There are lots and lots of anti ageing supplements being churned out one after the other to luring people to stay young always. But before taking any supplements it is prudent to consult your doctor whether those supplements would interfere in your health. You should check whether you are prone to any side effects because of the supplements.
There are a number of different anti aging supplements that help prevent and treat some of the problems associated with aging. From health food shops and pharmacists you can buy anti aging natural supplements, anti aging vitamins, anti aging antioxidants, special women’s and men’s anti aging vitamins and other anti aging supplements. HGH injections need to be administered by your doctor. Before taking any anti ageing supplement, it is best to check with your doctor to ensure that the supplement will not interfere with any medical conditions or medication.
Different Types of Supplements Available
There are lots of anti aging supplements available such as follows:-
COENZYME Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is found in cells’ mitochondria throughout the body. It helps regulate the oxidation of fats and sugar into energy. It can slow ageing, increase energy and lower blood pressure. It may cause heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, headache, fatigue and skin reactions.
GINGSENG
Ginseng may delay or reduce ageing. It can also boost the immune system and act as an antioxidant. It can have a positive effect on energy levels. There are suggestions it may prevent and fight cancer. It may cause breast tenderness, nervousness, hypertension, headaches, insomnia, restlessness and vomiting. People with hypertension or hypoglycemia should not use this.
ECHINACEA
Echinacea is a plant that is used to treat a number of infections. It can help boost the immune system. It may cause itching, a rash, wheezing and facial swelling, particularly in people with asthma or allergies.
ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera is available in the form of a drink. There are suggestions it may cause a general feeling of well-being and that it has regenerative and anti-aging properties.
BETA CAROTENE
Beta-carotene is found in green vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash. It is converted to vitamin A. Beta-carotene has antioxidant properties. It may help in the repair of skin cells and help boost the immune system. There are suggestions that beta-carotene supplements may increase the chance of lung cancer for smokers.
DHEA
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone made by the body. As people age, their DHEA levels decrease. DHEA is converted into estrogen and testosterone. It may help slow aging, increase muscle strength and help the immune system. Side effects may include fatigue and headaches. DHEA can cause liver damage and blood clots. People with a history of abnormal heart rhythms, liver disease or blood clots should not take DHEA. It can also cause hormonal differences, which may result in facial hair, increased sweating and a deeper voice for women.
FOLATE – FOLIC ACID
Folate and folic acid are form of vitamin B. Folate occurs in cereals, leafy vegetables, fruits, beans, meats and orange juice. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate. Folic acid and folate are antioxidants, which may help in the repair of skin cell damage and help boost the immune system. It may also help prevent cancer and strokes. High doses may cause rashes, itching, nausea, flatulence, cramps, diarrhea, irritability, vivid dreams and confusion.
GLUCOSAMINE
Glucosamine can reverse osteoarthritis and protect joints and tendons from injury. It can occasionally cause stomach upsets. It is not recommended for people on blood-thinning medications.
GREEN TEA
Green tea extract helps keep skin cells healthy. Green tea contains antioxidants, which help repair skin cells and boost the immune system. It can also protect the body from oxidative damage.
GINGKO
Gingko can improve the memory and alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It acts as an antioxidant. Very rarely, it may cause stomach complaints, allergic reactions or headaches. It might reduce the effect of medication for seizures.
HGH (HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE)
HGH (Human Growth Hormone) is made by the body and helps the body maintain tissues and organs. As the body ages, the amount of HGH decreases. HGH injections are synthetic growth hormones injected into the body. It is only available by prescription and must be administered by a doctor. It can increase muscle mass and have a rejuvenating effect. HGH can result in headaches, bloating, muscle pain, diabetes and high blood pressure. There is also a pill form of HGH.
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like tuna and sardines. It helps with blood flow. It can also help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids may cause abdominal bloating.
August 13th, 2008
Processed foods are not real human food, you know, the products that come in boxes, cans and bags, at best they are treats and at worst, they clog your insides and rob you of energy, your health and leave you with symptoms like weight, fatigue, headaches and so much more. Of course this is good for the folks that produce pharmaceuticals.
If you shopped the perimeter of the market (and you should) in the fresh produce and wellness sections looking for natural grains (NOT Wheat), legumes, dairy (NOT Milk) and free range meats and avoided the isles containing processed and packaged foods which happens to be all the isles, you would eat food your body actually could process and utilize and you would look, feel much healthier.
But we are a fast food nation.
Look at what a health hazard North Americas favourite foods products present to their population?
1. Hamburgers
Considered a “high risk” food because of the poor health standards under which they are manufactured. The time consuming process for making processed meats creates high bacteria counts and putrefaction of the meat which need to be treated with chemicals. Putrefaction causes meat to turn green which is then dyed with red chemicals to appear fresh. Unless marked otherwise, hamburger will always contain red dyes.
Because burger parts all come from the animal, “pure beef” can be used on the label! Most hamburger contain the flavour enhancer, MSG (monosodium glutamate) which causes headaches, allergic reactions and more. MSG is a chemical used to fatten up laboratory animals and evidence suggests it will ultimately make you fat when consumed.
