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Health 5

Atkins & Low-Carb – Part 2

In our last article we talked about the low-carb diet, and whether or not we can stick with it for life. In this installment we’re still going to talk about carb control, but from a slightly different perspective. Let’s take a look at WHO is endorsing which diet plan, and what is their motivation?
Without a doubt, the most popular low-carb plan is the Atkins diet. Atkins is the fuel in the rocket, so to speak, that has put the low-carb phenomenon into orbit. Prior to Atkins, few (if any) of us had considered low-carbing as a weight loss plan. Of course, carb control as a concept existed long before Atkins; we called it the glycemic index!
Since the birth of the Atkins plan, many have followed. The South Beach Diet is probably the most successful derivative of Atkins. South Beach teaches a more balanced approach to carb-control eating, pointing out the difference between “good” carbs and “bad” carbs. Yes, there is a difference! South Beach doesn’t advocate eliminating ALL carbohydrates from your diet, just some.
Along with these two low-carb heavy-hitters, there are hundreds (even thousands?) of companies out there making a living off the low-carb mania. There’s even a new magazine dedicated to low-carb living. Should we believe what THEY say? Why or why not?
What do all of these people and/or organizations have in common? Well, most of them are trying to sell us something. Atkins, of course, has books and a growing line of food products. The South Beach folks are following that retail receipe for success as quickly as they can. Just because they’re making money off the low-carb diet, does that automatically discredit what they’re saying? Of course not! But, it should be enough to make us dig a little deeper, to seek out more facts.
How about the federal government…..one of the reasons we have a government is to protect us from fraudulent claims and give us the TRUTH. Right? Well, hold on a minute: for decades the government has told us that a high-carbohydrate diet is the sure road to weight management (remember the food pyramid?). Now, all of a sudden, we’re not so sure about that.
So in whom do we place our trust? On the one hand, most of us DO trust the FDA to give us the straight-scoop about health and nutrition, so we should have 6-11 servings of carbohydrates per day. On the other hand, most of us know someone who has lost 25-50 pounds on a low-carb diet. Who’s right? Who do we trust?
Your best bet is to trust the most unbiased source available: YOUR DOCTOR. Not only will your doctor have the most knowledge to answer your questions, but perhaps more importantly your doctor HAS NO VESTED INTEREST IN PUSHING ANY PARTICULAR DIETARY PLAN.
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022Many of us seek out fair, impartial resources when we’re making a major purchase (car, boat, house, etc.). SHOULDN’T WE DO THE SAME WHEN WE’RE INVESTING IN OUR OWN BODY?!?!?!
Please understand that we’re NOT saying you should ignore everything from low-carb promoters. We’re not saying that at all. Companies and corporations play an important role in educating the public. What we are saying, however, is that it’s critical to consult with your physician before starting on the low-carb diet…..or on ANY diet for that matter. As we discussed in the last article in this series, low-carb plans are not right for everyone. Your doctor is in the best position to tell if it’s right for you.
Once again, we must include a reminder to EXERCISE! No matter what nutritional approach you take, ALL of the experts recommend that you exercise on a regular basis. Think about it: there are hundreds of diet plans out there in the world today, and many of them offer conflicting information, BUT THE ONE THING THAT THEY ALL HAVE IN COMMON IS THAT THEY STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO EXERCISE. So although the experts may disagree on what you should eat, they do agree on what you should do: exercise!

