Diabetes And Weight Loss by Kirsten Hawkins

Did you know that you can be 'just a little bit diabetic'? The condition is technically called 'pre-diabetes', and it is characterized by persistent high blood sugar levels. Pre-diabetes is a serious condition, though its symptoms may be so subtle that you don't notice them affecting your life. More importantly, it's an indicator that there is something seriously wrong with your body. Left untreated, over 50% of those diagnosed with pre-diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes within ten years.

If your doctor has told you that you are one of the more than 16 million Americans who has pre-diabetes, the American Diabetes Association has some very good news for you. In March 2005, the ADA released the results of the multi-year Diabetes Prevention Project. In a study that followed thousands of patients across the nation who had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, the Diabetes Prevention Project found that patients who lost a 'moderate' amount of weight reduced their risk of developing full-blown diabetes by over 58%. Even more encouraging, many of those patients had managed to reverse their condition, and their blood sugar levels were well within normal ranges.

This was a result that the researchers had not expected. Diabetes (and pre-diabetes) is the result of changes to cells in the pancreas that reduce the amount of insulin that they can produce. Doctors have always believed that those changes are irreversible. Now however, the research seems to suggest that losing weight with a healthy balance of exercise and diet can actually heal those early damages caused by diabetes.

Here's the even better news. Those results were achieved by people who lost 'moderate' amounts of weight - from 5-7% of their total body mass. In other words, if you weigh 200 pounds and have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, losing just 10-15 pounds can more than halve the risk of developing full-blown diabetes, and may reverse your condition entirely.

Here are some healthy weight loss tips from the American Diabetes Association:

1. Keep your diet balanced. Eat a variety of foods in all food groups, with an emphasis on grains, starches and fresh vegetables and fruit.

2. Learn to eyeball portions. Portion control is far more important than restricting what foods you eat. A 'portion' of raw vegetables may be considerably larger than a portion of the same vegetables cooked. There are some handy reference guides on their web site at http://www.diabetes.org

3. Add one half hour daily of moderate exercise to your daily routine five days a week. This one single lifestyle change seemed to be the key to both weight loss and the beneficial effects derived from it. It was the single significant difference between the two groups in the study.

The results of the Diabetes Prevention Project only confirm what has been the best advice in dieting circles for years - losing weight with a balanced diet and exercise is the healthiest way there is. For more information on the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association, visit their web site at Diabetes Organization
About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN.Visit: Popular Diets for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on popular diets.

Childhood Obesity by Kirsten Hawkins

Along with the increase of obesity in adult, childhood obesity is on the rise. Around 15.5 percent of adolescents in the United States, aged 12 to 19 are obese. Even more alarming, about 15.3 percent of children ages 6 to 11 are obese. These children are developing Type II Diabetes and high blood pressure at an early age. They are placing themselves at increased risk for heart disease and other obesity-related diseases. Their weight also makes them the target of bullies and children who insult and taunt them about their weight. This can ruin their self-esteem and put them at risk for depression.

TodayÕs children make up the digital generation. TheyÕve been surrounded by computers their entire life and are not as physically active as children of past generations were. Instead of going outside and playing, they tend to hang out indoors, watching TV and playing computer and video games. Along with lack of physical activity comes the convenience of fast food. There are fast food restaurants virtually around every corner, and they have easy access to snack foods full of saturated fats and sugars. In addition, obese parents are more likely to have obese children. The reason for this is two-fold. First, obese parents probably pass down their poor habits to their children. Second, genetics plays a role in obesity.

ItÕs important for parents to be role models to their children and emphasize the importance of physical activity and healthy eating. Parents can create healthy environments for their children by doing regular physical activities, such as biking, swimming, or walking together. They should encourage their children to participate in sports, dance, martial arts, and etcetera. This allows children to develop an appreciation of physical activity and enjoy exercising.

When it comes to eating, parents need to implement diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains. They can make eating enjoyable and healthy by preparing food together and eating together as a family. Fast-food should be limited and reserved for special occasions. Way too often, we reward ourselves for a job well done with food. Look for other ways to reward your children for doing a great job, such as a special shopping trip or a day with just mom or dad.

About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN.Visit: Popular Diets for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on popular diets.

Employers Fail To Address ‘Metabolic Syndrome’ Despite Big Hits To Bottom Line

Envision Health & Wellness helps employers fight Metabolic Syndrome in the workplace with two new products, Health Manager™ and Health-Coach.™

Most employers remain unaware of a costly health condition known as “Metabolic Syndrome” that affects nearly 50 million Americans. The effects of Metabolic Syndrome on a company can be far reaching and the costs can be staggering, whether calculated as health care costs, productivity, presenteeism, and/or absenteeism. Little has been done to combat this condition in the workplace, even though Metabolic Syndrome is 100% preventable for most individuals through diet and exercise.

Metabolic Syndrome is characterized by having three out of a group of five risk factors: obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, elevated triglycerides and insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Any one of these can lead to serious and costly health problems, but new evidence shows that having multiple risk factors can dramatically increase an employee’s chances of developing even more serious conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.

“This is a complex issue that requires a personalized approach for each individual affected,” says Envision Health & Wellness CEO Terence Knealing. “Fortunately, the tools needed to prevent most instances of Metabolic Syndrome are the cornerstone of our preventive health programs.”

“We start with the Health Manager™, our personal health risk assessment, to identify who’s at risk and what their risk factors are,” says Knealing. “Armed with this information, we tailor health coaching programs to educate at-risk employees and help them make small lifestyle changes that have big effects on their health.”

Individual health coaching sessions are supported by Health-Coach.com™, a highly interactive, online health portal where employees can track their nutrition and exercise programs, receive valuable motivational tips and newsletters, learn about other health topics and—most importantly—communicate with their personal health coach, who monitors their progress every step of the way.

“As comprehensive as this may seem, we don’t let companies founder there,” says Knealing. “We keep employees engaged and maximize their successes (and company cost savings) by rigorous follow-through.

“We work with companies to develop onsite programs, screenings, and incentive programs to suit both culture and budget,” continues Knealing. “Best of all, employees will enjoy better health.”

Envision Health & Wellness is a preventive health management and consulting company specializing in corporate health and productivity management programs. Envision Health & Wellness partners with companies to develop and provide integrated on site and online comprehensive preventive health programs, creating a healthier and more productive work force.

