Depression Still A Lot To Learn

We accept that illness is part of our daily lives. Colds and flu, cuts and bruises. All these are taken within our stride. Curative potions, prescribed and otherwise, are taken and within a few days we are all back to normal ready to face the world. We have this acceptance because it is something that is tangible. Life is nice and simple as we look at these minor ailments. Everyone has had them at one time or another so it's part of life.

What about depression? The word itself, particularly when used with regard to an illness, sends a shudder down the spines of most folk. Some would say that it is a disease of the 90s, something that television and the like, too much this, not enough of that and perhaps only confined to those in our community who have - what shall we say - some mental problem. It is so easy to dismiss this illness. We can then forget it and think of things a little more pleasant. What we don't understand can certainly make us feel that way.

It's all very easy to dismiss this very harrowing and distressing illness, for it is an illness, not a condition. Some of our community, although seeming physically fit, appear to be carrying the worries of the world on their shoulders. They find it impossible to cope with the normal pressures that the rest of us comfortably deal with in the course of our daily lives.

It is not meant to be patronising to call them poor people. It is merely gratitude for one not having the illness and pity, yes pity, that fellow human beings have to suffer such torment. Luckily nowadays there is some relief with medication that is available. It is however small compensation for the anguish that must be caused by this awful malady.

It is quite easy to remember the days when someone had an off day - due to what we now know as depression - to hear their close ones say Buck yourself up - you'll be OK tomorrow. That was the diagnosis and cure for depression principally because not enough was known about the reason why it happens. ! We read of a blackness and inner torment that travels with it, unfortunately encouraging self harm in some cases.

Society now appears to be much more tolerant. It seems that a little knowledge does go a long way. People, who before seemed aloof and rude at times, with medical help and the correct medication, can now live a content and peaceful life, free from the demons that depression inevitably brings.

Depression hasn't just happened in the last 15 years though. It surely must have been around for an incredible number of years. Does that mean that it has increased in intensity because of the type of lifestyle we lead, or does it mean that we simply shunned our lesser fortunate acquaintances because we felt there was something odd about them?

It is more likely to be the latter. It was far easier to think of someone as not quite the same as everyone else and reject them accordingly, which is what we normally do with things or people we don't understand, than approach them and try to help them conquer their personal battles.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Depression

Teeth Bleaching Kits

Recently, the rage in oral hygiene seems to be teeth bleaching kits. In reality, the issue is not a hygienic one at all: healthy human teeth come in a natural range of shades of ivory and off-white. Foods and beverages such as tea, and habits like smoking will stain the teeth, but a good dental cleaning done by a professional dental hygienist will remove these stains and restore your teeth to their natural color. If you really want them whiter, a range of professional treatments and over the counter products are available for you to choose from.

Bleaching teeth is usually accomplished with peroxide - the peroxide is applied to the teeth topically and left on for a period of time. The method of application varies between teeth bleaching kits, and you may have to repeat the procedure several days in a row to complete the process. Though some of the higher end kits are quite expensive, the general rule is, as with so many other things, you get what you pay for.

Teeth bleaching kits that require you to paint the whitening agent onto the surface of your teeth and let it dry seem, at first glance, to be the easiest to use; however, you may have difficulty getting an even result because if some of the agent is rubbed or licked off before the rest, bleaching will end in that area. Once the teeth are unevenly colored, it can be difficult to attain an even color again. A further disadvantage of this method is that these formulas for bleaching teeth often contain alcohol and glycerin, which have a drying effect on the oral tissues and tooth enamel - damage that can lead to other problems (such as bad breath and sensitive teeth) later.

Some teeth bleaching kits contain strips that are applied to the teeth like tape. The whitening agent is on the strip and acts on the teeth as long as it is left in place. The difficulty with this kit design is that it is quite difficult to make sure the tape contacts all the contoured surfaces of the teeth: bleaching teeth this way can result in white outer surfa! ces, but stained grooves in the surface and stained areas between the teeth where they curve inwards. To get even whitening, you have to make sure the entire surface area of the tooth is exposed to the peroxide.

Perhaps the least comfortable, but most effective home teeth bleaching kits include little trays, like the ones many dentists use to apply fluoride to teeth. The whitening agent is put into the tray and then the tray is applied over the teeth so that the entire surface of each tooth is effectively exposed. Formulas that contain peroxide at a concentration greater than 20 percent provide the best results for bleaching teeth, and again, watch out for kits that contain alcohol and glycerin.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Teeth Bleaching Kits, a blog dedicated to the treatment of bad breath.

Do I Really want To Use A Homemade Colon Cleanse?

A homemade colon cleanse might seem like the ideal way to regain power over your health, particularly if you have been experiencing the after-effects of a poor diet, insufficient exercise and the general stresses and strains of our every day modern life. While there is little doubt that a sluggish digestive system can wreak havoc on your sense of wellbeing, is finding out how to make our own homemade colonic remedy the answer?

The sometimes overwhelming presence of the Internet in our daily lives can make us feel as though the answer to how to make just about anything is right there at our fingertips. From building home electronic equipment to baking a cake, it isn?t difficult to find a how-to guide for just about anything. And while serving our family up a batch of burned scones might not be a life-threatening affair, creating our own home remedy for colon cleansing can be more dangerous.

Medical training takes so long for a very good reason ? because the human body can be a complex thing. We each, however, own and operate one, so it can be easy to think that we are qualified to deal with each and every aspect of its maintenance, including the creation of our own homemade colon cleansing diet. While tweaking our diet every once in a while to help maintain optimal colon health is no bad thing, discovering how to make home colonics can cross into more tricky territory.

Just because something is homemade, this doesn?t mean it can?t be potent. And while we might engage ourselves in home colon cleansing in the hope of a potent response, we must remember that we might not earn the one we would hope for. Don?t let the name of ?natural ingredients? fool you ? there are some powerful herbs in our own kitchens than can not only offer us a great homemade colon cleanse, but can unbalance our fragile digestive systems when used incorrectly.

A homemade colonic can be a wonderful way to empty your digestive tract of the build up of debris that might just be wearing you out, but do remember t! hat colo n cleansing is a powerful procedure, and can cause adverse effects when used improperly. A wealth of information exists on the topic, but to ensure your continued health and wellbeing, be sure to use this information responsibly.

Always verify anything you read on making a home remedy colon cleanse with another source, and check with your doctor or alternative health practitioner if in any doubt. Millions of people report the wonderful effects that colon cleansing can bring ? make sure you don?t become a part of an uncomfortable, or pained, minority by performing your homemade colon cleanse safely.

To find out more about Colon Health visit Peter's Website Colon Health Counts at http://www.colonhealthcounts.com and find out about Peter?s own experience of Colon Cleansing. and more about colon health and constipation.

Microdermabrasion Acne Treatments Harsh or Helpful?

Many people think of microdermabrasion acne treatments as those supplied in salons by professional skincare specialists, but there are actually a multitude of microdermabrasion acne treatments available on your drugstore shelves. Many of the well-known and highly effective acne control products available today include beads or crystals that offer a microdermabrasion effect.

But many acne sufferers have been warned off using harsh products on their skin, as these can simply exacerbate the condition rather than helping to control it. Microdermabrasion acne treatments work by scraping away impurities and dead skin cells ? surely this is not a treatment suitable for daily use? Won?t this aggravate my skin, leaving it raw and sore?

Older products might in fact have had this effect upon the skin ? usually exfoliants were recommended as a once or twice a week treatment. But advances in skincare have produced a wide variety of microdermabrasion acne treatments that combine an exfoliating effect with mild and soothing cleansers, which in combination can clear the skin of debris without aggravating sensitive skin.

In fact, using a mild exfoliant, such as those used in microdermabrasion acne treatments, is one of the most effective weapons in acne control. The daily use of these microdermabrasion acne treatments clears the skin of impurities, leaving it refreshed and revitalised, allowing blemishes to heal and preventing new ones from forming. The beads or crystal are complimented by other ingredients, such as salicylic acid, which are established tools in acne control. The combination of two powerful cleansing substances doubles your power in the fight against acne.

While this type of dermabrasion acne treatment might not be suitable for those with extremely sensitive skin, these products contain soothing ingredients that make them suitable for daily use in acne control. Home dermabrasion treatments are usually offered with toners and other products, and it is important to use all of the! se in co mbination, as the ingredients in each balance the effects of the other.

These skincare packages offer a complete routine for your skin that can make a real difference to your acne. Try a microdermabrasion acne treatment, and see what its gentle power can do for you.

Microdermabrasion acne treatments may be simpler than you thought.

Find out more about Acne as well as Home Treatment for Acne and Adult Acne, Acne Skin Care Products, the Best Acne Treatments and more at Peter?s website, Acne All Gone.

How to have beautiful Face Skin Free of Acne

To have beautiful, soft, radiant skin you need to eat plenty of the right fresh fruits, vegetables, fiber, and water. Water and fiber are critical because it helps to move out toxins using the regular channels of elimination rather than using the skin as an exit point.

A word of Caution: Sudden face or body eruptions can indicate a potentially serious medical condition. If your blemishes look large and like welts, this could be caused by a serious medical condition and you would need to see your doctor immediately.

You can deal with you acne or skin problems by, also applying known nutritional and herbal remedies that give you better health and give your skin the nutrients it needs.

The beauty of your skin is a reflection of the health of your organs and upon your psychological condition. The way the inside of your body looks like is reflected on your face, physical appearance and your thoughts.

The amount of work you put into clearing your acne will determine how quickly you clear your face. By being consistent in following good health practices, you will be able to get rid of your acne.

If your acne is heredity, it is not true that you cannot do anything about it. If you know that other members of the family have had acne and previous generations also, then you are susceptible to acne. Knowing this, you can now arm yourself with some powerful nutritional and hygiene habits that will prevent acne from taking hold.

