Health Net

4 Free Clorox Samples

Free Clorox Ready Mop

Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

Free Sample of CLOROX Anywhere Hard Surface Daily Sanitizing Spray

Free Clorox Bleach Pens

Free Sample of CLOROX Anywhere Spray

Click here for tons more freebies

There are a lot of people who would give a lot to increase their metabolism. Having a high level of metabolism enables one to maintain burn fat and lose weight fast with the least amount of activity. Metabolism is the rate by which the body produces and consumes energy and calories to support life.

There are several factors that affect the metabolism of a person, such as the amount of muscle tissue, the frequency of the meals one consumes, genetics, stress levels, personal diet and activity levels. Metabolism slows done due to the following: loss of muscle because of not enough physical activity, the tendency of the body to cannibalize its own tissue because there is not enough food energy to sustain it, and the decrease of physical activity that comes naturally with old age.

There are several ways to fire up one’s metabolism

Build up on lean, mean body mass. It is only natural that metabolism decreases along with age, but it is possible to counter the effects. The amount of muscle a person has is a very strong determinant in the ability to burn calories and shed fat. So it goes without saying that exercise is essential. Build strength and resistance by working out at least twice a week, preferably with weights. Do easy exercises in between workouts. Simple tasks such as walking the dog and using the stairs in place of the elevator can already take off calories. The key is to match the amount of eating to the amount of activity one has. Here are some guidelines in getting the right exercise:

For strength training
* Increase the amount of repetitions of a particular exercise.
* Add the level of resistance
* Utilize advance exercise techniques if possible

For cardiovascular training
* Insert intervals between exercises
* Perform cross-training and combine the exercises
* Add up on resistance and speed

Eat breakfast. A lot of people are ignoring the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Surprisingly, the ones who eat breakfast are thinner than the ones who do not. Metabolism can slow down considerably if breakfast is taken during mid-morning or if one waits until the afternoon to eat.

Avoid sugar. Sugar enables the body to store fat. It is recommended that a person consumes food that helps sustain an even level of blood-sugar. Additionally, progressive execerise 2-3 times a week should be in order to stabilize blood sugar.

Eat spicy foods. Hot cuisine with peppers can increase metabolism.

Sleep more. According to research, it is riskier for people who do not get enough sleep to gain weight. Also, muscles are regenerated during the last couple of hours of slumber.

Increase water intake. Water flushes out toxins that are produced whenever the body burns fat. Majority of bodily functions involves water, and lack of water causes the body system’s operations to decrease its speed, and produces unneeded stress as a result.

Eat smaller meals. It is advisable to consume 4 to 6 small meals that are timed 2 to 3 hours apart.

Never skip meals. People tend to skip meals in order to lose weight, which is a big mistake since it slows down metabolism.

Plan meals in detail. Always prepare the right amount of food to be consumed at the designated intervals. Do not commit the mistake of eating meals in sporadic patterns.

Ditch the stress! Stress, be it physical or emotional, triggers the release of a steroid called cortisol, which decreases metabolism. Also, people tend to eat excessively when stressed.

Guzzle up on green tea. It can be used as a substitute for coffee. Tea has the ability to stimulate metabolism, and unlike coffee, it has no undesirable side effects when too much is consumed.

Include more energy foods in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains.

Achieving the desired body weight is never impossible if one has the determination and patience needed to stabilize the metabolism level, which plays an important role in weight loss. A person needs to realize that eating right and working out is not just a passing fancy, but a way of life.

Aging can affect all of us by changing our hormone levels. As we age the level of hormone that is formed by, our glands decline. Our glands produce the hormones and release them through the blood streams. As we grow older, hormone production slows. To correct the slowness sometimes hormone replacement is essential. Before you jump the gun however, searching for replacement take note that medical experts discovered that men who seek hormone replacement therapy should consider carefully. The replacement therapy is behind, or part of the cause of prostate cancer. You want to check with your doctor always before taking any non-prescribed supplements, therapy treatments, etc.

