Saturday, March 13, 2010

Heart Attack Prevention Secrets

By J. P. Morton
Heart attacks are terrible things. Shooting pain down your arm followed by what feels like a semi truck driving into your chest is just not something that anybody should look forward to. Luckily these days if you can get to the hospital in time there's a fairly good chance that you can survive your heart attack but it can still leave you in pretty bad shape and forever alter your lifestyle afterwards.
In this article today I'd like to talk about several different prevention secrets that should help lower your risk for heart attack in many cases and circumstances. Talk to your doctor before engaging in any of these tips.
The first thing you need to do is lower your cholesterol. Some people need to use cholesterol-lowering statin drugs such as Lipitor but some people choose to go a more natural route. Be sure to consult your doctor to determine the best way for your specific circumstances.
Cholesterol in our bodies comes from things like eggs and meat and whole milk and other animal food sources but most of the cholesterol in our bodies is produced by our own bodies. Dietary fat is a key ingredient in this equation because the more that you consume the more cholesterol your body will make; so try to cut out dietary fat if at all possible.
A good target to have is 20%. Try to get no more than 20% of your total calories in a given day from fats. To do this the only thing you can do is eliminate fatty foods from your diet. Here are some tips...
Switch from oil-based salad dressings to mustard or balsamic vinegar-based ones. Try to cut out butter, margarine, and mayonnaise as well. Try to replace them with things like jam or roasted garlic. Red meat is bad as well so try to substitute white meat instead or give up meat completely if you can. Finally try to cut down on whole or low-fat milk and cheeses as well as commercially baked foods.
Finally, another great way to prevent heart attacks is to simply reduce the amount of stress in your life. Stress releases adrenaline and adrenaline like chemicals which will always raise your blood pressure which in turn will make your heart beat faster. Your heart doesn't need this extra workload and it can increase your risk for heart attack over the long run.
Reducing stress in your life is easier said than done but one simple technique that I like to use is to engage in a deep breathing routine of 10 deep breaths followed by 10 shallow breaths followed by 10 more deep breaths. I do this several times throughout the day whenever I feel myself becoming stressed out. It only takes a few minutes and can work wonders on your stress levels.
So there you have several simple heart attack prevention secrets that just about anybody can employ without a whole lot of effort or stress. You don't have to engage in all of these tips but adding as many as possible is certainly beneficial in the long run.

Natural Supplements to Reduce Cholesterol

By Marianne Wolff

Survey a group of your friends and you will find at least one or two people who are on prescription drugs to lower cholesterol. The most commonly prescribed medications for reducing cholesterol levels are the statins drugs. Statins originally came from a natural source but now are synthetically modified. The statin drugs lower cholesterol by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver. Statins block the enzyme in the liver that causes the liver to produce cholesterol.
The statin drugs do have side effects such as liver damage, muscle pain, stomach problems and skin rashes. I have had several friends who have taken the drugs complain of muscle aches. There are natural alternatives to the statin drugs and some doctors are now prescribing them. One of most popular of these is red yeast rice.
Red yeast rice has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years. Red yeast rice is a product of the yeast that is grown on rice. The so called "secret ingredient" in red yeast rice is called monacolins. Monoacolin K has the same structure as the cholesterol reducing drug lovastatin.
Several studies have been conducted to measure the effectiveness of red yeast rice to reduce cholesterol. Results have been encouraging. One study by the UCLA School of Medicine involved 83 people with high cholesterol levels. Subjects who ingested red yeast rice over a 12-week period experienced significantly lower levels of total cholesterol, "bad" LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (fats in the blood) compared to those taking placebo (no drug or supplement). "Good" HDL cholesterol levels did not change in either study group. Though the UCLA study did not show an increase of good cholesterol another 8-week study of 446 people with high cholesterol found those who took red yeast rice had a significant drop in cholesterol levels compared to those who took placebo. In this study HDL (the good cholesterol) l increased by 20% in the group that took red yeast rice.
Guggulipid is another natural alternative to statin drugs. Guggulipid comes from the bark of the Guggul tree and has been used in Asia as a cholesterol reducing supplement. Research indicates that gugglesterone may lower cholesterol and help to decrease body-fat levels.
The vitamin Niacin has also been for the past 50 years as treatment of high cholesterol and other lipid abnormalities. Niacin interacts with fats and lipoproteins and changes their quality and quantity in a way that is good for the body.
So as you can see there are a variety natural supplements to reduce cholesterol. If you are interested in using them ask your doctor about them. These are not supplements to try on your own. Which supplement is right for you is dependent on your medical condition.

