Sabtu, 27 Desember 2014

10 Beauty Products That Are a Waste of Money – Natural Alternatives


It goes without saying that we all want to look and feel our very best. Unfortunately, these desires sometimes drive us so strongly that the latest diet fad or skincare trend can have us whipping out our wallets and plunking down obscene amounts of money, solely in the hopes of dropping a few pounds or looking a few years younger.

But slow down. While some products certainly are worth their price tags, some are not. Learn to look beyond the hype, and avoid spending money on the products that aren’t worth your money. That way, you can better afford those that are.

Beauty Products That Waste Your Money
1. Teeth Whiteners
Among the most common beauty product money-wasters are over-the-counter teeth whiteners. I’m a big tea drinker, and my teeth have always had a bit of a yellow tinge to them. I’ve tried using whitening toothpastes, but have never noticed any benefits. Since whitening toothpaste costs more money than regular toothpaste, I’ve come to see such products as a waste of money.

Teeth-bleaching kits can also be a serious waste of money. This isn’t to say that they don’t work; however, the cost and side effects are entirely undesirable. Using trays and strips to bleach your teeth can lead to discoloration, tooth and gum sensitivity, and even chemical burns.

Natural Alternative
There is a better way to obtain a bright smile on the cheap with no harsh side effects. In a small jar, combine enough hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to make a watery paste, and then add 5 to 10 drops of essential clove oil. Voila! You have an instant brightening toothpaste that keeps your mouth fresh and bacteria-free.

Peroxide and baking soda are both natural bleaching ingredients that offer a bright, even smile with no side effects. You can also use an electric toothbrush to naturally polish teeth.


2. Diet Pills/Shakes/Foods
Most diet pills work in one of two ways: They either use a stimulant to suppress your appetite, or they prevent your body from absorbing fat from your meals. Neither is a healthy or effective way to lose weight. Moreover, the side effects associated with them include anxiety, sleeplessness, loose stools, and abnormal cellular growth in the colon, a precursor to colon cancer.

The majority of commercial diet shakes and meals follow the caloric restriction plan, which makes you lose weight by slow starvation. This plan is unhealthy because your body does not get the nutrients it needs to function properly. Soon, it enters “starvation mode.” You may drop some serious pounds, but this comes at the expense of feeling dizzy, rundown, and tired – and as soon as you start to eat “normally” again, you’ll gain all that weight back and more.

Natural Alternative
To lose weight the natural way, cut junk food from your diet, especially food products containing high-fructose corn syrup, which can trick your body into eating more food. Replace heavily processed foods with fresh fruits and vegetables, and follow a regular exercise plan and stick with it. Implementing such changes in your lifestyle is much healthier and cheaper than any fad diet.

3. Anti-Aging Creams
According to a Consumer Reports Health study reported by CBS News, even the most expensive anti-aging creams have little to no effect on the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

Natural Alternatives
Aging gracefully does not have to be an expensive (or painful) process. Try some of these natural alternatives for wrinkle-free skin:

Dry Skin Brushing. I’ve been using a dry skin brush for several years, and I love the way it makes my skin look and feel. Using a dry skin brush before taking a shower each day helps slough off dead skin, improves circulation, and detoxifies your body. Watch this video on dry skin brushing to get the proper technique.

Coconut Oil. This natural oil contains high levels of lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, which can help ease inflammatory skin conditions. The high antioxidant levels in coconut oil fights the free radicals that cause premature aging. Plus, the gentle exfoliation provided by this oil helps reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles.

Antioxidants. Free radicals are the cellular waste products produced by the body in response to foods, smoking, and pollution. Adding an antioxidant such as vitamin C, CoQ10, selenium, vitamin E, or vitamin A can help reverse the aging process from the inside out, as it scavenges free radicals and moves them safely from your body.

4. Expensive Body Scrubs
Some women believe the more products they use, the better their skin will look. Expensive body scrubs are a waste of money because they may actually speed up the aging process. This is because most commercial skincare products, ranging from lotions, to makeup, to body scrubs, contain dangerous additives, dyes, and perfumes.

Natural Alternatives
My two favorite natural exfoliants are Epsom salt and baking soda, which are both inexpensive and completely safe for your skin. For a quick, gentle facial exfoliation, sprinkle some baking soda onto your hands and add enough water to make a paste. Scrub your face and neck gently, and then splash with cool water to close pores. You can do the exact same with Epsom salt, though it’s better as a body scrub because it can be a bit harsher than baking soda.

5. Perfume
Many people use perfume and cologne on a daily basis and don’t even consider how unsafe it is. Many commercially-produced scents are nothing but a cocktail of chemicals that can cause everything from allergic reactions to cancer.

Natural Alternative
Instead of dropping $100 or more on the latest and greatest scent, try making your own perfume from essential oils – it’s homemade beauty at it’s most creative. All you need are some dark-colored glass jars, jojoba oil, and the essential oil of the scent you love. Essential oils go a long way, so you may only need to add a few drops to your jar of jojoba to get a pleasant scent that will absorb right into your skin.

6. Store-Brand Makeup
I had skin cancer in 2007. Since I was never a sunbather, the only cause I could deduce is because I had a history of autoimmune disease (celiac disease and ITP) and vitamin deficiencies, as well as a habit of using commercial makeup, self-tanner, and skincare products. According to PreventCancer.com, common commercial makeup ingredients such as DEA, TEA, cosmetic talc, and pesticides (such as DDT) have all been linked to the development of cancer.

Natural Alternatives
Since my cancer diagnosis, I’ve rid myself of all commercial products and traded them for natural, affordable alternatives – I buy cosmetics from Sun Cat Naturals, Burt’s Bees, and AllNaturalCosmetics.com. I love the selection, as well as the way my skin looks and feels with natural cosmetics. These are just the products I use – there are literally hundreds of companies dedicated to providing safe, affordable, natural makeup.

7. Cellulite Creams
I’ve had cellulite on and off since I was in my early 20s, and if you have it, you’re one of millions of women. Cellulite is just fat deposits concentrated in one place, and whether you’re a size 2 or a size 20, you can develop it.

Cellulite creams are expensive beauty treatments that are frequently hit or miss. These creams usually “work” to reduce the appearance of cellulite by either filling it in with collagen or using caffeine to dry out the skin, making it temporarily firmer. They do nothing to actually eliminate cellulite – they just mask it temporarily.

Natural Alternatives
Two things I’ve done that have worked to help reduce my cellulite are a coffee-cellophane wrap and dry skin brushing. Dry skin brushing works to improve circulation and remove toxins from your body, resulting in smoother, clearer skin.

8. Shave Minimizing Lotions
The chemicals contained in shave minimizing lotions may make body and facial hair finer, lighter, and softer, but they do not actually prevent hair from growing back any faster, which is what such products imply. Plus, as with the makeup and perfume, these lotions and creams often contain unhealthy additives that can cause serious health problems down the line.

Natural Alternative
For some people, hair simply grows back faster than for others. If you want to reduce how often you shave, you can try “sugaring.” Sugaring is a natural method of hair removal that uses only sugar, water, and lemon juice. Most say it’s less painful than conventional waxing.

9. Hair Growth Products
According to Dr. Bernard Cohn, products such as Rogaine do not regrow hair, but rather increase the fullness of existing hair by 20% to 30%. This simply makes hair appear thicker and fuller without any actual regrowth.
Natural Alternatives
The best way to treat hair loss is to first discover what’s causing it. Undiagnosed gluten intolerance made my hair fall out in clumps due to nutritional deficiency. Other autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disease, lupus, anemia, and diabetes, can also contribute to falling hair. Stress is also a common factor in sudden hair loss.

Addressing any underlying medical conditions with a trusted healthcare provider can help you get to the root of your problem and determine ways to solve it. By doing so, you can improve your health and avoid wasting money on “hair treatments” that don’t really do what they promise.


10. Skin Lotion
That fancy bottle of high-priced skincare lotion may make promises of healthier, younger-looking skin – but what’s really in the bottle? Most commercial cosmetic and skincare products contain a host of irritating chemicals such as parabens, lanolin, and cosmetic-grade talc that may not only dry out skin, but cause allergic skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Natural Alternative
Coconut oil is chock full of antioxidants and skin-soothing vitamins. It absorbs quickly into your skin and leaves it feeling smooth, supple, and moisturized.

Final Word
In addition to taking a second look at the products you use, consider what you allow your children to use. Are you spending a lot of money on unhealthy chemical shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and play makeup? If your child has allergies or behavioral problems, it may be something they’re inhaling or getting on their skin. In addition to causing allergic reactions and cancer, many cosmetic chemicals act as neurotoxins, which can result in behavioral anomalies.


Source: moneycrashers.com

How to Love the Exercises You Hate


In a perfect world, we would find exercises we love and stick with them. There would always be room in your Zumba class, it would always be offered at just the right time, and your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend would be required to stay ten miles away from it at all times. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, what’s best for us isn’t what we necessarily find the most fun. Few people love running or doing squats.