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Health 5

Are You Fit Enough To Get Fit? The Alexander Technique May What You Need

To achieve a high level of fitness for life sounds like hard work – and not just from a the physical point of view. Many fail to maintain fitness because, and let’s be honest, exercise routines can be boring! Where is the fun in doing the same exercises week in week out. Yes there are many who do stick to their regimes, but why devote so much time to something that doesn’t really engage you? Do you remember how much fun a trip to the park was with your friends, a bat and a ball? How much exercise did you get in one afternoon playing a few games?
You may have heard of The Alexander Technique as a method to improve your health by correcting your posture, but it has far more to offer. Learning this highly practical technique can add a new dimension to training giving you a totally new attitude to fitness and physical activity and increasing your chances of staying with a fitness program.
Whether interested in developing total fitness or just looking for relief from the all too common aches and pains, a subtle change in attitude and approach will help you get more from your body. Learning The Alexander Technique helps you develop a better understanding of your body, how it works, how it moves and how to make movement easier so you can do more with less effort. Achieving a high level of fitness for life is within your reach when you know how to use your body correctly. It is ironic that people frequently injure themselves doing activities they believe should be keeping them fit and healthy!
Why does this happen? It is a sad fact that many adults have lost the art of natural movement. We unknowingly develop poor habits that puts excessive stress on joints and muscles. The more you move poorly the better you will get at doing it in this way. End result – injury! I was alarmed when I started learning The Alexander Technique aged twenty-six at just how badly I moved, especially when I considered myself fit and well-informed about my body following years of martial arts, swimming and running!
The term ‘fitness’ generally relates to how far or fast you can run or how well you can perform physical tasks. Yet we should recognise that fitness is important for maintaining health and functionality. Yet fitness is about more than physical abilities – its about being able to do what you want, when you want and to do it well. The right mental attitude and approach are essential for performing at your peak. Of course, you still need to have the body that can meet your demands so you must work on both your physical and mental skills. The good news is that they can be worked on together.
How well do you know your body? If you are looking to maintain fitness for life you are going to be asking a lot from your body, but just how good is your body knowledge? Many are surprised at how their knowledge and understanding of their body differs from your true physical structure when taking Alexander lessons. How you move is based on your concept of how it works. If there are discrepancies between concept and reality this will effect your movement. Again if your objective is to maintain fitness this will have implications.
That’s the bad news, now for the good. Learning The Alexander Technique will not only help you identify where you may be making movement harder, its practical techniques will give you the means to eradicate them altogether. Movement becomes a whole lot easier when you take the habitual brake off!
It also helps to develop your ability to focus which can take you into The Zone a place where athletes achieve peak performance with little perceived effort. This is where learning The Alexander Technique will deliver real lasting benefits to help you achieve fitness for life. With a new understanding of your body you can approach physical activity and exercise better informed about what works for you. Injury need not be something you need to suffer in order to maintain fitness.
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Health 5

Are Pain Killers Causing Your Headaches?

