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The genius way to health
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May 25th, 2009Nutrition
by : Colin Platt
The body’s immune systems defence and strength relies mainly on the foods we eat and don’t eat. The relationship between food and health is critical. We are in effect what we eat.
We need a steady intake of essential vitamins which are ever present in a diet high in fruit and vegetables. One of the best nutrients to support and build the immune system is the precursor to Vitamin A:
Beta-Carotene
The nutrient which is found in highly pigmented fruit and vegetables in colors of orange, red, and yellow. It is not a vitamin but it is converted by the body into vitamin A. Residuals not used by the body is converted to an antioxidant, to build the immune system by controlling the destructive free radicals, which can lead to disease.
Best Sources: Gac (note), carrots, sweet potatoes, raw parsley, spinach, raw watercress, spring greens, cantaloupe melon, tomatoes, apricots, broccoli, and peaches. (The gac fruit contains by far the highest beta-carotene of any known fruit. It is grown in Southeast Asia, and not common as yet in the West, but recently available in juice form). The sweet potato has almost twice the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A averaging 8,800 IU’s (International Unit) and is high in fiber and low in sodium, and contains over 40% of the RDA of vitamin C. Beta-carotene content is usually increased by cooking by releasing it from the cell walls of vegetables.
Beta-carotene is considered safe and does not appear to be toxic in large doses, however, taken over a sustained period can lead to the skin taking on a yellowish orange hue. As a consequence, high doses can be found in tanning pills.
As beta-carotene converts to Vitamin A in the body, it does in fact enhance vision, as the vitamin travels to the retina of the eye where it is converted into Retinol. It is said that British pilots during Word War 2 ate a plentiful supply of carrots to enhance night blindness so they could see better at night. This was the basis of a myth started by the Royal Air Force to fool the Germans into thinking that they were not using radar.
Taking beta-carotene supplements have been found to increase the risk of developing lung cancer amongst smokers and those who have been exposed to asbestos during their work. The advice of the FSA (Foods Standards Agency) concludes that you should be able to get the amount you need by eating a balanced and varied diet.
Too much supplementation can be harmful, as a result the Agency advises against taking more than 7mg of beta-carotene per day unless it is under proper medical supervision.
Tags: vitamin -
May 23rd, 2009Vision
by : Ted Brumby
Tags: eyesMany bemoan the fact that as we age our eyesight becomes poorer, but few relate this to the simple truth the eye is supported by muscles just like any other part of the body. If you do not keep them in shape they will become weaker; the muscles will lose their tone and become rigid, causing decreased elasticity in the eye which can lead to sight loss. Exercising your eyes regularly will keep them healthy and relieve eyestrain.
The increase in computer-related jobs and free time spent online has also added to many eye problems, which can be greatly aided by keeping your eyes refreshed and exercised. Eye exercises are physical therapy not just for the eye, but also the brain, due to the optic nerve which connects them both. Relieving eye tension will also ease up on your brain strain, in turn, relaxing your entire body.
The ciliary muscles of the eye tense up when we focus on nearby objects, and relax when we focus further away. Below are some exercises you can practice to not only keep your eyes healthy as you grow older, but may also improve poor vision for those already relying upon contacts or eyeglasses.
1. Sit in a chair, posture erect, spine straight, body relaxed. Keeping your body motionless while moving only your eyes, find a point you can focus on in front of you without straining and move your eyes from your lap, to this point, and back again. Repeat five times.
2. Close your eyes, placing your hands tightly over each eye so that no light gets in. The heels of your palms should rest upon your cheekbones. Breathe deeply. This relieves eye tension and strain and is very relaxing. Practice for three to five minutes.
3. Move eyes slowly upwards as far as you can, then downwards. Repeat five times. Blink rapidly to relax the eye muscles. Repeat this exercise, only now moving your eyes slowly from left to right and back again.
4. Gently squeeze eyes shut for three seconds, then open them and repeat five times. This is an excellent exercise to relieve computer strain on the eyes by stimulating the tear ducts.
5. Hold an object in front of you at arm’s length, waving it slowly back and forth in a figure eight while following it with your eyes. Do this for approximately 10-15 seconds. This helps stimulate the nutrient flow within the eye while improving eye coordination.
6. This exercise helps strengthen the iris and is best done at night, in front of a bright lamp. With no other lights on in the room, sit in a comfortable position facing the lamp with your eyes closed, switching the lamp on and off in time to your slow, relaxed breathing.
7. Focus on a small object at arm’s length, such as a pencil, inhale, then move it slowly in to touch the tip of your nose. Exhale, keeping your eyes on the pencil and move it slowly back out again. Repeat three times.
8. This is a fabulous method to relieve eye tension for those working in offices with access to windows. Focus on a distant object outside for eight seconds then slowly refocus your eyes on an object close at hand. Repeat three times, and often during the day, at least once per hour.
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May 15th, 2009Insurance
by : Laxmi WadhwaTags: health-insuranceYou want to buy the best health insurance plan, which will not only give you excellent policy benefits but also render you maximum tax savings. Choosing the right health insurance company should be the first step of applying for health insurance policies and plans. You need to know about the rate and quote of the health insurance company, in order to choose the best insurance plan.
India has witnessed major growth and development in the area of insurance, since 2001. National players have tied up with global insurance companies to earn more recognition. ICICI Lmobard, Tata AIG, BajajAllianz and others are some of the major players in the insurance sector. Some of best health insurance plan are offered by these major private health insurance companies.
