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Wednesday 16 September 2015

Eating Healthy Fats For PCOS Weight Loss

A lot of people who are looking to lose weight have this idea that all fat is bad, which is nothing but a misconception.
On the surface this is understandable, as anyone looking to lose weight wants to cut calories, and fat is obviously a source of calories. Many people assume that the calories from fat are particularly bad for losing weight and so then they typically drop out all fat from what they eat. It is far more healthful and sustainable to actually lose weight with eating healthy fats as part of an overall weight loss plan and not just eliminate all fat entirely from your diet.
For success with losing that stubborn weight caused from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), eating a modest amount of healthy fats is more likely to lead to the desired goal of shedding those unwanted pounds. Not only are healthy fats good for losing pounds, but your body uses healthy fats to make hormones, to repair your nervous system, and to keep the digestive tract and your skin healthy.
It is important to eliminate unhealthy fats and instead focus on those fats that are healthy for you. Fats that you want to completely avoid or eliminate if you are really looking to optimize your weight loss with PCOS are trans-fats, hydrogenated fats, hydrogenated vegetable oils, margarine, lard, and fat back. These kinds of fats are a disaster and for PCOS can cause even more of a problem with hormone balance. If you prepare your own food be sure to read labels so that you don't add these things in. You need to constantly keep on top of the ingredients you put into your food.
Besides eliminating the unhealthy fats you will also want to focus on eating some of the fats that are healthy for you. Fats are good to eat when you have PCOS, including when you are trying to lose weight, include olive oil, palm oil (be sure to read the label so you don't buy a hydrogenated form), safflower oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil (helps with metabolism). Another good kind of fat is organic butter or organic ghee (clarified butter). They are both good for your digestive tract in small amounts. These are all good choices and they are healthy for you.
Healthy fats can nourish your body, and can give it what it really needs in terms of important building blocks for improving hormone balance and improved wellness which is so important when you have PCOS. If you stick to those guidelines and do the things that make sense, over time you should get the sought-after results.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8146778

To Ditch Diabetes and Blood Sugar Problems - Learn From Those Who Have

Everybody wants their pancreatic functioning to be working right, meaning their:
• blood sugar is maintained automatically,
• their increased energy demand is met without further ado as they become more active, and
• their signaling that it's time to eat is operating appropriately.
But, oh, my. Let any part of that pancreatic subroutine get out of whack, and there's big trouble.
All the way from mild headache to shaking, dizziness and weakness to brain fog (often called hypoglycemia) to life-threatening physical shutdown that can characterize a brittle diabetic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that:
• In 2014 the global prevalence of diabetes * was estimated to be 9% among adults aged 18+ years;
• In 2012, an estimated 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes;
• More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries;
• WHO projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 2030.
What can be done? Here are some strategies people have used to turn the situation around entirely. They are presented here because if one person do it, then likely many - if not most - even all - people can do it!
Just be sure to work with your qualified health practitioner if you decide you want to implement any of these strategies.
1. Absolutely eliminate corn syrup (high fructose corn syrup) from your diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has known since 1930 that corn syrup (high fructose corn syrup) literally kills the beta cells of the pancreas, the insulin-producing cells. Although the FDA has refused to regulate corn syrup out of the food supply (industry pressures), you can eliminate it. To do so you will need to become a first-class label reader, and then simply not buy (or eat) anything that contains it.
2. Undertake periodic parasite cleanses, because infestations of parasites literally can cause blood sugar problems, including full blown diabetes. This is especially true for juvenile onset diabetes. The bottom line is that it is essential to restoring and maintaining good pancreatic functioning to get those critters gone, including their eggs.
3. Find out and eliminate your food intolerances from your diet. They can affect your pancreas directly, making it 'scramble' to attempt to metabolize the food. Removing the food from your diet removes the pancreatic stress and contributes considerably to normalizing its function
4. Nothing makes your pancreas overwork to exhaustion and beyond like refined carbohydrates. That's because they cause a rapid rise in your blood insulin levels followed by a rapid fall.Simple (or refined) carbohydrate foods include potato chips, candy, white rice, French fries, sugary soft drinks, potatoes, white bread, most breakfast cereals and deserts, including cake, pies and ice cream. Don't want blood sugar issues? Say good-bye to these foods.
5. To take the stress off your pancreas, exercise! Simply put, exercise helps normalize blood sugar regulation.
6. Eat more raw foods because they are enzyme-rich. Whole organic fruits and vegetables and their fresh juices contain these essential living food factors.
7. Feel (or even know) your pancreas needs some extra help? Consider the following supplements:
Inositol, a B vitamin, provides energy for your brain and nerves. In so doing it helps manage sugar cravings by reducing them. Inositol is deficient in diabetics, resulting in poor fat metabolism. This in turn causes buildup of cholesterol, which creates congestion in extremities, impairing circulation. If serious enough, this results in gangrene. Supplementation can prevent or reverse this, assuming that it's initiated in time.
GTF Chromium The 'GTF' stands for glucose tolerance factor. GTF Chromium contains B vitamins and chromium, which helps your cells be sensitive to, rather than resistant to insulin. This is how it reduces cravings for those harmful carbohydrates. A brain whose cells are resistant to insulin is not getting enough energy to operate, and its objection takes the form of signals to send sugar.
Spanish Black Radish can help detoxify your pancreas. This is especially useful when pancreatic imbalances are related to food intolerances. This herb root helps clean out the incompletely metabolized digestive products.
Trace minerals that include chelated zinc, copper, and iron in a balanced ratio are often a missing factor in pancreatic issues. Deficiency symptoms of these minerals include acne, poor soft tissue healing, blood sugar disturbances, and poor immune responses.
Pancreatic Enzymes Products containing lipase, amylase and protease can help digest your food, thus removing the stress of food that remains undigested. Also, supplementing with such enzymes gives a tired pancreas a rest, which is often what it needs to spend more of its energy on repair and regeneration.
Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) is a major herb for pancreatic normalization. Called the 'sugar destroyer' in Ayurvedic medicine, it has been used for thousands of years to help maintain blood sugar control. It helps manage sugar cravings, when taken for at least two to four weeks. It has also been scientifically demonstrated to actually regenerate the beta, or insulin-producing cells of the pancreas when taken long-term (more than 18 months).
Last, it may inspire you to know that some practitioners are reporting turning around diabetes entirely with severe caloric restriction (at least 2 to 3 weeks). Apparently this stimulates the body to clean out the fatty liver and pancreatic deposits that are interfering with pancreatic functioning. This dynamic was made clear when diabetics who'd just had gastric bypass surgery, which results in immediate caloric restriction, no longer had diabetes a few weeks after their surgeries.
Indeed, these are not some crackpot ideas. The World Health Organization is aware of some of them. They state that, "Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes."
Apparently getting diabetes is a process, and there's an effective process for 'un-getting' it too!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8958491

Finding the Right Family Fitness Center

Getting fit as a family can be fun! Whether you have young children or teenagers, joining a family fitness center is a great way to stay active and enjoy each other's company. With a number of facilities in your area, choosing the right one may be challenging. Before you commit to a family fitness center, here are some things to consider.
1. Always begin your search for a facility in your neighborhood. Roughly 67 percent of people with gym memberships never use them. One factor that causes this is the distance. If you choose a facility in a neighboring community, you are much less likely to use it. Choosing a gym that is a quick car ride or a brief walk from your home is a much better option. If it's convenient, you are much more likely to frequent the facility on a regular basis.
2. Shop around for costs. The average monthly gym membership is $58 per person, so buying gym memberships for your entire family can get expensive. Look for gyms that offer a flat rate or offer a very low monthly fee. You are also going to want to consider initiation fees. Some places may have a zero dollar fee while others may charge a fairly high amount. Always check out costs before signing any contracts.
3. Does the gym offer childcare services? Even though the goal of joining a gym together is to spend time and have fun with your loved ones, childcare is important, especially if you have young children. When they become tired or if they are too small to partake in certain activities, childcare services can be very beneficial.
4. Take a tour of the location before making a decision. Studies show that 88 percent of adults won't exercise in an unclean gym. Security and cleanliness are thus very important. Take a tour of the locker rooms and restrooms as well as any classrooms, childcare rooms, and swimming pools the location may offer. Ask for a tour of everything; never settle for what you see at the front desk. Be sure to inquire about security. Can anyone walk in? Is there always someone at the front desk? Will you need to bring your own locks for the locker room? Are there cameras? You can never be too safe when it comes to your loved ones.
5. Inquire about the fitness center staff. Are they certified instructors? Do they have personal training certifications or group fitness certifications? Are they certified in CPR? Are staff members required to know first aid? Asking questions can help to ensure that your loved ones are safe.
6. Make sure you know the facility's hours. Pick a location that has hours that work with your schedule. If the kids have plenty of after-school activities, you are likely going to want a gym that has weekend hours.
The decision to join a family fitness center is a great one for all of your loved ones. From the smallest members to the oldest members, everyone can benefit from physical activity.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8957108

