Healthy lifestyle Journey

Archive for the ‘Dept Of Health’ Category

The Institute for Vibrant Living natural health research dept. has released this report on the natural health benefits of olive oil:

Olive oil has been heralded as a health-boosting substance for thousands of years and recent scientific studies have further substantiated its beneficial qualities.

Most doctors now recommend lowering total fat and calories in your diet by substituting butter, margarine and vegetable oils with healthy fats like olive oil.

What exactly is olive oil?

This is the oil that results from pressing tree-ripened olives. The fruity, flavorful oil is especially healthy because it contains mostly monounsaturated fats.

There are so many brands and label descriptions, what do they all mean?

First and foremost, olive oils are graded based on the acidity of the pressed oil…

Extra virgin olive oil is cold pressed and has 1 percent acid. It is the oil that comes from the first pressing of the olives and is considered the finest, having the freshest, fruitiest flavor.

Virgin olive oil also comes from the first pressing and has about 3 percent acid.

Fino is a blend of extra virgin and virgin oil.

Light is an oil that has passed through a fine filter to remove much of the sediment.

Olive oil or ‘Pure’ are a combination of refined virgin and extra virgin oils.

Some more helpful olive oil labeling definitions…

“100% Pure Olive Oil” is often the lowest quality available in a retail store: better grades would have “virgin” on the label
“Made from refined olive oils” means that the taste and acidity were chemically controlled.
“From hand-picked olives” implies that the oil is of better quality, since producers harvesting olives by mechanical methods are inclined to leave olives to over-ripen to increase yield.
Cold pressed means the oil was not heated over a certain temperature (usually 80 degrees Fahrenheit) during processing, thus retaining more nutrients and undergoing less degradation.
First cold pressed means the fruit of the olive was crushed exactly one time – i.e., the first press. The cold refers to the temperature range of the fruit at the time it is crushed – there is no international reliable definition of “cold pressed”.
The label may indicate that the oil was bottled or packed in a stated country. This does not necessarily mean that the oil was produced there. The origin of the oil may sometimes be marked elsewhere on the label; it may be a mixture of oils from more than one country.

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What about the USDA grades we see on the labels?

The following USDA grades were established in 1948, and are based on:

Acidity
Absence of defects
Odor
Flavor

The grades are defined as follows:

U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy possesses a free fatty acid content of not more than 1.4% and is “free from defects”
U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice possesses a free fatty acid content of not more than 2.5% and is “reasonably free from defects”
U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard possesses a free fatty acid content of not more than 3.0% and is “fairly free from defects”
U.S. Grade D or U.S. Substandard possesses a free fatty acid content greater than 3.0% and “fails to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C” (You’ll be hard pressed to find grades C and D on store shelves.)

Tip: Exposure to light and heat can turn olive oil rancid and that will destroy the antioxidant properties. Always buy olive oil in darkly tinted bottles. When you get the oil home, put it in a dark, cool place for storage to protect its healthy properties.

So, besides all of these ratings, which olive oil is best?

Actually, all of the various olive oils have benefit for use. You should experiment to find the ones that have the taste and texture you prefer.

Take note that Extra virgin olive oil is one of the few oils that can be eaten without chemical processing. Fresh pressed olive oil can be eaten immediately and will retain its natural flavors, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other healthy properties of the ripe olive fruit.

Olive oils in general, impart delicious aromas and flavors to foods of all kinds while providing possible significant health benefits, such as:

Promoting healthy bones.
Increasing “good” cholesterol and lowering “bad” cholesterol.
Reducing high blood pressure.
Inhibiting the growth of certain cancers.
Contributing to the elasticity of arterial walls, which in turn can provide protection against heart disease and stroke.
Helping the body to maintain a lower weight.
Helping to control blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Unlike other fats, which are associated with a higher risk of colon cancer, olive oil helps protect the cells of the colon from carcinogens. A study published in a recent issue of Food Chemistry Toxicology suggests that antioxidants in olive oil reduce the amount of carcinogens formed when meat is cooked.

The body uses the healthy fats in olive oil to produce natural anti-inflammatory substances. These anti-inflammatory agents can help reduce the severity of both asthma and arthritis.

They can also keep membranes more fluid and enable the body to move waste products more easily.  A lower incidence of osteoporosis and dementia is found in areas of the world where people consume large quantities of olive oil.

