Health Live

Healthy Habits

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:29:16 +0000

Health Habits and Long Live

healthy tips

1. Don’t retire. “Evidence shows that in societies where people stop working abruptly, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease skyrockets after retirement,” says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, has a different take on leisure time. “After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables,” he says. “They’re never really inactive.” Farming isn’t for you? Volunteer as a docent at your local art museum or join the Experience Corps, a program offered in 19 cities that places senior volunteers in urban public elementary schools for about 15 hours a week.

2. Floss every day. That may help keep your arteries healthy. A 2008 New York University study showed that daily flossing reduced the amount of gum-disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria is thought to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart disease. Other research has shown that those who have high amounts of bacteria in their mouth are more likely to have thickening in their arteries, another sign of heart disease.

3. Move around. “Exercise is the only real fountain of youth that exists,” says Jay Olshansky, a professor of medicine and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “It’s like the oil and lube job for your car. You don’t have to do it, but your car will definitely run better.” Study after study has documented the benefits of exercise to improve your. Building muscle with resistance training is also ideal, but yoga classes can give you similar strength-training effects if you’re not into weight lifting.

4. Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast. Getting a serving of whole-grains, especially in the morning, appears to help older folks maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to a recent study conducted by Ferrucci and his colleagues. “Those who do this have a lower incidence of diabetes, a known accelerator of aging,” he says.

5. Get at least six hours of shut-eye. Instead of skimping on sleep to add more hours to your day, get more to add years to your life. “Sleep is one of the most important functions that our body uses to regulate and heal cells,” says Ferrucci.

6. Consume whole foods, not supplements. Strong evidence suggests that people who have high blood levels of certain nutrients-selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E-age much better and have a slower rate of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, there’s no evidence that taking pills with these nutrients provides those antiaging benefits. “There are more than 200 different carotenoids and 200 different flavonoids in a single tomato,” points out Ferrucci, “and these chemicals can all have complex interactions that foster health beyond the single nutrients we know about like lycopene or vitamin C.” nutrients.

7. Be less neurotic. It may work for Woody Allen, who infuses his worries with a healthy dose of humor, but the rest of us neurotics may want to find a new way to deal with stress. Yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi, or just deep breathing for a few moments are all good.

8. Live like a Seventh Day Adventist. Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it’s important to cherish the body that’s on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise.

9. Be a creature of habit. Centenarians tend to live by strict routines, says Olshansky, eating the same kind of diet and doing the same kinds of activities their whole lives. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is another good habit to keep your body in the steady equilibrium that can be easily disrupted as you get on in years.

10. Stay connected. Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that’s particularly prevalent in elderly widows and widowers. Some psychologists even think that one of the biggest benefits elderly folks get from exercise the strong social interactions that come from walking with a buddy or taking a group exercise class. Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the added benefit of having someone watch their back.

Food And Health

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:31:15 +0000

About Health Food

food for health

There is a great deal of emphasis on eating a more balanced and healthy diet today. Because so many people are looking for ways to utilize food and diet in order to look and feel better, the development of a wide range of so-called health food diets have taken place. While there are plenty of diet plans to choose from, some of them may not be as healthy as others. Here are some examples of types of health food approaches that have helped many people make positive changes in their eating habits, and live a healthier life.

Many people assume that health food must be bland and tasteless. Nothing could be further from the truth. Essentially, health food is all about the inclusion of foods that offer less processing, less additives, and more natural nutrients. Organic vegetables are one example health food that packs a lot of flavor as well as plenty of vitamins and minerals. Grown using natural fertilizers, organic vegetables are great options for home prepared dishes. There are a number of health food stores that offer frozen as well as fresh organic vegetables, which can make it possible to eliminate extra salt from the diet and help cut the chances of developing high blood pressure.

