Medicine Has Revolutionized Uses for the Titanium Rod

Titanium rods can be composed of pure titanium or a mixture of pure titanium and other alloys. Rods are commonly used in medicine as bone replacements, especially in orthopedic surgeries. There are many great natural properties titanium has that make it perfect for medicinal uses.

Titanium has high strength but is very lightweight. The metal is also non toxic and extremely resistant to corrosion. The various corrosive body fluids cannot do any damage to the metal. Titanium is durable and long-lasting with the ability to stay in the body for up to 20 years.

Titanium is lighter than steel, heavier than aluminum, and stronger than both of those metals. While it is more expensive to invest in initially, titanium is cheaper over the long run. This is because there is no service, maintenance, or repairs needed.

Titanium is has high passivity. This allows it to have corrosion resistance to many minerals and chlorides. Titanium is very useful in the medical field because of its non-toxicity. It is also biologically compatible human bone and tissue.

The non-ferromagnetic property of titanium is a huge benefit for medicine. Patients who have titanium rods can be safely examined with MRIs and NMRIs. Most often, titanium is used for reconstructing certain parts of the body.

Failing sockets, joints, or severely broken bones can be replaced with titanium implants. Titanium produces medical pins, rods, bone plates, screws, bars, wires, posts, expandable rib cages, spinal fusion cages, finger and toe replacements, and maxio-facial prosthetics.

Surgically, titanium is one of the perfect resources to use when making instruments. Titanium is harder than steel but more lightweight. It is resistant to bacteria and infection. It can be used with medical instruments that emit radiation. Titanium is also durable and long-lasting. An investment in titanium surgical instruments would pay off extremely well.

The ends of titanium rods can be threaded or hooked. This depends on what the patient needs surgically. Titanium has a natural and wondrous process called osseointegration. Osseointegration is the term used when the bone and tissue in the human body bond to the titanium implant. This phenomenon locks the implant into place permanently.

The specific titanium rod that is used for medicine depends on injuries and how stable or flexible the rod must be. Replacing a bone in the leg, for example, requires titanium alloys. This makes the rod stiff and supportive, like how a bone is naturally. Pure titanium is more flexible and is used when the rod must be formed into a certain shape before implantation.

Most patients receive titanium alloy rods. There is a high friction rate associated with titanium alloy rods, meaning any rubbing against another titanium rod must be avoided. For children who need orthopedic surgery, an expanding titanium rod is used.

This rod is attached to the joints and osseointegration occurs. The rod will grow with the bone as the child grows. Expanding titanium rods can only be used to replace large bones in the body, such as a leg bone. Expanding rods reduce the occurrence of more surgeries since the rod will be able to grow with the child. Expanding rods are generally used as much as possible

However, non-expanding rods are also necessary. Non-expanding rods used in surgeries where the person is still growing means that multiple surgeries will be needed to continually replace the rod. If the rod is not replaced as growing continues, it can stunt a child's growth since the rod will prevent the body from naturally growing.

Since its widespread production in the 1940s, there have been widespread improvements in the process and production technology, alloy development, measurement of properties and characteristics, and the development of applications throughout many industries. The constant drive to higher efficiencies is part of the reason more medical uses are being found for titanium.

Get Rapid Medical Attention With Urgent Care

You might have heard about urgent care and that it is getting immensely popular in the health care industry. But do you know the exact reasons as to why it is being considered as the most convenient and appropriate option for those who are looking for medical attention? When you visit a hospital or a doctor's clinic, you need to make an appointment first. This is where the process gets delayed if you need urgent attention. But with urgent care, patients can get access to the best of treatments quickly.

This has proved to be the best option for who are suffering from injuries. But for this, you also need to understand the condition that demands urgent care. Any state of illness which is not life threatening but requires quick attention is where you are in need of such services. Some of the services that can quickly be treated here are nose bleeding, minor fractures, doing x-rays, and more such things. People are often seen waiting in long lines for the treatment of such problems. The next advantage you get with urgent care is that you can go for this anytime of the day. Most of such clinics operate 24*7 for the convenience of patients, and so you need not worry about the time. One fact that many people might not be aware is that the cost of treatment here is much less than what is charged by the hospitals. Thus, it proves to be the best choice for problems like earaches, fever, wheezing, broken bones, sprains, sore throat, and more such situations.

If you are searching the best and reliable way of getting good medical attention for your problems, then nothing beats urgent care. There is a good team at such centers that works to take care of the patients, even after they have received the correct treatment. You can be sure of receiving the best treatment here in a timely manner.

However, when you are searching for such clinics, you should make sure that you test their license. Treatments should be taken only from the certified doctors. Such doctors offer the best possible medicines understanding your situation.

The best urgent care center you can approach is the one that is located near your house, so that you don't have to travel much for the treatment. For this, you should conduct good research on the internet, and look for centers that operate near your house. This will also help you go and check the facilities there. Apart from this, you should see the approximate number of doctors who work there, so that you have a clear idea of the center and their procedures.

Top 15 Homeopathic Remedies For Kidney Disease

There are many things that lead to kidney failure. High blood pressure, diabetes, lupus, genetics and kidney stones, to name a few. Kidney problems will lead to chronic kidney or renal failure, if left untreated.

The normal medical treatment for kidney failure involves the use of drugs, kidney dialysis, and kidney transplants. These method however offers no cure, but only slows down the delay of complete kidney failure. To help treat damaged kidneys and stimulate the body's immune system, you should consider using Homeopathic remedies.

The two major approaches of administering Homeopathic medicine is the classic and complex method. The use of a single remedy based on the patient's constitutional type and symptoms is called the classic method. Most homeopathic practitioners use the complex approach. Various remedies are especially formulated and used to treat each serious aliment and disease symptom the patient has.

Homeopathic treatment for kidney failure is based on each individual patient, and the conditions associated with disease. The cardinal symptoms of kidney failure are often treated with some standard homeopathic remedies recommended by most homeopathic doctors.

Top Homeopathic Remedies for Kidney Disease

1. Ammonium carbonicum: mental sluggishness, fatigue, turbid, bloody, scanty or fetid urine and painful urination.
2. Apis mellifica: kidney inflammation, urine suppression and general edema.
3. Arsenic album: scanty and burning urination, difficult urination and nephritis.
4. Aurum metallicum: urine with mucous sediment and painful retention of urine.
5. Belladonna: inflamed kidneys.
6. Cannabis indica: urinary tract infections.
7. Chelidoniumm majus: copious urination, pale white urine and frequent night urination.
8. Cuprum Arsenicosum: painful urination, discolored urine and kidney function.
9. Cuprum Metallicum: clear watery urine, sharp pain in urethra, bed-wetting, urine suppression and frequent urination of fetid and viscid urine.
10. Glonoin: kidney inflammation and frequent night urination and helonia's rubrics are anemia, irritability, kidney inflammation and dullness.
11. Juniperus Virginiana: heaviness in kidney region and water retention.
12. Opium: general edema, urine suppression, uremic convulsions, body sluggishness, black stool and white urine.
13. Phosphorous: uremia, turbid urine with sedimentation, kidney swelling and extreme fatigue.
14. Sanicula Aqua: kidney stones and inflammation and bladder irritation.
15. Terebinthina: kidney and urinary tract inflammation and discolored urine.

