Tag Archives: nutrition
The Road To Health And Fitness
Many Americans spend more time in their car than anywhere else. For many, it has become their office with a phone and computer. Being in the car so much really can make it difficult to stay healthy and fit. What can be done to stay healthy while on the road?
If you are eating out all the time, realize that this can add extra pounds if you’re not careful. Try packing food in a cooler. It is very easy to take along healthy finger foods that are easy to eat while driving, such as turkey sandwiches, fruit, raw vegetables, salads, pretzels and water. Sometimes even meal-replacement bars and ready-to-drink shakes may be helpful when you don’t have time for a full meal.
As far as exercise, try to avoid sitting in the car for more than a couple of hours at a time. Take a break at rest stops and go for a short, brisk walk. This will help circulate the blood throughout your body and will help alleviate pain and stiffness you can feel by sitting for prolonged periods. This also will enhance alertness.
Write your goals down and keep an activity log to make sure your health-and-wellness program stays on track. Remember that you should always consult with a doctor before starting any new fitness program.
But despite the numerous benefits that you get from living a healthy lifestyle, why do people still stick to their old habits. One of the reasons is of course the unwillingness. After all, who would want to quit something that you enjoy doing or eating? Most people will not be willing to part ways with what they have been so used to doing. Just imagine saying goodbye to a comfort food or a hobby that makes you happy, will you do it?
Another reason is perhaps the difficulty. Most people attempt to change their ways for various reasons, health problems, relationship woes, even financial but most of the time they dont see their plans through. They will try for a week and perhaps continue for a couple of weeks and then go back to their old habits after some time. They do not continue with their plans. One of the main reasons why is the lack of desire. To be successful in combating a bad habit, you need to really want it bad enough. You need to make sure that every temptation will not serve as temptation. Sometimes, will power is not enough for this. You also need the support of the people around you. This is why a lot of the programs right now that are created to help people change have a network of support system that will help their members.
A lot of people start to live a life of health and fitness when they are trying to get a new guy to notice them or when they want to impress a lover. Although these are valid reasons, sometimes, they are not enough to see you through the entire process. It is better that you do it for yourself because you want a healthier and better you than do it for other people’s approval. After all, the only approval that you will ever need is your own.
Peter Werth is an expert at getting his clients to become healthy and well. On his health blog your will find a great iherb coupon. Be sure to visit his health blog to receive herbal supplements at a discount with your iHerb code.
Obtaining Great Fitness And Health Through Proper Diet
More and more people are now going back to basics in terms of food and health practices, because they would want to achieve prime health and fitness. With the fast-paced, technologically-driven world people are now living, who would not want to veer away from certain medical conditions and illnesses.
Recently, a professional baseball player died at the age of 23. In his locker, a bottle was discovered containing Ephedrine. Experts say that because of the busy courses of people’s lives, many of them tend to forget some of the vital fragments in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which is diet and nutrition.
Identifying the thin line
Although the terms ‘diet’ and ‘nutrition’ have different definitions, they are greatly connected to each other. When defined, ‘diet’ refers to the food and liquid intake of a person while ‘nutrition’ pertains to the science of dealing with food and nourishment. Sometimes, many people get confused with the meanings of the two because they automatically assume that less through diet will not affect their health’s overall condition.
While many people think a diet is a set of rules you follow to try to lose weight, your diet is actually the food that you eat to supply your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. Without a healthy diet that supplies the body with much needed nutrients, you are more susceptible to colds, infections, and illnesses. Your diet, in other words your nutrition, is what sustains your life.
You must remember that it’s never too late to redirect your eating habits, but before you take that drastic change, learn what are the common diet and nutrition mistakes so you can avoid them. Here are some realizations that can help you get by:
1. Don’t make careless assumption that the food choices you have are better than they actually are. Many experts believe that people who are very particular about diet and nutrition have larger tendencies of thinking and believing that their food choices are healthier than they really are. It is always advisable to eat whole, fresh, and unprocessed foods whenever possible to stay health and fit.
2. Since your neuro-endocrine system doesn’t know you didn’t fight or flee, it still responds to stress with the hormonal signal to replenish nutritional stores — which may make you feel hungry.
3. For some women overeating means bingeing and for others it means consuming more or other than planned. Most of us are overeating for a hundred different reasons. We are eating due to stress, irritation and frustration. It may be worry or overwork. We eat because our stomach feels blah. We are eating out of habit and with no real direction or thoughts about what we are doing with our face in the fridge.
4. Know when to eat and when not to eat. Experts believe that overeating and under eating may put an individual’s health at risk because it disrupts blood sugar and insulin levels. Knowing when to eat and when not can ensure that the person will get the nutrition the body type needs. Always make sure that you eat something every three hours and dont starve before eating the next meal.
6. There is a popular misconception that exercise depletes the body of energy but the case is just the opposite. Exercise pumps up more blood through the different parts of the body and warms up the body, so in fact, after exercise we feel more charged and ready to face the challenges of the day.
Peter Werth is a nutrition expert, and if you visit his homepage, you can receive an iHerb coupon. This iHerb code will provide you with a special discount so you can stock up on the best nutrition supplements.
A Pet Bird’s Health
Many people don’t understand their birds as well as they do cats and dogs, and that can lead to real problems. From respiratory infections to excessive molting, there are a lot of health concerns that can be avoided with proper care – including correct nutrition and regular veterinary visits. To find out more about how to keep your pet bird in top condition, read on.
The first thing that you need to understand is that all birds are slightly different. You can’t treat a dog, cat, hamster, gerbil, or mouse in the same way that you would treat a bird and vice versa. Birds have different dietary requirements, and you need to make sure that you learn everything that a bird could need, as well as the specific requirements of your particular bird.
There are a lot of pet products out there that won’t be so good for your bird, and the reason they exist is because they’re not very regulated. Once you learn more about your bird and what could be harmful to it, then you will begin to understand what you can and can’t buy for it.
Make sure that your bird has a proper diet that features the right nutrients. In most cases you will find that this is pretty easy because there are food packets that have the right nutrients for your particular bird. Sometimes though the seed packets are of low quality and you will need to add a few supplements in order to get the desired effect. That doesn’t mean that all of them are inadequate but there are definitely a few that are so you’ll need to keep an eye out for that.
A poor diet can make your bird more susceptible to infections, cause overgrowth of the beak and nails, or cause feather loss, among other conditions. Birds can be very fragile, but they may not look ill until their problems have progressed significantly. This is why it’s important to make sure that you have a good veterinarian with experience working with birds already lined up, so that when you see something out of the ordinary, you can find the problem fast.
There may be some changes such as attitude or even fluid excretion, and these are things that you need to pay attention to, because these are definite indicators that your bird is sick. If your bird is sick you need to take care of it as quickly as you possibly can because other birds in the cage will see this as an opportunity to start bullying the sick bird. Make sure you take care of this as quickly as possible for the well being of your bird.
Be willing to take your vet’s advice when you bring your pet in, even if it means changing something major about the way you take care of your pet. It’s possible that your cage has been too small, the environment wrong for your bird, or that something else is wrong. If you aren’t willing to correct this problem, you’re not going to be able to keep your pet bird in good health. Even if someone else has told you that your setup is fine, take the time to try and correct it, for the sake of your pet.
Make sure that you are aware and pay attention because this is very important in the care of a pet bird. When you figure out the best way to take care of the pet, keeping them healthy will be a cinch!
If you are needing some ofparrots food or parrot pellets look no further than Lafeber Cares.
Pain and Herniated Discs
A 30-year-old mom bends over to pick up her four-year-old and feels a sharp stabbing pain in her lower back. A 60-year-old man bends over to pick up his five-year-old grandchild and feels an electrical shooting pain in his lower back. For both, the pain is so severe they need to sit down.
The next day, both the mom and the grandfather notice they now have pain and numbness radiating down one leg. In addition, they are having trouble walking.
