tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34900984753000617692007-12-06T23:37:48.059-08:00valerianBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-3011176855822916202007-12-06T23:37:00.001-08:002007-12-06T23:37:48.121-08:00by Tony LeMaire<br /><br />You're trying to eat properly and live a healthier lifestyle. So what could be better than a nice glass of fruit juice to wash down your little blue Viagra pill, right?<br /><br />But if the juice happens to be grapefruit, taking it with Viagra could lead to some very unhealthy consequences.<br /><br />Certain compounds in grapefruit juice (Seville oranges and tangelos have also been implicated) can increase the amount of the drug Viagra in your system. The juice could potentially raise Viagra levels enough to cause harm. Here's how researchers believe this happens:<br /><br />* ? Enzymes in the small intestine normally prevent many drugs, like Viagra, from fully entering the blood stream. * ? When you drink grapefruit juice, certain compounds in the juice block those intestinal enzymes. * ? This prevents the active ingredient in your Viagra pill from metabolizing or breaking down properly, which can lead to too much Viagra getting into your system. * ? An overdose of Viagra can cause toxic side effects like chest pain, nausea, irregular heartbeat or feeling faint or light headed. You should see a doctor if any of these Viagra side effects occur.<br /><br />Viagra Pill + Grapefruit Juice = Increased Risk For 24 Hours<br /><br />The effect of grapefruit juice can last up to 24 hours after you drink it. Therefore, even if you take a Viagra pill long before or after drinking the juice, there could still be a bad interaction from dangerously high levels of the drug Viagra coursing through your bloodstream.<br /><br />If you get too much Viagra in your system, it can damage your organs or impair their normal functioning. (Learn more about the side effects, precautions, and other important information about the drug Viagra here.)<br /><br />To prevent such an interaction from happening, doctors recommend not taking a Viagra pill within 24 hours or more of drinking grapefruit juice. If you take Viagra every day, do not drink grapefruit juice at all until the medication is discontinued. Instead, use orange juice.<br /><br />And Viagra is not the only erectile dysfunction drug to exhibit this interaction. Both Cialis and Levitra are also affected by grapefruit juice.<br /><br />How It Was Discovered<br /><br />Hard to believe that this interaction between certain drugs and grapefruit juice was discovered accidentally. About ten years ago, researchers were testing a drug and used grapefruit juice to mask the bad taste.<br /><br />They noticed the drug showed up in their patients' blood samples several times stronger than in past studies. And this, naturally, caused a large increase in side effects. That's when scientists began watching for the effects of grapefruit juice on certain medications.<br /><br />Since then, Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and other drugs have exhibited the same negative interaction. Some antihistamines, cholesterol drugs, blood pressure drugs, psychiatric medications like antidepressants, pain drugs, immunosuppressants, and others should also not be taken with grapefruit juice.<br /><br />You can find a list of the more common drugs affected by grapefruit on Wikipedia.<br /><br />About the Author<br />Search Engine Optimization expert, boasting over 7 years of algorithmic search and paid search advertising.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-11407701940444635472007-11-29T04:08:00.000-08:002007-11-29T04:11:34.498-08:00by Oze Parrot<br /><br />The art of acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years and is a time tested, effective, natural science. Originating, possibly in Eurasia or China, acupuncture is described as a Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is now practiced throughout the world and has become popular as an effective alternative medical procedure. In Australia, fourteen percent of doctors are practicing acupuncture and using it in conjunction with conventional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. <br /><br />Even though the popularity of acupuncture is ever increasing, and it has gained a strong foothold in conventional medical circles, most people are skeptical. Some people shudder at the thought of attending an acupuncture therapy that requires half a dozen or more simultaneous needle pricks. Acupuncturists are trained professionals that are credited by a government department and must be fully licensed, before they commence practicing. Acupuncture needles come hygienically packaged, are disposable and designed to be used only once. The chance of getting an infection is quite remote.<br /><br />Millions of people in America and other countries throughout the world are turning to acupuncture for fast, effective pain relief and for a drug free alternative to cure many other ailments. Acupuncture therapy is effective in the treatment of back pain, arthritis, migraine and sporting injuries. Obesity, alcoholism, smoking and fertility problems can also be controlled with acupuncture, along with most common complaints. <br /><br />Modern acupuncture practitioners generally use disposable, filiform metal needles that range from 0.12 of a millimeter in thickness. They are so fine that when they are inserted into the body's various acupuncture points, the only feeling is a slight sensation, there is no pain, as such. There are a few other needles, which vary in length and weight that acupuncturists may use for more specific procedures, however the occurrences of a needle being inserted too deeply or in the wrong place are negligible.<br /><br />In the United States, licensed practitioners are the only persons to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration, to use acupuncture needles. Your safety is of national concern so if you choose to undergo acupuncture therapy, rest assured that the procedure is safe and accepted by your government. <br /><br />About the Author<br />Oze Parrot is an author, publisher and Internet marketing consultant. Formerly a tourist operator and real estate business marketing consultant Location: Queensland, Australia. You may republish this article as long as you include the name of the author and provide an active link to: http://la-healthhunter.com/valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-434277491605824612007-11-22T07:43:00.001-08:002007-11-22T07:43:49.216-08:00by Christian Shire<br /><br />We all know of the risks of heavy drinking, and it seems as though with every passing week researchers are finding yet more evidence of the damage done by heavy drinking.