Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Information About Depression and Enhancing Your Mood

Submitted By: Steven A Johnson

Depression is a mental health disorder that can affect the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. Sometimes other people can recognize if someone they know is depressed. They may offer to listen or offer lots of love and support. If the persons depressed feeling don’t go away in a little time a friend or loved one may recommend getting professional help for the person. Not everyone can recognize a loved one is depressed and stepping up and recognizing for yourself and asking for help is a good thing.

There is not one single cause for depression. Many factors are considered such as genetics, environment, life events, medical conditions, and the way people react to things that happen in there lives play a major role. Depression can run in family genes but not everyone will get the gene. The death of a family member, friend, pet, or relationship loss can sometimes lead to depression.

Even moving or changing schools can cause depression. Some teens in an unhappy family atmosphere or high stress living condition like poverty or homelessness will become depressed. Substance abuse can cause chemical changes in the brain that will cause depression. Medical conditions that affect the hormone can also cause imbalances creating depression.

Depression involves neurotransmitters in the brain. These chemicals help send massages between nerve cells in the brain. Certain neurotransmitters regulate mood, if they are running slow people can become depressed, anxious, or stressed.

There are many different types of depression. Major depression is short lasting and more severe. Dysthymia is a longer lasting but less severe form. Another is adjustment disorder with depressed mood. It refers to a depression reaction to a specific life event such as death. How long it will last and the severity can differ in the person and situation. Bipolar disorder involves periods of major depression mixed with periods of mania. Mania is abnormally high mood and extreme bursts of activity or energy.

Symptoms of depression that people experience are depressed mood, sadness most of the time, lack of energy, feeling tired all the time, inability to enjoy things that used to be enjoyable, withdrawal from friends and family. More symptoms are irritability, anger, anxiety, trouble concentrating, insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, aches, pains, thoughts of death and suicide. If someone has more than 5 of these symptoms for 2 weeks or longer then than person is more than likely depressed.

Depression is a lot different than regular sadness. Normal stresses of life can lead to anyone feeling sad once in awhile. Things like a friend moving, an argument with a friend or loved one, not making a sport team, low grades in school, and a relationship break up. These reactions are brief and will go away shortly. Depression is a stronger mood involving despair, hopelessness, discouragement, and worthlessness. It can last weeks, months, and even longer. Depression interferes with their normal ability to do things.

Super Mood Formula is a unique combination of st.johns wort, valerian root, passion flower, magnesium, and other herbs to support a positive effect on the mood. St.johns wort has been used as a mood supporter successfully and valerian root is a calmative that has been known to address fatigue and sleeplessness. Passion flower acts as a gentle calmative and addresses nervousness, hyperactivity, and sleeplessness. This product will enhance your mood and take care of the problems caused by depression. It will let you slip your cares away and enjoy life again. This product can be found at Alternative Health Supplements.
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Sunday, April 12, 2009

Alternative Medicine - Remedies For Wrinkles

With the introduction and initial advancement of medical science herbal and natural cures experienced a pitfall. During those days, we gradually started believing that chemicals and synthetic medicines are the best cure for the treatment of all types of illness and diseases. Through the ages, knowledge and information about the healing and the soothing properties of different plants and herbs have been passed down by the wise herbalists.

However, in recent times, more and more people have come to realize that in spite of the advancement of medical science, the modern medicine prescribed by the physicians does not always hold the answers for the problems related to their health. As a result, people are once again turning their faces to the more natural and traditional ways of living and healing their health problem. Instead of relying upon medical science and the physicians in general, these days, people are increasingly depending on the herbal cures for their well being and are on the look out for healthy life style.

Wrinkles are very often on the face skin. It is just a natural process of aging, which can hardly be checked. But these days we do come across many teens and also people in their early twenties facing the same problem of lines and wrinkle formation on the face skin. This is however premature wrinkles and aging - a problem which can definitely be controlled with a little acre taken. Brushing off synthetic medicines, these days more and more people are relying on home remedies for problems to get permanently cured. Following are some of the tips which can be used to prevent wrinkles and enhance the skin tone and health.