When willpower isn’t enough, here are a few ways to learn to love exercises you hate.

Join a 30 Day Challenge
Let’s say that your personal trainer suggested that you do more planks. So what if you can barely get yourself off the floor without shedding tears and a little dignity? Search Facebook for a “30 day plank challenge” or download a similar app. These challenges encourage you to add a little bit, day by day, until you’re a master by the end of the month. There’s one for every love-to-hate exercise: squats, push ups, planks, you name it.
Before you start, decide on a special treat you’ll give yourself if you complete the challenge. Massage? Manicure?

Sign Up for a 5k
Sign up for the most fun-sounding 5k you can find. It’s a booming industry these days, between color runs, foam runs, and all sorts of crazy themed runs. Rope a few friends along with you, then start getting ready. When you’re logging those training miles, think of how great you’ll feel when you cross the finish line at the race.

Walk to Food
Hey, if you’re going to brunch anyway, pick a place a mile (or two or three) away and walk there. Call it an “urban hike.” Just remember that a walk around the corner to the convenience store does not “burn off” an ice cream sandwich.

Be Accountable
Have you ever thought about getting up early, before work, to go to the gym or go running? Thinking is about as far as those plans usually get. Get a buddy to get up early with you, and you’ll have more fun too.

If you’re the competitive type, find a few friends or co-workers who will pitch in a few dollars to a pool. Everyone sets an exercise goal, and whoever reaches their goal splits the pot.
Start a blog to track your progress and invite your friends and family to follow along. If you’re not the public type, start an exercise journal. Track your daily progress. It’s easier and faster to run your mile rather than to make up a creative excuse not to do it.

Make It a Game
Let’s face it—running can be a real snoozefest. Running from zombies? Well, that’s kind of interesting. The “Zombies Run” app, and others like it, turn running into a game. Interval training is built in as sprints as you “outrun zombie hordes.” Hey, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

Listen to the Right Music
Somehow, watching the Food Network on the TV attached to the elliptical just doesn’t motivate you as much as listening to some uptempo, driving music. Create your own playlist, or if you get tired of that, check out the “workout” genres in Pandora for stations like “Pop and Hip Hop Power Workout,” “80s Cardio,” or whatever gets your blood pumping. Your workout will fly by, three minutes at a time.


Source: 3fatchicks.com

Healthy Tomato Chicken Salad


Here is a simple yet delightful dish that could pump up your day.

Recipe ingredients
1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt
3 cups cubed, cooked chicken
1 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup diced celery
2 cups diced fresh tomatoes

Recipe directions
Combine lemon juice and next five ingredients. Beat in yogurt. Gently fold chicken and next 3 ingredients into dressing. Chill. Just before serving, fold in tomatoes.
You can also add green vegetables or edamame beans if desired.

 Resource: healthdiget

Pomelo: 10 Reasons to Enjoy this Fabulous Fruit


More sweet than sour, with juicy meat and pulp, pomelos are grandfathers to grapefruits. This gentle giant of the citrus family is native to Malaysia and Southeast Asia, but has been introduced to many tropical countries as well as California, Florida and Hawaii of the United States. Also called pulmetto, shaddock, French chadec, Malayan limau besar, Bali lemon, and Chinese grapefruit – I discovered the fruit when a client shared her tree’s bounty. The delicious pomelo can enhance a healthy diet.  

Here are ten reasons why.
1. Taste
Sweet with just a hint of grapefruit-like tang, pomelos are refreshing first thing in the morning or cold from the refrigerator, as a fortifying snack. Its juice can be a tasty addition to sauces, salads, salsas and marinades. The curious mixture of melon-like sweetness with citrus tang makes pomelo juice a welcome addition to many recipes – add a skinless, seedless wedge to flavor your favorite ice tea.

2. Low Calorie and Low Fat
Pomelos have 0% fat and 72 calories per cup/190 grams – a dieter’s delight! Most everyone has heard of the Grapefruit Diet, which become popular in Hollywood in the 1930s, and saw another resurgence in the 1970s. Both grapefruit and pomelo contain a fat burning enzyme, which theoretically increases the dieter’s success. This fad diet, promoted extremely low calorie intake, and eating grapefruit before every meal.

3. Fiber
While due to its low calorie intake, the Grapefruit Diet is unhealthy, the principle behind eating grapefruits is a sound one. Pomelos, like grapefruits have a fiber content of 8% daily value or DV. The Food and Drug Administration describes DV as percentage of the recommended daily intake for nutrients for adults and children ages 4 and up. Eating such low calorie fiber creates a full feeling in your stomach and you eat less. Eating fiber also keeps your bowels healthy and prevents colon cancer.

4. Vitamin C
Citrus fruit burgeon with vitamin C, and the pomelo is no exception. Pomelo provides 193% DV of Vitamin C. Recent studies have shown Vitamin C strengthens your immune system when it weakens due to stress. And although Vitamin C can not cure the common cold, it can prevent you from developing additional cold complications such as lung infections or pneumonia. Persons with a higher concentration of vitamin C in their blood have a 42% lower risk of developing a stroke. Vitamin C has been shown to aid in macular degeneration, inflamation, cancer and cardiovascular deterioration.

5. Heart Health
Pomelos have 410 mg of potassium per serving, which like Vitamin C plays a role in supporting the heart. There is no DV for potassium but 4700 mg per day is considered adequate. This essential mineral regulates blood pressure levels. Abundant with pectin, pomelo juice is capable of clearing the arterial deposits accumulated in the body, thereby reducing the impurities and benefitting people with hypertension. People on blood thinning, kidney and other medications need to use caution when eating potassium rich foods like pomelos, as it can have a negative impact and serous health complications.

6. Cancer Fighter
The Chinese use the pomelo rind in many dishes. The skin of the fruit is very rich in bioflavonoids. This property is helpful in reducing pancreatic, intestinal and breast cancer. In fact, it stops cancerous cells from spreading further. Pomelo rind contains rich bioflavonoids that help in fighting against cancer cells. It prevents the spread of breast cancer cells especially by enabling the body to eliminate excess estrogen.

7. Antioxidents
Most notable, pomelos are loaded with antioxidants that are believed to help slow down the aging process and protect against some diseases – including heart disease and cancer – as they help rid the body of free radicals.
8. Anti-aging
Grapefruits and likely pomelos are the only known fruits containing spermadine, which is also found in human sperm. A laboratory-based study found spermidine to protect cells from processes related to aging and cell damage. In the study spermadine increased the lifespan of flies, blood cells, yeast and worms. Spermadine introduced to the blood cells of white mice protected them from particular types of cell damage, but their lifespans were not reported.

8. Anti-aging
Grapefruits and likely pomelos are the only known fruits containing spermadine, which is also found in human sperm. A laboratory-based study found spermidine to protect cells from processes related to aging and cell damage. In the study spermadine increased the lifespan of flies, blood cells, yeast and worms. Spermadine introduced to the blood cells of white mice protected them from particular types of cell damage, but their lifespans were not reported. (See the link below for more information on this study.)

9. Medicine
When chewed slowly, the pomelo is said to cure hangovers. In Malasia and Filipines, a lotion made from the pomelo plants leaves is used to alleviate sores and swellings. The Filipinos also use it as a sedative for nerves. The Chinese use the entire plant to make medications that cure coughs, car sickness and indigestion. A paste of pomelo rind and ginger can be applied to joints to ease arthritic pain.1

10. Availability and Storage
Pomelos are available at most Asian or Latin American markets throughout the year. Choose firm, heavy fruits. Blemishes on the skin are okay. Soft, dull-skinned pomelos that leave an imprint when squeezed or those that appear dried-out on the stem should be avoided.Pomelos keep for a week in the refrigerator, or for a few days left at room temperature. Freeze their juice in ice cube trays to keep for longer periods and to add a citrus zest to recipes.

Source: yogakat.hubpages.com

Natural Remedy of Cherry Juice for Gout


Gout is a metabolic disease that causes painful inflammation of the joints especially in the toes. It is usually an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood stream.

If you are suffering from gout and tired of finding an easy and effective solution for it, here is one of the natural remedy to cure your problem. Would take time for you to see the result but it is all worth the wait.

The benefits of eating cherry or drinking tart cherry juice helps you heal gout. Consume 12-20 cherries everyday, more if possible. Cherries have natural antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties. It will help your body to neutralize as much uric acid as possible bringing down the severity of the attack considerably. The best time to do this is when you have the first symptoms of a gout attack.

You also need to keep hydrated. drink at least 12 x 80z glasses of water throughout the day, every day, it helps you to flush out any toxins and excess uric acid from your body.