The beef industry is the largest user of antibiotics in the world to offset the dangerous bacteria housed in its meats. This has resulted in the growing resistance to antibiotics. Ground beef is more likely to harbour life-threatening E-coli than any other food. Hamburgers are the single biggest food item that inflicts the most damage on the American diet “Billions served” billions spent on doctor visits and hospital bills.
The hormones fed to cattle can make you fat through meat consumption.
A Cheeseburger contains more than 100% of your TOTAL daily recommended fat intake! Burger condiments like pickle, lettuce, tomato, etc. are all treated with cancer causing chemical sulfites that are used to maintain a false freshness in the vegetables. Most burgers contain 1090 mg of sodium! (45% of daily recommended Daily Value) and can promote water retention.
2. Hot Dogs
Like hamburgers, hot dogs are considered a “high risk” food because of the poor health standards under which they are manufactured. The time consuming process for making processed meats creates high bacteria counts and putrefaction in the meat which need to be treated with chemicals. Putrefaction makes meat turn green which is then dyed with red chemicals to appear fresh.
Because hot dog parts all come from the animal, “pure beef” or “100% turkey” can be used on the label! All hot dogs contain the flavour enhancer, MSG (monosodium glutamate) which causes headaches and allergic reactions. MSG is a chemical used to fatten up laboratory animals and will ultimately make you fat when consumed.
Hot dogs have nitrites which are thought to cause stomach cancer, leukemia, brain tumours, and bladder cancer. Fillers and non-meat binders used to hold hot dog meat together can be anything from cereal, non-fat dry milk, or soy which adds more carbohydrates and processed ingredients) Synthetic collagen casings are used to form the hot dogs. Highly carcinogenic. Contains up to 40% of its content in undisclosed saturated fats.
3. French Fries
French fries are very toxic. In order to make French fries, they must be cooked at high temperatures which cause the chemical, acrylimide to be released. Acrylimides are a known cancer causing agent that also causes nerve damage.
Potatoes are grown in the ground and have a higher pesticide absorption level than almost any other food product. Fries are cooked in oxidized oil that is re-used for weeks at a time!
Potatoes have a very high glycemic index meaning it turns to sugar very quickly in the body. Eating a baked potato (or equivalent quantity of French fries) is the sugar equivalent of a large piece of chocolate cake!
4. Oreo Cookies: THE NUMBER ONE COOKIE
(6 cookies = serving size)
Predominantly made up of 23 grams of straight-line sugar.
Chocolate is LAST ingredient listed which means chocolate is the least of the ingredients. 370 empty calories with almost no nutritional benefits, you could eat 2 whole chicken breasts for the same amount of calories! 6 cookies have 12 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat and 40 carbs, more than 50% of your daily carbohydrate allowance in only 6 cookies.
Oreo cookies will set you up for craving more sugar within 3 hours or less. “Natural flavours” are manufactured chemicals to make Oreos taste like great chocolate cookies.
Highly processed foods have these flavour enhancers which are nothing more than carcinogenic chemicals with no natural flavours of their own. High sugar content. Sugar depletes our immune system, creates lots of inflammation and free radicals in the body.
5. Pizza
Commercial pizzas are made exclusively of 5 genetically modified foods: Cheese “food” (Contains only 10% cheese - it cannot even be called real cheese) Enriched white flour which has been bleached of natural vitamins and minerals but has been “enriched” by adding back a minuscule amount of synthetic vitamins. Tomato sauce made from tomato-like substances that produce their own pesticides, IN YOU
Wheat in the pizza crust is genetically modified. Contains cottonseed oil. Cotton is not a “food”, therefore it can be sprayed with anything farmers want. The seed carries most of the poison of the cotton plant.
Pizza is baked at such a high temperature; the crust will form acrylimides which is a known cancer causing agent that can also cause nerve damage. Pepperoni & sausage toppings are “high risk” processed meats which add lots of nitrites, chemicals, preservatives, and saturated fats.
6. Soda - Soft Drinks - Pop
The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. On the Ph scale, it is very acidic and can dissolve a nail in about 4 days. High acid content in the body makes it very difficult to lose weight. Soda will leach the calcium out of your bones and promote osteoporosis.
There are 10-12 teaspoons of empty calorie sugar in one can of soda. Diet sodas with artificial sweeteners will promote sugar cravings because sweeteners are “sweeter” than sugar. Colorings used in sodas are cancer-causing.
Soda is called “liquid candy” because of the high sugar content. Like drinking a candy bar! High fructose corn syrup, a major ingredient: Is stored in the body as fat.
7. Chicken Tenders
(Usual serving size is 6)
Made from unusable chicken parts, rarely made from whole white meat. A typical 340 calorie serving is typically 50% fat. Heavily breaded for substance. Very high carbohydrate content.
Carcinogenic acrylimides are released in the high temperature frying. Can cause nerve damage and cancer. Contains the flavor enhancer, MSG (monosodium glutamate) which causes headaches and allergic reactions.