Spices are another important aspect of health food. Because eating healthily means finding alternatives to frying many foods, spices can help to add plenty of taste to meats that are baked or broiled. Eclectic blends of spices can be sprinkled on skinless sections of chicken and baked for a tasty entrée. Spices can also add flavor and a great deal of nutrients to soups and stews, without the need to use elements that may not be quite as healthy.

Vegetable based substitutes for red meats are one type of health food that can be used when an individual needs to cut down cholesterol consumption but still maintain a reasonable level of protein. Tofu and soybeans form the basis for many of these types of foods. Tofu can be utilized to make all sorts of dishes, and can be particularly tasty when stir fried with vegetables and seasoned with a small amount of sauce. Soybeans form the basis for a number of products that can serve as the meat in soups and stews. Some blends of soybean product can be coupled with herbs and spices that are formed into patties and served as an entrée with some sort of simple garnish.

Health food is essentially foods that are relatively free of preservatives, contain a rich blend of the nutrients each person needs in the daily diet, and promote a healthier lifestyle that includes rejuvenation of the body and the mind. Selecting health foods for inclusion in the diet means sometimes reading labels and balancing the selection of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and meat substitutes so that meals are tasty, low in excess fat, and beneficial.

Here’s a great reminder of all the wonderful benefits of healthy eating:

Longer life - Research has proven those who at eat less saturated fats, processed foods, etc. live a longer and healthier life, and are less prone to illnesses and disease.

Happiness - There’s no doubt when you eat healthy foods you’ll suffer less from those terrible ups and downs that make us moody.

Vitality - Healthy eating along with exercise will give you tons of energy and make you feel “on top of the world.” Imagine bouncing around from one thing to the other without having to drink tons of coffee!

Great Skin - Everything we put into our bodies is reflected in our skin, hair, nails, teeth, etc. The way we age is partly due to genetics but it’s also due to our lifestyle choices. Healthy eating is our “miracle cure” for staying gorgeous.

Loose Weight - Have you ever seen an overweight person who eats healthy food and exercises? I mean TRULY eats healthy food… probably not. Unless you have a thyroid condition you’ll definitely loose weight and maintain it once you embark on healthy eating.

Health Facts

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:16:55 +0000

Health Facts And Global Warming

global warming effects

“If you look at climate change over the long term, it will profoundly affect the pillars of public health: water,sanitation, air quality and sufficient food.”

Dr. David Heymann, Assistant Director-General for Health Security and Environment, World Health Organization

Science has shown that global warming will affect human health across the world. From diminished air quality and degradation of food and water supplies to increasing levels of allergens and catastrophic weather events, we will experience a number of worsening health threats during our lifetimes.

Fortunately, urgent action can help us avoid the worst of these impacts. First, Congress must address global warming through mandatory legislation that reduces global warming pollution on the order of 80 percent by 2050. In addition, the national and local public health system must protect communities by preparing for eight of the most pressing health hazards associated with climate change.

1. Extreme Storms Will Affect Health and Infrastructure

Science tells us that global warming has contributed to more hurricanes and intense storms in the North Atlantic during the last several decades. Increased storm wind speeds and more intense rainfall are projected as the climate warms. More severe storms and floods can lead to drownings, injuries, and outbreaks of infectious disease. Storms also damage basic infrastructure, with moisture leading to mold growth that can exacerbate allergies and respiratory illnesses.

2. Heat Waves Will Lead to Increased Death and Illness

The frequency and duration of heat waves in the United States is projected to increase substantially because of global warming. As temperatures increase, so do the number of deaths and illnesses occurring from heat exhaustion or heatstroke, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease. Extreme heat waves cause the most harm among elderly and young children. City dwellers are at particular risk because of elevated temperatures in cities, known as the “urban heat island effect.”

3. Air Pollution Will Contribute to More Smog and Respiratory Illness

More than 100 million Americans currently live in counties with ozone levels above national EPA standards. Rising temperatures will increase ozone smog in many areas, especially in cities. Increasing levels of ground-level ozone are associated with increased hospital admissions for people with respiratory diseases such as asthma and will worsen the health of people suffering from cardiac or pulmonary disease.