1. Avoid Sun Tan: First and foremost, it is very important to protect yourself and your skin from sun. The skin gets affected a lot as a result of sun tans; it leads to fast damaging and aging of skin. Medically it has been proved that sun rays directly upon the skin results in skin cancer.

2. Vitamin E Pack: Break 3 vitamin E capsules and put them in a small bowl. Two teaspoons plain yogurt, half a teaspoon of lemon juice and honey needs to be added. This mixture needs to be applied over the face, left over for 10 minutes and rinsed off with plain water. This acts as an anti-wrinkle pack and nourishes the skin well.

3. Healthy Diet: Intake of healthy and nutritious diet is of utmost important. Leafy green vegetables and bright colored fruit need to be included in the diet for maximum free radical elimination. It has been medically proved that lack of free radicals is the direct cause of wrinkles on skin.

4. Facial massage: Massage enhances the blood circulation and also results in the tightening of muscles and the underlying tissues. This reduces the fleshiness of the skin and prevents from having wrinkles. Places where wrinkles have already set in can be massaged with coconut oil at night.

5. Avoid smoking: Premature face lines and wrinkles are mainly the results of smoking. It hinders natural blood circulation and gives rise to several internal problems. Once the habit of smoking is avoided, the premature wrinkles will be found to disappear.

6. Try bananas: Bananas are the best for anti-wrinkle treatments. One fourth of a banana mashed and applied over the face work wonders. After 10-15 minutes it needs to be rinsed off with warm water.

7. Sleep on your back: As a result of lying upside down or side ways. Wrinkles may be formed. So it is highly recommended to lie down straight and on your back. This type of sleeping eliminates the problem of wrinkle formation.

8. Get a humidifier: Things like room heaters and air coolers impart a drying effect on the skin by absorbing the moisture. This results in fast formation of wrinkles. So it is best to a humidifier. It helps to keep the surrounding air moist and therefore has a good effect on the skin.
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Benefits of Taking Lutein in Supplements Clinical Studies

by Valerie Rosenbaum

There are thousands of published research papers concerning the benefits of taking lutein. Most of the benefits of lutein are associated with eye health. In particular, the antioxidant is believed to reduce the risk of age related eye diseases and the risk of blindness that can be caused by them. But, that’s not the only thing that researchers have looked at.

This may be a new term for you; “diet related cancer”. Are scientists saying that food causes cancer? Not really, but they are saying that certain dietary habits are associated with an increased risk of the disease. The latest study indicates that there are benefits of taking lutein, vitamin E, vitamin C, folate, beta carotene and zeaxanthin for reducing your risk of cancer, especially, if you happen to be Mexican American.

Observational studies have shown that there is a higher incidence of cancer among Mexican Americans that adopt the typical American diet than among those that stick with the more traditional Mexican diet. Researchers took blood samples from 2400 Mexican American men over a period of six years. They found the levels of the nutrients mentioned above were much lower in those men that had adopted American eating habits.

Another recent study showed that the benefits of lutein include a decreased risk of invasive breast cancer among women of all nationalities. Samples were taken from thousands of women in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. They were asked about their diets and their smoking habits. The results are similar to those found in other studies. Low intake of beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.

Another study supports others in saying that the benefits of taking lutein include the prevention of age related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration can be caused by other things. But, when it occurs late in life, it is, for all intents and purposes, a nutritional disease. The carotenoids lycopene, zeaxanthin and beta carotene are also beneficial for preventing this eye disease that often results in blindness.

Some people feel that the benefits of lutein and other carotenoids can be gotten through diet, alone. But, recent research conducted first in Canada and then in the US has shown that fruits and vegetables are not as nutrient rich as they were only 50 years ago. Did you realize that the data for nutrient content that you see published on the internet and printed on the labels of processed foods are based on measurements taken years ago?

