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A Short Explanation Of Sciatica And A Few Different Treatments Available

2010-03-23T18:18:00.001-07:00

by Martha Bridges

Sciatica tends to be a common problem amongst a large amount of people. It is a term used in the medical profession for numbness, pain, or weakness that occurs in the legs. A common misconception about sciatica is that it is a medical condition, when to the contrary, it is actually caused by a condition that is already existing. It is usually caused by pressure being applied to the sciatic nerve or also damage occurring to the nerve present there.

Some people describe the experience as a tingling feeling that is present in their legs. Others say that it is more like a burning sensation. In individuals who have very severe cases, they may not even be able to move properly. There have been cases of it happening in both legs, however it usually only happens in one. Pain can be felt in the hip or back of the leg. Individuals may also report feeling pain in their feet as well.

Your doctor can figure out if you have sciatica from several different types of tests. This can involve MRIs, blood tests, or x-rays. This can also involve tests that reflect on your range of motion. In example, someone that is suffering from the ailment may have problems bending their feet down or may reflect weak reflexes. There can also be weakness in the bending of the knees.

If the condition is treated before the nerve damage has the chance to worsen, there is a good change that the individual can recover completely. Other times, full recovery might not be possible and may leave the individual with a loss of motion. Pain can also become more consistent and prolonged. For this reason, it is important to get the problem diagnosed fairly soon.

Treatments can depend on what is causing the damage and lack of function to the sciatic nerve. In the best cases, treatment is non surgical and the patient recovers very quickly, but this is dependent on the severity of the problem. In cases where the nerve damage may be caused by something applying pressure to the nerve, surgery is required to ease some of the symptoms. Medications or injections can also be prescribed to help treat the pain and stop some of the inflammation in the nerve area itself.

Other treatment options might include physical therapy. This can improve the range of motion in the individual and promote more muscle strength. Combined with other treatments, it can help individuals regain their movement and function again. For those who stand or sit often at their job, the doctor might request changes or suggest different methods to get the work done.

Regarding the severity of the nerve damage, prevention techniques can differ greatly. What might work well to prevent pain for one individual may not work at all or completely for another individual. It is best to have these prevention measures created by a doctor personally so that they apply more specifically to the individual and their own circumstances.

In order to receive the best results in the recovery of the individual from sciatica and its pain, an examination should happen as promptly as possible. Even if the individual only suspects the possibility, it should be considered and treated seriously. If pain continues without proper care, nerve damage can increase and make it more difficult for the individual to recover correctly.

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Hemorrhoids Causes

2010-03-23T18:17:00.003-07:00

by Aneron Kepasil

Hemorrhoids are swelled or inflamed veins located in either the rectum or anus. Hemorrhoids causes extreme pain in an individual and symptoms of hemorrhoids can be increased with rubbing or scratching of the hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids causes vary by individual, but include obesity, prolonged sitting, hypertension, dehydration, or pregnancy. This article is dedicated hemorrhoids causes and home remedy solutions.

Some solutions to this problem are to not strain while using the toilet. As hard as this may seem, straining can cause more serious problems like tearing of the soft tissue in the anal area. It would be best to just relax and let your body excrete natually in the care and treatment of hemorrhoid.

There are a number of reasons that people get bleeding internal hemorrhoids. In the anal passage the formation of padding is normal, it is when this padding becomes enlarged that the hemorrhoid becomes a health problem. Some of the common causes for this enlargement can be the the extra stain put on the bowel when someone has a chronic problem with being constipated. They are also said to be a natural sign of aging

when the blood vessles in the anal passage are not working as well as they did when the body was young.

Colon hydrotherapy (or colonic irrigation) is a natural solution to hemorrhoids. With colon hydrotherapy, warm and cold water are used in an alternating fashion in order to relax and then constrict the vessels. Because hemorrhoids are characterized by poor circulation, this process is used to get the blood flowing once again so that circulation returns to normal.

The best hemorrhoid home remedy is a better diet. If your current diet lacks fiber, or if you do not drink enough water on a daily basis, constipation and hard stools can cause or aggravate a hemorrhoid. Healing is difficult when still suffering from constipation or painful stools, so taking water soluble fiber or drinking more water may be needed. Eating more vegetables, especially dark green colors like spinach and kale, will also help with hemorrhoids by softening the stool.

There is a product that can be used for the treatment of hemorrhoid, it's called calmovil. Calmovil is a natural hemorhhoid supplement used in the relief of pain and discomfort, reduceing the size and to promote blood flow. Calmovil is absorbed quickly into your body and paople have noted relief almost instantly.

