Obesity is nothing but excessive storage of fat in our body. Obesity has been defined as a weight more than 20% above what is considered normal as per the body mass index, which is calculated from an individual's age, height, and weight. Presence of fat tissue is essential as natural energy reserve in our bodies. But excess fat tissues result in obesity and causes health disorders.
Obesity is measured by: Body Mass index (BMI), Waist Measurement and Combined Measurements .An obese person carries the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
One of the places where this excess body fat can most easily be seen is around the waistline. A waist measurement of 40 inches or more in men and 35 inches or more in women is linked to an increased risk for heart disease and other health problems associated with obesity.
An adult who is obese has an increased risk of complications from other diseases. These may include
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gallbladder disease
- Some types of cancer
- High cholesterol
- Stroke
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleeping and breathing problems
- Depression or other emotional problems
- Difficulty walking or moving around
- Heartburn
- Rashes in the folds of the skin
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Snoring or sleep apnea
Monday, July 27, 2009
A Natural Antibacterial, Antiviral and Antifungal Medicine
nfectious diseases such as Flu, TB, Pneumonia, Hepatitis, Cholera, Malaria, and Dengue are quite common in many countries. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites kill more people worldwide than any other single cause.
Many studies have shown that overuse of antibiotics has increased the rate of infections as well as created many drug resistant bacteria over the past few decades. Antibiotics work only on bacteria and not on viruses. In fact, there are no effective drugs that can kill the viruses. Boosting the body's immune system is the only effective way of fighting these drug resistant and ever mutating microorganisms.
Extensive research done by scientists such as Jon J Kabara, PhD, has shown that the Lauric acid found in Coconut Oil is a potent antimicrobial agent. Lauric acid is a major component (49%) of Coconut oil. It has also been found to kill the H.
Virgin coconut oil can be used as a natural medicine in common cold, flu or viral fever. It can be consumed by using it as a cooking oil or you can simply consume 2-3 tablespoons along with meals or with your favorite juice or plain water. Make sure that your drink is lukewarm so that coconut oil can easily mix with it. Some studies that a massage with coconut oil gives rapid and superior results in acute diseases like common cold or flu. Massaging the arms, legs, chest, back and neck regions allows a large amount of oil to be quickly absorbed into the body via the skin and helps facilitate rapid recovery.
Coconut oil consists largely of what is called as Medium Chain Triglycerides, also known as MCT or MCFA, which gets digested and absorbed quickly in the body and provides a much needed energy boost. This is why the MCT, found in coconut oil, is used in hospitals to prepare food for the sick and the elderly.
Many studies have shown that overuse of antibiotics has increased the rate of infections as well as created many drug resistant bacteria over the past few decades. Antibiotics work only on bacteria and not on viruses. In fact, there are no effective drugs that can kill the viruses. Boosting the body's immune system is the only effective way of fighting these drug resistant and ever mutating microorganisms.
Extensive research done by scientists such as Jon J Kabara, PhD, has shown that the Lauric acid found in Coconut Oil is a potent antimicrobial agent. Lauric acid is a major component (49%) of Coconut oil. It has also been found to kill the H.
Virgin coconut oil can be used as a natural medicine in common cold, flu or viral fever. It can be consumed by using it as a cooking oil or you can simply consume 2-3 tablespoons along with meals or with your favorite juice or plain water. Make sure that your drink is lukewarm so that coconut oil can easily mix with it. Some studies that a massage with coconut oil gives rapid and superior results in acute diseases like common cold or flu. Massaging the arms, legs, chest, back and neck regions allows a large amount of oil to be quickly absorbed into the body via the skin and helps facilitate rapid recovery.
Coconut oil consists largely of what is called as Medium Chain Triglycerides, also known as MCT or MCFA, which gets digested and absorbed quickly in the body and provides a much needed energy boost. This is why the MCT, found in coconut oil, is used in hospitals to prepare food for the sick and the elderly.
The best headache treatment options
Nothing can ruin a mood, a day or a special occasion like a headache. Treatment for headaches is nothing new; all the back to ancient Egypt physicians have been looking for the best headache treatment they could. Doctors and physicians still disagree exactly what happens to your head during a headache. They agree that the problem is blood flow - the blood vessels contracting and relaxing around the brain. To have the proper headache treatment, you really should know the cause of your headache. Here a couple of tips to find the best headache treatment for your specific situation.
