New Treatment For Mountain Cedar Allergy

New Treatment For Mountain Cedar Allergy
Winter in San Antonio and the rest of the South Texas area
brings the dreaded mountain cedar allergy season. Mountain
cedar allergy, or "cedar fever" as it is sometimes known,
is a hard thing to live with in South Texas given the
area's high density of the trees and the breezy conditions
common to the winter months that helps stir the pollen into
the air.

For allergy sufferers in the San Antonio area, mountain
cedar is one of the worst pollens by far, primarily because
the pollen counts can go extremely high and remain so for
many days at a time. The pollen concentrations sometimes
go so high that they can sometimes reach the status of an
air pollutant and actually produce a slightly hazy look to
the air (or is that just blurry vision from the watery
eyes?).

Many treatments are tried at this time of year to try to
reduce the allergic reaction even just a little bit, but
the pollen often wins out. Even prescription medications
and inhalers may not be a match for the clouds of pollen.

Fortunately, there is a new approach to this problem.
Energy medicine techniques, based on the thousand-year-old
healing traditions of acupuncture (althought the new
methods do not require needles and are totally painless),
are now available that can effectively "desensitize"
allergy sufferers to many allergens, including mountain
cedar pollen. These strange-looking methods take effect
quickly - within 24 hours and can eliminate mountain cedar
allergies for the remaining months of the cedar fever
season, and often for future seasons for years to come.

The most popular of these techniques is known as NAET
(Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique), named after
acupuncturist and chiropractor, Dr. Devi Nambudripad. This
technique was discovered accidentally by Dr. Nambudripad
when she learned how to eliminate her own allergies.
Reportedly, Dr. Nambudripad suffered from allergies to a
large number of foods and was on a very restricted diet.
One evening she was fixing dinner for her husband and was
cutting up carrots (which she was allergic to).
Apparently, just getting a little bit of carrot juice on
her skin was enough to trigger an allergy attack. Dr.
Nambudripad immediately stopped what she was doing and
decided to perform an acupuncture treatment on herself and
lie down to rest. She actually fell asleep with the
acupuncture needles still in place, and when she awoke, she
noticed that she was feeling much better. She noticed that
in her haste she had failed to wash off all of the carrot
juice from her hands and there were still bits of carrot on
her skin, but she was no longer reacting to it. On a
hunch, she tried eating a small amount of carrot and to her
excitement, she did not have any adverse reaction to it.
From there, the technique was developed and is now used for
desensitizing all kinds of allergens - including inhaled
pollens such as the case with mountain cedar allergy.

Since the original development of NAET, several other
techniques have been developed. The one I use in my office
is called ASERT (Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination and
Reprogramming Technique). While not identical to NAET, the
principles are similar. Instead of acupuncture needles,
ASERT uses "cold" laser to stimulate acupuncture points,
and the procedure is completely painless and well-tolerated
even by very young children.

Both NAET and ASERT defy a believable description, but they
are remarkably fast acting, taking effect in 24 hours or
less, and the desensitization effect lasts for several
months to several years in the majority of cases. A
session to desensitize a single allergen like mountain
cedar can usually be accomplished in a single 30 minute
office visit. After the procedure, the allergic reactions
(congestion, irritated eyes, etc.) ease off quickly and the
need for antihistamines, decongestants, and other
medications is typically eliminated.

So, if cedar fever has you in it's grasp, or if you suffer
from any other allergies, there's good news - you don't
have to suffer anymore!

----------------------------------------------------
Dr. Best is a holistic healthcare practitioner in San
Antonio, Texas. For more information, please visit
http://www.youniquehealthcare.com . Dr. Best can be
reached via email at DrBest@youniquehealthcare.com.

What Makes A Good Gym?

What Makes A Good Gym?
I don't know about you, but it took me years before I got
up the nerve to join a gym. I had seen too many TV shows
and read too many books about how the gym was a place to
see and be seen. In my head I imagined all the women in
the gym to have hard bodies and tanned skins. They never
broke a sweat and their hair always looked perfect no
matter what they were doing. I did not think I would ever
have enough nerve to join a gym, but I finally did. I
could not get the workout I wanted at home. It took me a
while to find the perfect gym but this is what I looked for.

