2 Step Weight Loss & Wellness Program.

A Tried And Proven Weight Loss And Wellness Program Based Upon Healthy Organic Eating That Promotes Optimum Weight Loss And Health. This Program Consists Of The Program E-guide, A 22 Day Detailed Eating Plan With Organic Recipes And 4 Bonus Help Audios.
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Reduce Stress Through Elements Therapeutic Massage for Optimum Health

Most people think immediately of relaxation and stress relief when they think of massage, and that is certainly one of the benefits of receiving a massage from a trained therapist. Massage is often thought of as a�relaxing special treat or indulgent escape, but massage therapy actually has more far reaching effects on body and spirit. According to the American Institute of Stress, stress can not only effect mood and behavior, but can have an effect on systems, organs and tissues throughout the body. In fact, there are numerous physical conditions that are linked to stress, and stress can further aggravate disease or injury.

The highly qualified massage therapists at Elements Therapeutic Massage-Scottsdale Promenade provide an effective way to combat and release stress, as well as providing clients with many positive physiological effects through various massage techniques. Whether using the soothing touch of a Therapeutic Swedish massage to relax and rejuvenate or releasing toxins through Therapeutic Hot Stone Massage, Elements therapists enhance their clients' overall health.

Therapeutic Deep Tissue massage is a highly effective technique that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. Through deep tissue massage, the immune system can be enhanced and toxins are flushed from the body. Massage also increases circulation and stimulates the lymph system. This allows the body to more effectively move oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, and can improve the body's natural defense system for fighting off disease and illness. Massage also releases endorphins, which are the body's natural pain-killers. Endorphins aid in recovery, managing pain and maintaining an overall sense of well being in the body. This type of massage can benefit anyone who wants to maintain overall health, as well as those recovering from illness or dealing with chronic conditions. Elements therapists consult with their clients to integrate deep tissue massage with other massage therapies for maximum personalized health benefits.

Obesity Health Risks

Obesity Health Risks Here you are some of the most common health risks for obese people: Heart Disease. Heart Disease means that the heart and circulation are not functioning normally. Often, the arteries have become hardened and narrowed. If you have coronary heart disease, you may suffer from a heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden [...]
Read More... [Source: Overweight & Dieting]

Personal Training/Outdoor Fitness - It's Easy to Be a Trainer

Are you a fitness trainer who is having difficulty running a business? While there are undoubtedly lots of people willing to sign up for fitness classes you will face a unique set of problems. Not only do you need to be good at your job, but you should also be good at managing a business. This is unfortunately something that certain people cannot do. You might also face hurdles at the very outset because your business will require a lot of investment in the form of a place as well as fitness equipment of all sorts. The simplest solution is for you to be a personal training / outdoor fitness so that you can conduct classes out in the open using the available resources.

You might wonder whether it is easy for you to conduct personal training / outdoor fitness classes. After all, you might have trained on certain pieces of equipment and might feel unsure of how to proceed. This is a very valid doubt because your success at being a personal training / outdoor fitness trainer depends entirely on how you will be able to get your clients to lose weight. If you are unsure of how to do this without conventional equipment then you cannot hope to succeed.

You need to invest a little time and money in specialized training that will help you become a personal training / outdoor fitness trainer. There are companies that offer this sort of training where you learn to use whatever is available outdoors in order to get you clients to lose weight. You will mostly be exercising in a park or any outdoor area that will have a lot of swing sets, bleachers, stairs and monkey bars in addition to grassy spaces and jogging tracks. These can all be used as props in order to get a person to exercise properly. There is a huge range of lunges, pushups, squats and steps ups that you can make your customers so in order to give them a fantastic work out. In fact, a person can get a complete body workout in addition to a proper cardio routine without having to step into a gym.

This course is very easy to do if you are already a fitness trainer since it will focus on adding to your existing skills rather than teaching you entirely new ones. There are many such courses available so you can easily find one that appeals to you. You will also be able to find one that is within your budget. Make sure that you do your research well so that you find a course that offers great value for money. It would be a good thing if you read reviews as well as asked the trainer many questions before you actually start the course.

You will find the money you have spent on this course to be the best investment because you can get on with your fitness business without having to worry about establishment costs or a partner who does not share your vision.

Health Food Facts: Myths, Truths, and How to Lose Weight the Healthy Way

Lisa411
(Guest)06/01/2008

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How To Lose Weight, Forever!

Massive $20/$32 Payout. Natural Weight Loss Tactics To Lose Weight Forever And Never Gain It Back. Im Blowing The Whistle And Exposing All The Weight-loss Secrets!
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Internal Cleansing for Optimum Health

Today more than ever, making a commitment to regular internal cleansing is essential to enjoying optimum health in an increasingly toxic world, and choosing the right cleansing formula is the first step toward achieving�that goal.

Detoxification is not a new concept. History shows us that people from many ancient cultures cleansed by fasting or using a blend of herbs to help eliminate toxins from the colon. Whether they realized it or not, toxins that are stored in the body can eventually overwhelm the liver, resulting in toxic overload or inflammation. This can in turn lead to a chronic disease - a problem currently afflicting more than 90 million people in this country. Even with improvements to daily diet and decreased exposure to environmental toxins, those toxins that are already being stored in the body will remain there until they are removed, which explains why frequent cleansing plays a vital role in maintaining optimum health.

A total-body cleansing supplement typically combines a variety of nutrients designed to support the body's natural cleansing physiology. While multivitamins and other dietary supplements provide beneficial nutrients, total-body cleansing products specifically support the body's detoxification process.

Many natural health practitioners recommend a total-body cleanse at the beginning of each new season. The most effective products typically contain an organ detoxification formula as well as a natural colon cleanse.

Herbs often used to support the liver include milk thistle, artichoke, dandelion and turmeric, while corn silk may be included to promote healthy kidney function. Chlorella, hawthorn, larch gum and ashwagandha (also known as Indian ginseng) support the blood and lymph, and mullein and red clover are often included to help expel toxins (trapped in mucus) from the lungs. Red clover and burdock root support the cleansing of the skin.

Overweight Causes Cancer

(PRWEB) May 16, 2003 Overweight — not just obesity, but being overweight — accounts for 14 to 20% of deaths by cancer, report researchers in a major new study, (Overweight, obesity, and mortality from cancer in a prospectively studied cohort of US adults, 2003, Calle). Reliable Research This wasn’t a small, out-of-context [...]
Read More... [Source: Overweight & Dieting]

Rules Of Weight Loss.

The Happyweight Programme Is An Inspiring And Easy Method For Weight Loss Without Dieting. This Audio Programme Is Delivered As Downloadable MP3 Files And Presented By Judy Price Who Guides You Through The Process To Become Your Happy Weight.
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Do Your Health a Favour and Get Some Sunshine

New research has shown that living in a cold, dull climate leads to unhealthy low Vitamin D levels.

One in four post-menopausal white women living in Scotland in the UK were found to be Vitamin D deficient during the grey and cloudy winter - compared to not a single one living in the

�south.

The research also showed that 60% of Asian women living in the south of England were Vitamin D deficient during the winter.

Adequate Vitamin D levels are essential for optimum health. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, necessary to build strong bones, and deficiency can cause osteoporosis in adults and rickets in children. The resulting fragile bones result in numerous health problems including avoidable fractures.

The main source of Vitamin D is sunlight - the body manufactures the vitamin in the skin after exposure to ultraviolet light. In the UK, the UV wavelength is not sufficiently intense to produce Vitamin D between October and April so levels of the vitamin have to be topped up by sun exposure in summer or food rich in Vitamin D. Oily fish, liver, eggs, margarine, some breakfast cereals and powdered milk are all good sources of vitamin D.

Aberdeen University's Dr Helen Macdonald led the new study. After evaluating the results, she believes that "the (official) recommendation of ten minutes of sunlight exposure a day may need to be changed for those with darker skin or in higher latitudes."

She studied sunlight exposure and Vitamin D levels in women under the age of 65 in Aberdeen (Scotland) and in Surrey (England). The women were given ultraviolet B light-sensitive badges to measure their exposure to sunlight and their Vitamin D levels were measured at 3-monthly intervals over a 15-month period. The study's results showed that ultraviolet exposure was lower in Aberdeen in the north - and the number of women with Vitamin D deficiency was higher. Deficiency was 25 to 27% during winter and spring, and 4.2% in summer.

Diet, Weight Loss: 26-Week Online Diet, As Seen On Tv.

Diet, Weight Loss Plan From Julia Havey, As Seen Or Heard On: Oprah & Friends, Time-Life Infomerical, Womans World, EDiets.com, Diet.com, CBN.com, And Around The World. This 26-week Diet And Weight Loss Plan Is Endorsed By Dr. David Katz.
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Anne Collins Weight Loss Program.

