Elliptical Exerciser

Writen by Gary Gresham

Several years ago elliptical exercisers were introduced to the fitness world and have since become very popular and very sophisticated. Over 6 million people now use elliptical exercisers as part of their regular routine.

Elliptical exerciser technology is relatively new. The word elliptical means oval shaped. The basic design of the elliptical exerciser uses oval pedaling motion for a smooth, elliptical movement that provides a low impact form of weight bearing exercise.

You begin by standing with your feet firmly planted in the movable footpads. The advantage of your feet being stationary makes this a smooth and non-jarring motion that is unique to the elliptical exerciser. Grab the handles and add the upper body movement for a total body workout. It is easy to learn and fun to use.

Elliptical exercisers provide a total body workout that is safe for beginners and will even challenge the more advanced athletes, creating a great cardiovascular workout. Because most people like to use these machines they are more likely to workout on a regular basis. Consistent exercise on the elliptical exerciser will help in attaining good overall cardiovascular health.

Elliptical motion feels very natural and compliments normal body movements only making it feel like the workout is easier. The elliptical exerciser is equal or greater than similar equipment such as the treadmill creating a safer workout. It reduces the harmful stress and impact on your muscles and joints.

With time a major concern in our daily lives, an elliptical exerciser can be very desirable. It provides a total body workout utilizing one machine therefore saving time in having to go from machine to machine to achieve the same effect for all the different areas of the body.

Studies have shown that generally the best fitness equipment provides weight bearing exercise that limits impact, has cardiovascular benefits and provides a total body workout. This makes an elliptical exerciser an ideal choice.

Copyright © 2005 Treadmill Info.com All Rights Reserved.

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Are Tanning Lotions What You Need To Make Tanning Beds safe?

Writen by Rachel Stepsen

Long debates on advantages and disadvantages of tanning beds and sunbathing are a good reason for many people to view a tan with suspicion.

This has led companies to undertake extensive research to reduce the harmful effects of Ultraviolet rays associated with tanning bed and sunbathing. This resulted in a few lotions. These come in two categories: Tanning bed & Sunbath lotions and Sunless tanning lotions.

Tanning Bed and Sunbath lotions

Tanning Bed Lotions – People use these lotions before or after taking tanning bed treatments. Tanning bed lotions protect the skin from excess ultraviolet light and accelerate indoor tanning.

Tan accelerators are another group of products used for tanning. These lotions are used while sunbathing. They contain a natural enzyme that stimulates the production of melanin (the body’s natural tan creating enzyme) with exposure to sunlight, as a result they are much more effective. This group of lotions accelerates tanning and reduces the harmful effects of sunlight.

Sunless Tanning: A Good Alternate to Ultra Violet Light Tanning

Self-tanning lotions will help you avoid the sun and decrease the risk of ultraviolet exposure related problems, yet will make you look good. The following are common types of generic sunless tanning lotions.

Self-tanning lotions – Research has proved them safe and effective. The Food and Drug Administration has also tested them safe. The active ingredient in these products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA gives color to the skin through a “browning reaction” when it combines with amino acids in the skin to form a chemical compound known as Melaninoid. Melaninoids are brown in color and this gives a long lasting tan to skin.

Tanning sprays are temporary but a harmless means for tanning. They save you from harmful UV rays and you do not need to make inconvenient trips to tanning saloons. Aerosol tanning sprays can leave you with a perfect looking, even tan with no hassles. All you need is to spray them on your exposed body parts. Within minutes, you will have a tan skin that you can show off anywhere.

Bronzers are yet another tanning product. They come in the form of lotions and gels. Bronzers produce a darker color on the skin by using water-soluble dyes. Bronzers color the skin almost immediately and it dries very quickly. However, it is temporary and starts fading after the first wash.

If you like healthy looking tanned skin, you never had it so good. With the products available in the market, you can become a bronze god in no time!

Find out all you need to know about tanning beds. Are they safe? Do they work? Why should you use tanning beds instead of normal sunshine? Click http://www.tanning-beds-101.com/tanning-bed-lotions.html

Canker Sore Treatment And Prevention

Writen by Terry Edwards

If you think you may have had a canker sore in the past, but just aren’t sure, then you most likely haven’t. Why do I say that? Because if you’ve ever had a canker sore then you would remember the pain they can cause. It just plain hurts at times, especially when drinking or eating.

The good news is that there are answers to how to get rid of canker sores and ways to cure them. A canker sore remedy can range from something as simple as eating a more healthy diet to changing the brand of toothpaste that brush with.

