Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Vitamin C - It's Importance to the Body

Vitamins are amongst the many nutritional components that the body needs to be able to function properly. The importance of ensuring that vitamins are included in our daily food intake cannot be overemphasised.  Included in the list of vitamins needed by the body is vitamin C. This can be obtained from foods such as tomatoes, broccoli, fish, citrus fruits, green peppers and potatoes. Additional doses of vitamins can be obtained from food supplements.However, it is essential to obtain a recommendation from a doctor before one starts taking excessive amounts of vitamin C supplements  

Vitamin C is one of the non fat-soluble types. What this means in essence is that, the body is unable to store it for later use, hence the necessity of taking a daily consumption of it. The level of vitamin C’s daily intake depends on factors such as the age, weight and lifestyle of any individual. In the case where the gender of a person is female, pregnancy will also be a determining factor if one needs a supplement of vitamin C.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C’s function is to combat the ‘negative’ forces that may cause organ, tissue and cell destruction in our bodies. Vitamin C helps to protect the body and in many ways can be said to reduce the aging process. One of the symptoms of a lack of adequate vitamin C in Scurvy. This condition can then lead to illnesses such as anemia, weakness and gum disease.

It is important to take in vitamin C supplements as recommended by your doctor since excessive amounts can result in the development of kidney stones which may interfere with the absorption of other vitamins such as B12. The occurrence of this condition, however, is very rare as vitamin C is highly soluble and will normally be absorbed by the body.

Normally, a healthy and a balanced diet should provide all the vitamin C nutrients one needs for a proper and efficient body metabolism. This implies that ones diet should include the right mixture of  protein, high fibers including fruits and vegetables. Where supplements are need to boost vitamin C intake, visiting a natural food supplement shop should be the best source.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Organic and Labeled Foods – Are They Worth the Investment?

Supermarkets today have so many labels on food produce it can be confusing when deciding which one to settle for. With the debate as to whether organic are more nutritious over natural foods yet to convince most
consumers, some education on the pros and cons of organic and labeled foods  will certainly go a long way in informing the choices one makes

Usually, fruits and vegetables are known as natural foods because they are (or supposed to be) eaten in their raw from. This ensures the body absorbs maximum nutrients hence making our bodies healthier. With the addition of fertilizers to aid the growth and maturation process of the so called natural foods, the nutritional value within them are reduced and compromised.

Organic foods however, are so called because they are grown entirely without the aid of chemicals and fertilizers. The obvious advantage they have over natural foods is that, they retain their full nutritional value and therefore healthier than their natural counterpart. Also, by avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers help in protecting the environment as less Carbon is released into the atmosphere. The downside is that, they tend to be more expensive than their natural foods. If you’re on a budget however, you can still stick to the natural foods but ensure these foods are properly washed before eating to eliminate the chemicals around them as much as possible.

Another label one is likely to see is “No Hormones”, usually on milk and meat products. Hormones are chemicals released in animals (including humans) to regulate body metabolism. In other words, then a specific action is to be accomplished, these chemicals are released. Animals can be injected with hormones to enable them accelerate certain activities such as the production of milk in cattle, for instance. Where this is the case, milk production may not be of the highest nutritional value. The label “No Hormones” therefore, implies no “chemical” help was given to the cattle that produced the milk.

Yet another label one can find on supermarket produce, usually on eggs is the “Free Range”. This is an indication that the chicken that produced the eggs were allowed to roam around the farm instead of being caged. These tend to be more expensive and nutritious than the normal ones produced. 

Becoming familiar with these terms and their meaning will definitely help one in making informed choices as to what sort of foods to purchase and if it’s worth making budgetary adjustments to accommodate them.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Finding Ways to Quit Smoking

Finding the best way to stop smoking is a very difficult task because people react differently to various stimuli or triggers so the “One remedy fits all” type of approach often doesn’t work.

The fact is that, any smoker who wants to quit must first have a strong reason to do so. It is almost impossible to find the best way to stop smoking unless there is a strong desire to do so. If you ask ten people who’ve quit smoking what their secret was, you are likely to receive different answers from 80% of them. This statistic simply shows how hard it is for science to develop the best way to stop smoking. So practically, everyone is encouraged to use whatever methods necessary to eliminate this problem.

For one smoker, the best way to resist the urge was to make a list of all the dangers and consequences on a paper and then quickly take a look at them anytime the urge to smoke became stronger. This was an effective way to deal with the problem for this particular person.

One way to consider quitting smoking is to join discussion groups and undergo therapy. As you interact with similar people who have overcome the habit and listen to their experiences, you can take courage and be reassured that it if someone has done it, then you can to. Some even go as far as eliminating long held lifestyles to stop the habit, including breaking friendships and cutting out visits to places that ignite the urge to smoke again.