Help Children with Cancer Patients This Holiday

The Luke Neuhedel Foundation provides several ways to help children fighting cancer this holiday season. LNF's Third Annual Adopt-a-Child with Cancer for the Holidays Program begins November 1. Children also benefit when anyone shops online at their favorite store through iGive.com.

The Luke Neuhedel Foundation kicks off its Third Annual Adopt-a-Child with Cancer for the Holidays Program on November 1st at www.lukefund.org. The Luke Neuhedel Foundation posts the lists of children, their wishes, and the wishes of their siblings and parents, on their website at www.lukefund.org.

Anyone can donate a holiday present to one child or grant the wishes of a child fighting cancer and their entire family. With pediatric cancer the number one killer of children (yes, more than AIDS, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and congenital anomalies combined) it's a reality that 35% of current pediatric cancer patients are celebrating their final holiday. This fact, combined with the extreme costs of caring for a terminally ill child, can make the holidays a very difficult time for many families. LNF's Holiday Program connects the patients with generous "elves."

In the first year of LNF's Holiday program, 10 children and their families were showered with holiday gifts. Approximately 40 "elves" made the dreams of these 100 patients, their brothers, sisters, and parents come true. In 2004 LNF "adopted" 25 patients (approximately 150 persons). The wishes of these children came true thanks to an outpouring from school children, offices, scout troops, and individuals who donated presents, gift cards, and money. For Holiday 2005 the Luke Neuhedel Foundation hopes to includes at least 35 families in this program, but needs your help to make it happen.

To grant the wish of a terminally ill child, log on to www.lukefund.org after November 1. Children are listed, along with their wishes, their siblings' wishes, and the needs of their families. Directions on how to participate are included. No web access? Call 516-882-9183 and LNF volunteers will connect you with a child. While the children always wish for that special toy, mom and dad wish for the basics, such as phone cards or gift cards for gas or groceries. There is no minimum -- even $5.00 will add to a child's joy. There is no maximum -- elves can adopt the whole family.

But LNF's Holiday Program is not the only way you can be part of helping a child with cancer during the "shopping season." It's easy to raise funds for LNF when you shop online at your favorite store through www.iGive.com. Log on to www.iGive.com and see the hundreds of stores listed. Register as a participate and choose "Luke Neuhedel Foundation" as your charity of choice. Then shop! As long as you log on to the store's website through iGive.com, the store will donate a percentage of your total sale to LNF. It costs you nothing except a minute of your time to sign up. Plus, from now through the end of the year, every new registration at iGive.com with Luke Neuhedel Foundation as the designated charity will raise $5.00 for LNF. There -- you've just donated $5.00 and made a difference to children fighting cancer.

A third way to help LNF is to visit LNF's shop at http://www.cafepress.com/noodlesoup4soul. LNF logo t-shirts and inspirational items are available, and all proceeds are donated to the Luke Neuhedel Foundation.

Finally, LNF accepts donations at any time by mail to: Luke Neuhedel Foundation, PO Box 137, Massapequa Park NY 11762, or online at www.lukefund.org. LNF also needs donations of phone cards and gift cards to help the hundreds of children in LNF programs. These can be mailed to LNF at PO Box 137, Massapequa Park NY 11762.

The Luke Neuhedel Foundation is a 501c3 charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with cancer through grants, programs, and family fun events. Established in memory of Luke Neuhedel, who died of hepatoblastoma at age 3 in 2002, LNF provides aid and donations to thousands of pediatric cancer patients in the United States. LNF was founded by Luke's family after Luke's struggle introduced them to the life of children fighting cancer. Once they became aware of the terrifying rollercoaster ride, and Luke's journey concluded, Luke's parents could not forget the remarkable children and families they had met over Luke's 32 month fight. LNF was born.

Luke's family recruits friends and sometimes strangers to volunteer to help with programs and events. In fact, everyone who works with LNF, including Luke's family, is a volunteer. No funds are expended on salaries or benefits --- all funds raised go to the kids in the form of financial aid or events.

The Luke Neuhedel Foundation can be contacted at 516-882-9183, or PO Box 137, Massapequa Park NY 11762. LNF is eligible for matching gifts donations. While located in New York, LNF provides assistance to children across the United States.

Treat Your Pet's Health Problems At Home?

Is it really possible to save money and safely treat your pet at home? Resources would say that there are many pet owners who are saving hundreds of dollars being able to treat their pet themselves in the comfort of their own home.

October 19, 2005 -- For most pet owners probably the least favorite thing they have to do with their pet is visit the vet.

Many pet owners are looking for a way to not only save money on visits to the veterinarian, but save their pet from vet visit anxiety.

Rising costs of vet visits have become one of the primary reasons many people do not even own a pet. When it costs more to take your pet to the doctor than your own child,something is really wrong!

There is great news for all pet lovers and owners who would like to know how to effectively be able to treat their pet at home for various health problems that will alleviate the high cost of a visit to the vet.

There is a delightful book called, "Veterinary Secrets Revealed" that is not available anywhere but online.

The author, Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM ( a real certified veterinarian) has spent a lifetime studying and collecting natural treatments that can be safely performed at home. His at-home pet remedies are a result of his very own real-world experience.

Are you frustrated with the high cost of Vet visits like so many other pet owners?

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM enjoys sharing with others his natural treatments that you can safely perform at home. His at-home remedies are credible information based on his real-world experience.

The development of his putting together this information came out of a need he saw for people with pets to be able to treat their own pets at home. Someone just needed to show them how. Dr Jones loves animals and people and he has shown many people exactly how to treat their suffering pet at home.

On Dr. Jones's site he shares his very own personal story about how he developed over 1000 home remedies for pets. He has included everything from pet aches and pains to pet bladder infections and liver problems.

Dr. Jones also has many answers to those ongoing, difficult to treat problems, such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, allergies, and aggression. There are natural at home remedies for common medical problems, such as kidney failure, bladder infections, incontinence, cancer, diabetes, cushings disease, hyperthyroidism, and even senility.

This book includes easy to access information about each medical and behavioral problem. You get simple, straightforward and easy to understand solutions that you can use to help your pet. It is totally amazing.

