Wednesday, December 3, 2008

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Benefit of Yoga Part I

The practice of Yoga brings with it many physical and emotional benefits that the majority of people are unaware of. This article is quite long, so we have broken it up into two parts. The first part is an introduction to Yoga and a overview of the major physical and psychological benefits of Yoga, while the second part shows how practicing yoga daily can have a profound effect on your ability to create a healthy lifestyle for yourself.

Yoga is a science; and indeed, in many places in the world (such as India), it is referred to as a science. This is not merely playing with words; it truly is approached as a science, which means that it is understood in terms of scientific methods.

Yogic science seeks to verify cause and effect, and build principles based upon objective observations. Indeed, in many places in the world, to be a yogic master of any credibility, one must be highly educated in the sciences, including physics and the biological sciences.

This discussion on yoga as science is important for us to include because it allows us to sensibly ask the question: what are the benefits of yoga? After all, if yoga is a faith or a belief, then asking this question isn't fair; because it's one that yoga cannot answer in terms that we can objectively understand.

Yoga is a science; as empirical and pragmatic as kinesiology, or exercise science, which seeks to understand how the body acts and reacts to changes in the internal physical environment. And even more simply than any of this: each of us has a right to ask the basic question, "why should I bother practicing yoga and what experience or benefits can I expect?"

Indeed, while the experience of yoga cannot be reduced to words – just as reading a book on preparing for a marathon isn't going to actually physically prepare you to run a marathon – the goals and principles of yoga can easily be discussed.

Here's the Mayo Clinic's take on the benefits of meditation:

"Meditation is used by people who are perfectly healthy as a means of stress reduction. But if you have a medical condition that's worsened by stress, you might find the practice valuable in reducing the stress-related effects of allergies, asthma, chronic pain and arthritis, among others."

Yoga involves a series of postures, during which you pay special attention to your breathing — exhaling during certain movements and inhaling with others. You can approach yoga as a way to promote physical flexibility, strength and endurance or as a way to enhance your spirituality.

The Mind-Body Connection

Yoga is centered on the mind-body connection. This mind-body harmony is achieved through three things:

- postures (asanas)

- proper breathing (pranayama)

- meditation

Mind and body draw inspiration and guidance from the combined practices of asanas, breathing, and meditation. As people age (to yogis, ageing is an artificial condition), our bodies become susceptible to toxins and poisons (caused by environmental and poor dietary factors).

Yoga helps us through a cleaning process, turning our bodies into a well synchronized and well-oiled piece of machinery.

Physical Benefits

By harmonizing these three principles, the benefits of yoga are attained. And just what are these benefits?

- equilibrium in the body’s central nervous system

- decrease in pulse

- respiratory and blood pressure rates

- cardiovascular efficiency

- gastrointestinal system stabilization

- increased breath-holding time

- improved dexterity skills.

- Improved balance

- Improved depth perception

- Improved memory


Psychological Benefits

As noted above, Yoga also delivers an array of psychological benefits; and in fact, this is a very common reason why people begin practicing it in the first place. Perhaps the most frequently mentioned psychological benefit of yoga is an improved ability to manage stress. Yoga diminishes an individual’s levels of anxiety, depression, and lethargy; thus enabling him/her to focus on what’s spiritual and important: achieving balance and happiness.

In part II of the Benefit of Yoga we'll reveal how yoga can help deal with stress, unhealthy habits and pain management. The benefits of Yoga go far beyond meditation and stretching, it is a way to release those toxic emotions that tend to stand in the way of living a healthy life.

Visit My Yoga for Life to continue reading Benefit of Yoga Part II at My Yoga for Life or visit our blog at Yoga for Life Blog.

Yoga and Health: An Alternative Form of Exercise

Yoga has long been used as an alternative form of healthy exercise. Today, a variety of yoga schools have become popular, so if you want to try this technique of healing and preventative health, research them all before signing up for a class. Yoga can be very helpful if you are suffering from pain or disease, but, as always, discuss this change in your exercise regimen with your doctor before you begin so that you can be sure yoga will work for you.

