Considering a Proform treadmill? Proform home treadmills are some of the most popular budget treadmills on the market today. Proform offers a huge range of treadmills, mostly under $1000, with lots of fitness tracking tools and some cool new workout programs.
Proform is owned and operated by ICON Health and Fitness - one of the largest fitness equipment manufactures in the industry. They also own brands like Nordic Track, Reebok, Epic, Image and Weslo.
Although Proform treadmills used to be made quite poorly, ICON has really worked over the last few years to revitalize and improve on the brand.
Are these treadmills a good buy for you? Here\'s a quick review of the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Proform brand to help you make up your mind.
Strengths:
1) Affordable - Obviously one of the main strengths of these treadmills is that they are affordable since they range in price from around $400 and up.
Many buyers these days are on a budget and Proform offers a huge range of affordable options to choose from. Plus in the budget treadmill market (under $500), when you compare them to other brands, Proform units tend to give you more for your money (better warranties, more workout programs, etc.)
2) Improved Models - Many of the new Proform models have improved from the old days of 90 day warranties and short belt sizes.
Over the past couple of years, motor powers have improved, belt sizes have gotten bigger, and warranties have gotten longer - proof of improved construction.
3) Great Fitness Tracking Tools - Proform home treadmills offer a lot of little \"extras\" to help you get more out of your workout like:
- iFit compatibility (where you can download new workout programs to your treadmill from the Internet or get new workouts from a card that you plug into the console)
- Built-in Fitness assessments and progress tracking tools
- Specialized cross training & calorie burning workouts
- Upper body arm bars (on the Crosswalk models)
- Handweights
- Customizable and Create-Your-Own Workouts
These tools can be help you track your progress and push you to the next level.
Weaknesses:
ICON/Proform has a lot of resources and they can probably build a better budget treadmill than anyone else. However a cheap treadmill is still a cheap treadmill.
Any treadmill under $600 is not best for runners and/or frequent use. It just won\'t give you the kind of cushioning and construction quality to last under heavy or prolonged use.
Overall, if you\'re going to buy a Proform, the newer, higher end models give you stronger motor powers, better cushioning and longer warranties.
Conclusion:
Proform makes a wide range of treadmills that are affordable if you\'re on a budget. Plus they come with some cool fitness tools you won\'t find on other brands.
They have also vastly improved in terms of construction, motor power and warranty over the years.
Keep in mind that some of the economy units (under $600) still lack the core essentials of a good value treadmill (high motor power, extensive warranty, large walking space, quality cushioning, etc.)
Overall, you might want to consider the higher end models with stronger motor powers, larger walking areas and better warranties first.
Kathryn ONeill writes for http://www.TreadmillReview.net - offering treadmill brand reviews, product reviews, \'Best Buys\' and money saving tips. For more reviews visit Proform Treadmill Comparison where you can compare and review the latest Proform treadmill models.
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Kathryn O\'Neill
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Proform Treadmill Review - Strengths and Weaknesses of Proform Treadmills
October 31, 2008 Posted by chuchu at 9:55 PM |One of the problems with oily skin is that it does generate a very shiny appearance and it also looks very unhealthy because it can attract dirt and bacteria at a very rapid rate.
But there is really no need to suffer from oily skin because there are no so many products that are available to treat this condition that there are just no excuses. With the advances of technology and also research most of the products that are available for oily skin really do help to control the amount of oils that are being produced and are able to help restore the skin to its natural state and so helping the skin become much clearer.
There are however a number of reasons why the skin does become oily. Within the layers of the skin are very small glands that secrete a natural oil that is also called sebum. This is needed to help keep the skin soft and supple and so it is essential in preventing the skin from becoming dry. But there are times when there are imbalances with the body or triggers that can cause these glands to become very overactive and this is when more oils are produced than needed.
You should not think that having too much oil on the surface of the skin is a bad thing because it is not. In some aspects it can also be a good thing because these natural oils help to fight off the signs of ageing, and so the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is drastically reduced. And for many people this should be considered to be a blessing, because there is really no other better anti ageing system that what you own body is able to create.
If you are not too sure what could be causing for your glands to be producing more oils than needed, then you just need to look at your lifestyle and you will probably find the answer. For instance if you are a teenager and you are currently going through puberty then this is a trigger for the glands to produce more oils. Whilst you cannot actually do anything about this, you need to be aware of what is happening with your body, and puberty is something that every person does experience.
Other factors other than puberty can also cause the glands to produce more oils. This includes the weather, the summer months can be worse for the production of oily skin. Then there is also the factor if a person is sweating too much. Using poor skin care products can also cause the glands to become overactive especially if they have a tendency to cause the skin to become dry and then there is the diet a person is eating.
Looking after oily skin does not need to cause a great deal of problems or at least it shouldn't. Just remember the basics of caring for your skin and that you should not do too much as this can cause the glands to produce more oils even more. Eat a well balanced diet and make sure that you are drinking lots of water. You will be better equipped to tackle the issue if you are using organic based plant products for your skin.
Get more information about oily skin. Spend time learning about beauty products and get some information on facial beauty products also.
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Louise Forrest
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Ok, this may sound very ridiculous to you but many teenage girls and even adults for that matter actually believe that smoking cigarettes can help them stay slim and slender, so that they won\'t put on extra weight.
Yes, you read that sentence correctly. It is because of this belief that is stopping many young women from quitting smoking.
Controlled studies showed that a third of young female smokers viewed weight gain as a reason not to quit smoking.
For instance, Pauline, an attractive slim 23 year old said, \"I have a tendency to eat more food when I don\'t smoke, especially \"sinful\" food like candy, chocolate and junk food. The last time I tried to quit smoking, I gained about 8 pounds in 8 weeks. I don\'t worry about the health risks for being a smoker as I am still young, however, I can see the link with my weight immediately. So I continue smoking to maintain my body weight.\"
So is there a proven link between smoking and weight control? Well, the researchers found that smokers are just likely to put on weight as non-smokers. Like everyone else, smokers come in all shapes and sizes. As a matter of fact, it was found that those who are slightly overweight are the ones smoking the most.
