Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Treat Your Body to Massage Therapy in Brandon

by: Manny Lontoc


Getting massage therapy in Brandon is surely one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Your body will definitely thank you for it by performing better physically, mentally and emotionally.

You can get a massage not only in Brandon, though. You can also get a massage at Valrico or a similar massage at Riverview. This should not be different from the massage at Bloomingdale, either. Whether you get your massage at 33511 or somewhere else, it will definitely be beneficial for as long as you get it from professional massage therapists.

Healing Effects of Massage Therapy in Brandon

Massage therapy in Brandon has multiple healing effects on the body. Feeling good physically instantly lifts one’s mood, making you feel good mentally and emotionally, as well. Massage in Brandon has been known to raise the levels of serotonin and dopamine, hormones that trigger a feeling of wellbeing. On the other hand, massage by Brandon therapists has also been known to lower levels of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is called the “stress hormone” because it is triggered by stress and causes havoc on one’s immune system. Lowering one’s cortisol levels prevents it from doing harm to the body.

Improved mood from massage therapy in Brandon has the additional effect of lowering the blood pressure. Having massage sessions more often from Brandon therapists has been proven to lower blood pressure even more and maintain it at those low levels. This is a major health benefit since high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke and heart attack.
Another effect observed from massage therapy in Brandon is improved sleep patterns. Sleeplessness is often related to chronic headaches and depression. Once sleep patterns are normalized after regular massage sessions with Brandon therapists, though, there is marked improvement in patients suffering from chronic headaches and depression.

Sleeplessness is also one of the triggers of fibromyalgia, a chronic condition in which patients suffer muscle pain, tenderness and fatigue. Massage greatly helps fibromyalgia sufferers in Brandon not only by improving sleep patterns but also in relieving muscle pain.

Massage has been found to be effective in relieving and treating back pain in Brandon, as well. Since pain killers have been proven to have dangerous side effects when taken at high doses, this alternative treatment is indeed very welcome.

Almost as common as back pain these days is carpal tunnel syndrome, usually related to computer work or sports such as tennis. The meridian nerve at the wrist is pinched, leading to pain or numbness in the palm and fingers. Aside from discomfort, sufferers also become unproductive. Regular massage sessions with Brandon therapists can lessen the pain and allow more use of the affected hand sooner.

In general, massage therapy by Brandon specialists improves muscle suppleness, flexibility and range of motion all over the body. Whether for senior citizens, couch potatoes or sports enthusiasts, this is a definite plus.

Various Massage Techniques in Brandon

You can get all these health benefits from any massage therapy regimen in Brandon. It would be even more beneficial to find a massage therapist in Brandon who could design a customized massage therapy for your body’s specific needs. There are various massage techniques to choose from.

Swedish massage in Brandon is recommended for general relaxation. Deep tissue massage in Brandon, on the other hand, is a more intense procedure intended to loosen chronically tight and knotted muscles. For athletes or even beginners in sports, sports massage by Brandon therapists helps prepare for a game and helps in post-game recovery. Pregnancy massage is for expectant mothers in Brandon.

Give your body a treat that it really needs with the massage therapy that’s just right for you.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_7789.shtml


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Diabetes and High Blood Pressure - Are You Self-Inflicting?

by: Jamesina Goulbourne


Diabetes and High Blood Pressure could be linked through insulin resistance. Examining the occurrence of Metabolic Syndrome X gives us insight into why it`s a case for concern.

It could spell trouble. The by-products of eating a poor diet are diabetes and high blood pressure. Almost 75% of diabetics are type 2, with 50% going on to develop high blood pressure, being unaware of the seriousness of their condition.

Metabolic Syndrome X - A Cluster of Symptoms

Before diabetes and high blood pressure are full blown other symptoms may show up. Weight gain especially around the middle, a high level of triglycerides in the blood, a decrease in HDL cholesterol, and insulin resistance.

A person experiencing all 3 symptoms along with the diabetes and high blood pressure, likely have what is know as Metabolic Syndrome X, due to the reason that cells and organs which are associated with those sicknesses, suffer malfunctions of metabolic processes. But they are all linked to a common cause; the regular consumption of high glycemic foods. These foods are white bread and rolls, white rice, sugar, baked ?potatoes, broad beans, chips, and many breakfast cereals. These foods are only a small selection from a list of many high glycemic foods.

The Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

Even if we eat high glycemic food, the remarkable pancreas can function quite efficiently. It`s an amazing organ. The insulin hormone released from it`s beta cells, will stimulate "gateways" (cell receptors), to receive glucose (sugar). It all functions perfectly. Insulin will also stimulate your liver and muscle cells to store any excess glucose as glycogen when too much is produced, and that reserve will be used when the glucose levels dip, maintaining a regular level of 70-110 mg per dl.

If you habitually eat a diet of glycemic foods, that`s when problems will begin to surface. Glucose levels will be too high in the blood too often, and your beta cells will continue to supply extra insulin to off-set the load. The results are damaging to those liver, muscle, and fat cell receptors. When that occurs, then the beta cells will work ever so harder, to produce more insulin, trying to force insulin into the cells. More cell receptors are destroyed and the cycle of destruction repeats.

Your cells at this phase, become insulin resistant, with Diabetes and high blood pressure looming as a real threat, along with the other metabolic syndrome X symptoms.

With all the bombardment of insulin, your fat cell receptors become resistant to it causing triglycerides to break down and enter the blood and raise the fat count. Your muscle cells are reduced to the amount of glucose they can take in, because they too have become insulin resistant, raising the glucose in the blood higher. Then there are your liver cells which fail to store any excess glucose as glycogen when they become insulin resistant, keeping glucose levels high. Welcome to the world of diabetes! Your blood pressure begins to rise because the insulin metabolism is gone haywire, and to top it all you will probably develop -

Narrowed blood vessels
Hardened arteries
Damage to artery walls
Damage to the kidneys
Fat burning mechanism switches off
Weight gain
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

What happens now to your wonderful working pancreas? You overworked them so much that the beta cells are beginning to burn out. Soon you will need insulin injections, on top of all the other serious health issues you will now have to cope with. Is this your story? I hope not. Don’t self-harm. Change your diet before it changes you.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_7797.shtml



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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Mysterious disease

Have been equally we know, that has spread a virus that is very strange named "Swine flu". After previously have the Bird Flu spreads very quickly to our country of Indonesia, now the spread of swine flu was also very fast.
We look forward to our government to be able to anticipate the possibility of the worst will happen, our country there is not too indentik with this animal, because the majority of the population in Indonesia is a Muslim. As countries other Muslims, Pigs are clean animals to eat so rarely found in the community who keep pigs around the house may be only part of East Indonesia still maintain that.
We hope this incident will be completed quickly, so it does not disturb the peace of the world.


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Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Forgotten Power

by: Aaron M. Potts, ISSA CFT

What would you consider is your most valuable tool for staying in shape? Is it your treadmill? What about your weight set? Is it your arsenal of low-fat cookbooks, and low-carb diet snacks? What about your collection of workout videos?

Would you consider it a revelation that your most lethal weapon in the battle of the bulge is your Attitude?

Think about it. What good is your treadmill if you don't have the energy to get on it, or can't get up the motivation to crank up the speed, or the elevation? How useful are your dumbbells if you can't push yourself to use them in the most effective manner? How good is a nutrition program that you can't stick to? How much fat loss will you get out of your workout videos if you just can't seem to get as motivated as that bouncy cheerleader who is urging you to jump higher, or that buff macho man who keeps saying, "C'mon, just one more rep!"?

No, none of those tools is going to get you very far unless your HEAD is in the right place. As you read this article, you have probably already been exposed to more nutrition and exercise information than you could possibly ever need to actually stay in shape. You've probably read, listened to, or watched the answers to your fitness issues enough times to win the next Mr. or Mrs. Neighborhood fitness competition a dozen times over! Yet, you are still not where you want to be. Why?
Attitude.

Seeing Your Goal

Do you have a clear vision in your head of where you want to be, or what you want to accomplish when you are at a peak level of fitness? I don't mean just some vague idea - I'm talking about an actual burning mental image of a six-pack set of abs, or a nice set of curves, or a clear picture of you crossing the finish line in first place, or taking home that trophy. If you don't have that, you are already just spinning your wheels. How can you expect to get somewhere if you don't know where that "somewhere" is?