4. Pollen Allergens Will Proliferate

Higher temperatures and increased levels of carbon dioxide may cause allergenic pollen season to start earlier, last longer, and be more intense. For example, higher levels of carbon dioxide can cause ragweed to produce 60 percent more pollen than normal. With increases in airborne pollen, those who suffer from seasonal allergies are likely to experience worse symptoms, including hayfever and asthma.

5. Mosquito- and Tick-Borne Infectious Diseases Will Spread More Widely

Climate change will affect the patterns of diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus, dengue fever, and Lyme disease. Warming temperatures and increasing amounts of rainfall have been associated with increases in the occurrence and transmission of insect-borne diseases, and higher temperatures lead to more rapid development of dangerous pathogens within insect carriers. Warming temperatures allow these diseases to expand their range into new, once cooler, regions.

6. Drinking Water Will Become Increasingly Contaminated

Outbreaks of water-borne diarrheal diseases caused by parasites, like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, have been associated with heavy rainfall events, which are likely to become more frequent due to global warming. For example, recent cholera outbreaks in Bangladesh have been brought on by heavy rains. The impact of global warming on the safety of water supplies will be most severe in developing countries, where water treatment is less available.

7. Water and Food Supplies Will Be Threatened

Global warming is expected to worsen floods and droughts, threatening the availability of water for drinking and irrigation. Droughts diminish food variety, nutritional content, and availability-all of which can contribute to malnutrition, infectious diseases, and starvation. Warming ocean temperatures bring shifts in the geographic range of fish populations and can severely impact local food supplies. One analysis predicts that by the year 2060, there will be an additional 40 to 300 million people at risk of malnutrition from human-caused climate change. And global warming’s higher temperatures can increase the risk of food-borne illnesses.

8. There Will Be Large Numbers of Environmental Refugees

Sea-level rise will leave some areas uninhabitable, forcing people to flee their homes in coastal regions. The United Nations estimates that in the next 10 years there will be up to 50 million “environmental refugees”-people forced to migrate from their homes by a range of climate change-related environmental disasters like floods, droughts, and desertification. Health among these refugees will be threatened by associated increases in urban crowding, lack of water, and transmission of infectious diseases.

Protecting Ourselves from the Worst Impacts of Global Warming

The range of potential threats to health and life posed by global warming has never been clearer. We must also prepare the public health system to respond to the range of anticipated health threats that will accompany global warming.

Healthy Family

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:12:53 +0000

Simple Steps to Healthy Family

family health care

With the rising concern of obesity in children and adults today, it is very important for parents to take time to stop and evaluate the lifestyle habits in which they live. Many people may have no idea that they are living an unhealthy lifestyle until they take the time to stop and assess what activities they carry out and what food they eat consistently every day. It is of high importance to recognise that the lifestyle habits that children undertake are those that are lead by their parents. The environment in which the family lives will determine the habits of each child and individual within the family. For example is play encouraged after school or are the kids inside watching TV, is an afternoon snack a piece of fruit or a packet of chips. These are some of the questions a parent needs to ask themselves in regards to is my family healthy and active.
If children are raised with healthy options they will lead a healthier lifestyle.

The habits in which a child develops is something that they are going to have for life. For instance do you butter your bread? Why? Is it something you just did when growing up, did your parents butter your bread and now you are doing the same? Interesting! So this is just a very small example of a habit but does this kind of unconscious unhealthy habit need to be past down to your kids? Did you know butter on 2 slices of bread a day is equal to 25,000 calories per year. If this is not introduced into your child’s daily diet, how will they know any different. But what would I use as a spread? Try avocado or low fat cottage cheese.

