your health information centre

2009-02-27T23:19:00.001-08:00

medicinal use of aloe vera

2009-02-27T22:52:00.001-08:00

Aloe vera has been well known for centuries for its healing properties, and both oral intake and topical dressings have been documented to facilitate healing of any kind of skin wound, burn, or scald - even speeding recovery time after surgery. Situations to try it on include blisters, insect bites, rashes, sores, herpes, urticaria, athlete's foot, fungus, vaginal infections, conjunctivitis, sties, allergic reactions, and dry skin. The raw plant is best, but commercial preparations can also be used, especially for taking orally, as this plant tastes horrible. Other topical uses include acne, sunburn, frostbite (it appears to prevent decreased blood flow), shingles, screening out x-ray radiation, psoriasis, preventing scarring, rosacea, warts, wrinkles from aging, and eczema.

Internally, aloe is showing real promise in the fight against AIDS, and the virus has become undetectable in some patients who used it on a regular basis, due to its immune system stimulant properties. It also seems to help prevent opportunistic infections in cases of HIV and AIDS. It appears to be of help in cancer patients (including lung cancer) by activating the white blood cells and promoting growth of non-cancerous cells.

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medicinal use of aloe vera

2009-02-27T22:43:00.000-08:00

The National Cancer Institute has included Aloe Vera in their recommendations for increased testing because of these apparent cancer fighting properties. Taken orally, aloe also appears to work on heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain and asthma, and studies have shown that it has an effect on lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics. Other situations in which it appears to work when taken internally include congestion, intestinal worms, indigestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, liver problems such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, kidney infections, urinary tract infections, prostate problems, and as a general detoxifier. Lastly, many people who take aloe internally report just feeling better overall, which is in and of itself something of a testament to its remarkable properties.

Commercially, aloe can be found in pills, sprays, ointments, lotions, liquids, drinks, jellies, and creams, to name a few of the thousands of products available. Unfortunately, the aloe industry is virtually unregulated, and some products that advertise aloe content actually have little to none.

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medicinal use of aloe vera

2009-02-27T22:41:00.000-08:00

Therefore, if you are embarking on a regimen with aloe, you should become an avid reader of ingredients. Look for the word aloe to appear near the top of the ingredient list first and foremost, then follow the guidelines below:

Sunburn treatments - 20% or more aloe content
Creams & Ointments - 20% or more aloe content
Juices - 95% or more aloe content
Beverages - 50% or more aloe content
Drinks - 10% or more aloe content
Capsules - 5-10% or more aloe content

As far as dosages are concerned, start small and work your way up to a therapeutic dose. Juices are a good way to start, and pills are probably the worst way to go with aloe. Aloe pulp is 95% water, and if you consider the process of drying this, then sticking it back together into a pill form, you can see why pills are probably not the best way to go. Also, give your regimen time to work. Sometimes it takes a couple of months for you to see the real effects of aloe treatments, so don't give up too soon.

Aloe is safe when used in moderation, but there are a few contraindications. If you have a heart problem and use any kind of digitalis medication, consult your doctor before using any aloe product internally, as the interaction may cause irregular heartbeat. Avoid aloe preparations if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or menstruating, as it can cause uterine contractions.

Nutritional Facts For Growing Tall - 5 Important Nutrients That Increase Your Height Revealed! (continued)

2009-02-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

2. Minerals - They help keep our bones and teeth stronger.

3. Calcium - This is another nutrient for growing tall, and it strengthens our bones and teeth. This can be found in soybeans, green vegetables, and dairy products.

4. Proteins - This will vary from person to person so make sure you base your protein intake from your age, size, and physical condition.

5. Iron - Lastly, iron is also needed for growing tall and it promotes having a good and younger skin.

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Nutritional Facts For Growing Tall - 5 Important Nutrients That Increase Your Height Revealed!

2009-02-23T11:49:00.001-08:00

Nutritional Facts For Growing Tall - 5 Important Nutrients That Increase Your Height Revealed! CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

7 foods to keep you young

2009-02-23T11:47:00.001-08:00

1)
Olive oil

Four decades ago, researchers from the Seven Countries Study concluded
that the monounsaturated fats in olive oil were largely responsible
for the low rates of heart disease and cancer on the Greek island of
Crete. Now we know that olive oil also contains polyphenols, powerful
antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases.

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Hallucination may be due to excessive coffee intake

2009-02-19T13:32:00.001-08:00

There are increasing evidences indicating that the amount of coffee one consumes may directly determine if one would end up with its adverse effects like nervousness, anxiety, headaches and heart palpitations. But the newest of these side effects of coffee that experts are warning against is hallucination

Are you the type that takes lots of caffeinated substances like coffee, tea and caffeinated energy drinks? Do you take coffee to keep awake at night? You may also have the habit of eating plenty kolanuts to keep you alert. Well, there may be a need to do this in moderation as experts are drawing attention to the possibility of excess caffeine intake leading to hallucination in some individuals.

Researchers from the Durham University are warning that people with a higher caffeine intake, say about seven cups of instant coffee a day, are more likely to report hallucinatory experiences such as hearing voices and seeing things that are not there. This is the latest in mounting evidence indicating the amount of caffeine a person consumes may directly affect a person’s health.

In the study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Medical Research Council, 200 students were asked about their typical intake of caffeine containing products, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks as well as chocolate bars and caffeine tablets. Their proneness to hallucinatory experiences and their stress levels were then assessed. Seeing things that were not there, hearing voices, and sensing the presence of dead people were among the experiences reported by some of the participants. ere as a result of the coffee.”

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7 foods to keep you young

2009-02-18T21:31:00.001-08:00

7)
Blueberries

In a landmark study published in 1999, researchers at Tufts
University's Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging fed
rats blueberry extract for a period of time that in "rat lives" is
equivalent to 10 human years. These rats outperformed rats fed regular
chow on tests of balance and coordination when they reached old age.
Compounds in blueberries (and other berries) mitigate inflammation and
oxidative damage, which are associated with age-related deficits in
memory and motor function.

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7 foods to keep you young

2009-02-18T21:30:00.001-08:00

6)Wine

Drinking alcohol in moderation protects against heart disease,
diabetes and age-related memory loss. Any kind of alcoholic beverage
seems to provide such benefits, but red wine has been the focus of
much of the research. Red wine contains resveratrol, a compound that
likely contributes to its benefits—and, according to animal studies,
may activate genes that slow cellular aging.

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7 foods to keep you young

2009-02-18T21:29:00.002-08:00

5)Nuts

Studies of Seventh-Day Adventists (a religious denomination that
emphasizes healthy living and a vegetarian diet) show that those who
eat nuts gain, on average, an extra two and a half years. Nuts are
rich sources of unsaturated fats, so they offer benefits similar to
those associated with olive oil. They're also concentrated sources of
vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, including antioxidants.

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7 foods to keep you young

2009-02-18T21:29:00.001-08:00

4)
Chocolate

The Kuna people of the San Blas islands, off the coast of Panama, have
a rate of heart disease that is nine times less than that of mainland
Panamanians. The likely reason? The Kuna drink plenty of a beverage
made with generous proportions of cocoa, which is unusually rich in
flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels.
Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers risk of high blood pressure,
type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.

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7 foods to keep you young

2009-02-18T21:28:00.003-08:00

3) Fish

Thirty years ago, researchers began to study why the native Inuits of
Alaska were remarkably free of heart disease. The reason, scientists
now think, is the extraordinary amount of fish they consume. Fish is
an abundant source of omega-3 fats, which help prevent cholesterol
buildup in arteries and protect against abnormal heart rhythms.

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7 foods to keep you young

2009-02-18T21:28:00.001-08:00

2)Yogurt

In the 1970s, Soviet Georgia was rumored to have more centenarians per
capita than any other country. Reports at the time claimed that the
secret of their long lives was yogurt, a food ubiquitous in their
diets. While the age-defying powers of yogurt never have been proved
directly, yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps stave off
osteoporosis. It also contains "good bacteria" that help maintain gut
health and diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness.

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Hallucination may be due to excessive coffee intake( PAGE 4)

2009-02-18T20:23:00.001-08:00

According to Dr. Lasebikan, there is a form of hallucination called hynagogic hallucination, which any normal person could experience when about to fall asleep if the individual consumes coffee or other stimulants that cause sleep disturbance. When an individual experiences this type of hallucination and continues to use coffee, it may progress to become full hallucination.

He explained that genetic factors modulate the way individuals tolerate stimulants like coffee and, as such, different people that drink coffee are bound to react differently.

Dr. Lasebikan described hallucination as one of the core symptoms of mental disorders, “Most mental disorders are recurrent and chronic Mental disorders are unique because overtime, the relations with time become fed up with endless giving of care. Of course, there are a few mental health personnel and this is further compounded by the fact that there is limited facility for psychiatric units within general hospitals to properly care for all mental problems. Above all, there is limited facility for the highly disturbed groups like the prisoners, refugees and the homeless that are mentally ill.

