Ideally, we ought to always attempt to get the correct quantity of vitamins and minerals naturally through the food which we eat. Generally, nevertheless, this can be exceptionally hard to do. Lots of people really feel that they’ll’t get the correct quantity of nourishment with their food so they turn to supplements and vitamin supplements. There are a whole lot of corporations to select from as the vitamin business is incredibly large. There are thousands upon thousands of vitamin dietary supplements out there and folks pay out within the billions of dollars every year to stay in supply.

There are, at current, 3 separate ways that dietary supplements may be administered into the body. There are pills, capsules or liquid. Although each one is fine in its own right, you should always pick one which dissolves easy and doesn’t simply move through your system.  If your vitamin passes through your body, it would end up in your toilet and also you’ll end up wasting your money.

Liquid is taken into account to be the most effective, delivery system although there are not that many dietary supplements or nutritional vitamins obtainable in liquid variety.  Liquid is preferred by some, though others consider them as tasting dreadful similar to cough syrup.  For those who aren’t in a position to swallow pills or capsules, then liquid would be an amazing substitute. 

The most common sort of complement is tablets.  Tablets are fashioned from organic cement then fashioned into shape.  The one downside here is dissolving.  For tablets to dissolve correctly, natural cements have to be used, though they cost quite a bit extra, causing manufacturers to skip including them.  It’s also possible to discover supplement tablets which have a coated shell, though they are normally found in the cheaper vitamin and supplement stores.

The capsule form of vitamin supplements is preferred by many, as they dissolve rapidly, usually faster than the other delivery systems.  As a result of fact of them not being compressed like tablets, you will normally need to take two of them to get the same quantity that’s supplied with one tablet.

Once you use vitamin dietary supplements, you want to make certain that you are getting the most quantities possible.  Vitamins are an important alternative to minerals and nutrients found in meals, and are perfect for individuals who aren’t able to eat the appropriate foods.  Vitamin dietary supplements are also great for athletes or those searching for extra power, as they will supply the levels your body needs for exhaustive activity.

You can buy your vitamin dietary supplements on the Internet, or by means of a local vitamin store similar to GNC.  GNC is among the hottest by way of local shops, as they carry a whole bunch and tons of of vitamins and supplements.  You will discover everything from well being vitamins to bodybuilding supplements.  They have rock bottom prices with loads of manufacturers, including the top name brands.  With millions of dollars in income every year and over a hundred chains throughout the United States, GNC is a dominant title in the world of vitamins and supplements.

It would be a grand concept to first seek the advice of with your family physician before taking any kind of vitamin supplements. Vitamins are an excellent option if you wish to get further nutrients into your body system. You must, however, by no means use nutritional vitamins as an alternative to poor consuming habits. You must all the time eat healthy, no matter what. Now the combination of healthy eating in addition to vitamin dietary supplements is a powerful combination. Choose your vitamin supplements with some consideration and research and by no means take greater than you need. Once you get the right mixture of healthy eating and nutritional vitamins, you shouldn’t have any problem living a wholesome existence.

Test out these blogs for up to date content on healthful dieting and weight reduction: Healthy Weight Loss , Healthy Dieting and Healthy Diet Plans

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20 Ways to Reduce Blood Pressure Naturally
 by: Lee Cummings

Do You know someone who suffers from high blood pressure? Maybe You? Then this is good news!

Are you aware that there are simple and inexpensive ways to control blood pressure with food and supplements you already have in your kitchen?

Intelligent health conscious people like You can naturally understand these strategies to help maintain lower blood pressure levels.

Because when you understand and follow through with these steps, you will feel more energy and enjoy the benefits of lower blood pressure.

In my 10 years of studying nutrition and over 5 years of helping others solve their health problems, I have found that the experts agree that these steps are some of the most effective in lowering blood pressure naturally.

1. CoQ10 supplements – CoEnzyme Q10 or CoQ10 For short is a powerful anti-oxidant which is in every cell in your body. Your body uses CoQ10 to derive Energy.

In a double-blind placebo controlled study published in The Journal of Human Hypertension, The group which took CoQ10 for just 8 weeks showed a significant reduction of blood pressure.

Also in a University of Texas study, people taking oral CoQ10 after just one month experienced significant lowering of blood pressure and 51% of participants were able to discontinue blood pressure medication.

As a side note, blood pressure medication prevents the body from not only manufacturing its own CoQ10, but also your body’s ability to absorb CoQ10. recommended dose: 100-200 mg gel caps each day to help lower blood pressure.

2. Vitamins, Herbs and Anti-oxidants

The following are Doctor recommended daily amounts.

Vitamin C – 1000 mg

Garlic – 2 cloves

Hawthorn berry – 500 mg

Omega 3 fatty acid fish oil Gel caps – 1000 mg

Vitamin b6 in a natural multivitamin

Magnesium – 500 mg

Astragalus root 500mg

3. Food Sources:

In a Greek study that examined the effects of the Mediterranean diet on 20,000 people proved that olive Oil, Fruits and Vegetables were significantly associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Celery – 4 sticks a day, relaxes the smooth muscles in the blood vessels.