Iyengar is the yoga of props and slow pose progression. Correct form is important, and so your instructor will stress this. It is an extremely useful kind of yoga for beginners to try, and people with disabilities or physical restrictions can also use Iyengar yoga. Props that are used help people overcome back and joint problems. Iyengar yoga, in short, teaches the fundamentals, and so this is an important kind of yoga to use if you are new to yoga.

Power yoga, or Ashtanga yoga, is the most athletic form of yoga and used by those who want a difficult work out. Flexibility, stamina, and strength are all heavily stressed with this form of yoga, and meditation is not as important and usually not taught at all. A warm temperature is beneficial to this style to lessen muscle strain, so power yoga can also be combined with hot yoga, which is a highly physical workout done in temperatures of 100 degrees or even more in some cases. Breath control is important here, and the progression is swift to maximize athletic benefit. Ashtanga yoga is not as beneficial for beginners and can be especially difficult for those who are not accustomed to exercising. Hatha yoga can be viewed as the opposite of this, and is a more relaxing kind of workout that is concerned not only with physical well being, but also with mental and spiritual healthiness. Most types of yoga include aspects of Hatha yoga, and these techniques are important for beginners to learn.

Kundalini is a more spiritual type of yoga exercise, and includes chanting, guided relaxation and meditations, and visualizations. It can be done by anyone of any religious practice, although yoga first began with Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Kundalini heals the body, emotions, and mind. Posture and breathing is important in this type of yoga, and those overcoming addiction have found Kundalini especially helpful.

Other kinds of yoga may also be beneficial to you and your health. Be sure to choose a routine that is not too easy or, on the other hand, too difficult. Talk with your doctor or a yoga instructor for more information.

Is Your Doctor's Hair Removal Laser Safe?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates medical devices in the U.S. The FDA keeps extensive databases on these devices containing lists of the devices, their safety records, pre-market notifications, and pre-market approval notices, to name a few.

Section 510(k) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires regulated medical device manufacturers to notify the FDA at least 90 days in advance of their intent to market a medical device. This is known as Premarket Notification -- also called PMN or 510(k). It allows FDA to determine whether the device is equivalent to a device already placed into one of the three classification categories.

This allows "new" (unclassified) devices (those not in commercial distribution prior to May 28, 1976) to be properly identified. Specifically, medical device manufacturers are required to submit a premarket notification if they intend to introduce a device into commercial distribution for the first time.

The 501(k) notification must also be submitted when reintroducing a device that has been significantly changed or modified to the extent that its safety or effectiveness could be affected. These changes or modifications might relate to the design, material, chemical composition, energy source, manufacturing process, or intended use of the device.

The FDA has established classifications for approximately 1,700 different generic types of devices. These devices are grouped them into 16 medical specialties referred to as panels. Each of these generic types of devices is assigned to one of three regulatory classes (Class I, II or III) based on the level of control necessary to assure the safety and effectiveness of the device.

This 510(K) database can be searched by 510(k) number, applicant, device name or FDA product code. The database is updated monthly and is found online at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPMN/pmn.cfm

Call your laser hair removal clinic or doctor, and ask for the manufacturer, model, and 510(K) number of the medical device to be used in your cosmetic surgery procedure. The 510(K) number always starts with a "K" and is the preferred item. Enter the 510(k) number into the appropriate field in the database search form.

An example of a 510(K) number is K002890. An example of a trade name or device name for that 510(K) number is "IntraLase 600C Laser Keratome." The intended use for this particular medical laser is eye surgery.

When the search results are returned, click on the link to the right of the "Summary" line. The summary lists the characteristics of the laser device and when it was cleared for use. An approval letter should also be listed in the summary.

You may also wish to examine the FDA MAUDE (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience) database. This database contains reports of adverse events involving medical devices. The link to this database is http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfMAUDE/search.cfm

To Search the MAUDE listings by Brand Name, Manufacturer, Event Type, 510K Number, PMA Number, Product Code, or date, select use the Advanced Search button. No results were returned for the 510(K) number K002890, indicating that no adverse events were reported for that medical laser device during the reporting period.