One thing you might want to keep in mind is if it is a coed
gym or a female only gym. You might feel more comfortable
in an environment with other women rather than in a gym
that is mixed. If you are not sure what you would prefer,
then make sure you check out both and compare the following
If you have never step foot in a gym before, they you might
not be able to tell a good gym from a bad gym. So where
do you start in your quest for the perfect gym for you?
First thing is to look at location. Is it near your home
or your work? If it is, great that means it is convenient
for you to get to. If it is not, do not even bother looking
at it.

The next thing to check out is the price. Joining a gym
can be expensive so really watch out for prices. There are
some gyms that might have extra options such as a sauna,
racquetballs quart, etc etc. The cost of these is what
might that one gym so expensive. Are you going to use any
of those amenities? If not find a different gym and make
sure it has what you are looking for. For a decent basic
gym, the average rate is between $30-$50 a month.

If at all possible, see if you can get a free class or a
trial workout before you sign up. There is no better way
to see if you like the atmosphere other than actually
working out there. Not only will get a feel of the
environment you can also check out the quality of the
facility. Is it clean? Are the locker rooms kept clean
as well as the showers? Also check out the equipment, is
there enough cardio equipment? Or do you notice people
waiting around for cardio machines?

Another thing to look at is the staff. Do they greet you
with a smile or a scowl? Do any walk around to offer help
with any of the equipment or do they just stand at the desk
in on the phone? A good staff is important because they
are the basis for the gym's environment. A gym with a
moody staff is not going to be a happy place to work out.

The last thing to look at is your contract. If they are
pressuring you to sign because the deal they are offering
you is good for today only, do not do it. A good gym will
allow you to read the contract before you make any
decisions. Make sure if you ask about payment options.
Some gyms will require a full year's membership up front
while others will offer you a monthly fee. Ask them what
happens after you contract is up, does it automatically
renew and lock you into another year or will you be able to
cancel at anytime? Also find out what the cancellation
policies are.

You want to make sure you find a gym you are comfortable
with, because the more comfortable you are there, the more
likely it is that you will stick with your workouts.

----------------------------------------------------
We have released the official site for more details go to:
http://www.womensfitness-secrets.com

How To Know If You Have Candida

How To Know If You Have Candida
Candida is a pervasive problem that can sap your energy and
wreck havoc with your moods. Candida albicans is a yeast
that normally lives in the body in the inner warm creases
and crevices of the digestive tract and in the vaginal
tract of women. Under stressful conditions, through the
overuse of antibiotics, damage to the intestinal tract or
due to immune system depression, C. albicans can overgrow.
Yeast cells, particles of yeast cells, and various toxic
by-products of yeast metabolism can enter the general
circulation and significantly disrupt body processes.

The result is chronic candidiasis, leading to a wide range
of symptoms affecting almost every system of the body -
especially the gastrointestial, genitourinary, endocrine
(hormonal), nervous and immune systems. Due to the effects
of estrogen, birth control pills, and a higher number of
prescriptions for antibiotics, women are eight times more
likely to experience chronic candida than men.

Since virtually any body system can be affected, chronic
candidiasis can trigger a multitude of symptoms. Patients
say they feel "sick all over." Fatigue, allergies, immune
system malfunction, depression, chemical sensitivities, and
digestive disturbances are just some of the symptoms that
suggest candida.

Those with chronic candidiasis are typically stuck in a
vicious cycle. With regard to the immune system, a
triggering event such as antibiotic use or nutrient
deficiency can lead to immune suppression that allows
Candida albicans to overgrow and become more firmly
entrenched in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Once the organism attaches itself to the intestinal cells,
it competes for nutrition with intestinal cells and
ultimately the entire body –- robbing the body of vital
nutrients. In addition, Candida albicans secretes a large
number of mycotoxins and antigens. Candida albicans is
referred to as a "polyantigenic" organism because over 79
distinct antigens have been identified. Because of this
tremendous number of antigens, an overgrowth of Candida
albicans greatly taxes the immune system.

How do you know if you have candida?

The more of the following symptoms you have the more
important it is that you find out if you have candida and
treat it with a comprehensive treatment plan.

