Everything You Need To Know About High Blood Pressure !!

Understanding High Blood Pressure (HBP #1)



Consequences of High Blood Pressure (HBP #2)



Medicating for High Blood Pressure (HBP #3)




Preventing High Blood Pressure (HBP #5)



Health Tip To Lower High Blood Pressure :

What To Eat To Lower High Blood Pressure



How To Lower Your High Blood Pressure



How to Lower Blood Pressure with Garlic



7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

Everything You Need To Know About Cholesterol !!!

Understanding Cholesterol (Cholesterol #1)



Consequences of Cholesterol (Cholesterol #2)



Cholesterol-Lowering Substances (Cholesterol #3)



Lowering Cholesterol (Cholesterol #4)



Cholesterol-Lowering Medication (Cholesterol #5)

The Cholesterol Lie: What Your Doctor Doesn't Know

Cholesterol does not cause heart disease, according to 15 years of research.

- LDL ("bad cholesterol") and HDL ("good cholesterol") are actually proteins, not cholesterol.

- According to research, heart disease is caused by the food additives glucose and fructose.

Cholesterol is necessary for life, is made by the liver, and occurs in almost all living organisms.

Many heart attack victims have normal cholesterol levels.

High fructose corn syrup, added to many processed foods and colas, is the number one source of calories in the US. This explains why so many people have heart disease and diabetes.

Diabetes is reversible in at least 95% of all cases.

Good nutrition causes LDL particles to be larger, which is important because this keeps them from getting stuck during transport and causing damage.

Cholesterol drugs do not affect particle size, have serious side effects, and kill thousands of people each year.

For more info and sources, visit my blog:

Red Pill Reich
http://redpillreich.blogspot.com/
The Cholesterol Lie: What Your Doctor Doesn't Know, April 2008.)

I am a nurse who is exposing the Illuminati's use of modern medicine to drug, poison and control millions in their pursuit of a New World Order.

This is an interview featuring Dr. Ron Rosedale by Dr. Joseph Mercola.

If you're not familiar with Dr. Mercola, he's an osteopathic medical doctor with the most popular health website on the Internet.

He is board certified in family medicine and licensed as a physician and surgeon in Iliinois, after training in both traditional and natural medicine.

I highly recommend his free newsletter on natural health, which is the most subscribed to:

http://mercola.com/

He also has a YouTube account:

http://youtube.com/mercola

Empower yourself by learning about your health.

Please share this ....

Exposing the Cholesterol Myth

Dr. Ron Rosedale talks about the common cholesterol myth .....

Oh Holy Night - Sang By Individual Artist

Oh Holy Night - as sang by Avril Lavigne, Billy Gilman, Rhema Marvanne (7 years old), Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, Regine Velasquez, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child, Jackie Evancho (9 years old Opera Singer), David Phelps, Alicia Keys, Charice Pempengco and Celtic Woman

Merry Christmas, hope you'll enjoy individual videos.


Oh Holy Night by Celtic Woman



Oh Holy Night by Avril Lavigne



Oh Holy Night by Billy Gilman



Oh Holy Night by Rhema Marvanne (7 years old)



Oh Holy Night by Josh Groban



Oh Holy Night by Charlotte Church



Oh Holy Night by Regine Velasquez



Oh Holy Night by Kelly Clarkson



Oh Holy Night by Mariah Carey



Oh Holy Night by Whitney Houston



Oh Holy Night by Charice Pempengco



Oh Holy Night by Carrie Underwood



Oh Holy Night by Christina Aguillera



Oh Holy Night by Alicia Keys



Oh Holy Night by David Phelps



Oh Holy Night by Jackie Evancho (9 years old)



Oh Holy Night by Destiny's Child

Help Me Get Pregnant - Pregnancy Solution

A Guide To Your Pregnancy

The first step of your pregnancy, after seeing the little positive stick should to have it confirmed. Call immediately to have a pregnancy test done with your local doctor, you may be in luck and get in that same day or have to wait about a week or two. Patience will become your best friend during this time or your worst enemy, waiting can become a very hard thing when you want to know for sure whether you are or aren't pregnant. More than likely you'll get a phone call a few days later to confirm it.

Set up an appointment to see your OB/GYN or midwife as soon as possible, chances are you'll be meeting his/her staff before you ever meet them. This is the first appointment where your doctor/midwife will want to know all your medical history. If you’ve been pregnant, what types of sicknesses run in your family, etc. If you can, try making sure you know all of this ahead of time, maybe even have it all down on paper so when he/she asks you are prepared. During the days or weeks leading up to this meeting you may have concerns, write them down and ask them. Believe it or not doctors are there to help you, and they’ve been asked every question you can possibly think of. Before leaving your doctor may even give you a bag full of goodies all about being pregnant. Read these, they may prove beneficial and not to mention they’ve got coupons. Your doctor will either give you another appointment or have you set one up before leaving. There are some great books out there if you are really worried about what will happen next or how birth is going to be, check them out at your local library.

Make sure that you get your prenatal vitamins, they are very important during pregnancy. If for some reason you can’t take them, talk with your doctor he/she may be able to prescribe a lower dosage or something else. You’ll get your first ultrasound, also known as US around week 20, this is normally when you find out what sex the baby is. However some doctors like to call it safe and give you an ultrasound around 10-12 weeks just to make sure the baby is in the proper location and all is going well. You will also be asked to take an orange drink that you must drink in five minutes. You’ll wait around for an hour to three hours, at which point your blood gets drawn and you can go home. The test determines if you have or have a chance of getting gestational diabetes.

At first your appointments will be about 4 weeks apart until you hit the 36 week and at that point it’ll be two weeks later and a week later after that until the baby is born. By now you should be preparing to have the baby. Yes, I’m sure you’ll have some anxiety towards the end of your pregnancy. You’ve went this far, it’s time you see your reward.

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Need Help Getting Pregnant?
This video to the rescue :

Inspirational Video For Parents

Ten Important Steps to Increase Your Child’s Self Esteem and Confidence

All parents have the hope that their children will grow up to be fully-functioning, competent, and self-confident adults. These are a few starting points that will facilitate that goal:




1. Give your child a sense of security by providing a stable home environment. Children who are confident that their parents love each other and extend that same love to their children have a basis for support that they need to grow and develop normally. They need role models of parents who are mature in their behavior. Boys especially need the example of a father who loves his wife and is willing to sacrifice for the family.

2. Give your children opportunities to develop competency in a variety of different areas. It is not so important that children devote their entire time to learning in one narrow field, but that they have exposure to many experiences in music, sports, work, the arts, and academics. Children benefit in many ways from activities such as karate, Kids MMA, gymnastics, and team sports. First, they recognize that their parents care for them enough to facilitate their involvement in those activities. They learn to respect the authority of the teacher, to learn from his or her example, to accept discipline, to keep trying in the face of difficulty, to honor the commitment of attending practices and competitions. They also have opportunity to socialize with other children with similar goals and aspirations.The positive benefits of these experiences will transfer to other pursuits later in their lives such as in academics and employment.

3. Be aware of the peer culture in your neighborhood and schools. Particularly as children reach the pre-teen and teenage years, they will be heavily influenced by the other children in their environment.This peer influence will often be as important to their development as their home and family influence.By all means avoid living in a neighborhood where there is obvious neglect and lack of supervision for children. Screen local schools carefully to avoid those that have a poor record of competency.Your children will be spending a large part of their lives in their schools. Find those that will reinforce your values of hard work and fairness.

4. Teach your child to have concern and empathy for other people. This may be accomplished by modeling, but it also needs to be emphasized in one-on-one teaching moments.Active involvement in religious groups or Boy or Girl Scouts or other organizations that promote honor and decency will reinforce teaching of ethics in the home. Encourage association with other children who are learning similar values.Eventually children will take on the values of their peers.

5. Provide opportunities for children to make decisions and live with the consequences of those decisions. Do not encourage perfectionism.Children who think they have to be perfect are usually afraid to try new experiences. They lack the ability to deal with the stress and anxiety that are an inevitable part of life.If they learn early on that they may not win every grappling contest or that they may fall off the bike as they learn that skill, they will have the personal courage to leave failure behind and try again.Praise your child for making the attempt, not for just the victory of success.