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Tips To Get Rid of Hemorrhoids In A Natural Way

2010-03-23T18:17:00.001-07:00

by Aneron Kepasil

Hemorrhoids are a common and very frustrating problem. Hemorrhoids by themselves are rarely serious, however, they may be a cover up for other medical problems that are more serious, such as, colon or rectal cancer. Therefore, being seen by your physician and getting an accurate diagnosis is most necessary.

Another common and simple hemorrhoid home remedy is the application of ice and heat to shrink the hemorrhoid and encourage it to heal. Apply ice, such as a single ice cube, to the hemorrhoid or the anal area, for at 10 minutes every day. Then apply a moist, warm towel to the anal area for up to 20 minutes. This is best done after an aggravating bowel movement that has caused pain or irritation to the hemorrhoid.

In looking for a way to stop hemorrhoids pain you should try and ascertain the reason for the problem in the first place. A big cause of hemorrhoids is constipation. If you are having trouble eliminating your stools, and are straining to do so, that could be the reason for the hemorrhoid episode. There are many effective natural cures for constipation. One of the easiest and most effective natural laxatives is apple cider vinegar. Drink a cupful of warm water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in it when you notice you are having trouble, and before you now it you will get relief. The swelling will go down when you are no longer straining and the hemorrhoids pain will go away.

Although keeping your diet under control helps ease the pain, it does not always make the hemorrhoid or the pain go away. There are many natural herbs that people have found help not just ease but often cure painful hemorrhoids. Witch hazel is a liquid that is softly rubbed on the area to lessen the swelling. Butchers broom is another herb known for contracting and strengthening the veins. Ginkgo biloba improves blood flow and lessens the swelling. a final herb known for calming the irritation is mullein. Each of these herbs can be found at a local GNC or vitamin store.

The first home treatment for the relief of hemorrhoids is applying a topical moisturizer. One of the common hemorrhoids causes is dehydration, and applying a topical moisturizer can help ease the pain by rehydrating the skin on and around the hemorrhoid. Prior to applying a moisturizer, be sure the product is designed for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Other moisturizers could cause a stinging sensation or possibly infection.

Calmovil is an effective solution for curing hemorrhoids. Its clinically proven ingredients are both natural and effective. The success of Calmovil has been proven with clinical trials. In these trials, Calmovil has been demonstrated to relieve itchy, painful, and inflamed hemorrhoids. Doctors agree about hemorrhoids and how to naturally cure them. Calmovil is #1 doctor recommended. With its money back guarantee and 60 day risk free trial, Calmovil is the obvious choice for anyone looking for a completely natural remedy for hemorrhoids.

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Unravel the Mystery of Chakra Healing and Reap its Benefits!

2010-03-22T22:22:00.003-07:00

by Anne-Marie Laureaut

What is Chakra

The human body consists of 88,000 chakras, also referred to as continuously spinning or active energy points that act as portals to receive, interact and transmit life forces between an individual and his surroundings. Chakra is Hindu for spinning wheel. Of the bodys 88,000 energy points, seven are regarded to have major importance in the overall function of our being.

Although there is no common denominator between the ancient Hindu and Chinese cultures, they are very similar in their interpretation and explanation about the role of these energy points in our health and lives in general. Both the Hindus and the Chinese look at the bodys major energy points as playing important roles in our conscious and subconscious experiences. And that these seven energy points are the keys to a healthy and successful life.

One interesting aspect of the explanation and characterization of chakras is the uncanny similarity reached by both the Hindus and Chinese that they are an integral part of mans conscious and subconscious experience. Add to this the fact that both civilizations use the same theory for promoting a healthy and successful life of an individual.

The continuous contact of energy points with its host (our body) and the environment regardless of whether we are awake or not, gives them a special power over the our physical appearance and bodily functions, including our health and emotions. A malfunction of one of the seven major energy points results in our feeling ill and weak, both physically and mentally.

Since each of the major chakras corresponds to a particular endocrine gland in our body, any variance in their normal function or behavior directly affects our health as well.

Maintaining the Optimum Functions of our Chakras Using the foundations of the ancient Hindus and Chineses understanding and interpretation of the functions of our bodys energy points, especially the seven major ones, we can safely arrive at the conclusion that not all our illnesses are viral; some are very likely related to the malfunction of one or all of our chakras. Physical symptoms of illness may not be present or minimal at the very least, but our feelings of discontent, stress, excitement are signs that something is wrong with us either on the physical, spiritual or emotional levels.

Forgotten or repressed emotional baggage due to traumatic experiences in the past is one of the major causes of chakra imbalance. Since most people have a habit of burying bad memories in their subconscious, we are unaware that these buried emotional toxins have an effect on our bodies at the cellular level. It is therefore necessary to come to terms with our emotional baggage and resolve them in order to maintain the proper balance of our chakra and heal our physical self in the process.

Benefits of Chakra Healing One important aspect to note is that we have the capability to manipulate our chakras and their functions. By doing so, we are also directly controlling their functions in order to achieve good life.