All kidney diseases, including the end stages where dialysis is usually considered the only viable treatment option, is helped by the use of homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic treatment has also been proven beneficial after a kidney transplant. It will help the patients immune system accept the donor kidney.

An added benefit of using homeopathic medicines is the low cost. Homeopathic remedies are only a fraction of the cost of pharmaceutical drugs, and, there are no worries of dangerous side effects. Kidney disease is a serious medical condition and should always be treated by a professional health care professional. Try to find a provider that uses and understands natural methods of treating your disease.

If you are suffering from any serious health condition, please be careful about attempting to treat yourself. You need the guidance of a good homeopathic doctor or a naturopath physician.

If you will use homeopathy and allopathic medicines, along with a strict diet of reduced sodium and protein intake, you will find much relief from your suffering. Also,keep your consumption of potassium, phosphorus and calcium under control.

You should not attempt to self-treat yourself using homeopathic remedies for kidney disease. Like any form of alternative medicine, it is better to consult your healthcare professional before starting homeopathy. Basically homeopathy with allopathic medicine, along with a strict diet of reduced sodium and protein consumption and controlling potassium, phosphorus and calcium intake can help treat your disease.

I believe homeopathic remedies for kidney disease is one of the best methods to treat your kidney disease problems.

How Supplements for Sex for Women Can Help Them?

There is no doubt that women too need supplements for sex to improve and enhance their sexual pleasure. There are many women in current times that are witnessing lower libido or decrease in sexual desire. The prime reasons behind it could be modern lifestyle habits and tremendous change in food habits.

The low libido in women could be partial or total. However, for both those cases their are medications available by which one can improve their conditions. If someone is new to this situation and is scare of using medications due to their side-effects then they should go for herbal orgasm treatment supplements.

There are now many herbal supplements for sex for women are available. These supplements are now available in the form of topical creams, pills, syrups, sprays and various other such options. All of them are known to effective in improving the sexual condition among women's. Regular use of these products can restore sex and intimacy with husbands and can also improve the pleasure of pursuing the sexual act.

There are many advantages of using herbal supplements to improve their sexual condition. The primary advantage is that it helps women treat their impotence without any fear of side-effects. There is also no doubt that herbal sex supplements made of potent plants, roots and herbs which are rare in the world. The organizations that develop them carefully plough them or pluck them from some of the most dense forests, mountains, and remotest part of the world. These herbal components are some of the most powerful gift of our beloved nature. Their regular use not only enhances the sexual health of their users but also strengthens the core of their body.

Apart from herbal sexual supplements their are many other medications even available. There are many people who regular write in their articles to stay away of them. However, if the comparison takes place of the contents of these medicines with their herbal counterparts, there won't be a remarkable difference between them. Both the herbal and non-herbal sexual health improvement medicines made from the same set of plants. It is these features that have diminished the difference between herbal and non-herbal products.

Those who are looking for long-term benefits of using sexual supplements should make a few healthy changes in their life. They should stop smoking and alcohol consumption. Eating modern fast and ready to eat foods can't help one meet their body's necessary requirements. To strengthen their internal mechanism one should take healthy diet which should consists of green vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat and other necessary nutrition and minerals. Apart from that, exercising regularly can also benefit a person and help them improve their libido in a very small time.

Supercharge Your Immune System With Garlic, Lemon and Raw Honey Shots

I used to always be time poor, crazy busy and my days were very long ones with only 5-6 hours sleep per night. As I was always on the go, I often didn't have time to think about what I was eating, or my health. I would catch a cold or come down with the flu and couldn't figure out why; I exercised regularly, I ate what I thought was healthy, so my immune system was strong right? Wrong. My body was always fighting to keep going so it's no surprise my immune system was weak.

Nowadays I don't get sick, and if I do feel something coming on I opt for all natural cold combating vitamins like Echinacea and vitamin C, as well increasing my fruit and vegetable consumption. But in order to keep my immunity strong and avoid getting sick altogether I regularly consume natures immune boosting offerings like garlic.

Garlic contains a superpower of flavonoids and sulfur-containing nutrients and is a simple way to keep your immune system in top form. A study by Washington State University determined that when fighting disease causing bacteria's, garlic is 100 times more effective than antibiotics.

Garlic is best consumed raw as when it's cooked it reduces the protective effects of the allicin. It's still beneficial when used in cooking, just use double the amount that you would when consuming it raw and add it in at the end of the cooking process, not the beginning.

Another natural immune booster is raw honey, not only is raw honey highly nutritious, it's anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. It contains copious amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and vitamin C as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, sodium chlorine and phosphate. Be sure to consume raw honey and not "regular" honey, as raw honey hasn't been heated to high temperatures so it contains more of the beneficial health properties.

Also well known for fighting bacteria and infection are lemons as they're abundant in vitamin C and flavonoids, and also contain, magnesium, calcium and citric acid.

During the autumn and winter months I have one garlic, lemon & raw honey shot per day, and if there is a flu outbreak I'll up it to two per day. It truly is a super charged immune booster and best of all it's 100% natural.

Factors Influencing Drug Development

Nearly all pharmaceutical firms are on the look-out for new medicinal compounds which would be safe and effective medicines that could possibly:

1. Help prevent disease (preventive medicine)

2. Slow down the progression of a disease

3. Alleviate symptoms

4. Cure disabling or lethal conditions.

Using techniques such as quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR), a list of probable medical compounds is prepared. From this list of probable medicines, the target compound is narrowed down upon by the process of elimination.

Various factors play a role in influencing the discovery and development of new medicines.

They are:

1. Government policies that favor the development of new life saving drugs.

2. Increase in scientific understanding of human biology and anatomy such as new discoveries in stem cell research, gene therapy, new vaccines that may enable scientists to understand how a disease is caused and what could be the processes in the body leading to it.

3. Aggressive funding for research.

4. Global effort for the elimination of specific condition such as malaria, dengue, etc.

5. Search for a cheaper alternative to existing medicines that are available in the market.

6. Chance discovery of other uses of the drug. For example, Minoxidil was originally used to treat high blood pressure but was later found to increase hair growth as well.

