Good Stress Bad Stress

We cannot exist without stress. Stress is the body?s response to a perceived threatening situation. It is meant to protect us. Positive stress allows us to perform at higher levels and to face challenges in life. We have all heard of situations where individuals perform unimaginable feats of strength and courage to save the life of another person. That is positive stress. This type of stress provides us with the extra physical and emotional resources needed when our life or the life of someone we love is threatened. On a smaller scale, positive stress creates great athletes, allows us to ace a test, speak in front of an audience or obtain a job promotion. We can face and overcome all sorts of situations due to positive stress. Normally when the situation ends our stress levels return to normal.

However, negative or bad stress has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Research has shown that 90% of office visits to the doctor can be attributed to stress related symptoms. Most modern stress can be attributed to how we perceive a situation. Even though we may not be presented with an actual physical threat, our blood pressure rises, our heartbeat quickens and our breathing becomes more rapid. Chronic stress occurs when we are subjected to a host of perceived, constant, little threats. Some of these can be driving in heavy traffic, debt, problems in the workplace, problems at home and unrealistic expectations.

Chronic stress affects our organs and creates a magnitude of health problems. Some of the effects of chronic stress are heart attack, digestive problems, asthma or trouble breathing, ulcers, headaches, muscle tension and hair loss in women. Stress also affects the regulation of insulin levels which can lead to Type II Diabetes. Some of the symptoms of chronic stress are heart palpitations, shortness of breath, back or neck pain, insomnia, skin problems, fatigue, weight loss or gain and high blood pressure. An overload of stress basically upsets the balance in our bodies and weakens our immune system. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms of chronic stress and learn what to do about them.

Constance Weygandt is a speaker, author and balance mentor. For more information on health and fitness or to sign up for Constance's newsletter, visit her website at http://www.balancedwellnessonline.com

Treadmill Exercise 3 More Benefits of Treadmill Workouts

Chances are that you already know your treadmill can help you lose weight, stay fit, and protect you from the ravages of age related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

But here are 3 MORE benefits of treadmill exercise you might NOT know!

#1 Walking on A Treadmill Helps Alleviate Depression

A recent study at Duke University found that even as little as eight minutes on a treadmill can help to dramatically, although temporarily, reduce symptoms of depression.

While researchers already knew that longer, sustained regular exercise helps to alleviate depression over the long term, this study proves that even short, vigorous workouts can have a similar helpful effect.

#2) Having Trouble Sleeping?

While it?s always been thought that vigorous exercise during the day will help improve sleep, the actual evidence to prove it hasn?t necessarily been forthcoming - until now.

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine conducted a study that included 43 adult volunteers ages 50 to 76. All of them were sedentary and had reported moderate sleep complaints.

They were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group was asked to exercise 30 to 40 minutes, four times a week. The other group did not change from their non-active ways.

Those who exercised cut the time it normally took to fall asleep in half (while there was no change in the non-active group). The exercisers also rated their nighttime sleep as significantly improved.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also reports that people who performed regular aerobic exercise or brisk walking slept almost an hour longer than those who did not exercise.

#3) More Efficient Workouts for the Time Pressed

Surveys of fitness professionals by the American Council on Exercise show that one of the fitness trends for 2004 will be workouts that accommodate the time-starved exerciser by being more efficient in a shorter time period.

With their built-in workout programs, controllable inclines and even heart rate monitors, treadmills allow you to custom tailor your workout to your time frame.

How about setting your fat-burning program for 20 minutes in the morning? Or why not do 15 minutes of incline intervals to keep your metabolism elevated throughout the day?

One of the biggest barriers to exercising is the lack of time. By using the tools available with your machine, a treadmill you can pack major cardiovascular benefits into a smaller time frame.

Any way you look at it, a treadmill is a great investment in your health and well being. By using it consistently to work out, you?ll be reaping major health benefits! Enjoy!

Kathryn O'Neill is chief editor for Treadmill Reviews, a consumer oriented website focusing on the home treadmill market.

For more treadmill buying tips, brand reviews and best buys visit http://www.TreadmillReview.net

Discover How To Burn Fat With Reistance Training

You want to lose weight right? What have you been doing so far to get in shape? More than likely you have been doing all the aerobic exercise you can think of.

As a Fitness Expert I see it all the time. Every Monday the gym fills up with endless amounts of people on Treadmills, Ellipticals, Bikes and any other equipment that they can find. Most of these people want to lose weight, but what they don?t realise is that they are missing a serious form of exercise that will get them burning calories when there not even in the gym.

Think of it this way, every time you go to the gym how long do you spend in there? About an hour or less?! So what about the other 23 hours in the day. Aerobic exercise is great for burning calories when you are in the gym but it does very little for you when you?re not in the gym and as a consequence it may take you a longer period of time to lose the excess fat.

Resistance training is the key to revving up your metabolism so that you burn more calories whilst sitting at home.

So how does resistance training help you burn those extra calories? By toning up your muscles you increase the chances of burning extra calories. Muscle is an active tissue unlike fat and as we move throughout the day we use our muscles and thereby burn calories. The more muscle tissue you have the larger amount of calories you will burn

Hold on there though, I?m not saying you should stop your aerobic training. The most effective way to lose excess fat is to use a combination of aerobic and resistance training. For example you could do 2 days of resistance training and 3 days of aerobic training. In between your aerobic training days you could do weights. One weights day could be for your lower body and the other for your upper. This way you will have more focus rather than walking round the gym aimlessly.

What resistance training exercises should you be doing to get the best results? Compound exercises are the most beneficial to you; these are exercises that work your muscles over 2 joint movements. Examples are, Squats, lunges, chest press, pull ups, etc.

To burn those extra calories through the day, when you are not in the gym you need to start lifting those dumbbells and barbells. Tone your muscles and rev your metabolism to help burn that excess fat.

About The Author
Gavin Walsh is a Personal Trainer and Fat Loss Specialist based in London, UK. For more information on Londons only Personal Training service to guarantee results go to www.gavinwalsh.co.uk.

The Causes of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a problem that plagues many Americans, causing them pain and discomfort. Commonly referred to as GERD, acid reflux is the term used to describe gastroesophageal reflux disorder. An uncomfortable and often painful condition where a person’s stomach liquid backs up or “refluxes” into his esophagus, acid reflux is the cause for pain, agitation, and discomfort in many Americans.

Although many people recognize that they suffer from this chronic condition, some people don’t really take time to consider where the problem stems from. Perhaps you have already found an over-the-counter drug, a prescription medication, or even a natural remedy to ease your discomfort. The bottom line is that not everyone who suffers from this disorder is aware of the causes. One of the most common causes of acid reflux is abnormal levels of acid. It is important to know that everyone has reflux. It is common and normal. However, in patients with acid reflux, the reflux has a higher acidic content, making it painful and burning as it affects the lining of the esophagus.

Another cause for acid reflux is a weakening of LES pressure or lower esophageal sphincter pressure. This is especially common in pregnant women. Combine that with the fact that the growing baby is putting new pressure on the woman’s abdomen, and it is not difficult to see why acid reflux is so common in pregnancy.

In some cases, acid reflux is caused by esophageal contractions. These contractions can actually cause reflux to back up into the esophagus. This causes pain, discomfort, and irritation for patients. Although this isn’t something that can be magically cured, there are things your doctor can recommend to help you cope with the symptoms.

Another reason many people battle acid reflux is because of hiatal hernias. Hernias occur when the top part of your stomach juts through an opening in your diaphragm, lodging itself up into your chest. This can cause acid reflux in patients. Since the LES (the muscle connecting the esophagus with your stomach) usually keeps your stomach liquids from backing up into your esophagus, it is logical that the weakening of the LES caused by a hiatal hernia can contribute to acid reflux.

Another cause for acid reflux can be the speed at which your body empties your stomach. If this is not done at a normal rate, the result can be acid reflux. There have been a variety of tests and research compiled on this topic, with some interesting information revealed. Medications you are taking could actually contribute to your acid reflux.

Although there are various causes for acid reflux, the good news is that there are also various modes of treatment. You do not have to silently suffer with the uncomfortable, burning sensation that accompanies this chronic disorder. As in the case of any disorder, it is important to consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. After doing so, you might want to do a bit of exploring on your own to find natural remedies that can help you tame your acid reflux symptoms.

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Acid Reflux topics. For further information on Acid Reflux please visit http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/acidreflux.html or http://naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/blog/2006/08/11/the-causes-of-acid-reflux/

Staying Healthy in Spring

At the outset of Spring, 'Chi' (life-force or energy) has a springy quality to it - outside and inside of you.

The energies associated with the 'Wood' element are peaking, and from a 5 Element Theory point-of-view, your health will benefit if you employ some Chi Kung and Diet & Nutrition to help balance out the seasonal impacts on your Liver and Gallbladder. If you?re feeling particularly ?jittery? (which is common during this time of year), acupuncture, acupressure and Chinese medical herbs will provide relief.

How Are You Feeling?
You may find that during Spring you're more susceptible to illnesses or discomforts, like:

Fatigue. If your lifestyle choices over the past couple of months have not been ones that balance and tone the Liver, you may be feeling tired?especially if you've been experiencing a lot of volatility and stress in your life.

Digestive problems. During Spring, an increased intolerance to foods that include highly saturated fats is common.

Skin problems. Herpes outbreaks, skin problems, like eczema and psoriasis, and others can flare up during Spring.

Lung problems. Spring is hay fever season, so sinusitis, and related Lung conditions can be an entrenched problem by May.