High Converting Healthy Weight Loss Diets & Motivational Support.
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Using Whole Foods to Heal and Maintain Optimum Health: Make Food Your Medicine

When I think over the way we use food in our modern culture, I get perplexed. We eat from boxes off of store shelves, that contain highly processed foods which are stripped of most of their nutritional value. To add to�this downward spiral we follow it up with some good old refined sugar, and after years and years of living this way constantly, we have some sort of health crisis and can't seem to figure out why. Its the food people, its the food thats getting past your mouths!

I think too many people underestimate the awesome power contained within the whole foods that were created for us. Somehow we have successfully forgotten about what it is that maintains our health. We spend years eating nutritionally empty foods and can't seem to put two and two together when it comes to helping ourselves out of a health crisis. Many years ago, I worked at a local hospital when I think back on it, I wonder how any healing can take place under the roof of those institutions at all when you see the food they serve to the patients. People that have just undergone major surgeries and have had serious health breakdowns of all sorts do not need white bread and jello. They need whole unadulterated foods. Thats whats going to bring on some real healing.

One of the best things we can do to heal and maintain good health is to eat raw whole food. Things that come from the earth. Any kind of fruit or vegetable or whole grain is going to give us the sustenance we need to maintain thriving health and prevent disease. These foods carry within them their very own enzymes which aid in their break down so that the nutrients in them may be adequately absorbed. The whole idea is to make it as easy on our bodies as we can. When we eat processed and cooked food our body needs to put forth more of its own enzymes, (and lots of them I might add) to get things broken down so that they may be absorbed well. Then if the food we're trying to break down and absorb is nutritionally deficient we're at even less of an advantage.

The Acme Juicer Makes Delicious Juice for Optimum Health

A nice cold glass of orange juice for breakfast sounds refreshing. How about a glass of carrot juice for the toddler? A glass of real apple juice is much healthier for the kids than the sugary concentrate that you buy�the local grocery store.

The highly advertised natural juices that consist of fruit concentrates are diluted with water. The water that goes into these juice products may contain chemicals or other pollutants. Imported juicy drinks may be diluted with tap water or well water from factories in industrial areas.

Pure fresh juice made at home with an electric juice extractor is an excellent way to get you and your loved ones to consume foods that offer naturally derived vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

A juicer is not the same as a blender. A juicer is designed to extract fluid from the fibers of fruits and vegetables. Many are concerned about not getting enough fiber when juicing. Although fiber is low in nutrition it is necessary for proper digestion and elimination. Juicing should be taken to supplement a diet rich in high-fiber vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

The Acme juicer is a high-speed juicer that that spins the fruit or vegetables in a stainless steel basket that separates the juice from the pulp. The pulp remains in the basket and the juice is extracted through a stainless steel spout to a cup or other container.

The Acme has a large feeder tube to accommodate whole carrots and larger pieces of fruits or vegetables. It is very powerful and extracts a high yield of juice that is virtually pulp free. The juicer comes apart easily for removal of pulp and cleaning, and it can be washed in the automatic dishwasher.

The Acme Juicer 6001 is a quality juicer that is affordable and can be purchased at most retail stores that sell appliances or on line at: http://www.answers.com/topic/acme-6001.

Once you begin juicing within a few days you will begin to look and feel better and will be on your way to optimal health and well-being.

Juicing with a home juicer is an excellent way to assure that your kids and other finicky eaters will get the needed vitamins, minerals for healthy bodies.

Weil Nutritional Daily Multivitamin for Optimum Health Tablets Review

I had been sick with fever and this time it was bad. Every time I wanted to get out of bed, my head reeled and my knees wobbled. I thought something was utterly wrong with me as this was something new and I had never�felt like this. The doctor laughed it all away and said I needed was Weil Nutritional Daily Multivitamin for Optimum Health tablets.

I admit I had never been a health freak and never concentrated on health diets and so on. In fact, I had often lived on only salads and juices for months in order to lose weight. And all of it was telling on my health now! I had no way out but to yield because I wanted to get better in no time. The designer exhibition was about to happen and I had so much to do. So when my son got the bottle of Weil Nutritional Daily Multivitamin for Optimum Health tablets from the chemist's read the entire manual inside.

A bottle of Weil Nutritional Daily Multivitamin for Optimum Health, Tablets contains multivitamin tablets, 180 in number. The B vitamins contain flavonoids, inositol, choline, and other important minerals. Vitamins and trace minerals are very important as they help in the process of metabolism. The vitamin tables include no artificial colors, flavorings or preservatives.

The vitamin is also used for lactating and pregnant women but it is advisable to consult a health care professional before this tablet is used. You should keep this out of reach of children.

Some of the major ingredients of this Weil Nutritional Daily Multivitamin for Optimum Health, Tablets include Pharmaceutical Glaze, Vegetable Stearine, Croscarmellose Sodium, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate and Dicalcium Phosphate.

Guide To Implementing The Weight Loss Cure.

Guide To Implementing The Weight Loss Cure: Personal Experiences Of HCg Dieters Everything That The Weight Loss Cure Should Have Told You In Order For You To Be Able To Use It Effectively. Someone Said It Should Be Named HCg Protocol For Dummies!
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What Foods Are Aphrodisiacs? Common Aphrodisiacs Foods for Good Love Life

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Aphrodisiac foods are believed to increase sexual appetite and overall performance. Read this article to know what foods are aphrodisiacs.

Home Care - Tips to Find Funding and Keep Costs Down

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If you are a Traverse City resident and have reached a place in your life where you (or a loved one living nearby) are no longer able to care for yourself and maintain your home, you are not alone. According to the Aging Institute of Michigan, the increase of the 65 and older age bracket in the Traverse City area is growing at a rate, three times faster than in other areas of the country.

2 Step Weight Loss & Wellness Program.

A Tried And Proven Weight Loss And Wellness Program Based Upon Healthy Organic Eating That Promotes Optimum Weight Loss And Health. This Program Consists Of The Program E-guide, A 22 Day Detailed Eating Plan With Organic Recipes And 4 Bonus Help Audios.
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Effective Home Remedies for Dark Circles That Work

Dark circles around the eyes are the most unwelcome thing that presents a dull and gloomy appearance. Women are mostly affected by this condition, especially those who are involved in outdoor jobs. In men, this condition is observed in few cases compared to women. A glowing face is the most important part of the feminine beauty, and these dark circles affect the beauty to a great extent. In most of the cases, the dark circles go away completely, following a disciplined lifestyle and healthy diet. In few cases, circles around the eyes may remain permanently with the aging of women.

Symptoms

Dark patches appear under the eyes and around the eyelids giving a dull appearance. These patches may be intensified with aging and if left untreated.

Causes

The various causes are given below

1. Over stressed life and fatigue
2. Lack of proper sleep
3. Deficiency of nutrients
4. Over exposure to sunlight
5. Prolonged suffering from illness
6. Hyper pigmentation
7. Use of certain drugs
8. Aging
9. Erratic life style.

Home Remedies

Circles around the eyes can be easily removed through simple and proven home remedies.

1. Drink plenty of water and have minimum 7-8 hours of sleep.

2. Avoid late night working as this causes stress on the eyes resulting in the formation of circles.

3. Place used herbal tea bags on the eyes for half an hour. This will help in removal of circles.

4. Similar application of rounded potato and cucumber slices also help in complete removal of the dark circles.

5. Regular massage of the under eye with almond oil for 15 minutes is very effective home remedy for this problem.

6. Application of mint juice has a soothing effect on the eyes and helps in removing the circles under the eyes.

7. Apply a thick paste of lentils, tomato juice, turmeric and lemon juice under the eyes and keep it until dry. Then wash it off with cool water. This is another effective home remedy for treating dark circles.

8. Dab a cotton ball in rose water and apply it on the eyes for half an hour to remove the dark circles.

9. Prepare a drink by adding some mint leaves and few drops of lime juice in tomato juice with a pinch of salt in it. This is a useful drink to treat dark circles.

10. Application of creams enriched with Vitamin E also helps in treating this problem.

Guide To Implementing The Weight Loss Cure.

Guide To Implementing The Weight Loss Cure: Personal Experiences Of HCg Dieters Everything That The Weight Loss Cure Should Have Told You In Order For You To Be Able To Use It Effectively. Someone Said It Should Be Named HCg Protocol For Dummies!
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Health Benefits of Probiotics

You might be surprised to learn that your overall health has to do with the condition of your intestines. To be in good health, your intestines must function properly - absorb nutrients and help get rid of toxins and�waste products.

Your intestines are located between the stomach and the rectum. They are part of the digestive system. When you eat, food is broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream. This takes place in the small and large intestines. Your intestines are able to do this with the help of the intestinal flora called probiotics.

