Monday, August 31, 2009

Best of Tips For Fasting at Ramadan


During the holy month of Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadan is an ideal time to normalize one's weight.

In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fiber containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods, slow digesting foods including fiber containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.

Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barely, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).

Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).

Fiber-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.

The foods eaten should be well balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e., fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heartburn, and weight problems.



↓ You Should AVOID ↓


◙ Fried and fatty foods.
◙ Foods containing too much sugar.
◙ Over-eating.

Too much tea Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day. Smoking cigarettes: If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.


◙ EAT

eat?? hmmm... I think bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.


◙ DRINK

As much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.


◙ CONSTIPATION

Constipation can cause piles (hemorrhoids), fissures (painful cracks in anal canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling.
Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fiber in the diet.
Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, and use bran in baking, brown flour when making roti.


◙ INDIGESTION AND WIND

Causes: Over-eating. Too much fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated drinks like Cola also produce gas.
Remedy: Do not over-eat, drink fruit juices or better still drink water. Avoid fried foods, add ajmor to wind-producing foods.


◙ LETHARGY (low blood pressure)

Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting up from sitting position, pale appearance and feeling faint are symptoms associated with "low blood pressure". This tends to occur towards the afternoon.
Causes: Too little fluid intake decreased salt intake.
Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake.
Caution: Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood pressure reading when symptoms are present. People with high blood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadan. They should consult their doctor.


◙ HEADACHE

Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too much in one day, lack of sleep, hunger usually occurs as the day goes by and worsens at the end of the day. When associated with "low blood pressure", the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar.
Remedy: Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two before Ramadan. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted. Reorganize your schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.


◙ LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities, headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.
Causes in non-diabetics: Having too much sugar i.e., refined carbohydrates especially at suhur (sehri). The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.
Remedy: Eat something at sehri and limit sugar-contaning foods or drinks.
Caution: Diabetics may need to adjust their medication in Ramadan, consult your doctor.


◙ MUSCLE CRAMPS

Causes Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods.
Remedy: Eat foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat and dates.
Caution Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.


◙ PEPTIC ULCERS, HEART BURN, GASTRITIS AND HIATUS HERNIAB ↓

Increase acid levels in the empty stomach in Ramadan aggravate the above conditions. It presents as a burning feeling in the stomach area under the ribs and can extend up to the throat. Spicy foods, coffee, and Cola drinks worsen these conditions.
Medications are available to control acid levels in the stomach. People with proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor well before Ramadan.


◙ KIDNEY STONES
Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquid to drink. There fore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.


◙ JOINT PAINS

Causes during Ramadan, when extra salah are performed the pressure on the knee joints increases. In the elderly and those with arthritis this may result in pain, stiffness, swelling and discomfort.
Remedy Lose weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extra load. Exercise the lower limbs before Ramadan so that they can be prepared for the additional strain. Before physically fit allows greater fulfillment, thus enabling one to be able to perform salah with ease....





"Happy Fasting Ramadan 1430H FOR all Muslims in the World"




Thursday, August 27, 2009

How to Lower Cholesterol Levels?

Lowering cholesterol is important for everyone, including younger, middle-aged, and older adults, and people with or without heart disease and/or stroke. Lowering cholesterol is extremely important key to reducing the risk of heart disease. High levels of LDL are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol mean a lower risk of heart disease. Most doctors suggest cholesterol levels should stay under 200 mg/dl. Lowering cholesterol is recommended to lead a more healthy life and main. Lowering cholesterol is just one way to look after your heart.

Lowering cholesterol is actually quite simple, and doesn't require surgery or drugs with healthy lifestyle, naturally lowering cholesterol is easy since it helps normalize your cholesterol, naturally and safely. One of the easiest ways to starting lowering cholesterol is to limit the amount of cholesterol you take in. What kind of foods and diets to chose for lowering cholesterol?

There are several foods & diets that have been discovered to lower cholesterol levels;

- Foods with enhanced levels of plant sterols can help lower cholesterol.

- Low Cholesterol Foods. Choose foods that are low in fat, especially saturated fat.

- Avoid fried foods.

- Foods high in soluble fiber are very helpful in lowering cholesterol levels, especially LDL. Plants are foods that more effective in lowering cholesterol.

- Replace high-fat foods with all low – fat foods.

- Oat bran and brown rice bran are the best foods for lowering cholesterol.

Discover how you can lower your cholesterol naturally by using a Cholesterol diet, exercise regularly and there are a number of herbs used for naturally lowering cholesterol. Maintain your healthy cholesterol naturally without Medication is easy since it helps normalize your cholesterol, naturally and safely. And it is possible to lower your cholesterol naturally. Lower cholesterol naturally and live a longer healthier life.