MSG is a chemical used to fatten up laboratory animals and will ultimately make you fat when consumed. Contains phosphates which make the body acidic, making it impossible to burn fat properly. You will store fat and not lose weight. Some chicken nuggets contain aluminum which is toxic to the brain and poisons the metabolism.
Deep fried in oxidized oil that is re-used for weeks at a time!
8. Ice cream
High in fat content. 1 serving (usually 4 ounces!) can provide as much as 50% of your recommended fat for the day. High in carbohydrates. 1 serving is almost 40% of your total recommended carb intake for the day.
High in sugar which promotes sugar cravings and causes skin to wrinkle. Full of hydrogenated and trans-fats which are unnatural and elevate cholesterol clog arteries create free radicals (which may cause cancer)
Hormones put into cows to increase milk production will slow your metabolism, and can cause breast and ovarian tumours, cysts and cancer.
9. Donuts
The average donut contains approximately 300 calories.
One donut provides more than 50% of your recommended daily carbohydrate intake.
High in salt content which will promote water retention.
Donuts are deep fried in oxidized oil that is re-used for weeks at a time! Oils at high temperatures developed rancidity and free radicals which can poison and slow your metabolism, seriously threaten your health and has high sugar content which promotes sugar cravings and ages skin.
10. Potato Chips: The # 1 Snack Food
North Americans today consume more potato chips than any other people in the world. As a world food, potatoes are second in human consumption only to rice. It takes 4 pounds of potatoes to make 1 pound of potato chips. Very calorie dense where a small 2 oz. bag has over 300 calories.
Potato chips are deep fried in oxidized oil that is re-used for weeks at a time! Deep fried at high temperatures which cause the chemical, acrylimide to be released. Acrylimides are a known cancer causing agent that also causes nerve damage.
When you eat 1 single serving bag of potato chips you may be eating up to 500 times more acrylamide than the maximum level allowed in drinking water. High in hidden saturated fats. High sodium/salt content promotes water retention.
Healthy chips? Like those containing olestra can be more dangerous to your health than regular chips.
Reference:healthyyounaturally
July 28th, 2008
On an average, approximately, 5% of hair dye users develop an allergy; most of it is an allergic contact dermatitis with itching and mild redness in the scalp. However, in rare cases it does affect the organs of the body severely. A lot of hair dressers are affected by a considerable amount of hand dermatitis. The main substance responsible for such allergies is called PPD (4- ParaPhenyleneDiamine).
PPD is very commonly available in the markets since the early 90s and is used in most of the hair dyes available today. If you have ever noticed, the commercial hair dye comes in two different bottles. One bottle contains the PPD based cream which is non-oxidized and hence simply colorless, whereas the other bottle contains the oxidized cream (also known as a developer), hydrogen peroxide in most cases. Initially, the oxidized cream is used to break the melanin pigment in the hair and then the PPD based cream is used to re-develop the melanin. The PPD reacts with the melanin pigment and then turns up to be partly oxidized and colored. It is this part which is mainly responsible for allergies. If the PPD is fully oxidized, it does not lead to allergies. PPD is also a preferred ingredient in a lot of dark colored cosmetics and many temporary tattoos. European countries such as France and Germany have banned the use of PPD in hair dyes for the reason that it was thought to be extremely dangerous to health.
Precautions:-
Make sure you are aware about the other names of PPD. PPD are also known as Ursola, Orsina and can also be termed as PPDA. Some of the other hazardous hair dye substances include Isatin, p-Methylaminophenol and 6-hydroxyindole. It is important to know that all the groups that chemically belong to R-N=N-r group might lead to allergies. These chemical groups can be found in ball point ink, temporary or permanent hair dyes, colors in food, some medications, PABA (para amino benzoic acid) found in sun protection creams, anesthetics, sulphate drugs and aminosalicyclic acid used to cure tuberculosis.
You might find packages in the market that say “Hypo allergic” or “Unscented”. This only means that the product might cause fewer allergies and is odorless but nothing is proven so far about the dye being allergy-free completely. Many a times even if the product is completely natural, it still causes allergies.
Types of Allergies:-
ACD known as allergic contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that occurs in a genetically pre-disposed person and the risk of allergies increases with the frequencies of contact with the allergen. It is observed that an individual develops sensitivity after approximately 10 days of usage of the PPD. However, at the time of the subsequent contact, the sensation might develop in about 48-72 hours. Here the PPD molecules are destroyed by the lymphocytes and the macrophages which appear as granules and are evident to the human eyes in the form of redness or rashes on the skin. For a majority, the affected parts are the eyelids, scalp, and ears. Symptoms are redness, burning and itching.
Contact urticaria may perhaps develop in minutes to about 1 hour subsequent to contact. Allergen (PPD) brings on very big IgE antibodies that lead to bigger vascular permeability with skin reddishness and edema (swelling of eyelids). Contact Urticaria Syndrome (CUS) with red patches over the whole body skin and bronchial asthma with wheezing, sneezing, difficult swallowing and vomiting can appear.