Using olive oil is a delicious way to promote good health. Only Mother Nature herself could have produced something so healthy and delectable. Take advantage of this natural miracle to enhance your family’s health.

Bon appetit!

Many Americans today find themselves in large,seemingly insurmountable amounts of debt. They ignore the problem until it threatens their financial health and has huge negative effects on their life. Learn how to take control now and eliminate your debt by following these seven easy steps – and the best part is that it won’t cost you a dime to do so!

1. Use Common Sense

People fail to realize how much they have already spent, and before they know it, they’re maxing out their credit cards on a monthly basis. The best way to know just how much money you are spending is to pay for everything in cash. This means using credit cards only for emergency purposes, such as unexpected car expenses and medical emergencies. By paying with cash, you will gain a higher appreciation for every hard-earned dollar.

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2. Stop Impulse Buying

Do you really need that item? Instead of buying it now wait a week and see if you still want it. If you want to freeze your debt, you must freeze your spending.

3. Develop A Plan

There is an old saying in the financial world: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This advice applies to everyone, including family households. Start by developing a road plan that will take you to debt-free zone. You need to know how much your total debt is and how long it will take you to pay it off given your current payment plan. The next process involves establishing a budget. List all your revenues and keep track of your expenses. This will give you a better idea of how much money is coming in, how much money you’re spending on different activities, and whether or not you can sustain your current spending habits. Once you know exactly how much you’re spending, it’s time to cut back on unnecessary expenses. Take a close look at each expense and determine which ones can be eliminated. You can then use that extra money to lower your debt. Cutting back takes a lot of willpower. If you find it difficult to do so, I suggest you set up expense jars. They work in a very simple manner: Set up a jar for each main activity, such as movies, clubbing, restaurants, fast food, gas, and so on. Every month, put cash into each jar according to your budget. Once the money is gone, stop that particular activity. If there is money left over, apply it to reducing your debt. As rudimentary as it may seem, this technique works wonders.

complet the reading www.ewealthsuccess.co.cc

Copyright (c) 2008 SharpBrains

The American Medical News, a weekly newspaper for physicians published by the American Medical Association, just published an excellent article on the importance of Exercise – Physical and Mental:

A few quotes from the article titled “Steps to a nimble mind: Physical and mental exercise help keep the brain fit”:

“Until recently, conventional wisdom held that our brains were intractable, hard-wired computers. What we were born with was all we got. Age wore down memory and the ability to understand, and few interventions could reverse this process. But increasingly, evidence suggests that physical and mental exercise can alter specific brain regions, making radical improvements in cognitive function.”

and

“With nearly 72 million Americans turning 65 over the next two decades, physicians need the tools to handle growing patient concerns about how to best maintain brain health. Armed with this new brand of science, frontline physicians will be better equipped to address the needs of aging baby boomers, already in the throes of the brain fitness revolution.

One of the physicians quoted in the article is Gary J. Kennedy, MD, Director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in NYC and a professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

To put the AMA article in better perspective, we asked Dr. Kennedy a few follow-up questions. Below you have his questions.

Alvaro Fernandez (AF): Can you summarize how cognitive functions tend to evolve as we age?

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Gary Kennedy (GK): As we age cognitive functions that rely on processing speed or reaction time decline, slow down. Problem solving speed declines. This is in part the result of frayed neuronal insulation as the myelin sheath surrounding the axons wears thin with advanced age or illness. However it is possible to specialize and optimize some cognitive processes through experience, practice and planning. For example vocabulary can increase to age 90 provided there is ongoing stimulation and motivation to learn. And the growth and development of new brain cells can be augmented with the stimulating effects of physical exercise.

AF: Now, there are very significant cognitive differences among individuals of the same age, so age itself is not the main predictor. Can you explain what may be?

GK: Age also has the effect of amplifying differences between individuals. This is the result of variability in aging itself, freedom from or accumulation of illnesses and injury, and life style. The influence of genetics is largely exhausted by the 6 and 7th decades of life which means that habitual activities and social relationships have a larger and larger impact resulting in greater and greater variability between individuals.