Traditional Medical Acne Treatments

I do not recommend using medications for acne, such as,

* Benzoyl peroxide ? opens pores to kill bacteria

* Antibiotics ? erythromycin, tetracycline ? kill bacteria everywhere it goes in your body and skin.

* Retin A ? helps to break open plugged pores, prevents new plugged pores, and helps to prevent scarring.

* Topical steroid, cortisone derivative, drug

These drugs and many others have serious side effects that you will want to avoid. If you are dark skinned and are usi! ng Benzo yl Peroxide, you can end up spotting your face as a side effect.

Most of these medications take three to ten weeks to provide results.

All my recommendations are for natural methods to relieve acne.

Different Remedies

In future articles, I will be outlining some of the remedies and steps you need to take to clear your acne. These remedies and natural foods that you use will not only help beatify your skin but will also help you to get rid of acne.

You may have to experiment to determine what works for you. By providing you with many choices, this gives you the best possible chance of you succeeding in gaining better health for your face. Also, not all remedies provide the same benefits to each person.

So this is where your experimental skills come in. You may have to test a few things, but in the process you will be learning about how to take care of your body. This information will stay with you a lifetime.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter call ?natural-remedies-thatwork..com.? More acne hints and information on his acne e-book can be found at: http://www.acne-remedies.for--you.info

What Not To Say When Your Loved One Tells You She Has Breast Cancer

Your best friend just told you she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. You have been friends for years, but now you don?t know what to say. Your mind goes into overdrive, suddenly thinking up and casting off all kinds of remarks and platitudes. So, what exactly do you say and how do you say it?

This scenario is being played out every day across the country. According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 213,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. With numbers like that, it is critical that women get the support they need right from the beginning.

What a breast cancer patient won?t tell you is that those first reactions and subsequent comments made early in her diagnosis have a huge impact on her state of mind throughout her cancer journey. Not all comments are helpful, and in fact, many well-meaning statements can actually be hurtful.

The first thing to keep in mind is that a newly-diagnosed person is not her usual self. Her sense of who she is has just been turned upside down. There?s no way to sugar-coat it: she has just been told she may be dying. She experiences panic, dread, fear, depression, despair, hopelessness, and other emotions, often from one minute to the next. Her grounded world has fallen away leaving her brittle and vulnerable.

Later on her the cancer journey, a survivor may become acclimated to a new identity of a woman with breast cancer and a different sort of ?normalcy? will start to form. It doesn?t take the place of that once-secure reality, but it allows life to go on.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on a cold January morning via the telephone. Yes, that?s right: by telephone. I then called family and friends for support. Here?s a few of the first reactions people had to the news of my breast cancer. I like to call this, ?What NOT to say to a woman who just told you she has breast cancer.?

?You will be OK. I promise!? (Let?s be real. No one can promise you that you will be OK. You?re already not OK.) Wh! ile a lo t of women are successfully pushed breast cancer out of their lives, some will die. You don?t have to say anything about that, but just remember that the woman knows she faces a journey of the unknown, so don?t lie. Just simply say you will be there for her every step of the way.

?There are so many things medicine can do these days. The treatments are so much better than they used to be.? While that sounds encouraging, my mother, who died of breast cancer in 1979, was treated with surgery, chemo, radiation, which was exactly what I was treated with last year. If you aren?t an oncologist, avoid statements about what treatments can and cannot do these days. Support her choice of treatment even if you don?t like it.

?You got it early, didn?t you?? Don?t ask this question! OK, first, what if she didn?t get it early? Do you want to make her feel worse about that? Secondly, what if it was detected early, but early detection doesn?t save her? In spite of what you may think, not all women survive cancer with early detection. Don?t push her to tell you the stage at which her cancer was detected. Keep your curiosity to yourself. If she wants to talk about it, she will.

?You have to keep a positive attitude. It helps you heal.? What a load of malarkey. Let?s be real: if being positive was all it took to have a good medical outcome, we could wish away all our illnesses. The American Cancer Society notes that although optimism has been promoted by some as a path to longer survival for cancer patients, in reality the scientific evidence of its true role has been (at best) mixed. So don?t dump that extra burden on her. What if she doesn?t feel positive, but instead feels sick, fatigued, puffy, depressed, angry, or drugged? Negative feelings are entirely appropriate under the circumstances. Let your friend express her feelings around you without the pressure to be a Pollyanna. That?s you being a real friend.

Having said that, don?t become Debbie Downer either. Since most people are just plain fri! ghtened by the topic of death, they react to cancer in ways to make themselves, not the cancer patient, feel better. Bad news dredges up memories of surgeries, emergencies, and/or traumas for some people, and they just can?t seem to stop themselves from sharing all about those experiences, usually in vivid detail.

If the urge is there to tell a newly diagnosed woman about your sister?s breast cancer, please repress it. Don?t blab about other traumas to an already-worried person. Hospitals, doctors, needles, procedures, the euphemistic ?discomfort? are not areas that she needs to dwell on right now. She could be on her last nerve and have no more resources to absorb these stories. Trust me; you are not the only one telling her. The accumulation of such tales over the course of a day would send the strongest of us to hide under the covers.

In my breast cancer support group we joke that we could make big money making smiley-face tee-shirts for breast cancer patients that say: ?Thank you for NOT being compelled to tell me your (or other person you have known) disease, surgery, illness, death, dying, trauma, injury, loss, or similar story. Talk less and listen more.?

Show her she has real, tangible help. If you are close enough, offer to go with her as her as an advocate through the medical and/or insurance system. Take notes for her at doctor appointments. Make meals for her and her family so she doesn?t have to cook. Buy loungewear sets so she can rest without being in t-shirt and pajama pants all the time. Run the vacuum on Tuesdays. Read to her or tape her favorite shows. Tune in to her likes and needs. Send her chocolates if she likes them; peanut brittle if she doesn?t.

And most of all, don?t make a big show of concern in the beginning of her cancer journey and then forget about her over the subsequent months or years. Yes, being a support person for someone with cancer isn?t easy, but you can find great joy in it, too.

Help the woman you know with breast cancer by laying a foundat! ion of s upport and love that she can return to in her mind over and over again. Here?s one of my favorites: ?You are an exceptional, irreplaceable person in my life. You are rare and matchless. I want you to be as healthy and happy as you can possibly be, and I plan to do whatever I can to make that happen for you. You can count of me. I?m not going anywhere.?

Diana Rivers is a free-lance author and breast cancer survivor living in Appleton, Wisconsin with her husband and three cats.

Skin Conditions

Things that contribute to Poor Skin Conditions

1.Antibiotics and alcohol lead the way in reducing good bacteria in the digestive tract. The liver and most of the immune system is in the digestive tract.

2. Poor diet, or faulty digestion restricts availability of nutrients that are important to skin's health

3. Sluggish liver can not store skin-loving vitamins such as A

4. Smoking subtracts years fro your health. It shows mostly in your skin.

5. Lack of exercise reduces blood circulation. This means fewer nutrients and oxygen make it to the skin.

Avoid these ingredients in skin care products:

Glycerin, sodium, lauryl sulfate, antibiotics, imidazoli, petrolatium, propylane glycol, PVP/VA copolymer, sodium lauryl sulfate, steaaralkonium cloride, synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances, and triethanolamine.

What Essential Oils do for your Skin:

? Penetrate lower skin layers to work on moisturizing and healing

? Stimulate and regenerate skin cells, to heal skin damaged by sun, bums, wrinkles, or injury

? Destroy infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi, such as those associated with acne and other skin problems

? Reduce inflammation and puffiness

? Soothe sensitive or injured skin

? Regulate over- or trader active oil glands

? Encourage removal of waste products

? Contain plant hormones' (for hormonally related skin problems)

? Treat stress-related skin problems

Gerald F. McCarthy holds a patent on the unique diffuser used in all ESSENTIAL AIR models.

Over the years McCarthy of Leyden House has accumulated seventeen patents in the field of energy and health related products. A speech pathologist by profession he was intrigued by the beneficial effects of natural healing and began searching for ways to deliver essential oils more effectively.

Visit: http://www.essential-air.com

Acne 101

One of the most trying periods in a teener?s life is the stage when raging hormones give rise to ?mountainous ranges? on the face. ? These mounds are what dermatologists call acne. But although, acne problems often begin in the adolescence stage, the condition can persist until adulthood. Acne is characterized by the inflammation in the sebaceous glands of the skin. The condition can be caused by a whole lot of things, from heredity to hygiene issues.

Causes of Acne problems

Heredity
While it is still not clear what gene plays a role in causing acne, studies have shown family history of acne problems. If, for instance, your parents suffer from acne problems whether during adolescent stages or adulthood, then you will most likely suffer from the same fate.

Hormones
The body?s natural hormones often go on the overdrive during adolescence and other stages where the body is changing its physiological make-up such as during pregnancy. This causes the oil glands to over-function, producing too much oil on the skin.

Hygiene
Bacteria on the skin can also cause infections that may eventually lead to skin swellings. Acne can also occur when oil, dirt and dead skin cells clog the pores. While it is a good idea to wash your face everyday with a mild anti-bacterial soap, too much washing can also cause acne. When people over-wash, their skins may dry up and get irritated. Dryness, in turn, will cause the oil glands to produce more oil than what is usually released, thus, setting the stage for acne problem.

Make-up
Make-up can clog the pores especially when left unwashed after a day?s work. Coupled with oil and dirt, make-up can eventually lead to acne problems.

Diet
Although there are really no specific foods that cause acne per se, the effects that some foods have on the body can eventually lead to acne. Chocolates and nuts, for example, do not directly cause acne but these food items can increase the production of oil by the oil glands, thus aiding in the! beginni ngs of acne. The same is true with greasy foods such as pizza, potato chips, French frieds and other food items that are deep fried. For people who already have oily skin, it is best to avoid oily and greasy foods so as not to exacerbate their predisposition to acne.

