AadProject.info

Physical activity” is usually regarded as the pursuit of exercising the muscles, tendons and joints of the body, and rarely thought of as benefiting our internal organs (outside of the heart).  But this is a limited viewpoint as effective fitness can have a profound impact all of our vital organs, especially the brain.

Researchers now believe that we can work-out our brains by adopting many of the same habits that sustain a healthy body, from focusing on good nutrition and physical fitness to managing stress.

This is important for us because the well-maintained brain is quicker, smarter, less forgetful, and less prone to age-related decline.  Here are several ways to treat the brain real good:

FOOD CHOICES

Roughly 50-60% of the brain’s overall weight is pure fat (the rest of it is a mix of protein and carbohydrates).  The brain uses fat as insulation for its billions of nerve cells.  The better insulated a cell, the faster it sends messages and the speedier your thinking.

For this reason, fats are excellent food for the brain.  But, all fats are not created equal, and it is necessary to educate yourself on which fats will serve the functionality of the brain best.  As a general rule, any source of omega-3 fats such as walnuts, flaxseed, flaxseed oil or dark, leafy green vegetables will help the brain run smoothly.

However, FISH provides the brain with its favorite form of fat: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).  According to David Perlmutter, co author of The Better Brain Book, “DHA is far and away the most important nutrient for brain health”.  Salmon and Anchovies are excellent sources of DHA.

RELAXATION

Chronic stress takes a heavy toll on the brain because stress hormones (such as corticosteroids) contribute to a general environment of inflammation and attack the brain’s memory center, the hippocampus.

According to researchers, stress is most damaging when you let it eat away at you.  Therefore, it is extremely beneficial to find a way to do something about it.  Deep breathing is an excellent way to relax, as is the practice of meditation which has long been known to alter brain waves.

In fact, recent studies have shown that meditation can change the physical structure of the brain (in a positive way).  Therefore, our thoughts DO play a major role when it comes to the health of our brain.

ANTIOXIDANTS

The brain produces more free radicals- highly reactive cells that contribute to cell damage- than any other organ.  Antioxidants are the body’s clean-up crew, and work around the clock to scrub the body clean of free radicals.  They are found primarily in fruits and vegetables, and are in great abundance in berries (especially blueberries and Goji berries).

EXERCISE

Working up a sweat is critical for brain health.  “Across the board, exercise increases brain function, memory retention and other key areas of cognition up to 20 percent” says Arthur D. Kramer, PhD, neuroscientist at the University of Illinois.

The brain accounts for only 2% of the body’s weight, but accounts for 15% of its blood flow, and regular exercise keeps the brain’s arteries open and unclogged.  New research is suggesting that exercise may actually encourage the brain to make new connections between neurons and build new vascular structures. 

Bottom line, get on that treadmill and lift some weights—it’s good for your brain!

REFINED SUGARS

The brain needs sugar (glucose) for energy.  However, it prefers a nice steady and natural supply of it- the kind you find in fruits and vegetables- not in the refined sugars heaped in energy drinks and candy. 

High sugar foods send a tidal wave of glucose crashing into the bloodstream, overwhelming the body’s ability to store balance.  Habitual ingestion of simple carbs and processed foods causes chronic inflammation, type-2 diabetes, and host of other health problems. 

Needless to say, none of this is good for the brain and it is great practice to limit your intake of refined sugars.

Purposefully flexing the brain muscle through physical activity, proper nutrition, and deep relaxation is a great way to live a longer and healthier life!

Unhealthy lifestyle. It’s a common contributor of our biggest health problems: stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cancer. What do the nation’s top physicians recommend to keep your heart, mind, and body in optimally good health?

For the secrets to a long healthy life, WebMD turned to Richard A. Lange, MD, chief of cardiology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His advice:

1. Daily exercise.

You brush your teeth every day; exercise is equally important for your daily routine. Turn off the TV or computer, and get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.