Chronic fatigue or lethargy

Feeling of being drained

Loss of energy

General malaise

Headache

Decreased libido

Numbness, burning, or tingling

Muscle aches, weakness, or paralysis

Dizziness, loss of balance

Pain and swelling in joints

Craving for foods rich in carbohydrates or yeasts such as
high sugar foods, bread and alcoholic beverages

Depression

Frequent mood swings

Inability to concentrate

Feeling spacey or unreal

Spots in front of the eyes

Poor memory

Erratic vision

Nasal congestion or discharge

Postnasal drip

Nasal itching

Sore or dry throat

Cough

Pain or tightness in chest

Wheezing or shortness of breath

If your symptoms suggest candida, follow up with a
qualified health care practitioner. There are reliable
tests that can reveal the presence of candida.

There are many, many recommendations that are popular for
treating candida. Over the counter quick fixes abound.
Following these popular recommendations could leave you
with poor nutritional choices, unbalanced mood and energy,
confused, and probably still with candida.

There really isn't any single magic bullet that can
immediately eliminate chronic candidiasis and restore
healthy functioning to the body. Instead, a comprehensive
approach involving lifestyle, stress management, exercise,
diet, nutritional supplementation, glandular therapy,
personal foundations and the use of herbal medicines can be
used.

----------------------------------------------------
Mary Ann Copson is the founder of the Evenstar Mood &
Energy Wellness Center. With Master's Degrees in Human
Development and Psychology & Counseling, Mary Ann is a
Certified Licensed Nutritionist; Certified Holistic Health
Practitioner; Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician; and a
Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Coach. Find her recommended
candida test and more at
http://evenstaronline.com/FunctionalTests

Fitness Trainer - Five Questions to Ask

Fitness Trainer - Five Questions to Ask
The main obstacle to staying on track with a fitness
program is losing motivation. People are just starting an
exercise program can find themselves quickly tired of the
same routine. Keeping exercise appealing and maintaining a
good fitness perspective is key to long-term success.

If you have to watch the exact same episode of your
favorite television show every day for the rest of your
life, you would probably be banging your head against the
wall by the end of the week. You would change the channel,
pick up a book, or do anything you could to avoid something
you once enjoyed.

Yet, many people starting on a fitness program feel
compelled to follow the same routine, day after day after
day, and consequently fall off the exercise wagon.

Most people would want the services of a fitness trainer in
order to provide them the different portions of the fitness
program in a livelier style.

Fitness trainers are actually experts in analyzing and
creating a fitness program that is right for you. They are
the ones who will calculate your appropriateness to a
certain program with regards to your "fitness level,"
create the program according to your specific needs, and
keep you stimulated and inspired by giving you activities
that will not bore you.

But then again, as with other entities included in the
fitness world, not all fitness trainers are created equal.
They may vary from the different trainings that they have,
the health education they have acquired, and the skills
that they have learned.

It is important to consider some factors that will
determine if a certain fitness trainer is right for you.
Here is how to find the fitness trainer that fits you:

1. The Fitness Trainers Certification. Like any item or
product, the quality is sometimes measured and determined
through the certification. Before you choose your fitness
trainer, it is important to verify if the trainer is duly
certified by a highly regarded fitness association.

It is also best to choose a fitness trainer that has a CPR
certification or first aid qualifications.

2. The Fitness Trainers Education/Trainings. Be sure to
choose a fitness trainer who had acquired an adequate
training and education as far as health and physical
fitness is concerned.

Even though it is not necessary, fitness trainers who have
acquired education connected to physical fitness or any
other related field will definitely have an edge over the
others.

3. The Fitness Trainer should know how to give the right
attention. A good fitness trainer should know how to
provide his or her client an undivided attention whenever
their session is going on. In this way, the trainer will be
able to focus more on the details that need attention and
offer immediate considerations.

4. The Fitness Trainer should know how to track development
It is best to choose a fitness trainer that knows how to
track his or her client's progress as far as fitness is
concerned. In this way, the trainer will be able to
generate new activities and trainings designated for a
particular result of the client.

5. Does your Fitness Trainer have a Good Personality? Since
you will be dealing most with your fitness trainer, it is
best if you will look for somebody with a compatible
personality, somebody whom you can be comfortable with.

The services of a fitness program center and the
contributions it can give you while working out on those
belly fat, are, indeed, one of the best help that you can
get from a professional person who knows what he is doing.

It is best to choose the best fitness trainer who can give
you the best fitness program services that you need so that
you will never get bored again.

