Archive for September, 2009

Boost Metabolism and Feel Better With Kelp

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Kelp is a main source of natural iodine. It is used extensively by the Japanese. The Polynesians also use kelp regularly in their diet. An English physician by the name of Dr. Bernard Russell used burned, dried kelp in 1750 to treat his patients who were suffering from goiter. In 1862, it was used by Dr. C. Dupare with success to treat obesity.

Kelp has traditionally been used for its rich abundance of iodine to treat thyroid disorders, whether they are under-active or overactive. This herb is a great promoter of glandular health. It also regulates metabolism. Kelp has a reputation for increasing the rate at which calories are burned. The herb is used to rid the body of toxins and radioactive material by preventing their absorption. Kelp promotes the growth of healthy tissue, skin, hair, and nails. Additionally, it is able to improve the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and mental alertness. It also alleviates kidney, bladder, prostate, and uterine difficulties.

The ocean water possesses one of the richest sources of the vital life-sustaining mineral elements that are known to science. Kelp extracts and assimilates the mineral elements from the ocean water and converts them into a usable form for humans. The kelp plant is thought to provide nourishment, enhance the immune system, aid in hormone balance, and restore strength. The herb has been proven to contain antibiotic properties. It is also thoughT that the brominated phenalic compounds that are found in kelp are responsible for killing both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Kelp possesses natural iodine to nourish the thyroid. The Japanese eat kelp regularly and have an extremely low rate of thyroid disease. Through the regulation of metabolism, kelp helps to increase energy. It may also help reduce fat in the body. Kelp is full of nutrients that nourish the entire body. Kelp can also help to prevent the absorption of some radioactive elements known to cause tumors, cancer, and leukemia in adults and children.

Kelp is a great herb for the body, as it contains nearly thirty minerals. The entire plant of the kelp herb is used to provide alterative, antacid, antibiotic, demulcent, diuretic, hypotensive, mucilant, nutritive, and hypotensive properties. The primary nutrients found in this herb are barium, bismuth, boron, calcium, chlorine, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, iodine, iron, lithium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, silver, sodium, strontium, sulfur, tin, titanium, vanadium, vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, G, S, and K, zinc, and zirconium. Primarily, kelp is extremely beneficial in treating adrenal gland problems, weak arteries, colitis, unhealthy complexion, eczema, and lack of energy, fatigue, goiter, infection, slow metabolism, weak nails, obesity, pituitary problems, and pregnancy problems, effects of radiation, unhealthy skin, and thyroid problems.

Additionally, this herb is very helpful in dealing with acne, anemia, arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, gallbladder problems, gas, gastric disorders, glandular problems, headaches, heart problems, hypothyroidism, indigestion, kidney problems, morning sickness, nervous disorders, pancreatic problems, prostate problems, tumors, and lack of vitality. For more information on the many beneficial effects provided by the kelp, please feel free to contact a representative from your local health food store.

More information on kelp is available at VitaNet

Advises to Create a Healthy Workout Routine

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Checking many kind of webs you can find many sort of tips and advises so I won’t lie to you and I’ll tell you this very clear. You are the most important factor to do a good weight loss workout routine. If the person who follows the routine is good the workout session will be better. To have great chances of success with your workout and to change your lifestyle in a healthy way you will need to be constant and responsible with your work. All those kinds of advertisements that you find in the internet or other places who offers you a guaranteed miracle are just a bunch of lies. You are the person who can guarantee that kind of change.

There is just one single word that you must consider diet. You can spend your time performing the best workout routine but if you don’t support it with a balanced diet that work will be useless. So start to forget the fast food and “all in ones” instead of that take vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbs and fluids balance. Eating this kind of diet that I’m telling you, your body will start to burn fat faster and your metabolism will be better.

You have to be sure to take the same portions of reds (meet) and greens (vegetable) and calories like never before. Some kind of people with their lives always busy use to skip this step and sometimes they eat more that they need.