Treating acne
For some, acne will eventually disappear when the body regains its former balance during adulthood but for others, who have family histories of acne, the battle can still ensue even after the adolescence period, even well into adulthood.

Treatment of acne takes many forms. Mild acne, for instance, can be simply treated with the use of lotions and topical medicines, which are applied on affected areas. Moderate to severe acne, on the other hand, are often treated not only with topical medicines but also surgical procedures.

Sometimes, it is not even acne that most concerns dermatologists but the scars that the acne will leave behind after the treatment. This is why, may dermatologists advice that people have their acne treated when it is still starting. Treating acne that is already on its terminal stage can be very difficult and traumatic for the skin. Acne that are left untreated for so long can leave scars that cannot be easily removed.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides acne resources on http://www.your-acne-resources.info.

Rasayana Therapy in Our Daily Routine

Therapy in Our Daily Routine

Introduction: Ayurveda , the oldest health science has eight branches. Rasayana (rejuvenation) is one of them. Rasa has different meanings like ?juice?, taste ?, ?essence, flavor?, or ?emotion, but is not limited to any of these in itself. In therapeutic process Rasa is concerned with the conservation, transformation, and revitalization of energy. Rasa nourishes our body, boosts immunity and helps to keep the body and mind in best of health.

The Aim Of Rsayana :

The Rasayana therapy enhances the qualities of rasa, enriches it with nutrients. With such enriched excellent Rasa, one attains longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from disorder, youthfulness, excellence of luster, complexion & voice, optimum development of physique and sense organs, mastery over phonetics, respectability and brilliance.

Types of Rasayana:

1. Types of rasayana preparations which can be consumed according to the needs.

A . Kamya Rasayanas : Kamya rasayanas are promoters of normal health. These boost body energy levels, immunity and general health.

?Pranakamya ? Promoter of vitality and longevity

?Medhakamya ? Promoter of intelligence.

?Srikamya - ? Promoter of complexion.

B .Naimittika Rasayana- : Naimittika rasayanas help to fight a specific disease.

2. Types of Rasayanas on the basis of place of Therapy

A.Kuti Praveshika Rasayana ? Indoor rasayanaTherapy .

B.Vatatapika Rasayana ? Out door rasayana Therapy.

3. Types of Rasayanas On the basis diet and life styles.

A..Aushdha Rasayana ? Drug based Rasayana. B.Ahara Rasayana ? Dietary Rasayana. C.Achara Rasayana ? Life style Rasayana.

Preparation for Rasayana therapy :

It is very essential for a person who wishes to undergo rasayana therapy to undergo samshodhana (detoxification) as a preparatory procedure. The samshodhana process detoxifies both body and mind. A detoxified body and mind is a like a clean cloth which readily ! absorbs the color in which it has been dipped unlike a soiled cloth which looks soiled even after coloring with best colors.

But when a person is not eligible for samshodhana or is not able to get samshodhana then he can also consume rasayana preparations which still boost the qualities of rasa in his body.

Effect of rasayana therapy.

Rasayana therapy enriches nutritional quality of Rasa, enhances digestion and metabolism by normalizing agni or body fire, and promoting the competence of channels Benefits of rasayana : The main purpose of Rasayana therapy is to retard the aging process and to delay the degenerative process in the body

?It enhances the intelligence, memory, body strength, luster of the skin, and modulation of voice

?It nourishes the blood, lymph, muscles, tissues, semen, and thus prevents Chronic degenerative disorders like Arthritis.

?Improves metabolic process and quality of body tissues and eradicates diseases of old age.

?Helps to attain optimal physical strength and sharpness of sense organs.

?Rasayana has marked action on reproductive organs and also nourishes shukra dhatu (semen)

?Rasayana nourishes the whole body and improves Immune system and hence the natural resistance to infection will be more.

By following Achara Rasayana one can be more Satwik and surge ahead in the spiritual field by his pure daily routines like speaking truth ,not getting angry, by having control over his sense organs and calmness,.

Natural foods which act as Rasayanas

Haritaki: Terminalia Chebula

It is called as Haritaki because it cures all the diseases.It has been alternatively named as Abhaya with appreciation on its action since it bestows permanent long life to those who use it always. It is also known as Vijaya since it is a conqueror of all the diseases.

A fresh , round and heavy fruits of haritaki are always best. It should sink in water and also devoid of any diseases.Such fruits are rich in taste and potency.

The fruit should be slit into two or three pieces and seed is removed .Such fruit pieces are cooked with four parts of water till they soften. Then they should be removed and allowed to cool. One part of ghee and one part of honey is added to this and kept aside for three days. It should be consumed later taking care of digestion power. After this rasayana is digested shstika sahli rice with cow?s milk is consumed. By using this rasayna one will be free from wrinkles, baldness and premature greying of hair. This gives very good memory power, eye sight and a long healthy life..

Ghee ( Clarified butter):

is the best known Rasayana which is very good rejuvenator and Longevity promoter,. It also improves digestion, has soothening effects on the nervous system, Iimproves the glow of skin, enhances memory power, helps to retain the grasped matters and increases ojus. Ghee has a very good rate of absorption and it is a very good medium for transporting the nutrients of the food to the tissue So make sure that you use a spoon of to your daily food which is very easily and readily available to one and all. (This is not applicable to people who have high blood cholesterol).

Lemons:

These are the very rich source of Vitamin C and are known for there unique action like improving the resistance to cold, controlling the bleeding of gums, healing wounds and formation of scar tissue. The lemon acts as purifier and nourishing agent.

Squeeze half lime in a glass of luke warm water and add two tea spoons of honey to it. This helps to reduce weight when consumed in empty stomach at early hours of day.

Ginger:

Ginger improves digestion, removes ama (body toxin which causes diseases). Hence it is accepted world wide as medicine. Always use dry ground ginger which is more concentrated in its effects and flavor. Sprinkle little dry ginger powder on a spoon of lemon juice and add little salt. This should be consumed forty-five minutes before meals to have a very good appetite and d! igestion .

Cumin Seeds:

Cumin seeds helps in digestion, digests and expels ama and balances doshas. To expel body toxins start the day with drinking Luke warm water with powdered cumin and ginger.

Green Gram :

Green gram is very light to digest and are best for people who have digestion problems. They are among the best legumes for there supreme digestibility and health giving qualities. Those who prefer light food can opt for this food.

Dates and figs:

These are known excellent source of energy. They also help to build the body tissues and improve the hemoglobin percentage . Hence eat two to three dates or figs a day.

Almonds:

These are nourishing and life ?supporting . Eat five to six Almonds a day to build energy and strength. It is proved that Almonds helps in reducing the blood Cholesterol levels.

Lassi :

It is beverage prepared by mixing two part of water and one part of yogurt. It can be made a sweet beverage by adding little sugar or honey and little ground cardamom. For people who do not like sweet taste it can be made as a delicious salt and sour beverage by adding roasted cumin seeds and little salt. It is an excellent nutritive, digestive beverage and can be used during meals or taken as a desert after meal.

Seasonal Fruits:

Always use the juicy fresh fruits which are available in the season. They are of high nutritive value and are body purifiers also.

Along with all these food and medicinal Rasyana one should follow Achara Rasayna to have very good effects of rasayana.

Refs:. Charaka su sthana. Shu. Su .Sthana. Astanga sangraha uttar stahna

Inducting Rasayana Therapy in Our Daily Routine

Introduction: Ayurveda , the oldest health science has eight branches. Rasayana (rejuvenation) is one of them. Rasa has different meanings like ?juice?, taste ?, ?essence, flavor?, or ?emotion, but is not limited to any of these in itself. In therapeutic process Rasa is concerned with the conservation, transform! ation, a nd revitalization of energy. Rasa nourishes our body, boosts immunity and helps to keep the body and mind in best of health.

The Aim Of Rsayana :

The Rasayana therapy enhances the qualities of rasa, enriches it with nutrients. With such enriched excellent Rasa, one attains longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from disorder, youthfulness, excellence of luster, complexion & voice, optimum development of physique and sense organs, mastery over phonetics, respectability and brilliance.

Types of Rasayana:

1. Types of rasayana preparations which can be consumed according to the needs.

A . Kamya Rasayanas : Kamya rasayanas are promoters of normal health. These boost body energy levels, immunity and general health.

?Pranakamya ? Promoter of vitality and longevity ?Medhakamya ? Promoter of intelligence. ?Srikamya - ? Promoter of complexion.

B .Naimittika Rasayana- : Naimittika rasayanas help to fight a specific disease.

2. Types of Rasayanas on the basis of place of Therapy

A.Kuti Praveshika Rasayana ? Indoor rasayanaTherapy .

B.Vatatapika Rasayana ? Out door rasayana Therapy.

3. Types of Rasayanas On the basis diet and life styles.

A..Aushdha Rasayana ? Drug based Rasayana. B.Ahara Rasayana ? Dietary Rasayana. C.Achara Rasayana ? Life style Rasayana.

Preparation for Rasayana therapy :

It is very essential for a person who wishes to undergo rasayana therapy to undergo samshodhana (detoxification) as a preparatory procedure. The samshodhana process detoxifies both body and mind. A detoxified body and mind is a like a clean cloth which readily absorbs the color in which it has been dipped unlike a soiled cloth which looks soiled even after coloring with best colors.

But when a person is not eligible for samshodhana or is not able to get samshodhana then he can also consume rasayana preparations which still boost the qualities of rasa in his body.

Effect of rasayana therapy.