Here’s an easy step on how to make tart cherry juice.
Ingredients:
– 1lb ( 16 ounces) of fresh cherries
– 2 tbs raw honey
– 1/2 pint of water
– 1 bottle of carbonated water (soda) *this is optional
– 1 tbs of lemon extract (optional)

Procedure:
1.) Put the clean,  seedless cherries and raw honey in a saucepan. (add desired amount of honey if you want it to be more sweeter)  let it simmer until you achieve the right consistency that you desire. Mash the cherries to get the extract.

2.) Cover the pan and leave at room temperature for 2hours.

3.) Add the 1/2 pint of water and stir until the mixtures are all incorporated. bring the contents up to boil. Maintain a light bubble the entire time, continue stirring from time to time. wait until it turns almost syrupy and reducing the water.

4.) when finished, squeeze and strain the mixture in a sterilized jar.
-Excess cherry pulp can be use as a topping on your pancakes and etc.

5.) To serve this drink, put one or two tablespoon of it into glass of water or carbonated water (soda) add the lemon extract to balance the sweetness. throw some ice and maybe some mint leaves to garnish.

 Resource: healthdiget

10 Genius Ways to Make Your Breath Smell Good Everytime


Amazing-smelling, kissable breath anyone? Here are ways for us to be all kissable not only this holidays, but every single day.

1.  Load up with Water. This lubricates our mouth, keeping bacteria away are one of the benefits of water. Bottled drinks, sodas, sports drinks and some bottled iced teas are packed with citric acid, which may contribute to bad breath but wears away the enamel on your teeth. Soda is even more acidic and can literally take paint off wall, so lower your intake of drinks of the sort and replace them with good, old water.

  2. Eat Well. It is recommended to eat a low carb-diet with fats and proteins. The odor out of      Ketones (byproduct of fat), can come back up through your esophagus and stick to your tongue, so it’s important to add carbs like can broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, and fresh fruits into your diet, which balance out the fats and promote better breath.

Add veggies too, these promote an alkaline environment neutralizing the bad-breath causing acid in your body.

Munch on crunchy fruits like apple, (carrots, celery are good too) because of its hard textures, this remove food in between teeth and scrapes the bacteria sits on them. This acts like a natural toothbrush.

Chew on Fresh mint leaves (or parsley). This makes your breath naturally fresh.

   3.  Increase more green juice and lessen coffee.Green juice contains low levels of acid, while coffee contains high amounts, which can lead to bad breath. And keeping your body at an alkaline level rather than an acidic level will make it function better overall.

   4.  Brush and FLOSS every single day. Did you know that it is really important that you also floss aside from brushing? One of the benefits is it dislodges anything that your toothbrush couldn’t get to. If you don’t floss regularly, the food in between your teeth will feed the bacteria in your mouth, and the more nutrients you give the bacteria, the more the bacteria will give off stinky acids that cause bad breath. One more thing to convince you in flossing –

    5.  Clean your tongue. Bacteria stick to your taste buds, then release a waste byproduct that causes a gross stench. When you use a tongue scraper or brush your tongue, you remove any bacteria, byproducts from the bacteria, or plaque that form.

6.  Gargle with alcohol-free mouthwash that has  zinc compound. Saliva washes away odor and cavity causing bacteria, so our aim is to keep our mouth moist. Alcohol dries our mouth and leads to more bacteria accumulation and eventually bad breath. Dr. Glassman recommends choosing a natural mouthwash without alcohol by using 1 tablespoon baking soda poured into 1 cup warm water with a few drops of essential peppermint oil. “The baking soda is antibacterial, there isn’t any alcohol it in, and it can help freshen your breath in a pinch if you run out of mouthwash,” she says.
“It’s also important to pick up an alcohol-free mouthwash with a zinc compound in it, since zinc kills the volatile sulphur compounds,” Dr. Jablow says. She recommends from her oral care product line Intelliwhite IntelliFresh Oral Rinse Fusion, which also contains peroxide that kills the bacteria that sits under the gum line.

   7.  Chew on sugarless gum that contains xylitol.  Remember the goal of keeping mouth moist for more saliva.  By chewing gum, it increases salivary flow and helps remove some bacteria, but make sure it is sugar-free so you’re not feeding the bacteria in your mouth and contributing to bad breath, which makes it senseless if you opt to. Choose those with Xylitol as it helps fight cavities and bacteria while improving the health of your teeth and gums.

   8.  Keep a breath gel/freshener handy.  For an instant and quick fresh breath, pop a breath gel that  contains xylitol, zinc chloride, eucalyptol, and vitamin C, which all promote healthy gum tissue on top of keeping your breath fresh. You can also opt for mints that contain the same ingredients for fresher breath.

   9.  Stop puffing that stick.  Smoking not only dries out your mouth, the nicotine actually squeezes the blood vessels so you’re not getting healthy saliva flow, which is just one of the bad health effects of smoking. This combo is what disrupts your mouth’s normal functioning process and leads to bad breath. To avoid this from happening, stop smoking or never start at all.

  10.  Regularly visit your dentist.  You don’t want to wait for the halitosis to get you, before you religiously see your dentist.

 Resource: healthdiget.com

Jumat, 07 November 2014

The Surprising Reason You Have Wrinkles (Hint: It’s NOT The Sun)


If you care about the way your skin is aging or if you want more youthful skin, check out this one major reason we end up with wrinkles and sagging skin. It goes by the fancy name of Glycation.

What is glycation? It is a natural part of the aging process, but it does not have to rear its ugly head with bountiful wrinkles and droopy skin. In fact, many people can go through their advancing years with minor wrinkles and sagging. They know something most people do not…Essentially, glycation is the chemical reaction that occurs when sugars in the body, attach to proteins in the body .. and we have a lot of proteins and sugar naturally flowing creating yet another feature of glycation called Advanced Glycation End Products or AGES as is so aptly named.

Science now shows that it is not just the sun that wreaks havoc with our skin, but the glucose or sugar circulating throughout our body. Glucose is vital and a necessary fuel for our bodies. However, if ingested in excess, is damaging over time. The reason people with diabetes who do not monitor their sugar level suffer from so many age-related conditions is an excellent example of what can occur via chronic glucose exposure.

Glycation is essentially the caramelization of bodily tissue..yes. It goes by another fun name as well called the ‘Browning Reaction’ Think about crispy browned potatoes on the stove or fried chicken, this browned chicken or potatoes are examples of what happens in our bodies, just slower. Just like chicken and potatoes, we too have sugar and proteins that when they come together they create this chemical reaction.

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGES) doesn’t just contribute to an aesthetic overhaul, but more importantly to health issues such as heart disease, kidney failure and cataracts.

The heart of the issue with regard to glycation is its ability to change the shape and function of tissues in our body. For example, glycation from excess sugar can stiffen and harden arteries, simply through excess sugar circulating throughout the body. We want flexible arteries and a flexible heart for optimal health. All molecules in protein and fat have their own structure set in stone..however, if a minor change in the structure occurs, such as with glycation, normal functioning of the fat or protein is lost forever.

“Glycation is essentially the caramelization of bodily tissue”
What are the causes of AGES (Advanced Glycation End Products)?
-Excess sugar (in all forms)
-Excess carbohydrate intake – all forms
-High temperature cooking. Yes, cooking at a high temp on the stove or grill. Think crispy, blackened foods.
-A lack of antioxidant rich veggies, nuts, seeds, fruits to help protect tissues
-A lack of supplements that can help prevent oxidized cells and glycation

Source: Realfarmacy.com

Jumat, 24 Oktober 2014

19 Ways to Go from No Energy to Full Blast


There’s nothing worse than plugging along like a trooper and suddenly running out of steam. If having no energy is becoming your status quo, here are 19 simple and natural ways to blast through the blahs so you can get back to business.

1. Eat chia seeds
These itty bitty seeds have so much going on they should be wearing itty bitty capes: They’re packed with B vitamins, fiber and protein, all of which will give you the pick-me-up you need.

2. Walk
A 10-minute walk can boost your energy for up to two hours!

3. Drink more water
Dehydration equals fatigue. Make sure you have water on hand for when you feel thirsty.

4. Yawn
Yawning cools down your brain, which wakes it up.

5. Know your pressure points
Throw a few acupressure techniques in your arsenal: Increase energy by massaging your earlobes to the tops of your ears for 30 seconds with your index fingers and thumbs. Pinching the point between your thumb and forefinger for several minutes will also give you a quick energy boost.

6. Sit up straight
Proper posture allows proper blood flow throughout your body, and among other things improves mental alertness.

7. Get dolled up
When you look frumpy, you feel frumpy. Put more effort in your appearance and you’ll be strutting around in no time.

8. Enjoy more magnesium
Not having enough magnesium in your diet will zap your energy. Munch on pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews and spinach more often.

9. Brighten your day
Wear bright clothing and surround yourself with bright colors in your home and office. Yellow’s known for boosting optimism, while scarlet red stimulates your aggressive, ambitious side.