Fresh cold water fish which is high in Omega-3 fatty Acids.

Salt – let’s understand the real reason why salt is important to your blood pressure.

We’ve all heard that you need to cut down on sodium in your diet, although this is not bad advice, it misses the point. High sodium intake alone does not increase blood pressure, it is an excess of sodium to potassium ratio.

The ideal ratio is five times as much potassium as sodium in Your diet. You’ll get the best results by eating three servings A day of potassium rich foods such as:

Bananas – 1 large

Avocados – 1 cup

Beans – ½ cup

Squash – 1 cup

Tomatoes – ½ cup

Low levels of magnesium can also contribute to high Blood pressure, so here are some Magnesium rich foods:

Almonds – 1/3 cup

Tofu – ½ cup

Cashews – 1 cup

Raisin bran – 1/3 cup

And finally lets talk about what level of blood pressure is considered high. Right now the threshold pushed by mainstream medicine is 115/75 – 120/80 which WAS considered borderline LOW just 5 years ago.

This is because the standard for “high” blood pressure, just like the standard for cholesterol is repeatedly lowered to put more people on medication. Your individual risk factors and age play a big role in determining what is a good blood pressure level for YOU.

So don’t just accept a one size fits all number when it comes to your blood pressure. Ask questions and discuss your health with a nutritionally educated Doctor to find what is best for you.

So what about YOU? Are You going to let the silent killer Sneak up on you? Or are You going to take action that will make this highly unlikely?

When You safe-guard Yourself with these proven techniques which You can easily incorporate into your life, then You will reap the healthy benefits.

Used in combination these natural, safe and proven techniques work wonders to keep your blood pressure down and allow you to experience a higher level of health without the unwanted side effects.

So take action now and get started today to do one thing from each of the three points above. Each day incorporate the food and supplements listed and You are well on Your way to lower blood pressure. These are proven, safe and inexpensive steps so You can enjoy the benefits now.

Sources:

Singh RB, Niaz MA, Rostogi SS, et al. “Effect of Hydrosoluble coenzyme Q10 on blood pressure in Hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease”. Journal of Human Hypertension. 1999 Mar;13(3):203-208.

Dr. Al Sears, Lynn Sonberg, The Doctor’s Heart Cure, St. Paul MN, Dragon Door Publications, pgs 176-181

Daily Dose, Dr. William Campbell Douglas, “Of spice and men” 3/15/2005

Dr. Al Sears, Health alert, “Lower Blood pressure Naturally”, 3/8/2005

Dr Al Sears, Health Alert, “Lower blood pressure without drugs”, 7/3/2003.

About The Author

Lee Cummings has been helping real people solve real problems and feel better with expert proven nutrition for over 5 years.

Report – mailto:report@lc-nutrition.com

Discover proven nutrition information: http://www.LC-Nutrition.com

leeman@lc-nutrition.com

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Men usually don’t care about our skin. It’s a simple fact.

We tend to think we are made from an indestructible material, and that our skin is made of iron. And so, we go on in life, shaving everyday, standing in extreme weather on our vacations, and eating junk food. But hey, our skin is actually deteriorating each passing day, and it’s not a matter of attitude, “machismo”, or whatever you’d like to call it. It’s a matter of health. And in today’s world men facial care is even a matter of social life.

You may not know this, but we men, have very sensitive skin. I used to ignore this also, until I notice my skin was getting too dry, now I have to use baby’s soap because the doctor told me that my skin type is very sensitive. He went on saying that a large portion of men have this same type of skin, and it is due to bad eating habits, lack of exercise and basic men facial care treatment . But what is most disturbing is that most men also ignore this, or they do not take proper action.

So what is proper action?

There are certain habits to take in consideration when you start caring about your facial skin care. Here are some tips that will help you get started in men facial care:

* Drink water, a lot. Water is good for overall health; it is a common advice to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

* Buy vitamin supplements. To have a healthy skin you should include in your diet multi-vitamins. Particularly helpful to your skin is the Vitamin E.

* Exfoliate your face twice a week. Exfoliation helps removing the dead cells on your facial skin, the result will be a skin free of impurities.

* Protect yourself from the sun. Keep in mind doing it in a healthy way, for example if you’re staying too much time outdoors with a hot weather. Don’t use too much, because sun blockers contain chemicals. Nowadays even some moisturizers have sun protection.

Remember this is all men facial care basic stuff. People have different skin types that have their own issues. You should visit your doctor if you notice anything strange in your skin. However this tips will help you in having a healthier, better looking skin. Bottom line is, start taking care. The web has plenty of information regarding these issues and is a good place to start.

About The Author

Paolo Basauri is an expert author. You can find more tips for men facial care at http://www.menskincaretips.com , your place on the web for men skin care. Find advice and articles to get a healthy skin.

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The Most Nutritious And Tasty Diet Foods
 by: Roy Thomsitt

When considering what to include in a weight loss diet, there are two factors that you should always consider early. The first is whether or not your chosen diet will be sufficiently nutritious to keep you healthy. The second is if the diet will be tasty enough to maintain your interest, rather than for you to opt out through boredom.