<br /><br />Alcoholics are at risk for cirrhosis, for cognitive declines, for early dementia malnutrition, hepatitis of the liver, heart disease and of course for a host of cancers. Adding to the list of known alcohol related cancers, Canadian researchers last week added cancers of the larynx, esophagus and oral cavity to an already long list of alcohol influenced cancers.<br /><br />If you drink heavily you are not likely to live as long, and you are very much more likely to get cancer.<br /><br />But it's not all doom and gloom, and as a real positive note the same researchers who announced the new alcohol related cancers also revealed that for those people that can quit drinking, their risk for cancer slowly declines, and after 2 or 3 decades, the cancer risk is no more elevated than for those people who never drank to excess.<br /><br />Very much like smoking, if you can quit drinking at a young enough age, you can spare yourself from a host of health problems.<br /><br />When researchers examined the cancer rates of people who had quit drinking, they noted that after a few years, the cancer risks started a long steady decline, but for the first year or so, people who quit drinking actually had a greatly increased rate of cancer. Which seems confusing at first, until researchers explain that far too many people never do quit until already feeling the early and painful symptoms of cancer; and this fact is reflected in elevated early year cancer rates for newly abstinent patients.<br /><br />The message is of course clear; don't wait until drinking causes you physical pain before seeking help.<br /><br />Women are at particular risk to the chronic effects of heavy alcohol consumption, and in addition to suffering greater rates of cirrhosis, heart disease and mental declines, they also show an almost 50% increased risk of breast cancer.<br /><br />Just like smoking, if you drink heavily, you should stop, and if you can't you should get professional help. Life is far too short to squander your available years on this earth suffering through the pains of addiction, and ultimately reducing your life span with painful and fatal diseases. There are great treatments available to all who commit to change and to sobriety.<br /><br />Don't wait until it's too late, get help today and start enjoying better health and a happy future of sobriety. Millions quit drinking every year, there's no reason why you can't too. <br /><br /><br />About the Author<br />If you need help making a decision about treatment visit ChooseHelp Alcoholism<br /><br />Read the daily addiction blog TroubleBlog Drinking for stories of recovery and the latest news on treatment options.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-47219144371482860802007-11-14T00:41:00.000-08:002007-11-14T00:42:38.124-08:00by Alex Ellorde<br /><br />It is a common belief that slim people generally have higher metabolism rate that those of overweight and obese people. That isn’t necessarily true. Weight is not directly connected to metabolism. One’s weight is dependent on the balance of the total calorie consumption as opposed to the total number of calories expended. Once a person eats more calories that his body needs, expect a weight gain to follow. Just the same, taking in less that what the body requires and a weight loss will follow.<br /><br />Your body requires a minimum amount of calories per day to be able to maintain its essential functions like breathing, maintaining your heartbeat, and keeping the brain properly functional. This is called your basal metabolic rate (BMR). There is a great likelihood that the body burns more calories that your basal metabolic rate, unless you spend the entire day in bed doing nothing.<br /><br />Your basal metabolic rate accounts for sixty to seventy percent of your daily caloric needs. Several factors affect a person’s basal metabolism, it includes: · Age. A person’s BMR lowers as he ages. · Height. Studies have also shown that taller people have higher BMR. · Gender. BMR is generally higher in men than in women. · Body composition. People who have more muscle that fat have higher BMRs. · Environmental temperature. BMR has also been noted to be generally higher in extreme temperatures of heat or cold. · Diet. People who live on low calorie diets have low BMRs. · Stress. BMR appears to increase during periods of stress and anxiety.<br /><br />Factors like age, gender, and height are difficult to change as we cannot stop ourselves from ageing, or change our height or our gender. However, we have control of other affecting factors to change our basal metabolic rates. · People who live in areas of extreme temperatures of hot or cold may need to increase their calorie intake to keep their body temperatures normal and support all vital body functions. · Stress may help burn extra calories, however it is not advisable to subject yourself to mental or emotional stress just for this reason. Physical stress on the body, like pregnancy or growth, may also increase a person’s metabolic rate. · Quick weight-loss diets affect the body by slowing it down, causing the body to initiate energy conservation and decrease its metabolic rate. Not skipping the important meals of the day may increase a person’s energy expenditure by 10% as eating requires calories for digesting, absorbing, transporting and metabolising food. · Exercising helps your metabolism in two ways. First, it helps burn calories while performing the exercise, and it burns even more calories after you stop exercising. It takes as long as twelve hours for a person’s metabolic rate to return to its normal rate after exercising. Second, it helps form more muscle, therefore adding to muscle mass that also helps speed up your metabolism. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone.<br /><br />Keeping yourself healthy not only entails that we avoid vices and harmful substances. It also includes eating right and maintaining an active lifestyle. Healthy eating, coupled with the right amount of exercise and the right company leads to a better, happier, healthier life. <br /><br />About the Author<br />Choose Variety of High Quality Medicines at http://www.americapharmacyworld.com Online Medicines Enjoyed Reading this article? More here: Pharmacy Articlesvaleriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-14306860589243837392007-11-08T22:26:00.001-08:002007-11-08T22:27:00.004-08:00by Jerry Ryan, PhD<br /><br />I know, I know. All your life everybody has told you how bad sugar is for you. It makes you fat, it rots your teeth, and it pushes you toward diabetes. Now here I am telling you that sugars can be good for you. What is going on?