It is safe to say that you should probably eat more fruits and vegetables, for many reasons, but if you want the full benefits of lutein, you need a standardized supplement. The better companies test each raw ingredient and batch for nutritional value, rather than taking an average that was measured some 50 years prior. They also test each completed batch for purity.

Avoiding diet related cancer is one of the benefits of taking lutein, zeaxanthin, beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, folate, lycopene and other nutrients. This is a form of health insurance that everyone can afford.

About the Author: Valerie Rosenbaum has spent several years researching anti aging natural supplements and skincare products. As a result of that effort she has found the best natural anti aging supplement available on the market today. Learn more at her website http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com

Article Source: ActiveAuthors.com
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Monday, January 19, 2009

Blood Pressure Disease – The Silent Killer

Blood Pressure Disease, often called the silent killer; it is very common for a person to suffer from high blood-pressure without even knowing it. Blood pressure is actually the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries; and, is monitored by checking the pressure of the heart as it pumps blood to the rest of your body; and, the pressure between beats as the heart relaxes. Blood-pressure is usually categorized as either being high, low, or normal.

The initial symptoms of high blood pressure or hypertension are so mild that most people who associate them with other conditions or causes, do not notice them at all, or fail to take them seriously until there is a serious problem. The most common symptoms are nausea, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. If left untreated, blood pressure disease can lead to more serious conditions, such as heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Before we go further, we should note that abnormal blood pressure could be chronic and lead to the conditions mentioned. But, it can also be temporary and not cause any short term or long term problems. The most common causes of temporary high-blood-pressure include pregnancy, nervousness over a doctor’s visit, also called “white coat syndrome,” or birth control pills. Chronic high blood pressure has been linked to uncontrollable factors like age, race, and family history. As well as, factors, such as weight, sodium intake, and lack of exercise, that can be controlled. Some of the most effective ways to treat blood pressure disease revolve around lifestyle changes such as changing eating habits, increasing exercise, and managing stress. Yet, there are also medications that help lower high blood pressure. These typically include diuretics and beta-blockers.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is low blood-pressure, also called hypotension. Low blood pressure can cause a few more symptoms than high blood pressure. So, in addition to symptoms like dizziness and fatigue low-blood-pressure can also cause fainting, depression, and cold and/or clammy skin. Low blood pressure, if left untreated, can lead to serious health issues, such as shock. Shock is the term used to describe a rapid failing of vital organs that occurs without warning and is caused by long periods of low pressure of the blood. Persistent or serious low blood pressure is caused by serious conditions such as dehydration, blood loss, or a change in blood pressure medicine. Treatment for low-blood-pressure will depend largely on its cause.

Most people have normal blood pressure. Normal is when the body is healthy enough to maintain itself. The body has sensors that let it know whether it needs to adjust to combat a lower or higher blood pressure. In order to stay on top of blood pressure levels, it is important to have your blood-pressure checked routinely, and more often as you get older. Blood pressure monitors are easy to use and work by electronically displaying the rate at which the heart contracts over the rate at which it relaxes between beats. Blood pressure monitors for many people to identify high or low pressure.

Called the silent killer by many, blood pressure can cause serious conditions and lead to death if left untreated. So, it is important to understand the often overlooked initial symptoms of both hypertension and hypotension. High-blood-pressure has become more visible in recent years, and it is important for those at risk to check their blood pressure routinely make the necessary lifestyle changes.
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Natural Cures For Yeast Infections

It is no secret that especially in the United States, many women are infected or have been repeatedly been victims of yeast infections. A majority of women's yeast cells, scientifically these are a tiny one-celled fungus called "Candida albicans." These yeast cells normally grow inside the vagina and in the intestines. There are many medical names for this kind of infection. It is also called "thrush" or vaginal fungal infection, or even sometimes called Candida albicans overgrowth.