Our body produces two major hormones that are very important. We start to lose these necessary elements as aging progresses. Our body relies on estrogen and testosterone to keep our metabolism, sex reproduction functions and so forth healthy.

Testosterone is not only important for the men but women too. Men need a higher-level of testosterone. The hormones are what promote facial hair, larger muscles, and deeper voices. Testosterone is what makes the men seem younger and helps them to perform sexually, since it is their drive. As it lowers in men, they lose their sex drive. On the other hand, too much testosterone in our bodies can induce side effects, such as heart disease and enlarge the prostate glands. For this purpose, you want to consult with your doctor before taking replacement hormone therapy.

Estrogen is the other major hormone that our bodies need to keep up with life in general. Women take estrogen to counteract menopause by taking a supplement direct by their doctor. Taking estrogen can also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s. Estrogen therapy reduces our risks, yet side effects can lead to uterus or breast cancer. Some women experience blood clotting while others may not. In addition, some women have endured heart attacks and strokes after taking estrogen therapy units. Like all other supplements or treatments over-the-counter, one must consult with their physician before taking the treatments. Discuss the good and bad points of taking replacement therapies, such as estrogen and testosterone.

Do you have a hard time sleeping at night? Maybe you’re lacking the Melatonin hormone. The lack of melatonin is known to interrupt sleeping patterns as we age. Our glands produce Melatonin and it slows down, as we grow older. Study shows that while we are sleeping during the hours of 8PM and 5AM, is when this hormone is produced the most. By taking Melatonin supplements, it can help in the reduction of breast cancer and help to reverse aging along with improving our sleep. The side effects may include drowsiness. Melatonin can cause the blood vessels to constrict as well. It depends if your body has sufficient or deficient amounts. Again, talk with your doctor first. Melatonin according to few can cause heart conditions. Melatonin is dangerous to those diagnosed with high blood pressure. Like most things, it is very important to consult your physician before taking this supplement.

We have various aspects of the body to consider when discussing healthy aging. Our body produces hormones, cell bodies, neurons, and so on. When our bodily functions are interrupted, it affects the body and mind as a whole and determines how fast we will age. Still, you must consider that environment factors, doctors, medications, smoking, using alcohol excessively and so forth plays a part in our aging process. In fact, we have to review normal aging verses abnormal aging when considering healthy aging.

Celiac disease, also known as gluten sensitive enteropathy is very common but frequently missed. It is an autoimmune disease of intestinal damage due to gluten in people who are genetically predisposed. Classic Celiac disease is diagnosed by abnormal blood tests and an abnormal appearing intestine on biopsy and symptoms that resolve with a gluten free diet.

Several blood tests exist for Celiac disease. They have varying degrees of accuracy. Some are more sensitive, meaning they will be positive in milder forms of the disease but are not specific, meaning a positive test may not indicate Celiac disease. Others are felt to be very specific, meaning that when they are positive, it is almost certain you have the disease.

The most specific tests are tests for Celiac disease endomysial antibodies (EMA) and tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG) tests. These two tests are IgA based tests and can be negative if you are deficient in the immunoglobin IgA, which occurs in 10-20% of people with Celiac. When either EMA or tTG are positive Celiac disease is very likely and usually the intestine biopsy is positive. Recent studies indicate that the tTG may only be positive in 40% of true Celiacs when mild degrees of intestine damage are present on biopsy. Seronegative Celiac, meaning the blood tests are negative but the biopsy is positive, may occur in up to 20% of Celiacs.

Antibodies for gliadin (AGA), the toxic fraction of gluten are considered very sensitive but not specific for Celiac disease. Newer assays for AGA antibodies for gluten that has undergone a chemical change called deamidation appear to be more specific for Celiac disease (Gliadin II, Inova) than the older gliadin tests. They also may be as or more accurate than EMA and tTG antibody tests but are not yet widely available.