6. Never do for the child that which he can do for himself. Some children and adults develop the habit of depending on someone else to solve their problems. This stifles their ability to think and act for themselves. Self-confidence grows out of competence, not dependence.Start teaching a child to contribute to the goals of the family by having him put away his own clothes and toys. Praise his sincere efforts to take care of his own needs.

7. Provide reasonable structure, family standards, and if necessary, discipline in the family. Children thrive on consistency, but parents must make a concerted effort to overcome lazy parenting and provide that predictable environment. Set reachable rules and follow through with the consequences if those rules are ignored.If children experience similar structure in their school classrooms and in their enrichment activities, they will more likely develop the self-control necessary to function successfully in those settings. If children “goof-off” in their MMA or other sports practices, they should know that they will be expected to “drop down and do ten push ups.”

8. As a parent, provide positive and encouraging feed back to your child. Be honest. Praising a child for his inadequate effort only teaches him that he can slide by with less than he is capable of. In many sports programs, children receive medals and trophies for mere participation. That practice dilutes the honor of winning hard-earned recognition.Your child will know immediately if he actually deserves the praise, but he will stop trying hard if he is praised lavishly when he has not earned it. Instead, find some specific part of his performance that he did well, even though he may not have won the match or the game or whatever. Praise him for “hanging in there” despite his inadequacy over all.

9. As a parent, avoid labeling your children. Do not ever refer to them as “stupid” or “awkward” or “ugly” or use any other derogatory words. Children actually believe what their parents tell them and negative labels will take a toll on their self-image.Never compare siblings by saying, “She is the pretty one, the athletic one, the smart one, etc.” Children need to feel that they are free to develop and change their minds, and exercise their agency without the pressure of being expected to always live up to the labels that their parents have given them.

10. As a parent, pay attention to problems that may be interfering with your child’s social adjustment. Within your means, provide clothing so that they will fit in with other children. Take measures to correct crooked teeth, acne, prominent ears or other features, which may lead to ridicule from other children. Teach them to keep themselves and their clothing clean. Practice good manners in the home so that they are second nature to your children outside the home.If your child has irrational fears, help him to learn to face them rather that to succumb to them. The best friend your child has in learning self-confidence is you, his loving and encouraging parents.

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Article from http://richgrad.com
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No Hands, No Feet, No Worries - The Nick Vujicic Story

Nick is a Giant Extraordinaire.....

he plays golf,
he plays soccer,
he swims,
he drive motor boat,
he inspires.....

watch the video below, and see how lucky you are.....



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Underground Free Money Making Online Resources Finally Revealed!
http://995Wealth.info
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30 Tricks and Tips to Cancer-proof Your Life

We're all grown-ups here -- nightmares aren't a big problem anymore. We're calm, we're cool, we're mostly collected...until it comes to the C-word. For adults, cancer is the thing that goes bump in the night; that bump gets louder when family or friends are diagnosed. Whether your risk is monumental or blessedly average, we know you want to protect yourself. So we've combed through research, interrogated experts, and found cutting-edge strategies to help keep you safe.

Worship a wee bit of sun. People who get the most vitamin D, which lies dormant in skin until ultraviolet rays activate it, may protect themselves from a variety of cancers, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast, and colon. Ironically, it even improves survival rates of melanoma, the most serious skin cancer. But 10 to 15 minutes a few days a week is all it takes to benefit. (Or you could try a supplement--aim for 400 IU a day.) If you're out any longer than that, slather on the sunscreen.

Eat an orange every day. It just may zap a strain of the H. pylori bacteria that causes peptic ulcers and can lead to stomach cancer. Researchers in San Francisco found that infected people with high levels of vitamin C in their blood were less likely to test positive for the cancer-causing strain.

Listen to Katie Couric. Though colonoscopies are about as popular as root canals, if you're 50 or older, get one. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Don't think you're off the hook because you got a digital fecal occult blood test at your last checkup: Research by the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study found that the test missed 95% of the cases. (Schedule your first colonoscopy before your 50th if you have a family history of colon cancer.)

Steam a little green. Piles of studies have shown that piles of broccoli help stave off ovarian, stomach, lung, bladder, and colorectal cancers. And steaming it for 3 to 4 minutes enhances the power of the cancer-fighting compound sulforaphane, which has been shown to halt the growth of breast cancer cells. (Sorry, microwaving doesn't do the trick; it strips out most antioxidants.) Get more protection by sprinkling a handful of selenium-rich sunflower seeds, nuts, or mushrooms on your greens. Researchers are discovering that sulforaphane is about 13 times more potent when combined with the mineral selenium.

Pick a doc with a past. Experience--lots of it--is critical when it comes to accurately reading mammograms. A study from the University of California, San Francisco, found that doctors with at least 25 years' experience were more accurate at interpreting images and less likely to give false positives. Ask about your radiologist's track record. If she is freshly minted or doesn't check a high volume of mammograms, get a second read from someone with more mileage.

Drink jolt-less java. Downing 2 or more cups of decaf a day may lower the incidence of rectal cancer by 52%, finds a study from two large and long-term research projects--the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study from Harvard University. One theory is that coffee increases bowel movements, which helps to reduce the risk. Why decaf reigns supreme, however, remains a mystery.

Drop 10 pounds. Being overweight or obese accounts for 20% of all cancer deaths among women and 14% among men, notes the American Cancer Society. (You're overweight if your body mass index is between 25 and 29.9; you're obese if it's 30 or more. Click here to gauge your BMI.) Plus, losing excess pounds reduces the body's production of female hormones, which may protect against breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. Even if you're not technically overweight, gaining just 10 pounds after the age of 30 increases your risk of developing breast, pancreatic, and cervical, among other cancers.

Make like a monkey. Or a bunny. Women who ate four to six antioxidant-laden bananas a week cut their risk of kidney cancer by 54%, compared with those who didn't eat them at all, found an analysis of 61,000 women at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. Gnawing on root vegetables such as carrots did the same.

Get naked with a friend. You'll need help examining every inch of your body--including your back, scalp, and other hard-to-see places--for possible changes in the size or color of moles, blemishes, and freckles. These marks could spell skin cancer. Women, take special note of your legs: Melanoma mainly occurs there. For the guys, the trunk, head, and neck are the most diagnosed spots. While you're at it, check your fingernails and toenails, too. Gray-black discoloration or a distorted or elevated nail may indicate the disease. And whether you see changes or not, after age 40, everyone should see a dermatologist yearly.

See into the future. Go to Your Disease Risk to assess your chance of developing 12 types of cancer, including ovarian, breast, and colon. After the interactive tool estimates your risk, you'll get personalized tips for prevention.

Pay attention to pain. If you're experiencing a bloated belly, pelvic pain, and an urgent need to urinate, see your doc. These symptoms may signal ovarian cancer, particularly if they're severe and frequent. Women and physicians often ignore these symptoms, and that's the very reason that this disease can be deadly. When caught early, before cancer has spread outside the ovary, the relative 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is a jaw-dropping 90 to 95%.

Get calcium daily. Milk's main claim to fame may also help protect your colon. Those who took calcium faithfully for 4 years had a 36% reduction in the development of new pre-cancerous colon polyps 5 years after the study had ended, revealed Dartmouth Medical School researchers. (They tracked 822 people who took either 1,200 mg of calcium every day or a placebo.) Though the study was not on milk itself, you can get the same amount of calcium in three 8-ounce glasses of fat-free milk, along with an 8-ounce serving of yogurt or a 2- to 3-ounce serving of low-fat cheese daily.

Sweat 30 minutes a day. One of the best anticancer potions is a half hour of motion at least 5 days a week. Any kind of physical activity modulates levels of androgens and estrogen, two things that can protect women against estrogen-driven cancers such as ovarian and endometrial, as well as some types of breast cancer. The latest proof comes by way of a Canadian study that found that women who get regular, moderate exercise may lower their risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 30%. Bonus: All that moving might speed everything through your colon, which may help stave off colon cancer.