Candidiasis is also known as "the yeast Infection". It is an internal fungal infection that occurs when there is an overgrowth of fungus called candida.

Candida naturally occurs in the body in small amount. It is a form of yeast that is found in the intestines, in the digestive tract, in the mouth, and in the throat of both men and women. In women candida is found in the vagina. It is harmless when it exists in small amounts. Its purpose is to recognize and destroy harmful bacteria and toxins.

Yeast infections can be an uncomfortable and even painful blow to the quality of your life. The problem is annoying on three different levels, too.

First, you have to bear the aggravating symptoms of a yeast infection. That certainly isn't fun.

Second, you have to buy often expensive creams or pills to relieve the symptoms of the infection. To make matters worse, they often fail to provide real relief.

Finally, you know that you'll have to go through the whole agonizing process again the next time an infection flares up. All of that discomfort is part of a recurring process because those over-the-counter treatments never really leave you free from yeast infection forever.

Yeast infections come in various forms, but there is one fact that remains constant throughout - they usually affect women who are of child bearing age. The cause of this infection, according to medical sources, is the Candida albicans; which is a specific type of yeast. When this yeast naturally builds up in the vagina, imbalances are caused; and a yeast infection results.

Are you looking for a natural remedy for yeast infection? If so, then you're not alone. There are many people today who are looking for a natural treatment that will finally help them to get rid of their yeast infection. Many people today are looking for natural remedies because they choose not to go with medications that can cause nasty side effects, not to mention that natural options are often more cost effective as well. If you are looking for a great natural remedy that will help you to get rid of that yeast infection for good, here are a few to try.

If you are dealing with yeast infection, this may be miserable until you finally get over it. To deal with such type of infection you can choose some natural remedies. Many people prefer to go with these natural cures because they don't have any side effects. And many times these natural cures are just as effective as prescription drugs.
articles by: Julie Landry
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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Can Vitamin Supplements Help Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The question I would like to bring to your attention today is can vitamins help to fight Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). I decided to do some studying on the subject and what I found was some interesting facts that helped me support this idea. Let me start out by telling you a little more about RA. More than a million people in the United States have RA. RA typically develops between the ages of 25 and 50. RA is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that affects an estimated 1.3 million Americans.

The disease occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thin membrane that lines the joints. The results can be joint damage, ongoing pain, inflammation, loss function and disability. The joints most commonly affected by RA are those of the hands, feet, wrists, knees, elbows, and ankles. In RA, the primary site of the attack is in the thin layer of tissue that is around the joints.

Studies have shown that those Americans with RA have vitamins deficiencies. The most common vitamin deficiencies in RA is folic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, and Selenium. Food of course is the preferred source for getting the vitamins and minerals. Vitamin Supplements will work in getting the vitamins and minerals that you don’t receive from food. I would like to discuss with you two particular vitamins that studies have shown to help fight RA.

Research has made a case that Vitamin D helps protect older women against RA. Recent Studies has also linked deficiencies of Vitamin D to other disorders such as certain cancers, heart disease, and diabetes. General population studies indicate that about one in three people are Vitamin D deficient especially during the winter months. The easiest way to make sure you are getting the proper amount of Vitamin D is through Vitamin Supplements.

Another Study used data from the Iowa’s Women Health Study, which followed almost 30,000 women, aged 55 to 69, for 11 years. Over the course of those 11 years, the women involved were questioned about their eating habits, their use of nutritional supplements and other health related issues.

During the test, 152 of the women developed RA. The investigators found that women whose diets were highest in Vitamin D had the lowest incidence of RA. Women who got less than 200 International Units (IU) of Vitamin D in their diets each day were 33% more likely to develop RA than women who got more. So how much is enough Vitamin D. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine says that older women should consume 400 to 600 IU per day in order to have an adequate Vitamin D intake.

