinking plenty of water is also very important to clean the system. It is also recommended to avoid excessive smoking, drinking alcohol and stress and fatigue as they can damage the skin leads to premature aging.

Growth hormone (GH) / somatotropin promotes growth only during childhood and adolescence not for elderly people

Your body makes growth hormone to help fuel growth in your childhood and to help maintain your tissues and organs throughout your life. Growth hormone is produced in your pituitary gland — a pea-sized structure at the base of your brain. As you age, your body slowly reduces the amount of growth hormone it produces. The level of growth hormone in your body begins to drop in your 40s.

Growth hormone deficiency results from a disruption in the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland (a gland at the base of the brain) or a disruption in other hormones from the hypothalamus (a part of the brain) that signal GH release.Growth hormone (GH or somatotropin) is a polypeptide hormone synthesised and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland which stimulates growth and cell reproduction in humans and other vertebrate animals.

Studies of healthy older adults taking growth hormone are limited. Many involve a small number of people followed for a short period of time. The studies that have been conducted have found that growth hormone injections can increase muscle mass and reduce the amount of body fat in healthy older adults.

That increase in muscle doesn't translate into increased strength. Though the study participants gained muscle, they weren't any stronger. One study compared older men who took growth hormone with older men who went through strength training programs. The bottom line: strength training can increase both your muscle mass and your strength, making it cheaper and more effective than taking growth hormone.

The findings from a new study suggest that growth hormone is not a useful therapy for "setting back the clock" in elderly individuals. The beneficial changes in body composition that the hormone produces are small and side effects are common.

Growth hormone is widely used as anti-aging treatment, even though the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for this purpose, the researchers report in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Secreted by the pituitary gland, growth hormone promotes growth during childhood and adolescence. It acts on the liver and other tissues to stimulate insulin-like growth factor, which leads to its effects. However, blood levels of circulating insulin-like growth factor tend to decrease as people age or become obese.

Several studies have shown that growth hormone treatment can improve body composition, bone density, cholesterol levels, and may even stave off death in growth-hormone deficient individuals. The safety and effectiveness in healthy individuals seeking an anti-aging solution, however, is unclear.

Some evidence shows that side effects of growth hormone may be more likely in people over the age of 60 than in younger adults. Also, because the studies of healthy adults taking growth hormone have been short term, it isn't clear whether these side effects could eventually dissipate or become worse. For instance, though growth hormone produced arthritis-like symptoms, it isn't clear if this would progress into arthritis.

Dr. Hau Liu, from Stanford University in California, and colleagues examined the risks and benefits of hormone therapy in elderly individuals by analyzing data from relevant studies identified through a search of MEDLINE and EMBASE. Data from 31 studies with a total of 220 participants were included in the analysis.

The average patient age at the start of the study was 69 years and the most of the subjects were overweight but not obese. The average initial growth hormone dose was 14 micrograms per kilogram per day, and the average treatment duration was 27 weeks.

Although statistically significant, the drop in overall fat mass and the increase in lean body mass were small, -2.1 kg and 2.1 kg, respectively. The net effect of these changes, as expected, was that body weight did not change significantly.

Growth hormone therapy led to a decrease in total cholesterol levels, but the reduction was not statistically significant after accounting for body composition changes. Growth hormone had no apparent effect on bone density or fat levels in the blood plasma.

As noted, the side effects were common with growth hormone therapy and included swelling, joint pain, gynecomastia, (breast development in men), and carpal tunnel syndrome (painful compression of the median nerve that extends from the forearm into the wrist.) In addition, growth hormone therapy may have slightly increased the risk of diabetes.

"Although growth hormone has been widely publicized as an anti-aging therapy and initial studies suggest that it might be clinically beneficial and safe in the healthy elderly, we find little evidence to support these claims," the authors state. "On the basis of available evidence, growth hormone cannot be recommended for use among the healthy elderly."

Diet Tricks

Anyone that is trying to lose weight is always looking for the quickest and easiest ways to accomplish this task. Unfortunately, there is no fool proof way to lose way in an extremely short amount of time. Losing weight requires consistent good eating and plenty of exercise. Although there are no magic cures for being overweight, there are a few diet tricks that can help speed up the weight loss process.

