Ageing effects on muscles bones and joints

Ageing (aging) is a normal process for all living things. We usually observe that as we get older, our muscles or bones become weaker. Muscles, bones and joints are affected by the ageing process. Some joint and bone related health conditions are common in older people, such as Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. 
We are learning about "How ageing effects on muscles, bones and joints?"

Muscle and bone conditions common in older age: 

• Osteoarthritis – the cartilage within the joint breaks down, causing pain and stiffness
• Osteomalacia – the bones become soft, due to problems with the metabolism of vitamin D
• Osteoporosis – the bones lose mass and become brittle. Fractures are more likely Rheumatoid arthritis – inflammation of the joints
• Muscle weakness and pain – any of the above conditions can affect the proper functioning of the associated muscles.

Health benefits of fishing

Fishing is Physically and Mentally Healthy


Fishing is one of the most relaxing sports.  It gives us a chance to relax and offers us time to de-stress from all of the concerns and worries.

There are numerous studies that indicate the great health benefits of meditation and relaxation and fishing is a great time to practice meditation or another form of mental relaxation. It is a wonderful feeling to be completely relaxed only to be waken up by the drag of your fishing line screaming with a big fish on the line.

Fishing is also good for the lungs and skin. After all, fishing is mostly an outdoor sport. Being outdoors gives one an opportunity to get plenty of fresh air into one's lungs.  Fresh air is healthy air. It contains plenty of oxygen which is fundamental to a healthier physical and mental state. Sunshine is another health benefit derived from fishing. Although some people like fishing enough to brave inclement weather, most prefer a nice sunny day to fish. Sunshine produces a number of beneficial attributes for maintaining a healthy body and appearance.

Fresh air, sunshine and exercise work on one's appetite, so it is always a good idea to take some appetite appeasing food on any fishing trip.

Physically, fishing is not all that demanding. It doesn't take a lot of strength and stamina to fish. 

It is not very strenuous, unless you plan on going deep sea fishing. If you plan for such fishing then better to hire 'fishing charter' providers who can assist you to do this sports in a professional way. A charter rental will give you the opportunity to spend the day catching the fish you ever dreamed to catch for years.

One of those name is 'Mishigan Fishing Charters'

'Mishigan Fishing Charters' offers a fishing experience from the best charter fleet in. Their services are for Michigan and Florida. Typical charters are: Half Day, Full Day and Swordfishing. You get the support from captains and mates who have years of local fishing experience.
Typical charters are morning or afternoon charters for King Salmon and Lake Trout. They also offer perch fishing in the morning.
A maximum of 6 people (adults and children) can go on a charter.

You may carry these things with you:
Two Marines will provide fishing licenses (Florida Only) tackle, bait and ice for your trip. Bring these accessories with you:

• Sunscreen - recommended to apply 1 hour before boarding and reapply as needed.
• Sunglasses - Polarized Lenses are best for fishing.
• Hat-Visors tend to not fly away.
• Shoes - Preferably non-marking white soles that can get wet.
• Food and Drink - We have a cooler to accommodate your items.
• Camera
• Long Sleeve or rashguard T Shirts for additional sun protection.
• Seasickness medication (non-drowsy) if you are prone to seasickness. (Please consult your physician).

Immune booster - Belberyy tea

Bilberry is a plant. Bilberry is also known as European blueberry, whortleberry, and a few other names. Bilberry tea which is made from dried bilberry leaves or fruits is extremely high in Vitamin C, which boosts the immune system. This tea is preferred for medicinal purposes rather than for the flavor as this tea has a slightly medicinal taste.

There are other benefits of belberry tea which we are learning from this post.
It is one of several species of low-growing shrubs, bearing edible berries.
The dried, ripe fruit and leaves are used to make medicine. Bilberry is a perennial shrub that grows to about 16 inches in height. It has sharp edged, green branches and black wrinkled berries, which are ripe for picking in late summer. Bilberry is a relative of blueberry, cranberry, and huckleberry, and its fruit looks and tastes much like the American blueberry.

Today, the fruit is used to treat diarrhea, menstrual cramps, eye problems, varicose veins, venous insufficiency (a condition in which the veins do not efficiently return blood from the legs to the heart), and other circulatory problems.

How to make the tea?
Bilberry Tea can either be made through infusing the dried bilberry leaves or fruits in hot water, or through decoction of these same parts in boiling water.

Bilberries contain levels of anthocyanin pigments that have been linked experimentally to lowered risk for several diseases, such as those of the heart and cardiovascular system, eyes and cancer.

The bilberry leaves are used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal ailments, applied topically, or made into Bilberry Tea infusions.

Bilberry Tea as an herbal decoction prepared from the dried fruits is said to be effective in treating diarrhea in children. It may also be used as a mouthwash in treating various oral disorders and throat problems.
Other Health benefits of Bilberry Tea:

• Bilberry Tea may help inhibit eye and vision disorders by strengthening the walls of blood vessels in the eye and benefit the retina. 
• Help reduce inflammation, and help stabilize ligaments and tendons.
• Support cardiovascular health.
• Treat gastrointestinal problems.
• Ease varicose vein appearance.
• Lower blood sugar in diabetics.
• High level of anthocyanin pigments, which have been linked to a lowered risk of heart disease and cancer.
• Helps improve skin quality in all ages.
• According to Dr. Oz it is one of the tea which help loose weight. Bilberry Tea helps to kill cravings during dinnertime. Its savory sweet flavor balances blood sugar. Drink 1 Cup before dinner.

For daily relief of gastrointestinal problems or to aid digestion, bilberry leaves have been shown to be highly effective, either when ingested in the tea form or made into topical ointments and tinctures.