So is it a mistake for young women to take up smoking in the belief that smoking will help them manage their weight and to stay slender?
It is now a known fact that whether you smoke or not does not really matter as far as putting on weight is concerned. It is that people have the tendency to put on weight when they quit smoking.
This is what Dr Chris Steele, a British general practitioner and the resident doctor on the popular UK TV show, This Morning said, \"About one third of people gain quite a lot of weight when they give up smoking. Another third gain a small amount of weight and another third don\'t put on any weight at all.\" Dr Steele runs smoker\'s clinic for more than 3 decades and has lectured all over the world.
So the question is then why do people gain weight when they quit smoking? According to Dr Steele, Nicotine suppresses the appetite and increases the metabolic rate. Furthermore, an average female smoker puts a cigarette into her mouth about 200 times a day and so while she is doing that, she can\'t snack or eat. Thus smoking is a way of curtailing putting food into the mouth.
He added that most smokers light up a cigarette after a meal. The nicotine then delays gastric-emptying of the stomach making the food stay in the stomach longer making the smoker feeling full longer and thus relieving the urge to snack in between meals. So when a person quit smoking, the stomach empties more quickly. Thus the temptation of snacking between meals becomes much more apparent.
Although people may gain weight when they quit smoking, smoking itself does not cause weight loss. Therefore taking up smoking will not help you to stay slim.
As for smokers who do not want to quit because they fear that they will put on weight, Dr Steel offers this advise. \"People should realize that continuing to smoke is a very dangerous way of maintaining weight. Furthermore, it is only helpful in about 30% of cases. If you smoke 20 sticks a day, you are spending 60 to 100 minutes each day smoking. So why not devote that time to exercising for weight maintenance instead?\"
That certainly is a better idea than smoking your life away, don\'t you think so?
Chris Chew is a fitness personal trainer and author of \"Burn Fat Build Muscles Fast\". More free articles at his sites at Gain Muscles Lose Weight Fast and How To Get Defined Six Pack Abs
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Chris Chew
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Do you have sensitive skin? You probably have sensitive skin if you tend to blush, flush, or have the blotchiness, dry or itchy skin, or if your skin seems to become irritated by skin care products, detergents, or is overly sensitive to shaving, cleansing or waxing. Many individuals are also overly sensitive to their environment including the sun, wind, or temperature.
If you suffer from sensitive skin the most important thing you can do is moisturize. There is a close correlation between dry skin and sensitive skin therefore treating your dry skin will in a number of cases help to subdue sensitivity. The theory is that dry skin leads to cracks weakening the skins integrity which allows the various irritants to penetrate deep into the layers of skin. The use of a moisturizer should be part of your daily skin care regime, in addition choose cleaners and skin care products that also contain moisturizers. It is also recommended that you choose products that contain only natural ingredients as many of the man made chemicals tend to cause irritation, as well avoid skin care products which contain alcohol which tends to promote dryness.
Skin is every individual therefore there are a number of things which you may want to consider if you suffer from sensitive skin. For instance avoid prolonged hot showers or baths, limit the amount of time and only use lukewarm water. It is also recommended that you apply your moisturizer to your clean damp skin to lock in the moisture. It should also be noted that there are numerous products on the market specifically designed for sensitive skin.
Be gentle with your skin, avoid hard or over scrubbing your skin and do not scratch. When you are shaving always shave in the direction of hair growth not against it. Always use sun protection and when necessary protect yourself from the wind. If you are taking part in activities that cause you to sweat, wear clothes that allow your skin to breath such as light cottons which are very effective in pulling the sweat off of your skin. If necessary carry a towel so that you can pat yourself down. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
It may also be necessary to avoid direct contact with chemicals and detergents. Switching to natural products may be an option or trial and error. If you do not want to use natural products then wear gloves while washing dishes or using house hold cleaners. You may want to add some corn starch to your rubber gloves to help with sweating.
Last but not least is health, your over all health has a direct effect on the health of your skin, remember your skin is your bodies largest organ. A balanced diet and regular exercise are essential to the health and condition of your skin. It is also important to quit smoking, there is a direct link between smoking and the health of your skin. Also avoid stress, again this affects your over all health as well as the health of your skin.
Looking for skin care tips and information for your individual skin care issues and those of your family. Want information on the products available. Visit http://www.professionalskincaretreatments.com
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Christine Erickson
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
How Chlorella Can Help the Everyday Diet With Bioavailable Vitamins and More
October 23, 2008 Posted by chuchu at 8:24 PM |Each food we eat has a different, specific effect on the body. Meat and fish are rich in protein and help to build the body's muscle structure, while carbohydrate foods like bread, rice, potatoes, and pasta are rich in sugar and are instantly converted to energy and also stored for energy. Vegetables and fruits have an abundant amount of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiver, and antioxidants that help other foods to do their jobs. Because each food has its own role in the body, getting the correct amount of each food is vital.
One doctor suggests that what and how much to eat should be determined by the number and shape of the teeth. Since humans have four canine teeth for chewing meats, eight incisor teeth for vegetables and fruits, and 20 molar and pre-molar teeth for grinding staple foods, the ration should be meat one, vegetables two, and staple foods five for a well balanced ratio of eating.
However, today's typical diet is far from being well-balanced. Vegetables are usually what lack most in diets, which regulate the body. Because of this, meat dishes and staple foods can't do their jobs and instead, remain in the body as fat, making improperly metabolized food cause disease. This unbalanced diet means that food becomes body fat and increased body fat causes hyperlipema, which clogs the blood with fat, but also raises the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis.
Chlorella can be used to effectively supply the body with nutrients that are identical to vegetables. With eating being one of life's joys, it is only human instinct to want to eat a lot of delicious food. This desire often influences our lives. However, eating an unbalanced diet can increase excessive body fat, leading to a variety of diseases. Along with balancing the diet, chlorella is able to cleanse the blood by eliminating the excess fat and making blood vessels more flexible. This helps to lower cholesterol in the blood and liver. Chlorella also has the ability to improve hypertension, improve diabetes, protect against arteriosclerosis, prevent stomach ulcers, and prevent anemia.