<br /><br />The basic assumption is that when somebody says 'sugars', most people think of table sugar, or what is chemically known as sucrose. Table sugar is actually a combination of glucose and fructose, two different sugars. The sugars that I'm talking about are simple sugars called monosaccharides. They are critical to almost all basic metabolic processes in the body. These essential little nutrients are found in many different fruits, grains, and vegetables when eaten in their naturally grown, vine-ripened state.<br /><br />But when is the last time you ate anything that wasn't processed, packaged, or adulterated in some form? Wheat and rice have all the bran and other nutrients stripped off in the processing. It's so bad that the U.S. Government had to make companies add the chemical form of the nutrients back into breads, cereals, and the like. 'Fortified' simply means replacing many of the natural nutrients that were removed with chemical substitutes. But much more is taken out than replaced. Over a dozen vital nutrients are processed out of breads and cereals while only four to six are replenished chemically.<br /><br />Fruits and vegetables are sprayed with God-only-knows-what pesticides and fertilizers. Then, the produce is picked while it's still green. The nutrients from the ground never have an opportunity to enter the vegetable or fruit. Studies at Harvard have shown that the nutrient levels of phytochemicals like lycopene in store-bought tomatoes are almost a flat line graph when compared to the high-spike levels shown in vine-ripened tomatoes. It's easy to see how our country's rate of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases have skyrocketed since the advent of TV dinners and packaged foods in the 50's. <br /><br />According to Harper's Biochemistry, the simple sugars that we need are glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, fucose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and neuraminic acid. The ones that we get now in our daily diet are primarily glucose and galactose. Luckily, our bodies are able to change these two sugars into the remaining six others. But that process requires many things to occur with perfect precision in our bodies. With all the stress, medications, environmental toxins, and other compromising factors that our bodies have to deal with, it is clear that the system will malfunction from time to time. <br /><br />The injury done to our bodies happens down at the cellular level and can even result in DNA damage. The field of glycobiology is now developing in the medical community. 'Glyco' means sugar. In fact, there was a recent meeting in London, Ontario of a group of glycobiologists from all over the world. They spoke of a new diagnostic study called 'sugar-printing' in which they are discovering that certain sugar malfunctions result in specific diseases. For example, rheumatoid arthritis shows a deficiency in galactose due to a missing enzyme that helps move it through the body. By supplying additional galactose in the form of a supplement, the symptoms disappeared.<br /><br />The information coming out in medical studies regarding the impact of glyconutrients is astonishing. The Soviets were using this carbohydrate technology back in the 70's and 80's with their Olympic athletes. The result was tons of gold medals and no failure in drug tests because the glyconutrients are food-based, not a synthetic chemical or drug. The Soviets also used this preventative measure to boost the overall health of their troops located in Siberian outposts. Their testing showed less overall illness and an increase in immune system function. In addition, Chinese studies show improvements in diseases ranging from cancer to arthritis when the patients were given glyconutrient supplements. This new technology is so important and far-reaching in terms of our overall health that it was the topic of my Ph.D. research. You can read a copy of my dissertation at my website.<br /><br />If you would like more information on any topic discussed in this article or to suggest ideas for a future article, you can contact me through my website email. <br /><br />About the Author<br />Jerry Ryan, Ph.D. is a Natural Health Coach who teaches individuals and group classes on the scientifically documented benefits of natural health techniques. He is also an internationally published author and has been a guest speaker at such places as NIKE World Headquarters. For more information, his website is http://www.JerryRyanPhD.comvaleriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-31775580222409868782007-10-29T22:34:00.000-07:002007-10-29T13:57:45.286-07:00by Gabriel Adams<br /><br />Alternative Cancer Treatment Options<br /><br />Traditional cancer treatment options form only art of the story. An increasing number of health professionals are now exploring alternative cancer treatment options that encompass the whole individual.<br /><br />Nutrition Therapy<br /><br />Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes foods rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, is the best way to provide your body with the nourishment it needs to fight cancer. Proper nutrition helps minimize nausea and fatigue that are the main side-effects of traditional cancer treatments and are a critical component of the healing process.<br /><br />Buah Merah or Red fruit, found primarily in the Indonesian island of Papua, has very high levels of anti-oxidants, beta-carotene and tocopherol and offers hope to all cancer patients. Beta-carotene and tocopherol have strong anti-carcinogenic properties and help by boosting the immune system and retarding the growth of cancer-causing cells. Buah Merah also contains Omega 3 and Omega 9 as well as linolenat, oleat, dekanoat and linoleat acids; all of which act as active medicinal compounds and also help in the prevention of diabetes mellitus, heart diseases, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.<br /><br />Naturopathy<br /><br />Naturopathy is a system of treatment that focuses exclusively on using the healing powers of nature such as sunlight, water and air. It is supplemented with therapies such as massage as well as a wholesome diet. Naturopathy is by and large a holistic kind of treatment and includes homoeopathy, ayurveda, therapeutic nutrition, hydrotherapy or botanical medicine. It is based on the belief that the body is self-healing and will recover and repair by itself spontaneously if it is given a healthy, conducive environment.