Insomnia. Insomnia is a direct result of Liver imbalances in many people. If you started having insomnia, or if it's gotten worse, Oriental Medicine has methods for balancing Liver energy and mitigating the problem.

High Blood Pressure. Even high blood pressure can result from Liver imbalance. If you're experiencing unusually high blood pressure or if you experience chronic high blood pressure, Oriental Medicine is a low-impact way to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms while beginning the process toward a long-term solution.

Spring Health Tips
There are many things you can do on your own to help balance and tonify the Liver to relieve Spring-related discomforts.

Because the taste of sour is associated with the Liver, Spring is a good time to consider adding sour citrus to your diet. (Oranges are not suggested because they're predominantly sweet.)

Dandelion greens are a good way to detoxify and help soothe the Liver.

Chrysanthemum and chamomile teas serve as nerve tonics, and can help alleviate symptoms associated with an out-of-balance Liver.

Gentle stretching exercises stimulate the tendons, which are governed by the Liver. By stretching you relieve stresses that congest the Liver, thereby providing an internal massage that calms and stimulates healthy Liver function.

Avoid eating heavy oils; use sesame, or an organic olive oil instead. Stay away from greasy, fried foods. Remember that saturated fats, like butter and cheese, make the Liver work harder.

Moderate alcohol intake. And if you're having heat-related problems, like skin rashes and hives, stay away from alcohol all together.

Tonify and Detoxify
A tendency towards irritability and unwarranted anger are directly related to Liver imbalance. So if you tonify and balance the Liver, you should feel calmer and less frustrated. (Anger management techniques are always useful, but if you detoxify your Liver, you'll have to rely on them less.)

How do you know if your Liver is toxic? assume that it is! With the amount of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides all around us?in the air, water, food, and other products we use, you should assume your Liver is somewhat toxic, and start doing the simple things mentioned above to detoxify it.

Kitty Bradshaw is a licensed acupuncturist, with an advanced clinical degree in Oriental Medicine. Studying and working with Oriental Medicine since 1986, Kitty combines Traditional Oriental Medicine with Taoist healing methods to offer healing possibilities beyond the level of standard health care. Her deep understanding of Chinese medical herbs, combined with her intuitive abilities to diagnose and treat difficult problems, has helped many people regain and maintain their health.

For a FREE phone consultation to find out how Oriental Medicine can work for you, go to http://www.biom.net to contact Kitty and sign-up for BIOM's complimentary newsletter.

Understanding Acne and Its Devastating Results

There are many days that get started off with a frightful scream or heartbreaking dismay from both men and women. The source of this shock and disappointment is an inflamed greasy and oily clogged up skin pore.

Acne is an unwelcome blemish on anyone?s face; it can be quite painful too. If left untreated, acne can leave an unpleasant scar on the face, neck or back. Unlike the common pimple, acne can be inflamed and possibly turn out to be infected.

Hormones that go into overdrive during the teen years of a person cause acne, they produce an excess of oil deposits in the glands resulting to this skin blemish. While they are not particularly life threatening or are they extremely painful and disturbing they can leave permanent scars in the affected area.

Acne usually happens around the teenage years, from 13 to 19, and usually disappears there after. Different people have different levels or seriousness of acne infection. These will all depend on the amount of oils and dirt the face has. While some have minor infections that can be treated by simply washing the affected area, there are those that necessitate the consultation of a dermatologist or a skin expert.

Acne may not seem to be a serious matter for some, but it is an infection that can greatly affect many. There are people with acne who locks themselves up in their rooms waiting for the acne to disappear. It is a serious blemish that they cannot show to the world. Every year, ointments and acne medication has estimated sales of over a hundred million dollars. This just shows how many people are dead serious in eliminating acne.

Article written by Hector Milla, editor of http://www.acnetreatmentstips.com, a website pointing Proactive acne treatments, visit their directory for further resources about acne at http://www.acnetreatmentstips.com/directory/, thanks for publish this article in your website or ezine keeping a live link.

What Causes Women's Hair Loss? A Look at 7 Common Causes of Female Hair Loss

Let?s face it, hair loss for anyone can be a very distressing problem but women?s hair loss can be especially distressing?

Although the causes of women?s hair loss vary from person to person, by understanding the common causes of female hair loss, this can help you find the right potential treatment or solution.

1) Hereditary thinning, or androgenetic alopecia to give its medical name, is the most common cause of women?s hair loss. The tendency to develop female pattern hair loss can be inherited from either side of the family.

Generally this leads to thinning of the hair in women rather than baldness and can start in the teens, twenties or thirties.

Unfortunately, there are no cures for hereditary female hair loss. However, there are treatments which may help some people such as minoxidil, which is a lotion applied twice daily to your scalp.

An alternative solution which women with thinning hair may consider is female hair transplantation. This procedure involves moving hair from areas of your head with normal hair growth to thinning areas.

As with all surgical procedures, you should only undertake this after taking advice from a specialist.

2) Improper hair cosmetic use is another common cause of women?s hair loss. Treatments such as bleaches, tints, hair dyes, straighteners or perms rarely damage your hair if done properly. However, overuse can cause the hair to become weak or break.

If chemical treatments cause your hair to become brittle and leads to hair loss, then it is recommended you stop the treatments until the damaged hair has grown out.

3) Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss which can affect women of any age. This usually results in hair falling out and leaving round coin sized smooth patches on the head. In rare cases there may be a total loss of hair.

Although the cause of alopecia areata in women is not clear, in time the hair usually grows back by itself. Female hair loss caused by alopecia areata can also be successfully treated by dermatologists.

4) Thyroid disease can also lead to female hair loss. Where an under or over-active thyroid condition has been diagnosed, any associated hair loss can be usually be successfully treated by your physician.

5) Severe infection, flu or a high fever can be a cause of women?s hair loss. After a bout of illness, even as much as four weeks to three months afterwards, you may be taken aback by seeing a lot of hair falling out.

This is caused by your hair going into a resting phase to redirect energy at healing. Any hair loss usually corrects itself though.

6) Some medications can also lead to women's hair loss. For example, prescription drugs used for arthritis, blood thinning, depression, gout, heart problems or high blood pressure may cause hair loss. High doses of vitamin A have also been associated with female hair loss.

7) Inadequate protein in a women?s diet can be a cause of female hair loss. If you go on a crash diet or have extreme irregular dietary habits then you may develop protein malnutrition.

As with severe illness, the body will put hair into the resting phase to conserve protein. Significant hair loss can occur two to three months later and be easily pulled out by the roots.

Hair loss can be easily reversed by ensuring you eat the correct levels of protein in your diet.

In conclusion, we have looked at several common causes of women's hair loss and suggested some solutions for treating the problem. However, because there are so many different causes of female hair loss you should always consult your physician or dermatologist to correctly diagnose your problem and the best course of action to treat it.

Still looking for more information on women's hair loss? Discover the 7 other common causes of hair loss for free at: Women's Hair Loss Solutions

The Ultimate in Breast Augmentation Breast Implants & Breast Lift

Often times, our self esteem can be impacted by our outward appearance. Our physical characteristics can have a huge impact on our self confidence, our mental stability and our belief in our self worth. For many women, the size, shape and look of their breasts can either boost their self esteem or can drag it down lower and lower. That is one reason women are turning to breast augmentation surgery with breast implants. Over the years however, this procedure has gotten a bit more complicated. There are a number of different options and decisions to be made when considering breast augmentation such as what type of fill ? saline or silicone? Do you want a smooth or textured surface implant? What size and shape do you want? So whether it is a breast lift, enlargement or reconstruction, you need to consider all the questions above.

You can choose from a number of different breast implants including shape and fill. You options include saline, silicone ?yes they are still available and we will discuss this further, cohesive, soy bean oil, round, tear drop, high profile, low profile and moderate profile. Silicone implants were banned in 1992 but there are discussions taking place that it may be lifted in the near future. Silicone is actually still used today but only for patients in clinical trials who require reconstruction or revision surgery. Once you have decided on the fill, you need to decide the size of your breast augmentation. The best way to describe to your surgeon the size you are looking for is with a picture. They will then be able to guide you in the right direction based on their experience. This same rule applies with a breast lift. Bring in a photo or picture of the look you are after.

When determining the shape of your breast implants, you basically have two options, either round or anatomical or tear drop. It is important to find one that is as natural looking as possible. The last thing you want is for your breast augmentation to look unnatural and out of place. Round implants are actually placed under the muscle and are believed to be more natural looking than tear drop implants. Shaped implants tend to sit in one place which again can make them unnatural looking. A breast lift can also be accompanied by implants. So not only will your breasts sit higher, they can be made larger or more shaped using implants.

Amy-Jo Strutt is a successful writer and regular contributor to cosmetic-surgery-laser.com - An online resource to help you find the very best information on all forms of cosmetic surgery. http://www.cosmetic-surgery-laser.com/

Avoid Burnout Eat Healthily

Healthy recipes are not only pleasant but essential for success. The temptations to eat unwisely are there for us all whether we are in business or just enjoying company over a meal.

If you are sick and tired of having to work from the same few recipes it does not have be like that.

Success is not totally dependent on eating healthily but to maintain a good weight for height ratio and keep reasonably fit is surely something we owe to our loved ones, our businesses, clients, employees and ourselves.

Healthy eating, sound sleeping, relaxation and regular exercise must be worked at if we are to be happy with ourselves. It is vitally important how we relax, manage our time and vitally, sleep.

As the pressures of work or business building mount there is always a threat that self indulgence through food and drink may affect performance. To avoid this there are a number of fairly simple things we can do to ensure good health.