The human digestive system is responsible for taking in necessary nutrients for the maintenance of life. The intestines can be considered the entrance to the body, where nutrients from food are absorbed. However, intestines are also the entrance for toxins, which can lead to various diseases such as colon cancer, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, cystitis, poor skin, headaches, dizziness, stiff shoulders, stomachaches, insomnia, anorexia, hemorrhoids, allergies, and lowered immunity. Some common toxins include dioxins, heavy metals, residual agricultural chemicals, food additives, and prescription drugs. All of these materials are highly absorbable, highly residual in the body, and not easily detoxified by just the liver.
It's necessary to improve liver metabolism to detoxify and regulate the environment inside the body. Chlorella is able to detoxify the body by boosting liver metabolism and detoxify the poisons that are highly residual and not able to be detoxified by the liver. As a detoxifier, chlorella is responsible for the detoxification of PCBs, excretion of dioxin, detoxification of heavy metals, and improvement of constipation. Have you had your chlorella today?
More information on chlorella extract is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Darrell Miller
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
If you thought that weight was everything, be prepared to be shocked. There is no doubt that most of you might have seen the chart at the doctor's office which mentions the weight of a normal human body according to their age. You have just taken your weight and have observed that it was within the stipulated parameters. So there is no need for you to get dismayed, right? You might be wrong too. Few people bother to note that there is another column that mentions the height of the body too. This is extremely important and you should check out this column too. If your height is not sufficient and your body weight is as per the chart, then there are chances that you are fat.
It is high time you started fighting this silent killer before it devours you. Do not be your own judge. There are many fitness centers in your city with knowledgeable instructors who can judge whether your body fat is within limits or not. They are also the proper person to guide you with various exercises and dietary routines that will help you to maintain a slim and healthy body. The first thing, however, that you need to observe and keep a watch out on, is your dietary habits. Try to cut down on the fatty junk foods, as they are the prime reasons of increasing your body weight. Yes, that slim and thin wafer of potato contains sufficient fat to make you fat, if consumed beyond a certain limit. Limit is the key word.
You can eat any food as long as you keep them within a certain limit. The trick lies in being the master and not the slave. A brisk exercise at the beginning of the day and in the evening plays a long part in keeping you fit and stops fat from accumulating in your body. Many people think that fat loss is tiresome and might make them sick and undernourished, but this is not true. Yes, there are certain exercises that might not suit your body and you should first consult your physician or health instructor to select ones that are best for you. A chat with the dietician helps too. There are various supplements and fat loss pills and some of them do work wonders in helping to burn away the excess fat in your body.
But again, they should be taken after consultation with your physician. Remember, it is not tough to remove excessive fat from your body. All you need to do is to maintain a strict exercise routine and maintain it regularly. Within a few days you will feel the difference and feel the pep returning in your body as the fat melts away. Nobody likes fat and nobody wants a big tummy. Everyone loves to be slim and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Most do not know how easy it is to maintain a slim figure and that just spending a few minutes daily will help them achieve the same.
For more information on health visit Health and Fitness which has information on everything to do with nutrition, if its fat loss you want to know about visit Fat Loss
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Mark Stubbles
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Cholesterol, And High Blood Pressure: Can They Really be Prevented, Managed or Reversed?
October 22, 2008 Posted by chuchu at 4:48 AM |They are the biggest killers in America: Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease. The most common causes of these deadly conditions are: Physical inactivity, fattening snacks and beverages, obesity, stress, and smoking. The shocking news is that these diseases are so easily preventable.
A frequent cause of blame is the unhealthy food choices people make regularly. It's okay to splurge once in a while, but it is the habits you follow daily that will determine your overall health. Constantly consuming chips, bacon, cakes, sugary drinks, candy, sausage, and cigarettes will get you nothing but poor health, deadly diseases, and a ticket straight to heaven prematurely.
According to the CDC over 63% (that's over 180 million) of the US population is overweight or obese and is physically inactive, resulting in tens of millions who have chronic deadly, but preventable, conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and pre-diabetes. Recently the CDC reported that more than 70% (over 1.7 million) of all causes of death in America are caused by only three preventable factors: obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking. The very fact that these factors are easily preventable is heartbreaking.
One of the major contributors to poor health is the excessive consumption of cholesterol. The body produces over 85% of the cholesterol we need and the sugar stores in our liver and muscles remain saturated due to physical inactivity. Because we are largely a couch-potato society and the food we consume every day is loaded with animal-based fats, the extra fat gets dumped into our arteries, belly areas, and under the skin all over our bodies.
Another major contributor to deadly diseases, poor health, and premature aging and death is physical inactivity. Most of us sit throughout an entire workday then go home and sit in front of the TV for another 5 to 6 hours while consuming large fatty meals, snacks, and sugary or alcoholic beverages that are rich in saturated fats, salt, and sugar, all of which contribute to increased belly fat. Shockingly, belly fat is the most dangerous kind because it causes inflammation in the arteries contributing to plaque build up in the arteries and insulin resistance leading to heart attacks and diabetes.
Yet another common issue is that people are unaware of how unhealthy the foods they consume are. When people don\'t read nutrition labels they tend to consume very dense food and sugary beverages that are nutrient deficient. These foods are readily available in fast food restaurants and vending machines and contain loads of sugar, fat, and unwanted calories. Sugary soft drinks (which alone contribute to over 33% of all US obesity), sugary lemonade, sweetened iced tea, smoothies, lattes, and frappucinos, which contain loads of sugar and fat that further contribute to the accumulation of belly fat, make you more of a magnet to all sorts of deadly, but preventable, diseases. One of the worst mistakes people make as well is skipping meals which makes the body more efficient at storing and gaining fat weight.
Fortunately there are important steps to help you make balanced food and activity choices and help you start a lifestyle makeover process which will be your shield against deadly diseases as you age gracefully:
• If you have any chronic disease(s) take your medications as prescribed.