<br /><br />Pain Control<br /><br />Though, to a certain extent medication can be used to manage pain, Acupuncture is gaining popularity as a means to control the pain experienced by cancer sufferers. The pain could be brought on by the cancer itself or as a side-effect to the cancer treatment. Prevalence and severity of pain depend on the extent, location and type of cancer as well as pain threshold of the person afflicted by cancer.<br /><br />About the Author<br />Learn about Alternative Cancer Treatment options at http://www.redfruitoil.com/valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-89716784774916823752007-10-21T22:33:00.001-07:002007-10-21T22:33:48.504-07:00by Gabriel Adams<br /><br />While there's a whole gamut of cancer treatment options available; which is the best one to use depends upon the type of cancer as well the stage that the cancer has reached. Though the prevailing trend is to resort to more traditional cancer treatment options, cancer patients are not restricted to them. There are a variety of alternative and natural options (some new, some old) for treating cancer. <br /><br />Traditional Cancer Treatment Options<br /><br />Traditional cancer treatment options are often referred to as cut, poison and burn (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation).<br /><br />Chemotherapy<br /><br />Chemotherapy, which involves the use of chemical agents or drugs to destroy cancerous cells, forms the core treatment of malignancies. These drugs work by targeting fast-growing cells and the type and combination of drugs depends upon the type of cancer. Though chemotherapy has been proven to be effective, it can give rise to a host of side-effects including hair loss, fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite, anemia or low red blood cell count, neutropenia or low white blood cell count, mouth sores and shortness of breath. <br /><br />Radiation Therapy<br /><br />Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy ionizing radiation from varied sources including x-rays, gamma rays, protons and neutrons to shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. It is used almost half of all cancer patients; either by itself or in combination with other cancer treatments. External-beam radiation therapy, which involves using radiation that is emitted from a machine outside the body is more common than internal radiation therapy, in which a radioactive material is implanted in the body near the tumor or cancer cells. <br /><br />Surgery<br /><br />Surgery often entails a biopsy, which is done for diagnostic purposes. Surgery that is done to remove the cancerous tissues is often followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which reduces the risk of the cancer recurring and also to destroy any cancer cells that may be left behind in the affected part of the body. <br /><br />The kind of surgery depends on which part of the body has been affected by cancer as well as the extent of the cancer. In breast cancer patients the options could include lumpectomy, in which only the lump is removed; segmentectomy, in which part of the breast is removed or mastectomy, in which the entire breast is removed.<br /><br />About the Author<br />Learn about Alternative Cancer Treatment options at http://www.redfruitoil.com/valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-60469779005661132552007-10-14T05:37:00.001-07:002007-10-14T05:39:46.796-07:00by: S.A Ramratan1q<br /><br />Many people have heard the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. When it comes to cancer, this couldn’t be truer. To date several billion dollars, over 30 years have been spent on finding that elusive cure for cancer. What about cancer prevention? It is estimated that a woeful fraction of that amount of money has been spent on cancer prevention. The statistics from the Nutrition Journal state that cancer can be prevented in 30-40 percent of known cases through lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight. The 30-40 percent stated as preventable by the Nutrition Journal, many in fact, be a conservative estimate, as suggested by many wellness practitioners. Cancer costs the US 107 billion annually. Finding a cure is costing us a great deal, but lack of prevention is costing us more.<br /><br />A review, based on 238 studies published in the Nutrition Journal conducted by Michael Donaldson for the Hallelujah Acres Foundation, has outlined an anti-cancer diet, which includes what to eat, and what to avoid, in order to prevent cancer.<br /><br />The outline of the recommended diet is as follows:<br /><br />• adequate, but not excessive calories,<br />• 10 or more servings of vegetables a day, including cruciferous and allium vegetables; vegetable juice could meet part of this goal,<br />• 4 or more servings of fruits a day,<br />• high in fiber,<br />• no refined sugar,<br />• no refined flour,<br />• low in total fat, but containing necessary essential fatty acids,<br />• no red meat,<br />• a balanced ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fats and would include DHA,<br />• flax seed as a source of phytoestrogens,<br />• supplemented with ~200 μg/day selenium,<br />• supplemented with 1,000 μg/day methylcobalamin (B-12),<br />• very rich in folic acid (from dark green vegetables),<br />• adequate sunshine to get vitamin D, or use 1,000 IU/day supplement,<br />• very rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables, including α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, vitamin C (from foods), vitamin E (from foods),<br />• very rich in chlorophyll,<br />• supplemented with beneficial probiotics,<br />• supplemented with oral enzymes<br /><br />When you start to change your diet to a diet that is full of anti-cancer foods, you may wonder why there is so much junk out there, and, why is it so much cheaper to buy a package of chips vice a bag of organic apples.<br /><br />The best thing you can do for you body right now to prevent cancer, is to start eating this recommended anti-cancer diet. Many of these recommendations will not be big news to those that take serious responsibility for their health.<br /><br />In the next anti-cancer article, I will go over why cancer-causing foods are so cheap and available.