It is possible to address both of these concerns at the same time by considering health food vitamins, and in so doing you may be in for some pleasant surprises. Much will depend in your tastes in food, but with experimentation, you should be able to construct a diet, within the guidelines of your nutritionist and doctor, that is also interesting enough to enable you to not only stick to the diet but enjoy it also.

If you are able to end up with a diet that you can really enjoy, then there is a chance that it will become a lifelong habit. It is possible to make permanent changes; I know that from personal experience. Initially, it can be difficult to make drastic changes, but it can be done much easier if you are enjoying the food you are eating. In many cases, drastic changes may not even be needed, but that is something it is best to discuss with your doctor in relation to your own health and weight problem.

I have selected five of my best diet foods, health foods rich in vitamins and other nutrients, which will provide you with some of the most important nutrients to sustain you during your diet:

Tomatoes

I find tomatoes one of the most versatile and useful foods for cooking, and can be used to add interest to all sorts of meals, such as curries, casseroles and soups. Tomatoes go well with lean meats, or mixed with other vegetables, when used for cooking. They are also delicious raw, if you can find good tomatoes rather than the insipidly flavoured tomatoes you may find in the supermarket.

Tomatoes also happen to be one of the most valuable health foods, rich in lycopene, plus vitamins A and C. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, which is why much scientific attention has been paid to tomatoes in recent years. Lycopene’s ability to neutralize free radicals that cause cell damage has been the centre of attention, due to the possible potential in cancer prevention.

Tomatoes also have one other special asset. That is, that the nutrients are not destroyed during cooking, and even processed tomato products such as tomato sauce or ketchup, and canned tomatoes, retain the nutritional benefits. Tomatoes are therefore my health food super hero.

Garlic

When it comes to making boring foods tasty, garlic is way up there amongst the best. Along with tomatoes, garlic is an important part of the Mediterranean Diet. Like tomatoes, it can be used with just about any other cooked food, so whatever your diet regime is, you should find you can utilize garlic widely to satisfy your palate.

Garlic has some important nutrients too, such as calcium, vitamin C and vitamin B6, phosphorus and selenium, plus antibiotic properties.

Basil

Basil is a humble and popular herb that can be used liberally to bring its distinctive flavour to other foods. What you may not realize is that basil also packs a punch when it comes to calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A and vitamin C. Also, basil is a good source of iron, potassium and magnesium, and carotenoids such as beta carotene.

How about tomato and basil soup, with a touch of garlic? A super combo of health foods that will fit into most diets.

Strawberries

The mention of strawberries seems like a self indulgence; their flavour to some can seem too good to be true (me included). Well, indulge, because the strawberry is a great health food too, with some nutrients you may not have anticipated. Strawberries contain Vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese, folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids.

Strawberries are best fresh and eaten on their own. (Please read carefully. I did not say strawberries should be eaten laced in sugar with a dollop of clotted cream.)

Spinach

Many may turn their noses up at the mention of spinach; I know I did as a child. However, once you discover its true flavour, spinach does make an excellent food as a side vegetable, in a soup or in a curry. All the old stories about the goodness of spinach were true, as it contains Vitamin C, iron, beta carotene and calcium., plus vitamins E and K, fibre, lutein and zeaxanthin (carotenoids).

Those are just a few ideas for healthy foods, rich in nutrients, that can add flavour and interest to your diet, as you set out to make a permanent lifestyle change to lose weight.

About The Author

This best diet food article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and part author of the Routes To Self Improvement website. http://www.routes-to-self-improvement.com/Best_Diet_Food.htm.

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Potassium and Its Benefits to the Human Body
 by: Charlene J. Nuble

Potassium is a mineral that serves a variety of purposes within the body. Despite its importance to so many of the body’s functions and systems, most people do not consume the standard recommended daily levels of this essential mineral. This is unfortunate as long-term deficiency can contribute to and even directly cause a variety of health problems and complications not only to the body but to one’s lifestyle as well.

Helping to regulate the body’s fluid levels is one of the mineral potassium’s greatest functions. Not only that but it also has a great part in regulating the blood pressure. It also helps to keep the heart thumping steadily and regularly and is also essential to the nervous system. Potassium works to promote the proper functioning of the tissue that makes up the nervous system. It also serves to enhance muscle control plus the growth and health of cells particularly through its importance in waste product removal. This mineral is also vital to the kidneys in their waste removal tasks. Potassium also plays an important role to mental function as well as to physical processes. It helps to promote efficient cognitive functioning by playing a significant role in getting oxygen to the brain.

Failing to meet the standard recommended daily intake levels can lead to a variety of negative consequences for both physical well being and mental health. Physical symptoms can include muscular cramps and twitching, muscular weakness, even actual muscle damage, poor reflexes, fatigue, fragile bones, irregular heartbeat and other cardiovascular irregularities, kidney failure, lung failure, and cardiac arrest. Mental symptoms can include nervous disorders of various types, anorexia, insomnia, a slowdown of cognitive processes, and depression.