Do you take analgesics (pain pills) for your chronic headaches? If you do you are not alone, but you may be surprised to learn that the pain-killers you’re taking may actually be promoting your chronic tension or migraine headaches.
What should you do when you have a tension or a migraine headache? What should you do when you are experiencing chronic pain? Take a pain pill, right? WRONG! Most people don’t have a second thought when it comes to taking analgesics for their chronic headaches or other assorted aches and pains, but research from the St. Louis University School of Medicine demonstrates that “analgesic use seems to be the primary factor in promoting the development of chronic pain.” It was found that painkillers, instead of helping relieve the chronic pain, can actually be the cause of it.
“The best thing a person with chronic headaches can do is get off the painkillers,” says Paul Duckro, associate professor of psychiatry at St. Louis University. “In our studies, two-thirds of the chronic headache sufferers benefited from the withdrawal of medication.” Two-thirds of the chronic headache sufferers not only did not get rid of their headaches with the medications they were taking, but increased their severity through the use of analgesics.
“Evidently, at a certain point in a chronic sufferer’s intake of analgesics (including aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and the stronger narcotic painkillers), the headache becomes drug-induced. In an irony of biology, a substance intended to reduce pain becomes a factor in producing it.” Ibuprofen is the “pain-relieving” ingredient in Advil, Motrin IB, Nuprin and many other headache medications. Acetaminophen is the active “painkilling” ingredient in Tylenol. You should be aware that these popular medications may be hindering your recovery from your chronic headaches. And even worse, the medications that are supposed to be relieving your pain may actually be the cause of it.
According to Duckro: “The person takes some aspirin, but the pain increases. So the person takes some more aspirin. Then the person begins to take aspirin in anticipation of the pain, thinking, ‘If it’s this bad when I’m taking medicine, it’s going to be unbearable without.’ Gradually, the person – and it’s more often a woman – gets a headache whenever the medicine is not being taken.” (Duckro is director of St. Louis University’s Biobehavioral Treatment Center, which has its own headache management program).
Dr. William Bennett, head of nephrology at Oregon Health Sciences University, estimates that over-the-counter painkillers are responsible for as many as 20% of the 125,000 cases of end-stage kidney disease in the United States. All drugs have side effects. These can include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, liver damage, kidney damage, internal bleeding and many other symptoms including death. We have always known and recognized these possible negative consequences from ingesting drugs (unless we don’t read the labels), but we continue to take these analgesics by the mega millions with the hope of relieving our pain and discomfort.
There is no guarantee that if we take a pain pill for our chronic migraine headaches, stomach aches or other types of pain it will actually eliminate the pain. There is also no guarantee that we won’t experience unwanted reactions to the drug itself. But when the pain gets so bad we often decide that the possible relief outweighs the risk associated with the analgesic.
But what most of us do not realize is that there may be one more consequence from taking medication for chronic headaches. We may find that the analgesics are actually the cause of the symptoms, that without them we wouldn’t be having so many headaches. If you suffer with chronic headaches you may find that the pills you are taking are actually inducing your discomfort. And you may also discover that when you stop taking the medication you begin to experience fewer chronic migraines. After all, according to the director of St. Louis University’s Biobehavioral Treatment Center two-thirds of the chronic headache sufferers benefited from the withdrawal of medication.
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Health 5

Antidepressants and Phototherapy

Antidepressants are used commonly in medical and psychiatric practice. As a class, antidepressants have in common their ability to treat major depressive illness. Most antidepressants are also effective in the treatment of panic disorder and other anxiety disorders. Some antidepressants effectively treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and a variety of other conditions (see indications below).
The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are listed in Table 12-1. Antidepressants are subdivided into groups based on structure or prominent functional activity: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOls), and other antidepressant compounds with a variety of mechanisms of action. Antidepressants are typically thought to act on either the serotonin or norepinephrine systems, or both. Choice of medications typically depends on diagnosis, history of response (in patient or relative), and the side-effect profile of the medication. Antidepressant effects are typically not seen until 2 to 4 weeks into treatment. Side effects must be carefully monitored, especially for TCAs and MAOls.
Indications
Table 12-2 lists the indications for antidepressants.
The main indication for antidepressant medications is major depressive disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV). Antidepressants are used in the treatment of all subtypes of depression, including depressed phase of bipolar disorder, psychotic depression (in combination with an antipsychotic medication), atypical depression, and seasonal depression. Antidepressants also are indicated for the prevention of recurrent depressive episodes.
Antidepressant medications may be effective in the treatment of patients with dysthymic disorder, especially when there are clear neurovegetative signs or a history of response to antidepressants.
Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia has been shown to respond to SSRls, MAOls, TCAs, and high-potency benzodiazepines (alprazolam and clonazepam).
OCD has been shown to respond to the serotonin-selective tricyclic clomipramine (Anafranil) and to SSRIs at high doses (e.g., fluoxetine at 60-80mg/ day). Obsessions tend to be more responsive to pharmacotherapy than compulsions. Symptoms of OCD respond more slowly than symptoms of major depression. Trials of 12 weeks or more are needed before a medication can be ruled a failure for an OCD patient.
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022Mechanisms of Action
Antidepressants are thought to exert their effects at particular subsets of neuronal synapses throughout the brain. Their major interaction is with the monoamine neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin). Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are released throughout the brain by neurons that originate in the ventral brainstem, locus ceruleus and the raphe nuclei, respectively. These neurotransmitters interact with numerous receptor subtypes in the brain that are associated with the regulation of global state functions including appetite, mood states, arousal, vigilance, attention, and sensory processing.
SSRls act by binding to presynaptic serotonin reuptake proteins, thereby inhibiting reuptake and increasing the levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft.
TCAs act by blocking presynaptic reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. MAOls act by inhibiting the presynaptic enzyme (monoamine oxidase) that catabolizes norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, thereby increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters presynaptically.
These immediate mechanisms of action are not sufficient to explain the delayed antidepressant effects (typically 2 to 4 weeks). Other unknown mechanisms must play a role in the successful psychopharmacologic treatment of depression.
Full article: http://www.health.am/psy/more/antidepressants_ect_and_phototherapy/
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Health 5

