Weight Loss Without Exercise

Weight Loss Without Exercise
If you look at many of the ads and articles about weight
loss, you will notice that a large percentage of them seem
to imply that you can lose weight without having to
exercise. They will promote some diet pill or simply a
diet which is going to take the weight off.

The question is, can you really lose weight just by
adjusting your diet? So many people feel that they do not
have the time to exercise, or feel they lack the energy to
exercise, or just plain don't want to. It would be great
if all they had to do was take some pill or eat some
specific diet and the weight would go away, right?

Now, my problem is that when I think of, or advise someone
on, weight loss, I automatically throw in adjectives like
"healthy" and "permanent". I'm not really in touch with
the concept of using a diet to lose a few pounds to get
back into last year's clothes or to look good at the high
school reunion. I tend to think of losing weight as a step
to the point where you achieve your weight loss goal and
enter the realm of weight management. At this point, you
are living a healthy lifestyle of combined physical
activity and proper nutrition and are able to enjoy life to
the max...for a good many years to come!

"Yeah, Don, that's great, but I'm one of the first group of
people you talked about. I just want to lose weight and
don't want to mess with exercise. Heck, man, I'm so
overweight and pooped all the time that just thinking about
exercise scares me. Just tell me what diet pill to take or
diet to follow so that I can get my weight down, look good,
feel good about myself, and enjoy life like you say!"

Well, there are people who want to be rich but who don't
want to "mess with" saving, or making wise purchasing
decisions, or working hard, either. Whatever we really
want in life usually has some sort of price tag attached,
and, as the saying goes, we usually, "get what we paid for".

To throw in another old saying, anything worth doing is
worth doing well.

To get back to the weight loss without exercise issue,
let's look at a couple of facts.

1. Diets do not work as far as permanent or healthy weight
loss is concerned.

2. Permanent, healthy weight loss is commonly achieved
through a combination of exercise and proper nutrition.

3. While there are diet products and supplements which can
enhance the effects of any weight loss program, they very
seldom do the trick by themselves for most people.

Let's start with that last one.

Start by reading the labels or advertising literature of
most diet pills and other weight loss supplements.
Somewhere you will usually find a statement that will say
something like "when used with regular exercise and a
sensible nutrition program". In other words, taking that
diet pill or supplement "might" help you lose weight IF it
is taken as part of some other weight loss program.

Even the manufacturers of the Alli fat loss pill, which at
the moment is the only federally approved weight loss pill,
will let you know that you really need to be doing other
things as well as taking their pill to experience effective
weight loss. Testing of that pill, one of the most
effective available, show that weight loss with the pill
alone will be minimal unless it is used with a program of
regular exercise and proper nutrition.

Let's face it. If there WAS one diet pill that you could
take and then sit around watching TV, eating ice cream, and
drinking beer...AND still lose weight and be healthy, there
would not be so many different diet pills claiming to do
the trick!

Okay, I started with the last fact, so let's jump around
and deal with the first fact next.

Diets per se do not work for permanent, healthy weight loss.

When you suddenly decrease the calories you regularly have
been feeding your body, it senses a starvation situation
(built in survival trait) and lowers its basic metabolic
rate. In other words, it adjusts itself to function with
fewer calories. This might not be too bad, but, if you go
back to your old eating habits, the same amount of calories
will now produce more fat to be stored on your body.

This is why going on and off of diets is actually possibly
likely to cause weight gain, rather than weight loss! It's
called yo-yo dieting.

Additionally, extreme reductions in nutrition can also mean
extreme reductions in the vitamins, minerals, protein,
carbohydrates, fats (needed for life), phytonutrients, and
other nutritional factors required for health, energy, and
long life. You might lose weight but actually endanger
your health and lack the energy necessary to live your life
with pleasure.

Just to make all this senseless as heck, once your body
adapts to its new diet regimen and adjusts its basic
metabolic rate, your weight loss will stop. This usually
occurs after only a few pounds have been lost. To lose
more weight, you will have to cut your nutritional intake
even more, or simply decide to take a look at the second
fact I listed.

Test after test and study after study has demonstrated
beyond a doubt that the most effective weight loss program
is one that includes regular, moderate exercise and healthy
eating and living habits. The exercise does NOT have to be
extreme, although overall results will usually be directly
related to the amount of effort expended.