Probiotics, also called, "good or friendly bacteria," are microorganisms that live in the intestinal tract and help to digest and properly absorb foods. They also play a part in immune function by preventing proliferation of unwelcome bacteria and other harmful microorganisms from colonizing in your body. In fact besides crowding out the harmful microorganisms, Probiotics also try and reduce the damage that has already been done to our body.

The human body is host to hundreds of thousands of bacteria, most of which is beneficial and helps the body to stay in optimum health.

The body should have a bacteria ratio of 85% good bacteria to 15% bad bacteria. For most people it is the other way round. When bad bacteria get the upper hand in the balance, the door opens to infections and allergy reactions.

Several things can destroy the bacterial balance in your intestines. Stress, aging, over use of antibiotics, pollution and prescription drugs can disrupt this delicate balance. Other factors that can deplete beneficial bacteria include chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and soil sterilizers which destroy the ecosystem and the natural flow of bacteria found in the food chain. Also chemicals used to treat the water supply, reduce the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract.

When the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract is reduced, harmful microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi) multiply and produce toxins which inhibit the normal function of the digestive system and, consequently, affect your overall health condition.

Using Whole Foods to Heal and Maintain Optimum Health: Make Food Your Medicine

When I think over the way we use food in our modern culture, I get perplexed. We eat from boxes off of store shelves, that contain highly processed foods which are stripped of most of their nutritional value. To add to�this downward spiral we follow it up with some good old refined sugar, and after years and years of living this way constantly, we have some sort of health crisis and can't seem to figure out why. Its the food people, its the food thats getting past your mouths!

I think too many people underestimate the awesome power contained within the whole foods that were created for us. Somehow we have successfully forgotten about what it is that maintains our health. We spend years eating nutritionally empty foods and can't seem to put two and two together when it comes to helping ourselves out of a health crisis. Many years ago, I worked at a local hospital when I think back on it, I wonder how any healing can take place under the roof of those institutions at all when you see the food they serve to the patients. People that have just undergone major surgeries and have had serious health breakdowns of all sorts do not need white bread and jello. They need whole unadulterated foods. Thats whats going to bring on some real healing.

One of the best things we can do to heal and maintain good health is to eat raw whole food. Things that come from the earth. Any kind of fruit or vegetable or whole grain is going to give us the sustenance we need to maintain thriving health and prevent disease. These foods carry within them their very own enzymes which aid in their break down so that the nutrients in them may be adequately absorbed. The whole idea is to make it as easy on our bodies as we can. When we eat processed and cooked food our body needs to put forth more of its own enzymes, (and lots of them I might add) to get things broken down so that they may be absorbed well. Then if the food we're trying to break down and absorb is nutritionally deficient we're at even less of an advantage.

For Optimum Health and Weight Loss, Shut Down Your Kitchen at 8 PM

Are you shutting down your kitchen at night? Well, you should. According to most health experts, for optimum weight loss, better blood glucose readings, and diabetes management, you should�not eat anything three hours prior to going to bed.

Those involved in natural health also admonish that the body goes through certain cycles and the one following eight pm is where the body uses what it has been given throughout the night. The body will have to work harder to deal with late-night food. This is where much weight gain occurs.

These days, I finish eating by 6 pm. Now my husband works late, and often does not get home until almost eight pm. So for my health, during the week, I have to eat earlier before he arrives home.

I am a strong advocate for eating together at the dinner table. But if you are particularly concerned about your health, concessions have to be made.

My body cannot handle eating at eight pm or later. Then there is the mess in the kitchen to clean up. So I find if I eat earlier, I eat less because I am not so exhausted. Then I have time to clean up the kitchen before he arrives home. I simply sip on some water while he eats and I talk with him. Sometimes the kids eat with me, sometimes with him. We are trying to find our groove on this one.

On the weekends, we all eat dinner by six. This is harder on him, because he is used to eating later. So we are still working on this.

So my kitchen is closed at eight for business. No snacks, period, for anyone. Water is allowed, of course. In the beginning, my kids would ask for food, but now only occasionally. They are fed a great breakfast, lunch and dinner, and snacks during the day. I am of the firm belief that this snacking late at night--usually junk--has contributed to the childhood obesity epidemic in this country, as well as the onset of Type 2 Diabetes in so many.

Popular influences will push you otherwise. Have you ever noticed at night that most ads revolve around restaurants and pizza delivery and "fourth meal" and candy bars? Another reason to take a walk, read a book, read your Bible, play a game, work a puzzle, do laundry....

Internal Cleansing for Optimum Health

Today more than ever, making a commitment to regular internal cleansing is essential to enjoying optimum health in an increasingly toxic world, and choosing the right cleansing formula is the first step toward achieving�that goal.

Detoxification is not a new concept. History shows us that people from many ancient cultures cleansed by fasting or using a blend of herbs to help eliminate toxins from the colon. Whether they realized it or not, toxins that are stored in the body can eventually overwhelm the liver, resulting in toxic overload or inflammation. This can in turn lead to a chronic disease - a problem currently afflicting more than 90 million people in this country. Even with improvements to daily diet and decreased exposure to environmental toxins, those toxins that are already being stored in the body will remain there until they are removed, which explains why frequent cleansing plays a vital role in maintaining optimum health.

A total-body cleansing supplement typically combines a variety of nutrients designed to support the body's natural cleansing physiology. While multivitamins and other dietary supplements provide beneficial nutrients, total-body cleansing products specifically support the body's detoxification process.

Many natural health practitioners recommend a total-body cleanse at the beginning of each new season. The most effective products typically contain an organ detoxification formula as well as a natural colon cleanse.

Herbs often used to support the liver include milk thistle, artichoke, dandelion and turmeric, while corn silk may be included to promote healthy kidney function. Chlorella, hawthorn, larch gum and ashwagandha (also known as Indian ginseng) support the blood and lymph, and mullein and red clover are often included to help expel toxins (trapped in mucus) from the lungs. Red clover and burdock root support the cleansing of the skin.

Holistic Health: Save Money by Learning the Basics

Holistic medicine has been practiced for many ages. It is only recently starting to re-submerge, as more and more people look for more natural ways to treat their illness. Many are shying away from the mainstream�medicines, as report after report comes out about unwanted side effects of man made medicines. Holistic medicine teaches that one should treat the entire body, not just the ailing part. It teaches that mind, body and spirit should all be in harmony to achieve optimum health benefits. For instance, mainstream medicine may advise anti depressant, if you are depressed. That does not address the cause of the depression, it merely treats the symptom.

Holistic practitioners use many different methods of treating their patients. While you will take medicine to treat the symptoms of a disease, they will also offer "whole body" wellness solutions. They will address diet issues and encourage eating healthier foods. They will also offer suggestions for use of natural herbs to enhance overall body wellness. Group counseling sessions may also be offered.

This can be very expensive, if you have to return to a holistic practitioner for every small piece of advice. You can save yourself a lot of money by doing your own research. For instance, we all know that eating healthier foods is better for us. You don't need to pay someone to set you up a diet rich in healthy foods.

Become your own researcher. Use Google to learn all that you can about holistic medicine, and some of the things that are practiced. Mind, body and spirit all play an important role in our health. Make a list of each heading and describe what you think is wrong with your mind, body or spirit.

Is your mind filled with worrisome thoughts? Perhaps you can talk to a friend or family member about whatever is bothering you. Does your spirit seem down? Liven things up by going and doing something fun, or entertaining.

Continue Working After Retirement for Optimum Health

Just when you get a day closer to retirement, someone comes up with another reason to continue working. A recent national study shows that people who transition from full-time employment to part-time employment suffer�fewer health related problems than those who opt for full retirement.

Retirees who transition instead of suddenly quitting working all together have been found to suffer from fewer major illnesses or disease. The American Psychological Association refers to this sort of transition as "bridge employment".

The research involved over 12,000 participants, ranging in age from 51 to 61. During a six year span, each of the participants were interviewed every two years. The interview consisted of questions concerning their health, financial status, employment history, and continued work or retirement.

The research consisted of only those health problems that had been properly diagnosed by a physician. People who worked post retirement at jobs in the same field as their lifetime careers showed better mental health. The stress of learning a new skill outside their previous career field has been found to have a negative impact on mental health and financial security.

Retirees who continued to work at bridge employment were found to have a 31% higher mental score than those who chose full retirement. Other research has shown that 3/4 of men between the ages of 55 and 75 are in better health when they continue to work post retirement age. With women, 71% of those who continue to work are in better health, mentally and physically, than those who opt for full retirement.

Those who continue to work past retirement are also less stressed financially. Let's face it, with today's economy as it is, it is hard for anyone to make ends meet without the income received from full or part-time work.