Most tonics are made with the leaves, because they contain a higher concentration of antioxidants and other healthy compounds.

Immune booster - Echinacea tea

Echinacea tea has been proven to boost the immune system by stimulating the white blood cells. The tea is often used to treat individuals suffering from mild viral infections. These include the flu, the common cold and other mild infections. According to Holistic Online, some professional herbalists consider liquid echinacea to be the most effective because of its ability to coat the internal parts of the body most negatively affected by colds and congestion.                        


Echinacea also known as purple coneflower, is one of the top selling herbal supplements in American. Echinacea comes from an herb found in the southern section of the United States.

History of echinacea herb:                       
The echinacea herb has been used as an herbal medicinal treatment for hundreds of years, especially among Native American Indian tribes. Native Americans and Europeans have used Echinacea purpurea (and other species of the plant) to boost the immune system, prevent colds and flu, and fight infections.

Health benefits of achinacea tea:
Echinacea tea is a great source of vitamins and minerals. Echinacea includes iron, maganese, selenium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B, and several other vitamins and minerals.

Echinacea may also help fight off urinary tract infections, herpes, ear infections, strep throat, staph infections and bronchitis. It is recommended for those suffering with chronic respiratory infections and patients with cancer. Drinking the Echinacea can heal joint and muscle issues as well as reduce inflammation. Echinacea tea is the best herbal tea which contains infection-fighting natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Echinacea works to increase activity of our immune system by stimulating white blood cells. White blood cells attack viruses and bacteria that can lead to illness or infection. For this reason, research shows that its medicinal properties are very beneficial to those that suffer from AIDS since the disease attacks the immune system.
You can boost your immune system by adopting a healthy lifestyle and starting your day with a cup of Echinacea Tea.

How to prepare Echinacea Tea?
Ingredients:
2 cups cold water
1 teaspoon dried Echinacea fresh edible flower (or roots)
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Juice of one lemon
1 teaspoon honey
Preparation: Place the Echinacea leaves and ginger in a teapot and pour 2 cups of boiling water over the leaves.
Cover and steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain into tea cups. Add lemon juice and honey and stir to blend.


Remember:
Be advised that people suffering with diseases, such as HIV or AIDS, tuberculosis or multiple sclerosis, using Echinacea can irritate these diseases by making their symptoms worse. Check with your health care practitioner first before using Echinacea in any form.

 Echinacea tea has a number of known benefits to a person's health, though you should never use an herbal supplement, even in the form of tea, without consulting your health care practitioner.

Useful links:

* Echinacea May Boost Immune System More Than Previously Thought

Reality behind the purity of honey we get from shelves

Honey is an amazing natural food, prepared by the bees from the nectar of various plants. It has occupied a prominent place in traditional medicines throughout world history.

We use honey in daily diets as a nutritional food but do we get the benefits from it?
And is the honey sold at super markets is really a nutritional food?
Reality is that the honey we get from shelves is not the 'pure honey' which can provide us health benefits,  Honey has many health-promoting qualities. It contains natural antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Tests Show Most Store Honey Isn't Honey                               

More than three-fourths of the honey sold in U.S. grocery stores isn't exactly what the bees produce, according to testing done exclusively for Food Safety News. The results show that the pollen frequently has been filtered out of products labeled "honey." The removal of these microscopic particles from deep within a flower would make the nectar flunk the quality standards set by most of the world's food safety agencies. The food safety divisions of the World Health Organization, the European Commission and dozens of others also have ruled that without pollen there is no way to determine whether the honey came from legitimate and safe sources

Why Remove the Pollen? 
Removal of all pollen from honey "makes no sense" and is completely contrary to marketing the highest quality product possible, Mark Jensen, president of the American Honey Producers Association, told Food Safety News.

Raw honey – which has not been pasteurized or filtered, and ideally taken directly from the hive – is a treasure chest of nutritional value and medicinal remedies. It contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals and is a natural and powerful medicine, both internally and externally.

How can we differentiate 100% pure honey and adulterated honey?
The term "adulterated honey" means that the honey has been added glucose, dextrose, molasses, corn syrup, sugar syrup, invert sugar, flour, starch, or any other similar product, other than the floral nectar gathered, processed, and stored in the comb by honey bees. Legal standards and requirements for foods, including honey quality, and tests for honey adulteration vary widely amongst countries and some may not meet the wish of every consumer around the world.

* It is hard to find pure honey, but may be we can still try to find best quality or pure quality honey.

* When selecting a raw honey for you and your family, make sure the word “raw" is on the label. Or "un-pasteurized."

Source: 'food safety news'

Useful links:

* Medical benefits of honey

Health benefits of herbal teas

Drinking herbal teas is a perfect way to consume water, vitamins and minerals all at the same time. Herbal tea usually contains one or many herbal ingredients, which have several therapeutic functions. Herbal tea helps in relaxation, improves heart health and the immune system, and cleans the body's toxic matter. It also acts as an antioxidant and energy booster. It is effective for losing weight as well as getting a good night's sleep.
What are herbal teas?                                             
Herbal teas are actually infusions, and are properly called tisanes. Tisanes are made from mixtures of dried leaves, seeds, grasses, nuts, barks, fruits, flowers, or other botanical elements that give them their taste and provide the benefits of herbal teas. Unlike other forms of tea, herbal teas contain no caffeine. They can be a concoction made from fruit, herbs, flowers, spices and other botanicals. Herbal teas are usually blended to bring about a specific purpose or benefit, such as relaxation, rejuvenation, relief from a specific condition, amongst other things.
Benefits of Herbal Teas 
Firstly, it is important to note that there is a huge array of herbal teas available on the market – each one designed to have a specific therapeutic or medicinal benefit. However, there are some general benefits that can be obtained from herbal teas, and these include:

1. Achieving a more calm and relaxed state of mind
2. Supporting heart health
3. Aiding with stomach and digestive problems
4. Providing cleansing properties for the body
5. Promoting energy and wellness
6. Nourishing the nervous system
7. Strengthening the immune system
8. Providing antioxidants to the body
9. Boosting energy levels and
10. Invigorating the body relieving stress helping to avoid colds
11. Stimulating the internal organs promoting a good night’s sleep
12. Herbal teas are caffeine free and taste great

There are numerous herbal tea ingredients or herbs used, each having significance of its own.
Various kind of herbal teas and their benefits:                             

• Cinnamon: It helps in healthy blood circulation and digestion. Cinnamon tea is usually a seasonal drink had in winters to warm the body. It also lowers blood sugar and cholesterol. You can have cinnamon tea as a tisane or pour cinnamon-flavored water on regular teabag and allow it to infuse for a couple of minutes. 
• Ginseng: It maintains the vitality of the body. For several centuries, ginseng was considered some sort of a miracle herb in China. Today, various studies have revealed the rich medicinal properties of this root, making it one of the most preferred herbal teas. 
• Chamomile: It is anti-inflammatory and has antiseptic properties. Chamomile tea is a well known sedative and it helps relieve anxiety. Due to its sleep promoting qualities it is usually preferred by people suffering from insomnia. 
• Parsley: It helps in the proper functioning of the kidney. It also acts as a diuretic.
• Lemon Grass: It has calming and relaxing properties.
• Ginger Root or ginger Tea: For those who suffer from car sickness, ginger tea can help. It also aids digestion, eases flatulence, and relieves nausea. It provides relief to people suffering from lung congestion and arthritis.
• Pepper Mint: It acts as a stress buster. Peppermint is more than a popular flavor for mouth fresheners. It relaxes your muscles, aids digestion, and relieves flatulence and stomach cramps. Of course, it tastes great too
• Hawthorne: It improves heart health and blood circulation.
• Rose Hips: It is rich in Vitamin C and acts as a tonic for the kidney, liver and blood.
• Slippery Elm: It relieves stomach cramps and various gastrointestinal problems.
• Allspice: It relieves common cold as well as stomach problems

Related: teainfocentre.yolasite.com and other sites

Although there are herbal teabags available quite easily in supermarkets, it is more fun to make your own infusion at home with leaves, berries, herbs or flowers of your choice.

Useful links:

* 'History of the herbal tea'

What is a Kneeling chair and do they really help reducing back pain?

Kneeling chairs have become increasingly popular nowadays to remove fatigue at work, while sitting for long hours. Kneeling chairs provide a good comfort and ease to sit while maintain a correct body alignment which doesn’t result in back pain or any discomfort that are caused by normal chairs. Kneeling is one of the most effective ways by which you can become more comfortable if it is well supported.

What is a kneeling chair?
According to wikipedia "A kneeling chair is a type of chair for sitting in a position with the thighs dropped to an angle of about 60 to 70 degrees from vertical (as opposed to 90 degrees when sitting in a normal chair), with some of the body's weight supported by the shins."

The concept of Kneeling Chairs was introduced to the world in the 70's as an innovative ergonomic solution to back pain caused by inappropriate posture. Bad seating was a big part of the problem of back pain sufferers. Prolonged inappropriate posture was the cause to the back pain problems and Kneeling Chair, also called Knee Chair or Posture Chair was the answer!

For centuries, seiza benches have been used by Tibetan monks during extended periods of meditation. Kneeling has also been one of the most popular positions for many prayer rituals. The kneeling position allows the angle at the hips to be increased, helping to alleviate pressure on the spine and increase blood flow throughout the body.

The Danish surgeon Dr. A.C. Mandal was the first to report the potential benefits of a kneeling position. He found that many users, including school children, would lean forward in their seat for comfort and to reduce back pain. He concluded that a forward-angled seat would allow the spine to slip into a natural curve and promote the best posture.

• The Kneeling Chair is a useful ergonomic aid that:
• Helps keep the spine in its natural "S" alignment
• Provides an upright posture by distributing weight on knees, feet and buttocks
• Helps relieve the buttocks from hours of sitting pressure
• Changes pressure points and improves circulation

Function of your spine and how kneeling chair is helpful?

The posture encouraged in a kneeling chair is different to traditional seating. By tilting the pelvis forward and lowering the knees in relation to the hips, the spine is encouraged to adopt the correct alignment, such as when standing. This means the weight and compressive forces of the upper body are distributed through the seat and the legs so the discs are not squeezed out of shape and muscle strain is not required to maintain upright.

Compression on the discs of the lumbar spine is relieved by as much as 35% when seated in this kneeling-like posture.

This positioning also allows improved blood flow to the discs, which may delay the process of disc degeneration.
The unique features of a Kneeling Chair combine to induce balanced movement, nourish your spinal discs, enhance posture, reduce the pressure on your spinal vertebrae and diaphragm, relieve tension and improve your breathing capacity and alertness, thus producing a genuine sense of poise and equilibrium.

More studies:

* Benefits for the individuals

Immune boosters - sleep

Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle and can benefit your body and mind. Experts say that not only does prolonged sleep deprivation wear down immune protection but getting adequate rest can help boost your defenses.

Your body may need anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol), keeping weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.    

 "We don't know the exact mechanism by which sleep impacts immunity, but we do know that a lack of it prevents the body from repairing cells. And when we skip that important physiological step, we get sick more easily," says Tierno.