After a stressful day some alternative activity is always a good way of winding down and freeing the mind from the mass of conflicting thoughts which can affect our ability to relax. Some exercise coupled with a sensible healthy diet is extremely beneficial.

What we each choose to do is up to us. We need to find what works for us so that we can avoid being below par. If we lack exercise with a drop off in fitness level unwise eating can be disastrous.

In an active business life there is always the temptation to eat too well and it can become part of your way of life. Healthy recipes don't have to be difficult or take long to make.

What are the issues that can cause overeating? I have always had a great appetite and eaten well. At 6'- 4 with a large frame my weight has in the past touched 20 stone so I do speak from experience.

There have been times when under great pressure managing change and stemming losses in a number of businesses it has been very difficult to avoid self indulgence, living in hotels and working too long hours then eating alone and late are asking for trouble. Alcohol, drugs and careless eating are NOT the answer.

When carrying out overseas work where the hours can be long, eating late and not sleeping well combined with lack of exercise and insufficient relaxation can be very debilitating. I've had my share of that also.

Despite being fortunate in being able cope reasonably well I have been through acute periods where I honestly know that I have over indulged, it is a vicious cycle which is difficult to break and it does drain performance.

Good eating habits using healthy recipes, some exercise, relaxation and regular holidays are all essential if we are to avoid problems. So even if you are living a business life with a good portion of time in hotels it is essential to know what you should be eating and just like at home stick to healthy recipes.

Resource Box: Article by Michael Harrison, Author, Publisher and Business Consultant. Learn from an expert: Go to: http://tinyurl.com/kzxtm

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Easy Ways To Maintain Your Blood Glucose Levels

Stabilizing Your Blood Sugar
One of the best ways to help stabilize your Blood sugar is a simple process called portion control.

I myself have tendency to eat to fast. The problem with eating too fast is simple, you eat too much. I will elaborate, we all get an emotional high from eating and sometimes eat so fast causing us to over eat.

Slow Down
The next time you eat try this, chew your food and enjoy the taste. Make an effort, and try to slow down while eating. Most people are likely to overeat. There is just not time to let our stomachs get full.

Hold Off For That Second Helping
Another way to challenge yourself is this, instead of reaching for that second plate as soon as your first plate is gone, wait just 10 minutes. I will bet that by waiting it will be much easier to refuse that second helping.

Just think what 10 minutes could do for your overall health, blood sugar and weight.

Portions Size
If you can get through just a few days or a week of practicing the above mentioned tips you are on your way, now try adjusting your portions of food intake.

Instead of filling your plate up,try smaller portions. Don't be to drastic the first few days. Try reducing portion size a little bit each day. There is no need to measure or weigh your food, use your eye site. It's that simple! The best way to loose weight and keep your blood sugar down at the same time is by eating smaller portions. Give yourself time this will work. If you happen to overeat at one meal don't beat yourself up just focus more the next time you eat.

Eat Frequently
I have analyzed my eating patterns and discovered that when I wait to long to eat and find myself starving, this is the time that I will most likely overeat. The best way to not do this is simple eat more often, and eat smaller meals. If you plan on eating every 3 hours or so you will see how just an apple and a half sandwich will keep you full to the next meal. Waiting 4-6 hours between meals, you will eat more and your body will suffer for it.

It is much easier for your body breakdown smaller portions and process the sugar that to stuff yourself.

Remember being diabetic your body cannot process extra sugar like most people. So smaller meals= less sugar in your blood.

Dennis Driscoll lives in Northern Michigan and is the leading contributor of Free Diabetes Supplies Blog

Free Diabetes Supplies

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Relax With RC Car Fun

12 Power Points You Need to Know About

First what they are named and where they are.

1)Faith is located in the center of the brain in the Pineal gland.

2)Strength is between the Adrenal glands and the loins at the small of the back.

3)Judgment is in the pit of the stomach in the solar plexus near the pancreas gland.

4)Love is located in the heart-chest area back of the heart near the thymus gland.

5)Power is at the root of the tongue in the throat near the thyroid gland.

6)Imagination is between the eyes near the pituitary gland.

7)Understanding in the forehead in the front brain just above the eyes.

8)Will is also found in the forehead at the center of the front brain.

9)Order is located at a large nerve center just behind the navel in the abdominal region, once known as the lyden gland.

10)Zeal is in the base of the brain in the back of the neck at the medulla.

11)Elimination is in the organs of the lower back.

12)Life is in the generative organs.

The super intelligence that flows into all 12 powers is at the crown of the head known as the I am, the Christ mind, spirit, or some like to say connection point to universal knowledge. This is the divine current that carries healing energy to the point that you focus your attention on.

This is how you release the intelligent principle in various parts of the body. As you deliberately direct your attention and release the flow of energy, this calls into action the intelligent principle located in that area of the body and also stimulates energy throughout. Improved health is the natural result.

How These Mind Powers Work

These 12 mind powers deal with forces that function below and above the field of conscious thought. As you start to develop them they may begin working in unexpected ways.

Often they will first start to work in the subconscious phase of the mind, to cleanse, purify, and free your emotions and body of thoughts, feelings, memories, old grudges, hates, and fears that stand in the way for your healing.

The purification of the mind is the first step necessary to permanent healing. To know that this is working the superconscious level of your mind will bring flashes of inspiration and guidance or calm will fall over you as if a great weight had been lifted. This is how you will know that the subconscious and superconscious has been activated.

Faith, has nothing to do with religion. Faith is a mind power and you are using it all the time. It consistently affects your health, wealth and happiness, not just on the one day of your religion?s congregation?s visit but seven days a week every week. Anything you have faith in can become a result in your life.

Faith is in the mysterious pineal gland also known as the third eye, medical authorities believe that this gland regulates man?s susceptivity to light, and that it may have definite effect upon the sex nature, as well as being related to brain growth.

Faith work for or against you whatever you believe will come about, If you believe you are sick then so be it, believe you are healthy so be it. If you have trouble having faith, often you will have eyesight or hearing problems.

So try it weather you need help with a health problem or financial, relationships or business cast

your mind to it and affirm in your own words, I believe through the power of the universe my health good and strong. Replace the word health with whatever you need help with, and repeat often.

Strength Often you may have heard the saying he has backbone or put your back into it.

Strength is situated in the small of the back and in the adrenal glands area when faced with fear

or anger you release adrenalin that gives you power to fight or flee.

Backache is often caused by financial problems and emotional burdens you?re own or other peoples that you have taken on. If you have a back problem think about what emotional worries you have and see if these are the cause.

Good is also another name for strength and by saying each morning ?All is good in my life brings enormous energy flowing to you. Affirm that all is well with your finances or release your self from the burden you carry especially if it is not your own. Remember worrying about something does not fix it but can cause you ill health. If you have money problems say, ?Money flows freely to me? and have Faith this is so. If it is a burden of some kind say ?I release you, I am free?

Judgment Stomach troubles are associated with judgment, when you talk about others in a bad way as in gossip you may find you have tummy upset. Constant fault finding and condemnation of others often relayed by people with a martyr complex feel they have suffered injustice through circumstances, usually have stomach troubles. Also timid people who feel life is treating them unfairly suffer in the same way.

The stomach is known as the intuition as the saying ?I have a gut feeling about something? All emotional unbalance is felt in the solar plexus region: Fear, excitement and anger cause nausea a sinking, sickness feeling at the pit of the stomach quickly develops when we condem ourselves or others. This area is also the seat of memory so holding a grudge also causes problems. To be free you must forgive those who have harmed you and also forgive your self let go and let God. Do not judge others but except their difference of opinions and way of life, free your self.

Love has been described as the physican of the universe; as the medicine that heals all disease. Love can heal all ills because love is more than emotion or even a spiritual quality. Love is also a mind power, located in the area of the heart, which is the center of love in the body.

Any time a person violates the law of love through expressing hate, fear, resentment and other unhealthy emotions, it affects his heart, and often the lungs, chest and breast areas too. When a person has heart trouble or cancer of the lungs or breast, a deliberate release of mind power of love from within himself can clear his mind and body of this undesirable condition.

Love can also heal another person, if you have great love for someone you can heal them by telling them you love them an thinking of them you are able to will them well. On the other hand if a person feels unloved they too experience heart, chest and lung problems.

Power as the saying goes ?She gave them a tongue lashing? This is where you form words and they can be powerful, if you speak ill of someone you will likely get a sore throat, the throat controls all the vibratory energies of the body. Once you know this, it is easy to see the power that your words have to produce health or disease. It is also easy to see how your words react upon the power center in the throat, words of condemnation can produce a scratchy or sore throat, irritating words often cause an irritated cough.

Beware of what and how you speak as willfulness leads to confusion, confusion causes colds and other throat and chest problems. To avoid these illnesses speak kindly of people or watch your tongue: speak no evil and none will be spoken of you, also hear no evil as others speak to you, just raise your hand and say I do not wish to hear that. A good way to raise your health is to raise your voice in song any song you enjoy, singing and laughing is a great health boost.

Imagination The third eye, this powerful point of creativity. When you close your eyes and think of an image you see it with your third eye, you can conjure up anything you wish to see here in your own private movie house. It is said that what ever picture you hold here will come forth, as you will know you cannot just imagine something to be solid, what is ment by holding a dream into realization is what you see causes action, action is what materializes things into solid matter.

Therefore if you wish for something and see it in your mind and hold on to it you are stirring up enthusiasm and excitement this then drives you to action, to make the item of your desire come to you, once you have this desire in place your imagination bring you flashes of inspiration as to how to bring this item to you.