10. Take a whiff
Keep the scent of cinnamon around, which reduces fatigue and makes you feel more alert. If you don’t have cinnamon handy, peppermint and citrus scents are also fabulous for those moments of no energy.

11. Hang with energetic friends
We all have a friend or two who are the female equivalent to the Energizer Bunny. When you need a lift, give them a call or spend some time with them. Energy is contagious!

12. Clean
Nothing lowers your energy level more than clutter and mess. Throw on some upbeat music and organize the areas of your home you spend the most time in.

13. Ignore time
Book one day a month as a deadline and obligation-free day just for you. Drop everything and spend the day doing what you feel compelled to do in the moment. It’s a refreshing way to give yourself a boost when you have no energy.

14. Sing
When listening to upbeat music, take it one step further by singing along to the song. Singing offers an emotional high while reducing stress hormones. Cha-ching! (But if you’re tone-deaf like me, perhaps stick to shower and car performances.)

15. Laugh
Watch a funny movie or show, talk to a comical friend or check out ridiculous YouTube videos.Laughter reduces blood pressure and stress hormones, and helps get rid of that weighed down feeling of having no energy.

16. Go outside
Being outside for just a few minutes enhances your mood and memory, not to mention sunshine increases levels of vitamin D which helps fight depression.

17. Get it over with
By “it,” I’m referring to that nagging chore you keep putting off. Whether it’s something at work you’ve been avoiding or that horrendous pile of dirty laundry, when it’s finally done you’ll feel a huge surge of energy that will pick you up for the rest of the day.

18. Bring nature indoors
Surround yourself with plants, scenic prints of places that inspire you, open your windows – do everything you can to bring more nature into your everyday life.

19. Get to know your rhythm
We all have specific times of the day where we feel energized, and others where we feel sluggish and unmotivated. Figure out when you’re at your energy peak and use that time to get your most important tasks done, leaving not-so-important ones (or ones that don’t take a lot of energy) for when you have no energy but still need to truck along.

Source: healthdigezt.com

Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Symptoms and Treatment


Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder is one of the most difficult mental health disorders to survive with. It’s characterized by a variety of intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that take over your life and provide considerable amounts of anxiety and grief.

It’s possible to live with just obsessions. For example a fear of being contaminated by germs may be considered an obsession, and may not have any noticeable compulsive aspect. However, many of those with germ fears wash their hands numerous times a day to compensate, and this may be the way their compulsion manifests.

There are thousands of possible obsessions and fears, and thousands of different types of compulsions. But the basis of the disorder is severe stress and anxiety over these obsessions that drives the need to perform compulsive actions.

Understanding Obsessions
Obsessions are often the hardest issue to understand. Obsessions are thought based, and the most clear component of an obsession is a negative thought that you simply cannot shake. Generally the thought is focused and unyielding, although it may present itself in different forms. Examples of obsessions include:

•Fearing the effects of dirt, germs, or illness.
•Worried about someone harming you, or you harming others.
•Worried about whether someone else will be harmed, not by you.
•Unwanted impulses to hurt others or worry over uncontrollable aggression.
•Visions or images of horrific things.
•Unwanted, recurring sexual thoughts – often of an taboo or religiously unacceptable nature.
Feels of disorder – the need for things to show some type of order/symmetry.

Remember, the key is “negative” thoughts, not necessarily obsessions in the traditional sense. The obsession may not be over a person or an action, but rather the inability to shake a thought or a need. Requiring symmetry is an example – the need to organize something or put something in a specific order may be overwhelming, but the thought isn’t inherently bad. It’s the inability to control the thought that makes it an obsession.

Those with OCD may not only have one obsession either. You may have multiple obsessions that occur at random whenever you encounter the nature of that obsession. You may also have obsessions you don’t even realize you have. For example, you may find yourself checking the stove 10 times in a row because you want to make sure you didn’t leave it on, but you may not realize that you’re having that thought unless someone mentions it to you.

Understanding Compulsions
Unlike obsessions, which are thought based, compulsions are behavior based. They’re physical/behavioral responses that you can’t seem to control. You’re compelled to do them, and if you don’t, you may experience severe stress that forces you to keep doing it.

Imagine the old childhood phrase “don’t step on the crack or you’ll fall and break your back.” Someone with OCD may have this belief, and the compulsion will be stepping a certain way to avoid cracks. If someone with compulsions does step on a crack, they may find themselves going back and starting over so as to avoid the crack in the future.

Nearly anything can be a compulsion, but some examples of compulsions include:

•Ritualized cleaning.
•Re-ordering or re-arranging rituals.
•Touching certain types of objects whenever you see them.
•Repeating completed activities.
•Hoarding.
•Checking and rechecking things.
•Counting objects, or simply counting inside your head.

Most compulsions are directly observable, because they’re behaviors designed to rid yourself of the obsessive thought. But the compulsion may be a bit deeper than that. Counting, for example, may take place in thought form rather than in a visibly observable way.

How Are Obsessions Created?
Obsession causes are not well understood. It’s thought that obsessions may be the result of flawed moral thinking or a type of phobia. There is also most likely a chemical component in the brain that contributes as well, such as serotonin. It may also be the nature of generalized anxiety – which can in some cases cause negative thinking or unexpected worries.

Numerous studies have shown that those that try not to think of something end up thinking about it more than those that don’t try. For example, if someone asked you not to think about a white sock, and someone told someone else to think about a white sock, the person told NOT to think about it would probably think about it more often.

That’s because it takes a lot of brain power to not think about something, and in order to remind yourself not to think about something you have to think about it.

With that in mind, it’s possible that obsessions are also the result of trying too hard not to have a negative thought. This causes the thought to come up more often, which causes greater fear in the individual about the validity of the negative thought.

There is no limit to the number of obsessions a person can have, and obsessions can always be developed later. Some obsessions may also be attributed to images a person wishes they could forget (such as witnessing a death), while others may have no basis in experience.

How Are Compulsions Created?
Compulsions are a bit easier to understand, and have their basis in a behavioral learning theory known as “negative reinforcement.” Negative reinforcement is when some sort of action or behavior takes a bad thing away.

For example, if a dog has a thorn in its paw and whines, and you come and you take the thorn out of their paw so they feel better, then the dog knows the next time it has a thorn in its paw it should whine faster to get you to respond. It learns that when it whines, you come and take the bad thing away.

Human beings may not be as simple as dogs, but behavioral reinforcement works in a very similar way. With compulsions, the person performs some sort of behavior (possibly at random, possibly for a reason based on the obsession – such as hand washing from germ fears) and they find the negative thought goes away, or at least reduces their anxiety. They then do the behavior again, and find that their thought goes away again. Pretty soon they find themselves doing the behavior every time they have the obsession, and at some point, they may even find themselves doing the behavior even when they’re not having the obsessive thought at all.

There are countless ways that these obsessions and compulsions can take shape:

Obsession: Something bad will happen to someone – Compulsion: Checking on them constantly.
Obsession: Fear of germs or contamination – Compulsion: Washing hands regularly.
Obsession: Fear of losing objects of value or memories – Compulsion: Hoarding all of your stuff.
Obsession: Feelings of worthlessness – Compulsion: Muttering or praying.
Obsession: Worried about making mistakes – Compulsion: Repeating tasks numerous times.
Obsession: Feeling the world is dirty/disorganized – Compulsion: Organizing and rearranging objects.

Also, because of the nature of these compulsions and behaviors, it’s just as possible to have compulsions that appear to make no sense at all.

Can You Be Predisposed to OCD?
While there doesn’t appear to be a gender or race preference to obsessive compulsive disorder, there does appear to be a heredity factor for developing OCD. Those with family members that have obsessive compulsive disorder appear to be more likely to experience it than the rest of the population. Estimates put the number of people suffering from some form of obsessive compulsive disorder at near 2.5%, although not all of those cases require clinical intervention.

It’s possible that obsessive compulsive disorder also shares other genetic pathways with other mental health issues. Those with OCD tend to be more likely to suffer from other conditions, such as major depression, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, panic disorder and substance abuse.

However, just because you may be predisposed to obsessive compulsive disorder does not mean that it’s something that can’t be cured. The good news about all mental health disorders is that with the right treatment you can find relief.

Treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Several treatment options are available for those living with OCD. Two of the most well-known treatments include:

Exposure and Response Prevention
Exposure and response prevention course is the common treatment standard for OCD cases. This specific technique attempts to help patients gradually learn how to put up with their own obsessive thoughts without performing the ritual or compulsive behavior. It is based on the idea that when the client suffers from their thoughts, they learn to stop withdrawing to their escape response (the compulsion).

It also acts on the principle that by allowing themselves to focus on the thought rather than try to fight it, the thought loses its power. Variations of exposure therapy play a role in several other anxiety disorders as well, including PTSD.