To work your heart, it’s got to be aerobic exercise. You’ve got lots of options: walking, jogging, biking, rowing machine, elliptical machine, swimming. But don’t feel like you have to be an athlete. Walking is great exercise. Get 10 minutes here and there during the day. It all counts.

Start with something simple, like parking in the far corner of the parking lot — so you get those extra steps to the door. Take the stairs one or two flights instead of the elevator. If you take public transportation, get off one stop early and walk the rest. Get out at lunch to walk. Or walk with your significant other or your spouse after work. You’ll get a bonus — relaxation and stress reduction.

2. Healthy diet.

Quit eating junk food and high-fat fast food. Your heart, brain, and overall health are harmed by foods high in saturated fats, salt, and cholesterol. There’s no getting around it. You’ve got to replace them with healthy foods: lots of fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, olive oil — what we call the Mediterranean diet. Eat like an Italian, a Spaniard, a Greek! Enjoy!

3. Weight loss.

Too much body weight puts your health at great risk. When you take in more calories than you burn, you get fat — it’s that simple. You’ve got to eat less. You’ve got to exercise more. You’ve got to push yourself to make these lifestyle changes — but you’ve got to do it to help avoid serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, or stroke.

4. Regular physical exams.

Tell your doctor your family medical history. Learn your personal risk factors, and the screening tests you need. Women may have mammograms to screen for breast cancer and Pap tests for cervical cancer. Men may have prostate cancer PSA tests. Routine screening for colorectal cancer should start at age 50, perhaps earlier if colon cancer runs in your family. You also need regular diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol tests. Make sure your immunizations are up to date. You may need flu and pneumonia shots, depending on your age.

5. Less stress.

When a person says they’re too busy to exercise, it tells me other things are crowding out what’s important in life: They don’t spend time with family and friends; don’t exercise enough; don’t eat right; don’t sleep properly. All these things reduce stress in your life, and that is critical to your health and longevity.

To be healthy, we need to set boundaries — and set limits on work hours. We should not be working so hard that we’re neglecting the things that keep us healthy. This is important advice, too, for people who take care of elderly parents or young children. Make sure you’re getting proper exercise and sleep — and that you’re not trying to do too much.

Body Wraps:

Body wraps are 100% organic skin care beauty products and are used for 100’s of different things including

• Instant Slimming

• Skin Tightening

• Odor Reduction

• Inch Loss

• Weight Reduction

• Remove Toxins – Detoxify

• Improved Circulation

• Improved Skin Firming (tighten skin)

• Double Chin Reduction

• Reduction of Dry Skin

• Reduction of Psoriasis & Eczema

• Clearer skin complexion

• Insomnia Reduction

• Serious Cellulite Reduction

• Breast Firming Masks

• Facial Firming Masks

• Neck Skin Firming

• Clear Complexion and Preventing Acne

• Muscle and Joint Pain Relief

• Beauty from the inside out

• Organic Skin Care & Beauty Products

• Works great to clear up acne skin

• Amazing Detox benefits

• Do Fat Calc to see the results

• Super fast weight loss results

• Some report losing 10lbs per week

• Lasting results with repeated wraps (5 or so)

• Sculpting for women and men body types

Changing temperatures mean a change of routine, no matter which part of the world you live in. Knowing a little about how skin functions in the winter, and tweaking a few habits, can make all the difference between a dull winter complexion and glowing radiance.

Moisturise Your Skin

During winter, always keep the skin moisturised. Even oily skins need moisture, as the outer layer can get very dry.

Those with oily skins should use light moisturising lotions, especially after cleansing.

After a bath, apply a body lotion while the skin is still damp. It helps to seal off moisture.

Look after your Lips

And don’t forget about your lips. Chapped lips are often the most noticeable problem for a lady in the winter.

Use a highly moisturising lip balm which provides a protective barrier against the elements.

Exfoliate

At least once a week. This will remove dead cells and allow the skin to absorb extra moisture.