An Insight Into PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

I was cruising the “net” just recently, when I came across “PCOS”. I had never heard of this but I found it very interesting because for years I have suffered with blood sugar problems. So as soon as I come across an article that relates to blood sugar, I research it further. This is very interesting because so many women suffer with this condition. And, like many blood sugar conditions, it also can go undiagnosed.
What you’re about to read will give you a greater understanding of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and how to reverse its underlying condition, Insulin Resistance. This information is not about fad diets, magic pills or fantasy claims to transform the way you look and feel overnight. It is about accurate scientific information that can help you to effectively change the way your body responds to food and help reverse your PCOS.
INSULIN RESISTANCE IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF PCOS http://syndromex.stanford.edu/InsulinResistance.htm The above is a link to more detailed information from the stanford.edu website. Are you one of the millions of women with PCOS who have failed to reverse the symptoms of this condition no matter what you’ve tried? It may not be due to lack of willpower. Instead, you could be Insulin Resistant, the root cause of PCOS.
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health, Stanford University and other research centers have clearly identified the existence and effects of Insulin Resistance, a biochemical condition that causes excessive weight gain and PCOS, which is also known as polycystic ovaries. If you are among the 65% of the overweight population with Insulin Resistance, your ability to reverse your PCOS and lose weight may not have been within your control – until now.
This breakthrough in understanding the body’s biochemistry remains relatively unknown, even though Insulin Resistance has reached epidemic proportions. Your doctor may not have explained the crucial link between Insulin Resistance and PCOS. You need to understand this link in order to reverse your condition.
The Insulite PCOS System is the first scientifically-designed method that restores your body’s ability to conquer PCOS by reversing Insulin Resistance. You can also read more here: http://www.pcosupport.org/living/nutrition/insulinre.php PCOS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a hormonal imbalance linked to the way the body processes insulin after it has been produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar (glucose).
The underlying cause of PCOS, Insulin Resistance, has many factors that contribute to its presence in the body. In essence, our environment and lifestyles have evolved too rapidly for our bodies to keep pace. We are still genetically “wired” to thrive on the entrenched habits of our ancestors, who consumed different, nutrient-rich foods, a diet low in carbohydrates and who sustained greater levels of movement and exercise. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to Insulin Resistance, while others develop the condition through high stress and unhealthy lifestyles. Also check Dr. Barry Sears Books on Hormonal Balance. INSULIN RESISTANCE NEGATIVELY AFFECTS GLUCOSE AND INSULIN LEVELS SYMPTOMS OF PCOS Doctors very often misdiagnose PCOS. This became an issue of critical concern after a study in 2000 found that women suffering from PCOS have a higher risk of coronary heart disease.
Researchers found a link between PCOS and other metabolic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for coronary heart disease.
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Please take note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Health 5