To find out more information about Dr. Andrew Jones and his pet health cures, please visit this site: Click Here

Herbal Remedies for Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Muscular Ache, Joint Pains

by Ayurvedic Cure
February 23, 2005

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. According to Ayurveda arthritis is primarily a vata (air) disease which is due to accumulation of toxins in the joints and is known as amavata.This can be caused by poor digestion and a weakened colon, resulting in the accumulation of undigested food and the buildup of waste matter. Poor digestion allows toxins to accumulate in the body, and problems with the colon allow the toxins to reach the joints.

Symptoms :

Fever

Immense pain & stiffness in affected muscles in case of chronic muscular rheumatism.

Pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by any movement or activity, such as walking, getting up from a chair, writing, typing, holding an object, throwing a ball, turning a key.

Excruciating pain and stiffness in the joints in case of chronic articular rheumatism.

Home Remedies

The following are a few simple cures that might just help relieve you from the pain of arthritis. Try any of them to see what works for you.

Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water taken twice a day is good for curing arthritis.

Two teaspoons of juice from fresh leaves of bathua, drink every day on an empty stomach for 2-3 months.

Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis.

Taking alfalfa tea twice a day makes a good cure.

Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey dissolved in a small glass of warm water taken once or twice a day brings relief.

Rub the aching joints with hot vinegar to get some relief from pain.

Two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful liniment to bathe afflicted joints.

Add one tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before sleeping.

One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Take for 2 months.

Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. Eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water.

Exercise the afflicted joints in a tub full of hot water.

Drink carrot juice, cucumber juice, eat cooked vegetables and/or vegetable soups, and drink coconut water for a healthy body & massage your joints daily to cure arthritis.

On an empty stomach eat 2-3 walnuts or some coconut.

Avoid mental tensions that lead to stress.

Lose weight, if necessary, to get close to your ideal weight. If you weigh less, there is less weight on your joints and less pain.

Effetive and Proven Results For - Arthcare Oil (Anti Inflammatory and Muscle Relaxant Herbal Massage Oil) :

Arthcare Oil is the best natural solution for your problem, manufactured under the guidance of renowned MD Ayurveda Specialist doctor. Arthcare is an anti-arthritic herbal oil which not only gives a sure relief in rheumatic arthritis but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles. It is a powerful antioxidant and increases the energy level. Arthcare penetrates the body tissue faster than any other ointment because of its strong anti-inflammatory action. It removes stiffness and improves mobility of limbs. It brings relief from backaches, muscular strains, rheumatic pains, joint pains etc. Body massage with Arthcare oil, relaxes an asthmatic person. Arthcare is scientifically proven Ayurvedic formulation containing the herbal combination of well known traditional herbs described above. Within few minutes of application you will feel relaxed from pain. For Best Results Take 2 Arthcare Capsules twice a day and massage the affected area with Arthcare Oil 2-3 times a day.


For more information please read at http://www.ayurvediccure.com/arthcareoil.htm .

For more information on Arthritis , please read at http://www.ayurvediccure.com/arthrtiis.htm

Herbal Remedies:

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. The following have been used traditionally to treat rheumatoid arthritis:


Shallaki also known as boswellia (Boswellia serrata), comes from a tree that yields gum when its bark is peeled away. In clinical trials, promising results were observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic colitis, Crohn's disease. Researchers found that standardized Boswellia extract significantly reduced swelling and pain and usually reduced morning stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/shallaki.htm


Ashvagandha (Withania somniferum) is an Asian plant of the potato family. Its roots have long been used to treat "rheumatism," high blood pressure, immune dysfunctions, erection problems and also to ease inflammation. Because of all this, it's sometimes called the "Indian ginseng." http://www.ayurvediccure.com/ashwagandha.htm


Ginger (Zingiber officinale) may be among the best-studied of the four. Research suggests ginger root inhibits production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are involved in pain and inflammation. In an uncontrolled 1992 Danish study, 56 patients who had either RA, OA or muscular discomfort took powdered ginger. All of those with musculoskeletal pain and three-fourths of those with OA or RA reported varying degrees of pain relief and no side effects, even among those who took the ginger for more than two years. http://www.ayurvedivccure.com/products.htm


Herbal oils are applied to the arthritis to loosen stiff joints, restore mobility, remove pain, inflammation or swelling, nourish tissues and relieve pain. The experienced hands dipped in the pleasantly warmed oil will travel all over the body with pressure. Arthcare not only increases blood circulation but also gives a sure relief for rheumatic arthritis, spondylosis, paralysis, muscular disorder, slipped disc, asthma and tuberculosis. Brings in relief from stress, strain and tensions. It is also very good for tonning of one's muscles and nerves. Get instant relief within minutes of application of oil. For more information please read at This Site.

Advice:

Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate): Magnesium has both anti-inflammatory and anti- arthritic properties and it can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is one of the most important of the essential minerals in the body, and it is commonly deficient in the American diet. A New England remedy for arthritis is a hot bath of Epsom salts. The heat of the bath can increase circulation and reduce the swelling of arthritis.

Dosage and Directions: Fill a bathtub with water as hot as you can stand. Add 2 cups of Epsom salts. Bathe for thirty minutes, adding hot water as necessary to keep the temperature warm. Do this daily as often as you'd like.
--

M/s Morpheme Remedies (P) Ltd.

AyurvedicCure.com, the portal on ayurveda is a complete Health Guide featuring natural remedies to all your health-related ailments. The portal has exclusive sections devoted to ayurveda, massage, herbs, herbal dietary supplements, home remedies, online consultation, online shop for herbal products and a lot more.

P.S. For Joint Pain I have had good success with a product called: Phosoplex

New Trends in Home Gym Interior Design Encourage Health and Fitness

Murals Your Way sparks new interest in home gym interior design by offering motivational home décor products designed to promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

October 25, 2005 -- Once upon a time, the term "home gym" meant a treadmill taking up valuable space in your bedroom. But times have changed, and more and more homes now boast state-of-the-art home gyms that include a variety of exercise equipment you might expect to find at your local fitness center. While people are investing in the latest exercise machines, such as elliptical trainers and weight lifting systems, they're also devoting more thought into the interior design of their fitness space. After all, it's easier to motivate yourself to head to your home gym if it's nicely decorated, well lit and attractive.

Here are some tips for putting together a home gym that will give you a good workout and that you'll actually use:

* Choose an appropriate spot in your house for the fitness room. Do you have a spare bedroom, or a guest room that doesn't get much use? If that's not an option, how about claiming a section of the family room, den or office? And, there's always the basement. If that's your only choice, there are home decor options that can make it more inviting.