Lowering cholesterol is important for everyone because lowering cholesterol is a one important key in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. The main goal in lowering cholesterol is to lower your LDL and raise your HDL. Lowering cholesterol is just one way to lead a more healthy life and maintain a healthy heart

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Controlling Your High Blood Pressure Without Drugs

High blood pressure affects many people, with up to ninety percent of all people being affected at some time in their lives. Though many causes of high blood pressure are due to lifestyle choices such as not eating properly or eating the wrong choices of food, there are some causes, such as heredity and excessive stress, that we have little control over.

By adhering to a healthier plan for your nutrition and taking the time to exercise properly and more often, you'll have a better chance of lowering your blood pressure naturally. Taking the time to really look at the factors in your life that may affect your blood pressure can be the best way to start taking better care of yourself. High blood pressure is an easy condition to ignore, but if you make the effort, it's not hard to manage and treat.

Learning to live a healthy lifestyle is one of the first things you can do to help lower your high blood pressure. This change in lifestyle can play a pivotal role in treating your condition, whether you use any type of blood pressure medication or not. The result of this kind of change will be getting your better health back.

If you're not already on medication for high blood pressure, changing your lifestyle could delay or reduce the need for it. Making a single change in your lifestyle choices, such as exercising more or eating better, will enhance your chances of lowering your high blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure level will help you to live a longer and healthier life while lowering the threat of heart attacks and stroke. Lowering your high blood pressure can also prevent liver disease, as well as mental problems such as dementia and Alzheimer's.

Starting out with small, manageable changes in your lifestyle is the way to begin the road to better health. Exercising will not only help you to lose weight and feel better about yourself, but it will also have the added benefit of strengthening your heart, bones and muscles.

Losing just a little weight can help your blood pressure go down a noticeable amount. The more weight you manage to get rid of, the better you're going to feel and the more your high blood pressure will drop. Because it comes down to habit, your lifestyle changes must take into account those late-night snacks and extra helpings at mealtimes that may have become bad habits. Have a talk with your doctor about what your target weight should be to be healthy.

If you have high blood pressure you should try to get at least thirty minutes of exercise every day to help lower your pressure and prolong your life. Your doctor can help you work out a safe and manageable exercise regimen for you to follow. Even just walking for exercise can have a major impact on improving your health.

If you have high blood pressure, try to stay away from isometric exercises that require straining your muscles. Also, don't try and cram a week's worth of exercising into a few hours on the weekend. This will only end up creating another set of bad habits that will need breaking in order for you to get healthier again.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Eating Healthy For Vegetarians


The vegetarian way of eating can be a very healthy style
of eating. But the rules of healthy eating still apply.
You still need to add variety with balance, and moderation.

A vegetarian is someone who avoids all types of meat,
whether it is hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, or even fish.
Vegetarians are sometimes classified by the type of
food they are or aren't willing to eat. For example,
Lacto-ovo vegetarians will avoid animal flesh, yet they
will eat eggs and most dairy products. A Vegan on the
other hand, will avoid all food that has any trace of
animal origin.

Because vegetarians don't eat meat they often
wonder if they are getting enough protein. Although you may
not realize it, the average American consumes
more protein than he actually needs. For the lacto-ovo
vegetarian, dairy products are an excellent source of
protein. Vegans on the other hand, get their protein
from nuts, seeds, and soy products.

A staple for vegetarians is the bean. Tthere are several types of
beans to choose from, including peanuts, split
peas, pinto beans, soy beans or nuts, kidney beans, and many more.

Some of them you are already familiar, such as kidney beans in
chili, refried beans in Mexican dishes, red beans and
rice, and pinto beans. Although some beans taste good
as they are, others are available with different flavors
to help enhance their taste.

Nuts are high in protein,although they deliver a lot more

fat than beans, which means you should enjoy them in moderation.
One cup of cooked beans supplies the same amount of
protein as eating two ounces of meat!

Since vegans avoid all types of animal food they should be concerned
with getting enough vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D.
In the average North American diet, the primary source
for B12 is animals. To have an adequate intake of B12,
vegans should regularly consume vitamin B12 supplements or
foods which contain vitamin B12, such as soy products
or milk.

Vegans can rely on orange juice or soy milk for calcium
as they are calcium fortified. Beans and leafy green
vegetables also contain some calcium as
well.

Although all types of vegetarians rely on simple food
groups, controlling your vitamins and calcium intake is
something you should always do. This is very important
for eating healthy, as well as staying healthy. If you
control what you eat, you'll have many years of healthy
eating ahead of you.