Discovery of a new chemical entity

Scientists begin by targeting a known step in the progression of a disease or working out the functional causes of a disease. They then determine the step which can be altered or interrupted to prevent the disease from expressing itself.

The new promising drug may inhibit the production of specific chemicals, interfere with the way certain cells interact or activates/ inactivates a target gene.

Target can be identified from:

1. A range of chemical compounds belonging to the same family.

2. Improvising on an existing molecule.

3. Trying out molecular combination of different trusted medicines.

A target compound would have to be screened from a list of minimum 1000 compounds to get approximately 30 viable compounds.

The drug is tested to see whether:

1. It is stable in different environments

2. Performs consistently

3. Has fever adverse effects

4. Doesn't alter metabolic processes too much

5. Reaches the site of action effectively

6. Offer site action instead of acting indiscriminately on other sites in the body.

Monetary gain also influences the drug discovery process. A drug company strives to find a unique molecule so that it could be patented and to know if it will provide better results on large scale manufacturing.

Nitric Oxide Products - The Best Medical Solution For A Range Of Body Ailments

Nitric oxide is considered as a very helpful internal product that controls the flow of blood in our body. A proper flow of blood is necessary to keep the nerves in a proper order. It helps in fostering the improvement of brains along with the controlling of blood pressure in our body. With the increasing age, the pressure of blood does not remain the same. The presence of nitric in the body is responsible for lowering the blood pressure. However, the best part of the nitric products is that it never lowers the blood pressure below normal. When the pressure goes slightly above the normal, then the nitric starts to function.

Uses of nitric oxide

There are a range of nitric benefits. It is very much helpful in solving the problems related to diabetes. This particular product can channelize the blood flow in the entire body through the cardiovascular channels, and it will be able to stop the neuropathy symptoms of diabetes. There is an increasing trend of the rising levels of heart attack and brain stroke in the modern age. This nitric can help you reduce such things in the most amazing manner. Moreover, you can even feel energized after taking this stuff due to the increased amount of pure blood flow throughout the body.

How does nitric oxide work - few ideas

The nitric oxide products can help a person in diverse ways. If the cholesterol level of your blood cells increase, it raises the risk of heart attack. It forms a blood clot inside the tissues, and arteries that carry the blood directly to your heart. However, if a proper dose of nitric is taken, it will completely remove the presence of several cholesterol, and blood related clots in the entire body. Thus, it makes a person breathe fresh air, and helps the people to generate better living, and a healthy body.

Nitric oxide - the opinions of medical practitioners

The nitric oxide benefits is for both the Type 1 as well as the Type 2 diabetes. This product has shown marvelous medical results, and various doctors all over the world are prescribing this product for a better health. This product is also seen as an alternative to the standard insulin, and the blood pressure medics. This product can be considered as a blend of natural and chemical therapy. The nitric is such a thing that is natural inside the body, and the medic works in a chemical way. So, the entire therapy removes your ailments in the most natural method.

Which Factors Influence the Rising Costs of Clinical Trials?

Recent trends suggest a rising costs in conducting a clinical trial, a trend that seems to hinder the discovery and development of new medicines. This could be disturbing news for various pharmaceutical companies and patients expecting newer health drugs.

A study conducted by the Tuft Center for the Study of Drug Development stated that drug costs increase about 5 times faster than preclinical costs during the 1980s to 1990s. Present day estimates suggest that clinical research trials costs feature at 1.3 billion US $ to 1.7 billion US $.

There is widespread debate about the increase in trial costs. Reducing trial costs is absolutely essential for the greater good of the common man. It is estimated that drug costs have increases at a rate that was 7.4 % higher than inflation over the previous 20 years (Ann Neurol 2007;62[6]:A6-7).

Some attribute the rise in costs to the industry's success over a couple of years. The research and development of these new drugs has made it very difficult for pharmaceutical companies to prove that their products are superior to pharmaceutical products that are presently available in the market.

Pharmaceutical companies see the pressing need to gather more data to show modest benefits over their competitors resulting in more recruitment for clinical trials. The need to search for innovative new products has pushed companies to develop treatments for chronic health conditions. However, the clinical trials for these types of drugs tend to be very expensive, long and complex. Other factors influencing drug costs are development of clinical trial protocol, more emphasis on site monitoring, increase use of imaging technologies and different interpretation of compliance regulations.

This increased cost if affecting the pharmaceutical industry in many ways. Most companies are conducting clinical trials in countries such as India and China, where costs are about 60% lower. The industry is more cautious than before and is not willing to take chances with novel medicines.

In an effort to minimize costs, pharmaceutical companies off load their research and development responsibilities to Contract Research Organizations (CROs). Organizations now seek to eliminate inefficiencies in the clinical trial process by streamlining it. International Conference on Harmonization has played a major role in harmonizing regulatory requirements across all major drug markets.

Reducing the failure that is associated with the later stages of the drug trial process, one can reduce the costs associated with the trial. By improvising the process of successful review at critical end-points of a clinical trial, weeding out failed subjects in the earlier stages would make it cost effective during phase 3 trials. Also, electronic data capture seems to offer a better alternative for improving the data quality.

However, there is still no denying that clinical research offers the best and most reliable solution for the discovery and development of new drugs.

Seeking Medical Care Through Online Self-Diagnosis?

For many people, it may seem trivial to seek medical care from a physician over a pain in the neck, a headache or an uncomfortable feeling in the knee. This is why millions of individuals peruse the Internet through websites like WebMD.com, YourDiagnosis.com and Medline Plus to diagnose themselves and their health problem.

A study came out earlier this year from the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, which showed that more than one-third (35 percent) of Americans have gone on the Internet for a diagnosis. An interesting finding that might surprise some is that 41 percent of respondents said a doctor had concurred with the self-diagnosis - about one-third, though, never followed up with a visit to a doctor to verify the online diagnosis.

"Online health information is available day or night, at no cost, and the internet has become a de facto second opinion for many people," said Susannah Fox, an associate director of the Project and lead author of the report, in a statement. "The open search box invites people to begin their journey toward better health, but this study shows that the internet is just one piece of the puzzle. Clinicians are still central."

It can certainly be agreed that the Internet has done wonders for us: we can find recipes for our dinners tonight, tell the world about an amazing Christmas gift, read several newspaper sources and research the background of diseases and illnesses. However, focusing too much on the Internet for a physical examination can prove dangerous for both your health and your mind.

Medical experts say that it's one thing to search on Google to confirm if your symptoms match the flu or a cold, but it's another to query every single pain you experience. This is why unfounded anxieties over common issues have facilitated the term "cyberchondria," an Internet-enabled form of hypcohondria.

