Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Three Essential Health Tests

Oral Glucose-Tolerance Test
With this test, you'll find out if you're one of the too many men out there with undiagnosed diabetes. Unlike a standard fasting blood-sugar check, the tolerance test stresses your metabolism to see how your body handles a glucose load.

How it's done

After a night of fasting and a morning glucose drink, your blood is drawn several times over three hours. A result higher than 11 mmol/l at the two-hour mark is trouble. Before you turn to drugs, talk to your doctor about overhauling your eating and exercise habits.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test

A high CRP level is a sign of arterial inflammation, your body's ‘Heart Attack Ahead’ billboard. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that men with the highest CRP numbers have three times greater odds of infarction than those with low levels.

How it's done

Just offer up your arm. If the result is higher than five milligrams per liter, dish up the fiber: a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine states that consuming 30g of fiber daily can slash your CRP by 40 percent.

Mole Mapping

Australia has the highest skin-cancer rate in the world, so it's a good idea to go for a mole check once a year to catch any developing melanomas (dangerous skin tumors) early. Mole mapping involves taking a digital photo of your skin - while at the same time taking a closer look at any moles that look suspicious - and plotting the location of any moles on a computer. Then, when you return a year later, a second mole map will reveal any new growths - which are the ones to really worry about. If you have 50 moles on your back there's no way you're going to know if you suddenly have 51. Current technology allows us to assess the state of the skin without having to do unnecessary biopsies.

How it's done.

Most general practitioners don't have the equipment, so you'll need a dermatologist. As for the actual photo shoot, all you have to do is strip.

Sandra Prior runs her own bodybuilding website at http://bodybuild.rr.nu.

Thank natural to make herbals for good life!

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Sunday, December 21, 2008

Benefits of Detoxing

Benefits of Detoxing
Detoxing will do wonders for you, it will improve the way you look, the way you feel and your ability to cope with stress. This will make your feel more energetic and full of vigour rather than lethargic and run down here are 5 different reasons why you will want to Detox your body.

1.You'll loose excess weight. Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils and nuts, and you'll automatically reduce alot of calories. the worlds largest study on successful weight loss, eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables is a vital part of losing weight and keeping it off. Fruit and vegetables are low in calories, virtually fat-free and filling.

2. Cellulite will Diminish :loose fat and you loose cellulite, and thats great news for the 85% of us women who are plagued by it. Cellulite effects 95% of women over the age of 30. A healthy and carefully calorie consumption combined with exercise are the only proven ways to beat cellulite.

3. You'll have more energy. : Vitality and health are the Ultimate aim. By concentrating on fruit and vegetables, salads, whole grains and pulses, foods that are fresh, and have not been processed or overcooked and have not been adulterated with artificial additives, you'll be giving your body with all the nutrients it needs to work more efficiently. here-by reducing the toxin load on your system, you'll quickly begin to feel healthier and more energetic.

4. You'll get fewer colds. : When eating better fresh foods, minor infections such as colds, sore throats and flu are less likely. Fruits and vegetables are the best ways to get high levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene and other antioxidants in your diet. Research shows that people with high intakes of nutrients have fewer sick days than other people.

5. You'll get rid of bloating. : Swallowing too much air and eating in a rush are the most common causes of bloating. It is important that you learn to take your ti,e and sit down to eat. Chewing thoroughly and eating slowly will help reduce the amount of air swallowed with food. Reduce frizzy drinks as they introduce more unwanted air. here are food groups that cause bloating too. Cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, yeasts, wheat products and bran cereals.

Claire Calo,
Holistic Therapist, Artis, Network marketer

Article Source : http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claire_Calo
Thank natural to make herbals for good life!

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Goldenseal , Nice Herbs

Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis, Yellow Root, Ground Raspberry, Wild Tumeric.) This lovely woodland plant native to the hardwood forests of the US was found originally as far North as Wisconsin and Vermont and as far south as Georgia and Alabama. Some wild stands of Goldenseal still exist in these areas, but due to increased popularity in the herb trade, plants in the wild are now endangered due to over-harvesting and urban sprawl, overtaking habitat.

There are numerous growers around the country who are now cultivating Goldenseal both in woodland settings or in large field production under shade cloth. It is considered essential to the preservation of this plant to use only Goldenseal root that has been cultivated rather than wild Harvested.

As backyard herb growers, Goldenseal is one of the easiest of the woodland herbs to cultivate in a shade garden setting. The lovely green palmate leaves unfurl in early spring and soon the small white flowers appear.

Eventually, each plant produces its red raspberry-like seed which is very striking as the foliage yellows the seed ripens. The plants will spread by their roots and eventually form a crowded mat. The distinctive yellow root is harvested in late Fall after the foliage dies back. Usually plants reach a harvestable size by 4 to 6 years old.

Although Goldenseal is quite drought tolerant once established some watering the first few years especially in dry Summer climates helps the process along. A deep mulch of hardwood leaves or chips is ideal. The plants must be protected from slugs and snails when they first emerge in the spring.

Several Native American tribes used Goldenseal root as an important medicinal. The Iroquois used it for coughs, digestive upset and pneumonia. The Cherokee used Goldenseal for snake bites, as a tonic herb and as a anti-microbial wash for wounds. The early American Pioneers also used Goldenseal as an antiseptic, a digestive and a respiratory herb and by the 1860's, the wild harvested root was in high demand.

Goldenseal has continued to be one of the most popular western herbs for many years and is an integral ingredient in many of the herbal formulas of the 19th and 20th century. The Yellow root is rich in berberine and hydrastine and is one of the best herbal remedies for all issues involving mucous membranes from sinus infections to ear Infections to pink-eye.

Goldenseal is also an excellent digestive bitter stimulating bile production and helping stomach upset. Used topically it is an excellent antiseptic for wounds and skin infections of all kinds.

An essential for the herbalists medicine chest, Goldenseal is an officially endangered plant in the wild and is in need of preservation. There are other analog herbs which are similar to Goldenseal medicinally, but Goldenseal is a unique and powerful medicine and your homegrown fresh Goldenseal roots will be a medicinal treasure to work with. Herbaceous Perennial.

Thank natural to make herbals for good life!

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