Picking Your Doctor in Pediatrics: Things to Look For

Becoming a parent is an exciting time that comes with a whole new set of experiences and endless questions. When it comes to your baby, health should be the top priority, which is why finding the best doctor to treat your child is vital. While the process of looking for the right doctor can seem like a daunting task, here are a few things you can look for to help you make your decision.
Find a Doctor That Fits Your Situation
Before you start searching far and wide for a new doctor in pediatrics, it's important that your physician meets certain basic criteria including their ability to take new patients at the time, acceptance of your particular health insurance plan, proximity to your home, and convenient office hours for you and your family. This checklist alone may drastically limit your options. When you have a sick child or an emergency situation, you want to make sure you are able to get to your doctor quickly and that your insurance will be accepted at their office.
Ask Family and Friends for Recommendations
Many parents find a great doctor for their child through recommendations from friends and family. This is a great place to inquire because they can give you insight into the doctor's treatment style, true availability, and overall demeanor when interacting with patients. It's important to feel comfortable with your child's doctor, and if your relatives have had success with a certain physician in pediatrics, that's a good indicator that you are likely to have a positive experience as well.
Interview Potential Doctors
Once you have a list of potential doctors that fit your criteria, don't be afraid to ask them specific questions before making a decision. You will be entrusting your child's health and safety to your pediatrician, so you need to make sure you have all your questions answered and that you can rely on them for quality care without hesitation. It's best to prepare a list of questions before talking with your potential doctor to make the best use of your time. Questions can range from 'Do you have separate waiting rooms for sick patients in your office?' to 'What's your preferred method of communication with your patients?' Getting this information in advance will save you from any unexpected surprises down the road.
Switch If You Are Not Satisfied
If you choose a doctor and then realize you're not happy with your decision, you owe it to yourself and your child to find a situation that works best for you. Sometimes problems can be solved by simply communicating your concerns with your pediatrician, but if this is not successful, you should go back to the drawing board. The American Academy of Pediatrics is a great resource for finding referrals during your search, so take the time to do your research and find the ideal doctor for your family. Having a reliable doctor to call when your child is sick can make all the difference, so follow these steps and you'll find yourself in good hands.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8957093

Go Green at Your Medical Office and Save

Environmentally-friendly materials help your medical save the planet and your budget
Did you ever stop to think that using Earth-friendly office supplies could save you money? Not only will you have done your part to help the environment become a better place for future generations, but you will have also provided your office with more cash flow during the current fiscal year. That's good news. You may have heard that using green products is more expensive. Yet in most cases, that is untrue. You can save money and save the Earth by purchasing environmentally-friendly products for your clinic or medical office.
In the long term, your medical practice can save plenty of greenbacks while going green. When you save energy, recycle, and use ecologically-sound, responsibly-sourced medical supplies, you can save money every month. Over time, these small savings add up. The case studies cited here, which included a veterinary practice and a rural hospital, featured savings of nearly $10,000 every year just by their switch to environmentally-friendly medical office supplies. With some expert tips and a fine medical supply store at your side, your office, too, can join these healthcare professionals as they save themselves money and contribute to the long-term health of all of Earth's inhabitants. Start saving money today with these tips:
Motion sensors save energy with automated lighting: Forget to turn the lights off when you finish examining a patient? Do the lights stay on even when your office is closed? If you spend a little now to purchase timers and motion sensors to regulate the lighting in your examination rooms and waiting room, you can save quite a bit of money over the years as your utility bills go down with your carbon footprint following suit.
Purchase recyclable medical supplies that contain recycled content: Disposable medical supplies made from recycled materials can help save the Earth and money. Usually they are cheaper than reusable supplies or those made from non-recycled materials. Your staff, too, will save time by using medical office equipment that does not have to be sterilized with each use.
Choose other supplies that are Earth-friendly: Though your office may already be using disposable cups to administer medication, thermometer tips, examination table covers, and drape sheets, you can find even more disposable products that can help you save time, money, and help your office become more environmentally friendly. Health Care Without Harm, an organization dedicated to providing health care that benefits both your patients and the Earth itself, provides information about products that require less packaging and which contain fewer toxins, such as mercury. Your reception area, break room, and maintenance supplies can also be switched to products that can be recycled and that have been produced using sustainable sources.
Purchase rapid testing supplies that you can check in your office: Using rapid testing that you and your staff can do in your own office also cuts down on waste. Convenient and disposable, quick tests for strep, flu, and urinalysis are readily available from any full-service medical supply store. Many can even be ordered online. Not having to send samples to a lab cuts down on time spent preparing the tests for shipment-and helps to save the environment and money and by avoiding unnecessary trips.
Online billing can help you and your patients save money, time, and avoids paper waste: Your patients will enjoy the convenience of online billing once they get started. Some physicians even give patients the option to set appointments online. By keeping paper waste down and saving money on postage, you will save money and help the environment at the same time. Online payments also encourage patients to pay faster, as they can see the amount owed disappear as they pay each month. Remember that you must comply with the privacy requirements in the HIPAA law when you communicate with your patients. Send all personal information about a patient, including medical records, by encrypted emails. Payment solutions that offer high security should also be chosen, so your patients won't have to worry about their credit card or other financial information. For billing, your staff can look up the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.
If you want to get serious about saving money and saving the environment in your medical practice, contact your online medical office supplier to get more information. Many medical supply stores offer low group pricing, not only to large hospitals, but also to small practices as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8958413

To Ditch Diabetes and Blood Sugar Problems - Learn From Those Who Have

Everybody wants their pancreatic functioning to be working right, meaning their:
• blood sugar is maintained automatically,
• their increased energy demand is met without further ado as they become more active, and
• their signaling that it's time to eat is operating appropriately.
But, oh, my. Let any part of that pancreatic subroutine get out of whack, and there's big trouble.
All the way from mild headache to shaking, dizziness and weakness to brain fog (often called hypoglycemia) to life-threatening physical shutdown that can characterize a brittle diabetic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that:
• In 2014 the global prevalence of diabetes * was estimated to be 9% among adults aged 18+ years;
• In 2012, an estimated 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes;
• More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries;
• WHO projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 2030.
What can be done? Here are some strategies people have used to turn the situation around entirely. They are presented here because if one person do it, then likely many - if not most - even all - people can do it!
Just be sure to work with your qualified health practitioner if you decide you want to implement any of these strategies.
1. Absolutely eliminate corn syrup (high fructose corn syrup) from your diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has known since 1930 that corn syrup (high fructose corn syrup) literally kills the beta cells of the pancreas, the insulin-producing cells. Although the FDA has refused to regulate corn syrup out of the food supply (industry pressures), you can eliminate it. To do so you will need to become a first-class label reader, and then simply not buy (or eat) anything that contains it.
2. Undertake periodic parasite cleanses, because infestations of parasites literally can cause blood sugar problems, including full blown diabetes. This is especially true for juvenile onset diabetes. The bottom line is that it is essential to restoring and maintaining good pancreatic functioning to get those critters gone, including their eggs.
3. Find out and eliminate your food intolerances from your diet. They can affect your pancreas directly, making it 'scramble' to attempt to metabolize the food. Removing the food from your diet removes the pancreatic stress and contributes considerably to normalizing its function
4. Nothing makes your pancreas overwork to exhaustion and beyond like refined carbohydrates. That's because they cause a rapid rise in your blood insulin levels followed by a rapid fall.Simple (or refined) carbohydrate foods include potato chips, candy, white rice, French fries, sugary soft drinks, potatoes, white bread, most breakfast cereals and deserts, including cake, pies and ice cream. Don't want blood sugar issues? Say good-bye to these foods.
5. To take the stress off your pancreas, exercise! Simply put, exercise helps normalize blood sugar regulation.
6. Eat more raw foods because they are enzyme-rich. Whole organic fruits and vegetables and their fresh juices contain these essential living food factors.
7. Feel (or even know) your pancreas needs some extra help? Consider the following supplements:
Inositol, a B vitamin, provides energy for your brain and nerves. In so doing it helps manage sugar cravings by reducing them. Inositol is deficient in diabetics, resulting in poor fat metabolism. This in turn causes buildup of cholesterol, which creates congestion in extremities, impairing circulation. If serious enough, this results in gangrene. Supplementation can prevent or reverse this, assuming that it's initiated in time.
GTF Chromium The 'GTF' stands for glucose tolerance factor. GTF Chromium contains B vitamins and chromium, which helps your cells be sensitive to, rather than resistant to insulin. This is how it reduces cravings for those harmful carbohydrates. A brain whose cells are resistant to insulin is not getting enough energy to operate, and its objection takes the form of signals to send sugar.
Spanish Black Radish can help detoxify your pancreas. This is especially useful when pancreatic imbalances are related to food intolerances. This herb root helps clean out the incompletely metabolized digestive products.
Trace minerals that include chelated zinc, copper, and iron in a balanced ratio are often a missing factor in pancreatic issues. Deficiency symptoms of these minerals include acne, poor soft tissue healing, blood sugar disturbances, and poor immune responses.
Pancreatic Enzymes Products containing lipase, amylase and protease can help digest your food, thus removing the stress of food that remains undigested. Also, supplementing with such enzymes gives a tired pancreas a rest, which is often what it needs to spend more of its energy on repair and regeneration.
Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) is a major herb for pancreatic normalization. Called the 'sugar destroyer' in Ayurvedic medicine, it has been used for thousands of years to help maintain blood sugar control. It helps manage sugar cravings, when taken for at least two to four weeks. It has also been scientifically demonstrated to actually regenerate the beta, or insulin-producing cells of the pancreas when taken long-term (more than 18 months).
Last, it may inspire you to know that some practitioners are reporting turning around diabetes entirely with severe caloric restriction (at least 2 to 3 weeks). Apparently this stimulates the body to clean out the fatty liver and pancreatic deposits that are interfering with pancreatic functioning. This dynamic was made clear when diabetics who'd just had gastric bypass surgery, which results in immediate caloric restriction, no longer had diabetes a few weeks after their surgeries.
Indeed, these are not some crackpot ideas. The World Health Organization is aware of some of them. They state that, "Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes."
Apparently getting diabetes is a process, and there's an effective process for 'un-getting' it too!
Portions of this article were excerpted from the Natural Female Hormone Care series of lessons. For more information, you're