There are certain health situations that can make a person more susceptible to suffering from a deficiency of potassium. These include alcoholism, health conditions requiring the use of certain types of diuretics, periods of high stress and illnesses or conditions that result in extended periods of diarrhea and vomiting. Some situations of our own making can contribute to potassium deficiency. These include excessive caffeine intake and a diet made up of mostly processed foods. Consuming excessive amount of salt daily can also attribute to the decrease of potassium in the human body.

Our bodies are complex systems in which there is a delicate chemical balance that keeps everything functioning as it should. Disruptions to the system are going to have consequences with some being more severe than others. Some of these consequences can take the form of disease or irreversible damage. Prevention is always better than trying to cure illness or repair damage. One of the most important parts of prevention is good nutrition. Making sure that you regularly consume the standard recommended daily intake levels of the vitamins, mineral and other nutrients your body needs is the first vital step in keeping a healthy physic and mind.

But because of today’s lifestyle and diet, it is very hard therefore to intake the proper daily amount of potassium necessary for a normal life. For this concern, nutritional supplements are the solution. They offer an efficient and reliable means of meeting not only our daily potassium needs but also other daily dietary requirements need by the system. Because the balance of nutrients is so important to achieving the optimum standards of performance and health, you may want to consider setting up a consultation with either a licensed nutritionist or your health care provider to create a personalized supplement plan; one that will be best suited to your individual dietary need and health goals.

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Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR’S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

About The Author

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/.

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Acne – A Clean Face – Step 1 in a 12 Step Program
 by: Rudy Silva

For those that need more than a special cream like Scotty’s Face Cream, then you need to work harder to get rid of acne. Since acne is a condition that occurs from within your body and exhibits on the outside of your body, you need to,

§ Attack acne from inside your body

§ Attack acne from outside your body

If your acne is not to severe, all you might need is a good cream and need only to follow a few steps in my 12 step program to get you past the periods where acne is active.

If your acne is more severe, than you may have to follow my 12-step program, since acne is an expression of your whole body system and is a reflection of what is going on inside your mind, cell structure and internal organs.

Acne is an excessive toxic condition within your body, which the internal elimination organs are unable to eliminate. So your toxins are moved into your blood and excreted through your skin. It is an automatic survival mechanism your body initiates in an effort to protect the insides of your body – cells, liquid, blood, organs, and tissues.

There are 12 areas that you need to look at,

§ Keep your face clean

§ Using Scotty’s acne face cream or your favorite face cream

§ Relive your constipation and the tree day liquid fast

§ Making changes to your diet

§ Get plenty of sun, air, and water

§ Vitamins you need to be taking

§ Minerals you should be taking

§ Special supplements to take

§ Herbal mixture to use or drink

§ Special detoxifying drinks or supplements to take

§ Brushing your skin

§ Change your attitude

Step 1: Keeping your face clean

If you use face cosmetics, you need to stop. Some cosmetics irritate the skin and can cause acne by plugging up your pores on your face. The cosmetics chemicals that can cause you the most skin and pore irritation and inflammation are:

mineral oil

lanolin

parabens

propylene glycol

Look at the label of the cosmetics you use. You will find that many cosmetics, soaps, and sunscreens contain these chemicals.

Find a water base make up, not an oil base. Find one that does not irritate your face and use it sparingly

When you wash your face don’t use any commercial soaps since they are filled with chemicals that will irritate and worsen your acne condition. And don’t excessive wash your face as this will dry your skin of the natural protective oil. Also, don’t keep touching your face since you spread or add bacteria to it.

To wash your face use only,

§ Castile hand or liquid soap

§ Pure glycerin hand soap

You can pat your face with a clean hot face towel to bring circulation to your face and to help open and move the toxic material, in the pimple, to the surface. Do not scrub hard to burst a pimple but just scrub lightly to burst a pimple when it is ready to open.

Use the hot towel application only 2-3 times per week.

When a pimple is open do not continue to rub or scrub it. In fact do not pick or scratch an open pimple since this could create other sores or leave scars that are difficult to remove. Just washing your face with clean soap will keep your face free of toxic matter.

Keep in mind,

Whatever you put on your skin will move into your skin and into your bloodstream.

Most commercial creams, lotions, and soaps are filled with all kinds of chemicals that are toxic to your body. By using them you are making your liver work harder.

During the day or at night avoid resting your cheeks or chin on your hand(s) or arm(s). This can irritate your face and cause acne to breakout. When you sleep, try to sleep on your back and not with your face or side of the face into your pillow.

There you have it. Step 1, shows you how to keep your face clean to avoid getting acne or to help relieve acne.

About The Author

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter call “natural-remedies-thatwork.com.” More acne hints and information on his acne e-book can be found at: http://www.acne-remedies.for–you.info

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PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) is NOT a real disease, although many women would disagree with me. It’s actually a product of our modern diet, combined with our daily stress, etc.

There are several chemical changes in the blood of a woman that occur a few days prior to the actual menstrual period, or bleeding cycle. One of these changes has the zinc level going low, and has the copper level goes high. Since, very high copper/zinc ratios can actually cause schizophrenia, it might be said that every woman slides at least a little bit towards “crazy” or schizophrenic at this period. These imbalances can be very serious in some women.