The first diet trick that actually works is drinking water. This does not mean that should only drink a couple of cups of water each day. If you are serious about losing weight, you need to drink between one and two gallons of water each day, depending on your size. This may seem excessive, but it is actually one of the easiest ways to shed a few extra pounds. When your body is not getting enough water, it holds onto whatever it can. Unfortunately, it stores this water reserve on the top of your stomach, making you appear pudgy or bloated. However, if you drink a large volume of water each day, your body will release this extra water reserve and you will lose some noticeable pounds from your waist.

In addition to drinking a lot of water, it is also beneficial to eat four to six small meals a day instead of three large meals. Although this seems strange, the key is eating significantly less at each small meal than you would a standard meal. By eating nutritious meals throughout the day, you will suppress any hunger pains or cravings and avoid any possible bingeing.

In the world of dieting, there are no easy ways to lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time. However, by being consistent and following the tips above, you will be losing a noticeable amount of weight in no time!

Herbal Remedies for Dry Skin

Nature has remedies for almost everything, and dry skin is no exception. Although there are now some excellent factory produced creams, lotions, moisturisers and other products for dry skin, there are also some excellent natural herbal remedies for dry skin which you may wish to try.

Skin typically becomes dry to a lack of moisture. The idea of good skin is to give it all it needs, from eating a healthy diet to provide the skin with its own much needed nutrients, to taking other measures to keep the skin moist and help it retain its moisture and grow more healthy.

Some of the best tried and tested herbal remedies for dry skin include:

Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is a plant which is native to the Mediterranean region and the sap extracted from its leaves is used for a wide variety of applications. One such application is skincare. Aloe Vera makes for an excellent healing and moisturising lotion which helps skin to rejuvenate and shed dry, dead skin. Add a few drops to you're regular night moisturiser and see what you think.

Tea Tree Oil: Tea Tree Oil is extracted from the New Zealand or Australian Tea Tree, and is an excellent deep penetrating skincare agent. It helps to moisturise dry skin very well indeed and has strong anti fungal properties, which help to stave off infections. Tea Tree Oil is a particularly good treatment for athlete's foot fungal infections, and dry skin on the feet.

Lavender Oil: Lavender oil is a great moisturiser for dry skin, add half a dozen drops to bathwater and swish around.

Camomile Tea: Drinking camomile tea can help rejuvenate dry skin.

Dry Skin

Dry Skin Remedies

Everybody has experienced dry skin from time to time, and it can be both unsightly and irritating to say the least. Lack of skin care knowledge is more often than not the cause of dry skin. There are many things we can do which will prevent the weather taking its toll on our skin, preventing our skin drying and to promote healthy skin growth.

Some of the most popular dry skin remedies are:

Milk baths: Adding around 250-300g of Powdered Milk as well as a tsp of your favourite scented oil (if you wish) to your bathwater and mixing thoroughly can leave your skin feeling much smoother and more nourished. This should be done once a week.
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera helps eradicate dead skin and moisturises deeply. Apply to the areas affected by drying once a day.
Dietary remedies: Consuming foods which contain good amounts of sulphur such as eggs, garlic and onions is good for the skin. As is taking Vitamin A, B and C supplements. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will also help the skin stay moisturised.

As well as what we don't do, dry skin can often be the result of what we are doing. Explained below are the best ways to care for your skin:

Damaging or excessive washing practices can make your skin very dry. Using some soaps and hot water along with a flannel or loafer can be one of the most detrimental washing practices, as the hot water and soap make the skins oils soluble, and a flannel or loafer then wipe them off completely. Washing should only be done when absolutely necessary, once a day at the most, with a good soap used and with lukewarm water, avoiding use of a loafer or flannel. Upon drying, pat yourself dry, don't wipe.
Moisturise regularly, particularly after bathing / shaving.

Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes is a potentially life threatening disorder which an ever increasing number of people throughout the world suffer from. It is estimated on a global scale, there are roughly 170,000,000 sufferers, with figures set to double just two decades from now. Already there are an astonishing 3 million diabetes-related fatalities every year, many of which could have been prevented.

The basic reason for such increases in diabetes is foremost a lack of awareness. In an age where stress is part and parcel of many peoples every day lives, there come other aspects such as fatigue and anxiety, which are two classic symptoms. People generally expect to feel this way just from the effects of living, but what they may be experiencing in fact are symptoms of diabetes. In fact, stress can also be a factor in triggering diabetes.

