Health Tips Articles

Minggu, 01 Mei 2011

24 Ways to Lose Weight Without Dieting

Set a timer for 20 minutes and reinvent yourself as a slow eater. This is one of the top habits for slimming down without a complicated diet plan. Savor each bite and make it last until the bell chimes. Paced meals offer great pleasure from smaller portions and trigger the body’s fullness hormones. Wolfing your food down in a hurry blocks those signals and causes overeating.

5 Reasons Why Alcohol destroys your muscles

Alcohol consumption is more harmful than you think.

Bellow 5 reasons...

1: This negatively affects protein synthesis. The process of protein synthesis when amino acids are assembled into a complete protein. Excessive alcohol slows the process down to 20%, because your muscles are made up of proteins, thus multiplying the benefits of alcohol will not be.

2: It lowers testosterone levels and increases estrogen. Testosterone is the most important muscle building hormone in your body. One of the factors that determines how much muscle weight a person can gain.

3: It causes dehydration. Dehydration is the loss of water or fluid from the body. Water and salt from the character depends on how much a person loses fluids.
The kidneys must filter very large amounts of water to remove alcohol, which can cause severe perspiration within the body. Water plays an important role in muscle growth process. Muscle is 70% of water.

4: It depletes the body of vitamins and minerals. Alcohol consumption causes vitamins A, C, B, calcium, zinc, phosphorus and rapid drain. Vitamins and minerals to maintain an appropriate body functioning, and many of these processes involve muscle growth and maintenance.

5: This increases the fat layer. With 7 empty calories per gram, alcohol can actually be quite negative for your body image. If you are seriously committed to build muscle, you really need to monitor alcohol consumption, and make sure that you take it in moderation.

Why You Should Drink Coffee + How to be healthy

The popularity of coffee all over the world is not without reasons. Coffee drinkers of all race and color have appreciated the taste and aroma of coffee that are distinctive from any other drinks. Serve it hot or drink it icy cold, coffee is just the best. Besides its addicting taste and aroma, though, there still are many other reasons why you should continue drinking coffee. Here are a few of the benefits and advantages of coffee:

Coffee slows down aging. Coffee has a considerable amount of antioxidants that are far more than what is present in tea or red wine. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton in 2005 concluded that coffee is in fact the number one source of antioxidants in the American diet. So how do the antioxidants in coffee curb off aging? Antioxidant helps the body in fighting and absorbing free radicals the body produces. These free radicals are identified as culprits that cause cell damage which results in sagging of skin, wrinkles and ultimately aging.

Coffee gives you the necessary alertness you need when you feel tired or drowsy. Coffee contains caffeine which is known to be a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. CNS stimulants can boost mental alertness which makes it very handy when you are beating a deadline and you feel sleepy and drowsy. This also makes coffee break the best literal option to take when you can't work and are tempted to fall asleep in your workplace.

Coffee has numerous health benefits. Coffee drinking can result in positive health implications. It is reported that coffee drinking results in lowering risks of type 2 diabetes. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota has also identified coffee as a factor why women who drink coffee once to three times a day are less likely to die from heart disease and non-cancerous inflammatory diseases than non-coffee drinkers. These findings bring out the health benefits of enjoying the wonderful taste and aroma of coffee.

Coffee drinkers can now justify why coffee drinking is the best. Coffee slows down aging; boosts mental awareness; and have been found to have many health benefits. The next time somebody asks you why you love coffee, give these other excuses other than point out the distinctive and addictive taste of coffee. Remember though not to drink too much coffee. Almost all drinks, including coffee, can only be beneficial when drunk in moderation.

10 Essential Health Tips (The Basics to Practice Every Day)

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat

Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking

The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress

Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution

If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt

Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss Your Teeth

Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.
8. Avoid Excessive Drinking

While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook

There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

How to be healthy

# Eat at roughly the same times each day. This might be two, three or more times but a routine encourages a reasonable weight.

# Watch your portions. Don't heap food on your plate (except for vegetables) and think twice before having second helpings.

# Try to have five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. A portion is about 80g of fruit or vegetables. This is roughly equal to an apple, orange, banana, or similarly-sized fruit or two serving spoons of cooked vegetables such as broccoli or carrots.

# Eat foods with reduced fat. Choose reduced fat versions of foods such as dairy products, spreads and salad dressings. Cut fat off meat.

# Eat foods with reduced salt. Too much salt can increase your blood pressure and your risk of heart disease and stroke.

# Eat healthier snacks. If you're hungry between meals, choose a healthy option such as fresh fruit or low calorie yogurts instead of chocolate or crisps.

# Look at food labels. Choose food with less far, sugar and salt content.

# Think about how you eat. Eat your meals at the table and it will help you focus on the amount of food you eat. Eat slowly because it takes time for your body to register how much food you've eaten and how full you are. Don’t eat while walking, but wait until you get there and take time to concentrate on what you are eating.

# Think about what you drink. Water is good (but lots of it is not necessary). Semi-skimmed milk is good too. Moderate amounts of tea and coffee are fine. Many soft drinks (including fizzy and sweetened soft drinks) contain a lot of sugar. Alcohol is high in calories.