Stamp out smoking--all around you. Lung cancer is well known as one of the main hazards of smoking. But everything the smoke passes on its way to the lungs can also turn cancerous: mouth, larynx, and esophagus. The fun doesn't stop there. Smokers are encouraging stomach, liver, prostate, colorectal, cervical, and breast cancers as well. The good news: If you give up the cigs today, within 15 years, your lung cancer risk will drop to almost pre-smoking lows. Share that news with the people who puff around you, because exposure to someone else's smoke can cause lung cancer, and it may boost your chances of cervical cancer by 40%.

Step away from the white bread. If you eat a lot of things with a high glycemic load--a measurement of how quickly food raises your blood sugar--you may run a higher risk of colorectal cancer than women who eat low-glycemic-load foods, finds a Harvard Medical School study involving 38,000 women. The problem eats are mostly white: white bread, pasta, potatoes, and sugary pastries. The low-glycemic-load stuff comes with fiber. To find out how your diet fares, go to "Your Guide to the Glycemic Index."

Have your genes screened. Do you have a strong family history of any kind of cancer or multiple cancers? Talk with your doctor about genetic counseling. For instance, nearly everyone born with familial adenomatous polyposis (the genetic predisposition to colon cancer) develops the disease by age 40 if preventive surgery isn't done. Knowing this early can aid in prevention and early detection.

Request a better breast scan. If you're at high risk of breast cancer--you have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation, for example--ask your doctor to pair your routine mammogram with an MRI. One study found that together, the two picked up 94% of tumors; mammography
alone detected just 40% and MRI, 77%.

Grill smarter. Cooking your food over an open flame is a great way to cut calories. Unfortunately, it can also raise your cancer risk: The grill's high temps can trigger substances in muscle proteins to form cancer-causing compounds called hetero-cyclic amines, or HCAs. But avoiding this potential hazard is easy; simply keep gas jets low or wait until the charcoal turns into glowing embers before you start cooking. Protect yourself even more by lacing your burgers with rosemary (and perhaps other antioxidant-rich herbs such as basil, oregano, or thyme). This helps reduce the amount of some HCAs in meat, a Kansas State University study found. Also helpful: Microwaving meat ahead of time helps disable HCA formation and cuts down on grilling time.

Keep your house clean. Yet another reason to love your Swiffer: Active postmenopausal women who got most of their exercise from housework cut their risk of breast cancer by 30%, Canadian researchers say.

Let garlic lie. Thanks to this bulbed wonder, you can ward off vampires and stave off cancer. To preserve the potential cancer-fighting power of garlic, chop it up and let it sit a bit. Research suggests that heating garlic can block 90% of the activity of alliinase, the enzyme that helps to form a cancer-fighting compound. Alliinase is activated when the cloves are crushed or cut, but if cut garlic cools its heels for 5 to 10 minutes before heating, enough compounds are formed to survive cooking.

Check for radon. Exposure to this odorless, radioactive gas that's produced by the natural decay of uranium is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the EPA. Test your home to see if you're safe. The National Safety Council's National Radon Hotline (800-767-7236) offers low-cost test kits; they're also available at hardware stores.

Play hot tomato. Red fruits (watermelon, tomato, pink grapefruit) are loaded with lycopene, a substance that has been proven time and time again to be a potent cancer fighter. It seems that heating said fruits makes the lycopene easier for the body to use, which explains why men who eat a lot of ketchup, pizza (it's in the sauce), and spaghetti (ditto) are far less likely to get prostate cancer.

Ditch the wieners. You can smother 'em in all the ketchup you want, but you can't negate a hot dog's, well, negatives. One study of 190,545 people found that eating a wiener daily may boost your risk of pancreatic cancer, which is nearly always fatal, by 67%. Same goes for sausage and other processed meats.

The Perfect Cancer- fighting Salad
Can you spot the cancer fighters at the salad bar? Build yourself some powerful protection with these ingredients.

Start with leafy greens. They contain a hefty amount of the B vitamin folate, which has been shown to reduce one's chances of getting colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancers. In one study, researchers at Vanderbilt University found that women who ate the mostly dark greens were among the least likely to get breast cancer. Apparently, folate can halt changes in DNA that trigger runaway cell growth, the main characteristic of cancer.

Add shredded carrot. In a study from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, women who ate just five servings of four raw carrot sticks a week had a 54% decrease in their risk of getting ovarian cancer, compared with women who ate them less than once a month. Carrots may also reduce your risk of kidney cancer.

Serve yourself some tomatoes. If you don't feel like turning up the heat on your tomatoes, you can still get some of their cancer-shielding benefits. German research on 165 colonoscopy patients found that those who had the lowest blood level of lycopene, one of the chemicals that give tomatoes their color, had the highest rate of colorectal adenomas, a precursor to colorectal cancer. Toss a few into your guy's salad: They also reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Heap on beans. Women who ate beans at least twice a week were 24% less likely to develop breast cancer than those who ate them less often, report Harvard School of Public Health researchers, who analyzed data from 90,630 people. Legumes may lessen risk of breast cancer, thanks to their ability to suppress the production of enzymes that encourage tumor growth.

Add a little fish. Want to add something hardy to your lunchtime salad? Go wild with salmon. When B6-rich foods (like salmon) are eaten with folate-filled foods (dark leafy greens), they can help reduce the recurrence of colorectal adenomas, a precursor to colorectal cancer, by 39%, a University of Arizona study found. Salmon may also help shield regular eaters from skin cancer, British research found.

Splash on some vinaigrette. Mixing your favorite vinegar with olive oil can also help prevent breast cancer. Scientists from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that oleic acid in olive oil dramatically cuts the levels of the cancer gene Her-2/neu, associated with highly aggressive breast tumors with poor prognosis.

Garnish with citrus peel. They're like eating sunscreen--but they taste better. Limonene - a compound that gives oranges, lemons, and limes their scent--is linked to a 34% reduction in skin cancer, finds a University of Arizona study of 400 people.

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By Denise Foley , Denise Foley is Prevention's editor-at-large.
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Obesity Treatment

Treatments

1) DIET

A combination of dieting and exercise (when you stick to it) appears to work better than either one alone. Sticking to a weight reduction program is difficult and requires a lot of support from family and friends.

When dieting, your main goal should be to learn new, healthy ways of eating and make them a part of your everyday routine. Work with your doctor and nutritionist to set realistic, safe daily calorie counts that assure both weight loss and good nutrition. Remember that if you drop pounds slowly and steadily, you are more likely to keep them off. Your nutritionist can teach you about healthy food choices, appropriate portion sizes, and new ways to prepare food.

Even modest weight loss can improve your health. Most people can lose weight by eating a healthier diet, exercising more, and adopting new behaviors such as keeping a food diary, avoiding food triggers, and thinking positively.

The decision to keep fit requires a lifelong commitment of time and effort. Patience is essential.

See also: Sweeteners

Several simple behavioral changes can have an impact on your weight loss success:

•Eat only at the table. No snacking in front of the TV, in bed, while driving, or while standing in front of the open refrigerator.

•Learn about appropriate portion sizes.

•Choose low-calorie snacks, such as raw vegetables.

•Consider learning meditation or yoga as a way of managing stress, rather than snacking.

•Find ways to socialize and enjoy your friends and family that don't involve a meal or dessert.

•Consider keeping a diet and exercise journal. This may help you identify overeating triggers in your life.

•Find a support group or consider psychotherapy to help support you in the difficult but worthy goal of weight loss.

2)EXERCISE

Exercise is a major mood lifter, a great way to burn energy, and a way to strengthen your bones. Exercise can also help you manage high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes.

Avoid a sedentary lifestyle by increasing your activity level.

•Perform aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week.

•Increase your physical activity by walking, rather than driving.

•Climb stairs instead of using an elevator or escalator.

•Always talk to your health care provider before starting an exercise program.

3)MEDICATIONS AND HERBAL REMEDIES

There are many over-the-counter diet products. Most do not work and some can be dangerous. Before using one of these products, talk to your health care provider.

Several prescription weight loss drugs are available. Such medicines include subutramine (Meridia) and orlistat (Xenical). Ask your health care provider if these are right for you.

Usually, you can lose between 5 and 10 pounds by taking these drugs. People usually regain the weight when they stop taking the medication, unless they have made lasting lifestyle changes.