Most of us are NOT going to wind up looking like Arnold
Schwarzenegger or Cory Everson unless we exercise and eat
like they do!

However; regular, moderate exercise can burn calories and
build lean muscle tissue which will continue to use up
excess calories and burn fat even when we are not
exercising. It will raise energy levels, make daily life
easier, help elevate mood and fight depression, and will
help protect us against a host of degenerative diseases.
It has been shown to delay and mitigate the effects of
aging, and has been shown a potent protector against many
conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure,
diabetes, arthritis, and many forms of cancer.

Healthy eating does not necessarily mean "dieting".
Healthy eating involves such things as proper selection of
foods, paying attention to portion sizes, and changing a
few eating habits...including that great American
pastime...snacking!

I used the term "healthy eating and living" because such
things as getting the proper amount of sleep, having fun,
and having friends can also contribute to health in general
and weight loss in particular.

Is weight loss without exercise possible?

Sure! Millions of people throughout history have gotten
very thin before they starved to death!

Millions more have simply combined exercise with healthy
eating and living habits to experience permanent, healthy
weight loss and have enjoyed a long and happy life as a
result.

Your choice?

----------------------------------------------------
Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer. He is a University of
West Florida alumnus, a member of Mensa, and is retired
from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. His
interests include nature, animals, the environment, global
warming, health, fitness, yoga, and weight loss. He has
posted several of his articles on health and weight loss at
http://nodiet4me.com/articledirectory/

Marbella Hot Tubs - Problems

Marbella Hot Tubs - Problems
Hot Tubs from the east usually have every accesory but not
the one they really need a Skip!.

I heard the other day that somebody who had bought a cheap
Hot Tub which was an eastern import is unable to get the
spare parts so that the heater does not work.

You even hear stories of people that buy cheap eastern hot
tubs and they do not get the cover for the hot tub till
months later.

We saw a cheap eastern import recently with out any floor
or base, no insulation, just a load of rubbish. No
insulation on the side panels so heat will simply be lost.

Then the electric cables were loose dragging on the floor
and with no base that means that they would get wet when it
rains! Good chance of getting electrocuted just to save
some money that I would call false economy.

Naturally we told the owner to tie all the cables clear of
the floor. The quality of the cables used are not up to
western standards and you can tell that by one glance its
as simple as that. The plumbing also falls way short of
western standards.

Oh why worry if they are fool enough to buy a cheap import
from the east what do they honestly expect.

It's a a bit like the lead paint in toys that come from the
east, many people think that they are clever by saving
money, but the truth is that they buy a lot of trouble for
the future. So in reality it is a false economy.

Quality manufacturers consider the long term of spa
ownership when designing their products. Manufacturers that
use advanced manufacturing methods employ ABS-backed
acrylic instead of the older style fibreglass and they are
able to provide a much sturdier, longer lasting product.

Not only is the manufacturing process that does not use
fibreglass as a backing material more environmentally
friendly, but the stronger more expensive ABS backed shell
material allows for elimination of foam shell support.

So those manufacturers that use full foam are doing it to
support a cheaper shell material. Their approach to
production is simply to start from the approach of lets
find the cheapest way of construction not the best.

Many manufacturers use the lower priced standard Acrylic
that must be supported with fibreglass and foam.

The foam may be referred to as insulation, but in reality
it actually supports this lower priced shell material and
does not represent a "green" approach to long lasting
maintenance, but is only necessary for the support of lower
priced shell materials.

We have also heard it said that full foam is used to
eliminate the noise of the water in the pipes. Well we are
appalled to hear that said as it simply must be a badly
designed spa that needs that. It is just simply a cover
story to hide the cheap production methods.

There are very many disadvantages with spraying low cost
expanding foam into the spa cabinet including lack of
access to important plumbing parts and jet surfaces as well
as the ability to quickly check for and fix a leak should
it occur.

Many times a leak in a foam filled cabinet will manifest
itself over many months and the result is a rotted out
interior with odorous, soaked foam material that creates
quite a mess.

Obviously a good well designed and engineered product will
lead to an outstanding hydrotherapy massage. Where one will
be able to enjoy a vigorous or perhaps soothing massage
with the ability to be able to adjust and modify your
massage experience to suit or enhance your mood as
appropriate.