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8958491

Procedure and Safety of X-Rays

About X-rays
An X-ray is one of the different forms of radiant energy, just akin to radio waves or light waves. However, x-rays hold the potential to pass through the body that helps the radiologist take out images of internal body parts. These images are visible on a TV or computer screen or on a photographic film.
With x-ray examinations, it becomes possible for the doctor to retrieve important information about a patient's health and injury. This further helps him diagnose the specific condition the patient is suffering from. A few cases involve using x-rays to help doctors position a device like a tube in the body or for some other therapeutic procedures.
Radiation dosage assessment
The scientific unit of radiation dosage assessment or measurement is millisievert (mSv), which is generally dubbed effective dose. There are other units for measurement of radiation doses such as roentgen, sievert, rad, gray and rem.
The human body is made up of different organs and tissues, all of which respond in their own way to the x-rays. Thus, the word effective dose is used in regard to radiation risk faced all together by the body. This term refers collectively to the different sensitivities of different body tissues exposed to the radiation. Besides, the doctor is able to calculate the risk, thereby comparing the same to similar exposure sources, including radiographic medical procedures and natural background radiation.
Natural background exposure to radiation
To your surprise, we are exposed to some kind of natural radiation all the time. Analysts say that an average person is vulnerable to some 3 mSv effective dose every year in the US. And these doses from natural sources may vary from person to person and region to region around the country. Altitude is a great factor, but radon gas in homes acts as the biggest source exposing people to background radiation dose.
This is clearly visible on comparison of radiation dose exposure from a chest x-ray with that from natural sources in a period of 10 days or so.
X-ray safety
Similar to other procedures in the medicine industry, x-ray examinations prove to be highly safe when conducted and handled with complete care. The medical industry is equipped with trained professionals and radiologists, who along with experienced x-ray technologists are well-versed with how to expose the patient minimum radiation dose while acquiring the desired results.
Doctors or radiologists are knowledgeable enough to carry out the imaging procedures in a proper and efficient manner, which could expose the patient to least possible risks. They are also well aware that the procedures must only be conducted when suggested by clinical procedures and norms.
Most of the x-ray examinations are made in a way that they expose patients to the minimum possible amount of radiation. In fact, the benefits they provide to the patient overdo the risks they impose in all.
X-ray images come out only when the switch is turned on the x-ray machine. Once this switch is turned off, radiation becomes zero.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8950277

How You Can Become A More Fit Individual

Feel like you don't have enough time a day to workout? Divide a single workout up into two different sessions. All you need to do is divide your time in half; expanding the total time you spend working out isn't necessary. Just workout a 1/2 an hour during the day and a 1/2 an hour at night. With two smaller workouts, you also have the flexibility to do one in the gym and one outside or at home.
When you are developing a new fitness routine, try to incorporate unique, fun physical activities into the plan. There are many activities out there that offer a great workout and do not involve going to the gym. Particularly if you have never been involved in a workout program before, it is essential that you find exercises that are fun and motivating.
Prior to beginning bench exercises, check the pads by applying finger pressure. If you feel a hard section under the bench, it is not the right one. Working out on equipment with worn or insufficient padding may bruise your body. This is because worn padding fails to provide enough support while you are working out.
As you lift weights up above your head, flex your glutes with each rep. This is a good way to work your buttocks area and also helps you stay safe by making the body work to position itself most effectively. This position protects your spine.
If you want to get stronger as soon as possible, try cutting down the amount of time it takes you to do your fitness routine by ten percent. This will cause your muscles to work harder and will, at the same time, improve your endurance. For instance, if your usual workout takes thirty minutes, try to get it done in twenty-seven minutes next time.
Although running can be great for your body, after an extended amount of time, it can also cause damage. Take a break every 6 weeks or so in order to let your body fully recover from running. Not running as much lets your body rest and recover so you can continue running without any injury.
Many people are under the impression that they are able to do abdominal exercises daily. This isn't actually the best option. Abs need rest too! Take a day or two off between each ab workout.
Accelerate weight loss by increasing the density of your workouts. If you work on doing more exercise reps in a smaller time period, you are going to lose weight faster. Take shorter breaks during your total workout session or do what you can to skip breaks completely. This will allow you to see great results with how much weight you lose.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8953547

10 Reasons to Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Diet

Many people have a bottle of apple cider vinegar (ACV) somewhere in the kitchen. Chefs add it sparingly to enhance the flavor of certain dishes or as a salad dressing. They may start using it a bit more if they knew how beneficial this sour-tasting liquid actually is.
Apple cider vinegar has been used as a folk remedy to cure everything from warts to the flu. Although many claims remain unproven, medical professionals are convinced that adding a splash to your diet may be quite healthy. Experts suggest drinking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with water or juice every day. Here are 10 reasons why.
  1. This liquid, which contains acetic acid, has antibiotic properties, which you need when suffering from diarrhea caused by a bacterial infection.
  2. The pectin in apple cider vinegar can help control intestinal spasms and indigestion.
  3. Do you have a sore throat? Gargle infections and nasty germs away with a concoction of a quarter cup of warm water and a quarter cup of your special vinegar. The acid will kill the germs.
  4. Scientists believe, after completing studies on animals, that your newly discovered sour mixture is also capable of lowering cholesterol in humans. More tests are needed.
  5. Are you often plagued by a stuffy nose or nasal congestion? The potassium in raw apple cider vinegar can thin mucus.
  6. Acetic acid can suppress a person's food cravings, reduce water retention, and increase metabolism. Consuming fewer calories equal weight loss.
  7. Nobody wants dandruff. Mix a quarter cup of water and a quarter cup of this unique type of vinegar in a spray bottle. Spritz it on your scalp before washing your hair. Wrap a towel around your head for 15 minutes. This routine should be done at least twice a week. Your hair will also be shinier.
  8. Need a boost of energy? You now know what to drink to beat fatigue!
  9. Individuals with eczema problems can clear up their skin and prevent outbreaks by ingesting ACV diluted in water.
  10. Stop bothersome nighttime leg cramps through the potassium found in apple cider vinegar. Make your new home remedy a little sweeter by adding a teaspoon of honey.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8961200

