Healthy Life

Archive for April, 2010

Dr. Ellen Hughes, internist and integrative medicine specialist at UCSFs Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, explores the value of vitamins, minerals and supplements. Series: UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public [9/2009] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 16719]

Whenever the term “natural bodybuilding” is mentioned, those who participate in such a hobby think of grueling weight lifting workout sessions and disciplined bodybuilding diet routines, but one additional variable, supplementation, is deemed a requirement for any individual to succeed in building muscle mass to his or her natural bodybuilding potential. Since steroids are off limits due to their dangers, bodybuilding supplements become the “safe” and legal steroid alternative that bodybuilders feel compelled to pursue.

Because so few who experiment with bodybuilding supplements have performed their weight training routines without using such products, they are unable to analyze the true effectiveness of the bodybuilding supplements they consume, and therefore, mistakenly attribute any muscle gain or fat loss to these products, even when making changes to a weight training or diet routine that, in fact, is the foundation for any successful muscle building or fat loss venture. Instead of conducting legitimate experiments to note muscle growth or fat loss with specific bodybuilding supplements using the exact same weight training and diet routine, many tend to become frustrated with their muscle gain or fat loss progress, and once they return from a vacation with newfound weight lifting enthusiasm, they not only seek out a new workout routine and diet, but also purchase several bodybuilding supplements to use simultaneously, and if they begin to grow or lose fat, they do not credit the weight lifting plan or diet, nor do they consider the muscle gain following a layoff, but rather credit the bodybuilding supplements for any positive change, even if this progress begins to fade.  Read more...

Vincent 30, a sales manager in a pharmaceutical company is already troubled by receding hairline.
Mr. Shaun, 45 and undergoing treatment for cancer is suffering from hair loss.

Deborah, all of 22 is grappling to find answers for her sudden hair loss.
Are you also one among the many facing problems of abnormal hair loss, hair shedding or receding hairline? Well, are you aware of your hair loss symptoms?

If you know what’s causing your hair loss, it will be easy for you to notice the hair loss symptoms.
Are you losing hair on the top of the head or on the forehead or a victim of thinning?

This could be androgenetic alopecia or inherited hair loss, which runs in the family.
If you notice symptoms like redness or inflammation of the scalp, it could be a result of your own immune system attacking your hair follicles. If your thyroid gland is overactive or under active, or male (androgens) and female hormones (estrogens) are out of balance, this too could result in hair loss.

You have just delivered your baby and to your dismay you find that within two-three months, tufts of hair are coming out in your brushes and combs. Don’t be depressed. It’s just a natural loss that occurs with childbirth – it’s called post-partum hair loss and normally rectifies itself within a few months.

Are you recovering from a major surgery or severe infection? Then don’t be shocked by excessive hair fall. Some drugs used for treating gout, heart problems, arthritis or acne may cause temporary hair shedding. Drugs used for cancer or chemotherapy stops hair cell division. The patient may lose all his hair during the course of the treatment, but will regain his hair after the treatment stops some months later.
Diet plays an important role for inadequate growth of hair and hair loss. Hair loss symptoms are noticed in people who go in for crash diets and develop protein malnutrition in the process. So think twice before going in for a severe diet regime. Iron deficiency or inadequate protein intake may result in hair loss or hair thinning.  Read more...

Natural nutrition has two governing precepts: the body has the remarkable power to heal itself but is also unable to work against itself. Natural nutrition is not only about what we ingest in the form of food and drink it is also about taking responsibility for the quality of our decisions.

The multitude of combinations of ingredients naturally found in fresh produce, as opposed to supplements, are essential in order to maintain peak health. Choose to take in to your body only those foods that are full of natural enzymes and nutrients and your body will feel and look healthier and more energized. Many health conditions can be treated successfully through proper nutrition.

Nutrition Should Not Come From A Factory

Stay away from foods which have unnatural additives, which have been irradiated and which are genetically modified. Processed, prepackaged, refined, manufactured, artificially flavored and/or colored, preservative-laden, chemically treated, or chemically engineered foods are highly discouraged. They do not contain the nutritional value of whole foods and they contain many additives, which further depletes the system of essential nutrients. To keep in tune with the cycles of nature you can select foods that are in season.

Consume Natural Vitamins

The body requires vitamins which for the most part should come from selecting nutritious foods. Keep in mind that vitamins consumed as a supplement are missing most of the enzymes, co-enzymes, minerals, mineral activators and other substances that work with vitamins which allow them to be absorbed and fully used by the body.

Nature Heals

 Read more...

I am one of those people who are very mindful of my appearance. I think that no matter how much shattered or tumultuous I feel inside, not every person I meet deserves to know what is happening inside of me. I never intended to break away from that goal. However, biological facts have sometimes slowed down my intention to keep up to my aim of staying beautiful. That is why I have learned to observe the most effective anti-aging skin care tips and techniques. As they say, prevention is better than cure.

The # 1 anti-aging skin care I strictly observe is the use of sunscreen. The use of sunscreen greatly helps in decreasing the effects of aging to skin. The frequent exposure to UVA and UVB rays rapidly brings about the early formation of fine lines, wrinkles and skin pigmentation which is responsible for the appearance of matured-looking skin. Because of this, it is best to use a higher level of SPF for every day use. Also, it is best to use a sunscreen that contains vitamins such as C and E. These are anti-oxidants that help detoxify skin from the free radicals brought about by sun exposure.

Another regimen which has vast effect on skin care is getting enough sleep. It is a scientific fact that our body recharges and renews itself while we sleep. This likewise happens to our skin. As a very effective anti-aging skin care, sleep is usually ignored by many. As a matter of fact, a lot of studies have shown that many people lacks sleep. Coincidentally, the number of hours of sleep decreases as one gets older. Experts say that if one has a hard time falling asleep, one must create a routine which will induce sleep. It is advisable to feel rested and relaxed. Extinguishing lights will also encourage sleep as it will make one’s eyes unoccupied. Taking a hot bath may also help you relax and have some sleep, especially if it is accompanied by a slow, mellow music. No matter what sleep-inducing technique you observe, always remember that it is important to be able to acquire the required number of hours of sleep. Besides, sleep is the only anti-aging skin care that is not only free, but also more than accessible to us.  Read more...