In summary I would suggest that as a Hot Tub Jacuzzi style
spa is probably the third most expensive purchase that you
make after your home and perhaps a car that you should try
to buy the best that you can afford but make sure that you
do not buy a cheap eastern import or a the dog dish looking
hot tub. Look for proper branded acrylic such as Lucite and
Quartite and ask to see the dealers colour chips from those
manufacturers. Sometimes it is Lucite inspired but not
Lucite. Look for Balboa controls and aim for a
manufacturer who has been making spas for many years. A
very good simple test is to see if your hot tub dealer is
on first name terms with the owners and directors of the
manufacturers of the products' he is supplying. This is of
course impossible if they are based in the East !!!!

----------------------------------------------------
The author Jacuzzi John (JJ) supplies premium quality
American & European Hot Tubs from Estepona on the Costa Del
Sol in Spain and his web site is at http://www.spas4you.com
email info@spas4you.com

Top 10 Reasons Why you should NOT "go" on a Diet

Top 10 Reasons Why you should NOT "go" on a Diet
The only thing growing faster than the $65 billion diet
industry is the American waistline. If one of your New
Years resolutions was to Go on a Diet, the only place I
guarantee you will go....is up in weight.

It's a Fact - Diets will only make you fatter.

When it comes to the latest in Diet fads, we are quite
gullible and easily tempted by a Diet's empty promised.
Reason being....the diet industry KNOWS we are in search of
the "quick fix" and will only play with our emotions - our
desperation for the quickest way to relieve looking and
feeling fat.

Diets are nothing more than Temporary Solutions with many
lingering, negative side effects.

Here are the Top 10 Reasons Why you should NOT "go" on a
Diet

1. Diets do NOT work.
Diets have a 99% Failure Rate. Have you noticed a pattern
yet? Lose weight....quickly regain it? Over time, studies
show if you diet you are more likely to be overweight than
people who eat normally and make small gradual changes to
their lifestyle. No, the Law of Averages does not apply to
this faulty system.

2. Dieting can be Dangerous.
Any time you severely restrict the amount or types of foods
you eat you put your health and life at risk. Dieting has
been related to injuries and sudden deaths from electrolyte
imbalance, malnutrition, and heart arrhythmia's. Weight
cycling, or yo-yo-ing weight, is associated with higher
death rates - especially if some type of pills are being
used. At no point should you ever place weight loss above
your health.

3. Dieting Destroys your Metabolism.
Diets will cause your weight to quickly cycle up and down.
Sure, you may lose weight quickly because you are simply
not eating enough. In the initial stages, the first seven
to nine pounds lost are water, presenting a real danger of
dehydration and mineral deficiencies. Even more terrifying
ins the break down of lean muscle due to inefficient
nutrients and calories. If you are losing more than 3-4
pounds a week, you can be sure this is what is happening -
very little fat is lost this state.

Now, any muscle loss will cause your metabolism slow to a
crawl. The cumulative effect takes place for you cannot
survive very long on very low calories (1200 or less) and
you will eventually eat more - on top of a slower
metabolism. All those excess calories will be stored as fat
- causing rapid weight gain.

4. Dieting is Exhausting.
Diets are just reduced calorie Fads disguised by a clever
gimmick. "Lose weight while you sleep" "Eat all you want
and still lose weight" Not eating enough or cutting out
certain food groups means your body may not be getting the
energy it needs, or may lack certain nutrients. You will
feel exhausted, light headed and experience some not-so-fun
mood swings.

5. Dieting is Disruptive.
Dieting negatively affects your normal eating patterns.
Diets can lead to binge eating, overeating and chaotic
eating. When you diet, it is common to override your
internal signals telling you to eat. You end up trying to
use willpower or resist hunger signals and may even go as
far as taking appetite suppressants. This results in being
unable to know when you really are hungry or wore....when
you're full.

6. Dieting can lead to eating disorders.
Experts state that the high rates of eating disorders in
the U.S. are due in part to people dieting, losing weight,
rebounding, and becoming chronic dieters.

7. Dieting Causes Food Obsessions.
If you spend a large amount of time and energy depriving
yourself of food or certain types of food - you will spend
more time thinking about food and become obsessed attempts
to control your weight by what you choose to eat or not
eat. How long do you want to live like this?

8. Dieting Diminishes Women.
There is way too much attention focused on our appearance
and an arbitrary number on the scale. In the midst of this
focus - we end up avoiding what really matters to us - our
dreams and ambitions. Even worse, it erodes our confidence
and self-respect.