Another hugely substantial aspect of rising diabetes cases is obesity. Obesity generally means too much unhealthy food is been consumed and too little exercise is taken. For people in this situation, having too much glucose can turn them insulin resistant, therefore glucose has nowhere to escape because it cannot be used as energy therefore it stays in the blood.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and was once known as ‘Adult Diabetes'. Adult Diabetes used to be called such because it was generally adults whom developed it. In today's modern world where people take less exercise and continue to eat unhealthy, cases of childhood obesity have risen enormously. Therefore many severely obese children now develop ‘Adult Diabetes', and for this reason, it became renamed Type 2 Diabetes.

Diabetes is quite literally becoming an epidemic, and in the case of Type 2 diabetes where unhealthy living is one of the main causes, it could easily be prevented.

Ways to Reduce Blood Pressure Naturally

Do You know someone who suffers from high blood pressure? Maybe You? Then this is good news!

Are you aware that there are simple and inexpensive waysto control blood pressure with food and supplements youalready have in your kitchen?

Intelligent health conscious people like You can naturallyunderstand these strategies to help maintain lowerblood pressure levels.

Because when you understand and follow through withthese steps, you will feel more energy and enjoy thebenefits of lower blood pressure.

In my 10 years of studying nutrition and over 5 years ofhelping others solve their health problems, I have foundthat the experts agree that these steps are some of the mosteffective in lowering blood pressure naturally.

1.CoQ10 supplements – CoEnzyme Q10 or CoQ10For short is a powerful anti-oxidant which is in everycell in your body. Your body uses CoQ10 to deriveEnergy.

In a double-blind placebo controlled study published inThe Journal of Human Hypertension, The group whichtook CoQ10 for just 8 weeks showed a significant reductionof blood pressure.

Also in a University of Texas study, people taking oralCoQ10 after just one month experienced significant lowering of blood pressure and 51% of participants wereable to discontinue blood pressure medication.

As a side note, blood pressure medication prevents the body from not only manufacturing its own CoQ10,but also your body’s ability to absorb CoQ10.recommended dose: 100-200 mg gel caps each day tohelp lower blood pressure.

2.Vitamins, Herbs and Anti-oxidants

The following are Doctor recommended daily amounts.

Vitamin C - 1000 mg
Garlic - 2 cloves
Hawthorn berry - 500 mg
Omega 3 fatty acid fish oil Gel caps - 1000 mg
Vitamin B6 in a natural multivitamin
Magnesium - 500 mg
Astragalus root 500mg

3. Food Sources:

In a Greek study that examined the effects of the Mediterranean diet on 20,000 people proved that oliveOil, Fruits and Vegetables were significantly associatedwith lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Celery - 4 sticks a day, relaxes the smoothmuscles in the blood vessels.

Fresh cold water fish which is high in Omega-3 fattyAcids.

Salt - let’s understand the real reason why salt is importantto your blood pressure.

We’ve all heard that you need to cut down on sodium in your diet, although this is not bad advice, it misses the point. High sodiumintake alone does not increase blood pressure, it is an excess ofsodium to potassium ratio.

The ideal ratio is five times as much potassium as sodium in Your diet.
You’ll get the best results by eating three servings.
A day of potassium rich foods such as:

Bananas – 1 large
Avocados – 1 cup
Beans – ½ cup
Squash – 1 cup
Tomatoes – ½ cup

Low levels of magnesium can also contribute to highBlood pressure, so here are some Magnesium rich foods:

Almonds – 1/3 cup
Tofu – ½ cup
Cashews – 1 cup
Raisin bran – 1/3 cup

And finally lets talk about what level of blood pressure is considered high. Right now the threshold pushed by mainstream medicine is 115/75 – 120/80 which WAS consideredborderline LOW just 5 years ago.

This is because the standard for “high” blood pressure, just likethe standard for cholesterol is repeatedly lowered to put morepeople on medication.
Your individual risk factors and age play a big role in determining what is a good blood pressure level for YOU.

So don’t just accept a one size fits all number when it comesto your blood pressure. Ask questions and discuss your health with a nutritionally educated Doctor to find what isbest for you.

So what about YOU? Are You going to let the silent killerSneak up on you? Or are You going to take action that willmake this highly unlikely?

When You safe-guard Yourself with these proven techniqueswhich You can easily incorporate into your life, then Youwill reap the healthy benefits.

Used in combination these natural, safe and proven techniqueswork wonders to keep your blood pressure down and allow you to experience a higher level of health withoutthe unwanted side effects.