"We are concerned that people may self-diagnose without going to a doctor," said Michael Summers, Patients Association vice chairman, in an interview with the London Telegraph. "We advise against that very strongly, because online information is often not to be relied upon. It's much better to consult your [general practitioner]."

One study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking discovered that anxieties and fears substantially increase as those with cyberchondria constantly search online and find new conditions that appear to be associated with their symptoms.

In September, an official from the National Health Service (NHS) issued a statement that explained they are concerned over the number of people who are delaying their visits to see their doctor because patients are self-diagnosing and using "unreliable health information."

A part of the reason why individuals tend to favor the Internet than making a trip to the doctor's office is because they feel that the two are the same thing. The misconception is that both release results based on reported symptoms. However, medical professionals argue that websites may simply compare the information with a database, while a doctor may use their several years of education and experience to come to a different conclusion.

If patients must search the Internet for health information, it is recommended that they do not search for pleasure, they must utilize trusted websites, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Mayo Clinic, and be sure to double check the diagnosis with a doctor.

Bored With What You've Been Eating?

I thought you might like to know about a couple new cookbooks that will help you cook up your favorite foods, in a way that supports your health.

I have two cookbooks to share with you. One is written by Dr. Andrea Purcell, a naturopathic doctor and one of my colleagues, and the other written by Jared Koch, a health coach and nutrition consultant in Manhattan who I've known for several years, and who also created a website and app to help you find healthy restaurants: Clean Plates.com.

Both books are great resources, especially when you are following The Hamptons Cleanse, avoiding common food allergens (gluten, dairy, eggs), and/or wanting to decrease inflammation in your body.

They both focus on eating lots of plant-based foods, no refined sugar or processed foods, and have recipes that are fast and easy to make. They also both promote the value of eating a good breakfast, and include vegetarian and vegan recipes, but they are targeted at slightly different audiences.

Feed Your Cells, by Dr. Purcell, is a perfect book for those who are transitioning to eating gluten-free because it shows you how to make simple meals without using gluten.

The book contains an entire chapter about gluten, celiac disease, and gluten sensitivity. It explains the high prevalence of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity today, and the reactions that gluten provokes in the body. An additional perk is that there is also a chapter with vegetarian gluten free recipes.

The Clean Plates Cookbook, by Jared Koch and Jill Silverman Hough, is a more comprehensive overview of healthy eating, and would be good for people who would like to learn how to choose healthy foods, as well as those who are tired of hearing about fad diets.

It is set up around the premise that there is no universal "right" way to eat, but that each person has individual dietary needs. With that understanding, the first half of the book provides a comprehensive overview of the different food groups and then the second half of the book has recipes, which are labeled with easy-to-read icons that specify whether they are vegan, gluten free, dairy free, etc. The book also contains basic cooking methods, as well as tips on how to have a healthy relationship with food.

Remember. Eating healthy doesn't have to be boring. Be willing to expand your culinary knowledge and you'll always find something new to experience.

Seven Simple Ways To Change The Way You Age: Practical Actions From Recent Research Studies

If the number of candles on the cake doesn't match the way you feel and you want to slow the clock there's hope. Research on exercise, nutrition and lifestyle habits to slow and reverse the aging process is exploding. Read on for seven practical tips for making the most of your anti-aging plan.

1. Walk 40 minutes three times a week helps avoid shrinkage of your hippocampus, once thought acceptable with age. A group of older adults who progressed to this moderate walking after a year actually experienced a growth in their hippocampus of 2% where the group that only stretched experienced 1.5% loss. If you're not exercising currently begin with 10 or 15 minutes three times a week. Gradually add three minutes a week to each walk to work up to 40. Don't be tempted to do more on days you feel good. Slow and steady wins.

2. Strength train three times a week with moderate weights. Middle-aged men who did so had increased mitochondria, the "powerhouse" of energy production. Once accepted that mitochondria decrease was a natural part of the aging process, researchers claimed this study shows exercise truly can reverse the aging process.

To begin a strength-training program it's best to seek advice of a fitness instructor for proper technique. Start with one set three times a week performing up to 15 repetitions of 8-10 exercises. After two or three weeks of adaptation increase to two sets. In another two or three weeks without complications increase to a third set. Next you'll increase the weight slightly so that you reduce the repetitions to 10-12.

3. Make your strength training count. Normal bone losses occur at a rate of 1-3% a year beginning at about age 35. Most prone to bone loss are post-menopausal women. Those who use a strength training protocol of heavy enough weights to fatigue at 8 or a minimum of 10 repetitions can prevent those losses from occurring.

Lifting lighter weights more repetitions does work for muscle endurance but does not have a positive effect on bone density.

4. Muscle losses occur at a rate of.8 to 1% a year after the age of 30. Though most Americans believe they eat plenty and take in adequate protein, studies show that self-reports are not accurate and protein intake is insufficient for aging individuals to maintain muscle. The exercising adult that thinks they are compensating for losses with strength training can be accelerating losses without sufficient protein intake. Research suggests that 30 gms of protein three times a day is optimal for muscle protein synthesis. High quality proteins like lean meat, fish, and dairy are best. Start by reading labels and planning carefully.

5. Eat early like a King and late like a pauper. Studies in Obesity journal showed those who ate the majority of their calories early in the day and ate lighter at lunch and lightest at dinner lost more weight than those who saved the largest meal for late in the day.

6. Continue to consume adequate amounts of calcium, not only for your bones but for weight control. Studies show that 1200 mgs of calcium after the age of 50, along with 400 IU of Vitamin D can help with belly fat loss.

Drinking dairy milk is one of the easiest ways of accomplishing this but if you don't tolerate dairy, read labels to make sure you're getting what you need. Consult your physician about a supplement if not.

7. Too little sleep could make you 30% more likely to be fat. Those who get between seven and nine hours of sleep are less likely to become obese than those with less than six hours a day. The amount of sleep time appeared a bigger weight determinant than genetics.Avoid extended afternoon naps and late day caffeine. Both can reduce quality of nighttime sleep. Try to get plenty of sunlight and fresh air during the day. A warm bath or shower two to three hours before bed can prepare your body for sleep as your body temperature comes back down. Keep the room cool. Most of all establish a routine with same time to bed and to rise.

The Wrinkle Fight - How To Prevent Aged Or Sun Damaged Skin

The wrinkle fight is one of the most common battles of aging in today's society. The sun is the major cause of wrinkles. Yet, we all want our skin to be that lovely shade of golden brown. We need to know how to prevent aged or sun damaged skin.