This also works within if you imagine a part of your body to be ill then you make it so, imagine health and so be it. The pituitary gland and the pineal gland are known as the twins as they work together. See it and have Faith in what you see will bring it to fruition. This also works when you think of someone they often will call in to see you or phone you.

The mind works in images what you think becomes a picture and is stored in memory as such. Those that believe in the Spirit world say that spirit communicates in pictures also some ancient cultures still today write in picture form. I would go as far as to say these twin power points are the most powerful that we possess.

Understanding including all forms of knowing described as knowledge, wisdom, awareness, and perception, is very close to the twins as above, situated in the front brain just above the eyes in the area of the conscious mind.

The front brain is considered to be one of the most important organs of intelligence in man. Theory has it that man has five physical senses and two metaphysical senses (mental telepathy) and (intuition) and these two metaphysical senses develop more and more as we unfold the power of understanding. Understanding comes natural to man; it expresses as intuitive knowing, which comes from the still small voice within often being expressed through perceiving.

With your understanding you become enlightened and so intuitive. Through the crown of your head comes the energy of the universe and first flows to the front brain understanding this you can then direct this energy to the area that needs it most also this wonderful energy raises your mental telepathy and intuition.

When some thing is not understood or refused to be it will come as a surprise to you that this problem will show in the feet and lower legs, your feet are very sensitive and are the base upon which we stand, there is a saying ?a gait of a man is the fate of a man?, meaning that one?s interior nature is often reflected in the healthy or unhealthy state of one?s feet. So if you are suffering from some form of problem with your feet, think about what it is you need to understand. Will can sometimes have a life of its own. Sitting just above understanding will is suppose to obey that which you understand and let intuition lead but at times it can be against you and cause upset.

You may need to make a quick decision and feel intuitive about the way to go but will steps in and confuses you and wins the day, later things go wrong and you say to yourself why was I so stubborn? Take charge of your will and it will serve you well. Or become its slave and ill health may follow. You have heard the term he willed himself to death or he willed himself well . Being willfulness makes tenseness and a tense mind ties knots in the nerves, muscles and tendons of the whole organism, willful people often complain of a feeling like having a tight band around the head, this in turn affects every organ in the body. When the will becomes fixed with a certain attitude it holds the whole body to ransom. Always listen to your intuition and make your will agree and you will have a happy wealthy and healthy life.

Order is once again found in the area of the solar plexus and is also an emotional power point you may think that order is an out side thing we do to put order in our everyday living. But order begins within every part of our bodies and mind needs to be in order so to work in harmony.

The out side world is where you rush about trying to change other people and make them moer orderly this process usually leads only to more disorder. The lack of order first exists within you. If you can get your own thoughts and feelings orderly, then the people, situations and even the universe about you will respond in a more orderly way.

When you realize you can call upon calm within yourself, it takes away the tension, friction, or need to push and force your good on others. As you practice this more and more you will see harmony work quietly within every department of yourself and also steadily around you on the outside world.

Zeal Have you ever tried to get someone to think the same way as you and got a stiff neck for your trouble? Or tried to convince another to do what you want and ended up with a headache at the back of your neck? If so you misused your mind power of Zeal this power is located at the base of the brain the medulla oblongata as Doctors would say it, and it was letting you know it!

People that have developed zeal have a special energy and power that makes them different from the masses; they seem to have strange powers of accomplishment as the ?divine afflatus? cleanses their minds and emotions, leaving them free to express ideas and talents that may even lead to greatness.

Most of us are inclined to be listless, inactive and prone to wait for some outer power or event to stir us into action. The marvelous truth is that we all have this ability to develop our Zeal this special energy and talent that can incite us to glorious achievement. People that use their Zeal in the right way are flexible and do not try to force their will on others but quietly work or study doing their own thing but always willing to listen to others so that they may learn more. Inner Zeal is the power that transforms one, it is the power that incites the other mind powers to greater development. Zeal gives luster, colour, and radiance to personality just as the sparkle of a diamond gives beauty. When you have developed Zeal you find you have attractive magnetic quality that causes good to rush toward you from all directions and you feel a certain vitality that most lack.

Elimination is in the area of the body where it eliminates waste from the body this is mind powers job is to eliminate the waste of negative thoughts and emotions.

People who hold on to negative thoughts have tummy upsets, kidney, colon and intestinal tract, liver ailments, diabetic, hemorrhoids, constipation are all caused by holding on to old grudges or resentment. To free your self of these problems you need to forgive people of the past that you feel have harmed you, but most of all forgive yourself for keeping yourself in this bondage.

Also holding on to material things causes constriction in the organs of elimination because it is its duty to release and let go. The sayings live and let live and you can?t take it with you ring true with this power. So set yourself free by letting go and you will find more will flow to you.

life Two ladies were chatting. One said to the other what would you do if your Doctor told you, you only had six months to live? That is simple, was the reply I would get another Doctor! It is sometimes a surprise to people to learn that life itself is a mind power whose center of activity in the body is located in the generative organs.

We have usually considered life a mysterious quality, which some people have abundance and others possess only meagerly. Although the dictionary doesn?t seem sure just what this thing called life is, it generally describes life as ?that vital force? weather regarded as physical or spiritual. Life is a state of being alive, which one?s state of mind surely influences.

It is quite logical that the mind power of life would be located in the generative organs of the body as it is here that they are responsible for brining forth new life to this earth and for affecting the health and vitality of those souls once they arrive.

So, right use of mind power of life in man is very important if he is to enjoy health and vitality.

Your life is precious and you are here to live it to the fullest. Tell yourself every day that you are full of vitality and love yourself, breath deeply to bring in the oxygen needed for your blood to feed your 12 power points, and be kind to yourself.

If you practice activating each power point each day and keep your Faith you will see a great change not just in you but those around you too. This is the end of this article and hopefully, the beginning of one of the most fascinating experiences of your life.

Sandra Hedditch, http://www.whatismentalhealth.blogspot.com

How to Measure Your Treadmill Belt for Replacement

To measure your treadmill belt for replacement do the following:

If your treadmill is not a major brand and it needs a new belt you may have to special order a belt. Following are instruction for making sure you get a good measurement.

Next to the motor the treadmill belt is the most important part of the treadmill. If it becomes frayed or starts to turn up on the sides then it is time to replace the belt.

The treadmill belt will also split at the seam. You should check the belt on a regular basis to ensure it is safe. If the belt wears thin it can ruin the deck, then you have the double expense of replacing the belt and deck.

There are many companies that sell replacement treadmill belts, and some of them will take special orders. But you must have the correct measurement so your belt will fit. Following is the directions to measure your belt.

1. Place a mark on the edge of the belt, then using a string or tape measure go completely around the belt to get the circumference. This needs to be as close as you can get it.

2. Measure the width of the belt.

Example 102 X 15

If your belt is so bad that you know it has to be replaced then cut it off and measure the entire length and width of the belt. If it is a very old belt please allow for stretching.

You can also set the rear roller about halfway of the adjusting screws then measure around the front and rear rollers for an accurate measurement. If you can not find a company that offers special order belts let me know.

Paul Webb is the owner of Electo Service Company, and has been in the Medical and Fitness repair business for almost thirty years. He has experience on most brands of treadmills and fitness equipment. Paul can be reached at http://treadmills.cc

Food Allergies

Food Allergies

The foods that adults or children react to are those foods they eat often

A Food Allergy is defined as an individual's adverse reaction to food. Almost any food can trigger a reaction in a person who is susceptible. Other terms for Food Allergies are Food Intolerances and Food Sensitivities.

For adults, the common foods that cause allergic reactions include: shellfish such as shrimp, crayfish, lobster, and crab. (Of note; if you are allergic to one of the shell fish, you are probably allergic to others or all of them.); peanuts, a legume ; tree nuts such as walnuts; fish; and eggs. Adults usually do not lose their allergies.

Children are somewhat different. The common food allergens that cause problems in children are eggs, milk, and peanuts. Children can sometimes outgrow them. Children are more likely to outgrow allergies to milk or soy than allergies to peanuts, fish, or shrimp.

These food allergies can cause catastrophic events to happen . Reactions range from rashes, pain, to anaphylactic shock.

When trying to figure out if and what food you have a problem with, it is very important to keep an accurate diary of your daily food and drink intake. You also need to write down in detail the symptoms that you are felling. Without doing this, there is no hope in finding what is ailing you. Keep detailed records!

Can drug allergies affect the way you eat? Absolutely!. For instance, Any of you who has an allergy to penicillin for instance must be careful when buying and eating penned animals such as chicken, turkey, pork, etc. These animals who are kept in tight quarters climb over each other constantly and scratch each other causing skin infections. These animals can not be sold with these infections. Their keepers are known to give these animals penicillin to clear up these infections so that they can be sold.

The quantity of the drug can remain high in some of these animals. Anaphylactic reactions and even death from penicillin allergies have occurred from people eating these animals. Just be careful. Buy the meat from penned animals that has no antibiotics and you will be fine.

I can't believe that I'm allergic to food! Could it be something else? Absolutely! Its a little thing called preservatives. Preservatives are placed in food so they last a longer time so that their financial value will be realized.

Currently, canned foods for instance have a shelf life of 7 years. What does that mean? It means that the can of food can be eaten and therefore sold for that period of time. Years ago, the shelf life for canned foods was 3 years. How did they prolong the time? Preservatives!.

Did you know for instance that a popular brand of peanut butter has over 120 preservatives in it. Doesn't that sound astounding? It does to me. Individuals like you can be allergic to any of these preservatives. Its very difficult to find the one preservative that you are allergic to.