Of course, all these changes are individual, depending on the current ratios of copper and zinc, genetic factors, etc. There are several other changes as the female body gets ready for another cycle of fertility. There are different symptoms for each woman, although many become irritable at least. PMS is something that husbands use to explain when the wife gets angry or upset. And wives use it as well as an excuse at times.

There is a very simple vitamin/mineral “cure” that seems to work for all women. This is simply taking vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements regularly. Unfortunately, this “word” got out, and some MD’s heard about it, and started their patients on large doses of B6. These women developed different other problems which were then determined by the MD’s as “B6 toxicity”, and thus B6 got a bad name. “Learned experts” then wrote up B6 as possibly toxic in various articles and papers.

The truth, known to all scientists who have studied vitamin and mineral interaction, is much simpler. If you take large doses of individual B vitamins, you are likely to develop a deficiency in some others.

Thus, if you are going to take large doses of B6, you MUST be taking at least a 50 Mg B complex at the same time. (B vitamins are synergistic and all are needed to work together.)

THIS IS CRITICAL TO AVOID PROBLEMS, AND YOU’LL BE IN BETTER HEALTH AS A RESULT AS WELL.

As for magnesium, there is a built-in body response to too much – Diarrhea. Epsom salts, an old laxative, is magnesium sulphate, and a little goes a long way. It tastes terrible, and using magnesium citrate tablets from a health store is usually easier for most.

On my website, there is a page devoted to a basic vitamin mineral regimen. It’s the same one I’ve used for years. I have no vested interest in the manufacturer who makes the basic multiple, but I’ve found that it works for most for over 25 years. You’ll also find my newest recommendations for magnesium and calcium balance.

How much B6 should you take to avoid PMS? That’s a tough question to answer, as everyone is different. The usual recommendation is to try taking about 200 mg per day at least 10 days prior to the menstrual period and see if you have PMS. If not, for that period, try cutting down to 100 mg for the next period. Keep experimenting until you find your correct dosage. Remember that you are the best judge of your health. You should be taking the B complex every day of the month of course, and preferably a good base vitamin/mineral supplement tablet such as the one recommended on my web page.

If 200 mg doesn’t clear up the PMS completely, try 250 mg, or try taking the 200 for the whole month. It varies with each individual. My wife, when I first met her over 20 years ago had very bad PMS. She started on 200 mg and had no PMS. A month or so later, she got quite twitchy, and remarked “You know if I didn’t know better, I’d think I was having PMS. I’m feeling bad, and I’m craving salty foods.” When I told her that I had cut her down to 100 mg she got very angry at me. So, she went back up and we found that 150 mg every day added to the 75 in the VM-75 was just right for her at that time. A year or so later, she no longer needed the B6, as the VM-75 did it for her. She has never had PMS again. This experience is typical for most women. I hope it helps you.

About The Author

Phil Bate PhD – Retired Orthomolecular Psychologist

Inventor and Patent Pending Holder for Brain Wave Amplitude Changing via Neuroliminal Training

http://DrBate.com

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The Truth about Childbirth and Labor
 by: Suzanne Doyle-Ingram

Labor and childbirth was an amazing, positive experience for me, both times. I am very fortunate, I know. But I do believe that if you prepare yourself through education (reading books, reading websites like this one, taking prenatal classes, etc) and taking good care of yourself while you are pregnant, you will have a far greater chance of a pleasant birth experience.

There are many things you can do to increase your chances of an empowering childbirth experience. These are the things I did:

Pregnancy yoga classes

Regular Chiropractic care

Chose a Midwife instead of a doctor

Hired a doula to be with me through the labor and birth

Took high quality vitamins, folic acid and natural iron supplements (made by Flora, derived from natural sources, not metal)

Took a 18 hour prenatal class from a former midwife (NOT at a hospital)

Lastly, I believed, truly believed that my body knew what it was doing. I was not scared at all. I knew in my heart of hearts that pregnancy is a healthy state of being, and that my body would know exactly what to do when the time came. And it did!

So many people seem to enjoy telling stories of excruciating pain during childbirth. Others will tell you their labor was 87 hours long! I do not know why women do this to each other. Yes, I will grant you, labor is painful. But it is also powerful and incredible what your body can achieve!

One important note: I am Canadian, and our medical system is much different than the United States. BUt I am aware that most visitors to my website are American, so that is why I often try to include American statistics and information. One major difference between our two countries is that midwives in most parts of Canada have hospital privleges, i.e. they are allowed to deliver babies in hospitals. They perform essentially the same procedures as doctors, except they do not perform surgery. Whereas doctors view childbirth in terms of what can go wrong, midwives see childbirth as a natural process and medical intervention is only necessary in the event of an emergency.

I had many questions before I gave birth the first time, and the following onformation is what I leaned about labor and child birth. I am not a doctor, and I have no medical training whatsoever, so please ask your own doctor for clarification or more information.

Am I going to be pregnant forever?