Anaphylactic shock is extremely rare but its life threatening condition. Face oedema, grasping for air, blood pressure fall, rapid worsening of patient’s general state and fast death if not immediate help is available is usual sequence of events. It was reported that a 38 year mother died in UK in August 2000 shortly after changing her hair dye. She was asthmatic before and she firstly developed a nonspecific allergy with scalp itching after using her old hair dye for some months. After changing the dye anaphylactic shock developed and she died within an hour after applying it
Test:-
Consumer can apply a 20 cent sized spot of solution (i.e. dye and developer mixed together) behind the ear or the inner bend of the elbow for 48-72 hours. If no irritation or rash occurs during this time then the test is negative and the hair color may be considered as safe to use. If rash of a certain size (according to test scale) develops, this is a sign of allergy.
Dermatologist will use a patch test. A patch with a 2% PPD in petrolatum is applied to the upper back and checked after 48 hours. Negative reactions show no skin changes, positive can vary from a mild rash to prominent blisters or ulcers. With “ready-to-use” T.R.U.E. patch test 24 possible allergies causing substances (including PPD) are used.
Treatment:-
In acute severe cases of PPD hair dye dermatitis the hair and scalp has to be washed thoroughly with a mild shampoo. 2% hydrogen peroxide solution or compresses of potassium permanganate in a 1:5000 dilution has to be applied to completely oxidize the PPD. To soften the crust a wet dressing of olive oil and lime may be used.
The patch test has to be made afterwards to determine if there an allergy to PPD exists or there is “only” a common (non-allergic) contact dermatitis present. In the case of proved allergic dermatitis corticosteroid cream which diminish immune response can be applied.
Currently there are no permanent hair dyes that can be safely used by PPD allergic individuals.
References:
http://emedicine.com/derm/topic84.htm Allergic contact dermatitis
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1319372.stm Anaphilactic shock
http://www.allergyclinic.co.nz/guides/59.html Anaphilactic shock
http://www.healthhype.com/hair-dye-allergies.html
http://dermnetnz.org/procedures/patch-tests.html Patch test
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/01_03/CAtkinsonDM_468×310.jpg
June 9th, 2008
Ayurveda is known for using various therapeutic procedures for healing. Out of these methods, Sneha Karma is probably the easiest. It is a remedy, which is by and large engaged as a pre-operative practice to Panchakarma. This course of action produces Snigdhata (flexibility) in the body. Ayurvedic manuscripts compare the worn out human body to a dry stick, which breaks effortlessly. Application of oil to the body makes it elastic. This treatment can be used either by administering oily substances within or by using them on the surface in the form of an oil massage.
Charaka Samhita, the Ayurvedic treatise, advocates oil massage as a regular health care measure in maintaining positive health. Massage preserves the body energy. It improves the blood circulation and helps in excreting toxins out of the body in the course of sweat, urine and mucous; thus rejuvenating and relaxing the body. It protects against the vitiation and aggravation of vaata and kapha doshas. Massaging oil into the body makes it strong and helps the skin become smooth, says Ashtaanga Hridaya, another Ayurvedic treatise. So, one can expect good results from massage in treating skin disorders like eczema, blisters, scabies, seborrhoea and other conditions like neurasthenia, headaches, sleeplessness, gouty arthritis, polio, obesity and mental disorders. Massage increases physical stamina and mental alertness apart from sexual vitality.
Scientific Explanation
The Ayurvedic system of medicine calls the lymph system as the kapha or mucous carrying system. Lymph contains most of the elements in blood i.e. plasma, amino acids, glucose, fats, hormones, enzymes, salts and lymphocytes which fight infection. It acts as a transport medium between cells and the blood stream. It also aids circulation by maintaining the balance of the fluids in the body. The massage technique is pointed towards increasing lymph flow in the body by applying pressure at the manna (vital) points as described in the Sushruta Samhita. Increasing the kapha activity by massage is purported to increase the nourishment of the body and give proper stimulation to joints and body tissues.
If lymph flow is increased by massage, then there are several likely processes, which may be involved. Lymph possesses a relatively large amount of the amino acidtryptophan. This subsequently causes a parallel increase in the neurotransmitter (chemical between nerve endings), serotonin. Serotonin has been implicated in several psychiatric diseases with low levels of its metabolite found by researchers in depression, hallucinations, headaches, anxiety and irritability. So, massage is beneficial in treating these conditions. Another interesting point is that lymph contains approximately 30 times as much histaminase (an enzyme which breaks the allergy and acidity causing histamine) as in blood. So, the pathological conditions where histamine is involved, like painful and swollen tissue areas, gastric irritation, headaches, skin allergies, can be treated with lymphatic massage in order to provide increased supply of histaminase.
June 9th, 2008
Herbal combination formulas
Herbalists and other complementary therapy practitioners sometimes use single herb therapies like those described above, but the general tendency is to blend several herbs into combination therapies. A naturopathic doctor, herbalist or a practitioner of Chinese medicine, Ayurveda or Aboriginal healing methods may create unique blends of herbs specific to your health needs. There are several reasons for doing this. Some herbs work well together by achieving the same goal in different ways. For example, several herbs that support the digestive system are combined in the Triphala formula.