* Buy the best exercise equipment you can afford. If the equipment malfunctions frequently or just doesn't give you a good workout, you'll get frustrated and stop using it. Buy quality equipment as you can afford it. It's better to build up your home gym slowly, rather than buying a bunch of cheap equipment all at once.

* Make your workout room inviting. Paint it using colors you love, display trophies, and add photos and other artwork. Wall murals are a great way to decorate a home gym. Murals Your Way a Minnesota-based company offers a wide range of wall murals that are easy to install and that add a whole new dimension to a room. "Murals can add a feeling of depth and space to small, dark rooms like basements," says Todd Imholte, president of Murals Your Way.

The right mural can also be a motivational tool. For example, you can choose an ocean scene for the wall facing your treadmill and envision yourself running along the beach with the breeze blowing through your hair instead of huffing and puffing on a treadmill indoors. An outdoors wall mural lets you imagine you're mountain biking down a forest trail instead of pedaling a stationary bike in the basement.

A home gym can make it easier to fit a daily workout into your busy schedule. By making your workout area attractive, you'll be much more likely to actually use it.

About Murals Your Way
Murals Your Way, a division of Environmental Graphics, is the largest manufacturer of murals in the world and offers thousands of licensed images, including art and photographs, as well as custom murals to completely transform any room. For information contact Murals Your Way toll free at 1-888-295-9764 or visit: Murals Your Way .

Why is the health of African-Americans still declining? by Vernita Davis-Knight

Did you know approximately 12 percent (34.7 million) of the U.S. population is African American (3). Compared with white Americans, they are less likely to have private or employment-based health insurance, more likely to be covered by Medicaid or other publicly funded insurance, and twice as likely to be uninsured, even though eight of 10 are in working families.

A disproportionate percentage of African Americans are employed in jobs that do not provide health insurance. Many African Americans, especially those who are poor and those working without health care benefits, are less likely than white Americans to have a usual source of health care (2).

Health Disparities The health disparity for African Americans compared to white Americans have not changed over the last 40 years, although overall reductions in excess death rates occurred for all ages and gender groups. Medicaid and Medicare have contributed to better health care and health status for many African Americans, yet the overall gap in mortality has not changed dramatically, and the infant mortality rate has worsened (1).

Why is this?

The state of healthcare for African Americans is getting worse and not better. The access to healthcare and quality healthcare for the race is becoming an epidemic and needs the attention of the politicians, leaders, and physicians.

Health Care costs The cost of treating the uninsured and underinsured has also risen. The uninsured come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

On the provider side of the coin, hospitals and healthcare systems have tried to provide access to health care for the population and have reported substantial operating losses and uncompensated care balances that effect the profitability of the organization. The strategic planning and the marketing of insured patients to offset the loss of the African Americans have been positively initiated in health care organizations around the nation.

Health Status The disease epidemics for African Americans are also at an all time high. For example, obesity, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease are interrelated risk factors for African American women (4).

Other interconnections to poorer health and lower life expectancy in African Americans are lifestyle habits such as smoking, diet, lack of physical exercise; life stress; occupational conditions; and individual and systemic barriers to preventive health care. The ability to educate the African American community regarding these epidemics, access to healthcare, preventative care, and lifestyle changes will help to raise the health status of our culture.

By Vernita Davis-Knight, MS

1. Satcher, D., Fryer, G. E., McCann, J., Troutman, A., Woolf, S. H., & Rust, G. (2005). What if we were equal? A comparison of the black-white mortality gap in 1960 and 2000. Health Affairs, 24, 459- 464.

2. Smedley, B. D., Stith, A.Y., & Nelson, A. R. (Eds.), Committee on Understanding and Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. (2003). Unequal treatment: Confronting racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1999). Mental health: A report oj the surgeon general. Rockville, MD: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, Center for Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute. (2003, January). In Cancer in women of color (K. Glanz, Ed., Monograph). Bethesda, MD: Author.

About the Author
BlackHealthE Magazine.com is focused on the enhancement and promotion of health and spiritual well-being among the African American community.

Low Quality Food Causes Cancer? Revealed: Shocking Facts About Our Food

Indepth report with shocking information about food quality. Dramatically decrease of nutritional value signaled.

(PRWEB) October 25, 2005 -- In 2001, we reported on a vitamin drain in America's vegetables (Vegetables Without Vitamins, Life Extension, March 2001). What we found in our unofficial report is now official. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition has published new findings from University of Texas researchers showing diminished levels of six nutrients in vegetables and fruits.

According to the new report, levels of calcium, riboflavin, vitamin C, iron, potassium, and protein in vegetables and fruits have significantly declined since 1950. This finding holds up even after making numerous statistical adjustments to account for the losses. The report covers only a few common nutrients; potential declines in lesser-known nutrients like lycopene and zeaxanthin are unknown.

When asked about the apparent drain, commercial plant breeders refuse to comment, but clues have emerged as to why today's vegetables are not what they should be. It has to do with the way commercial growers do business.

From Food to Commodity

Tomatoes that resemble tennis balls, peppers that taste like small rocks, and big, red, flavorless strawberries are all a result of selective breeding for pith and water (pith is defined as the fibrous part of fruits and vegetables, such as the - netting around orange sections that is usually discarded). Desirable traits for commercial growers who want produce to ship well, look good, and weigh a lot, but undesirable traits for consumers who buy produce as a source of nutrition. Plant jockeys call it the dilution effect — more water and pith, less vitamin content.

The transformation of vegetables from food to commodity is well illustrated by the one people love to hate: broccoli. Broccoli is a terrific source of calcium, especially for people who don't drink milk. But the most prized commercial version of broccoli is a heavy, calcium/magnesium-deficient hybrid called Marathon. In research conducted by the US Department of Agriculture, Marathon is consistently about a third lower in calcium and magnesium than are other hybrids. And the hybrids themselves are about 50% lower in calcium than the broccoli listed in the 1998 USDA nutrient database. It has been reported that the calcium and magnesium content in commercially grown broccoli sold in grocery stores can vary twofold.