----------------------------------------------------
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. I highly reccommend this person and
website if you are looking for a fitness trainer. I even
worked out a deal with hime to give you a 7 Day Free Trial.
http://www.pillfreevitamins.com/fitnesse_trainer

Setting Boundaries: 5 Tips for Women to Reclaim Their Lives and Break the Stress Eating Cycle

Setting Boundaries: 5 Tips for Women to Reclaim Their Lives and Break the Stress Eating Cycle
Chances are that if you're a gal who is an emotional eater,
there is at least one recess or area of your life where you
are having trouble with boundaries. Boundaries can be
physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. They define your
limits and enable you to have more self respect, enjoy win
win relationships and put you in charge of living a juicy
life.

If you notice that you're often running to the fridge
because you're overcommitted and stressed and can't say
"No," don't beat yourself up over it. It's not your fault.
As children, we learn how to set boundaries by what we are
taught by our parents and they learned from their parents,
and so the endless cycle continues. This is called your
programming and it affects you unconsciously by keeping you
stuck in old habits. In order to break free from those
shackles, you have to recognize what's not working and take
steps to change it.

Here are several tips to chew on before you reach for food
when you're not hungry.

1. Pay attention to your feelings. Your feelings are an
indicator that let you know when someone has crossed your
boundaries. By respecting and honoring your feelings and
acting on them with integrity, you will gain the respect of
others and most especially yourself. If you have trouble
tuning into your feelings, it may because there is too much
static in your life. You may need to find a way to slow
down and listen to your inner wisdom.

2. Act as if. Practice mentally saying "No." Think of
someone whom you respect who has no qualms about setting
personal boundaries, expressing their thoughts or saying,
"No." Imagine yourself thinking and acting as they would in
different challenging situations, looking and feeling
totally confident as you reject any requests, demands or
tasks that make you automatically feel guilty, uneasy,
frustrated or angry.

3. Recharge and Renew You. It's easy to feel like the walls
are closing in on you when you're stressed. Do something
special that makes your heart sing, nurtures your soul and
gives you something to look forward to each and every day.
By heading off your stress at the pass, you will begin to
take the edge off of your emotional eating. Take a yoga
class, call a friend, listen to music, cuddle, take a nap,
pet your dog or cat, paint, sit in a bubble bath. Spend
time having more fun. Close your eyes and ask yourself,
"What do I really want"?

4. Seek Support. If you're struggling with being able to
imagine saying or doing things without being afraid of
disappointing others, hurting people's feelings, not being
considered nice, then it may be time to gather the support
of other women who are also working to set better
boundaries. See if you can find a local women's group or
online community that can support you in learning how to
say "yes" to yourself and "no" to others.

5. Learn Emotional Freedom Technique. EFT was created by a
man named Gary Craig. Based on the science of Acupuncture,
EFT is a powerful self help method that works to create an
energetic balance in the body by freeing your emotions. It
is based on the premise that the cause of all negative
emotions is a disruption in your body's energy system.
Simply put this means that anytime you feel bad about
something, it sources back to an energy blockage. You can
release those blocks in minutes and free yourself to enjoy
more living. EFT is effective for releasing negative
memories, eliminating cravings and overcoming fears and
resistance.

----------------------------------------------------
Andrea Amador, CEC, M.NLP is President of The Juicy Woman.
She is devoted to empowering women to love themselves more,
yummy up their lives and lose weight without dieting. Join
her Juicy Woman Forum at
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thejuicywoman/

Stop Acne Fast - Top 3 Tips To Help You Get Rid Of Acne

Stop Acne Fast - Top 3 Tips To Help You Get Rid Of Acne
Acne is a very complicated problem and the exact reason as
to what causes it has not been fully discovered. It appears
that there are many factors involved that contribute to
acne. These factors include diet, exercise, stress and skin
cleansing. It is important to look at each of these areas
to give yourself the best possible chance of solving your
acne problem permanently. Here are the three top tips we
believe can make the biggest difference in helping to give
you the clear skin you seek.

Tip 1: Eat More Natural Foods

We live in a culture and time where there is an abundance
of processed foods that taste good, are easily accessible
and are also cheap. This makes them a popular choice of
food for most people. Unfortunately these types of foods
also tend to be rich in chemicals that have been added to
preserve the food and also to make it look good. Many
people believe that these kinds of chemicals and other
toxins in your food can contribute to causing and making
acne worse.