The chances are very high that a licensed doctor will be using a licensed and approved laser device for your laser hair removal or other cosmetic surgery. However, with the quantity of online data available to the public, it doesn't hurt to check.

Remember that the FDA keeps safety records of many medical devices, not just those that use lasers. It is better to learn about possible complaints or problems with the medical device about to be used on you before the cosmetic surgery procedure, rather than afterwards.

Learn more about medical laser applications, especially laser hair removal, at the resources below.

Get Free Hair Removal Answers and Laser Hair Removal Facts
at these other free info sites by Doug Smith.

Your Facial Plastic Surgery Checklist

Is It A Nose Or Face Lift? Cheek Or Chin Implants?

Whatever type of plastic surgery procedure you think you need (or want); there are things to consider so that you get the best results not only for your appearance, but more importantly, your health and your self-esteem.

1. Who’s Your Doctor?

This is the most important decision you will make; even above the issue of how expensive your face-lift will be. Plastic surgery is still surgery, which means certain things will be done to your body – which is something you should never take lightly.

Take the time to look for a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon that has performed, many times, the procedure you choose to undergo. You wouldn’t want to settle for a liposuction expert to work on your nose, right?

Also, make sure the person you are considering is a licensed doctor – because that’s what plastic surgeons are – doctors. They are not cosmeticians or aestheticians that took a 3-month course in some vocational school. For surgery, it’s a medical degree and nothing less.

2. Know What You Want (But Be Ready To Listen And Follow Your Doctor’s Advice).

Although they hold a medical degree, your doctor is not a psychic who can read your mind. You need to tell him / her what you want to achieve from the procedure. Bring pictures to give your doctor an idea of what you have in mind. You doctor may even have a computer program for this very purpose.

However, listen to your doctor if they give you advice (because that’s what you pay them for!). If, for example, your doctor tells you that the cheek implant you want still won’t make you look like Jennifer Lopez listen and adjust your expectations accordingly.

3. This Is Going To Hurt…

… at least for a while, immediately after the procedure. But don’t be scared, the swelling and discomfort are indicators your body is reacting to the surgery by healing itself. In 7 to 10 days, the pain and swelling should subside substantially. But even then, give yourself enough time to fully recover (about a month or so) before taking up activities that can strain your body.

Finally, make sure you really, REALLY want the procedure (and not just because someone made a wise crack at how you look or told you that you should have plastic surgery). Plastic surgery exists to enhance the appearance you’ve already have – not to fix something that’s wrong with you, because there isn’t. And that’s something you don’t need a medical degree to know for certain.

So You’re Thinking About Facial Implants

Well, you’re not alone. An average of 350,000 men and women in the United States get facial implants annually. Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) was the most used; but other facial implant procedures target the chin, jaw and the cheeks.

Facial implants can bring a more harmonious balance to a face. Whether it is to create a stronger more sculpted jaw line or to raise cheekbones, facial implants can be the answer to enhance your appearance.

So what do you need to know about getting facial implants?

First, look for a plastic surgeon that you trust. The basis for your trust has to be more than just thinking the doctor “seems okay.” You may feel embarrassed to ask, but it is well within your rights to inquire about the doctor’s credentials.

It is also perfectly acceptable to ask how many procedures (like the one you intend to have done), has the doctor previously performed. Getting recommendations from friends and acquaintances you trust is a good place to start.

(As a side note, do not be misled into thinking that a plastic surgeon and a cosmetician / aesthetician are the same. THEY ARE NOT. A plastic surgeon has gone through medical school and is licensed to perform surgery. Cosmeticians and aestheticians don’t have such training and are not allowed to carry out procedures like facial implants.)

Once you’ve decided which doctor to use, share what you want to achieve with the procedure with him: don’t expect the doctor to read your mind. If you find describing your desired look difficult, try taking some pictures to him as examples of the type of chin, jaw, or nose you desire to have following the surgery. Some doctor’s clinics have computer programs that can simulate an implant’s effect on the face to help with your decision of what you really want.