The most distressing problem for people with lesser forms of gluten intolerance who have blood tests and/or biopsies that are normal or borderline yet respond to a gluten free diet is either not being taken seriously or knowing for sure if they are sensitive to gluten. For these individuals stool antibody testing for antigliadin and tTG have been helpful. Such stool testing has been performed in research labs and published in a few studies but are only recently available through the commercial lab, Enterolab. Founded by a former Baylor research gastroenterologist, Dr Ken Fine, the tests are available to people online without a doctors order but are not generally covered by insurance. Dr. Fine, who patented the test, has yet to publish the results of his findings in a peer reviewed journal so his tests are not widely accepted. However, his unpublished data and the clinical experience of some of us who have used his test have indicated the tests are very sensitive for signs of gluten sensitivity. He reports that they are 100% sensitive for Celiac disease and highly sensitive for gluten sensitivity of lesser degrees. In the presence of symptoms, that reverse on a gluten-free diet, abnormal stool antibody levels can be found in most people before blood tests or biopsies become abnormal.

Small intestine biopsies during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy are considered the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of Celiac disease. However, recent studies have demonstrated that some people with gluten sensitivity, especially relatives of Celiacs with little or no symptoms, have changes from gluten injury to the intestine that can not be seen with normal microscope examination. They can only be seen with special stains not routinely done or with a research electron microscope. The special stains are known as immunohistochemistry stains. They stain specialized white blood cells called lymphocytes in the intestinal lining tips or villi. When these lymphocytes are increased it is known as intraepithelial lymphocytosis or increased IELs and it is the earliest sign of gluten induced injury or irritation. Electron microscopy also reveals very early ultrastructural changes in some individuals when blood tests and standard biopsy examination are normal. When people who have these changes are offered the option of a gluten-free diet they usually responded favorably. In contrast, those who continue to eat gluten often later developed classic Celiac disease.

What these studies suggest is that a “normal small intestine biopsy” may exclude Celiac disease as defined by strict criteria but it is not a gold standard for detecting gluten sensitivity. This fact is appreciated by many individuals who have respond to a gluten-free diet they start based on their symptoms, family history, suggestive blood test or stool antibody test(s).

Another source of confusion is in the genetics of Celiac and gluten sensitivity. Testing for specific blood type patterns on white blood cells known as HLA DQ2 and DQ8 is increasingly being employed to determine if a person carries either of the two gene pattern present in 95-98% of Celiacs and predisposing them to the development of Celiac disease. Some use the absence of these two patterns as a way of excluding the possibility of Celiac disease and the need for testing or gluten-free diet. However, there are rare reports of documented Celiac disease in people who are DQ2 and DQ8 negative. Moreover, recent studies indicate other DQ patterns may be associated with gluten sensitivity though unlikely to predispose to classic Celiac disease.

Testing for all the DQ patterns is advocated by Dr. Fine, based on his experience with stool antibody test results. He reports that other DQ types are associated with elevated levels of gliadin and tTG in the stool and symptoms that respond to a gluten-free diet. According to his unpublished data, all the DQ types except DQ4 are associated with a risk of intolerance to gluten. Therefore, testing for all the DQ types allows a person to determine if they carry one of the two high risk gene types for Celiac disease or any of the other “minor DQ” genes Fine has found associated with gluten sensitivity.

Enterolab’s stool testing for gliadin antibodies and tissue transglutaminase antibodies, though not widely accepted, have gained favor in the lay public’s opinion as an option for determining sensitivity to gluten either despite negative blood tests and/or biopsies or in place of the more invasive tests. Most doctors still recommend the accepted blood tests and small bowel biopsy for confirmation of Celiac. Though the reports in the lay community are overwhelmingly positive they have not been subjected to peer review in the medical community pending Dr. Fine publishing his data or other researchers reproducing his results.