4)SURGERY

Weight-loss surgery may be an option if you are very obese and have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise. However, these surgeries are not a "quick fix" for obesity. You must still be committed to diet and exercise after the surgery.Talk to your doctor to learn if this is a good option for you.

The two most common weight-loss surgeries are:

•Laparoscopic gastric banding -- the surgeon places a band around the upper part of your stomach, creating a small pouch to hold food. The band limits the amount of food you can eat by making you feel full after eating small amounts of food.

•Gastric bypass surgery -- helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat. After the surgery, you will not be able to eat as much as before, and your body will not absorb all the calories and other nutrients from the food you eat.

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Article taken from : http://health.yahoo.net
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Food to Consume To Lower Cholesterol

There is a saying that goes. "We are what we eat." This is so true as the food being consumed may affect the cholesterol levels inside the person’s system. This makes this makes the person prone to high blood pressure or heart disease through age, which could leave the patient, paralyzed or dead.

The only thing to do before it is too late is to make some changes in the individual's diet. While many of the good stuff that people love to eat have high concentrations of LDL better known as bad cholesterol, this can all change by consuming those that have HDL or good cholesterol. Here are a few examples.

A good way to start a healthy diet is to have a breakfast. Instead of eating bread, the individual can consume oatmeal instead. Studies have shown this can lower the cholesterol in the body by more than 20% after just two weeks of use. This figure can go down some more if this becomes a habit before going to work.

It is tough to just have oatmeal in the morning. Sometimes, the individual can have a fruit. An example could be an apple.

Studies have shown that people who eat at least 2 full apples a day or drink 12 ounces of apple juice are able to reduce the chances of heart diseases by 50%. This can be purchased at the supermarket and eaten during anytime of the day such as dessert after a light meal or as a snack.

During lunch or dinner, the person must have some vegetables in the meal. Those who order can have fish or poultry instead of eating red meat. Such dishes are not high in saturated fats, which are healthier.

Those who love to cook at home can try mixing some healthy things ingredients in the meal. One example is garlic that has natural properties that can declog the arteries and again lower the odds of succumbing to heart disease.

Having a can of pork and beans is also good for the diet. This is because it contains soluble fibers that can combat the bad cholesterol in the person's body. There are not that many people who will do this but those who are able to eat even a half an onion daily will be able to increase the HDL and lower the LDL.

People are often told that fats are not good for the diet. This isn’t entirely true because this comes in many forms. There are fats that are healthy such as unsaturated ones and omega 3 fatty acids.

Monosaturated and Polysaturated ones are also effective since these are usually found in cooking oils. This means food preparation also plays a big factor in reducing lowering one’s cholesterol levels.

The individual should read the label at the supermarket and read the ingredients to find out if this is healthy for cooking.

Being a bit overweight or noticing a lot of bulges in the body is one way of knowing that the person is potentially at risk for succumbing to disease to high levels of cholesterol in the system.

If the individual is unable to make a proper dietary plan, a specialist can help make one so all the person has to do is follow it.

Preventable Death and the pH Miracle Diet

The Center of Disease Control and Prevention evaluates several health factors when it compiles its list of preventable causes of death. Among the expected conditions on the list were death from tobacco, death from alcohol consumption and death from drugs. However, surprisingly, poor diet and lack of physical activity is actually the number 2 cause of preventable death in the U.S. It is poised to take over the number 1 spot from tobacco in the coming years.

Poor diet and lack of exercise currently count for 16.6% of total deaths, or 400,000 deaths in the United States each year. Yet the last twenty to thirty years have been marked with an increased interest in dieting and exercise. Most adults, especially women, claim they are on diets at least once a year. Despite this commitment, the nation is continuing to get fatter. Obesity rates are at an all time high, and childhood obesity is on the rise for the first time ever.

If many people are on diets, but the vast majority of the population is still overweight and unhealthy, the problem lies with the diets that people are trying. The pH miracle diet addresses the missing ingredient in today’s diet that is causing people to gain weight even when they think they are eating healthfully. Conventional diets disregard the body’s natural pH. They encourage eating a variety of foods that are acidic to the body.

Low-fat diets fail because they often substitute sugar for fat. They also allow processed grain products, dairy products and acidifying vegetables. Low-carbohydrate diets fail because they emphasize meat and other dairy proteins, which knock the body’s natural pH off balance.

Dr. Robert Young, the creator of the pH miracle diet, explains that the best diet will address the pH factor. The body has a pH of 7.4, which is slightly alkaline. Eating alkaline foods and taking steps to reduce stress will help bring the body back into balance. Many of the conditions that people suffer from are a result from too much acidic waste in the body. This acidic waste builds up when you eat acid-producing foods, experience a lot of stress and ignore your body’s need for exercise.

Alkalizing the body with the pH miracle diet will bring your bodily pH back to normal and will give you relief from a variety of symptoms. However, you cannot alkalize your body if you continue to drink or eat high sugar drinks and fruits. Drinking alcohol will also disrupt the pH of your system, as will drinking coffee, soda and teas. The best beverage to drink for alkalizing is ionized water. Starchy foods like potatoes, pasta and breads all break down to sugar, and then produce acid waste that collects in the body. Eating any of the animal proteins (chicken, beef, pork, lamb etc) will create excess acid waste in your body as well. Dairy products have concentrated sugars that break down into lactic acid, which creates acidic waste.

Non-food related behaviors also increase the level of acidity in the body. If you don’t exercise regularly you are allow acids to build up in your tissues. These acids increase your fat production and cause lethargy.

The solution for the acidic waste and the cure for the second most prevalent preventable disease both lay in some simple steps. Eat whole, natural unprocessed foods as the basis for your diet. You should emphasize alkalizing green foods, which have the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs to restore balance. Drinking pH alkaline water will help, as will daily exercise. You need to get out there and get moving in order to release the excess acid from your body.

Green Drinks and the pH Miracle Diet

If you’ve been learning about the benefits of the pH miracle diet you’ve probably run across the phrase “green drinks” before. In fact, a quick search of reviews on Robert Young’s book “The pH Miracle Diet” shows that many people who use the program also use green drinks to boost the level of alkaline in their diets. What are green drinks and how are they beneficial to those following the pH diet?

Green drinks are a simple and easy way for people to get more nutrition and alkalinity into their diet. The pH miracle diet approach offers people a simple and basic understanding of why their bodies are out of balance. The key problem in health and excess weight is the presence of too much acid in the diet. That acid builds up and causes problems in the functioning of your cells. Over time, the acidity builds up in your body and makes a negative environment for your cells, organs and tissues. The solution is to eat an alkalizing diet that has a calming effect on the system. This will get your body pH back into balance and allow your cells to function as they were meant to.

You can simply and easily infuse your body with alkaline foods by using green drinks one to three times per day. Green drinks are made from grasses, sprouted grains and other green vegetables. These will help your body become more alkaline and they have the vitamins, minerals and amino acids that your body needs to repair itself.

There are many different green drinks available on the market. Most come in powder form and each day you mix a few spoonfuls with water. They are available at local health foods stores or on the Internet. Since there are so many brands to choose from the choice might be overwhelming. The main thing to look for in a green drink is the presence of alkaline vegetable ingredients. Make sure to read the label of ingredients carefully. Although all green drinks are different, most contain a few common ingredients.

Kamut grass can decrease cholesterol levels, help with weight loss and add protein to the diet. Broccoli is a strong anti-cancer food and it also helps boost the immune system and improve digestion. Dandelion greens help with weight loss and cholesterol levels. They are also a good source of iron and calcium. Kale contains vitamin C, A, Iron, Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium. Alfalfa sprouts can help redistribute your body weight after you lose weight. These are just a few of the powerful ingredients contained in green drinks. Some have lists of dozens of ingredients.

Another thing to look for in your green drink is notification that the ingredients are organically grown. Make sure the green drink contains no algae, mushroom or probiotics as these are acidifying ingredients. Finally, check the label carefully for non-nutrient ingredients and fillers.

The directions for taking green drinks depend on the manufacturer. Most green drinks are taken mixed with water up to four times daily. Some are available in capsules and should be taken with plenty of water. When you first begin taking green drinks, it is recommended that you take half a dose for one week in order to get your body used to the effects.