What you may not realize is that the result of a day in the sun in which you have scorched your skin has caused you considerable aged or sun damaged skin. The fact is you can sunburn within 15 minutes. After 30 minutes you your skin can turn red but most often in 2 to 6 hours. Pain happens within 6 to 48 hours after exposure. The burn will continue to develop for 24 to 72 hours. After a few days, your skin may blister and will probably be peeling and itching for several weeks. I am sure that is not the result you wanted. Just think if you continued this practice over several summer seasons? What would the results be? Wrinkles, age spots and with many individuals, some form of skin cancer, or more than likely all of the above.

With skin cancer you also get to go through surgery, pain, suffering, and then receive what I call the 'war wound'. These scars can end up being very large in size and all from a tiny spec the dermatologist locates somewhere on your body. While sunscreen aids in the prevention of developing squamous and basal cell carcinomas, many sunscreens do not block the harmful Ultraviolet A radiation which does not cause sunburn but can increase the rate of melanoma, also a skin cancer, and sun poisoning. So even if you are using a sunscreen, you can still be exposed to high UVA levels and not even know it. These are the grueling facts.

So, how do you prevent aged or sun damaged skin? Regular use of sunscreen can slow the development of wrinkles and those ugly age spots. However, use of a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen to address the skin cancer concerns if you have to be in the sun. Wear protective clothing or at the very least, wear a hat! Especially if you are fair skinned.

All too late in life some of us finally realize the mistakes we have made regarding our health and welfare and scramble to find a quick fix.

So, I said all that to say this: The more you age, your over-tanned, repeatedly sunburned skinned causes a wrinkle fight. Keep in mind that this fight could turn into a battle with skin cancer.

How Wrinkles Are Caused and What You Can Do To Treat Them

The appearance of wrinkles, whether on your face or neck, is usually the first and most visible sign of aging. Understanding why and how wrinkles form can be very useful in making the necessary lifestyle adjustments and creating a skin-care regimen which will prolong the youthful appearance of your skin. While the process of aging can't be stopped, there are ways to keep your skin looking smoother and healthier for longer. Below are five causes of wrinkle formation and how to treat them.

1. Age

As you get older, your skin starts to lose its elasticity and strength. Production of collagen and elastin slows down and your skin becomes loose and saggy with deepening lines and folds. This is worsened by a decrease in the production of natural, lubricating oils by your skin, which leave your skin more dry and looking more wrinkled.

Treatment: Adding a moisturizer to your daily skincare regimen can help provide your skin with moisture and slow down the development of wrinkles. We prefer Hydrate by Obagi which provides long-term protection and only needs to be applied twice a day. Hyaluronic Acid fillers such as Juvederm can also add moisture to your skin, while stimulating collagen production and increasing volume to smooth out wrinkles.

2. Repeated facial expressions.

Year after year of facial movements and expressions such as smiling, frowning, and squinting can lead to fine lines and dynamic wrinkles. Overuse of the muscles of facial expression causes grooves to form just underneath the skin. The lack of elastin in older skin prevents the ability of the grooves to return to their normal position. In some people this can be an important cause of premature skin aging.

Treatment: Botox is an excellent treatment for dynamic wrinkles which result from years of facial movements and expressions. Injections of Botox into the overactive muscles will cause a weakening of the muscles, making them relax. The wrinkled skin covering the overactive muscles then becomes smooth as the wrinkles are erased.

3. Sun Exposure

Exposure to the sun not only causes the skin to dry out, it also breaks down collagen and elastin, damages the skin at the cellular level (DNA), and reduces the amount of antioxidants necessary for collagen production and skin repair.

Treatment: Easy! To protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun make sure you are wearing at least an SPF 35 sunscreen at all times. Even on cloudy or rainy days! Our favorite is the Obagi Matte SPF 50. Antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E, can help repair damaged skin and slow the wrinkling process.

4. Smoking

Smoking destroys collagen and elastin and prevents the production of new collagen. Smoking also causes a blockage of the blood flow to your skin, which also contributes to wrinkle formation.

Treatment: Another easy one! Stop Smoking!

5. Sugar

Excess sugar in our blood can damage the collagen and elastin in our skin through a process called glycation. Excessive amounts of sugar can also be deposited in your blood vessels, decreasing the amount of blood flow and nutrients which are delivered to your skin. Over time this will create more wrinkles and sagging skin.

Treatment: Eat a healthy diet and limit the amount of processed foods and sugars that you eat.

So there you have it. Although there are other things which can lead to skin wrinkles the ones you just read are some of the major ones. Controlling these factors can have you on your way to younger, healthier skin.

Is Botox a Wrinkle Fighter But Also a Depression Fighter?

Botox is one of the most popular anti-aging methods for fighting wrinkles. It is a drug developed from botulin and removes the wrinkles by paralyzing facial muscles. The $1.3 billion Botox treatment lasts approximately 100 days and millions of patients use it worldwide, who report seeing improvements within a week.

In addition to Botox being used for cosmetic purposes, doctors also use it in small doses to treat a variety of health problems, such as uncontrollable blinking, misaligned eyes, cervical dystonia (a neurological disorder) and severe underarm perspiration. There are very little side effects, which may include headaches, the flu, minor pain or an upset stomach.

Since Botox can be used for physical conditions, can it also be utilized for psychological and/or emotional health issues? According to researchers, patients who have been diagnosed with depression and have not responded to medications and treatments could one day be prescribed Botox treatments, especially after the results of a couple of study.

Last year, scientists published the findings of its study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, which highlighted that research participants who were given a single dose (five injections) of botulinum toxin in the region of the face between and just above the eyebrows noted a 47 percent decrease of depression symptoms after just six weeks.
"Our study of 74 patients who completed the trial showed a significant improvement in the Botox group and found that 27 percent of Botox patients went into remission, as compared to 7 percent of the placebo group," said Eric Finzi, MD, medical director of the Chevy Chase Cosmetic Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland and study co-author. "I propose it works by a process that I call emotional proprioception."

Why does it work? Since we frown, the muscles between our eyebrows send back negative emotional signals to our brain, which then concludes we are upset. Due to the fact that Botox injections make it very difficult to frown, "the lack of this negativity then creates a tremendously significant positive effect on our brain's assessment of our mental state."

Study authors do note that Botox treatments last about three to four months so depression patients would need repeated doses. Furthermore, any botox prescription would be administered for depression and not for cosmetic purposes.

At the present time, Botox utilized as a depression treatment method is undergoing clinical trials. This consists of many steps before it can be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is currently unknown when it would be approved by the federal department and if it would become the next Sarafem, Prozac or Cymbalta.

Health professionals do concur that more research is needed because there have only been a handful of studies to show a correlation between Botox and happiness - there have been at least two other studies to list the Botox-depression connection.

Whatever the case may be, there needs to be a respite in the U.S. soon. It is estimated that one in 10 Americans suffer from depression and it appears that antidepressants just mask the problem instead of finding the root causes.