An Apple a Day, Does Keep the Doctor Away

Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to: reduce your cholesterol, reduce your hunger, lower your fat absorption, reduce surges in insulin levels, help with weight loss, lower the risk of colon cancer, and lower your risk of heart disease. WOW! Sounds like a miracle cure – where can I get this stuff? The answer: At your grocery store.
Old Ben Franklin, citing in Poor Richard’s Almanac 250 years ago stated “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well he was right. Not only because the apple contains vitamins and minerals, but also because it is a major source of fiber. Maybe three apples a day keeps three doctors away!
What is fiber? Well, it is basically indigestible complex carbo-hydrates that come from plant foods. What your Grandma called “roughage” is called fiber by scientists. When you look at some food labels, fiber is often listed under carbohydrates – but it is not a single food or substance and by itself has no calories because your body cannot absorb it.
There are actually two types of fiber and they have different health benefits. The two types are “water soluble” and “water insoluble”. Soluble fibers include the skins of fruits such as apples, oranges (not the orange peel, but the white material after you peel it), pears, peaches and grapes; the skins of vegetables, seeds; oat bran, dried beans, oatmeal, barley, rye, and prunes. Insoluble fibers include the meat of fruits and vegetables, dried beans, wheat bran, seeds, popcorn, brown rice, and whole grain products such as breads, cereals, and pasta.
Bran of course does bulk up the diet and results in larger, softer stools. But it actually does more than prevent constipation – there are clear data showing that fiber also reduces the risk of colon cancers. The “stickiest” kinds of fiber are the gums and pectins (soluble fiber) and they help keep cholesterol under control by removing bile acids that digest fat. Bile acids, which promote better digestion, unfortunately also contribute much to the “reabsorption” from the bowel wall of our bodies own “home-made” cholesterol. Every gram of fiber intake per day reduces your total blood cholesterol by approximately one point. The same class of fibers may help regulate blood sugar as well. This latter feat is accomplished by coating the bowel’s lining and delaying stomach emptying. As a result, fiber can slow sugar absorption after a meal and may reduce the amount of insulin needed to keep blood sugar at the right levels. Reducing the over-production of insulin is a major factor in reducing obesity.
Insulin “resistance” (abnormally high insulin levels) is common in very obese patients and may be a factor in “obesity begets obesity”. Fiber is also a weight watchers dream since fibers called cellulose and hemicelluloses take up space in the stomach, making us feel full; thus lowering total caloric intake at meal time. Popular agents such as Metamucil are actually an important part of many weight reduction diets as they slow down absorption of sugars taken in as part of most meals – promoting further weight loss.
The average American gets only 14 grams of fiber per day in their diet. Most scientists agree that the optimal amount is closer to 35 grams per day. Increasing the consumption of “complex” carbo-hydrates is the best way to increase fiber intake. Fiber supplements are also available at the grocery. However, be aware that a large increase in your fiber intake over a short period of time may result in bloating, diarrhea, gas and general discomfort. It is important then to increase the fiber amount in your diet gradually over a period of time (up to three weeks) to allow your “gut” to acclimated and avoid abdominal side-effects.
Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022Dr. John Rumberger is the Author of The WAY Diet, The complete lifestyle plan to live longer, reduce stress, and lose weight the healthy way. To purchase The Way Diet simply go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0974993387&link_code=as2&camp=1789&tag=icobweb-20&creative=9325 or go to Empty Canoe Publishing http://www.emptycanoe.com and order your copy of The Way.
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Health 5