Others who are unwilling to quit smoking hide under the umbrella of not being overweight as the reason to persist in this dangerous habit despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. They argue that once they stop smoking, they will put on weight. This however is far from the truth as daily exercise is a much better way to keep in shape and healthy.

There are countless resources online that will help you in the fight against smoking and you may want to take a good look at this resource to help you STOP SMOKING.

Having said that, there is a fundamental battle that must be resolved before any other remedy can assist; and that is your will and desire to stop this habit that claims thousands of lives every year. Until then, every other method to combat the problem will be in vain.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

How to Overcome Infertility

Infertility can be a very emotionally draining problem to combat. Many people will not openly admit that there is a problem because of embarrassment. Infertility affects thousands of couples every year and is nothing to be embarrassed about. It does not make a man less of a man or a woman any less of a woman. It is simply a medical issue that can generally be overcome.



Determining Where the Problem Lies

In order to properly address the problem of infertility, it is usually necessary to figure out whether the man or woman is infertile. This is not a matter of pointing fingers or laying blame, but simply a step toward a resolution. Both men and women can have problems that cause infertility. For men the problem may be low sperm count, sperm obstruction, chronic infections or advanced age. Women can be affected by various infections, low ovarian stockpile, depleted progesterone layers, disorders of ovulation, or other issues. The cause can generally only be determined by a doctor or sometimes a specialist.


Battle Plans


Once the cause of the problem is identified, you will be able to address the problem appropriately. The manner in which you choose to address the underlying problem is something that you as a couple will need to decide. There are various medical treatments and natural treatment methods available. What works best for you and your lifestyle will be up to you.

Some of the methods that are currently available for treating infertility include:

•    Medications – One of the most commonly used methods for treating infertility in both men and women is prescription medication. With the exception of advanced age and chronic infections, there are medications that can help with many problems related to infertility. The downfall of this is that many of the medications are very costly and are often not covered by insurances. Another thing to keep in mind with prescription medications is that there are frequently unpleasant side effects that will require additional medication.

•    In vitro – In vitro fertilization is a process by which an egg is fertilized outside of the body in a controlled environment. Once the egg is successfully fertilized it is implanted in the uterus of the woman.  This process has been used successfully in the United States since 1981.

•    Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ISCI) – Male infertility can be treated by ISCI. In this test-tube fertilization procedure sperm is injected directly into the egg.

•    Herbal treatments – While the medical field has many forms of infertility treatments, the alternative care, or holistic, field has methods as well.  There are various herbs that Naturopaths work with to overcome the infertility barrier. Much like prescription medications, these sometimes come with unwelcome side effects. Though some feel herbs are safer than prescription medications, this subject is still up for debate.

•    Acupuncture – Another alternative method to treating infertility is acupuncture. Acupuncture is gaining popularity, though its effectiveness is controversial. This traditional form of Chinese medicine involves placing hair-thin needles at specific points of the body. The Chinese believe that this balances the energies of the body and allows it to function properly. Even those that do not believe that acupuncture is a viable treatment do agree that it does not render any harm to the body.

While this does not cover all of the available treatments for infertility, it does hit the most well-known.


Stumbling Block


There are, unfortunately, a number of stumbling blocks that can hinder success. Here are some of the most common stumbling blocks to overcoming infertility:

•    Pride – Many couples allow pride to keep them from seeking help in their battle against infertility. Fear of embarrassment will often cause one or the other members of the couple to refrain from obtaining a diagnosis until the problem has gone on for far too long.

•    Cost – Unfortunately, even those that do not allow pride to stop their search for a solution can not afford to have medical diagnosis or treatments that would be necessary to overcome infertility. Depending upon which route of treatment you decide upon, it can become very costly especially for those without adequate insurance. This is one of the reasons that many couples seek alternative treatments for infertility. Though there is still a cost involved, generally speaking alternative treatments cost significantly less.

•    Emotional Strain – Some couples find that the emotional rollercoaster of trying to become pregnant can become too much. The strain that it puts on a relationship sometimes makes the battle too costly to fight. When finger-pointing and resentment become a factor of the relationship, setting aside the mission of overcoming infertility may become the best solution.


Whatever method that you choose to wage war against infertility, no one can give you a guarantee. You have to determine if this is a gamble that you are willing to take. There are definitely stumbling blocks to overcome, but upon success the rewards will definitely outweigh the costs. It takes a strong relationship for a couple to successfully overcome infertility, but the result can be an even stronger family.

If you have been engaged in the infertility battle for some time and you seem to be wearying, often the best resolution is to set the battle aside for a period of time. This allows you to regroup emotionally, as a couple, and sometimes financially. When the stress is relieved and you can enjoy each other again without any expectations you may very well find that this is much more successful than other infertility treatments you have tried.