Cognitive-Biobehavioral Self-Treatment
Cognitive-Biobehavioral self-treatment is another approach to combatting OCD. It utilizes several anxiety-reduction principles, and a four step strategy to reduce their tendencies towards obsessions and compulsions. The steps are as follows:

Re-Labeling
This step requires a technique known as “mindful awareness.” It’s a conscious recognition that the intrusive thoughts and compulsive urges are the symptoms of a mental health disorder, and not something that someone thinks is natural. The client will re-label their thoughts as obsessions and their urges as compulsions, in order to call them what they really are and ensure that they realize that neither their thoughts nor their compulsions are something they can’t control. This technique teaches acknowledgement of the problem in order to improve the overall outcome.

Reattribute
The re-attributing step of the process is to learn to train yourself to recognize that your thoughts and urges are caused by your OCD, and not by any internal desires. It’s very similar to the first step, in that it’s meant to give you clarity over the cause of your problem.

The difference is that with this type of awareness, the hope is that you will be able to stop yourself when you’re having an obsessive thought or compulsive behavior, and be able to say to yourself “this is just my OCD.” Both the relabeling process and the reattribution process are often performed together.

Refocus
The refocus exercise involves replacing rituals and compulsions with more constructive/pleasant behaviors. At its heart it is still a ritual, much like other compulsions, but the goal of this exercise is to provide you with a ritual that acts as a distraction, rather than a compulsion designed to stop the obsessions. Examples of these behaviors include reading, exercising, knitting, walking, or listening to music. By changing the ritual to one that distracts your mind, your obsessions should decrease without a corresponding negative behavior.

Revalue
The final step of the Cognitive-Biobehavioral Self-Treatment exercise for OCD involves lowering the importance you give to your obsessions and compulsions. Many of those suffering from OCD give too much value to their thoughts and actions. They’ll have an intrusive, negative thought and think it reflects on them, trying to hide the thought and fight it and losing their self-worth in the process.

This step teaches the idea that thoughts are just thoughts, and the compulsions are nothing more than a response to the thought. It focuses on the idea that these are not reflective of you as a person, and the importance you give them is more than they deserve.

Other Treatments for OCD
There are several other treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder available as well. Success rate isn’t just based on the overall success rate for the type of treatment. The success rate is also based on you and your personality. That is why you shouldn’t give up – everyone living with OCD can be cured, but finding the right treatment may take time, especially because every treatment you decide to use requires a long term commitment.

Source: calmclinic.com

11 Health Benefits of Black Tea


One of the most extensively consumed beverage, black tea, is significantly becoming a health drink too because of the various nutritious compounds that it encloses. Black tea is more oxidised than white, oolong or green tea and hence; it is a little different from them in terms of flavour and health benefits. Check out in this article that how black tea can prove to be beneficial for you.

1. Provides Antioxidant
Black tea is a superb container of antioxidants, like polyphenols, which help in curbing down the DNA damage. It also aids in curing hearing troubles and Parkinson’s disease.

2. Increases Immunity
The principal compound of black tea that enhances immunity is alkylamine antigens. Black tea helps us in upholding our health from common diseases, like cold and flu. The tannins in black tea combat these infectious viruses.

3. Stress Relief
The L-theanine compounds in black tea reduce the level of stress hormones in the body, which consequently recovers our concentration power and makes us feel relaxed.

4. Improves Digestion
Consumption of black tea every day maintains the health of the digestive tract because of the tannin contents into it. These tannins help you to get rid of intestinal and gastric ailments.

5. Maintains Oral Health
Black tea has also proved great in maintaining the dental health. It restricts the growth of bacteria and consequently, reduces plaque build-up. The polyphenols found in black tea kills harmful bacteria.

6. Keeps Heart Healthy
The propensity of cardiovascular health is also diminished to a large extent by black tea. The antioxidants in black tea trims down the risk of heart attacks by preventing arteries from injury.

7. Increases Energy
Black tea helps in enhancing blood flow to the brain and hence; it is considered to be an energizing drink. Moderate amount of caffeine in body stimulates alertness, metabolism, and brain function.

8. Prevents Cancer
Black tea is also considered effective in treating cancer by eradicating the formation of cancerous cells. The TF-2 compounds in black tea causes cells causing cancer to go into the state of apoptosis, which is the automatic death of the cancer cells.

9. Eliminates Free Radicals
The antioxidants present in black tea remove free radicals that are the main reasons behind internal blood clotting, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Black tea with lemon is really effective for this purpose.

10. Aids in Weight Loss
Being low in fat, sodium, and calories, black tea is also good in watching over the weight. However, to sweeten the tea, avoid sugar and use honey or stevia leaves.

11. Lower Cholesterol
Black tea drops down the level of triglycerides and bad cholesterol in the body. This supports in keeping the heart healthy.

Source: homeremedy.com

Top 7 Tips to Keep Your Breasts Healthy


When it comes to young women and breast cancer, there’s good news and bad news. The good: Their chances of having the disease are much lower than an older woman’s. The bad: If cancer does strike, it can be more aggressive, says Debra Mangino, M.D., of New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

But a healthy lifestyle can help protect your breasts. These are the changes and early-detection methods experts say are key:

1. Stay at a Healthy Weight

Being heavy can increase your risk of developing the disease as well as reduce your risk of surviving it, says Harold Freeman, M.D., president and founder of the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer and Prevention in New York City.

2. Break a Sweat

Aim to exercise for 45 minutes to an hour five days a week. Regular fitness workouts may help prevent the disease by boosting immune function, warding off obesity, and lowering levels of estrogen and insulin.

3. Drink Less Alcohol

Research has shown that two drinks a day could increase breast cancer risk by 21 percent. Instead, try swapping wine for fresh grapes. Resveratrol, found in the skin of grapes, may help reduce your estrogen levels, which in turn may reduce your risk.

4. Eat Your Veggies

A low-fat diet can do a lot to reduce your risk, but for even more protection, add some cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and kale, to your plate. They contain sulforaphane, which is believed to help prevent cancer cells from multiplying. For an extra dose of cancer-fighting power, eat them raw.

5. Know Your Family History

“In about 15 percent of breast cancer cases, there is a family history of the disease,” Freeman says. If you have one first-degree relative who had breast cancer, your lifetime risk doubles, and if you have two your risk increases five-fold.

6. Get Checked

All women should have a clinical breast exam at least every three years and annual exams and mammograms starting at age 40. Women with a family history should begin screening 10 years prior to the family member’s age of diagnosis. Ask if the facility offers digital mammography–it allows for adjustments in contrast so the image can be easier to see. Young women at increased risk may also want to ask for either an MRI or a sonogram in addition to the mammogram.

7. Consider Genetic Testing

“When cancer strikes young women, it’s more likely to be connected to a BRCA mutation,” Mangino says. Two red flags for being a BRCA carrier: being of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish descent or having a family history of both breast and ovarian cancer. “If you have either of these factors, see a genetic counselor to talk about getting tested,” she says.

 Source: healthdigezt.com

9 Habits that Halt Aging


A song by the popular band, Queen, asked, “Who wants to live forever?” The truth is that if that were possible, many people would try to live for thousands of years. Not to exaggerate, but with these tips you can have a healthier life and be in better health.

Who says you can’t live past 80 or 90 years old? It’s just a matter of changing your habits as soon as possible so that you have a better quality of life and less health problems. It sounds like a dream or utopia, but it is possible to turn it into reality.

The Latest Studies on Modern Living

Studies show that although your chance of surviving is higher in comparison to other times, people lived much more healthier before. Why live to 85 if you are suffering from diseases and sicknesses?

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Sedentary lifestyles, bad food, alcohol, and cigarettes are the four worst factors for someone to live better and longer. According to what they say, these combined can take off up to 12 years of someone’s lifetime.

The good news is if you change these habits a little and are aware that you only have one body and must take care of it, you can reduce this number or, in other words, add more life to your age.

Nine Ways to Live Longer

Don’t Eat Excessively

To get to 100 years old, leave a little bit of food on your plate everyday or eat less. The Japanese are the people that live the longest on the planet because, according to an expert, they eat until they feel 80% satisfied. In order to know when your stomach is a little more than 3/4 full, you should eat slowly. Eating less food helps you grow older slower because calories make the production of the thyroid hormone T3 increase, which slows down your metabolism.

Have More Sex

Two or three times a week is the recommended amount in order to live longer. Good sex keeps you busy, releases positive hormones, burns a large amount of calories (comparable to a half hour walk), lowers blood pressure, strengthens your immune system, improves sleep, reduces excess weight, and protects your heart.

Turn Off the TV and Computer

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Spending too much time in front of screens is not good for your health. People that watch 4 hours of TV a day are 50% more likely to die from problems related to sedentary lifestyles than those who only spend 2 hours or less watching it. Turning the TV off also helps you sleep better and more pleasantly.

They recommend not watching television before going to sleep; read a book instead. In regards to the computer, the work tool of millions of people, it is not always possible to avoid. That’s why it is a good idea to take breaks during your shift, go outside to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, etc.