• Eat 3 main balanced meals, reduce your portion sizes, and raise your fiber intake.
• Consume 2 fruit and nuts snacks between meals.
• Switch all sugary drinks to water or diet soft drinks. Sweeten all other hot or cold beverages with artificial sweeteners or sugar-free flavoring powders. Limit all non-water beverages to a couple a day.
• Increase your daily walking activity to over 10,000 steps a day by making more frequent trips at home, the office, while shopping, and anywhere else.
The good news is that diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases can be prevented, managed, and reversed with your own choices, actions and a lifestyle makeover. Now is the time to start putting these tips to good use and begin feeling better and living healthier right away!
Pharmacist, George F. Tohme, wrote Lifestyle Makeover for Diabetics and Pre-Diabetics. Formerly obese, he became a personal trainer and is a certified expert on healthy living. His e-book series addresses all of the topics in this article. Visit http://www.LifestyleMakeoverEbook.com to take a quiz NOW.
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : George Tohme
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Leukemia is a form of cancer that develops in the bone marrow of human beings. Leukemia is usually caused by an uncontrolled production of blood cells. Those blood cells that produce at astronomical rates are the white blood cells. There are two forms of leukemia; acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia makes the bone marrow extremely crowded and prevents the bone marrow from producing healthy blood cells. This type of leukemia occurs mostly in children and long adults. In children, this is an extremely common cause of death and should be treated immediately. If not treated immediately, the malignant cells will spread to other tissues and organs throughout the body.
Chronic leukemia usually takes months or sometimes even years to develop in one's body and progress to the state of acute leukemia. Chronic leukemia is most common to occur in older adults but there is the possibility of it occurring in any age group. Once detected, treatment isn't necessarily needed immediately. Sometimes doctors will hold off on treatment to find the best way to handle the disease after they monitor its development.
There is no definitive way to prevent leukemia but avoiding such risk factors as smoking, avoiding exposure to chemicals and avoiding exposure to radiation might help prevent the development of leukemia.
Below are the symptoms of leukemia:
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Swollen tonsils
• Fever, chills, night sweats and other flu-like symptoms
• Bone pain
• Joint pain
• Unintentional weight loss
• Paleness
• Weakness and fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Malaise
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Frequent infection
• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Constant headaches
For each different type of leukemia, acute and chronic, there are different types of treatments. For acute leukemia patients are treated by induction chemotherapy. Induction chemotherapy is when doctors use different medicines to bring about new bone marrow remission. Treatments also include eliminating any remaining leukemia cells; which is called consolidation therapy. There is also preventative therapy. Preventative therapy is the process of preventing the cancer from spreading to the brain and the nervous system. If the patient is not responding to any of these treatments then doctors will recommend a bone marrow transplantation procedure. Many cases of acute leukemia can be cured and some of them might not be cured.
For chronic leukemia there is no definite cure. Most treatments are combined with chemotherapy and medicinal shots of prednisone and prednisolone. Despite the lack of a cure for chronic leukemia, these cases can be controlled for long periods of time without any setbacks.
There are four factors in determining how well the body will respond to leukemia treatment. Those four factors are the age of the patient, the percentages of leukemia cells in the blood and bone marrow, the degree to which specific systems of the body are affected by the leukemia and if there are any chromosome abnormalities in the leukemia cells.
Leukemia patients can seek counseling and support groups through the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute.
Alcohol Abuse Learning Self Reliance
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Brenda Williams
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Chemical Free Cosmetics - Look After Your Skin it is the Only One You Have
October 15, 2008 Posted by chuchu at 12:16 PM |When people hear the word cosmetics, they immediately assume the term only includes girl makeup; however, cosmetics scientifically refer to substances that are used to enhance or protect the odor or appearance of the body, and include products for skincare (such as creams, lotions, powders, etc), body care (such as perfumes, nail polish, deodorants, bubble baths, bath salts, butters, etc), hair care (such as hair colors, hair sprays, hair gels, shampoos, conditioners, etc), and makeup (such as lipstick, eye liner, mascara, blushers, foundation, lip gloss, concealer, etc). In Western countries, particularly in the United States of America, the use of cosmetics is widespread both in women and in men, especially with the advent of metro sexuality, which pertains to men's taking care of their appearance, including the fashion they wear and the cosmetics they use. These days, men and women alike are searching for chemical free cosmetics.
Since they first became popular in the 1920's, there has always been great demand for cosmetics. Perhaps this is due to the fact that America has constantly embraced a vain culture, obsessed with physical beauty and externalities. Whatever the reason may be, demand for cosmetics has not waned and in fact, there has grown a bigger market for both over-the-counter cosmetic products and prescription or surgical cosmetic procedures. Aside from that, people are making the switch from using cosmetic products heavy with chemicals to buying cosmetic products that are marketed as chemical free cosmetics or organic cosmetics.
This is so because cosmetics can cause skin allergies and irritation. Large cosmetic companies report that they use ingredients that are safe to use, but some results have proved otherwise. There have been many cases of makeup mishaps, from reddening of the face and itching, as well as allergic reactions to certain lotions, powders, and perfumes. To counter this, a small but healthily growing industry has started manufacturing cosmetics that are free of any synthetic ingredients or chemicals. Now, certified organic products have become more mainstream, a step up from its earlier reputation as a niche market.
Chemical free cosmetics, however, have received their fair share of critiques. Some people maintain that this type of cosmetics does not exist at all and that advertisements for such are mere baloney. Some companies that sell chemical-free products have faced public displeasure arising from false claims. The use of the term "chemical-free" in products implies the negative impression people have about chemicals in general; some critics have noted that some companies create product awareness by fostering a fear of chemicals in their customers. Moreover, some companies use the term "organic" to sell their products even if their made mostly from chemicals with just a tinge of natural ingredients.