Like the saying - like mother like daughter, like father like son. Changing your child’s habits are not as hard as it seems, children will eat the same meals that you eat, so start making your food choices healthier. Educate your children on healthy food choices at home and they will eventually know what are healthy foods and what are not.
Here are 5 Simple Steps towards a healthy family, to assist your family in leading a healthy lifestyle.

1. LIMIT TELEVISION
Limit the TV time to less than 2 hours per day. Also incorporate a TV free day where you can allocate 1 day per week where the TV does not get turned on.
A remote control free household. Yes… even getting up to change the channels will burn more calories than sitting down.
2. WHERE TO EAT
Avoid eating food in front of the TV, when reading or on the computer.
Have specific dinning areas to eat meals away from the TV or any distractions. For example the only place food can be eaten in the house, is on the kitchen bench or dining area.

3. SMALLER PORTIONS

Use smaller plates at home when serving up food, most people serve up food the size of the plate.

If children want seconds let them wait a few minutes then ask them again.

4. GET ACTIVE
Instead of directing your child “You need to go for a walk”, suggest to them “Why don’t we go for a walk together?” This will increase their motivation and provide a bonding time between parent and child.

Make one day a week an active family day such as Sunday. Let each family member take turns to choose what activity they would like to do eg. soccer at the park, hire a tennis court, riding bikes, swimming at the beach.
5. EAT BREAKFAST
Make it a standard rule no one in the family can walk out the door without having breakfast.

There isn’t enough time to eat. Grab a muesli bar, bottle of water and a piece of fruit to eat on the way to school.
Remember it is the environment in which you live which will determine the lifestyle your child will live. What changes will you implement to assist your family in living a healthy lifestyle?

Health Definition

admin — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:08:53 +0000

About HEALTH

health online

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. There are many avenues to achieve this state and they all work interdependently.

Health is metabolic efficiency. Sickness is metabolic inefficiency. Each of us is a unique combination of health and sickness. And each of us has a unique combination of abilities and disabilities, both emotional and physical.

Health is achieved through a combination of physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

Aspects of health

Physical health

Physical fitness refers to good body health, and is the result of regular exercise, proper diet and nutrition, and proper rest for physical recovery.

A strong indicator of the health of localized population is their height or weight, which generally increases with improved nutrition and health care. This is also influenced by the standard of living and quality of life. Genetics also plays a major role in people’s height.

Most people, when asked for a definition of health talk about physical health. Physical health relates to anything concerning our bodies as physical entities. Physical health has been the basis for active living campaigns and the many nutrition drives that have swept the industrialized world.

Mental health

Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. However, despite official definitions, the term mental health, and the question of whether or not an individual is ‘mentally well’, remains a subjective assessment.

Most people also agree that mental health includes the ability to enjoy life, the ability to bounce back from adversity, the ability to achieve balance (moderation), the ability to be flexible and adapt, the ability to feel safe and secure, and self-actualization (making the best of what you have).

Determinants of health

There are four general determinants of health including human biology, environment, lifestyle, and healthcare services. Thus, health is maintained and improved not only through the advancement and application of health science, but also through the efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices of the individual and society.

WHO says that the following factors probably have a bigger impact on our health than access and use of health care services: where we live, the state of our environment, genetics, our income, education level, relationship with friends and family.

WHO says the main determinants to health are: our economy and society (”The social and economic environment”), where we live, what is physically around us (”The physical environment”), what we are and what we do (”The person’s individual characteristics and behaviors”)

Learning more about your health, raising awareness of your own condition and living a balanced life are all important keys to sustaining good health.

Health Care Center

admin — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:04:50 +0000

About Health Care

health care management

Health care refers to the treatment and management of illness, and the preservation of health through services offered by the medical, dental, pharmaceutical, clinical laboratory sciences (in vitro diagnostics), nursing, and allied health professions. Health care embraces all the goods and services designed to promote health, including “preventive, curative and palliative interventions, whether directed to individuals or to populations”.

Before the term health care became popular, English-speakers referred to medicine or to the health sector and spoke of the treatment and prevention of illness and disease.