So take action now and get started today to do one thingfrom each of the three points above. Each day incorporatethe food and supplements listed and You are well on Yourway to lower blood pressure. These are proven, safeand inexpensive steps so You can enjoy the benefits now.

Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea Now

Green tea has increasingly become a very popular drink worldwide because of its immensely powerful health benefits. It is extraordinarily amazing what green tea can do for your health. And if you're not drinking 3 to 4 cups of green tea today, you're definitely NOT doing your health a big favor.


Here Are The 25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea Right Now:


1. Green Tea and Cancer


Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E. This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed to be linked to cancer.


2. Green Tea and Heart Disease


Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack, it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.


3. Green Tea and Anti-Aging


Green tea contains antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals. What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.


4. Green Tea and Weight Loss


Green tea helps with your body weight loss. Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism rate naturally. It can help you burn up to 70 calories in just one day. That translates to 7 pounds in one year.


5. Green Tea and Skin


Antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause wrinkling and skin aging. Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.


6. Green Tea and Arthritis


Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.


7. Green Tea and Bones

The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea. It helps keep your bones strong. If you drink green tea every day, this will help you preserve your bone density.


8. Green Tea and Cholesterol


Green tea can help lower cholesterol level. It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, by reducing bad cholesterol level.


9. Green Tea and Obesity


Green tea prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells. If you are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly and drink green tea, it is unlikely you'll be obese.

10. Green Tea and Diabetes


Green tea improves lipid and glucose metabolisms, prevents sharp increases in blood sugar level, and balances your metabolism rate.


11. Green Tea and Alzheimer's


Green tea helps boost your memory. And although there's no cure for Alzheimer's, it helps slow the process of reduced acetylcholine in the brain, which leads to Alzheimer's.


12. Green Tea and Parkinson's


Antioxidants in green tea helps prevent against cell damage in the brain, which could cause Parkinson's. People drinking green tea also are less likely to progress with Parkinson's.


13. Green Tea and Liver Disease


Green tea helps prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure. Researches showed that green tea destroys harmful free radicals in fatty livers.


14. Green Tea and High Blood Pressure

Green tea helps prevent high blood pressure. Drinking green tea helps keep your blood pressure down by repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure.

15. Green Tea and Food Poisoning

Catechin found in green tea can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning and kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.

16. Green Tea and Blood Sugar


Blood sugar tends to increase with age, but polyphenols and polysaccharides in green tea help lower your blood sugar level.


17. Green Tea and Immunity


Polyphenols and flavenoids found in green tea help boost your immune system, making your health stronger in fighting against infections.

18. Green Tea and Cold and Flu

Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu. Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.

19. Green Tea and Asthma

Theophylline in green tea relaxes the muscles which support the bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma.

20. Green Tea and Ear Infection

Green tea helps with ear infection problem. For natural ear cleaning, soak a cutton ball in green tea and clean the infected ear.

21. Green Tea and Herpes

Green tea increases the effectiveness of topical interferon treatment of herpes. First green tea compress is applied, and then let the skin dry before the interferon treatment.

22. Green Tea and Tooth Decay

Green tea destroys bacteria and viruses that cause many dental diseases. It also slows the growth of bacteria which leads to bad breath.

23. Green Tea and Stress

L-theanine, which is a kind of amino acids in green tea, can help relieve stress and anxiety.

24. Green Tea and Allergies

EGCG found in green tea relieves allergies. So, if you have allergies, you should really consider drinking green tea.

25. Green Tea and HIV

Scientists in Japan have found that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) in green tea can stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells. What this means is that green tea can help stop the HIV virus from spreading.

How's that for only some of the health benefits that green tea has to offer you? Almost miraculous, I'd say.

Now, your health is in your hands. You know you're smart. So, start drinking three to four cups of green tea every day for a drug-free and healthier YOU!