“Ideally homeless mentally ill persons are of great public health significance because they have double dose disadvantage of homelessness which is the cause of their mental disorder and the consequences of homelessness which include myriads of health problems, most importantly communicable diseases like hepatitis, guineaworm, river blindness, tuberculosis, cholera and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.

“This is the reason why care of homeless mentally ill is never within a general hospital setting because such a patient easily puts other patients that are in the hospital at risk of contracting such diseases form them too. In developed countries, they have designated centres for them where they undergo thorough public health scrutiny and then after they are cleared of some of these communicable diseases, they are then reabsorbed into the psychiatrist units within the general hospital.

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Hallucination may be due to excessive coffee intake (page 3 )

2009-02-18T20:22:00.000-08:00

The association between caffeine intake and hallucination-proneness in these students, Dr. Charles Fernyhough, a co-author of the study, said may mean that those students who were more prone to hallucinations used caffeine to help cope with their experiences.

Dr. Victor Lasebikan, a chief consultant psychiatrist, University college hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Describing caffeine as the most widely used brain altering substance, declared that it was known to produce adverse effects such as nervousness, irritability, anxiety, headaches and heart palpitations in its consumers.

While the use of coffee may not directly lead to hallucination, he said the fact that its use may lead to sleep deprivation may be the reason for the hallucination.

“When someone is deprived of sleep for a day or two, there may not be any serious problem, but when sleep deprivation lasts for above a week, one of the earliest adverse effects would be tiredness and irritability. In animals, things like hair loss and hallucination had been noticed.

“Basically, there are different types of coffee-decaffeinated, caffeinated and so on. The concentration of coffee is also dependent on its source. For instance, in Asian countries, you have coffee with very high caffeine content. However, the more concentrated the coffee one takes, the more the chances of it leading to hallucination.”

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Hallucination may be due to excessive coffee intake (page 2)

2009-02-18T20:21:00.000-08:00

The researchers, whose paper was published in the academic journal, Personality and Individual Differences, said their finding could be down to the fact that caffeine has been found to aggravate the physiological effects of stress.

They explained that more cortisol, a stress hormone, was released in response to stress when people have recently had caffeine.

Although caffeine found in coffee, tea and chocolate can cause heart palpitations, there is patchy evidence of its relationship to psychotic behaviour such as schizophrenia. Also, previous research has highlighted that a number of important factors, such as childhood trauma may lead to hallucinations. Many of these childhood events like abuse or bereavement are thought to be linked to hallucinations in part because of their impact on the body’s reaction to stress.

Lead author, Simon Jones, a PhD student at Durham University’s Psychology Department, explained that given the link between food and mood, and particularly between caffeine and the body’s response to stress.

“It may be that those who have hallucinations have high levels of worry and anxiety and that leads them to consume more caffeine,” Jones said.

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Hallucination may be due to excessive coffee intake

2009-02-18T20:20:00.000-08:00

Olive oil, eggs improves vision

2009-02-15T13:52:00.000-08:00

Olive oil, eggs improves vision

Regular intake of eggs and olive oil in your diet may be protective against macular degeneration associated with age or the damaging effects of chemicals in tobacco smoke, experts have suggested.

This potential benefit of olive oil to the eyes was proven in the laboratory using cells from the human retina, with mitochondria - the cell’s power stations. Its protective use was traced to a polyphenol in it, reported researchers in the Journal of Neurochemistry.

The researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, DSM Nutritional Products, and the University of California, Irvine, said the protective effects of olive oil was as potent as other antioxidants that work on the cells of the retina in the same way.They said the findings in the laboratory showed that the polyphenol content of olive oil is indicative that dietary administration of olive oil may be an effective measure in reducing and or preventing cigarette smoke-induced or age-related deterioration of the retinal pigment, such as age-associated macular degeneration (AMD).

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Olive oil, eggs improves vision (page2)

2009-02-15T13:45:00.000-08:00

AMD is a degenerative retinal disease that causes central vision loss and leaves only peripheral vision. Early detection is said to be a means of prevention so that treatment or rehabilitation can be undertaken early enough. However, links to diet have been emphasized. The many health benefits of olive oil is attributed to hydroxytyrosol, an antioxidant compound believed to play a significant role in the many health benefits attributed to olive oil. Previous research by a team from the University of Barcelona found that LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels might be reduced substantially after consuming just 25 millilitres of virgin olive oil daily for one week. Other studies have suggested that it could also protect against cancer.

A number of diet-based compounds concentrated in the retina may have the capacity to alter exogenous and endogenous defense and repair systems in response to oxidative stress and inflammation. The nutrients include lutein and zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, provitamin A carotenoids, vitamin A, retinol, alpha-tocopherol and vitamin C.

Supplementing with carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin was associated with a lower risk for age-related macular degeneration, according to another report. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in leafy green vegetables, corn, egg yolks, squash, broccoli and peas. The carotenoids are believed to reduce the risk of AMD by absorbing blue light that could damage the macula,(................................) by preventing free radicals from damaging eye cells and by strengthening eye cell membranes.

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Olive oil, eggs improves vision (page3)

2009-02-15T13:37:00.000-08:00

Published in the September issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, the research was undertaken as part of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) - a major clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute under the umbrella of the National Institutes of Health. The AREDS Research Group assessed 4,519 participants between the ages of 60 to 80 years when they enrolled in 1992 through 1998.

Just as the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-3 rich fish could reduce the risk of developing AMD by 40 per cent according to a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, so also increasing egg consumption to six eggs per week could be similarly effective. Eggs were effectively increasing the macular pigment optical density (MOPD) being a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthing, suggested two studies from the University of Massachusetts.

The studies that were both published in the October issue of the Journal of Nutrition., suggested that an egg a day could boost blood levels of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin and reduce the risk of AMD. In the first study, Elizabeth Goodrow and co-workers investigated the effects on eating one egg every day on blood concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in 33 men and women over the age of 60 in a randomized cross-over design.

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Olive oil, eggs improves vision (page4)

2009-02-15T13:21:00.000-08:00

The volunteers were fed one egg or an egg substitute for five weeks before crossing over to the other intervention. After five weeks of the one egg per day intervention, lutein and zeaxanthin blood content had increased by 26 and 38 per cent, respectively, compared to no-egg run-in without it affecting the blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and fats.

In the second study, Adam Wenzel and co-workers looked at the effect of a 12-week egg intervention on serum lutein and zeaxanthin levels, and the so-called macular pigment optical density (MOPD) in 24 women aged between 24 and 59. The women were randomly assigned to eat six eggs every week.

Unlike the other study, only zeaxanthin level, but not lutein, increased in those that had eggs, while MPOD increased in both egg intervention groups, a result that suggested that the egg diet offers an alternative method of protecting against potential AMD.

They said that though the aggregate concentration of carotenoid in one egg yolk may be modest relative to other sources, such as spinach, their bioavailability to the retina appears to be high. Even though researchers said the prevalence of the condition is likely to increase as the population ages but there is currently no known way of preventing the condition.

However, more and more research is focusing on potentially modifiable risk factors and nutrient-based approaches, most notably on the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.

2009-02-14T18:59:00.001-08:00

10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance

2009-02-14T18:57:00.000-08:00

Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries

Collagen is a natural protein in your skin and muscles that provides resiliency, shape and texture. Unfortunately, collagen production decreases with age— but you can fight back with dark fruit. "Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries are full of antioxidants, which decrease aging and disease by lowering inflammation. Antioxidants also increase collagen production and thicken the skin, making you look younger and healthier," says Julia Tatum Hunter, M.D., of Skin Fitness Plus in Beverly Hills. "Antioxidants also decrease [the severity of] rosacea." Blackberries, raspberries, plums, pomegranates, cranberries, Asian dragon fruit and kiwis also contain antioxidants.

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10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance (PAGE 10)

2009-02-14T13:06:00.000-08:00

10. Wild salmon with avocado and mango dressing

This is more than a delicious meal—it's an anti-aging feast! Stephen Sinatra, M.D., of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine says, "Wild Alaskan salmon has precious omega-3 essential fatty acids, which enhance blood flow. The pink/orange color of wild salmon is an anti-aging carotenoid called astaxanthin that protects cell membranes." Salmon also contains dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), which improves facial muscle tone and reduces wrinkles. Add avocado for its antioxidant properties and mango (for vitamin E and anti-inflammatory carotenoids) and you'll be sitting pretty after dinner!

10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance (PAGE 9)

2009-02-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

9. Almond or hemp "milk"

Almond milk is a nutritious dairy alternative because of its high levels of magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, vitamin E, selenium and calcium. Licensed medical esthetician Tina Seitz says, "Hemp milk is a delicious, nutty-tasting non-dairy beverage that provides essential balanced nutrition. It's a fantastic alternative to soymilk or dairy, and has a natural well-balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids to keep your mind sharp, your immune system strong and your skin glowing." Both almond and hemp milks are plant-based, and don't contain lactose. They offer high-quality protein that can give hair a radiant, healthy shine and helps keep skin soft.