Convincing Parents to Vaccinate Kids

Clearing the air for parents about the vaccination dilemma
Parents want only the best for their kids. It is natural for moms and dads to want to protect their children from harmful substances and diseases. Even though vaccination keeps kids safe from disease, some parents have the idea that the ingredients in vaccinations are harmful to kids and can cause other health problems. With information and misinformation coming at the speed of light over the Internet, parents are often in a dilemma about protecting their children from disease by the use of vaccinations.
How can you combat the misinformation concerning these important shots and convince the parents to keep their children's vaccination schedule current? Explain to parents that most of the world's medical miracles came about through vaccinations. Polio, typhoid fever, and tetanus have all been wiped out in countries who have an aggressive childhood immunization program. If you occasionally run into parents who still believe the falsehood that vaccinations are harmful, tell them that the best way to keep their children safe from harm is through their regular vaccinations. Here are some facts to combat the anti-vaccination fictions out there on the Internet and in the rumor mill:
Vaccinations protect children from diseases whose effects are way more devastating than the minor side effects that only a few children experience with the shots.
If parents raise objections, talk to them about one of the founding principles of medicine-that the benefits of a given treatment should be compared to the side effects. With vaccines that have stood the test of time, the benefits far outnumber any side effects the child may experience. Assure them that the vaccines have been thoroughly tested by the FDA, and have been used for many years with very few negative issues, the vast majority of those minor ones.
Without immunizations, children will become vulnerable to killer diseases.
New eruptions of diseases that vaccinations have nearly wiped out in the US have resurfaced with a vengeance in recent days. Because of this resurgence, making sure that every child is properly immunized is of high importance. Vaccinations keeps these dangerous diseases from turning into an epidemic. While there are babies that are too young to receive certain kinds of immunizations, and some others who are allergic to some of the ingredients or have weak immune systems from diseases such as leukemia, most kids can be vaccinated safely. In fact, they should get their regularly-scheduled vaccinations, so that they do not contract these diseases and spread them to their family and their community.
Measles, a case in point
Measles is a case in point. The Disneyland outbreak illustrates the danger of not receiving vaccinations. In this outbreak, only a handful of sick people spread the disease to people in seven different states, as well as into Mexico and Canada. Most of these people had not received immunizations. People who forget how devastating measles is only need to read about an outbreak that occurred only a few decades earlier in the 1980s among children who were unvaccinated. The outbreak killed more than a hundred people. During the ten years before the vaccine against measles and two other diseases, mumps and rubella, was introduced to the public, an estimated three million Americans caught the measles every year.
Although raising children may be expensive, it would be more so if children still faced the sort of devastating diseases that immunizations prevent. Furthermore, parents who do not vaccinate their children may face rejection when they enroll their children in many schools or childcare facilities. Just imagine the cost of finding a school or day care facility that would be willing to take the risk of infecting their students.
Polio and whooping cough immunizations saved families much grief and heartbreak.
As US News magazine recently observed, the new phenomenon of parents who refuse to vaccinate their children has been responsible for new, virulent outbreaks of whooping cough and other preventable diseases.
CDC records show that there were 50,000 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) during 2012. Unfortunately, 20 children lost their lives during that recent scare. Another outbreak of the sometimes-fatal disease occurred during the middle of 2014. Not only should children be inoculated against this disease, but pregnant women in their third trimester should also receive an inoculation to protect the child once it has been born.
The bottom line, you should tell parents, is that vaccinations have saved the lives of countless children over the years. Life-threatening diseases, such as polio, that once killed and paralyzed young people, causing them to be dependent upon machines for their very breath, have been nearly eradicated by the life-giving immunizations.
Parents who worry about the cost may have children who are eligible for inexpensive, even free immunizations.
Vaccines for Children (VFC) is a program funded by the federal government in the United States. It offers immunizations to low-income families at no cost whatsoever. Many local clinics or state programs, too, provide low-cost alternatives to office immunizations. For more information, look up the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for the inoculations at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Armed with these facts, you can provide solid evidence to misinformed parents and other caregivers who may be worried about the side effects of the shots. As for kids who fear the shots, tell them that these shots are the nearest thing we have to a "force field" that can keep them from harm.
If you need supplies for giving these needed immunizations, contact your medical office provider. They will be able to give you more information about what you need to help kids fight off germs and help parents defeat their prejudice against immunizations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8961164

How Do X-Rays Help You?

For medical professionals or doctors, x-rays have come out as one of the most important tools. Without a doubt, there are some risks related to use of x-rays, which put the doctors in doubt if they should continue using them. But, it has been found that x-rays, which are ionized radiations with the potential to pass through living tissues, are an effective way to get detailed report of the skeletal system or tissues of the patient. X-rays are widely used in the medical industry, no matter how much popularity MRI (Magnetic Resource Imaging) and CT (Computed Tomography) scans have gained over time.
Costs X-Rays Incur
X-rays in terms of costs are cheaper and more affordable as compared to other medical procedures. An MRI or CT scan would always cost more than what an x-ray will cost. Besides, x-ray machines too are easy to maintain as compared to the machines meant for carrying out other medical procedures.
Varied Outcomes
X-rays produce images of the tissues that are examined, but they are not capable of producing the body's detailed images. X-rays will produce the images of bones, but an MRI or CT scan will provide information about the tissues, bones or the brain. 3D images can be created using CT scan. On the other hand, an x-ray will only produce 2D images.
Use of X-Ray
X-rays as compared to the medical procedures like CT or MRI scans are easy to conduct. For the comfort and ease of in-patients, portable x-ray machines are used in most of the emergency rooms. In case the patient needs to undergo a CT or MRI scan, he needs to take an appointment in advance, or he should shift to another hospital with the required facility.
Exposure to Radiation
Exposure to x-radiation which is somehow deemed as harmful is one of the major reasons why patients remain concerned when it comes to receiving an x-ray examination. Nevertheless, CT scans employ the same energy type to form images of tissues. New England Journal of Medicine says that CT scans may result in tissue damage or cancer in case the patient gets overexposed to radiation. On the other hand, magnetic energy is used by MRIs against hydrogen for producing an image. In all, x-rays are an excellent tool when it comes to providing excellent medical services, but the radiation exposure from them may cause a little damage. However, the benefits outdo this small harm.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8961689

Do Carpal Tunnel and Whiplash Secretly Have a Relationship With Each Other

Carpal tunnel's problems can take time to show themselves. It feels like we are healthy for one minute with no problems at all. However, carpal tunnel suffers find that there comes a day when their hands begin to feel numb. It can be quite scary. We, as humans, try to tough things out and do things that would normally help us feel better. We try stretching, exercising the fingers, and then try to go back to work as soon as possible. The outcome is always the same, the pain and numbness continues and it does not cease to interrupt what would otherwise be a productive workday.
Many people ask themselves a very simple question in their own minds, "why is this happening to them?" The pain and inconvenience of carpal tunnel syndrome strikes quickly. The problem can leave the stoutest of workers feeling terrible about how they cannot live up to their own expectations about how much work they can do in a day.
The question that remains after all of that is what is the underlying cause of the problem? A health professional will usually try to pinpoint the cause of the problem by asking about any injuries to the extremities that may explain the sudden onset of the problem. However, most people with carpal tunnel syndrome will say that they did not suffer any injuries in their hands. It is not uncommon for both hands to have problems. A hard landing on one wrist could have easily involved both of them without the person realizing that they braced themselves with both hands or landed in a way that was awkward for the otherwise unaffected hand. The problem may not even rear its head for days, but the symptoms may present themselves as soon as within minutes.
It is important to realize that our problem here is much different. We are talking about a very specific problem, carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel may be very slow to show itself, however, it tends to show up unexpectedly. A person can work normally for a day and then find that they are completely incapable of working the next day.
The cause of the problems is the nerves that run through the wrists. The nerves that we are talking about run from the neck, through the shoulder, travel to the arm then into our extremities where the carpal tunnel or carpal canal is found.
Some people think that typing can be very hard on the fingers with the impact stress. Some people also think that it cannot be healthy for the hand either. Yet, a person needs to think about the other areas where those nerves begin or cross in order to have a good understanding of what is happening in their body. It is very easy to damage these spots in other types of accidents. The neck is a common place of the body where problems can occur. The problems may be from car accidents or even lingering issues from sports activities. Ligaments, discs, and the neck itself are very vulnerable to damage when any sort of whiplash motion occurs.
Typing on a computer or other machine can also be damaging to our neck. The forward bend we maintain to type can be very hard on the neck, especially when a person has to maintain the position for very long periods of time. The body is programmed to adjust to what we do on a regular basis. The fact that our bodies do this means that our bodies adjust to our forward head posture, which can cause our muscles to be over stretched over time. Pain and numbness follow those adjustments and they become stopping points in our productive lives. The nerves can be more susceptible to damage if a whiplash occurs because of the way we position our heads, in this case. A whiplash with a forward bent head could cause enough problems to bring on the beginnings of carpal tunnel syndrome. A doctor should always look beyond the hand and wrist when evaluating a carpal tunnel syndrome case.
The position may also cause the lower back to be out of alignment, which can cause a slew of other problems such as pain or even sciatica. Strangely enough, many times that problem very rarely begins in the leg itself. Carpal tunnel syndrome is very much alike in that regard. The cause of the problem is not immediately obvious upon a first examination unless that examination is very thorough. If your carpal tunnel syndrome problems do not seem to go away when getting conventional treatments, then you should consider visiting a chiropractor. The chiropractor should do a thorough examination of the problem that includes all of the possible causes of your carpal tunnel syndrome. It will be very important to tell the chiropractor about any and all spinal injuries that you may have lived through in the past. The smallest of injuries could be the underlying cause for your pain and suffering in the present. Treating the real cause of the problem is the best way to deal with a problem. It is important to be thorough and make sure that you have all your bases covered so that you can return to being the productive person you have always been.
Disclaimer: This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8956742

What Could Be Causing the Heaviness of Head I Feel?