Next, be honest with your doctor regarding your lifestyle. Don’t start lying about your smoking habits just because it’s a doctor who’s asking you. Details like those are important for your plastic surgeon. It will help him / her address possibilities for infection and so that you can take steps toward a swifter recovery.

Finally, prepare yourself for the immediate effects of the procedure. Your body will react with a lot of swelling and discomfort, but this is natural as it is the body’s way of healing itself. Give it 7-10 days to relieve the swelling and a few more weeks before you participating in rigorous activities like sports.

Your new facial implant will greatly enhance your appearance. Just take the time to do your homework right.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Losing Weight On A Busy Schedule

You know you want to lose weight but when you’re so busy running from home to work and back, how do you do it? Is it even possible with so much going on? You can lose weight while keeping a busy schedule but it does require extra planning and foresight. The most difficult part to manage is fitting exercise into the day but with just a few small changes it can be done.

You should start by thinking about how much weight you want to lose. Many people expect to start a program and drop pounds almost immediately, and then become discouraged when it doesn’t happen. If you have more than five to ten pounds to lose, be prepared to spend six months or longer working toward your ultimate goal. Even if you do only need to lose five pounds, you should still allow more than a few weeks to see it disappear. As it has been said so often, the last five pounds is often the most difficult to lose, but with patience, a good diet, and plenty of aerobic exercise, it can be done.

The most successful dieters all have some characteristics in common. First, they all include regular exercise in their schedules, regardless of how busy the day may be. Exercise is necessary to burn calories and fat, and one dash up the stairs isn’t going to do it. For maximum fat burn you should exercise a minimum of 45 minutes per day and more would be excellent. Before you panic, the 45 minutes does not have to be all at once. Research has shown that short, intense bursts of exercise can be just as effective as one long workout, so all you have to do is fit in several short segments of exercise throughout your day. Try walking around your office’s parking lot during your lunch break or walking up four flights of stairs to your office rather than taking the elevator. If you are one of the fortunate employees whose companies provide fitness facilities on site, make the most of it! Either arrive early to workout, shower, and change before work, or hang around afterward to get in your exercise. Company fitness facilities are absolutely wonderful since most include not only workout machines but saunas, fully equipped locker rooms, and even the occasional swimming pool.

Other ways to get your 45 minutes of fat-burning exercise in is to purchase a few small fitness items to keep in your office and use several times daily. Good choices for office fitness equipment include hand weights (which often come with their own storage rack), resistance bands, and yoga mats. You may want to consider a jump rope but obviously bring a change of clothing since it can be rather too intense for the office. Set your computer to give an alarm four times throughout the day to remind you to get up and exercise. Even just ten minutes of weight lifting or resistance training four times throughout the day adds up to forty minutes! That’s fantastic!

You will probably find it easiest to do your aerobic exercise outside of the office. If your schedule permits you to attend gym classes several times during the week, take a high intensity class that keeps your heart pumping for thirty minutes or longer. Another excellent option is to swim. Swimming is one of the most powerful exercises for shaping the body fast. Since the body is supported by water, your muscles receive a better workout since they must propel you through the water. Swim for 45 minutes three to four times a week and you will see results within three weeks. For those who can’t get to the gym or a pool, go for a run or a fast power-walk on your street. Incorporate arm movements into your walk to boost your heart rate and burn more calories. Also check your local video store for fitness videos that you can do in the privacy of your own home. There are many great videos that work your body just as much as a challenging gym class and you don’t have to worry about anyone staring at the sweat dripping down your back and face. Maintain a regular exercise schedule of 45 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times per week in addition to strength training and you will notice a change in your body very rapidly.