If you find that you are experiencing recurring canker sores you might want to change your diet. Are you eating a lot of spicy foods? These can cause new sores break out and slow down the healing process of those you currently have. Citrus fruits are nearly impossible to eat with a canker sore. The acids they contain not only irritate the sore, but cause a good deal of pain. Therefore try and avoid anything that contains a high level of acidity as well as things like chewing gum or hard candy.

While many foods can cause pain, there are some that work in your favor. Foods like yogurt, buttermilk and cottage cheese are great for canker sores. These foods all contain a substance that fights bacteria. If you are prone to getting canker sores it’s wise to incorporate them into your regular diet.

Your toothpaste could also be a cause for canker sores. Many toothpastes being sold in stores contain SLS. Short for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, SLS is a substance that is tough on the delicate mucous membranes within the mouth. For anyone with a canker sore, it will only irritate it more and cause it to heal at a much slower pace.

Home remedy for canker sores

Some of the basic home remedy for canker sores include:

Rinsing out your mouth with a teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of water.

You can take 1-2 tablespoons of Maalox and mix it with a half tablespoon of liquid Benadryl.

Try using liquids or ointments that have a numbing agent such as benzocaine (Anbesol, Orabase, Tanac) that will help relieve the discomfort of canker sores

While canker sores are a real pain they can be effectively treated. Try one of these tips and begin to experience some canker sore relief.

Bathing Suit Season – A Nutritional Guide

Writen by Heather Dominick

Spring is in the air and summer is around the corner! I know a lot of people have been contacting me about getting themselves and their bodies ready for da-da- DUM BATHING SUIT SEASON.

For those of us who live in the more northern part of the country and did not go anywhere tropical during the last six months, this can be an intimidating time. Our skin (and everything underneath it) has been tucked away, protected and hidden beneath beautiful sweaters and warm scarves. Now it is time to let every part of you take a deep breath of summer sun. Here we go!

Bathing Suit Season – a Nutritional Guide

Two important concepts to keep in mind when looking at your food in preparation for your summer self is 1) to start, try to love your body right where it is now 2) be willing to allow your food habits to change. Take into consideration that your body WANTS to change what it is eating. As mentioned in previous editions the springtime is the perfect time for the body to “go light”. If you listen closely I bet you can hear your body asking for different food, lighter food, and less food. To allow yourself to make these changes follow these guidelines:

1) Do Not Skip Meals -Eat small meals or snacks containing some PROTEIN every few hours to keep blood-sugar levels steady. Do not to let more than 3 hours go between eating. This will help keep your blood sugar stable and avoid ravenous hunger which often leads to overeating. Low blood sugar and extreme hunger are a dangerous combination.

2) Keep Healthy Snacks Around – whether you like crunch, salt or sweet, take care and prep ahead to have some energy rich

Hypnotherapy: Using the Power of The Mind to Heal

Writen by Irene Conlan

New scientific studies are demonstrating that the chemical byproduct of thinking is found in every cell of the body and that the thoughts you think have a powerful effect on your immune system. This is good news for those who already use the power of the mind and positive thinking to help you heal your body. Now they have a scientific base for their work as well as empirical evidence.

Biofeedback, for example, is a treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their own bodies. It is used by physical therapists to help stroke victims regain movement in paralyzed muscles and by psychologists to help tense and anxious clients learn to relax. No one questions its use anymore, because people have demonstrated clearly that by using biofeedback, they can lower their heart rate, lower their blood pressure, stop headaches and other pain and much more. They are using their mind and emotions to control physical symptoms.(This actually is a good definition of hypnosis).

Some researchers say that we are walking pharmacies, able to manufacture those chemicals our bodies need to prevent illness and/or restore us to wholeness. The scientists have further discovered that the chemicals produced by thinking are found in every cell in the human body, not just in brain cells. So if we can produce our own healing chemicals with the mind at a cellular level, what is the logical conclusion? Can we, using our thoughts, manufacture the chemicals that prevent illness or bring about a cure and distribute them to the cells?

From these and other findings and questions, a new focus of study has emerged, that of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). PNI is the study of the interactions between the mind, the nervous system and the immune system, and the relationship between behavior and health. In other words, science is discovering what the mystics have known all along. – that thoughts create our reality. This is spoken of throughout sacred writings: “As a man thinketh, so is he.”

Ponder it. Is there anything in existence that did not start as a thought before it became a reality? Depak Chopra says that if you want to know what you’ll be like in ten years, examine your thoughts today. You are creating your own reality, including the reality of health or illness by your thinking.