In terms of when the average woman gives birth, a woman’s due date is determined to be 40 weeks after her last menstrual period, which is about 280 days. Most women deliver very near their due date, but anywhere from 38 weeks to 42 weeks is normal. You know you are in labor when you have strong (generally more painful than period cramps) contractions, five minutes apart, which last for a full minute. The first stage of labor is the longest and that is when your cervix dilates from 0 to 10 centimetres and becomes thinned out (or “effaced”). The second stage of labor is the pushing stage, which begins after you are fully dilated. The third stage of labor is after your baby is born and you deliver the placenta.

I was worried that my water would break in the supermarket and I would be mortified. However, the bag of water, (the membrane that surrounds the fetus and protects it during your whole pregnancy), contains amniotic fluid and it only breaks at the beginning of labor (mine did) 10% of the time. It does not hurt. You may not even know it has happened, but you may feel warm water on your legs. You feel a tiny “Pop!” and then a little fluid trickles out. It’s not a huge gush – I think this is because the baby’s head is acting like a cork. Most commonly, about 90% of the time, your water breaks when your cervix is fully dilated. Sometimes your midwife or doctor may break it. When that happens, prostaglandins are released, and contractions become stronger and more regular, and the progress of labor speeds up.

Many women also wonder when they should go to the hospital. Your doctor or midwife will educate you about what they want you to do. Some may want you to phone the hospital as soon as anything happens. A midwife usually comes to your house, so you don’t have to plan so much as you would with a doctor. When you get to the hospital, you will need to register at the Maternity Department. Usually you can do this a few months prior – call the hospital where you will deliver and find out. Depending, again, on whether you have a doctor or midwife, a lot of different scenarios can take place. Also what kind of doctor you have: is he or she someone who believes that your body knows what to do? Or will he or she insist that you are given an IV and hooked up to a monitor constantly? You do NOT have to labor this way, but you need to decide before you choose a doctor what is important to you and how you want your experience to be. (A birth plan would be a good option. If you present your birth plan to your doctor and he or she laughs at you – reconsider using that doctor!)

How long does it take?

Every labor is so different, but generally speaking, first labors take about 12 to 24 hours. My first labor was about 10 hours but my midwife said that I was only in “active” labor for 5 hours, which I disagree with because the first 7 hours were not spent sitting around comfortably!

What about the pain? Is it really that bad?

I am not going to lie about it, it is painful, but your body is an amazing machine. I did not take anything for the pain during my labors, but I was very fortunate to have a wonderful doula and husband who supported me throughout. Studies have shown that continuous support during labor decreases the need for pain relief by 60%. See my article entitled “What would I do without my Doula?” here http://www.pregnancy-leads-to-new-babies.com/doula.html.

What’s wrong with having an epidural? Why go through the pain if you don’t have to?

This is simply my opinion – I am not a doctor, but I have done the research. For me, I was not trying to be a martyr. I just wanted my baby to have the very best chance of being healthy. Generally, it is true to say that epidurals are a safe and effective method of relieving pain in labor, but safe does not mean risk free. There are risks; I would be lying to say there are none. See Thorp, J.A. & Breedlove, G (1996) Epidural Analgesia in Labour: An evaluation of Risks and Benefits 23(2) 63-83.

In terms of risks for your baby, epidurals can cause maternal fever and this can potentially harm your baby. Newborns sometimes also exhibit poor nursing behavior for up to one month. Many newborns exposed to epidural anaesthesia in labor are very sleepy and they would rather sleep than nurse, which can be problematic because the more you nurse at the beginning, the faster your milk will come in and the better your experience will be. It’s shocking to me that most women take such exceptional care of their babies while they are pregnant, i.e. no alcohol, no Tylenol, etc., but they willingly expose their babies to drugs during childbirth without fully educating themselves of the risks.

Here’s something you want not want to know: Hospital-employed childbirth educators WANT you to have an epidural. Hospitals make a lot of money from epidurals. The nurse often comes into your room and says, “Are you ready for your epidural now?” In the U.S.A, an epidural costs from $500 to $2500, depending on the hospital. The United States spends more money on birth ($50 Billion a year!) than any other nation in the world, without necessarily getting the best results. The average hospital birth costs $8,000 – $10,000 and that doubles for caesareans, providing very nice profits for obstetricians, anaesthesiologists and drug companies. Hospital policies are routinely set based on financial goals. This is a fact, and if you don’t believe it, you are being duped.

Just hear me out on this one: It makes sense, doesn’t it? Since midwifery care and doula care reduces the rates of intervention, they also reduce the profit for doctors and hospitals. Of course, they will try to convince you that midwives are dangerous. They want your money!!! That is why, in Canada, where we have arguably the best government-run medical insurance system in the world, governments realised that by allowing midwives to deliver in hospitlas, they are saving millions of dollars.

Back to epidurals (which I am not completely against, by the way! I do believe they are warranted in some cases)If you have an epidural, you must also have a urinary catheter inserted to empty your bladder. Epidurals can cause your blood pressure to decrease, so a nurse will check your blood pressure very often. The nurse or doctor will also periodically rub your abdomen to make sure there is enough paralysis but not so much that your breathing becomes impaired.