There are a number of ways through which we can directly influence the functions of our bodys major chakras. From simple techniques such as aromatherapy, breathing exercises, physical fitness, or with the use of crystals and gemstones we can achieve balance and harmony.

For example, the practice of Yoga and directed meditation are but two of the commonly used healing methods to align and enhance our energy points in order for us to achieve total relaxation and concentration regardless of where we are. This is very helpful in relieving stress and enhances the bodys natural healing processes.

Another important factor to consider is that although our chakras can not be seen nor touched, they work on their own to support our body. We have to keep them healthy too.

The human body has to be healthy and fed properly in order for us to have balanced chakras. There are foods that help maintain the balance of each of the seven primary chakras.

The first energy point, the root, is nourished by tubers and food rich in protein. The navels energy point on the other hand is benefited by our diet of sweet fruits and nuts while our energy point in our solar plexus chakra gets nourishment form wheat products, dairy and cereals.

The heart chakra thrives on our intake of green leafy vegetables and green tea. Our throat chakra needs lots of liquid like water and fruit juices and tangy fruits including apples and peaches.

On the other hand, our third eye chakra is get nourishment when we eat blueberries and grapes and drink wine or grape juice. It is equally important to nourish this chakra as it makes feelings and senses sharper.

The spiritual and emotional center (our crown chakra) of the human body however does not need nutrients but requires detoxification by means of fasting.

These everyday methods, which admittedly are vey simple since they are an extension of what we already perform daily are some of the basic ways we can heal our energy points so that we can reap the benefits of possessing a healthy functioning chakra for a more productive and healthier life.

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Another Look At Chakra Meditation Therapy

2010-03-22T22:22:00.001-07:00

by Nisal Karuiyaratna

There are energy-wheels known as chakras which line up along the central line of everyone.

Certain mystical practitioners even believe the number of these wheels to be fourteen.

Beginning at the base (believed to be either the bottom end of the spine or the genitals) they go right up to the top of the head, the crown.

The base chakra is red. As we go up, the solar plexus has a golden chakra; the belly or womb chakra is orange in hue. The heart has a green chakra, the throat blue and the center of the forehead is indigo. This acts like the third eye. At the crown, the chakra is violet that turns whiter towards its circumference away from the head.

As well as each chakra being associated with a particular color, they are numbered from one to seven with the base chakra being number one and the crown chakra being number seven.

The first of these chakras is responsible for our vitality, sexual and physical health.

Chakra two rules a person's creative powers.

Chakra three is responsible for our will power and desires.

The fourth chakra commands the energy of our emotional life and opens us up to giving and receiving love.

Chakra five manages the equation between our emotions and thoughts. It decides our communication powers and gives us personal magnetism.

The sixth chakra is responsible for our intuition and extra sensory powers, which is why we call it the sixth sense.

The seventh chakra is used to take us on astral voyages and connects us with cosmic awareness, some of which is what is captured and brought back down to the second chakra during artistic practices and which is also accessed on shamanic journeys.

When people feel they are connecting directly with God, they are focusing the energies of their seventh, purple-white, crown chakra.

The chakra wheels naturally want to spin. If they are healthy and clean, they are spinning, and then they are providing you with the strongest, healthiest energies you can have. But if they become clogged, then they cannot spin and you will have problems or sickness in one or more of the areas outlined.

The secret to health is that these chakras should be balanced. In case even one wheel is more active than others, the result can be addictions, neuroses, obsessive-compulsive disorders or unintentional cruelty.

The chakras can become dirty and clogged through neglect or wrong living. If you eat a poor diet or have a negative or shallow attitude toward sexual relations, you will sully the first, red, basal chakra, and as a result you will suffer from ill health, or broken romantic relationships.

If you start dabbling in things like black magic or even destructive negative thoughts about other people you are likely to unbalance or clog up the seventh crown chakra which will mean you are unable to connect with the higher cosmos and you are left feeling totally empty and fearful.

A healthy, rapid spinning chakra is extremely flexible and is able to open and shut when necessary. This gives it the ability to receive energy from a source which is good, but close when a negative force is attempting to transmit its own bad energy. If it is not healthy however it will be unable to prevent you from receiving this bad energy.

The way to use chakra therapy is to focus in a balanced way on each one of the seven major energy categories that each chakra commands. This should be done on a daily basis.

Look at each chakra area by meditating and seeing how its aspects are manifesting in your life. You do this by visualizing your body's energy in that particular chakra. If you become aware that your chakra energy is lacking in any particular category, then you can use meditation to make that particular chakra healthy and balanced.

It is also observed that when some persons meditate on a gemstone of the same color as the chakras, their concentration is very high. They are able to focus better and can obtain an insight into the path for cleansing their chakras and make them healthier.