The oil which we all complain about in the summer is no longer being produced because of cooler winter temperatures and central heating. Therefore the skin looses the water which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin. This can lead to premature aging of the skin and fine lines.

Beauty sleep!

Money can’t buy the benefits of a good nights’ rest. Your oxygen levels will drop if you don’t get enough sleep, meaning that your cells will not be renewed as quickly.

This is when degenerative skin aging sets in. Try to get seven, if not eight hours of rest a night to achieve absolutely gorgeous benefits!

By Cristina Masci

Not everyone wants a complete makeover as some like to preserve a more natural appearance. Let’s face it, many men are attracted to the low-maintenance, “girl-next-door” look and accomplishing that can be just as challenging as looking model-perfect.

So, how do you achieve a desirable look without the heavy use of cosmetics and makeup? Our natural beauty tips and advice will help you do just that, and put you on the path to a beautiful, unaffected, you.Practice a Healthy Lifestyle

Natural beauty is akin to an overall healthy appearance. Start with a better lifestyle. Your own attitudes and daily life reflects in how you look to others. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

Eat a proper, well-balanced diet. Food that’s good for your body helps your internal organs function properly and shows on the outside as well. The trick is to read the labels carefully and eat healthy foods with minimal preservatives. Good nutrition is key to your outward appearance and longevity.

The best skin in the world will not overcome a flabby body. Get in good physical shape if you’ve been slacking off. Set some reasonable fitness goals to get your body fit and trim. Begin with short-term goals and set new ones once they’re achieved.

Skin Care Tips

Water plays a crucial role. For radiant skin, drink plenty of water to keep it hydrated and supple. Seal in water externally after a shower by applying lotion to damp skin.

Look for all-natural, organic and herbal recipes for basic skin problems. Whether it’s dry skin or blemishes, you can target the areas that need it most, foregoing chemicals that can be irritating to your skin.

As you age, you’ll hit some bumps along the way. Care for your skin as you do your most prized possession and you’ll see the benefits quickly, as well as years from now.

Don’t want leathery skin? Lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by reducing exposure to the sun’s dangerous rays.

When enjoying outdoor activities, apply a sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 and re-applying when necessary.
Wearing Makeup, Naturally
If you wish to wear makeup, utilize only the best cosmetics brushes and beauty tools to enhance your finest features and cover flaws.

This allows you to apply only the amount that is needed while blending in any excess color.

Apply a tinted moisturizer or sheer foundation with a damp sponge. Either one will allow your natural skin tone to show through while covering minor imperfections.

Creme or liquid blush blends more naturally than powder. Apply to the apple of your cheeks, outwards, into your hairline to prevent makeup lines.

Don’t want to overdo your eyes? You can now enhance your own eyelashes without adding clumps or colors. New, clear mascara is available to separate your lashes and give them luster and shine.

Reduce Stress

Stress is an unfortunate fact in today’s fast-paced lifestyle and often reflects in your skin and eyes. Make it routine to relax and pamper yourself, daily if possible. This will give you time to slow down and plan the following day.

Become aware of the facial expressions you often make when stressed-out.

If you raise your eyebrows often, you could very well end up with permanent wrinkles on your forehead. If you squint because you don’t understand something, lines between your brows may become evident.

Don’t expect to live without facial expressions, they’re part of you. What you can do is be aware of those expressions you make when nobody is looking. Replace those with something else, such as fidgeting and ease up on your face.

Call 911 or other emergency services if you or someone else:

• Has the symptoms of alcohol poisoning. These can include vomiting, coughing up blood, gasping for breath, passing out, and seizures.
• Has a history of heavy drinking and is having severe withdrawal symptoms but is not willing to get treatment.
• Has delirium tremens (DTs), which can lead to death. Symptoms can include seizure, shaking, a fast heartbeat, and seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations).
• Is thinking or talking about suicide or harming others. For more information, see the warning signs of suicide.

