The Little Things That May Be Letting Your Health Down

(photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net)

Most of us work hard to try and look after our health. While we may not be perfect pictures of fitness, we nevertheless generally want to take care of our bodies and thus avoid getting ill while enjoying a longer life. That’s why most people will choose the healthier options when offered food (as long as price and taste aren’t factors) and it’s why a fair proportion of us have a gym membership in our wallet (even though we may not use it). Looking after your health as you do then, you might be surprised to learn some of the ways in which your wellbeing is still being compromised. And it’s not just because you don’t spend long enough in the gym – you’ll probably be surprised at some of the things that you’ve forgotten or that you were never aware of to start with. Read on to find out how to improve your health by picking up on the little things that get forgotten... Sleep One of the big ways that many of us are compromising our health on a daily basis, is by not getting the quality or quantity of sleep that we need. When we sleep is when our body repairs damaged tissue such as muscle tears or cuts and bruises, and it’s when our brain enforces the neural networks that have been formed during the day. Thus, if you aren’t getting enough sleep, your body will always be operating on a deficit and you will find that you don’t remember things as well, that your muscles begin to ache, and that you’re more likely to get ill. To counteract this, make sure that your sleeping environment is as well maintained as possible so that there's no light coming in through your curtains or from your alarm clock. Likewise, you should also make sure that you have blocked out sound, and that you are preparing your body and mind for sleep in the hour or so leading up to bed. Finally, make sure that you aren’t suffering from any potential sleep conditions such as apnoea or sleepwalking which can take it out of you without you even being aware. Air Quality We all know how important air is to our health – without it we wouldn’t last very long at all. What’s also important though, is that that air be good quality and that we don’t breathe in anything unwanted without realising it at the same time. If you have mould in your property for instance, then mould spores will enter the air and you’ll find your sleep is affected and that you’re more likely to develop breathing conditions. Likewise, if you live by a main road and have the windows open, the smoke you’ll breathe in will increase your chances of cancer while also making you feel just a little less well in the meantime. Get some air conditioning if you don’t want to damage your health by breathing, or better yet, move out to somewhere rural. Stress We all know that stress isn’t good for us, but not all of us know just how bad it can be or just how many negative effects it has on us. Stress of course can damage you psychologically and lead to depression and anxiety, but at the same time it can also place a severe strain on your immune system and impact on your sleep quality. If you feel stressed on a regular basis, then you need to get to the bottom of why it is. Sun The sun is good for us in a large number of ways and can improve our mood while at the same encouraging the production of vitamin D and giving us a healthy glow. Like all things though, too much sun can still be bad news, so it’s important to limit your exposure and to protect yourself when you’re in direct sunlight. Otherwise you’ll get burned in the short-term, and you’ll increase your chances of developing skin cancer in the long term. All these little things can add up to have a big impact on your health, so the moral of the story is that you shouldn’t just be focussed on the more obvious aspects of your health and you should never just say ‘oh well’ if you’re feeling stressed or tired. The devil is in the details, so don’t let your health be compromised. By Adam Sinicki - For further information see http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/17094/1/The-Little-Things-That-May-Be-Letting-Your-Health-Down.html

What Are The Negative Effects Of Black Mold On My Health?

photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Black molds are known to bring serious health problems in human beings. Though this type of fungus is essential for earth's ecosystem, it is not at all good for our health. You must stop this indoor toxin from growing, as it may result in serious health issues.

Black mold gets nutrition from dead organic materials by decomposing them into simpler forms. They reproduce through spore formation. Molds grow at an alarming rate and it becomes very difficult to control them.

Such mold releases mycotoxins in the air, which can be inhaled by people through breathing. Direct contact with these types of mold is another mode of entry. There are numerous health problems which are associated with the exposure to black mold.

Initial symptoms of this toxic fungus are allergic reactions to cold or dust, and ignoring these early symptoms can be dangerous. Health issues due to such mold may turn out to be very serious if no action is taken against its growth. Some of the symptoms of these types of mold are stuffy and runny nose, difficulty while breathing, throat irritation and headache. There can be many other allergic reaction of mold exposure, but it is advisable that you consult a doctor to know the exact cause of the allergy.

In some cases, people may feel congested as soon as they get in contact with such mold or enter an infected room. When these types of symptoms occur, you must be very careful. Skin rashes, itchiness and swelling are other common mold symptoms. People suffering from asthma may experience severe conditions in the presence of such mold. Other common mold health effects include weaker immune system, sickness, diarrhea and even death in some cases.