An ADD Case Study: When the Pace Picks Up, Learn to Slow Down

The fall season signals a shift in most people’s minds. The summer is coming to a close, and it’s back to school, work, and the other things that we haven’t put as much effort into since Memorial Day. Many ADDers welcome this shift, as boredom sets in around August and we long for something bigger to keep us occupied. But while the opportunity to dive into new projects and situations is exciting, it can also become quickly overwhelming.
One way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by all the extra activities that September brings is by remembering to schedule in personal “down time.” This means taking a chunk of time for yourself each and every day to relax, unwind, and plan.
“Anna” is a client of mine who has given me permission to share her story. I’ve been coaching Anna for a while, and we just resumed our work together after a month off. Anna owns a business selling her own artwork. She also has a husband, two kids, a dog, a cat, and a parrot. Her business, like many, is slow in the summer months, which works out well for her because she can spend extra time with her kids. Just two weeks ago, though, she started to see more orders coming in from her website for custom-made designs, and she panicked.
“All of a sudden, I realized that I had just one week to take my kids school clothes shopping AND school supply shopping, get Butter [the dog] to the vet because he can’t seem to stop scratching his ear, meet with the new web designer and get him the materials he’s going to need, and find the time to make and ship two products which I wasn’t expecting orders for. This is in addition to all the OTHER stuff I have to do, like grocery shop, cook, clean up, and spend time with my family.
So what did I do? I freaked out. Instead of getting to work, I sat on the couch and watched talk shows.”
Although the details and tasks will be different for everyone, this is a familiar tale for ADDers. Life seems to be rolling along fine and then, out of nowhere, the to-do list seems too big to handle. Overwhelm sets in, and it’s easy to shut down under the weight of the pressure.
Anna and I discussed this challenge, and the fact that she’s dealt with it before. In fact, every year at this time, she finds herself even more overwhelmed than usual. When I reminded her of this, she responded with amazement. “You know, you’re right! And when this happened last year, what helped was taking time out for myself.”
It did help. I remember talking with Anna and encouraging her to slow down and take care of herself. She protested, like many ADDers do, “How can I possibly slow down when I have so much to do?”
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022Go to the gym in the morning, because she likes to work out and she finds it helps keep her stress levels down
Find a babysitter and go on a “date” with her husband one night a week, because she likes to spend quality time with her husband
Take 15 minutes every evening before bed to plan out the tasks that she can reasonably accomplish the next day, because she likes to feel in control of her time
“It really helped,” Anna said as she remembered her life at this time last year. “I was having fun so I wasn’t so stressed all the time, and so all the things I had to do seemed more manageable. And once I established a planning routine, I didn’t feel frustrated or surprised by new things when they came up.”
Anna decided that she needed to implement this “slow-down” time once again. It’s only been a day, but she went back to the gym, scheduled lunch and a movie with her husband for Sunday, the kids have their school supplies, and Butter’s itchy ear has been treated!
When I asked permission to share her story, Anna offered this tip: “Tell your readers that planning is the thing that really makes all the difference! Sometimes I need to slow down in order to speed up.”
© Copyright 2004
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Health 5

America Health Watch

America loves fast food. Last year, consumers spent billions of dollars on the hamburger industry alone. Corporate giants such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King all boast of multi-million dollar incomes each year.
Why?
Because their foods are delicious! Americans everywhere love the rich flavors of gigantic Big Macs and king-sized Whoppers. Our mouths water and noses flare at the enticing smell of a Bacon Double Burger Classic- a popular burger layered with melted cheese and tender bacon strips. Add a large batch of hot, sizzling French fries, and you have a combo meal worth billions of dollars to the American public. Indeed many of us love fast food!
But what has our country gained from its huge appetite for greasy foods? I can think of three problems-three problems that have stood coldly on America’s doorstep. These problems have destroyed the lives of millions of Americans over the past decade. They are: 1) Obesity 2) High Blood Pressure and 3) Heart Disease. Strangely enough, American consumers will continue to satisfy their appetites for greasy chicken dinners, colossal burgers, salty French fries, and dozens of other fast foods. But the biggest threat is that these three health problems, if left unchecked, will bring more pain, more suffering, and higher death rates to the American population.
Obesity: Numerous studies have pointed to what causes obesity (condition of being overweight). Two major causes are: 1) over eating of high-fat foods, and 2) lack of exercise. With our country’s yearly spending on fast food, it is no surprise that more than 60% of Americans aged 20 years and older are overweight. Obesity has also been found to cause diabetes. Though the condition has been proven a hereditary disease, physicians agree that diabetes is often triggered by the patient’s choice of foods. In 2002, treatment of diabetes totaled 23.2 billion U.S. dollars. But being overweight can cause more health problems than just diabetes. Obesity is also a leading cause of high blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure (HBP): Over the years, tests have shown that most diets high in salt lead to cases of high blood pressure. At the turn of this century,this condition was listed as the main cause of death in 227,000 cases. Extra salt on our fries may seem tempting. But a less tempting thought is that high blood pressure contributes to 75% of all strokes and heart attacks. The danger with this condition is that many Americans are unaware that they have high blood pressure. Still, HBP is lethally harmful to anyone who has it. If left untreated, the condition may lead to heart disease.
Heart Disease: This disease is currently the single leading cause of death in America. Years of study have shown obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels as causes of heart disease. Freshly fried chicken, large hamburger meals, hot bags of salted fries-all of these menu items pull at the wallets and purses of American consumers. But what does it cost to satisfy our appetites again and again? In 2001 heart disease was responsible for over half a million deaths in the U.S. It accounted for over 17.6 billion U.S. dollars-in medical treatment- in 2002.
Is the cost really worth it?
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022There are many alternatives to eating fast food. For example, delicious fruits such as apples, oranges, pears, grapes, and grapefruits, are all low in cholesterol and high in nutritional value. They also help the body fight cancer. Meats such as grilled shrimp, baked chicken, and broiled fish are low in cholesterol but high in proteins and other useful nutrients for the body. Finally, garden peas, collard greens, lima beans, and baked potatoes, are all excellent substitutes for a greasy bag of salted fries. You can find additional information on foods and food servings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The information can be found at your local library, bookstores, online, and a variety of other sources.
Indeed America has many opportunities to grow as a healthy nation. It is time to address the health problems that lie at our country’s doorstep. It is our time-America’s time to eat smart.
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Health 5