AF: Can you please explain the relationship between cognitive and emotional health (what we typically call “brain fitness”)

GK: Cognitive health requires motivation to sustain it and motivation depends on emotion and social reinforcement. Emotional self-regulation is not simply self control. Rather it is the capacity to respond to an emotional stress without prolonged loss of equilibrium. And it is the capacity to modify emotional reactions to resonate with others in the environment. Thought and feeling when linked together can be a powerful stimulus for learning, both for better and for worse. A positive outlook with an active response style is more protective than a tendency toward negativism and withdrawal.

AF: What advice would you give to people who want to maintain their brain in top shape?

GK: Simply finding a partner for regular physical activity is one of the best prescriptions for improving brain function. Staying emotionally, intellectually and socially engaged is also good advice. And the more the better. The brain is a muscle – use it or lose it.

AF: And what advice would you give to doctors and health professionals on how to help their patients?

GK: Doctors and all health professionals need to know how to motivate their patients to make the changes in life style that will promote healthy aging. Small, meaningful changes are relatively easy to achieve if the professional simply asks. Two straightforward examples: “how often do you enjoy an alcoholic beverage?” and “how often do you get a half hour of physical activity, walking or exercising?” can help the older person to minimize alcohol and maximize exercise. Brief interventions work surprisingly well.

AF: Thank you very mmuch for your time and advice.

GK: You are welcome.

Charles Myrick the President of American Consultants Rx announced the re-release of the American Consultants Rx community service project. ACRX donated over 20 million ACRX discount prescription cards throughout the country. One of the main locations in the Geneva, AL area that received an initial donation of ACIRX free prescription cards,is the Geneva County Health Dept. The ACRX cards are to be given free to anyone in need of help curbing the high cost of prescription drugs. Please contact the Geneva County Health Dept. at 334-684-2259 for additional information and a free card .

Due to the rising costs, unstable economics, and the mounting cost of prescriptions, American Consultants Rx Inc. (ACRX) a.k.a (ACIRX) an Atlanta based company was born in 2004. The ACRX discount prescription card program was created and over 3 million discount prescription cards were donated to the community across the country free of charge between 2004-2005.

The ACRX cards will offer discounts of name brand drugs of up to 40% off and up to 60% off of generic drugs. They also possess no eligibility requirements, no forms to fill out, or expiration date as well .One card will take care of a whole family. Also note that the ACRX cards will come to your organization already pre-activated .The cards are good at over 50k stores from Walgreen, Wal mart, Eckerd’s, Kmart, Kroger, Publix, and many more. Any one can use these cards but we are focusing on those who are uninsured, underinsured, or on Medicare.

ACRX made arrangements online for the ACRX card to be available at ACIRX where it can be downloaded as well. This arrangement has been made to allow organizations an avenue to continue assisting their clients in the community until they receive their orders of the ACRX cards. ACRX made it possible for future request to be made from online as well. ACRX also developed a unique marketplace at 2Spendless where you can also click on the ACIRX blue banner and download your free discount prescription card as well as find other key discounts.

With a backorder of over 40 million cards ACRX is working diligently to assist as many people and organizations as possible. ACRX will be working over the next few months to fulfill as many backorders as possible. It should be noted that while many other organizations and companies place a cost on their money saving cards, ACRX does not believe a cost should be applied, just to assist our fellow Americans. ACRX states that it will continue to strive to assist those in need.

The Institute for Vibrant Living natural health research dept. has looked into the purported natural health benefits of green tea. Here is their report:

Green tea has been a staple in Asia for more than 5,000 years, and it is quickly becoming one of the most popular health-boosting drinks in the world. 

Whether you get it from a cup or a capsule or a dropper (this new ‘delivery system’ is described at the end of this article), green tea is one of the biggest favors you can do for your health, particularly your immune system.

Green tea is produced when the leaves are simply steamed and baked after the picking process. Once that is done, they are rolled and dried.

Because of the way they are prepared, the leaves retain not just their green color but also a significant number of nutrients that other types of tea lose in the preparation process.

For instance, with black tea, the leaves must be wilted first so as to reduce their moisture content. Then they are rolled up and punctured, so that their enzymes are exposed to air and oxidized.

Because it is less processed than black tea, green tea retains an agent called catechin polyphenol, which helps oxidize the fat in your body so that your body burns it more efficiently.

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And with its proven ability to accelerate your metabolism, green tea is a choice ingredient in diet pills and is recommended for many weight loss diets. Green tea also acts as a stimulant and diuretic, but contains only half the amount of caffeine you would get in a cup of regular coffee.