Types of Allergies

By Steve Cannivy

There are various kinds of Allergies and classifying them all in one lot is confusing. Every single allergic reaction has unique symptoms and the intensity may differ with every person. It's a common belief that allergy symptoms are mere sensitivity to allergens. Additionally they believe it would be cured easily, giving proper treatment. One must understand, mere sensitivity isn't dangerous, while allergies could be life-threatening at times. Based on the allergens, allergies are classified as follows:
Food Allergies:
Very often, people confuse themselves between food intolerance and food poisoning with food allergies. Food intolerance usually causes symptoms in the digestive tract like diarrhea, nausea or abdominal pain. Sensitivity to caffeine and intolerance to lactose are some common examples of food intolerance. As the symptoms of these intolerance, aren't associated with immune system, these must not be mixed up with food allergies. Also food poisoning is a reaction, which occurs when degraded or uncooked(partially cooked) food is ingested. Also, if taken the next time there will not be any reactions. On the contrary, food allergies are caused due to allergens in the food. They react exactly the same and mostly with increased intensity each time taken. Moreover it can cause dreadful anaphylaxis with repeated intake. It's when, the immune system is severely attacked in response to allergens. Some of the common allergens are cow's milk, wheat, peanuts, eggs, shell fish, fish etc.
Medication Allergies:
After consuming drugs, it is very important to examine the reaction. The physicians will be very concerned about the reactions connected with medications, as they may become life threatening in some cases. Cephalosporin, penicillin or sulfa drugs are most commonly associated with anaphylaxis. Here too, medication adverse reactions are often mistaken for allergies. Adverse reactions do not make you vulnerable to anaphylaxis. So when you're explaining the reactions to a medication to the physician, he will particularly ask you about the symptoms. They will determine whether or not to continue the medication again, depending on your description.
Insect Venom Allergies: Some people have allergies to insect bite or sting. The venom injected into their skin can cause more severe allergies. Reactions to stings of hornet, bee and wasp may be fatal. Irrespective of whether you are allergic to insect venom or not, once the insect attacks you, you will notice a rash at the bitten site. As soon as you experience a reaction consult a physician to make sure that you are allergic or not to insect bite. When you have an allergy, prompt medical attention is required to avoid the condition becoming worse.
Environmental allergies: The allergies that come from pollen, mold, dust mite deposit etc are called environmental allergies. Asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis are the common reactions in response to these allergens. As soon as you understand you are allergic any of the above listed allergen, consult your physician. He can assist you on avoiding or minimizing the effects and strategies for prevention in future.

Treatments For Pollen Allergies

By P.S. Orr
Many people suffer from sensitivity to various types of pollen and need to find the right treatments for their pollen allergies that will provide them with relief. The constant congestion, headache, itchy nose and eyes or trouble breathing can make life hard. Although many children tend to grow out of their problems with allergies, most adults seem to retain their allergies. New studies have shown that many herbalists, naturopathic doctors and natural healers believe that it is possible to actually get rid of allergies through alternative treatments, although there are also many traditional ways to treat pollen allergies as well.
The obvious first step is to get tested to make sure that your allergies are actually pollen allergies. The next step is to avoid those things that cause your allergies, but that is easier said than done. Adjusting your environment can make a big difference in the severity of your allergies. For instance, as part of your treatment for pollen allergies, hire someone else to mow the grass and keep your yard in shape so you are not subjecting yourself firsthand to the pollen that causes your allergies. Your doctor will probably prescribe allergy medicine, which you should take daily per the given instructions. If you know you are likely to be around pollen, take your medicine in advance to help prevent or lessen the symptoms.
Your doctor may also prescribe an allergy shot treatment therapy, which entails getting a shot with a low dose of the allergen which desensitizes you a little more each time you are exposed to it. There is generally a good success rate with allergy shot treatments for pollen allergies. Alternative treatments can also be options you can explore, such as chiropractic or acupuncture. Other alternative treatments include honey therapy, where you eat small amounts of local honey, which may contain some of the local pollens, or vitamin or herbal supplements that boost the immune system.
Vitamin C treatment or use of antioxidants to boost the immune system to fight allergic reactions are also used by many who suffer with pollen allergies. Many people feel that saline sinus rinses have a high success rate as they flush the bacteria and irritants from the nasal cavities. However, you should be very careful with these home remedies. Knowing for sure what you are really allergic to is the key to getting help. Visit a licensed professional who can generally pinpoint the problem. You should consult your doctor before starting any program for treatment of pollen allergies in order to avoid possible side affects.

