The ancient art of yoga appeared to halve the number of episodes of a potentially dangerous irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation also improved quality of life, lowering levels of the anxiety and depression

In a small preliminary study, the ancient art of yoga appeared to halve the number of episodes of a potentially dangerous irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation.

Three sessions of yoga a week also improved quality of life, lowering levels of the anxiety and depression which often plagues patients with this condition, according to research to be presented Saturday at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans.

"These are exciting results," said Dr. Raul Mitrani, director of the cardiac rhythm device clinic at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Although it didn't cure atrial fibrillation, he added, it did seem to cut the number of "a-fib" episodes.

Prior research had shown other heart benefits of yoga, such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol and more elastic arteries, but this is the first study looking specifically at atrial fibrillation, said the authors, from Mid-America Cardiology at the University of Kansas Hospital.

Atrial fibrillation, which affects millions of older Americans, is an irregular heartbeat that greatly raises odds for clotting and stroke. Treatments tend to be either invasive surgery (to try to eliminate the abnormality at its origin) or medications that carry side effects. Some lifestyle tactics are also helpful, Mitrani said, such as moderating alcohol and caffeine to reduce triggers.

In the new trial, 49 patients between the ages of 25 and 70 who had atrial fibrillation participated in a supervised yoga program, conducted 45 minutes a week, three times a week for three months. Sessions involved breathing exercises, various positions (asanas), meditation and relaxation. The participants were also given an educational DVD and encouraged to practice daily at home.

During the three months of yoga practice, participants experienced an average of 2.1 episodes of atrial fibrillation as compared to an average of 3.8 episodes occurring the three months prior to the start of classes, when they were exercising but not yet doing yoga.

"Advanced yogis for a long time have disproven the idea that heart rate that automatically determined by physiological need," noted Dr. Scott Shurmur, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. "We know that meditation, yoga etc, really do provide some conscious altering of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This is the first time I've seen results on atrial fibrillation and its tangible evidence."

"Absolutely, yoga can play a role in the management of atrial fibrillation," says Dr. Louis Teichholz, medical director of the cardiac service and chief of complementary medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, who points to the breathing component of yoga -- especially Prana yoga -- as the key ingredient.

"If they had studied heart rate variability, they would have shown this decreases sympathetic nervous system activity," he said. "That comes with fear and fright. A sudden burst of adrenaline in a susceptible individual will trigger arrhythmia."

A second study being presented at the meeting backed up the value of exercise in general for heart health.

Texas researchers report that a lifetime of regular exercise keeps the human heart flexible and strong, well over retirement age.

In fact, long-term exercise actually preserves heart muscle mass, keeping it at the same level as a sedentary person aged 25 to 34, the team estimated.

In the study, people over the age of 65 who reported having exercised consistently over their lifetime actually managed to preserve left ventricular mass. The left ventricle of the heart is involved in pumping and normally gets smaller as you age.

The folks in this study had exercised six or seven times a week as adults but the researchers, from the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, believe that getting people in the midrange of their life -- 45 to 60 -- could help prevent heart failure and other cardiac problems which tend to appear as you get older.

Experts stress that data presented at medical meetings has not undergone the rigorous peer review that is conducted when research is published in medical journals and should be considered preliminary.

More information

Find out more about atrial fibrillation at the American Heart Association.

SOURCES: Scott Shurmur, M.D., director, preventive cardiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha; Raul Mitrani, M.D., director, cardiac rhythm device clinic, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; April 2, 2011, presentation, American College of Cardiology annual meeting, New Orleans

Fasting for 24 hours may cut your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

LONDON: It seems your grandmother was right  fasting for a day is good for your health. And, now a study says that going without food for 24 hours may cut your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

Researchers have based their findings on an analysis of health and habits of over 200 residents in Utah. X-ray scans revealed narrowing of arteries in 75% of those who didn't fast. Clogged arteries affected 63% of those who said they often skipped meals.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launch a mega health scheme Under the 'Nayee Peedhi Swasthya Guarantee Karyakram' (New Generation Health Guarantee Programme) targeted at the 3.4 crore children up to 14 years of age and adolescent girls will be provided a health card for their medical check-up and treatment free of cost at government hospitals.

After roads and law and order, Bihar is
turning its attention to the health of its children. As part of its
Bihar Divas celebrations, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will Tuesday
launch a mega health scheme targeted at the 3.4 crore children in the
state, officials said.

Under the 'Nayee Peedhi Swasthya Guarantee Karyakram' (New Generation
Health Guarantee Programme), children up to 14 years of age and
adolescent girls will be provided a health card for their medical
check-up and treatment free of cost at government hospitals.

'Soon after inaugurating Bihar Divas at Gandhi Maidan, Nitish Kumar will
begin distributing health cards to children,' an official of the Chief
Minister's Office told IANS.

'This mega health scheme will check malnutrition, anaemia and childhood
reproductive problems,' Principal Health Secretary Amarjit Sinha said.

The government planned to distribute health cards by Oct 2 this year, he added.

However, he admitted that reaching out to all the children was a challenging task.

'Special camps would be organised in government schools and sub-primary health centres to distribute these cards,' he said.

According to the World Health Organisation, 55 percent of Indian
children suffer from malnutrition-related diseases before attaining the
age of three. The percentage could be higher in Bihar.

The historic Gandhi Maidan here is being readied for grand celebrations
to mark Bihar Divas Tuesday to commemorate carving of the separate Bihar
province by the British rulers from the Bengal Presidency March 22,
1912. In Patna, thousands of people are expected to gather at the
grounds from Tuesday to Thursday.