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10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance (PAGE 8)

2009-02-14T13:04:00.000-08:00

8. Egg yolks, organ meats and whole-milk products

Dr. Chang says, "Vitamin A is especially important for skin repair, and decreased levels can lead to dry, flaky skin." Dr. Day adds that a lack of vitamin A may cause your skin to heal poorly and wrinkle easily. The main sources of this vitamin are foods from animals, such as liver, eggs and whole-milk dairy products. Some plants—carrots and broccoli, for example—supply beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A as needed. Apricots, nectarines, plums and cantaloupe are more great sources of beta-carotene.

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10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance (PAGE 7)

2009-02-14T13:02:00.000-08:00

7. Meat, cheese and lentils

It may take 10 pounds of milk to make a pound of cheese, but fortunately you don't need to eat that much dairy or protein to repair your cells. As you age, your hair and skin cells become damaged, making you appear older. The protein in meat, chicken, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese, and certain vegetables promotes cell growth and repair, which translates to younger-looking skin, fewer wrinkles, less hair loss and a glossy mane. To take a break from meat or dairy, try soybeans and lentils instead (they contain more protein than any other legume).

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10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance (PAGE 6)

2009-02-14T12:59:00.000-08:00

6. Sea vegetables

"Polluted cells can't function at their optimum level. When our cells are functioning optimally, not only do we have more energy—we look and feel great," says nutritionist Carol Wasserman. "Sea vegetables are one of our richest sources of minerals and phytochemicals." These veggies help detoxify, rebuild and nourish all the cells in our body. Unhealthy foods, stress and environmental pollutants cause cells to age prematurely, potentially leading to thinning hair and premature wrinkles. "Sea vegetables reverse this process," says Wasserman. "For example, spirulina is a 'detox powerhouse.' Hijiki, kelp, arame, wakame, and dulse also work wonders."

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10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance (PAGE 5)

2009-02-14T12:58:00.000-08:00

5. Crunchy vegetables

Fresh raw veggies are as good for your grin as they are for your skin! Celery, carrots, string beans and cauliflower contain cellulose, which helps scrub stains from your teeth—giving you a whiter, brighter smile. "Both the cellulose and the [other] fiber in these foods act as abrasives that clean and remove bacteria from teeth," says Mickey Bernstein, M.D., president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Crunchy veggies are especially effective for recent discolorations. If you've just consumed blueberries, coffee, mustard, red wine or cranberry juice, follow it up with fresh cucumber slices or an apple.

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10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance (PAGE 4)

2009-02-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

4. Oregano, thyme and parsley

"If you have puffy bags under your eyes in the morning, you are almost certainly consuming much more salt than you need," says Doris Day, M.D., author of Forget the Facelift: Turn Back the Clock with a Revolutionary Program for Ageless Skin (Avery, 2005). "Another problem is alcohol: It dehydrates you and can make your skin sag. The worst combination is alcohol and salt, which causes puffy dark circles under your eyes." Dr. Day recommends reducing your sodium intake to eliminate bloating. Instead of salt, season your meals with herbs and spices such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley and garlic.

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10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance (PAGE 3)

2009-02-14T12:55:00.000-08:00

3. Dandelion, turnip and mustard greens

"Foods that keep our livers cleansed of toxins, heavy metals and fats make our whole body function more efficiently," says Dr. Hunter. "This makes us happier, which affects how we look. Plus, a healthy liver brightens our eyes and tightens our skin." She recommends dense green foods such as broccoli, spinach and arugula—as well as turnip, mustard and dandelion greens. Eating these slightly bitter greens has been shown to lessen your sweet tooth. Hunter warns: "Simple and refined sugars, high-glycemic carbohydrates, and refined, manufactured foods age us." Excess sugar has been linked to a process called glycation, in which sugar molecules bond to protein molecules, which has been linked to sagging, wrinkled skin.

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10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance (PAGE 2)

2009-02-07T03:37:00.000-08:00

2. Shellfish, sunflower seeds and sardines

These foods may not taste great together, but individually they offer a powerhouse of essential fatty acids. Steven Chang, M.D., staff physician for RightHealth.com, says fatty acids nourish the skin, help maintain skin integrity and keep skin cells performing optimally. "Essential fatty acids, a component of all cell membranes in the body, regulate the flow of nutrients, waste materials, and water in and out of cells—which keeps you looking young." Flax seeds, tuna, walnuts, canola oil, soybean oil and pumpkin seeds are more good sources of essential fatty acids.

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2009-02-07T03:03:00.000-08:00

Many reasons you must take oranges

2009-01-25T08:29:00.001-08:00

Nature has endowed man with many fruits and vegetables including oranges. Its juice, which does not only help to quench thirst, but also to prevent several diseases such as asthma, cancer and hypertension,

Orange juice has wide appeal since it is consumed by individuals of all ages, from early childhood to old age. Moreover, for individuals who want to live a healthy life, this may provide a healthy and attractive alternative. “Nature has endowed man with many fruits and vegetables including oranges. However, for this seasonal fruit, which many take to quench their thirst, it sounds unfortunate that a great number of its health benefits are unknown to many. Several studies have highlighted them and they include the following:

Osteoporosis
Drinking more orange or grapefruit juice may reduce bone loss and decrease the risk of osteoporosis in later life. A Texas study that looked at the effects of orange and grapefruit juice on 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats who had their testes removed (orchidectomised), reported that being a rich source of flavonoids and limonoids, it could potentially improve bone health.

The 2006 study, published in the May issue of the journal Nutrition looked at the effects of orange and grapefruit juice on 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats who had their testes removed (orchidectomised).

At the end of the study, the researchers found that the femoral (hipbone) strength of the orange juice group increased by 6.3 per cent compared to the castrated, unsupplemented group, and had a 9.5 per cent reduction in femoral fracture rate.
Supplementation with grapefruit juice increased hip bone strength by 3.7 per cent and reduced the fracture rate by 6.8 per cent, compared to the castrated, unsupplemented group.

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Many reasons you must take oranges (page 6 )

2009-01-25T08:21:00.000-08:00

Asthma

In 2006, Cambridge researchers supporting a growing body of science that has linked antioxidant intake, particularly vitamins C and E, to the incidence of asthma, reported that moderate consumption (between 0.7 and 46.2 grams per day) of citrus fruits decreased the risk of asthma by 12 per cent. High consumption (46.3 grams per day or more) decreased the risk by 41 per cent.

The study, published in the journal Thorax, said also that apples consumption also reported a significant effect on the risk of asthma by 32 per cent. The mechanism behind the protective effects of vitamin C and manganese appears to be due to their antioxidant nature.

Diabetes

The citrus peel extracts, polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs), have beneficial effects on reducing insulin resistance in hamsters, suggesting the extract might also help prevent diabetes in humans. In 2006, the study, published in the journal Life Sciences, provides novel evidence that PMF reverse hypertriglyceridimia and restores insulin sensitivity,” said researchers from the University of Hawaii, in collaboration with KGK Synergize, a Canadian nutraceutical company.

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Many reasons you must take oranges (page5)

2009-01-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

Lowers blood cholesterol level

Citrus peel can be an alternative to standard drugs blood cholesterol lowering drugs. Though citrus peel may not be very appetising, research suggests it could be very good for you. US scientists fattened up hamsters on a high-cholesterol diet, and then fed them compounds found in tangerine and orange peel.

The compounds, known as polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs), are antioxidants that belong to a group of plant chemicals called flavonoids. Flavonoids exist in a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as tea and red wine.

They found the compounds significantly lowered the animals’ levels of LDL cholesterol - which is associated with heart disease. Lowering cholesterol is a well-accepted means of reducing the likelihood of heart disease. The study was published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry and the expert believe that super-flavonoids have the potential to rival or even beat the cholesterol-lowering effect of some prescription drugs.

The study’s lead researcher Dr Elzbieta Kurowska, of the Canadian company KGK Synergize, said citrus juice contains PMFs. Peel, on the other hand, contains 20 times the level.

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Many reasons you must take oranges (page4)

2009-01-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

Lowers blood pressure

A study from Cleveland Clinic Heart Centre that looked at the effects of orange juice on blood pressure discovered that orange juice can reduce blood pressure.

In conducting his research, Dr. Dennis Sprecher from the department of cardiovascular medicine of the heart centre followed information gathered from the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) research, which showed a diet rich in fruits and vegetables could lower the rates for hypertension and stroke by 11 percent and 16.5 per cent, respectively. He asked 24 adult volunteers with borderline hypertension to drink two 8-ounce glasses of one of the following orange juice preparations each day for eight weeks.

The study’s finding was that as the 24 subjects progressed from a simple, unfortified orange drink, through orange juice prepared from concentrate, to whole juice fortified with vitamin C and potassium, the amount of blood vessel relaxation and drop in blood pressure became more significant.

The findings showed a reduction of up to 10 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) in systolic pressure, measured while the heart contracts, and a 3 to 4 mmHg drop in diastolic pressure, measured during the heart’s relaxation phase.

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Many reasons you must take oranges (page3)

2009-01-25T08:09:00.000-08:00

Keep cancers away

Australian researchers found that eating an orange a day could keep certain cancers away. The government’s key research group, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), found consuming citrus fruits could reduce the risk of mouth, larynx and stomach cancers by up to 50 per cent.