At least you should perform the workout routine 45 minutes per day. During this time your body will start to burn fat and your heart will work pretty good. You must find the way to build a creative and varied workout routine. you can start the first week with a running session and suddenly change it for a long power walk next week, what I’m trying to tell you is that you must keep guessing your own body, wondering “what’s up next week?”, I’m giving you this advise because people use to keep just in one routine that after a while it isn’t effective anymore.

If you want to start with some resistance training then you should try cardio and weight lifting. Weight lifting is one of the most important muscle builder and fat burner of many exercises. To keep your muscles working you will need energy and also you will need it to burn calories. you also can get an attractive look that everybody wants from weight lifting and cardio training.

If you don’t want to get confused with your work’s schedule try to make a calendar and match every single success that you have earned every week like muscle mass, weight loss or waist line reduction. With this kind of work you’ll be able to know if you finally get the top and if you don’t need the training anymore.

You have time to work in a gym, don’t you? If you can’t get into a gym because you are always busy then you should buy some basic equipment and weights to build your own gym and work with your routines at home. You can find help and support in the internet if you don’t have a personal trainer. There are many examples of busy lifes changed by websites like Shape Your Body Now, you can watch fitness videos and dynamic tools to support your workout routine and get into a healthy lifestyle.

You must be constant and committed with your work because there is just one factor that really matters. When the final day of training ends. There is no excuse to haven’t started with your work or haven’t looked for results. Always remember, the most important factor to reach the top and success in this is you!!

Richard Munevar is a fitness Expert and educator, focusing on innovate and unique fat loss techniques and will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment. For a limited time, you can claim the ” Richard Fat Loss Tips FREE Mini Course ” absolutely free at:http://tiny.cc/richardfatloss

Fitness Equipment For Designing a Senior Retirement Community Fitness Center

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Today’s Fitness manufacturers offer so many options in fitness equipment it can be difficult to determine the best options without consulting with a commercial fitness equipment dealer. We are seeing more fitness centers going into Retirement communities, Rehabilitation facilities and even nursing homes. The baby boomer market will eventually increase the need for fitness centers in these types of facilities. The real question is what equipment should you place in these types of facilities to insure a quality workout and avoid injures in the senior market fitness centers.

Safe Strength Training For Senior Fitness

One popular option is the hydraulic circuit fitness equipment; hydraulic fitness equipment has gained momentum with female fitness studios like shapes and other personal trainer facilities, as is an excellent choice for senior fitness. These circuits are perfect for short workouts as they can be arranged into a quick circuit where users can move rather quickly through the exercise routine. Hydraulic circuits can provide excellent metabolic, muscle and strength improvements for the user with less risk of injury since the resistance does not include weights or weight stacks. This can be very important for rehabilitation, as self-progression is slower and not likely to result in over exertion or re-injury of the affected area.

Cardiovascular Fitness Options for Seniors

While age does not prevent one from using any form of cardiovascular equipment there are some choices that seem more safe and or sensible for obtaining a good workout with little risk of injury. The Treadmill is still a good choice as walking provides a great form of calorie burning and conditioning of the heart and lungs. Most gyms will usually only order a few bikes or cycles and even less recumbent cycles but we have determined this to be a favorite among the seniors for cardio training. Recumbent cycles are designed with a larger seat and offer a backrest over the traditional upright bikes. Recumbent cycles offer a easy entry as the bike sits much lower to the ground and many of the newer bikes have a walk through frame design which prevents the user from having to step over the frame of the bike, they can simply sit down and peddle at their own capacity.

Recumbent cycles also offer little to no impact and can allow a user to exercise even if they have arthritis in the knees, ankles or back or hip injuries. Certainly a viable option for rehabilitation or nursing homes where users may have much less mobility. Some of the newer recumbent are also offering models that include upper body exercise arms so the user can work on a recumbent similar to upper body ergo meter or elliptical machines design working both upper and lower body. There are even a few manufacturers that develop rehabilitation exercise equipment specific to duplicate the sitting and standing muscles so that seniors can maintain their mobility and strength for daily activities.