Rasayana therapy e! nriches nutritional quality of Rasa, enhances digestion and metabolism by normalizing agni or body fire, and promoting the competence of channels Benefits of rasayana : The main purpose of Rasayana therapy is to retard the aging process and to delay the degenerative process in the body ?It enhances the intelligence, memory, body strength, luster of the skin, and modulation of voice ?It nourishes the blood, lymph, muscles, tissues, semen, and thus prevents Chronic degenerative disorders like Arthritis. ?Improves metabolic process and quality of body tissues and eradicates diseases of old age. ?Helps to attain optimal physical strength and sharpness of sense organs. ?Rasayana has marked action on reproductive organs and also nourishes shukra dhatu (semen) ?Rasayana nourishes the whole body and improves Immune system and hence the natural resistance to infection will be more.

By following Achara Rasayana one can be more Satwik and surge ahead in the spiritual field by his pure daily routines like speaking truth ,not getting angry, by having control over his sense organs and calmness,.

Natural foods which act as Rasayanas

Haritaki: Terminalia Chebula

It is called as Haritaki because it cures all the diseases.It has been alternatively named as Abhaya with appreciation on its action since it bestows permanent long life to those who use it always. It is also known as Vijaya since it is a conqueror of all the diseases.

A fresh , round and heavy fruits of haritaki are always best. It should sink in water and also devoid of any diseases.Such fruits are rich in taste and potency.

The fruit should be slit into two or three pieces and seed is removed .Such fruit pieces are cooked with four parts of water till they soften. Then they should be removed and allowed to cool. One part of ghee and one part of honey is added to this and kept aside for three days. It should be consumed later taking care of digestion power. After this rasayana is digested shstika sahli rice with cow?s m! ilk is c onsumed. By using this rasayna one will be free from wrinkles, baldness and premature greying of hair. This gives very good memory power, eye sight and a long healthy life..

Ghee ( Clarified butter):

is the best known Rasayana which is very good rejuvenator and Longevity promoter,. It also improves digestion, has soothening effects on the nervous system, Iimproves the glow of skin, enhances memory power, helps to retain the grasped matters and increases ojus. Ghee has a very good rate of absorption and it is a very good medium for transporting the nutrients of the food to the tissue So make sure that you use a spoon of to your daily food which is very easily and readily available to one and all. (This is not applicable to people who have high blood cholesterol).

Lemons:

These are the very rich source of Vitamin C and are known for there unique action like improving the resistance to cold, controlling the bleeding of gums, healing wounds and formation of scar tissue. The lemon acts as purifier and nourishing agent.

Squeeze half lime in a glass of luke warm water and add two tea spoons of honey to it. This helps to reduce weight when consumed in empty stomach at early hours of day.

Ginger:

Ginger improves digestion, removes ama (body toxin which causes diseases). Hence it is accepted world wide as medicine. Always use dry ground ginger which is more concentrated in its effects and flavor. Sprinkle little dry ginger powder on a spoon of lemon juice and add little salt. This should be consumed forty-five minutes before meals to have a very good appetite and digestion.

Cumin Seeds:

Cumin seeds helps in digestion, digests and expels ama and balances doshas. To expel body toxins start the day with drinking Luke warm water with powdered cumin and ginger.

Green Gram :

Green gram is very light to digest and are best for people who have digestion problems. They are among the best legumes for there supreme digestibility and health giving qualit! ies. Tho se who prefer light food can opt for this food.

Dates and figs:

These are known excellent source of energy. They also help to build the body tissues and improve the hemoglobin percentage . Hence eat two to three dates or figs a day.

Almonds:

These are nourishing and life ?supporting . Eat five to six Almonds a day to build energy and strength. It is proved that Almonds helps in reducing the blood Cholesterol levels.

Lassi :

It is beverage prepared by mixing two part of water and one part of yogurt. It can be made a sweet beverage by adding little sugar or honey and little ground cardamom. For people who do not like sweet taste it can be made as a delicious salt and sour beverage by adding roasted cumin seeds and little salt. It is an excellent nutritive, digestive beverage and can be used during meals or taken as a desert after meal.

Seasonal Fruits:

Always use the juicy fresh fruits which are available in the season. They are of high nutritive value and are body purifiers also.

Along with all these food and medicinal Rasyana one should follow Achara Rasayna to have very good effects of rasayana.

Refs:. Charaka su sthana. Shu. Su .Sthana. Astanga sangraha uttar stahna

Biography of Dr.Krishna.R.S

Dr. Krishna.R.S has been an Ayurvedic Practitioner since 19 yrs , after getting a graduation degree in ayurveda (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 1986 from University of Mysore, India. He completed his post graduation diploma about allopathic medicine and surgery from University of Bangalore, Karnataka, India.His articles about ayurveda and life sciences have been published in many magzines.

Dr.Krishna. R.S is a star athlete and has represented state and universities when he was in high school, pre university and college.

Dr.Krishna . R.S lives in Mysore , Karnataka, India. He gives consultations in Mysore and also in Bangalore the silicon valley of India.

Ph:91-0821-2451405 Mob: 9448433911 Email : ! drkrishn ars@ayurveda-increaselibido.com

http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com

http://www.ayurhelp.com

Tanning Bed Lights The heart of your Tanning Bed !

Much like the way the overwhelming power of the Ferrari emanates from her gentle and supreme engine, the power of the tanning bed lies in the tanning bed lights that make up the heart of the best tanning beds. And the more you know about tanning bed lights, the more you grow to love it, for therein lie the seeds of beautiful bronzed skin! Read on to know more about tanning bed lights or tanning bed bulbs as they are often called and make them work for you in the best possible way.

Tanning bed lights are essentially the source of the ultraviolet radiation in the tanning bed. While its one of the more crucial parts of the tanning bed, it tends to be given less importance than its cousins such as tanning bed lotions, tanning bed goggles and pillows which all form a comprehensive basket of tanning bed supplies. The strength of a tanning bed chiefly depends on the type of bed, the intensity of the tanning bed lights used and the number of them present inside the tanning bed. Tanning bed lights can themselves vary by intensity of power which means a twenty bulb combination of higher rating might be more powerful than a fifty bulb combination of lower rating. Please note that tanning bed lights and tanning bed bulbs mean the same thing here.

The optimum time spent inside a tanning bed therefore depends not only on the power of the tanning bed lights but also on your own skin color, texture and photosensitivity. So ensure that even before you get into what you think is the best tanning bed in town, you consult your doctor or health advisor on whether tanning is a luxury you can indulge in. If you have gotten past that criteria, then understand the prescribed exposure times that your tanning bed lights come with. Always better to be safe than sorry isn't it?

You now have an insight into what makes for a good tanning experience ? so just go ahead, get the right lights, get your skin dark and go, charm the world!!

Visit our articles section at Tanning Articles and Resources for more such ! practica l tanning advice and tips.

? 2005,Yaksha Patel. This article is courtesy of Tanning Wonders - Making Tanning work for you ! You may publish it at no cost, as long as the links are left intact, made live, and this notice stays in place.

The Importance of Catching Prostate Cancer Early

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. The good news is that prostate cancer is very curable. As with any cancer, the outcome is always better if it is caught early. Prostate cancer is associated with aging and men are deemed more susceptible the older they are. Catching prostate cancer early is the best way for a man to increase their chances of survival and that involves knowing the symptoms and seeing a doctor regularly.

When prostate cancer is caught early a man has almost a 100% chance of survival. The symptoms of prostate cancer may not show up during the early stages. That is why getting a regular prostate exam is important. The exam can be done as part of a routine physical and is painless and easy to do. The prostate is a small gland that is located under the bladder. When cancer enlarges the prostate a man can experience: problems with urination, signs of blood in the urine, and back pain. These symptoms can also be from an enlarged prostate which is not life threatening. This is why seeing a doctor on a regualr basis is so important. When a man reaches age 50 it is recommended by the American Cancer Society that they be screened yearly. Men at higher risk are African American and have family history of the disease. Treatment includes a variety of procedures from surgery to hormone therapy.

Prostate cancer can be fatal, but it does not have to be. It is the most curable of all known cancers and by catching it early a man increases the chance he will walk away cancer free. By knowing the symptoms and getting regular exams a man can catch prostate cancer early. It is imperative that every man understands the importance of catching prostate cancer early.

About the author: Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides prostate cancer resources at Prostate Cancer Aid.

Aromatherapy Massage Oil ? Adding Ease To Your Life

Hectic schedule may be leaving you stressful resulting in enormous strain and pressure. If you too are caught up in the same situation and looking for a solution to relieve the stress, then massage with aromatherapy massage oil can be the perfect solution to get relaxed and regaining the freshness that you had missing for a long time.

Massage serves as an active stress antidote. Various massage oils are available in the market but if you are looking for the best and the natural one then aromatherapy massage oil would definitely pose to be the best option.

Nature presents the best cure. In the past, natural herbs were used as an ailment to curb the disease and other problems. But, in the past few decades whole arena has changed there has been a rapid increase in the usage of chemicals, which have adversely affected the body and skin of many people.

But, aromatherapy has introduced a breakthrough to the shell of troubles that artificial oil massages has been creating. Relax and cure various joint with a little massage all over your body with aromatherapy massage oil.

Aromatherapy massage oil can be put to diverse uses namely relaxation, romance, stress reliever, children?s massage and many more depending on your aspirations and needs. Just a simple massage with aromatherapy massage oil works as a helpful healing process, where disease or injury has occurred in muscles, connective tissues, bones or any other part of the body.

You can choose the most appropriate massage oil that suits your needs and aspirations the best. If you find it difficult to decide which aromatherapy massage oil is appropriate for you, seek the advice of professional cosmetologist who can guide about the suitable oil that suit your type of skin to the best.

You can look for massage oils in the shops nearer to your home. But, in case you don?t want to indulge in troubles involved in going out and shopping. One more easier and faster option is available, the Internet. You can browse through variou! s sites selling access wide range of aromatherapy massage oil. They also give you the benefit of reasonable low prices on bulk purchase of aromatherapy massage oil.