Nitish Kumar will kickstart the celebrations by lighting 99 lamps to
mark the 99th anniversary of the state. He has declared that the state
will mark its centenary in 2012 with programmes throughout the year.

The ECG Tread Mill Test commonly used to identify people who are prone to heart attacks is not a fool-proof procedure to know the condition of heart especially among high-risk professionals like pilots.

The
established criteria for positive Tread Mill Test (TMT) needs
revision in order to avoid treating healthy persons as heart
patients, its author Colonel M J Jacob, head of the department
of Nuclear Medicine, Army Hospital Research and Refferal said.The study has been published in the Journal of
Associations of Physicians in India.With increased prevalence of coronary artery disease,
people especiall the young are anxious to find out about their
risk of suffering from a heart attack in near future and
hence, undergo TMT to clear the doubt.ECG TMT is one of the main tests routinely used to
detect the adequacy of the blood supply to cardiac muscles
during rest as well as at times of higher stress.All those who test positive for ECG TMT are put
through further tests and procedures."A total of 152 people including airline pilots,
millitary personnels making it to higher altitudes,
submariners and executives who reported positive for ECG TMT
were analysed in order to ensure their cardiac fitness in
stress conditions."It was found that the test grossly over-estimated the
presence of cardiac problems and put healthy persons through
unnecessary tests and procedures," Colonel Jacob said.Chest discomfort could have been due to other minor
problems unrelated to heart like acidity, chest wall muscle
main etc, he said.He said, "ECG TMT is one of the very common
investigations being used in the periodic medical examination
of high risk professionals."It's time we revise the test criterias. It's time we
revise the test criterias in order stop person from being
unduly being subjected to coronary angiography," he said. PTI
SWT

6 Facts to Help You Protect Yourself from Human Ehrlichiosis

Human Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection that can cause mild or serious conditions. Human Ehrlichiosis can lead to very serious conditions, especially, if this type of infection is not diagnosed and treated immediately. To prevent and treat this type of infection, here are six useful facts to help you protect yourself from Human Ehrlichiosis.

1. What is Human Ehrlichiosis
Human Ehrlichiosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia. It is passed into the human bloodstream through the bite of an infected tick, such as lone star and deer ticks. However, it cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Ehrlichiosis cases have been found in the south-central and southeast regions in the United States. Incidents have also been reported in California, as well as in the mid-western and north-eastern states.

2. The types of Ehrlichiosis
There are commonly two types of Human Ehrlichiosis, namely Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME) and Human Granulocutic Ehrlichiosis (HGE), which are named according to the type of white blood cells they attack. The first type of Ehrlichiosis attacks the monocytes while the latter attacks the granulocytes.

3. The symptoms of the infection
Following a 5 to 10 day incubation period after the initial tick bite, the symptoms of Ehrlichiosis start to show. These commonly include high fever, headache, weakness, and aches in major muscles. Other symptoms include rash, nausea, vomiting, cough, and diarrhea. While most cases of Ehrlichia infection exhibit the aforementioned symptoms, some cases develop only very mild or no signs at all.

4. Find out about the diagnosis and treatment for such disease
Diagnosis of Human Ehrlichiosis starts with the visible signs of the infection following a tick bite. Certain laboratory and blood tests are also conducted to determine the presence of Ehrlichia bacteria, as well as low white blood cell count, low platelet count, and high level enzymes. The infection can be treated with antibiotics, particularly doxycycline. Rifampin is also used as an alternative treatment for those who are pregnant and those who are allergic to doxycycline.

5. Understand the complications of Ehrlichiosis
If this type of infection not diagnosed and treated immediately, Human Ehrlichiosis can result in serious conditions and complications as the bacteria spreads throughout the body. It can lead to very low white blood cell and platelet counts. Complications include seizures, severe pain in the joints, increased mental confusion, very high fever, and even kidney failure. Deaths are even reported in some cases.


6. Learn how to prevent Human Ehrlichiosis
To prevent being infected by this disease, it is very important to avoid tick bites. Besides, do stay away from tick-infested areas during peak months, especially, where there is a high concentration of Ehrlichiosis cases. When outdoors in woody, brushy areas, make sure you cover your body thoroughly by wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, covered shoes or boots, and a hat. Apply insect repellent to exposed body parts, such as the hands and neck. These ticks are known to transmit the bacteria to your body if they remain stuck for at least 24 hours, so from time to time be sure to check for any ticks on your clothes and your body and remove promptly. Take a shower after spending time outdoors to make sure you immediately remove any ticks on your body.

Prevention is always better than a cure, so make sure to take extra precautions to avoid being infected by Ehrlichiosis and suffering from its complications.

Edited by: Xaivier Chia

•Homepage•Sitemap•Subscribe Feed

Keep You Strong and Healthy: 3 Interesting Facts about Resistance Training

Here are some interesting details about resistance training that will explain its nature and its benefits:

1. What is resistance training
Resistance training is a type of exercise that causes your muscles to work against a resistance using your own body weight or training equipment. Examples of resistance training using body weight are push-ups and sit-ups. Examples of training equipment for resistance training are elastic bands, weights, barbells, exercise cycles, steppers, tread mills, leg presses, and multiple-function compact training benches such as VigorFit, which is a less expensive alternative to Total Gym XLS.

2. How should you do it
In order to avoid injuries and to provide desired results, resistance training should involve progressive adaptation of one’s body to certain resistance.

•  Training Program in a Gym - Ask an advice from your instructor.
•  Do It Yourself - You should know what resistance your body can hold that does not result to injuries. For example, you can start using lighter weights, such as three pounds per hand, and do it for only 20 counts. After a few days, you can increase the heaviness of your weights and increase the frequency of your exercise, gradually.