This is why it becomes important to select the most natural
foods you can find. You do not need to eliminate completely
processed foods but look to reducing the quantities and
adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. If
you can consume more organic foods then that is best as
organic foods are grown free of artificial chemicals and
they also tend to be richer in nutritional content and
taste better than conventionally produced foods.

Consider juicing your own fresh fruits and vegetables as
this will allow you to get a lot more nutrition and it will
also give your digestive system a break. Juicing can be a
great way to cleanse your internal system and remove
excessive toxins that may have built up from a poor diet.

Tip 2: Reduce Stress

Many acne researchers believe that stress can have an
impact and contributes to causing and making acne worse.
Many people live extremely stressful lives however many
times this stress is caused by wrong thinking. This means
that if you can learn to control your mind better then you
may be able to eliminate a significant amount of stress
from your life.

Meditation can be an effective way to reduce stress and
develop mind control so be sure to do further research as
there are many free resources online that can show you how
to do and practice meditation. Just do a search for 'how to
do meditation' and you should be able to find something
useful. Transcendental meditation has been researched at
the university level and has been found to have many
benefits including stress reduction so look into that too.

Getting a dog can be a great way to reduce stress as pets
have been shown in many studies to be very effective at
reducing stress. Take part in a sport like golf or tennis
and stay physically active. Do more exercise like aerobics
and weight training, you may even consider joining a gym or
purchasing a quality piece of fitness equipment. All these
approaches can be great at reducing stress.

Tip 3: Wash Your Face Using The Right Products And Purify
Your Water

You do not need to wash your face every hour but it is
important to keep the skin clean. Twice a day is usually
enough, once in the morning and then once before bed. A
great natural soap is glycerin soap which you can find at
most health food stores. It has very little odor and is
very gentle on your skin and will not dry it out
excessively.

A great natural moisturizer is almond oil and again it can
be found at most health food stores. It makes good sense to
apply food based products on your skin because what you put
on your skin can also end up in your bloodstream so stick
with natural food based ingredients.

Another useful tip to follow is to drink the purest water
you can. Water that comes out of a faucet can contain all
kinds of chemicals such as chlorine as well as particulates
that you cannot see. These chemicals and particulates can
have an effect on your acne. The best water is pure
distilled water as that is 100% H2O with nothing else in
it. You can get distilled water at many supermarkets, they
usually come in the large 20 litre jugs.

Also consider getting a shower filter. When you shower,
significant amounts of water get absorbed into your skin so
you want this water to be as pure as possible. A whole
house distiller is the absolute ideal but this can be
costly. Use some of these strategies to help you reduce
your acne.

----------------------------------------------------
Jitender is an internet researcher and author. He is a
regular contributor to a site on acne treatments that helps
people to solve their acne problem, please visit at
http://www.acnetreatments4u.org and find out how you can
become acne free.

The single most important thing to improve your health

The single most important thing to improve your health
There are some things that a person can do on a day to day
basis that will revolutionise their health. I'm not talking
about the latest bunch of exercises or eating more
superfoods rather something far more basic and natural.
Just by implementing this one simple change to your
schedule will almost immediately revolutionise your life
for the better. So what is this daily miracle? The answer
is sleep.

Everybody knows that sleep is important and I'm sure most
people agree that they don't get enough of it. Sleep is
such an important part of our lives that without it we
would die. Experiments conducted on rats have shown that
sleep deprivation leads to death in just a matter of weeks.
Without adequate sleep we get a fall in our immune system,
reduced concentration levels, memory impairment, mood
swings, energy dips and much more.

Sleep isn't just about how much we get but also about when.
As human beings we are still naturally attached to the
environment and the rising and setting of the sun. As the
sun rises the light stimulates our eyes and activates the
stress hormone cortisol. This particular hormone is
responsible for stimulating movement and preparing the body
for action, and will peak during the day and start to
reduce in the afternoon. During the evening cortisol levels
should be at a minimum and this releases melatonin and
subsequently growth and repair hormones for the impending
sleep. As we sleep our body gets repaired first physically
and then mentally.