You can begin today to train your mind to think positive thoughts that result in an enhanced state of well being, which in turn improves the functioning of your immune system. Begin to think about those things for which you are grateful or that bring you joy instead of how angry you are at Aunt Mabel or worrying that you will catch the bird flu (or any of the dozens of ailments the news media warns you about). As you begin to be in control of your own thoughts and change them from negative to positive, you will begin to notice any number of lovely changes — emotionally, physically, and mentally. And the good news is that thought is one thing that does not have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

If you need medical care, by all means see your primary care physician. In the meantime, begin to change your thinking from negative to positive. If you need help changing your thinking, see a specialist in positive thought therapy – a hypnotherapist.

Irene Conlan has a masters degree in nursing, a doctoral degree in metaphysics, is a certified hypnotherapist and an ordained minister. She practices holistic hypnotherapy and officiates at weddings in Scottsdale, Az and the Phoenix metropolitan area. She can be found at: http://www.thepowerzone.com (Hypnotherapy Downloads) http://www.yourscottsdalewedding.com (Scottsdale Weddings) http://your-scottsdale-wedding.com (Wedding Blog)

Blood Sugar Metabolism – Let Natural Drugs be Your Controller!

Writen by Darshana Vaishnav, M.D.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism and refers to Diabetes (siphoning through) Mellitus (sweet). People with this disorder have high level of blood sugar known as hyperglycemia and lose sugar in their urine. Factors contributing to high blood sugar include reduced insulin production, decreased insulin usage, and increased glucose production by the liver. Diabetes is caused by a complex interaction of genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle choices.

There are two primary types of diabetes:

• Type I, insulin dependent diabetes. People with this disorder do not produce enough insulin.

  Type I diabetes is caused by autoimmune, genetic and environmental factors and even possibly by viruses. It develops in children and young adults. Symptoms include constant hunger, increased thirst and frequent urination, weight loss, extreme fatigue and blurred vision. If not treated with insulin, a person with type I diabetes can lapse into a life-threatening diabetic coma, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

• Type II, sometimes called non-insulin dependent or insulin resistant diabetes. In type II diabetes, the body produces enough insulin but is not effective in transferring glucose from the blood to the cells.

  About 90% to 95% of people with diabetes have type II diabetes. This form of diabetes may include symptoms similar to those of type I as well as frequent infections, and slow healing of wounds or sores. Some people have no symptoms. Type II diabetes is more common among the overweight, the elderly, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Gestational diabetes is yet another type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and these women are likely to develop diabetes later in life.

How to Manage Diabetes?

Type I diabetes always requires insulin injections in addition to diet and exercise.

Type II diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise alone but may require medications in some cases. In addition, taking multivitamins, minerals, herbal supplements and natural drugs shown in the table below can significantly reduce complications. Keeping diabetes and other health conditions in mind, some websites may list all or some of these supplements in the categories such as Blood Sugar Metabolism, Vitamins, Diabetes, etc. It is important that the diabetes patients also continue to monitor their blood sugar level as recommended by their doctor.

Bilberry extract: Helps prevent and reduce the severity of diabetic cataracts.

Bioflavonoids: Helps prevent vision loss. Helps prevent damage to vitamins C and E from diabetes.

Biotin: Biotin and Chromium work well together to help reduce blood sugar levels. With the help of chromium, biotin helps the pancreas work efficiently, helps insulin work better to lower blood sugar levels.

Chromium (Picolinate): Chromium and Biotin work well together to help reduce blood sugar levels. With the help of biotin, chromium helps insulin work better, helps the pancreas work efficiently, and lowers blood sugar levels.

Copper (Picolinate): Copper helps prevent diabetes-related damage to blood vessels and nerves, and lowers blood sugar levels by helping protect the cells in the pancreas that make insulin healthy.

Fenugreek seed extract: Helps liver and kidneys metabolize blood sugars more efficiently; helps lower blood sugars.

Folic Acid: In conjunction with B12, folic acid helps prevent strokes and loss of limbs due to diabetic complications.

Gymnema Sylvestre: Helps balance blood sugars and may help control weight.

Magnesium (Chelate): Helps insulin work more effectively and helps relieves neuropathic pain.

Manganese (Chelate): Helps prevent damage to nerves and blood vessels.

Selenium: Helps take blood sugar into the cells. Selenium also protects blood vessel and nerve from the damaged caused by elevated blood sugars. Selenium is also called, an “insulin mimic”.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): With B12, and folic acid, B6 helps prevents heart attacks and nerve damage. Helps prevent diabetic blindness, helps keep vision clear and normal.