Fasting Healthy And Can Cure Any Disease


Fasting has been found to be an effective treatment for psychological and emotional disorders. It helps a person to firm up his will, cultivate and refine his taste and manners, strengthen his conviction of doing good, avoid controversy, petulance and rashness, which all contribute towards a sane and healthy personality. Besides nurturing resistance and ability to face hardships and endurance, fasting reflects on outward physical appearance by cutting out gluttony and getting rid of excess fat. The benefits of fasting on health do not stop there but are instrumental in alleviating a number of physical diseases, including those of the digestive systems, such as chronic stomachache, inflammation of the colon, liver diseases, indigestion, and conditions such as obesity, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, asthma, diphtheria and many other maladies.

A Swiss physician Dr. Barsilus noted that: "The advantages of hunger as a remedy exceed those ingesting medicine several times."
As readers are well aware, several physicians advise patients to skip meals, sometimes for a few days, before prescribing them a controlled diet.

Generally speaking, fasting hastens the destruction of the decaying tissues of the body by means of hunger, and then builds new tissues through nutrition. This is why some scientists suggest that fasting should be regarded as an effective means of restoring youthfulness and longevity. However, Islam exempts from fasting sick and old people whose health is bound to deter.

There are many examples in the Qur'an and Hadith of the virtues of a positive mental attitude, perseverance and optimism in the face of adversity. However, did you know that patience and a positive outlook on life are two of the greatest healing tools that you can use?

The Qur'an (2:155) says, "Give glad tidings to those who exercise patience when struck with adversity and say, 'Indeed, we belong to God and to Him is our return.' Such ones receive [the] blessings and mercy of their Lord, and such are the guided ones." According to the findings of modern science, it appears that this mercy may often come in the form of improved health.

Bernard Jensen says, in his book The Science and Practice of Iridology, "The doctor of the new day will recognize that a man's most important workshop is not the physical body, but the mind that controls it." Dr. Ted M. Morter confirms this in his book, Your Health... Your Choice, when he says that "negative thoughts are the number one acid producer in the body (and high body acidity levels are a major cause of disease)" because your body reacts to negative mental and emotional stress brought about by thought the same way it reacts to 'real' threats of physical harm."

In fact, hospital studies show that, of all the patients who consult outpatient clinical facilities in the United States, an astounding seventy percent are found to have no organic basis for their complaint. That figure is amazingly high. However, although medically these patients are not found to have an obvious organic source for their complaints, there actually is a physical basis for this phenomenon. Since Freud popularized the idea of psychoanalysis, people have often focused exclusively on the mental realm to solve certain problems, forgetting that we cannot separate the physical and mental realms. The mind is in the brain, and the brain is an organ. Like all other organs, it feeds from the same pool of nutrients that other body organs feed from and is susceptible to all of the same problems. Ultimately, the brain is just a part of our body like all of the other parts and is completely dependent on the body. It requires sugar to develop energy unlike other tissues that can develop it from potassium and fats. Consequently, it is the first organ to suffer from low blood sugar and it reacts most severely. Freud himself said that psychoanalysis was not suitable for treating diseases such as schizophrenia, and he postulated that their causes eventually would be found to be biochemical.

If we keep in mind that the brain is an organ and that it works in harmony with the other organs and feeds from the same bloodstream, we can understand how various mental events can affect us physically. For example, simply using our brains to think and study burns up nutrients in our system, particularly phosphorus. Heavily exercising the brain can cause us to suffer from a phosphorus deficiency. And we find that the reverse is also true in this relationship. People who have high intellectual capacity usually have high levels of phosphorus in their system.

There is much wisdom in the Prophet's (SAW) statement (narrated by Abu Huraira), "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger." In fact, staying patient and calm is key to physical strength.

Phosphorus is not the only nutrient that can be depleted by mental stress and a lack of spiritual calm. If the thyroid gland, the primary organ to handle our emotions, works overtime, we can suffer from a deficiency in iodine. Stress from a demanding job, a divorce or relocating can cause a loss of potassium and sodium in the body because it effects the adrenal glands creating more of a need for these minerals.

Even hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can be caused by excitement. The prophet (SAW) recommended our taking the more moderate path in life; however, we often engage in or expose ourselves to intense excitement by yelling, excessively watching television, and going to the mall, movies, parties, amusement parks, etc. When we see something exciting, our adrenal cortex is stimulated and there is an increase in our blood sugar. This, in turn, stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin into the blood to lower the sugar level, causing us to then feel tired or weak.