All About Plantar Warts

Some of us still believe with the old folk tale, that you will get some warts when you touched a toad. Don’t you know that when you take a public shower or simply when you just walk around bare footed will possibly increase the plantar warts in your feet? When your feet perspire and the moisture is trapped, the plantar warts spread out in the area of the foot, in which they increase in size and have their babies. These could be some of the possible reasons why some of us have plantar warts.
Well, some of us are not aware of these plantar warts. Plantar warts are just the common skin infection on the bottom side of our foot. Most teenagers have warts and these plantar warts are cause by the virus that usually enters the body through a break in the skin. The virus of the plantar warts often grows in warm, moist environments. It could be difficult for you to determine the plantar warts from the calluses, in which plantar warts can erupt anywhere on a particular foot. Anyhow, the plantar warts have tiny black dots on the surface layer, where these are the ends of the capillary blood vessels. While the calluses have no blood vessels and usually resemble a yellow candle, wax and are located only over the weight bearing areas of the foot which are perpetually irritated. Since plantar warts are soft tissue condition of the foot, they can too be painful. Since the virus can interfere the skin through those small and invisible cuts and scuff, the warts can appear anywhere on the skin, but those who are on the sole are only suitably called as plantar warts.
The plantar warts appear to be hard, flat, with its rough surface, and well-defined boundaries. They warts are commonly raised and fleshier every time they appear on the top of the foot or on the toes. The color of the plantar warts sometimes varies. They are often gray or brown, with a center that appears as one or more pinpoints of black. Some people used to walk barefoot on dirty surfaces or littered ground, which they don’t even think that those viruses are waylaying. If the plantar warts are not treated well, the warts can possibly spread out to an inch or more in circumference and can multiply into clusters of several warts, often called the mosaic warts. Plantar warts are a kind of infectious lesions, where it can be spread through scratching, touching, or even by having contact with skin shed from another wart. The bleeding of the warts may cause another plot to create other warts.
Even though warts are harmless, they too are painful. However, the first thing that you should do if they are painful is to seek treatment. You should consult for the best physician that carefully will trim the warts, and will apply a chemically treated dressing. Usually, the physician gives the patient of the plantar warts some information for him to follow for a self-care. The salicylic acid patches are required to be applied on a daily basis, and having proper foot hygiene includes the regular use of the burnish stone so to free your feet from the plantar warts. Nevertheless, sometimes, it may take a few weeks for the entire plantar warts to disappear. There are some instances that the plantar warts are develop on the weight bearing of the foot, particularly on the ball of the foot, or the heel, which sometimes causes to be the source of a sharp and burning pain. The pain usually occurs when the weight is brought directly on the wart. If possible, the treatment is required to be repeated regularly until the plantar warts are impaired. Though plantar warts disappear after a short time, they can recur too in the same location, frequently.
Everyone must take some prevention to avoid having the warts on our body, or having the plantar warts on our feet. You should prevent walking barefooted, but except on sandy beaches. It is required to change your shoes or your socks everyday, and must keep your feet clean and dry always. Checking the feet of your children habitually is one way of practicing their personal hygiene too. If possible, you should avoid having a direct contact with warts, or from other persons who have warts on the body, so to assure of having a hygienic body. Growths on, or some changes in your skin should not be ignored. Have some time to visit your podiatric physician.
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Health 5

