0 Tips for reducing blood pressure

Tips for reducing blood pressure

Walk it out — Walking at a brisk pace can help lower your pressure. A good workout will ensure the heart uses oxygen more efficiently. Getting a rigorous cardio workout 4 to 5 times a week can make a huge difference. Start by incorporating about 15 minutes of exercise in your daily routine and slowly increase the time and difficulty level.

• Deep Breathing — Learning some slow breathing and meditation techniques can do you wonders. It will help reduce stress drastically and keep your blood pressure in check. Try taking out 10 minutes every morning and at night. Inhale and exhale deeply. If you can, join a yoga class for some time so that you can learn the proper method.

• Go for potassium-rich foods — You have probably heard of the negative effects of sodium on the body and potassium is an essential mineral to counter the effects of sodium on blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium. Try adding sweet potatoes, tomatoes, orange juice, potatoes, bananas, peas, and prunes and raisins to your regular diet.

• Go slow on the salt — Whether you have a family history of high blood pressure or not, reducing your intake of salt can make a huge difference to your health. Before adding that extra pinch of salt to your food, think if you really need it. Try substituting salt with lime, garlic, pepper or other herbs and spices. Go slow on processed and packaged foods. Potato chips, frozen chicken nuggets, bacon etc are high in sodium. Try calculating your daily sodium consumption. Keep a food diary and you may be surprised at how much you're taking in.

• Dark chocolate benefits — The darker variety of chocolate has flavonols that make blood vessels more elastic. Choose one that has at least 70 per cent cocoa to really reap the benefits.

• Alcohol alert — While it does provide some health benefits, alcohol can also be bad for your health. If consumed in small amounts, it can help prevent heart attacks and coronary artery disease. But, more than one or two drinks and the benefits are gone. Keep a check on your drinking patterns and if you're a heavy drinker, start reducing slowly. Never indulge in binge drinking. Consuming four or five drinks in a row can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure.

• Tea benefits — Herbal teas are the way to go. In a study conducted, those who sipped on hibiscus tea daily lowered their blood pressure. Many herbal teas contain hibiscus or you can always opt for green tea. The effects of caffeine are still debatable. Drinking caffeinated beverages can temporarily increase pressure. The solution is to check your pressure within 30 minutes of drinking a cup of coffee to determine if it works for your body.

• Reduce work and relax — Reducing the number of hours you spend in office can help lower hypertension. Working overtime makes it hard to exercise and eat healthy. Ensure that you get out of office at a decent hour. Learning to relax by listening to soothing music (Classical, Oriental or Indian instrumental) can help.

Read more

0 Cure for Skin Rashes and Itching

Cure for Skin Rashes and Itching

Common rashes are often called dermatitis, meaning inflammation of the skin; they involve changes in the color or texture of the skin including skin redness or inflammation. Common rashes are also known as skin lesions, Rubor and Erythema.

Skin reactions are more common today due to many new fabrics in use. Some of the body rashes affect the whole body (termed as a generalized), where as others appear on discrete areas of the skin. Skin rashes can be self limiting or require medications. Babies often develop skin rashes because of irritation from the coloring materials in these fabrics. Skin or the body rash is a common term that describes a group of special spots, an area of inflammation or altered color or texture of the skin. Skin rashes might be associated with various other symptoms such as itching, tingling, burning, pain, inflammation and sometimes, surprisingly with no discomfort at all. Belladonna remedy is useful for conditions with sudden onset that are hot, bright red, and throbbing. Rash may be accompanied by fever.

Oatmeal bath is preferred

Applying olive oil to the rash could provide some relief.

Aloe Vera gel, cod liver oil and Vitamin E oil are also helpful in combating body rash.

Using baking powder on the affected area is another suggestion to deal with body and back rash.

Aloe Vera: Widely known for treating burns and sunburns, aloe vera also helps in healing wounds and minor skin irritations such as itchiness and rashes. This plant produces anti inflammatory, anti bacterial, and anti fungal properties. It also contains folic acid, zinc, and vitamins C and E.
Chamomile Essential Oil: Has anti inflammatory (anti-microbial) properties that soothes and eliminates an itchy skin rash and irritations. Chamomile is also used in treating eczema, psoriasis, and sunburn. Please be aware, people who are normally allergic to grass and ragweed may acquire an allergic reaction to chamomile.