Internet can be the one stop shop for you, you can compare the prices of massage oil offered by various sellers and can choose the appropriate message oil accordingly.

Get stress free the natural way with aromatherapy massage oil that can help you relieve the stress by activating your body cells and toning your body. Make the best use of Internet shopping that gives you an added advantage of getting the desired massage oil from the comfort of your home.

Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide. He has also been involved with research on plants. To find Aromatherapy essential oils, essential massage oils, Aromatherapy Massage Oil visit http://www.ndaroma.com

All About Acne and Blemish Control

A common problem that affects most of us as teens is acne. While 80 percent of us struggle with this affliction, many have trouble controlling it. Acne blemish control typically begins with assessing the problem at hand. Most of us don't have a clue how to properly fight pimples and breakouts, therefore we take a clueless route, which only begets more acne. Acne blemish control is done through understanding and proper skin care.

I'm sure many people recall the hardships of their adolescent years. The insecurities, the hormones, the pizza face. When I first noticed a pimple on my face, I did what most naive teens do, and popped it. This is a mistake on several levels. First of all, popping a blemish can cause scaring. In addition, when you pinch or squeeze a zit, you only irritate it further. A more efficient road would be to treat it with some form of acne blemish control. There are a deluge of products gracing the drugstore shelves these days. Controlling and destroying our acne doesn't have to be so painful.

To become better educated on acne blemish control, it is prudent to seek advice from a dermatologist. They can give you proper guidance in controlling your breakouts. There are a number of prescriptions available to fight this ego crusher. Back in high school, my best friend was severely affected by acne breakouts. He was that guy people made fun of and called pizza face and blemish boy. Not only was his face covered, but he had the classic backne as well. I could tell that this was a huge shot to his self confidence. A large problem was his acne blemish control method. He would literally wash his face six times a day. This is overkill, which results in severe drying. Eventually he found a remedy through a dermatology clinic.

A great source to resort to today is the Internet. You can find an abundance of information on skin types, and levels of acne. Acne blemish control no longer consists of rubbing alcohol on a zit you just popped. There are solutions! and tre atments galore at your very reach. Whether you're looking for a mild exfoliant to cure your breakouts, or a three step system to deal with more severe blemishes, you will find a remedy online. If you wish to get a more immediate treatment, the drugstore down the street will likely carry a variety of acne fighters.

Keith Londrie II has put up two informative web sites so that you can learn more about acne and it's control. For more information please visit http://acneinformation.info/ and also visit http://acne-solution-treatments.info/ for more detailed information.

Full Body Massages

A full body massage means manipulation of the soft tissues of the body using the hands to reduce muscle tension and relieve pain. Such massages not only open the pores of the skin but also speed up blood circulation.

In the modern system of physiotherapy, the process of full body massage begins with massaging the upper limbs and lower limbs, followed by the chest, abdomen, back and hips and ending with the face and the head. The massage strokes in most body massages are directed towards the heart. Modern Western massage techniques aim at releasing muscular tension and joint stiffness by facilitating the circulation of blood and the lymphatic system. However, in Oriental massage therapy, massages release blockages and improve the flow of vital energy in the energetic channels that course through the body.

A full-body massage involves the patient being treated by lying down on a massage table, generally unclothed, draped with towels or sheets to keep the patient?s body warm. As massages produce heat, most therapists recommend a hot water bath or shower half an hour after getting a massage done. One should also take a head bath with lukewarm water after a massage session.

There are various kinds of body massages, such as breema bodywork, neuromuscular therapy, stone massage, Swedish massage, Thai massage etc. Breema bodywork is usually performed on the floor with the patient fully clothed. The massage consists of rhythmical and gentle leans and stretches for deep relaxation, increased vitality and stimulation of the self-healing processes of the body. Another popular full-body massage is through stone therapy, in which hot or cold stones, usually basalt or marble, are used to massage the body of a patient.

Most full-body massages aid in improving the overall well-being of a person; however, due to the lack of research on the subject, the efficacy of this practice is still up for debate. However, most therapists claim to treat many common ailments including stress, pain, digestive ! problems , headaches and insomnia through massage therapy.

Massages provides detailed information on Massages, Full Body Massages, Massage Therapy, Foot Massages and more. Massages is affiliated with Massage Therapy Jobs.

Celebrity Sedu Hairstyles ? Secrets Revealed

If you?re into fashion and into keeping up to date with the latest trends then you will have heard all about sedu hairstyles but how do celebrity sedu hairstyles achieve the look we all want? Would you like to know how to achieve Paris Hilton sedu hairstyles? Maybe you would prefer to know how to get Britney Spears sedu hairstyles. Whatever celebrity sedu hairstyles you are after we have the answers you have been looking for.

Celebrity sedu hairstyles are not the great mystery you may have though they were, in fact you can create these celebrity sedu hair styles from the comfort of your own home, and you don?t even need a hair stylist. That?s right you can achieve Paris Hilton sedu hairstyles yourself. Not convinced, then let us reveal the secrets to celebrity sedu hairstyles.

If you have seen pictures of sedu hairstyles then you have probably dreamed of having the same look. These celebrity sedu hair styles are everywhere you look and believe it or not they are also very easy to achieve. In order to create your own celebrity sedu hairstyles you will however need to purchase on major item and that is the sedu hair straightener. The sedu hair straightener is the key to creating these celebrity sedu hairstyles and it is so easy to use you can do it from the comfort of your own home in as little as five minutes.

So there you have it, the secrets of celebrity sedu hairstyles revealed; the sedu hair straightening iron. Of course it is not only the iron that creates the celebrity sedu hair styles you dream of, it is also learning to use the iron and knowing how to create the style. A sedu hairstyles guide will give you all the information you need and in no time you too will be sporting celebrity sedu hairstyles.

Looking for a new hair style? Looking for more info on celebrity hairstyles ? Find it all only on the Celebrity Sedu Hairstyles Best Website. All about hairstyles on http://www.leandernet.com

Increase Your Bench Press 45 Pounds in 8 Weeks

Is there something specific you don't like about how your training is coming along? No matter how we are progressing, we always have something we think could be improving faster, right? And for most guys, they want to be the owner of an impressive bench press.

If that's what you are looking for, it's time to prioritize your training. Not only will this help improve a weak point, but it will give yourself a new shot of enthusiasm with your training as a whole and ultimately that is what's really important. After all, you're not going to get the body you want if you don't train.

Let's take a look at a routine I used to priortize my chest training. I'm just not built to bench press so it's always been a frustrating point of my training. Have you seen those guys who bench huge numbers? They have a really small range of motion because they have short arms and are barrel chested. The bar just doesn't have to move very far. They are built perfectly for the bench press exericse.

Not me. I have long arms and the bar has to travel a long way to go from my chest up to lockout. After being stuck for a long long time, I decided to really give it priority and do some things differently than I've done in the past.

Here's what my 8 week chest training routine looked like

I worked out three days per week, on nonconsecutive days, such as Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

Day 1

Bench Press 4 x 6, 6, 5, 4
Flat bench flyes 2 x 10
Seated Alternat Dumbbell Presses 2 x 8
Dumbbell Upright Rows 2 x 12
Incline One Arm Dumbbell Laterals 1 x 12
Lying Tricep Extensions 2 x 8
Overhead Tricep Extensions 1 x 12
Triceps Dumbbell Kickbacks 1 x 15

Day 2

Deadlifts 2 x 6
Negative Only Bench Presses 4 x 3, 3, 2, 1
Pec Deck Flyes 1 x 12
Undergrip Pulldowns 2 x 8
Machine Pullovers 2 x 10
Stiff Armed Pulldowns 2 x 10

Day 3

Squats 2 x 8
Sissy Squats 1 x 15
Leg Extensions 2 x 12
Incline! DB Curl s 1 x 10
Barbell Curls 1 x 10
Incline DB Hammer Curls 1 x 10
DB Concentration Curls

As you can see, I worked my chest twice a week with more intense work while working my other body parts only once per week. Even so, I still only hit the gym 3 days per week, giving myself ample recovery time for the stress I was placing on my chest and body as a whole.

This prioritization allowed me to jump my max bench press 45 pounds in only 8 weeks! And that was as long as I was gonna do this. After those 8 weeks, my body needed a break from that type of training and I didn't perform any serious chest work for the next two weeks.

Looking back, I probably would've been smarter to end this routine after 7 weeks instead of going the full 8 weeks.

Use this routine as a starting point for some ideas on how you can focus on your weak point.

And here's a tip for all you long armed bench pressers as well as anyone that either get's some shoulder pain from bench pressing or just plain feels the bench press a lot in the shoulders. Try doing decline bench presses instead. You'll find that it places less stress on the shoulders and more stress on the pecs where it belongs. For most people, the decline actually puts you in a more advantageous position than the flat bench and puts much less stress on your rotator cuff as well.

Gregg Gillies is the founder of Buile Lean Muscle.com His articles have appeared in Ironman Magazine. He has written two books and is a regular contributor to Body Talk Magazine. He publishes a free fitness newsletter available at his site that includes lots of weight training tips, fat loss, nutrition and exercise program information to help you build your best body as quickly as possible. See how you can get a customized nutrition plan at http://www.mynutritionjournal.com

Ideas Weight Loss

After writing about the fact that many people complain about being fat, yet do nothing about it, I thought it might be a good idea to write one about a way you can lose weight. Well, maybe not any particular way, but a variety of ways.

For starters, if you want to lose weight, you can take the obvious road - Jenny Craig. Why not? It has worked great for many, many people, including the inflated, and now slightly deflated, Kirste Alley. But some people are too embaressed to walk into a Jenny Craig. Maybe because people can see you do it, but thats beside the point. What else can you do?