What’s going on, how did it happen, and what can be done about it? First of all, a little basic anatomy is useful. Spinal discs are weight-bearing shock absorbers. They contain a gel-like ball-bearing center, which is surrounded by tough fibrous cartilage, arranged in concentric, criss-crossing circles.1
As a person gets older, the discs naturally lose some of their water content, and cracks and fissures naturally develop in the fibrous cartilage. If a weight-bearing stress is unusual and unexpected, the gel-like material in the center of the disc can push through one of the fissures and possibly irritate a spinal nerve.
If enough of this material pushes through, the nerve can become inflamed and cause symptoms. Radiating pain and/or numbness, and possibly weakness, in one leg can occur.
Such pain and/or numbness radiates down the leg, traveling below the knee and possibly into the foot.
Such symptoms, with or without back pain, are highly suggestive of an inflamed spinal nerve. In fact, the person will usually say the leg symptoms are much worse and of greater concern than any back pain that may be present.
If the MRI confirms the disc herniation and suggests an inflamed nerve, the diagnosis is complete. What’s next?
In the best scenario, conservative treatment may be sufficient and the nerve inflammation improves with time. Anti-inflammatory medication may be helpful. Chiropractic conservative therapy may include physical therapeutic modalities and gentle trigger point therapy to relieve the associated muscle spasms.
A spinal surgeon should be consulted to provide additional opinions and input. If pain is severe and there is neurologic loss, surgery may be the best option.
The best management, as always, is prevention. Pay attention to safe lifting procedures. Exercise regularly and get sufficient rest. Your chiropractor will be able to provide guidance and recommend effective protocols to help you achieve and maintain good health and wellness.
Postacchini F: Lumbar Disc Herniation. Springer, 2004, Chapter 2. Rothoerl RD, et al: When should conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation be ceased and surgery considered? Neurosurg Rev 25(3):162-165, 2002. Lumbar Disc Herniation. New Engl J Med 347(21):1728-1729, 2002.
For additional information on health please contact Dr. FowlerDr. Jason Fowler at www.lakestlouisdc.comwww.lakestlouisdc.com
Just Try Walking
While some fitness enthusiasts relentlessly seek out the latest and trendiest exercise crazes, many others are returning to good, old-fashioned walking to help them feel great and get into shape. Whether enjoying the wonder of nature, or simply the company of a friend, walking can be a healthy, invigorating experience. And thanks to its convenience and simplicity, walking just might be right for you too, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).
Benefits: You don’t need to become a member of an expensive gym to go walking. And except for a good pair of walking shoes, it requires virtually no equipment.
“A sedentary lifestyle has debilitating influence on people’s health as they age” says Dr. Jerome McAndrews, who is a national spokesperson for the ACA. “Exercise is imperative.” Walking accomplishes all of the following and more:
Improves cardiovascular endurance Tones muscles of the lower body Burns calories: about 80 if walking 2 miles per hour, and about 107 if walking 4 1/2 miles per hour Reduces risk of heart disease Shoes: The first item of business when beginning your walking program is to select the right pair of shoes. Dr. McAndrews recommends the following tips:
Make sure the shoes you purchase fit properly. The balls of your feet should rest exactly at the point where the toe end of the shoe bends during walking. Avoid high-top shoes, that, often cover the entire ankle, limiting your foot’s ability to move freely and naturally. Opt instead for shoes that offer your ankle a fuller range of motion.
Select shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to absorb the impact of your walking.
Getting Started: Walking just 12 minutes every other day can offer important health benefits. Walking 20 minutes every other day is even better. In order to increase your longevity, try to eventually work up to 30 minutes, five days per week. The following tips should help you get started safely and smoothly:
Move your arms freely, in coordination with the opposite leg. Don’t stoop your head or look down as you walk. This will challenge the normal forward curve of your neck, which, in turn, will cause you to carry your weight improperly. Do not carry weights or dumbbells while walking. They’re better used as a separate part of your exercise regimen. If you do carry weights while walking, be sure that they are light enough that they do not interfere with the “rhythm” of your arms and legs; in order to counterbalance the body, when your right arm moves forward, the left leg should be moving forward, etc. Expect a little soreness in the thighs and calves for the first week or two. If you experience more than soreness, check with your doctor of chiropractic. Walk briskly, with “purpose.” Simply “sauntering,” while relaxing and enjoyable, is not an effective form of cardiovascular exercise. Keep in mind that, if you have not previously been physically active, you should consult your doctor before. Begin slowly with a walk of perhaps half of a mile at a pace that does not cause discomfort. Continue this for about two weeks, then start to increase the pace and length of time walking. Eventually – depending on your age – you can build your “target” heart rate/pulse to either 120 beats per minute or, if younger, as many as 140 beats per minute. For the average adult, a heart rate of 120 beats per minute would require walking at about 2 miles per hour, while a heart rate of 140 beats per minute would require a pace of 4 1/2 miles per hour.