Witch hazel: Acts as an astringent that relieves itching and minor skin inflammation. Also used for treating sunburns. For maximum benefit, use fresh witch hazel bark. Simmer one ounce of the bark with one pint of water and leave for ten minutes. Strain and cool. Apply with a clean cloth and leave it on for about thirty minutes.

There are natural alternatives to cortisone cream treatment for rashes. For example Eczema is often treated with cortisone cream to combat the itching. There is, unfortunately, no known cure for Eczema, but natural medicines can help reduce the symptoms of Eczema without the harmful side effects associated with cortisones and other pharmaceutical medications.

There are many treatment of skin Rashes. Cortisone is often used to decrease local inflammation, swelling, burning and itching often associated with common rashes. Many natural remedy creams that provide instant and long-term relief rashes. The best home remedy for body rashes is to apply olive oil on the rash affected area. Belladonna remedy is useful for conditions with sudden onset that are hot, bright red, and throbbing. Rash may be accompanied by fever. Ledum palustre remedy is indicated for a puffy and swollen rash. Both the swelling and the itching are relieved by cold applications.

Itch relief is important, because scratching can itself irritate the skin and lead to more itching, creating an itching-scratching-itching cycle. Fingernails should be kept short to minimize abrasions from scratching. Applying eucalyptus oil on the skin can be helpful or take a cotton ball or Q-Tip and apply Tea Tree Oil full strength to area that is itching.

Read more

0 The Relationship Between Fast Food And Obesity

The Relationship Between Fast Food And Obesity

Today, fast food became a way of life. Some studies have shown that by just eating two fastfood meals a week, exactly what they ate didn't seem to matter much. Breakfast sandwiches, fries, burgers and nuggets all meant a greater risk of obesity and it can increase the chances of obesity by 50%. It is not only fast, cheap and convenient, it also tastes good, making it harder to resist. It contains high levels of sodium, refined sugar, oil and refined flour. This combination alone can be harmful to one health as well as cause obesity.

Some fact show that Fast Food Cause Obesity?

Many doctors and experts are concern about obesity in today, with the rise in obesity they start to question and study whether fast food can cause obesity. There are many facts show that eating too many fast food meal per weeks will cause obesity. Some of the facts are:

- Obesity rates is increase every year
- Many people choosing fast food as their primary food
- Cheap and convenient, fast-food restaurants everywhere
- A lot of fast-food advertisements

It is little wonder that fast food and obesity go hand in hand. There have been countless studies that show that fast-foods are of poor and low nutritional value. The typical fast food meal consists of low quality carbohydrates, white bread, high levels of saturated fat and a sugary soda. Usually, it also has relatively low fiber content. Fast-food has high caloric density, before you know about it; you will have overeaten and put on weight. So it does cause obesity.

BMI and You

A lot of researchers report that fast food can cause obesity; especially those families that choose it as a meal more than three times a week do run a higher risk of obesity and larger BMI's. The BMI, or body mass index, is a formula that doctors use to determine exactly how overweight a person is. A BMI of a number between 25 and 30 means the patient is overweight, if 30 or more is an indication of obesity. About 70% of adults in our country can be classified as overweight, and about 35% Adults is considered obese. These are very high figures and many of them having high BMI, when you know that obesity can lead to health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Our lifestyle choices also might affect our body weight as well. For example, if you and your family members visiting the fast food chains frequently, then you have a tendency to keep less healthy and high nutritional choices in at your home. The absence of fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains can make the effects of the fries and burgers that much more severe. Some study show that slender teenagers know how to take balance food, example if they choose it on occasion will balance that choice by consuming fewer calories the rest of the day. But overweight teenagers don't know or can not control to take balance food. While there is evidence to show that it causes obesity, it seems that other factors and choices come into play as well.

The Risk for Diabetes

Experts on fast food and obesity say there is now an alarming rate of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the United States. These numbers have continued to rise in the past few years. A study found those who eating lots of fast food gained 10 pounds more than those who did so less often, and increases twice the chance of developing an insulin disorder that directly linked to diabetes. The sedentary lifestyle, are rapidly becoming one of the top causes for type II diabetes and coronary artery disease. The high carbohydrate content of fast-food may cause the bodies inability to produce the amount of insulin needed to deal with the sugar levels produced after a meal. This may lead to increase sugar levels and block arteries.