What to Look For When Purchasing Senior Fitness Equipment:

Fitness Equipment that is safe for older or less experienced users

Fitness Equipment that allows for users who may have less mobility

Fitness Equipment that does not require full time spotting or Personal Trainer

Fitness Equipment that allows you to increase intensity at a safe progression

Fitness Equipment that facilitates the faster circuit training style workouts

Fitness Equipment that is easy to adjust for proper resistance and fit

Fitness Equipment that will improve the strength and not intimidate the user

Comfortable practical and make the user feel exercised but not exhausted

Hydraulic circuits and recumbent cycles can be perfect for those who are on the road to recovery from previous injuries, anyone looking for muscle toning without complicated resistance adjustments. The equipment is certainly safer and less likely to result in strains and joint impact to the inexperienced fitness equipment user while still providing a fast and efficient workout.

Chris Beard is the web master for Athletic Concepts, Inc., which provides sales, service and installation of high-end quality commercial fitness equipment. Additionally we sell used and refurbished fitness equipment in excellent condition. To see our inventory visit us at at: www.Athletic-Concepts.com www.ReconditionedFitness.com www.Athletic-Concepts.net

How to Identify an Ayurveda Dosha

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Getting to know how to identify an Ayurveda dosha is knowing the intricacies and history of the practice of Ayurveda. It is a practice that has been handed down over thousands of years through generations and generations, is a native traditional medical practice of India.

Ayurveda, which is literally translated as “the science or knowledge of life” is has been the comprehensive health care system in India which has been categorized into eight branches, including gynecology and pediatricsm, and has currently gained popularity in the United States.

The Ayurveda dosha or in simpler terms the bilogical forces that symbolize the practice is based on the premise that body, mind, and spirit are intertwined to promote holistic harmony and is revolutionizing the way people understand their body and health.

Ayurveda further teaches that separating the spirit and mind from the body causes physical imbalance, which in turn cause diseases and naturally believes that the re-integration of these three doshas is the initial step towards healing and good health.

Basing on the idea that disease is the result of living out of harmony with our environment, the practice of Ayurveda views physical symptoms of diseases as the body’s way of communicating the occurring disharmony.

With this understanding in mind, Ayurveda’s approach to healing is obviously to re integrate harmony between self and environment, thus creating an optimal environment for health and well – being. The practice also teaches that each person is conceived out of the basic physiology and personality that makes up the entire person, who is existing in harmony with the universe and with the constant doshas in sync with one after the other to ensure good health.

This constitution is thus the inherent balance of the three doshas, or biological forces which govern the functions of the body, known as Pitta or metabolism, Vata or motion and Kapha or cohesiveness.

There are never –ending combinations and products of these three basic doshas or energies, and each person’s constitution is a unique expression, thus explaining the unique and distinct difference of one person from the other.

This constitution determines what a person naturally adheres to or what experiences are repulsive, in the same way it deals with what is in harmony and what causes imbalance and susceptibility to illnesses.

Because no two people are the same or alike and no two symptoms are exactly similar, Ayurveda does not approach the cure of a certain disease as much as it approaches the cure of the person who is afflicted with the disease.

Ayurveda also presupposes that it attributes life to more things than what is normally perceived, examples of which include the basic elements of earth, wind, fire and air, as well as the planets and stars, among others, are all believed to possess doshas similar to the conscience of living beings, especially humans.

The key to understanding this discipline is the core basis of Ayurveda, which supposes that the entire cosmos or universe is part of one singular absolute and everything that exists in the vast external universe, is also mirrored in the internal cosmos of the human body.

By now you know that the principle of Ayurveda teaches that life energies or doshas are the key energies that make up and promote the harmony of life and how it plays key roles to promote health and well –being and that his how to identify an Ayurveda dosha.

Discover more beneficial Ayurvedic Treatments and Medicines by visiting the blog at http://Ayurvedic-Treatment.com where you will find regularly updated posts, all dedicated to this very subject.