The truth is, not all chemicals are bad, especially when treated properly and used in just the right amount. Studies have shown that chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects are not found in cosmetics. Furthermore, it's not using one cosmetic product that is likely to cause you harm – it's the total amount of small amounts of toxic chemicals from all the cosmetic products (skin care, body care, hair care, and makeup), which you use overtime, that add up and accumulate in your body.
PART 2 - For part two of this article, head on to Chemical Free Cosmetics and to find many other great beauty tips visit natural skin care remedies.
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Sarah Lowe
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Calories have made quite the name for themselves over the past couple years. Some experts recommend you count them often, and some say it doesn't matter. Ultimately, calories are what help your body function properly and give you energy. Ironically calories can also help you pack on the pounds. With everything there's got to be some sort of balance.
If you're looking to lose weight,, maintain your weight or decrease your weight there is a quick solution for calculating your individual caloric needs. The holidays are just around the corner so if you don't want to wake up New Years Day and say "Oh my gosh I've gained 20 pounds!" then keep reading.
In order to figure out how many calories you're eating every day to maintain your current weight.
Multiply your current weight by 12, which will equal the number of calories needed daily to maintain your current weight.
Equation for maintaining weight (current weight) X 12 = (number of calories)
As an example lets say you weigh 150 pounds, what you would want to do is multiply the 150 by 12, which will equal 1,800 calories.
So then the 1,800 calories is the number of calories you need every day to maintain your 150 pounds. If you weigh 125 pounds, the equation would be 125 X 12 = 1,500 call, which means that a 125-pound person only requires 1,500 calories a day to maintain her 125 pound weight.
You still with me?
Lets take a look at it now from a weight loss standpoint. Keep in mind that decreasing your calories alone will not get you the desired results you must include some sort of exercise into your lifestyle.
A simple technique for losing weight is to reduce your caloric intake by 250 calories a day and burn 250 calories per day from exercise. When all is said and done you're able to lose 500 calories a day.
Recall that 3,500 calories make up 1 pound of fat. So if you stuck with losing 500 calories a day you'll be able to lose 1 pound of fat per week with very little effort.
Here's the equation: You're taking in 250 less calories per day and increasing your physical exercise to burn 250 calories per day. This equals to 500 calories lost per day, multiplied by 7 days per week = 3,500 calories.
500 cal X 7 days = a decrease of 3500 cal and a loss of 1 pound.
If you wanted to gain weight in a healthy manner you would want to increase your caloric intake. Add an extra 500 calories into your eating plan and within a week you'll gain a pound.
Keep in mind that you should still exercise and consume nutritious foods rather than gobbling down crap that will make you gain weight and make you unhealthy.
Remember to take your time and don't have the instant gratification mindset. Slowly making your caloric adjustments is the safest and most effective way to lose weight and maintain your weight loss forever.
The reason is because slow and steady weight loss conditions your body to make permanent changes in your eating habits, and regular physical exercise conditions your body to expect consistent physical activity every day.
Marci Lall is the Top Forest Hill Fitness Trainer. If you would like to get his free Stability Ball Abdominal Workout that has 9 highly effective abdominal exercises for women just go to this link http://www.foresthillpersonaltraining.com/free-stuff
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Marci Lall
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Diet For Diabetics - What Are the Foods to Avoid For Diabetics?
October 13, 2008 Posted by chuchu at 12:03 PM |When the cells of the human pancreas don\'t generate insulin, it creates Diabetes mellitus. Actually, insulin is useful to split sugar into a form in blood that the body can efficiently store and apply to produce energy later. This disease compels you to include diet for diabetics forget some foods and it demands your diet to be something that is high in soluble fibers and low in saturated fats. A doctor can suggest foods to avoid for diabetics and consume less carbohydrate products because it might contain high glycemic index.
The rapid increase of this disease has pressed food, beverage, and pharmaceutical companies to make products considering the need of such patients. It\'s also true that the doctors often prescribe not to buy such products at random and the products are often very costly as well. Such products might contain more fats and may be that the products just don\'t have anything that can help you to cure diabetes
If you want to keep your blood glucose levels in control, a slight change in your food habit can be the best option.
Being a new patient of this disease, doctor may advice you to collaborate with a dietitian or nutritionist, who can endow you with a proper diabetic meal plan as well as snack plan. You might need to calculate your carbohydrates by pointing out your eating of sugary or starchy foods.
Then, you have to adopt a plan of diet for diabetics as new food habit. The prescription usually suggests the consumption of whole grains and starchy vegetables as the main part of your meal. It demands you to eat a minimum of two servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
The prescription then states to have proteins available in lean meat, legumes, and cheese. You must consume them in smaller quantities. Adding of slight amount of non-fat or low-fat dairy items is fine but it shouldn\'t cross the limit for it has fats and sugars listed under foods to avoid for diabetics.
This is a general prescription. To have a perfect diet for your diabetic case, please consult with a dietitian or nutritionist. Try to consume proper foods to lower high blood sugar but you must also be aware enough to keep on hand the list of very salty foods to avoid for diabetics. This is so because high blood pressure along with high blood sugar is something common in such patients. Not only consumption of fats causes high blood pressure, sodium is largely responsible for this. To avoid this problem, either lessen the salt in your food or buy non-sodium or low sodium salt replacements. Also, avoid foods like crackers, chips, processed or conserved meet products, or canned foods like sardines or soups because they contain extra sodium and salt.
Fats can be really harmful. Cardiovascular diseases often follow diabetic cases. So, avoid dairy products, solid vegetable fats, and butter because they have saturated fats. Before chicken preparation, get the skin off. Also, strive to avoid butter and margarine. Oils obtain from canola or olive can be good for lowering elevated blood sugar levels.
It is suggestive to choose the diets for diabetics such as skimmed, low-fat, or non-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt than full cream products. It is strictly forbidden foods to avoid for diabetics with fried foods and rather boil and bake or simply broil it.
Alcoholic products are not good in such cases. Such food habit is not really difficult provided you have the patience to change.
Controlling blood sugar is an art. If you want to be an expert in it, you should know the full details in foods to eat for diabetes and how to lower blood sugar naturally.