Some Improvement

While some fast-food restaurants have begun offering healthier alternatives, including fruit, whole-grain bread, lower-fat fries, salads, as well as bottled water, rather than sodas.

However, this seems to be a rather weak and slow response, even though it is a step in the right direction. But, it does show that even the fast food restaurants acknowledge that their food cause obesity.

Always make your good choice

If you are concerned about whether fast food causes obesity, you can take time to practice healthy lifestyle, make choices for healthy eating that do not have to include avoiding fast-food all of the time. You can balance the occasional burger with plenty of healthy food options in between, and make sure that you go for regular exercise as well. With some wise and healthy choices, you do not have to worry whether fast food will cause obesity to you.

Read more

0 benefits of banana

benefits of banana 



Bananas
Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.


Depression
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.


PMS



Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.


Anemia
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.


Blood Pressure
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure.
So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke




Brain Power
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.




Constipation
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help
restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.


Hangovers
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.


Heartburn
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.


Morning Sickness
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.


Mosquito bites
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.


Nerves
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady


Ulcers
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal
disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.






Temperature control
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.






Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.


Smoking
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6,B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.






Stress
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the
heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.






Strokes
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, "eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!






Warts
Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!








So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say,
"A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"


Now what are you waiting for? GO GET SOME BANANAS!

Read more

0 3 Reasons People Experience Hair Loss

3 Reasons People Experience Hair Loss

Hair loss is a problem for both men and women. While male pattern baldness is often perceived as a male problem, many women experience thinning and balding hair also. There are many reasons why men and women experience this problem:

1. Genetics

Heredity plays a big role when it comes to hair growth problems. If you are a man and your father and grandfather lost their hair, you can bet that you will, too. If you are a woman and your mother and grandmother experienced thinning or balding hair, you can expect to have the same experience.

The good news is that if you recognize your genetics and plan for inevitable hair loss by devising a prevention and/or treatment plan, you can retain and regrow hair. There are many treatment options available these days for you to consider.


2. Hormones

Hormones are another reason people lose their hair. Actually, it's not necessarily hormones themselves but a hormonal imbalance. For example, pregnant women notice that during pregnancy, their hair is thicker and more beautiful than ever.

But after they give birth, their hair begins falling out in copious amounts. This is all due to hormones and the hair thinning will eventually stop when the hormonal balance is restored.

This is also the reason men start losing their hair at a certain age. It all comes down to hormonal balances.

For some people, checking and adjusting hormonal imbalances can help prevent hair growth problems. The best thing to do is talk to your doctor about your pattern baldness. He or she can do bloodwork to rule out underlying imbalances or medical causes for your hair loss.

If there is a medical reason for the problem, it will often go away when that reason is treated.

3. Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiency is also another reason some people lose their hair. Hair loss is one of the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia because these disorders are characterized by a lack of nutrients.

However, your deficiency does not need to be severe for you to notice a difference in your hair. Even a slight nutritional deficiency can lead to thinning hair.

This is why you will find supplements on the market designed just for hair health. Even if you feel you're not deficient in any nutrients, these supplements can help accelerate growth and strengthen your hair.

The very first thing you should do when you notice hair thinning is see your physician. Along with ruling out medical causes for your hair growth problems, you can discuss the best treatment option for your individual case.

There are many different ways to treat hair loss, including with topical monoxodil, prescription medication, hair transplant and more.

Read more

0 How to Choose Hair Conditioner

How to Choose Hair Conditioner

The phrase hair conditioner seems a bit broad. The main objective of people who prefer to use hair conditioners is for them to make their hair more vibrant and full of life. Maybe one's hair is thinning, too frizzy, too dry, or has been damaged. Regardless of the situation, hair conditioners should help to deal with it. Below, you can find a list of basic solutions assembled to deal with certain hair concerns.