Whole House Air Purifiers May Be the Answer to Your Family's Allergy Problems

By Jan Hendrik Roos

If several members of your family suffer from allergies, whole house air purifiers could be the solution you've been dreaming of. Indoor air pollution is a bigger problem than many people realize. Many of the building materials used in our homes contain VOCs or volatile organic compounds. Things like paint, sealants, and carpets can off gas these contaminants for years. And of course there are many common allergens to contend with as well. Things like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander can make life miserable for people.
When people realize that their own homes or making them feel sick and causing an allergic reaction they will often turn to air filters as a solution. Using air filters to combat indoor air pollution can have a dramatic effect on the symptoms that allergy sufferers must endure.
Whole house air purifiers are integrated into your home's HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. This type of purifier can effectively remove the allergens from all of the air circulating in your home. If several of your family members suffer from allergies a whole house system may offer a better solution than filters for individual rooms. Whole house filters are also great for houses that have high ceilings because it would be difficult for a smaller filter to circulate that much air.
Another benefit to a filter system that purifiers the air throughout your entire house is that the filter, fan, and components are out of sight and may be located in the attic or basement. This way all of the rooms of your house have clean air without a bulky machine taking up space and without the loud noise that some individual room filters cause when the fan is running on high.
Whole house air purifiers will obviously be more expensive than individual room air filters but if you have a lot of rooms that need clean air and multiple family members that suffer from allergies multiple individual room filters may be needed to keep everyone allergy free. If this is the case and if you would prefer to have a house free of bulky, noisy machines a system that cleans the air throughout your entire home would be a much better option.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Build Muscle Without Weights - Free Exercises That Will Increase Muscle Tone and Definition

By Joan Yankowitz

Some people will tell you that it is simply not possible to build muscle without weights. Of course, if you want to be a bodybuilder, weights are absolutely necessary.
However, if you are looking for a less extreme change, with the right exercise routines and the correct techniques, you can start to build muscle today.
Below you will find hints and tips on the best way to increase tone and define your muscles without the need for expensive weights or equipment.
Basic Exercises
The first step is to perform the most fundamental exercises, such as push-ups and sit-ups, which can be done without any equipment and in the comfort of your own living room.
If you are just starting a health regime and are not accustomed to workouts routines, then these are excellent ways to begin, because they will help to build core strength and stamina. However, you will need a degree of self-discipline and you will need to work hard to see the desired results.
It is advisable to begin with short workout routines daily rather than a long session weekly. Additionally, try to gradually increase the reps and the length of your workout.
How to Build Arm Muscle
When you feel comfortable with your basic routine and have increased your endurance, you may want to think about working on specific parts of the body. Unfortunately, this also means more strenuous workouts, but remember, "no pain - no gain."
The biceps are one of the first muscles that men choose to work on. You may have noticed that the push-ups have helped in this area, so it is a good idea to continue performing them. However, some weight lifting will also prove beneficial.
The good news is that it doesn't have to be an expensive set of weights. Instead, try placing some books or cans of food in a bag and use these to perform curls.
How to Build Chest and Shoulder Muscle
If you want to appear more 'bulked,' the best place to build muscle is the chest and shoulders. Fortunately, you can build muscle without weights in these areas too.
First, you can make your push-ups more difficult by placing your feet on a footstool, bed, chair or sofa. This transfers all of your weight to your arms and you will notice a marked difference in difficulty.
Additionally, you may want to place some pull-ups in your daily routine. You can purchase a pull-up bar cheaply and place it in a door frame. This is one of the most difficult exercises for most people and you will really feel it working your arms.
However, to build your shoulders, you may need to move your hands further apart. Bear in mind, this should not be tried by someone who is new to exercise. You should gradually increase your stamina and strength before attempting pull-ups.
Of course, these are just some of the ways that you can build muscle without weights. There is many more exercise routines that you may want to try. However, the exercises above will give you a great foundation for further training.

How Can Healthy Living and Exercise Benefit You?

By Beth Hoover
Healthy living and exercise can help you live a long, happy, and healthy life. Some people may not know what exactly healthy living is. Well I will explain. Living healthy means to avoid drugs, alcohol, and anything else that is bad for your body. Eating well is another way to live healthy. Exercising regularly also falls into the category of healthy living.
All of these things can lead to a long life. It is important to exercise often not just to keep your weight down but to strengthen your heart and lungs as well. Exercise can keep you heart strong for many years by simply walking on a treadmill a few times a week. It does not have to be anything difficult or tiring to keep you healthy.
Take a walk around your neighborhood every evening after dinner and you will be surprised how much just that little bit of exercise can improve your health. You will start to feel better all around, you will not get winded as easily, you will not get tired from walking as quickly as you use to. You will also start to feel better mentally.
Some people do not realize it but exercising releases endorphins that actually make you feel better mentally. Living healthy is important to all of us and it is not hard to do. You can still have some of the things you enjoy like cake, or coffee. Just be sure to have them in moderation.
It is not healthy to drink a whole pot of coffee or eat a whole cake but having a cup of coffee and a small slice of cake every once in a while will not hurt you. Some people believe that you have to cut out everything you enjoy to live healthy but that is not true you just have to be reasonable with