Vitamin B12: In conjunction with folic acid, Vitamin B12 helps prevent stroke and loss of limb due to diabetic complications. Also works with Vitamin B6.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid): In partnership with vitamin E, helps push sugar from the blood stream into the cells. Keeps blood vessels and kidneys healthy.

Vitamin E (Pyridoxine): Vitamin E together with B vitamin helps keep the pancreas healthy and helps prevent nerve damage. Helps blindness, and heart attacks.

Zinc (Pyridoxine): Helps blood sugar get into the cells and help insulin work effectively.

Copyright © 2005 DHAN Medical Inc. All rights reserved.

The information listed here has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is meant for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance and medical advice.

Darshana Vaishnav, M. D. is a board certified medical doctor with a medical degree from Penn State University. With over 20 years of medical practice in California behind her, she set up her website with specific categories such as Blood Sugar Metabolism containing dietary supplements for diabetes. Her site offers natural vitamins, herbal and dietary supplements with reliable purity and consistency available only from physicians, naturopaths, pharmacies or healthcare providers.

Darshana Vaishnav, M. D.
http://www.drugnatural.com

Acne, the Scourge of Youth

Writen by Frances Coleman

Plan a date; get ready for the prom, set the date for your senior picture or just want to look nice. What always happens; you know, acne, a zit as big as a cabbage lands on your face or on your nose. You feel like an alien in a land of smooth skinned movie stars. Why don’t the popular kids get acne? What are they doing that you aren’t doing. Why me; why me; why does this always happen to me. I’m a good person; why am I plagued with acne. No one knows for sure why people, especially teenagers, get acne. In the fifties and sixties, teens were told that chocolate caused acne or eating too much fried food caused acne. No one really knew anything to do except use Noxzema and pray. There were only acne treatments, no cures. Having acne was seen as a rite of passage.

Today we know much more about acne and acne treatments. Some people have acne so bad that they take prescription medicine so strong that they must sign that they will not get pregnant while taking the drug. Other people take natural acne treatments because the idea of using potentially harmful treatments scares them more than the acne. The major problem with acute acne is that it can cause acne scars so bad that people have to seek acne laser treatments to improve their skin. Still others go to the grocery store and find over the counter acne products. As anyone who has ever suffered from acne will tell you, acne can rob you of your dignity and your feelings of self-worth. Our outward appearance, especially during the teen years, is so important. I know, “Pretty is as pretty does.” Well, pretty never seems to have acne.

People can be so cruel to acne sufferers. They can call you tomato face, pimple face, scar man or hundreds of ugly taunts. Because teens need to look good to feel good about themselves, the market for acne treatments is enormous. Commercials on television are always advertising the latest in acne medications especially during teen shows. The kids on the show always have smooth, blemish free faces and look exactly like every teen wants to look. Teens want to buy whatever acne medication is new and different in the hope that this new acne treatment will work better than others.

There are even infomercials about acne treatments and acne cover-ups. These infomercials show adults who are looking for make-up to cover-up acne or acne scars. This heavy make-up does seem to cover up scaring or acne on the people doing the infomercial. There are also infomercials about adult acne solutions. Unfortunately, some adults do still get acne. There is a huge market of acne medications or acne treatments for adult acne, not on just the face but also for people who suffer from acne back. Shame makes these people fear others seeing their acne.

One truth remains. There is no cure for acne but there are steps that can be taken to help prevent it. People who think that youth is wasted on the young probably never had acne.

After years as an educator and more degrees than she can count, Frances Coleman now writes professionally. She is a prolific reader with an advanced degree in research techniques. Learn more ways to prevent acne.

Diabetic Foot Care Tips: Can’t Afford to Ignore It!

Writen by Jasdeep Singh

Most of the time, we focus on health or skin care completely ignoring the importance of our feet. Foot care is equally important especially for diabetic people to avoid foot complications. Feet is one part of our body which is used the most. Even then, we tend to ignore it until we don’t come across some serious feet problem. Feet are made up of 26 bones, held together by tendons, ligaments and muscles and wrapped in skin.

Some handy and valuable tips of foot care:

a) Check your feet daily for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling and infected nails.

b) Do not cut corns and calluses( hardened or thickened part of the skin). Consult your doctor if you have developed corns and calluses rather than cutting them off using razor, corn plasters or some liquid corn removers.

c) Make sure your toe nails are trimmed properly. Trim them straight across and smooth them using a nail file.

d) If you are diabetic, consult your doctor. Diabetic patients are at more risk to developing foot complications and wounds which do not heal easily. There are three major problems which a diabetic person faces if he develops some foot disease.