Green drinks help with instantly alkalizing your body. They neutralize the excess acids that are in your system. Many people report feeling instant increases in energy and a reduction in cravings for sugar and caffeine. If you are the type of person who cannot get moving without your morning cup of coffee, give green drinks a try for a week and feel the difference. Green drinks also help the immune system and can reduce the amounts of yeasts and toxins in the body.

You can feel the effects of the pH miracle diet instantly when you use green drinks. Research your options and then select a green drink brand that looks good to you and fits the alkalizing criteria. Green drinks are an instant way to alkalize your body and improve your health.

Aging and the pH Miracle Diet

When many people hear the word “diet” they immediately think of weight loss. The focus on thinness in our society has equated this word with shedding a few pounds. However, diet really means any food or drinks you put into your body. The diet that you consume has a profound impact on your overall health. The pH miracle diet is not just a diet for weight loss. In fact, the first volume of this popular series was dedicated to health in general. The original pH miracle diet book focuses on many issues, including aging.

What does aging have to do with pH and acid/alkaline foods? Some experts contend that the reason we age has to do entirely with the amount of acidic foods that we eat. The theory is that we get older because we do not effectively get rid of the wastes and toxins that accumulated through our bodies.

We burn nutrients within our cells to get energy, maintain our body temperatures and get our bodies to function correctly. No matter what type of food you eat, vegetable or meat, acid or alkaline, gourmet food or junk food, they are composed of the same elements: carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen.

In order to function correctly, the cells use these nutrients. They “oxidize” them or burn them up into natural acids: carbonic acids, uric acids, lactic acids and fatty acids. The cells expel these acids as waste into urine and sweat. When the body is functioning properly and in a balanced manner, these waste acids are no problem. The body can get rid of them quickly and easily, and you can maintain a normal pH of around 7.4.

However, the modern way of living has resulted in our bodies not being able to rid themselves of the acids correctly. Lack of sleep, lack of exercise, overwork, stress, smoking, pollution and high acid diets (heavy in meat and dairy products) all prevent our bodies from properly expelling these acids. There is too much acidic production from these lifestyle and diet factors, and the body simply cannot get rid of it.

Even worse, modern farming and food production practices are making foods more acidic than they used to be. Inorganic acid minerals like chlorine, phosphor and sulfur seep into meats, grains and root crops through soil, air quality and farming practices. We are consuming more inorganic acid minerals than ever before. All of this contributes to our bodies’ inability to rid themselves of acid.

The pH miracle diet is a perfect balance to our over-acidified lives that cause premature aging. Aging occurs because of the build up of acidic elements in the body. Healthy cells naturally have a slightly alkaline pH level, and since acid and alkaline are chemical opposites, high acid levels destroy cells.

In order to stop aging and reverse the affects of acidic damage on the cells, you must start alkalizing your diet according to the principles set out in the pH miracle diet. You must help you body develop a better system to rid itself of the acid wastes. Then you must facilitate it in pulling old wastes out of your body.

The first step requires that you drink plenty of water, especially acid free alkaline water. Just 4 glasses of alkaline water is more effective than 8 glasses of regular water. Water ionizers are available to help you create alkaline water in the comfort of your home. This water will help flush out your system and get rid of the build up acidity within it.

The pH miracle diet also encourages people to eat a higher percentage of alkaline foods in their diet. The alkalizing foods will help restore balance to the body and push the remaining acid waste build up out of the body. According to pH miracle diet fans, the results are a more youthful glow, more energy and a relief from some of the symptoms of aging, like arthritis.

The World's Healthiest Foods

130 foods that can serve as the basis of your Healthiest Way of Eating.

Of course, there are many other nutritious foods other than those that we have included on our list that we feel are wonderful, health-promoting foods; if there are other whole foods - such as fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, whole grains, etc - that you like, by all means enjoy them. Just because a food is not on our list doesn't mean that we don't think that it can be included in a diet geared towards the Healthiest Way of Eating as long as it is a whole, natural, nutrient-rich food.

1) VEGETABLES -
Asparagus
Avocados
Beets
Bell peppers
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Collard greens
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Fennel
Garlic
Green beans
Green peas
Kale
Leeks
Mushrooms, crimini
Mushrooms, shiitake
Mustard greens
Olives
Onions
Potatoes
Romaine lettuce
Sea vegetables
Spinach
Squash, summer
Squash, winter
Sweet potatoes
Swiss chard
Tomatoes
Turnip greens
Yams

2) SEAFOODS -
Cod
Halibut
Salmon
Sardines
Scallops
Shrimp
Tuna

3) FRUITS -
Apples
Apricots
Bananas
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cranberries
Figs
Grapefruit
Grapes
Kiwifruit
Lemon/Limes
Oranges
Papaya
Pears
Pineapple
Plums
Prunes
Raisins
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon

4) EGGS AND LOW-FAT DAIRY -
Cheese, low-fat
Eggs
Milk, 2%, cow's
Milk, goat
Yogurt

5) BEANS AND LEGUMES -
Black beans
Dried peas
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
Kidney beans
Lentils
Lima beans
Miso
Navy beans
Pinto beans
Soybeans
Tempeh
Tofu
Poultry & Lean Meats
Beef, lean organic
Calf's liver
Chicken
Lamb
Turkey
Venison

6) NUTS AND SEEDS -
Almonds
Cashews
Flaxseeds
Olive oil, extra virgin
Peanuts
Pumpkin seeds
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Walnuts

7) GRAINS -
Barley
Brown rice
Buckwheat
Corn
Millet
Oats
Quinoa
Rye
Spelt
Whole wheat

8) HERBS ABD SPICES -
Basil
Black pepper
Cayenne pepper
Chili pepper, dried
Cilantro/Coriander seeds
Cinnamon, ground
Cloves
Cumin seeds
Dill
Ginger
Mustard seeds
Oregano
Parsley
Peppermint
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Turmeric

9) NATURAL SWEETENERS -
Blackstrap molasses
Cane juice
Honey
Maple syrup

10) OTHERS -

Green tea
Soy sauce (tamari)
Water

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Source : http://whfoods.com
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Herbal Treatment for High Blood Cholesterol

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Article contributed by Carolus Wong
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I want to share a secret for treating high cholesterol.

Three weeks ago l went for a cholesterol check. To my surprise, it was above the normal range which should be less than 5.2 mmol/L. My reading obtained was 6.6. I had been consuming alot of red meat and lamb recently.

After consuming Mok Yee for two weeks, l had my cholesterol checked again and found that my cholesterol level fell to 4.70 mmol/ L

My pharmacist said that even cholesterol medication will need 1- 3 months to take effect. She was very surprised and said it is a miracle.

I immediately followed an advice of a friend who told me about Black fungus (Mok Yee).

He had four blocked heart arteries, over 90 percent blocked. His cardiologist advised him to go for bypass surgery, failing which he would suffer an imminent heart attack. His sinseh (chinese physician) friend advised him against surgery as the procedure would be messy,painful and expensive..

He followed the advise of his sinseh friend by consuming Mok Yee daily. After consumin g boiled Mok Yee juice for 40 days, he went for an angiogram. His heart specialist was surprised and shocked that his arteries were all cleared of any blockage and it would not be necessary to see him for another 10 years+ ACE -&! nbsp;

My observation is that Mok Yee juice is not only effective in treating high blood cholestrol but also helps to bring relief to joint paints, arthritis and poor blood circulation.

The internet info. claims : that Mok yee reduces blood clot, preventing thrombosis, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and cancer. Black Fungus contains abundant proteins, ferric iron, calcium, vitamins, rough fibre, the content of protein is equal to meat.

Preparation :

1) Pick a handful of Mok Yee and soak in water for 1-2 h! ours
2) Wash Mok Yee and cut to pieces with scissors.
3) Pour five bowls of plain water into slow cooker (crock pot)
4) Put 2-3 slices of ginger, 8-10 red dates, 20 kay chee(wolf berry) into crock pot.
5) Bring to boil for 8 hours. One and a half bowls of Mok Yee juice will remain after boiling overnight.

