Favorite Detox Tips

Giving your body a break from all the toxins it’s exposed to can make you feel amazing. Here’s how to cleanse safely so you stack the good-health odds in your favor.

Detox. One little word with a lot of appeal. Sure, it’s not the easiest of endeavors (goodbye coffee, hello herbal tea), but the promise is huge: Just a week into a detox and you’re likely to experience a boost in energy, clearer skin, less gas and bloating and even less congestion, says Nicole Egenberger, N.D., clinic director of Remède Naturopathics in New York City.

What’s behind this seemingly miraculous transformation? Consider this: Even if you take good care of your body, you’re still bombarded with toxins. They’re in the food you eat, the water you drink and the air you breathe. Your body naturally produces toxins, too. It’s up to your digestive system— especially the hard-working liver, the body’s main detoxifier—to send those toxins packing.

In an ideal world, our bodies would eliminate toxins with ease. However, “as our exposure to toxins increases, our ability to deal with them decreases,” says Egenberger. The solution? Give your weary detoxifying organs a rest (read: go on a detox) so they become more efficient. But before you drastically alter your diet, realize that to detox safely and effectively, you’ll need to prep your body for elimination, eat lots of fresh, whole foods (detoxing doesn’t mean you have to fast!) and learn how to transition back into the “real world” when your detox is finished. “Just going back to your same old habits after you detox is more violent on your body than not detoxing at all,” says Mary Saunders, L.Ac., the founder and director of Boulder Community Acupuncture in Colorado. For some safe, detox tips, read on.

The Doable Detox

Cleanse your body from the inside out with this safe, effective and easy (really!) plan.

Crazy Sexy Detox

Kris Carr's 21-day adventure cleanse.

Sugar Detox

If you’re run-down, overweight, or moody, you could be suffering from sugar overload. Our plan will help you rid refined sugar from your diet and still lead a sweet life.

You, Renewed

Jumpstart a healthier routine with a weekend detox. This gentle cleanse won’t leave you starved—and it allows time for contemplation to help break bad habits.

Phone a Cleanse

When life becomes hectic, get your fresh-pressed juices delivered.

Come Clean

Yes, you can complete a cleanse! Our simple 21-day plan—and 8 secrets to sticking with it—will ensure you stay the course and reap the rewards.

Mix It Up!

The key to detox success is to keep your diet clean and green, but not boring.

Ultimate Detox Salad

One of the best ways to flush toxins from your body is by eating water-rich foods like leafy greens and cabbage.

source : http://www.naturalhealthmag.com

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What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a general term used to categorize over 100 different conditions and diseases. What these 100+ diseases and conditions all have in common is a problem with a joint inside the body. The human body has joints in the spine, shoulders, knees, hips, elbows, wrists, fingers, ankles and toes. Arthritis pain and inflammation can affect any of these joints at any time during life, although these symptoms typically begin to appear after age 40.

A joint is the area where two bones come together. In order to move freely, the ends of the bones are covered with a substance called cartilage. Surrounding each joint is something called a synovium. The synovium also produces a lubricant that is primarily responsible for limiting joint wear and tear. It accomplishes this by reducing friction. Ligaments, tendons, and muscles give bones power and help the two bones stay together.

Arthritis strikes as a result of damage within the joint. The damage is typically the result of age, as over time the cartilage simply begins to break down. However, arthritis can also result from an injury or other health condition. When a joint becomes damaged or diseased, inflammation in the form of swelling, pain and stiffness can result.

In addition to the symptoms of pain, stiffness and swelling, an affected joint may not be able to move freely. Other symptoms can include flu-like symptoms, a fever, the appearance of nodules, and fatigue.

If you have painful joints and the pain does not seem to be getting any better after a few weeks, you may be experiencing symptoms of arthritis. Schedule a visit to your doctor. Proper diagnosis can be made after completing a physical exam, discussing your medical history, taking x-rays and ordering lab work.