Alcohol as a Key Ingredient to a Healthy Diet

Evidence suggesting that alcohol is “cardio-protective” first appeared in the literature about 30 years ago. The Framingham Heart Study [the longest running population study of heart disease which began in 1948] provided the first solid evidence of this association. The relationship has now been confirmed by dozens of large population [“epidemiological”] studies. However, physicians have been reluctant to recommend alcohol consumption to patients because of the well-known health consequences of excessive drinking [hypertension, liver disease, increased rates of cancer, violent or accidental death] and the horrors that are associated with “drinking and driving”.
Moderation is the key. Many large studies have found that men and women who consume light to moderate amounts of alcohol per day live longer than those who abstain completely. The Physicians’ Health Study involved long term follow-up of 89,300 men. The study found that men who drank five or six alcoholic drinks per week had a 20% lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who drank no alcohol. On the other hand, the same study showed that men who had more than two alcoholic drinks per day had a higher risk of death than nondrinkers. That means that, when drinking moderately, it appears to be quite beneficial; however, higher alcohol intake increases the risks of cancer and motor vehicle accidents so much as to overwhelm any cardiovascular benefits.
How does alcohol protect the heart? A large portion of the benefit may be attributable to increased levels of HDL [“good] cholesterol. Alcohol also has “antiplatelet” effects [making these natural blood elements less sticky and then less likely to clog arteries during plaque rupture] in much the same way as aspirin.
Moderate alcohol consumption may also help improve insulin resistance, which is just about one step below true diabetes and recognized as another independent predictor for cardiac risk. The Physicians’ Health Study also showed that in subjects who consumed alcohol daily, the risk for heart disease was reduced by 60% in diabetic patients, compared to a 40% decrease in persons who did not have diabetes. Moderate alcohol intake also decreases blood values for CRP [C-reactive protein], a metabolic marker for inflammation (elevated when you are in an increased state of oxidative stress).
The jury is still out as to whether or not wine provides a better protective effect compared to other forms of alcohol. Red wine is rich in flavonoids, which slow down oxidation of LDL [“bad”] cholesterol [which is one of the last steps before it is deposited in your artery wall]. One recent study suggested that light drinkers who avoided wine reduce their risk of all-cause mortality by 10%, while light drinkers who preferred wine had more than a 30% decrease in this risk. However, other studies have found that all forms of alcohol [beer, whiskey, etc.] were equally protective.
It is important to emphasize that alcohol [of ANY kind!] should be limited to one drink daily for women and at most two drinks daily for men [this is based merely on general body size and nothing else]. One drink is defined as 1.5 oz of distilled spirits (such as whisky, gin, and vodka), 5 oz of wine, or 12 oz of beer. Patients who have liver disease, who have a personal or family history of alcohol abuse, or who cannot limit their intake in a responsible manner should NOT start! However, since “all things in moderation” is a good adage for much of life, others can enjoy a daily alcoholic drink as part of a generally healthy diet.
Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.

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