Herbs may also perform different functions that, when combined, make the mixture more specific to a particular problem. For example, the herb eyebright has a tendency to travel to the eye when taken into the body. Combining this herb with an antiviral herb like Lomatium might, therefore, help prevent an eye infection.
Some herbs are combined simply because they are traditionally thought to work best together. Although the theory behind this connection is not always fully understood, practitioners are reluctant to change combinations that derive from many years of observation and use.
Some herbs are combined to make them easier to take. For example, adding ginger or licorice to an herbal formula that has an unpleasant taste might make the combination more appealing and encourage patients to follow their treatment more closely.
Several examples of herbal combinations
Chyavanprash is a jelly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It contains 49 herbs plus the amla fruit, its main ingredient (for details, see the triphala formula section). Chyavanprash is used to boost digestion and increase muscle mass. It may also lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol and enhance the healing of tissue.
Composition A is a combination of Chinese herbs used in HIV infection. It contains more than 20 different herbs, including licorice, maitake mushrooms, astragalus, Atractylodes and ginseng. Composition A blends Chinese herbs used to treat toxic heat, which are often antivirals, with yang tonics that may support the immune system and marrow-strengthening herbs that may both stimulate the immune system and improve the circulation of blood cells. Composition A may be prescribed by a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. Its main side effect is gastrointestinal upset.
Essiac Tea contains burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm bark and turkey rhubarb root. Sheep sorrel and turkey rhubarb root are not indigenous to North America, although Rene Caisse, the original creator of this mixture, based her formula on the teachings of an Ojibwa healer. Essiac tea is sometimes taken by people with cancer. Although the name Essiac is a registered trademark of the Resperin corporation, several other manufacturers make similar formulas.
LIV-52 is an Ayurvedic formula containing herbs that are believed to treat liver disease and prevent liver damage. No side effects have been observed when LIV-52 is used as prescribed.
Sho-saiko-to is a traditional Japanese herbal remedy. It is approved in Japan for the treatment of hepatitis. A small study of combination therapy with sho-saiko-to and the antiretroviral drug 3TC showed that this mixture may be effective against HIV. A possible complication of sho-saiko-to is a serious lung condition called interstitial pneumonia. This complication is more likely to occur in people with existing respiratory problems. If you develop a dry cough or fever while taking sho-saiko-to, you should stop taking the preparation and seek medical attention immediately.
Triphala is a combination of three fruits - haritaki, amalaki and bibhitaki - used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is used to help maintain a healthy digestive system. It improves digestion and appetite and works as a laxative. Triphala is a good example of an herbal formula that combines several herbs with similar properties that work together. Haritaki ( Termina chebula) is used extensively in Tibetan medicine. It is the strongest laxative of the three and helps to prevent cramping. It may also be active against intestinal parasites. Amla, or amalaki ( Emblica officinalis), is used to rejuvenate the digestive system and improve appetite and digestion. It contains large amounts of vitamin C (3,000 mg per fruit) and is said to rejuvenate the circulatory system, helping to rebuild new tissue and maintain the red blood cell count. Bibhitaki ( Terminalia belerica) tones and protects the stomach and is also used as an appetite stimulant. Bibhitaki is also taken for sore throats and respiratory illnesses. Triphala or other formulas containing haritaki should not be used by pregnant women or when a person is experiencing fatigue, wasting or diarrhea.
Source:Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)
April 5th, 2008
Quick Nutrition Tips
Healthy whole foods: you might know that you’re supposed to eat them. But do you really know what they are?
“We live in a society that eats so much processed and manufactured food, that I think there’s some genuine confusion about what qualifies as a whole food,” says Tara Gidus, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Even for the health conscious, the phrase gets tangled up with other terms. Whole foods might be organic, or locally grown, or pesticide-free. But they aren’t necessarily. The definition of healthy whole foods is much simpler.
“When you eat whole foods, you’re getting the food in its natural state,” Gidus tells WebMD. “You’re getting it intact, with all of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are in the food.” Basically, it’s the healthy whole food, rather than the bits that remain after refinement and processing. It’s the difference between an apple and an apple flavored energy bar, or a baked potato and a bag of potato chips.
While whole foods might be associated with the upscale grocery store of the same name, they are available to all of us anywhere in the country. Most dietitians feel that eating healthy whole foods has all sorts of benefits. Their nutrients may help to keep your immune system strong and protect you from disease.
“If you’re trying to eat a healthier diet, relying on more whole foods is a great place to start,” says Lucia L. Kaiser, PhD, community nutrition specialist in the department of nutrition at the University of California, Davis.
Healthy Whole Foods
Many studies have found that a diet high in healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are associated with a reduced risk of diseases such as:
o cardiovascular disease
o many types of cancer
o diabetes
So what’s so good about healthy whole foods? For one, they’re loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They also contain phytochemicals, the general name for natural compounds in plants. While thousands of individual phytochemicals have been identified, countless more remain unknown. They help in different ways. Some are antioxidants, which protect cells against damage. Examples of antioxidant phytochemicals are flavonoids, carotenoids, and lycopene.