Take pills! Sure.... It too has worked for a great number of people. Weight loss pills are very common, and easy to get your hands on. There is many types such as Phentermine, Xenical, Bontril, Meridia and Adipex Diet Pill. But most people look for excuses not to do that either, as it can be embaressing if someone is to see you take them.

Well then, that brings us to the perfect solution - WATCH WHAT YOU EAT! There is no need to pay all kinds of money for Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, or take embaressing weight loss pills, just simply take note of what you are eating, and try to take on some healthier habits. If you notice that you are eating alot of junk food, try and cut back. Try to change your snack foods to fruits and vegetables, or maybe even just eat less. Watch the amount of food you are taking in, and that in itself can give you results.

For any other weight loss ideas, you can try the book store, a nutritionist, or consult your doctor.

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the article, this caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Tyler Brooker is the owner and operator of Online Adipex Diet Pill - http://www.online-adipex-diet-pill.com, which is the best site on the internet for all Adipex related information.

Hypnotherapy A Powerful Complementary Treatment in Cancer Therapy

Imagine this scenario: Mary and Janet each discovered she had breast cancer at the same stage of development and began seeing the same physician on the same day. Each had the same treatments for the same period of time. Mary did not recover. Janet is not only alive, she is thriving.

What made the difference? Their belief system. Mary believed everything the doctor said about the treatment, its side effects and her slim chances of survival. She got sick with the treatment, became extremely tired, lost her hair and died right on schedule. Janet was determined to beat it no matter what it took. She believed she was more powerful than the cancer and she proved it.

Along with her prescribed treatments and a change in her eating habits, she sought out a hypnotherapist who works with patients undergoing cancer treatment. Why a hypnotherapist? To answer that question, let?s explore the program Janet and the hypnotherapist developed together.

Because Janet saw the hypnotherapist the week before the chemotherapy began, the first thing they did was help Janet?s mind understand that there was no need for her to lose her hair or experience any other side effects. They reinforced this in the succeeding sessions.

After a number of chemotherapy sessions with minimal or no side effects, they began to explore possible causes of the cancer and do creative visualizations of Janet?s perfect health. In other words, they gave her mind the goal of perfect health.

Does this sound impossible, farfetched or woo woo? Even if it sounds like that to you, know that the mind is a very powerful instrument and that our thoughts create our reality.

Have you heard the statement, ?You are what you think about all day long?? Or ?As a man thinks in his heart, so is he?? Ponder this: If biofeedback helps you regulate your heart beat, your blood pressure and your response to stress by using the power of your mind, isn?t it logical that you can control your response to therapy, encourage your immune system ! to fight disease and perhaps eliminate it altogether?

I worked with a woman shortly after her surgery for breast cancer and after her first session of chemotherapy. She had experienced hypnosis for childbirth and thought it might benefit her in this health crisis. Unfortunately she had already lost her hair, but we were able to keep her from being nauseated or experiencing the debilitating exhaustion the doctor told her she would experience. Among other things, we did visualizations of her sitting in the exam room and hearing the doctor and nurse outside the door discussing how well she was doing and wondering what made her different from the other patients who demonstrated all the side effects of the chemotherapy. She called one day, excited to tell me this had happened just the way we visualized it. This was almost ten years ago and she is still thriving.

While this may seem like a simplistic approach, it is a very dynamic one because the power of your mind knows no limits. There is a saying, ?If you want to change your life, change your thinking.? We believe this to be true and see evidence of it on a daily basis.

http://www.thepowerzone.com (Hypnotherapy Downloads) http://www.yourscottsdalewedding.com (Scottsdale Weddings) http://your-scottsdale-wedding.com (Wedding Blog)

Herbal Medication Versus Quackery

By 1930, Dr. John R. Brinkley of Arkansas, Kansas had transplanted over 16,000 goat testicles into men who wanted to relive their youth. At $750 per procedure, he became a wealthy man. Needless to say, we would call his practice quackery at best.

The thing most people don't realize is that because of loopholes in the law, people can be legally duped in much the same way. You can take anything you want other than recognized poisons and illegal drugs, package it up and sell it as a food additive. The only restriction is that you cannot make claims of any medical benifit on the container itself. They can make as many claims as they want away from the container. As long as those claims are not made on the container itself, there is no regulation on the product in the United States.

One poor fellow that I saw in the emergency room had a terrible case of Rhus Dermatitis. That is the medical term for what is commonly called poison oak or poison ivy. He had started out getting a small area of rash on his arm. So, he went down to the local health food store and bought a poison ivy treatment.

After taking the 'cure' he proceeded to get profoundly worse. By the time I saw him he had a rash all over his body and was extremely miserable. I found the reason by carefully reading the bottle. The 'cure' was a naturopathic remedy that had poison ivy in it! How ridiculous is that?

The advertising that you see for some products makes it immediately obvious that the product is useless. Anyone trained in anatomy and physiology would know right away that the claims were false.

One good example is when the claims are contradictory. Rheumatoid arthritis and allergies are good examples of problems caused by overactive immune systems. Yet I have seen products claim that they not only help with allergies but they boost the immune system. You can't have it both ways folks.

The other thing that makes you go hmm... is when the advertising claims that the product causes specific physiologic change! s in the body. Then they go on and claim that the product does not contain a drug. But, check the definition of a drug: 'A substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease'. Clearly, if you are claiming that your product can be used to treat or prevent disease, you are talking about a drug. If you say that your substance does not contain a drug, then you can't say it is preventing or treating a disease. Here again, you can't have it both ways.

But, you may say, what I am taking is just plant parts. When my father was in pharmacy school in the 1950's, virtually all drugs were made by collecting plants and mixing them in certain ways to prepare drugs. Now, people do the same thing, but they are able to sell them as food aditives because they make no claims about their properties 'on the container'.

Having said that, I have nothing against people using herbal remedies. In fact I'm all for it. But it is important to understand what that entails.

Let's look at an example. Digoxin. This drug once was commonly prescribed for heart problems. You don't see it as much any more because safer and more effective drugs have been found for most heart conditions.

Digitalis comes from the foxglove plant. Foxgloves are a beautiful flower found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. My wife can remember people being paid to go out and harvest them so that drug companies could get digoxin from them.

Digoxin is rather peculiar because there is a very narrow range of the drug that can be safely taken. Take too little and it does nothing. Take too much and it can actually kill you.

Furthermore, different plants have different amounts of the drug. It depends on what type of soil the plant grew in. How much sun it got. Even if there were any insects or animals that had nibbled on it. The part of the plant that you tested would also reveal that there were vastly different amounts of the drug in the leaves as compared to the roots.

A good example of that is rhubarb. T! he leave s are poisonous. The stems are good in pies.

Unfortunately, the guinea pigs I had as a kid found out the hard way. But, I did have a nice funeral for them.

It might surprise you that in a recent study, a large percentage of the herbal remedies sold did not even contain the parts of the plant that had been shown to be useful!

My advice? First of all get yourself a good reference. There is one book that should be in the library of everyone planning to use an herbal remedy and every doctor too for that matter. That is the PDR for Herbal Medicine.

This book lists every herbal medicine that is know to have a real medicinal effect. It also tells you potential side effects, what part of the plant has the active ingredient and what the medicinal effect it.

Once you know what you want to use, the next step is obtaining it. The best method is to grow your own so you know exactly what you are getting. That way you can make sure the plant is healthy and you are using the part of the plant that will help you and not harm you.

If you cannot grow your own, the next best thing is to do a bit of research and find a company that is known for its integrity and quality control. Then stick with them.

Finally, make sure your doctor knows what you are taking. There is some possibility that your herbal medicine may interact or interfere with any medication that you are being prescribed.

With the proper knowledge and a good source, you should be getting some good benifit from your herbal medication. But, beware of the claims of those other products.

Dr. Ron McCluskey is an emergency room physician with over twenty years experience treating all types of medical problems. A firm believer in natural remedies, he also hates it when people get burned by rip-off artists. Eight Steps to Health is your best resource for getting straight answers for your health care needs.

Can Pay Per View Help You Get A Better Hair Style?

Have you ever taken a hair styles photo to your hair stylist and asked for the exact same cut, only to be disappointed with the results? Many times, the reason for such a situation is that a lot of hair stylists do not have the time or money to attend hair cutting education and training programs or to purchase very expensive training videos to learn the latest techniques for trendy and sometimes complicated hair styles of today.

Francesco Rizzuto, founder of www.hair-brain.com, conducted four focus groups and determined without exception that hair stylists conveyed that they all wanted the education, but they all wanted it to fit into their lives and budget. He adds that there are a lot of single moms in the hair industry that simply cannot afford to attend high quality classes or shows, some of them even live in areas where traveling to get to a class is not an option.

Rizzuto analyzed his marketing research and decided to investigate opening a video store with affordable rental training tapes. He says, ?If hairdressers had access to current hair education on a rental basis, then they would be more enticed to learn and be motivated.? After exploring the concept of a video store further, Rizzuto discovered that there would not be enough current material out there to fill a video store. The content that was available was old, outdated or very expensive.

And then a light bulb went on and the idea of a Pay Per View video hair instructional website was born. Anyone anywhere in the world could view the instructional videos online for a very reasonable fee and apply what they had learned immediately. So the website www.hair-brain.com was developed and officially launched in July 2005. Rizzuto, a salon owner, hairdresser, fashion photographer and educator, also decided to film his own content. Each 15-20 minute video takes about 3 hours to film and a few more hours to edit.

The videos, which cost $6.95 to view once, are primarily education based, and sometimes mention cert! ain tool s or products that work well with the hair styles they are creating. They last between 15 and 20 minutes and can only be viewed once. Basically what Hair-Brain offers is the ability to get the education without having to buy the video at a considerable cost. Most hairdressers agree that once they see how it?s done they have no need for the video. With Hair-Brain they can look at it as if it?s a rental, although the movie presentations are available for purchase at a very low cost, $17.95USD.