Green tea has also been recently credited with slowing down the aging process and strengthening the immune system.

Other recent studies have indicated that drinking green tea may slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease as well. According to scientists, it may slow down this devastating condition by reducing certain chemicals which contribute to plaque and protein deposits in the brain.

Another recent study has revealed that green tea provides protection from bladder cancer. “We discovered that the catechins found in green tea protected both normal and cancerous bladder cells from inflammation, when we exposed the cells to hydrogen peroxide,” said Dr. Michael Chancellor who is a professor of urology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, “These results indicate that herbal supplements derived from green tea may be a treatment option for various bladder conditions that are caused by injury or inflammation.”

Green tea’s ability to boost antioxidant levels in the blood has been scientifically proven in many studies. In one study involving 133 heavy smokers who are exposed to DNA damage from smoking, four months of drinking four cups (eight ounces each) of decaffeinated green tea daily reduced the signs of DNA damage by 31 percent.
 

Most health food stores have green tea in pill form and in the form of tea leaves, almost none have the latest form, a condensed liquid that utilizes a dropper. Either way you go, the antioxidants can boost your health.

Of course, green tea alone can’t guarantee good health.  Today’s research identifies a plant-based diet, a healthy weight, physical activity and avoiding tobacco as the most effective steps to lower cancer risk.

For those who want to boost their energy and immune system, replace three or four cups of coffee or soda per day with green tea.

A particularly convenient way to get the green tea benefits, without having to brew up a pot, is now available in a product called Green Tea Elixir from IVLProducts.com – just half of a dropper in the liquid of your choice can provide the benefits of several cups of green tea without jitters or an aftertaste.

However you decide to get your green tea, your body should thank you for it!

Cosmetic surgeons have used collagen extensively to heal patients’ burns but collagen products may be also used in a wide variety of dental applications as well as bone reconstruction, surgical and orthopaedic tasks. Household cosmetics using Collagen are only now coming into widespread use for beauty treatment.

A significant attribute in providing the structural platform for cells, tissue structures and vital organs has collagen. If collagen did not exist, the system would virtually break into pieces.

Collagen, composed of three jointly formed protein chains in rigid multiple helix, is the systems foremost structural protein. This unique system provides collagen with tensile power stronger than steel. A crucial element of the cubicle system matrix sustaining many tissues and being established within sure cells is the tough bundles of collagen fibres.

Fibroblasts create Collagen, they are skin cells having special functions and residing in the dermis. Fibroblasts develop original skin structural proteins such as elastin, a protein that enables the skin to snap backwards, as well as glucosaminoglycans.

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Normal collagen production has been shown to be promoted by several regular skin maintenance products containing collagen; these products may also aid in reducing the negative effects of radicals to collagen and elastin cells because of antioxidant inclusions.

The breaking down and reuse of collagen is of a great strength. Normal routine used to make protein fragments which are necessary to make original cell structures, that may be seen in the healing process.

It is possible to see a dramatic change using some Collagen Skin Care products by just putting back what nature has taken away or by easily restoring what is commonly lost from the skin. This treatment leaves the face looking younger yet natural, and the Cosmetic Surgery can be deferred.

By introducing Collagen skin care regimens and usage of the natural collagen cosmetics, you will soon see age slipping away from your face and a more clean and youthful face coming forth.

Gary Fisher PhD, John Voohees MD, and James Varani in the Dept. of Dermatology at the University of Michigan confirmed what the team of scientists had discovered that took part in a comprehensive program that shows positive results for anti-ageing procedures that concentrate on regenerating collagen. They have considered a large amount of research regarding this subject which the University has carried out for nearly twenty years.

 The report emphasizes how collagen-making cells called fibroblasts are a crucial supporting substance to get younger looking and more resilient skin and that treatments with natural collagen-enhancers helped decrease the appearance of wrinkling due to the stimulation of new collagen production.

The group of scientists identified as the “Team” concluded in their research that anti-aging collagen enhancing treatments prove effective in anti-aging efforts and collagen depletion which normally begins when people are in their mid-twenties.

“Treatments that stimulate production of new, non-fragmented collagen should provide substantial improvement to the appearance and health of aged skin,” and this is confirmed in the May 2008 issue of the Archives of Dermatology.