There are many ways to get rid of black mold and some people use bleaches to kill this mold. However, bleach cannot reach every single corner of your room, where molds nest. Moreover, bleaches clean the house for the time being but fail to prevent it from future contamination. Bleach is also not good for health, which further adds to health problems.

Natural black mold killer is a better option, because they are free from side effects and also prevent future mold growth efficiently. For best results, you must do regular inspection for mold growth. Before such mold invades your entire house, you must prevent its growth. You must avoid moisture retention and try maintaining good ventilation throughout the house. By Kelsey Libby – For further information http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_12507.shtml

Egg Facts - Are Eggs Good For You?

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

It wasn't long ago that dieters were advised to avoid eggs for fear of their fat content and the effect they could have on cholesterol levels. Now conventional wisdom is changing, with experts nominating whole eggs to be dubbed the next superfood.

Doctors have switched their thinking about eggs in the wake of new findings that prove 1 to 2 eggs per day won't harm most people. Here are 5 more nutrition facts that might change the way you look at eggs:

Fact 1: Eggs won't harm your cholesterol.

Recent studies have exonerated eggs of their bad reputation. Eggs contain heart-healthy omega-3s and choline.

Even egg yolks have been welcomed back to the breakfast table; they contain mostly unsaturated fat, which does not contribute to the build-up of cholesterol in the blood.

While egg yolks do contain dietary cholesterol, less than 25% of the cholesterol we eat translates to higher blood cholesterol.

In fact, dietary cholesterol raises blood cholesterol levels in only one-third of people. (Saturated and trans fats are the major contributors to high cholesterol and heart disease; eggs contain heart-healthy unsaturated fat and B-vitamins.)

Fact 2: Eggs deliver great protein for few calories.

Each egg serves up 6 grams of high-quality, highly digestible protein. It's no wonder bodybuilders have guzzled egg whites for years in an effort to increase their protein intake.

But if you're only eating the whites, you're missing out on a host of dietary benefits. The protein and fat in whole eggs has been proven to decrease hunger and contribute to overall diet success.

Also, eggs weigh in at a skinny 70 calories each. Just one egg can mean the difference between binging at lunchtime or staying on track to meet your weight loss goals.

Fact 3: Eggs are full of vitamins and minerals.

As women have known for years, eggs promote strong, healthy hair and fingernails. What we didn't realize was that eggs are almost the perfect food.

They are an excellent source of Vitamins A, B complex, D, & E. Eggs also contain plenty of iodine, zinc, selenium, calcium, iron, folate, and antioxidants.

In fact, eggs contain all necessary vitamins and minerals except Vitamin C. Farm fresh eggs also contain EPA and DHA, brain-enhancing essential fats that act as superfoods in their own right.

Fact 4: Eggs contribute to total-body wellness.

The vitamins and unsaturated fat in eggs contribute to heart health, which is pleasantly ironic considering the bad reputation eggs have had in the past.

But eggs benefit our bodies in many ways. Studies have linked whole eggs to improved eye health, brain development, healing ability, thyroid and nerve function, and weight management.

One study showed that people who ate eggs for breakfast lost twice as much weight as those who made a bagel their first meal of the day.

Fact 5: Eggs contain the miracle nutrient choline.

Choline is an important nutrient that most people don't get enough of. That's because rich choline sources are rare. Fortunately, whole eggs are a good, convenient source of choline.

Why is choline so important? It helps regulate our brains, nervous systems, and cardiovascular functions. Two eggs provide half of our recommended daily amount of choline.

That's good news for most of us, as studies have shown that 90% of all Americans are choline-deficient.

It's important to note that whole, natural eggs are healthier than either pourable liquid eggs or powdered eggs.

Also, don't sabotage the many health benefits of eggs by serving them up with greasy bacon and sausage. A couple of boiled eggs with a slice of whole grain toast and a piece of fruit will get your day started right. By Adam Weisgerber - For further information see http://ezinearticles.com/?Egg-Facts---Are-Eggs-Good-For-You?&id=4874486

Acupuncture As A Remedy For Back Pain

Courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

If you suffer from back pain you probably would not consider acupuncture as a treatment until you have exhausted many other alternatives. However, acupuncture is a type of ancient Chinese medicine that's been around for over 2,500 years and throughout this time it has been used for back pain relief, increasingly so in these modern times.

While it is not traditionally a part of western medicine, nowadays your doctor is quite likely to send you for this treatment if you are suffering from back or neck pain either persistently or due to accident or injury.