3. What are the benefits that resistance training can give you

• Increases Overall Strength. The power and endurance to perform vigorous tasks can be improved and increased with continuous resistance training. For example, more strenuous tasks at home will be a lot easier for you, such as moving furniture and bringing your groceries, after two to eight weeks of continuous resistance training.
• Increases bone strength. Your bones are promoted to remodel by applying adequate pressure on your bones, such as muscular contraction or mechanical pressure. Bone remodeling is responsible for renewing the tissues and condition of your bones, and subsequently increasing bone strength. As a result, risk of bone injuries will be decreased as resistance training makes your bones stronger.
• Boosts muscle size. Different resistance trainings result to different desired muscle profile. Correct training procedure and equipment should dictate the muscle condition you will develop over time. 
• Results to leaner body. Body fats will be burned as your body uses up more energy with the exercise itself. Besides, resistance training makes fat burning faster as your muscles grow in size and requiring more use of energy. 

Doing resistance training with proper equipment and proper procedure can help you achieve desired results and benefits.  Do not rush yourself and make it so hard for your body. It is advisable to do the exercise three times a week to let your body has enough time for your muscles to heal and adapt the exercise. Besides, doing some warming-up before resistance training exercises as well as some cooling down after that. Lastly, do not forget to drink enough water during the exercise to replenish lost body fluids. Feel free to give me a comment about this topic. It will be a great support to Xaivier Blog.

Review by: Xaivier Chia

Homepage. Advertise here. Subscribe.

Important Ways and Considerations to Achieve a Realistic and Healthy Goal Weight

To achieve a body weight that you always wanted to have, an exercise program along with a healthy diet are necessary. A surgery is not always the solution for a leaner body. Here are two important ways you should consider to achieve a realistic and healthy goal weight:

1. Set a realistic goal weight
First things first, set an absolutely realistic and achievable weight loss goal so as not to end up being frustrated. Besides, it is a good idea to consult your doctor first for ensuring that you have a healthy weight goal. Realistic goal is precise, prioritized, positive, planned and performance-based

2. Keep track of your weight loss progress
It is possible that you may feel disappointed realizing that your weight has remained the same even you are constantly and regularly doing those exercise programs. Four helpful considerations here to help you to keep track of your weight loss progress effectively:

• Taking your measurements -To identify which parts of your body is losing fat, you should measure your chest, waist, bust, hips, waist, upper arm, calves, and forearm.
• Tracking your body fat percentage - Tracking your body fat will help you to understand further the extent of the need to shed of fat from your body to lose weight. It can happen that your scale weight is the same even when you already have slimmed down since the loss body fat is turned to be your muscle.
• Assess how you look - It would be a good idea to take a photo of yourself once a month. Then, find out if there are any changes, whether you look slimmer or heavier, by comparing these photo after few months.
• Using the scale - You should bear in mind that scale does not help you determine on the ones you have lost or gained during your weight loss program. In fact, scale measures basically everything from bones, muscle, fat, organs to even your water intake. Although it may not be as popular as the other tool in tracking your weight, it can be used effectively when combined with your body fat percentage.

Next, the following considerations might be helpful to avoid any weight related health issues:

•  Body Mass Index (BMI) - BMI can be calculated by dividing your weight (in pounds) by your height (in inches squared)., and multiplying it by 705. It is important to consider your BMI in setting your goal weight to avoid any weight related health issues.
• Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) - WHR can be calculated by taking the circumference of your waist and dividing it by the circumference of your hip using a tape measure. Generally, women with ratios higher than 0.85 and men with ratios higher than 0.09 are likely to develop cardiovascular diseases.

Lastly, it is good idea to read some books to thoroughly increase your awareness and knowledge if you plan to go on a diet. Reading the every other day diet ebook might be helpful to you too. Feel free to give me a comment about this topic. It will be a great support to Xaivier Blog.

Review by: Xaivier Chia

Homepage. Advertise here. Subscribe.

4 Healthy Ways of Losing Stomach or Belly Fat

Here are some helpful ways that you can consider to get rid of belly fats :

1. Have a proper nutrition and diet
The key to succeed in your fat elimination program is to integrate exercise with a good nutrition and proper diet. Few tips are (i)eating in smaller portions of about 4 to 5 times per day instead of overeating in one or two meal times; (ii) taking vitamins and supplements; (iii) choosing natural and or organic food; and (iv) having a large amount of fiber and protein in your food intake

2. Engage in aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise such as bicycling, jogging, walking, swimming, dancing and stair climbing are great for burning belly fat. However, you should consider to do these exercises at least 30 minutes if you wish to burn the fats in your abdominal area.

3. Consume plenty of water, fruits and veggies
It is advisable to drink at least eight glasses of water daily since water will eliminate toxins from your body and it can basically aid you in controlling your diet. Besides, drinking vegetable and fruit juice is another healthy way of eliminating fat since they are rich in fiber. It is because naturally fiber will push calories out of your body.

4. Do some weight training
By increasing metabolism rate, weight training is able to burn fats faster and easier. Besides that, weight training is a very good way to sculpt and tone your muscles.

Belly fat is caused not only by lack of exercise and increase in food intake, but also due to the stress can play a devastating role in your tummy. But, again, you know you have better chances of having the flat belly you desire with by the combination of enough rest, exercise and a proper nutrition like that of Jillian Michaels diet. Feel free to give me a comment about this topic. It will be a great support to Xaivier Blog.

Review by: Xaivier Chia

Homepage. Advertise here. Subscribe.

Metabolism and Its Relationship with Weight Gain

Metabolism:
- is a physical and chemical process occurring naturally in the body to sustain life.
- is the rate at which your body is capable of using energy as well as burning your calories.
- functions the same way in every individual.

However, every person has vary rate at which the nutrients are metabolizes. Two aspects of metabolism to help you in fully understanding its connection with weight gain:

1. Factors affecting metabolism

• Height - Taller individuals are most likely to have faster metabolic rates than shorter individuals.
• Body composition - Individuals with more muscles and more body weight have the tendency to have higher metabolic rates than those with thinner built.
• Activity - Engaging in exercise activities will promote an increase in metabolism. The more you move, the better it is for your metabolism.
  
• Genetics - Due to a certain degree of change in the hormonal balance, there are people who are simply born with a body that is capable of burning more calories.
• Age - Those above 40 will notice a decrease in their metabolic rate by 5% every ten years.
• Gender - It is observed that women have lower metabolism compared to men.

However, there are a number of factors affecting the metabolism process in your body.

2. Metabolic rate
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the given rate at which the body is able to burn the calories while it is at rest.

BMR is approximately equal to Current Weight X 10

Example, you will have an approximately BMR of 1,300 if your weight is 130 pounds. In other words, your metabolism can exhaust about 1,300 calories per day and taking more than 1,300 calories a day would result to weight gain. High metabolic rate provides the ability to burn more calories. Therefore, regular exercise is needed to speeds up metabolism to make it a good way of impeding weight gain. Otherwise, the excess calories would be converted into fats resulting to an increase in body weight.

Since engaging in various weight loss programs can be burdensome and costly, there are other methods which tear down the traditional way such as the fat burning furnace diet which you can search for more information through the Internet. Feel free to give me a comment about this topic. It will be a great support to Xaivier Blog.

Review by: Xaivier Chia

Homepage. Advertise here. Subscribe.

3 Top Priorities in Choosing the Right Weight Loss Program

Besides asking those who have tried that plan about the pros and cons. Here are three suggestions which you should should do in making your choice:

1. Inquire on important questions
Before an effective weight loss programs is chosen, there are some critical aspects to be considered:

• threats or risks to health
• customer support offered
• special diet supplements required
• refunds available when dissatisfied with the program
• cost of the plan (if there is any fee)
  

2. Get your doctor's approval
Besides medical condition, your diet plan and other related weight loss measures will also have an effect for your health. Therefore, even if it might be quite uncomfortable for you, it is vital to express your weight concerns to your doctor and make sure he is involved in your diet and weight loss plan. A food diary would surely be helpful to both you and to your doctor. He will be able to assist you by clearly assessing the effectiveness of your program and evaluating for its safety. In fact, rather than taking diet pills, Dr Siegal Cookie Diet would be better choice since it is capable of controlling the appetite safely in the process of diet! Last but not least, make sure you consult your doctor about:

• connection between your current health condition and weight
• attribution of your prescription drugs to your weight
• the appropriateness of weight loss surgery
• necessity of the weight loss program
• need to shed off a few pounds

before start on your diet plan.

3. Be careful with your budget
Always shopping around for suitable fitness plan before coming up with any choice. However, it is not advisable to invest so much in a weight loss plan since it is basically a trial and error thing. Unless, you have proven that the plan is really fit you well. A book on diet plans or weight loss program is only recommended for those who fully understand the entirety of the diet

Feel free to give me a comment about this topic. It will be a great support to Xaivier Blog.

Review by: Xaivier Chia

Homepage. Advertise here. Subscribe.

4 Ways to Exercise for the Body You Always Wanted

Here are some of the suggestions you can use to get the desired muscles you have always wanted:

1. Do not forget to use your own body
To do resistance training using your own body is the cheapest and most practical way to gain muscles without have a machine at home. Muscles in certain parts of your body include push-ups and body crunches can be built up through body weight exercise. However, it is better for you try lighter free weights and fitness machines first if you are overweight or you are just starting out.

2. Make do with other resistance training equipment
By building up your muscles, resistance training is an exercise program that enables you to reduce your fats as well as increase your strength. Besides, you can make use of other resistance training equipment to gain muscles aside from free weights and fitness machines. These equipment, include exercise balls and elastic bands, are usually specific for the different parts of your body you want to build muscles on.

3. Exercise using free weights
Exercises using free weights, such as dumbbells, barbells, stacks, and bench presses, are alternative ways that let you build up muscles. The differences between free weights and other strength training equipment are free weights are not attached to a machine and are practically portable wherever you want to do your exercise, except for the bigger and heavier weights.One should always bear in mind that do not start with heavy weights to avoid injuring yourself when using free weight. Besides, give your body couple of days to recover after your muscles grow. It is because muscles are built up when recovering from resistance training exercises. Therefore, it is a good idea to do resistance training thrice a week to give your body have enough time to rest and do some cardio exercises on your other vacant days to help burn fats faster and make your muscles more visible.

4. Train with fitness machines
Fitness machines, such as pulleys and T-bars, can build up your muscles by allowing your body to resist a certain force. These types of equipment are advisable if you are a beginner since they can better prevent accidents and injuries as in the usual case of barbells. The advantage of fitness machines is you can adjust the mode of resistance you want to apply to your body and the range of motion. Nowadays, inexpensive, yet quality versions of these equipment, such as the alternatives of Total Gym 3000 are also being introduced in the market to accommodate those with lesser budget.

Last but not least, having enough rest, sleep, and proper diet are important factors during your muscles built up journey. Feel free to give me a comment about this topic. It will be a great support to Xaivier Blog.