The Best Habit for Your Health: Water

When it comes to your health, water is nature"s secret weapon. Your body needs water in order to complete the most essential daily tasks, and water is at the core of processes like flushing away impurities, and�even regulating how much you eat. Although there may not be any magic potion for instant better health, water comes as close to that dream as anything possibly could. If you"re concerned about losing weight, feeling better, having more vibrant hair and skin, or just improving your overall health, water will help you do all this and more. Read on to learn more about what water does for your health, and how to make sure you"re getting enough.

Eat Less, Feel Fuller
A recent study shows that a large percentage of Americans can"t actually tell the difference between the sensations of hunger and thirst. In this study, people who were nutritionally satisfied but needed more fluids repeatedly reached for an unnecessary snack, and named their craving as Shunger. In fact, what they really needed was one simple no-cal, no-fat treat for their health: water. One of the reasons we often crave more food than we can metabolize is because we need its water content. Drinking water often throughout the day will help you feel satisfied in two ways. First, it will take up room in your stomach so that you"re less inclined to overeat at meals. Second, adequate hydration will protect you from reaching for a snack by mistake when what you really need is fluid. When it comes to your weight and your health, water is your secret weapon.

Achieving Optimum Health at 85

My Dad was born in 1924. At the age of 18, he was drafted into the Army at the beginning of WWII. He was part of the D-Day forces that landed on Normandy at Utah Beach. After crossing the Rhine River, he was severely�wounded while standing guard duty one night. After a lengthy recovery, he started working in civilian life, and married my Mother in 1947. Throughout his life, he worked very hard, providing a good life for my Mother, myself, and my one sister and three brothers.

My father's idea of physical exercise was doing yard work and projects around the house. Healthy eating was three square meals a day; the main one being the family meal at night when he got home from work. It always consisted of either beef, pork, or chicken; along with potatoes, vegetables, and biscuits. There were always desserts in our house; my Mother was an exceptional cook. He never really had any health issues; at least none that we knew of, as he always internalized everything. Although I remember him being in the hospital once for a stomach ailment; he would always resist medical attention and prescription drugs.

In his 40s and 50s, he went through mental and physical trauma from a divorce with my Mother, a second marriage to a woman who contracted and eventually died from Parkinsons Disease, and a period of depression when members of his immediate family and many of his friends had died, including his parents, my Mother, and several of his Army buddies. As he got into his 60s, I began to notice some medical problems that he was having; and he actually confided in me one day as to the extent of these problems. He had an ulcer, prostrate issues, kidney issues, and constant headaches. He is also very stubborn; and rarely to advice from anyone. He would often shrug it off; saying that it will go away.

Using Whole Foods to Heal and Maintain Optimum Health: Make Food Your Medicine

When I think over the way we use food in our modern culture, I get perplexed. We eat from boxes off of store shelves, that contain highly processed foods which are stripped of most of their nutritional value. To add to�this downward spiral we follow it up with some good old refined sugar, and after years and years of living this way constantly, we have some sort of health crisis and can't seem to figure out why. Its the food people, its the food thats getting past your mouths!

I think too many people underestimate the awesome power contained within the whole foods that were created for us. Somehow we have successfully forgotten about what it is that maintains our health. We spend years eating nutritionally empty foods and can't seem to put two and two together when it comes to helping ourselves out of a health crisis. Many years ago, I worked at a local hospital when I think back on it, I wonder how any healing can take place under the roof of those institutions at all when you see the food they serve to the patients. People that have just undergone major surgeries and have had serious health breakdowns of all sorts do not need white bread and jello. They need whole unadulterated foods. Thats whats going to bring on some real healing.

One of the best things we can do to heal and maintain good health is to eat raw whole food. Things that come from the earth. Any kind of fruit or vegetable or whole grain is going to give us the sustenance we need to maintain thriving health and prevent disease. These foods carry within them their very own enzymes which aid in their break down so that the nutrients in them may be adequately absorbed. The whole idea is to make it as easy on our bodies as we can. When we eat processed and cooked food our body needs to put forth more of its own enzymes, (and lots of them I might add) to get things broken down so that they may be absorbed well. Then if the food we're trying to break down and absorb is nutritionally deficient we're at even less of an advantage.

Free Health Care Clinics in Jacksonville, Florida

Where to Go when You Need Help

Where do you go when your child wakes up in the middle of the night sick? Where do you go if you need help? Where do you turn when you can't afford to pay for a doctor? Free health care clinics are available, and there to help you in your time of need. Clinics can be set up in a variety of ways. Most will see you for free, but base repayment on a sliding scale depending on your income. Others will assist you in filling out paperwork for children's medical coverage, or even your own if you qualify. Some clinics operate for more urgent care needs like broken bones, children's ear infections, and strep throat cases. Others are an actual medical clinic with lab work that can be performed in-house, pregnancy care, routine checkups, and immunizations. This also provides you with the chance to establish a regular family physician, pediatrician, or obstetrician.

If you do use one of these clinics however, be prepared to wait. There are relatively few of these clinics to go around to meet the needs of entire communities. This is because many of these clinics don't make a whole lot of revenue--and the doctors who work here don't make much either. These clinics are often overcrowded and employees are often overworked with high patient loads. However, they are great choices for those times you need to use them.

Here is a list of several free health care clinics offered in the Jacksonville, Florida area:

Volunteers in Medicine--Jacksonville

VIM is a completely volunteer run medical clinic that provides free medical services to the working uninsured. All workers are volunteers, and management of problems or conditions is given through generic or contributed medications. The clinic is able to treat most cases of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, sinus and urinary tract infections, and other minor illness or conditions.

Home Medical Alert Systems: What You Should Know About the Response Center

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If you have been looking for a home medical alert system for an aging family member or yourself, you may be overwhelmed by the many choices that are available. It can be difficult to know what the best system for your needs is. Many people find that a system that uses a response center that is available to take calls in an emergency, is the best way to find the safety and peace of mind that they are looking for.

What Causes Faeces Incontinence?

Faeces incontinence affects more people than you might think. It is more common in women than men and it is more often found in the elderly than in younger people. Estimates put this continence problem affecting over 2% of the world population and it could be much higher. Researchers believe that because of the social stigma that is attached, many people don't report or complain that they have the condition.

So just what is this continence problem anyway? It is the inability to control the passing of a bowel movement or gas. This is obviously an extremely embarrassing condition and one that may limit sufferers from participating in their regular lifestyle for fear of public accidents.

The causes of this condition are varied. Women may suffer to the muscles that control the rectum during childbirth. Either the muscles can be severely stretched or they are cut as a means of enlarging the vaginal space (episiotomy) to speed up a birth. This is the primary reason that women suffer from this condition more than men. The continence problem may not show itself immediately after the causative event (childbirth) but the damage becomes compounded as we age and the muscles become weaker.

Other causes of this condition can include diseases and injuries that affect nerves such as MS, spinal cord injuries, and damage done during hemorrhoid surgery. Diabetes and stroke can also contribute to this disabling condition.

Inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea, particularly when caused by abusive use of laxatives are also prime suspects in this form of incontinence.

The best way to address the problem of faeces incontinence is to make an appointment with your doctor and discuss it with him or her. Your doctor can then run tests to determine the underlying causes and plan out a therapy to correct the condition. You don't have to withdraw from your normal life, you simply have to face the problem head on and seek treatment.

What is Really in the Health Care Bill?

Shocking Details Within the Health Care Bill

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines freedom as "the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action". The absence of necessity, such as forcing a person to make a decision through force, or the restraint of other options. What if someone wants to make the decision to utilize their natural health options? Shouldn't this be protected by our nation's allegiance to freedom? Read the shocking details of the bill below.

While the idea of universal health care is an interesting one, based upon covering everyone so that they may have the options to pursue optimum health, this is not what the current health care plan is all about. In fact, the current health care bill, almost 2,000 pages long, is based on an insane medical hierarchical system in which younger patients are favored over older patients. Considering it's length, most Americans will not read the bill. It remains to be seen as to every piece of information the bill contains, as it takes an understanding of "Washington-speak" to decode it in it's entirety, but new information is coming out daily as to it's contents. Beyond the skewed reasoning of the bill in regards to it's "survival of the fittest" mentality, the bill also dictates what kind of treatment you will receive at the end of your life (Section 1233, P.430). Many are saying that there are indeed cases in which you may receive no treatment at all.Economics of the bill

Aside from the medical aspect of the bill, it also sets wages for Doctors (Section 225 and Section 223). In some polls, 45% of Doctors said they would consider leaving their practice or retiring early if the health care bill was passed. The bill's projected coasts are soaring higher and higher, some reports estimating 1 trillion is the final cost. Of course that means you will be forced to pay back the debt through massive tax increases and other lucrative money-making mechanisms that are established to pay for the horrible medical treatment the nation will be receiving. Furthermore, take a look at the points taken from the bill by Americans for Tax Reform.

The American Health Care System: How Can We Improve It?