<br /><br />Read the study for yourself: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/3/1/19<br /><br />About the author<br />Sarah is a Chemical and Materials Engineer by education. Through years of focused self-study, she has come to see the benefit of whole food nutrition and allowing the body to heal itself. Undergoing Field Center Facilitator Training, Sarah is passionate about being helpful to others, in any venue, in their quest for a better life. http://simplebeautyphotography.blogspot.comvaleriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-20391838427533967042007-10-09T00:01:00.001-07:002007-10-09T00:01:50.262-07:00by James Kirby<br /><br />The issue of premature ejaculation (PE) is one which is often confused with erectile dysfunction (ED). These are two separate issues in Men's Health. Erectile Dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or sustain an erection for satisfactory sexual activity. ED can be a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. The cause of ED basically comes down to blood flow into the penis. This blood flow can be restricted by physical causes such as diabetes or by psychological causes such as stress or anxiety.<br /><br />Premature Ejaculation is not a blood flow issue but rather an issue with ejaculatory control. There is a lack of a universally agreed definition of what exactly premature ejaculation is, a factor which has hampered its treatment. Definitions of premature ejaculation have ranged from "coming within six thrusts" to "coming within two minutes" and even "coming before your partner". A simpler definition is that if you come before you want to and you feel you're not able to control it, then you're suffering from premature ejaculation. Most men will come sooner than they'd like on some occasions, particularly if under stress or in situations of very high excitement. However, if you are unable to control when you come more than 50 per cent of the time, then it becomes a problem.<br /><br />PE can be caused by medical and medicational problems but generally it is down to a man not knowing when the signals come through that he's going to climax. The standard sexual therapy technique for curing premature ejaculation is called sensate focus or 'the stop start technique', where you are training him first by helping himself, then by introducing a partner, to recognise those signals and to be relaxed enough to notice them. It involves the practice of stimulating yourself to the point just before ejaculation, then stop and start again when the sensations have subsided. It's a straightforward not all that long procedure but it has to be introduced and monitored by a therapist. <br /><br />While there's a lot of research going on in this area and there are new treatments in development, at present there are no licensed medications for the treatment of premature ejaculation within Europe. Health Care providers sometimes make use of what might be considered an unwanted side effect of antidepressant medication which can delay organism and ejaculation on an unlicensed basis and also sometimes topical anaesthetics are used as well to help reduce penile sensitivity.<br /><br />Another alternative may be Erectile Dysfunction treatments such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. These treatments may not treat PE per se, but the extra time that they allow is useful as a psychological tool.<br /><br />This information has been brought to you by Firstmed.co.uk, a UK registered pharmacy specialising in the supply of genuine and branded ED treatments, including Viagra pills. If you wish to discuss any of the above issues in more detail, do not hesitate to contact info@firstmed.co.uk or call +44 (0)870 199 5287 <br /><br />About the Author<br />Firstmed a UK registered online pharmacy specialising in genuine, original Viagra, and other branded impotence treatmentsvaleriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-80565661740304829002007-10-07T19:59:00.000-07:002007-10-07T20:02:42.579-07:00by Femina <br />High cholesterol is a health concern for many people. While heredity does play a role in high cholesterol numbers, diet and exercise can greatly help in reducing those numbers. Ready to change your diet? Here are some tips on how to choose low cholesterol foods:<br /><br />Shop the outer perimeter of the grocery store. <br />The outer walls of the grocery store are usually the place to find the healthiest foods. First stop: the produce aisle, where you can load up on naturally cholesterol-free fruits and vegetables. Don’t just pick out the same old items like bananas and tomatoes - opt for a variety of produce selections like blueberries, raspberries, mango, zucchini, red and green peppers, kiwi and avocados. Avocados in particular are known for containing the healthy fats which can help to raise your HDL (your “good” cholesterol). Load up on garlic - another cholesterol-lowering miracle food. Walk around to the meat department and choose the leanest cuts of meat and poultry. Choose skinless chicken and pick up lots of heart healthy fish like salmon and mackerel. Make your way to the dairy aisle where you should walk right past the full fat dairy products and select low fat and fat free dairy products and milk. Craving eggs? Switch from regular eggs to cholesterol-free Egg Beaters brand. Soy milk is another low cholesterol dairy option - Silk and 8th Continent brands are two good choices. Keep in mind that the high fat, processed foods can usually be found in the middle aisles of the grocery store. Stay away from any snack item that comes in a box or a bag — most of these items contain high cholesterol and trans fats. <br /><br />Read food labels. <br />If you don’t usually take the time to read food labels, start doing it now. Food labels must now list the amount of cholesterol per serving. Obviously your best choice is to choose items that have zero cholesterol. And while you’re checking the cholesterol count of your favorite foods, read the ingredients that are listed on the product label as well. Any food that contains hydrogenated oils or partially hydrogenated oils is bad news. <br /><br />Remember-not all margarines are created equal. <br />Some of the new margarine products on the market are actually proven to help lower cholesterol. Skip the stick butter and margarines — these are the worst kind for your heart. Instead opt for a tub spread that contains plant sterols, like Benecol or Take Control. Yes, these products are more expensive than the generic store brands, but they do help to lower cholesterol when eaten as part of a low fat diet. Or, if you’d rather skip the margarine altogether, try dipping your bread in just a little bit of heart-healthy olive oil. <br /><br />A few more low-cholesterol options. <br />You don’t have to say goodbye to your morning bowl of breakfast cereal — just say goodbye to those brands that are loaded with sugar and chemicals. Switch to cholesterol-lowering oatmeal instead. Looking for a snack? Forget the potato chips and switch to healthy nuts, like walnuts or almonds. Just eat a few though! <br /><br />Change your ways. <br />Gone are the days that you can eat an entire bag of potato chips or a pint of chocolate chip ice cream without feeling guilty. High cholesterol is serious business and should be treated as such. Change your eating habits now so that you can enjoy good health for many years to come.