9. Dieting Intensifies Negativity.
If you diet, you are more judgmental and critical of
yourself and others. Once again, wasted time and energy.

10. Diets Put Your Life on Hold.
Does this sound familiar...."I'll be happy when I weigh "x
pounds." Guess what, the issues in your life are not
related to your weight. Take responsibility and take back
control of your life. Decide to be happy now and do what it
takes to live a lifestyle that reflects your priorities.

So this year resolve to NOT go on a Diet. Set Yourself
Free from this miserable, guaranteed to fail weight loss
cycle. Do NOT let the diet industry make money by taking
advantage of you. It is time to stand up for yourself and
take control.

----------------------------------------------------
Holly Rigsby, CPT, MAT America's #1 Fat Loss Expert for
Busy Moms and the author of Fit Yummy Mummy Lifestyle
System http://www.fityumymumy.com/ and expert contributor
at http://www.efittoday.com She has helped well over 500
Mom's lose the stubborn baby fat and get their pre-baby
body back. Don't miss her Free Report: Top 5 Busy Mom
Metabolism Boosters.

How Often Can You Do "Core Training" Part 1

How Often Can You Do "Core Training" Part 1
The buzz about working "core" muscles seems like it will
never go away. First of all, most people don't even know
what the word "core" means. As a matter of fact neither do
I! The word 'core' does not come from any scientific
anatomy text I have ever read. As far as I can tell it is a
term created by the fitness industry to promote all kinds
of ab training products.

I'm assuming core training is supposed to give you a hard
flat stomach or possibly even a 6 pack. I think this myth
about core training is also how much of the new athletic
style workouts are becoming popular as may exercises
athletes do seem to appeal to the people who think they are
doing a core exercise. So what is your core anyway?

As far as I can tell, people think their core is their abs,
the oblique muscles (the muscle that are on either side of
your middle set of abs) and your lower back muscles. This
collection of muscles makes up the mythical "core". Now, if
anyone besides a graduate trained biomechanist tells you
they know exactly how these muscles work, they are lying,
and probably haven't done enough research to know that they
are lying (so technically its not really their fault for
misleading you). The muscles of the core are very complex
and the truth is that scientists still aren't sure exactly
how they all work together. So now that we can see we don't
really know how all the core muscles work together, how can
you possibly think you are training them in any intelligent
way!

The truth so far is that any exercise works your core
muscles to some degree or another. As soon as you stand up
and get out of bed in the morning your core muscles have to
be activated to prevent you from just flopping over at the
waist. All forms of rigorous physical activity will work
your core muscles. For example, one of the toughest core
workouts you can do is a series of short all out sprints.
Don't believe me? Give this sprint interval routine a try
and see how sore your 'core' and 'abs' are the next day.

20 yard sprints x 4
40 yard sprints x 4
60 yard sprints x 4
80 yard sprints x 4
100 yard sprints x 4

After each sprint walk back to the start and repeat until
you have completed 4 sprints at that distance, then take
90-120 second rest and start the next distance. If you push
these hard, your whole body should be sore the next day
including of those 'core' muscles. I'll bet this is not the
image you had in your head of a 'core' workout.

You can train 'core' muscles every day if you want, which
isn't saying much because they are working all the time
anyway. With that said there are core exercises that are
better than others, and the exercises people typically
think of for core should not be performed every day, and
some of them like crunches should never be done at all. In
the second part of this article I will discuss the right
and wrong way to train this part of your body.

----------------------------------------------------
John Barban is a professional strength and conditioning
coach and nutrition expert. He has extensive experience
designing nutritional supplements and has developed his
trademark workout for women 6 Minute Circuits. John is an
expert contributor to
http://www.efit-today.com/public/department59.cfm and
recomends the diet program http://www.eatstopeat.com , and
believes it is the best new diet for easy and effective
weight loss.

Symptoms of Ringworm in Human and Pets

Symptoms of Ringworm in Human and Pets
Ringworm is a skin disease, which can be described by the
characteristics of the formation of bumpy patch on the
surface of skin of brownish to reddish raised that seems to
be lighter in the centre, then gives the impression of
formation of ring. This ring actually not formed by any
type of worm which described by the name of the disease
itself but it is a kind of fungal infection, which is
caused by Dermatophytes (skin fungus).