One extra serve of citrus a day — on top of the recommended five daily servings of fruit and vegetables — could also reduce the risk of a stroke by 19 percent.
“Citrus fruits protect the body through their antioxidant properties and by strengthening the immune system, slowing down cancer growth and normalizing cancer cells,” CSIRO researcher Katrine Baghurst said in a statement.

Orange juice and cancer do not mix. In fact, the popular citrus drink could become a cocktail to prevent or stop the deadly disease in humans. Its pigments that give colour and taste to fruit work against cancer in any of three ways: prevent it from forming, slow the growth of existing cancer, or kill cancer cells.

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Many reasons you must take oranges (page2)

2009-01-25T08:04:00.000-08:00

Fight diseases
Orange juice is a healthy drink that helps fight diseases such as diabetes and heart disease due to the presence of flavonoids. One of such is naringenin, which is able to slow down effects of oxidative species up to 77 per cent

The study that involved 32 healthy participants between the ages of 20 and 40 and carried out by the University of Buffalo in the US in 2007, examined flavonoids present in orange juice the way that they suppress oxygen free radicals, also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS).

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a natural process in the human body. Under normal condition, a balance exists between the body’s anti-oxidant defences and these ROS. However, factors such as aging, smoking, pollution, exposure to sunlight, and high intensity exercise disturb this balance in favour of ROS and results in oxidative stress - a process linked with an increased risk of chronic disease.

Paresh Dandona, the study’s senior author, stated that “obesity, being overweight and type 2 diabetes are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation”. It was interesting to note that there was no increase in ROS or inflammation following orange juice consumption, even though its glucose concentration was the same as in participants in the glucose group .

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Many reasons you must take oranges

2009-01-25T07:44:00.000-08:00

How much salt is safe?

2009-01-16T21:52:00.001-08:00

How much salt is safe?
Salt consumption appears to be a mystery that medical experts have been trying to unravel, especially how much of it that the human body can accommodate
Salt makes food taste good and when people enjoy their meal, they may end up eating more and so get fatter, develop such health problems like hypertension, diabetes and other diet –related diseases.

The logic behind the belief that everyone, be it young or old, should reduce their salt intake as an important part of “healthy’ eating is based on this premix that even lowering their salt intake will prevent high blood pressure and heart disease.

Nevertheless, salt is another food ingredient where the science and the voices of medical experts have had a hard time breaking through myths, fears and pop ideologies. The latest, according to investigators from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University on the subject, said contrary to long-held assumptions, high-salt diets may not increase the risk of death.

The researchers analysed data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), which was conducted by the Federal Government among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. These data were compared against death records that had been collected by the government through the year 2000.

Dr. Hillel W. Cohen, lead author of the study and associate professor of epidemiology and population health at Einstein, said after taking into consideration known cardiovasular disease risk factors, such as smoking, diabetes and blood pressure, “Our findings suggest that for the general adult population, higher sodium is very unlikely to be independently associated with higher risk of death from cardiovasular disease or all other causes of death.”

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How much salt is safe? (page2)

2009-01-16T21:51:00.002-08:00

But a previous study in 1997, Dr. Matthew R. Weir, a University of Maryland School of Medicine researcher in Baltimore, stressed the importance of dietary salt restriction for people of all races that have high blood pressure. According to the result of a clinical trial, lowering salt intake help ensure that hypertension medications work better in many races -African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Caucasians, so support salt intake control for protection against hypertension.

What does the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines on what should be a healthy level of salt in our daily diet say? WHO technical report on primary prevention of essential hypertension and the joint WHO/FAO report on diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases state that the intake goal for salt should be less than 5 grams a day.

DASH diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, and low fat dairy foods and low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol and it stands for “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension”, a multi-centre 14-week feeding study.

For the usual diet, reducing sodium intake from higher to lower levels decreased systolic blood pressure by an average of 6.7 mm Hg and diastolic by an average of 3.5mm Hg.
In another National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)-supported clinical study, the lower the amount of sodium in the diet, the lower the blood pressure, for both those with and without hypertension. In fact, the greatest blood pressure reduction occurred with the “DASH diet”, at the lowest intake of dietary sodium.
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How much salt is safe? (page3)

2009-01-16T21:51:00.001-08:00

The biggest misconception about sodium intake is that many people think that, by removing the saltshaker from the dinner table, they are not eating salt. However, what is not known is that as much as 80 per cent of dietary sodium comes from eating out and from packaged and processed foods since salt is used for taste, to preserve foods, and provide texture. About 12 per cent of the sodium in our diets comes from adding salt and sodium-containing condiments to what we cook and eat. Even some drugs, for example, antacids, have high amount of sodium.

According to Dr. Salako, studies have corroborated that black people that reduce their salt intake by between 25 and 35 per cent could reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 25 per cent and lower their mortality rates by 20 per cent.

So, what is the best way to reduce your salt intake? Identifying products that are high in salt is a good place to start. For the record, table salt is sodium chloride and is 40 per cent sodium by weight. One problem in finding salt content is that excessive amounts are present in many products generally considered healthy.

He explained that excessive salt intake increases risk of a raised blood pressure because what the salt in the body does is to attract water and increase the blood volume, thus making the heart do more work to pump blood round the body.

“The consequences of too much salt are hypertension, or high blood pressure, which increases the risk of a stroke or heart attack,” says Dr. Babatunde Salako, a consultant physician at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. According to him, people may not be able to do anything about such risk factors as age, sex or even having heredity for hypertension. Other risk factors like high salt intake, obesity and sedentary lifestyle are all modifiable factors that people can work up to reduce their chances of having hypertension and the other diet related diseases that are able to reduce lifespan.

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How much salt is safe? (page4)

2009-01-16T21:50:00.001-08:00

Meanwhile, experts have pointed out that with age and the presence of chronic illnesses, the body may not process sodium the way it once did and so for some people, that can result in hyponatremia—low blood sodium. Other contributing factors are pain medications, antidepressants, and diuretics, as well as an under active thyroid, heart or kidney failure, cirrhosis and dehydration. The symptoms of hyponatremia include nausea, headaches, confusion, lethargy, and loss of consciousness. If low blood sodium is found through medical tests, such may be advised to temporarily reduce fluid intake while the underlining problem for the condition is treated.

But Dr. Salako emphasised that people be careful of eating junk foods, plenty of organ meat, increase their intake of fruits and vegetables and avoid adding salt to homemade dishes. Rather than use salt to enhance taste, use more of spices and herbs instead.

Reducing sodium benefits blood pressure whatever your eating plan, but for a true winning combination, follow the DASH diet and lower your intake of sodium.”
Individuals with normal blood pressure can continue to consume salt, but in moderation. They should, howeever, keep in mind that it is the entire salt content in the dietary portfolio that matters most.

However, he said in many developing countries, the routine annual medical checkups which include evaluation of blood pressure check and urine analysis to help pick chronic conditions early enough to ensure better treatment outcomes. “This is of importance because hypertension is usually without any symptom, except where there had been damages in some organs like eye, kidney and heart. It remains one of the reasons that many people in developing country develop kidney failure and diabetes. “

Other measures that need to be taken in the community are lifestyle modifications such as reduced alcohol and caffeine intake, increased consumption of foods rich in potassium such as Watermelon, increase in physical exercises, weight reduction and proper control of stress.

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Preventing wounds from tetanus infestation

2009-01-14T13:39:00.000-08:00

Preventing wounds from tetanus infestation

Whenever the skin is broken, there is always the possibility of infection, the greatest danger being from tetanus. Unknown to many, these dangerous germs are everywhere, even inside our rooms. However, there are steps to take to prevent tetanus and other germs from infesting our wounds.

NO matter how careful we are, we cannot claim to be totally immuned from injury or accident. However, if we sustain injury or get involved in an accident and there is a deep cut with excessive bleeding, effort should be made to bring the bleeding under control as soon as possible.

If the bleeding is only slight, it should also be brought under control because failure to do this can lead to complication as the wound can serve as an entry point for tetanus infestation. But medical practitioner like Dr. Clifford R., Anderson, in one of his numerous reports stated that it may be well to let the wound bleed a little in order to help wash out any germs that may be present.

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Preventing wounds from tetanus infestation (page 2)

2009-01-14T13:11:00.000-08:00

He also reported that whenever there is a wound that leads to bleeding, the first thing to do is to remove all the near-by clothing to allow for proper application of treatment which should not be delayed. For example, the doctor advises that if there is a wound accompanied with a heavy bleeding, a thick pad of sterile gauze, or a clean handkerchief should be tied or wound over the bleeding spot, or bandage firmly. But for small wounds, such as cut or scratches, it advisable to clean the area thoroughly with soap and warm water first before applying any suitable disinfectant. After that, the wound can then be covered with a sterile gauze dressing and bandage carefully.

However, there are four main types of wounds, with each requiring different types of treatment.