Rizzuto hand picks all of the educators that present the videos on the site based on their outstanding work in the industry. Some are well known, such as Martin Parsons, and corporate educators such as Schwarzkopf.

Currently there are about thirty video presentations to choose from on the website, and Rizzuto plans to add about 30 more by the end of the year. Some of the topics available include the tousled look, mid length cut, retro fashion Mohawk, layers with long hair, shine and texture, Spanish look with extensions, texturizing short hair, heavy layered cut, hair color, wedding updo and 5 tail chignon among many others.

The training videos are not limited to hair instruction, as there is a video by Dr. John Arlette where he demonstrates Botox and Fillers. By observing these before and after videos, consumers can make a more informed choice with respect to non surgical procedures. Rizzuto has included Dr. John Arlette as an educator because Botox fits into the Hair-Brain.com format of education plus beauty.

Future videos will include techniques for hair extensions for professionals and consumers, perming, barbering, coloring, bridal looks, braiding, ethnic hair and straightening just to name of few. They also plan to endorse and perhaps retail quality tools of the trade that are mentioned on the site.

Although Hair-Brain was first designed for the professional hairdresser, Rizzuto mentions that he is finding on occasion that the consumer is logging on to find a look that ! they lik e. ?Recently, a woman wrote us to let us know that she found the perfect look for her wedding on Hair-Brain.com (Martin Parsons ?Wedding Band? updo featured on the site currently). She was going to tell her hairdresser to go to the site and learn it so he could do it for her wedding day,? Rizzuto says.

Rizzuto says so far www.hair-brain.com has been a great success. ?We are getting clients from the USA, Canada, UK, Japan and even Brazil. Once of our clients recently purchased one of each of our videos,? he adds. Salon Magazine?s (Canada) publisher Laura Dunphy wrote in her editorial ?Back to school? (September issue) that www.hair-brain.com is ?A brilliant solution for hairdressers?.

In short, pay per view CAN help you get a better hair style. The education and training videos are available 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world and all for a low price. It is designed by hairstylists for hairstylists. For the price of a large gourmet coffee today, you can be a better hairdresser tomorrow. Is your hair stylist a Hair Brain?

Francesco Rizzuto is 44 years old and has been in the hair industry since 1978 when he started hair design school in Toronto, Canada. After graduation, he worked as an assistant at Vidal Sassoon and was awarded the position of ?Junior Stylist? after one year of very hard work. Eventually he worked his way up to chief educator. Education is a very big part of the Vidal Sassoon Formula.

Francesco has fulfilled his vision of creating an affordable, accessible, and most importantly, effective educational tool for beauty industry professionals, fashion enthusiasts, and the general public. Currently he juggles his schedule as a salon owner, hairdresser, fashion photographer and educator. Hair-Brain.com offices are currently located in Calgary, Alberta in Canada.

Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of Hair Resources, http://www.hairresources.com and http://www.hairresources.net online resources for trendy hair styles, hair extensions information, glob! al beaut y salons and stylists, E-books and much more. Visit Hair Resources for better hair days!

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma that accounts for roughly 5% of all mesothelioma cases. Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that grows on the lining of the heart. The lining of the heart is extremely important because it plays an important role in protecting the heart from damage and so pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely serious condition. Pericardial mesothelioma becomes a terminal illness if not treated aggressively in its early stages.

Like all other forms of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is caused by inhalation of asbestos dust and fibres. Once inhaled, asbestos fibres become lodged in the lungs. From the lungs, the fibres can either pass into the lymphatic system and then be transported to the lining of the lungs or they can gradually move across to the lining of the heart over a long period of time. Over a long period of time, asbestos fibres can accumulate on the lining of the heart and this is when pericardial mesothelioma becomes a likelihood. Due to the fact that asbestos is still present in many public buildings, the possibility of pericardial mesothelioma is a reality for everyone, although for most, very unlikely.

Those with the highest chance of having mesothelioma are those who have been in constant contact with mesothelioma for a length of time as short as a few months. These are people like construction workers and asbestos manufacturers. Those who are in contact with people who are constantly exposed to asbestos are also at risk due to the fact that asbestos fibres can stick to clothes and hair and so can be carried around.

Presently, cases of mesothelioma are increasing including pericardial mesothelioma. Elderly men who are approaching 60 - 70 years of age are just starting to suffer from pericardial mesothelioma due to its long latency period (amount of time the symptoms take to show) of 30 - 50 years. They are suffering because this was the generation who worked with asbestos and amongst asbestos when asbestos wa! s an ext remely popular building material in the 1950s ? 1970s. These men are now lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the companies who exposed them to the dangers of asbestos.

Pericardial mesothelioma has a number of symptoms but these only start to take effect in the cancer?s latest stages when it is almost fully matured and developed. These symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains and palpitations. Other symptoms typical of all types of mesothelioma include loss of appetite, nausea and weight loss. What often makes pericardial mesothelioma so difficult to treat is that its symptoms are typical of many other more common diseases such as pneumonia. To be treated effectively, pericardial mesothelioma needs to be treated aggressively in its early stages and so many patients? treatments are given too late because of a delay in diagnosis.

Treatments for pericardial mesothelioma are very limited and as yet, success rates for curing pericardial mesothelioma are very low. The chances of a patient?s survival depend largely on how early the cancer is treated and how aggressively. Treatment methods include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, dual therapy and surgery. Chemotherapy uses drugs to try to kill off cancerous cells. Radiation therapy uses radiation to try to kill off cancerous cells although this is extremely difficult in the case of pericardial mesothelioma because too much radiation can badly damage the heart.

Dual therapy is a combination of both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery comes in two different types, aggressive surgery and palliative procedures. Aggressive surgery is only used on the strongest of patients such as young and healthy men and consists of removing a large portion of the cancer and attempts to gain control over the cancer. Palliative procedures are a more passive way of dealing with pericardial mesothelioma and just attempts to relieve the patient of the symptoms.

Research is being done into pericardial meso! thelioma in research stations all over the USA and many pharmaceutical companies are also attempting to find new drugs for chemotherapy. So far, much research has been unsuccessful.

For more information on pericardial mesothelioma such as the risks, causes, symptoms and treatments go to:

http://www.pericardialmesothelioma.co.uk
http://www.pericardial-mesothelioma.co.uk
http://www.asbestos-resource.co.uk

Did You Know That Excess Salt is Harmful?

Salt (sodium) plays an important role in the regulation of muscle contraction, fluid balance and nerve impulses in the human body and it is essential for overall good health. All our body fluids including blood, sweat, tears, etc contain sodium. It is essential to maintain proper balance of sodium in these fluids. Sodium in the body is mainly found in fluids that surround the body?s cells, such as blood and lymph fluid. When sodium intake exceeds the amount the body can handle it builds up in the interstitial areas and the kidneys have to work extra hard to excrete it.

A build up may cause the body to hold extra fluids in the blood and around the cells, which contributes to increased blood pressure and also excess weight gain from water. The reason why water retention can be so hard to diagnose is that almost all the body?s tissues have plenty of capacity to hold a little extra fluid without looking abnormal. This extra fluid is what makes one look fat.

Generally, we should only eat between 1,000 and 3,000 mg of sodium a day, so it?s easy to go overboard. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for sodium is about 2,300 mg - slightly more than one teaspoon. While sodium occurs naturally in many foods and is used in food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), salt itself still accounts for more than 90 per cent of the sodium in our diets.

In fact, three-quarters of the salt in our diets comes from processed foods, with just 10 per cent coming from the salt we add during cooking or at the table, and the remaining 15 per cent that occurs naturally in food. This means they key to keeping salt intake down is to eat fewer processed, salty foods such as sauces, pickles, crisps, canned meats, sausages, ham, and canned soups. The good news is many of these foods are also high in calories and fat making them poor choices if you?re trying to lose weight. The more highly processed a food is, the more likely it is to have high sodium content. That?s why, when it comes to eating, it?s wise to! stick m ainly to the basics. Fruits, vegetables, lean meant, beans and whole grains all have little sodium.

Tips to Reduce Sodium in Your Diet

Eat canned soups or broths sparingly. These can be very high in sodium. Use fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat, rather than canned or processed types. Switch to low-sodium margarine, or low-salt butter. Avoid salted nuts, chips, pickles and other snack foods. Avoid using table salt. Do not add extra salt at the table. Reduce sodium when shopping. Read the food labels carefully to find out more about what is in the foods you eat. This will help you choose the right foods. This will help you limit the amount of sodium you eat everyday. Rinse salt from canned foods.

Cindi Gass also writes on Hemorrhoid Treatment Review. More info: Cure, Hemorrhoids Treatment.

What to Realistically Expect from Natural Breast Enlargement Alternatives

Expect the Best, or Expect the Worst?

Natural breast enlargement alternatives such as herbal pills, naturally derived pills that are not herbal in nature, vaccum devices, natural creams and massage are becoming a more popular way to enhance the shape, size and firmness of breasts.

So what should you realistically expect? What kinds of stories are the typical testimonial to their success? And how can you help assure that you will achieve greater results and success if you chose one of these natural alternatives of augmentation?

Believe it or not, women who go into a natural breast enhancement program or treatment with a positive, determined attitude are the ones who are most likely going to have the greatest success in alternatively altering their breast size.

Why is this? It's simple. If you go into it with an open mind and a determination to succeed, along with the willpower to take the necessary dosages or ascribe the necessary treatment, diet or regimen, you are much more likely to come out of your natural breast enhancement experience with a positive experience, and bigger boobs to boot.

You would become a living testimonial to the fact that natural bust enlargement alternatives are not some sort of pipe dream, but are a real and effective way for MANY women to enlarge their bosoms naturally.

Why Do You Say Many and Not All Women?