Also, don't forget food colorings. Many individuals are allergic to the different food colorings. Most common is red dye #3

How do you find out if you have an allergy or sensitivity to a food, preservative or food coloring?

The first thing that you have to do is have a suspicion that you have a problem. There is a difference between an overt allergy and a sensitivity. The allergy will cause overt symptoms such as hives, rashes to in some cases anaphylaxis. (Hypersensitivity especially in animals to a substance, such as foreign protein or a drug, that is caused by exposure to a foreign substance after a preliminary exposure.). A food sensitivity will cause subtle discomforts such as a generalized uneasy felling. Maybe an increase in your heart rate, excessive belching or flatulence or stomach distension. You may also feel fatigued.

The next thing that you have to do and maybe its the most important is to read the labels of the foods that you buy. You must become a detective! Most food items use the same preservatives. If after reading the labels you identify a preservative that stands out, by that I mean a preservative that is only in one of the foods that you eat, that preservative may be the culprit. Simply eliminate that food. You will know after 4 days if that is the food and preservative that is causing your problem. Now to discern if you are sensitive to the food or the preservative, eat the food fresh and see if it causes you to have the same sensitivity reactions. If the answer is yes, then your sensitivity is to the food. If the answer is no, then the sensitivity is to the preservative. At that point, you need to then eliminate that preservative from your diet. The only way to do that successfully is to read all the labels.

Simple Test!

There is a simple and effective way to determine a food either alone or with a preservative may be causing you a problem. Its not 100% effective. However, it will give you an indication. Its the Pulse Test. Its simple to perform. Prior to eating the food, take your pulse for a complete minute. Simply count the number of times that your heart beats in a 1 minute period. Now take a small potion of the food that you are planning to eat. Place it in your mouth. Don't chew it, simply place it in your mouth. Wait about 30 seconds and then start counting your heart beats again for another minute. If your heart rate increase 4-5 beats per minutes, then there is a good chance that the food you are about to eat will cause you to have a sensitivity reaction.

Not That Easy?

If what we described above doesn't help you identify your culprit food or preservative, then you need to resort to the Elimination Diet. The Elimination Diet is very effective. However, it takes time. As the diet's name states, you need to eliminate foods from your diet. You do this one food at a time.

We suggest that prior to making your first elimination that you write down exactly how you are feeling. Then eliminate that one food. This food needs to be eliminated for 4 straight days to determine if it is causing you any problems. Each day of the elimination, you need to journal how you are feeling. At the end of the forth day, compare your journal entries. If you are feeling the same at the end of day 4 as you did before the elimination, then that food is not the culprit. You need to keep trying different food one at a time for the 4 day period until you find the culprit. It could take a while.

Remember, your problems may be caused by more than one food. That is why the journal is so important. If say prior to the first food elimination you had 6 symptoms. Now after the elimination of this food, you have 3 symptoms. Then you need to eliminate that food from your diet. Don't stop there though! You now need to eliminate another food. If you feel the same after that food is eliminated for 4 days, then try another food. This process can take over a month to complete!

Diana Corso is the publisher of NutritionalUpdates.

Ways To Quit Smoking

For several million smokers around the world, cigarettes are considered almost as important as oxygen for their survival. They have fallen prey to a deadly addiction. Nicotine is an active ingredient in tobacco and is present in cigarettes in large quantities. In small doses, nicotine acts as a stimulant. However, an overdose of nicotine is lethal.

A large proportion of cigarette smokers suffer from a variety of disorders. From respiratory diseases and skin ailments to heart problems and cancer, the complications are many. To save the body from damage, one must quit smoking at an early stage. Although they say it is never too late, letting go of the habit at a later stage is more difficult. There are several ways to quit smoking. While some methods require professional guidance and counseling, the person may practice others independently.

The ?cold turkey? method is practiced by several smokers and is quite popular. This way, a person quits smoking abruptly, by entirely giving up smoking. There is no tapering off.

Nicotine replacement therapy is another popular method employed by many. When a person is trying to quit, he or she might experience severe withdrawal symptoms because the supply of nicotine to the smoker?s blood has been taken away. In this method, the nicotine delivered through cigarettes is replaced by nicotine delivered through the skin. Nicotine patches, nicotine gum and nicotine nasal sprays are the options available in this therapy. Experts suggest a step tapering method when following this policy, as it eases the withdrawal symptoms gradually.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is probably the best way to go about quitting. This method requires a great amount of self-control and determination to ward off the urge to smoke. Getting rid of external influences that promote smoking, delaying every smoke session, creating an aversive condition by smoking and focusing on the positive rewards are all part of this therapy.

Other methods used to quit smoking are counseling sessions, acupuncture and hypnosis.

These methods, along with a firm resolve will help a person on the path to recovery. It is essential that a smoker feels the need to quit from within himself and is not trying methods to quit smoking due to external pressure. When the smoker is determined to quit, though, their chosen way to quit smoking will have a greater chance of success.

Quit Smoking provides detailed information on Quit Smoking, How To Quit Smoking, Ways To Quit Smoking, Quit Smoking Tips and more. Quit Smoking is affiliated with Stop Smoking Help.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 101

Introduction
This is a type of mental disorder, which occurs primarily in school-aged children but can also be diagnosed for the first time in the late teens esp., if some of its symptoms are left unnoticed. It was once falsely thought that after puberty the children don?t need treatment. These types of children are given special advantages under Section 54 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Diagnosis
The disorder, as described in DSM IV-TR, is best characterized by three main symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention. For making a diagnosis in a child the disorder must start before age 7 and the symptoms must continue for 6 months. Children having signs of impulsivity and hyperactivity are restless, unpredictability, tendency to fail, difficult to stay seated and blurting answers without even giving thought. Feelings of inattention are getting distracted, making careless mistakes and trying to finish off things very fast. Although they start very fast but quickly jump to another job without completing the former one. Besides these other symptoms are vision problems such as double vision

Cause
The cause is still not clear. Among the hypotheses are anatomical structural problems in frontal lobes and the basal ganglia of the brain. Some propose the theory of genetics. Others claim that certain environmental causes are smoking and having alcohol in pregnancy. Finally some hypothesize that taking artificial sweeteners and additives might be the cause.

Differential diagnosis
Certain disorders such as autism, certain personality disorders, oppositional defiant disorder and learning disorders might at times mimic ADHD and mislead the doctors. Some disorders like bipolar disorder may accompany ADHD. Some children with ADHD may eventually develop some conduct disorder or anxiety or depression. Untreated the child is prone to both the social and family problems besides decreased self-esteem.

Management
The first step in the diagnosis of the disorder is to interview the parents and then the teachers although psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians or the teachers of the child can diagnose the disorder. Generally the parents are not the first to notice. The best person to manage the child in this context is a psychiatrist. There are basically two sets of management and both are to be given simultaneously in order to manage the child. The disorder might run forever. Nutrition and child psychotherapy do not seem to help in the treatment.

Medical
Although there are different medications available in the market but the most effective ones are adderal, Ritalin and strattera. Like all other CNS medicines, these are not without any side effects. For e.g. adderal has side effects of nervousness, irritability, dry mouth, sleeplessness and stomach upset. Similarly Ritalin causes above symptoms and decreased appetite. Strattera comes with the side effects of insomnia and anorexia. Counseling

In a recent study long term combination therapy with both the medical and the counseling were far better than either of them alone.

Shruti arora writes about Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder topics.

How to Get Discount Hoodia

Most people agree that the best hoodia appetite suppressants are products which contain 100% real hoodia gordonii. Most ads for discount hoodia are either not 100% hoodia gordonii or they cannot be verified as genuine hoodia gordonii from South Africa.

Finding discount hoodia gordonii was not an issue for the San people of southern Africa. It grew around them. It was fairly common. It was not their favorite food source, but it did alleviate feelings of hunger and thirst when they were hunting or searching for more favorable foods. The issue of discount hoodia has only arisen since the world learned of the plant?s ability to suppress the appetite. People have searched for hoodia seeds, presumably to grow their own real hoodia gordonii, but even the harvesting of the seeds from wild hoodia gordonii is now prohibited in most areas of southern Africa and cultivating real hoodia gordonii requires special permits.

Real hoodia gordonii is expensive. It is hard to grow. The blooms smell like rotting meat. It takes a full year to be able to transplant the plants from seed trays to small pots and another three years or so to mature. This is just one of the reasons that real hoodia is not cheap. The best way to get discount hoodia gordonii is to buy multiple bottles from manufacturers that can confirm that there products are real hoodia gordonii. That is if you want effective hoodia products.

The issue of real hoodia versus fake hoodia arises, because there are about 15 different species of hoodia, but only the hoodia gordonii species is believed to be an appetite suppressant. Only real hoodia gordonii has been studied for effectiveness and safety. Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company, is still completing clinical research of real hoodia gordonii. Companies could claim to be selling discount hoodia or expensive hoodia for that matter and not face any repercussions (other than from unhappy customers) unless they are making false claims about using real hoodia gordonii. Apparently it is not easy to distinguish between species of hoodia and some hoodia species face the threat of extinction in the wild. Some harvesters may not be sure which hoodia species is the correct species to harvest. It is for this reason that all hoodia species (not just real hoodia gordonii) are protected by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

CITES protection means that all hoodia exporters must be licensed. This is one way to find supplements that contain real hoodia gordonii, which is not always discount hoodia, but will be the most effective hoodia for appetite suppression. Look for CITES documents at any website claiming to sell real hoodia or discount hoodia. Look for analytical reports confirming that the hoodia being sold is real hoodia gordonii. If you don?t see these, don?t buy it. Once you find a real hoodia product, check out multi-bottle discounts. This is the best way to buy discount hoodia.