Unfortunately, this pattern of hormonal release isn't how
most of us live our lives. We go to bed too late and feed
our body full of stimulants resulting in stress hormones in
the evening and no physical repair during the night. If you
are not sleeping by 10.30pm then your body is missing out
on vital growth and repair that happens for approxamately 4
hours during this time. Remember you are influenced by the
sun not when you choose to go to bed.

If you choose to feed yourself stimulants like caffeine,
alcohol or sugar any later than early afternoon this will
elevate you cortisol levels, a stress hormone, at a time
when it should be reducing and in turn will not release
melatonin and repair hormones when you most need then
during your sleep. So if you are overdoing the coffee or
alcohol in the evening then you are not repairing your body
for the next day. The result is general fatigue, headaches,
muscle aches and pains, joint problems, infections etc.

To live a healthier life you must start to follow your
natural sleeping cycle. This means getting out of bed early
and going to bed early. Help to keep your stress hormones
at a minimum during the afternoon by avoiding all
stimulants and dimming lights in the evening and avoiding
watching tv too late. Get to bed by 10.30pm and ensure that
you sleep in full darkness, remember that light is what
stimulates our stress hormones and gets us up in the
morning. Get a good 7-9 hours rest each night at the right
time and you'll be well on your way to a more productive
and healthier lifestyle.

Good night!

----------------------------------------------------
Greg is a health and fitness professional and author of
"the no gear workout" based in Hampstead, North London. He
achieves fantastic results for his clients by using his
indepth knowledge and the most up to date techniques.
http://www.gbpersonaltraining.com

Mental Health Stigma

Mental Health Stigma
Despite the increase in publicity surrounding mental health
and mental health issues, there is still a lack of
understanding about mental health in general. For example,
a research survey published by the government "Attitudes to
Mental Illness 2007" reported that 63% of those surveyed
described someone who is mentally ill as suffering from
schizophrenia, and more than half believed that people with
mental illness should be kept in a psychiatric ward or
hospital. Overall the results showed that positive
attitudes to people with mental health had actually
decreased since 1994 which is worrying indeed.

Amazingly, many people still don't understand that mental
health problems affect most of us in one way or another,
whether we are suffering from a mental illness ourselves or
not. If we bear in mind that a quarter of the population
are suffering from some kind of mental health problem at
any one time, then the chances are, even if we personally
don't have a mental illness, we will know someone close to
us who does, so it is our responsibility to understand what
mental illness is and what can be done about it.

Many people with mental health problems will often feel
isolated and rejected and too afraid to share their
problems with others purely because of the way they might
be perceived. This lack of understanding means they are
less likely to get the kind of help and support they need
and are in danger of slipping even further into depression
and mental illness. People need to understand that mental
illness need not be a barrier to a better quality of life
and that help is available and that most people with a
mental health problem can regain full control over their
lives if they get the support they need.

A new guide to mental health

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced a new guide
to mental health which was published in November 2007 and
is aimed at informing the general public about what mental
illness is and is a big step towards tackling the stigma
that is still attached to mental illness.

The guide is written in an easy to understand format and
over 60 mental health experts have contributed to it. The
Mind: A User's Guide contains chapters that cover a whole
range of mental illnesses and includes a section on how the
brain works, how mental illness is diagnosed, and how to
cope with it.

A Scottish survey

In Scotland, a national survey of public attitudes to
mental health Well? What Do You Think? (2006) was published
in September 2007 and highlighted that although people
living in socially deprived areas have a higher incidence
of mental health, the level of stigmatisation is still no
lower than in other areas. This suggests that being
confronted with mental illness is not enough to change the
attitudes towards it.

There are also gender differences too. According to the
Scottish survey, men with a mental health problem were more
likely to be treated with suspicion than women and were
also more inclined to avoid social contact with someone
else with a mental health problem. Even out of those who
displayed a positive attitude towards people with mental
health problems, many said they would be reluctant to tell
anyone if they had a mental health problem themselves which
just goes to show that there is still fear surrounding
other peoples' perceptions of mental health.

A CIPD Survey

A recent study conducted by the Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development and KPMG consultants surveyed
over 600 employers and reported that doctors are not doing
enough to help people with mental health problems return to
work and that this is costing the business world billions
of pounds. For example, only 3% of the participants rated
doctor support as "very good".