What is wrong with America's health care system? We spend more on health care than any other nation, yet access to affordable health care is out of reach for an increasing number of Americans each year. A productive society is one that is generally healthy, hard-working, and educated. Poor health in America results in a national decline in productivity and wages and an increase in health care expenses. What can we do to help improve our current fragmented health care system?

First, access to adequate affordable health care should be everyone's concern, not just a worry for the poor or the uninsured. I firmly believe the American health care system should focus more on prevention and keeping citizens healthy; not just diagnosing and treating diseases after one becomes ill.

As Americans we need to work together, start thinking outside the box and develop ways to improve and streamline our current health care system. Everyone seems to have ideas, but there needs to be a stronger commitment to improving access, quality, and overall affordability of health care in America.

As health care costs continue to climb, the national nursing shortage is worsening and dentists and physicians, especially specialists, are scarce in many areas. Thirty-some years ago as a nursing student, I was taught that for every dollar spent on disease prevention there is a seven dollar savings in future treatment costs. We seem to have forgotten, or just chosen to ignore this statistic.

The health care system in this country is very fragmented. Experts in the field generally agree--our system isn't broken, but needs some major overhaul. I believe our current health care system is so profit-driven it has totally lost focus of trying to keep our citizens healthy.

The Best Habit for Your Health: Water

Four Top Reasons Why Water Makes You Healthier, Thinner, and Prettier, and How to Make Sure You're Getting Enough

When it comes to your health, water is nature�"s secret weapon. Your body needs water in order to complete the most essential daily tasks, and water is at the core of processes like flushing away impurities, and even regulating how much you eat. Although there may not be any magic potion for instant better health, water comes as close to that dream as anything possibly could. If you�"re concerned about losing weight, feeling better, having more vibrant hair and skin, or just improving your overall health, water will help you do all this and more. Read on to learn more about what water does for your health, and how to make sure you�"re getting enough.

Eat Less, Feel Fuller
A recent study shows that a large percentage of Americans can�"t actually tell the difference between the sensations of hunger and thirst. In this study, people who were nutritionally satisfied but needed more fluids repeatedly reached for an unnecessary snack, and named their craving as �Shunger.⬝ In fact, what they really needed was one simple no-cal, no-fat treat for their health: water. One of the reasons we often crave more food than we can metabolize is because we need its water content. Drinking water often throughout the day will help you feel satisfied in two ways. First, it will take up room in your stomach so that you�"re less inclined to overeat at meals. Second, adequate hydration will protect you from reaching for a snack by mistake when what you really need is fluid. When it comes to your weight and your health, water is your secret weapon.

Free Health Care Clinics in Jacksonville, Florida

Where to Go when You Need Help

Where do you go when your child wakes up in the middle of the night sick? Where do you go if you need help? Where do you turn when you can't afford to pay for a doctor? Free health care clinics are available, and there to help you in your time of need. Clinics can be set up in a variety of ways. Most will see you for free, but base repayment on a sliding scale depending on your income. Others will assist you in filling out paperwork for children's medical coverage, or even your own if you qualify. Some clinics operate for more urgent care needs like broken bones, children's ear infections, and strep throat cases. Others are an actual medical clinic with lab work that can be performed in-house, pregnancy care, routine checkups, and immunizations. This also provides you with the chance to establish a regular family physician, pediatrician, or obstetrician.

If you do use one of these clinics however, be prepared to wait. There are relatively few of these clinics to go around to meet the needs of entire communities. This is because many of these clinics don't make a whole lot of revenue--and the doctors who work here don't make much either. These clinics are often overcrowded and employees are often overworked with high patient loads. However, they are great choices for those times you need to use them.

Here is a list of several free health care clinics offered in the Jacksonville, Florida area:

Volunteers in Medicine--Jacksonville

VIM is a completely volunteer run medical clinic that provides free medical services to the working uninsured. All workers are volunteers, and management of problems or conditions is given through generic or contributed medications. The clinic is able to treat most cases of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, sinus and urinary tract infections, and other minor illness or conditions.

Do Your Health a Favour and Get Some Sunshine

New research has shown that living in a cold, dull climate leads to unhealthy low Vitamin D levels.

One in four post-menopausal white women living in Scotland in the UK were found to be Vitamin D deficient during the grey and cloudy winter - compared to not a single one living in the

 south.

The research also showed that 60% of Asian women living in the south of England were Vitamin D deficient during the winter.

Adequate Vitamin D levels are essential for optimum health. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, necessary to build strong bones, and deficiency can cause osteoporosis in adults and rickets in children. The resulting fragile bones result in numerous health problems including avoidable fractures.

The main source of Vitamin D is sunlight - the body manufactures the vitamin in the skin after exposure to ultraviolet light. In the UK, the UV wavelength is not sufficiently intense to produce Vitamin D between October and April so levels of the vitamin have to be topped up by sun exposure in summer or food rich in Vitamin D. Oily fish, liver, eggs, margarine, some breakfast cereals and powdered milk are all good sources of vitamin D.

Aberdeen University's Dr Helen Macdonald led the new study. After evaluating the results, she believes that "the (official) recommendation of ten minutes of sunlight exposure a day may need to be changed for those with darker skin or in higher latitudes."

She studied sunlight exposure and Vitamin D levels in women under the age of 65 in Aberdeen (Scotland) and in Surrey (England). The women were given ultraviolet B light-sensitive badges to measure their exposure to sunlight and their Vitamin D levels were measured at 3-monthly intervals over a 15-month period. The study's results showed that ultraviolet exposure was lower in Aberdeen in the north - and the number of women with Vitamin D deficiency was higher. Deficiency was 25 to 27% during winter and spring, and 4.2% in summer.

Free Health Care Clinics in Jacksonville, Florida

Where to Go when You Need Help

Where do you go when your child wakes up in the middle of the night sick? Where do you go if you need help? Where do you turn when you can't afford to pay for a doctor? Free health care clinics are available, and there to help you in your time of need. Clinics can be set up in a variety of ways. Most will see you for free, but base repayment on a sliding scale depending on your income. Others will assist you in filling out paperwork for children's medical coverage, or even your own if you qualify. Some clinics operate for more urgent care needs like broken bones, children's ear infections, and strep throat cases. Others are an actual medical clinic with lab work that can be performed in-house, pregnancy care, routine checkups, and immunizations. This also provides you with the chance to establish a regular family physician, pediatrician, or obstetrician.

If you do use one of these clinics however, be prepared to wait. There are relatively few of these clinics to go around to meet the needs of entire communities. This is because many of these clinics don't make a whole lot of revenue--and the doctors who work here don't make much either. These clinics are often overcrowded and employees are often overworked with high patient loads. However, they are great choices for those times you need to use them.

Here is a list of several free health care clinics offered in the Jacksonville, Florida area:

Volunteers in Medicine--Jacksonville

VIM is a completely volunteer run medical clinic that provides free medical services to the working uninsured. All workers are volunteers, and management of problems or conditions is given through generic or contributed medications. The clinic is able to treat most cases of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, sinus and urinary tract infections, and other minor illness or conditions.

Do You Drink Enough Water or Are Some of Your Health Problems Caused by Chronic Dehydration?

We all take in water from fruit, vegetables and other foods and most of us drink tea, coffee, juice or other drinks that give our bodies water. It's easy to become dehydrated though and low-level, chronic dehydration is bad for our health.

If you exercise a lot, drink alcohol regularly, live in a hot country or keep your home heated to a high temperature you may not always be as well hydrated as you need to be for optimum health. In addition, as people age their thirst reflex becomes weaker. You cannot entirely rely on thirst to tell you when you need to drink more water.

Here are eight good reasons to drink plenty of water - every day.

Our blood is comprised of 80% water. We need water every day in order to form new and healthy blood cells.

Our bones are over 50% water. That water needs to be constantly replenished.

Our lymphatic system drains potentially dangerous waste from our body tissues. To work effectively, it needs water.

Water helps regulate the functioning of our brain and nervous system.

Water helps to maintain the delicate balance our body temperature.

Water also plays a key role in eliminating waste from our bodies through the kidneys, bladder and intestines.

Water is essential to lubricate and protect joints and reduce joint pain. Cartilage and synovial fluid help cushion joints against wear and tear. They need water.
(A friend of mine says pain from arthritis in several joints has quite dramatically diminished since he consciously started drinking more water each day.)

Water regulates our metabolism, governing the release of energy from food and the functioning of muscles and organs.

Do Your Health a Favour and Get Some Sunshine

New research has shown that living in a cold, dull climate leads to unhealthy low Vitamin D levels.

One in four post-menopausal white women living in Scotland in the UK were found to be Vitamin D deficient during the grey and cloudy winter - compared to not a single one living in the

 south.

The research also showed that 60% of Asian women living in the south of England were Vitamin D deficient during the winter.