Headache treatment should really begin with headache prevention. If you can find the reason that you have headaches, and alter your lifestyle or diet to stop the headaches from even happening, that is the most effective headache treatment you can get. Most headaches are brought on by tension and stress. Discover what your headache triggers are - make a list of the top stress causers in your life. Is there are way to get around, or solve those problems? Perhaps you can change your commute or your daily routine to lower your stress levels. For most people, this is the best headache treatment. If you can’t eliminate the stress causers in your life, are there ways to treat them before they give you migraines? Perhaps you don’t have the budget you like, but if you can find a way to balance your income and expenses, you won’t have the same financial stress - and you’ll have less headaches.
Headache treatment might lie in diet and nutrition as well. Most people report headaches from the excess or lack of caffeine. Perhaps if you wean yourself off of coffee, tea or soft drinks, you’ll find the fluctuations of caffeine in your blood system will stop - and so will the headaches. Another strong possibility is the lack of water in your body. Dehydration means that all of your body’s systems and organs are running a little slow. This includes headaches. A couple of more glasses of water each day might be the only headache treatment you need.
There is of course a variety of pills and medication you can turn to for headache treatment. Some work, others don’t. The key to real headache treatment is in headache prevention. If you can eliminate the causes of your headaches, you’ll have a much happier, carefree day.
Headache treatment should really begin with headache prevention. If you can find the reason that you have headaches, and alter your lifestyle or diet to stop the headaches from even happening, that is the most effective headache treatment you can get. Most headaches are brought on by tension and stress. Discover what your headache triggers are - make a list of the top stress causers in your life. Is there are way to get around, or solve those problems? Perhaps you can change your commute or your daily routine to lower your stress levels. For most people, this is the best headache treatment. If you can’t eliminate the stress causers in your life, are there ways to treat them before they give you migraines? Perhaps you don’t have the budget you like, but if you can find a way to balance your income and expenses, you won’t have the same financial stress - and you’ll have less headaches.
Headache treatment might lie in diet and nutrition as well. Most people report headaches from the excess or lack of caffeine. Perhaps if you wean yourself off of coffee, tea or soft drinks, you’ll find the fluctuations of caffeine in your blood system will stop - and so will the headaches. Another strong possibility is the lack of water in your body. Dehydration means that all of your body’s systems and organs are running a little slow. This includes headaches. A couple of more glasses of water each day might be the only headache treatment you need.
There is of course a variety of pills and medication you can turn to for headache treatment. Some work, others don’t. The key to real headache treatment is in headache prevention. If you can eliminate the causes of your headaches, you’ll have a much happier, carefree day.
Epilepsy in dogs
The condition known as epilepsy does indeed occur in dogs. In fact, the problem is broken down into two different types of Epilepsy.
1. Idiopathic Epilepsy- Idiopathic epilepsy is when there is no known cause for the condition and it is assumed it may be an inherited condition.
2. Secondary Epilepsy – This diagnosis is used when a specific cause for the seizures can be found. A veterinarian will normally run a variety of tests to rule out possible physiological or toxic causes before diagnosing the dog as having the idiopathic version.
There are several types of seizures that are seen in dogs and there are many times an owner isn’t even aware of the problem. An epileptic seizure
is the clinical manifestation of abnormal brain activity in the cerebral cortex.
These abnormalities can create seizures that vary from the mild “petit mal” to the generalized, full body “grand mal.”
Some of the physiological reasons a dog may have secondary epilepsy are:
1. Hypoglycemia or “low blood sugar.”
2. Hypothyroidism – A condition in which the thyroid functions inadequately.
3. Disease – Seizures are a common symptom of diseases such as encephalitis and distemper
4. Lead poisoning – This can be seen in dogs that like to chew on items such as painted wood.
5. Brain Tumors – This is the most common cause of seizures that begin after the age of 5.
6. Hydrocephalus – The accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain.
7. Eclampsia – This occurs when a lactating female’s calcium levels drop to dangerous levels.
8. Toxins – Pesticides, fertilizers, poisonous plants, arsenic, strychnine and chocolate.
9. Trauma – Trauma can occur from some type of severe blow to the head such being hit by a car, bat, kicked or fall.
10. Organ failure – End stage liver or renal failure can often cause
11. Parasitic – Severe cases of intestinal worms, end stage heartworms or even anemia from fleas and ticks can cause seizures.