• Incised wounds is another type of wound that should’nt be handled carelessly. These are deep cuts that could result from knife cut, broken glass, or razor blade cut. The wound bleeds freely because many blood vessels in the skin are usually affected or cut in the process. Some may be deep that would requires a few stitches to stop the bleeding. Once this happened, the first thing to do is to bandage the area firmly and take the injured person to hospital immediately. Do not try to treat this type of wound yourself, especially if the wound or the cut is large or deep.

• Laceration is another type of wound which can be caused by a blunt, sharp instrument, or by explosion. It could also happen if one falls against sharp edges. This types of wound can be dangerous if handled with kid gloves. The reason is that it can easily be infested with tetanus or other dangerous germs because dirts and germs are often grounded into the wound. “Although bleeding could be less severe, but there is more danger of infestation of micro-organisms if not well treated,” says Dr. Wale Oguntuase.

• Abrasions are caused by scraping of the skin, and these types of wounds are sustained when one falls down on a street. These are also called “brush burn” injuries and are always badly infected. However, when this happened, the best thing to do first is to clean the spot of the wound with soap and warm water, in order to remove all the dirt on the surface. After that, the injured spot can be covered with a sterile dressing or bandage carefully. Doing this according to doctors would to relive both pain and shock.

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Preventing wounds from tetanus infestation (page 3)

2009-01-14T13:10:00.000-08:00

Moreover, one important fact that should always be at the back of our mind when treating wounds is that wounds can easily be infested with dangerous germs and tetanus . The fear of tetanus or what is referred to as lock jaw in the medical should be the beginning of wisdom for us. To prevent tetanus infestation of wounds, Dr. Wale Oguntuase advised that no wound should be handled with kid gloves as wounds either slight or serious are all prone to tetanus infestation.

• Puncture wounds and stabs are another types of wound that could result or caused by narrow, pointed instruments, such as nails, thorns, needles, scissors, blades, bullets, arrows and other similar sharp or pointed objects or instrument. Puncture wounds going by the report credited to Dr. Clifford. R. Anderson do not bleed freely, unless a large blood vessels are affected. This statement was also corroborated by Dr. Oguntuase.

Accoring to him, “the problem with this type of wound is that germs may lodge in it and painful abscesses may also form in it. He however advised that this type of wounds should be cleansed properly as much as possible, by rubbing antiseptic/methylated spirit or other cleansing lotion meant for wound tratment/dreassing over the surrounded area. Apply a firm pressure bandage and immediately carry the patient to hospital without any delay.

The doctor also advised that such type of wounds should be treated in hospitals or clinics and not in any patent medicine shops, or even at home as it is the habit of many people. The reason given is that much tissues are often involved, which can only be properly treated under hygienic, suitable anaesthesia. Incised wound sometimes may have to be thoroughly cleansed and treated under the supervision of a medical practioner.

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Preventing wounds from tetanus infestation (page 4)

2009-01-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

This particular germs (tetanus) the doctor affirmed as well as other dangerous germs are found in the air, and could also be found in animal manure, street dirt, as well as in human waste. For this reason, both children and adults should be fully protected against tetanus. On the best way to protect ourselves against tetanus, the doctor stated that infants and young children should be immunized and vaccinated against tetanus and other communicable diseases. Vaccination, he said, offers protection against communicable childhood diseases and a combination of injections known as DPT - polio is available for children to protect them against diseases like diphtheria, pertussis (woophing cough), polio and tetanus.

He also counselled parents to always treat open and deep wounds with appropriate drugs as may be prescribed by medical practioners. This is because children usually plays on dirty floor or with dirty or ungygienic materials or objects, which offen harbour tetanus germs and other dangerous micro organisms. Therefore, all of us should be fully protected against tetanus. This we can do by receiving tetanus toxoid injections before any injury or accident ever occurs.

Adults should also not joke with tetanus toxoid injections, especially if you are the type that travels a lot or work in animal farms or zoological gardens. So a wise person will protect him or herself against tetanus now and not wait until one sustain injury or have an accident.

Dr. Oguntuase also cautioned those who are in the habit of treating wound by themselves, especially with drugs like tetracycline, chloramphenicol and other unprescribed antibiotics to desist from such dangerous habit, adding that, those anbibiotics are not meant for wound treatments. They are to be taken orally and not for topical use. Even are to be used, it should be with doctor’s prescription. Taking antibiotic without prescription is what is called misuse of drugs and this is very dangerous.

Also those who apply herbal drugs to open wounds should be careful and be wary of tetanus. There are drugs meant for wounds treatment, so using any type of drugs, either orthodox or natural without consulting a medical practitioner may be a direct invitation to tetanus and other dangerous micro organisms into wounds. Therefore, medical help should always be sought in treating serious injury especially deep cut or wounds, Dr. Oguntuase concluded.

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Best herbs for diabetes

2009-01-12T13:18:00.000-08:00

Garlic Diabetes is an ailment afflicting many from various walks of life in different countries. Though there are various approaches to reduce the ill effects of diabetes and its secondary complications, herbal formulations are preferred due to lesser side effects and low cost. Meanwhile, many medicinal plants have shown some promise in lowering blood sugar, boosting insulin sensitivity, reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol, and more.

BITTER MELON

Bitter Melon
The aptly named bitter melon is thought to help cells use glucose more effectively and block sugar absorption in the intestine. When Philippine researchers had men and women take bitter melon in capsule form for three months, they had slight, but consistently, lower blood sugar than those taking a placebo.

PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS

Prickly Pear Cactus
The ripe fruit of this cactus was shown in some small studies to lower blood sugar level. Researchers speculate that the fruit may possibly lower blood sugar because it contains components that work similarly to insulin. The fruit is also high in fiber.

GINSENG

Ginseng
Known for its immune-boosting and disease-fighting benefits, this Chinese herb has several positive effects on diabetes. Researchers have found that ginseng slows carbohydrate absorption; increases cells’ ability to use glucose; and increases insulin secretion from the pancreas. A team from the University of Toronto equally demonstrated that ginseng capsules lower blood glucose 15 to 20 per cent compared to placebo pills.

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Best herbs for diabetes (page 2)

2009-01-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

ONION

Onion
Onion has significant blood sugar lowering action. The principal active ingredients are believed to be allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and diallyl disulphide oxide (allicin), although other constituents, such as flavonoids may play a role as well. There are evidences also suggesting that onion lowers glucose level by competing with insulin for insulin-inactivating sites in the liver. This results in an increase of free insulin. Even at low amounts used in the diet, it is still beneficial. The effects were similar in both raw and boiled onion extracts.

BREADFRUIT

Breadfruit
The slightly yellow leaves of breadfruit are used to reduce high blood pressure, asthma and control diabetes. It was alleged that there is actually a risk of lowering blood pressure too much if the dosage is too strong. A group of researchers, including Drs. J.O Moody and O.O Oyelola, from the University of Ibadan, tried this out and found that the organic extract of the bark of the plant had the highest potentials of reducing blood sugar level. This gave a significant reduction in blood sugar level (69.4 per cent at 240 hours), which was in comparable in range with reference standard diabetes drug (65.8 per cent reduction at 0.5mg/kg dose level).

GARLIC

Garlic
Allicin, a sulfur-containing compound found in garlic is responsible for its pungent odour and it has been shown to have significant ability to lower blood sugar level. This effect is thought to be due to increased hepatic metabolism, increased insulin release from pancreatic beta cells and/or insulin sparing effect according to a 1980 edition of the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. Garlic administered orally to sucrose fed rabbits significantly increased absorption of glucose from the blood and free amino acid content, decreased fasting blood glucose, and cholesterol levels in blood in comparison.

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Best herbs for diabetes (page 3)

2009-01-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

ALOE VERA

Aloe vera
Aloe, a popular houseplant, has a long history as a multipurpose folk remedy. The plant can be separated into two basic products: gel and latex. Aloe vera gel is the leaf pulp or mucilage. Aloe latex, commonly referred to as “aloe juice,” is a bitter yellow exudate from the outer skin of the leaves. Extracts of aloe gum researchers found to effectively increase glucose tolerance in both normal and diabetic rats. Its action was through stimulation of production and release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. This plant’s gel also improves wound healing in diabetic mice, a study in the 1989 edition of the Journal American Pediatric Medical Association said.

NEEM

Neem
Extracts of this plant showed ability to reduce blood sugar level in streptozotocin treated rats and this effect is because of increase in glucose uptake and glycogen deposition in rat. Apart from having anti -diabetic activity, this plant also protects against malaria and helps in regulating fertility.

MANGO

Mango
The leaves of this plant are used in the treatment of diabetes in Nigerian folk medicine, although when aqueous extract was given orally, it did not alter blood glucose level in either rats with normal blood sugar levels or those with induced diabetes. However, its sugar lowering effect on the blood was seen when the extract and glucose were administered simultaneously and also when the extract was given to the rats 60 minutes before the glucose according to researchers in the 1999 edition of the journal, Phytotherapy Research. This may be due to an intestinal reduction of the absorption of glucose.

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Best herbs for diabetes (page 4)

2009-01-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

HOLY BASIL
Holy basil
Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) is known for its medicinal properties. The aqueous extract of its leaves significantly reduced blood sugar level in both normal and induced diabetic rats. Similarly there was a reduction in fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and total lipid. Oral administration of plant extract (200 mg/kg) for 30 days led to decrease in the blood glucose level by approximately 9.06 and 26.4 per cent on 15 and 30 days of the experiment respectively.