Review by: Xaivier Chia

Homepage. Advertise here. Subscribe.

5 Practical Things to Consider before Buying Home Fitness Equipment

Here are five practical things which you might consider them to have the best buy of an exercise machine.

1. Gauge the real need for a home fitness
In order to avoid your purchased equipment end up as a junk, do ask yourself whether you really need a home fitness equipment or not. It is good idea to purchase an equipment that can provide a specific exercise you enjoy to do. A stationary bike might suit to you if you enjoy biking, for example. One of the best way to know what specific exercise you enjoy to do is enroll yourself in fitness classes first.

2. Think if you have the time
Although you might really want to exercise, have the money to make the purchase, and even have ample space for your equipment, you might probably do not have sufficient time to exercise. Therefore, you might consider to do some adjustment of your time first to avoid your purchased equipment end up as a junk.

3. Figure out the usefulness of the equipment to you
If jogging is your favorite exercise, then you might consider to have a treadmill. Treadmill is a safer and more convenient substitute for outdoors jogging activity. However, the drawback is you cannot breathe nature fresh air inside your house.  

4. Think of your budget to fund the purchase
Going for a simpler equipment which suits your exercise needs would save a lot of equipment costs. There are number of affordable and quality alternatives fitness equipment in the market. You can find better alternatives to a Total Gym 3000 fitness equipment by browsing fitness Web sites on the Internet.

5. Check for availability of space at home
Always make sure that the dimension of your preferred fitness equipment is suitable for your home space. Foldaway fitness equipment can be considered to save home space.

Last but not least, it is advisable to try similar machines and equipment in the gym if you have decided to buy a home fitness equipment. This will help you to identify what is best for you and what kind of equipment is right for you at home. Feel free to give me a comment about this topic. It will be a great support to Xaivier Blog.

Review by: Xaivier Chia

Homepage. Advertise here. Subscribe.

3 Must-Know Facts about Tooth Whitening

Before whitening your teeth, make sure you have know some important information about the process involved, finding professionals qualified to perform the procedure, and possible side effects.A teeth whitening products contain peroxide as a main ingredient. It is responsible for bleaching the enamel of your teeth to make them whiter. However, when considering whether or not to get your teeth whitened, make sure you know these important facts:

1. Process involved
There are several whitening methods available, including:
* professional in-office bleaching–This method is offers the most favorable whitening benefits in a shorter time period. Although, this is the most expensive option available, this method is done under the direct supervision of your professionally trained dentist. It is best to look for a dentist near you. If you live in New York City, then a Manhattan teeth whitening professional is what you need.
* professional take-home whitening-Tthese are whitening kits prescribed by dentists and are also available in dental clinics. These kits contain highly concentrated peroxide solutions and provide exceptional whitening results in 1 to 2 weeks of use.
* over-the-counter bleaching–the most affordable option. This is the choice of many because apart from the cost, there are many selections of over-the-counter whitening products such as toothpastes, trays, gum strips, floss, and mouth rinse.

2. Options for people not qualified for this procedure
There are people unable to undergo a tooth whitening procedure. Under certain conditions, the use of any type of whitening product is prohibited when:

* your teeth have restorations such as crowns, fillings, inlay, onlay and veneers.
* your teeth have internal staining, discoloration due to developmental conditions, and teeth that underwent a root canal procedure.
* your teeth are naturally gray or brown because they may not have the desired whitening effect. However, those with yellow teeth typically show best results.
* you are a nursing or pregnant mother because there is not enough research to support whether or not the chemicals used in the procedure are safe for you or you baby.
* there is hypersensitivity of the teeth.

3. Possible side effects
Tooth whitening products are considerably safe to use. In fact, most users have been satisfied with these procedures and products. However, some individuals may have experienced any of these side effects:

* hypersensitivity during or after the procedure.
* chemical burn, which is also called soft tissue irritation.
* teeth that do not whiten after the procedure.

Homepage. Advertise here. Subscribe.

Breathing To Relieve Stress And Anxiety

Stress is no stranger to any of us and we need to accept that
it is an indefinite part of our lives. Every time we get
stressed out, our bodies will naturally produce certain hormones
because of the intense feelings we are having. As a result, our
heart starts to beat faster and the blood flow in our system
increases. If we allow these stressors to constantly haunt us
for prolonged periods of time we may even burn out or become
extremely fatigued.

How then do you attempt to handle and deal with something that
you know will always be there? How do you handle stress? There
are actually many ways to do this but in this article we will be
focusing on one way only: through breathing.

Slow and deep breathing has several effects on your body, the
most prominent being the ability to relax your muscles and body
to achieve a state of `peace'. When you get stressed out your
body naturally goes into a `fight or flight' mode. This is like
being in a constant state of high alert. Slow breathing can be
used to counter this by relaxing your body to lower the heart
rate in an attempt to reduce the intense feelings.

Deep breathing does not just involve the lungs but also the
abdomen. Sit back comfortably with your back straight and start
by placing one of your hands on your chest and then place the
other hand on your abdomen. Breathe in slowly and gently through
your nose and you should be able to feel the hand placed on your
stomach start to rise. However, the hand on your chest should
move only slightly. After inhaling to a point of comfort, hold
the breath for a few seconds before exhaling through your nose
or mouth and, again, you should feel only limited movement of
the hand placed upon your chest. But you should feel your
abdominal muscles contract slightly as you exhale. Repeat this
method of breathing for a short while and you should soon feel
calm and relaxed.