The number of stories of couples that tried to overcome infertility through medical treatments and various methods for years and finally got pregnant when they gave up trying is countless. Whatever method you try, do your best to keep your stress level as low as possible. Do not pressure or accuse your mate. While you may have to employ strategies to overcome infertility, try to enjoy the journey.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Dealing With Obesity - Important Tips to Help Break the Cycle

The battle for victory over obesity is one that many people are fighting. There are so many books and diets and supposed cure-all pills on the market that those that seriously want or need to shed some weight have a difficult time knowing what to choose.

The fact of the matter is that pills and diets may work for a short period of time, but is you want to lose weight and keep it off you must alter your lifestyle. Losing weight and reverting back to the same unhealthy way of living and eating will only cause you to regain that weight and likely feel worse about yourself.


Self-Assessment

The first thing that you should do before attempting to overcome obesity is to honestly assess your lifestyle and your previous efforts at weight loss. You should actually put pen to paper and write down what aspects of your current lifestyle are positive toward weight loss and a healthy lifestyle and which are negative. If you can truly be honest in this area you will have taken a huge step toward overcoming obesity.

You should also write down all of the previous diets, weight loss programs, and pills that you have tried. Make special note of whether there was any success, how long it lasted, whether or not exercise was incorporated in, and what you think was missing that could have accelerated the success and promoted positive long-term results.


Diet

Going on a diet plan is usually not the answer for various reasons. First of all, the chances of you sticking to a rigorous diet plan for life are slim to none. In addition, these short-term diets often are not nutritionally balanced and can leave your body depleted of some much needed nutrients. While this may cause you to lose weight, it could create other health problems. The one exception to this is when a medical doctor or professional nutritionist assigns you a diet for specific health reasons.

Instead of a diet plan, do your best to clean up what you eat. This means that you should incorporate as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible in your meals and snacks. The raw produce will flood your body with nutrients that you are unlikely to get anywhere else. This is because heating any food cooks the nutrients out of it. The longer it is cooked, the fewer nutrients the food will have to supply your body.

Keep a journal of what you eat and when you eat it. This will help you identify emotional eating and recognize the habits you need to break. Eliminate processed sugar, fast foods, soda, and any other processed foods as much as possible. Often, just knowing that you will write down every piece of food that you put in your mouth will deter you from eating out of habit.

Another great idea that can help curb cravings and reduce appetite is to use a cleanse at the beginning of your change in diet. These can be picked up online or at a local nutrition store. There are many varieties to choose from. Some are designed to be performed over a week long period, some over a 24 hour period. You will have to determine which one will work best for you. However, once a cleanse is performed you often find that you do not crave sweets like you did and you may even lose a few pounds during the cleanse.


Exercise

Exercise if very important to a healthy lifestyle. Too many people want a pill to do all the work while they continue sitting in front of the television eating potato chips. For any weight loss regiment to be the most successful, you must incorporate exercise. This can be as simple as going for a daily walk or you can join a gym or exercise class.

Exercise is important to burn calories and melt fat, but it is also important for cardiovascular and pulmonary health. It is also vital to removing toxins from your body. Sweating the toxins out will assist your body in proper functioning. This can dramatically increase your metabolism.


Track Your Progress

You should keep track of the progress that you make along the way. The same journal that you used to do your self-assessment can be used for this purpose as well. There are a number of factors that you should track along the way.

•    Weight – While you should keep track of how much you weigh when you begin and once a week until you reach your goal; do not focus too much on this area alone. There may be times that weight drops quickly and other times that it seems stagnant, but do not give up.

•    Measurements – You should measure yourself each time that you weigh yourself. This means measure your bust, waist, hips, buttocks, and thighs. Sometimes when your weight has reached a plateau you will see that you are still dropping inches.

•    Feeling – This should actually be recorded before you take your weight and measurements as to not be influenced by the results of the other measurements. This is an important factor that many trying to overcome obesity neglect. As your body becomes healthier you will most likely find that your energy level increases, battles that you may have had with depression will become less, and food cravings may become less.


These simple steps can help you to achieve victory as you overcome obesity. Here are a few more tips:


•    Healthy snacks – Keep healthy snacks with you to help you avoid picking up junk on the spur of the moment.

•    Eat frequently – By having a little healthy snack every two to three hours you will avoid overeating because you are overly hungry.

•    Make good choices – It can be very difficult to choose healthy when you are around friends that are eating unhealthy. If you can make good choices, such as a salad instead of fries at lunch, you will dramatically reduce your caloric intake.

As you work toward overcoming obesity you will have days that you do not make the right choices or give into temptation. Do not allow yourself to come under condemnation. You must simply start again, knowing that you are making progress.
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