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Protect your sight with palm wine, vegetables

2009-01-10T13:31:00.000-08:00

Protect your sight with palm wine, vegetables
YOU must have probably been overfed with the news that fruits and vegetables are good for your health. You must have also heard that we need to eat fruits and vegetables regularly to prevent diseases like stomach diseases, breast and colon cancer. But are you sure you have heard that certain green leafy vegetables prevent eye diseases? Although you may be familiar with the report that carrot is good for the eyes so also are formulated drugs or supplements containing yeast, but have you ever wondered what is in palm wine that make people say its consumption boost of sight?

For your information, it is not totally bad to drink palm wine provided you are not drinking the “chemicalised” type — that is, palm wine whose taste has been enhanced with artificial sweeteners like sarcarine. Some eye doctors and optometrists say as yeast is good for the eyes, likewise palm wine helps in enhancing sight, but with a word of caution: Fermented palm wine should not be taken as it contains high quantity of alcohol which is injurious to organs of the body like liver, kidney and eyes.

Unfermented palm wine it was reported, contains good amount of yeast, though there are other formulated yeast tablets. It is also beneficial to the body as well. Other precautionary measures that must be observed when considering drinking palm wine to enhance the sight is that it must not be the adulterated type. However, to prevent cataract and other eye diseases like macular degeneration, green leafy vegetables are the sure bet. Vegetables, it should be emphasized are not only associated with lower risk of colon and stomach cancers, some of them are exceptionally good for preventing cataract.

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Protect your sight with palm wine, vegetables( page 2)

2009-01-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

As we age, our eyes also age and are prone to some ailments and diseases and the older lens would no longer have the ability to adjust as accurately as we would wish at different distances. Not only that, older eye pupils would no longer dilates as much as possible to let light reach the retina. For instance, an 80-year-old retina cannot perform as a 20year old retina in a well-illuminated room. This is because an 80-year-old retina receives one-sixth of the light of a 20-year-old retina in a well-illuminated room and one-sixteenth as much light in a darker room.

Also, as we advance in age, the eye is also become more vulnerable to cataract(clouded lens) and macular degeneration (which means the deterioration of the centre of the retina, or macula). Cataract is more often seen in older people, but may also occur at any time of life. For those who do not know what cataract means, it is a cloudy, opaque area in the lens of the eye, arising form thickening of the protein substances within the lens itself. Cataract that interferes with normal vision can be removed surgically depending on doctor’s advice.

However, to prevent us from developing cataract in old age and guard against other eye diseases such as macular degeneration and astigmatism as well as inconveniences of using eye glasses, it is advisable we start to make certain green leafy vegetables necessary part of our diet. It has been confirmed by scientists and natural medicine doctors that regular eating of green leaf vegetables like ugwu, amaranthus, spinach and lettuce is good for the eye. They are jam-packed with vitamins A, C, and K, folate, magnesium, potassium, iron, lutein, and phytochemicals that prevent macular degeneration and cataract, the leading causes of blindness in people over the age of 60 worldwide.

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Protect your sight with palm wine, vegetables( page 3)

2009-01-10T13:17:00.000-08:00

Leafy green vegetables contain two important natural carotenoid pigments called lutein and zeaxanthin — which have been identified by scientists to help in protecting the lens and retina of the eye. These pigments concentrate in the eyes when leafy vegetables are eaten regularly. Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in large quantity in the eye lens than in the macular, thus creating a barrier against developing cataract particularly. You may also ask: How do these pigments (lutein and zeaxanthin) found in high quantity in green leafy vegetables does protect from cataract?

Dr. Kayode Oriyelu the director of BSN Naturalist Care and the duo of Dr. Nurudeen Animasaun and Femi Adekunle unanimously agreed that in both the lens and the retina of the eyes, lutein and zeaxanthin act as antioxidant that scavenge marauding oxygen molecules called free radicals. These two pigments in the retina also act as a filter that absorbs short wavelength or blue-light, which may be toxic to the retina and harm other eye’s sensitive tissues, leading to its damage. Green leafy vegetables are also rich in micronutrients that can protect the eyes from other eye infections.

previous page

Permanent cure to premature ejaculation

2009-01-04T01:01:00.000-08:00

WHAT IS PREMATURE EJACULATION?
Premature ejaculation (PE), also known as rapid ejaculation, rapid climax, premature climax or early ejaculation is the most common sexual problem in men, affecting 25%-40% of men. It is characterized by a lack of voluntary control over ejaculation.

Masters and Johnson stated that a man suffers from premature ejaculation if he ejaculates before his sex partner achieves orgasm in more than fifty percent of their sexual encounters. Other sex researchers have defined premature ejaculation as occurring if the man ejaculates within two minutes of penetration; however, a survey by Alfred Kinsey in the 1950s demonstrated that three quarters of men ejaculate within two minutes of penetration in over half of their sexual encounters.[citation needed] Today, most sex therapists understand premature ejaculation as occurring when a lack of ejaculatory control interferes with sexual or emotional well-being in one or both partners.

IS THERE ANY CURE FOR PREMATURE EJACULATION?
Premature ejaculation is a cruel impediment that has ruined thousands of men's sex lives. Men suffering from premature ejaculation (PE) either ejaculate before or shortly after sexual penetration, with minimal sexual stimulation. This can lead to dissatisfaction with sex, stress in the relationship, and feelings of shame or anxiety for both partners. Premature ejaculation is one of the most common forms of male sexual dysfunctions, and has probably affected every man at some point in his life. The elemental force of fear associated with PE makes this condition vicious and distressful in a man's life. But thank God scientists have now found a means of curing this. You don’t need to purchase any drug or pay for any treatment. All u need to do is follow this simple steps and behold you are free

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Permanent cure to premature ejaculation (page 2)

2009-01-04T00:59:00.000-08:00

QUESTION.
I want some opinions. My husband and I love each other very much but our sex life (on my end) leaves much to be desired. He has no problems getting an erection but when we start he can't last longer than literally a minute and then it is over. I haven't even heated up in that amount of time and BAM it's over. So what can we do to get him to last longer? (Brenna)

ANSWER AND HEALTH SOLUTION TO PREMATURE EJACULTION

Well, Brenna, it sounds like your hubby has a simple case of premature ejaculation... pretty common to young guys--how well I know (frown). I dealt with this for awhile with my fiancee. I tried to find out everything I could about this and discovered that some guys just need to learn how to handle the warm, moist sensation of penile containment that we provide.

Many of them can't handle that initially which causes them to exlode inside of us almost as soon as they arrive. I once read it's partially an anthropological response to ensure they leave their seed in the event something interrupts the act before it is completed. I don't know if there is anything to that or if it's just some PhD nonsense, but the article referenced the sexual endurance of several male mamals and it was incredibly short. Point is, that for whatever reason, guys have to be guided.

You'll need to have more foreplay beforehand and don't let him inside you too soon! And when you think he's ready, have him enter slowly,

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Permanent cure to premature ejaculation (page 3)

2009-01-04T00:56:00.000-08:00

only a little bit at a time. In fact, a sideways position is preferable because you can communicate easier and he is less likely to spill his luv juices than if he is on top. You being on top is also very helpful as it allows you to set the pace and move in a way that feels better for you. When he's fully inserted make him rest inside you--NO thrusting! After awhile you can let him move slowly. With your support and patience he'll develop the staying power he needs to make sex more of a complete experience for both of you. For us it took a couple of months, but I'm convinced it made us closer, less inhibited, and more of a team than if we had been able to go at it from the beginning like a couple of rabbits.

Have fun teaching him!

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how to keep your memory sharp always

2008-12-26T02:43:00.001-08:00

As you are growing older, there is a question that has consumed your thougths, and you can bet that all those in your age brackets have the same question in thier minds too. so, what do you do to stop memory loss due to aging.?

The hippocampus, a part of the brain where information is stored temporarily before beign transfered to the cerebral cortex, is involved age-related memory problem. chronic stress in addition to age harm can harm this part of the brain via the realease of high levels of hormone cotisol from the adrenal gland. Cotisol is directly to toxic to neurons. It actually destroys hippocampus cells resulting in loss of the ability to voluntarily recall previously learned infomation.

There have been tests and scientific trials about how one can best maintain memory and prevent the loss of thier cognitive skills. While the result of this tests may not be all that encompassing, few items have been consistently observed for the roles they play in boosting or bringing about the deterioration of your brain. Puting these items into your daily habits can prevent memory loss from happening to you.

The secret of memory improvement may be some thing you already know is good for you, Stop searching for that secret suppliment magic pill that promises memory improvement as you age. Studies show that one of the best thing you can do for your memory improvement is physical exercise. In case you need one more reason to get off the cough , reseachers have found that exeercise can increase your brain power.

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Interrupted night sleep worsens ability to remember information

2008-12-26T02:36:00.001-08:00

Having one’s sleep interrupted sometimes may not be preventable. However, care must be exercised considering the fact that interruption of sleep may affect the brain functions in several ways, including one’s cognitive functions.