The benefit of this type of breathing is that by taking long,
slow breaths that go deep into your abdomen you are actually
maximizing your oxygen intake. The result is instant stress
relief. With more oxygen in your system, your body calms down
and puts you in a much more relaxed state. At the same time you
are also clearing your mind of stress since you are very much
focused on breathing properly and deeply. If your mind begins to
wander bring your focus back to the breathing and you will find
yourself to be much more relaxed.

Deep breathing like this can be helpful for everyone and it
does work, but only if done properly. No doubt there are other
ways to deal with stress, but deep breathing can be done
anywhere and at any time and requires no equipment except for
your nose and a working set of lungs! The important thing is
that it helps you quickly reach a state of calm and to clear
your thinking. Still skeptical? Why not try it for yourself; you
won't be disappointed.

Simple Weight Loss Solutions for Moms

There are some great diet plans on the market, but they all require a total and complete overhaul of your life starting now. What mom has time to organize something like that especially when the rest of family is likely to rebel? 

Fortunately there is an easy solution to losing weight; a solution that requires small changes over time that adds up to significant weight loss. It might take a little longer to reach your goal weight, but the journey will be easier, smoother and steadier. 

Each of the tips given below should be implemented one at a time. Once one has become "habit", you can add the next. You can make these changes daily although it would be better if you spread them out so you have time to incorporate one change before adding a new one. The goal is make tiny, simple changes that you barely feel.

1. Stop drinking calories. This means switching from sugary colas to diet. Swapping mochas for skinny lattes with sugar free vanilla. Drink skim milk instead of whole (you can transition to low fat first). Stop drinking juice (eat fruit instead). The only except is V-8 tomato-based drink or the diet juice. The best switch is to substitute drinks to quench thirst (as opposed to those you have with a meal) with water. By swapping high calorie sodas and other drinks with diet and low calorie options you'll save hundreds of calories a day without sacrificing your thirst.

2. Get moving. Exercise isn't just about losing weight; it's about keeping the body working right. The older you get, the less efficient your body can get especially if you don't move it. Life becomes very small if you have limited mobility. You don't have to join a gym or run a marathon though. Bundle the kids up and go outside. Play tag or hide-n-seek with them. If your child is a baby, put them in a stroller or better yet a baby pack and go for a walk or hike. Or wait until your spouse is home and go for a walk on your own. It will clear your head and give you time away from it all. Consider taking a class... a dance class, tennis lesson...whatever sounds fun to you.

3. Switch to Whole Grain. It's really important to make sure the package says "Whole" grain or wheat. Multi-grain is not the same. Whole grains have all the great stuff that keeps you healthy, but also the fiber that fills you up. Instead of white bread, eat whole wheat. You can get whole grain in rice, cereal, bagels, English muffins, etc. They are better for you, have all the good carbs, and will help you feel fuller faster.

4. Discover the size of a serving and stick to it. One of the biggest problems contributing to weight issues in the US is that servings are getting bigger or that people don't pay attention to a serving. Did you know a serving of cereal is anywhere from 1/2 to 1 cup? Most people fill the whole bowl (2 cups). Check labels to learn what a serving size is and compare it to what you'd normally eat. You'll likely discover you've eaten two servings even before you have seconds. 

5. Fill up with good stuff. Snacking is my biggest problem. I'm always hungry after dinner. Instead of having high calorie, high sugar snacks, choose healthy options like air popped popcorn (spray with Pam and sprinkle popcorn seasoning). It's filling and has lots of fiber. Other options are a handful of almonds, a tablespoon of peanut butter in celery or an apple, vanilla yogurt, or frozen berries. 

6. Choose lower calorie goodies. I still eat chocolate (daily), but I limit it to 150 calories. That's 1 Peppermint Patty or 2 squares of Lindt 70% chocolate. I buy low fat, no-sugar ice cream that has up to half the fat and calories. You can have treats, but you have to be able to limit the amount you eat. 

These are just a handful of easy changes even a busy mom can make to lose weight and improve health.

src: http://www.articlemarketer.com/ by Leslie Truex

Benefits of Exercise

Why Exercise?

There are many physical, emotional and mental benefits for

exercising. A regular exercise routine can help you;

Lose unwanted pounds and maintain your weight

Reduce the risk of diabetes

Have greater endurance

Reduce stress, thereby relieving depression

Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke

Have increased energy and concentration

Reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Finding the Time and Motivation.

What seems to hold most of us back from starting an exercise

routine is, one, gaining the motivation to just get started and

two finding the time. It helps to remind yourself of all that

you have to gain from just a 15 to 30 minute block of time each

day. Focus on the benefits, the most visible will be the change

in your physical appearance. With the physical changes comes an

increase in self esteem which in itself is a great motivational

factor. It may take a few weeks but with a little time and

determination you will begin to both see and feel the benefits

beginning to happen.

How many times have you wanted to start an exercise program and

did not because you just could not figure out how you could

possibly work it into your schedule? I know I have had that

thought many times. I also know that I will make time my

schedule for whatever I deem important. But, just how important

are all the daytime and evening TV programs we watch? How much

more do we have to gain by sacrificing some other activity for

30 minutes of exercise? With all that said now is the time to

choose which type of exercise you would enjoy doing.

Types of Exercise.

There is no one exercise program that is just right for

everyone, it is a very personal decision. When making this

decision, remember that exercise is supposed to be fun. So

choose something you enjoy doing but make sure it gets your

heart pumping. Aerobics is defined as exercise that uses large

muscle groups continuously and rhythmically. This makes the

heart and lungs work harder which helps to lower your resting

heart rate and burn calories. Just about any exercise can be

done to music, in fact most people prefer to have music playing

while they work out. You will naturally find yourself working

out in time to the beat regardless of what type of exercise you

are doing.