To help give your immune system an extra boost during cold and flu season, Charnetski says get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. And if you can't sleep … try a little "immune sex therapy." Charnetski says that having sex gives immunity a healthy boost of IGA (a protein from the immune system that helps fight infections), which plays a critical role in keeping pathogens from entering your body -- and capturing those that do sneak in.

In studies of humans and other animals, scientists have discovered that sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions. Researchers looked at how lack of sleep may affect the immune system. Chronic sleeplessness may harm the immune system, since lack of sleep is linked to an increase in cytokine molecules that control immune response.
The resulting inflammation and changes in blood chemistry may be behind a variety of diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and neurological conditions.
"The foundations of good health are good diet, good exercise and good sleep, but two out of three doesn't get you there," said Dr. Anne Calhoun, a neurology professor at the University of North Carolina.

 "Sleep used to be kind of ignored, like parking our car in a garage and picking it up in the morning," says David Rapoport, MD, director of the NYU Sleep Disorders Program.

More links:

* Health benefits of sleep

* 11 surprising health benefits of sleep

Why we need to boost immunity?

We know that the immune system is the body’s defense system. It consists of a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs and has a sensitive process of checks and balances that together generate an appropriate immune response that is prompt, accurate, effective and self-limiting.

Your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: A germ invades successfully and makes you sick. From getting a cold or the flu, to having bad food poisoning ... infected, slow healing injuries to allergies ... from lack of energy to just feeling "not right" ... a proper working immune system is the key to helping you feel better in so many ways.


Why we need to boost immunity?

People who suffer from a simple cold or flu to people who are seriously ill with life-threatening diseases need immune system boosters.

"The strength of our immune system is what makes the difference between who gets sick and who doesn't. The one with the immune system functioning below base-line normal has an increased risk of getting sick," says Woodson Merrell, MD, director of integrative medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

your immune cells can also lose some of their protective effects when your body is constantly battling poor health habits. As such, it's not surprising that doctors frequently recommend certain lifestyle changes as a way to optimize the function of your immune system.

"The most important thing you can do for your immune system is to achieve lifestyle balance and adopt the fundamentals of healthy living. This will give your immune system what it needs to function at optimal capacity," says Merrell. At the top of that balance list: reducing stress.

Auto-immune diseases are chronic illnesses resulting from a compromised immune system over a period of time. Many people have heard of these diseases and many more suffer from them; unfortunately, they have become almost commonplace. These illnesses and diseases include arthritis, asthma, celiac disease, colitis, Crohn's disease, dermatitis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Grave's disease, psoriasis and chronic fatigue syndrome.                         

An auto-immune disease is characterized by the inability of the body's immune system to distinguish between healthy tissue and foreign tissue. Therefore, the immune system begins to attack cells which are healthy and are causing no problems. It is thought some people are genetically predisposed to developing an auto-immune disorder, however, it is still not known what causes this reaction.


Immune system boosters often help combat the effects of the diseases, although often there is no definitive cure. The best way to treat these types of conditions is to boost the immune system as much as possible to mitigate the damage.

Other people who have problems with their immune system and may need immune system boosters are those with HIV/AIDS, certain types of cancers, gastro-intestinal diseases and lupus, although there are many illnesses and diseases related to a compromised immune system.

Source: www.immunesystemboosterssite.com

Useful links:

 * How to boost immune system naturally?

* Best Natural Immunity Boosters-Vitamins Strengthen Immune System

Carotenoids to help boost immune system

The immune system is the body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. To keep our immune system healthy, we need immunity boosters. Immune system boosters are typically utilized in order to improve the strength of the defense mechanism of the body. Carotenoids (Beta carotene) is one of immunity boosters which increases the number of infection-fighting cells, natural killer cells, and helper T-cells, as well as being a powerful antioxidant that mops up excess free radicals that accelerate aging.


Beta-carotene or carotenoids is perhaps best known for its role as a precursor for vitamin A, or as pro-vitamin A, meaning that the human body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A when needed. The human body is unable to synthesize carotenoids and they must therefore be taken up as a food constituent

What are carotenoids?                                                       
Carotenoids/Beta-carotene is a naturally occurring reddish-orange pigment, responsible for the yellow-orange colour of many fruits. It is one of literally hundreds of carotenoids found in nature, particularly in dark green, deep orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Beta-carotene is one of the most extensively researched carotenoids and pro-vitamins, and it is highly regarded for its many health-promoting capabilities.

The most common carotenoids in diets are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene. Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin are provitamin A carotenoids, meaning they can be converted by the body to retinol (vitamin A). Lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene have no vitamin A activity.

Beta-carotene rich food – Orange/ Yellow fruits and vegetables
Lycopene rich food – Red fruits & vegetables
Lutein rich food – Green Leafy Vegetable
Zeaxanthin rich food - Yellow/ Orange Colour Fruits and Vegetables
Carrot, pumpkin, water melon,tomato, spinach,Kale,Persimmon,and corn

Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system, which helps prevent or fight off infections by making white blood cells that destroy harmful bacteria and viruses. Vitamin A also may help lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) fight infections more effectively.
                                                                                    
Benefits of Carotenoids on our immune 
Main functions of Carotenoids

• antioxidant 
• immunity booster 
• promotion of cell communication 
• cancer prevention 
• eyesight improvement 
• protection of the skin against oxidative damage

Carotenoids can help boost the immune system by:

1. Increasing lymphocytes to fight against infection
2. Increasing T-cells to fight off cancer cells
3. stimulates macrophages to kill cancer cells
4. Protect cells against free radicals

Beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant and may help prevent chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, age-related eye diseases, brain disorders and many more. beta-carotene is also known to protect skin exposed to sunlight as it absorbs hazardous ultraviolet radiation.