It produces calm and health to practice saying, "Alhamdullilah" for what we have and for what we are faced with. We should try to keep our home and work environments peaceful and as free from stress as possible. One way we can counteract the effects of stress are to simply be aware of the stress we are encountering, and to consume sufficient nutrients and supplements such as herbs.

For instance, if a person is up late praying or reading Qur'an during Ramadan, they can eat phosphorus rich foods and those that will help them maintain their phosphorus intake. If a person is moving, traveling or making Hajj or Umra, they may want to increase their intake of foods high in potassium and sodium as well as vitamin B complex.

If we completely ignore the relationship between mental and physical health, we are missing an important detail in the picture of personal health. And, as in most health problems, practicing prevention is superior to finding a cure. Therefore, the best manner to avoid having negative attitudes and emotions control our bodies is simply to practice the wisdoms that we have been given throughout the Qur'an and Hadith. We should say, "Alhamdullilah" for what we have, "Insha'Allah" for what we intend and, "Subhana' Allah" when we see something exciting or amazing. We should remember to say, "Astaghfir'Allah" when we lose our tempers or become weak, and most importantly, "Allahu Akbar" when we are faced with the challenges of life. These five phrases, said regularly, are like taking a multi-vitamin for holistic health.


However, you must remember in when breaking the fast should not Eating Excessive, Because....
In the holy Quran, there is a Verse gathering the whole matter of medicine. It is: "...Eat and drink but do not be excessive." (7:31)



"Happy Fasting Ramadan 1430H FOR all Muslims in the World"





Monday, August 24, 2009

Easy Diet Plan

When we are experiencing the battle of the bulge, we tend to go on yet another diet. We often look for an easy diet plan to follow. Heres the thing though, once we get off it, we find ourselves right back to where we started. The weight comes creeping back and then some.

I am not a big fan of the word “diet” just because of the negative connotations that come to mind when we think of the actual “dieting” part…irritability, hunger pangs, cravings. But by following a few simple steps we can make it a life choice and never have to utter the word diet again.

There are lots of gurus out there that will tell you to do this, take that, follow their easy diet plan and in no time you’ll have a ripped midsection and be kicking sand into someone else’s face. Fact of the matter is, sometimes they don’t work and the only thing you lose is money.

Here is my seven-step easy diet plan you can follow that will reap tons of benefits the more you practice them. Follow this easy diet plan and you will start shedding the pounds, but more importantly you will keep it off.

1. Eat 5-6 smaller meals. Instead of two to three large meals, eating more frequently speeds up your metabolism, which means more weight loss.

2. Make healthier choices when eating out. More and more restaurants are making it easier to eat out and eat healthy. Get a garden burger instead of the2 pound Angus beef or get a side salad instead of fries. Or be even crazier and eat a large salad altogether!

3. Drink more water. Your body retains water when you don’t get too much of it, which means more water weight. Drink more water and it adapts as such.

4. Make your own meals. Often when we buy meals from a lunch wagon or fast food joint, we have no idea how much fat, sodium and carbohydrates. Preparing your own meal is not only cheaper, but you can control the amount of fat and salt that goes into it.

5. Exercise. Even if it’s walking the dog after dinner, you must engage in some form of physical activity on a regular basis. Doing so burn more calories, which in turn burns off the weight.

6. Take the stairs. You’ll be amazed how many extra calories you can burn off by taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

7. Eat less processed foods. In one can of soup or microwave meal you will typically find almost a day’s RDA of sodium. Choose raw veggies and whole grain breads over their fatty and salt laden counterparts.

Hope this easy diet plan helps!


Sunday, August 23, 2009

The Truth about Healthy Carbohydrates and Low Blood Sugar

People are still confused. When you have low blood sugar, should you follow a high-carb diet or the opposite? Studies that have been conducted to discover the link between carbohydrates and low blood sugar have unfortunately produced mixed results.

Starting with the Basics: The Role of Carbohydrates

Food can be divided into several groups. One of such groups is foods that are high on carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, to health-conscious individuals, are the bane of their existence and represent their greatest temptations. Why? While foods high on carbohydrates are usually sinfully delicious, they’re also quick to increase your weight. Obviously, they’re not the types of foods that you could eat in abundance – even if you want to.

Carbohydrates can be found in rice, bread, fruits, and of course, sweets such as candies, chocolates, ice cream, and cakes. Yes, the best things in this world are usually high on carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates however cannot be eliminated completely because they’re an important source of glucose. Glucose or blood sugar is basically one of the things that keep our bodies functioning. If the glucose level in our bodies go past the safety line, our organs will be severely affected.