Patsy Hamilton is an editor of the Hoodia Info Blog. Visit us at http://hoodiainfo.blogspot.com

For more information about discount hoodia or real hoodia gordonii, visit the Hoodia Info Blog.

What is Areata Alopecia?

Alopecia Areata is the name given to a condition where round bald spots appear on your skin and scalp. The hair loss is very sudden and quite often drastic. Alopecia is a disorder that causes a patient?s immune cells to attack their own hair-growing tissue for unknown reasons. Usually a trigger is needed to start the process (often in the form of a virus)

There are three basic stages of Alopecia Areata:

1. Sudden hair loss. The patient will notice a bald spot. Which may appear minimal at first.
2. The bald area will enlarge; hair loss will increase in the immediate area of sighted balding.
3. New hair will grow in place of the lost hair. This process is different for everyone. Hair may start growing in a matter of weeks, months, sometimes more than one year. Nevertheless, it?s very rare that hair does not grow back.

Not Just the Scalp

Patients who start losing hair from their body (including eyebrows and eyelashes) are very frightened. They have every reason to feel this way. Alopecia Areata acts in such a way that it?s very unnatural. But these patients are not alone in their experiences. Most patients do not realize that the symptoms that they?re experiencing are all attributes of Alopecia?a temporary condition.

Common Misconceptions:

While many patients blame stress, medication, and poor diet; there is not any clinical proof that these claims coincide with the balding disorder. Unfortunately, doctors do not know why a patient?s immune cells turn on the body and cause this condition. Despite this lack of information, studies do show that Alopecia Areata commonly occurs in patients whose family members have had the condition. Alopecia Areata is not contagious.

Treatment:

While patience is an important asset with this condition, your physician may suggest cortisone shots (which promote and stimulate hair growth). Although Cortisone shots have been very successful with Alopecia patients, these shots are very painful. The average patient who opts for this treatment receives twenty to thirty shots into each patch, once per month. This treatment is only effective for the immediate area that has been injected. It does not assist hair growth in other bald areas.

Unfortunately, doctors can not predict if this treatment will work for you. There are no guaranteed results. A prescription cortisone cream is another solution, which can be applied to the bald area. Cortisone cream is not painful and can be applied easily in the privacy of your home.

If you choose to publish this article on your site, you MUST include the byline below with direct html links intact, and the article must not be edited in any way.

About the Author

Jen Carter is staff writer for Inhairit - a website featuring a unique hair loss treatment. For more hair care tips and articles, visit http://www.inhairit.com

Elliptical Trainers are Low Impact

Elliptical trainers provide a great cardio vascular workout but is low impact. That is there is less pressure, which is put on the joints of the legs. Thus it's not as strenuous as a treadmill. Therefore they are ideal for all age groups. Those in there 60s and 70s, who want to keep fit, can also easily use them. There are many versions, and options of elliptical trainers that are available in the market. The cost for an elliptical trainer starts at $300 and can cost up to $3000 dependent upon the functions and the features of the elliptical trainer.

To consider an elliptical trainer, one must make sure that it has a 21 stride. This length is ideal for an average person. There are many elliptical trainers that also come with a 14 stride. These are the foldable elliptical trainers, but can be quite inconvenient. Thus before you actually purchase one, look at reviews of the elliptical trainers and compare the various elliptical trainers that are available in the market. The comparison is done on the basis of cost, the type of material used, the stride length, the functions and the control panel.

Hence its important that before a purchase decision is made, you should have read all the reviews. The showroom and well as many supermarkets also retail the elliptical trainers. Hence you can make a comparison and reviews of the elliptical trainers can help you make an informed decision. The various factors that you should look into are the length of the stride, whether there are harms or not, the price factors, the various levels of intensity, the display of the control panel, the warranty that would be given with the elliptical trainers and your budget.

If you enjoyed this article check out this list of elliptical trainer related articles. And here you'll find our most recently added elliptical trainer article for your reading.

Nutrition Meat. It's What's For Dinner

This series of articles has been taking a look at nutrition, and any look at nutrition just wouldn't be complete without examining meat. Long considered the ultimate staple of the American diet (meat and potatoes anyone?), meat is the usually the centerpiece of our meal.

High in iron, zinc and protein, meat is important (or should be important) to all of us. The question is, what kind of meat is healthiest and which is most affordable?

Some meats are simply too high in saturated fat for regular consumption. Examples include most beef steaks, fatty pork chops, and of course the traditional breakfast meats (sausage and bacon). There are, however, quite a few meats that deliver all the good nutrition we seek without loading us down with artery-clogging fat.

+ CHICKEN Hands down, the best choice for healthy and affordable meat is that old favorite the chicken. Choosing white meat portions (breast) will significantly reduce our fat intake. Chicken breast is one of the primary foods of bodybuilders, some of the healthiest people on the planet! The most economical way to purchase chicken breast is usually to buy the bags of flash-frozen fillets; these can be found for $1.49 to $1.99 per pound.

A boneless skinless chicken breast (3 oz. serving) delivers only 3 grams of fat (5% of RDA) and 0.86 grams of saturated fat (4% of RDA). That's about 1/2 the fat in even the leanest cuts of beef! Be aware, however, that the 'dark' meat on a chicken is not nearly as healthy as the breast - a boneless skinless chicken thigh has 9.2 grams of total fat and 2.6 grams of saturated fat.....that's triple what we find in the chicken breast. Get more nutrition information about chicken at www.eatchicken.com.

A good way to incorporate more chicken into our diet is to substitute skinless ground chicken for ground beef. When used in a recipe (tacos, spaghetti, etc.) it's hard to tell the difference, and the health benefits are HUGE. Be sure to look for SKINLESS ground chicken though, because if the package doesn't say skinless then it's guaranteed to be high in fat!

Finally, don't forget about that popular chicken alternative: the turkey. It's not just for thanksgiving anymore!

+ BEEF Beef. It's what's for dinner! Many of us just couldn't imagine going without our daily beef serving, but have we considered the cost to our health? It's all too tempting to save some money and buy the high fat ground beef instead of the leanest. It's also true that the fattiest cuts are the least expensive (chuck is a great example).

But beef doesn't have to aid our expanding waistline! Take the time to compare nutrition facts on the different cuts, which you can get from your butcher or from www.beef.org. One of the healthiest cuts of beef is the flank steak which, when prepared correctly, is absolutely delicious! Top round is also quite low in fat, although it tends to get tough when served as a steak.

Love burgers? A great way to enjoy healthy and tasty ground beef is to purchase a top round roast and ask the butcher to grind it into ground beef (make sure he or she trims off the excess fat first). If you have trouble making this grind 'stick', try adding a raw egg to the mixture before forming into hamburger patties.

When shopping for beef, look for the words 'round' or 'loin' in the name of the cut. Eye of round roast, for example, boasts only 4 grams of total fat and 1.4 grams of saturated fat. Don't be afraid to ask the butcher to trim off some of the excess fat - most grocery stores will do this for free.

+ PORK No other meat has been transformed into such 'fatty' variations, from sausage to bacon to salami. For those of us who are pork lovers, however, there is hope! It is possible to buy lean(er) cuts of pork!

The tenderloin is the leanest cut of pork: a 3-ounce serving contains 139 calories and 4.1 grams of fat, which is roughly comparable to a skinless chicken breast. Other lean cuts (based on a 3-ounce serving) include boneless loin roast with 165 calories and 6.1 grams of fat; boneless sirloin chops with 164 calories and 5.7 grams of fat; boneless loin chops with 173 calories and 6.6 grams of fat, and boneless ham (extra lean) with 123 calories and 4.7 grams of fat. A 2-ounce serving of Canadian-style bacon contains 86 calories and 3.9 grams of fat.

Get more information about pork at www.otherwhitemeat.com.

+ FISH In the lean meats contest, fish is hands-down the undisputed winner! Unlike the fats in most 'meat with feet', the fats we find in fish are primarily the HEALTHY omega fats.

Although there are literally hundreds of different ways to buy and prepare fish, many of us find fresh fish to be expensive. Halibut, swordfish, shark and others start at $8.99 per pound. It is possible, however, to buy fish without 'breaking the bank'.

Look for salmon on sale, and consider buying the whole fish to save money. It's not unusual to find quality salmon for $2.99 or less per pound - which is less expensive than the leanest cuts of beef.

Of course, canned fish is typically very inexpensive and delivers a powerful nutritional punch! Consider, for example, canned tuna fish.....one can of tuna provides 32.5 grams of protein and only 2.5 grams of fat! Even better, that same can of tuna has ZERO grams of saturated fat! Talk about a wonder-food! Look for canned tuna on sale, when it's possible to stock up the pantry at 4 cans for $1.

+ THE BOTTOM LINE The bottom line is that we can all enjoy meat without adding to our own 'bottom' line. Take the time to learn which cuts are the leanest, look for them on sale, and stock up when the price is right.

We'll see you at the butcher counter!

* Copyright 2005 Pick Up The Pace. Permission is not required for the distribution of Pick Up The Pace articles as long as they are used in their entirety, are properly credited to Pick Up The Pace, and are accompanied by our website link: www.letspickupthepace.com.

* The information in this article and on this site is for general reference purposes only and not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information in this article or on www.letspickupthepace.com should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.

Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health and nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit http://www.letspickupthepace.com for more information.

Cystic Fibrosis Research

The primary aim of medical and scientific research on cystic fibrosis is to understand, treat and cure cystic fibrosis. The research also focuses on serious symptoms and complications of the disease.