It may be that doctors really don't know what else to offer
someone suffering from depression and anxiety other than
drugs and time off work. Even more worrying was the fact
that 52% of employers maintained that they never hired
anyone with a history of mental illness which serves to
perpetuate the stigma. On a more positive note, of those
that did hire someone with a mental health problem, more
than half said the experience had been "positive".

Changing attitudes

A lot is being done by governments and organisations to try
to change public attitudes towards mental health but is it
enough? Until we all recognise that mental illness doesn't
discriminate, it can affect any one of us at any time
regardless of our age, gender or social background, the
stigma attached to mental illness is likely to persist.

Mental illness doesn't discriminate, it can affect any one
of us at any time regardless of our age, gender or social
background, and yet the stigma attached to mental illness
still persists. Although a number of government
initiatives, awareness campaigns and organisations have
been set up specifically to tackle mental health stigma and
change our attitudes towards mental health in general,
there is still a long way to go.

It is therefore up to each and every one of us as
individuals to make sure we are well informed and
understand the issues involved because only when the public
are fully aware of the facts will mental health stigma
become a thing of the past.

----------------------------------------------------
Depression and anxiety are serious mental health conditions
that can strike anyone at anytime. For more information
about depression and selp help come and visit
http://www.fightingdepression.co.uk

5 Tips On How To Avoid The Holiday Weight Gain

5 Tips On How To Avoid The Holiday Weight Gain
Uh oh, the holidays are approaching. It wouldn't be so bad
if it weren't for all that good food that's so bad, right?

During the holidays you are thinking about parties, fun and
food, but in the back of your mind you are also thinking
about that dreadful weight gain.

When the holiday season approaches some people just stop
their healthy program and throw in the towel until after
New Years and others starve themselves until they binge.

Life doesn't have to be so demanding. You can enjoy
yourself and still keep your figure. Thanksgiving and
Christmas doesn't have to have a negative impact. The trick
is to keep a balance.

Eat sensibly and exercise. This will prevent excess weight
from creeping up and make your weight-loss resolution that
much easier come January 1st.

Below are some simple steps on how to avoid that 5 to 10
pound holiday weight gain between Thanksgiving and New
Years.

Start before Thanksgiving, not after New Years. Tossing
everything aside and waiting for January is a cop-out.
Accept responsibility, take charge, and make a difference.

Tip 1 - Devise a daily menu and exercise plan. Put it in
writing and hang it where you will see it the most. Also,
hang a copy on your refrigerator. Continue to eat your
regularly scheduled healthy meals, and eat party treats in
moderation. Have protein bars and MRP's handy.

Tip 2 - Eat normally, even if there is an event later. This
will keep your blood sugar stable and prevent overeating
and binging. This does not mean you can't indulge; it just
keeps you in control. If you starve yourself for the party,
you will binge for sure, feel sick, then regret it all
night, making you spiral down the next days.

Tip 3 - When you attend parties or events, start off with
healthy choices and snacks. Such as fruit, veggies, salads,
and meat. You won't be inclined to indulge in the sugar
goodies as fast. Notice I didn't say you can't have the
sweet treats, they are perfectly fine during this time, if
they are kept in moderation and eaten last.

Tip 4 - Drink water or diet sodas at gatherings and limit
the alcohol. A drink or two is fine, but if you want to
remain fit, it's best to limit them. Red wine would be the
best choice for an alcoholic beverage.

Tip 5 - Exercise every day, even if you can only get 10
minutes in. However, don't opt for just a mere 10 minutes
if you have time to get a full 20 to 30 minutes in. The
point is that some exercise is far better than no exercise.

The above are basic guidelines to help keep you on track
during the toughest months in the year. Good luck and Happy
Holidays!

----------------------------------------------------
Karen Sessions has been in the fitness industry since 1988.
She is a nationally qualified bodybuilder and holds two
personal training certifications. She has written 6 ebooks
on fitness and has helped hundreds of clients transform
their bodies.

http://www.Lose-Weight-Forever.com
"Use of this article is authorized provided it is
reproduced in full, and all web URLS are active hyperlinks
directed to the author"

Healthy Thyroid Function For Natural Weight Loss

Healthy Thyroid Function For Natural Weight Loss
Poor thyroid function is a common cause of weight problems
and this is only logical given the fact that thyroid
hormone is probably the strongest influence on the body's
metabolism. But the thyroid gland itself is only a small
part of the total thyroid hormone system. To understand
how to get optimal function of thyroid hormones to activate
the metabolism and promote weight loss (or healthy weight
maintenance), it is helpful to look at the overall system
of how thyroid hormones operate.