If you do have arthritis, unfortunately there is no cure. There are however, a number of treatment options that can be prescribed. Hot/cold compresses, moderate exercise, and pain relievers are some options as is surgery. The doctor can prescribe the best treatment for your type of arthritis.

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What Is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion. Individuals with anorexia often control body weight by voluntary starvation, purging, vomiting, excessive exercise, or other weight control measures, such as diet pills or diuretic drugs.

Anorexia nervosa primarily affects young adolescent girls in the Western world and has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition, with approximately 10% of people diagnosed with the condition eventually dying due to related factors.

The suicide rate of people with anorexia is also higher than that of the general population and is thought to be the major cause of death for those with this condition.

Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition, involving psychological, neurobiological, physiological and sociological components.

A person who is suffering from anorexia is referred to as anorexic. Anorexia nervosa is frequently shortened to anorexia in both the media and scientific literature. This is technically incorrect, as strictly speaking anorexia refers to the medical symptom of reduced appetite.

It is clear that there is no single cause for anorexia and that it stems from a mixture of social, psychological and biological factors. Current research is commonly focused on explaining existing factors and uncovering new causes. However, there is considerable debate over how much each of the known causes contributes to the development of anorexia. In particular, the contribution of perceived media pressure on women to be thin has been especially contentious.

Anorexia can be difficult to treat. A recent review suggested that less than one-half recover fully, one-third improve, and 20% remain chronically ill.

The first line of treatment for anorexia is usually focused on immediate weight gain, especially with those who have particularly serious conditions that require hospitalization. In particularly serious cases, this may be done under as an involuntary hospital treatment under mental health law, where such legislation exists. In the majority of cases, however, people with anorexia are treated as outpatients, with input from physicians, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals.

A recent clinical review has suggested that psychotherapy is an effective form of treatment and can lead to restoration of weight and improved psychological and social functioning when compared to simple support or education programs. However, this review also noted that there are only a small number of randomized controlled trials on which to base this recommendation. No specific type of psychotherapy seems to show any overall advantage when compared to other types.

Family therapy has also been found to be an effective treatment for adolescents with anorexia and in particular, a method developed at the Maudsley Hospital is widely used and found to maintain improvement over time.

It is important to note that many recovering underweight people (who are more or less forced against their will into recovery by angry parents or other relatives) often harbour a hateful dislike for those who they feel are robbing them of their treasured emaciation. Often when well-meaning friends or relatives compliment the recoveree on how much healthier they look, the recoverees mind replaces healthy with fat.

Drug treatments, such as SSRI or other antidepressant medication, have not found to be generally effective for either treating anorexia or preventing relapse although there is a lack of adequate research in this area. It is common, however, for antidepressants to be prescribed, often with the intent of trying to treat the associated anxiety and depression.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you need more information about anorexia, please consult a qualified physician for the best treatment options available.

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What Is An Oximeter?

An oximeter, or a pulse oximeter, is a medical device that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A pulse oximeter has become an important monitoring tool in modern medicine. The oximeter is attached to a monitor so as to enable a direct reading of the patient’s oxygenation at all times. This is because timely recognition of low saturation conditions and emergency correction measures can prevent potentially devastating complications. Before the oximeter was invented, a series of complicated blood tests were needed.

Oximeter manufacturers have been rising to the occasion by continually improving on their products to reduce the margin of error and provide safer tools. Clinicians are thus provided with the most technologically advanced systems. Oximeters now come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they serve a variety of uses, but the main aim of all oximeters is to monitor oxygen saturation readings.

Clinical motion by the patient and corresponding errors in reading accurate saturation levels pose a major challenge to manufacturers. Clinical motion may cause volatility, dashing of display, inaccuracy, and freezing of saturation readings. Studies reveal that among adults extending, rubbing, clenching and flexing are the most common motions. In infants, kicking, clenching and flexing are the most common motions. Clinical motions are irregular and are generally very short in duration. Oximeters traditionally calculate saturation by measuring the difference in trough and peak of each plethysmographic waveform. Advanced digital signaling allows the modern hi-tech meters to make accurate readings that were otherwise impossible.