How to Find Good and Credible Ayurveda Courses

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

If one would try out alternative methods of therapy or treatment, here are some tips regarding Ayurveda and how to find good and credible Ayurveda courses. For hundreds of years, the concept of Ayurveda has captivated and gained widespread popularity among millions of people all over the world.

But many people are also aware that Ayurveda can be a good process in treating numerous health conditions the natural way and would tend to benefit a lot of people, instead of it being a religious practice which was earlier conceived to be as such.

One of the primary reasons for propagating the idea of Ayurveda that has greatly affected man’s perception is that it primarily makes use of natural herbs, minerals and concoctions that can be easily sourced and made it a popular alternative treatment approach both for therich and poor alike in India for thousands of years.

Here are some tips to consider when looking for a reliable Ayurveda course.

First, make sure to get hold of a highly- trained and reputable Ayurveda practitioner offering course modules in Ayurveda, especially those who are authorized to conduct treatments and therapies using the process, since there are a large number of fly-by-night and unlicensed practitioners plying the trade who could cause more harm than good.

There are a number of licensed therapists using Ayurveda as a form of therapy and make sure to find one that has been expertly trained and has practiced the discipline through popular and recognized methods.

Do watch out for unscrupulous individuals or parties, who advertise their services for cut-throat rates and extensive services, as some would take indiscriminately take advantage of your innocence to make you give in to their every whim to make you believe that they are doing everything to train you about the practice.

Make sure to check out credentials and never be afraid to ask for information or details regarding their practice, since you will be placing your full confidence and trust in them when they try to train you for the practice.

Do take note that Ayurveda may not work for everyone, especially with those individuals who are skeptical or do not subscribe to the idea of Ayurveda.

If a person who wants to go through Ayurveda courses, he or she must always make it a point to seek expert approval or opinion or do research about the practice.

If it is your first time to scout for a practitioner offering Ayurveda courses, try to look up for names and services via the Internet, a lot of clinics, professional and practitioners have taken advantage of the technology of the World Wide Web to advertise their services and rates.

Make sure to do research on the basics of Ayurveda, that way you are aware what are the myths and facts behind Ayurveda which you are not aware of or may need to know about.

It is best for one to be aware of what he will be going through, that way you are fully aware about the benefits or the possible consequences of your actions.

As part of your checklist, ask around for friends or peers about a particular practitioner or if they have availed of Ayurvedic treatments themselves.

Word of mouth is also a good way to recognize and know the reputation of a practitioner you would rely on to avail of the Ayurveda course.

Lastly, the internet is also a good venue to research on some practitioners, especially in online forums and blogs.

You can get a good picture of how others have experienced a similar treatment or therapeutic process.

Knowing how to find good and credible Ayurveda courses is key to getting the best training you need to get immersed in the discipline, but be sure to take all necessary steps and precaution to make you more confident about your choices.

Discover more beneficial Ayurvedic Treatments and Medicines by visiting the blog at http://Ayurvedic-Treatment.com where you will find regularly updated posts, all dedicated to this very subject.

Qualities of Ayurveda Pitta People

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Ayurevda Pitta is one of the main doshas of traditional Indian medicine. It is best to understand the features and

qualities of people that are falling into this category. If you are not a Kapha or a Vata type, you surely are a Pitta.

Ayurveda Pitta is basically characterized by two main elements, namely water and fire. Pitta is the most revered among

all three Ayurvedic texts. In general, Pitta dosha has several basic characteristics.

The dosha of Pitta is usually hot and subtly oily. People under this category are usually sharp, burning, acidic, liquid,pungent, and sharp. They are observed to be commonly flowing in unbounded manner. Why these characteristics? This is because Ayurveda Pitta mainly constitutes of fire, in combination with a little water. Thus, to best describe such people, they could always startup and fuel flame, though they could not be the flame itself. Such people could be

compared to gasoline. The liquid is not hot when touched, but it could surely be an outstanding and effective source of

flames. It may appear like any ordinary liquid, but there is something with gasoline that makes it distinct and different from just about any liquid material.