Usually, the term whole foods is confined to vegetables, fruits, and grains. But any dietitian will agree that eating a skinless chicken breast is preferable to eating processed chicken nuggets.
One problem with processed food is that, during manufacture, many healthy nutrients are removed.
For instance, “When whole grains are refined, the bran and the coat of the grain are often removed,” says Kaiser. Some nutrients are lost, most significantly fiber. Then, during the enrichment process, nutrients may be artificially added back in. But even after enrichment, the final product is likely to be less nutritious than the whole grains you started with.
The Synergy of Healthy Whole Foods
“One of the biggest advantages of eating whole foods is that you’re getting the natural synergy of all of these nutrients together,” says Gidus.
Gidus points to studies of vitamin E, selenium, and a number of antioxidants. We know that when they’re eaten in food, they have all sorts of health benefits. But studies of the single vitamins and minerals in supplement form have not shown the same success. Why? “It could be the natural combination and interaction of all of these different phytochemicals and proteins that give a food its health benefit,” Gidus says. “Trying to extract a single nutrient and take it by itself may not work.”
There’s another thing. We simply don’t know all of the nutrients in a food that make it healthy.
“Nutrition science is always discovering new components of foods, things that we didn’t know are there,” says Kaiser. “Many of them are not even available in supplement form.” If we don’t know what they are, we obviously can’t synthesize them.
Avoiding Additives in Food
The nutrients lost during refinement are not the only disadvantage of eating processed foods. What’s added can also be a problem.
A lot of health conscious people are wary of the preservatives and chemicals that are added to processed and manufactured foods. You know — the ones with the scary-sounding eight-syllable names. But in fact, Kaiser says that some of the worst food additives are household words.
“I think the most worrisome additives are not the preservatives,” says Kaiser. “It’s the salt, sugar, and saturated and trans fats.” While there’s been a lot of attention paid to the risks of trans fats in recent years, Kaiser thinks salt is gravely underestimated.
“As a country, we eat way too much salt,” she tells WebMD, and observes that it’s closely associated with high blood pressure and numerous other health problems.
With all of the extra fat and sugar in processed foods, the calories can quickly add up. That leads to weight gain. But eating more healthy whole foods may actually help you maintain or lose weight. The natural fiber in many vegetables, fruits, and grains may fill you up without adding many calories, Gidus says.
The Cost of Whole Foods
There’s another bonus to eating healthy whole foods. Although the name may now be synonymous with that fancy grocery store, whole foods are much cheaper than processed foods. They’re also available everywhere.
“Generally, the more processed things are, the higher the cost,” says Kaiser. “A bag of healthy brown rice is going to be cheaper than a fancy prepackaged rice mix.”
Of course, there may be a different cost to eating healthy whole foods: the preparation time. It’s hard to deny that popping a processed sandwich pocket in the microwave for three minutes is easier than cooking a proper meal with whole-food ingredients.
But Gidus stresses that you don’t need to cut out all processed foods. The goal is just to decrease the number of processed foods you eat and increase the proportion of healthy whole foods. That isn’t hard, especially when it comes to snacks. The next time need something to tide you over, eat a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit instead. It’s no harder than reaching for an energy bar — you’ll even be spared the labor of unwrapping it.
The other key to a healthy diet is variety. It’s easy to get caught up in the details — the nutritional value of specific healthy whole foods, and exactly how much you need of each. But Gidus and Kaiser say the best advice is to relax and just eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Not only is it simple, but it’s the best way to be sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
“After some research into this, my husband decided that the smartest thing he could do was eat as many fruits and vegetables as he could stand every day,” says Kaiser. “That’s not very scientific, but it isn’t bad advice.”
SOURCES: American Cancer Society web site: “Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: Answers To Common Questions.” Tara Gidus, MS, RD, American Dietetic Association spokesperson, Orlando, Fla. Lucia L. Kaiser, PhD, community nutrition specialist, department of nutrition, University of California, Davis. Liu RH, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003; vol 78: pp 517S-520S. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web site: “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005.” WebMD Feature: “The Whole Foods Diet.”
April 5th, 2008
Symptoms of Heartburn
The ache of heartburn is described as a burning feeling in the chest. Time and again, the feeling may perhaps extend up into the throat, jaw, arms, or back. That’s why heartburn is over and over again flawed for chest pain owed to a heart attack. On the other hand, do not second guess yourself. If you are having chest pain for any cause, look for medical attention right away, if only to rule out a heart attack.
Heartburn (often called acid indigestion) characteristically occurs 30-60 minutes subsequent to meals. The pain worsens when lying down, bending forward, and straining to exceed stools. The pain is comforted by standing straight, swallowing saliva or sipping water, or even by taking some antacids.
* If minute amounts of stomach acid or food travel beyond the esophagus and up into the mouth, you possibly will experience pungent or unpleasant taste. This is known as regurgitation. It is ordinary after meals, especially if you are lying down, bending over, or straining.