Useful links:

* Vitamin A and Carotenoids

Health effects of a poor or bad posture

Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture involves training your body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement or weight-bearing activities.

Poor posture can easily become second nature, causing or aggravating episodes of back pain and damaging spinal structures. Back pain may be the result of poor ergonomics and posture if the back pain is worse at certain times of day or week (such as after a long day of sitting in an office chair in front of a computer, but not during the weekends); pain that starts in the neck and moves downwards into the upper back, lower back and extremities; pain that goes away after switching positions while sitting or standing; sudden back pain that is experienced with a new job, a new office chair, or a new car; and/or back pain that comes and goes for months.

Health effects of bad or poor posture:                            

• With bad posture, your rib cage starts pressing down on the major organs – giving them less space to function. 
• Your waistline gains a few inches because of that And you lose a few inches from your height 
• Your stomach will jut out and dieting won’t help 
• You’ll suffer from back aches which won’t go away easily 
• Flexibility is reduced and one shoulder tends to be higher than the other 
• You’ll become injury prone because of poor posture. According to some science, bad posture also leads to having more negative thoughts. 
• Worst of all, you’ll never feel fresh and rested even after you wake up from a good nights sleep

How does posture affect health? 

Deborah Saint-Phard, a physiatrist at CU Sports Medicine, says the most common complaints among the people she sees are back, neck and shoulder pain, all of which can relate to posture. "Posture is all I talk about," she says. "It's very important." Saint-Phard says good posture is crucial for optimal performance in sports. "Oftentimes, I'll walk into a room and see teenage kids slumped over, with rounded shoulders and head slumped over. They'll have shoulder pains (when they) play tennis," she says.
Saint-Phard says poor posture is exacerbated by weak back muscles that are elongated and stretched out.

Douglas Wisoff, a Boulder physical therapist says: posture also can affect breathing. "If your shoulders are rounded and chest back, the result is that the chest cavity is smaller. ... You're talking about ventilation being quite a bit less. Then you have ... lower energy levels. Because your ventilation is so compromised, you get used to those lower energy levels. It has (an effect on) clarity, ability to focus, ability to concentrate, ability to excel in sports." Wisoff says stress can be a big contributor to poor posture.

Useful links:

* http://radiantrunning.com/article_stand_tall.html

* Health Problems Leading to Bad Posture

* 7 EFFECTS OF POOR POSTURE

What is a good posture?

Posture comes from a combination of good muscle control, strength, and self-confidence.
Posture can be defined as the way in which you carry yourself or the position of your limbs in regard to the remainder of your body.

To maintain good posture, you want to be aware of how you sit, stand, and walk to ensure your back is healthy and free of pain. Poor posture can be caused by a number of factors. Obesity, pregnancy, weak muscles, high-heeled shoes, poor working environment, and laziness are a few contributing factors to poor posture.                                  

Maintaining a good posture takes a conscious effort, much like any other habit. If you do something often enough, even standing or sitting straight with your stomach sucked in, it will become second nature and you won’t have to think about it. Besides getting rid of back pain, having proper posture can also affect the other joints in our bodies. If you slouch while seated, your back, knees, and neck may hurt. If you let your posture go while driving, it could actually be a contributing factor to an accident because you won’t be able to see properly out the rearview or side mirrors.

Your back is the workhorse of the body. Not only is it involved in nearly every movement we make, it is central to balance and keeping our head on straight, so to speak. Backaches and injuries are some of the most common complaints when people visit doctors or when they call in sick. If back pain is causing you problems, you’ll want to discuss it with your doctor. They may recommend a physical therapist or medication. You may also want to consult a chiropractor to help you correct bad posture. Take time to be aware of how you stand, walk, sit, and lift. If you relax too much you may get lazy and begin slouching instead of keeping your spine straight and stomach pulled in. Keeping your posture intact helps strengthen the muscles along the spine and can help reduce or eliminate back pain.



What is a good posture?

Posture is how a person holds their body when not only standing but when sitting or laying down. It requires a person to balance their muscle along their spine, have good muscle flexibility, and normal motion in the joints. Those who have good posture are aware of their posture and correct it when wrong. Posture comes from a combination of good muscle control, strength, and self-confidence. Those with good posture walk and sit with their back straight, shoulders back, and head high.

Douglas Wisoff, a Boulder physical therapis says: Reducing stress and ramping up physical activity can both help improve posture, he says. For those with very poor posture, he suggests seeing a professional for advice. "The mistake that people make is that they force themselves into a new position, rather than relax into a new position," he says. "(Improving posture) might require some good instruction. Forcing it creates that very tight military posture that you see. Basically you lay a whole new set of tensions on top of your old tensions. In the future, that causes problems."

Useful links:

* Posture for a Healthy Back

How Food Dyes Effect Child Behavior and How to Manage It?

Do you know that food color or dyes are resposible for hyperactivity, ADD/ADHD and related behavioural problems?These dyes—petrochemicals, mostly—are often used to simulate the presence of healthy, colorful fruits and vegetables. Artificial colors or food dyes make the presentation attractive but these preservatives or food colours are not safe for children. Our children are addicted to chocolates, candies and similar stuff which may cause disruptive behaviour, restlessness and lack of concentration.

Children with (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder )ADHD often have strong sugar cravings, and this has contributed to the belief that sugar and candy consumption can cause hyperactive behavior. Ingredients in nonchocolate candy (sugar, artificial food colors), components in chocolate candy (sugar, artificial food colors in coatings, caffeine), and chocolate itself have been investigated for any adverse effects on behavior. New research has shown that commonly used food dyes, such as Yellow 5, Red 40, and six others, are linked to hyperactivity, impulsivity, learning difficulties, and Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder in many children. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of these dyes, many of which are already being phased out in Europe.