Unlike shampoo that should be chosen depending on the scalp type, conditioners should be chosen depending on the hair type. This helps avoid greasiness, frizz or limp locks. Eventually, hair can become immune to a conditioning formulas effects, and that will actually cause build up, so no matter what conditioner you end up choosing, change the brand of conditioner you use every month.

How to choose the right conditioner:
1. Look for rich, moisturizing conditioner if hair tends to get extra dry or frizzy.
2. If the hair is limp or fine, use a volumizing conditioner.
3. Healthy and shiny hair needs only a conditioner made for normal hair.
4. Use leave-on conditioners at least once a week. Use it in the shower and rinse immediately if the hair is fine but for drier hair, leave it longer.
5. If there are no conditioners available anymore, or just to avoid chemicals for a change, natural conditioners like mayonnaise or olive oil can be used as a substitute.

If a person has baby-fine hair then too much conditioner will weigh it down. Test the hair at night to see what amount of conditioner works best. Fine hair can be nice and shiny, but too much conditioner makes it look oily, damp or weighted down. The amount of conditioner being used to baby fine hair also matters. Be sure to rinse the hair well. It seems that cooler rinse water works better as it does not leave the scalp feeling heavy or irritated and this has been proven from a lot of hair experts too. Baby shampoo works great to give fine hair extra shine due to its mild content. Flip the hair over while wet and barely blow-dry hair underneath. This will give hair extra bounce.

For people that are trying to have that fuller hair appearance, here are some great tips. The Cholesterol products that come in jars are all great sources to use for fuller hair, one such product is Le Kair. People that are searching for ways to fuller hair should look for products that read volume and fullness.

Nowadays, both women and men have processed hair. Adding moisture is key to finding the right conditioner for color treated, permed, & relaxed hair. Sadly, treated hair usually suffers from oily roots to dry scalp and shaft, and sometimes split ends. So washing processed hair can be a demanding business. The trick is to cleanse the roots while moisturizing the ends.

Here are shampoo tips for the following processed hair types:
- For color treated hair try to look for a rich and thick conditioner
- Many people apply conditioner to their scalp like shampoo. Don't forget the ends of your hair, where conditioner is needed most!
- Make sure to get away from conditioners that contain silicone, because this tends to strip color.
- For curly hair, use deep conditioners.

Select products that contain cetyl or stearyl alcohol, panthenol & methicones, silicone or dimethicone, or essential oils & botanicals such as avocado or jojoba oil. This will help in taming the hair and keep it looking gorgeous for a whole day.

Putting conditioner on thinning hair will not be enough to stop a hair loss problem, but this will make hair appear as though it's thicker and fuller. One way to help replenish the hair's natural protein and mineral balance is by using the Tricomin restructuring conditioner. This in turn can build the shine, luster, and even bring back the body of thin hair. A leave-in conditioner can also help smooth and straighten hair.

Read more

0 How to prevent breast cancer naturally

How to prevent breast cancer naturally

Exercise regularly. Many studies show that as physical activity increases, breast cancer risk decreases considerably. Exercise reduces the amount of estrogen a woman's body produces, which lowers her risk of breast cancer (estrogen exposure increases risk of the disease).Avoid some fats, enjoy others. Some studies show that a low-fat diet helps prevent breast cancer. Other studies show no fat-cancer link. The latest research shows that the amount of fat you eat may be less important than the type of fat. Fats that promote breast cancer include the saturated fat in meats, butter, and whole-milk dairy foods, and the trans-fatty acids in margarine.If you eat meat, avoid well done meat. The way you cook meat affects your breast cancer risk. Cooking meats creates carcinogenic compounds (heterocyclic amines). As cooking time increases, so do levels of these compounds. The highest levels develop in well-done grilled meat that has a blackened, charred crust.Eat more fruits and vegetables. As fruit and vegetable consumption increases, risk of all cancers drops considerably. Plant foods are high in antioxidant nutrients, among them vitamins A, C, E, and the mineral selenium, all of which prevent the cell damage that can lead to cancer. But french-fries and apple cream pie are out. Their high fat content cancels their cancer-preventive benefits.
Take an antioxidant supplement. Supplements don't replace fruits and vegetables, but an anti-oxidant formula can give you an extra little boost of the nutrients that help prevent breast cancer.Eat more fibre.