Avoid Sun Exposure

Avoid harmful UV rays as much as possible to avoid problems like irritation, burns, and even skin cancer. You will also look younger because wrinkles, spots, and freckles won’t form. When you go outside in the summer, put on at least SPF 30, not only on your face but also on your chest, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.

Have a Busy Social Life

Studies have shown that people that are always surround by friends and family have less risk of suffering from heart problems. Loneliness causes depression, stress, high cholesterol, anxiety, fear, etc. This is especially the case for the elderly that feel extremely sad when their children, grandchildren, or other relatives don’t visit often.

Drink in Moderation

The proper “dosage” for men is two glasses a day and one for women. On the other hand, drinking may not only end up in alcoholism, but also in pancreas or  liver diseases and health problems in general. Doctors suggest drinking a glass of  red wine a day to prevent heart attacks or diabetes.

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Junk food keeps you away from these two types of food that are so important for your development and well-being. Before choosing a salty snack, eat an apple. Instead of french fries, go for a tomato and lettuce salad. Fruits and vegetables help reduce cardiac diseases, cancer, obesity, cholesterol, etc. They also detoxify your body and improve your circulation.

Exercise

You should go for a walk everyday or if you “don’t have time” at least use the stairs instead of the elevator. There is a huge correlation between physical activity and longevity. Playing a sport increases your life by up to 4 years and also has very good effects on your heart, lungs, mind, and mood. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

Don’t Smoke

This is one of the worst habits that today’s society has. Women that stop smoking at 35 years old increase their lifetime between 6 and 8 years. It is never too late to stop smoking. Nobody says it will be easy, but it is worth trying. You will begin to notice the benefits after the first day and will increase as weeks and months go on.

Source: healthdigezt.com

3 Excellent Infusions that Promote Digestion


After a big meal rich in fats and proteins, there’s nothing better than an herbal tea to help the stomach with digestion.  You have several options to chose from.  This article will talk about some of the most effective infusions for keeping the stomach from feeling “heavy” after meals.

Ginger tea

Ginger is well-known for its gastronomical uses.  The primary active ingredients, however (gingerol, shogaol, and others) can be used in several different ways in the area of natural medicine.  These same ingredients affect the stomach, producing the following effects:
  • Stimulate pancreatic and gallbladder secretions, promoting digestion.
  • Help reduce the feeling of “heaviness” in the stomach.
  • Prevent dyspepsia, avoiding abdominal swelling and gas.
  • Help prevent nausea and vomiting.
That’s why drinking ginger tea after eating is perfect for good digestion.
Here’s a recipe for making a delicious ginger, chamomile, and lemon infusion: In one liter of water, boil half of one lemon, cut into slices.  Remove from heat after a few minutes and add peeled ginger pieces (however much you would like), and a few bags of chamomile tea.  Let steep for a few minutes, the strain and sweeten to taste with honey or stevia.

Chamomile: another powerful digestive infusion

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Chamomile is another herb widely known for its medicinal properties.  In addition to producing a sedative effect, chamomile tea after lunch or dinner will help you to feel lighter.  Chamomile’s active ingredients prevent stomach and intestinal inflammation, help prevent flatulence as well as the feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

Here’s a good option to include in a chamomile and mint infusion, which is an excellent combination of digestive herbs: boil a bit of water; as soon as the water begins to boil, remove from heat and place a handful of chamomile and mint in a cup.  Pour the water into the cup and let steep for five minutes.  Strain and sweeten to taste.

Boldo and its attributes

Boldo infusion has a very unique taste, and is also one of the most most popular teas made for facilitating digestion.  This drink stimulates liver function and gallbladder secretions, making it easier to digest fatty foods.  To strengthen this effect, combine boldo tea with mint, chamomile, or tarragon.

Here’s a recipe for preparing a delicious boldo infusion: Boil a little bit of water.  Remove from heat once it begins to boil, and add a few boldo leaves.  If you prefer, add a few mint leaves, along with tarragon or chamomile.  Allow to steep for a few minutes, then strain, sweeten (to taste), and serve.
So now you have several options for delicious table-talk.  These digestion-promoting infusions will make you feel much lighter after a heavy meal.  Let’s enjoy a cup now!

 Source: healthdigezt.com

19 Surprising Health Benefits of Cinnamon


Cinnamon or dalchini is a spice, which is used as a condiment in cuisines due to its delicate aroma. It is obtained from the bark of the cinnamon tree and is also used widely because of its medicinal properties.

Chinese medicine and Ayurveda have also considered cinnamon as a sacrosanct and a superpower ingredient, which is being used in the treatment of disorders, like indigestion, colds, and cramps, since ages. The therapeutic components of cinnamon are also believed to improve energy, strength and circulation of the blood. Let’s have a look at some of the surprising health benefits of this super spice.

1. Blood Sugar Control : Several studies have found that cinnamon is helpful in controlling the blood sugar. It is a popular home remedy to treat type 2 diabetes.

2. Candida Yeast Infections : Researchers have found out that cinnamon oil is highly effective in treating a number of strains of Candida, like Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. orthopedics. It has proved its amazing abilities in curing yeast infections that can’t be treated with medicines.

3. Stomach Bug/Flu : By far, the best remedy that can cure stomach flu is cinnamon as it has strong anti-bacterial properties. It is an extremely effective antidote against Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli. Cinnamon tea, cinnamon oil and cinnamon powder, all are helpful in curing stomach bug.

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome : Cinnamon radically reduces the uneasy feelings related with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, in particular, the bloating. It enables the gastric juices to work normally by killing bacteria and curing infections in the gastrointestinal area. Moreover, if you face stomach cramps and distress, a cup of cinnamon tea, 2-3 times per day, can reduce the pain to a great extent.

5. Prevents Cancer : Cinnamon, in its several forms, has proven to be a great remedy in curing gastric cancers, tumours, and melanomas. Leukaemia and lymphoma cancer cells can also be mitigated by cinnamon. It contains Cinnamaldehyde and Eugenol that have proven excellent in treating cancerous cells.

6. Arthritis/Osteoporosis : Cinnamon is rich in manganese, which helps in building bones, blood and other connective tissues of the body. People, who have a deficiency of this mineral, are likely to get the troubles of arthritis/osteoporosis. Massaging with cinnamon oil or drinking cinnamon tea, both are helpful in curing arthritis/osteoporosis.

7. Alertness, Memory & Cognitive Development : Cinnamon is a useful condiment to keep the person more vigilant and less aggravated. Regular users of cinnamon have proved to be sharper in recalling and responding to things.

8. Anti-oxidant : Cinnamon is considered to be amongst the top seven anti-oxidants in the world. It virtually repairs all the damaged body parts, from skin to organs.

9. Weight Reducer : Apparently, cinnamon helps in thinning the blood and thereby, inducing blood circulation. Improved blood flow boosts the metabolic rate of the body, which is helpful in reducing the weight.

10. Muscle Pain : Massaging from cinnamon oil can help in alleviating muscle pain. Add a few drops in water and dunk the aching area to get relax and quick relief.

11. Anti-Fungal : The powerful anti-fungal properties of cinnamon kill the athlete’s foot-causing fungus.

12. Lowering LDL Cholesterol & Triglycerides : Cinnamon helps in reducing the amount of triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in the body, thereby reducing extra fat and preventing heart diseases.

13. Tooth Decay and Gum Disease : Cinnamon oil is used as the main ingredient in many chewing gums, breath mints, mouthwashes, and toothpaste. The anti-bacterial properties present in cinnamon plays a vital role in chucking out harmful bacteria, without causing any damage to the teeth or gums.

14. Cold, Sore Throat and Cough : Intake of cinnamon tea or cinnamon stick tea at the first sign of onset of sore throat will stop the ailment and check it from further spreading. Chinese medication generally uses and recommends cinnamon for phlegm cough.

15. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) : Being rich in manganese, cinnamon is an excellent spice in mitigating the ill-effects of PMS. It largely relieves a woman from pre-menstrual mood swings and cramps.

16. Food Poisoning : Cinnamon soothes down a person suffering from food poisoning. It kills bacteria, fungus and other microbes and combats well with the troubles, caused by food poisoning.

17. Infertility : Cinnamon helps the females with polycystic ovary syndrome in regularising the menstrual cycles, thus treating a type of infertility condition.

18. Headache : Cinnamon tea provides a quick relief in migraine and headaches.

19. Other Benefits
•It has natural anti-infectious compounds, which provide relieve from ulcers.
•It is a good remedy for several neurological diseases, like meningitis, brain tumour, •Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.
•Cinnamon has great pest control ability.
•Cinnamon is an excellent anti-coagulant.

Source: homeremedy.com

Fasting to Lose Weight: Is that a Good Option?


Fasting is an age-old practice followed by millions of people all over the world to reduce weight rapidly. Few consider fasting as the most effective way to reduce those stubborn fats. There is another set of people who consider fasting as a severe and a dangerous process to lose weight – that causes various health problems in future.