Anything that gets you on your feet and moving is exercise.

Some of the more popular choices are;

Aerobics, biking, Skiing, Power Walking, Jogging, Inline

Skating, Swimming, Palettes, Yoga, Tai chi and other Martial

Arts, Hiking, Basketball, Soccer, most sports, the list is

endless. Within these there are many variations as well.

Don't feel like you have to join a gym or purchase expensive

equipment. That is simply not true. You can start with simple

things like taking the stairs, walking at lunch time or after

work. There are also lots of inexpensive but very helpful videos

and books that teach aerobic, yoga, palettes and exercises for

each muscle group to help you get started. So, with this

information and now knowing you have lots of choices lets get up

and move toward being healthier and happier.

Stemulite Helps You Sleep Better

Maintaining a healthy sleep cycle each night can be a challenge

for most people, especially if stress, anxiety and tension are

interfering with natural relaxation.

Deep sleep is essential for muscle cell repair and tissue

growth, and when this is compromised, the result can be fatigue,

lethargy, and feelings of low motivation the following day.

Stemulite offers an all-natural solution for improving the

quality of sleep and encouraging healthy cell and tissue repair

overnight. The key ingredients in Stemulite work synergistically

to encourage the REM sleep stage – the critical stage of sleep

for restoration and rejuvenation – so that anyone can enjoy the

benefits of a good night's rest.

Whether you're battling insomnia or need a valuable supplement

for muscle growth and repair, consider these key benefits of

Stemulite for better health:

How Stemulite Works Overnight

As the body winds down into the deepest sleep stage, melatonin

production steadily increases. Melatonin is a naturally

occurring hormone that is also a powerful antioxidant. It helps

reduce brain deterioration and regulates the circadian rhythmus

that help promote deep sleep, but a healthy supply of melatonin

can be depleted by stress, a poor sleep cycle or dietary

imbalances. Melatonin supplements are often prescribed to those

with sleep disorders and severe cases of insomnia, as it can

help re-configure circadian rhythms to a healthy level.

Stemulite contains a high concentration of melatonin so that

the sleep cycle can be restored to a healthy level. This

naturally results in an improvement of the cellular repair

process so that tissues are repaired overnight and muscle growth

can take place. This is especially important for athletes and

bodybuilders who are exercising regularly at a high intensity;

the damage to cells and muscles can be restored with a healthy

level of sleep, and melatonin can help with this process.

Stemulite also contains L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid and

Indium that encourage muscle growth and cellular repair in

conjunction with melatonin.

Key Benefits of Taking Stemulite Overnight

The Stemulite overnight formula offers several benefits for

athletes, bodybuilders, fitness enthusiasts and anyone looking

for a way to improve their health. It can help to:

• Improve the level of cellular repair

• Reduce the impact of oxidative stress from the day

• Increase muscle size and strength

• Decrease the perception of stress throughout the day

• Improve mood and increase energy after a good night's rest

• Reduce dependency on sleep aids and other relaxation-inducing

supplements

• Expel toxins from the body for improved detoxification

overnight

• Regulate emotions and mental health

REM sleep is extremely critical to healthy brain repair and

muscle development, but is often compromised because of poor

health, an unbalanced lifestyle, and excessive stress. Most

people who are missing out on the quality REM sleep cycle

experience chronic fatigue, a high sensitivity to stress, and

poor health during the day; unfortunately, few people realize

that these conditions are a result of poor sleep. Natural

supplements such as Stemulite can decrease these unhealthy

states and restore healthier sleep patterns for better

performance, and better health.

Lose Cellulite causing side abs Without Even Breaking a Sweat!

Cellulite is a problem that almost 95% of all women are faced

with. Dimpled, uneven fat bulges give a cottage cheese

appearance to the skin of the thighs and rear end areas. Many

believe that it's just something they have to put up with, and

try hiding it under long dresses and pants. Be brave! You CAN

reduce and eliminate cellulite for good. Here are some of the

ways!

Let's start with a definition of cellulite.

Beneath the dermis, a fibrous network layer called septae

connects the skin to the underlying layer of fat, holding them

together. When the layer of fat pokes through septae, creating

the view of ripples, cellulite is formed. To illustrate this,

picture a fishnet being stretched over gelatin. As the strands

of the net pull against it, the gelatin bulges through the

openings. This is what happens when the septae and fat create

ripples under the skin.

Cellulite is particularly troublesome to older women because

the holes in the septae's net have become larger and the skin is

thinner, which makes the fat bulges more obvious.

Exercise does not get rid of cellulite. To achieve a smoother

appearance you have to target the skin and fat cells.

Two Steps to Beat Cellulite:

Don't depend on liposuction and surgery. According to studies,

massaging the area affected by cellulite is one of the most

effective methods of eliminating it. Amazingly, easy direct

kneading of the area alleviates some of the defective

unevenness.

Keeping the area cool has proven to have a smoothing effect

when it comes to cellulite. Consider putting an easy dual

approach into your morning routine.

On a daily basis, try to end your shower or bath with a cold

blast of water on the area of your body that is badly affected

with cellulite.

Gently towel dry, then massage a little baby oil into the

cellulite. Repeat this oily massage for approximately ten

minutes.

After about two weeks, you will start to notice improvement.

How does this method work? Keep in mind that cellulite is

composed of small groups of fat cells pushed towards the skin's

surface. Cooling and manipulating the skin sends the bumpy fat

back down below the septae, again decreasing the pitted

appearance on the surface of the skin.