The Two Types of carbohydrates

Simple Carbohydrates

What They Are: When you eat anything with carbohydrates, the carbohydrates into smaller and more basic particles, like glucose. Some carbohydrates are simpler to break down than others, and these are called – what else – simple carbohydrates. These carbohydrates can be found in foods like milk and fruits. When you eat them, they almost immediately allow glucose to enter the bloodstream in our bodies. This can lead to reactive hypoglycemia in some instances.

What to Do: Limit intake of food with simple carbohydrates as much as possible. Because they’re mostly delicious to eat, it’s hard for you to stop yourself from eating too much of it. After overeating, the next possible step might be hypoglycemia.

Complex Carbohydrates

What They Are: Like protein, complex carbohydrates play a significant role in our diet. Like simple carbohydrates, they also give our bodies energy to continue functioning. Unlike simple carbohydrates however, complex carbohydrates – as you may have guessed – are more difficult for our bodies to digest and break down. For that reason, they have a somewhat more beneficial effect to our body. Since it takes complex carbohydrates comparatively a longer time to produce glucose, this will help in keeping the blood sugar level in our bodies normal. Complex carbohydrates an be found in foods like pasta and potatoes.

What to Do: If you’re already suffering from reactive hypoglycemia, the best antidote for your problem is complex carbohydrates. But again, don’t eat too much of it, or you’ll be back to square one!

Other Ways to Defeat Hypoglycemia

You already know how to treat hypoglycemia by choosing to eat healthy carbohydrates rather than its evil twin. That’s great. But don’t limit yourself to just one option. When you know you’re facing a life-threatening risk, it’s always better to have more than one lifeline to hang on to, isn’t it?

Medication – It’s very possible that your hypoglycemia could be just a side-effect of your diabetic medication, especially if you haven’t actually consulted a doctor yet.

Exercise – While we commend you for your determination and willpower, you’re not allowed to exercise too much or for too long if you’re suffering from diabetes. Exerting effort requires glucose expenditure, which may consequently lead to hypoglycemia.

Whatever you do, don’t do it without asking your doctor. That’s the way life goes for diabetics!

What is Cellulite?

There are several people, especially women, who get embarrassed due to the effects of cellulite on their body. With the number of treatments out there promising effective results against cellulites, many people wonder what are those treatments that actually work.

Some might say that cellulite creams are effective. However, these creams only hide the effects of cellulite for a short period of time and do not actually eliminate the cellulites.

Because of this, several people have come into terms with their excess baggage on their thighs and arms and just learned to live with it. What they do not know is that there are still available treatments for cellulite that provide considerable results.

Cellulite???

Cellulite is a condition that usually occurs on men and more commonly on women. The condition is characterized by the dimpling of the skin located on the lower limbs, pelvic region, and abdomen after puberty.

There are several factors accounting to the occurrence of the condition and one of them is hormones. Many believe that hormones play a central role in the formation of cellulite. Estrogen, which is also the most significant hormone, has the tendency to start and worsen cellulite. There are also other hormones though to be involves, such as: insulin, thyroid hormones, catecholamines adrenaline, noradrenaline and prolactin.

On the other hand, there are also predisposing factors that might have caused the formation of cellulites. Such factors include the biotype, which is a determining hormone receptor allele for the number and sensitivity of fat distribution in the body, gender and race.

Treatments for Cellulite

There are several known treatments for cellulite. Two of them are Mesotherapy and Endermologie. The latter is a patented procedure developed in France during the 1980s. It reached the United States in 1996. This less invasive procedure uses an Endermologie machine, which utilizes rollers and gentle vacuuming to give a deep massage to the affected areas.

Endermologie works by lifting the skin through the vacuum, which in turn mobilizes the deep tissue. The rollers, on the other hand, provide a deep and subdermal massage to the fibrous connective tissue. These simultaneous actions will loosen the compressed and trapped fat, thus easing the circulation of the blood.

Mesotherapy, on the other hand, works by injecting small amounts of medications, vitamins and amino acids to the mesoderm layer of the skin. This is done in order to break down the cellulite and enhance circulation.

Why Cellulite Treatment Does Not Work

Probably one of the most popular and most advertised kinds of cellulite treatment is the cream. However, there is no miracle cream that can command your thighs to eat away the cellulite. Nevertheless, the creams work by smoothing and lifting the surface of your skin in order to reduce the appearance of the horrible skin puckering.

The most important ingredients of these creams are caffeine and retinol. These two aid the outer layer of our skin to firm and relieve the bumps. There are also other ingredients in the cream that help make your skin look smoother, decrease stretch marks and provide an overall illusion of a baby’s butt.