Ringworms is easily transmitted through skin-to-skin
contacts, contaminations of hair brushes, shoes, slippers
and socks. People who have eczema or any other skin
problems are more prone to the occurrence of infection on
the skin. This fungal infection is not limited to human but
also seen in other kind of pets, particularly for cats and
dogs.

Ringworm in human
Dermatophytes grow on dead tissues of human skin following
a circular path to widen its infection. The mold also
infects to fingers, feet, scalp, toenails and skin. With
the passage of time without proper treatment, it could
spread to other parts of the body and become persistent.
The symptoms are normally seen as dryness, itching, flaky
rashes or burning marks on the skin, depends on the
characteristic of the patient. Moisture and heat promote
the fungus grows rapidly, especially to the skin-fold areas
like in between toes and in groin. It can also be
transmitted through sharing swimming pools, showers and
also transmitted through domestic animals. It is advised
that maintain personal cleanliness of the body can reduce
the chances of fungus disease to the body. But if once it
develops in any part of the body, it can be cured through
doctor's prescription of medicines.

Ringworm in cats
In most cases, it is quite obvious that a fungus namely
"Microsporum Canis" or commonly known as "M Canis" is the
majority cause the infection. Cats catch up the disease
from unhygienic stuffs like bedding, clippers or from
direct contacts with other infected animals. Kittens are
more prone to ringworm than grown cats, so proper care
should be taken if you have any young-breed cats in your
home. The common symptoms that can be seen in the infected
cats are excessive hair loss from head or paws, scaly patch
of skin on any part of body which looks itchy and inflamed
due to loss of hair on that part.

Ringworm in dogs
There are around 35 species of ringworm which cause
infection in dogs and these species are the ones that can
also be seen in cats. In many cases we also find that the
infection occurs among the young breeding dogs too, because
young pets are more vulnerable than grown-up ones. One of
the most common symptoms which represent the infection is
the development of lesion on many parts of dog's skin. The
growing of circular scaly patch of broken hair on the skin
surface which seems to appear inflamed and has flakes of
dandruff like particles on the skin of the infected dog.
This also including face, tail, paws and ear tips are the
common areas.

----------------------------------------------------
If you want to find out more about ringworm causes,
symptoms and treatments, please visit
http://www.myringworm.net
http://www.myringworm.org

Does Your Metabolism Slow With Age?

Does Your Metabolism Slow With Age?
Anti-Aging Tips for Your Metabolism Does age have anything
to do with your ability to see faster results?

When it comes to achieving the fat loss results you are
after, AGE becomes a factor only when you allow it to be
one. Let's face it. Making changes to the way you think,
eat and move can be uncomfortable and a bit of a challenge
at times. As human beings, we naturally take the path of
least resistance. We tend to seek out excuses for WHY we
cannot follow through.

How many times have you let the rain, getting up late or
having a bad day give you the "get out of your plan to stay
fit and healthy FREE card"? Well, when it comes to the
"'myth" that we are destined to gain weight as we age for
our metabolism naturally slows, it is no different. Rather,
it is time to recognize and take responsibility.

FACT: Starting at around age 30 you will lose approximately
6.6 pounds of lean muscle mass during each decade of life.
Numerous studies indicate that muscle mass may decline by
20% to 40% in people who do not get the proper nutrients.

Yes there is some truth to this myth. As women age, many
hormonal changes take place that cause our body's to slowly
lose lean muscle mass. Keep in mind that the less muscle
you have, the slower your metabolism will be. However, this
does not mean you just roll over and accept it. You are in
control of how your body deals with these changes.

The main reasons why women gain weight as they age:

1. They are not involved in an effective resistance
training plan to help maintain or increase lean muscle.

2. They are not filling their bodies with whole, natural
hormonal balancing foods.

3. They are not as active.

4. They do not adjust their calorie intake to account for a
change in their activity level.

Want to turn back the clock on your Metabolism?

Be sure you are:

Performing resistance training at least 3 days a week.
Your plan must include a progressively challenging format.
Doing the same exercises day in and day out performing high
repetitions with "Barbie weights" is not an effective
resistance training plan and you will not see results.

Eat!
As many women age, they tend to not eat enough - this in
turn will slow your metabolism. It is important to eat
enough calories to support the lean muscle you are
attempting too maintain or even increase.