People do not realize that their head is very heavy. In fact, a lot of people do not realize that the head of a child may be 25% of their total height. Obviously, the percentage of the height of a child changes when the child reaches adulthood. However, the head still accounts for 10 to 14 lbs. of total body weight. The head can be a lot of weight and the neck has to be equally conditioned in order to hold up that weight. The body understands this innately and compensates by creating a natural curve to the neck that helps lend a delicate balance of strength and function. It also means that any change in this balance can damage the heck. The neck is especially susceptible to whiplash injuries and other traumas. Although it is popular for people to tell you to have a straight neck, it is not actually a good thing for you to do often. The term for this is a "military" neck.
A person may start developing this type of neck when they use keyboards or electronic media devices often. The head is pushed forward and the muscles of the back of the neck compensate to equalize the weight as best as they can under the circumstances. The muscles of the neck are like any other muscles. They fatigue and they also need a break. Unfortunately, many of us are required to work at a computer for long periods of time. The neck can become very tight, have spasms, or just generally ache. The tightness and pain a person feels around their head is due to the strain and effort that the muscles of the back of the neck have endured throughout the day. The feeling is commonly named a tension-type headache and it occurs more often than people realize.
The neck and shoulders often work together as muscle groups, therefore, the shoulder muscles may also be tight. If the posture is not corrected, then the body adjusts to the demand and makes other changes to compensate. A person may develop a rounded back as a consequence. The rounded back stretches the nerves which can mean a lot of pain for the person. The posture has been known to make the spine suffer through something called degeneration. The disks of the back become thin.
The problems can be detected by using an x-ray machine and examining the posture of the person from either side of their body. If the head is forward, then it means that the body is stretching the ligaments which can be very detrimental to the person over time.
However, we have yet to find a pill that fixes posture. In fact, using pills to cover up the pain from poor posture is a bad idea. Pain is usually a signal that something else is wrong. If a person cannot feel that pain, then they cannot direct a professional to the source of the pain. Certain types of pills also have adverse effects such as bleeding from the stomach and kidney damage when taken for extended lengths of time.
It is important to note that there can be other causes of tension-type headaches or the heaviness a person might feel at the end of their day. There are some rare diseases that make the head hurt. It is even possible that high blood pressure is the culprit of a tension-type headache. Proper diagnosis of the problem is what is needed in order to make sure that a treatment program will be effective. Chiropractic doctors have a knowledge of spinal problems that are known to cause these types of pains or headaches. They are also aware of the rare diseases that cause these similar symptoms in patients.
Disclaimer: This information should be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8958356

Importance Of A Vaccination Schedule

A recommended vaccination schedule was developed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and it was then adopted by most of the other healthcare organizations in the country. This schedule has laid down a timetable that will help you ensure that your baby will get his or her vaccinations at the proper time. The schedule is easily available in a number of formats on the internet so that you can download it and refer to it regularly.
Importance of Keeping A Vaccine Schedule
Vaccines are given to children in order to build their immunity so that they can fight diseases and illnesses. These should be given while they are still young so that the risk of catching these diseases is reduced. Without the vaccination, the baby might not be able to fight off the disease and there is a possibility of severe illness or even death in some cases.
Most children are given about 24 different vaccinations that protect them from about 14 common and dangerous illnesses. These are usually administered starting from the time the babies are born till they turn six years of age. It is important to vaccinate these children at this time because their immunity is low when they are born and the vaccines help to strengthen these immune systems, enabling them to fight off diseases.
Parents often worry that their babies may be harmed by too many vaccines. However, there is no need to worry. In fact, the immune system of a baby usually responds well to vaccinations and this helps the baby to fight diseases. In fact, babies have to fight many more antigens every day than the combination of vaccines that are given to them.
Important Information About The Vaccination Schedule
The vaccination schedule has been put together by a number of highly qualified doctors and experts. They have done their best to come up with an optimum schedule that keeps enough space between each vaccine so that it can get absorbed by the body while still ensuring that there isn't too much of a gap between vaccinations. In fact, if the vaccines are spaced out too long, your child will be unprotected from certain diseases for a longer period of time. This can make them targets of a number of diseases.
However, it is also important to remember that if your child has any adverse reaction to a particular vaccine, you must notify your doctor immediately. Certain allergic reactions may mean that you have to delay the schedule by a little while.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8964137

Learn More About Ultrasound Technology

Ultrasound can be defined as a sound pressure wave that is continuously oscillating. It consists of a frequency that is said to be greater than the upper limit of a particular human's hearing range. Thus there is no difference between Ultrasound and normal or audible sound in terms of physical properties. The major fact that has to be noted here is that humans cannot hear ultrasound.
What are the use of Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is used in a variety of applications and its benefits cannot be undermined. It serves a lot of professions and assists important people to perform their tasks in a smooth manner. For example, the ultrasonic devices are used extensively in the process of detecting objects and also measuring distances. The process called Sonography or ultrasonic imaging is used both in human medicine and also veterinary medicine. Ultrasound is also used extensively in the process of in the testing of structures and products non-destructively. Porpoises and bats are example of certain animals that make use of ultrasounds to locate obstacles and also a prey.
The human perception of ultrasound
Humans have an upper frequency limit of approximately 20 kilohertz. This is due to the limitations that are present in the middle ear. An auditory sensation can occur when ultrasounds of high intensities are fed into the human skull directly. It is observed by many researchers and scientists that children can hear a few sounds that are high pitched. Such high pitched sounds cannot be heard by older adults. This can be explained by the fact that the upper limit pitch in human decreases as the person ages.
The other uses of ultrasounds
There are other uses of ultrasounds apart from the ones that have been mentioned above. When ultrasound is applied in a configuration that is specific, it can produce very short bursts of light in a phenomenon that is known to be exotic. This phenomenon or process is called as Sonoluminescence.
Modulated ultrasound is also used for the propagation of Audio. Another popular application of ultrasound is that it is used in the remote controls of television and computers. This is used for reducing or increasing the volume of the television and also changing of the channels.
Hence it can be concluded that ultrasound has a lot of significance and applications in today's life. These applications cannot be undermined or overlooked by scientists and researchers who are already present in this field.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8965070

Health, Politics and The FDA 'Revolving Door'

Following her recent announcement FDA (Food and Drug Administration) commissioner Dr Margaret Hamburg will retire at the end of this month. Dr Hamburg said that her retirement is due to the heavy demands of the job which she did for 6 years.
She has been criticised by a number of people like the research group Public Citizen director Dr Michael Carome. He alleges that her tenure has not only failed to tighten the control over the food and pharmaceutical industries' self-interests by succumbing to their pressures, but she has also served them by implementing policies in favour.
Quackery, ineptitude, wheeling and dealing is often the order of the day when it comes to health's indivisible ties with politics and the FDA. The FDA responsible for regulating our food and drugs making sure that these products are safe to go on the market have indeed been heavily criticised for many years now.
Here's some brief background:
Time after time there have been cases of the 'revolving door effect' whereby representatives on the FDA panel deciding whether or not a food or drug is safe to go on the market have allowed questionable products to be fast-tracked approved which have gone on to cause ill health to patients/consumers. Some of these representatives then go on to leave the FDA and become directors of the questionable products they had judged to be safe, which confirms that they had ties to the food/drug company from the very start.
Taking the case of Dr Hamburg, she has shown to have had ties to amalgam mercury filling sales: She made millions of dollars for Henry Schein Inc which sells this product and she was a company director.
-There have been attempts to reform the system. Can the FDA ever be reformed to prevent the corruption and health damage to consumers?
Food and drug companies have been known to frequently put pressure on the FDA to approve products. An example of this was the case of aspartame ingested by a high number of the USA population today.
For years aspartame was known to cause a range of health problems and was frequently rejected by the FDA. However, in spite of an overwhelming number of independent studies confirming health damage; neurological damage, hypertension, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, brain tumours, multiple sclerosis... etc aspartame was finally approved.
In short, political corruption, misrepresented science and moneyed interests have stopped aspartame from being banned. It would definitely be a good cause to rally for the truth and warn the public about the dangers of aspartame: Post a social media item, write a blog, or article, make a video... whatever it takes to make aspartame consumers aware of the dangers... Or do this for any other 'questionable products' for that matter... Do your research: You'll see that there are many concerned scientists.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8965976

Discover the Breakthrough Height-Growth Method That Totally Beats Genetics

For so many years, everyone's mind was wired with the concept that since height is genetically determined you can't do anything about it. If your parents are short, you will also be short. Doctors would preach the same discouraging topic whenever you consult them about your height. The short people couldn't do anything, but expect for a miracle which they knew wouldn't happen.
Well, don't worry about your short height anymore. A 30 year old Vietnamese man who himself was also 5.3 ft. created a breakthrough method that gives guaranteed height to anyone even if he is genetically short and haven't grown in years. He grew a whooping 7 inches after two and a half months of using his own method, making the doctor baffled whom he once visited for consultation.
This product has been successfully used by over 194,000 people in 174 countries, literally changing the lives of thousands of short people. What's incredible about this product? All the information contained in this method is backed by undeniable scientific proof. It's a unique product, formulated through years of intense research.
Height has become an important part of our personality. Short people are considered unattractive and undesirable. Look at the world we live in today. Short people are mostly single, failing to attract a desirable partner, while the tall people hangs around with the gorgeous babes easily. A good height is also not just about looking desirable. Some people have an interest in becoming models, but they are not qualified because of their short height.
There are people who have undergone painful limb lengthening surgery spending thousands of dollars just for a couple of inches. And there are some who are willing to give anything just for a few inches. Wouldn't it break your heart when your girlfriend leaves you for a taller guy. Girls like to flirt with tall guys, but keeps the short guys as a 'hello' friend. Have you ever experienced that awkward moment, while you are climbing the stairs and someone's butt is in your face.
Those thousand who have used this product and brought drastic change in their lives, were also short just like you. They had their share of pain and tears, but their determination kept them going and finally they achieved their goal. To actually find something that you been so desperate for is just total paradise.
Take for instance. You are very intelligent and have a high degree, but when you face a job interview for a certain company, it is more likely the company will select a taller guy over you. Why? Because tall people are associated with better decision making and they possess a commanding attitude, fit for someone in a power position.
It is always the tall people that benefits and the short people that loses, may it be in finding a job, attracting a desirable partner or having an argument. But it doesn't mean you will always be short and all hope is lost. You will surely grow tall. Say this to yourself. If these thousands could grow tall with this method, why can't I.
It is always the first step that determines your fate. Those people that embrace this product are now living a new life, a life away from the embarrassment, frustration and disappointment that once dominated them. You can change everything now by just embracing it. In no time, you will forget your once old boring life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8962298