Many people find that the simplest way is to listen to the frequencies of each chakra in turn which results in your own chakras resonating with these frequencies, which then results in them becoming completely balanced.

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Chakra Energy Unleashed

2010-03-21T21:06:00.001-07:00

by Jonathan Benjem

At the outset, let me share a secret that very few people in the world know (and if they know, they dont acknowledge it!). All the human beings have a huge reservoir of energy, large enough to make sure that our physical and mental health always remains upbeat. This secret is a commonplace among large Hindu and Buddhist population in India and other parts of the world, for most Americans and Europeans, this is an invaluable piece of information, which theyd like to explore further.

Most commonly, this is known as Chakra Energy, or the energy generated by the seven primary energy centers in the body. These energy centers are situated from the base of spine upwards to the head. A brief description of location of seven Chakras wont be out of place:

* Root or the Base Chakra (RED) located at the base of the spine, known as the coccyx.

* Spleen Chakra (ORANGE) located in the lower abdomen region, just below the navel.

* Solar Plexus Chakra (YELLOW) located in the stomach area.

* Heart Chakra (GREEN) located in the center of the chest.

* Throat Chakra (BLUE) located at the base of the throat.

* Brow Chakra (INDIGO) situated on the forehead.

* Crown Chakra (VIOLET) located on top of the head.

Though invisible, these Chakras constantly and continuously rotate in the bodies at their stated positions. This movement is responsible for the production of energy, called Chakra Energy.

Your bodily health, both physical and mental, is entirely dependent on the harmonious movement of these seven primary charkas. Any kind of disharmony in their movements is unacceptable to the body and results in ill health in one form or the other.

So, whats the secret of Chakra Energy? The Chakra System of our body is an all-powerful spiritual mode of controlling and regulating our lives. The balance in the movement of these Chakras is the ultimate aim of any human being. This is because of the fact that the movements of body Chakras produce energy.

If the movement is in sync, the Chakras will produce sufficient energy to ensure physical and mental well being. However, if the movement is not in sync, the energy so produced will not be sufficient and itll invariably result in some body ailment.

The other important thing to know about Chakra Energy is the difficulty level in your quest to attain Chakra balance. Indeed, its not easy to bring about a radical shift in Chakra movement overnight. However, if you persist and show extreme determination to attain that magical Chakra balance, believe me, its a life-changing experience. The process is called Chakra Meditation, and is performed by sitting or lying down in a most natural posture. The next step is to relax every body part and feel every cell and organ of the body starting from the toe. This means a lot of visualization, and in the process, lots of distractions in the form of negative emotions. But the key is to persevere and eventually, you will conquer every hurdle in your way and transform into the most evolved being known to mankind.

This may trigger a natural question, i.e., why this simple fact is largely unknown to the modern humans? The answer lies in the over-dependence on science and technology for even the basic human needs. Earth is sufficient to provide us with all the supplies needed for a healthy and peaceful existence. But the modern man has divided the control over the Earths blessings, resulting in constant struggle and over-dependence science to augment the supplies of even the basic necessities. Moreover, the thrust on technologically advanced gadgets has meant increasing drift from the spiritual aspect of life.

Fortunately, everything is not lost forever because the Chakra Energy is within, and you can correct the Chakra movements anytime you want to change your life for better. All it requires is sustained effort and a strong desire to make a healthy change in your life. If you appreciate and understand your body and its simple requirements, then balanced Chakra movements is not too difficult to achieve. Originally, our needs are not meant to go beyond what Mother Earth can naturally provide. However, the imbalance of Chakra movements is the price we have collectively paid for the scientific advancements. And Chakra balancing is the answer to all your health-related questions in the Twenty First Century.

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Chakra Meditation Revealed

2010-03-21T21:05:00.001-07:00

by Jonathan Benjem

Meditation provides a much-needed succor to the battered mind and soul. This fact is known for centuries to ancient civilizations, like Hindu. However, the Western world has only just realized the potency of meditation as a means towards a healthy physical and meta-physical existence. Chakra Meditation is one of the Meditation methods that is most popular the world over purely because of its simplicity and effectiveness in bringing about a change in anyones life.

Introduction to Chakra Meditation

Chakra Meditation is the art of balancing and energizing all the seven energy centers in the body, called Chakras, in order to align the flow of energy through them. Heres a brief description of these seven energy centers, or the Chakras:

1. Root Chakra governing your general health, prosperity and well being is located at the base of the spine and related to the element Earth.

2. Orange Chakra governing your emotions and sexuality is located at the center of abdomen and related to the element Water.

3. Throat Chakra is situated at the base of the throat. It is related to the Sound element, which governs our creativity, communication ability, and resonance.