How to Keep Your Brain Fit As You Exercise

Multitasking is over-rated. That's what they say. I'm about to prove that wrong for two reasons. First, trading in a few of your current exercise habits so you can identify how to "train your brain" while you workout is a good idea. Second, read on for a how-to on what's called dual tasking during exercise to get better results from things you might be doing now.

Exercise for active aging involves strength training, cardiovascular exercise, flexibility and balance. Those four pillars are likely in your exercise program if you're already active, or they're on your radar even if you're still 'getting ready' to exercise. What if you could make them even more valuable to you? Here's how.

Memory is one concern for any of us as we age. A recent study showed older adults who began and progressed to walking 40 minutes three times a week and continued for a year had significant growth in the hippocampus. That is "memory central" for your brain. A group who only stretched lost 1.5% of their hippocampus, which researchers called "norma." Those that walked? Gained 2%, making the overall gap 3.5%. That's difference between losing the keys and forgetting where you put your glasses.

Trade in your balance exercises in a quiet environment where you can focus for distraction and you'll reduce your risk of falls even more. Another study found that those who practiced balance by standing on one leg for instance and read aloud from a poem developed better balance and reaction skills than those who only practice balance alone.

Exchange monotonous treadmill walking for some fancy footwork you will learn in a group fitness class or square dancing. Get crazy and try boxing with gloves and bags. The benefit is not only reduced stress to lower body but learning new patterns and quickly responding to instructions called out by an instructor creates new connections in your brain. That kind of rewiring is good for your physical and mental health.

Convinced that multitasking is not so bad after all, but the ideas above seem daunting? Even if you're just getting started with exercise, or have two left feet, there are other ways that you can train your brain. Just learning how to format your exercise session is a brain stimulating experience. Learning when to exhale and what speed to go, what order of exercises is best, is the equivalent of your brain doing gymnastics.

You'll have years of rewiring ahead as you can continue to attend a new class, modify an old exercise, and challenge yourself in new ways, not all physical.

Healthy Skin Is a Healthy You

A lot of people don't realize that our skin is the largest organ of our body. The health of your skin is one of the most important aspects to leading a long, healthy lifestyle because it protects you from daily contact with harmful bacteria, viruses, the sun's rays and other dangerous elements.

On the other hand, healthy skin can generate vitamin D when exposed to the sun - an important vitamin for the body's functions - and can assist in maintaining a healthy body temperature. Also, healthy skin can help us react to changes in our immediate environment through the feelings of pain and pressure.

Due to these circumstances, it's crucial to take proper care of your skin. It's great that we cleanse our bodies through showers and baths, soap and body wash, but is there more we can do to improve the health of our skin and fight the aging process? Of course! And it doesn't require spending hundreds of dollars.

There are various suggestions that industry professionals have in skin care endeavors: protection from the sun through sunscreens and protective clothing, don't smoke, treat skin gently, eating a healthy and nutritious diet and properly manage stress.

Although these are common sense, inexpensive and dependable methods, one growing trend in the world of skin care and beauty is the adoption of mud masks (also known as facial mud masks).

For those in the know, there are numerous variations of facial masks, such as cucumber, cactus, light therapy and glycolic. It seems, however, a lot of beauticians and health experts are recommending mud masks because they are mined from regions where there are no contaminants, an important aspect to skin care health since we constantly touch chemicals.

How do they work? Mud masks remove dirt and oil from your pores, while also exfoliating skin and eradicating dead skin cells. In addition, many acne patients have begun to use clay masks because oil and dead skin cells clog pores and are the leading causes of acne. What should be mentioned is that many are enhancing the mud mask experience too.

It was reported that mud masks are being combined with other natural ingredients. For instance, there are articles suggesting adding honey to mud masks, while other experts recommend buying mud masks that have aloe vera, witch hazel and jojoba oil. Most of these mud masks contain anti-bacterial ingredients that can certainly make your skin look and feel better.

Aside from improving your skin health, applying facial masks is also soothing, calming and relaxing!

Here are some tips to using a face mask:

- When you have the mask applied, lie down on the sofa with your feet up and relax for 10 to 15 minutes doing absolutely nothing.
- Choose an old wash cloth or rag, soak it in warm water and cover it on your face (be sure to allow the cloth to absorb the mud).
- Use a separate wet cloth to completely remove the mask.
- Massage your skin for five minutes.
- To really improve the skin, it is best to do this a few times a week for two to three weeks.

Is There Such a Thing As Too Young to Take Anti-Aging Treatments?

In a world where youth are bombarded with advertisements, news reports pertaining to celebrities undergoing anti-aging treatments and promotions of the latest products to make you look younger, the question that has been asked as of late is: can you be too young to receive anti-aging treatments?

A new report from The NPD Group found that Generation Y women are starting to observe and even fight the signs of aging. The study titled "Women's Skincare In-Depth Consumer Report" discovered that more than one-third (39 percent) of women aged 25 to 34 say anti-aging is a crucial benefit in the products they use for facial skin care. Meanwhile, only 19 percent of women aged 18 to 24 argue that anti-aging is an important treatment.

Despite the figures being a lot higher for the older demographics, there is a growing number of young women who feel anti-aging is an important element in the skin care products that they consume on a regular basis. Industry experts make the case that both manufacturers and retailers need to educate women from Generation Y a lot more than what they are presently doing.

"There is an opportunity for manufacturers and retailers to educate Gen Y women on facial skin care, and allowing them to sample products plays an important role not only in capturing these consumers, but turning them into loyal customers as their needs evolve," said Karen Grant, vice president and senior global industry analyst, The NPD Group, Inc.

"Open to learning, reachable and seeking solutions, Gen Y women are a critical age group for skin care marketers to target now, as they are beginning to develop skin care regimens that are likely to follow them throughout the rest of their lives."
Prevention

But is there such a thing as being too young to begin using facial cleansers, eye products and neck moisturizers in order to combat the aging process? Dr. Elizabeth L. Tanzi, co-director of the Washington, D.C. Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, essentially stated a recent meeting that genetics are the primary factor in a person's skin, such as an individual inheriting certain facial movements and expressions, and not their age.

Dr. Tanzi added that in addition to genetics, a person's environmental exposure can also play a significant factor. Some of this includes smoking, too much ultraviolet exposure, using tanning beds and playing sports outdoors, which can all contribute to heightened aging.

"I think it's more important to talk about looking youthful, energetic, and vibrant, not necessarily looking young, because we may be inadvertently delivering the wrong message - that all aging is preventable if treatments are started early enough - and that sets the stage for unrealistic expectations," explained Dr. Tanzi.