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Murali V
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
You may have heard people complain about the weather outside affecting certain conditions such as arthritis, but you may never have suspected that the climate in which you live could be a gout cause. Over the last few years, it is becoming commonly accepted that previous hypotheses that said the weather could not affect gout are actually quite incorrect.
Though studies have been performed and have come up with some results, due to the high number of variables, the impact that climate has as a gout cause is by no means well understood. Therefore, the studies have looked into geographical distribution with regards to the number of cases of gout as a weak guide regarding the weather that is most likely to bring about the disease.
Results showed that flare-ups of gout were most common during hot and humid weather. This being said, these same scientists reported that drinking a lot of water was a notable preventative for gout attacks during these hot, humid periods.
The research was performed in 2006 by Boston researchers (and presented at the 2006 American College of Rheumatology\'s annual scientific meeting) who studied 197 participants who had gout, and examined the influence of temperature and humidity on the frequency of the condition. When the participants experienced a gout attack, they completed a two-day control questionnaire.
Further data was obtained through the collection of the ZIP code of the participants and the federal climate data from those regions so that they would know when the participants were in risk periods, and when they were in control periods. Adjustments were made when additional gout cause risk factors were present, such as the consumption of meat, alcohol, or diuretics.
These scientists noted that humid, hot temperatures brought about a significantly increased number of gout attacks in the participants. However, in terms of barometric pressure and precipitation, no gout cause association was found.
It was suggested by the researchers that in order to prevent flare-ups of their gout, it was very important that they avoid dehydration by drinking additional fluids during times of hot and humid weather.
If you believe that you are experiencing gout, or you wish to discuss different risk factors or gout cause in your life, make sure to make an appointment with your doctor. He or she will be able to help you with additional preventative measures beyond simple hydration. You will be able to learn overall preventative actions and may be prescribed medications to help you to stop gout attacks from occurring, and to ease them when they do indeed happen.
If you live in a climate that is hot and humid, you should recognize that this is an important gout cause and you may wish to try to live and work in climate controlled environments. A dehumidifier may be helpful at a bare minimum, but an air conditioned environment will make all the difference for keeping the temperature gout-friendly and minimizing the additional humidity in the air. No matter if you're in air conditioning or not, though, proper hydration remains key.
Grab your free copy of Lisa McDowell\'s brand new Gout Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about the best ways to treat gout, including effective gout home remedy options that tackle the various gout causes - start experiencing relief today.
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Lisa McDowell
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
You've seen companies on TV tell you that all you need is a quick 2-3 minutes a day doing some ab workout gimmick and you'll get flat abs in 2 weeks, right?
How many of those ab "gimmicks" have you bought?
How long did you use them?
If you've bought any of these gadgets, you've probably realized by now that the commercial that sold you was borderline false advertising.
But there are some things you can do without any equipment at all to get toned sexy abs and a flat stomach, starting right now.
1) Increase your intensity – I don't mean do more ab crunches or sit ups, I mean make the exercise more difficult.
2) Use Resistance – Rather than pounding out ab crunches or situps on the ground, pick up something that weighs 5-10 pounds to increase the difficulty.
3) Lower the reps – Doing 20-30 or even 100 ab crunches in a workout is a waste of time. You just get really good at doing a lot of situps. Lower the reps to allow for greater resistance.
The objective of your ab workouts is to stimulate your abdominal muscles to become stronger and more dense. This is what will give you sexy six pack abs once you achieve low levels of body fat.
To truly get six pack abs and flatten your belly, you don't need to be perfect in everything you do, you only need to be mediocre in 3 main things:
Nutrition – In a perfect world you can eat chicken and broccoli for every meal, even breakfast. But the fact of the matter is, this isn't a perfect world. If you get 75% of your diet right each day, you'll be sitting pretty in just a few short months.
Weight Training – I use this term loosely. You don't have to train with weights, but you need to get some sort of resistance exercise that goes above and beyond what a normal day usually entails. Maybe it's two 45 minute workouts per week and one 20 minute workout. Maybe it's four 20 minute workouts. It doesn't matter in the whole scheme of things as long as it's outside of your normal daily activity.
Cardio Training – This one is a doozy. You can actually lose fat and get sexy abs without doing cardio at all, but it does help burn fat if you have the time. I'd recommend some form of cardio training at least 2 days per week to speed it up. Like I said earlier, it doesn't have to be perfect, just mediocre. Maybe it's two 30 minute cardio sessions one week, and four forty minute sessions the next. One workout can be interval training and the next can be slow steady cardio. It can and should vary constantly. Keeping it varied will prevent your body from adapting, and keep you from getting bored.
So the key is to be at the very least mediocre at all three of these aspects of the program. You don't have to go out and kill it at every workout. You don't need to do cardio every single day. You don't need chicken breast and broccoli at every meal. You just need to get out and get moving.
Todd Scott is a training advisor to Men's Fitness magazine and author of HowToGetSixPackAbs.com. To learn more go to the Six Pack Abs homepage. Grab a free report about losing body fat at the Lose Weight Quickly site. For a great ab exercise, simply log on to the Killer Ab Workout
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Todd Scott
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Immune Disorders is a System Out of Balance, Restore Balance Naturally
Posted by chuchu at 3:48 AM |Balance is crucial for a healthy immune system. A variety of stressors such as bacteria, parasites, pollutants, strong emotions, and improper diet, can cause the immune system to become imbalanced. If the immune system is weakened then it is less able to fight against invading antigens. Disorders and reactions such as allergies, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, Crohn's disease and diabetes can also occur if the immune system is overactive and begins to fight against itself. However, if the immune system is healthy and balanced, the body will be protected and healed from foreign invaders. But if the immune system is under active or non-responsive, it is susceptible to infection, illness, and emotional distress. By supplementing with natural immune modulators, the immune system can achieve and maintain optimum balance.