A health care provider is an organization that provides facilities and health care personnel to deliver proper health care in a systematic way to any individual in need of health care services. A health care provider could be a government, the health care industry, a health care equipment company, an institution such as a hospital or medical laboratory. Health care professionals may include physicians, dentists, support staff, nurses, therapists, psychologists, pharmacists, chiropractors, and optometrists.

Emergency medicine is a speciality of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries that require immediate medical attention. While not usually providing long-term or continuing care, emergency medicine physicians diagnose a wide array of pathology and undertake acute interventions to stabilize the patient. These professionals practice in hospital emergency departments, in the prehospital setting via emergency medical service and other locations where initial medical treatment of illness takes place. Just as clinicians operate by immediacy rules under large emergency systems, emergency practioniers aim to diagnose emergent conditions and stabilize the patient for definitive care.

Chronic care management encompasses the oversight and education activities conducted by professionals to help patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus, multiple sclerosis and sleep apnea learn to understand their condition and live successfully with it. This term is equivalent to disease management (health) for chronic conditions. The work involves motivating patients to persist in necessary therapies and interventions and helping them to achieve an ongoing, reasonable quality of life.

Patient safety is a new healthcare discipline that emphasizes the reporting, analysis, and prevention of medical error that often lead to adverse healthcare events. The frequency and magnitude of avoidable adverse patient events was not well known until the 1990s, when multiple countries reported staggering numbers of patients harmed and killed by medical errors. Recognizing that healthcare errors impact 1 in every 10 patients around the world, the World Health Organization calls patient safety an endemic concern. Indeed, patient safety has emerged as a distinct healthcare discipline supported by an immature yet developing scientific framework. There is a significant transdisciplinary body of theoretical and research literature that informs the science of patient safety. The resulting patient safety knowledge continually informs improvement efforts such as: applying lessons learned from business and industry, adopting innovative technologies, educating providers and consumers, enhancing error reporting systems, and developing new economic incentives. This patient safety page provides an evidence-based and peer-reviewed forum to learn about contemporary error and adverse event knowledge.

Types of health care providers

This is just one way of organizing the many types of health care providers.

PRIMARY CARE

A primary care provider (PCP) is a person you may see first for checkups and health problems. If you have a health care plan, find out what type of practitioner can serve as your PCP.

The term “generalist” often refers to medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) who specialize in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics.
OB/GYNs are doctors who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, including women’s health care, wellness, and prenatal care. Many women use an OB/GYN as their primary care provider.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are nurses with graduate training. They can serve as a primary care provider in family medicine (FNP), pediatrics (PNP), adult care (ANP), or geriatrics (GNP). Others are trained to address women’s health care (common concerns and routine screenings) and family planning. In some states NPs can prescribe medications.
A physician assistant (PA) can provide a wide range of services in collaboration with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Osteopathy (DO).

NURSING CARE

Registered nurses (RNs) have graduated from a nursing program, have passed a state board examination, and are licensed by the state.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are state-licensed caregivers who have been trained to care for the sick.
Advanced practice nurses have education and experience beyond the basic training and licensing required of all RNs. This includes nurse practitioners (NPs) and the following:
- Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) have training in a field such as cardiac, psychiatric, or community health.
- Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) have training in women’s health care needs, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and care of a woman who has given birth.
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) have training in the field of anesthesia. Anesthesia is the process of putting a patient into a painless sleep, and keeping the patient’s body working, so surgeries or special tests can be done.

DRUG THERAPY

Licensed pharmacists have graduate training from a college of pharmacy.

Your pharmacist prepares and processes drug prescriptions that were written by your primary or specialty care provider. Pharmacists provide information to patients about medications, while also consulting with health care providers about dosages, interactions, and side effects of medicines.

Your pharmacist may also follow your progress to check the safe and effective use of your medication.