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-48197186739622115382007-10-02T22:50:00.000-07:002007-10-02T22:53:29.769-07:00Bone-density tests for osteoporosis are routine for older women, but a new study finds they might be cost-effective for certain groups of men over 65, too.<br /><br />One of the first quality assessments of the screenings' costs and benefits for males finds that all men over 80 could benefit from a test, as well as men aged 65 or older who've already suffered a bone fracture.<br /><br />"The amount of money that you have to spend, compared to the quality of life that you save, is a reasonably good deal for society for these subsets of men," said lead researcher Dr. John Schousboe, of Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis.<br /><br />His team published its findings in the Aug. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-65434082583331014502007-09-30T10:28:00.000-07:002007-09-30T10:30:57.122-07:00An Italian study has identified overweight as a direct cause of high blood pressure. And it also showed that up to half of overweight people can bring down blood pressure to healthy levels by weight reduction.<br /><br />It's important that the study linked overweight to high blood pressure, which usually is described as "essential," a medical term meaning that the cause is unknown.<br /><br />The study suggests that, in many cases, hypertension [high blood pressure] is not essential. It is secondary to overweight. So, in the first stages of overweight, if we can induce people to reduce overweight, they can also avoid being treated for hypertension.<br /><br />A 6-month diet restored normal blood pressure, study finds.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-31664760627972299012007-09-28T09:33:00.000-07:002007-09-28T09:34:35.801-07:00While it's important to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables each day, it's also crucial to wash them before eating.<br /><br />Here are some guidelines, courtesy of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension:<br /><br /><> Wash any raw fruit or vegetable before peeling, cutting, eating or cooking.<br /><> Try a fruit and vegetable wash that is designed to remove bacteria and pesticides.<br /><> Soak and wash produce in distilled water for one to two minutes.<br /><> Use a vegetable brush to scrub any produce with a thick skin.<br /><> Wash any produce that you grew yourself, or that was grown by someone else.<br /><> Thoroughly wash your hands and any cutting or preparation surfaces before preparing fresh produce.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-51513729343631905832007-09-27T21:55:00.000-07:002007-09-27T21:57:25.920-07:00Hypertension, or high blood pressure, remains the most common reason for office visits to physicians for non-pregnant adults in the United States. Some 50 million Americans are believed to have hypertension. Despite its prevalence and the complications associated with it, control of the disease is far from adequate. As a result, hypertension will likely remain the most common risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease for years to come. <br /><br />At the same time, some 42 percent of Americans have used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches to meet their health care needs, spending more out-of-pocket for CAM than the amount projected for expenditures in 1997 for all U.S. physician services. Nearly three million people are estimated to have tried mind-body techniques to treat their hypertension; approximately eight percent of the hypertensive population. <br /><br />Mind-Body medicine, one of five major branches of CAM therapeutics, uses behavioral techniques to augment the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms, utilizing varied approaches such as meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance. The 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found nearly 30 million users of relaxation techniques including meditation and yoga, and 10 million users of yoga therapies. One-fourth of those who used mind-body therapies rated them “very helpful.” <br /><br /><em>source:http://www.healthnews247.com/</em>valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-83940072319820868682007-09-26T02:53:00.001-07:002007-09-26T02:53:57.176-07:00by Jennifer C. Alinio<br /><br />It is a fact that most men dislike going to the doctor. Getting a medical examination is seen as a "weakness" or a very unmanly thing to do, at least for the traditional, macho-types. Some men actually need to be dragged by the girlfriend or the wife to the doctor's office just to get a check-up. But why do they literally hate going to the doctor? Well, most men are very private and do not want to be touched especially by another man. An appointment with the doctor is also very time-consuming, and men hate that. Another reason is that men have a "primal survival instinct" that makes them avoid any situation that will possibly subject their body to any invasive procedure such as being injected with a needle. Lastly, men are great at denial --- even for health matters. Most men tend to put-off visiting a doctor until they reach their mid-40s to 50s.<br /><br />But whether they like it or not, men must accept the fact that they are mortal. Health problems are inevitable in the same way that death is inescapable. Men can no longer deny or put-off the need to have regular medical check-ups. <br /><br />Many serious health cases among men could have been treated had they received medical attention in the early stages of the disease. Preventive care is as important as taking a bath and brushing our teeth. Routine examinations are undeniably essential to identify symptoms and detect disease. When doctors perform a check-up, they need to be fully aware of the patient's medical history, age, body weight, and dietary habits. These information will help the doctor determine the risk factors and predisposition of the patient to certain illnesses. <br /><br />Most men only visit the doctor when they feel terribly bad or once they see very alarming signs or symptoms of illness. Shown below are some of the most common ailments experienced by men:<br /><br />1. Heart attack - Many victims of heart attack die before they reach the hospital. Many die not even knowing that they had a heart problem. victims died before ever reaching the hospital. It is never too early to get a heart check-up since even young people are now prone to heart disease.