Consumption :

You may consume for 10 to 14 days according to the severity of the problem.
For those with low blood pressure consume less or only for alternate days.

Drink Mok Yee first thing in the morning with an 'empty stomach'.
Consume at least one large bowl. Take breakfast 2 hours later.

Side effects - you may feel a little tired after 3- 4 days.
Consume multivitamins and fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
Do not eat oily or fried foods during this period.

Observation :

Dark and oily stool during the first two days.

Remarks :

Cholesterol medication is man-made and may harm the liver. Mok Yee is a plant and does not seem to contain chemicals that harm the body.

How Much Sleep Do We Need?

While there is variability between each of us in how much sleep we need, the National Sleep Foundation has noted that the need for sleep changes as we age. The National Sleep Foundation has recommended the following sleep guidelines for selected age groups (*including naps):

INFANTS
(0–2 months) 10.5–18 hours*
(2–12 months) 14–15 hours*

TODDLERS/CHILDREN
(12–18 months) 13–15 hours*
(18 months–3 years) 12–14 hours*
(3–5 years) 11–13 hours*
(5–12 years) 9–11 hours

ADOLESCENTS
8.5–9.5 hours

ADULTS
7–9 hour

(Taken from the National Sleep Foundation Web site.)

For further information—and a more comprehensive listing of recommended hours of sleep for different age groups—please see the National Sleep Foundation Web site.

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Info taken from http://cdc.org
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Insomia - When Trouble Falling or Staying Asleep is a Disorder

What is Insomnia?

Though it is one of the most common of sleep disorders, one may wonder: What is insomnia? It is important to understand what insomnia is, how often it occurs, and its classic clinical features.
Defining Insomnia

Insomnia is an inability to obtain a sufficient amount of sleep to feel rested. It can be characterized either by difficulty falling or staying asleep. In addition, the sleep itself may be chronically of poor quality. In order for insomnia to be present, the above difficulties must occur despite adequate opportunity for sleep. In addition, the impairment must lead to problems with daytime functioning.

The degree of sleep disturbance may vary, but insomnia typically involves taking 30 or more minutes to fall asleep or a total sleep time that is less than six hours, three or more nights per week.

How Common Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is perhaps the most common sleep disorder. Just how frequently it occurs depends on the study, the definition used, and whether one is assessing chronic versus intermittent or acute insomnia. In one study, 35% of adults reported insomnia of any type during the previous year. Approximately 10% of people have chronic insomnia that affects their daytime functioning, according to a review of 50 studies.

In addition, insomnia more commonly occurs as we get older. Women in particular are more likely to report insomnia symptoms. Insomnia also seems to be more common among those who are unemployed, single (from any cause), or of low socioeconomic status.

Symptoms of Insomnia

Patients with insomnia may experience numerous symptoms, including:

* Fatigue or daytime sleepiness
* Poor attention or concentration
* Reduced energy or motivation
* Problems with work or social life
* Mood problems, including anxiety
* Headache

Causes of Insomnia

Factors that may potentially contribute to developing insomnia include travel, noise, family responsibilities (including caring for infants), pain, stress, or nocturia (getting up during the night to urinate).

As with any medical condition, it is important to rule out other potential causes of insomnia. In individuals with symptoms suggestive of insomnia, it is necessary to assess whether other medical or psychiatric problems, medications, or substance use may be contributing to the condition. For anyone who simply is not getting enough sleep by choice, insomnia would not be the correct diagnosis.

Insomnia is a common condition that should be properly identified so that efforts can be made to provide adequate treatment and relief from a disorder that can lead to significant impairment of one’s life.

********************************************
Sources:

“International classification of sleep disorders: Diagnostic and coding manual.” 2nd ed. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Westchester, IL 2005.

Mellinger, GD et al. “Insomnia and its treatment: Prevalence and correlates.” Arch Gen Psychiatry 1985; 42:225.

Ohayon, MM. “Epidemiology of insomnia: what we know and what we still need to learn.” Sleep Med Rev 2002; 6:97.

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What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) ?

Definition

Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.

Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as two numbers. For example, 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mmHg).

* The top number is your systolic pressure, the pressure created when your heart beats. It is considered high if it is consistently over 140.

* The bottom number is your diastolic pressure, the pressure inside blood vessels when the heart is at rest. It is considered high if it is consistently over 90.

Either or both of these numbers may be too high.

Pre-hypertension is when your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic blood pressure is between 80 and 89 on multiple readings. If you have pre-hypertension, you are more likely to develop high blood pressure.


Symptoms

Most of the time, there are no symptoms. Symptoms that may occur include:

* Chest pain
* Confusion
* Ear noise or buzzing
* Irregular heartbeat
* Nosebleed
* Tiredness
* Vision changes

If you have a severe headache or any of the symptoms above, see your doctor right away. These may be signs of a complication or dangerously high blood pressure called malignant hypertension.

Causes & Risks

Blood pressure measurements are the result of the force of the blood produced by the heart and the size and condition of the arteries.

Many factors can affect blood pressure, including:

* How much water and salt you have in your body
* The condition of your kidneys, nervous system, or blood vessels
* The levels of different body hormones

High blood pressure can affect all types of people. You have a higher risk of high blood pressure if you have a family history of the disease. High blood pressure is more common in African Americans than Caucasians. Smoking, obesity, and diabetes are all risk factors for hypertension.

Most of the time, no cause is identified. This is called essential hypertension.

High blood pressure that results from a specific condition, habit, or medication is called secondary hypertension. Too much salt in your diet can lead to high blood pressure. Secondary hypertension may also be due to:

* Adrenal gland tumor
* Alcohol abuse
* Anxiety and stress
* Arteriosclerosis
* Birth control pills
* Coarctation of the aorta
* Cocaine use
* Cushing syndrome
* Diabetes
* Kidney disease, including:
o Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of kidneys)
o Kidney failure
o Renal artery stenosis
o Renal vascular obstruction or narrowing
* Medications
o Appetite suppressants
o Certain cold medications
o Corticosteroids
o Migraine medications
* Hemolytic-uremic syndrome
* Henoch-Schonlein purpura
* Obesity
* Pain
* Periarteritis nodosa
* Pheochromocytoma
* Pregnancy (called gestational hypertension)
* Primary hyperaldosteronism
* Renal artery stenosis
* Retroperitoneal fibrosis
* Wilms' tumor


Tests & Diagnostics

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and check your blood pressure. If the measurement is high, your doctor may think you have high blood pressure. The measurements need to be repeated over time, so that the diagnosis can be confirmed.

If you monitor your blood pressure at home, you may be asked the following questions:

* What was your most recent blood pressure reading?
* What was the previous blood pressure reading?
* What is the average systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) reading?
* Has your blood pressure increased recently?

Other tests may be done to look for blood in the urine or heart failure. Your doctor will look for signs of complications to your heart, kidneys, eyes, and other organs in your body.


Tests & Diagnostics

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and check your blood pressure. If the measurement is high, your doctor may think you have high blood pressure. The measurements need to be repeated over time, so that the diagnosis can be confirmed.

If you monitor your blood pressure at home, you may be asked the following questions:

* What was your most recent blood pressure reading?
* What was the previous blood pressure reading?
* What is the average systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) reading?
* Has your blood pressure increased recently?

Other tests may be done to look for blood in the urine or heart failure. Your doctor will look for signs of complications to your heart, kidneys, eyes, and other organs in your body.

These tests may include:

* Chem-20
* Echocardiogram
* Urinalysis
* Ultrasound of the kidneys


Treatments

The goal of treatment is to reduce blood pressure so that you have a lower risk of complications.

There are many different medicines that can be used to treat high blood pressure, including:

* Alpha blockers
* Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
* Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
* Beta-blockers
* Calcium channel blockers
* Central alpha agonists
* Diuretics
* Renin inhibitors, including aliskiren (Tekturna)
* Vasodilators

Your doctor may also tell you to exercise, lose weight, and follow a healthier diet. If you have pre-hypertension, your doctor will recommend the same lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down to a normal range.

Often, a single blood pressure drug may not be enough to control your blood pressure, and you may need to take two or more drugs. It is very important that you take the medications prescribed to you. If you have side effects, your health care provider can substitute a different medication.