Prematurely Picked Produce

The dilution effect is not the only thing causing problems in nutrient content. Most commercial fruit, including tomatoes, is picked green. Green fruit doesn't have a chance to sun-ripen; it's artificially ripened with ethylene, a natural plant hormone. Ethylene is what causes tomatoes to turn pinkish. Produce deprived of sunlight doesn't have a chance to develop sunlight-related nutrients such as anthocyanins — the flavonoids that make cherries red and grapes purple.3-5 Anthocyanins are plant sunscreens. When humans ingest them, they provide protection against DNA damage, brain cell deterioration, cancer, and more.

Other plant vitamins can also be affected by premature picking. Researchers in Spain conducted an in-depth investigation of cherries ripening and found 14 different stages, during which the fruit turned from green to red.9 They concluded that for maximum nutrition, cherries should be picked at stage 12, way beyond the stage at which they're harvested green by commercial growers. To illustrate how important the ripening process is, if cherries are picked at stage 8, their vitamin C content is half the amount it is if they're picked at stage 14.9 Similarly, researchers at Oregon State University who studied blackberries discovered that green ones contain 74 mg of anthocyanins, compared to 317 mg in ripe ones (per 100 grams fresh weight).3 The same phenomenon occurs in other fruits as well.

Polyphenols likewise have no chance to fully develop when produce is picked green, which is why green-picked produce is so tasteless. Besides having health benefits, polyphenols give produce its flavor.10 Tomatoes deprived of UVB sunlight can be drained of carotenoids and possess little antioxidant activity.11 It's suspected that the lack of folate in grocery store tomatoes is due to their being picked green.

Other Factors Drain Nutrients

Big, green, hybrid, inbred, watery produce is not the whole story, however. There's more. Changing climates, commercial fertilizers, and changes in soil composition have also been identified as reasons for the vitamin drain in commercial produce. Increasing carbon dioxide levels are known to significantly diminish important trace minerals, including zinc.

Synthetic fertilizer is another potential source of vitamin depletion. The vitamin C content of two types of organically grown oranges was higher than that of the same oranges grown with synthetic fertilizer. It's now possible to distinguish an organic orange from a conventionally grown orange by looking at factors related to fertilizer (though the difference is not great).14 Organically grown fruits and vegetables have been reported to have significantly more antioxidants, polyphenols, and enzymes than commercial produce.15-19 According to one report, organic fruits themselves have better antioxidant defenses.

The commercial solution to disappearing vitamins is to manipulate vegetables and fruits genetically, inserting foreign genes to force them to produce more nutrients.20 Tomatoes, for example, have been forced to produce folate through this method. Such biofortification causes the tomatoes to produce compounds never before seen in plants.12 And they end up without PABA, a B-complex coenzyme that makes up part of folate. The solution for that is to douse the plants in PABA to make up for the loss - and on it goes.

The Value of Supplements

For those who find the new, unregulated world of genetically manipulated, vitamin-less vegetables unpalatable - or find that they don't care to eat vegetables that have absorbed up to 45 times the amount of pesticides in the soil, including DDT (which was banned decades ago but is still with us)21 - high-quality, standardized supplements are one way of incorporating a standard amount of known nutrients in the diet.

Supplements are not a replacement for food, but they can give the less-than-stellar diet that extra edge. And they work. It has been estimated that a calcium supplement alone could keep more than 100,000 people out of the hospital and save $2.6 billion in medical expenses annually.22 Calcium is one of the disappearing minerals in vegetables.

If taken long enough, magnesium supplements could halve the number of colon and rectal cancer cases in women.23 And riboflavin, which has decreased 38% in commercial vegetables since 1950, could prevent a lot of cataracts.

The Chromium-Deficient Western Diet

Chromium is a trace mineral that is essential for optimal health. Food sources of chromium include brewer's yeast, whole grains, wheat germ, fruit, eggs, meat, and shellfish. Chromium deficiency is widespread in the United States due to mineral-depleted soils and over-reliance on refined and processed foods.

Chromium is an essential component of glucose tolerance factor, which enhances insulin function and is essential for proper carbohydrate metabolism and blood sugar regulation. Insufficient chromium intake is associated with signs and symptoms similar to those seen in people with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.26 Chromium helps to promote healthy glucose and lipid levels, even in healthy subjects, and may help promote fat loss and optimal body weight.26 Chromium supplementation improves serum glucose levels in both type I and type II diabetics.27 Dietary supplementation with chromium may help fill the void left by mineral-depleted soils and refined foods.

7 Ways To Cross Diabetes Awareness Month Off The Calendar

November is National Diabetes Awareness month and Fitness Consultant, Katrina McKenna offers 7 ways that everyone can do to become more aware and improve the statistics on this deadly disease.

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 25, 2005 —- November is National Diabetes Awareness month. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death (fifth leading cause of death by disease) in America. Diabetes affects over 18 million Americans, that’s 5.9%! Every day approximately 2,200 people are diagnosed with diabetes, with the statistics getting worse each year.

Local Fitness consultant, Katrina McKenna of MetamorFitness, believes we can reverse this trend through education and awareness. Katrina offers 7 things that we all can do to reverse the trend and eliminate the need for Diabetes Awareness Month.

1. Talk to your doctor, if you have diabetes or are at risk for diabetes you must find out as much as possible from your doctor as soon as possible.

2. If you have diabetes, learn how to manage your blood sugar. This is vitally important to reduce the risk of serious complications, such as heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations.

3. If you do not have diabetes, find out if you are at-risk. Find out how you can reduce your risk factors, to prevent or postpone a diagnosis.

4. Donate to the American Diabetes Association, directly or sponsor someone in the Diabetes Walk or the Tour de Cure. Find out more at http://www.diabetes.org

5. Maintain or obtain a healthy weight. If you have diabetes, losing weight will improve your blood sugar control, and if you are risk, it reduces your likelihood of becoming diabetic.

6. Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet will also help keep your blood sugar stable and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

7. Exercise regularly. Exercise is very important in controlling blood sugar and even preventing diabetes. Exercise is vital tool for a long, healthy life whether you have diabetes or not.

MetamorFitness is a high-end fitness consulting business specializing in training people with or at risk for diabetes and heart disease based Manhattan. MetamorFitness offers in home, phone, online training, and educational teleseminars about diabetes.

For more information contact Katrina McKenna at 646-772-7075 or visit the company’s website at http://www.metamorfitness.com. Find out about the next teleseminar at http://www.diabetesfitnessteleseminars.com.