Tips to weight loss

Weight Loss Tip Stretch your meals out. Don't eat too fast. Your stomach, mouth and brain are all connected and it takes twenty minutes of chewing before your stomach signals your brain that you are full. To feel full and successfully lose weight on any weight loss program, you need to eat slowly for twenty minutes or longer. Weight Loss Tip Drinking eight glasses of water a day is important to your health, your normal diet and will help lose weight. Water is necessary for the metabolism of your stored fat. Weight loss cannot occur without an active metabolism which requires large quantities of water.
Weight Loss Tip The more positive your self-esteem, the better you feel about yourself, the faster and easier it will be for you to lose weight. When you are self-confident, you are better able to take charge of your life.
Weight Loss Tip If you go on a fat free or low fat diet, you also cut out much of the taste of the foods you eat. Add the flavor back with herbs and spices. Strong flavors such as vinegar, garlic, chili powder, cayenne, curry powder, rosemary and tarragon can be used to doctor up any food you are eating.
Weight Loss Tip Increase your metabolism by as much as forty percent by using hot and spicey foods. Research has been done that shows spicey foods can increase your metabolism. For double duty, give up fat filled mayonnaise for mustard and add hot peppers to your food for greater flavor and increased metabolism.
Weight Loss Tip Negative emotions will also interfere with your weight loss program. It's difficult to stay motivated to lose weight when you feel bad. Overeating often accompanies negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, fear, guilt and anger. Try to keep a positive attitude throughout your life.
Weight Loss Tip To lose weight faster, reduce your intake of caffeine. Caffeine leads to an increase of insulin in your body which retards the burning of your stored fat.This is a simple chemical reaction in your body that you can change. Reduce your caffeine intake by 50% and see what happens.
Weight Loss Tip Incease your intake of fiber rich foods. They will help fill you up faster and will help all the food you eat pass through your digestive system more easily. Weight Loss Tip Exercise is probably the most important key to increasing your metabolism and burning off excess fat. Research shows that you burn more stored fat for energy when you do aerobic exercises on an empty stomach than on a full stomach. Research also shows that you burn more stored fat when you exercise late in the day rather than in the morning. Put it all together, and the best time to exercise to lose body fat is in the late afternoon/early evening after dinner. Second best is in the morning before breakfast.
Weight Loss Tip Never skip a meal. Your first meal after waking starts your metabolism. Your metabolism then speeds up for about eight hours and then starts slowing down until you go to sleep when it goes to low until you wake and eat and start the cycle again. If you skip breakfast, your metabolism doesn't get started until lunch time. You've just missed three or four hours of fat burning time. When you skip meals during the day, your metabolism also slows down. Weight loss through the burning of stored fat is all about eating enough of the right kinds of foods so you stay full and your metabolism stays as high as possible. Try to eat five to six small meals throughout the day.

Easy Tips to Keep Your Skin Healthy

There are plenty of articles out there about what to do to make your skin look young again. But what if you still have it? How do young women keep their skin looking the way it is now well into the future? The following five easy tips can help you keep your youthful glow.

1. Use Sunscreen, Never Tan. It's hard for young women to resist the warm glow that a few hours of tanning can bring. But the damage that it does beneath the surface accumulates over time--ultimately leaving the skin dull and thin. By the time premature aging becomes evident, significant amounts of damage has taken place below the surface. Rather than a week of beauty, think of long-term beauty. If you really want to give your skin an added glow, try shimmering lotions and makeups. Or, for a darker look, try artificial tanners (but be careful, they can sometimes leave you looking more orange than tan). Don't forget that you can experience the damaging effects of the sun even if you aren't deliberately trying to tan. Make applying sunscreen part of your daily routine. Purchasing moisturizers with sunscreen already in them can help. Remember, only 15 minutes of sun exposure each day provides you with the vitamin D you need to stay healthy.

2. Eat the Right Foods. You've always heard the phrase "You are what you eat" and that is exactly right when talking about your skin! What you eat is not just relevant to your weight. It also affects the health of your skin. Clinical studies have shown that eating diets rich in fatty acids and antioxidants can help skin retain its youthful appearance. Foods good for your skin include fish, vegetables, whole grains and fruits including all kinds of berries. Antioxidants in the diet may help reduce the appearance of agespots. Fatty acids are one of the components of metabolic processes within the body that are also integral to the maintenance of healthy skin. Making these foods a part of your daily diet can benefit you for years to come.

3. Clean and Moisturize! Don't neglect your skin. For normal skin, a gentle daily cleanser is all you need. Using a washcloth needlessly pulls and tears at the skin. Cleanse your skin with your fingers using gentle, circular motions, paying particular attention not to stretch the delicate eye area. Moisturizing the skin is also important to protect it from the effects of the elements including wind, pollution, and sun (if it is a sunscreen moisturizure). Not only does it protect the skin from the outside, but also helps it to retain its natural moisture from the inside. Keep in mind that spending a lot of money is not necessary. If your skin is oily or you have a problem with acne, use products designed specifically for your skin type. You may want to consult a dermatologist to seek prescription treatments. Never attempt to pop your pimples. This will increase the size of your pores and possibly cause scaring.