WebMD reports, meanwhile, that young women shouldn't focus on utilizing products but rather taking preventative measures that enhance the aging process. For instance, Adam Friedman, MD, director of dermatologic research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, told the medical outlet that youth in their 20s can wear sunscreen every day as a form of anti-aging. Other experts make a strong point of youth refraining from smoking cigarettes.

Although anti-aging creams, for example, can fight wrinkles and assist in speed cell turnover, it's still important to look after your skin when you're young, even if you feel that you're looking older in the mirror.

"Control the environmental causes of aging and, while you might see fine lines in your early 30s, you can minimize dilated blood vessels, deeper wrinkles, and loss of elasticity into your late 40s or 50s," noted Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at New York's Mt. Sinai Medical Center.

Improve Your Skin Today With a Facial Treatment

In a time when we all have to hit the concrete jungle on a regular basis, we can all get caught up in the daily stresses, tensions and anxieties. One of the methods to combat this, while also improving the look and feel of your skin, is undergoing a facial. By calming anxiety, creating tranquility and pampering your skin, you can feel refreshed, recharged and reinvigorated.

Over the years, there have been numerous articles highlighting the various benefits that come with a facial treatment. There are all kinds of facials, such as a microdermabrasion treatment, chemical peels, paraffin peel facial, photo facial, antioxidant peel facial and many more, but most of them share the same trait: proven results.

Similar to other cosmetic procedures, there can be side effects depending on your skin type. The best possible advice is to speak with a dermatologist, a beautician or spa experts in advance of your facial appointment. With that being said, those who have yet to experience a facial have to understand the advantages that come with such a skin care session.

One of the latest sensations in the world of beauty is oxygen facials.

"Oxygen is a necessity if you want to have healthy, youthful looking skin," said Dr. Marina Peredo, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, in an interview with Fox News.

"This facial is great because it helps protect and reverse damage from environmental pollutants that can harm our skin. It also helps the overall texture of your skin, which feels smoother after this facial. The oxygen facial reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles by releasing moisturizers onto the skin, which absorb quickly with the help of oxygen. It's an ultimate hydrator that infuses vitamins and nutrients into the skin."

Here are five benefits to receiving a facial to improve the health of your skin.

Cleanse
The best way to describe a facial is to liken it to a full body detoxification or cleanse. A facial can assist in cleansing the skin, removing toxins you are surrounded by in your immediate environment, such as dirt and pollution, and diminish the amount of sebum. Furthermore, facials open your pores, eliminate dead skin and clean the surface.

Anti-aging
Instead of doling out an astronomical sum of money on extensive anti-aging treatments, a facial is the best and most natural alternative for men and women. There are a variety of facial treatments and technologies out there, but a lot of industry professionals recommend intense pulsed light (IPL) laser treatments, which removes dead skin and increases cell growth, collagen and development.

Circulation
Most parts of our body need circulation. The same can be applied to our skin. Facials aid the process of improving, enhancing and restoring circulation to the layers of our facial skin. The result of circulation? Healthy glow and healthy looking skin all day long.

Congestion
Some may find it surprising that a facial can relieve clogged nasal passages. This is true because of the steam in a spa and massaging specific pressure points can lessen sinus pressure and congestion. In addition, essential oils used by the attendants are also important ways to fight minor congestion.

Relaxing
A calming, relaxing and tranquil spa environment as well as the facial treatment itself can help reduce stress, tensions and aches you feel in your joints and improve your emotional state of mind. All of this can then reduce the risk of blood pressure and advance your overall health. Indeed, a facial can rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

In a Tough Job Market More Men Are Getting Botox

Saying that the present job market is difficult would be an understatement. With the unemployment rate above seven percent and more jobs in the service sector, it has become very hard for young and old to attain employment or even to keep their present positions.

According to data from the Public Policy Institute, the jobless number for workers aged 55 and older is lower than their younger counterparts. However, it takes baby boomers longer to find work if they lose their jobs: period of unemployment for workers older than 55 is 50.4 weeks, while workers under the age of 55 experience only 34.2 weeks of being jobless.

There are growing statistics and news reports that look at how looking old or showing the appearance of aging could hinder employment efforts. One way that older men are tackling this problem is undergoing cosmetic procedures, predominantly Botox and facial fillers that diminish the amount of wrinkles.

Plastic surgeons and dermatologists have reported that men receiving cosmetic treatments has risen nearly one-quarter (22 percent) between the years 2000 and 2012. In one year alone (2011 to 2012), men using Botox jumped six percent, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It should be noted, however, that men still only make up roughly nine percent of overall cosmetic sessions.

In the United States and on a global level, Botox remains one of the most popular and successful methods for battling the aging process. It has been developed from botulin, which paralyzes facial muscles in order to remove wrinkles. Each Botox injection lasts about three to four months and it costs roughly $15 per unit. If the job pays well and offers benefits then it could prove to be a worthwhile investment in the long run.

During this competitive labor market, boomers are attempting to survive and thrive and prepare themselves for their retirement - the financial crisis in 2007 and 2008 hurt savings and investments across the globe in all age demographics. Therefore, boomer men have to look young and energetic, but industry professionals say there are other ways to appear so.

One job expert noted that a gentleman in his 50s can show up to the interview - or at work to complete his job functions - with full of energy and prove to his employers that he can be just as effective and productive as someone younger than him. However, a lot of professionals remain neutral in encouraging or discouraging Botox treatments.

Aside from Botox, men can order other cosmetic procedures to fight the appearance of aging. Some of these include facials, continual visits to spas, wrinkle fillers and peels. All of these treatments can provide smooth skin, diminish wrinkles and perhaps even improve your overall health.

Although there might be a shift in men in their golden years to receive a face lift to get rid of the "turkey wattle," it wouldn't be needed if they regularly care for their skin and perhaps even make several visits to a nearby spa. Taking care of yourself, being energetic and a hard worker can go a long way in getting employment.

Natural, Organic Beauty Products - Latest Trend in Global Economy

One of the latest trends in the United States and global economy is going green. Whether it's a grocery, health or clothing store, there are numerous businesses that are attempting to cash in on the movement of being environmentally-friendly. This shift in the marketplace can also be found in beauty products.

For decades, the average American woman has been applying various products on their skin and in their hair without understanding what's actually inside of those goods that try to make you look like the next Heidi Klum, Gisele Bundchen or Scarlett Johansson. In recent years, the industry has been exposed and has made female consumers think twice before putting on a dozen or so health and beauty products before leaving the house in the morning.

Since cosmetics are regulated differently from food and pharmaceuticals by the Food and Drug Administration, an array of ingredients and elements do not have to be approved. Essentially, it is up to the manufacturer of such a product to decide if the cosmetic is safe or unsafe.

In 2011, the Environmental Working Group published a list of cosmetics containing chemicals that are associated with hazardous health risks. The findings were based on information released by the federal government, the companies and scientific endeavors.