Fasting is also followed as a religious practice in many parts of the world, and those who fast assert that it helps them stay healthy. Fasting is also carried out to remove toxins from the body, and this type of fasting is known as detox fasting.

However, when it comes to weight loss, many consider fasting is the easiest process to follow. It does not require one to cook, control appetite to overeat, etc., thus, many choose this path to shed their weight. Is fasting really a good option to lose weight? Read on to know more.

How Fasting Works?
During fasting, one can dramatically reduce his/her calories intake to lose weight. This reduces the appetite of the person resulting in lesser consumption of food. Hence, weight gain in future can also be avoided. Fasting without food and with fruit juice and water can also support substantial weight loss without affecting the energy level of the body.

Advantages of Fasting
Fasting is an advantageous process for many. To reduce weight and achieve metabolism balance, fasting is a right choice. Few other advantages are as follows:
The most notable advantage of fasting is that, it helps in keeping the system clean.
Fasting also helps reduce unwanted fat from the body that makes you look thinner.

Fasting offers countless medical advantages like offering rest to the digestive system, detoxification of the body, inner stillness to the body, physical lightness and more.
One can achieve mental stability through fasting.

For many, fasting enhances spiritual connection that rejuvenates their entire mental health.
Digestive disorders and problems like constipation can be treated well by observing fast.
One can lose up to 20 pounds in a month by following a steadfast diet.

Few fasting plans like five fruits fasting, juice fasting, vegetable broth fasting and more can enhance good health in people.

Disadvantages of Fasting
Fasting has to be done with maximum care; otherwise, it results in serious health problems. Here are a few disadvantages of fasting:

Prolonged fasting can cause slow growth in kids and teenagers, as it may result in malnutrition.
At times, wrong fasting can slow down the metabolism of the body. This results in unwanted weight gain in people.

Few types of fasting can even cause anemia, obesity, lungs and kidney failure and more.
Fasting also causes dehydration in people because they intake very less amount of water. This results in renal problems, early signs of ageing, multi organ failure and also sudden death at times.

For those who are looking forward to healthy weight loss in the name of fasting, it causes mineral deficiencies, muscle breakdown and even vitamin deficiency.

At the initial stages of fasting, weight loss may be quicker, but the weight gain process once the person discontinues fasting may be even more rapid than weight loss.

Recommended Fasting Methods to Lose Weight
Dieticians all over the world recommend certain types of fasting that are beneficial to lose weight. These fasting methods do not pose any threat to your health, if you follow them with care.

1. Complete Fasting
Complete fasting is a process in which one can have nothing but water in a day. This fasting can prolong for about 24 hours and doing this once in a month can extend the life span of a person.

2. Intermittent Fasting
This is an exclusive fasting method that follows 5:2 schedule, i.e., you eat normally 5 days a week. The remaining 2 days are for dieting. Your calorie consumption for these 2 days cut to a ¼ of their normal level. It will improve your insulin sensitivity, cholesterol level and blood pressure.

3. Alternate Day Fasting
Alternate day fasting is a good way to increase balance in health. You are allowed to eat whatever you want one day, but the next day, you will have to restrict your diet. Consuming 300 calories in a day and not consuming more than 500 calories the next day helps improve digestion.

4. Transition Fasting
Transition fasting is a process in which one can become a vegetarian or a vegan slowly with the help of alternate day fasting. Avoiding non-vegetarian food entirely may not work out well for all, but transition fasting is a good choice.

How much weight one can lose through fasting?
With the help of fasting, one can reduce a maximum of 1lb. every day. Putting off more than 1lb. in a day is not a good fasting process. Be it any type of fasting, it is always advisable for you to take the help of your fitness expert, dietician or your family doctor. Instead of cooking instant soups, it is good to have boiled vegetables or the water after straining the boiled vegetables.

Do’s
•Strictly follow a vegetarian diet, if you wish to reduce weight by fasting. One can also consume white meat that is fat-free.

•Combine fasting with simpler exercises like walking, jogging, treadmill and more. This helps you lose weight in a short time span.

•Take help of a dietician before following any type of fasting, so as to ensure that the path you are going to choose is safe for weight loss.

•Eat enough fresh fruits and boiled vegetables before starting your fast for the day. This keeps you hydrated and energetic.

•One can drink fruit juice without ice and sugar to stay hydrated when observing fasting.

Don’ts
•One can rely on weight loss supplements that reduce appetite but they may have adverse effect on health in long run. So, avoid consuming them excessively.

•Fasting is believed as the best procedure to cleanse your body, but this is not true. Do not follow any detox diet.

•It is a myth that fasting can reduce your belly fat or post-pregnancy fat accumulated near the tummy area. Try not to follow strict fasting to reduce only tummy fat or post-pregnancy fat.

•Fasting does not mean reducing the calories intake to a considerable level. Say for example, one cannot just eat 1000-1500 calories in a day to reduce weight. This process causes nutrition deficiency in people.

Source: homeremedy.com

How to Control Uric Acid Levels in 10 Ways


High levels of uric acid in the blood, also called hyperuricemia, can result from either increased production of uric acid in the body or decreased excretion of it through the kidneys.

It can further lead to problems like gouty arthritis, kidney stones and renal failure. Recent studies have also associated high blood uric acid levels with hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Normal uric acid levels are:
  • Men: 3.4–7.0mg/dL
  • Women: 2.4–6.0 mg/dL
The values may vary at different labs.
Factors that can contribute to a high uric acid level include a diet high in purines (purines are broken down into uric acid), excess alcohol consumption, renal insufficiency, obesity, underactive thyroid, genetics, endocrine or metabolic conditions like diabetes or acidosis, and certain other diseases.

Certain cancers, chemotherapy agents and other medications, such as diuretics, may also contribute to it. Exercising, fasting and crash dieting may elevate uric acid levels temporarily.
There are some tips and natural remedies that can help reduce and control uric acid levels. In addition, proper diagnosis and treatment by a healthcare professional is a must.

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Here are the top 10 ways to control uric acid levels.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Being a natural cleanser and detoxifier, apple cider vinegar can help remove wastes like uric acid from the body. It contains malic acid that helps break down and eliminate uric acid. Apple cider vinegar also helps restore the alkaline acid balance in the body and provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
  1. Add one teaspoon of raw, organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.
  2. Drink this solution two or three times a day.
You can gradually increase the amount of apple cider vinegar up to two tablespoons per glass of water and continue this remedy until your uric acid levels come down.

Note: Do not take apple cider vinegar in excess as it may decrease potassium levels in the body. Also, it may interfere with diuretic drugs.

2. Lemon Juice

Though it may seem that lemon juice will make the body more acidic, in actuality, it produces an alkaline effect and helps neutralize uric acid. Plus, its vitamin C content also helps lower uric acid levels.
  • Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a glass of warm water. Drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. Continue for at least a few weeks.
  • You can also take vitamin C supplements. For proper dosage and suitability, consult your doctor.

3. Cherries

Cherries and dark berries contain chemicals that help reduce uric acid levels. Plus, purple and blue-colored berries contain flavonoids called anthocyanins that help lower uric acid and reduce inflammation and stiffness.
  • Eat one-half cup of cherries daily for a few weeks. You can also drink one or two cups of tart cherry juice for about four weeks.
  • Also, add blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, and other vitamin C and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda, also called bicarbonate of soda, is highly beneficial for lowering uric acid levels and reducing gout pain. It helps maintain the natural alkaline balance in the body and makes the uric acid more soluble and easier to flush out of the kidneys.
  1. Mix one-half teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
  2. Drink up to four glasses of this daily for two weeks. You can drink it every two to four hours.
Note: Do not take this remedy on a regular basis. Also, do not follow this remedy if you suffer from high blood pressure. People age 60 or older should not drink more than three glasses of this baking soda solution daily.

5. Olive Oil

Most vegetable oils turn into rancid fats when heated or processed. The rancid fats destroy the vital vitamin E in the body, which is essential for controlling uric acid levels.

Opt for cold-pressed olive oil rather than using vegetable oil, butter or shortening in your cooking and baking. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats that remain stable when heated. Plus, it is high in vitamin E and antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory benefits.

6. Water

Drinking plenty of water helps optimize uric acid filtering. It helps dilute the uric acid and stimulates the kidneys to eliminate excess amounts from the body through urine.

Plus, drinking adequate water regularly can reduce the risk of recurrent gout attacks. In an internet-based study presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, researchers found that participants who drank five to eight glasses of water in the 24-hour period prior to a possible gout attack had a 40 percent decreased risk of an attack compared with those who drank only one glass of water or less.
  • Drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water throughout the day.
  • Also, include more fluids and fresh, water-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet.

7. A Low-Purine Diet

avoid-purines-opt

Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds that break down into uric acid, thus increasing levels in the body. They are mostly found in animal proteins.