An oximeter usually measures the percent of normal. Normal ranges usually vary from 95 to 100 percent. The blood vessels expand and contract with the heartbeat, so the monitored signals bounce in time with the heartbeat. Modern oximeters can also clip onto the finger of a patient and determine the amounts of chemicals by using optical properties of light.

The way in which pulse oximetry works is interesting. Well oxygenated blood is bright red in color, while poorly oxygenated blood is darker, almost purple in tinge. Bright red blood will absorb more light. Oximeters can also distinguish between venous and arterial bloods.

Oximeters or blood-oxygen monitors are critical in emergency medicine and can be crucial for patients with cardiac or respiratory problems. Another interesting use of the meter is in non-pressurized airplanes where pilots operate above 10,000 feet, thus needing supplemental oxygen. Oximeters are routinely used in operating rooms and intensive care units as a part of their vital-sign monitoring. They are also used in sleep labs and with overnight oximetry tests to determine nocturnal hypoxemia (drop in oxygen levels). Patients who need supplemental oxygen aids or any other type of non-invasive breathing aids are thus helped greatly.

Other than hospitals and labs, people who are dependent on supplemental oxygen find it useful to own an oximeter. Such people feel comfort and security in being able to monitor their own oxygen needs. When such people become extremely short of breath, they are able to understand processes that take place within them, and thus feel empowered. People use oximeters while exercising or exerting themselves, so they can monitor their oxygen levels continually.

Oxygen is a form of medication, and oxygen levels should not be adjusted without consulting a doctor first. It is good for patients to be proactive with their own health care, but one should not get obsessed with the readings and get over alarmed.

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What are Hemorrhoids?

When someone has a hemorrhoid problem, they are going to be very uncomfortable and will have to do something in order to take care of this annoyance.  Having hemorrhoids means that a person has a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed.  This may result in the straining to move bowels.  The most common people to get hemorrhoids are pregnant women, people that are aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea and anal intercourse.

Hemorrhoids are either inside the anus or under the skin around the anus.  This means that they are usually internal or external.  There are creams and medications for the external problems; however, the internal hemorrhoids may result in surgery or other procedures to remove them.

 

Many of these hemorrhoid problems will mean that any person with them will have pain or itching in that area.  Hemorrhoids are usually not dangerous or life threatening.  In most cases, the symptoms will go away in a few days.  Although many people with them will not experience any symptoms at all.  The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet itself.

 

An internal hemorrhoid may protrude through the anus outside the body and this is what will become painful.  This is called non other than a protruding hemorrhoid.   Symptoms of the external hemorrhoids may be painful as well.  This will also include swelling or a hard surface around the anus that results when a blot clot forms.

 

It is normal to have a hemorrhoid problem.  They are very common in both men and women.  So many pregnant women have to deal with the pain of hemorrhoids along with everything else that they have to go through while pregnant.  Others will have hemorrhoids by the age of fifty.

There are many treatments of hemorrhoids and the symptoms that they cause.  Sitting in a warm bath a few times a day will help to relive pain.  There are also a lot of creams available both over the counter and by prescription that can help to heal and ease the pain of the hemorrhoids.

 

In extreme cases, it may be determined by a doctor that a person must have surgery to remove the hemorrhoids.  This is to help those that have severe bleeding or anemia and cannot take the loss of blood.  This will eliminate the problems of the hemorrhoids so that the person can live a happier and healthier lifestyle.

 

To prevent hemorrhoids, many people with constipation should relive the pressure of straining.  You should have lots of fiber and fruits in your diet and drink plenty of water.  This will help to soften the stool and will not cause so much strain.  A stool softener may also be necessary to fix this type of problem.

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What Is An Antioxidant?