Idiopathic Epilepsy is also called primary or hereditary epilepsy.
As with any disease or condition, your personal veterinarian is the best source for making a diagnosis, education and offering treatment options. If you suspect your dog may have either type of epilepsy and you see seizure like activity, take note of the time, date, length and type of seizure as well as the way the dog acts after the seizure has ended. Keep a record of these things for each episode and discuss the problem as soon as possible with the veterinarian. Remember to follow up the conference with information as to any further episodes so he or she will be able to lay out a plan of action for both you and your dog for the best possible results.
1. Idiopathic Epilepsy- Idiopathic epilepsy is when there is no known cause for the condition and it is assumed it may be an inherited condition.
2. Secondary Epilepsy – This diagnosis is used when a specific cause for the seizures can be found. A veterinarian will normally run a variety of tests to rule out possible physiological or toxic causes before diagnosing the dog as having the idiopathic version.
There are several types of seizures that are seen in dogs and there are many times an owner isn’t even aware of the problem. An epileptic seizure
is the clinical manifestation of abnormal brain activity in the cerebral cortex.
These abnormalities can create seizures that vary from the mild “petit mal” to the generalized, full body “grand mal.”
Some of the physiological reasons a dog may have secondary epilepsy are:
1. Hypoglycemia or “low blood sugar.”
2. Hypothyroidism – A condition in which the thyroid functions inadequately.
3. Disease – Seizures are a common symptom of diseases such as encephalitis and distemper
4. Lead poisoning – This can be seen in dogs that like to chew on items such as painted wood.
5. Brain Tumors – This is the most common cause of seizures that begin after the age of 5.
6. Hydrocephalus – The accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain.
7. Eclampsia – This occurs when a lactating female’s calcium levels drop to dangerous levels.
8. Toxins – Pesticides, fertilizers, poisonous plants, arsenic, strychnine and chocolate.
9. Trauma – Trauma can occur from some type of severe blow to the head such being hit by a car, bat, kicked or fall.
10. Organ failure – End stage liver or renal failure can often cause
11. Parasitic – Severe cases of intestinal worms, end stage heartworms or even anemia from fleas and ticks can cause seizures.
Idiopathic Epilepsy is also called primary or hereditary epilepsy.
As with any disease or condition, your personal veterinarian is the best source for making a diagnosis, education and offering treatment options. If you suspect your dog may have either type of epilepsy and you see seizure like activity, take note of the time, date, length and type of seizure as well as the way the dog acts after the seizure has ended. Keep a record of these things for each episode and discuss the problem as soon as possible with the veterinarian. Remember to follow up the conference with information as to any further episodes so he or she will be able to lay out a plan of action for both you and your dog for the best possible results.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Our brains detect happiness faster than sadness
Our brains detect the expressions of happiness and surprise faster than those of sadness or fear, according to a study.
an international team of spanish and brazellian researchers made a study on this. The research team worked with 80 psychology students—65 women and 15 men—to analyse the differences between their cerebral hemispheres using the "divided visual field" technique, which is based on the anatomical properties of the visual system.
Appearing in the journal Laterality, the findings suggest that the right hemisphere performs better in processing emotions.
"However, this advantage appears to be more evident when it comes to processing happy and surprised faces than sad or frightened ones," the researcher points out.
"Positive expressions, or expressions of approach, are perceived more quickly and more precisely than negative, or withdrawal, ones. So happiness and surprise are processed faster than sadness and fear," says Aznar-Casanova.
an international team of spanish and brazellian researchers made a study on this. The research team worked with 80 psychology students—65 women and 15 men—to analyse the differences between their cerebral hemispheres using the "divided visual field" technique, which is based on the anatomical properties of the visual system.
Appearing in the journal Laterality, the findings suggest that the right hemisphere performs better in processing emotions.