In terms of diet, the change that most busy workers need to make is to avoid fast food. Double cheeseburgers, fries and milkshakes are all heavily laden with fat, calories, and sodium – three things that will slow your weight loss effort down fast. Instead, eat a diet that is balanced and nutritious with a minimum of saturated fat, simple sugars and sodium. One easy way to make a diet change is to eat only organic. There are thousands of delicious organic options available and an organic-only diet naturally delivers you from the vast majority of fatty junk foods. Add plenty of vegetables and salads to your menu as well as regular protein for a giant boost to your weight loss program.

While losing weight on a busy schedule is difficult, it is by no means impossible. Exercise regularly, eat healthy, and you will see the pounds melt away.

Choose the Right Exercise to Lose Weight

Diet, exercise and losing weight; it’s the trilogy. Long-term weight loss doesn’t happen without a combination of exercise and decreased calorie intake. There are multiple ‘diets’ on the market today. You can pick a diet based on where your body fat is deposited, your blood type, your medical problems or your eating preferences.

In the end people lose weight because their calorie intake is less than their calorie burn. You pick the diet that works best for your life-style and beliefs.

The downside to diet only is that your body goes into starvation mode with a decreased calorie intake. This means your metabolism slows dramatically and doesn’t increase when your calorie intake goes up. That is why it is so easy to gain weight once you’ve stopped dieting.

On the other hand exercise can trick the body into keeping your metabolism higher and thus stops the yo-yo effect of diet, gain weight, diet, gain weight.

Exercise also has some degree of flexibility. There are some basic rules however, to choosing an exercise program designed to help you lose weight. The greater the amount of weight you have to lose the more flexible your initial exercise program can be.

People who are more than moderately over weight can begin an exercise program using brisk walking or easy bike riding while still burning enough calories. As a person loses more weight it becomes more important to maintain exercise over a period of 30-40 minutes that keeps your heart rate elevated.

Swimming can be a good overall exercise that uses many of the body’s muscles continuously. Fast walking, jogging, resistance training, biking and elliptical trainers all provide exercise that raises your heart rate and that can be done for extended periods of time.

The trick is to pick an exercise program that you can maintain. Choosing a program that looks good on television or promises extensive weight loss won’t work if it stays in the box or on the shelf. It is easier to go for a brisk walk each night for 40 minutes, which requires little to no special equipment purchase, than to engage in a difficult routine that may require sport specific equipment.

The long of the short is that most exercise will help you lose weight. The real concern is to maintain the program, not get bored and not get injured. With a moderate cut in calories and a moderate exercise program you are well on your way to a new you!

Folic Acid: How Much Should A Person Have In Their Diet?

If you haven't already heard the exciting news, folic acid (a member of the B vitamin family), is beneficial as a preventative measure against heart disease. Whether you are overweight and have high cholesterol levels, or are in shape and watch what you eat carefully, anyone can be susceptible to a heart attack if they have clogged arteries.

Clogged arteries do not become clogged in the way in which most people think. The latest research shows that if you have high blood levels containing homocysteine then this could be responsible for damaging the arteries.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is found naturally in the body and when it builds up to excessive levels, you are at risk for a heart attack. The question than is: What prevents buildup of this amino acid? The answer: Folic Acid.

Went folic acid teams up with cobalamin and pyridoxine, it works very quickly to break down the buildup of homocysteine and sends it out of your system through the urine. This way, it cannot do any further damage to your body. When the homocysteine is not broken down and carried away by the benefits of folic acid, it spends its time in attack against the walls of your arteries.

How much folic acid should a person take to keep their homocysteine Levels Low?

At this point you are probably concerned about getting enough folic acid in your system to prevent your arteries from becoming damaged. Fortunately, it doesn't take very much of this B vitamin to protect you. Most people only need up to 2 mg per day. It may seem excessive in comparison to the RDA recommendations (which are much lower than 2 mg), but you must remember that the RDA is the bare minimum and everybody has different requirements.

If you are worried that you're not consuming enough of the proper foods that contain folic acid, you can find this be vitamin in any health food store as well as many standard grocery stores in the vitamin section. Before taking any supplements it is wise to consult with your doctor, however, research shows that you cannot overdose on folic acid. Whatever your body does not absorb and utilize it will simply excrete through the urine.