An antioxidant is a chemical that reduces the rate of particular oxidation reactions in a specific context, where oxidation reactions are chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons from a substance to an oxidising agent.

Antioxidants are particularly important in the context of organic chemistry and biology : all living cells contain complex systems of antioxidant chemicals and/or enzymes to prevent chemical damage to the cells' components by oxidation. The importance and complexity of antioxidants in biology is reflected in a medical literature of more than 142,000 scholarly articles.

A diet containing antioxidants from plants are required for good health since plants are an important source of organic antioxidant chemicals. Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements that are used for health purposes such as preventing cancer and heart disease. However, while many studies have suggested benefits for antioxidant supplements, several large clinical trials have failed to clearly demonstrate a benefit for the formulations tested, and excess supplementation may be harmful.

Antioxidants are chemicals that reduce oxidative damage to cells and biochemicals. Researchers have found high correlation between oxidative damage and the occurrence of disease. For example, LDL oxidation is associated with cardiovascular disease. The process leading to atherogenesis, artherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease is complex, involving multiple chemical pathways and networks, but the precursor is LDL oxidation by free radicals, resulting in inflammation and formation of plaques.

Research suggests that consumption of antioxidant-rich foods reduces damage to cells and biochemicals from free radicals. This may slow down, prevent, or even reverse certain diseases that result from cellular damage, and perhaps even slow down the natural aging process.

Since the discovery of vitamins, it has been recognized that antioxidants in the diet are essential for healthful lives. More recently, a large body of evidence has accumulated that suggests supplementation of the diet with various kinds of antioxidants can improve health and extend life.

Many nutraceutical and health food companies now sell forms of antioxidants as dietary supplement. These supplements may include specific antioxidant chemicals, like resveratrol (from grape seeds), combinations of antioxidants, like the "ACES" products that contain beta carotene (provitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E and Selenium, or specialty herbs that are known to contain antioxidants such as green tea and jiaogulan.

Disclaimer

The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you need more information about Antioxidants, please consult your physician or a qualified specialist.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

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Vitamin A And Vitamin E For Acne

In the fight against acne, vitamins A and E both act fairly similarly and both have great advantages for preventing its outbreak. Needless to say, getting proper amounts of these vitamins into your body everyday is crucial for maintaining clear, healthy skin and for helping to prevent acne from becoming a problem.

Vitamin A fights acne initially by helping to strengthen the protective tissue of the skin. Additionally, it reduces sebum (oil) production in the skin. This combination helps the skin to become more capable of fighting acne and also this healthy skin, with less oil, is less likely to suffer from acne breakouts. Furthermore, Vitamin A is a very strong antioxidant which helps to rid the body, including the skin, of harmful toxins and free radicals, therefore helping to clear the skin of many problems, including acne. Vitamin A is usually taken in conjunction with carotenoids which enhances its effects against acne.

Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Although not as strong of one as Vitamin A, Vitamin E still does help to rid the skin of toxins which can lead to acne and helps to clear up existing acne. Vitamin E also promotes tissue repair and healing of the skin, two important aspects that help to both strengthen the skin and also to prevent damage caused by acne to become permanent. Additionally, Vitamin E prevents cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats) and the formation of free radicals.

As can be seen, both vitamins have fairly similar methods of assisting in the fight against acne. Both help to strengthen the skin and healthier, stronger skin is less prone to acne. Both are also antioxidants and help to clear the skin of acne and prevent future breakouts. The difference is that Vitamin A reduces oil production and Vitamin E promotes tissue repair and healing. In combination, these vitamins are extremely effective in combating acne.

Both Vitamin A and Vitamin E are extremely important vitamins and a deficiency in either of them can lead to acne. Consuming healthy amounts of these vitamins every day can help to fight existing acne and also to enable to body to better prevent further acne breakouts from occurring. Put plainly, both of these vitamins should be involved in any methods used to combat acne and should be heavily considered when looking for acne fighting vitamin supplements.

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