. Ischemia: It is poor circulation of blood.

. Neuropathy: It is a nerve disease.

. Infection: Precipitation Factor.

Tip: Keeping your blood sugar level in good control and taking care of your feet properly can help you avoid serious foot problems. Also avoid sitting with your legs crossed as it can reduce the flow of blood to the feet.

e) Scrub your feet each time you take a shower. You can also wash them using mild soap and lukewarm water and then drying them gently.

f) Wear clean socks and shoes that fit you properly. Right shoes helps you put off injuries and soreness. If you feel your feet sweat more than others, go in for leather or canvas shoes but not synthetic ones or plastic shoes. Plastic or vinyl shoes do not stretch or breathe. Sandals are also a good option. Use foot powder daily.

g) Quit Smoking. Smoking reduces the flow of blood to your feet.

About the Author

Jasdeep: for http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

To learn more about prevention,symptoms and cure of diabetes and some handy tips for diabetic patients, visit http://weightloss-health.com/Diabetes.htm

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Are Hats Here to Stay? – A Hat and Your Health

Writen by Janice Carter

The hat has once again emerged on the fashion scene and the reason may be due to the dramatic increase in the skin cancer known as melanoma, the deadliest of the known types of skin cancer.

Prior to 1950, melanoma was rarely diagnosed. In recent years, this disease has had a dramatic increase in the under 40 age group. It appears that the years of enjoying the sun, during the warmer months, without wearing a hat has taken its toll on our health and we have finally realized the functional purpose of the hat.

Scientist had predicted for many years, that the effect of increasing uv rays reaching the earth, due to the hole in the ozone layer, would have a wide scale effect upon the human immune system and a devastating effect on the skin. Clinical studies have shown that overexposure to the sun may take years to show up with the effects being in the form of premature aging, age or liver spots and/or skin cancer.

Wearing a hat, that provides shade for your face, neck and ears, can play a major part in the prevention of the effects of the sun upon the skin. The American cancer Society and the Skin Cancer Institute suggest that a hat brim of 2 to 4 inches will provide adequate shade from the sun – but a wider brim may prove to be better protection for those who have all ready experienced some form of skin cancer. For a hat to provide maximum protection from the sun, it should be one of a tightly woven material, which is usually straw or cloth.

Hats made specifically for sun protection — such as the legionnaires hat, the safari hat, the outback hat — have been around for years and were created to protect the head and facial area from the sun. Most of us associated these hats with specific occupations and geographical locations with hotter climates. Now we know that geography no longer plays a part in whether we actively practice adequate sun protection. The excuses, we used in the past, to justify not wearing a hat are no longer valid. As we continue to erode the ozone layer with hydrocarbons and fossil fuel emissions, uv rays will continue to increase and we will see an even greater rise in the number of people with skin cancer. It no longer matters whether hats are in style or not. Wearing a hat has now become an investment in our future well-being.

Janice Carter is the founder and owner of http://www.isisfashions.com – an internet store for women’s custom made hats.

10 Tips to Maximize Your Metabolism

Writen by Paul Cris

Metabolism basically means the count of calories you burn per day. Repeatedly you might have read articles about accelerating the rate of metabolism. The most common are consuming highly nutritious food and performing workouts. If your metabolism rate is slower, it shows you are burning less calories. In order to increase the rate, you must follow the below tips:

1) Do not observe fasting because you burn too many calories at once, which is really harmful to your body. In this process your muscles turn weak and you face dehydration rather than minimizing the fat content.

2) Dine about 6-8 times a day by consuming nutritious items such as fruits and vegetables.

3) A heavy breakfast is a key factor in increasing the rate of metabolism. Since you are awake for the whole day, the rate of metabolism is fast.

4) There are many kinds of healthy fats available such as nuts, fish, olive oil, and flax oil. They can be substitutes for processed carbs.

5) Consume less sugar so that the insulin production is regulated and you will thus burn calories easily.

6) Eat about 1 gm of protein per pound because the excessive fat content will be drained away.

7) Remember that alcohol is harmful for people planning to lose weight. It prevents fat burning and contains 100s of calories.

Green tea and water are the best forms of beverages that do not affect the metabolism process. So use them instead of tea, coffee and alcohol.

9) Night shifts are normally not advisable, but if you think they are unavoidable then follow the above-mentioned tips carefully.

10) Stay as active as you can. Run when you need to walk, do not keep sitting and working, move your arms, stand up once in a while etc. These small steps will also assist in your metabolism.

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1601.html

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