Hyperactivity is a general term used to describe behavioural difficulties affecting learning, memory, movement, language, emotional responses and sleep patterns. ADHD is more than just hyperactive behaviour. Research funded by the FSA has suggested that consumption of mixes of certain artificial food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate could be linked to increased hyperactivity in some children.


How to manage it?
If your child shows signs of hyperactivity, or if on the basis of this information you have concerns, you might choose to avoid giving your child food and drinks containing the following artificial colours:

• sunset yellow FCF (E110)                                                                      
• quinoline yellow (E104)
• carmoisine (E122)
• allura red (E129)
• tartrazine (E102)
• ponceau 4R (E124)

These colours are used in a wide range of foods that tend to be brightly coloured, including some soft drinks, sweets, cakes and ice cream. Parents may wish to check the labels of brightly coloured foods if they want to avoid certain colours.


For details: FSA advice to parents on food colours and hyperactivity


Useful links:


* Download FREE 20 page PDF report:  "A Parent's Guide to Diet,ADHD & Behaviour"


* Food colours are linked with hyperactivity of your child


* Foods containing artificial food dyes must have warning label in Europe


* Hyperactivity: The Food Additives Argument

How auricular therapy works?

Auriculotherapy, or ear acupressure is probably, the most effective and accessible alternative treatment for reducing pain, lowering blood pressure, shedding unwanted pounds, alleviating insomnia, and correcting alcohol and drug addiction etc.

How auricular therapy works?

Auricular therapy is not simply ear reflexology, which uses acupressure to unblock the energy meridians of the body. Rather, ear acupressure stimulates the nerve connections between the ear and the central nervous system.

Applying pressure to the correct points on the external ear triggers nerve impulses from the ear to the brain, thereby communicating powerful healing messages to the organ or system in which the health problem manifests. Upon receiving the ear’s recommendations, the brain releases pain-relieving protein molecules called endorphins into the blood stream, soothing chronic pain and discomfort quickly and with no side effects.                                      

Since the outer ear is a microsystem that connects to every part of the human body, auriculotherapy relieves a wide variety of health problems. Virtually all health conditions can be improved to some degree by stimulating the ear points.

Auricular acupressure points are the same as acupuncture points. Difference between acupressure and acupuncture, is that in acupuncture needles are used to apply pressure on specific points but in acupressure pressure therapy is applied through pressure of fingers or tools.

Auricular Acupuncture:

Auricular Acupuncture is widely used throughout the United Kingdom to treat people with a variety of conditions. It forms the basis of a number of protocols used in the treatment of Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia and Pain Management. It is also commonly known for the treatment of smoking cessation, weight loss, substance misuse, and alcohol cessation, and has been growing steadily since the 1970’s.

One of the significant advantages of Auricular Acupuncture treatment is that it is complementary to conventional acupuncture treatments. Auricular Acupuncture whilst originally based upon the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture, has its origins in Modern Europe. It was developed by Dr. Paul Nogier, a neurologist from Lyons in France in 1957.He noticed the correspondence of specific parts of the body to the ear based upon the concept of an inverted foetus. Dr. Nogier believed that pain and other symptoms in the body could be alleviated by needling, massaging or electronically stimulating the corresponding region of the ear.

There are over 200 acupuncture points on the ear, each point named after an area of our anatomy. The outer ear acts like a switchboard to the brain. Each acupuncture point being treated, triggers electrical impulses from the ear via the brain, to the specific part of the body being treated. Clinical Reports demonstrate that acupuncture

• Stimulates the production of pain modulators
• Regulates blood pressure
• Regulates seratonin
• Regulates the sympathetic nervous system
• Enhances the immune system
• Reduces the allergic response 

Useful links:

* Ear Acupressure: The Most Accessible Alternative for Self-Healing 

* Self-healing-ear-acupressure-auriculotherapy

*  A NEW AURICULAR ACUPRESSURE TREATMENT FOR SMOKING AND OVERWEIGHT PROBLEMS BY DR. JUNZO KOKUBO, D.AC (Research paper by Dr.Kokubo on clinical testing of PressPoint Ear Acupressure System, which was contributed to a Japanese acupuncture medicine journal in 1991.)
* Auricular acupressure as a treatment for anxiety in prehospital transport settings.
 Brain-Modulated Effects of Auricular Acupressure on the Regulation of Autonomic Function in Healthy Volunteers

Interesting facts about coke

Carbonated drinks were called as soft drinks initially (though being popular as soda in U.S. and as pop in U.K.) but now the term soft drink applies to all cold drinks not containing alcohol. Excessive use of carbonated beverages, sports drinks and fruit drinks can impact bone health, oral health and lead to obesity in young people. Moderate use of soft drink may not be harmful for humans but we are becoming addict to soda consumption which are called soft drinks.

Is coke or related brand are harmful for us?
Read some interesting facts about coke and decide yourself if you want to continue soda consumption or not?




"The United States ranks first among countries in soft drink consumption.
Many studies show that "Soft drink consumption in children poses a significant risk factor for impaired calcification of growing bones." Soft drink consumption may be a major factor for osteoporosis as they are high in phosphates but contain virtually no calcium. This leads to lower calcium levels and higher phosphate levels in the blood.