For many people, waking them from sleep to attend to any issue is something they do not like. Some say this makes them develop headache, others say that they later find it difficult to go back to sleep. Some mothers too will rather not wake their children up for a late night dinner because it might mean their inability to fall asleep immediately.

Sleep interruption sometimes may not be preventable. However, this is an act in which care must be exercised, considering that interruption of sleep may affect the brain functions in several ways, contribute to development of diseases that affect important organs of the body such as the brain, heart and reduce one’s life span. It also can affect one’s cognitive function.

Cognition function refers to a range of high-level brain functions, including the ability to learn and remember information: organise, plan and problem-solve; focus, maintain and shift attention as necessary; understand and use language; accurately perceive the environment and perform calculations.

The human body works, according to a natural 24-hour sleep-wake cycle referred to as a circadian rhythm, which controls body temperature, sleep/wake timing, and the way our organs and body systems work together. Past research has shown that irregular sleep patterns and shift work take a toll on even the healthiest person over an extended period of time.

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Interrupted night sleep worsens ability to remember information (page 2)

2008-12-26T02:29:00.000-08:00

Experts have linked disruption of an individual’s natural sleep-wake cycle with reduced longevity and demonstrated it can actually cause heart and kidney disease when internal biological clocks in hamsters are out of sync with external rhythm regulators (i.e. light/dark); the heart becomes damaged and enlarged (cardiomyopathy) and the kidney tubules sustain significant scarring.

In 2007, researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Centre (SFVAMC) attributed cognitive decline in elderly women to interrupted or fitful sleep when they were younger, in a study that appeared in the July issue of Neurology. Though they said it is not how long they sleep but how well, they speculated that the first and most likely reason is that whatever neurodegenerative condition such as Alzheimer’s disease, is starting to cause cognitive decline, may also affect areas of the brain that govern sleep.

While factors entirely, such as brain inflammation or genetic changes, might cause both cognitive decline and sleep disturbance at the same time, but the fact that when you are woken up from sleep in the middle of the night, it may leave you thinking less clearly, has great implications. This is very applicable to many categories of people, including medical doctors on call, emergency personnel and even parents. According to the expert in a study, published in the August issue of the Journal of Biological Rhythms, sleep inertia, the period of grogginess and impaired cognitive performance experienced upon awakening, was nearly four times stronger when people were awoken during the middle of their “biological night” (a period of normal night of sleep) compared to their biological day.

The feeling was almost twice as strong during the person’s biological morning, the wake-up period following a normal night of sleep. People also showed the least thinking impairment after awakening during the middle of the biological day. The lead author, Frank A.J.L. Scheer, a neuroscientist in Brigham and Women’s Hospital Division of Sleep Medicine, in a release from the hospital declared also that, “This is especially important, considering that already following awakening during the morning, the cognitive impairment can be more detrimental than staying awake all night. This has been shown to be comparable to the effects of alcoholic

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Interrupted night sleep worsens ability to remember information (page 3)

2008-12-26T02:16:00.000-08:00

Cerebral oxygen concentration than children with just snoring, said the study published in the first issue for November of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Similarly, the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain may play a role in the relationship between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB such as snoring) and cognitive problems in children some experts also submitted in an American Thoracic Society news release. Dr. Raouf Amin, a professor of paediatrics and director of the division of pulmonary medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, said in the news release that a history of snoring is a predictor for cognitive deficit in children with SDB. “However, the frequency of snoring(apnea) events during sleep does not predict cognitive deficit and does not correlate with the degree of cognitive deficit. Such a paradox raised the question of whether there are some variables that we do not traditionally measure in the sleep laboratory that might modify the effect of SDB on cognition,” Amin said

For this study, which included children aged between seven and 13, the results showed that children that snore had lower regional cerebral oxygen concentration than healthy children. However, children with sleep apnea (usually considered a more severe type of SDB) had higher regional

Basic Weight Loss Mistakes

2008-12-23T04:19:00.000-08:00

Basic Weight Loss Mistakes

A lot of us are out there watching what we eat and exercising, but still not making a dent in our bellies and body weight. There are a few things we are probably not doing, or doing too much of, that would mean major improvements in our health.

Get more sleep. After a very short period of time (about 6 nights), studies show that your glucose levels can rise if you get only 4 to 7 hours of sleep each night. New parents are excluded, but everyone else should try to hit the 8 hour mark as often as you can and get to bed BEFORE midnight. Every hour of rest before 12 a.m. is twice as valuable as the hours after midnight: Our cortisol levels are lowest before midnight therefore our recovery is the highest.

Eating fewer refined and processed foods. Avoid fast and fried food and try to consume as many real foods as you can. It's also imperative to get enough fiber (helps with elimination); fruits and veggies are a great way to fill up.

Avoid sugary drinks and reach for more water. Water is great for so many things like digestion, eliminating toxins in the body, and transporting important nutrients to our cells which need energy to burn calories. Americans drink 20% of their calories, so be careful of that silent pitfall.

Get to know your kitchen. I realize it takes more work, but the simple truth is we eat out or order in too often. There is a greater opportunity to control what is in your food if you cook it yourself.

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Basic Weight Loss Mistakes ( page 2 )

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Slow down. When you do sit down to a meal, don't wolf it down. Our culture encourages eating while driving or sitting at our desks. The only time we seem to sit down and enjoy our food is at Thanksgiving. The monks chew each bite of food 100 times (which is excessive), but they also eat only until they are full. They recognize that chewing their food more makes it easier for the body to digest.

Breathe. There are so many days that I don't breathe deeply. In the morning, mid-afternoon, and at the end of the day take a 10 conscious, belly-deep breaths. Close your eyes, pull that air deep into your stomach via your nose and let all the junk out through your mouth. Whether its a stressful day, or you just want to start and end your day on the right foot, breathing is important.

Don't starve yourself. Oddly enough some of you may not be eating enough, and the lack of calories is putting your body into save mode. Our bodies are so brilliant, and if they aren't getting enough food, your metabolism will tell your body to store each and every calorie it receives or to make energy from whatever muscle tissue you have. Not good. Oh and by the way, don't skip breakfast. People who skip breakfast are over 4 times more likely to be overweight.

Do more than exercise. Even if you are working out, you can't eat and drink whatever you want. It really is a three sided puzzle: balancing exercise, food, and (oh yes) the spirit (which stress and happiness play into).

I wish you the greatest of success, and remember, being healthy is like making your bed. It really is something we have to work at everyday.

SEX IN PREGNANCY, HOW SAFE?

2008-12-18T23:20:00.000-08:00

Sex in pregnancy is a controversial topic to discuss because of the society we live in today which is multi-cultural and multi-religious. Because of the difficulty in arriving at an acceptable conclusion, many people don’t want to get involved in this topic.

Sexual intercourse which is the satisfaction of a desire arising from natural instincts is legal only within the recognized institution of marriage as ordained by God our creator. There are many fallacies surrounding this issue of sex during pregnancy. Some of them are :
*That is a taboo to sleep with a pregnant woman
*That it affects the health of the mother and the child
*That the child will not develop well
*That the child may grow up to become promiscus
*That the mother will have a hard time during delivery
*That sexing pregnancy will reduce the flow of milk during breast feeding etc.

However, it is important to note here that pregnancy does not mean being in a diseased state . Rather, this is a period when the mother is adapting to some psychological changes in her systems to support the growth of the foetus. She ie the mother is adjusting to her environment during pregnancy. A woman that is pregnant need not abstain from sex except she was advised against such by a doctor .
However, the first three months of the pregnancy is a delicate period because the baby is still in the early developmental stages, so sex within this period should be avoided. In order to have a refreshing and safe sex during pregnancy, both parties must encourage each other to “give and take” just as sex before pregnancy. The man must exercise more level of understanding and patience in order to help his wife attain and savor every moment of the fore-play and the real sexual encounter. When this is done with care and love, both parties will enjoy every moment of the game.

However, repeated orgasm may be dangerous for the woman. As the pregnancy grows in size, the couple must be careful with the position and style they choose in order not to put pressure on the growing baby.

Some healthy positions that can be considered by both couples are listed below.

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SEX IN PREGNANCY, HOW SAFE? (page 2)

2008-12-18T23:08:00.000-08:00

*The woman sitting face to face on her husband allows easy access to kissing and fondling by both partners.

*Rear entry by the man with the woman lying on her side on the bed with her legs folded.

*Entering from the back by the man with the woman’s bum turned to him while she rests on all four.

*Both couple should be free and generous in fondling and caressing each other.

These are few of the many conditions that are considered safe for sex during pregnancy. But if the Doctor thinks otherwise and instructs against sex during pregnancy, the woman must comply totally. This is for her own safety and that of the unborn child because the Doctor or the Gynecologist knows better. Some of the reasons that may necessitate such an advice may be any of the following:

*When the woman is advised to observe bed rest as a result threatening abortion.

*Any woman that experiences constant miscarriage must seek Doctors advice before engaging in sex during pregnancy.

*Any woman that is over 35 years old and is getting pregnant for the first time must consult her Doctor before engaging in sex during pregnancy.