Do You Really Need To Take Vitamin & Mineral Supplements?

Do you believe that everyone can get all of the vitamins and minerals that their body requires need just by simply eating a healthy diet? That is what some experts say, but are they right?

In recent years, more and more studies have proven the fact that people still need to supplement their diets with vitamins and minerals. Regardless of how healthy and nutritional your diet may be, the chances are high that you are still missing some key nutritional ingredients within your body.

On the other hand, there is a slight chance that the average person can get everything they need from food alone, but I have yet to meet that person. It takes quite a bit of energy, as well as finances, to do all of the food shopping and preparation that it would take to fulfill 100% of the body's nutritional needs. Life is busy, and unless you can afford to hire someone to shop for your food and prepare your meals, you are like most of us and in need of a vitamin/mineral supplement.

Most people just don't try hard enough!

On the other end of the spectrum, it is clear that most people simply do not make the attempt to get in all of their nutritional needs that they should. Take a look at the research poll below and you'll understand this point:

1. The majority of adult men do not meet the RDA for magnesium and zinc.
2. The majority of adult women do not meet the RDA for zinc, iron, vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin E, and calcium.
3. Less than one out of five Americans eat at least five fruit and vegetable servings per day.
4. One person out of those five eats absolutely no fruits or vegetables at all.
5. Less than 20% eat dark green leafy vegetables and even those servings are on the low end.

You cannot substitute good food with just vitamins and minerals

If you are realizing your need for more nutrition and more vitamins in your daily diet, it is important for you to understand that taking vitamins and minerals in no way replaces that of good food. Remember, the term is called a “supplement” which means something that supplements your diet.

A good analogy would be to think of vitamin supplements as insurance, insurance for your body. By eating healthy and making the extra attempt to ingest fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, taking that vitamin and mineral supplement will be “insuring” your body in case there is a lack of nutrition that you may not be getting from the food you eat.

5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Supplement With Extra Vitamin A

Did you know that vitamin A has incredible anti-infective powers, as well as immune-boosting benefits? And if that is not enough to get you up and eating my foods rich in vitamin A, here is more good news:

1. Studies have shown that children who ingest extra vitamin A can get over the measles by as much as 50% faster. These children also show fewer complications as a result of having measles. Vitamin A supplements can also help babies heal faster that are suffering from respiratory infections.

2. Vitamin A can aid in preventing complications that result from certain cancer treatments. When you have cancer and are going through chemotherapy or other radiation treatment, it can dramatically lower your immune system. When this happens, your body is prone to pick up infections and other viruses that are floating around.

When cancer patient treatments are given large doses of vitamin A, their immune system has been reported to raise back to incredibly higher levels. However, sometimes with the good comes the bad. And the “bad” that we are referring to here is that too much vitamin A can also become very toxic. So while these studies are showing very promising results, researchers are still working to find a way to reduce toxic levels of vitamin A while increasing the immune system at the same time with this vitamin.

3. Vitamin A can also be used to treat viral infections. When the body does not have a sufficient amount of vitamin A, it becomes susceptible to different illnesses, especially that of viral infections. If you are suffering from a virus then your best defense is to supplement with extra vitamin A. Be sure that it is in the form of beta-carotene which help reduces possible vitamin A toxic levels.

4. Vitamin A boosts immune cells. Vitamin A taken in large doses of beta-carotene can help increase the amount of infection fighting cells within your immune system. These results are especially beneficial to people that are suffering from dramatically reduced immune system levels, such as AIDS patients and cancer patients.

5. Vitamin A can be found in a variety of healthy foods. While it is acceptable to supplement your diet with vitamin A., your goal should be to try to eat as many foods that are rich in beta-carotene is possible. Such foods include any fruits that are in the color of red, orange, and yellow. Vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene include tomatoes, carrots, and cantaloupe. And do not forget your dark green leafy vegetables. They are very potent and beta-carotene, as well as other nutrients.