* Stomach acid can also affect the respiratory tract, causing asthma, hoarseness, chronic cough, sore throat, or tooth damage (acid eats the enamel on teeth). You may feel as if you have a lump in your throat.
* If the acid exposure continues for long periods of time, the esophagus becomes damaged. You may then have difficulty swallowing. In more serious cases, you may lose weight and become dehydrated. Very rarely, the esophagus may bleed or tear completely because it is so damaged. In severe cases, you may vomit blood or have small amounts of blood in your bowel movements. However, all these are uncommon.
April 5th, 2008
Heartburn is a prickly but widespread sensation of aflame or heat in the chest. even though the soreness of heartburn is experienced in the chest, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. as an alternative, heartburn is caused by belly acid.
Frequent bouts of heartburn can be an indication of an extra serious condition called gastro esophageal reflux sickness or GERD. Recurrent or relentless heartburn may perhaps limit daily actions and direct to more complications such as ulcers in the esophagus. With appropriate perceptive of heartburn and cure, help can be obtained from this situation.
About 30% of adults experience occasional heartburn, while 10% experience heartburn every day. About 25% of pregnant women have heartburn or related symptoms.
Heartburn Causes
The foodstuff that is gulped down travels from the oral cavity to the stomach all the way through a vacant tube called the esophagus (or food pipe). Prior to entering the stomach, food is required to pass throughout a stiff muscle at the subordinate part of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The lower esophageal sphincter prevents food from wandering toward the back into the esophagus.
Just the once in the stomach, stomach acid assimilates the food. This acid is incredibly tough and can harm the major parts of the body. Providentially, the stomach is sheltered from its individual acid by a particular mucous layer. The esophagus, on the other hand, does not have any such exceptional protection. In case the lower esophageal sphincter does not close entirely, the lower part of the esophagus can be spoiled by stomach acid. When this happens, heartburn may possibly be experienced.
The lower esophageal sphincter may perhaps not close up totally thus allowing stomach acid into the esophagus for these reasons:
o Some kind of foods and drinks are identified to release the lower esophageal sphincter. These include chocolate, peppermint, caffeine-containing beverages (such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks), fatty foods, and alcohol.
o Heartburn time and again depends on the body’s location. It is easier for stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus if you are lying down or bending over.
o Whatever thing that enlarges the strain on the stomach and forces stomach acid backward into the esophagus can furthermore cause heartburn. This is why elating, straining, coughing profusely, rigid clothing, plumpness, and pregnancy can aggravate heartburn.
o People who undergo definite medical conditions may well have an augmented possibility of heartburn. These conditions include hiatal hernia, diabetes, and a lot of autoimmune diseases (CREST syndrome, Raynaud phenomenon, and scleroderma).
o Loads of prescription medications can release the lower esophageal sphincter, including certain blood pressure and heart medications, and the asthma drug theophylline.
o Scores of substances straightforwardly infuriate the lining of the esophagus and can add to heartburn. These include spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and tomato sauces, cigarette smoke, aspirin, ibuprofen (with brand names such as Motrin and Advil), and medicines for osteoporosis.
April 5th, 2008
Heartburn is a prickly but widespread sensation of aflame or heat in the chest. even though the soreness of heartburn is experienced in the chest, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. as an alternative, heartburn is caused by belly acid.
Frequent bouts of heartburn can be an indication of an extra serious condition called gastro esophageal reflux sickness or GERD. Recurrent or relentless heartburn may perhaps limit daily actions and direct to more complications such as ulcers in the esophagus. With appropriate perceptive of heartburn and cure, help can be obtained from this situation.
About 30% of adults experience occasional heartburn, while 10% experience heartburn every day. About 25% of pregnant women have heartburn or related symptoms.
Causes of Heartburn
The foodstuff that is gulped down travels from the oral cavity to the stomach all the way through a vacant tube called the esophagus (or food pipe). Prior to entering the stomach, food is required to pass throughout a stiff muscle at the subordinate part of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The lower esophageal sphincter prevents food from wandering toward the back into the esophagus.
Just the once in the stomach, stomach acid assimilates the food. This acid is incredibly tough and can harm the major parts of the body. Providentially, the stomach is sheltered from its individual acid by a particular mucous layer. The esophagus, on the other hand, does not have any such exceptional protection. In case the lower esophageal sphincter does not close entirely, the lower part of the esophagus can be spoiled by stomach acid. When this happens, heartburn may possibly be experienced.
The lower esophageal sphincter may perhaps not close up totally thus allowing stomach acid into the esophagus for these reasons:
- Some kind of foods and drinks are identified to release the lower esophageal sphincter. These include chocolate, peppermint, caffeine-containing beverages (such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks), fatty foods, and alcohol.
- Heartburn time and again depends on the body’s location. It is easier for stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus if you are lying down or bending over.
- Whatever thing that enlarges the strain on the stomach and forces stomach acid backward into the esophagus can furthermore cause heartburn. This is why elating, straining, coughing profusely, rigid clothing, plumpness, and pregnancy can aggravate heartburn.