People who are identified to take dominant Ayurveda Pitta constitution are typically having moderate level of physical

activities and moderate size of body. They could not be as bulky as the Kaphas. Pittas are generally ambitious and very

strong willed. In the process, these people could also be logically and apparently irritable, short-tempered, and highly aggressive especially under great physical stress. Pittas are believed and observed to me highly prone to different skin problems like skin irritations an sunburn. They are particularly prone to discomforts brought about by the heat and the sun particularly during summer.

Ayurveda Pitta people are usually having medium body proportions. They could have body frames that are neither heavy nor petite. Their skin could be warmer than usual and are usually ruddy or fair. Skin is also more sensitive compared to skin of other body types. The hair tends to be finer and is susceptible to premature thinning and graying. These people could be very sharp and very determined especially when it comes to their speech, action, and thought. Take note that such people could take an element of important purpose to their every step. There is a distinct and observable intensity that could be detected through their voice.

As mentioned, ambition could be Pittas’ second name. These people are often described by others as moderate sleepers

because they easily get awake. They tend to gravitate going to cooler environments. A person with a balanced Pitta

personality could exude much self confidence. There also is a distinct entrepreneurial spirit, making these people good

marketers and venture takers. They could work well with others, though not as harmoniously as the Kaphas.

In terms of food and diet, Ayurveda Pitta people could raise physiology though taking diets that are containing spicy and hot foods. They could also easily skip meals and do fasting. They could easily be stimulated by sour, pungent, and salty foods. On the contrary, Pittas could be weakened by bitter, acid-tasting, and sweet foods. These people are not indulgent like the Kaphas. They regard food as just a basic necessity that helps the body attain needed energy.

Discover more beneficial Ayurvedic Treatments and Medicines by visiting the blog at http://Ayurvedic-Treatment.com where you will find regularly updated posts, all dedicated to this very subject.

How Can One Benefit From Established Ayurveda Remedy?

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

How can one benefit from established Ayurveda remedy and there are actually a hundred and one reasons why people resort to alternative yet established remedies, whether it be the result of aggressive marketing and commercial campaigns or simply because it was proven effective by one and word spread like wildfire about its therapeutic or healing wonders.

Generally, a common view about Ayurvedic remedy is that it gives the public a sense of security knowing that a particular ‘alternative’ or ‘natural’ approach is sourced from a commonly recognized raw material, for example, a herb possessing healing properties or plant life known for vitamin and nutrient qualities.

Psychologically, the public is much more at ease knowing that Ayurvedic remedies are sourced from commonly known raw materials found in the environment, rather than medication or supplements synthetically or chemically-generated in pharmaceutical laboratories.

Among the most common popular - yet sometimes debatable - benefits one can get from Ayurvedic remedies include;

An all-natural approach to healing and therapy. People are more comfortable knowing that alternative approaches to healing and therapy promotes the human body’s ability to heal itself, and with the introduction of natural Ayurvedic remedies could enhance the body’s resistance to disease and illnesses.

Commonly known Ayurvedic remedies, especially herbal ones, are good sources of vitamins and minerals needed by the body. Many experts believe that natural vitamins and minerals that are commonly found in the environment are more likely to supplement the body under ‘natural’ conditions.

Although this claim is a highly debated issue by health buffs and pharmaceutical hardliners, economics play a key role in determining the popularity of Ayurvedic remedies as well.

While millions of dollars go into the research and development of vitamin and mineral substitutes for mass production, cultural and traditional forces are at play in rallying the cause of Ayurvedic remedies as alternative yet effective options.

There is a wide array of choices in the long list of alternative Ayurvedic remedies, depending on one’s needs for supplementation and therapeutic needs. From seed to fruit extracts, health effects or supplementation needs, there are hundreds of options one can have in the choice for the most appropriate Ayurvedic remedy available.

Many natural Ayurvedic remedies are less likely to create allergic or adverse reactions. However, the public should take caution as to determining what is good or bad for their health, and knowing what substances they could be allergic to, since there are naturally- occurring products that can prove to be allergic to some.