How to Build Your Immune System To Fight Viruses

The immune system is known as the most remarkable and complex systems within the human body. As a holistic nutritionist, I reflect on the crisis in dis-ease care. Therefore, my spirit leads me to write on this subject. I'm more indebted to impart healthy choices for change in a world that has reached epidemic dis-ease in almost every aspect of health around the world. More education, or dedication, rather than medication is a major factor in creating better health for a triumphant life.
It was one of our forefathers who echoed these words centuries ago "If people let the Government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny" - Thomas Jefferson.
The immune system is compromised when there is an over accumulation of toxins and mucous in the body. If the culprits are not reduced to normal levels, your immune system weakens increasing your chance for infectious dis-ease.
A profound sense of well-being can be achieved by anyone. In essence, you need to acquire an abundance of holistic nutrition. That is simply giving your body the best possible intake of nutrients allowing it to be healthy and work optimally for you. Holistic nutrition promotes your emotional, mental and physical performance as well as balance. Utilizing whole nutrition lowers your incidence of sickness while promoting longevity and youth. The medicine for today and the future is connected to holistic nutrition.
Out of the host of nutrients that have been identified as essential for health, nine of them are considered the most important which are your amino acids, magnificent minerals, essential fats, vital vitamins, superior carbohydrates, fine fiber, pure water, light and oxygen. Consuming these optimum nutrients daily, your body gradually rebuilds itself.
Numerous benefits of building your immunity with holistic nutrition can be achieved from the least to the greatest of optimum energy, clean intestinal tract, improved digestive power, increased IQ (sharp mind), balanced cholesterol levels, speed the recovery time from infections, improved mental clarity and mood, concentration and sleep quality, and more important, protection from disease to an extended healthy life span.
The dichotomy between traditional healthcare model and conventional/modern medicine can be explained as follows. Traditional care perceives prevention as using education and awareness emphasizing change in behavior to prevent premature sickness and dis-ease. Modern medicine administers detection and screening as a method for prevention. Modern medicine has its advantages especially for emergency cases. Traditional sense of health care believes in the "land and seed" therapy. That is to say if your body is strong enough, dis-ease doesn't stand a chance. It sees the body as the "land" and all the disease-causing elements as the "seed".
If the land/body is strong enough or in this case (infertile), no matter how strong the seed (germ), it won't grow. You can get your body to be so strong that no matter what comes along including cancer-your body can fight it off. This is why focusing on strengthening your immune system is important. It's key to optimum health, (including weight loss, infection, pain and associated nutritional deficiencies.)
As a testimony of good health at age 53, in my mid 30's I healed myself from restless leg syndrome and slight joint pain in my hand. The therapy that I incorporated in my regime along with the holistic lifestyle that I live healed me immediately. It wasn't until a month or so later I realized that the discomfort I experienced during my monthly cycle no longer affected me to this day. By taking preventative steps of cleansing to reduce toxins from my system, I changed my whole world. Working with a host of diversified communities in bringing positive change to their current health, I speak with authority on the benefits of holistic nutrition.
This is nothing new. Many great scholars and visionaries have embraced holistic nutrition. It wasn't until the 19th century this approach was rediscovered. Renowned plants were utilized for healing and curing dis-eases during our ancestral history. After the Cold War more and more refined, processed and chemical laden foods emerged.
It was Edison in the twentieth century who envision the proclamation "The doctors of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease." Diet and nutrition are linked to health.
Holistic nutrition and being willing to change obsolete beliefs and behavior patterns that create tension and stress virtually can strengthen your immunity to prevent dis-ease.
There is one only dis-ease which is formed by an accumulation of mucous. If the mucous isn't dealt with by keeping it reduced to a normal level, it weakens your immune system increasing your chance for infection.
There is no need for me to provide you with medical statistics on the epidemic of dis-ease. Though, I'd like to add that Dr. Emanuel Cheraskin, professor emeritus at the University of Alabama Medical said "modern medicine is failing to provide true health care, and making a lot of money out of it. What we call "health care" is really disease care".
Avoid The Drug Cycle
Many medical drugs (such as painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs) suppress the body's normal responses to the underlying contributors. They act like toxins in the body and can contribute to decline in health and/or dependence.
These drugs treat the symptom but not the underlying cause. Then you need another drug to counteract the symptoms. Your body/health begins to spiral downward.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
The host is more important than the invader. When fighting infections naturally, it is important to know what you are dealing with. In this cosmic world and body we live in, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are found. Strengthening the body, rather than conquering the invading organism proves a more effective strategy.
In conclusion, taking these three preliminary steps; undoubtedly, help to improve your immunity.
Step 1 - Administer regularly holistic immune building nutrients to power it up.
Step 2 - Avoid using immune suppressant and depressant drugs without implementing a detox afterwards.
Step 3 - Utilize a detox/cleanse periodically to remove toxins from the body.
The "Breath of Life Detox" 30 Day Regeneration formula keeps us strong and healthy. You will find an array of amazing benefits from the recipes and therapy using "Breath of Life Detox" holistic living techniques.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8962706

Health, Vitality, and Courage - How To Build A Solid Fitness Routine

Lots of folks are interested in improving their vitality and health through workouts, but not everyone has the courage to do the work to produce those results.
You need a combination of diet, nutrition, and a vigorous fitness routine. When you are struggling to find the right routine, it may not be easy for you to lose weight and get fit. In order to lose weight or get stronger, you must tailor a workout routine that you can use whenever you need it. These are just a few of the tips you should consider trying.
Pay Attention To Your Body's Energy Signals
A properly tailored workout plan is undoubtedly essential, yet it is something too many people simply do not have when they seek to increase their overall level of fitness. Even if you see others having success with a specific routine, it does not mean that it is the right routine for you to follow.
It is important to have a good understanding of your own body. As an example, you may suffer from joint pain, which could keep you from doing certain exercises. Would you push forward with the bench press simply because others are using it and look to be enjoying it? Rather than follow their lead, you could perform chest presses and other exercises that would be easier for you to perform without experiencing the joint pain.
Quality, Not Quantity
If you are starting the process of developing a fitness regimen, you must begin by identifying your goals. You may want to shed a few pounds or strengthen your muscles. Regardless of your goal, intensity is the key to success. It is a must if you want to reach your goals. The greater the intensity you use when you work out, the greater the results you'll see.
Fewer reps with much heavier weights is much more intense than more repetitions with lighter weights. By holding heavier weights, you can get the results you are looking for without doing nearly as much work.
Good Timing Is Essential
Mistiming is one of the biggest workout mistakes people make. You may wonder how this is possible. A good example of this type of mistake is if you decided to workout twice in a day, and for no reason at all. You do not have to work out twice a day to see results. It is true, quite a few 'experts' are doing this, however they are generally taking supplements to assist their recovery, or they are one of those with freak genetics and are able to manage through such strenuous workouts. This is when the real work is being done.
You should set a target to get as much accomplished as possible in the least amount of time.
Make certain you are going down the right path by following the tips made here. It is important to workout, but it is just as important to plan out the right routine for your body. Don't be like many people and overlook coming up with a good routine, as it can lead to not getting the results you want to achieve. The tips that have been pointed out here should help you get going towards the goals you have set.
Don't waste your time by drifting along, and try to precisely plan your own workout regimen to fit you best and stick with them. Your happiness and sanity depend on it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8961368