Eat often.
Be sure you are fueling your body every 3 to 4 hours. Going
too long between meals will only cause your body to lose
lean muscle mass and worse - set you up to have cravings -
causing you to overeat later in the day leading to fat
storage.

Eat Supportively.
If you fill your body with junk...of course your hormones
will be off, your metabolism will slow, you will lack
energy and you will gain weight. Begin to make a difference
today by keeping track of the foods you eat and identify
what substitutions need to be made. You can do this! You
are not a victim of your metabolism... You are the Creator.

----------------------------------------------------
Holly Rigsby, CPT, MAT America's #1 Fat Loss Expert for
Busy Moms and the author of Fit Yummy Mummy Lifestyle
System http://www.fityumymumy.com/ and expert contributor
at http://www.efittoday.com She has helped well over 500
Mom's lose the stubborn baby fat and get their pre-baby
body back. Don't miss her Free Report: Top 5 Busy Mom
Metabolism Boosters.

Sciatica

Sciatica
Sciatica (often misspelled as "syatica" or "psyatica") is
pain that results from irritation of one of the sciatic
nerves (one on the right and one on the left), and includes
pain in the hip and buttock area that may extend partially
or all the way down the back of the leg to the foot. The
sciatic nerves start out as smaller nerve roots that branch
off from the lower part of the spine. The component nerve
roots come together in the pelvis to form the sciatic
nerves. Each sciatic nerve then extends down the back of
each thigh and divides into two parts below the knee and
the two halves continue down the lower leg to the foot.

While there are several possible causes of sciatica, by far
the most common source of sciatic nerve irritation is a
bulging or herniated disc in the lower lumbar spine. A
damaged disc may bulge into the opening where one of the
nerve roots exits the spine on it's way to join other nerve
roots as part of the sciatic nerve. The bulging disc may
create direct nerve pressure, and/or may trigger
inflammation and swelling, which can also cause pressure on
the nerve. When this occurs, pain and other symptoms may
be felt part along the course of the sciatic nerve,
starting in the buttock area and possibly running down the
leg, sometimes all the way to the foot.

In addition to bulging discs, sciatica may be caused by
bone spurs projecting into the nerve openings. Sciatica
may also be caused by direct injury to the sciatic nerve
after it leaves the pelvis, such as can occur with an
impact or heavy pressure applied just behind the hip joint.
Rare sources of sciatica can include spinal tumors, which
can compress sciatic nerve roots as they exit the spine.
Another rare cause of sciatica is a cyst or tumor that
compresses the sciatic nerve in the hip or knee area.

Not every buttock or leg pain that people think is sciatica
is acutually sciatica. True sciatica (sciatic nerve
irritation) is usually felt mostly in the back of the leg
(not the front or side of the leg). Symptoms of true
sciatica are described by various people as stabbing,
burning, tingling, numbness/heaviness, or like an electric
shock. Even symptoms that meet the desciption of sciatica
though are not always due to actual sciatic nerve
irritation.

One common condition that closely mimics sciatica is caused
by knots of contraction called trigger points in a muscle
called the piriformis. The piriformis muscles are located
on either side of the lower buttock area, running from the
upper thigh bone to the edge of the sacrum (the triangular
pelvic bone that is at the base of the spine). In addition
to causing symptoms that mimic sciatica, tightness in the
piriformis muscle may also cause true sciatic irritation,
because the sciatic nerve actually runs through the center
of the piriformis muscle in some people, and can be
compressed by excessive muscle contraction.

Trigger points in other muscles in the buttocks and upper
thigh can cause referred pain in the side of the leg that
may be mistaken for sciatica as well. Bear in mind that
both true sciatica and piriformis syndrome typically
produce symptoms in the back of the leg. Symptoms in the
side or front of the leg are usually due to problems other
than sciatica.

Treatment of sciatica is usually associated with treating a
bulging disc. The first line of treatment is usually an
attempt to reduce inflammation to reduce pressure on the
nerve bymeans of oral medications. If oral medications
fail, steroids may be injected in the area of the disc
bulge in order to provide more potent anti-inflammatory
effects. Depending on the case, other forms of treatment,
including physical therapy, chiropractic, massage,
acupuncture, and new methods of treatment such as spinal
decompression may be used. In some situations, surgery may
be recommended as a last resort.