*Pregnancy after infertility treatment.
As said earlier, sexual intercourse at the early stage of the pregnancy should be avoided in order to avoid abortion and late pregnancy because virulent and dangerous organisms may be introduced. Sexual excess during the last month of the pregnancy should equally be discouraged.

The ten Surprising Health Benefits of Sex

2008-12-16T08:34:00.000-08:00

The health benefits of sex extend well beyond the bedroom. Turns out sex is good for you in ways you may never have imagined.

When you're in the mood, it's a sure bet that the last thing on your mind is boosting your immune system or maintaining a healthy weight. Yet good sex offers those health benefits and more.

That's a surprise to many people, says Joy Davidson, PhD, a New York psychologist and sex therapist. "Of course, sex is everywhere in the media," she says. "But the idea that we are vital, sexual creatures is still looked at in some cases with disgust or in other cases a bit of embarrassment. So to really take a look at how our sexuality adds to our life and enhances our life and our health, both physical and psychological, is eye-opening for many people."
Sex does a body good in a number of ways, according to Davidson and other experts. The benefits aren't just anecdotal or hearsay -- each of these 10 health benefits of sex is backed by scientific scrutiny.
Among the benefits of healthy loving in a relationship:

1. Sex Relieves Stress
A big health benefit of sex is lower blood pressure, and overall stress reduction, according to researchers from Scotland who reported their findings in the journal Biological Psychology. They studied 24 women and 22 men who kept records of their sexual activity. Then the researchers subjected them to stressful situations -- such as speaking in public and doing verbal arithmetic -- and noted their blood pressure response to stress.
Those who had intercourse had better responses to stress than those who engaged in other sexual behaviors or abstained.
Another study published in the same journal found that frequent intercourse was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure in cohabiting participants. Yet other research found a link between partner hugs and lower blood pressure in women.

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The ten Surprising Health Benefits of Sex (page 2)

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2. Sex Boosts Immunity
Good sexual health may mean better physical health. Having sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which can protect you from getting colds and other infections. Scientists at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., took samples of saliva, which contain IgA, from 112 college students who reported the frequency of sex they had.
Those in the "frequent" group -- once or twice a week -- had higher levels of IgA than those in the other three groups -- who reported being abstinent, having sex less than once a week, or having it very often, three or more times weekly.

3. Sex Burns Calories
Thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more. It may not sound like much, but it adds up: 42 half-hour sessions will burn 3,570 calories, more than enough to lose a pound. Doubling up, you could drop that pound in 21 hour-long sessions.
"Sex is a great mode of exercise," says Patti Britton, PhD, a Los Angeles sexologist and president of the American Association of Sexuality Educators and Therapists. It takes work, from both a physical and psychological perspective, to do it well, she says.

4. Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health
While some older folks may worry that the efforts expended during sex could cause a stroke, that's not so, according to researchers from England. In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, scientists found frequency of sex was not associated with stroke in the 914 men they followed for 20 years.
And the heart health benefits of sex don't end there. The researchers also found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half for the men, compared with those who had sex less than once a month.

5. Sex Boosts Self-Esteem
Boosting self-esteem was one of 237 reasons people have sex, collected by University of Texas researchers and published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.
That finding makes sense to Gina Ogden, PhD, a sex therapist and marriage and family therapist in Cambridge, Mass., although she finds that those who already have self-esteem say they sometimes have sex to feel even better. "One of the reasons people say they have sex is to feel good about themselves," she tells WebMD. "Great sex begins with self-esteem, and it raises it. If the sex is loving, connected, and what you want, it raises it."

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The ten Surprising Health Benefits of Sex (page 3)

2008-12-16T08:24:00.000-08:00

6. Sex Improves Intimacy
Having sex and orgasms increases levels of the hormone oxytocin, the so-called love hormone, which helps us bond and build trust. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of North Carolina evaluated 59 premenopausal women before and after warm contact with their husbands and partners ending with hugs. They found that the more contact, the higher the oxytocin levels.

"Oxytocin allows us to feel the urge to nurture and to bond," Britton says.
Higher oxytocin has also been linked with a feeling of generosity. So if you're feeling suddenly more generous toward your partner than usual, credit the love hormone.

7. Sex Reduces Pain
As the hormone oxytocin surges, endorphins increase, and pain declines. So if your headache, arthritis pain, or PMS symptoms seem to improve after sex, you can thank those higher oxytocin levels.
In a study published in the Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 48 volunteers who inhaled oxytocin vapor and then had their fingers pricked lowered their pain threshold by more than half.

8. Sex Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk
Frequent ejaculations, especially in 20-something men, may reduce the risk of prostate cancer later in life, Australian researchers reported in the British Journal of Urology International. When they followed men diagnosed with prostate cancer and those without, they found no association of prostate cancer with the number of sexual partners as the men reached their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

But they found men who had five or more ejaculations weekly while in their 20s reduced their risk of getting prostate cancer later by a third.
Another study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that frequent ejaculations, 21 or more a month, were linked to lower prostate cancer risk in older men, as well, compared with less frequent ejaculations of four to seven monthly.

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The ten Surprising Health Benefits of Sex (page 4)

2008-12-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

9. Sex Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles
For women, doing a few pelvic floor muscle exercises known as Kegels during sex offers a couple of benefits. You will enjoy more pleasure, and you'll also strengthen the area and help to minimize the risk of incontinence later in life.
To do a basic Kegel exercise, tighten the muscles of your pelvic floor, as if you're trying to stop the flow of urine. Count to three, then release.

10. Sex Helps You Sleep Better
The oxytocin released during orgasm also promotes sleep, according to research.
And getting enough sleep has been linked with a host of other good things, such as maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure. Something to think about, especially if you've been wondering why your guy can be active one minute and snoring the next.

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how to keep your memory sharp always (page 2)

2008-12-14T07:27:00.000-08:00

Help put off normal aging-related memory loss and perharps, vevn prevent demential(significant loss of intellectual abilities) and alzheimer's disease. Its long been known that exercise is good for your heart, but now it seems whats good for your body is also good for your brain.

Exercise increase blood flow to your whole body body, includng your. and exercise seems to slow the loss of brain tissue that typically begins in your 40s. Normal aging process can make it difficult to recall certain facts, normal aging also makes multi-task more difficult for instance , you may need to stop between tasks and and remenber what u were working on rather than seamlessly switching back and forth. Studies have found that exercise seems to delay or sometimes prevent these specific aging-related changes in your brain.

More than 60 percent of adults do not exercise according to survey by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC). That's a big mistake since an impressive line of reseach suggest that exercise promotes the area of the brain responsible for some aspect of memory. Neuroscientist Arthur kramer and colleaques at the unversity of ILLINOIS, U.S.A. found that after six months poeple who are over sixty years who exercised three times a week for an hour had the brain volume of poeple three years younger. In 2006, the annals of internal medicine reported a six-year project involving 1,740 poeple and over 65 of this figurewho had moderate exercise had redused risk of demential. So get your heart pumping by huffing and puffing to bring more blood and your oxygen to your brain.

Nutrition as also been found to mitigate memory loss in aging adults , it has been proved over and overagain that eating vegetables can help in inhibiting the dying out of countless neurons in your brain, hereby helping you are so old that you can not remenber how much your first pay check was.

sure when you are growing old, you are becoming more forgeful and you are forgiven for it. But would you be senile than beign mentally active ? Brain experts and nutrictionist haver linked vegetables particularlly with improving cognitive skills in adult of at least sixty years of age. Apart from the greens, good cholesterols found in fatty acids, like Omega-3 can promote the overall health of your brain.

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how to keep your memory sharp always (PAGE 3)

2008-12-14T07:19:00.000-08:00

Omega-3 is abundant in fish like salma and tuna. bad cholesterol(s) as they are widely been preached against as they are responsible for clogging artilerries and developing vascula disease that lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. but because of vascular congestion, the brain may experiance multiple infarctions or dying out of cells due to deprivation of blood which might be characterised by degradation of intellectual functions.

Smoking is another factor that could bring down the memory. statistically, poeple who smoke perfom poorly in tests that guage memory skills; they also lack the thinking abilities, that can be readilly exibited by poeple who do not smoke cigarretes . Diffrent studies have also shown that heavy drinkers os ahcohol can experience impairment of their memory abilities, not to mention motor skills.

Even if you are the most intellegent human biegn on the planet , your cognitive skills amd memory abilities can diminished if you stop interacting with other poeple. being content with lonesomeness for most of the time, may bring you at increased risk of loosing intellectual abilitie. scientist have found that social interaction can diminish stress level and allow you learn new things-two aspect that can boost your brain.

One more thing you need to do to help slow down age-related memory loss is to never stop thinking. think of your brain as a muscle. The more you exercise it, the harder and stronger it becomes. In this view, all the basic learning processes that you used since chilhood can actuallylend you a big hand in maintaining or improving your mental capacity. Reading books, writen stuffs, learning new skills and even playing intelligent games ( like chess and scrable) can be considered as effective exercise for your brain. These simple processes can lower your chances of suffering from dementia or even mild forgetfulness

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