TALENs Technology for Targeted Genome Editing

TALEs (Transcription Activator-Like Effectors) are proteins that bind to DNA in a sequence-specific way. The newly-developed transcription activator-like effectors nucleases (TALENs) comprise of a nonspecific DNA-cleaving nuclease fused to a DNA-binding domain that can be easily engineered so that TALENs can target essentially any sequence. To date, the TALENs technology has become a powerful approach for genome editing in a number of animal models.
Targeted genome editing is a common approach for efficiently modifying essentially any sequence of interest in living cells or organisms. This technology relies on the use of engineered nucleases, which are artificial proteins composed of a customizable sequence-specific DNA-binding domain fused to a nuclease that cleaves DNA in a non-sequence-specific manner. These targetable nucleases are used to induce double-strand breaks (DSBs) into specific DNA sites, which are then repaired by mechanisms that can be exploited to create sequence alterations at the cleavage site. Nuclease-mediated genome editing enables genetic studies that were previously difficult or impossible to perform.
Before the development of TALENs technology, majority of targeted genome editing has been performed using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), which in the past were commonly used to modify endogenous genes in a wide range of organisms and cell types. Several types of genomic alterations can be introduced with ZFNs including point mutations, deletions, insertions, inversions, duplications, and translocations. Furthermore, ZFNs can potentially be used for therapeutic purposes.
However, TALENs have rapidly developed their years as an alternative to ZFNs for genome editing and introducing targeted DSBs. TALENs are similar to ZFNs and comprise a non-specific FokI nuclease domain fused to a customizable DNA-binding domain. This DNA-binding domain is composed of highly conserved repeats derived from transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), which are proteins secreted by Xanthomonas bacteria to alter transcription of genes in host plant cells. The fundamental building block used to engineer the DNA-binding domain of TALENs is a highly conserved repeat derived from naturally occurring TALEs encoded by Xanthomonas proteobacteria. These TALEs are injected into host plant cells via a Type III secretion system and bind to genomic DNA to alter transcription in these cells, thereby facilitating pathogenic bacteria colonization. DNA binding by these TALEs is mediated by arrays of highly conserved amino acid repeats flanked by additional TALE-derived domains at the amino- and carboxy-terminal ends of the array.
The development of TALENs has generated much interest and excitement in the world for its ease in use and convenience in labs. Over the last years, TALENs has been used to modify endogenous genes in yeast, fruit fly, roundworm, crickets, zebra fish, frog, rat, pig, cow, thale cress, rice, silkworm, pluripotent stem cells and others. The relative simplicity of using TALENs to engineer targeted gene will surely attract more attention to explore the research and therapeutic applications of customized nuclease technology.
Engineered nucleases have made it possible to achieve targeted alteration of any DNA sequence in a wide range of cell types and organisms. Gene-editing nucleases enable direct assessment of the impacts of gene disruption and of specific sequence variants on gene function in somatic cell-based models of disease. The capability of quickly and efficiently altering any gene sequence with TALENs will certainly have profound impacts on biological research and discovering potential therapies for genetic diseases.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8965727

Medical Imaging - Role in Radiology

The branch of medicine which aims at diagnosing and directing a treatment for a particular injury or illness using the imaging technology is dubbed Radiology. Radiology may be categorized into two fields, viz. diagnostic and interventional radiology. Therapeutic radiation uses stronger x-rays to direct a treatment for cancer. This process is now termed as radiation oncology.
Radiology specialists are generally dubbed radiologists.
What is Diagnostic Radiology?
With the help of diagnostic radiology, health care professionals can easily image the internal structures of the patient's body. Those who specialize in the field are known as diagnostic radiologists. Diagnostic images taken by these radiologists can be used by them to diagnose the illness your symptoms may lead to, the cause of these symptoms, and to gauge how your body is responding to the treatment being given to you for your illness or injury.
The images taken out using x-rays may also aid doctors in detecting colon cancer, any kind of heart illness, or breast cancer.
Some radiology tests are commonly brought into use, which may include Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Fluoroscopy such as barium enema, CAT scan (computerized axial tomography), Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), Plain x-rays, Mammography, Nuclear medicine, PET imaging and Ultrasound.
What is Interventional Radiology?
Doctors who specialize in Interventional Radiology are more often called interventional radiologists. MRI, Fluoroscopy, ultrasound and CT scans are used by them to conduct the imaging procedures that could guide treatment for varied illnesses. When catheters or some instruments are to be inserted into the patient's body, the diagnostic imaging largely helps. In particular, doctors get aided while making small incisions.
The interventional radiology technology helps specialists to detect the condition being suffered by the patient in any body part sans using a scope or conducting open surgery to look inside. Any kind of tumor or cancer along with any blockages in the artery or vein of the patient can be easily diagnosed with interventional imaging. Besides, doctors can detect any kidney or liver problem, and back pain.
Either a very small incision or no incision is introduced by the surgeon. This means that the patient does not need to get admitted to the hospital and sometimes, only need such medicines that could make them relax.
Proper training is provided to radiologists for such procedures once they complete their medical school, their medical internship and basic radiology training.
Different kinds of interventional radiology procedures implemented at hospitals may take account of Embolization, which is meant to control bleeding, Breast biopsy, Needle biopsy, Tumor embolization, Angioplasty or Angiography, Vertebroplasty, Uterine artery embolization, and so on.

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The Ethics Of Denying Treatment

Occasionally, truth is not only stranger than fiction; it offers more hope.
The film "Still Alice," like the novel of the same title upon which it was based, centers on a brilliant and accomplished 50-year-old woman who develops early-onset Alzheimer's disease. It is a genetic condition, and Alice is presented with a 50-50 chance that each of her three children may eventually experience the same deterioration. In the film as in real life, there is no cure and, should any of the children test positive for the genetic defect, presently no hope. "Still Alice," which drew even more attention after lead actress Julianne Moore won an Oscar for her performance, was widely praised for highlighting the struggles of people affected by early-onset Alzheimer's and their loved ones.
But while the fictional characters in "Still Alice" must face their genetic destiny, science offers hope to those who suffer the genetic defect but have not yet developed full-blown Alzheimer's. Advancements in genetic manipulation have raised the possibility of treatments or cures for Alzheimer's and other genetic conditions, allowing patients to avoid the worst effects. Perhaps even more importantly for some, advances may soon allow carriers of risky genetic markers to avoid passing such risks on to their children.
Gene therapy can broadly be divided into therapeutic techniques that affect somatic, or non-reproductive cells, and those that affect reproductive, or germ cells. Somatic gene therapy has been a focus of research for years, and generally faces no more opposition than any other medical technique. However, it only helps the particular patient undergoing the treatment; any future children would still be at risk.
The second sort of gene therapy, often called "germline modification," is different. Changes made successfully to reproductive cells or developing embryos could theoretically pass on - or prevent the transmission of - particular genes to children and later descendants. Not only is this sort of therapy possible, the mechanics behind it are not described as terribly complex. The leading technology, called Crispr-Cas9, serves as a sort of search-and-replace function for editing DNA. Jennifer Doudna, a biologist at the University of California-Berkeley who co-discovered the technique, said, "Any scientist with molecular biology skills and knowledge of how to work with [embryos] is going to be able to do this." (1)
It sounds like a miracle. Yet some in the scientific community and many outside it would ban this treatment, either temporarily or permanently, on the basis of "ethics." Many of those who oppose such therapies argue that humanity should not play God with its genetic endowment.
Ethics, my... chromosomes. Such arguments are nothing more than thoughtlessness and arrogance, with the side effect of inflicting needless suffering.
Two groups of scientists have called for bans on germline editing. Representatives of an industry group, the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, published a commentary in Nature magazine recommending a wide moratorium that included not only applications in humans, but even laboratory studies, which they called "dangerous and ethically unacceptable." (2) A group of biologists writing in the journal Science was more tempered in its recommendation, urging basic research to proceed in an effort to determine "what clinical applications, if any, might in the future be deemed permissible." Until then, however, they still call for a worldwide moratorium on such clinical applications. Some countries already have legal bans on such therapies; the U.S. does not, though they are subject to approval from the Food and Drug Administration before use in humans, as with other sorts of clinical therapies.
R. Alta Charo, a bioethicist at the University of Wisconsin, told The New York Times that two broad schools of thought apply to modification of the human germline. One group seeks to balance benefit and risk. The other "sets up inherent limits on how much humankind should alter nature." (2) Scientists who want to hold off clinical applications in favor of more research may simply be especially risk-averse members of the first group. People who wish to ban germline therapy in all circumstances, forever, are clearly members of the second. But their position is not only harmful, it defies logic.
For most of human history, "God's will" has been used to justify all sorts of suffering and premature death. Every new medical advance, from antibiotics to chemotherapy to organ transplants to fluoridated water, brings along some who will denounce it as playing God. But since anyone, including the self-proclaimed "ethicists," risked falling victim to the ailments these advances treated, such objections were sooner or later consigned to the fringes that raised them. Most of humanity has benefitted greatly as a result.
Why is the alteration of the deoxyribonucleic acid, commonly known as DNA, that is encoded in living organisms any different? Mankind has manipulated DNA in crops and livestock through all of human history through agriculture and husbandry, yet there is an irrational backlash against performing such alterations in a laboratory to increase food yields and quantities and to reduce the amount of pesticides we need to apply to our fields.
That backlash is bad enough on its own. But to consign millions of future people to preventable suffering and death, or to watch their children inherit diseases that could have been prevented, is the exact opposite of ethics. It's cruelty of staggering proportions.
Might someone alter their genetic endowment in destructive ways, or for trivial or arguably improper motives? Surely. No technology ever invented has been free of abuse or misuse. Should we outlaw wheels because they can be used by invading armies? Ban cosmetic surgery because people should wear the noses and cheekbones with which they were born? Eliminate cars to prevent motor vehicle deaths?
The sort of genetic manipulation that could stop hereditary Alzheimer's is years away from implementation, and much further than that from being available to a casual non-medical user. Just because we have the ability to change DNA doesn't mean we know yet exactly what to change and how to change it. There is room for regulation over what sort of uses will eventually be made available and how they will be administered and funded.
There is no room at all, however, for the argument that a scientific advancement that could bring so much comfort to so many people should be banned altogether because of some misplaced fear of "playing God." Our genetic endowments belong to us, not to the self-appointed "ethicists" who would tell us what we can do with them.