Interesting Facts About Coke

• In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two gallons of coke in the truck to remove blood from the highway after a car accident. (Unproven, however, it is reasonable to assume that it's true since phosphoric acid can dissolve rust and grease and was used by the steel industry to clean products.)
• To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. Source: www.howtocleananything.com, the popular household hint guru Mary Ellen says some coke in the toilet for an hour can do the trick.
• The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous China. Source: Columnist Heloise
• To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola. (Source: According to Joey Greene's )
• To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion. This is true of a lot of carbonated beverages.
• To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.(Source:www.howtocleananything.com, the popular household hint guru Mary Ellen)

• To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.
• To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. (Source: www.howtocleananything.com, the popular household hint guru Mary Ellen)
• Coke will also clean road haze from your windshield. (Unproven, however, it is reasonable to assume that it's true since phosphoric acid can dissolve rust and grease and was used by the steel industry to clean products.)
• The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days (Unproven). Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis  (Source: UC Davis Health System).
• To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for Highly corrosive materials. (Source: Truth or Fiction web site - "My husband and I drive the big rigs and often carried Pepsi products...and it is true of all soda in the concentrated form...YES we did have to put the hazardous placards up for the load. Also the driver has to have passed the hazardous material test and have that on his CDL's (Commercial Driver's License)"                                                         
• The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 years! (Unproven, but according to the Science is Fun site sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Chemistry Professor, Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, the steel industry has used phosphoric acid to clean and rust-proof products.)
• Now the question is, would you like a coke or a glass of water?
• :
• The phosphoric acid present in soft drink competes with the hydrochloric acid of the stomach and affects its functions. When the stomach becomes ineffective, food remains undigested causing indigestion, gassing or bloating.
• Kidneys are less able to excrete phosphoric acid when it is in excess. Thus, there is extra work for the kidneys.
• Soft drinks remove Calcium from the body, causing an excess amount of Calcium that tends to be deposited in the kidney, resulting in kidney stones. Drinking too much soda (approximately five cans a day according to a USDA research study) has been shown to upset the body's calcium/phosphorus ratio. Under these circumstances, the body attempts to maintain balance by drawing calcium from bone. Over time, bones can become fragile and more susceptible to fractures.
• Acidic blood affects the action of glutathione, which is an antioxidant enzyme.
• Phosphoric acid, present in carbonated drinks de-oxidizes blood. In detergent manufacturing industries, phosphoric acid is used to produce water softener. Water softener removes Ca²+ and Mg²+ ion from hard water. In human body, the function remains the same by removing Ca²+ from bones causing osteoporosis.

According to a report published at 'Science Daily':Consuming two or more soft drinks per week increased the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by nearly twofold compared to individuals who did not consume soft drinks, according to a report in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Source: 'Inspired living'

Miracle food dates and health benefits

According to Neal Barnard, M.D., author of several books on the healing properties of foods, certain foods are excellent painkillers, especially green leafy vegetables and beans. Date is one of those miracle foods which helps flush out toxins, lubricates and cushions your joints, helps relieve congestion and keeps your body in balance.

Health benefits of dates have made them the best nourishment for muscles development.
Dates are the fruits grow on the palm tree belonging to the family of Arecaceae of the genus: Phoenix and scientifically named as Phoenix dactylifera. The tree is believed to have originated in the lands around the banks of Nile and Euphrates rivers.
Date palm is now extensively cultivated for its edible fruit in warmer climates across all the continents.

Dates are rich in minerals like calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Calcium is an important mineral that is an essential constituent of bone and teeth, and required by the body for muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve impulse conduction. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Magnesium is essential for bone growth.
The fruit has adequate levels of B-complex group of vitamins as well as vitamin K. It contains very good amounts of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), niacin, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin. These vitamins are acting as cofactors help body metabolize carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Vitamin K is essential for many coagulant factors in the blood as well as in bone metabolism.

Health benefits of dates: 

•  Wonderfully delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits with an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, required for normal growth, development and overall well-being.
• Fresh date is made of soft, easily digestible flesh with simple sugars like fructose and dextrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly; thus, for these qualities, dates are being used to breakfast during Ramadan months. 
•  The fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which prevents dietary LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut. It is also a good bulk laxative. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon. 
•  They contain many health benefitting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to have anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic (prevent easy bleeding tendencies) properties. 

•  They are a good source of Vitamin-A (contains 149 IU per 100 g), which is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. Vitamin A also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A is known to help to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
•  The fruit is very rich in antioxidant flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants have the ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen free radicals and thereby found to be protective against colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Zeaxanthin, an important dietary carotenoid selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it is thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions; thus it offers protection against age related macular degeneration, especially in elderly populations. 
•  Dates are an excellent source of iron, contains 0.90 mg/100 g of fruits (about 11% of RDI). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. 
•  In addition, They are good in potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help controlling heart rate and blood pressure; thus offers protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases.

According to the modern medicine survey, it is known that dates are useful in preventing abdominal cancer. 

Useful links:
 * Health Benefits of Dates

 * Top 10 Health Benefits of Dates

Auricular therapy and its benefits

The art of healing with finger pressure over the specific points on the ear is known as Ear Acupressure or Auricular Therapy. In 1957, Dr. Paul Nogier, a well known French Neuro-surgeon, made a careful study of the ear and its relationship to the rest of the body and developed this “Auricular Therapy”.

The ear contains more than 120 acupoints that correspond to various parts of the body. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that all major meridians, or energy pathways in the body, pass through the ear, making auricular acupressure effective in treating a variety of ailments throughout the body. It is perhaps the most effective and accessible alternative treatment for reducing pain, lowering blood pressure, shedding unwanted pounds, alleviating insomnia, and correcting alcohol and drug addiction, to name just a few of the ailments this age-old technique relieves.

Ear acupressure was first advanced by Chinese acupuncturists in 500 BC and documented in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. But it was French doctor, Paul Nogier, who pioneered modern Auriculotherapy as a complete healing system in the 1950s. Dr. Nogier sought to explain the connection between ear acupoints and their effects on
the body with his apt scientific metaphor of the ear as the micro-imitation of the human bodily system, comparing the shape of the ear to an inverted fetus.


Benefits:
Auriculotherapy is not simply ear reflexology, which uses acupressure to unblock the energy meridians of the body. Rather, ear acupressure stimulates the nerve connections between the ear and the central nervous system. Applying pressure to the correct points on the external ear triggers nerve impulses from the ear to the brain, thereby communicating powerful healing messages to the organ or system in which the health problem manifests. Upon receiving the ear’s recommendations, the brain releases pain-relieving protein molecules called endorphins into the blood stream, soothing chronic pain and discomfort quickly and with no side effects.

 A 2003 study by the University of Vienna in Austria found that patients who received ear acupressure during ambulance transport reported decreased pain and anxiety. A study conducted by the New Mexico State University in 2006 used auricular acupressure in addition to regular substance abuse treatment. Patients who received ear acupressure showed a significant reduction in cravings and emotional stress. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, auricular acupressure may help improve sleep quality and alleviate insomnia. Pressure points in the ear that relate to the stomach may help control the appetite and help with weight-loss efforts.

 How to locate the ear acupressure point?

Imagine a fully grown-up foetus inside the mother’s womb.The whole body is represented by the ear in much the same be activated by pulsating the corresponding points on the ear way as the foetus fits (Fig. 17b). Different parts of the body can be activated by pulsating the corresponding points on the ear.The ear acupressure chart provides a ready-reference for this Purpose.

 An ear massage is very detoxifying and stimulating to the system. Auricular acupressure improves the circulation, strengthens the immunity and relaxes the body and the mind. Briskly rub the palms of your hands together and then cup them over the ears for twenty seconds or more. Then massage the ears for a minute or more. Auricular acupressure massages may also be performed by kneading, rubbing, pulling and pinching the ear.
YouTube video:

  Useful links: 

* Stimulation of auricular acupuncture points in weight loss

How to Fight with Fibromyalgia and Get Cure?

Fibromyalgia makes you feel tired and causes muscle pain and "tender points." Tender points are places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms or legs that hurt when touched. People with fibromyalgia may have other symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, and problems with thinking and memory, sometimes called "fibro fog."

No one knows what causes fibromyalgia. Anyone can get it, but it is most common in middle-aged women. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are particularly likely to develop fibromyalgia.

Read more at:How to Fight with Fibromyalgia and Get Cure?

Is drinking ice cold water bad for your health?

There is no scientific or medical study regarding the harmful or good effects of drinking ice cold water, but in alternative therapies like Chinese or Ayurvedic systems, there are some theories which say that drinking ice cold water on regular basis may harm you.

It is said that 'Long time drinking of ice-cold drinks can cause a lot of health problems, such as over weight, cough, headache, stomach problems, weak immunity, infertility etc.' and the reason is:

The average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). The ice drinks will bring down the temperature and slow down the energy and blood circulation inside the body. The coldness can be stuck somewhere in the body due to constant ice water intake, this will cause energy blockage. If the blockage occurs in the lower abdomen (which often happens to females), where uterus and ovaries are, many female related diseases and problems could appear including infertility and aging faster.

If the energy circulation slows, the metabolism slows, over weight is the result of that.
Aging and diseases are all the results of either slowing or blockage of energy inside of our body. Low temperature is one of the causes.
A cup of ice water may make you feel heavenly after a sweaty exercise or at the time you feel really hot. But that cup of water could hurt you 10 times more due to the sudden cooling inside your body especially if you quickly finish it.

According to Ayurveda, ice cold water or drinks hinder the process of digestion and slow down the Jatharagni (digestive fire). As a result, food is not digested properly, leading to the formation of sticky toxic material (ama) in the small intestine. Other effects include under nourishment and blockage of body's channels (srotas), which can further lead to hundreds of diseases.

Ice cold water is very bad for patients because their digestive fire is already weak due to low levels of immunity.

According to Ayurveda, you should always drink water at normal room temperature. If you live in very hot climate, you can drink slightly cool water. And the best is to drink lukewarm water. It helps in enhancing the process of digestion, clears the accumulated toxins, opens up the blocked channels, and balances Vata and Kapha (Ayurvedic humours representing Air and Water). If you are suffering from Pitta diseases (such as skin rashes, burning sensation, hyperacidity, etc.),

There is an urban legend that if you drink cold water, especially after eating, you’ll get cancer. The theory, which has been widely circulated via email, suggests that cold water solidifies fats you have just consumed, quickly causing toxins to create cancer in your body. Sites devoted to proving or disproving urban legends, like snopes.com, have defeated this theory quite effectively.

Useful links:

* A discussion at a health forum: Is ice water bad for u?

How to Get Happiness from Within and Get Health Plus Longevity?

Real happiness comes from inside, and we know that happiness brings health plus longevity, but how to get real happiness to stay healthier and longer? The simple answer may be to ‘be satisfied with your life as it is, and be thankful to God’. As happiness and sorrow are parts of our life we cannot choose only to be happy. But we can learn to be happy from within.

Happiness helps you bringing joy within yourself and spreading around you. This post helps you find ways to happiness and enables you to download valuable free ebooks. I have downloaded these priceless and valuable ebooks and realized that you have to pay a high price for the valuable stuff, but hats off to the authors of these books who devoted this information to mankind and shared it with all.

According to the World Health Organization, "Health is more than the absence of disease. Health is a state of optimal well-being." Optimal well-being is a concept of health that goes beyond the curing of illness to one of achieving wellness.

Fyodor Dostoevsky said: "Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it."

Read more: How to Get Happiness from Within and Get Health Plus Longevity?