"However, this advantage appears to be more evident when it comes to processing happy and surprised faces than sad or frightened ones," the researcher points out.
"Positive expressions, or expressions of approach, are perceived more quickly and more precisely than negative, or withdrawal, ones. So happiness and surprise are processed faster than sadness and fear," says Aznar-Casanova.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
10 Natural Ways of Acne Treatment
Many are looking for acne treatments that really work? Whether you are a teenager or an adult suffering from acne, you don't have to live with it. Here you can find 10 easy and effective ways to treat acne.
1. Do not pick, press or rub your pimples. These actions actually increase the sebum production and rupture the membranes below your skin. The infection and sebum will spread underneath your skin and cause more pimples. Also, you risk increasing the chances of leaving scars on your face.
2. Wash your face twice a day using a mild soup. It is even better if you can buy sulfur-based soap especially for acne. If your skin is too oily, use a soap with benzoyl peroxide. Do not use rough sponges, brushes, or anything similar on your face. You shouldn't, however, over-wash your face because it will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum which will increase your acne.
3. Check if it is because of the food. For many people, food allergy can cause very serious acne condition. You should avoid eating too much oily and spicy food. Recent studies have shown that acne can also be caused by milk which contains hormones as well as seafood with relatively high levels of iodine. If possible, cut down on those foods. Other foods you may consider avoiding are: sugar, dairy products, deep-fried food, meat, nut butters, etc. On the other hand, it is believed that green vegetables, vegetable fuices and foods rich in zinc can help alleviate acne condition.
4. Drink more water every day. "Eight glasses of water a day can keep acne away." says Jennifer Thoden, a respected acne expert. The reason is that water can carry waste material out of our body and it really helps heal and prevent acne flare-ups.
5. Do not wear makeup if possible. Makeup products can clog your pores, cause more blackheads and pimples. If you have to wear makeup, make sure it is water-based. Be sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly and cleanse your skin before you sleep.
6. Do not use oily products. Avoid products such as hair pomades, intense oil-based facial moisturizers, and oily cleansers.
7. Keep your face clean. Do not rest your chin on your hands or constantly touch your face. Regular shampoo your hair and keep it off your face, especially when you sleep.
8. Exercise moderately as it helps in blood circulation and eliminataion of toxins.
9. Stay stress-free. Studies have shown that stress not only worsens acne flare-up, it also worsens the overall skin condition. Talk to your friends, listen to your favorite music, or take a walk in the park. There are many things you can do to be stree free.
10. Get Sunshine and fresh air. Sunshine stimulates vitamin D in the body, an essential vitamin for healthy skin. Fresh air and sunshine can also reduce stress (acne tip #9) and increase oxygen to the skin. Don't get burnt in the sun though. Burnt and heavily tanned skin forms a layer on the skin that doesn't exfoliate quickly enough and can lead to blocked pores.
What is the best treatment for acne?
Over the counter medications, such as Clearasil, may be helpful for mild acne, but they are of little use for those with significant disease. Depending on an individual’s particular situation, there are a variety of medications that may help including:
Benzoyl peroxides, which can be purchased without a prescription, kill bacteria butand promote a mild degree of skin irritation. This product is available as bar soap, liquid wash, cream lotion and gel.
Topical antibiotics such as the sulfa drugs erythromycin and clindamycin are not available without a prescription. These products benefit people with mild to moderate disease acne and usually do not produce side effects.
Azeolic acid , applied to the skin once or twice daily, is safe and effective for mild acne. However, it can bleach the skin in persons with pigmented skin.
Oral antibiotics are effective for moderate to severe acne. However, some studies have shown that their use in patients taking oral contraceptives can cause the birth control pill to fail. Those who have known allergies to specific antibiotics should inform their physician.
Retinoids are a derivative of Vitamin A. derivative. The topical form (RetinA, Differin or Avita) is used for patients with mild to moderate acne. The oral form (Accutane) is prescribed for severe, disfiguring acne, and, in select cases, is the only medication that helps. Its disadvantages include sun sensitivity and the drug’s capacityits potential to cause severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
Hormonal therapy, consisting of oral hormones containing less progesterone, may be helpful in women with acne, especially those with irregular periods or excess body hair.
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