ICICI Lombard GIC Ltd is a globally recognized company that provides General Insurance. The company is rewarded for the kind of service it provides to the customers and it offers a range of plans for people in various categories. Health Advantage Plus launched by ICICI Lombard is tax saving plan while Family Floater Health Insurance covers health needs of your entire family. Personal Accident policy protects you against accidental hospitalization. The chief benefits offered by these plans include coverage against terrorism and convenient online buying process without any paperwork.
A private health insurance company, Tata AIG Life Insurance Company Limited or Tata AIG Life is a tie up between the Tata group and the American International Group (AIG). It offers a variety of health plans and policies. Some of the major products of this private health insurance company include Tata AIG Life Health First, Tata AIG Life InvestAssure Care, Tata AIG Life Health Protector – 5 Year Guaranteed Renewal Accident and Health Plan, Tata AIG Life Health Investor and Tata AIG Life InvestAssure Health. The Tata AIG Health Insurance policy offers you benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Policy.
You can insure the future of you and your family with a health insurance policy from Bajaj Allianz. Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited is another big name amongst the private health insurance companies. The company is a tie-up between Allianz SE, a life insurance company and the Bajaj Auto, a leading name producing two and three-wheelers. This private player offers some of the best health care plans and policies. Family Care First, Care First and Health Care are some of the major health care products offered by this company.
Get a quote and rate on health insurance to compare health care products. You can then take your decision accordingly. Browse online for the same, make a smart choice and save money!
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May 4th, 2009Cancer
by : Tara Mace
Over 1,000,000 skin cancer cases are diagnosed every year. Before I delve more into the topic, I would like to show you some figures (source: cdc.gov website):
1] 30,544 men and 23,248 women were diagnosed with melanoma in 2005 in the United States
2] In 2005, 5,283 men and 3,062 women died of skin cancer in the United States alone
Figures are frightening, aren’t they? However, there is a word of relief too. Research has proved that people can avoid skin cancer by taking adequate protection from UV ray.
Few facts about Skin Cancer:
1] Symptoms of skin cancer may not be visible immediately after the victim gets exposed to excessive sunlight and ultraviolet rays; it may take years for the symptoms to become prominent. Hence, even if there is no visible sign of skin cancer on your body, you may have been victimised already. Take all the precautions; negligence can be detrimental to your health.
2] Children are more vulnerable because they get engaged in more outdoor activities than adults. It has been reported that more than 50% of total sunlight exposure of an adult takes place in childhood. Hence, take due care of your children. Consult a dermatologist to know about skin cancer prevention; prevention is always better than cure.
However, it does not mean that adults do not need protection. All individuals must follow whatever is needed to protect themselves from this deadly disease.
3] There are two types of Ultraviolet rays UVA and UVB. Recent study shows that both can cause skin cancer. Hence, it is suggested to take adequate protection to prevent both types of UV rays.
4] UV ray is not the only cause of skin cancer. Some people may inherit the disease from their parents and ancestors. Such cancers take place when children inherit abnormal genes from parents and as a result of which skin cells start growing abnormally – in a malignant order.
5] Three types of skin cancer are there: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. Skin cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer you are suffering from.
How to protect yourself from UV rays:
Avoid sunlight from 10 am through 4 pm as much as possible – this is the time period when sunlight remains strongest in summer. If you avoid sunlight you are safe. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to avoid UV 100%. You may need to go out in the sun in summer; in such cases, wear something protective that helps you pass up UV rays.
Use sunscreens to protect your skin from sun burn and blisters. UV rays not only cause cancer, but it may damage your skin irreversibly and can make your skin look older than your actual age. Sunscreens with UV protection can help you avoid sunburn and skin cancer as well.
You can also consult dermatologists to know how to protect your family and yourself from skin cancer; they may prescribe something suitable for the climate you live in.
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May 3rd, 2009Vision
by : Remington McDermott
There are many different Lasik eye surgery procedures available today. As the technology grows so do the many different surgeries that are available today. No matter what type of vision problems that you may acquire Lasik procedures can help you with the many great treatments they have.
The most popular form of treatment from Lasik as well as other companies and eye doctor’s is of course laser treatments. These laser treatments are completely reliable as well as professional. There are many eye doctors in your area that are able to provide you with this great procedure and give you the gift of better vision. Isn’t this what you want?With the two most popular procedures by Lasik, you will find that the main goal is reshaping the cornea itself. The cornea is the base of all vision problems. The tissue surrounding the cornea is what causes vision difficulty. If you choose laser eye surgery, the laser gently cuts away the bad tissue surrounding your cornea and then reshapes the cornea which then gives you better vision in the exact way that you need it. By choosing the alternative method, you are choosing to have your eye cut instead of laser. A small knife is used to place several small slits in the eye. These slits reshape the eye and correct your vision in the same way as the laser.
Both of these vision procedures are reliable and proved to be successful. This is a one time procedure and by the next day you will find an increased difference in your vision.
Lasik is the number one choice for eye procedures and surgeries today. Choose the best and the highest in technology with Lasik and notice the difference. Your eyes are your source of life, now there are ways to make you see that much better. Take advantage of these great procedures and trust in Lasik.
Original source – Laser Eye Surgery - Laser Eye Surgery
For more information on Laser and Lasik Eye Surgery http://www.lasereyeguide.com
Tags: eyes
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