- People who undergo definite medical conditions may well have an augmented possibility of heartburn. These conditions include hiatal hernia, diabetes, and a lot of autoimmune diseases (CREST syndrome, Raynaud phenomenon, and scleroderma).
- Loads of prescription medications can release the lower esophageal sphincter, including certain blood pressure and heart medications, and the asthma drug theophylline.
- Scores of substances straightforwardly infuriate the lining of the esophagus and can add to heartburn. These include spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and tomato sauces, cigarette smoke, aspirin, ibuprofen (with brand names such as Motrin and Advil), and medicines for osteoporosis.
January 22nd, 2008
It is Saturday morning. Twelve-year-old Christine and her mother are engaged in their weekly battle. Mother yells, “This room looks like a pigsty.” Christine sticks to her guns and maintains, “My room is clean. I just cleaned it.” Oddly enough, it has never occurred to Christine’s mother that all this arguing is not resolving the problem. Fortunately it is called behavior contracting.
WHAT IS BEHAVIOR CONTRACTING?
Behavior contracting is an aspect of parenting that is based on the premise that rewards and praise are more likely than punishment to encourage desirable behavior. Some parents tend to use behavior contracting as a way of disciplining a child. But EAP Counselor Eva Sansom believes that its goal is not to discipline - it is to teach responsibility.
“In its simplest form, a behavior contract is an oral contract between a child and a parent,” says Sansom. For instance, a father might say to three-year-old Tommy, “Help Dad put the toys away and then you can have a cookie.” Or, he might reward Tommy with praise for doing the task well. It is important, however, to praise specific behavior rather than just saying, “You’re a good boy.” “A written contract can be used when a child is old enough to understand what a contract is all about,” says Sansom. However, it should not be used for every little difficulty that comes along. Reserve a written contract for a situation where an oral contract has not worked. It is especially helpful when a Disagreement with a teenager has resulted in a deadlock. Let us find out more about these written contracts.
BENEFITS OF A BEHAVIOR CONTRACT:
What is noteworthy about the following benefits is that they benefit both child and parent: Helps both parties to be more objective by focusing their thinking on the goal rather than on their feelings. Allows children to feel that they have some say in their lives and, therefore, reduces the power struggle between parent and child. Leaves less room for misunderstanding and procrastination because the facts are in black and
white. Provides parent and child with a sense of accomplishment, because it is a goal-centered approach. Encourages mutual respect by expecting both parties to honour the terms of the contract.
FEATURES OF A BEHAVIOR CONTRACT:
Now comes the difficult part - the actual writing of the behavior contract. Basically, a good contract – one that is likely to work - will have the following features:
It will be a mutual agreement. This means “both the parent and the child must agree without being coerced”, says Sansom. In other words, the parent must treat the child as an equal when negotiating the contract. Sansom also points out that the contract must be in the interests of both parent and child. The contract should be specific. It must say exactly what the child is to do. For instance, in our scenario, Christine and her mother had never agreed on what actually constituted a “clean” room. Is Christine to hang up her clothes? Make her bed? Dust the furniture? Vacuum the rug?
By being clear about these points, they will ensure mutual understanding and prevent problems. The contract should state not only who is to monitor the contract, but also when he or she is to do it. And it is just as important to stipulate how long the contract will last. As a general rule, it is a good idea to evaluate a written contract after one month and either terminate it, or renegotiate it after three months. The contract should contain either a reward, or a reinforcer. A reward could be a new toy, favorite food or the privilege such as extra TV time. What is important is that the reward is something that the child really wants. Effective contracts also spell out exactly when the reward is to be given to the child. Sansom points out that the reinforcer may simply be greater family harmony. For instance, Christine’s mother might promise neither to nag nor to threaten.
WHEN A BEHAVIOR CONTRACT DOES NOT WORK…
If the desired change in behavior is not achieved, a parent will often blame the child. Sansom believes, however, that the fault lays with the contract, not the child. There are a number of things that you can do to increase your chances of success with behavior contracting. Here are some of them. Keep the goal within easy reach. For instance,
Christine is more likely to be successful at keeping her room tidy for a week, than a month. Give small rewards and positive feedback along the way. A point system is one way of doing this.
A child can trade the points for a reward. Provide a child with the necessary training if the contract involves mastery of a task. Remind the child about his or her commitment. This is something that should be discussed when the contract is negotiated, because some children may consider a reminder as a form of nagging. Take the contract seriously. Parents are just as likely as children to forget about the contract after a few days of weeks. Do not delay in giving the reward. Remember that a deal is a deal.
If a contract must be redesigned, allow the child to help. Discuss why the previous contract is not working and ask for the child’s input.
Now you know - behavior contracting takes time and commitment. You may have a win/win situation - provided that, when all goes well, you could succeed in this endeavor. You’ve just read a number of really good reasons to use contracts between you and your child, and you may be able to come to an agreement to the terms on your own, for the terms to which you both contributed. However, we do understand life is not as simple, nor ever will be, between parents and children, as we would like. We do know that you may need the help of someone outside the relationship to introduce the concept and help to define terms, and then assist in the implementation of the contract.
October 31st, 2007
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