Essentially, if your skin is young, value it! Taking simple precautionary steps can help keep it that way. Think of the benefits of having healthy skin in the future. Use sunscreen, eat healthy, and following a daily skin regimine. You don't need alot of money to keep your skin healthy. All it takes is common sense and good lifestyles choices.

Real Life Diet Tips

Are you tired of diet tips handed out by someone with apparently unlimited income and time? For some of us, it may just not be practical to spend half of our Sunday preparing carefully portioned meals for the rest of the week, or financially feasible to buy all our meals prepackaged in just the right portions. And there are those of us who cringe at the thought of weighing food to achieve 'optimal portion sizes'. Here are ten real life diet tips for the rest of us.

1. Eating out? Restaurant portions tend to be enormous, and if it's on the plate, we tend to eat it. If it's possible, order from the kid's menu, where portions are more reasonably sized.

2. Keep healthy snacks around and easily accessible. A bowl of fruit on the kitchen table, a container of celery or carrot sticks in the refrigerator, or a couple of pop-open cans of fruit salad in your desk at work will help you grab for something healthy when those first hunger pains begin. In other words, you'll be more likely to grab something low-calorie and good for you if it's easy to eat.

3. Substitute frozen vegetables for canned. Canned veggies tend to be high in sodium, which you don't need, and low in real nutrition, which you do. Buy economy size bags with zip closures to make it easy to pour out a single serving for a meal.

4. Buy a vegetable steamer. Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook vegetables. The food retains nearly all of its natural nutrients instead of leaching it out into the cooking water. Even better, it makes your veggies taste great - which means you'll be more likely to eat them instead of filling up on fatty foods that pack on weight.

5. Never eat standing up. One of the easiest ways to sabotage your diet is to 'eat without thinking'. Treat eating with the respect that it deserves. Fix yourself a plate. Sit down and eat properly. You'll be less likely to just pop food into your mouth without paying attention.

6. Spread your meals out. When you eat three meals a day, your body tends to store whatever it doesn't need right that moment. By adopting a 'grazing' habit, you'll keep your metabolism working throughout the day. Have a small breakfast, a piece of fruit with crackers or toast at mid-morning, a light lunch and an 'after school snack' mid-afternoon. Just remember that you're breaking up the same amount of food into smaller meals, not ADDING more food into your daily diet.

7. Grab a fruit juice or flavored water instead of soda. Soda is nothing but empty calories. No nutrients, lots of sugar. Instead, grab a bottle of 100% fruit juice, or water flavored with a spritz of fruit.

8. Drink water. Even the FDA recommends at least 8 full 8 ounce glasses of water a day to keep your body working right. When you're dieting, you should drink even more. It's not just that full feeling - water helps your body digest foods properly and cleans out your system.

9. Can't afford a gym membership? Make a pact with friends to exercise together. Make a date at least three times a week to play volleyball, take a walk or spend half an hour doing something active.

10. Skip the potato chips. Fatty snacks fried in hydrogenated oil like potato chips contribute fat and calories and not much else. Instead, grab a handful of dried fruit or a cup of yogurt for the same amount of calories and a lot more nutritional benefit.

15 Hair Care Myths - The Truth and The Lies

Everyone has a favourite myth about hair care – and we usually never let the truth get in the way of a good legend! This article examines some of the most widely known - and the reality behind the myths.

1. Excessive washing of hair causes hair loss/dryness.

FALSE: Frequency of washing doesn’t harm hair. Wash it as often as you like, although the recommendation is three times a week. The right shampoo for your hair type and texture will actually add moisture, body and beauty to your hair.

2. More shampoo = cleaner hair.

FALSE: Don’t waste your shampoo! A dollop of shampoo, about the size of a quarter is usually enough for long hair. Very long hair may take a little more.

3. Conditioner helps repair split ends.

FALSE: No conditioner can "repair" damaged hair. What it can do is smooth down the cuticle and make hair seem in better condition. A good conditioner can also prevent damage from occurring in the first place.

4. Blow-drying produces hair loss.

FALSE: Blow-drying can damage, burn or dry hair, which can cause it to fall, but the hair will grow back immediately. This is not permanent hair loss.