Balanced Diet

admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:01:18 +0000

Balanced DIET

a balanced diet

Diet is a sum of the food consumed by an organism or group and a deliberate selection of food to control body weight or nutrient intake. Dietary habits are the habitual decisions an individual or culture makes when choosing what foods to eat. Although humans are omnivores, each culture holds some food preferences and some food taboos. Individual dietary choices may be more or less healthy. Proper nutrition requires the proper ingestion and equally important, the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and fuel in the form of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

A particular diet may be chosen to seek weight gain, weight loss, sports training, cardio-vascular health, avoidance of cancers, food allergies and for other reasons. Changing a subject’s dietary intake, or “going on a diet”, can change the energy balance and increase or decrease the amount of fat stored by the body. Some foods are specifically recommended, or even altered, for conformity to the requirements of a particular diet. These diets are often recommended in conjunction with exercise.

A well-balanced diet includes food from the five main food groups. These are:

bread, cereal (including breakfast cereals) and potatoes (starchy foods),
fruit (including fresh fruit juice) and vegetables,
meat and fish,
milk and dairy foods, and
fat and sugar.

Most people should be eating three main meals a day. Most people need to eat more starchy foods and more fruit and vegetables, as well as reduce their fat intake, drink less alcohol and eat less salt. Look for labels that say food is low in fat (particularly saturated fat), low in salt and sugar-free.

Fruit and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals, low in calories and high in fibre. Eating lots of fruit and vegetables keeps the heart and body healthy. They are also an ideal alternative to eating crisps and chocolate as snacks between meals.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) makes the following 5 recommendations with respect to both populations and individuals:

Achieve an energy balance and a healthy weight
Limit energy intake from total fats and shift fat consumption away from saturated fats to unsaturated fats and towards the elimination of trans-fatty acids
Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts
Limit the intake of simple sugars
Limit salt / sodium consumption from all sources and ensure that salt is iodized

Other recommendations include:

Sufficient essential amino acids (”complete protein”) to provide cellular replenishment and transport proteins. All essential amino acids are present in animals. A select few plants (such as soy and hemp) give all the essential acids. A combination of other plants may also provide all essential amino acids (except rice and beans which have limitations).
Essential micronutrients such as vitamins and certain minerals.
Avoiding directly poisonous (e.g. heavy metals) and carcinogenic (e.g. benzene) substances;
Avoiding foods contaminated by human pathogens (e.g. E. coli, tapeworm eggs).

A good diet is important for good health. A healthy and varied diet can help to maintain a healthy body weight, enhance general wellbeing and reduce the risk of a number of diseases including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis.

A healthy diet is a diet based on breads, potatoes, and other cereals and is rich in fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet will include moderate amounts of milk and dairy products, meat, fish or meat/milk alternatives, and limited amounts of foods containing fat or sugar.

No single food can provide all the essential nutrients that the body needs. Therefore, it is important to consume a wide variety of foods to provide adequate intakes of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, which are important for health.

To Lose Weight Fast

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:56:51 +0000

Love Snacking and Still Lose Weight

to lose weight fast

If you love your food but you want to lose weight then it is likely that the thought of a diet will put you into a state of depression. Having to give up something that you love can be extremely difficult and many people simply cannot do it. That is why most diets tend to fail within the first few months. However, a diet does not necessarily have to mean that you give up the foods that you love altogether.

How You Can Still Eat the Foods You Love AND Lose Weight
Whilst many diets do restrict the things which you can eat, there are some eating plans that allow you to eat what you like and still lose weight. But how can this be? Surely the things that you love are the things that are helping you to pile on the pounds?
The trouble with the foods that you love is not that they are bad for you completely; it is that they are bad for you in excess quantities. So if you want to continue to eat the foods that you love and lose weight, you need to learn to eat them in moderation.