HYDRATION:
You should drink 10 eight-ounce glasses of water a day to help keep the kidneys active, dilute and remove toxins from the body, and replace lost fluids. (Coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol are diuretics/dehydrators. Don’t substitute them for water.) If you perspire during walking, you may need to drink even more.
Surfaces Some walking surfaces are better than others on your musculoskeletal system.
Walking on a cushioned or rubberized track is ideal, because the cushioning of this type of track absorbs most of the impact of your walking. Many recreation centers offer this type of track for use, free of charge.
Grass is another good surface, but watch out for hidden dips or holes in the ground. Walking on a surface with no give, such as concrete or a mall floor, is not your best choice, because this type of surface will not absorb much of the impact your body will experience. If you do choose to walk on such a surface, be extra careful to select highly cushioned shoes.
Pain and Injury: Dr. McAndrews explains that while you may experience pain or injury in a particular area, such as a knee or a hip, the root of the problem can lie somewhere else. “Injuries of this nature are not regional, or isolated, but systemic,” says Dr. McAndrews. “A problem in the foot or ankle can create an imbalance in every step, leading to discomfort or injury that moves to the knees, hips, low back, or elsewhere.” If you suffer from pain beyond typical muscle soreness, your doctor of chiropractic can diagnose and treat your pain or injury and get you back into the swing of your walking routine.
For more information on health and nutrition feel free tocontact Dr. FowlerDr. Jason Fowler at www.lakestlouisdc.comwww.lakestlouisdc.com
What Cholesterol Really Is
Today’s health gurus spend plenty of time talking about cholesterol. You might be surprised to find out that this substance is actually necessary for the body. It is used to build cell walls that help the body produce necessary substances like hormones and bile. However, the body doesn’t need much cholesterol to function properly. When it begins to build up, it can have a detrimental effect on the cardiovascular system specifically and the rest of the body overall.
Too Much of a Good Thing
The good cholesterol becomes a problem when there are too much and the body is unable to eliminate this excess from the system. The excess cholesterol then builds up as a plaque in the arteries and in doing so blocks the flow of blood.
Hindering the blood flow cause our heart to work harder to keep blood flowing through the body. The additional strain on the heart is what causes the risk of a heart attack.
This is why monitoring cholesterol levels becomes so important throughout adulthood. When high levels are detected, a doctor and patient can work together to bring amount back down through diet, exercise and medication. The good news is that most people can prevent or reverse high levels through these methods, allowing the heart to return to normal function. The key factor is to track cholesterol on a regular basis, so you know if levels are beginning to rise as soon as possible.
What Types Are There
In our bodies we have LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL or low density lipoproteins delivers cholesterol to the body, this is why low levels of LDL cholesterol is good. HDL or high density lipoproteins helps to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.
HDL in higher levels can therefore mean a healthier cardiovascular system. The numbers for both LDL and HDL are factored together to help experts determine what a healthy cholesterol reading overall is for the cardiovascular system.
Understanding what cholesterol is and how it can both benefit and negatively influence the cardiovascular system is an important step towards heart health. Regular monitoring of your cholesterol levels is an important step towards making the necessary changes for a healthier heart.
Discuss good cholesterol levels or ways to maintain or achieve them with your doctor.
Kim Bailey is a health expert and blogger. If you have ever asked the question how do I lower my cholesterol or want more information on natural cures for high cholesterol you can find more information on Cholesterol Natural Remedies.com