Many Ayurvedic remedies provide treatment for a wide range of major and minor health conditions, compared to the limited efficacy of their synthetic counterparts that only target a particular illness or disorder.

Almost all Ayurvedic remedies are intended as a palliative measure at the onset or during the affliction of a disease. These Ayurvedic remedies can also be taken to augment good nutrition and cater to the body’s need for the recommended standard dosage of vitamins and minerals.

Finally, Ayurvedic remedies are good sources of fortified vitamins and minerals. Depending on our individual needs for treatment of illnesses and diseases, it can add to the body’s need for specific nutrients.

Whether these benefits bear truth or not, it is still essential to seek expert opinion about the medicines or supplements we take- be it synthetic or natural- since what may be good for one may be bad for another. It would still be good to know and understand How can one benefit from established Ayurveda remedy.

Discover more beneficial Ayurvedic Treatments and Medicines by visiting the blog at http://Ayurvedic-Treatment.com where you will find regularly updated posts, all dedicated to this very subject.

In Search of a Good Ayurveda Clinic

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

One of today’s most popular alternative treatments is known as Ayurveda, which originated in India and if you happen to be one wanting to try it out, you may start your journey in search of a good Ayurveda clinic.

Ayurveda is a system of alternative medicine native to India and is commonly practiced in Asia and continues to enjoy a great deal of popularity in western cultures compared to several other forms of alternative medicine and treatment.

All over the world, one can find many Ayurveda clinics that offer Ayurvedic methods of treatment and medicince, depending on which method one would like to experience ranging from massages, herbal, medicinal and even physical therapy like Yoga, which is considered a component of Ayurvedic medicine.

If you are an Ayurvedic enthusiast hoping to find a good Ayurveda clinic, you actually have a wealth of resources right at the tip of your fingertips especially in looking to find the best Ayurveda clinic that would suit your preferences.

Here are some tips to consider if you are in search of a good Ayurveda clinic.

First, try to weigh or select your desired Ayurveda treatment style or method.

As an alternative medicine and treatment method, Ayurveda offers a wide variety of styles that differentiates one method from another, whether it be for therapy, exercise, wellness and prevention or treatment of diseases, among others.

So get started by identifying which method you may want to adopt.

Next, be specific, since Ayurveda is not just a simple process, rather it is a conglomeration of art and science, where it is a health care practice practiced for over 5000 years and has incorporated many facets of the science from massages, herbal treatments, surgery, lifestyle and discipline.

Research is key, study everything you need to know about the Ayurvedic practice you want to be immersed into before searching for the Ayurveda clinic of your choice.

Remember that research also forms part of getting all the information that you need before you start pursuing what you hope to achieve.

After all, awareness is crucial, especially on the details of the practice you want to pursue, that way you save yourself the trouble of making the wrong decisions or getting into the wrong discipline.

Also be aware that despite Ayurveda being a broad science it may also have its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the category of the Ayurvedic system.

So taking the steps in searching for the right Ayurveda clinic is as important as getting the knowledge about the practice.

But fear or fret no more, since information on anything and everything about Ayurveda is just a click of a button away.

Try logging on to the internet, search and get all the information you need to keep you informed about the choices that you may have, that way you are satisfied with the Ayurveda discipline you want to try out, furthermore, it will also let you know if the clinic offers the right service and discipline.

Word of mouth is also a good source of information, especially from seasoned professional practitioners or veteran enthusiasts, who may be able to clue you in on the best training Ayurveda clinics around.

So, whether you opt for varying Ayurvedic styles or techniques you hope to pursue, be sure to always be a step ahead of yourself to be on top and succeed in your search of a good Ayurveda clinic.

Discover more beneficial Ayurvedic Treatments and Medicines by visiting the blog at http://Ayurvedic-Treatment.com where you will find regularly updated posts, all dedicated to this very subject.

Healthy Weight

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Aside from abundance, the most aggravating factor in modern obesity is the shift to a carbohydrate-based diet. In the wild, cheese puffs, Jolly Ranchers, and Big Gulps would not exist. We would be primarily metabolizing protein and fat because that is the makeup of natural foods in the wild.