Many people start out very motivated to get in shape, or to compete for that prize, but their motivation lacks focus - laser-targeted precision that will guide them down the right path. The term "as the crow flies" comes to mind. If you could leave your house and drive in an exact straight line to your destination, don't you think that you would get there a lot faster? What if you could just fly through stop lights and intersections, disregard all posted speed limits, and go exactly in a straight line to every destination? You sure would get there a lot faster!

Exercise, physical fitness, and nutrition are no different. If you don't have a clearly mapped out and measurable road map to your success, then you will stray, and that will cost you time at the very least - and at the most, it will cost you precious amounts of self-confidence! Take some time to think about WHERE you want to be, HOW you are going to get there, and most importantly, WHY you want to be there. Take the time to do that, and I think you'll see that your previous path may have been road blocked by a few too many trips to Starbucks for a Caramel Frappuccino. Not that anyone writing a fitness article such as this would know anything about that...

Believing In Your Ability

Okay, so you've got yourself a good mental picture. You have your road map in front of you, your path is straight and true, and you are ready to get started. What comes next? Belief.

Do you believe it is possible to wave a magic wand and have all of your excess bodyfat gone, and all of your fitness goals realized in the blink of an eye? Of course not. If you do, and you know the secret, please contact us - I'm sure we could make some money on that secret! For everyone else, I'll ask a different question. Do you believe that you could sit on your couch, suck down some ice cream, and put on some more bodyfat? The answer is, unfortunately, yes.

What is the difference between those two questions? Very simple - one is possible, and one is not. What does that have to do with your fitness goals? Well, it may come as a surprise, but you have been dealing in the IMPOSSIBLE for quite sometime now. You have been striving for a goal, yet not really believing that it was within your power to reach it.

Oh sure, you may have joined a gym, or bought a new Litmus 3000 Super-Decker top of the line treadmill/clothes hanger, but did you really believe that you were going to do it this time? If you are reading this and you are in perfect physical condition, then congratulations - you did it! For the rest of you, are you seeing the point? You didn't truly believe it, because otherwise it would have happened.

Each of us shelters hidden either very deeply or sometimes NOT so deeply a seed of doubt that we will really succeed. When that seed is there - whether it is planted deeply or not - your subconscious waters it and feeds it. The next thing you know, it is has grown into an entire field of self-limiting beliefs, and you have neither the time nor the desire to get out there in the field and destroy that evil crop!

What are you to do, then? BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Why? The answer to that is simple - because you are the only one who truly can. Others may support you, and they may even show you the path, but it is YOU who has to walk it.

Taking Action

We have covered the need for you to clearly see your goal, and for you to use the power of belief to start walking down the path, but what's next?

The next step is the same for you as it is for an aspiring business owner, or a college freshman, or an artist staring at a blank canvas - you have to TAKE ACTION. You can read the top 2 sections of this article all day long, but doing so won't burn off any bodyfat, or pack any muscle tissue onto your body. Only appropriately carried out action can do that.

Think of all the self-help books that you have read, or programs that you have watched on TV, or listened to on the radio. Did any of them do you any good whatsoever if you didn't take action on what you had learned? What about what you have read so far in this article? Has it been helpful? Most likely. Will it do you any good if you don't Take Action? Nope. Negative. No way. Nada. You get the picture.

You can read, listen, and watch your way right into a bodyfat level that would make a sumo wrestler jealous, or consider your options until your muscles have diminished so much that you can't even lift a toast to your dearly departed dreams, but none of that will mean squat if you don't GET UP and make it happen!