Steer clear of animal proteins like meats, organ meats, fish and poultry. Legumes, yeast, mushrooms, asparagus and beans are also high in purine. Beer, too, is rich in purine.

8. High-Fiber Foods and Starchy Carbohydrates

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Foods high in dietary fiber help lower uric acid levels by absorbing it and then eliminating it from the body. You can also eat foods with starchy carbohydrates as they contain only small amounts of purine.
Whole grains, apples, pears, oranges and strawberries are some examples of high fiber foods that you can incorporate in your diet. Starchy carbohydrates are foods like rice, whole grain pasta, tapioca (also called sabudana), quinoa, potato, oats and bananas.

You can also drink green papaya tea to prevent the buildup of uric acid and treat uric acid and gout related problems. The papain in green papaya helps the body maintain an alkaline state and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

9. Dairy Products

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Low-fat milk and dairy products have been associated with lower plasma urate concentrations and reduced risk of gout. Skim milk, for example, contains orotic acid that decreases the re-absorption of uric acid and promotes its removal through the kidneys.
  • Drink one to five cups of skim milk daily.
  • You can also include low-fat yogurt and other dairy products in your diet.
Tofu, too, can help alter plasma protein concentration and increase uric acid clearance. Soy milk, however, has been found to increase uric acid.

10. Wheatgrass Juice

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Wheatgrass helps restore alkalinity in the blood. Plus, it is rich in vitamin C, chlorophyll and phytochemicals that promote detoxification. It is also a good source of protein and amino acids as an alternative to eating animal protein.

Simply drink one ounce (two tablespoons) of wheatgrass juice mixed with a squeeze of lemonjuice daily until your uric acid level comes down.
Additional Tips
  • Limit your alcohol intake as it interferes with the elimination of uric acid.
  • Avoid high-fructose corn syrup or glucose-fructose syrup as they tend to increase uric acid levels.
  • Get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight. It is believed that fatty tissue tends to increase uric acid production.
  • Eat a balanced diet that is high in complex carbohydrates and low in protein. Avoid refined carbohydrates such as white bread, cakes and candies.
  • Cut back on foods high in fat as it lowers the body’s ability to eliminate uric acid.
Source: healthdigezt.com

12 Weird Health Tips You Should Try That Really Work


Many methods to improve your health are pretty straightforward: To lose weight, eat less and exercise more; to boost your energy, get more sleep; to prevent dehydration, drink more water. Others, however, are totally counterintuitive. The following 12 tips really do work — but they may leave you scratching your head.

1. Drink coffee to have a better nap.

In a Japanese study that examined how to make the most of a nap, people who took a “coffee nap” — consuming about 200 milligrams of caffeine (the amount in one to two cups of coffee) and then immediately taking a 20-minute rest — felt more alert and performed better on computer tests than those who only took a nap.

Why does this work? A 20-minute nap ends just as the caffeine kicks in and clears the brain of a molecule called adenosine, maximizing alertness. “Adenosine is a byproduct of wakefulness and activity,” says Allen Towfigh, M.D., medical director of New York Neurology & Sleep Medicine. “As adenosine levels increase, we become more fatigued. Napping clears out the adenosine and, when combined with caffeine, an adenosine-blocker, further reduces its effects and amplifies the effects of the nap.”

2. For healthy teeth, don’t brush after eating.

Don’t brush your teeth immediately after meals and drinks, especially if they were acidic. Acidic foods — citrus fruits, sports drinks, tomatoes, soda (both diet and regular) — can soften tooth enamel “like wet sandstone,” says Howard R. Gamble, immediate past president of the Academy of General Dentistry. Brushing your teeth at this stage can speed up acid’s effect on your enamel and erode the layer underneath. Gamble suggests waiting 30 to 60 minutes before brushing.

3. To wear a smaller size, gain weight.

Muscle weight, that is. If two women both weigh 150 pounds and only one lifts weights, the lifter will more likely fit into a smaller pant size than her sedentary counterpart. Likewise, a 150-pound woman who lifts weights could very well wear the same size as a 140-pound woman who doesn’t exercise. The reason: Although a pound of fat weighs the same as a pound of muscle, muscle takes up less space, says Mark Nutting, fitness director of SACO Sport & Fitness in Saco, Maine. “You can get bigger muscles and get smaller overall if you lose the fat,” he says. “The bulk so many women fear only occurs if you don’t lose fat and develop muscle on top of it.” Cut back on calories and add weight to your workout to lose inches.

4. To eat less, eat more.

Grabbing a 100-calorie snack pack of cookies or pretzels may seem virtuous, but it’s more likely to make you hungrier than if you ate something more substantial, says Amy Goodson, RD, dietitian for Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine. “Eating small amounts of carbohydrates does nothing but spike your blood sugar and leave you wanting more carbs.” Goodson recommends choosing a protein such as peanut butter or string cheese with an apple. “They are higher in calories per serving, but the protein and fat helps you get full faster and stay full longer — and you end up eating fewer calories overall,” she says.

5. Skip energy drinks when you’re tired.

Energy drinks contain up to five times more caffeine than coffee, but the boost they provide is fleeting and comes with unpleasant side effects like nervousness, irritability, and rapid heartbeat, says Goodson. Plus, energy drinks often contain high levels of taurine, a central nervous system stimulant, and upwards of 50 grams of sugar per can (that’s 13 teaspoons worth!). The sweet stuff spikes blood sugar temporarily, only to crash soon after, leaving you sluggish and foggy-headed — and reaching for another energy drink.

6. Drink water when you’re bloated.

When you feel bloated, drinking water sounds as if it would only make matters worse, but it can often help, says James Lee, M.D., gastroenterologist with St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif. If you’re on a high-fiber diet, for instance, then your body needs more water to work more efficiently, says Lee. “Water mixes with water soluble fiber and makes it into a gel like substance. This affects the motility of the gut and reduces the symptom of bloating.” Drinking more water also relieves bloating caused by dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, your body clings to the water your body does have, causing you to puff up.

7. Ditch diet soda to lose weight.

You should ditch all soda, including diet. Research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health revealed that overweight and obese adults who drank diet beverages ate more calories from food than those who drank regular soda. Additionally, a University of Texas study found that diet soda drinkers had a 70 percent greater increase in waist circumference than non-drinkers over the course of about 10 years.

“In addition, many people think ‘low-fat,’ ‘low-sugar’ or ‘light’ means fewer calories, but that’s not always true,” says Goodson. “Typically when manufacturers cut something out and the end result tastes just as good, they’ve added something like additional sugar.”

8. Drink a hot beverage to cool off.

Which will cool you off faster on a steamy summer morning: iced coffee or hot? Two recent studies say the latter — and so do other cultures where drinking hot tea in hot weather is the norm, like in India. When you sip a hot beverage, your body senses the change in temperature and increases your sweat production. Then, as the sweat evaporates from your skin, you cool off naturally.

9. Exercise when you’re tired.

After a long, exhausting workday, exercising sounds like the last thing you’d want to do, but getting your sweat on will actually energize you. Fatigue along with mood and depression improved after a single 30-minute moderate intensity exercise session, according to a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. “Everything we do uses oxygen, so when you exercise it helps you work more efficiently and you don’t tire as easily,” says Nutting. “You also function better mentally.”

10. Handwrite notes to boost your brainpower.

Typing notes enables you to jot down more material, but you’re more likely to remember those notes if you handwrite them, according to research from Indiana University. “To learn something means you have processed it,” says Towfigh. “And when you take handwritten notes you ‘process’ or learn more information. You begin the learning process as you listen to the lecture.” Plus, since you look at the page on which you are writing, you naturally review the material and reinforce the information you’ve already processed, Towfigh says.

11. To improve your relationship, spend less time together.

Jumping from one social event to another without any time to come up for air could sacrifice the quality of your relationships. Spending time alone allows you to process your thoughts rather than act impulsively and, as a result, you get to know yourself better, says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of Better Than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love. “Alone time enables you to be more in touch with yourself and can better give and receive,” Lombardo says. “In addition, it reduces stress and anxiety, which could also contribute to relationship strains.” Meditate, go for a walk, sit in a cafĂ© and people watch, or even clean out your closet, she suggests.

12. Ditch antibacterial soap to prevent illness.

Reaching for the soap bottle labeled “antibacterial” won’t necessarily reduce your risk of getting sick or passing illness to others — in fact, there is no evidence that antibacterial soaps are more effective than regular ones. What’s more, long-term exposure to some ingredients in these products, such as triclosan, may pose health risks like bacterial resistance or hormonal effects, according to a 2013 FDA statement. More research on the effects of triclosan is needed, and in the meantime, the FDA is working toward requiring manufacturers to prove their products are safe for long-term use — and the state of Minnesota has banned triclosan-containing products altogether, which goes into full effect in 2017.

 Source: healthdigezt.com