There is also a domino effect that plays into it as well – once you have one intervention, you are more at risk for more and more. For example, a woman who has an epidural is FOUR times as likely to have to have a caesarean section. Sometimes it relaxes the pelvis so much that you cannot push out your baby, so the use of Vacuum and forceps are significantly increased. This means you also have to have an episiotomy (where they cut your skin from your vagina to your rectum) in order to get the forceps into your vagina. Sometimes there are complications from episiotomies, as you can well imagine, such as bowel incontinence and urinary incontinence. Note: According to Childbirth practices researcher Katherine Hartmann, MD, PhD, close to 1 million unnecessary episiotomies are performed in the U.S. each year. She says episiotomies are probably medically warranted in fewer than 10% of cases. Currently 1 in 3 American women get episiotomies. Hartmann is director of the Center for Women’s Health Research at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

The biggest risk of epidural is death – if the anaesthesiologist injects the wrong dose, or makes a mistake, you’re in trouble. You can also be paralysed (in very rare cases, permanently) due to nerve damage. Let me repeat, MOST epidurals are safe, but these are some of the risks you need to be aware of. The evidence of epidural risks is well documented, but it is not readily available.

Don’t you think it is easier for the doctor to be able to “control” their patient if they are lying still and quiet in the bed, paralysed and unable to move around? Ask your doctor what percentage of their patients receive an epidural. Can you go one step further and ask them how much money they make if they give an epidural? Or of it makes their job easier if their patient has an epidural? I think that would be very interesting! If he or she has an alarming rate of epidurals, I would seriously consider changing doctors.

If you are still thinking, “I don’t care what anybody says, there is no way I am going to go through that pain like some freaky natural childbirth nut”, I am here to say that I thought exactly the same way when I was pregnant – at first. But once I did some reading, I thought, wait a second, maybe I could at least try to do it naturally. In my birth plan I wrote that I wanted to try to do it naturally, but if I ask for an epidural, give me one. (Where we live, Midwives can order epidurals.) I also want to say that I do believe that in some cases, epidurals are a really good idea. For example, if you have been laboring a very long time and you need to rest a few hours so that you can gather your energy to push the baby out. I was present at my friend’s birth as her support person, and she was not making any progress after about 10 hours. We tried all sorts of positions and everything, but finally her doctor suggested an epidural and I agreed. She was able to rest, and calm down, and then it wore off and she was able to push out her baby without any problems. It was beautiful. (Note: she did not experience any of the above complications.)

Please educate yourself by reading some of the books I recommend on my website. You will feel much better about yourself knowing that you did your research and made the right decision for you. Finally, please take a GOOD prenatal class (not one offered at a hospital) and read as much as you can so that you are prepared and educated. It’s your body and your baby!

About The Author

Suzanne Doyle-Ingram is mother of two girls, Hana and Alexa, and married to her best friend James, who is a stay-at-home dad. Suzanne is also the creator of the Pregnancy Leads to New Babies.com website (http://www.pregnancy-leads-to-new-babies.com), an informative site for pregnant women and new Moms, which provides information on pregnancy, labor, and how to take care of your new baby. As a family, Suzanne, James, and the girls enjoy kite flying, swimming at the beach, and visiting new restaurants. Visit her website at www.pregnancy-leads-to-new-babies.com for more of Suzanne’s articles.

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Top Tips for Fantastic Skin – Keep Young and Healthy from the Inside Out
 by: Penny Williams

Top Tips for Fantastic Skin

Keep Young and Healthy from the Inside Out

When you meet people, what do they see? Your face, your skin, that’s what. Your skin condition can say a lot about your health and your lifestyle. Did you know that your skin is the largest organ of your body? An adult human skin weighs around 5kg (11lbs) and has a surface area of 2 sq. metres (22 sq. feet), which is approximately the size of a double bed. Even with your clothes on that’s a lot of target for damage from the outside – injury, sunlight, cigarette smoke, environmental pollution. So your skin can be damaged by what it is exposed to, and at the same time, it reflects internal emotions (e.g. when you sweat or blush) and conditions (especially the health of your digestive system). The condition of your skin is closely dependant on what you eat.

Nutrition and Your Skin

Nutrition is fundamentally involved at every stage of your skin development. Collagen makes up 70% of your skin and depends on vitamin C. Dry, rough skin (caused by the build up the protein keratin on the outer layers) can be prevented by Vitamin A. The membranes of skin cells are made from essential fats. Dry skin can be caused by a lack of these fats. The flexibility of your skin is reduced as you get older mainly because of oxidation damage caused by free radicals – from pollution, cigarette smoke, fried and burnt foods, sunlight. This damage can be limited by nutrients such as vitamins A, C, E and selenium. Lack of zinc can lead to stretch marks and slow wound healing, and is associated with a wide variety of skin problems from acne to eczema.

Foods to Keep You Young and Beautiful

Foods that can enhance your appearance need to feature as many of the following as possible: antioxidants, antibacterials, fibre to clear toxins, essential fats to support skin and reduced levels of saturated fat and sugar.

The sorts of foods where you’ll get this kind of combination are: fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, fish, pulses, nuts and seeds.

So, to improve your skin, include the following in your diet:

Apricots, cantaloupe melon, carrots, eggs, liver, pumpkin, red peppers, watercress – contain Vitamin A and beta carotene.