It is true that all foods can be eaten if you eat the right amount. Smaller portions alone will lead to a decrease in the amount of calories that you consume. Therefore if you cut down on the foods that you love then you will automatically start to lose weight. You don’t even have to cut down dramatically. In fact, it would be better for your weight loss motivation if you were to cut down on the foods that you love gradually.
For example, if you love chocolate and you tend to have a bar a day, try and cut down at first to one every couple of days. Or if you have a really large bar, why not eat half instead of the full bar? Simple changes like these can really make all of the difference and they can help to keep you motivated at the same time.

The Importance of Cutting down Gradually
The main problem that many dieters make is that they try and cut down on the foods that they love too quickly. When you are used to having something all of the time and then you suddenly just cut it out, it can cause you to crave it afterwards. When you cut something out of the diet you automatically start to want it, but by having it in moderation you should find that you no longer crave the food as you will still be eating it.
So try not to be too dramatic when cutting down your portion sizes. Do it slowly and that way you will keep your motivation. Losing weight does not always have to involve eating lettuce leaves and avoiding the foods that you love. The key is to eat them in moderation - that way you will lose weight and still be satisfied at the same time.

Dental Health

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:50:58 +0000

Taking Care of Your Dental Health

dental health care

It’s important to take care of your mouth and teeth starting in childhood. If you don’t, you could have problems with your teeth and gums - like cavities or even tooth loss.

Here’s how to keep your mouth and teeth healthy:

Brush your teeth every day with a fluoride toothpaste
Floss your teeth every day
Snack smart - limit sugary snacks
Get enough calcium
Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
See your dentist regularly

Some diseases and conditions can make dental disease and tooth loss more likely. But most of us have a good deal of control over whether we keep our teeth into old age. The most important thing you can do is to brush and floss your teeth each day.

Most mouth woes are caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria, bits of food and other organic matter that forms on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque make acids that cause cavities. Plaque also leads to periodontal (gum) disease. This can become a serious infection. It can damage bone and destroy the tissues around your teeth.

The best defense is to remove plaque before it has a chance to build up and cause problems. Brushing removes plaque from the large surfaces of the teeth and from just under the gums. Flossing removes plaque from between your teeth. You also can use other tools to keep your mouth and teeth clean.

Brushing Tips

Most of us learned to brush our teeth when we were children. We have stuck with the same brushing technique into adulthood. Unfortunately, many of us learned how to brush the wrong way. And even if we learned the right way, we might not always stick to it. Brushing correctly is tricky. You want to remove plaque without brushing too hard and damaging your gums.

There are different ways to brush correctly. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you the method that might be best for you.

The modified Bass technique (below) is among the most popular for adults. Parents should supervise their children’s brushing until age 9 or 10. Here are a few general pointers about brushing.

Brush at least twice a day - One of those times should be just before you go to bed. When you sleep, your mouth gets drier. This makes it easier for acids from bacteria to attack your teeth. Also try to brush in the morning, either before or after breakfast. After breakfast is better. That way, bits of food are removed. But if you eat in your car or at work, or skip breakfast, brush first thing in the morning. This will get rid of the plaque that built up overnight.

Brush no more than three times a day - Brushing after lunch will give you a good midday cleaning. But brushing too often can damage your gums.

Brush lightly - Brushing too hard can damage your gums. It can cause them to recede (move away from the teeth). Plaque attaches to teeth like jam sticks to a spoon. It can’t be totally removed by rinsing, but a light brushing will do the trick. Once plaque has hardened into calculus (tartar), brushing can’t remove it. If you think you might brush too hard, hold your toothbrush the same way you hold a pen. This encourages a lighter stroke.

Brush for at least two minutes - Set a timer if you have to, but don’t skimp on brushing time. Two minutes is the minimum time you need to clean all of your teeth. Many people brush for the length of a song on the radio. That acts as a good reminder to brush each tooth thoroughly.

Have a standard routine for brushing - Try to brush your teeth in the same order every day. This can help you cover every area of your mouth. If you do this routinely, it will become second nature. For example, you can brush the outer sides of your teeth from left to right across the top, then move to the inside and brush right to left. Repeat the pattern for your lower teeth.