Although these creams are very expensive, many women are taking refuge in these products in the hope of eliminating cellulite. What they do not know is that cellulite is still there. The cream only works by masking the effect of cellulite on the outside. Doctors are yet to find a verifiable and working solution for cellulite.

Alternatives in Battling Cellulites

Recently, another player comes into the battlefield and it is known by the name of Cellulite laser treatment. This treatment is still in its experimental stage and is still being improved. More so, the treatment is a process that involves physical massage and exterior influence of a properly calibrated laser. The laser then penetrates the skin and softens the subcutaneous fat allowing them to be reshaped and change in appearance.

Generally, cellulite laser treatment might feel like a deep tissue massage. After the treatment, patients would report slight reddening and some bruising on the treated areas; these are nothing to worry about because they can disappear in a matter of days. The treatment offers a possible solution to the skin problem though it is recommended for the patients to change their diet and maintain their health after the procedure.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Ramadhan Fasting → Meaning and Benefits in Health

At the month onset of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world start fasting from dawn to dusk daily for 30 days as ordained in Quran.

"O you who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you can learn Taqwa" (Quran 2:183)

The Arabic word Taqwa is translated in many ways including God consciousness, God fearing, piety, and self restraining. Thus we are asked to fast daily for one month from dawn to dusk and avoid food, water, sex and vulgar talk during that period.

But why do we need to fast? It is our experience that temptations and ways of the world tend to spoil our purity and austerity. Thus we indulge in food all of the time, snacking and nibbling the whole day, heading to obesity. We drink too much coffee, or tea, or carbonated drinks. Some sexaholics can not stay away from sex unless they do it at least once or more a day. When we argue, we leave our decency aside and resort to vulgar talk and even physical fighting.

Now when one is fasting, he or she cannot do all of that. When he looks at the mouth watering food, he cannot even taste it and he has to give up snacking and nibbling as well as smoking cigarettes if he does. No constant coffee, tea or Coke drinking either. Sexual passions have to be curtailed and when he is provoked to fight, he says " I am fasting that I cannot respond to your provocation". To achieve God consciousness or God nearness, a better word, we are advised to do additional prayer and read the Quran.



Medical benefits of Fasting Ramadan

Muslims do not fast because of medical benefits which are of a secondary nature. Fasting has been used by patients for weight management, to rest the digestive tract and for lowering lipids. There are many adverse effects of total fasting as well as of crash diets. Islamic fasting is different from such diet plans because in Ramadan fasting, there is no malnutrition or inadequate calorie intake. The calorie intake of Muslims during Ramadan is at or slightly below the nutritional requirement guidelines. In addition, the fasting in Ramadan is voluntarily taken and is not a prescribed imposition from the physician.

Ramadan is a month of self-regulation and self training, with the hope that this training will last beyond the end of Ramadan. If the lessons learned during Ramadan, whether in terms of dietary intake or righteousness, are carried on after Ramadan, there effects will be long lasting. Moreover, the type of food taken during Ramadan does not have any selective criteria of crash diets such as those which are protein only or fruit only type diets. Everything that is permissible is taken in moderate quantities.

The difference between Ramadan and total fasting is the timing of the food; during Ramadan, we basically miss lunch and take an early breakfast and do not eat until dusk. Abstinence from water for 8 to 10 hours is not necessarily bad for health and in fact, it causes concentration of all fluids within the body, producing slight dehydration. The body has its own water conservation mechanism; in fact, it has been shown that slight dehydration and water conservation, at least in plant life, improve their longevity.

The physiological effect of fasting includes lowering of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for the treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity, and essential hypertension. In 1994 the first International Congress on "Health and Ramadan", held in Casablanca, entered 50 extensive studies on the medical ethics of fasting. While improvement in many medical conditions was noted, however, in no way did fasting worsen any patients' health or their baseline medical condition. On the other hand, patients who are suffering from sever diseases, whether type I diabetes or coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc., are exempt from fasting and should not be allowed to fast.

There are psychological effects of fasting as well. There is a peace and tranquility for those who fast during the month of Ramadan. Personal hostility is at a minimum, and the crime rate decreases. Muslims take advice from the Prophet who said, "If one slanders you or aggresses against you, say I am fasting."

This psychological improvement could be related to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates behavior changes. There is a beneficial effect of extra prayer at night. This not only helps with better utilization of food but also helps in energy output. There are 10 extra calories output for each unit of the prayer. Again, we do not do prayers for exercise, but a mild movement of the joints with extra calorie utilization is a better form of exercise. Similarly, recitation of the Quran not only produces a tranquility of heart and mind, but improves the memory.