5. Sleeping with wet hair causes scalp fungus.

FALSE: Scalp or fungal diseases can’t be caught from sleeping with wet scalps. Scalp infections require prior involvement with infected sources such as humans, tainted hair care tools or animals. Scalp fungus (tinea capitis) mainly affects children, whose immune systems make them more susceptible to skin infections.

6. To get your hair to grow, brush 100 strokes each day.

FALSE: Brushing that much can damage the hair cuticle. NOT recommended! Actually, your hair reacts better to a comb than a brush. Brushing it will only lead to split ends and hair breakage.

7. Sharing combs and brushes can spread scalp diseases.

TRUE: Lice and other parasites can be transported from scalp to scalp through the sharing of combs, brushes and other hair care tools.

8. Cutting hair makes it grow faster and/or thicker.

FALSE: This common misconception comes from the fact that hair is thicker at the base than it is at the tip, so shorter hair appears thicker at first. Cutting your hair does not affect its normal biologically determined growth rate or overall texture. Thin, limp or fine hair will not ever grow thicker in response to a haircut. Plump up your hair by using volume enhancing hair care products, experimenting with a hair fattening blunt cut or getting a texturizing perm or color treatment.

9. Color treatment causes hair loss.

FALSE: Most hair coloring products contain chemicals that can do serious harm to the hair itself if not properly used, but it wont instigate hair loss.

10. Salon products are identical to drugstore products.

FALSE: Although there are exceptions, salon products generally contain higher quality, more expensive ingredients that are designed to consistently provide more intensive cleansing, moisturizing and conditioning results. The quality ingredients found in salon products are not usually found in drugstore brands. If in doubt – read the labels.

11. Long sun exposure favors hair loss.

FALSE: Your hair acts as a shield against the sun. Hair loss appears at the follicle level and so the sun would have to penetrate at this depth to do any damage.

12. Diet is related to hair loss.

TRUE: it's important to eat right in order to be generally healthy. However, no individual food has been proven to be beneficial or detrimental to hair.

13. Stress causes hair loss.

TRUE: Severe stress (e.g. surgery or a death in the family), can shut down hair production, causing temporary hairloss (alopecia areata). The scalp usually recuperates, though, and hair grows back.

14. Wearing tight braids, ponytails or buns causes baldness.

TRUE: Traction alopecia is a very real hair loss condition that is quite common amongst older African American women. It results from wearing tight ponytails, cornrows or buns over an extended period of time. Over time, hair breakage or loss as the result of tight, stressed styles, can become permanent. Avoid this potential problem by opting for looser styles that minimize scalp tension.

15. Smoking causes gray hair.

TRUE: According to J. G. Mosley of the Leigh Infirmary in Lancashire, England in an article in Science News (January 11, 1997) smokers are four times more likely to have gray hair than non-smokers. Even worse, smoking has been conclusively linked to accelerated hair loss.

SUMMARY

Heard another myth about hair? Do your research – ask an expert! This doesn’t include your grandmother, best friend or local barber. Instead, talk to an experienced hairdresser or a trichologist. Always get the real facts before you act on any hair myths – you owe it to your hair.

A Healthy Diet For Life

Having established that your body needs a well balanced diet, with a good supply of carbohydrates, especially high - fiber foods, water vitamins and minerals, and a certain amount of protein, fat and bacteria, you need to know how to put it into practice.Much media attention is focused on foods that one should not have, yet there has been very little to tell women how they can use food to enhance their life rather than make it more difficult. Forget the labels; every figure is relative and food manufacturers are frequently very selective about what they tell you, making your task of deciding what is right for you an impossible one. Instead build your choices on the following guidelines.

RESPECT YOUR MOUTH AND BODY: GET INTO THE HABIT OF ONLY EATING THINGS YOU LIKE AND NEED

Before you put anything in your mouth, ask yourself three questions: Do I want it/ Do I like it/ Do I need it?

If you want it and like it then go ahead and enjoy it, if you don’t why bother wasting the eating experience? Throw all the boring, unnecessary eating out of your life.