Most episodes of sciatica will resolve within a period of
several weeks with or without treatment, but due to the
severity of the pain typically involved, most people with
sciatica will seek out treatment. Unfortunately, due to
misconceptions by doctors and patients alike regarding the
nature of sciatica, the necessary steps to prevent a return
of sciatica are usually not taken. So, even though most
people do recover from a bout of sciatica, nearly all will
eventually have problems again at some point. Even
sciatica sufferers initially treated successfully with
surgery will often have future problems with sciatica.

The good news is that with awareness of how to manage
sciatica and a little bit of effort dedicated to
prevention, most people can avoid ongoing long-term
sciatica problems. The challenge is simply to making
people aware of the necessity of a "management" versus
"cure" approach to sciatica and getting them to
follow-through with preventive exercises and other
self-care techniques.

----------------------------------------------------
Dr. George Best has been treating patients with sciatica
and piriformis syndrome for over 15 years. To educate the
public on the importance of the proper management of
sciatica and how to prevent long-term pain and disability,
Dr. Best has produced a free ebook and online video program
on Sciatica and Sciatica Exercises. For more information,
visit:

http://www.SciaticaSelfCare.com .

Thinking of buying a Hot Tub in Spain!

Thinking of buying a Hot Tub in Spain!
Here are just a few pointers to take into account to make
sure that you do not buy a dog dish looking spa!

The way to avoid that is to make sure that the shell of
the Hot Tub is made of a branded American Acrylic such as
Lucite or Quarite. Not just that it is Lucite inspired or
based on a Lucite design. Get the dealer to show you his
colours chips marked Quarite and Lucite as appropriate.

If it is not made of these materials then one has to ask
one self why not, as these two makers of Acrylic are
acknowledged as making some of the best acrylic for Hot Tub
Jacuzzi Spas in the world.

If the shell is made out of these materials it is of course
your very own assurance that your choice of a Hot Tub
Jacuzzi Spa will give you many years of beauty, pleasure,
and satisfaction.

I always suggest that one should try the lipstick test and
simply apply lipstick on the shell and see if it just wipes
off with a tissue as it should? If it does not, then that
shows that the surface is slightly porous and therefore
will provide a home for germs and bacteria.

When these materials are not used then it is usually a
clear sign that that cheaper materials are being used
(quite often at 25% of the cost of ABS backed acrylic) in
the shell, then to provide support to this weaker
material the manufacturer blasts the cabinet full of
structural foam.

If you have a leak, good luck finding it and the job of
ripping out the foam will take hours. Once the spa is out
of warranty, you can pay the engineer 5 hours labour to
source and repair the leak. Usually it also means that
where sprayed foam has been used as structural support, the
maker cannot cannot pull the spa shells very deep, since
the shell material is thin and cheap to begin with.

One particular maker claims that they fully foam the shell
so as to keep the noise from the pipes down and all I can
say is that is must be a badly designed Hot Tub if they
have to do that

If you can feel under the shell of the Hot Tub do so and
try and feel its strength or possible weakness, if it feels
damp to the touch or perhaps slightly crumbly this gives
one a clue that the shell is not properly cured. I
personally would not buy a Jacuzzi if the shell felt like
that and I have seen many that fit that description usually
cheap eastern imports.

It always pays to probe beneath the surface and just do not
listen to the patter of some zombie like sales man or woman
just repeating a script.

Another good idea is that you should always buy a Hot Tub
with Balboa Controls a company from California, which is
undoubtedly one of the worlds leading manufacturers and
very well known for reliability and accessibility of spares.

It is best to buy a spa which is made by a leading
American or Western manufacturer preferably one with
decades of years of experience and therefore they will have
had the time and experience to be able to design and
construct models where the components naturally work well
together.

Leading Western manufacturers have been able to adopt and
improve on their technically advanced systems so as to be
able to maximize the performance from the pumps, heaters
and blowers to give you the very best water flow to provide
an excellent Hydro Massage.

In the latest designs, Water Jets are placed scientifically
so as to maximize the flow of water to your body's pressure
points, while allowing one to control the intensity of the
flow and pressure as required.

It speaks for its self that a well-engineered and designed
product will lead to an outstanding hydrotherapy massage
where perhaps one is able to enjoy a vigorous or perhaps
soothing massage. It is great to have the ability to be
able to customize and modify your massage experience to
suit your mood.