One of the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan is called the night of power when angels descend down, and take the prayer of worship to God for acceptance.

Fasting is a special act of worship which is only between humans and God since no one else knows for sure if this person is actually fasting. Thus God says in a hadith qudsi that "Fasting is for Me and I only will reward it". In another hadith, the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) has said "If one does not give up falsehoods in words and actions, God has no need of him giving up food and drink".


additional source of the article By → Shahid Athar M.D.
Shahid Athar M.D. is Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indiana, and a writer on Islam.




"Happy Fasting Ramadan 1430H FOR all Muslims in the World"




Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Short Tips of Calories In to Lose Weight


if you always ask about, "so how many calories should i eat to lose weight?"
there is no easy answer to this question. Really does depend on the amount of calories you are currently consuming. It also has alot to do with the types of foods you are eating, when you are eating them and also what your body's needs are. This my post will show you how you can change your calorie intake so you will achieve weight loss results.

To see really good results and have effective weight loss you must do some sort of exercise as well as reducing calories.

Now the question, "how many calories should I eat to lose weight?" In this post I will give one example for you of how you can work the answer out to this question. If you are a normal eater → by normal I mean eat 3 regular meals a day and eat well → then to find out how many calories you should be eating to lose weight you should first start with calculating your current calorie intake.

For example average calorie intake is currently 2300 calories → this is the amount of calories you are eating to stay the same weight you are now.

Now keeping in mind that in order to lose weight you need to burn off more calories than you consume you would then work out daily meals plans that will contain fewer calories - so now you will be consuming less calories tailored to your specific needs, and don't forget as well as exercising you will definately see weight loss results.

What will happen is because you are eating less calories, your body will burn more fat because it has to use it's fat stores now, this is where you will lose weight → where as before it would just burn off the extra calories you were eating which is why your weight was staying the same.

This would only recommend a small decrease to start with say 100 calories, try this for a week and see what your results are → you should see results within a week If not then either increase your exercise, decrease your calorie intake once again or take a good hard look at your meal plans because you may have actaully exceeded your calorie limit and this is why you have seen no results.

So as you can see asking yourself that question how many calories should I eat to lose weight is not all that easy to answer. Calorie counting is a great way to kick start weight loss and also a great way to educate yourself on food and its contents (if done properly and sensibly) → however I would only recommend doing this kind of exercise for a short amount of time purely because long term weight loss involves much more than calorie counting....




Sunday, August 16, 2009

9 Tips to Healthy Eating in Your Life


I have a few tips for you, that is 9 tips to healthy eating, the things you need to remember in order to live a healthier lifestyle. It may not be the “only” thing you need to know to live a healthy life but it sure is worth your time to read it....








Here are the 9 tips to healthy eating

  1. Balance Diet Some people think that if they eat healthy and nutritious food, that is already enough to say that they are eating healthy. Little do they know that healthy eating requires a balanced intake of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrate, protein, fats, and fiber. Check the food pyramid for the proper servings.
  2. Eat on Time Skipping meals is bad. Some people skip breakfast because they don’t want to be late for school or for work. But this kind of punctuality is not good for the body. Breakfast is the most important meal because it provides energy to jumpstart our day. If you do, you will perform poorly in school or at work.
  3. Reduce, not Avoid Some people think that zeroing the fat intake will take us a step closer to healthier body. Fat is a concentrated energy source. It also keeps the hair strong and shiny and nails less brittle; essential in keeping our body warm; and needed in hormones production. Without fats (and oils), a lot of our body functions will be affected.
  4. Love the Plants The most eluded food sources of all in the food pyramid are the farm produce. A number of people hate the taste of vegetables, fruits, and grains so they remove them from their meals once they see them. These types of food are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers so don’t skimp on them.
  5. Maintain Ideal Weight The right weight depends on a lot of different factors including age, height, sex, and heredity. Being too thin may mean that you are malnourished, which can increase the risk of certain ailments like osteoporosis, anemia, and other health problems. On the other hand, having too much weight can also lead to serious medical issues such as high blood pressure, heart ailments, diabetes, and many more. If you are having problem with your weight, you can consult a dietician for professional advice.
  6. Eat in Moderation Everything is bad if it is done excessively. Even being extremely good is bad. Same goes for the food. You can actually eat all kinds of food as long as they are of the right amount. Like meat, it is the main source of protein but eating too much can lead to health problems.
  7. Drink Plenty of Water 75 of our body is made of water. Proper water intake helps flush toxics out of our body, hydrates our organs, and regulates body temperature.
  8. Watch What You Eat Be aware of what you eat. Know which part of the daily nutrition requirements you are lacking on. List down the food that you ate for the last three days and you might get surprised that you are missing some vital nutrients.
  9. Eat Right Start a good eating habit. You can still eat ice cream, candies, chocolates, or apple pie just as long as you eat in moderation. Fruits, even with all the good things it can do, may bring problems to your hormones if taken excessively.