Why are you still sitting here? Get out there and Take Action!
Aaron Potts is the owner and creator of Fitness Destinations, a content-filled health and fitness website for consumers as well as professionals in the fitness industry. Aaron's experience in the health and fitness industry includes one on one personal training in many different environments, maintenance of several health-related websites, and authoring of many fitness articles and fitness-related products for consumers and fitness professionals. Sign up for his weekly Fitness Journal at http://www.fitnessdestinations.com/journal.html

Source : www.e-healtharticles.com/Detailed/91.html


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A Guide To Dental Health

by: Seth Miller

People begin to learn about dental health from a very young age, when teeth first begin to show up. But in spite of such early awareness, many people fail to maintain good dental health through their adult life. Good dental health comprises brushing and flossing your teeth every day, and regular visits to a dentist or dental hygienist as well. Besides, people supplement their dental care with the use of products like mouthwash or advanced mouth care systems. You should keep it in mind that the lack of adequate dental care practices will result in cavities and gum disease.

It is generally advised that you use a toothbrush with softer bristles so as to protect your gums. Some people, however, prefer power brush systems that help break up plaque and bacteria in your mouth. But it takes more than brushing to keep your teeth in good health. Some other steps need to be taken to ensure that people do not lose their teeth as they become old.

To begin with, you should understand your own oral health needs, as your oral health depends on your diet, the type and amount of saliva in your mouth, your overall health and your oral hygiene routine. Try to follow a daily routine in consultation with your dentist.

As fluoride strengthens developing teeth in kids and prevents decay in adults, toothpastes and mouthwashes containing fluoride should be used. You should brush at least twice a day, if possible three times or after every meal. You should also floss at least twice a day. Brushing and flossing will remove plaque, a complex mass of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth.

Limit the consumption of snacks and follow a balanced diet plan. Tobacco in any form will enhance the risk of oral cancer and cause stains on your teeth. Visit your dentist regularly and get your mouth examined.

Source : www.e-healtharticles.com/Detailed/952.html


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Friday, April 24, 2009

Health and the Empath

by: Nick Jude

Has being an Empath affected my health? Well...let's see.

I suffer from Ulcerative Colitis, Osteoarthritis, Uveitis and possible Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis...and that's just the "itisis". My Doctor's tell me that these Diseases are all connected to an Autoimmune Disorder that appeared all at once when I turned forty years old or so. But it wasn't all at once, really.

For years whenever I'd see a Doctor for a "well" visit, they'd ask me if I had any infections or Flu like symptoms and when I'd ask why I was told that my white blood cell count was way off the chart! When I'd tell them that I felt fine they were very surprised. One of them even tried to push the issue stating that I must be ill, but I wasn't. Or so I thought.

Although I felt fine on the outside, something was eating me away on the inside causing me internally to break down and bleed. That something was Empathy. The years of taking everything and everyone in, had finally taken it's toll on the old system. Therefore, If you are an unskilled Empath and haven't developed the art of shutting down or shielding you may be in trouble yourself someday.

When I presented this theory to my Doctor's they understood where I was coming from with the whole mind/body connection thing, but without any hard evidence they deemed my opinions inconclusive and kept pumping me with steroids and powerful immuno-suppressant medications anyway. After many years of frustration and following traditional medical advice, I found my condition was not going into reemission anytime soon and in fact hardly gotten any better at all.
This is when I began to do my own research and decided to adopt a more alternative lifestyle approach to my medical conditions. If it wasn't for the Internet I would've never discovered all the different avenues available to me, both as an Empath and an ill individual. I spent countless hours sifting out tons of information and through trial and error came up with a formula that seems to be working for me. I'm still on the medications but through meditation, diet and Empathic shielding I hope to be free of them all someday soon.

The shielding process is a necessary aid that must not be ignored and needs to be practiced daily. If not, the accumulation of emotions will slowly permeate every cell causing a mutation resulting in the immune system thinking it's being attacked and it will defend itself, even against itself. This is what I believe accounts for the accelerated white blood count in my system that results in the attack on my body.

What I do is simple. I take ten minutes each morning and evening, close my eyes and focus on my breathing. If your mind begins to wander don't fight it. Be aware of it, let it go and bring yourself back to your breathing. This works wonders for me but you must be diligent and practice it daily for it to be helpful. If my Arthritis isn't too bad I walk and meditate allowing for an even better way to relieve stress and keep depression at bay.