Adequate Vitamin D levels are essential for optimum health. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, necessary to build strong bones, and deficiency can cause osteoporosis in adults and rickets in children. The resulting fragile bones result in numerous health problems including avoidable fractures.

The main source of Vitamin D is sunlight - the body manufactures the vitamin in the skin after exposure to ultraviolet light. In the UK, the UV wavelength is not sufficiently intense to produce Vitamin D between October and April so levels of the vitamin have to be topped up by sun exposure in summer or food rich in Vitamin D. Oily fish, liver, eggs, margarine, some breakfast cereals and powdered milk are all good sources of vitamin D.

Aberdeen University's Dr Helen Macdonald led the new study. After evaluating the results, she believes that "the (official) recommendation of ten minutes of sunlight exposure a day may need to be changed for those with darker skin or in higher latitudes."

She studied sunlight exposure and Vitamin D levels in women under the age of 65 in Aberdeen (Scotland) and in Surrey (England). The women were given ultraviolet B light-sensitive badges to measure their exposure to sunlight and their Vitamin D levels were measured at 3-monthly intervals over a 15-month period. The study's results showed that ultraviolet exposure was lower in Aberdeen in the north - and the number of women with Vitamin D deficiency was higher. Deficiency was 25 to 27% during winter and spring, and 4.2% in summer.

Food Combining for Optimum Health: A Closer Examination

The "art" of food combining basically refers to knowing which foods can/should be eaten together at the same meal and which ones shouldn't. Proponents of food combining teach that indiscriminately consuming more than one kind of food at a time is the underlying and hidden cause of much discomfort after meals. They warn that ailments from heart burn to mild food poisoning are usually due to the improper mixing of foods.

According to one of the strongest advocates of this way of eating, "...Eating is the usual haphazard mixtures of bread with meat, bread with eggs, bread with cheese, bread with other protein, or potatoes with proteins. When one eats a hamburger or a hot dog, one does not eat his flesh first and then follow with his bun.... The stomach has no mechanism for separating these thoroughly intermixed substances and partitioning them off in separate compartments in its cavity" (Herbert M. Shelton, Food Combining Made Easy[San Antonio, TX: Willow Publishing, Inc., 1992], 19).

The author proceeds to encourage the practice of food combining by stating how animals tend to eat one food at a meal, that the carnivore doesn't mix starches with protein. He points out that birds consume insects at one period of the day and seeds at a different time. Therefore, he concludes that man should, "Eat protein foods and carbohydrate foods at separate meals." He emphasizes this as the second "rule" for proper food combining.

To follow such a rule requires, according to the author, abandoning meals such as hamburgers, hot dogs, ham on rye, eggs in potato salad, and sandwiches. While it is true that multiple course meals tend to cause discomfort and discomfort, according to medical doctors, is usually a sign of something wrong, attempting to copy the eating habits of animals will also lead to incorrect deductions. How should the choice of which animals to imitate be made? Owls eat rodents whole, fur and all; dogs will eat their own vomit; many large snakes go days without eating; birds eat worms and no animals cook anything. How much can observing their dietary habits really offer to man?

Necessary Vitamins to Improve Daily Health

Because of the way that vitamins regulate our metabolism, and helps with the process in which energy is released from the food that we eat; vitamins are very important to have in our life - and they bring us good health.

Our bodies need many different vitamins and minerals everyday to maintain optimum health. And the vitamins needed by the body varies between different people, as well as between men and women. Because women usually have smaller bones than a man, she could be more at risk for osteoporosis. If a woman is in the middle of her monthly period, she will probably need more iron. And, if a woman is pregnant or nursing, she will need more of just about every vitamin.

Though I think that all vitamins are important for well balanced health, these five vitamins I believe to be among the more important ones.

1. Vitamin A or Beta-Carotene is the vitamin known to be helpful in preventing night blindness and other vision problems. When our mothers used to tell us to eat our carrots because they were good for our eyes; she was right. Green and yellow fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of Vitamin A, but you can also get adequate amounts of this vitamin in apricots, cantaloupe and peaches for you fruits; and in your vegetables you can get it in asparagus, broccoli, sweet potatoes and spinach just to name a few.

2. B Complex - a combination of all your necessary B vitamins. The body uses the B vitamins working together to properly metabolize fats, carbohydrates and protein. A deficiency of B vitamins can cause irritability, fatigue and problems with your hair, nails and skin. Plums, prunes and raisins are good sources of fruit to get this vitamin in, and good sources of vegetables would be beans broccoli and Brussels sprouts. You can also get adequate amounts from most nuts.

3. Vitamin C is absolutely necessary to protect our bodies from illness and infection. It is also thought to help with tissue growth and repair. You can get this vitamin from most all of your green vegetables, berries and citrus fruits. Tomatoes and turnips are good sources as well.

Raw Food Diet + Alkalinity = Optimum Health

The human body requires the intake and digestion of food to provide fuel for growth and energy. It must maintain a positive level of alkalinity to function properly. By nature the body tends to be an acid producing entity which creates a problem, as acidity causes illness and disease. Too much acid is toxic.

Measuring the body for acidity and alkalinity is done by ph (potential hydrogen) testing. The ph scale runs from 0 -14 with 7.0 being neutral. Below 7.0 on the ph scale is acidic and above 7.0 is alkaline. Human blood should test out with a ph between 7.35 - 7.45 for peak performance and wellness. The body utilizes and stores acid neutralizers from the food it ingests. Calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium are all neutralizers. When the body is too acidic it will use up its stores of neutralizers and then start stripping itself of these minerals from bones, teeth and vital organs. It is this process that results in deficiencies.

Too much acidity causes: fatigue, headache, insomnia, indigestion, nausea, dehydration, diabetes, lupus, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, bladder and kidney damage, immune deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, lactic acid build up, yeast and fungal overgrowth, constipation and more. Diet is the number one cause of alkalinity imbalance. Meat, eggs, bread, dairy products, artificial sweeteners, sugar, white flour, coffee, carbonated drinks and preservatives are the main culprits.

Balancing the body's ph level requires perfecting the digestive process. The proper digestion of food requires enzymes. In fact the human body cannot survive without enzymes. Digestive enzymes are primarily produced by the stomach, liver and pancreas. Raw foods are packed with enzymes. A raw food diet provides the necessary enzymes for proper food digestion and optimal disease free health. The body stores enzymes that are not needed for immediate energy as a back up supply for later use.

Necessary Vitamins to Improve Daily Health

Because of the way that vitamins regulate our metabolism, and helps with the process in which energy is released from the food that we eat; vitamins are very important to have in our life - and they bring us good health.

Our bodies need many different vitamins and minerals everyday to maintain optimum health. And the vitamins needed by the body varies between different people, as well as between men and women. Because women usually have smaller bones than a man, she could be more at risk for osteoporosis. If a woman is in the middle of her monthly period, she will probably need more iron. And, if a woman is pregnant or nursing, she will need more of just about every vitamin.

Though I think that all vitamins are important for well balanced health, these five vitamins I believe to be among the more important ones.

1. Vitamin A or Beta-Carotene is the vitamin known to be helpful in preventing night blindness and other vision problems. When our mothers used to tell us to eat our carrots because they were good for our eyes; she was right. Green and yellow fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of Vitamin A, but you can also get adequate amounts of this vitamin in apricots, cantaloupe and peaches for you fruits; and in your vegetables you can get it in asparagus, broccoli, sweet potatoes and spinach just to name a few.

2. B Complex - a combination of all your necessary B vitamins. The body uses the B vitamins working together to properly metabolize fats, carbohydrates and protein. A deficiency of B vitamins can cause irritability, fatigue and problems with your hair, nails and skin. Plums, prunes and raisins are good sources of fruit to get this vitamin in, and good sources of vegetables would be beans broccoli and Brussels sprouts. You can also get adequate amounts from most nuts.

3. Vitamin C is absolutely necessary to protect our bodies from illness and infection. It is also thought to help with tissue growth and repair. You can get this vitamin from most all of your green vegetables, berries and citrus fruits. Tomatoes and turnips are good sources as well.

Health Food Facts: Myths, Truths, and How to Lose Weight the Healthy Way

Today's media circus of diet books and wellness gurus spew health food facts by the hundreds every day. However, not all of this so-called wisdom is based in truth, or in science. It seems like every day there is a new report about a so-called miracle food, and it can be difficult to know how to navigate the supermarket aisles in order to achieve optimum health. There are a lot of myths about health food, and to be a smart consumer you need to learn how to separate nutritional fact from fiction. By learning these basic, scientifically proven health food facts, you can get on the right track in terms of telling what is real and what is not when it comes to eating right for your body and mind.