In summary buy, the best spa you can afford but make sure
that you do not buy a cheap eastern import or one that
looks like a dog dish hot tub.

One should look for Balboa controls and proper branded
acrylic and aim for a manufacturer who has been making spas
for many years. A very good acid test is to see if your
dealer is on first name terms with the owners and directors
of the manufacturers obviously that is much harder if they
based are in China!!!!

----------------------------------------------------
The author Jacuzzi John (JJ) supplies premium quality
American & European Hot Tubs from Estepona on the Costa Del
Sol in Spain and his web site is at http://www.spas4you.com
email info@spas4you.com

Trace Mineral Vanadium Against Diabetes?

Trace Mineral Vanadium Against Diabetes?
Vanadium is a curious trace element and somewhat difficult
to write about. It is a little known trace mineral which
seems to be required by the body in relatively tiny
amounts, and it is not even clear that it is absolutely
necessary at all. But there is nevertheless increasing
excitement about its potential therapeutic value. Low
blood levels of vanadium have been associated with
increases in cholesterol and blood sugar, and it is also
believed by some researchers that the mineral may play a
role in maintaining the vital balance between sodium and
potassium in cells. These characteristics of vanadium have
led to speculation that it may act as a protector against
heart disease, cancer and especially diabetes.

The idea that vanadium may be of benefit in the battle
against diabetes is of relatively recent origin, the first
animal research findings only coming to light in the 1980s.
But it has been the cause of great excitement. Initial
findings suggested that vanadium could control artificially
induced diabetes in animals, but orthodox medical opinion
remains cautious about the applicability of this research
to humans. Some nutritional therapists and practitioners,
however, have rushed to embrace vanadium's potential,
insisting that high dose vanadium supplements can reduce
levels of fasting blood sugar, as well as those of low
density lipids (LDLs), the so-called "bad cholesterol"
which is strongly associated with atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries).

Advocates of vanadium therapy also maintain that the
mineral can reduce the need for extra insulin in both Type
1 and Type 2 (late onset) diabetes. The problem, however,
is that it is difficult to obtain a high intake of vanadium
from food alone, and that the mineral in supplement form
appears to be relatively poorly absorbed by the body.
Moreover, there is evidence that the very high doses
required to obtain the therapeutic effects sought may bring
unwelcome and potentially serious side effects in their
wake; including kidney problems.

This is perhaps not so surprising when it is considered
that whilst a fairly typical diet might provide perhaps 50
mcg of vanadium daily, the suggested supplementary doses
may be as much as 100 mg; that is 2,000 times the normal
daily intake. Whilst potentially beneficial, such doses
represent a considerable shock to the system and it is
therefore strongly recommended that they be undertaken only
under qualified supervision.

And even enthusiasts for the therapeutic effects of
vanadium are at pains to stress that supplementary doses of
the mineral will be of little or no value for people not
suffering from a deficiency, and whose metabolism of
insulin is normal. The practice adopted by a few misguided
weightlifters and bodybuilders of taking large doses in the
hope of enhancing the anabolic (tissue building) effect of
the body's natural levels of insulin is therefore futile;
and may even be dangerous in view of the potential kidney
problems that may arise from very high doses.

No Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) have been
established for vanadium, probably because healthy
individuals following a normal diet should easily obtain
all that their bodies require. An adequate intake of
dietary vanadium can be ensured by the inclusion in the
diet of the following foods which are relatively rich in
the mineral: seafood, whole grains and buckwheat certain
types of seeds and beans, carrots, lettuce, garlic and
pepper.

And provided these dietary recommendations are followed,
single supplements of the mineral should be neither
necessary nor desirable for most people except as described
above. Commercial multi-mineral supplements, however,
commonly provide trace amounts of around 10 mcg of
vanadium, which may be regarded as a useful insurance,
particularly when that supplement also contains adequate
amounts of chromium, zinc, manganese and magnesium; all of
which are regarded by nutritionists as particularly useful
in helping the fight against diabetes and cardiovascular
problems.

But as ever, all of these minerals of course work at
optimal effectiveness in the presence of adequate amounts
of all the nutrients required by the body; and are best
taken as part of a comprehensive multi-vitamin and
multi-mineral supplement regime.

----------------------------------------------------
Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter and journalist with a
particular interest in health and wellness.
Find out more at
http://www.sisyphuspublicationsonline.com/LiquidNutrition/Va
nadium.htm