Complications

* Aortic dissection
* Blood vessel damage (arteriosclerosis)
* Brain damage
* Congestive heart failure
* Kidney damage
* Kidney failure
* Heart attack
* Hypertensive heart disease
* Stroke
* Vision loss


Prevention

Adults over 18 should have their blood pressure checked routinely.

Lifestyle changes may help control your blood pressure:

* Lose weight if you are overweight. Excess weight adds to strain on the heart. In some cases, weight loss may be the only treatment needed.

* Exercise regularly. If possible, exercise for 30 minutes on most days.

* Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products while reducing total and saturated fat intake (the DASH diet is one way of achieving this kind of dietary plan). (See: Heart disease and diet)

* Avoid smoking. (See: Nicotine withdrawal)

* If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.

* Do not consume more than 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per day.

* Try to manage your stress.

Follow your health care provider's recommendations to modify, treat, or control possible causes of secondary hypertension.

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Article info taken from http://health.yahoo.net
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The Five Best Gifts to Give Your Family

Written By:
Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

When we think of giving gifts, we usually think of things to buy for people. Yet if you think back on gifts you’ve been given, it might not be the material gifts you received that are foremost in your mind – it might be the kind of gifts that deeply touched your heart and soul. It might be various ways, other than material things, that people expressed their love to you.

There are five gifts of love that we can give to our families that can make a huge difference in their lives.

THE GIFT OF CARING AND COMPASSION

We all yearn to feel cared for, yet many of us withhold caring and compassion for others. A profound gift we can give to our loved ones is to listen with our heart, to understand and accept rather than to judge, and to stay open to learning rather than to protect against being hurt.

Think about the last time someone actually listened to you and gave you understanding and acceptance. The feeling of being understood and accepted with caring and compassion is one of the best feelings in the world. Instead of focusing on getting this from others, why not focus on giving it to others? You might be surprised at how wonderful you feel in giving this gift to your family.

THE GIFT OF COURAGE

One of the best gifts we can give our loved ones is our own courage. This means being having the courage to stand in our truth, to be honest about what we want and don’t want, what we will do and won’t do, what is and what is not acceptable to us. It means having the courage to take good care of ourselves, even if others don’t like it. It means not succumbing to our controlling behaviors that come from fear: anger, withdrawal, compliance, resistance, but instead being honest and above-board about ourselves. It means being willing to face conflict rather than give ourselves up to avoid it.

When we have the courage to face conflict and tell the truth, we not only provide our family with a role model for courage, but we provide opportunities for our loved ones to step up to the plate in the face of our truth and learn to be courageous too.

THE GIFT OF SERVICE

We are on this planet to learn to love ourselves and each other, and to help each other. One of the best gifts we can give our family is to role model this by doing service. Helping others fills the heart and soul in ways that nothing else can. If children do not see their parents doing service and helping others, they may never learn the great joy and fulfillment that comes from giving. One of the best gifts we can give to our family is to provide ways of doing service.

THE GIFT OF CREATIVITY

All of us are born with various ways of expressing our creativity. Expressing creativity is a profound way of connecting with Spirit, since expressed creativity is a direct expression of Spirit. Providing your family with many ways of expressing their creativity is a great gift. Creativity can be expressed in so many ways – cooking, crafts, building things, music, art, movement, telling stories, writing, humor, photography and video – the possibilities are endless! Creative family projects are especially wonderful in creating family closeness.

THE GIFT OF LIGHTNESS OF BEING

Lightness of being – fun, joy, laughter, playfulness – is a great gift to give to others. Lightness of being is infectious – our laughter and playfulness can help others take life less seriously and “lighten up.”

Lightness of being is one the results of all the other gifts – of caring, courage, service and creativity. When we give these gifts, we feel a wonderful lightness within, the lightness that is the result of fully giving from the heart. Our own lightness of being can bring lightness into our whole family. Children love it when their parents are playful, funloving and joyful. Laughing together as a family is one of the most precious experiences in life.

We need to focus of giving these gifts each day, not just during a holiday season or special occasions. These gifts are far more important than any material thing we can buy for someone. In fact, we might not be so focused on material gifts if we frequently give the gift of love – of caring, compassion, courage, service, creativity, and lightness of being.

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" She is the co-creator of a powerful healing process called Inner Bonding. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com.
Phone sessions available.


Article from http://FamilyArticles.net


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Global Freedom Family Is A Private, Subscription Membership, World Wide Newsletter Community Resource Site Containing In Depth Online Investing Information And Dedicated To Coaching Members To Achieve Their Financial Dreams.
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What are the Characteristics of Good Parenting?

One of the hardest things for any parent (adult) to understand is that the way a child thinks is often not the way they think. A child is not an adult. So when putting your parenting technique into practice, remember that a child's mind is not functioning like yours.

For instance if you make a rule and your child breaks that rule, that for you may be the end of the matter. But how does the child see their behavior? It's possible they may believe their failure to obey is a weakness of their character. In short the child may think that they are bad.

It's vital that your child sees breaking the rule as part of their behavior. What it doesn't mean is that your child is intrinsically bad. High self-esteem is important for all ages and particularly so for young people.

Being aware of your child's thinking is an excellent characteristic. Twelve is probably a good age for children to begin to understand that life has many shades of grey and is not always a black and white situation. Know this fact. Know that children do see things as right or wrong in their developing years and variations of good and evil are not something they consider until almost their teenage years.

Know too that time has a different meaning for a child. A short time to you can seem like an eternity to a child. Be aware of how they think and thus this will make you a better parent.

Teamwork is a no-brainer with parents being effective in raising their children. Having one parent operating one technique and another parent something else is likely to result in all sorts of problems not the least of which is a totally confused child.

Being practical is an excellent characteristic. Let's say you announce a rule, your child disobeys and should therefore be punished. What do you do? Some suggest isolation. The child goes to a quiet room where they sit and contemplate their deed. But do you have such a place? Be practical.

Kindness can be weakness with some parents. Your skills will not allow this failing. Giving a warning to a child may seem fair and reasonable. But giving warning after warning is not good parenting and the rule itself is of little or no consequence if it is broken and the child suffers no punishment.

A good parent is a good listener. Nothing excites a child more than their parent taking a deep and genuine interest in the life of the child. It might be their schoolwork, their hobby, their friend or even their football team. Be seriously interested and by giving unconditional love to your child, you are using the best foundation for parenting which is available.

It's a good idea to go with the flow. If your child is interested in something in particular, by showing an interest in that subject and your child, you are developing a seriously strong relationship. The strength of that relationship will make your parenting technique a joint effort with your child. Good parenting means listening and sharing.


Article from http://parenting411.com


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Clean Your Kidneys with Less Than $1

CLEAN YOUR KIDNEYS WITH LESS THAN $1.00

> Years pass by and our kidneys are filtering the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted entering our body.

> With time, the salt accumulates and this needs to undergo cleaning treatments. How are we going to do this?

> It is very easy, first take a bunch of parsley and wash it clean Then cut it in small pieces and put it in a pot and

> pour clean water and boil it for ten minutes and let it cool down and then filter it and pour in a clean bottle and

> keep it inside refrigerator to cool.

> Drink one glass daily and you will notice all salt and other accumulated poison coming out of your kidney by urination. Also you will be able to notice the difference which you never felt before.

> Parsley is known as best cleaning treatment for kidneys and it is natural!

Parsley is our local Chinese Celery (khan choy) which is used in beef kuay teow soup.

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Special thanks to Carolus Wong
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Five Important Things To Know About Vitamins

(from Black Health Magazine)

There’s an abundance of vitamins to choose from when you’re deciding which kind of is good for you. Making the choice of which multivitamin or which ever vitamin will help aid or strength is a task within itself. Its important to know and understand the benefits, cons and value. Below are five interesting items that will hopefully help you understand more about vitamins.

1. They Matter

Vitamins and minerals are substances your body sometimes needs for normal growth and functioning. Some facilitate crucial chemical reactions, while others act as building blocks for the body.