Losing Weight With Health Food

If you're interested in learning health food facts, you're likely to be someone who is interested in achieving a slimmer, trimmer, healthier figure by changing your diet. The media is awash with reports of diets that will do everything from preventing cancer to helping you sleep better at night. Keeping up with all of these trends feels overwhelming, and for a good reason. Instead of changing your attitude about what foods are healthy from one day to the next, play it safe and stick with the tried and true health food facts: eat more produce, choose whole grains, look for protein sources that are low in fat, and be a smart shopper when it comes to prepared foods.

Produce

The Acme Juicer Makes Delicious Juice for Optimum Health

Juicing for Good Health

A nice cold glass of orange juice for breakfast sounds refreshing. How about a glass of carrot juice for the toddler? A glass of real apple juice is much healthier for the kids than the sugary concentrate that you buy the local grocery store.

The highly advertised natural juices that consist of fruit concentrates are diluted with water. The water that goes into these juice products may contain chemicals or other pollutants. Imported juicy drinks may be diluted with tap water or well water from factories in industrial areas.

Pure fresh juice made at home with an electric juice extractor is an excellent way to get you and your loved ones to consume foods that offer naturally derived vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

A juicer is not the same as a blender. A juicer is designed to extract fluid from the fibers of fruits and vegetables. Many are concerned about not getting enough fiber when juicing. Although fiber is low in nutrition it is necessary for proper digestion and elimination. Juicing should be taken to supplement a diet rich in high-fiber vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

The Acme juicer is a high-speed juicer that that spins the fruit or vegetables in a stainless steel basket that separates the juice from the pulp. The pulp remains in the basket and the juice is extracted through a stainless steel spout to a cup or other container.

The Acme has a large feeder tube to accommodate whole carrots and larger pieces of fruits or vegetables. It is very powerful and extracts a high yield of juice that is virtually pulp free. The juicer comes apart easily for removal of pulp and cleaning, and it can be washed in the automatic dishwasher.

The Acme Juicer 6001 is a quality juicer that is affordable and can be purchased at most retail stores that sell appliances or on line at: http://www.answers.com/topic/acme-6001.

Once you begin juicing within a few days you will begin to look and feel better and will be on your way to optimal health and well-being.

Juicing with a home juicer is an excellent way to assure that your kids and other finicky eaters will get the needed vitamins, minerals for healthy bodies.

Chlorella Health Benefits Include Significant Amounts of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

How to Get Your Omega 3 Fatty Acids Without Eating Mercury Loaded Fish

Surely by now you've heard of the many chlorella health benefits this superfood has to offer. The chlorella health benefits include heavy metal detox, intestinal regularity, aids in treating many diseases such as constipation and diabetes, and a whole lot more. Mike Adams, editor of naturalnews.com, touts chlorella and chlorella supplements as "the perfect superfood."

Did you know one of the chlorella health benefits included better mental cognition? That's because whole chlorella and chlorella supplements contain omega 3 fatty acids, a type of fat vital to humans which, among many other things, improves mental function. And the amount of omega 3 fatty acids in chlorella supplements is pretty significant.

Why one of the many chlorella health benefits is omega 3 fatty acids

The most well known source of omega 3 fatty acids is coldwater fish such as salmon, halibut, and tuna. But just where do these fish get the material to make omega 3 fatty acids?

All nutrients originate from plant sources. Chlorella supplements are made from the blue-green algae chlorella that grows in water. The cell walls of chlorella are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Fish eat blue-green algae such as chlorella. Fish themselves don't make omega 3 fatty acids, they get them from the food they eat.

So you don't have to eat fish to get your omega 3 fatty acids. You can get your omega 3 fatty acids from the same source fish get them, chlorella. Health experts recommend at least 500 mg of omega 3 fatty acids a day. Chlorella, health superfood, can supply most, if not all, of that recommended requirement. This is especially useful for vegans who do not want to consume any animal products or people concerned about mercury.

What's the best way to take chlorella and experience the many chlorella health benefits?

Cold Sore Cure - How To Stop And Prevent Your Cold Sores Now

There is not yet a cold sore cure from the medical industry. However there just might be a great cold sore cure in your immediate reach.

Most folks who suffer from cold sores know that the herpes simplex virus causes them. With all the breakthroughs in medicine, the medical community still is completely stymied with this tough little virus.

People who tolerate these outbreaks are always hoping to discover a cold sore cure that will finally allow them independence from these awkward attacks.

You most likely have seen treatments that are said to provide quick reconciling and for good curing of your outbreaks. The FDA has even fallen into the trap of approving some of them.

However, having the FDA clearance does not mean any one thing other than a particular product commonly does lesser harm to your body than the illness it attempts to cure.

Quite likely, you might have already laid down too much cash for FDA endorsed medicines and realized that you could have done better with your expenditure.

You could pay it out on fast food and newly released movies as you wait for 12 to 20 days (or longer) until the cold sore eventually disappears by itself. Do you really want that?

That is the essence of the story right there. Because it is a viral infection, it should eventually run its course, but it usually is a terribly slow procedure. It is similar to a cold virus, viral flu, or an attack of genital herpes (these are cold sores, too).

The cold sore remedies offered by the pharmaceutical companies are sometimes useful for reduction of possibly a few of the more maddening and painful symptoms.

Some of the best treatments for dealing with the discomfort are the salves and ointments you can buy over-the-counter - and for a lot less cash. However, in actuality, the more quickly you get rid of the sore, the earlier you will be back to normal.

You should not treat your sore similar to a blister or pimple. Do not scrape at it or attempt to pinch out the liquid. You could easily make it worse and cause it to take much more time to be totally cured. In addition, you risk transferring it to a fresh area on your mouth or in your eyes.

There are prescription drugs your medical professional can hook you up with, but, even though they are looking better all the time, it still often takes 14 to 27 days for total healing. This is often the same time it takes for the cold sores to improve without your help.

The natural science community recognizes the fact that your body does all the healing. The top performing remedies are nature created factors that boost and nourish your topical healing action for much quicker and greater outcome.

Of all the things that bring about cold sores, nervousness and fever are the most talked about. In reality, trauma of any sort, mental or physical, causes the release of hormones from a number of sites.

This acidifies your body and can create the perfect environment for any virus, inclusive of the herpes virus, to activate.

Because a primary result of these herpes outbreaks is inflammation and swelling, a non-prescription fever and pain reducer will give some relief.

A number of folks have seen good results with medications like a powerful migraine-type aspirin based medicine. Besides the fact that they help lessen inflamed tissue response, these treatments help reduce the discomfort caused by the sores.

If aspirin hurts your stomach, sample one of the several other offerings available.

In addition, you could apply an oral gel that is designed for hurting teeth and baby's painful gums during teething. These products are outstanding for suppressing sensitivity.

Since avoidance is most often greater than healing an outbreak after it happens, you should start a daily food record. Some foods may cause herpes virus activity. If you observe a pattern, you might want to stay away from the offending items.

Yes, you can cure cold sores. The prime methods of treatment for this are nature-provided items, not the salves and lotion compounds found in the drugstores. Several that give persistently great success are oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, tea tree oil, zinc sulfate, mint tea and numerous others.

If you are serious about curing cold sores, and want to finally eliminate your sores, you really must put to the test these very effective natural healing methods. They are the finest choices for a real cold sore cure that you can uncover.

Astrology: Health, Exercise and Your Sun Sign

What Are the Health and Exercise Concerns of Your Sun Sign?

Aries (March 21 to April 20): Aries has an overabundance of energy, and needs to vent this energy in a controlled manner, so that it does not come exploding out at the wrong time. Spontaneous Aries hates routine, so sticking to an exercise regimen becomes a chore for them. Therefore, the best way to ensure that exercises are being done is to disguise it as competitive sports. Aries needs to be careful and avoid accidents despite competing with others. They should also make sure that they wear the proper safety gear, especially helmets. Headaches among Aries are occasionally a sign of kidney problems.

Taurus (April 21 to May 21): Taurus is prone to having a slow metabolism that can lead them to putting on extra weight, and then having difficulties losing it. Without a steady exercise routine and a healthy diet, including non-processed fruits and vegetables, they can become like their symbolic animal, the bull: simply lethargic. Health-wise, Taurus is prone to neck and throat problems, including difficulties with their thyroid gland. Besides regular health care, Taurus can benefit from the effects of saunas and massage therapy.

Gemini (May 22 to June 21): Gemini's excess energy can manifest in spasms of nervous energy. In time, these worries will grind down the mental well-being of Gemini, and often lead to feeling burnt out. Gemini needs exercise to get rid of this nervous energy to stay at their optimum health level, both physically and mentally. The sign of the twins rules the health of the shoulders, arms, hands, and lungs; all of which Gemini needs to be careful of injuring or neglecting. By all means, Gemini should never take up smoking.