Healthy Skin has a Smooth Appearance

When skin ages, much of its collagen and suppleness is lost,

causing the skin to sag. This is why its important to prevent

loss of collagen and elasticity, because it will cause cellulite

look worse.

You can prevent elasticity loss by following each shower or

bath with a quality moisturizer. Collagen is an ingredient in

some of the best moisturizers available. Using them provides

collagen for your skin as you work on getting it firm.

Firming lotion such as Jergens Firming Daily Moisturizer can

greatly benefit the skin and return elasticity and suppleness

even though there may be a noticeable amount of sagging. Many

firming moisturizers have been proven, through clinical studies,

to be effectively tighten skin. As you find your skin

tightening, mostly you will also find the appearance of

cellulite reducing, as well.

The best way to rid yourself of cellulite is by taking a little

time each day to cool, moisturize and firm your skin. Now

there's no reason to avoid those skimpy skirts and tiny shorts!

Lower Back Pain, When To Worry

When we experience pain in our lower back and it takes a few
days, most of us start to worry and some even experience anxious
thoughts. It is good to know that over 80% of all adults
experience lower back pain at one time in there life or, more
likely, more than ones. The pain can be mild, little twinges but
can also be more severe, intense and even crippling pain that
effects every move you make.

When you have the idea that all back pain is the same, the last
sentence should have given you a clue, pain can vary in
intensity and there are roughly said two kinds of back pain
chronic and acute. Acute back pain is most of the time just
lasting a few days a week or two at most. When you don't take
proper precautions and treat the cause of the pain, the pain can
become chronic.

Chronic back pain does not mean that there is no cure or
treatment and that you will keep on having it for the rest of
your life, it just means that it takes longer to heal and treat.
Chronic back pain can be there all the time all day and night,
or it can come in flares and be periodically mild and worse. It
can be very hard to determine the cause of chronic back pain.

Something else people worry about is if the pain is so severe
that there will be severe damage to the back to. In fact the
amount of pain does probably not correspond with the amount of
damage, it is possible to have excruciating back pain because of
a simple muscle spasm and a few days later it is completely gone
without any damage. Back pain can be so severe that walking and
even standing can be so painful that you think it will never go
away again and you will be handicapped because of it, in fact
90% of the real awful back pains don't take longer than just a
few days. Some disc degeneration however can be totally pain
free but are extremely dangerous.

Most people who experience back pain have no idea if they
should rest or exercise, in general resting for more than one or
two days is not good, it makes your back stiff and it will slow
down your recovery. You should do small exercises every couple
of hours and regain some strength, By doing so you will heal
faster and properly. Gradually introduce more and more
activities but without overdoing it of course, Overdoing it will
make things worse.

When should you go see a doctor?

This is also a question most people with back pain have trouble
with.

You should call your family doctor:

- when the pain is not getting any less in about 5 days
- when you experience progressive weakness in your legs
- when you have a sudden bladder and/or bowel dysfunction
- when you have severe, continuous low back and/or abdominal
pain
- when you have a fever and chills in combination with back
pain
- when you have a history with cancer and recent weight loss
- when you have back pain because of severe trauma

Your doctor will not always identify the source of your lower
back pain, often there is no known direct physiological cause
that your doctor can determine, that does not mean that the pain
you are experiencing is in your head, it just means that the
cause can't be identified.

Now you know the facts, you see there is no reason to start
worrying right away, take some time to heal and start with some
small exercises. And if you do worry just call your family
doctor.

Protecting Your Family From The Avian Flu

Fear of an Avian Flu pandemic has reached epic proportions and
with good reason. If it becomes a fully mutated strain that is
easily transmittable between humans, the result of this sickness
on the human population would be disastrous.

Avian Flu: The Potential Crisis

Currently, the Bird Flu has been affecting Asia and Europe. The
rest of the world is keeping a close eye on this illness to make
sure that it doesn't cross any more borders. Avian influenza,
though common with wild birds, can devastate domesticated birds
swiftly and quickly, completely eradicating all that were
infected with the virus. The potential crisis is in the fact
that humans do not have built in immunities to this virus. If it
mutates and infects humans, they would not be able to fight it
off without medical intervention. Since the strain hasn't
mutated yet, there isn't a medicine that can cure it. The only
way we can fight this potential crisis is through prevention.

Avian Flu: Symptoms

H5N1 virus symptoms are very similar to other symptoms of
Influenza. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, malaise, and
coughing. It can progress to Pneumonia and other serious
conditions. A person who has contracted bird flu will need a lot
of fluids and should be treated by a physician immediately. If
the condition is untreated, it can lead to death.

Avian Flu: Prevention is the Key to the Future

Precaution is the best tool that we have to prevent a worldwide
pandemic. Taking simple steps such as washing your hands
frequently and sneezing and coughing into tissues can go a long
way in preventing the spread of germs and viruses. It is also
important to make sure that you stay up to date with yearly flu
shots. The shot won't prevent Avian Flu, but it will help to
ensure that you don't come down with Influenza. If someone were
to have Influenza and then contract the Avian Flu at the same
time, that would be the perfect mix for mutating the Avian Flu
strain. By staying current with your shots, you will help
minimize the risk of that happening. If you are visiting a
foreign country that has had cases of Avian Flu it is important
to use care and precaution. Stay clear of areas that host wild
birds or birds for sale in open markets. Also, make sure that
all of the food that you eat has been cooked thoroughly.
Precaution is the best tool to prevent a worldwide pandemic.

About The Author: The potential risk of the bird flu is unlike
anything else we have ever seen. The main question is not if,
but when it will strike. Find out more at
http://www.aviansto cks.com