In addition to their antioxidant content, fruits and vegetables are also high in fibre. Dietary fibre binds to estrogen in the digestive tract, reducing circulating levels of the hormone. An easy way to boost your bran intake is to start your day with a bran cereal. Top your cereal with fruit, and you get even more fibre. Then eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables during the day to get all the fibre you need.Eat more tofu and soy foods. Soy foods are high in plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). They bind to the same cellular receptors as the body's own estrogen, locking some of it out of breast cells, apparently reducing its breast cancer-promoting effect. Soy foods also appear to speed estrogen's elimination from the body, which would also help prevent beast cancer.Eat more beans.
Cut down on or cut out alcohol. Many studies show that as alcohol consumption increases, so does risk of breast cancer. Alcohol raises blood levels of estrogen.Watch your weight. Apparently, every pound you gain after 18 increases your risk of breast cancer. As body fat increases, so do blood levels of estrogen, the hormone that promotes breast tumour growth.Steer clear of xenoestrogens. 'Xeno' means 'foreign' that is from outside the body. Women ingest xenoestrogens from primarily two sources: the residues in meats of estrogenic hormones given to food animals, and the residues of oestrogenic pesticides on produce. The role of xenoestrogens in breast cancer risk remains controversial, but mounting evidence suggests that xenoestrogens may increase blood estrogen levels enough to up the risk of developing breast cancer. The best ways to avoid xenoestrogens are to limit consumption of meat, poultry, and whole-milk dairy foods, or shop for organic, hormone-free meats and dairy, and organic produce.Get some sun. A little sun can help prevent breast cancer. When sunlight strikes the skin, the body makes vitamin D that helps breast tissue absorb calcium, which in turn, reduces breast-cancer risk. Get about 20 minutes of sun a day (just don't get sunburnt). A good way to do this is to take a walk at lunch or in the late afternoon.Don't smoke.
Breast-feed your babies. Breast-feeding is associated with a modest reduction in developing breast cancer before menopause. The longer a woman breast-feeds, the greater the benefit.Think twice before taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There are several good reasons to take HRT after menopause: lower risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. But HRT increases breast cancer risk. Talk with your doctor, and weigh your individual risks.Stress. It depresses immune function. But the research on the alleged stress-breast cancer link is very controversial. Nonetheless, it's a good idea to incorporate a stress management regimen into your life meditation, yoga, tai chi, gardening, or other relaxing activities

Read more

0 Tips for asthmatics

Tips for asthmatics 

While Exercising

1. Exercise induced asthma is very common. Workouts do tend to make you take short, shallow breaths. Asthmatics obviously endure that much more breathlessness than normal people do. Take your inhaler to your work out sessions. A couple of puffs ten minutes before you start exercising should hold you in good stead. Use again if you feel wheezy during exercises.

2. If a particular kind of exercise or game affects you a lot, avoid doing it. It may be great to lose weight but not at the cost of damaging your lungs!

3. If your allergies are acting up, or you are coming down with a cold, avoid exercises. Instead, drink a lot of hot fluids. Go for a walk later, when you are feeling better.

4. If you have seasonal allergies, don't exercise outdoors.At Home

1. Always keep medications on hand. Ensure you stock up regularly. You never know when you could get an attack and it is tough to be stuck without medication at home. Inhalers especially, are vital for quick relief.

2. If your child is asthmatic, teach her to handle her inhalers and other medication on her own. If you are not around, she needs to manage her asthmatic attacks on her own. This again, does not pertain to drugs that need adult supervision.


3. Breathing exercises help tackle asthma. Learn the
technique and do it regularly at home. They strengthen your lungs.




4. Always inform your doctor if you notice the efficacy of the medication is reducing.


5. Keep your house dust free. Identify your allergens and keep them out of the house. Vacuum regularly.


6. Avoid getting colds. Keep away from people who have them. Dose your self with home remedies to prevent a cold.


7. Lead an active life.




General Tips


1. Always carry your medication around.


2. Severe sudden asthma attacks can be dangerous and sometimes, even fatal. It can happen to people with mild asthma, too.


3. Carry the telephone number and address of your doctor when you go out. He can be contacted easily, if an emergency should arise.

Read more