The stimulation of metabolism actually begins in a part of
the brain called the hypothalamus - the master hormone
controller. The hypothalmus senses the need for more or
less thyroid hormone production and when more is needed, it
signals the pituitary gland to produce a hormone called TSH
(you may have seen this hormone listed on a blood test for
thyroid function). TSH stimulates the Thyroid gland to
produce the inactive form of thyroid hormone, called T4.
As T4 levels rise in the blood, the liver converts the
inactive T4 form of thyroid hormone to the active form,
called T3. The T3 hormone then acts on receptor sites on
the cells of the body and causes the cells to produce more
mitochondria, which can be thought of a microscopic power
plants inside the cells. Mitochondria burn stored fat and
sugar to produce energy for various cellular functions (and
on a larger scale, for the whole body).

When something goes wrong in the thyroid system, the body
does not burn fat and sugar as much, so there is a tendency
for weight gain. Since energy production is down, fatigue
often sets in. And because there is not sufficient energy
for certain cellular functions, healing and tissue
regeneration may be depressed - this is most commonly
noticed as hair loss and brittle nails.

There are several possible reasons why the thyroid system
might not work as well as it should. First, there may not
be sufficient stimulation of the body to cause the
hypothalamus to start the process. The primary stimulator
of the thyroid system is exercise - primarily short bursts
of intense exercise. In other words, for healthy thyroid
function, it is more effective to do interval training in
which you do repetetive bursts of intense activity with
rest in between, than it is to do long periods of
low-intensity exercise, but any form of exercise is helpful.

Another possible problem is that the thyroid gland itself
might be damaged, either by infection, or possibly by
radiation exposure (either accidental exposure or
intentional radiation of the thyroid for cancer treatment).
In the case of actual thyroid damage, some type of thyroid
medication will usually be necessary to compensate.

Yet another possible problem in the thyroid system is poor
conversion of the inactive T4 hormone to the active T3
hormone by the liver. This typically occurs with poor
lifestyle - excessive alcohol and/or drug use, and/or bad
diet (especially a diet high in fats and animal proteins).
In many cases, liver function can be improved with healthy
lifestyle changes, and this will lead to improved thyroid
hormone activation.

Active thyroid hormone may be interfered with at the
cellular receptor sites and may not be able to properly
signal the cells to produce more mitochondria. This is a
common side-effect of estrogen and estrogen-like chemicals.
The most common sources of estrogen interference with
thyroid hormone are birth control medications and estrogen
replacement therapy. If you have experienced weight gain
and other thyroid-related symptoms since starting on birth
control or hormone replacement, you may wish to consult
with your physician about other options.

Finally, the formation of mitochondria can be interfered
with by the presence of certain chemicals. Sodium
benzoate, a preservative found in many processed foods and
beverages (especially soft-drinks) can damage the genetic
material within the cells needed for mitochondrial
formation. Here again, cleaning up the diet can be very
beneficial to overall thyroid hormone function and the
ultimate goal of weight control.

To sum things up, there are steps you can take to maximize
the metabolism-stimulating effects of the thyroid. First,
regular exercise is important, and interval-training is the
most effective for thyroid stimulation. Next, avoid
excessive alcohol consumption, avoid drugs and medications
except for those that are absolutely necessary, and keep
fat and protein intake to a moderate level so as not to
overwork the liver. Next, if you are taking any kind of
estrogen-based birth control or hormone replacement,
consider alternatives with your healthcare provider(s).
Finally, avoid the preservative sodium benzoate in order to
avoid interfering with the production of your cellular
"power plants", the mitochondria. In most cases these
steps will gradually normalize thyroid hormone function and
you will find that weight control becomes much easier. In
a few cases, medical treatment for thyroid damage may be
needed, but simple lifestyle changes are often the most
effective means of improving metabolism.

----------------------------------------------------
Dr. George Best is a holistic healthcare practitioner in
San Antonio Texas. For more information about natural
weight loss, please visit
http://www.TrainYourBrain4WeightLoss.com . Dr. Best can be
reached via email to DrBest@trainyourbrain4weightloss.com.