4. Heart Chakra is situated right at the center of the chest. It is related to the Air element, which governs our feelings of love, compassion, and general relationships.

5. Throat Chakra governing your sense of creativity, resonance and communication skills is located at the base of the throat and related to the element Sound.

6. Orange Chakra, also called the Naval or Sacral Chakra, is situated at the center of abdomen. It is related to the Water element, which governs our sexuality and emotions.

7. Root Chakra, also called the Base Chakra, is situated at the base of the spine. It is related to the Earth element, which governs our overall health, security, and prosperity in life.

If you want to reinvent yourself and bring back those vitalizing moments in your life, then theres no substitute to Chakra Meditation. If these vital seven Chakras are rotating in sync, physical, mental, and spiritual well being is assured. Thus, you can safely conclude that Chakra Meditation is the key to overall health of your life, taken as a whole.

Chakra Meditation Techniques

Chakra Meditation, essentially, involves three steps or techniques:

1. Grounding Technique, which aims at making the body feel connected with Earth. You just need to visualize a root growing from your body and entering into the Earth. This requires intense focus and mental presence during the act of visualization.

2. Centering Technique. This technique is vital as it prepares your body to receive the benefits of Chakra Meditation. Again, the application of this technique is not too difficult. Just take 4-5 deep breaths and feel every body part from head to toe getting relaxed. This process involves tightening and relaxing each body part from toe, and then visualizing the act of a potter who centers a pot on the pottery wheel.

3. Relaxation Technique refers to the process whereby, the body feels relaxed by an act of visualization that suits an individual the best. Every individual is free to adopt his or her own relaxation method.

Here is one of the most common methods of performing Chakra Meditation:

a) Sit or lie down in a position that is most comfortable for your body.

b) Loosen all your clothing so that there is no tension on any part of the body, and close your eyes.

c) Breathe in a relaxed manner, which is neither too fast nor too slow. Let the breath come naturally!

d) The next step relates to feeling every part of your body from toe to head in that direction. While your eyes are closed, try to feel everything that you wouldve seen with open eyes, like earth, air, clothes, surroundings etc. The idea is to feel awareness even with closed eyes.

e) All the negative thoughts and emotions should not be avoided. Let them be! With time and regular practice, these thoughts will disappear automatically. Rather, when no such negative emotion disturbs you, that is the time when you should consider that you have perfected the art of Chakra Meditation.

f) Feel every subtle inner detail and let your awareness travel freely from one body part to the other.

Chakra Meditation can be performed by anyone at convenient hours. There is no rule for the duration of time to perform Chakra Meditation. Suit your comfort levels!

Benefits Of Prune Juice And Physical Well-Being

2010-03-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

by Milton Lee

People who have looked into constipation treatments have likely learned about the prune. Prunes are thought to be good for treating constipation, possibly because of its high fiber content. However, many people don't know that prune juice is also a good constipation treatment.

The scientific term for the plum is the Prunus domestica, from which prunes are made. Anthropologists studying ancient civilizations have found evidence that cultivation of plums and processing into prunes is a very old activity dating back thousands of years. To this day, the process remains the same. Plums are dried for about 20 hours in hot air just under 100 degrees C. From there, extra processing leads to other prune-derived products.

The conventional understanding is that prunes get their laxative effects by having a lot of fiber. In fact, the fiber is over 5% by weight, which is quite high for a fruit. Prune juice however has almost no fiber because the particulates are filtered out usually. Therefore, how does prune juice benefit those who suffer from constipation? The key is sorbitol, a long complex sugar.

The content of sorbitol in prune juice is amazingly high. The sugar is a complex polysaccharide, meaning that it's an extended chain of sugar-like molecules. When ingested, it tends to absorb a lot of water and stays in gut. In fact, because it's not absorbed in the same way as glucose, sorbitol is often used as a sweetener that is calorie free.

The pear is another food that is high in sorbitol. If you've chewed sugar free gum in the past, you might have noticed that a key ingredient is sorbitol. Unlike glucose, sorbitol isn't processed and taken in as energy. Couple that with its slightly sweet taste means that it's the perfect sugar substitute.

Why does sorbitol act like a natural laxative? There are two properties already mentioned which are responsible: first, it passes through the body without being absorbed, much as dietary fiber; second, it retains a large amount of water as it goes through the gut. Either water that is taken in at the same time is retained in the gastrointestinal tract, or water is drawn from the surrounding tissues into the gastrointestinal tract.

With excess water, the colon contents become less dense and pass more easily through the body. The class of laxatives that exerts its effects through water retention is known as the osmotic laxatives. Prune juice is convenient to store and take all day. However, as with any type of self-administered laxative treatment, it's probably best to ask a physician for safety and dosing instructions.