However, doctors open to the broader problem of gluten sensitivity are reporting these tests helpful in many patients suspected of gluten intolerance. Especially when someone has symptoms consistent with gluten sensitivity but has negative or inconclusive blood tests and/or biopsies these tests may be very helpful though some are not certain how to interpret the tests. The national Celiac organizations are uncertain about how to comment on their application without published research though a recent article in the British Medical Journal did show stool tests highly specific for Celiac. Dr. Fine has publicly commented that his unpublished data demonstrates those with abnormal stool tests indicating gluten sensitivity overwhelmingly respond favorably to a gluten free diet with improvement of symptoms and general quality of life.

Another problem is that there are not universally agreed upon definitions for gluten sensitivity or intolerance. This becomes especially difficult for those who do not meet strict criteria for Celiac disease yet may have abnormal tests and/or symptoms that respond to a gluten-free diet. Those individuals become confused when they try to find information but do not have a formal diagnosis of Celiac disease. Consensus in the medical community on definitions and more research in this area is greatly needed.

The few doctors who appreciate the spectrum of gluten intolerance or sensitivity are outnumbered by the medical majority that continue to insist on strict criteria for diagnosis for Celiac disease before recommending a gluten-free diet. Doctors either unfamiliar with the limitations of the tests as documented by Celiac research or who insist on the strict criteria for Celiac being the only indication for recommending a gluten free diet unfortunately may confuse or frustrate gluten sensitive individuals. Some of these people then seek answers on the internet or from alternative practitioners. Many have their diagnosis missed, challenged, dismissed, or are misinformed. As a result they fail to benefit from the health benefits of a gluten-free diet because they are advised that it is not required based on normal blood tests and/or normal biopsies. In the meantime, Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity continue to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

For more information visit http://www.thefooddoc.com

Dr. Scot Lewey is a physician who is specialty trained and board certified in the field of gastroenterology (diseases of the digestive system) who practices his specialty in Colorado. He is the physician advisor to the local Celiac Sprue support group and is a published author and researcher who is developing a web based educational program for people suffering from food intolerances, http://www.thefooddoc.com

When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental – rather than beneficial – to their health.

The Truth About Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet – without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.

Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.

Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.

As mentioned earlier on, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos have revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).

The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Other Benefits of Fish Oil
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.

Making the Heart Healthier
The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body and having an unhealthy heart means having to suffer a rather limited lifespan. Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.

In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.

Fish to Become Thin
In Perth, Australia, a study had revealed that fish consumption can be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.

Fish Oil to Combat Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.

Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily as well.

Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.

One of the most important points of the pH miracle diet is that cancer can be prevented and reversed by applying the principles of the diet. Although these statements have caused some controversy in the world of health and wellness, many people credit the use of the pH miracle diet in reversing their cancer and improving their overall level of health.

According to Dr. Robert Young, the creator of the pH miracle diet, cancer is not a sickness or a disease as commonly thought. It is an effect of the metabolic acids that are built up in the blood and then released into the tissues. Cancer, according to Dr. Young, is actually an acidic liquid that spills into the cells, tissues and organs. It is not a mutation of the cells.

No condition happens without a cause. There are clear and direct causes for cancer, and as the pH miracle diet books show, the cause for cancer lies in over acidity. Diseases like cancer are due to systemic acidosis, which is extremely low pH (below 7.4). Any pH below 7.0 is considered acidic, and the lower the pH is the higher the acidity level in a person’s body is.

At the cellular level, your cells consume the food that you eat and produce metabolic acids. Those acids are normally expelled by the body through sweat or urine. When you consume a vast amount of acidic foods and lead a lifestyle that produces even more acidity, your body does not know what to do with the rest of the acid waste. When you eat highly acidic foods on a regular basis, your body simply does not have enough energy to get rid of the excess acids. They collect in the body, and create disruptions at the cellular level.

Metabolic acids are first kept in the blood and then they are kept in the tissues. When acid is kept in the tissue, it causes sickness, disease and cancerous tissues. Cancer is the acidic liquid from metabolism that pools in the body. It affects the cells around it and, like a rotten apple in a barrel, the effects spread from cell to cell causing disease. Cancer is not made of mutated cells. The cells themselves do not change form but they are limited in their function due to the presence of excess metabolic acid. There is no such thing as “cancer cells”; the cells are actually normal cells that have become highly acidic.