Optimum Fitness for Middle Age - Part 3 by Paul M. Jerard Jr.

In the last section of this series, we will cover a little more nutrition advice and move back into low-impact exercise routines.

Let's start with choosing the right daily vitamin for you. Daily vitamin supplements are gender and age specific, so you want to pick one that fits your age and gender profile. For example: Men should not be taking a woman's daily vitamin and mineral supplement with iron. Too much iron can be toxic, have devastating effects, and even be fatal.

Some men do need iron supplements, but please consult with your family physician, and then he, or she, can give you an informed opinion. Children are also at risk from iron poisoning, as this is a very common cause of poisoning among children. Therefore, it is advisable to keep vitamin supplements out of a child's reach.

The next point to cover is the real need for supplementation, in the first place. Many people feel that eating correctly would counter the need for supplementation. Natural and whole foods are a top priority, for those on nutritionally dense diets, but it is doubtful that an individual would consume the exact proportions, during the course of a day. Who eats all the right foods, every day, with the exact vitamin and mineral profile, for their age and gender?

Absorption is another key issue with vitamins. Your vitamin should break down in your body. Otherwise, you are wasting your money. To test your current vitamin's solubility, you could put it in a glass of water, for an hour or two, to see how it breaks down. If it doesn't dissolve, what good is it?

Now, back to more low-impact exercising. Among the martial arts are Chinese internal styles that are low-impact, develop strength, improve balance, and enhance flexibility. Many of these styles have a close relationship with Chinese medicine. In some ways, you could consider Chinese internal martial arts to be the physical therapy of traditional Chinese medicine.

Don't be deceived into thinking that the internal martial arts are only good for your mental and physical well being. This is true, but they also have a bonus in that self-defense concepts will be learned. I often tell children, who study martial arts at our center, "A fly on the wall would know how to defend itself, if it stayed here long enough."

Tai Chi is the most popular of the Chinese internal martial arts. Postures are strung together in a low-impact sequence that becomes fluid and graceful. Many people suffering from a variety of ailments mention how much Tai Chi has improved their lives. It is definitely worth taking a class.

Water aerobics classes are a fantastic form of low-impact exercise. Every muscle in your body is worked in a typical class. The water gives you natural resistance for muscle tone and keeps you cool. The increase in heart rate is good for your cardiovascular system.

With each form of exercise I mentioned throughout this series - consult with your physician before starting. You will get some solid advice and avoid any unforeseen problems.


About the Author
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner/director of Yoga teacher training at Aura Wellness Center. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Nature and Nurture to Beat the Cold and Flu Season; Soak Away Cold and Flu Symptoms

H20 Aqua Therapy -- newest Clear My Head product. Taking care of yourself is the key to feeling better faster.

(PRWEB) October 25, 2005 -- When we were kids with the cold or flu, all we wanted was Mom to pat our head, rub Vick’s on our chest and hold us tight to make us feel better. Mom may no longer be around, but the new Clear My Head H2O Aqua Therapy may be the next best thing.

Lower yourself into a warm bath filled with H2O Aqua Therapy. Let the warm water hug your body and the custom blend of high quality ingredients -- Mediterranean Sea Salt, Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt and Epsom Salts -- open your sinuses while the essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, spearmint and bergamot not only soothe your senses but lift your spirits.

“I developed the product for cold and flu, those times when you’re not feeling good,” says Brenda Stansfield, President of Clear My Head Ltd. “H2O Aqua Therapy makes you quiet down and take time for yourself. The salts mixture helps to increases circulation, and brings potassium and magnesium into the body, speeding the detoxification process. It helps to detoxify the body and clear your head.”

But H2O Aqua Therapy isn’t just for the cold and flu season. Use it to relax after a stressful day or when you want to do something good for yourself.

“H2O Aqua Therapy combines the best of nature and nurture,” Stansfield says. “We’ve put together a mixture of high-quality natural ingredients in a product that encourages people to slow down. To be fully healthy, you have to nurture yourself – you have to relax. You have to take time for yourself. And H2O Aqua Therapy gives you a great excuse to do just that.”

For more than 12 years, Clear My Head products -- herbal inhalation jar and roll-on -- have gained almost cult-like status among customers as complimentary care for ailments by integrating holistic healing with traditional medicine. H2O Aqua Therapy is the company’s newest product.

“Clear My Head is a lifestyle,” Stansfield says. “It’s emerging. People are looking for holistic and traditional medicines. People need to get back to nature but do it intelligently. I walk in both worlds – complimentary medicine and traditional medicine.”

What sets H20 Aqua Therapy apart from other bath salts is the Hawaiian red clay salt, which also gives the product its natural red tint. H2O Aqua Therapy retails for $8 per tube (the equivalent of two baths).


About A Muse Sings, Inc. & Clear My Head Ltd.
Founded in 1992 and based in Dayton, Ohio, A Muse Sings, Inc has built a reputation of excellence in the promotion of natural healing through aromatherapy, massage and the use of natural oils. As a majority woman-owned company, A Muse Sings provides its unique brand of healing services to Dayton’s professional sports and performing arts organizations, as well as numerous corporate and private clients. A Muse Sings’ goal is to enrich the lives of each of its customers through the highest quality personal care and all natural products. With the success of Clear My Head products in 2004, Ms. Stansfield formed Clear My Head Ltd. to bring her products to the national audience. She continues to oversee each batch personally to insure the highest quality products on the market.

Nanotechnology Report “10 Ways Nanotech May Save Your Life” Is Now Available

Nanotechnology experts produce vital report.

SAN DIEGO, CA (PRWEB via PR Web Direct) October 26, 2005 – Nanotechnology.com, a leading “small tech” and nanotechnology website, released an important white paper for journalists, reviewers, interviewers and researchers in television, radio, internet and print medias, as well as investors and all nanotech -interested parties.

“10 Ways Nanotech May Save Your Life” is available for free download in the White Papers library at Nanotechnology.com.

Among other important health and medical issues, the report covers the inside stories on the amazing new medical diagnostic tests called "lab on a chip", why nanotechnology could make surface bacteria and infection a thing of the past and how nanotechnology is taking the fight against cancer to a whole new level.