The worst thing you can do with food is to feel guilty about eating it. If you have eaten something that you know is not the healthier but you really fancied it or were in a situation where you didn’t have any choice, enjoy it an forget about it. Don’t beat yourself up with guilt. Guilt is a negative emotion, which is likely to lead you to bingeing on comfort foods. This can then get you into a negative sugar or salt cycle in which you eat more of these foods, which in turn makes you feel even more guilty. You might then decide it’s not worth continuing with you healthy eating lifestyle. It is always worth persevering. Remember that life is for living and food is there to help us, not hinder us.

AIM TO EAT FIVE PORTIONS OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY

This provides your body with a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, to maintain your body in peak condition to fight diseases. Fiber helps your food to move effectively through the body, keeps you feeling pleasantly full and satisfied and in control of your eating habits, and your energy levels steady.

EAT THREE MEALS A DAY

This is usually made up of one main meal, a smaller snack or lunch-type meal and breakfast. You may, however, feel that you need two smaller snacks, such as a piece of fruit, a small sandwich or a piece of cake, in between two smaller meals. It all depends on your body rhythms. Meals should be based on carbohydrates, such as pasta, whole-meal bread, wholegrain cereals, rice or potatoes, along with fruits and/or vegetables. The main meal should include a source of lean protein, along with carbohydrate and plenty of vegetables and fruits.

CHOOSE LEAN SOURCES OF PROTEIN

Fish, shellfish, lean red meat, game, poultry, eggs or pulses meet your body’s protein requirements without overloading on fats.

TRY TO GET INTO THE HABIT OF USING JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF FAT

You can use butter, olive oil, sesame oil or walnut oil to enhance the flavor of your food or for cooking, but do try to keep the quantity low.

KEEP YOUR INTAKE OF REFINED SUGAR FOODS LOW

Too much sugar disrupts your natural energy balance, and can cause headaches; mood swings and – if eaten in large quantities – sugar sensitivity problems such as hypoglycemia and diabetes mellitus. It is much better to get into the habit of using the natural sugars in fruits to provide sweetness.

INCLUDE SOME DAIRY PRODUCTS OR ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF CALCIUM IN YOUR DAILY DIET

This has far reaching benefits for all women of all age group.

DRINK TWO THREE LITERS (FOUR TO FIVE PINTS) OF WATER EVERY DAY

Water helps the fiber in your food to swell and perform its duties. It also helps to metabolize other nutrients from your food, keep your skin and hair healthy and prevent your body from becoming dehydrated.

TRY NOT TO DRINK MORE THAN THREE CUPS OF COFFEE, TEA OR COLA

All such drinks contain caffeine, which inhibit the absorption of vitamins and minerals from the gut, causes your body to excrete vital nutrients and interferes with the fluid and energy balance mechanisms in your body. Caffeine also causes your body to be stimulated in an artificial way, which in the long run has the opposite effect of supressing your performance and general feeling of well.

TRY TO EAT REGULARLY AND IDEALLY NOT LEAVE YOUR STOMACH EMPTY FOR MORE THAN FOUR TO FIVE HOUR

This helps to keep your gut functioning effectively. Regular eating helps your gut maintain a steady supply of digestive enzymes, protects it from excess acid secretion and enables it to metabolize food in the most efficient way, to keep your energy level and moods on an even keel.

KEEP YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE MODERATE

Some drinks, especially young red wines such as Beaujolais, contain anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals, which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. Beers and Champagnes can also provide beneficial nutrients. Drinking can be a very pleasurable part of a healthy lifestyle, but drinking to excess can cause liver damage, mood and energy-balance problems. Try not to drink on an empty stomach as this can cause your blood sugar levels to crash.

FOOD COMBINING/SEPARATING

The issue of whether you should eat proteins and carbohydrates at the same meal is one that regularly crops up in the media. Some diet consultants feel strongly that proteins and carbohydrates should be separated, and advocate that proteins should be eaten only with vegetables and fruit, not mixed with carbohydrates. Many people feel that their body functions better if they out this into practice; it is commonly known as food combining.From the physiological and nutritional viewpoint, proteins (meat, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, pulses) provide the body with amino acids, used as building blocks within muscles and other tissues. Carbohydrates provide energy and fiber. If you eat proteins on their own, without carbohydrate present, the protein can be broken down into energy, rather than used for building body tissue. Proteins also have other important functions to perform in maintaining body health and carbohydrates protect proteins, enabling them to fulfill these functions.

The choice is yours, but there is no physiological reasoning behind food combining. I believe that food is there to be enjoyed. Women should not have to agonize over whether they are ‘allowed’ to eat certain things at certain times.