Cytokines consist of a variety of multifunctional molecules which work to regulate and control the body's defense system. These biomolecules are crucial for optimal immune function as they play a key role in immunity, infectious disease, blood production, tissue repair, and cellular development and growth. Cytokines actually play an important role in a variety of body functions, ranging from general maintenance and the regulation of inflammatory responses to the direct interference of invading pathogens.
Cytokines are also important messengers that are used by the immune system to inform the rest of the body that an infection has been discovered. Any immune system imbalance can lead to interference between cytokines and proper body function. Different cytokines have different actions on the same cell. However, there is a large degree of overlap between the actions of one cytokine and another. Cytokines have been given a variety of names throughout the years including chemokines, monokines, interferons, interleukins, lymphotoxins, lymphokines, and leukokines. Cytokines are part of large signaling network that have additive, inhibitory, and synergistic effects.
The most important immune functions are carried out by groups of cytokines that are known as interleukin 1 and 2, interferons, and tumor necrosis factor. They help to modulate the immune system when the tissue is being threatened or damaged. Interleukin 1 helps to protect against the effects of radiation and encourage the growth of immune cells, while tumor necrosis factor is produced in response to bacteria and other disease-causing agents. Additionally, tumor necrosis factor also promotes the production of more cytokines. Tumor necrosis factor also has anti-tumor properties which increases the activity of other cells that fight tumors and also affects the blood system in tumors. It also effectively helps to slow down or reverse tumor growth by starving cancer cells of the nutrients they need and reducing blood flow.
Researchers are currently looking at treating various disorders with cytokines because it is clear that cytokines link the immune system to other physiological systems. Because of the intricate network of the cytokine processes, many researchers believe that the treatment of various immune disorders could potentially require a combination of immuno-regulatory factors. Many scientists are trying to recombining cytokines; however it is extremely limited because they are extremely expensive; they may be toxic and cause symptoms such as fever, muscle aches and fatigue; and they may create imbalances in the patient that would not benefit them.
As a result of these facts, researchers are turning their attention to a natural immune modulator such as hyperimmune egg and colostrum. Hyperimmune egg and colostrum can stimulate the production and activities of powerful immune agents and jump-start the body's own defense system, instead of having to rely on drugs to fight invading pathogens.
More information on hyper immune egg and colostrum supplements is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Darrell Miller
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
With April Fools day the first of the month, it's no wonder April has been named National Humor month. Personally, I love it. Anything designed to make me laugh is fine with me! I say, bring on the humor!
Research shows that children laugh a whopping 400 times per day while the number of times adults engage in some type of laughter or humorous situation is a mere 15. No wonder Jesus told us to "be like little children." He wants us to laugh more!
Not only is laughing just plain fun, it's good for you! There have been many scientific reports on the benefits of laughter, but we don't need science to tell us that. The Bible has been informing us for thousands of years. As it says in Proverbs 17:22, "A cheerful heart is good medicine." (NIV)
Here are some ways laughing is beneficial for both physical and mental health:
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
• It's good for your Heart – When you laugh, you're taking your insides for a jog. In fact, some research has shown that a good belly laugh is equivalent to several minutes on a stationary bike or rowing machine. Besides exercising your abdomen and diaphragm, you're also giving your back and facial muscles an aerobic workout.
• Lowers Blood Pressure. It seems that many people with high blood pressure are often tense and serious. But lightening up a bit by laughing can lower that number. This isn't to say you should trade in your blood pressure medication for a stack of comedy DVD's. But laughing sends oxygen enriched blood and nutrients through your system which will certainly help to bring those numbers down even more.
• Boosts Immune System. Laughter produces antibody-producing cells that help to keep you healthy. Laughing continuously during flu season, then, is a great idea!
MENTAL BENEFITS
• Relaxation. Laughing relaxes all of your muscles, releasing pent-up tension from your body. Try it after a particularly tense-filled day at work or home.
• Distraction from Pain. If you're experiencing pain, laughter can help to take your mind off your circumstances and provide some temporary relief. In fact, it can even reduce the actual pain because laughing releases endorphins that are just as effective as equivalent doses of morphine!
• Improves Thinking Skills. When you laugh, both sides of your brain are affected. This improves comprehension and your ability to learn, which suggests that kids who laugh a lot will do better in school. Engage your child in a tickling session every evening. It just may be the thing you're looking for to see your child's grades improve!
• Reduces Stress. Laughter boosts serotonin which, in turn, can ward off depression and anxiety or simply help to lift your spirits and turn around a bad mood.
So the more you laugh, the healthier you'll be and the better you'll feel. The best part is that laughter is contagious. If you have a hard time finding things to laugh about, hang around with funny people or those who you see laughing a lot throughout the day. Soon you'll find yourself laughing along and reaping the benefits that come with it.
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Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Lynn Powers
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
There are some nutrients that the brain required to function properly and to produce neurotransmitters which are basically substances that control mind, mood, behavior and mind. A number of researches have shown that a proper nutritional supplementation can increase ones IQ, it can also improve learning ability and also help students gain higher test scores. The well documented study conducted by the California research have found out that when the school children take proper vitamins there can be an increase in their non verbal IQ at average of nearly six points. However when the team increased their study to three more years they found out that not every child can experience increase in IQ but there are also other children who can experience a whopping raise in IQ. There are a number of vitamin supplements easily available to increase your memory power but the not known by everyone are the smarter nutrients and smarter drugs which can offer you outstanding results in boasting memory power.
These smart nutrients and drugs are just the popularized tern for some natural substances which have been demonstrated and tested to improve human memory which also improve your concentration and the ability to learn. In scientific terms these nutrients are usually referred to as the cognitive enhancing supplements and there are a number of terms that fall under this category. Among these supplements there is the Acetyl-L-Carnitine that is said to boast memory power.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Boasts Memory Power
This Acetyl-L-Carnitine in simple is derived from amino acid which is found accruing naturally in the body. This moves fats to the mitochondria which are the energy producing structures in the cells and the Acetyl-L-Carnitine is also available as dietary supplement. There are a number of studies which are done showing that this Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplement supercharges the production of cellular energy so that it in return maximizes your memory, longevity and health.