Darrell Brookstein, of blognano.com, editor of the popular e-digest of “small technology” news, “The Best of the NanoWeek”, and the first book on successful nanotech investing, “Nanotech Fortunes”, said, “This is one of the most interesting and complete introductions to the very near-term future of healthcare that I have read. This short, information-packed article by Nathan Tinker sets the record straight, factually and without hype.”

For more information, visit www.nanotechnology.com or send a request via PRWeb’s secure email portal.

About the Nanotech Company:

The Nanotech Company, LLC is building the leading, independent, “small technology”-related investment firm that assists emerging “small tech” companies to achieve their corporate objectives by accessing its significant scientific, corporate development, and financial advisory resources. Managing Director, Darrell Brookstein, a 32 year financial executive, and Erkki Ruoslahti, M.D., Ph.D., a Distinguished Professor and bionanoscientist, have assembled an eminent team of award winning nanoscientists, professional services specialists, and corporate/financial development experts to enhance and accelerate the intelligent growth of private and public “small tech” companies.

The company publishes a free weekly e-digest of international nanotech and small technology news, The Best of the NanoWeek, for scientists, executives and nanotechnology investors, as well as “Nanotech Fortunes: Make Yours in the Boom; Winning Strategies” which was released in May 2005. For additional information, please visit http://www.nanotechnology.com

Contact:
Darrell Brookstein
The Nanotech Company, LLC
3525 Del Mar Heights Road #345
San Diego, CA 92130
858-794-0848




Whitepaper written by Nathan Tinker, PhD - Edited by Darrell Brookstein, Managing Director, The Nanotech Company, LLC

How To Prevent Bird Flu

A free report by prominent Australian health writer Andrew Cavanagh reveals three simple, natural, healthy and very effective methods of reducing your chance of catching the dreaded bird flu.

(PRWEB) October 25, 2005 -- With health authorities predicting a bird flu pandemic Cavanagh says this free report on how to prevent bird flu could save thousands, even millions of lives.

Cavanagh says over 15 years of research by leading advanced hygiene pioneer Dr Kenneth Seaton developed two major strategies that can help ordinary people avoid respiratory viruses like avian influenza, other ordinary strains of influenza and even the common cold.

Cavanagh explains that 95% of viruses like the bird flu enter our bodies from contact between our fingernails and the mucous membranes of our eyes and nose.

Cavanagh goes on to explain that your fingernails harbour viruses and all you have to do is get virus droplets on your hands then touch your face and the cycle of virus transmission is complete.

Cavanagh's three basic recommendations for avoiding the bird flu and other respiratory viruses are simple...

1. Don't touch your face with your hands. If you don't touch your face with your fingernails you should stop the virus entering your body through the mucous membranes of your eyes or nose.

2. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water every time you go to the toilet and any time you handle live birds, raw poulty or uncooked eggs.

3. Regulary perform warm facial dips to inactivate virus cells and wash them out of your nasal passageways.

Cavanagh says that washing your hands is more complex than it might seem on the surface.

You need to use the right kinds of soap and if you can't use soap there's only one alternative that's proven by the USA Centers Of Disease Control to be effective and it's NOT an antibacterial solution.

Also most people have never even heard of a facial dip, let alone performed one.

Cavanagh says these two key therapies to effective hygiene are easy to learn.

Step by step details are included in his free report How To Prevent Bird Flu – The Natural Healthy Way at : How to Prevent Bird Flu.

Optimum Fitness for Middle Age - Part 2 by Paul M. Jerard Jr.

With all exercise programs mentioned in this section, and part one, you should exercise smart, not hard, and you should never push any joint to lock out. By exercising for longevity you want to maintain your body, prevent injury, and take care of any previous injuries.

Pilates is a modern "cousin" to Yoga and has received much well deserved publicity, in the past decade. Many Pilates exercises are similar to Yoga practice. The founder, Joseph Pilates, was a practitioner of Yoga, martial arts, and other fitness systems. He was an innovator, inventing physical rehabilitation equipment during World War I, and a health maintenance system that honors his name.

Much like Yoga, movement is generally low impact, slow, safe, and thorough. Although Pilates is well known for toning the core muscles, it is a complete health maintenance system for the body. There is no meditation practice, in a traditional Pilates class, but focus on breath is a "corner stone" of Pilates practice.

Walking has so many benefits, for a simple low impact exercise, and yet it is often ignored. The average walker will live longer due to the fact they have less problems with stroke, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other life threatening conditions.

Like many other forms of exercise, walking is subject to many studies. It has been found that walking two miles per day contributes to longevity. In the January 8, 1998 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, there was an article about a Honolulu Heart Study with 8,000 male participants. This study took 12-years and it was found that walking two miles per day reduced the chance of death by nearly half. That study alone makes walking an exercise worth participating in, whether you choose to walk indoors or outside.

Cycling is a good, low impact, and aerobic workout. You can also build strength, in your legs, with a little intensity. Depending on the level of intensity you can burn 250-400 calories per hour or more. Just like walking, you can cycle indoors or outside, but there are safety guidelines to be aware of, for outdoor cycling. If you do bike outside, be cautious, observe the rules of the road, wear safety gear, and use bike trails when possible. Stay aware, at all times, when you are biking outdoors.

Dieting and nutrition are major factors in fitness. Your meals should be moderate in size, and spread out over the course of the day. You should make it a point to eat nutritionally dense meals, take a good vitamin / mineral supplement, and drink plenty of water every day.

Habits to avoid are eating too much takeout food, eating at restaurants, eating large portions, and unconscious eating. So, make it a point to carry fresh fruit, vegetables, and healthy snacks with you. This will stop you from impulse buying at the next drive-thru, and over consumption of food, at a single sitting.

In the next and last article of this series, we will discuss more nutritional tips and more low impact exercise options.

About the Author
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner/director of Yoga teacher training at Aura Wellness Center. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. Yoga Training

Welcome to the Middle Aged Diet by Paul M. Jerard Jr.

You are not a kid any more and becoming a senior is just around the corner. By now, you are monitoring, at least, one of the following: Blood pressure, blood sugar, or cholesterol levels. If not, you are using a prescription, or an herbal remedy, to deal with being borderline or worse.

Your doctor has told you to make some lifestyle adjustments, that don't fit. You don't like the diet options, don't want to be on a prescription, and don't have the time to stop working, to make healthy meals.