I say many women because while it is true that it can and has worked on many women, and men for that matter, it does not work on all. Some people just do not have enough body fat, the right hormone levels, or the right interactions with natural herbs and other concoctions for the breast in order for the supplementation or other method to work.

Popping pills and/or breast massage and creams may not work to make your boobs bigger. And who knows why? It's anyone's guess really. It could be any number of reasons, since everyone's body, diet and overall lifestyle may affect the outcome.

A good way to determine what! breast supplements will probably work best, make sure you examine reviews and testimonials for various products that are on the market. Not only that, see if they offer a good no fine print money back option if you see no results. BUT make sure you give it time before you give up. One of the most common mistakes of women enlarging their breasts nonsurgically is to give up too quickly and go on to the next product, or give up all together.

These products always take time to work. It will not usually happen in a few short weeks. If it does, you are probably in the minority. Most women do not start to see or feel any type of expansion or growth until after the first month of sticking to the dosage plan.

Side Effects - What Can Occur

Well, this is an interesting subject, because this also differs from case to case. Some people may experience mild cases of increased acne, mood swings, and other hormonally associated discomforts within the first few weeks of taking a breast enlargement supplement, while others may not experience anything at all.

Side effects, if they occur, will usually subside within the first few weeks, kind of like they would when women go on a new birth control pill or go on the pill for the first time. Birth control pills that cause breast enlargement are another subject to get into - another hotly contested debate!

Positive Side Effects, You Don't Say......

Yet another group of women may experience positive side effects from taking a supplement, such as increased sexual desire, decrease in acne and better hormonal balance. It is interesting to note, that many of the herbal breast enlargement remedies today are a slight variation of products that were actually initially developed by herbalists as natural hormonal balance enhancers for women. They just happened to also work as a breast enhancer on many women as well, and hence they began to be marketed as such.

Whatever course you take, whether it is breast augmentation surgery, natural breast ! suppleme ntation, creams or pumps, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Do it for YOU, not for anyone else. If your primary goal is to feel better about yourself and enhance your self image, I say go for it!

Visit the Natural Breast Enhancement Blog for daily updates on natural breast enhancement, products, views and opinions, new sites, and new way to enhance breasts naturally. Danna Schneider is the founder of Natural-Breast-Guide.com Free Tips and Reviews to Enhance Breasts Naturally, a resource for women looking for ALL options available to them to enhance and enlarge their bustline.

Reviving Vitamin E Studies That Challenge Claims of Wonder Supplement Also Leave Openings

The last year hasn't been a good one for vitamin E.

Once considered a wonder supplement, an inexpensive and harmless pill that might prevent heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's, a flurry of recent clinical trials suggest it does none of those things.

Some even suggest there is a small chance it could be harmful in higher doses.

Yet while the oily little capsule apparently can't keep people alive longer, it refuses to die, in part because in nearly every one of the recent negative studies some caveat or contradictory finding creates a glimmer of hope.

It also doesn't hurt that the dietary supplement industry continues to promote vitamin E and offers experts to refute some of new research.

It doesn't go away, said Edgar Miller, a vitamin E researcher and associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Why does it keep selling when there are so many of these negative studies?

The answer appears to be a combination of factors, including years of promising laboratory, animal and epidemiological studies; heavy promotion by the dietary supplement industry; and, more recently, contradictory findings within studies showing no overall benefit.

The required daily amount is 22 IU (international units). Many recent clinical trials have ranged from 300 IU to 2,000 IU.

Recent clinical trials of high-dose vitamin E have led some researchers to speculate that vitamin E in megadoses may increase the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, the bad kind.

When cholesterol is oxidated, it contributes to coronary artery disease.

There also is some concern that high amounts of vitamin E may displace other beneficial anti-oxidants from that average person's diet.

Combining studies

Consider these recent studies: In November, a vitamin E bombshell was dropped by Johns Hopkins University researchers at an American Heart Association meeting.

They pooled 19 clinical trials of vitamin E involving 136,000 patients.

In 11 of the high-dose trials ! (400 IU or more), the risk of dying from any cause increased 4%, compared with people taking placebos.

Prior to that finding, vitamin E had been considered, at worst, harmless.

People take anti-oxidants because they want to live longer, said Miller, an associate professor of medicine. What we showed is you don't live longer.

However, the analysis also suggested that lower doses of vitamin E (less than 150 I.U. a day) were associated with about a 2% reduction in deaths.

Researchers acknowledged several potential shortcomings in their study.

For instance, they noted that several of the high-dose trials involved people with various chronic diseases and may not apply to healthy individuals.

They also said the small size of several of the trials in the analysis and inconsistent reporting of health events prevented a detailed look at the effect of various doses of the vitamin.

It's a very flawed analysis, said Julie Buring, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who recently presented her own vitamin E research.

She also said the 4% increased risk of death was not clinically meaningful and could be a chance finding.

Women's health study

On March 7, Buring and other Harvard scientists presented their own vitamin E study at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting.

Once again, the vitamin threw researchers a curve.

Analyzing data from the Women's Health Study, a trial involving 40,000 women who got either 600 IU of vitamin E every other day or a placebo, researchers found that it provided no overall cardiovascular benefit such as reduction in heart attacks or strokes.

However, an analysis of a subgroup of women over 65 found a 26% reduction in cardiovascular events.

Buring said that although the finding was intriguing, it was not supported by previous research.

She added that it needs confirmation.

Adding even more confusion, the study found a statistically significant 24% reduction in cardiovascular death! s among all the vitamin E users.

Buring also questioned that finding because there was no overall reduction in strokes and heart attacks. She said it was possible that it was due to other cardiovascular causes such as arrhythmias or heart failure, but there was no reasonable biological explanation for that.

People should look at that further, but it could be chance, she said.

Buring concluded that vitamin E was neither harmful nor beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease.

A surprise

About a week after the Women's Health Study, another controversial vitamin E finding was presented.

The study involved 9,500 people aged 55 and older with vascular disease or diabetes who were followed for an average of seven years.

It found that 400 IU of vitamin E a day provided no protection against cancer or major vascular events such as heart attacks or strokes.

In addition, the study found a disturbing 13% increase in heart failure cases and 21% increase in heart failure hospitalizations.

That was the first time that vitamin E had been associated with an increased risk of heart failure, said lead author Eva Lonn, a professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

I am not convinced about the harm, Lonn added.

Indeed, a recent small study of heart failure patients taking a cholesterol-lowering statin drug suggested that vitamin E actually increased the statin's ability to improve blood vessel function and lower inflammation.

Lonn and the other researchers said a review of all heart failure events in large vitamin E clinical trials is strongly recommended.

Confounding the heart failure finding was what appeared to be a statistically significant 28% reduction in lung cancer cases, although in a secondary analysis of the data the benefit seemed to disappear.

The numbers are small, Lonn said. We think it's a chance finding.

The researchers noted that other larger vitamin E trials showed no lung cancer benefit.

Alz! heimer's research

There still is some hope that vitamin E might help prevent Alzheimer's disease, although in May a clinical trial of 769 patients with mild cognitive impairment found it was of no benefit in delaying the progression to Alzheimer's.

In that trial, the patients took a mega dose 2,000 IU a day for up to three years, according to the findings in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Other vitamin E / Alzheimer's trials are ongoing.

The anti-oxidant vitamin enthusiasm of the 1990s is being tempered by clinical trials, according to a JAMA editorial that accompanied the Women's Health Study results.

These hopes are now confined to modest expectations for specific disorders and there are concerns about adverse effects, the editorial said.

Mike Freije from Health Shop
http://www.health-shop.com
http://www.health-shop.info

Nail Care Secrets

Manicures, pedicures, artificial tips, paraffin treatments, nail jewelry - the nail care industry is booming, with nail salons seemingly on every corner.

Why is this, do you suppose? There was a time when only the wealthy had regular manicures, but now it's commonplace. Whether you go to a salon weekly, or choose to buff and polish your nails at home, it's important to take care of your fingertips.

Take a look at your hands. What do they say about you? Think about what they say to others. Are your hands rough, red, irritated? Or, are they smooth and pampered?

Are your cuticles ragged? Or have you cut or pushed them back? Hot pink, French tips, or clear-coated, it's not the color you wear that matters. What really matters is the condition of your hands and nails, and you can improve the state of your nails by taking a few simple steps.

Protect your nails

Wear gloves when washing the dishes or the kitchen floor. Do not use your nails as tools. They aren't meant to scrape the price stickers off your new picture frame. Be sure to apply sunscreen all the way down to the tips of your nails. Sun damage affects nails, too.

Moisturize your nails regularly

Every time you wash your hands, you need to moisturize your hands. Keep hand cream in your purse. Have a bottle in each bathroom of your home and one at the kitchen sink.

Nails need to breath

Every so often, leave the polish out of your manicure routine. Let your nails get a little oxygen.

Do not use nail products containing formaldehyde

It?s not used in biology class anymore. Don?t use it on your nails, it?s not safe.

Gelatin really does work

You thought it was a myth when you heard it as a teenager, but it?s true. Eating gelatin helps your nails grow strong and healthy.

Nutrition

Water, fresh fruits and vegetables, protein from meats and fish, and vitamins (multi and E, in particular) all stimulate nail growth.

Sterilize, sterilize, steriliz! e

Keep your home manicure kit clean. At the salon, purchase a set from the nail technician. The salon will label it, store it, and use it just for you.

They?re inexpensive and essential to protecting yourself from fungus and communicable infections. Don?t be shy, be sure your manicurist knows that you take cleanliness seriously.

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Allison Saunders is a MAC qualified Make-up Artist and the author of an amazing new course, Hollywood Makeup Secrets a step-by-step simple video system for maximizing your inner and outer beauty potential. You can learn more about Allison, and subscribe to her free newsletter by visiting:

http://www.hollywoodmakeupsecrets.com/dt/s.php?id=9

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