# Don't bother with vitamin supplements. If you enjoy normal health and are not sensitive to healthy foods, you probably don't need them and there is no real evidence that they do any good.

# Walk every day. The aim should be to do around 10,000 steps which equates to around 60-90 minutes of walking. Using a pedometer on a belt is a good way to monitor this. On the way to or from work, shops, or meetings, leave the car or public transport a bit short of your destination. In the office, use stairs rather than the lift (or elevator, for my American readers).

# Don't sit around too long. Break up your sitting time by walking around at regular intervals. At home, do a chore. At work, visit a colleague.

# Limit exposure to the sun. Between 11 am and 3 pm, it's better to be in the shade. When in the sun, wear sensible clothing and use appropriate sun factor lotion. Never burn.

# Get enough sleep. The amount varies by individual and age, but most people need seven or eight hours a night. It's important to go to bed at a regular time and get up at a regular time. There is some evidence that people who take a short nap during the day lower the risk of heart disease.

# Be happy. Happiness helps healthiness, especially mental health.

10 Tips for Avoiding Weekend Weight Gain

Is weekend overindulgence the cause of your weight gain?

Did you know that even if you stick to a healthy diet or exercise routine all week, weekend overeating could result in an average gain of 9 pounds a year? That's what researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found in a recent study published in the journal Obesity.

Like the study subjects, many people stick to a routine of relatively healthy eating and regular exercise on weekdays -- but when 5 o'clock Friday rolls around, all bets are off. Then, come Monday morning, your pants feel a little tighter and the needle on the scale moves up a notch.

There's no way around it; the trick to avoiding weekend weight gain is consistency, says James Hill, PhD, co-founder of the National Weight Control Registry, which tracks people who have succeeded in losing weight and keeping it off.

"Our studies show that successful losers that keep the weight off long term are consistent every day in their lifestyles, so eating healthy and exercising is their routine regardless of day of the week," says Hill. "When weekends are a time out, those extra calories and time off of exercise add up, and undermine weight loss efforts."

Here are more tips from the experts to help you outsmart weekend weight gain:

1. Weigh in regularly. Weigh yourself every day -- or at least every Friday and again on Monday. When you see your weight creeping upward, that's a signal to cut out the splurges and increase activity. For consistency's sake, weigh yourself first thing each morning after emptying your bladder.

2. Focus on healthy eating and moderation. You've probably got more time on the weekends, so why eat processed foods? Take the time to prepare and enjoy whole foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. Cook up a pot of soup or chili, or cut up veggies to enjoy as snacks. Eating fiber-rich whole foods and lean protein will keep you feeling satisfied for hours.

3. Plan ahead. If you're headed for a party or out to dinner, eat less that day and/or power up your physical activity. When you're planning to be out running errands, pack healthy snacks or a lunch to help yourself avoid the high-calorie offerings at fast-food restaurants and the food court.

4. Watch portion sizes. The best way to get familiar with portion sizes is to pull out the measuring cups once in awhile. This will help you "eyeball" portions better even when you're away from home. You can also visualize common items to keep portions in line. For example, a baseball equals about 1 cup (fruits, vegetables, greens, flake cereal); a light bulb equals 1/2 cup (pasta, rice, potatoes, beans); a golf ball looks like 1/4 cup (dried fruit, peanut butter, nuts) and a deck of cards is about the size of 3 ounces of burger, chicken breast, or fish. Another trick: Try downsizing plates and utensils so servings look larger.

5. Get physical. Instead of spending extra time on the couch, use your weekend time to take a bike ride, go for a hike, play tennis, or simply go walking with your family and friends. Even shopping at the mall can be exercise. Strap on a pedometer and strive for 10,000 steps each day.

6. Eat out sensibly. Don't arrive at the restaurant starving. Otherwise, you could take in hundreds of extra calories from the bread basket or appetizers alone. Have a cup of vegetable soup, a green salad, or another light snack to take the edge off your appetite an hour before you go out. When you arrive, scan the menu or buffet and choose foods that are not laden with cream or sauces or prepared in casseroles.

7. Eat a healthy breakfast. You've got time to enjoy breakfast on the weekend, so do so. Just avoid the giant farm-style breakfasts loaded with fat, sodium, and calories. Have an egg or two, whole-grain toast, and some fruit. Or choose a bowl of high-fiber cereal with low-fat yogurt and fruit. A healthy breakfast sets the tone for the day. Successful losers never leave home without it.

8. Think thin. Keep your weight loss goals in mind on the weekends so all your hard work during the week isn't wasted. An occasional splurge is fine, but don't make it a regular thing. When you're socializing, focus more on the people and conversation -- and less on the food.

9. Beware beverage calories. Calories from alcohol, sodas, and juices add up quickly; before you know it, you've downed several hundred extra calories. Alcohol can also loosen your resolve to eat healthy. Consider liquid calories as extras, because they don't fill you up or reduce the amount of food you eat. Enjoy one glass of wine instead of two, order light beer instead of regular, or have your cocktail with club soda or diet soda to help keep calories under control.