One of the most surprising parts of the relationship between pH and cancer is that tumors are in fact trying to help the body. They form in areas where the metabolic acid is becoming rampant and effecting cellular function. Tumors are your body’s attempt to prevent the spreading of the acidic cells to other parts of the body. The tumor is actually a signpost to where your body is collecting excess metabolic acid. Some people are genetically predisposed to collect metabolic acid in certain places. This is why some families have a history of, for example, breast cancer.

The tumors themselves are not the problem, but are just signs of what is going wrong in that part of the body. When cancer metastasizes, it is a sign of the acidic condition moving to other cells and making them acidic as well.

Cancer is not something that people get out of the blue. Cancer forming in the body is a sign of the choices that we make in what we eat, what we drink and how we live. An alkaline lifestyle that focuses on an alkaline diet and other calming behaviors will be much less likely to produce cancer, if it does at all. An acidic lifestyle and diet will be full of the pains of the build up of metabolic acid which can, in extremes, lead to cancer.

That is exciting news because it means that cancer is preventable and treatable. A cancer patient can start taking steps toward reversing the effects of cancer and preventing the spread of it. His or her alkaline centered diet may be more aggressive than someone’s who is just trying to get better overall health. However, by applying the principles of the pH miracle diet they can effectively reduce, control and eliminate cancer from their bodies.

As we all know, vitamins are very important when it comes to keeping your heart healthy. You need to eat the right foods of course, although you also need to supplement the food you eat with the necessary vitamins your body needs to stay in shape and keep your heart working healthy for a long time to come. If you don’t consume the right nutrients, you won’t be doing your heart any favors - and may end up having problems later on in life.

The first vitamin that comes to mind for most people is vitamin E, a vitamin that is essential to improving the overall health of your heart. When taken correctly, vitamin E will stop the cholesterol in the body from harming the arteries that surround the heart. Anytime cholesterol oxidizes, it sticks to the sides of the arteries and can lead to blockages which can cause heart attacks or other serious problems with the heart.

To help you keep your heart healthy, most doctors recommend that you take additional supplements that contain vitamin E. They may also suggest that you eat foods that are naturally rich in vitamin E, such as nuts. Nuts have high amounts of vitamin E, and most of them taste great. You can find other foods that contain vitamin E as well, although nuts have the highest amounts.

In the past, research has shown Vitamin E to help those who have already suffered the wrath of a heart attack. This vitamin helps to prevent heart attacks in the future by opening up the arteries and eliminate blockage. Those who have had a heart attack in the past are always encouraged to add more vitamin E to their diet.

What many aren’t aware of, is the fact that you can use vitamin C to boost the effects of vitamin E. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant, which prevents the damaging effects that cholesterol has on the body. Along with preventing cholesterol from damaging the body, vitamin C also helps vitamin E with it’s functions - such as protecting your arteries and your heart.

By taking both vitamin C and E as a combination, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier heart. Overall, this is the easiest way that you can be sure you aren’t damaging your heart, especially if you have had a heart attack in the past. If you have a history of heart disease or heart problems in your family, these vitamins are essential to your diet. Even if you are just concerned about the health of your heart, these vitamins will give you the peace of mind in knowing that you are eating for a healthy heart.

As far as your dosage goes, it will vary from person to person, although 400 international units of vitamin E and C are the recommended amounts for most people. On it’s own, vitamin C can be tolerated in large doses, without imposing any harmful effects. You can take around 500 mg of it twice a day, and ensure that your heart remains healthy.

To be on the safe side, you should always make sure that you get the proper amount of vitamins in your daily diet. Taking additional vitamins and supplements isn’t a bad idea either, especially if you are trying to boost the health of your heart. Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, which is why you should always take care of it. If you eat the proper diet and take the necessary vitamins - you’ll be well on your way to keeping your heart healthy.