Cystic fibrosis research on gene therapy and protein therapy has made new developments. Gene therapy using liposomes is the technique of adding a healthy copy of the gene. Protein therapy is used to repair the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Drugs for replacing the function of CFTR protein have been developed. Research groups are engaged in developing new drugs to move this protein to the membrane.

Cystic fibrosis research has spread to the area of improving symptom control which includes controlling lung infections, reducing inflammation and improving nutrition.

Another fertile area of interest is regarding the cause of cystic fibrosis. The research on genetic disorders explains the factors that regulate channel activity and their effect on the plasma membrane. This research proves that the inherited disorders of cystic fibrosis include chronic pulmonary disease and hypertension. Research done on the regulation of gene expression identifies the factors that control gene expression. The study is conducted on the effect of alterations in these factors. Researchers have developed optical imaging aids for cystic fibrosis study. Optical sensing tools are used to investigate adenosine triposphate release and its role in cystic fibrosis.

Many researches are conducted to improve the treatment of cystic fibrosis. New medicines have been invented to remove the secretions in the lungs. The removal of secretions can be measured by inhaling a small amount of radioactive gas. New methods are developed to assess the deposition and clearance of the radioactive gas. Cystic fibrosis research has proved that the effect of physiotherapy is not uniform in all patients. Physiotherapy made a positive effect in majority of patients. But some patients experience deterioration in ventilation. Researchers on this disease investigate the disordered breathing and the effect of exercise on the patients. Arm exercises result in overexpansion of lungs and this may cause breathlessness in severe cystic fibrosis patients.

Cystic Fibrosis provides detailed information on Cystic Fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms, Causes Of Cystic Fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis Treatments and more. Cystic Fibrosis is affiliated with Living With COPD.

Ways to Cope with severe Anxiety Disorder

A severe Anxiety Disorder can lead to very deep depression that may lead to morbid thoughts and possible suicide attempts. These are not a cry for help they are genuine attempts at taking their own life and the patient should be treated carefully. A common mistake when people hear of an Anxiety Disorder is to push people into doing the things that make them the most anxious but this is a mistake. Until professional help can be sought the patient should be allowed to avoid circumstances that will place them under extra pressure. The more exposure to these circumstances the more likely they will develop a severe Anxiety Disorder.

Benzodiazepines are another regularly used medication that is proven to help some sufferers of severe Anxiety Disorder but again there isn't any single one that is proven to work while others don't.

Combing psychiatric assistance with prescribed medication is by far the best solution. Often the drugs only mask the symptoms and the patient can grow immune to their effects so by using a psychiatric program as well the patient will really benefit.

Medication can be prescribed that will help patients who suffer from severe Anxiety Disorder. Most trials have been conducted on monotherapy treatment, which means the use of one drug but often it is necessary to combine more than one drug to get the best effects. Antidepressants are administered although it is very much a case of trial and error as to exactly which one will prove the most effective.

Psychological treatment should be sought from a registered psychiatrist. Finding a professional who has a lot of experience with patients who suffer from severe Anxiety Disorder is the best option. A Psychiatrist will understand the problem perfectly and will help the patient work through their anxiety. Remember, a patient suffering from a severe Anxiety Disorder is unlikely to want to visit a doctor of any sort, but a Psychiatrist with the appropriate experience will know how to overcome this problem.

John Mancini has been writing about Anxiety Disorder online and offline for a long time. Visit http://stop-anxiety-disorders.net or http://anxiety-disorders-home.info to read more about matters like separation anxiety disorder and panic anxiety disorder.

Fuller Lips How Lip Enhancement Works

Aaaahhhhh, fuller, younger looking, pouty lips. Full lips are definitely a sign of ?youth? but what happens to our lips when we begin to mature? Lips become thinner, less attractive and pretty soon, one just might give up wearing lipstick because the top lip virtually disappears, especially when smiling. When this shrinking act is apparent in the mirror, usually vertical lines begin to invade the lips making a mature women look positively ancient.

Women aren?t the only ones who want softer, fuller lips. Men whose lips are thin and hard may portray a steely attitude in the boardroom; however, men with fuller lips look more attractive, boyish and younger.

Lips are soft tissue and as a man or woman begins to mature, volume dissipates which means tissue shrinks.

There are many modalities for revitalizing soft tissue in lips; the old standby ? bovine collagen, Zyderm? and Zyplast? has competition. Restylane?, CosmoDerm? and ComoPlast? (human cadaver collagen), Radiance?, Artecoll? and others have entered the market of ?fillers?. These new fillers do not require skin testing for allergic reactions and they are all injected. The procedure time varies from 3-10 minutes and some patients relate that these types of injections can be painful. These services can be relatively expensive because they?re not permanent fixes and these injections must be repeated every few months to maintain lip fullness. The most common side effect, as with any injection, is redness, bruising and swelling at the injection site that typically last less than three weeks.

A more permanent lip procedure that is widely used is Gortex. Strips of Gortex (threads of foam-like material) are inserted into the lips; the lips do become somewhat larger after the procedure is completed but some users complain that their lips feel hard, not soft and supple. Some of these implants cannot be removed if a problem arises because the lip tissue grows into and around the implant. Possible complications include infection, migration or extrusion of the implants and lip asymmetry is a concern.

Another somewhat permanent solution is fat injections; a patient?s own fat is removed from usually the tummy or buttocks, washed and then re-injected into the lips. While this is probably a fairly safe modality, the fat tends to reabsorb rather quickly, deflating the lips.

Recently over the counter glosses, lipsticks, and other types of topical preparations have been introduced promising fuller, poutier lips with more definition and volume. Many cosmetic companies have jumped on this bandwagon promising the users that their special ingredients will produce full, luscious lips after a few weeks of use. In fact, there have been over 200 new products introduced to the marketplace in the last two years ranging in price from $6.99 to almost $40. Instead of traffic stopping lips, some of these topical products have produced burns, mouth sores and empty pockets.

Some cosmetic companies do use natural components in their formulas but some of the formulas may be misleading. No product can deliver the look of a collagen injection in a topical. How these products work is through the use of an irritating ingredient such as niacin, cinnamon, caffeine or peppermint; these ingredients may cause some temporary swelling via dilation of the blood vessels along with mild inflammation, giving the illusion of fullness. Some preparations require the user to rub the lips briskly for several minutes and this friction results in some degree of temporary swelling.

Many women and men want fuller lips because poutier lips make them feel sexier and more alluring. Consumers are willing to spend a lot of money to have ?the look?; but not everyone agrees that the topicals deliver what they have promised. Dr. Sam Most, Chief of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle asked seven women to use a certain topical whose website says their product increases actual lip volume and contour an average of 40.7 percent; Dr. Most said, ?In subjects who used the product as directed over a long term there was no visible change in the lips.?

Is there an actual difference in using topical applications that promise full, pouty lips or is lipstick and a liner enough? Maybe Yoki Ono, a saleswoman at a Madison Avenue designer boutique, quoted in the NY Times, has the answer: ?You might as well get some extra-spicy Buffalo wings and eat them.?

Or better yet, save yourself a bundle of cash and brush your lips with a baby?s toothbrush and petroleum jelly for about a minute, your lips will be fuller and soft ? guaranteed!

Cynthia is widely recognized as an expert in all natural facial fitness with over thirty years experience in health & beauty related fields. She has appeared on The View, Fit TV, HGTV and other popular shows. This author, speaker and television personality is leading the crusade to keep men and women looking vibrantly younger through natural techniques without spending their children?s inheritance.

Cynthia Rowland, http://www.facialmagic.com

Universal Principles of Yoga Part 3

Hatha Yoga: Is unity through physical mastery, but Hatha Yoga uses many of the aspects of other Yoga styles. This is the most common form of Yoga outside of India. In the Hatha Yoga family tree are many popular Hatha sub-styles such as: Iyengar, Bikram, Sivananda, Restorative, Power, and Vinyasa Yoga.

There are many books and videos about Hatha Yoga on the market. Yet, there are still many misunderstandings about Hatha Yoga. Since Hatha Yoga is the most popular form of Yoga in the world, it has been labeled as many things.

When most people outside of India refer to Yoga, they are most often referring to Hatha Yoga. Some celebrities endorse variations of Hatha Yoga for its healing properties, while some journalists still scoff at the idea of Yoga as preventative medicine. Some doctors refer their patients to Yoga classes, but a rare few may still compare Yoga to ?snake oil.?

Yoga has been referred to as a ?cure all? for everything that troubles mankind. In truth, Yoga is the most comprehensive health maintenance system ever developed and it continues to evolve to this day. Hatha Yoga?s strength is that it is a ?well rounded? in every aspect of preventative medicine.

Yoga has come a long way in the Western Psyche, but is still accused of being a ?front? for the proliferation of Hinduism. The fact is, Hatha Yoga is a separate practice from religion, but also Hatha Yoga could be integrated into any religious practice. Hatha Yoga is a separate entity from religion.

Strangely, Yoga has sometimes been compared to ?witchcraft.? The first time I read that one, I burst into laughter, but a few people must feel strongly about it, if they take credit for writing such claims. Just like anything else people have difficulty understanding, Yoga can be misunderstood. When one of my first Yoga students stated that she got rid of migraine headaches, after practicing particular Yoga techniques, I never thought the devil would receive credit for it.

A few of the more vigorous and contemporary Hatha Yoga styles have limited meditation practice within the class structure. This is not a rule, but the students are just more interested in ?getting a workout.? Pilates is one of Yoga?s 20th Century offshoots and has no meditation practice at all. On the other hand Ashtanga Yoga classes are very vigorous and do contain meditation, as part of the lesson plan.