In order to prove that this Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplement has a positive impact on young as well as old people, the Italian research team had tested nearly 17 young healthy men and women who were aged between 20 to 26 among whom nearly ten were physically active who regularly played competitive sports. The other seven were however a bit sedentary who rarely exercised. Every individual was offered either placebo or Acetyl-L-Carnitine of around 1500 mg for a month and they were tested prior and after the treatment though a video game like device that was designed to evaluate eye hand coordination, attention span and reflexes. The complete group consumed the give dose of Acetyl-L-Carnitine regardless of whether they were previously active or sedentary and they had clearly increased their reflex speed. The group had also been noticed to make less errors and also took shorter time to complete a task.
Most of the researchers do believe that this Acetyl-L-Carnitine helps in improving cognition or memory power as it increases the production of acetylcholine in the brain. This acetylcholine plays a major role in brain and memory functions. It can also work by increasing the dopamine activity in a part of the brain where the dopamine is produced. There are also some recent researches and studies conducted that the individuals with Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplementation can actually supercharge mitochondria that plays the most important role in improving memory power and also longevity and ones health status.
Bryan Reese is a scientific researcher specializing in the fascinating area of memory enhancement has created the most effective scientific formula that positively affects a person's memory, recall, and cognition. Get your free breakthrough report on this discovery at: http://www.memorybrite.com/ht
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Mark Bradley
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
The eye is an important part of the body. It is likewise said to be the window to one's soul. With the advent of modern technology, computers and other technological gadgets are nowadays widely available. However, the abuse in the use of these technological accessories often leads to the problems that deal with one's eyesight.
So, how should you take care of your eyes to guarantee good eyesight?
Getting Rid of Tired Eyes
Nevertheless, an unhygienic setting worsens the deterioration phase of the eye. This should then drive you to concert a valuable effort to ensure that you properly take care of your own eyes. After all, they are said to be the strongest among your senses. The following are the important tips for caring for your eyes which you need to follow.
In case of the formation of the dark circles under the eyes, a good tip to follow is placing two slices of potatoes over the eyes. Leave them for around 20 minutes. The results likewise appear in no time at all.
An alternative to the use of potatoes is the use of warm tea bags. Leave the tea bag over the eyes for about 15 minutes. This is similarly another effective method which you can trust.
After a long and hard day, your mind and body get drained off energy. And such feeling shows through your eyes. In order for you to refresh them, squeeze out ice water from the cotton pads and then place them over the eyelids for approximately 20 minutes. You will then feel a soothing and calming effect to the eyes.
You can therefore try the traditional remedy which concerns the use of slices of cucumber onto the eyelids. These are best used when taking a hot bath or simply relaxing for quite some time.
Most importantly, don't sleep with your makeup on. Wash your face before bedtime especially those that are within the eye area. Washing off the makeup allows your skin to breathe.
Other Eye Care Tips for You
Through all of the electronic and visual appliances and elements that totally pose an effect on the eyes, it is but very important that you know of the ways on how to keep away this integral organ away from damages. The rays of these electronic gadgets can harm your sensitive eyes, so to speak.
For one, sitting in front of the television set for long hours or watching a book gives you the tired eyes look. Overworking your eyes is never a sensible idea. It is essential that you spare at least a couple of minutes to rest them. Here are some other eye care tips which you must keep in mind.
Give your eyes ample time to rest.
Wear sunglasses to keep your eyes away from direct exposure to sunlight.
Regularly wash your eyes using cold and clean water.
Do some eye exercises.
Use a couple of eye drop products which contain minerals.
Protect your eyes from dust particles.
Eat vegetables and fruits which promote good eyesight.
You are only endowed with one pair of eyes. Thus, do your best to take care of it.
Health Tips
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : May Penisa
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
Acne is an annoying problem and it affects people at many levels. One of the worst consequences of having acne is the impact it can have on your self esteem and confidence which is obviously a big problem. Each day it seems new acne treatments are introduced and it can get very confusing to decide which ones really work or can work well for you in particular. Just because a friend tried one product over the counter does not mean that same one will work just as well for you.
Many acne sufferers are discovering the benefits that natural based acne treatment methods can have. Unfortunately the medications and harsh lotions and cleansers that many people use tend to have many adverse side effects that leave your skin irritated and dry including other negative health side effects. Here are some natural acne treatment tips to help you reduce your acne problem:
Tip 1: Look for gentle natural acne treatments
It is important to read the ingredients section on any over the counter or online based acne treatment you are looking to purchase. You want products that contain primarily natural ingredients like tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a very effective anti bacterial agent and can be very effective at fighting acne. The internet can be a great place to find these kinds of products so do a search for 'natural acne treatments' and you are sure to find some very reputable and quality products that are worth purchasing even if you have to wait a few extra days for shipping.
Tip 2: Watch your diet
Diet can have an impact on hormone levels in your body which can then lead to more acne causing bacteria thus learning to optimize your diet to keep your hormone levels in check can help to control your acne condition. Taking part in a cleansing program can often be a good idea. Visit your local health food store for cleansing kits or do a search online as it is more convenient for 'full body cleansing' to find some good sources to get them and then follow the instructions to maximize the benefits.
Juice fasting can be another great way to cleanse however be warned that it will require a lot of discipline to follow through especially if you have never done it before since you will get lots of urges to want to eat your favorite foods. Start slow and go on a 24 to 48 hour juice fast. The ideal is to juice your own freshly squeezed fruits and vegetables instead of using store bought pre packaged juices.
Carrots contain many nutrients that are very good for the skin so consider drinking the juice of freshly squeezed carrots as much as you can. Also try to minimize your intake of processed foods as much as possible and go with the whole food alternatives ideally organic that are free of chemicals, pesticides and preservatives. Follow some of these natural acne treatment tips to help you get rid of acne fast.
Jonathon is a researcher and author. He is a regular contributor to a site on skin care products. Be sure to visit and learn about the best anti aging skin care products to help you look younger fast.
Keyword : Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Author : Jonathon Kensingtons
E-mail : submissions@isnare.net