As far as my diet goes I'm eating about ninety percent organic now as I believe that processed foods tend to incite flare ups in me. This diet is both expensive and time consuming in preparation but extremely worth it. I've only been practicing this combination of diet, meditation and exercise for a few months now but am already beginning to see the benefits. I intend to stay on this path forever and am looking forward to a better, brighter future.

Source : http://www.empathguide.com/


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The Banana - A Nutritional Health Wonder

by: Su Yun

A banana is not only one of the tastiest health foods around, it is a wonder snack too. It contains three natural sugars - fructose, glucose, and sucrose. These, combined with its fiber, provide a quick, sustained, and substantial energy boost.

Compared to an apple, it has four times the protein, five times the iron and vitamin A, three times the phosphorus, and twice the carbohydrate and other vitamins and minerals. Like other fruits, it contains no fat or cholesterol. It is a widely acknowledged fact that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is important for health and for lowering the risk of diseases like cancer and heart disorders.

Potassium

Bananas are known for being high in potassium, one of the essential minerals that help regulate heartbeat, normal growth, muscle-building, and fluid balance in the body. It plays a role in nerve transmissions and muscle contractions, and so helps to prevent muscle cramping. It is also important for bone strength, as optimal intake of potassium reduces loss of calcium in urine, which in turn minimizes the risk of kidney stones.

Potassium helps to oxygenate the brain. Studies have shown that the potassium-rich fruit can improve learning by making students more alert.

Besides being rich in potassium, it is low in salt, which makes it ideal for preventing high blood pressure and protecting against atherosclerosis. From research carried out, the New England Journal of Medicine has reported that consuming bananas regularly can reduce strokes by as much as 40%. The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has allowed the banana industry's claims for the fruit's ability to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

For more on the importance of potassium, see benefits of potassium .
Vitamin B6

Bananas are high in the B vitamins that help calm nerves. They are especially rich in vitamin B6 that is needed for normal growth and brain function, and that help the body eliminate toxic substances and fight off diseases, as well as regulate blood glucose levels and enhance moods. Vitamin B6 is also useful in cancer prevention, treatment of allergies, and in alleviating premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

For the many other functions of vitamin B6, see benefits of vitamin B6.

Iron

Bananas are rich in iron, which is needed for the production of hemoglobin to make red blood cells. A lesser-known fact about iron is that it is required for the immune system to function properly, and for resistance to disease and infections.

For more on why iron is important to health, see benefits of iron.

Stress

People suffering from depression can benefit from a banana. Bananas contain tryptophan, that the body converts to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is used to regulate moods and induce relaxation.

Nicotine Withdrawal

Bananas are also said to be useful for people trying to give up smoking. The vitamin B6, B12, potassium, magnesium, and other vitamins and minerals present in them help the body recover more quickly, physically and psychologically, from nicotine withdrawal.

Digestive Health

Being high in pectin, a water-absorbent fiber, bananas can help in cases of both diarrhea and constipation, to restore normal bowel function. They are also exceptionally rich in a prebiotic-like compound, so called because it nourishes friendly bacteria (probiotics) in the colon, that are beneficial for digestive health. These friendly bacteria improve our ability to absorb nutrients such as calcium, and protect us from 'bad' bacteria in our gut.

Bananas have also long been recognized for their protective effects against stomach ulcers. They not only help eliminate the bacteria that cause ulcers, but can significantly increase the thickness of the protective mucous membrane on the inner walls of the stomach.

They can calm an upset stomach, neutralize acidity, and reduce irritation, especially in cases of chronic ulcers. As they neutralize acidity, they are a good way to reduce heartburn, by acting as a natural antacid.

Storage

The best bananas are, of course, the tree-ripened ones. They are also the sweetest.

Most bananas turn yellow when ripe, though there are reddish/purplish varieties as well. As bananas ripen, their starch turns to sugar and they become sweeter.

Commercially sold bananas are typically plucked and sold while still green. Store those over the counter at room temperature until they turn yellow. They are best eaten at this stage before they over-ripen, which is when the skin turns black and the flesh becomes mushy. You can store ripened bananas in the refrigerator. In the fridge, the skin of the fruit might continue to darken, but the flesh should still be firm.

Source : www.healthsupplementsnutritionalguide.com


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