CVS Pharmacies: Neighborhood Partners for Good Health

CVS Pharmacy: Neighborhood Partners for Good Health

CVS pharmacies take a proactive role in promoting health and wellness in local communities. Various CVS pharmacies at scheduled times offer to the community free health screenings to foster optimum health education.

 These health screenings typically offer blood pressure readings, cholesterol checks, diabetes and osteoporosis checkups.

Screening Schedules

Many community organizations often disseminate information about upcoming dates and places of upcoming screenings in specified geographic locations. Flyers may be posted in a community center, local supermarkets, doctors' offices, libraries and other public places. Advertisements in local newspapers or posted signs at the CVS pharmacy will indicate the particular screenings that will be held at the specific CVS pharmacy sponsoring the health screenings.

Benefits of Health Screenings

The health screenings in no way are to be viewed as replacing evaluation and follow up by your primary physician. While many individuals do consult their doctors and undergo regularly scheduled tests, other individuals for various reasons including lack of insurance coverage use the health screenings to alert them to possible unknown risk factors or potential health problems. The health screenings could possibly alert you to health problems that should be discussed and referred to your health practitioner. A cholesterol screening can help determine if your readings have improved since your last screening thereby helping you to maintain healthy dietary habits to manage and control your cholesterol levels. Osteoporosis screenings help to identify any possible risk factors for the bone thinning disease that results in weakening bones, a potentially threatening disease if left untreated, especially for older individuals.

Who Administers the Health Screenings?

Using Whole Foods to Heal and Maintain Optimum Health: Make Food Your Medicine

When I think over the way we use food in our modern culture, I get perplexed. We eat from boxes off of store shelves, that contain highly processed foods which are stripped of most of their nutritional value. To add to this downward spiral we follow it up with some good old refined sugar, and after years and years of living this way constantly, we have some sort of health crisis and can't seem to figure out why. Its the food people, its the food thats getting past your mouths!

I think too many people underestimate the awesome power contained within the whole foods that were created for us. Somehow we have successfully forgotten about what it is that maintains our health. We spend years eating nutritionally empty foods and can't seem to put two and two together when it comes to helping ourselves out of a health crisis. Many years ago, I worked at a local hospital when I think back on it, I wonder how any healing can take place under the roof of those institutions at all when you see the food they serve to the patients. People that have just undergone major surgeries and have had serious health breakdowns of all sorts do not need white bread and jello. They need whole unadulterated foods. Thats whats going to bring on some real healing.

One of the best things we can do to heal and maintain good health is to eat raw whole food. Things that come from the earth. Any kind of fruit or vegetable or whole grain is going to give us the sustenance we need to maintain thriving health and prevent disease. These foods carry within them their very own enzymes which aid in their break down so that the nutrients in them may be adequately absorbed. The whole idea is to make it as easy on our bodies as we can. When we eat processed and cooked food our body needs to put forth more of its own enzymes, (and lots of them I might add) to get things broken down so that they may be absorbed well. Then if the food we're trying to break down and absorb is nutritionally deficient we're at even less of an advantage.

Seven Things to Do TODAY to Improve Your Physical Health

With expanding waistlines, longer working hours and the rising cost of healthcare, the importance of health in America cannot be overestimated. Not only do we need to be healthier to simply successfully maintain our daily lives, but we need to increase our levels of health to ensure we will be able to enjoy our lives - our jobs, relationships, children and activities.

The following are seven steps we can take TODAY to improve our physical health and begin living our fullest, richest lives.

1. Kick Butt

Quitting smoking is a little gift you give yourself and those around you every day. It is not only better for your own body but for the bodies of the people in your daily life, and it benefits the environment as well. Smoking is related to lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease. According to OncologyChannel.com, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, can lead to lung disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer and can cause serious complications for pregnant women (both by inhaling directly and via second-hand smoke).[1] In addition to the long-term effects of smoking, cigarettes can also lead to frequent respiratory illnesses including coughs, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Second-hand smoke is also very problematic and can lead to higher rates of asthma, ear infections and upper respiratory infections in children and adolescents.[2] Not only does smoking cause serious health complications, but it is expensive and considered very rude in public. In fact, many restaurants and public places have now ban smoking altogether. So, save yourself and everyone around you by putting out the butts and cleaning up not only your own body but the environment around you! For help quitting smoking, the following websites may be helpful: http://www.quitnet.com/, http://www.smokefree.gov/ and http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/quit-smoking/QS99999.

2. The Cow and The Moon

Achieving Optimum Health at 85

How I Added Years to My Father's Life with One Simple Change

My Dad was born in 1924. At the age of 18, he was drafted into the Army at the beginning of WWII. He was part of the D-Day forces that landed on Normandy at Utah Beach. After crossing the Rhine River, he was severely wounded while standing guard duty one night. After a lengthy recovery, he started working in civilian life, and married my Mother in 1947. Throughout his life, he worked very hard, providing a good life for my Mother, myself, and my one sister and three brothers.

My father's idea of physical exercise was doing yard work and projects around the house. Healthy eating was three square meals a day; the main one being the family meal at night when he got home from work. It always consisted of either beef, pork, or chicken; along with potatoes, vegetables, and biscuits. There were always desserts in our house; my Mother was an exceptional cook. He never really had any health issues; at least none that we knew of, as he always internalized everything. Although I remember him being in the hospital once for a stomach ailment; he would always resist medical attention and prescription drugs.

In his 40s and 50s, he went through mental and physical trauma from a divorce with my Mother, a second marriage to a woman who contracted and eventually died from Parkinsons Disease, and a period of depression when members of his immediate family and many of his friends had died, including his parents, my Mother, and several of his Army buddies. As he got into his 60s, I began to notice some medical problems that he was having; and he actually confided in me one day as to the extent of these problems. He had an ulcer, prostrate issues, kidney issues, and constant headaches. He is also very stubborn; and rarely to advice from anyone. He would often shrug it off; saying that it will go away.

Holistic Health: Save Money by Learning the Basics

Holistic Health Begins at Home

Holistic medicine has been practiced for many ages. It is only recently starting to re-submerge, as more and more people look for more natural ways to treat their illness. Many are shying away from the mainstream medicines, as report after report comes out about unwanted side effects of man made medicines. Holistic medicine teaches that one should treat the entire body, not just the ailing part. It teaches that mind, body and spirit should all be in harmony to achieve optimum health benefits. For instance, mainstream medicine may advise anti depressant, if you are depressed. That does not address the cause of the depression, it merely treats the symptom.

Holistic practitioners use many different methods of treating their patients. While you will take medicine to treat the symptoms of a disease, they will also offer "whole body" wellness solutions. They will address diet issues and encourage eating healthier foods. They will also offer suggestions for use of natural herbs to enhance overall body wellness. Group counseling sessions may also be offered.

This can be very expensive, if you have to return to a holistic practitioner for every small piece of advice. You can save yourself a lot of money by doing your own research. For instance, we all know that eating healthier foods is better for us. You don't need to pay someone to set you up a diet rich in healthy foods.

Become your own researcher. Use Google to learn all that you can about holistic medicine, and some of the things that are practiced. Mind, body and spirit all play an important role in our health. Make a list of each heading and describe what you think is wrong with your mind, body or spirit.

Is your mind filled with worrisome thoughts? Perhaps you can talk to a friend or family member about whatever is bothering you. Does your spirit seem down? Liven things up by going and doing something fun, or entertaining.

Sun Exposure For Health

Bask in the Sun for a Few Minutes Each Day for Optimum Health

The sun has been getting a bad rap lately. With everything from cosmetic issues like sun spots and wrinkles to serious health issues like skin cancer being blamed on over exposure to the sun's UV rays, it's no surprise that many people are hiding away from the sun in the hopes of improved health and maintaining a youthful appearance. Yet hiding away from the sun to an excess can actually cause health issues. Your body actually needs some exposure to the sun's UV rays every day.

There is no debate that the sun's UV rays can cause skin cancer as well as more pronounced signs of aging. However, recent health studies show that a moderate amount of exposure to the sun's UV rays may actually protect you from some types of cancers and other serious health diseases. In fact, a 2008 health study by the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory has shown that the sun's UV rays are our main source of vitamin D, which is vital to human health.

Vitamin D deficiency in the human body has been shown to be a leading cause of rickets, softening of the bones, skeletal deformations, and more. It can also cause severe asthma symptoms in children, cognitive impairment, and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. If that's not enough, the US Department of Energy Study has found conclusive evidence that those with greater exposure to the sun's UV rays are less likely to develop internal cancers like colon, lung, prostate, and breast cancer. On the flip side, the study also found that there was not a clear line that indicated increased exposure to the sign caused increase incidence of skin cancer. Overexposure to UV rays do cause skin cancer, but the study found that skin cancer rates do not increase with increased exposure to the sun. Whereas rates for developing these other types of internal cancers does increase with decreased exposure to the sun.