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Is Dark Chocolate Good for You

2010-03-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

by Madelaine Weskoff

Lately it seems almost every chocolate product on the market has come out with a dark chocolate version. Now probably the chocolate manufacturers were just looking to create some brand extension but what they didn't know was - a new healthy snack was born. The cocoa bean like the coffee bean comes from a plant.

The secret ingredient in dark chocolate is the flavonoids which are type of antioxidant. Antioxidants keep the body from aging caused by free radicals which can cause damage to your body. If you can prevent free radicals from being created you can retard the aging process. In terms of antioxidants dark chocolate is a sort of super hero with super powers. It contains a significant number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries).

One long term study tracked cardiac patients aged 45 to 70 chocolate consumption for ten years. The group that ate a few ounces of chocolate twice a week or more were 66 percent less likely to die from cardiac disease than those that didn't eat chocolate. Even if the person only at chocolate once a week the risk was reduced by 50%. Eating chocolate only once a month still dropped the risk by 27 percent.

Not only does dark chocolate effect your cardiovascular but it also help keep your brain power. Though eating dark chocolate may not make you smarter it keeps your brain from aging and losing its processing ability. The key to brain function is the amount of blood that flows through the blood vessels. When the flow of blood is restricted to the brain, brain cells begin to die. The flavonoids in dark chocolate keep the blood vessels open and flexible so blood can flow.

Dark chocolate has even more good things to give us besides flavonoids. Endorphins which give us that happy feeling are stimulated when you consume chocolate. Chocolate also contains serotonin which acts as an anti-depressant.

Even dark chocolate's fat content has something to offer in terms of health benefits. Though the fat content is high not all of the fat is saturated. Some of it is actually monounsaturated and some of it is stearic acid which does not cause you to produce bad cholesterol.

Doctors say you have to limit your intake of dark chocolate or you will cancel out the benefits. A few ounces a day is sufficient to get the health advantages. Look for dark chocolate bars that are just dark chocolate - no fillings because they just add sugar. Use dark chocolate that is 70% or higher cocoa content. Start with a 70% bar and if you like it try going for a higher percentage.

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The Advantages Of Antioxidants On The Human Body

2010-03-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

by Tommie Howard

How great would it be if you could hire a group of personal bodyguards that were always on call to protect you from harm? Well, you actually can have such bodyguards for your cardiac and neurological health. These bodyguards are antioxidants and they are fairly inexpensive while tasting good at the same time.

All living cells must have oxygen to live and thrive. But once they use the needed oxygen, they send off molecules that lack an electron. You may have heard the phrase "free radicals." Free radicals is what these incomplete molecules are called. What do they do? Well, simply put, they go through the body looking for healthy cells from which to "steal" the missing electron. Now the cells that were healthy become free radicals themselves and must seek that electron from other cells. The vicious circle continues.

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Unchecked free radical activity can result in serious health consequences. Considering that living organisms are made up of cells, when too many healthy cells are besieged by free radicals and are either killed off or damaged, then a destructive and aging process commences within that organism.

What can you do to stop this damage? The best thing you can do is take in antioxidants. Antioxidants are kind of like that addition of bleach to your soiled white tee shirts. They put a stop to the invasion of healthy cells or at the very least slow it down. They cannot be found down the laundry products aisle at the grocery market, they are found in the produce area of the store. And they are available in an array of flavors.

There are a lot of antioxidants but here we will focus on the "super seven." These 7 powerhouses are Vitamins E, C and A, Selenium, lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene. All are readily found in fruits and vegetables and are strong allies in deterring the harmful effects of oxidized cells. Regular consumption of foods that are rich in antioxidants is highly recommended to protect your body from the damage caused by free radicals.

Vitamin A and often beta-carotene are found in things like carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, cantaloupes, apricots and peaches. Vitamin C sources include citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, lemons and limes. Vitamin C is also found in tomatoes, broccoli, green peppers, blueberries and strawberries. You can get plenty of Vitamin E from green leafy vegetables like spinach, nuts, whole grains and vegetable and liver oils.

If you love eating fish and shellfish you are likely getting plenty of selenium. Increasing consumption of tuna, scallops, scrod, haddock and other salt and fresh water fishes is a good idea. Selenium can also be gotten from garlic, eggs, poultry and red meat. Diets that include Brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, broccoli and kiwi will give the body plenty of lutein. And lycopine is found in large quantity in tomatoes and tomato based products, watermelon and pink grapefruit.

Your body can do a lot with a solid supply of antioxidants. Eating at least 6-8 servings of fruits and veggies every day is recommended to give you enough to make a difference. Do your body and yourself a favor and skip the snack aisle when you shop. Head over to the produce department instead. Your body will love you for it and you will see and feel the benefits.

About the Author:

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Who Says Workout Videos are Preferable to The Gym? We Do.