When we fill the intestinal tract with carbohydrates (all of which convert to quick energy sugars) and keep it full, there is no need for the body to ever call upon reserve fat in tissue to supply energy. Additionally, the fat that is eaten is shuttled off to fat stores since it is the prized storage fuel. There is no need to waste this prized fuel for energy since all the moment-to-moment energy needs are being taken care of by an intestinal tract that is constantly laden with carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in excess of moment-to-moment energy needs are then also converted to fat for storage.

As the body gets used to this skewed form of metabolism, it becomes dependent on it and will feel discomfort if it is not continued. The craving for sugar and starches (another form of sugar) is a universal symptom of the obese. Their inability to imagine a day without soda, some candy, bread, cereal, pastries, potatoes, and rolls is not a matter of mere food preference, but of addiction and should raise the red flag that those are the foods they should abandon. This craving for processed carbohydrates, when the body obviously does not need more food, is an addiction every bit as powerful as nicotine, caffeine and street drugs. The carbohydrate junkie is enslaved and self-destructive like any other addict.

That brief explanation is the long and short of the cause of the modern epidemic of obesity, as well as the many other modern chronic degenerative diseases.

Since it is intelligence, not our biology, that has created the convenient modern abundance, it is intelligence, not biology, that must dictate how we eat. Reason tells us that we should be selecting foods as close to nature as possible and expending sufficient energy by work or exercise to balance what we take in. That is a matter of thinking and judgment, not feeling—feeling like we want to eat and feeling like we don’t want to exercise.

Actually, little thought is required if whole natural raw foods are the focus. Such foods will automatically regulate weight. High levels of body fat do not exist in the wild other than to serve a functional role in insulation or as a reserve for hibernation. Natural food —any food that can be found in the wild and digested raw exactly like it is without any form of processing—also contains all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, accessory nutrients and undiscovered essentials to process the food and permit the full expression of health. Unnatural food—that which can only be eaten if processed or synthesized—is cosmetically enhanced to fool us into thinking it is good. It is usually laden with toxins and easy calories stripped of vital nutrients. Modern processed foods are too much of too little. The obese are in fact starving, famished for the critical nutrients found only in raw natural foods.

Excess weight is such a pervasive problem and an inciting or aggravating factor in so many diseases that its prevention should be on everyone’s mind, and it pretty much is these days since the majority of people are overweight and at least a third are obese. Excess weight is neither innocent nor harmless for the individual or society. Since excess weight boils down to eating more than one’s activity justifies, it is a form of theft in that we are taking what we do not deserve. In a world of limited resources, including those necessary to farm, process, transport, and store food, why should we consume more than we need? Moreover, while children here and abroad starve, we are killing ourselves by overeating. Instead of the counsel echoed in households across the land: “Clean up your plate, don’t you know there are starving children?” it should be: “Don’t put so much on your plate; don’t you know there are starving children?”

We owe it to our body to properly care for it. It is a moral and ethical responsibility as much as caring for children, parents, pets, and the environment. Some justify being overweight as a life choice. But no choice is made in a vacuum. Society ends up paying for handicap facilities, healthcare, and social aid for those who, under the burden of their own weight and the attendant health decline, cannot stand on their feet for any length of time or sustain a job. It is also not fair to family and friends to impose upon them the emotional anguish of watching a loved one self-destruct.

Excess weight predisposes those who carry it to myriad diseases and mobility problems. Decreased agility increases the risk of physical injury from falling and decreases a person’s ability to escape quickly from threatening situations. The load stress on the joints erodes them and inflicts arthritic changes requiring pain medications (a sure downward drug dependent and side effect spiral) and joint replacement surgery.

If a person simply calculates how much they are overweight, say it is 50 or 100 pounds, and goes to a gym and picks up dumbbells of that weight and carries them around for a short time, it will be clear why the joints are failing. Such a person is not a ‘victim’ of arthritis, and it is not ‘in the genes,’ even though many physicians and surgeons will tell their patients such an outrageous story.