Always use a toothbrush with soft or extra-soft bristles - The harder the brush, the greater the risk of harming your gums.

Change your toothbrush regularly - Throw away your old toothbrush after three months or when the bristles start to flare, whichever comes first. If your bristles flare much sooner than every three months, you may be brushing too hard. Try easing up.

Choose a brush that has a seal of approval by the American Dental Association - The type of brush you use isn’t nearly as important as brushing the right way and doing it twice a day. Any approved brush will be a good tool, but you have to know how to use it.

Electric is fine, but not always necessary - Electric or power-assisted toothbrushes are a fine alternative to manual brushes. They are especially useful for people who don’t always use proper brushing techniques. They also are a good choice for people with physical limitations that make brushing difficult. Use a powered toothbrush for at least two minutes, and don’t press too hard.

Health Plans

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:45:49 +0000

Compare Health Plan

free health insurance

One reason insurance issues can get so confounding is that the market is constantly changing and the coverage plans offered by insurers are hard to categorize. In other words, the lines between HMOs, PPOs, POSs and other types of coverage are blurry at best. Still, understanding what makes various plan types tick can be helpful in evaluating your options.

The first thing you need to know is what type of health plan is best for you. There are four distinct choices, though the lines between them have started to blur.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs).

In a very general sense, HMOs offer predictable cost-sharing and administrative simplicity for patients, along with fairly restrictive rules on which providers patients may see. Participants are entitled to doctor visits, preventive care, and medical treatment from providers who are in the HMO’s network. In addition to the monthly premium (which may be shared by the employer and employee), participants usually need to pay a small fee at the time of service, called a copay (often in the range of $10 to $20), and the HMO covers 100 percent of the services provided. Most HMOs use capitation arrangements to reimburse physicians.
HMOs typically require patients to select a “primary care physician” (PCP) who can refer patients to specialists, also within the HMO’s network. HMOs often won’t pay for medical care that wasn’t referred by the primary care physician (some exceptions include emergency services or preventive gynecological exams). They may also require prior authorization for elective care or referrals.

HMOs With Point-of-Service (POS) Options.

A POS plan is similar to an HMO in that you can see physicians within a network and pay only a small co-payment. But you can also see physicians that aren’t in the network and pay a percentage of the charge, after you’ve met your deductible, as you would with a PPO plan.

There may be restrictions on the services you can receive outside the network with a POS plan. For example, prescription drugs, organ transplants, treatment for infertility, and mental health services may not be included.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs).

PPOs are generally less flexible than traditional health insurance plans but more flexible than HMOs. You can see any health care provider you want to (including a specialist), but your co-payment will be higher if the physician you choose is not a “preferred provider”, that is, a physician that the health plan has a contract with.

PPOs will almost always require that you get their approval before entering a hospital. But they are more likely to cover checkups and other preventive medical services than traditional health insurance plans, and most preferred providers will file your claims for you.

Traditional Insurance

Traditional health insurance is generally the most flexible type of health plan. It allows you to choose any doctor you want to and see specialists without getting approval from a “primary care physician” or “gatekeeper” first. However, depending on the plan, certain restrictions may apply. For example, you may need to get the insurance company’s approval before checking into a hospital, unless it is an emergency.

With traditional health insurance, you will usually have to spend a certain amount on medical bills each year before your insurance starts to pay. This is called a deductible. After that, you will have to pay a percentage of each charge, called a co-payment. The insurance company will pay the rest of the charge based on what it considers reasonable. Many insurance plans protect you from large medical expenses by limiting your total expenses in any given year, called your out-of-pocket expenses. There may also be a cap on total benefits–a maximum amount the insurance company will pay in your lifetime.

Traditional health insurance is generally more expensive than other types of health plans and may require you to do more paperwork to file claims.