2010-03-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

by Rene Anderson

Sure, gyms aren't that bad, but they're expensive, and you aren't always guaranteed to find a personal trainer (or a gym) that you enjoy. You might also not be able to afford the insane prices some personal trainers charge. That's why we put together 5 reasons why workout videos will help you get in shape better and faster.

#5: Work Out in the Park, If You Want.

You don't have to travel all the way over to the gym and deal with their opening hours. Instead, you can do your workouts whenever you want. Hell, take your workout videos to the public park and do them there -- no one's stopping you!

#4: Don't Wait For A Trainer.

If you don't know exactly how to do a certain move, you have to go ask someone at your gym. Trainers are usually busy, and even if they aren't, there's still a good chance they won't know exactly what you're asking. With good workout videos, the instructions (and alternate moves) are built-in.

#3: No Shame In Rewinding.

No qualms about rewinding workout videos over and over until you get the exact move down pat. Some qualms, however, about asking a personal trainer -- over and over -- exactly how to do your favorite move.

#2: There Are Thousands of Videos Out There.

If you aren't happy with your gym, you can choose another one, but unless you live in a major city, you often won't have so much choice around you. Whereas when it comes to some good videos, you're free to choose from thousands of great options.

#1: Easy on the Eyes.

Sure, it may be a frivolous concern, but there's something about a beautiful personal trainer (of any gender) that helps a lot of people get motivated. And there are a lot of great workout videos out there featuring some very beautiful ones.

About the Author:

Ready to jump in? With hundreds of fitness videos and exercise plans available online, you can organize your daily or weekly workout routines and get into shape faster than you can throw away your gym membership.

No More Ab Workouts. Ever. Here's Why.

2010-03-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

(by Anna Miller)

Don't worry, you don't need to slave away doing ab crunches and all those complicated ab workouts to get that beautiful, lean, toned stomach you've always wanted. Instead, you can just cheat your way to great abs with these can-not-fail tips!

#5 No One Cares About Lean Abs in 2010.

What, you didn't hear about it? Yeah, no one is really doing those ab workouts anymore, because no one really gives a crap about lean, nice abs. It's all about belly flab nowadays -- rockin' that beer belly is the surest way to self-confidence and romantic success. Maybe we'll bring back the lean, toned look one day, but for now, eat on!

#4 You Don't Really Notice Extra Fat, Anyway.

Yeah, fine, we gain some fat -- but who has ever heard of anyone's body 'placing' that fat in an unfortunate place? I know we just chatted about those pot bellies above, but really, it's not a big deal, because our bodies figure it all out and send the fat to places that never really see the light of day. So just eat away and don't really worry, you'll be fine!

#3 Are You Serious? The Beach?

Think about it. We've got global warming, we've got pollution, it's all pretty crazy, and who really wants to go to the beach anymore? No one really spends any time there -- I haven't heard of anyone going to the beach in years, and I'm practically an expert about these things.

#2 Buy One Of Those Electrode-Based Machines.

Wondering why you see all those ads for those weird, pulsating ab workout machines that attach to your stomach? It's easy! They just really, really work! Seriously, there's no issue at all with them being inconvenient, fake, or prone to breaking down. Nope, you just attach a bunch of awkward electrodes to your flab and blast it away, we swear!

#1 You Can Probably Just Take A Few Pills.

If using a pulsing robo-machine doesn't fill you with excitement, why not fill yourself with those amazing diet pills instead? According to the people advertising them (who, of course, have no interest in anything but your health), they really work well, and are totally awesome! Sure, they might be placebos that do nothing at best and kill you at worst, but hey, someone's got to try 'em, right? Goodbye crunches!

About the Author:

If, for whatever reason, you're still stuck in the dark ages and actually want to do a great http://www.bodyrock.tv">

abs workout to get a lean, toned body the "old fashioned" way, Zuzana's http://www.bodyrock.tv/category/daily-workouts/">workout videos at Bodyrock.TV will take you through it in the best way possible.

Is What You Are About to Consume Going To Make You Stink?

2010-03-18T18:29:00.001-07:00

Is What You Are About to Consume Going To Make You Stink?

by Kathryn Stovall

You know you don't want to be the one that everyone avoids because of the smell coming out of your mouth! So don't be that guy! If you already know that you are, then here you will be able to find some useful tips and ways to fix that. People will soon not call you peppe le peu.

A bunch of things can cause bad breath, most of which are easy to resolve, one of which is your diet. If something you are eating a lot of could be causing your foul mouth then you can eliminate it so that you can have fresh breath.

You can do something as simple as evaluate what you are eating, this can help you avoid bad breath. Many kinds of foods can cause that stinky breath. Most of these consumables are actually quite good for you, but no matter how you eat them they can still cause you bad breath. Certain chemicals in food can make the bacteria that is already naturally in every ones mouth that contains sulfur react and result in that stinky smell that is associated with bad breath.