If an obese person requires surgery, risk is increased because of the difficulty of reaching target tissues, the danger of ligatures slipping, and the sheer frustration of attempting precise work in a corporeal vat of grease. Furthermore, if the goal is to reach the maximum lifespan of about 120, or at least live healthily for the years lived, few things can be done that will increase the chances more than eating less and being reasonably lean.

Excess weight is a problem that lies within any person’s power to solve. Even when people feel up against the wall and resort to highly dangerous bariatric surgery (stomach stapling and the like), success does not come from the surgery; it results because less food is eaten. Eating less food can be a choice; choice does not require surgery.

Life is best lived as a challenge to be won. By following the simple principles outlined above we can meet and win the challenge of excess weight with a wind at our back. All that stands in the way is thinking and the will to become a better person.

So don’t see excess weight as an impossible burden or a reason to concede defeat, nor to resign oneself to a lifestyle of masochistic self-loathing. Don’t be discouraged by the feeling of emptiness and frustration from failed diet programs that center on some expert or product. They provide no true foothold because they center on an outside agency, not personal enlightenment. See the problem and your new understanding of it as a fount of action. It is a wonderful opportunity to take control, watch your body transform, and experience the health it is designed to have.

(Originally published at GoArticles and reprinted with permission from the author, R.L. Wysong).

R. L. Wysong is author of several books; his most recent is Living Life As If Thinking Matters. He has practiced veterinary surgery and medicine, taught college courses in human anatomy, physiology, and the origin of life, directed research for his health education and product development company, and heads the Wysong Institute. Visit: As If Thinking Matters.

Lifestyle and Natural Skin Care Products - Where Are the Links?

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Organic skincare is great. Natural skincare is great. That much is a given. But what about the things we do when we are not using our natural or organic, herbal or gentle, cosmetics and skincare products, things more to do with lifestyle rather than retail choices?

There are many environmental factors that affect our skin, and over the course of a lifetime we instinctively notice that certain things make our skin less healthy, for example diet and stress factors might influence you. If you do think that diet might be having a negative effect on your skin then try cutting certain foods out of your diet – too much dairy and too many deep fried fat foods might be a key area of concern. Also, don’t be blind to the positive effects that foods rich in vitamins A and C will have on the skin, and drink as much water as you can because water drives the process by which toxins are washed away from the surface of the skin.

What else can we do in our life to back up the use of natural and organic skincare product s and the positive effects than these popular products have for our skin? Well all aspects of the health and condition of the skin can be linked to the circulation of the blood, because the skin is the largest organ in the body. So, if you have any conditions effecting circulation – problems with blood pressure and so on – you may need to take extra care of your skin. Equally, if you smoke then you are really being silly because smokers are placing their circulation under undue stress, and the result of this can be grey, lifeless skin that looks unloved.

Of course, the reason why smokers look unhealthy is because they are, and this fact represents much of our skins relationship to the lifestyle choices that we make: act healthy, look healthy, it’s as simple as that.

So, whilst some people might think that spending mega bucks on a specific moisturiser, cosmetic or organic skincare product might counteract unhealthy habits, the simple fact is that any skin care routine should be running side by side with a general health kick which, fittingly, might include running.

Any exercise routine will help keep the skin looking good and healthy, because when we puff and pant we get our circulation going.

Other things that we should look at are our rest patterns. Not resting enough can cause the skin to look tired and be overly prone to dark patches beneath the eyes. Also, lack of sleep or disrupted sleep patterns may be a corollary of an underlying factor, and one which has a far greater effect on the health of our skin, namely the old sweaty faced monster STRESS.

To de-stress is to give the body a nice rest, and the importance of taking the time to think about all aspects of our wellbeing cannot be underestimated before we start deciding which organic and natural skincare products we want to use.

Natural Skin Care Products and Organic health news can be found at www.scinboutique.com, a uk based supplier of natural skin care and organic skin care products