keep healthy keep smile
Go.od — Luck




Friday, August 14, 2009

Ultimate Acne Relief from Acne Skin Relief.com

Consumer: Acne sufferers

The purpose of the Ultimate Acne Relief ebook is to provide information and instruction for those who suffer with acne.

Pros: The Ultimate Acne Relief ebook is for teenagers (girls and boys) and for men and women of all ages who suffer from acne. Included with the purchase of the Ultimate Acne Relief ebook are four bonus ebooks that most people will find very helpful as well. The four bonus ebooks are; Lessons from the Miracle Doctors, 17 Hollywood Diets, 97 Ways to Get Fit and Stay Fit, and 225 Bath – Face – and Body Recipes.

The Ultimate Acne Relief ebook discusses such issues as acne and diet, acne and skin care products, acne and hygiene, and acne and shaving. The Ultimate Acne Relief ebook is written in layman’s terms rather than medical jargon so it is very easy to read, and it contains a great deal of helpful information for acne sufferers of all ages. The information is presented in a very easy-to-read manner.

Cons: The Ultimate Acne Relief is a very good ebook but there really isn’t any new information offered.

Guarantee: There is a 100% guarantee of satisfaction offered by Acne Skin Relief.

Value for money: The Ultimate Acne Relief ebook appears to be a very good value and with all of the added free bonuses, it becomes an excellent value.

PDc

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Swine Flu Virus (H1N1)


Swine flu virus or other you call name giving for this virus, H1N1 virus. Swine flu epidemic. Swine flu pandemic. It's all the same.


Swine flu virus, now called H1N1 influenza A, is a type of flu virus. It is a new strain of flu that has just recently been affecting people. It is not caught from pigs or by eating pork. It is a human influenza virus and is being spread by people. It is thought to be a combination of three different flu viruses - swine flu, bird flu and human flu. The new strain is extremely contagious and is quickly spreading across the globe.

H1N1 is different from other strains of influenza. This particular strain of influenza has not been previously exposed to humans before so there are no built up immunities to it. This is what makes it so serious. At the current time there is no preventative drug that you can take in order to avoid getting it. That is why people who are elderly, very young or those who have compromised immune systems must be extremely careful to avoid getting the flu.

Just how dangerous it will be remains to be seen. We are just beginning to see the start of the cases in the United States. It is thought to have originated in Mexico but has since spread globally. The worst cases of it seem to be in Mexico, likely because many people were unaware of the dangers of the flu and did not seek immediate medical treatment.

It was renamed H1N1 influenza A to avoid people making a connection to pigs. This is similar in some ways to the flu that hit the world decades ago. However it is proving to be more serious. The outbreak is becoming serious because nobody has any immunity to this particular strain of influenza. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 4 people who come into contact with swine flu with contract it.

The swine flu has similar symptoms to standard seasonal flu bugs. Swine flu is characterized by a high fever at first and extreme fatigue along with muscle aches. There are also typical cold symptoms that accompany the swine flu including a cough and a sore throat and stuffy nose. Some people additionally have reported nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. The severity of the symptoms is what leads most doctors to consider a diagnosis of swine flu.


What are the swine flu symptoms?
Well, just like any other flu, there's fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue and maybe a little vomiting and diarrhea. Nothing that anyone who has had any other kind of influenza in the past wouldn't be familiar with. But those things can be symptoms of other illnesses also.

Anyone who has the symptoms should seek medical attention right away. Those who get immediate treatment are most likely going to make a full recovery. Doctors take a nose and throat swab sample to send to the lab for testing. The results will be returned within several days. The treatment is a drug called Tamiflu. The doctor will prescribe Tamiflu if it is needed. Most people will get over the swine flu within just a few days. Once you have had swine flu your body will have an immunity from this particular strain in the future.

What's the best way to avoid swine flu? Well, the very best way is to keep your immune system healthy. And there are many additional ways to keep your immune system healthy. You probably remember that old saying "the good lord helps those who help themselves." Well, if you help yourself by keeping your immune system strong and healthy and resilient, you'll be just fine even if you are exposed to H1N1 or any other virus.