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Uses of Plain X-Rays

Without a doubt, numerous technologies like Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resource Imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound Imaging (UI) have surfaced over the years in the medical industry. But, plain x-rays hold their importance till date when it comes to diagnosing different kinds of illnesses. Plain x-rays or radiography involve use of an x-ray generator to produce an x-ray beam which passes through the required object like the body part that needs to be examined. The object or material that the beam penetrates absorbs the same with the amounts varying as per the density and composition of the object. The x-rays that do not get absorbed get recorded on a film.
Usually, it's the bones of the patient that easily absorb the x-rays to appear white on the image, while soft tissues like muscle fiber absorb a lesser amount of x-rays and thus, appear dark or grayish. It is this reason why the black and white contrast is generally seen on x-ray pictures. Also, this is the reason why conventional or plain x-rays are deemed as appropriate for bone or tissue scans, be it analysis of a bone fracture or dental imaging.
Radiography or plain x-ray is also used to examine the abdomen organs like bladder or liver. Further, it helps conduct chest radiography to detect any lung diseases, including lung cancer and pneumonia. Mammography is another technique that helps detect breast cancer at a very early stage. In order to detect illnesses related to intestine or stomach or urinary tract, x-ray fluoroscopy is brought into use.
Medical x-ray images were earlier shown on photographic film. The same required a little processing before the image could be seen. However, digital x-rays are unlike the same and use an electronic detector instead. A computer is used to process the image which can be stored digitally. Also, the doctor can view the same instantly.
Using plain x-rays, doctors can get high-resolution, fast images at affordable costs. A plain x-ray test does not take more than 15 minutes. All what the radiographer needs to do is choose the type of x-rays for use and amount of x-rays as per the size of the patient, the body part to be examined and the image contrast. The reason being the movement of the body part makes the image blurred. The image produced gets stored on radiograph and a radiologist analyzes the same.
However, the x-ray image production involves usage of ionizing radiation which is carcinogenic enough to cause some kind of damage to patient's health if exposed to it. But, experts say that the benefits of radiography are powerful enough to overshadow the slight risks involved in the procedure.
An x-ray test is usually considered more harmful when it comes to conducting the same on a pregnant woman. Since, the embryo is highly sensitive to the radiations the woman is exposed to. This may result in some kind of abnormality or other health problem in the unborn.

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Radiology and Its Subspecialties

Radiologist - Who he is?
A radiologist is a doctor who holds expertise in carrying out the imaging process as well as in acquiring and studying medical images produced by x-rays, be it using CT, fluoroscopy or radiograph. The images may even be produced using some other means such as radioactive substances or sound waves i.e. ultrasound.
Patients may be tested by any physician who would acquire the medical history of the patient, detect their illness, and prescribe medicine or required treatment. Statistics released by American Medical Association say that around 1.2% of these physicians are experts in radiology. Radiologists usually compare the results of medical imaging with varied other medical examinations. Thereafter, they suggest any further tests, if needed. Later, they consult with physicians who referred the patients to them.
At times, the radiologists may even treat the patient either using radiation oncology i.e. radiation or interventional radiology i.e. least invasive, image-guided operation.
What subspecialties do Diagnostic Radiologists specialize in?
Detailed clinical work along with thorough research may help a radiologist become an expert in various subspecialties of radiology, which may include:
  • Breast imaging
This subspecialty of radiology focuses on diagnosis of breast-related diseases like breast cancer, and thus involves breast imaging. Varied kinds of procedures are involved with this field, such as breast ultrasound, mammography, and breast biopsy.
  • Cardiovascular Radiology
This radiology field focuses on heart and blood vessel imaging to detect any kind of heart-related disease, be it in veins, arteries or lymphatics. The procedures involved here are MRI, CT (computed tomography), and x-rays.
  • Chest Radiology
Chest imaging is focused on by the chest radiology field. Diseases of heart and lungs are often detected using this technique. Different procedures used in this area are CT (computed tomography), MRI and x-rays.
  • Emergency Radiology
When trauma or moderate emergency conditions are to be diagnosed, emergency radiology plays a vital part. CT, x-rays and ultrasound are used for the same.
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) Radiology
Imaging of any illness related to the gastrointestinal (GI) or digestive tract is involved in this area. Ultrasound, x-rays, fluoroscopy, and GI procedures help detect the same.
  • Genitourinary Radiology
Reproductive organs or urinary tract problems are imaged under this subspecialty dubbed Genitourinary Radiology, which involves procedures like CT, MRI, kidney stone removal, uterine fibroid removal and biopsy.
  • Head and Neck Radiology
Any injury or illness related to head or neck is detected in this subspecialty using MRI, ultrasound or CT.
  • Neuroradiology
Brain and nerves as well as spine, head and neck are diagnosed for any disease in neuroradiology.
  • Pediatric Radiology
Any child-related illness is diagnosed under this subspecialty of radiology using procedures like MRI, CT and x-rays, and others such as drainage of fluid and biopsy.

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Living Better While Living Longer

We are living longer today than ever. The average life expectancy for an American recently hit a record high of 78.8 years; other countries are seeing similar increases in longevity.
This is great news, but it also means we are living in increased fear of the decline that often accompanies old age. For most people, that fear is sharpest on the subject of mental decline.
The fear is understandable, especially since the possibility is not as remote as most of us would wish. Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of irreversible dementia in people 65 and older, affects an estimated 5 million Americans. The Alzheimer's Association predicts that the number could triple by 2050. (1)
But several new drug therapies have offered hope that there may be treatments on the way that can halt or even reverse Alzheimer's disease. The biotechnology company Biogen made headlines recently with the announcement that its newest experimental drug performed better than expected in early studies. The medicine showed a statistically significant effect in slowing cognitive decline and reducing amyloid plaque, protein deposits in the brain that are thought to be one of the disease's major causes. Tau protein, another factor which researchers at the Mayo Clinic recently suggested may be even more critical, is the target for several medications in development by Biogen and other companies. (2)
These recent drugs are not the only signs of progress. A few years ago, a biomedical engineer and neuroscientist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles demonstrated some success with experiments in the use of neural prostheses - silicon chips designed to mimic a neuron's ability to process brain signals. The idea is to eventually restore the ability to create new memories in those who have lost it due to degeneration or trauma. Some Alzheimer's researchers are also shifting the focus of their research to the ApoE protein, which serves an unknown function in the brain but is strongly tied to the risk of early-onset Alzheimer's. Gene therapy may also offer great promise in combatting the disease. While a cure for, or even a full understanding of, Alzheimer's has not yet arrived, these developments offer strong hope that it's a matter of when, not if, it will.
But even a world completely free of Alzheimer's would not be a perfect world for those who live to and beyond our ever-extending life expectancies. Other conditions can also cause dementia, including Parkinson's disease and vascular dementia, neither of which are currently reversible. Older adults are also at risk for developing clinical depression, which can go undiagnosed and may be aggravated by isolation and loneliness.
There are other, physical ailments that can ultimately prevent most people who attain extreme old age from living independently, even if they are lucky enough to avoid mental decline of any sort. Older adults often lose mobility and dexterity, which makes daily activities difficult; they may also experience reduced vision, hearing or both. Walking, cooking, seeing to personal hygiene and housework can all become too much to handle - and this is after giving up the car keys, voluntarily or otherwise. Accidents, especially falls, become a greater risk and can abruptly curtail independence.
Therapies to halt cognitive decline will be a great boon to aging populations, but they won't be the sole solution to living through our ninth or tenth decades. We are going to need a lot more care, especially affordable in-home care, since by far the most comfortable and economically efficient solution to the needs that arise in extended life is to stay in one's familiar surroundings. We should also have plans in place with our loved ones well before reduced mental or physical capacity becomes a problem. And we will need social outlets, too, to ensure that we do not find ourselves cut off from the wider world as we live our final years. Some of these are problems to tackle as individuals, but many of them we will have to address together as a society.
We know a lot about how to live longer, and we are learning more all the time. Now we need ways to live those extra years better. Medical science will deliver part of the answer; social science will have to provide the rest.

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