10. Eat more meals at home. It's harder to control your eating when you eat out. One study showed that people who ate out 13 times per month ate 32% more total calories than those who ate out four times monthly. Portions are larger at restaurants, and you have less control over how the food is prepared. When you cook at home, you can prepare exactly what you like, and you're in charge of the ingredients, says Ellie Krieger, MS, RD, author of The Foods you Crave and host of Food Network's Healthy Appetite.

Diabetic Nerve Pain: 10 Foot Care Tips to Protect Yourself

Diabetes can mean double trouble for your feet. First, diabetes can reduce blood flow to your feet, depriving your feet of oxygen and nutrients. This makes it more difficult for blisters, sores, and cuts to heal. And second, the diabetic nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness in your feet. When you can't feel cuts and blisters, you're more likely to get sores and infections.

If you don't notice or treat the sores, they can become deeply infected, and lead to amputation. A sad reality: having a toe, foot, or lower leg surgically removed is 10 times more likely in people with diabetes.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can also cause sharp pain in your feet. You may become excruciatingly sensitive to the lightest touch, like the sheets on your bed.

Fortunately, a little TLC goes a long way in preventing foot problems from diabetes.
10 Tips to Protect Your Feet

Foot Care Tip 1. Check both feet daily.
Look over both feet carefully every day, and be sure you check between all of your toes. Blisters and infections can start between your toes, and with diabetic neuropathy, you may not feel them until they've become irritated or infected. If a physical challenge keeps you from checking your own feet, ask a family member to help.
Foot Care Tip 2. Wash with warm - not hot - water.
Wash both of your feet briefly each day with warm - not hot - water. You may not be able to feel heat with your feet, so test the water with your hands first. Avoid soaking too long in water, since waterlogged sores have a harder time healing. Dry your feet right away, and remember to dry gently between all of your toes.

Foot Care Tip 3. Make sure your shoes fit well.
It's an investment worth making. Even the slightest rubbing or misfit shoe can cause a blister that turns into a sore that becomes infected and never heals. Buy better-fitting shoes, or try different socks, even at the most minor signs of redness or irritation, since you may not be able to feel when it's getting worse. Before buying or putting on the shoes check your shoes for rough seams, sharp edges or other objects that could hurt your feet. And break your shoes in gradually.

Foot Care Tip 4. Skip the barefoot look.
Always wear shoes or slippers. Always wear socks with your shoes, since leather, plastics, and manmade shoe materials can irritate your skin and quickly bring on blisters. While you might prefer the look of hose, nylon knee-highs, or thin socks, you may find that these don't give your toes or heels enough protection. Wear thicker socks to pad your feet and cushion any calluses or sore spots.

Foot Care Tip 5. Speak up.
Nerve damage can be unpredictable. Tell your doctor about any changes in sensation in your toes, feet, or legs. Speak up if you notice pain, tingling, a pins-and-needles feeling, numbness, or any other unusual signs - even if it seems trivial to you. There's nothing small-potatoes about a potential foot amputation.

Foot Care Tip 6. Stay soft - but dry.
Your skin may be dry and cracked because of high glucose levels, and cracked skin means it's easier for bacteria to get under your skin and harder for infections to heal. Use a small amount of skin lotion daily, but be sure your feet feel dry - not damp or sticky - afterwards. Try not to get the lotion in between your toes. Keep your toenails trimmed and filed smooth to avoid ingrown toenails. You may find it easier to trim your nails after using lotion, when your cuticles are softer. Use a pumice stone after showering or bathing to softly file corns or calluses.

Foot Care Tip 7. Try non-impact exercise.
Swimming, cycling, yoga, and tai chi are increasingly popular ways to exercise - with minimal impact on your feet. Talk with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Foot Care Tip 8. Fix bunions, corns, and hammertoes.
If your big toe slants sharply in toward your other toes, with a big bump on the knuckle of your big toe, you've got a classic bunion. Corns are spots of thick, rough skin, where the tissue builds up on toes constantly barraged by too much rubbing or pressure. A buckled-under toe, called a hammertoe, can result from muscle weakness caused by diabetic nerve damage. All of these make it hard to fit shoes comfortably. But a good podiatrist can help you fix these problems and take better care of your feet.

Foot Care Tip 9. Consider fitted orthotics.

A podiatrist can also fit you with shoe inserts called orthotics to support your feet if your have diabetic nerve pain or the muscles have become weak from nerve damage. If pain or weakness is so severe that it's too painful or even impossible to walk, a foot brace or orthopedic shoes might help. A podiatrist is your best source for these devices.

Foot Care Tip 10. Control your blood sugar.

The best treatment for nerve pain, ultimately, is to manage your diabetes well. In fact, a major study by the American Diabetes Association in 2006 showed that strict blood glucose control with intensive insulin therapy lowered the chances of having symptoms of peripheral neuropathy - tingling, burning, and pain - by 64%. While you can't control whether or not you get diabetic nerve pain, you can help control your glucose levels with diet, exercise, and mediations if you need them.

Your feet are your source of independence - or at least its foundation. Give your feet a little tenderness, a little loving care, each day. And be sure to have your doctor take a good look at your feet during each of your diabetes checkups, in case you missed anything.