Blackcurrants, broccoli, citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, papaya, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and sprouted seeds – contain Vitamin C.

Almonds, avocado, eggs, hazelnuts, olive oil, Sunflower seeds, walnuts – contain Vitamin E.

Brazil nuts, cabbage, chicken, eggs, liver, molasses, mushrooms, onions, seafood, tuna – contain Selenium.

Almonds, chicken, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, eggs, oats, potatoes, sardines, tuna – contain Zinc.

And reduce your intake of these:

Alcohol

Coffee/tea (no more than 2 cups per day)

Sugar

Saturated fat (found in meat and dairy products).

And think about these other factors:

Avoid strong sunlight and use a sun block (sunlight causes oxidative damage and speeds the ageing process of your skin).

Wash your skin with a gentle oil-based cleanser, not soap, and consider what is in your skin products such as your moisturiser (many cosmetics contains strong petroleum/alcohol based substances –remember these are absorbed through the skin).

Take regular exercise (it stimulates blood flow, which will enhance delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells).

Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses per day (1- 1½ litres)) to hydrate the skin. Too little water can be a major factor in dry skin.

Consider taking some nutritional supplements: a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement; vitamin C; an antioxidant blend (containing at least vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium); and an essential fatty acid supplement (linseed oil, fish oil or evening primrose oil or oil blend). Remember supplements should be considered as an addition to a good diet and healthy lifestyle, not a replacement for one.

Use a skin brush for your body (upward strokes working from feet to torso) and an exfoliation cream for your face. Exfoliation helps to clear blocked pores and smooth away dead, dry skin.

If that sounds a lot to think about, don’t let it put you off. You can have the skin you deserve, the skin that reflects a healthier you. Just take it step by step. First introduce apricots, cantaloupe melon etc (the Vitamin A foods). Then when you’ve worked through introducing the healthier range of foods, start reducing the alcohol and sugar. In no time at all you’ll be on the road to better health and better skin.

Written by Penny Williams, Nutritional Therapist: www.lifefirst.info

About The Author

Penny Williams

You may re-print or distribute this article however you like on condition that you include this statement and the following sentences concerning the author and her website. Penny Williams is a nutritional therapist specialising in helping women to achieve optimum health. Her website, including newsletter sign-up, is www.lifefirst.info and wellness products can be bought at www.lifefirst.info/shop.html

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Many people suffer from hereditary loss of hair. For men, the abnormality is called Androgenetic Alopecia or “male pattern baldness,” which is implicated in 95% of hair loss cases. This type of hair loss is caused by an increase in dihydrotestostrone (DHT), a direct component of testosterone. While this type of hair loss is inevitable, it can be slowed using hair loss treatment for man and other various treatments.

Since the cause of male pattern baldness is caused by a rise in DHT, the most effective hair loss treatment for man is the one with that focuses on blocking the build up of DHT in the body. One such medication for male hair loss is finasteride. Finasteride is a hair loss treatment for man that works by preventing certain enzymes from converting testosterone into DHT.

Minoxidil is one of the most popular hair loss treatment for man. It is widely regarded as effective in about 25% of men suffering from baldness on the crown. It is applied twice a day in cream form. However, it is effective only when it is continuously used.

Surgery is one other hair loss treatment for man. Although the surgical procedures have undergone significant improvements, the effects are not evident until after several months have passed since surgery. In hair transplants, very tiny plugs of hair are taken from the side or back of the scalp, which are then transplanted onto bald spots.

Scalp massage is a traditional hair loss treatment for man. Massaging the scalp stimulates hair follicles and unclogs blocked oil glands in the scalp. It also encourages growth of healthier hair and scalp.

Tissue expansion is another type of hair loss treatment for man. In this procedure, tiny balloons are placed under the scalp between those areas with thick hair. Over a number of months, these balloons are gradually inflated.

Another hair loss treatment for man is to have proper diet as this is extremely important in hair loss prevention. What you are feeding your body will influence the different areas of system function. If you have an unhealthy diet, you have higher chances of developing hair loss. To prevent such thing from happening, be sure that you eat whole, natural foods as these will guarantee permanent good health. Make sure that your diet consists of whole grains, fresh fruits and lean meats. Protect your system by avoiding or cutting down on excessive caffeine, alcohol, tobacco products and highly processed foods.

Vitamins are another option for hair loss treatment for man. Taking vitamins that help prevent hair from thinning is another option for men who are suffering from baldness. These types of vitamins are valuable in aiding thinning hair and in the promotion of quick growth of healthy hair. These vitamins are typically a combination of amino acids, biotin, zinc, magnesium and vitamins B6.

Many who resort to this type of hair loss treatment for man report that these specific vitamins have produced positive results and that they already have thicker, shiny and healthier hair. If you want, you can take vitamins that are solely for balding and hair loss.

About The Author

Get more of Patricia Hammond’s FREE tips, advices, hair loss product reviews and information on hair loss treatment for man at http://www.hairlossvitamin.info/best-hair-loss-treatment.html or visit site at http://www.hairlossvitamin.info/

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