Vitamin C can also be linked to lowering RA risks. In another study, researchers looked at the link between fruit and vegetable and dietary antioxidant intake and the development of inflammatory arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in a group of 23,000 men and women who entered a large cancer study in the U.K. between 1993 and 1997. As a part of that study, the participants kept track of what they ate in a weekly food diary.

Between 1993 and 2001, 73 people developed inflammatory arthritis affecting two or more painfully swollen joints for at least a month, and 40% of them met the criteria for having RA. Compared with those who did not develop the disease, researchers found that those with arthritis ate fewer fruits and vegetables. Specifically, people who ate the least amount of fruits and vegetables had double the risk of developing inflammatory arthritis.

The study also showed that people who got less than 40 mg of Vitamin C from fruits and vegetables had four times the risk of developing inflammatory arthritis. In the United States, the recommended dietary allowance for men is 90mg of Vitamin C a day and for women is 75mg. Now by taking a look at just those two certain vitamins, I find that vitamins do have added benefits in fighting RA. The vitamins do this by fighting the free radicals (unstable molecules that cause damage to cells) associated with the development of the disease.

Now to get the benefits of all vitamins, it would your best option to take a multi-vitamin. I would also like to say that the best multi-vitamin is a liquid vitamin instead of the standard capsule/pill. Not only will you get the full benefits of the vitamins but the liquid vitamin will work faster because it will absorb into your body quicker.
I know a 74 yr old lady that has been taking a liquid vitamin for the past 6 months and says that it has definitely helped to fight her RA. She takes 2 oz of this vitamin a day. This liquid vitamin has 410mg of Vitamin C per ounce, 1107 IU of Vitamin D3 per ounce and many more essential vitamins and minerals.

If you would like more information (testimonies/articles) then visit me at http://www.healthnutty.com. You can also contact me at www.john@nitemarketing.com
articles by: John McNett
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Fears and Phobias

Every time we experience the world, we do so through our 5 senses- see it, hear it, taste it, smell it or feel it. It is only once we have taken that information in and processed it, that we apply a meaning to it. Sometimes the meaning we apply will be based on our previous contact and experiences. So if we have had an experience which led to some negative emotions - such as fear (or if we have learned a negative response from someone else) it is likely that when we come into contact with that same stimuli again, we will have the same negative feelings each time. What this tells us however, is that it is not the stimuli that creates the negative emotion (because this is just sensory information) but the meaning that has been applied to the sensory information. So next time somebody tells you “It’s all in your head” you can agree with them!

In NLP we use a process called the logical levels of therapy to uncover the rules and strategies that a person uses to make their fear or phobia “work.” For example, if a person has a phobia of spiders, there will be certain things that they think about spiders, there will be certain ways they remember spiders, there will be pictures that they make in their minds and even certain beliefs that they have about spiders. When these rules and strategies are challenged, they will be unable to use the rules and strategies in the same way. This called a pattern interrupt that will prevent the person reaching the stage of feeling bad, which would usually be the end response to having experienced their phobic stimuli.

NLP also utilises a technique called the fast phobia cure. This is a process that works with the submodalities or codes that we have in our minds when we represent information to ourselves. These codes are made up of sensory related content and most commonly we work with the Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic information. When this information is distorted, this again has the impact of changing the way we feel. This process is done after first ensuring that the client has a “resource anchor” which is a build up of positive emotions that they can access whenever they feel that they need to throughout the process. The Fast Phobia cure also desensitizes the feelings the client has by replaying their most significant experience with their phobic stimuli very fast (in their mind), forwards in Black and white and backwards in colour several times. This repetition has the impact of reducing the feelings associated with the event.

I also like to use Hypnotherapy and EFT when working with phobias. Hypnotherapy can work really well at the end of the fast phobia process to ensure the client is feeling calm (particularly if you want to test their recovery by exposing them to the stimuli that would have previously caused them to experience the phobic response) and also to install some positive suggestions for how they can react differently in the future.

EFT is a tapping technique that works on the meridian points (or acupuncture points) throughout the body.

articles by: Gemma Bailey
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