<br /><br />2. Hypertension - It is a medical condition where a person's blood pressure is chronically elevated. Common symptoms of hypertension include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and facial flushing.<br /><br />3. High cholesterol - Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that is found in human cells. It is also found in the fatty food that we eat. Cholesterol is important for the production of hormones and other substances that aid in food digestion. However, too much "bad" cholesterol or the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries leading to the heart makes a person more prone to heart attack.<br /><br />4. Cancers - The Big "C" is actually made up of various types of cancers. Men are prone to colon and prostate cancer --- both of which can be treated if these diseases are detected early. <br /><br />5. Anxiety Disorder - A growing number of men are being diagnosed with anxiety disorder, an emotional and psychological condition that is characterized by fear, apprehension, phobia, and other nervous conditions that are considered to be baseless or irrational. <br /><br />The Best Line of Defense<br /><br />Regular doctor's check-ups, including sessions with a psychologist, should be strongly considered by men if they want to maintain their health. These examinations may entail the conduct of a blood pressure reading, weight and height measurements, EENT (Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat) examination, complete blood count, urinalysis, chest-ray, and ECG (electrocardiograph). Other important medical examinations no man above 40 should miss include: <br /><br />· Routine examination of prostrate glands · Annual stool examination · Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)<br /><br />Staying alive and healthy could entail some expenses but becoming ill is more expensive in terms of time and money. These are some of the simple ways that men can improve or maintain their health without spending a fortune:<br /><br />1. Smoking - The World Health Organization has consistently campaigned against smoking due to its close links to lung cancer and other deadly pulmonary diseases. 2. Alcohol - Habitual and excessive intake of alcohol increases the risk of cardiovascular, liver and stomach problems among men.<br /><br />3. Eating unhealthy food - Wrong food choices contribute to illness in a major way. Foods high in bad cholesterol should be totally avoided. <br /><br />4. Risky Sexual Behavior - Promiscuity is a health risk since a man can expose himself to sexually transmitted disease. 5. Stress - Too much work pressure and too little sleep? Stress and anxiety can trigger problems like heart attacks and psycho-emotional disorders. As the saying goes health is wealth. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. Indeed, men should start paying more attention to their health and not postpone appointments with their doctor. Staying healthy and strong is the real macho thing to do --- even if entails going to the doctor once in a while. <br /><br />About the Author<br />DrugstoreTM.com is a reputable online drug store. From sexual health to a woman's health, sleeping aids to weight loss pills, our online pharmacy offers convenient customer access to various health medicines, including an array of health product and medicare prescription drug.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-29362793501966548942007-09-24T11:37:00.000-07:002007-09-24T11:38:07.002-07:00Men have always believed that they are smarter than women. Now, a study has found that while this is certainly true, men also have to deal with the fact that they are also more stupid than the fairer sex<br /><br />In the study, scientists measured the IQ of 2500 brothers and sisters and they found an uneven number of men not only in the top two pct, but also in the bottom two pct.<br /><br />The study's participants were tested on science, maths, English and mechanical abilities. <br /><br />Though there were twice as many men as women in the smartest group, there were also twice as many men among the dolts.<br /><br />The aggregate scores of men and women were similar.<br /><br />One of the study's authors, psychology professor Timothy Bates, said that the phenomenon may be because men have always been expected to be high achievers and women have been restricted to spend time taking care of their home.<br /><br />"The female developmental programme may be tilted more towards ensuring survival and the safety of the middle ground.," the Daily Mail quoted Professor Bates, of Edinburgh University, as saying.<br /><br />The research tallies with past results that men were more likely than women to receive first class University degrees or thirds and women secured the seconds. It has been said that men are more ready to take risk when it comes to academics.<br /><br />Women have always found to be more steady in their learning<br /><br />A past study has shown that women are securing more firsts and seconds, while men are continuing to receive more thirds.<br /><br />The argument for the change is that the increase of coursework at the cost of exams favours women's steady approach.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-11585905890911945172007-09-23T22:57:00.000-07:002007-09-23T22:58:12.134-07:00A new study has shown that the bacterium that causes a highly contagious and sometimes deadly form of diarrhoea is often carried by persons who do not have any of the disease symptoms.<br /><br />The new findings, published online in Clinical Infectious Diseases, have dramatic implications for health care workers who treat and isolate only those patients who exhibit symptoms.<br /><br />Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is the most common health care-associated diarrhoeal disease in developed countries, with most infections occurring in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. <br /><br />Infection control measures-such as placing patients with suspected or documented CDAD under contact precautions until the diarrhoea resolved and disinfecting their rooms-have been effective in reducing, but not eliminating, CDAD outbreaks.<br /><br />The new study offers understanding as to why the infection efforts have not been more successful. It suggests that the bacteria may be thriving on asymptomatic patients and items in their immediate vicinity such as call buttons, bed rails, bedside tables, and telephones.<br /><br />The researchers found that spores were easily transferred from the patient's skin to their hands.