Hatha Yoga?s best known component is its postures (Asanas). However, Pranayama, philosophy, bandhas, mudras, mantras, and meditation can be commonly found in Hatha Yoga classes. With so many sub-styles of Hatha Yoga, there is always a style to match the needs of all Yoga students.

? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. 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/index.html

The Secret to Shiny Hair

I'm sure you?ve seen on TV the Pantene commercial where the hair shines like a mirror. I don't know why other hair commercials don't do the same thing with all that shine.

I do like the Pantene shampoo because there is silk in it.

For one thing, what I learned going to cosmetology school is that you need to shampoo your hair 2 times to get the crap out of your hair. The first time you shampoo your hair, you bring the dirt up to the surface, and the 2nd time you shampoo, you get all the residual dirt out of your hair. The second time you shampoo your hair, just use a dime size amount.

Now that you shampooed your hair, you can use a conditioner, especially if it has silk in it.

The biggest secret to shiny hair is to use either lemon juice or apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle to get your hair back to its natural ph and closes the cuticle. When the cuticle is closed that?s when you hair is shiny.

Make sure you use a natural bristle brush or comb and always comb in the direction the hair falls, which is down.

If you want to use a light mousse, that's fine but after you comb it, just leave it alone and let it dry naturally.

Now if you blow dry your hair, again, blow dry it in a downward motion. This allows the cuticle to stick together naturally. Then your hair will reflect light. If you blow your hair against the natural direction, your hair will not be shiny. You can also use Infusium Leave In Conditioner to protect your hair. Infusium will untangle any knots.

If you use a curling iron, use one of those ceramic curling irons--the professional ones. It can make your hair extremely shiny because again you are using the iron in a downward direction. It is good if you can use Infusium Leave-in spray conditioner to protect the hair.

These are simple techniques to get the most shine out of your hair.

Copyright 2005 F. Kuhn, RN - Specializing in Diabetes

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Dry Skin Care ? How Not To Look Old

If you have a dry skin and not too keen on having it look like a withered apple, then your only way out is to jump headlong into a dry skin care regimen. The dry skin is basically a dehydrated skin, very sensitive to the weather elements. So the dry skin care regimen is all about nourishing the skin and keeping it protected from external ravages.

Dry skin care involves getting to the roots of the problem. Apart from the intrinsically dry skin type, dryness can also be the result of taking drugs like diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines. Dry skin can also result from medical conditions like hypothyroidism, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea and diabetes. Excessive exposure to harsh weather elements like snow, sun and winds and the use of chemicals on the skin, Vitamin A and B deficiencies can lead to conditions of dryness too.

The essentially dry skin has a dull look about it especially around the mouth and the eyes and it feels taut and uncomfortable right after washing. Chapping and cracking are its severest symptoms.

Dry skin care primarily involves nourishing it with baby oil, gentle moisturizing creams and preferably, a non-detergent based, neutral-pH product to clean it. Dry skin needs an out-and-out cleaning but not with a commercial soap. After washing, always use a moisturizer to keep the skin looking and feeling soft and supple. It?s good if you apply the moisturizer over a damp skin.

You can also use oil for hydrating your dry skin, however while massaging, take care not to stretch your skin. Apply oil profusely around the eyes, because this is the area most prone to wrinkles and crow?s feet.

Dry skin care demands the application of only very gentle and preferably natural beauty care products. Thus when you retire for the night, massage yourself with a homemade nourishing cream. Or you can use a natural beauty mask consisting egg, honey, olive oil and rose water to provide your skin with all the nourishments.

A warm milk bath with a few drops of almond oil added to it will soften and hydrate your skin like nothing else. Dry, cracked lips respond well to a little milk cream mixed with rose water and lime juice, while style divas swear by the raw-beetroot-application-before-the-lipstick routine. Just a dab of Vaseline afterwards ensures that your lips remain pink and pretty.

Dry skin care also involves knowing what to stay away from. Overheated rooms, beauty care treatments that use steam and sudden changes of temperatures wreck havoc on a dry skin. While stepping out in the cold, liberally douse yourself with some kind of moisturizer, and pile on the sunscreen when you go out in the sun.

Your diet too plays an important role in containing the reverses of a dry skin. While smoking and fatty, oily foods are a definite no-no, fresh fruits and vegetables, along with copious quantities of water daily, improve the quality of your skin and they have also been proven to contain anti-ageing properties. Thus with such foods in your diet, you not only remain healthy, but look also good.

There are many herbs that can be directly applied to the skin or consumed to help your condition of dryness. Thus chamomile, lavender, calendula, comfrey, tea tree oil, aloe vera and peppermint used in herbal facials are good for dry skin and borage, fennel, coltsfoot or calendula tea can be had daily for a youthful looking skin.

Dry skin care actually means pampering your skin, for you have to always keep in mind that you are dealing with something very fragile.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. For more great anti-aging products and ideas please visit http://www.bestskinpeel.com

Sometimes Suffering is Optional

Even as we age I think we are sometimes at risk for unnecessary suffering. There are things that we do and thoughts that we have simply because we have always done -- or had -- them. Yet, often, our circumstances change before out habits, attitudes and thoughts have a chance to catch up.

Take shopping for example. You have a retirement budget and, quite possibly, an income that is less than when you were working full time. Yet there are still the same number of bright, young, highly-skilled marketing professionals who make a career out of telling you that you need more stuff.

Is it possible that, aside from the financial stresses that it can highlight, you might not even want this ?stuff?? Have you thought about it?

Instead of responding to marketing messages by wishing you had more money to make buying easier, do you ever stop and ask yourself questions like ?Do I really need this?? or ?Will it improve my life?? Or even, ?Will this new purchase need to be dusted, insured, maintained, or locked away because it?s valuable?? Which attitude causes less suffering? Wanting more or choosing carefully?

The same kind of assessment or new thinking can be applied by single seniors who are considering a new relationship. There are lots of questions to be explored. ?Can I have another relationship at my age?? ?Who will think I?m special?? ?Will they go before me, just like the other love in my life??

Depending on how we choose to focus, our attitudes can bring suffering, instead of joy -- especially when we choose to focus on the one significant relationship that we don?t have rather than the dozens that we do.

Those many other relationships can sometimes serve as a mirror, perhaps helping you to better appreciate the special nature of you, what you offer this world, and what?s divine about you.

It may be hard to realize that you?re perfect just as you are, but good friends and a questioning mind can be the first step.

Lawrence Bienemann writes and speaks on topics related to aging well and can be reached by e-mail lawrenceb@rcn.com

Diet Comparison

Is a low carb diet the best way to lose weight? Well that?s what you'll hear from one diet guru, and he has the testimonials to back it up.

How about low fat, lots of carbs, and fresh fruits and veggies? Of course, another weight loss expert will say so - and he's got the back up from satisfied users, too.

A third weight loss expert will swear that you need to count the amount of sugar; another weight loss expert will tell you that the enemy is white flour. The question then becomes, ?if you want to lose weight and keep it off, who do you listen to??.

Below are a few summaries to give you a quick overview of the pros and cons of some of the most popular types of weight loss plans.

Low Carb-Hi Protein Diets

Diets like the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet and the Zone Diet all recommend restricting carbohydrates and allowing liberal amounts of protein, including protein derived from animal sources. Generally, they limit the overall amount of carbohydrates, or teach you to differentiate between good and bad carbohydrates. Bad carbohydrates, which are forbidden, include white flour, white bread, and white sugar.

Pros: The low carb diets all encourage learning healthy eating as part of the overall weight loss plan. Deriving most of your daily calories from high fiber sources of carbs like leafy green vegetables and grains is generally considered the best diet for nutrition by the established medical community. The popularity of these weight loss diets makes it easy to find low-carb foods.

Cons: The allowance of eating all the protein and fats you like flies in the face of conventional medical wisdom. A diet high in saturated fats could lead to heart disease, diabetes, gout and other chronic health conditions. Most of these low carb diet plans caution and advice to keep portions reasonable. Following the guidelines of these low carb diets should mitigate that concern.

Weight Loss Programs

Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, Weight Watchers, SlimFast and a number of other weight loss programs rely heavily on pre-packaged 'diet' foods. They incorporate professional coaching, social structure and reinforcement.

Pros: The professional coaching and nutritional benefits are a big plus, as are the reinforcement and support aspect of the diets. Meals and supplements are prepackaged in the right proportions, and if you stick to the diets and exercise as directed you will lose weight.

Cons: The weekly fees and cost of meals can be expensive. In addition, if you rely completely on the packaged foods, you miss out on the re-education of your eating habits, which is important to maintaining any weight loss.

The Real Mayo Clinic Diet

The true Mayo Clinic diet recommends a healthy eating weight loss plan based on limiting fats, proteins and carbohydrates, counting calories and deriving most of the daily nutrition from vegetables, grains and fruit.

Pros: There's no 'diet'. Instead, you're encouraged to take control of your eating. Portion control and sensible balance of nutrients are the cornerstones of a weight loss plan that takes weight off gradually, and helps you keep it off permanently.

Cons: It may be difficult to stay on this diet. Counting calories and portions can be difficult if you're eating out or on the run.

While there are many weight loss plans that promise to help you lose weight fast, unfortunately, many of these weight loss plans are either not healthy diets, or don?t have long-lasting results. However, the three major weight loss diets above all result in 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week, which most doctors believe is the optimum way to lose weight and keep it off.

Copyright 2006 Adam Waxler

Adam Waxler publishes a series of weight loss information products including his new weight loss resource filled with with FREE weight loss articles and tips @ http://www.1-800-Weight-Loss.com