These same sulfur molecules are the same ones that offer the skunk a way to defend himself with his scent glands. When you introduce foods that contain the chemical sulfur, it is going to increase the bad smell in the mouth. Other foods that do not contain sulfur can still offer these molecules the same reaction and you end up with bad breath again! Here are some foods to look out for!

Onions and Garlic - These are the two most common foods that are known for causing bad breath. There is nothing worse then having someone who has just eaten these offensive foods on bread, or a sand which, and they just walk up to you and start talking. Whoa Man! Eat a mint first! You just try your best to cringe in private as not to embarrass them. The reason these two create such a strong odor is because they contain the sulfur that was described above for a potent mix.

Alcohol - Alcohol is a leading contributor to bad breath. The reason behind this is that the alcohol dries out the mouth, it will not allow the mouth to make saliva, which is needed to help keep the bacteria at a normal level. This is one reason why many of the mouthwashes that can be purchased are not going to do much to actually help clean the mouth. White they do serve their purpose for a temporary fresh mouth, they will eventually make the mouth worse because it is going to stop the promotion of saliva.

High Protein Foods - Dairy products, meats and some fish can cause bad breath. Dairy products are the most likely source as they contain the compound called volatile sulfur, which as described above, makes for a smelly combination when mixed with the normal sulfur that is already in the mouth. There are some meats and fish that cause this same reaction.

Sugar is even worse then garlic or onions when it comes to promoting bad breath. Onions and garlic contain sulfur and if combined with the sulfur that is already in your mouth it will make you have that terrible breath. Sugar actually aids in the growth of that sulfur, so the more sugar you eat the more sulfur your mouth is going to produce. Stay away from sugary mints and gum because they just make your breath worse over time. Even though you enjoy the minty taste, anyone standing around you will not be impressed with the smell of your breath.

If you are going out for a night on the town with friends, avoid eating citrus foods such as oranges, lemons, or limes. These can lead to bad breath because the acids will aid in the growth of that sulfur bacteria. Some other acidic foods that you should consider avoiding are coffee and tomato juice, these are notorious for making halitosis much worse.

If you can try to avoid these common foods that cause bad breath such as onions, garlic, alcohol, dairy, fish, meat, citrus fruit, coffee and tomato juice, then maybe you can help yourself to control that bad breath. There could be other factors causing your bad breath, so maybe test out each of these things, and if that doesn't work then you can move on to seeing what else the problem might be. You can learn to help yourself with your bad breath.

About the Author:

So that you can really learn to avoid bad breathLook at some foods that may be causing your problem and maybe you can Fix Your Bad Breath today!

A Quick Start Plan For Improving Your Body

2010-03-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

(by Katherine Crawford, M.S.)

Without rapid application, information is rendered useless. Unfortunately, maybe you don't have the body and health you want because you haven't found a way to consistently apply what you have learned.

You see, the only way to get your brain to actually retain knowledge is by going through the motions. You are exposed to too much information on a daily basis which makes it impossible to retain everything.

Thus, here is how to revamp your health and body today:

1. Revamp your immediate environment: The biggest change you should make is completely restocking your kitchen. Dump all the junk and processed food, and restock with healthy food. Don't rely on self control to not eat bad food-you will eventually give in.

2. Get a snapshot of your current state: This is essential for tracking progress and for jump starting your motivational juices. Pictures work best here since they are very accurate. You can also take tape measurements, body fat measurements and flexibility measurements if needed.

3. Tackle the primary sources of angst in your life: You need to tackle your top source of stress for maximum health. And tackling the top sources will give you the biggest bang for your buck. You see, you will never be able to get rid of all the small stressors, so go after the big fish.

4. Make a public commitment: Tell all your friends about it and you will be more likely to stick with it. You see, making public commitments is a great way to ensure adherence. After all, nobody wants to look like a fool!

5. Practice one day of extreme dieting: Anybody can do an extreme diet for one day. And if you subject yourself to this temporary torture, you will be able to readjust your palate and your psychological limitations. This is a very effective technique for gaining the confidence and willpower necessary for long term healthy eating.

Remember: taking action is the best way to get the health and the body you deserve. Simply absorbing knowledge is useless unless you can apply it. So take action on these pointers today, don't delay!

About the Author:

Get free advice on the best http://www.sleevelessin7.com/arm-workouts-women-a/">arm workout for women that produces results immediately by going to Katherine Crawford's M.S. website Sleeveless in 7. And unearth how to get toned and thin arms ASAP by visiting her blog about http://www.sleevelessin7.com/exercises-for-flabby-arms-a/">the best arm flab exercises right now!