Call a doctor right away if you or someone you care about:

• Has withdrawal symptoms, such as confusion and trembling.
• Agrees to be seen for possible treatment. You need to call right away because people who agree to get help often don’t follow through with making the appointment.
• Has stopped drinking but starts drinking again (has a relapse).
• Has severe stomach pain.

Call a doctor if you or someone you care about has an alcohol problem or signs of one. Signs include:

• Having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when drinking stops.
• Refusing to admit to an alcohol problem or being too sick to seek help.
• Having blackouts, which means not remembering what happened during a drinking episode.
• Continuing to drink alcohol despite having poor health.
• Not being able to take care of everyday duties because of drinking alcohol.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you won’t need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next.

Watchful waiting is not a good choice for alcohol abuse and dependence. If you have alcohol problems, or if you believe that your health or other areas of your life are being affected by drinking alcohol, you need to take steps to cut back on or quit drinking.

Watchful waiting also is not a good choice if you or other people are being hurt by another person’s drinking. It’s important to seek help for yourself and other people, even if the person who is drinking doesn’t seek treatment. Early treatment for all people affected by drinking makes recovery more likely.

If you have concerns about your drinking or the drinking of someone you care about, talk to your doctor.

Who to See

Health professionals who can diagnose and treat symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol and provide support during recovery include:

• Family medicine doctors.
• General practitioners.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.
• Internists.
• Psychiatrists.

After withdrawal symptoms have been treated, health professionals who can provide support during recovery include:

• Psychiatrists and other doctors who specialize in addiction medicine.
• Psychologists.
• Licensed mental health counselors.
• Social workers.

Some health professionals might have chemical dependency certification (CDC) or be certified alcoholism counselors (CAC).

Support groups can also help you and your family with alcohol problems:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or similar support groups are for people with alcohol abuse or dependence.
• Al-Anon or Alateen (for teenagers) is for families and friends affected by someone’s drinking.

DIARRHEA

Diarrhea is characterized by an increase in the number of bowel movements (going to the bathroom) that contain an increase of liquid. Diarrhea is a way in which the organism rids itself of toxins and bacteria, which is why it should not be stopped suddenly. Instead, it should be allowed to flow for one day in adults.

Symptoms: Stomach inflammation, stomach aches, and frequent visits to the bathroom to defecate. Some fever and dehydration may occur.

Causes: Diarrhea may be caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, nerves, stress, incomplete digestion, decomposed food and colitis. Milk intolerance is one of the main causes of this illness, especially in small children.

Suggestion: The most important area to treat is dehydration, especially in small children that don’t know how to explain what is happening to them. They should be given plenty of serum-ORS (drugstore) or prepare it at home in the following manner. Put a table spoon of sugar or honey and a teaspoon of salt in ½ liter of water and mix well. Drink every half hour. After treating dehydration, you should begin to eat, slowly at first, consuming easily digested foods and avoiding those that irritate the intestine.

The following is suggested when suffering from diarrhea:

1. At least six hour fast, drinking liquids or the previously mentioned serum, drink rice water or hot tea several times a day.
2. Begin eating a little boiled rice without seasoning. Start with a few spoonfuls, increasing the amount every 3 or 4 hours.
3. If your stomach feels okay, take thin kichidi (Rice + Dal). The next day you can add white bread to the same diet, a little curd, boiled potatoes, carrots, and lightly mashed boiled apples etc. eat light food for few days.

You should eliminate the following:

1. Foods high in fiber.
2. Milk, greasy foods and cold cuts, since they take longer to digest.
3. Spices and seasoning that irritate the mucous membranes.
4. Sweetened orange juice.

Warning! If diarrhea persists it can cause dehydration of the body which is dangerous if not cared for, especially in children. consult your physician.

Suggested food supplements.

Suggested vitamins and minerals

Source: helpfulhealthtips.com