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-28785357869604842902007-09-21T11:05:00.001-07:002007-09-21T11:05:51.345-07:00According to a new study, teens who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home are at a very high risk of failing in a test at school.<br /><br />Astonishingly, the study found that when the effects of prenatal tobacco exposure and secondhand smoke together were examined, prenatal exposure did not influence test performance anywhere. <br /><br />However, the study did not reveal the reason for secondhand smoke influencing failure. <br /><br />The study is published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-58050131223526692392007-09-20T03:11:00.000-07:002007-09-20T04:21:53.324-07:00A long-term study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has revealed that that recipients receiving a type of stem cell transplant used for patients with life-threatening diseases, such as lymphoma and leukaemia, have many difficulties related to sexual function and activity.<br /><br />The research team found that sexual dysfunction in transplant patients is likely induced by systemic therapies, such as chemotherapy drugs and total body irradiation known, which are known to permanently hurt endocrine glands that have a significant role in the development and regulation of the reproductive system. <br /><br />The study also concluded that males are likely to recover from these changes over time, while the sexuality of female patients remains compromised. In addition, neither male nor female long-term cancer survivors regained levels of sexual activity and function equal to those of their peers who have not had cancer.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mens-health-events.info/ed.php">read about erectile dysfunction</a><br /><br />The study is published in the Sept 19 issue of Blood.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-88188032064152257432007-09-19T00:49:00.000-07:002007-09-19T00:51:28.226-07:00Exciting new research conducted at the Creighton University School of Medicine in Nebraska has revealed that supplementing with vitamin D and calcium slashes risk of cancers by 77 percent; cancer industry refuses to support cancer prevention.<br /><br />This research provides strong new evidence that vitamin D is the single most effective medicine against cancer, far outpacing the benefits of any cancer drug known to modern sciencevaleriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-2645353260579183692007-09-18T22:03:00.000-07:002007-09-18T22:05:52.556-07:00A research team reports in the October issue of the Journal of Lipid Research that when either lean or obese individuals exercise after eating a high fat meal, their fats are going down and oxidized in skeletal muscle, making them healthier.<br /><br />These conclusions show for the first time how a high fat diet and exercise stimulate the breakdown of fats and may help create ways to reduce excessive fat in the body. <br /><br />Fat is broken down inside fat cells to generate energy by a process called lipolysis. The resulting fatty acids are released into the bloodstream and carried to tissues that require energy. In obese individuals, too much fat accumulates, compromising lipolysis, but the details of how this happens are not well understood. Also, obese individuals can show altered responsiveness to the stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine in their subcutaneous fat.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-51696986049780734042007-09-17T21:27:00.001-07:002007-09-17T21:27:31.790-07:00The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has licensed 15 new blood typing tests that were previously unavailable in the United States. <br /><br />These tests, known as blood grouping reagents, are used to determine the blood type of blood donors, an essential step in ensuring safe blood transfusion for patients. If mismatched blood is administered to a patient, it may cause a serious and potentially fatal reaction. <br /><br />To prevent such problems, people must receive compatible blood based on the results of blood typing testsvaleriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-87128038729906897672007-09-16T22:29:00.000-07:002007-09-16T22:31:53.905-07:00A study at Tulane University, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, said that smoking increases the risk of erectile dysfunction.<br /><br />Researchers examined the link between cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction in a previous Chinese study involving 7,684 men ages of 35-74 who did not have vascular disease. The conclusion was the more cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk. According to another conclusion of study, the association between smoking and erectile dysfunction was even stronger in participants with diabetes. (<a href="http://www.mens-health-events.info/smoke.php">more about smoke</a>)valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-73812622018637560102007-09-16T09:37:00.000-07:002007-09-16T09:45:19.972-07:00A recent study at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand has found that honey could be used to fight the effects of ageing, including anxiety and memory decline.<br /><br />The researchers concluded that honey may improve memory due to its antioxidant properties, which help the free radicals damaging in the body cells.<br /><br />"Diets sweetened with honey may be beneficial in decreasing anxiety and improving memory during ageing," NewScientist.com quoted the team leader, as saying.<br /><br />The findings were presented at the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour meeting at Newcastle University.valeriantag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3490098475300061769.post-64118277701043322492007-09-14T11:31:00.000-07:002007-09-14T11:33:28.146-07:00Individuals who take vitamin D supplements appear to have a lower risk of death from any cause over an average follow-up time of six-years, according to a meta-analysis of 18 previously published studies in the September 10 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.<br /><br />Past studies have suggested that deficiencies in vitamin D might be associated with a higher risk of death from cancer, heart disease and diabetes--illnesses that account for 60 percent to 70 percent of deaths in high-income nations, according to background information in the article. <br /><br />"If the associations made between vitamin D and these conditions were consistent, then interventions effectively strengthening vitamin D status should result in reduced total mortality," the authors write.valerian