Remember when, we had time to park and eat at the local A&W drive-in. Now, everything is a drive-thru, and most of us have seen one drive-thru too many. Those days are gone, and if we want to live a quality life to the end, fast food is limited to salads. Fast food restaurants are not at fault for serving what is in demand. Fat, salt, and butter, are very popular ingredients to add, resulting in massive sales and consumption of food.

We can bring back the good old days by getting back to the basics. Our parents did consume fresh vegetables, fruit, hot cereal, cold cereal, and homemade soups. The biggest problem is our diets were compromised, for the convenience, and to save time. Our parents didn't eat out nearly as much as we do.

Let's say you have no choice, for lunch, and you must go out to eat. Your best option, instead of the local fast food restaurant, is the supermarket salad bar. Usually, there are a wide variety of prepared fruits and vegetables to choose from. This is also a great way to lower your eating expenses.

The local deli might seem like your next best option, but you should be eating grainy breads, if you order a sandwich. Lunchmeat is no longer a wise choice with nitrates and triglycerides, so vegetables, eggplant, or salmon are your best sandwich options. Turkey might be fine, if it is fresh and roasted by the deli. Tuna should only be consumed once a week due to the amount of mercury, within a serving. Some delis do have healthy specials, salads, and hot meals worth considering.

When eating at local restaurants, proceed with caution. With extra preparation there is more of a chance that salt, butter, and fat will be hidden in your food. If you feel you can trust the establishment, ask them about the item you want to order.

Lastly, read all your labels. Consume sodium, saturated fat, trans fats, and sugars with extreme caution. Make food at home, when possible, and drink plenty of water.


About the Author
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner/director of Yoga teacher training at Aura Wellness Center. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Yoga Training

Optimum Fitness for Middle Age - Part 1 by Paul M. Jerard Jr.

On any give day, one of us will walk by a mirror, observe a photograph, or see our reflection in the glass. Where did the time go, and why didn't we see it before? When you have true friends, they accept you for who you are. So, you can expect no criticism from them.

However, your family physician, photographs, and mirrors, won't make excuses for you. Some people label it, "middle age spread" or "battle of the bulge," but how do you regain control of this uphill battle?

You are concerned with body weight, body fat, blood sugar, blood pressure, and your cholesterol levels. Which of those readings should concern you the most? You know it's time to make a change. Should you join a health club?

What piece of exercise equipment could you fit into your house? Every time you see fitness equipment commercials, the models are the age of your children. The basic fitness rules for the average 25 year old do not apply to us. Your joints are worn from step aerobics, Tae Bo, and spinning classes. Now you are in search of a low impact alternative.

So, where do you start and what are your options? Actually, you have quite a few options. Some are popular, and others are less popular, but just as effective.

Yoga classes have a huge variety of low impact exercise routines. Some classes hold postures, and others flow through each posture by matching breath with movement. You can't go wrong, and you may be able to pick up an introductory, or free, introductory package. Most of all, try different types of Yoga classes to see what fits your needs.

Weight resistance training is still a great workout, for many reasons, and you don't have to sit down between sets, unless you want to. This enables you to keep your heart rate steady; you may want to use an exercise heart monitor, which gives you the chance to exercise at a challenging, but safe level, without worry.

I would suggest a personal trainer, if you have been out of circulation for a while. Make sure your personal trainer is knowledgeable and understanding. Also, be aware that some personal trainers specialize in body builders, some specialize in training women, and some have holistic knowledge. It is wise to shop around for the best personal trainer to suit your needs.

Elliptical trainers offer a stimulating, low impact, cross training, weight bearing, and aerobic workout. I don't own shares in any of the companies that manufacture these gems, but they are my personal favorite. You can find home gym models that retail for around the annual cost of a health club membership. However, be honest with yourself about making a commitment to use it. It's a shame when an elliptical trainer becomes a glorified clothes rack.

In the next article, we will discuss more exercise options and diet.

About the Author
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner/director of Yoga teacher training at Aura Wellness Center. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. Yoga Teacher Training

Diabetes, Recognizing the Signs, and Symptoms by Jay Stockman

Do you find yourself going to the bathroom more than usual? Are you unusually hungry or thirsty? Is fatigue a normal, everyday feeling? Does spontaneous, blurred vision interfere with you daily life? If this sounds like you, you may have Diabetes. Diabetes effects over sixteen million Americans, and many people are unaware they have it. Every day, 2,200 new cases of Diabetes are diagnosed in the United States. Diabetes is characterized by a high level of sugar in the blood, as a result of defective insulin secretion, or insulin resistance. Although we tend to group all people with Diabetes together, the truth is that there are two different types of Diabetes that are similar in their elevated blood sugar, but different in many other ways.

Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, and young adults. It is characterized by the Pancreas' inability to produce insulin. It is thought that this inability arises from an autoimmune condition. Basically the body is killing its own insulin producing cells. The symptoms of type 1 Diabetes are very obvious, frequent urination, increased thirst, and weight loss. The onset is usually abrupt, and severe. In addition, having type 1 Diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications, heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney damage. Treatment consists of intermediate or long-acting insulin (taken once or twice daily) with fast- or rapid-acting insulin injections taken at mealtimes.

Type 2 Diabetes often develops rather insidiously, showing few or no symptoms. The symptoms are similar to type 1, however they develop gradually over time. This may explain why it often goes undetected at first. The cells of the body being resistant to insulin characterize the most common form of diabetes, type 2. The Pancreas still produces insulin, however the body cannot use it efficiently. Type 2 usually develops in men or women over 40 years of age, characterized by obesity, and lack of physical activity. In particular, people who are an "apple-shape" - with lots of fat around the abdomen - are at greater risk of developing diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes runs in families, and is particularly common among people of African-Caribbean or Asian origin. Similarly, having type 2 Diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications, as type 1. Unlike type 1, type 2 Diabetes can usually be controlled with diet, exercise or medicines.

If you suspect you may have Diabetes, it is important to see your doctor, especially if you fall into any of the categories previously mentioned. Discovering you have Diabetes is frightening, don't panic, people with Diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. Eat right and exercise. It's a simple prescription that will keep you healthy, whether you have diabetes or not.


About the Author
Dr. Jay B Stockman O.D. is a contributing editor for Vision Update and a practicing Doctor of Optometry. He has extensive experience in Diabetes Management. Visit http://visionupdate.net/ for more information.