Nutritionists call vitamins and minerals “micronutrients” to distinguish them from the macronutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that make up the bulk of our food. While micronutrients are vital for the proper processing of macronutrients, they’re needed in smaller quantities. Think of it this way: If macronutrients are the gas in your engine, then micronutrients are like the motor oil, coolant, and battery fluid.

Micronutrient deficiency can lead to acute diseases with exotic names like scurvy, pellagra, and beriberi. Deficiency diseases were common in the U.S. until the 1940s, when the FDA-mandated fortification of common foods like bread and milk. These diseases are still common in many poorer countries.

2. Maintaining a Healthy Diet

It’s easy to get enough micronutrients from your food if you maintain a healthy diet, Audrey Cross, PhD, associate clinical professor of nutrition at Columbia’s School of Public Health, tells WebMD. But most people fail that test; they’ll eat two or three servings of fruits and veggies per day rather than the recommended five. That’s why Cross (and many other nutritionists) suggest a multivitamin as a sort of nutritional safety net for many of their patients.

But it’s just a safety net. So-called “whole foods” like veggies and whole grains contain fiber and a host of other important nutrients that can’t be adequately delivered through pills. In fact, scientists are still finding new “trace elements” in whole foods that may someday be labeled essential to health — but aren’t found in any pill.

“There are literally thousands of these compounds, and we’re just scratching the surface on knowing what their role is,” says David Grotto, a registered dietitian and spokesman for the American Dietetic Association. “We’re sending the wrong message if people believe they’ve got everything under control and if they’re taking vitamins while eating a horrible diet.”

3. Choosing a Supplement

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when looking at the dietary supplement shelves of a health food store or even your local supermarket. While many of the health claims are unproven or downright bogus, some supplements may be useful for some groups.

Major multivitamin makers typically produce different varieties for men, women, children and older folks. Picking a pill that fits your group makes sense, says dietitian Grotto, as the optimal level of various nutrients varies by age and sex. For example, premenopausal women need more iron than children or the elderly, he says.

But the elderly have a harder time obtaining adequate amounts of vitamin B-12 from natural sources, so the need for supplementation may increase with age, says Lynn Bailey, a University of Florida nutritionist who teaches courses on vitamins.

Folate, or folic acid, is key to preventing birth defects (such as spina bifida), Bailey says. Bailey says all women of childbearing age should ensure they get 100% of the RDA of folic acid through fortified food or a multivitamin.

4. Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium supplements are also important for certain age groups, Bailey says. The Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, recommends that adolescents get 1,300 milligrams of calcium a day. One cup of milk or calcium-fortified orange juice contains about 300 milligrams of calcium.

Other sources of calcium include cheese, tofu, yogurt, vegetables, and beans. A typical calcium supplement may contain 500 milligrams or 600 milligrams of calcium. Bailey gives her 15-year-old son a daily calcium supplement at dinnertime. People over 50 should get 1,200 milligrams a day of calcium to ward off osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), Bailey says.

Federal dietary guidelines recommend that the elderly, the homebound, and people with dark skin boost their vitamin D intake with both fortified foods and supplements to reduce the risk of bone loss. Vitamin D helps with absorption of calcium; often calcium supplements will also contain vitamin D. (The full federal guidelines, updated in 2005, are available at www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines.)

Special groups such as smokers, pregnant women, or people recovering from traumatic injury may need additional supplements, Cross says. Decisions to take supplements beyond a multivitamin are best made with your doctor or registered dietitian, she says.

The evidence is strong that a healthy diet can ward off chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. What’s less clear is if big intakes of particular micronutrients can boost that preventive effect further.

There is promising evidence that the mineral selenium could prevent a variety of cancers, says Alan Kristal, DrPh, associate chief of cancer prevention at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. But beyond selenium, the data aren’t promising, Kristal says. For example, there’s no solid evidence that taking large doses of antioxidants like vitamins B or C have any beneficial effect.

5.Controversial Health Claims

As you seek the proper multivitamin or dietary supplement, it’s best to keep your guard up. The supplement industry is relatively unregulated, and you can injure or even kill yourself with “natural” products bought at your neighborhood supplement store.

Many health claims attached to multivitamin formulations are doubtful, but harmless. Some men’s multivitamins contain extra lycopene, a substance once thought to prevent prostate cancer. But Kristal, the cancer specialist, says support for that claim is waning. “If indeed lycopene did anything, [supplements] don’t have enough to make a difference,” he says. Multivitamins aimed at women are often spiked with green tea or ginseng extract; the effect of these on weight control is yet unproven.

More dangerous are recommendations of vitamin megadoses to treat obesity, depression, carpal tunnel syndrome or other problems. At best, megadoses are a distraction from real treatments for these problems, experts say. At worst, they can cause injury or death.

So-called fat-soluble vitamins — that is, vitamins A, D, E, and K — accumulate in the body, making overdosing a real threat. Vitamin overdoses have been associated with liver problems, weakened bones, cancers, and premature mortality.

Until recently, water-soluble vitamins such as B and C were considered nontoxic, even at high doses. But now evidence is emerging that B-6 megadoses can cause serious nerve damage, Bailey tells WebMD.

Despite the warnings, the quest for a magic pill plunges ahead. Cross chuckles when patients show her weight loss supplements that claim wondrous effects “when taken in combination with a sensible diet and exercise.” Her response: Wouldn’t a sensible diet and exercise do the trick even without the supplement?

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Article from - http://elev8.com
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9 Popular Foods To Help Manage Diabetes

By Kelly L. Jackson

Over 24 millions people are living with Diabetes. Keeping it in control is a lifelong challenge that require support from your family, friends and healthcare professionals. Having a healthy diet, exercise and medication management is vital for a long life. Making the commitment to do the things to better your life such as cutting back and eliminating certain foods is important once you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. Thankfully, there are foods that can help with managing diabetes and provide dosages of nutrients and assist with maintaining acceptable blood sugar levels. Some experts and dietitians call these foods “Diabetes superfoods.” They are foods that are low-fat and high in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Adding these foods into your diet can make a real difference in managing diabetes. As you’re making your grocery list for shopping, make sure you add these into your cart.

Here’s the Nine Foods That Can make a difference in managing your Diabetes:

1.Beans

Incredibly high in fiber and protein, just a half-cup of any type of beans will provide about a third of your daily requirement of fiber and as much protein as an ounce of meat. Because of this, beans are wonderful for managing blood glucose levels, giving the body nutrients to slowly digest and process. Beans also are great sources of magnesium and potassium.

2. Fish

Salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, halibut, and herring are high in omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to be heart-healthy, as long as these [fish] are not breaded and deep-fried. One study also suggests that eating fish at least twice a week may protect people with diabetes against kidney problems.

3. Nuts

Nuts are very filling and contain high levels of unsaturated fats, the kind that contributes to “good”cholesterol. Some nuts and seeds like walnuts and flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts also deliver healthy doses of fiber and magnesium.

4. Berries

All berries contain good levels of antioxidants. They are heart-healthy, cancer-preventing, and fat-free. Compared with other fruits, they provide a comparatively low amount of calories and carbohydrates considering their serving size. Berries also contain vitamins and fiber.

5. Broccoli

High in vitamins A and C, broccoli is another low-carbohydrate, low-calorie, high-fiber food that has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Broccoli also is very filling, a plus for people who need to lose weight.

6. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great alternative for white potatoes. They are high in fiber and vitamins A and C.



7. Dark, Leafy Green Vegetables

Spinach, collard greens, and kale pack high levels of nutrients like vitamins A and C and calcium, as well as being low in calories and carbohydrates. Other great choices in this group include bok choy and mustard greens.

8. Whole Grains

Any time you want bread, pasta, or cereal, you need to make sure it’s made with whole grains. The germ and bran contained in whole grains have large amounts of nutrients like magnesium, chromium, omega-3 fatty acids, and folate; these are stripped out of wheat when it’s processed into white flour products. Whole-grain foods also contain lots of fiber.

9. Tomatoes

Here’s another colorful vegetable that contains large amounts of nutrients like iron and vitamins C and E. Tomatoes are very versatile and can be used in many different recipes. Cooked tomato products like stewed tomatoes and ketchup also deliver the important nutrient lycopene.

Happy Shopping and Eating for a Healthy You!

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Article from - http://elev8.com
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