If you are going to have this therapy you may want to know a little about how it works. The general belief is that the body has 20 energy flow patterns called meridians or pathways. Through these pathways it is thought that the life force or vital energy flows, this is known as the qi (it is pronounced chee) and is considered to be essential to maintain good health. There are over 2,000 points on our bodies that connect with these pathways and it is at these points which the hair-thin needles are inserted, this is done in varying specific combinations depending on the treatment required. These actions are believed to either correct the flow of qi or to reinforce it.

Even though it cannot be proven that this works as a type of pain relief, it is thought that as a result the central nervous system is stimulated. Most patients say that they get a pins and needles sensation on the insertion of the needles and indeed into the duration of the treatment, which usually lasts about 15 to 30 minutes. Some people report that they feel energised or even very relaxed so it appears as if the effect can be is somewhat different depending on the individual.

The acupuncturist will use up to 20 metallic needles during a treatment session and the depth they are inserted is dependent upon the area, deeper muscular or fatty areas need more penetration and the scalp for example would be just below the surface. The practitioner may turn the needles one way or another depending on what they are trying to achieve, in my personal experience they were turned on insertion, then again about half way through the treatment. At no point is the treatment painful, there is a mere sensation of the needles going in and they do not feel sharp at all, this is because unlike needles used for injections, an acupuncture needle’s tip comes to a smooth point without sharp edges. They are also very thin, about 20 times thinner than a hypodermic needle. In my experience the most troublesome part of the treatment is lying in the same position without moving for up to 30 minutes, especially if you suffer from back pain or similar.

Although there are many medical experts who believe acupuncture is an effective way to treat certain conditions such as back pain, there is no true consensus. Some adhere to the theories of qi and meridians whilst others attribute acupuncture’ benefits to the biological changes that are brought about in the body as a result of treatment. Needless to say there will always be the sceptics who deny that acupuncture has any effect at all, but in my opinion if you are suffering from ongoing back pain it is certainly worth trying. By David A.Griffiths – For further information see http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_12508.shtml

The Magic Power Of Curative Garlic

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Many hundreds of years ago people thought that garlic had the magic ability to cure illnesses and they even used it during incantations.

The magic power of garlic is derived from the anti-bacterial phytoncids that kill most bacteria. Sometimes garlic is even called a natural antibiotic. And the powerful antibiotic allicin is made of garlic. Also it has essential and fatty oils, inulin, organic acids, mineral salts, vitamin C and vitamin group B. It is very rich in very important micro elements, like germanium and selenium. Germanium stimulates your immune system and selenium prevents tumors. Also, garlic is a great antioxidant because of the combination of selenium, vitamin C and zinc.

Garlic stimulates your appetite, increases the secretion of bile and helps digestion. It has an analgesic and calming effect on your stomach (Take 2-3 pieces of garlic a day with each meal if you get colitis or stomach bugs.)

Garlic has a diuretic effect, increases the activity of your sweat glands, prevents the accumulation of blood clots and helps with sclerosis.

Garlic phytoncids have the ability to slow down the activity of some tumor enzymes. This is a good way to prevent cancer.

Garlic has an anti-toxic effect and has been used as an antidote for hundreds of years. It enlarges blood vessels, lowers your blood pressure, and supports your heart muscle and your brain cells. It helps with diabetes because garlic lowers your blood sugar level.

Garlic is recommended if you lack vitamins or have a weak immune system.

Eating garlic every day will prevent viruses. Garlic gruel will help with festering wounds.

Garlic is not recommended if you have kidney problems, a stomach ulcer or duodenum ulcer, or epilepsy. You should not eat it in large doses for a long time because garlic will suppress your stomach micro flora. Some people can get an allergic reaction to garlic, like dermatitis. But usually it only happens if you eat a lot of raw garlic.

The scent of garlic on your breath is not pleasant for people. But it does not mean that you should not eat it at all. Just eat some parsley, lemon skin, bread crust or walnuts after you eat garlic.

Garlic is used a lot in folk medicine. There are probably hundreds of home remedies based on garlic. In this article I suggest that you try a great garlic extract remedy that will prevent getting viruses this winter.

Cut 40 g of garlic into fine pieces, put them into a glass bottle and add 100 g (3 oz) of vodka. Cover the bottle well and keep it in a dark place for 10 days. You can add some mint to make the taste and the scent more pleasant. Take 10 drops of the extract 2-3 times a day 30 min before each meal. By Yulia Berry – For further information http://www.isnare.com/?aid=118845&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies