How Vitamin D May Help In The Battle Against Cancer

How Vitamin D May Help In The Battle Against Cancer
Vitamin D's importance in maintaining strong, healthy bones
through its interaction with the essential mineral,
calcium, is well known. But the vitamin is also vital for
the health of the nervous and immune systems, in regulating
insulin levels and blood pressure, and even as a possible
protector against certain common cancers.

The best known and most serious disease associated with
vitamin D deficiency is rickets, which arises when the
deficiency causes blood calcium levels to fall too low, and
the body to respond by stripping the bones of calcium
leading to loss of bone density and malformation.

Interestingly, studies have shown that the geographical
pattern of the incidence of rickets is very similar to
those for both breast and colon cancer, suggesting a
possible (though not fully understood) link between vitamin
D deficiency and these diseases. One 5 year study which
grouped 120,000 people by levels of vitamin D intake
reported that men in the highest intake group had a 29%
lower incidence of colon cancer than those in the lowest
intake group and similar results have been observed in
breast cancer research. Relatively high blood levels of
active form vitamin D have also been associated with a
lower risk of pre-cancerous growths (polyps) in the colon
whereas lower levels of vitamin in the blood have been
associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Vitamin D is known to be essential for a healthy immune
system and has been shown to be particularly important in
helping prevent auto-immune diseases - those in which the
body's immune system attacks and destroys its own cells,
wrongly having identified them as invaders. Type 1
(insulin dependent) diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and
multiple sclerosis are examples of serious diseases which
fall into this category and a number of research studies
suggest that a generous intake of vitamin D may be a
significant mitigating factor.

Blood levels of vitamin D have also been shown to be
inversely correlated with blood pressure, and some research
suggests that high dose supplements of vitamin D of (1,600
IU per day) may help this, although orthodox medicine, as
ever, is cautious about definitively acknowledging any
direct causal link.

The traditional view was that adequate supplies of vitamin
D can be synthesised in the skin upon its exposure to
sunlight. But the problem is that a large proportion of
the population in the affluent world lives in latitudes
which provide very limited sunlight for six months of the
year. People commonly work indoors and tend to use high
factor sunblocks on the rare occasions on which they might
expose significant areas of skin to the sun.

It is a cruel irony that this concern about skin cancer may
lead to the ill-health associated with vitamin D deficiency
and may even increase the risk of other cancers. But in
these circumstances the usual assumptions about vitamin D
production in the body appear questionable at best, if not
downright complacent. And the situation is even worse for
the elderly, who may not only enjoy even less exposure to
the sun than the young, but are less able to make use of
that which they do obtain.

Moreover, there are relatively few good natural food
sources of vitamin D, and the best source, oily fish such
as sardines, mackerel and salmon is one which many people,
and perhaps children in particular, often find unpalatable.
The situation has improved somewhat with the fortification
of milk, orange juice, bread and some cereal products, but
it may still be difficult for individuals to ensure they
obtain a sufficient intake of the vitamin, particularly
because the amounts added to different foods and drinks are
very variable.

Since the amount of vitamin D required from food will vary
greatly depending on the amount of exposure to sunlight
enjoyed by the individual, it has not been deemed possible
to determine a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for
vitamin D. But the Food and Nutrition Board has suggested
200 IU (5mcg) for infants, children, and adults up to 50,
rising to 400 IU for the 50-70s, and 600 IU for the over
70s, as an "Adequate Intake" of the vitamin from food on
the assumption that none is being obtained from sunlight.

Orthodox opinion, however, seems to regard these
suggestions as too conservative. And even for those
individuals fortunate enough to enjoy regular exposure to
good quality sunlight, the intake of 400 IU (10 mcg) of
vitamin D as part of a multi-vitamin and multi-mineral
supplement is recommended. For the over 65s, those with
less than optimal liver or digestive health, those living
in less advantageous climates and those who spend the
majority of their time in indoor occupations a
supplementary dose of a further 400 IU, for a total of 800
IU is strongly advised.

For maximum effect, however, vitamin D supplementation
should be always be combined with adequate dietary calcium
- supplemented if necessary to achieve an intake of 1,000 -
1,200 mg per day of this essential mineral.

----------------------------------------------------
Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in
direct marketing and with a particular interest in health
products.
Find out more at
http://www.sisyphuspublicationsonline.com/LiquidNutrition/In
formation.htm

Quick Tips To Boost Your Metabolism

Quick Tips To Boost Your Metabolism
There are a lot of people who would desperately love to
increase their metabolism. Having a high level of
metabolism enables one to maintain burn fat and lose weight
fast with the least amount of activity. Metabolism is the
rate by which the body produces and consumes energy and
calories to support everyday life.

There are several factors that affect the metabolism of a
person, such as the amount of muscle tissue, the frequency
of the meals one consumes, genetics, stress levels,
personal diet and activity levels. Metabolism slows down
due to the following: loss of muscle because of not enough
physical activity, the tendency of the body to cannibalize
its own tissue because there is not enough food energy to
sustain it, and the decrease of physical activity that
comes naturally with old age.

Here are several ways to fire up one's metabolism:

1. Build up on lean, mean body mass. It is only natural
that metabolism decreases along with age, but it is
possible to counter the effects. The amount of muscle a
person has is a very strong determinant in the ability to
burn calories and shed fat. So it goes without saying that
exercise is essential. Build strength and resistance by
working out at least twice a week, preferably with weights.
Do easy exercises in between workouts. Simple tasks such as
walking the dog and using the stairs in place of the
elevator can already take off calories. The key is to match
the amount of eating to the amount of activity one has.
Here are some guidelines in getting the right exercise:

For strength training

-Increase the amount of repetitions of a particular
exercise.

-Add the level of resistance

-Utilize advance exercise techniques if possible

For cardiovascular training

-Insert intervals between exercises

-Perform cross-training and combine the exercises

-Add up on resistance and speed

2. Eat breakfast. A lot of people are ignoring the fact
that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Surprisingly, the ones who eat breakfast are thinner than
the ones who do not. Metabolism can slow down considerably
if breakfast is taken during mid-morning or if one waits
until the afternoon to eat.

3. Avoid sugar. Sugar enables the body to store fat. It is
recommended that a person consumes food that helps sustain
an even level of blood-sugar. Additionally, progressive
exercise 2-3 times a week should be in order to stabilize
blood sugar.

4. Eat spicy foods. Hot cuisine with peppers can increase
metabolism.

5. Sleep more. According to research, it is riskier for
people who do not get enough sleep to gain weight. Also,
muscles are regenerated during the last couple of hours of
your night's rest.

6. Increase water intake. Water flushes out toxins that are
produced whenever the body burns fat. Majority of bodily
functions involves water, and lack of water causes the body
system's operations to decrease its speed, and produces
unneeded stress as a result.

7. Eat smaller meals. It is advisable to consume 4 to 6
small meals that are timed 2 to 3 hours apart.

8. Never skip meals. People tend to skip meals in order to
lose weight, which is a big mistake since it slows down
metabolism.

9. Plan meals in detail. Always prepare the right amount of
food to be consumed at the designated intervals. Do not
commit the mistake of eating meals in sporadic patterns.

9. Ditch the stress! Stress, be it physical or emotional,
triggers the release of a steroid called cortisol, which
decreases metabolism. Also, people tend to eat excessively
when stressed.

10. Guzzle up on green tea. It can be used as a substitute
for coffee. Tea has the ability to stimulate metabolism,
and unlike coffee, it has no undesirable side effects when
too much is consumed.

11. Include more energy foods in the diet, such as fruits
and vegetables, beans and whole grains.

Achieving the desired body weight is never impossible if
one has the determination and patience needed to stabilize
the metabolism level, which plays an important role in
weight loss. A person needs to realize that eating right
and working out is not just a passing fancy, but a way of
life.

----------------------------------------------------
Mick Reade is an Australian chef who has been cooking in
commercial kitchens across the country for over 10 years,
and has been teaching others how easy it can be to cook
healthy and delicious food, for more information please
visit http://www.alleasyfoodrecipes.com

Live Well With Green Foods

Live Well With Green Foods
We have always heard that we need to eat our greens, but we
are just now discovering how vital the health benefits of
green foods are to our living well. Naturopaths have
recommended the use of green foods to enhance the treatment
of diseases such asthma, candida, lupus, HIV and many
others. One pound of wheat grass or one pound of barley
grass has more nutritional value than twenty-five pounds of
organic vegetables. Blue-green algaes, i.e. spirulina,
have high levels of vitamins, minerals, and protein that
exceed the equivalent weight of meat or soybeans. Alfalfa
contains all known vitamins. The phyto-nutrients in green
foods are packed with valuable anti-oxidants. Green foods
made from fruit and vegetable extracts that come in
capsules, tablets, wafers or powders can be the nutritional
equivalent of eating all the fruits and vegetables that we
should eat daily but don't because of our fast paced and
processed, fast food lifestyle. These green foods in
supplement form have more nutrient density i.e. an ounce of
these concentrated green foods in supplement form contain
much more of the beneficial phytonutrients found in an
ounce of green vegetables. In addition to vitamins,
minerals and protein, green foods are also packed full of
antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes,
coenzymes and fibre.

The green color of green foods comes from the phytochemical
chlorophyll which is the equivalent, in plants, of the
oxygen-carrying red pigment hemoglobin in our red blood
cells. Chlorophyll has been shown to have beneficial
effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, immune response,
and cancer prevention. Chlorophyll inhibits bacteria that
cause disease, bad breath and internal odors.

Chlorella is a green food that is a complete food in
itself. Chlorella has massive amounts of chlorophyll and
protein as well as high levels of all the B vitamins,
vitamin C, vitamin E, amino acids and rare trace minerals.
Chlorella has more B12 than a equal serving of liver. It's
high RNA and DNA content are believed to fight against the
effects of ultraviolet radiation.. Chlorella is a powerful
antioxidant that reduces high blood pressure, lowers
harmful cholesterol, accelerates wound healing and improves
our immune system. Chlorella from green foods, in
supplemental form, has been shown to help reduce pain in
fibromyalgia, reduce blood pressure and blood fat in
hypertension, and help heal and reduce pain in ulcerative
colitis. Chlorella has been found to help in the prevention
of the growth of tumors because of its glycoproteins that
enhance the migration of T cells to tumor sites. Chlorella
attaches to heavy metals and dioxin and helps eliminate
them from the body.

Spirulina is one of the more well known green foods.
Spirulina contains gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic and
arachidonic acids, vitamin B 12, essential amino acids,
nucleic acids RNA and DNA, chlorophyll and phycocyanin.
Spirulina has been found to enhance our immune system,
reduce cholesterol and enhance mineral absorption. With
it's high nutrient and protein content, spirulina is
especially helpful to people suffering hypoglycemia.
Spirulina has been used to assist in the treatment of
cancer and HIV because of it ability to aid in nutrient
absorption and it's ability to strengthen the immune
system. Sprulina has strong antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory effects, helps reduce blood pressure,
helps control symptoms of ulcerative colitis and aids in
digestion, helps protect the liver from toxins e.g. heavy
metals, and helps reduce allergies. Spirulina and other
blue-green algaes are rich in essential fatty acids,
phenolic antioxidants, chlorophyll, B vitamins, carotenoids
and minerals such as calcium iron, magnesium maganese,
potassium and zinc.

Kelp is also a well known green food. Kelp is a seaweed
common in Asian food. It is high in B vitamins and iodine
content and therefore has been used to aid in the treatment
of certain thyroid diseases. Poor thyroid function has been
found to be a major factor in the cause of weight gain and
obesity. Kelp is also believed to be beneficial to brain
tissues and membranes, sensory nerves, spinal cord tissue
and blood vessels. The high iodine content in kelp has
lead to the use of kelp to combat the effects of radiation.

Wheatgrass contains a large variety of vitamins, minerals,
and trace elements. People have reported experiencing a
definite increase in energy after ingesting wheatgrass. It
has been used as an important part of treatments for
diseases, such as cancer, immunological disorders, and
mental health disorders. Before WWII, tablet of wheatgrass
and barley grass was used as a common vitamin supplement,
especially throughout the midwest section of our country.
Barley grass contains all essential amino acids,
chlorophyll, flavonoids, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, minerals
and enzymes. Barley grass has been used most often to
treat stomach and intestinal disorders as well as being
used as an anti-inflammarory.

Alfalfa is one of the most mineral-rich foods on the
planet. Alfalfa contains all known vitamins, chlorophyll,
calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. It's mineral
content is in naturally balanced form which results in
natural maximum absorption. Alfalfa has been used to help
treat arthritis, anemia, bleeding gums and even cancer.

Studies have shown that green foods in concentrated
supplemental form, eliminates toxins such as heavy metals
and increases levels of good bacteria such as lactobacilli
that are essential for good digestion and elimination, The
oxygen-carrying ability of green foods is extremely
effective in digestion of foods for vital nutrients,
prevention of fungal growth in intestinal passages that can
produce a condition of candida. The oxygen distributing
and enhancing quality of green foods is vital for cell
function of muscles, organs and brain health.

Green foods contain lutein which is an antioxidant found in
high levels in the macula which is an eye tissue. The
macula helps tell the brain what the eye is seeing and is
responsible for the central vision that enables us to
drive, read, and see clearly in general. Lutein also helps
reduce macular degeneration and cataract development that
occurs with our aging.

Green foods have been found to support cellular metabolism
and because of it's high alkaline content, helps to
neutralize excess acidity that leads to acid reflux and
general acidity associated with our processed, fast food
diets. Green foods with their high enzyme and coenzyme
content enhance digestive process and health and the
absorption of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. Green
foods provide benefits of enhancing the health and
appearance of skin, hair and nails and delay the natural
effects of aging.

Green foods consumed in supplement, concentrated form
through capsule or tablet is a very convenient and
important way that we can insure that we are receiving the
health benefits of these nutrient packed natural plants.
Green Foods, in powdered form, can be added, mixed or
blended into juices, added to cooking or combined with
fruit or protein powders for energy, help with weight loss
or for enhancing general health in a natural way. Optimum
health requires providing our bodies with the best possible
nutrients for growing and maintaining cellular well ness
and function. Green Foods are a super form of these best
possible nutrients that will help us live well and long.

----------------------------------------------------
Jenny has more than twenty years experience with all
natural health care products. More information about the
health benefits of greens foods is available at =>

http://www.sweetmedicineessentials.com/anti-aging-antioxidan
ts-c-5.html

Missed Moments-what else you can lose when you're obsessed with losing weight

Missed Moments-what else you can lose when you're obsessed with losing weight
Sometimes a memory is so vivid that you feel liked it just
happened yesterday. You know what I mean? You are sitting
at home and you hear some music on the radio, and suddenly
you are transported to a different time and place, without
ever leaving your chair. The following story is a memory
from over 30 years ago. It was triggered by the smell of
chlorine, when I was cleaning my bathroom.

I was in my apartment, having finished a six month trip to
Israel. It had been an amazing experience, new friends, new
sites, new foods-and I had gained 15 pounds. One of my
oldest friends, Joan, who I hadn't seen in several years,
called me on the phone. "Let's get together at the Jewish
Community Center swimming pool. We can get together for a
little while, and go swimming and then go out and have a
cup of coffee!" It was such a good idea, and I really
wanted to see Joan. But I remember telling her I was busy,
sorry, I couldn't make it, I already had plans, maybe
another time.

Do you know what my real excuse was? I felt I was too fat
and didn't want to be seen in a swimsuit! Here I was,
sitting in my apartment, doing nothing, and deciding
against seeing an old friend because I was afraid of how I
looked! I thought she would judge me, and, believe it or
not, stop liking me because she thought I was fat. I just
knew she would think I had become sloppy and lazy, and I
was no longer worthy of her friendship. And do you know
what I did next? I punished myself by staying alone and
eating, proving that I was not worthy of being around other
people.

How many moments have you missed because you didn't like
how your body looked? Rather than getting together with
family or rekindling old friendships, we stay home by
ourselves- punishing ourselves for a crime we believe we've
committed: the crime of not looking the way society says we
should look, the crime of wanting to eat foods we'd like to
enjoy, but can't because we feel guilty.

Becoming "at peace with food" is a journey that involves
developing a new relationship with food. Instead of being
marked by frustration and disappointment, by fear and
competition between you and the food you eat, food takes
its place as one of the many activities in your life, along
with family, friends, working and being active. And, like
these other activities, it becomes pleasurable.

In order to be at peace with food, you need to learn about
yourself and why you have the relationship you do with the
food you eat. Like all relationships, your relationship
with food took time to develop, and it will take time to
change.

And when you become at peace with food, you will not being
afraid to be around your friends, your family, and the food
that often accompanies these get-togethers.

Life is too short. Please stop missing out on those
significant moments in your life. Go swimming with Joan.

----------------------------------------------------
For free tips to becoming At Peace With Food™, articles,
and links to nutritional resource websites, visit
http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com/freetips.html

Why You Can't Assume You're Getting Enough Vitamin D

Why You Can't Assume You're Getting Enough Vitamin D
Vitamin D can be manufactured in the skin on exposure to
sunlight, or obtained from the diet. It's important as a
protector against cancer, in ensuring a robust immune
system, as a regulator of blood pressure and in enabling
the proper secretion of insulin. But it is in its
interaction with the essential mineral, calcium, and
consequently vital role in the development and maintenance
of strong, healthy bones, that vitamin D is best known.

Adequate blood calcium levels are essential for the proper
functioning of the nervous system and a sufficient supply
of vitamin D is vital for the maintenance of these levels.
If blood calcium falls too low because of a deficiency of
the vitamin, the body will respond by withdrawing calcium
from the most immediately available alternative source,
which is the large quantities stored in the bones.

In extreme cases, thankfully now rare, though by no means
unheard of even in the developed world, the consequence of
this process is the deficiency disease known as rickets, in
which bones are stripped of minerals, become soft or
brittle and in the load bearing limbs may be bowed. Since
the demand for calcium is at its greatest in rapidly
growing bones, the disease is tragically most common in
infants and children.

Even fully formed adult bones, however, require a constant
supply of calcium for continuing repair and regeneration,
and deficiency may result in a progressive loss of bone
density, or osteoporosis, which is a factor in many of the
fractures commonly suffered by the older population.
Vitamin D deficiency has also been identified as a cause of
general muscular pain and weakness in both children and
adults, with consequently increased incidence of the falls
which so often lead to these fractures in already weakened
bones in the elderly.

Traditionally it has been assumed that sufficient vitamin D
for the avoidance of deficiency can be synthesised through
the exposure of the skin to sunlight. But the problem is
that a large proportion of the population in the affluent
world lives in latitudes 40 or more degrees above or below
the equator where there is very limited sunlight for six
months of the year. They work indoors in towns and cities
whose buildings in any case screen out a large proportion
of the available sunlight before it reaches ground level.
And when they do manage to get outdoors in the summer
months, they are increasingly inclined to smother
themselves in high factor sunblock.

In these circumstances the traditional view appears
questionable at best, if not downright complacent. And the
situation is even worse for the elderly, who may not only
enjoy even less exposure to the sun than the young, but are
less able to make use of that which they do obtain.

Unfortunately there are few good natural food sources of
vitamin D, and the best source, oily fish such as sardines,
mackerel and salmon is one which many people, and perhaps
children in particular, often find unpalatable. The
situation has improved somewhat with the fortification of
milk, orange juice, bread and some cereal products, but it
may still be difficult for individuals to ensure they
obtain a sufficient intake of the vitamin, particularly
because the amounts added to different foods and drinks are
very variable.

No Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) has been established
for vitamin D because the requirement will vary enormously
depending on the amount of exposure to sunlight enjoyed by
the individual. But the Food and Nutrition Board has
suggested 200 IU (5mcg) for infants, children, and adults
up to 50, rising to 400 IU for the 50-70s, and 600 IU for
the over 70s, as an "Adequate Intake" of the vitamin from
food on the assumption that none is being obtained from
sunlight.

These figures, however, are generally regarded as
conservative, and even for those individuals fortunate
enough to enjoy regular exposure to good quality sunlight,
a strong body of orthodox opinion recommends the intake of
400 IU (10 mcg) of vitamin D as part of a multi-vitamin and
multi-mineral supplement. Higher doses still, however, are
recommended for the over 65s, those with less than optimal
liver or digestive health, those living in less
advantageous climates and those who spend the majority of
their time in indoor occupations. The recommended
supplementary dose is a further 400 IU, for a total of 800
IU.

But some specialised nutritional practitioners and
therapists, of course, are inclined to recommend even
higher doses for optimum health. Although vitamin D is fat
soluble and therefore has the potential to accumulate in
the liver, this appears extremely unlikely to cause
problems in practice. The upper safe limit suggested by
the Food and Nutriton Board is 2,000 IU (50 mcg) but recent
research suggests that this is a very cautious figure and
that intakes of up to 10,000 units a day should present no
risk to generally healthy individuals.

For maximum effect, however, vitamin D supplementation
should be always be combined with adequate dietary calcium
- supplemented if necessary to achieve an intake of 1,000 –
1,200 mg per day of this essential mineral.

----------------------------------------------------
Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in
direct marketing and with a particular interest in health
products.
Find out more at
http://www.sisyphuspublicationsonline.com/LiquidNutrition/In
formation.htm

What is the Impact of Acai Berry on Aging?

What is the Impact of Acai Berry on Aging?
People have written countless stuff on acai berry by now.
The vast majority has been extemely positive and not one
thing has yet been stated about this amazing fruit. The
acai berry is a kind of a secret from the Amazon rainforest
in Brazil; the natives carefully hand-pick the incredibly
nutritious acai berries from the tops of palm trees. The
acai fruit tends to grow wildly on top of these palm trees.
The acai fruit has a deep purple color and is well-known to
be fully loaded in important nutrients.

Acai berry not only can play a vital role in helping us
keep up our health at a peak level but can also help stop
potential health problems from happening in the first place
like heart-related conditions and even cancer. The
benefits from consuming this very nutritious berry are
almost endless. In fact, according to a world renowned
anti-aging expert, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, acai berry is
one fruit he highly recommends adding to one's daily diet.
Why? This most-talked about berry is a very nutritious and
one of the most powerful foods found in the world.

A very important health benefit that acai berry can offer
is the amazing ability it has on the overall aging process
because of its antioxidant properties that come from its
concentration of anthocyanin. Because of this concentration
of anthocyanin, acai has been recognized as one of the
foremost superfoods for anti-aging; these properties are in
fact the same one believed to be responsible for providing
red wine with its reported health benefits; yet, acai berry
contains from 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins than red
wine.

Acai berries are able to fight free radicals which are the
main cause of the aging process as they start to destroy in
the long run different sections of the human body from
within. For example, the amino acids and trace minerals
that are found in acai help in ideal muscle contraction and
regeneration; this helps slow down the destructive effects
to the skin which cause the signs of aging.

Still a second example: the fatty acid in acai is high in
monounsaturated oleic acid which together with omega 3 fish
oils enter cell membranes and help to make them suppler;
this in fact permits for neurotransmitters, hormones, and
insulin receptors to work more efficiently, diminishing
inflammation. Remember: inflammation is a leading cause of
the aging process.

Acai fruit offers so many wonderful benefits to anyone who
wants to improve his/her overall health.

----------------------------------------------------
Discover all the indisputable benefits that have made acai
berry famous around the world at
http://www.acai.vg/acai_benefits.html

Your Perfect Workout

Your Perfect Workout
What does your perfect workout mean? Is it a stroll in the
park, taking a class, a rigorous hour of tennis, or using
the stairmaster during your favorite TV show? Maybe it
means focusing on your breath in a yoga class, stretching
your muscles with pilates or running to your favorite
songs. While any of these workouts benefit your body, mind
and soul, many moms don't exercise at all. In fact, the
only exercise their getting is when they exercise their
right...not to exercise.

If this sounds like you, it's time to find your perfect
workout. But what if you haven't worked out in weeks,
months, even years? What matters is that you find something
that you can enjoy. What also matters is that you begin at
a level that's only slightly more challenging than what you
feel you can do. This way, you don't scare yourself off
from beginning and sticking with a new routine. It's also a
great way to build confidence in yourself. By setting a
goal that's reasonable, then achieving that goal, you gain
the confidence to keep trying. It's an empowering feeling
to take back the reins and know that your fitness, health
and priorities are up to you.

Now like many moms, let's say you haven't exercised in an
embarrassingly long time. You're never ending to-do list
got the best of you and the only way you could get
everything done was by cutting your own self care right off
your list. So unfortunately, your exercise was one of the
first things to go. This may have worked for a while but at
some point, you began to feel sluggish, lethargic and
unfit. Maybe you noticed that your clothes weren't fitting
as well as they used to. You may have realized that while
you used to sprint up the steps, now you're huffing and
puffing as you near the top. Whatever caused you to see
that you need exercise in your life doesn't matter, as long
as you use that information to get going. So, where do you
begin?

You can always start with walking. You know how to do it,
you don't need to be exceptionally coordinated and all you
need is a properly fitting pair of walking shoes. Just by
getting outside, looking at the changing leaves or noticing
the beauty that surrounds you may be enough to keep you
motivated to walk. If that's not enough, you can bring an
ipod or MP3 player to listen to your favorite music. There
are also some great services which enable you to download
workouts according to your workout level and needs. You can
even download podcasts of programs you enjoy or just use
the time as an opportunity to clear your head.

Now it doesn't matter if you work outside the home, have a
newborn, whatever. You can justify or make excuses for
anything you don't want to do. The idea is to find a way to
get it done so you can feel good again. For example, if you
leave early in the morning and head off to work, you can
have a gym bag packed and head to the gym before you come
home. If you feel too guilty to try it maybe realizing that
the happier mom is, the better she is for everyone else is
enough to change your mind. You can also try exercising
during your lunch break, taking a short walking break every
hour or find an exercise buddy you can walk with and be
accountable to.

If you have young children, there are some other strategies
you may want to try. Get on that treadmill in your home,
use tapes, DVD's or just tune into your local exercise
channel. Just simply put your baby in an area safely
nearby. Your baby may even get a real kick out of watching
his or her mommy working out. If not, he or she can use
the time to sleep, snack or play. If your children are a
little older, give them a special activity that they only
get to do while mommy works out. They'll look forward to
the activity while you get your workout in.

If you want to workout outside, there are great exercise
joggers that allow you to walk, jog or run with your child
safely strapped in. You can also wear your baby in a Baby
Bjorn or baby backpack. This adds weighted resistance to
your workout while taking away any excuse you may have!
Your baby will also love the special time feeling close to
you while getting some fresh air. Another option is to join
a class for moms and their kids. If that doesn't work for
you, many health clubs offer babysitting for a small fee.
Lastly, you can hire a babysitter or find a friend that is
willing to take turns babysitting each others children so
you can both make the time for much needed self care.

It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you do something.
The key is to find a way to incorporate exercise back into
your life. If you do nothing now and exercise for fifteen
minutes tomorrow, you're moving in the right direction.
What's most important is that you give your body, mind and
soul what it so rightfully deserves. And as you begin to
feel better about your body and your commitment to take
better care of yourself, your body will kindly respond by
slowly getting back to being the finely tuned machine it
had been long ago. Then at some point, you may see the
beauty in you that everyone else does.

----------------------------------------------------
Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC is a Registered Dietitian,
Certified Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach and
President of Lifestyle Fitness, Inc. For nearly 20 years,
Debi has been inspiring and empowering moms to become
physically fit and emotionally strong through gradual,
lifestyle change. For more information on the Lifestyle
Fitness Program, please visit
http://www.lifestylefitnessinc.com

Hair Loss in Men

Hair Loss in Men
Why do men lose their hair? In some cases, baldness which
occurs naturally in men is genetically inherent in
families. While baldness is considered a natural process,
it is nonetheless a problem most men have to grapple with.
Hair loss in men can be viewed as a sign of aging, however,
this is a false assumption.

Today, unlike years ago, men can have their hair replaced
using three specific methods.

One is taking a medication such as Propecia, which has been
FDA approved. The second option would be to have hair
replaced surgically; and the third option is purchasing a
hairpiece. Propecia seems to be the method of choice, but
it is not for everyone. Sexual side effects using this drug
have been reported.

Surgery would involve shifting sections of scalp or
transplanting plugs of hair. However, an infection may
result. The last option, purchasing a hair piece is
certainly viable; especially today that advanced technology
has made hair pieces more natural and accessible.

Other likely causes for hair loss are stress; and alopecia
areata; surgery or chemotherapy; poor diet; thyroid
disease; certain medications; scalp ringworm; and chemical
treatments.

The condition alopecia areata occurs when the immune system
shuts down because it assumes the hair follicles are
antibodies. This condition usually causes patchy loss.

It is estimated that men typically lose 50 to 100 hairs a
day, which is part of the hair renewal process. Fortunately
or unfortunately, as the case may be, most people lose hair
at one time. While the loss may be temporary, other losses
are more permanent. One of the most common causes of hair
loss for men occurs from the front to the crown and is
considered a hormonal imbalance. To treat this condition,
there are certain medications which can offer a
preventative alternative.

Hair loss in men can be devastating; especially when at a
young age. For some, the hair grows back; for others, they
have to decide whether to take medication, have surgery or
buy a hair piece. While there are three options to remedy
hair loss in men, it would be a good idea to research each
method to determine the best course of action for you.
Check with your doctor, especially if you are inclined to
take Propecia. While some men view baldness as sexy; others
find receding hairlines and loss of hair distasteful.
Thankfully, there are choices.

What Causes Hair Loss in Men and How Can It Be Treated?

What causes hair loss in men and how can it be treated? It
is believed that baldness in men can be attributed to
disease. Excessive weight gain or loss within a close
period of time is a factor. An iron deficiency is also a
cause of hair loss in men. However, most some believe that
hair loss is neither due to an illness nor a medical
condition. While it is asserted that pattern baldness
affects over 20 million men in the United States, it is
stated that one in four men begin to go bald by the age of
thirty. In addition, when men reach sixty, the odds are
considerably worse; two out of three go bald.

Since it has already been determined that baldness is
inherently familial, you may want to check your maternal
side to ascertain if your mother's father went bald and at
what age. According to research, a hair follicle's normal
growth rate is five years before the hair is replaced by
new hair growth. In men, when a hair falls out; a new one
does not start to grow. Usually occurring above the
forehead, thus revealing a receding hairline, it works its
way back to the crown of the head. Thus, a bald spot
increases in size until the entire top of the head is bald.
The only hair remaining is on the sides of the head.

Hair loss can be treated with two medications: Minoxidil,
which is applied directly to the scalp, helps slow the
balding in most men. In fact, it begins new hair growth.
While this medication only works for younger men, who are
just beginning the balding phase, it takes about a year to
determine if the medication was successful. Another
medication is Finasteride, which taken orally, blocks the
testosterone which causes hair loss. This medication has
shown to be effective in stopping hair loss in men, and
start new hair growth. The results of this medication may
also take a year before any progress is shown.

As men age, their hair becomes thinner. As the hair thins,
it the oil increases; which causes an insufficiency of the
hair root. This ultimately contributes to hair loss. If you
an oily scalp, in addition to thinning hair, the best
advice offered by experts is to shampoo frequently. If you
experience sudden hair loss, contact your doctor to
determine the cause.

While hair loss is natural, always be certain to check the
amount of hair you are losing each day. Use a comb, not a
brush, on your hair. Braiding your hair can also cause a
similar condition that will eventually cause hair loss. Use
whatever preventative measures to ensure your hair is
properly maintained. If necessary, the cause and treatment
of hair loss in men can be discerned at an early age.

----------------------------------------------------
Bristol Chiropractic specialise in treating all types of
back and neck pain including sciatica and disc problems,
whiplash injuries, neck and arm pain, tennis elbow and
shoulder problems, hip pain, knee problems and foot pain,
headaches and sports injuries. Our office is located at the
Chiron Centre in Westbury-on-Trym.
http://www.bristolchiropractic.co.uk

Mindful Eating for Moms

Mindful Eating for Moms
Many things occur when we eat mindfully. First, we're aware
of how much we are eating. We're more in tune with our body
signals which tell us when to eat, how much to eat and when
our bodies have had enough. As a result, we tend to overeat
less often because we are paying closer attention to what
our bodies need. Our bodies are determining when to eat as
opposed to the event, the clock or the show on TV.

Another benefit of eating mindfully is that we're able to
more fully enjoy our food because we are focused on the
flavor, texture, aroma, presentation and atmosphere which
surround us and the food we're eating. Our meals are more
satisfying and enjoyable, which makes it easier to end the
meal without that unfulfilled feeling which keeps us
searching for more. One of the most effective ways to do
this is to eat slowly, sitting down and concentrating on
the taste of what you're eating. For many moms however,
sitting down to a meal may be a rare treat. By sitting down
to a meal, many things happen. First you're becoming more
aware of the amount, type and reasons why you're eating.
The second positive outcome is better digestion. Your food
has an opportunity to be chewed, absorbed and digested more
fully so you get the benefit of the nutrients you're taking
in. Lastly, by eating mindfully you're sending an important
message to yourself and others that you are worthy and
deserving of some much needed self care. You are treating
yourself with some kindness and respect which overflows to
all those around you.

Picture a beautifully set table with candles, china and
sparkling silverware. Music is playing softly in the
background, it was an easy day with the kids, the food
looks delicious, you're hungry for your dinner and you
casually stroll to the table for your exquisitely prepared
meal. Sounds like it's not that difficult to eat mindfully
in this type of scenario, right? Now back to reality.
You're running late and grab something to go, the kids are
screaming, the dog is barking, the phone is ringing and the
kids are starving NOW! Here's your perfect scenario for
mindless munching. Another may be when you're able to catch
a quick break and grab a bag of something crunchy while you
read the newspaper, or when your hectic day is behind you
and all you want to do is stare at the TV with a bowl of
ice cream in your lap.

To eat mindfully, awareness comes first. You first need to
catch yourself eating when you're not hungry. So often we
eat mindlessly when we're passing food to others, making
snacks for the kids, preparing dinner, walking past the
candy dish at work, reading or watching TV. We may even
find ourselves looking to eat when we have a few minutes to
spare before our next activity and use food as a way to
kill some extra time. Sometimes we may wander into the
kitchen, open up the cabinets and wonder why we're even
there! This is different than emotional eating where food
is used as a coping mechanism offering quick relief or a
way to help control your emotional pain. This is mindless
eating where distractions and a lack of awareness cause you
to take in food when you're not hungry. What can you do?

With greater awareness, you learn more about what you need.
When you've learned what your specific needs are, you can
work towards solutions which satisfy those needs. So, first
stop and ask yourself why you're eating. Believe it or not,
you may not even realize you had anything in your hand or
your mouth. Ask yourself if you could possibly be thirsty
instead. Our thirst mechanism doesn't always work
effectively. We often think we're hungry when we are in
fact, thirsty. Next, ask yourself what you really need. If
you're bored, you need something to do. If you don't know
what you're feeling, you need to figure that out too.

If you're eating just because the food is there, here are a
few tricks you can try. One is to chew gum. If you just
want to keep your mouth busy, gum may satisfy that oral
need. You can also drink a glass of water or crunch on some
vegetables with low fat dip. Another trick is to use the
opportunity to whiten your teeth and put on a strip of
tooth whitener. You can't eat for 30 minutes when they're
on so you can spare yourself unnecessary calories while
brightening your teeth!

You may find it helpful to keep your hands busy as well.
Find things that make it difficult to use your hands for
eating by putting on a coat of nail polish, rubbing creamy
scented lotion on your hands, knitting or even wearing
rubber kitchen gloves! You can even try putting on that
bitter tasting nail polish designed to help you stop biting
your nails. It acts as a quick reminder not to eat while
helping your nails become long and beautiful!

Another trick is to find something to do such as brush the
dog's fur, clean a drawer or sort through the mail. There
are also visualizations you can try. Here's one thing you
can picture to give you a better idea of how much you're
eating. Picture a regular sized plate. Now picture that
plate with all of the snacks, bites and treats you grabbed
mindlessly. Put on the plate every thing you grabbed when
you walked by the candy dish, ate standing up, when you
were preparing dinner, talking (and chewing) on the phone,
feeding the kids or watching TV. How does the plate look,
is it overflowing?

Ending your habit of eating mindlessly takes patience and
practice. It's about finding the strategies that work best
for you, then applying them when you need it most. Food is
meant to be delicious and it's meant to be enjoyed. But in
order to get the most satisfaction, flavor and benefit from
what we take in, we need to eat every bite with a keen
awareness of what we're doing and why exactly we're doing
it.

----------------------------------------------------
Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC is a Registered Dietitian,
Certified Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach and
President of Lifestyle Fitness, Inc. For almost 20 years,
Debi has worked exclusively with moms, inspiring and
empowering them to become physically fit and emotionally
strong through gradual, lifestyle change. For more
information on the Lifestyle Fitness Program, please visit
http://www.lifestylefitnessinc.com

Critical Information about Weight Loss Programs

Critical Information about Weight Loss Programs
Society has grown radical about their weight loss programs.
The desire for fitness has clouded the fact that weight
loss should also include a healthy diet plan to achieve the
long term weight loss benefits. As a result, many weight
loss programs have sprung up on the internet, in gyms, spas
and weight loss programs all over.

You may not have to go to the gym, spa or any weight loss
program center and spend much just to slim down or obtain
that longed for sexy body. There are many books available
in the bookstore, which offer weight loss programs that are
convenient and for free, of course the books are not a
complete solution. These weight loss programs, or diet
plans are gaining immense popularity through publicity,
testimonials and reviews.

Before choosing which weight loss programs to follow, read
these summaries about the most popular diet plans. Atkins'
New Diet Revolution; by Dr. Atkins: This weight loss
program encourages high protein diet and a trim down on the
carbohydrates. You can feast on vegetables and meat but
should fast on bread and pasta. You are not restricted
against fat intake so you can pour on the salad dressing
and freely spread on the butter. After the diet plan, you
may find yourself lacking in fiber and calcium yet high in
fat. Intake of grains and fruits are also limited.

Carbohydrate Addict's Diet; by Drs. Heller: This diet plan
advocates low carbohydrate consumption. The weight loss
program depends on eating meats, vegetables and fruits,
dairy and grain products. However, warns against taking in
too many carbohydrates. Your meals are too high on fats.

Choose to Lose; by Dr. Goor: The weight loss program
restrains fat intake. You are given a "fat" budget. The
weight loss program does not pressure you to watch your
carbohydrate intake. Dr. Goor encourages eating meat and
poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafood. An approval
is also given on eating vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread
and pasta. This weight loss program is fairly healthy with
good amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as saturated
fats. Watch triglyceride levels though; if high, trim down
the carbohydrates and eliminate more of the fats.

The DASH Diet: A diet plan that suggests moderate amounts
of fat and protein intake and high on carbohydrates.
Primarily designed to lower blood pressure, the diet plan
follows the pyramid food guide and encourages high intake
of whole wheat grains as well as fruits and vegetables and
low-fat dairy. Some dieters think the diet plan advocates
too much eating to procure significant weight loss.

Eat More, Weigh Less; by Dr. Ornish: This weight loss
program suggests primarily vegetarian and strictly low-fat.
Gives the approval of "glow" foods but warns against
non-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet plan is poor in
calcium and restricts consumption of healthy foods like
seafood and lean poultry.

Eat Right for Your Type: Weight loss program that is based
on your blood type, recommends plenty of meat for people
with the blood type O. Diet plans for some blood types are
nutritionally imbalanced and too low in calories. For the
record, there is no documented proof that blood type
affects dietary needs.

The Pritkin Principle: Focused on trimming the calorie
density in eating by suggesting watery foods that make you
feel full. Eating vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, pasta,
soups, salads and low-fat dairy is okay. The diet plan
limits protein sources to lean meat, seafood and poultry.
Although it is healthy by providing low amounts of
saturated fat and rich amounts of vegetables and fruits, it
is also low on calcium and limits lean protein sources.

Volumetrics: For low-density calorie eating. The weight
loss program recommends the same foodstuff as Pritkin but
restricts fatty or dry foods like popcorn, pretzels and
crackers. This diet plan is reasonably healthy given the
high amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as being low
in calorie density and saturated fats.

The Zone: Weight loss program that is moderately low on the
carbohydrates yet moderately high on the proteins. The diet
plan encourages low-fat protein foods like fish and chicken
plus veggies, fruits and grains. It is also healthy but
lacking in grains and calcium.

Weight Watchers: Weight loss program that is high in
carbohydrates and suggests moderation on fats and proteins.
A very healthy diet plan, unless you are a diabetic.
However, it allows the dieter to plan his own meal rather
than give him a set diet plan to follow.

----------------------------------------------------
Steven Godlewski is a self-made millionaire and is
currently working with the staff at PillFreeVitamins.com He
has an extensive background in nutrition as well as other
health related fields. His personal trainer David
Greenwalt is giving free evaluations. Even if your busy it
worth a couple minutes to check it out. He gives you a Free
Weight Loss Report customized just for you. "I hired David
as my Personal Trainer. The best part is you never need to
meet him in person to succeed."
http://www.pillfreevitamins.com/Lose_Weight

Diet and Exercise: Weight Loss Issues for Men

Diet and Exercise: Weight Loss Issues for Men
One of the many issues for men regarding weight loss is
approaching a diet in a realistic way. While some men may
affirm they are exercising, this does not necessarily mean
they are losing pounds; in fact, they may be gaining
muscle. Diet and exercise become weight loss issues for men
as they age.

While we all know that one to two pounds per week is
sufficient weight loss for most people, it is the morbidly
obese who may be required to lose weight more rapidly.
Having said that, weight has become a major issue as
obesity is on the rise. Whether you are genetically
predisposed to gain weight, which is open to debate; you
are big-boned; or just generally gain weight more than your
siblings or other members of your family, it is important
to note that gaining weight consists of many factors. How
much do you eat? What types of foods do you consume? Are
you sedentary or active?

In order to take a common sense approach to losing weight,
men should engage in a regular exercise routine accompanied
by a proper nutritional diet, which does not include fast
foods; fats; sodium; alcohol and sugars. Men need protein
and fiber in their diet. Of course, there are direct links
to weight and prostate cancer; high blood pressure;
diabetes and other conditions which may occur.

To determine how much weight to lose is dependent upon any
health factors, which only your doctor can check. It is
estimate that losing just five to ten percent of your
weight can benefit your health. While dieting for men is
not an easy task; it may be a necessary one. As men age,
problems associated with overweight begin to reveal
themselves which then puts you in a position of having to
lose the pounds; no ifs, ands, or buts. If you are
overweight, look into a proper diet and exercise regimen
that fits your lifestyle. Cut down on unnecessary snacks;
beer; and all of the fried foods and steaks you have been
consuming. Choose lean meats, and non-fact products that
provide fiber and nutrients which may be lacking in your
diet.

To diet and exercise now will afford you a longer and
healthier life. While these weight loss issues for men may
be waved away with a flick of the finger, think about your
life and all of the things you want to do. Perhaps you are
near retirement. Do you want to spend it taking daily
medication or trips to the doctor or hospital? No, of
course you don't; who would? Talk to a nutritionist to find
out what foods you can eat. With the way foods are prepared
today, you can enjoy a delicious meal without sacrificing
taste. Take care of your health.

Diet Plan for Men

We've all heard about the NutriSystem Diet Plan for women,
but there is also one for men as well. What's so great
about this program is that it contains the vital nutrients
and protein men are lacking in their diets. Let's take a
look at Men's NutriSystem Diet Plan to determine how it can
help a loved one or family member lose weight.

First, it is important to explain what this plan
encompasses. It consists of 7 hearty breakfasts; 7 lunches;
7 dinners; and 7 desserts that will satisfy you even more.

In addition, it includes burgers, pizza, hot dogs, lasagna,
pot roast, tacos and scrambled eggs. Using the Glycemic
Index which contains good carbs; these meals are perfectly
portioned to give you the right balance of fats, carbs,
calories, and proteins. Here are some of the foods
available to you on this diet plan.

For breakfast, some of the selections are: scrambled eggs
with cheese; scrambled eggs with veggie sausage crumble;
cranberry orange pastry; pancake mix; blueberry flavored
pancake mix; chocolate chip pancake mix, and more. For
lunch, you can choose from: chest tortellini; chicken and
pasta in cacciatore sauce; pasta with beef; pasta parmesan
with broccoli; cheesy home style potatoes with broccoli;
turkey hot dogs; whipped sweet potatoes with cheese, and
more. For dinner, Basil chicken breast with tomato sauce;
cheese ravioli with basil tomato sauce; hearty beef stew;
mash potatoes with meatloaf and tomato sauce; pot roast and
gravy over beef, potatoes and vegetables; southwestern
chicken with sauce, and I think you get the idea! The
dessert menu is a surprise; but you can be sure you will
have more choices than you may think.

There is even a diet for older men. You may have seen Don
Schula promote this one on TV. In fact, NutriSystem also
incorporates a Diabetic Type II program which has more than
90 prepared meals for those of you who need to watch your
sugar intake and other dietary concerns.

You may want to check out this diet plan, as men's
NutriSystem Plan has incorporated 70 new meals just for
men. Certainly, if you need to diet and do not know where
to begin, why not try this particular plan for a week and
see how it goes. You may find it will help you choose the
proper nutrition and diet right for you. You have nothing
to lose, except weight. In fact, if your spouse is on the
same plan; you can both diet together. At least you won't
be eating a salad while your wife is enjoying a delicious
meal on this plan. Dieting together will make it so much
easier for you; and healthier too.

----------------------------------------------------
Bristol Chiropractic specialise in treating all types of
back and neck pain including sciatica and disc problems,
whiplash injuries, neck and arm pain, tennis elbow and
shoulder problems, hip pain, knee problems and foot pain,
headaches and sports injuries. Our office is located at the
Chiron Centre in Westbury-on-Trym.
http://www.bristolchiropractic.co.uk

Keep your Colon clean with enemas. See the Benefits and learn about Coffee enemas

Keep your Colon clean with enemas. See the Benefits and learn about Coffee enemas
What are enemas used for?

Enemas are used to (partially) remove faeces from the
rectum, sigmoid and, to some extent, from the descending
colon. They help discharge parasites and get rid of drug
residue.

Skin conditions can sometimes be bettered after a series of
enemas. Patients with headaches and migraines may also
benefit.

The Gerson therapy claims that by detoxifying the liver, a
coffee enema can help with cancer (see below)

What reactions can be expected?

As the body detoxifies, the patient may feel a relief from
depression and feel more relaxed. Allergy related symptoms
may disappear, pain may subside.

As part of a healing crisis, the patient may suffer
increased flatulence and gas. In some rare cases, some of
the bile may go up in the stomach, through the pyloric
sphincter, and cause some nausea. Vomiting, although rare,
may occur. If this happens, it is important to frequently
drink copious amounts of peppermint tea to excrete the bile
from the stomach. Some Reiki or other healing over the
sensitive area will also help.

When a healing crisis occurs, it is a sign that the liver
is detoxifying and the frequency of the enemas should be
increased. If in doubt as to what to do, consult a
qualified therapist.

Is it safe?

Prior to using an enema, you should first consult a
metabolic therapist to make sure that there are no
intestinal blockages or contra-indications.

Enemas are used in most "Alternative Therapy" clinics in
the United States and Mexico. Coffee enemas are, arguably,
the best way to detoxify the liver without the harmful use
of strong chemicals. The Gerson therapy makes extensive use
of enemas, recommending that they should be administered
every four hours or more in certain cases.

A qualified therapist should always be consulted for advice
when a patient has had chemotherapy treatment or colostomy.

The different positions

There are many positions that can be used when receiving an
enema.

1- Lying on the right side knees bent up

2- Lying on the left side knees bent up

3- Head down and backside up

4- On your back

What should you do during an Enema Cleanse?

Drink more water. It is essential for everyone to drink at
least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day. Dehydration is a
major cause of constipation and bowel problems. You don't
have to be thirsty to be dehydrated. Water is needed to
CLEAN OUT TOXINS.

How often can you take an enema?

It is important to know that enemas do not weaken the
intestines but strengthens them. They will encourage the
peristaltic movement (movement of food in the intestines).

In some Natural cure hospitals,, enemas are recommended
several times a day on a daily basis. However, if you are
healthy an enema can be safely taken once or twice a week
without problem. If in doubt as to how often you can take
an enema, please consult your therapist.

The equipment needed to receive an enema

I would recommend a 1 litre enema bucket to start with.
Once used to enemas, you may want to use a 2 litre bucket.

At the beginning, and sometimes unexpectedly, an enema can
be messy and unattractively redecorate your room. It is
therefore important to be prepared for the unexpected. A
waterproof, floor or covering of some type should be used
to lie on. This can in turn be covered with an old blanket
or towel.

Comfort is important, as the treatment will last about 15
to 20 minutes. During the enema, you may read, watch TV,
listen to the radio or do whatever you believe you can do
with a tube sticking out of your bottom.

Special equipment as follows is needed:

* A waterproof covering or surface

* A blanket or other covering for warmth

* A pillow to support your head

* A roll of absorbent tissues for spillage or to clean up
waste

* Vaseline or KY Jelly to lubricate the end of the tube

* A special enema bucket with a tube outlet

* A catheter tube for insertion in the anus

* A fine mesh sieve for the coffee enema

* A platform on which to rest the bucket. This should be
about 40 to 50 centimetres higher than the patient but not
much more

* A stainless steel pan to heat the water

* A watch to keep track of time

The process

* In a clean enema bucket, add whatever herbs, natural
product etc. you are going to use

* Make sure the mixture is at body temperature (100-102
Fahrenheit or 37-38 Celsius)

* Open the tube and run a little bit of the liquid to get
rid of the residual air. Close the tube again

* Go to the place where you are going to receive the enema

* Place the bucket 40-50 cms above you

* Lubricate the end of the catheter tube with some
Vaseline, KY jelly or saliva.

* For coffee enemas It is best to lie on your right side to
help the absorption of the enema mixture through the
haemorrhoidal and portal veins. However, it is also fine to
lie on the left side or on your front, whatever position
you feel comfortable.

* Slightly bend your knees towards your abdomen

* Insert about 5 to 8 cms of the tube into your rectum (it
is important not to insert too much of the tube as
otherwise you may damage the fine membranes in your rectum
or sigmoid colon)

* Open the tube and let the "enema mixture" flow in

* Keep the tube open and connected to the bucket during the
treatment. Whilst the mixture is in your intestines, you
may feel some pressure and gas. An open tube will allow
this pressure to be released.

* The bucket should empty in about 2-3 minutes.

* Retain the enema for a further 15 - 20 minutes.

* Go to the toilet and excrete the mixture

* Keep your equipment clean. Wash it after each use with a
good biodegradable product such as Ecover washing up
liquid. Use a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution to thoroughly
clean the equipment.

It is a good idea when receiving the enema to massage your
abdomen in a counter clockwise motion. This will help the
enema mixture to move higher up into the colon.

When expelling the enema, it is a good idea to massage your
abdomen in a clockwise motion to help the mixture come out
of your colon. Bringing your knees up and squatting when
expelling the enema will also help.

Coffee Enemas - what are they for?

* Detoxifies the liver/gallbladder

* It opens the bile ducts

* Produces enzyme activity for oxygen uptake and helps the
formation of red blood cells

* To some extent flushes deposits from the large intestines

* Increases the movement of food through the intestines
(peristaltic movement)

* Stimulates the digestive tracts

* Believed by Dr Max Gerson (of the Gerson therapy) that by
detoxifying the liver and gall bladder, coffee enemas could
help the health of cancer patients.

* Releases toxins and helps control pain

Recipe

* In a clean stainless steel saucepan, boil 1 litre (about
1 quart) of distilled or filtered water

* Gradually add 3 level tablespoons of the best organic
ground coffee you can buy.

* Boil for 5 further minutes uncovered

* Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

* Turn off the heat

* Sieve the mixture in the enema bucket (making sure the
tube coming off it is closed).

* The enema will be ready to use when the temperature goes
down to body temperature (100-102 Fahrenheit or 37-38
Celsius)

Make sure to breathe deeply during the whole treatment to
help the absorption of coffee

Note: Nowadays, I only boil half the water I need for the
coffee enema and top it up with cold filtered water. This
saves me some of the "cooling down time".

Note: Coffee enemas are best taken in the morning.

----------------------------------------------------
Patrick Hamouy teaches Reiki Healing, Indian Head Massage,
Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT), Anatomy & Physiology,
Oriental Diagnosis & Psychic Development. He sees customers
for consultations.in Macrobiotic, Emotional Freedom Therapy
(EFT) and Removal of toxic products from the home
environment Full information on his web site at:
http://www.therapies.com

Benefits of Bladderwrack

Benefits of Bladderwrack
Bladderwrack is a type of brown algae that is abundant on
the North Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States
and the coasts along the Baltic Sea in Europe. Its thallus
or main stem, usually tough and with air-filled pods, is
priced for its medicinal value. Although it is commonly
called kelp, this term is considered inaccurate. This
seaweed contains about 0.1 percent of cellulose, mannite,
mucilage, volatile oil, soda, iodine, and bromine compounds
of sodium and potassium. It is noted for its rich iodine
content when harvested at the end of June.

Traditionally, bladderwrack's main stem or thallus is used
as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is said to soothe the
irritated tissues of the body. Because of its rich iodine
content, it is known for its curative effects on
hypothyroidism. For years now, people who live in villages
near the sea, has always been known to have low rates of
hypothyroidism. In the past, it has also been used as a
laxative. Maybe that's why it is also used against obesity
since this seaweed is known for its stimulus of the thyroid
glands. Recent studies have proved this true, as
bladderwrack have amazing weight loss-inducing qualities.
Of course, like all alternative medicines, there still has
to be a lot of research done to qualify the healing effects
of bladderwrack.

Aside from possessing rich iodine, bladderwrack also
contains alginic acid and fucoidan. Its iodine content
depends on its location in the sea. That is because some
parts of the sea contain more iodine than in some parts.
Iodine is an important mineral, as it helps maintain the
health of the thyroid glands. That is why people who suffer
from an iodine deficiency are recommended to take
bladderwrack as a supplement.

Alginic acid, on the other hand, has fibrous qualities that
can help cure constipation and diarrhea. Although it's
effectiveness on treating such digestive disorders has not
been medically proven, bladderwrack is also used as
treatment for indigestion and its special element, calcium
alginate or calcium salt in alginic acid, has been proven
to speed up wound healing in humans. This acid has also
been known to lower bad cholesterol levels and has been
used a thickening agent in cosmetics, food, and
pharmaceuticals.

Another dietary fiber present in bladderwrack is the
sulfur-rich fucoidan. It also can help lower cholesterol
levels, blood sugar levels, and it possesses
anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, anticoagulant, and
antibacterial properties. And that's a whole lot of "antis"
there for bladderwrack, though these antis are not yet
scientifically proven. Thus, to use them against the
mentioned conditions is not yet advisable.

Since iodine is the main chemical element in this seaweed,
it is noteworthy that our body only needs only 150 mcg. of
iodine from all sources. This being the case, it should not
be used until further tests have proven its healing quality.

----------------------------------------------------
Patricia McDougall B.Sc. is a Chartered Herbalist and
graduate of the Dominion Herbal College, British Columbia,
Canada. Originally from Peru, Patricia is the Director of
Research and Development for Amazon Botanicals LLC of
Newark Delaware.
http://www.amazon-botanicals.com/Wellness_s/48.htm

What Does A Home IV Therapy Nurse Do?

What Does A Home IV Therapy Nurse Do?
Home IV therapy nurses provide medical and nursing care for
patients in their own homes. Medication that is
administered intravenously is called IV therapy, and since
patients receive this care at home, the home IV therapy
nurse specialty was created. There is a huge demand for
this type of nursing since the cost for patient care is
diminished but the quality of the care remains high when a
home IV therapy nurse is involved in the patient's care.

Most people think that the home IV therapy nurse only
provides intravenous medication. For example, most of us
realize that any cancer patient receiving medication at
home is being seen and cared for by a home IV therapy
nurse. So what else does a home IV therapy nurse do?

In addition to administering medications to patients, a
home IV therapy nurse implements doctor's orders. These
orders may be diverse and usually consist of performing
venous and arterial punctures, administering blood
products, and providing the patient transparenteral
nutrition (also called total parenteral nutrition and
abbreviated TPN) via a medical infusion pump. TPN is
administered to people who cannot or should not eat due to
their illness. TPN provides essential nutrients and is
tolerated more easily by a patient who is weak or has a
compromised immune system.

Home IV therapy nurses also monitor patients for infections
at dressing and infusion sites, initiate emergency
treatment if needed, assess the patient for allergic drug
reactions, assess the patient for any medical complications
and alert the doctor when needed, and document the
treatment plan that has been carried out and how well the
patient has responded to that treatment.

IV therapy nurses work in varying settings, such as at
hospitals, for home health agencies, and at physician's
offices. The home IV therapy nurse must be technically
adept to handle patients with various illnesses and varying
conditions. This type of work appeals to a person who
craves autonomy, is creative, loves to educate patients,
loves to work in different environments, enjoys travel from
site to site, and communicates well with all people
involved in the patient's care. Empathy and compassion are
key personal traits that enhance patient care provided by
the home IV therapy nurse.

The educational training provided by a home IV therapy
nurse is essential for good patient home care. The patient
and family members can be trained by the home IV therapy
nurse to administer the IV medication(s).

Educational requirements desired for a home IV therapy
nurse are an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN),
a diploma, or a degree such as a Bachelor's Degree in
Nursing (BSN). Medical-surgical nursing experience is
desirable which should include IV, venous access, and
phlebotomy training.

Working as a home IV therapy nurse is challenging but
always rewarding. Consider this special niche in nursing
if you like to travel, educate patients and their families
and make a significant contribution to patient care.

----------------------------------------------------
Mary Ruff-King is an author who has worked in the medical
field for many years. Nursing is a field which is wide open
for opportunity and advancement. For further information on
nursing specialty fields and related articles/information,
about nursing schools please visit
http://www.nursingmasterycenter.com

A Review of Laser Prostate Procedures

A Review of Laser Prostate Procedures
There is good news for sufferers of BHP (Benign Hypertrophy
of the Prostate) and other prostate conditions - new laser
treatments are available that have significantly less side
effects than the previous treatments (TURP/TUNA), and much
shorter recovery durations. In addition, the new laser
techniques are ideal for patient who are on blood thinning
medications - a not uncommon coincidence, as both
conditions tend to crop up in men over fifty.

You should, however, know that there are two laser
technologies currently in use for prostate reduction or
enucleation: the Holmium (YAG) laser, and PVP (KPT) laser
(otherwise known as "Green Light".) The differences between
the two are in the wavelength of the lasers used, and the
nature of the energy transmitted to the tissues.

PVP LASER (Green Light)

The PVP (KPT) laser has a somewhat long wavelength that
penetrates the tissue more deeply - in fact, the energy
penetrates more deeply than it ablates (removes). What this
means is that tissue that is left behind has been affected
by the laser. The result can be a phenomenon known as
necrosis of the affected tissue: the remaining tissue dies
and may require further treatment of other means to remove,
down the line.

This can be a serious side effect. PVP laser treatment is
considered viable for smaller prostate conditions, but not
for larger, as the possibility of necrosis is higher.

HOLMIUM LASER

The Holmium (YAG) laser has a shorter wavelength and
penetrates less deeply than the PVP. Energy from the laser
is imparted only to the the tissue that is ablated
(removed). As a result, there is no necrosis concern.

In a panel discussion of noted urologists comparing the two
technologies for HoLAP procedures[1], the experiences of
all came down positively for the Holmium vs. the PVP laser.

HoLEP - ENUCLEATION OF THE PROSTATE

With the Holmium laser, it is now possible to completely
remove the prostate with minimal side effects. This is
called enucleation. The procedure entails making a pair of
incisions in the bladder, going in with the flexible laser
instruments, and detaching the prostate completely from the
surrounding tissues. It is then sectioned, and the sections
are brought into the bladder through the incisions, where
they are broken up into passable bits (the bits are passed
through the catheter.)

This is becoming the new "gold standared" treatment,
replacing the TURP procedure in many advanced urological
centers. Side effects are minimal, and, according to one
study[2], sexual function (ability to gain and maintain an
erection) may actually increase, depending on the nature of
prior dysfunction, if any.

WHERE TO GO?

One consideration is going overseas for treatment. HoLEP
is available in at least one group of urolotical hospitals
located in India, using exactly the same procedures and
equipment as in major US facilities. The procedure can be
done for as little as a fifth to a tenth of that in the US.

[1]Urological Times [2]Journal of Andrology

----------------------------------------------------
Garrick Berger is the managing director of Overseas Medical
Connection (http://www.overseasmc.com), a company dedicated
to assisting prospective patients evaluate their overseas
treatment/medical tourism options. The company also
maintains a forum (http://forum.overseasmc.com ) for those
wishing to exchange research and experiences on medical
treatment overseas.

Hungry for Forbidden Foods

Hungry for Forbidden Foods
IMAGINE you could eat whatever you want whenever you want.
Just think for a few moments about what would happen. Yes,
you probably would gain weight the first week or two,
because you were finally allowing yourself all the treats
you have forbidden yourself for so many years. Now, (work
with me here): if you can eat those cookies whenever you
want, do you really think you need to eat them all the time?

If you are willing to risk this, you may find that, over
time, food will lose its power over you. If you can have
that bowl of ice cream whenever you want, you won't want it
as often. You will find that when you do have it, you don't
need as much to fill your hunger. You will find that what
you have been hungry for is "the forbidden," which makes
you feel guilty. Once the food is no longer forbidden you
will no longer feel guilty, and you will be able to have
smaller portions. It will taste wonderful and you will be
satisfied. Try it.

This whole attitude came to me when I was in graduate
school. My friend Anna and I were walking around the golf
course. (I felt compelled to walk long distances then; I
was in the health field, for heaven's sake). We were
talking about a book entitled Fat is a Feminist Issue.
Part of the book discusses women and weight in detail.

The author suggests an idea that seemed crazy at the time
(the one discussed above): If you could eat whatever you
wanted whenever you wanted, food would eventually come to
lose its power over you, and it would assume a normal place
in your life-instead of being an obsessive, time-
consuming, guilt-producing activity.

Doesn't this seem outrageous? Scary? But, like I said
above, try thinking about it! After the first week or two
of letting go of this behavior, you will no longer need to
eat as much of those cookies, the ice cream, or the potato
chips. If you can eat them whenever you want, you will find
that suddenly you don't want them as much or as often. You
will find that these foods lose their power over you, they
no longer control you, and now you are able to control your
urges over them. These foods will now take a normal place
in your everyday life, as a treat you enjoy, and not as a
food that gives you guilt.

This food philosophy isn't for everyone, I know. Many
people crave structure, and it's risky to try and live this
way. It is difficult to trust yourself to make the correct
decisions about the foods your body needs and the foods you
want. It is scary to think you actually will be able to
have the correct balance of foods in your life.

But I tried it. I let go of my guilt over food about 25
years ago. I've lost 30 pounds since then and I have kept
it off-and I still eat chocolate and ice cream.

----------------------------------------------------
For free tips to becoming At Peace With Food™, articles,
and links to nutritional resource websites, visit
http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com/freetips.html

How to Avoid Hypertension in Men

How to Avoid Hypertension in Men
How to avoid hypertension in men can be accomplished by
first understanding its cause. Just as air pumped into a
tire exerts pressure on its lining and surface, your heart
pumps blood through your arteries, and the force of the
blood flow exerts pressure on the arterial walls.
Therefore, just as too much air pressure is bad for the
life of a tire, too much blood pressure eventually damages
your arteries.

Here are some suggestions on how to avoid hypertension:

While smoking is not a cause of hypertension, it is a
contributing factor. We know there is a definite link
between smoking and heart disease, thus the combination of
smoking and high blood pressure increases the risk of
developing a heart attack.

Being overweight is another cause of hypertension. High
salt intake increases this condition as well. It is
important to find an appropriate diet regimen and exercise
program to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
While there may be a connection between weight and
hypertension, research reveals people who are at their
ideal weight have less tendency to develop hypertension
than those who are overweight.

Type A personalities may be more prone to hypertension than
others. Stress is evident in our lives every day; but the
key is to not let it take over your life. While we all work
hard and try to live comfortably, the pressure to succeed
rapidly is taking its toll, physically, emotionally and
mentally. It is also a contributing factor to hypertension.
If you have a highly stressed job, or find that you cannot
fill the demands placed upon you - find another job that is
not so stressful. If this is not an option; use meditation
to maintain an inner balance. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Your health is more important than the job.

Try not to drink alcohol in excessive amounts. Alcohol
increases blood pressure and if you are taking medication;
the two can cause severe side effects. Recently, however,
an eminent heart surgeon suggested that a glass of red wine
a day is preferred for a healthy heart. The debate
continues, and while it does, it seems that wine instead of
other alcoholic beverages may yield the best results.

Exercise and a good nutritional diet can work wonders, not
only in reducing weight but cleansing your body of all of
the toxins, as well as purifying your blood. Meditation is
another form of self-help therapy which can not only relax
you, but keep your pressure down. If you find you are
becoming excitable over something at work or at home - take
a deep breath and go for a walk. These suggestions on how
to avoid hypertension in men are necessary components in
reducing blood pressure and living a healthy life.

Hypertension in Men - Symptoms and Causes

A few years ago, the American Medical Association announced
that normal blood pressure should be 120/80. This was
lowered from the previous systolic and diastolic pressure
considered to be within normal range. Hypertension in men
is a serious and often fatal disease. High blood pressure
can lead to heart failure; kidney failure; or stroke.

The combination of hypertension and being overweight
increases the chances of developing one or more conditions.
In fact, the older you are, the more likely you will
develop hypertension unless you take steps to prevent it.
If you are overweight when you are young, you may develop
hypertension at an older age. However, it has been
suggested that hypertension is also inherited, which
doesn't help the situation either.

You may not even realize you have this condition, as the
symptoms do not reveal themselves. However, you should
assume you are a candidate for hypertension if you are over
40; if there is a history of this condition in your family;
and you are overweight.

The first thing you need to do if you are in any way
susceptible to this condition is to remove sodium from your
diet. Have your blood pressure checked at least once a
month, and avoid stress. Let's face it; however, we may
work in an environment that breeds stress.

Whether it's the job; money problems; smoking; overweight;
alcohol; and other social and psychological factors which
may contribute to the condition, it is important to
understand it is not a curable disease, nor one which is
tangible. Also keep in mind; hypertension is not exclusive
to any one group. It affects people from all walks of life.
To what degree it can cause damage to your heart, kidneys
and brain depends on its severity.

If you find that you have taken every precaution and your
blood pressure is still high, your doctor may prescribe
medication only if he or she feels it is absolutely
necessary. Some of the drugs have side effects, while
others can be tolerated. While on any type of medication,
do not fall under the assumption that because you may feel
better you can stop taking the drugs. This is a dangerous
scenario as mentioned earlier; hypertension is a
symptom-less disease.

If you follow a proper diet that does not contain sodium;
if you alter your lifestyle in order to ease the stress and
other factors which contribute to hypertension, it can be
controlled. Nothing in life is more important than your
health; certainly nothing to cause physical or
psychological elements which can raise your blood pressure.
Hypertension in men is prevalent; yet over fifty percent of
men do not realize they have the condition. Take care of
your health and it will take care of you.

----------------------------------------------------
Bristol Chiropractic specialise in treating all types of
back and neck pain including sciatica and disc problems,
whiplash injuries, neck and arm pain, tennis elbow and
shoulder problems, hip pain, knee problems and foot pain,
headaches and sports injuries. Our office is located at the
Chiron Centre in Westbury-on-Trym.
http://www.bristolchiropractic.co.uk

Fibromyalgia and Age? Is there a Correlation?

Fibromyalgia and Age? Is there a Correlation?
Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that often causes
weakness and fatigue along with the common symptom of pain.
Fibromyalgia is closely related to chronic fatigue syndrome
as well. So what is the connection between these conditions
and age? Where is it I am going with this? Well, studies
show that age may play a factor in Fibromyalgia.

So why is this? Well, there is a big thing called sleep.
Sleep is often disturbed in people with Fibromyalgia and
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. There are different stages of
sleep that we cycle through each night. The deepest cycle
of sleep is when the body heals itself from the damage and
wear and tear from the day. When sleep is disrupted or
disturbed, this cycle is often not reached. This, in turn,
means the healing is not done and the body's ability to
recover from the day's work is thwarted. So, people with
Fibromyalgia may experience a mental fog, known as fibro
fog, and have fatigue, pain in muscles and tissues, etc.

So let's make the age connection. It is common knowledge
that 90% of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women. It
is also pretty well known that most people are diagnosed
with fibromyalgia between the ages of 20 and 50. However,
recent studies show there is a shift in these numbers. Many
more people are being diagnosed after the age of 50 now and
the numbers continue to rise.

It seems as though the significance of age in patients is
rather debatable. Some in the medical community think it is
significant and others do not. The reason that some people
are diagnosed with it later in life could be due to the
fact that a lot in the medical community don't think of
Fibromyalgia as a real condition. It could be that the body
just wears down considerably more as we age and pain
progresses. It may also be the fact that it takes time to
rule out all other diseases before coming to a fibromyalgia
diagnosis.

Sleep cycles change as we age and so does disease. There is
a definite suggestion that age may play a factor in
fibromyalgia. It is figuring out the significance of what
this means to fibromyalgia and treatment in future years
that matters. One thing from the studies that we are
certain is that as we age our body goes through important
changes that may provide us some links and answers to this
debilitating condition.

----------------------------------------------------
Hailey Harris is an expert in dealing with Fibromyalgia
after suffering for more than 8 years with health problems.
She is now symptom free and living a pain free life. She
developed Ridfibromyalgia.com found at
http://www.ridfibromyalgia.com to help others learn to do
the same. To receive tons of info, tips, and healing
strategies for free visit
http://www.ridfibromyalgia.com/how.html .

The positive effects of HERBS on sexual problems

The positive effects of HERBS on sexual problems
One major issue in the world today is sexuality. Do I look
good enough? I wonder if he or she likes me? While most of
the world today is becoming increasingly sexually active,
there are others out there who are lacking in this field.
Their bodies are no longer inclined to have sex, or their
sexual drive loses the time between time and fatigue. Sex
and sex problems are as old as man. Man was created by God
with the ability and passion for sex. However, sexual
problems have hunted the human race from creation.

With the passing of time man's sexual problems have
presented him with many challenges. The problems are many
and wide spread in the human population for both man and
woman. There are those who choose to accept, recognize and
discuss their sexual problems and seek for solutions.
However, on the other hand, there are many who prefer not
to accept, recognize, discuss and seek solutions for their
sex problems

In the last two decades medical research and major drug
companies have spent billions of dollars developing
medicines to help with human sexual problems. Erectile
Dysfunction, ED (impotence) drugs are major sellers both
online and regular offline pharmacies. The two leading ED
drugs that are commonly used are: viagra and cialis.
However, these two popular ED drugs have their own problems
and side effects. Viagra needs no introduction! Pfizer's
wonder drug, sildenafil, better known as viagra, is the
trusted treatment for male impotence problems. Introduced
in 1998, viagra, the famous erectile dysfunction drug has
been a profound influence in human sexual problems, even
when people are aware of the many side effects. Cialis is
by far the most effective and safe Erectile Dysfunction
drug available for male problems. Cialis is not for
everyone. Patients are advised to inform their Doctors of
any medical conditions before taking cialis, or healthy
enough to engage in sexual activities.

Herbal and alternative medicines and treatments are in
abundance on the internet and in conventional herbal
pharmacies for all sorts of sexual problems and
deficiencies. The use of herbs and plants to treat and
enhance human sexuality is as old as man. Countries in the
Far East, Africa and Asia have long used herbal remedies to
treat sexual problems. Honey Goat weed and Maca are popular
herbs used for centuries to enhance sexual pleasure and
endurance. The medicinal properties and ingredients in
herbs and plants used for sex problems are believed to
increase sexual desires, support sexual function, create
bigger and firmer breast in females, firmer harder erection
in men, increase testosterone levels, multiple orgasms and
libido, sperm count and potency, heighten desire, pleasure
and sense of well being and boost libido in male and female
alike. It is also believed in Asian and African countries
that these herbs are effective in keeping the liver, ovary,
prostate, thyroid and kidney in good shape, thus enhancing
good sexual health. Herbal Online Pharmacies, have long
used these ancient herbs and plants to treat human
sexuality.

----------------------------------------------------
Roy Graneau: Freelance writer on herbs, herbal treatments,
tropical plants. The use and medicinal uses of herbs.
Herbal uses of teas and plants to treat human diseases.
http://www.naturomeds.com/?medrx
micronutra@gmail.com

Confusion and Media Hype Surrounding Hormones and Menopause

Confusion and Media Hype Surrounding Hormones and Menopause
There are over 40 million women in the United States
between the ages of 40 and 60. Worldwide, about 25 million
women enter menopause annually. Estimates show that by the
year 2030, that number will increase to 47 million women
per year. Relief of menopausal symptoms such as improved
sleep could translate into a more productive woman whether
she works or is a mother or spouse. Healthcare dollars
could then be spent more wisely than in Medicare
reimbursements for constant doctor visits and endless
prescriptions and procedures. Quality of life would improve
for most symptomatic women. How? By way of hormone
replacement, an important choice for women, since estrogens
are known to be the only effective treatment for
estrogen-depleted states.

Right now, in the wake of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) Women's Health Initiative (WHI), getting hormones is
difficult. Doctors are leery of even the "Standard of Care"
approved synthetics in this time and place. Getting
legitimate insurance-covered physicians to prescribe even
bio-identical hormones is a challenge.

The majority of Western medicine has been on a wild goose
chase for the elusive proof that being completely
hormone-less will save our lives, in the face of massive
evidence that even with all of our estrogen blocked at
every turn, we still keep dying of cancer. In the burst of
the Baby Boomers becoming menopausal, doctors from all
specialties have clamored to the forefront to be of
service. But nobody has any idea how to prescribe hormones
for women.

Since 1900, in the developed countries, the life expectancy
of women has increase from age 47 to well over age 80,
however, the average onset of menopause has remained at 50
as recorded for the last 150 years. That means most women
are living at least thirty years longer than they did at
the turn of the century. It's estimated that eighty percent
of women experience a variety of transiently debilitating
symptoms in menopause and 30 percent of those are
classified as severe.

About ten years before women ever have a hot flash or a
migraine, we have odd, too-short menstrual periods, we're
up half of every night and we start to look and feel old.
Exhaustion coupled with plummeting sex hormones creates a
life in tatters. Our joints twinge and we can't stay
asleep. The symptoms of menopause, which can begin for
women as early as their late thirties, are the same as the
daily challenges the elderly face, and in fact, we get "old
and sick" when our hormones start to plummet.

The sick and old in our culture means usually means cancer,
diabetes, heart disease, glaucoma, depression, even
Alzheimer's. If menopause might really equal cancer,
diabetes, heart disease, glaucoma, depression, and
Alzheimer's, why is it, then, that no one ever mentions any
of the life-threatening disabilities associated with
hormonal decline and urges women to accurately replace
those hormones that are now missing?

Instead, women are told that the FDA sanctioned hormones
from Big Pharma are really way too dangerous to take (WHI)
and bioidentical compounded hormones have never been
studied (AMA). That's what women in 2003 got from the WHI
historic report on synthetic drugs with hormone-like
effects, PremPro and Premarin.

These substances were donated by the pharmaceutical company
that had sold them since 1942 because the assumption was
the drugs would be found safe and effective. Nothing could
have been further from the truth. After nearly 800 million
taxpayer dollars and 14 years later, the overly emphasized
negative results of the Women's Health Initiative were
released in May 2002. This study was poorly designed,
strangely monitored and incompetently analyzed.

Interestingly, the WHI never looked at hormones, only drugs
with "hormone-like" effects that were dosed in a regimen
far from that of human replacement. This study has led us
to believe that conjugated equine estrogens (from pregnant
mare urine) and a synthetic progestin (Prempro) dosed on a
daily basis in static doses is clearly very harmful to
women after only a few years, and yet, in contradictory
reports from the same agency, PremPro seemed to have had
positive effects as well. The other drug studied, daily
Premarin, seemed to show substantially less harmful
effects. Even though the death rate for all arms of this
study was equal, the study was dramatically halted early in
a very public effort to "save lives."

This confusing and frightening media spin caused millions
of women to immediately stop taking their Premarin or
Prempro, or any other product deemed a hormone. Physicians
also threatened by the negative media reports stopped
prescribing them, thus leaving millions of symptomatic
women without any reasonable clinical guidance, except the
ludicrous exception to the bad news, that lower doses of
Prempro, the killer drug, taken for less years is safer.
This advice has not left women feeling safe.

But, what if real hormone replacement could really mimic
youthful hormone levels, not just mask a few symptoms, and
therefore; was a cure for those diseases? After all, young
women don't have those diseases and the difference between
young women and old women is reproductive capacity and the
attendant hormones. It's logical that the majority of women
with normal hormones don't have those diseases.

Common sense is that natural (not synthetic drugs with
hormone-like effects) hormone replacement, in and of
itself, could not cause cancer. If estrogen and
progesterone, or even testosterone, caused cancer, all
young women would be dead. So if logic tells us that
estrogen doesn't actually cause cancer in and of itself,
then there must be more to the story-like what kind and how
much estrogen and when to take it.

Whether or not women replace their missing hormones is not
up for debate. Living without them is far too miserable and
dangerous. So then, the question becomes "how"?

One Santa Barbara California researcher and author named
T.S. Wiley asked, "What if hormone replacement was made of
real bio-identical hormones and dosed to mimic the ups and
downs of the hormone blood levels in a normal menstrual
cycle in a 20 year-old woman, would all of the symptoms and
disease states of aging decline or even, disappear?"

Shortly thereafter, she developed a trademarked patent
pending delivery system consisting of bio-identical
estradiol and progesterone in topical cream preparations
dosed in a rhythm to mimic the natural cyclic hormone
levels replicated in serum blood produced by a twenty
year-old woman.

----------------------------------------------------
Kristin Gabriel represents the developer of The Wiley
Protocol® (http://www.thewileyprotocol.com), a patent
pending delivery system consisting of bio-identical
estradiol and progesterone in topical cream preparations
dosed in a rhythm to mimic the natural cyclic hormone
levels of a twenty year-old woman. The Wiley Protocol is
only available at compounding pharmacies that have agreed
to the standardized methods, materials, packaging and
recommended pricing. Wiley is also the author of of Sex,
Lies & Menopause," and "Lights Out."