The list consists of foundations that contain an ingredient known as oxybenzone, a cause of irritation or allergic reaction; powders with retinyl paltimate that has been linked to cancers; blushes considered to be human carcinogens and might even be toxic to immune and respiratory systems over a long period of time; and nail polishes that have toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and formaldehyde and can be the reasons for impaired breathing and the causes of birth defects and cancers.

Due to consumer concerns and calls for these chemicals to be removed from beauty products, there has been a growing demand in natural and organic cosmetics. Indeed, beauty professionals say these are much better for you, your skin, your health and the environment.

Although it might be expensive to immediately transform a woman's beauty regimen, some experts say there should be a gradual shift towards natural products because, according to Trevor Steyn, founder of home-grown skincare hero, Esse, "there are new chemicals though, man-made chemicals, that we have no mechanisms to deal with and exposure to these can result in long-term health risks."

Cosmetic chemist Diane Eales told Women24.com that the best product to start off with is a natural cleanser because "it doesn't strip the skin of its natural oils and then as you finish your other products replace them with products with natural ingredients."

Organizations are warning consumers to be careful about brands that label their products as "organic." The Soil Association in partnership with three other global organic establishments have developed COSMOS, a group that is developing international organic standards for beauty and cosmetic products.

This entity explains that chemicals found in non-organic beauty products, such as phthalates, parabens and PEGs, can also be located in antifreeze and floor and oven cleaners. What the problem is is that these companies are naming these products as "natural," "organic" and "biological," even if their items only have one percent of organic elements.

To ensure the product you are using is actually organic, the Soil Association has published a list of companies on its website that have genuinely developed organic products. Products that are truly organic are clearly labelled for the customer.

It has been reported that all of the above also applies to hair care. Jessa Blades, a natural beauty artist, told The Daily Green that most hair products should contain natural oils, natural butters and essential oils. Consumers should avoid products that have parabens, silicone, petrolatum and similar ingredients.

10 Key Benefits of Getting in Shape During Grueling Winter Months

For most, trying to get in shape prior to Christmas or at the beginning of the New Year can be a grueling task and one which poses a big problem for people kicking off their new diet program.

However, the benefits of getting in shape during the winter you could argue far outweigh those of exercising during the warmer months.

Getting in Shape Key Winter Benefits:

1. Eradicate winter blues

First of all, however successful you are at making in-roads into your personal diet plan, getting out there and bracing the conditions relieves the winter blues and can be far more exhilarating than exercising in a warmer climate.

2. Burn fat much faster

Second, due to the harsher conditions, you will burn off the excess fat far faster in order to maintain the correct body temperature.

3. Sleep like a baby

Third, you will sleep beautifully and find yourself going to bed earlier, thus feeling more refreshed the following morning.

4. Get a beautiful winter glow

Fourth, fitness training in winter adds a healthy glow to your skin that is immediately noticeable and while some people might be slightly envious, that envy may be an encouragement for them to get in shape.

5. Lower UV risk

Fifth, you reduce the risk of UV damage to the skin depending on your climate, while preserving the use of vital vitamins to protect the skin.

6. Increase performance

Sixth, and more importantly - training in the cold generally increases your performance; (unless you're training seriously for a race in tropical conditions).

Interestingly, it's been concluded that running a marathon in 10 celsius plus causes times to fall dramatically and that the fastest time in which a marathon should be run is approximately at only 5 celsius.

7. Speed freeze benefits

Seventh, termed the "speed freeze", running in sometimes icy cold conditions trains your body to use more oxygen efficiently, where after regular cold workouts can increase running speed by up to 29%.

8. Reduce risk of seasonal flu

Eighth, research demonstrates that contrary to older beliefs that it will enhance your chances of getting sick - exercising in the winter reduces your risk of cold weather flu by 25-30%.

9. Combat seasonal affective disorder

Ninth, known as SAD, seasonal affective disorder is to some considered more of a thematic condition than just the winter blues.

It can occur in any season with regular continuity and heightened conditions may leave to anxiety attacks.

Getting in shape during the winter months should eliminate such mood swings.

10. You'll look fantastic in the summer!

After all this hard work and all the benefits you have experienced and earned mentally, physically and spiritually - you will be in great physical shape when summer comes around and have even more of an infectious attitude to get out more and experience life.

Beginners Jump Rope Workouts

In case you missed the scoop, using a skipping rope is one of the best exercises you can do to help you remain in shape, reduce weight and be healthy. It's simple, easy to learn, inexpensive, readily accessible, can be done almost anywhere and anytime and most of all is safe and reliable. And while you can do fancy techniques like double unders, turns and crossovers, simple jumping rope exercises are as effective for delivering results as a lot more challenging ones.

Making use of a jumping rope offers a lot of advantages it's hard to list them in one single, short, article but here are a few of the main ones to give you an idea as to just exactly how powerful jumping ropes can be!

• Enhanced heart and lung condition

• Enhanced heart and lung health and wellness

• Improved stamina

• Stronger leg muscles

• Stronger shoulders and arms

• Good for burning calories and therefore managing your weight

• Improves your coordination and balance

• Improves eye-hand-foot coordination

• Increases bone mass and strength

• Jumping ropes are very portable, hardwearing and excellent value for money

• You can skip anywhere and anytime

As you can see, it's a long list! But, if you are new to skipping, what is the best jumping rope workout to start with? If you take a look around YouTube.com, you'll discover all kinds of video clips of people doing the most remarkable and complex jumping rope routines and while these are very cool to look at, they do not represent exactly what most people do with their jumping ropes.

Don't feel that you are missing out due to the fact that you can't do these tricks-- as pointed out before; basic skipping exercises are just as effective as the more showy moves.

In order of difficulty, here are the five best jumping rope exercises for beginners...

• Two-footed double jumps

For this workout, you keep your feet with each other and allow yourself an extra "mini jump" between rope turns. This allows you to swing the rope a little bit more slowly and gives you opportunity to master skipping at a moderate pace. In your mind count "one and two"-- the "and" being your mini jump in between turns. Once you have mastered this standard workout, it's time to move on.

• Two-footed jumps

Spin the rope a little faster and you won't have time for your mini jump so now it's time to drop it and do one jump each turn. Again, keep your feet with each other and stay on the balls of your feet. Keep low to the ground and only just clear the rope. The jump should come from your ankles rather than your knees and remember to keep your shoulders down and arms relaxed.

• Two-footed side to side jumps

Rather than just bouncing up and down on your feet, begin to shift your weight a little from side to side. You'll still come down on both feet but your weight will land more on one foot. Push your hips from side to side as you shift your weight.

• Boxers' skip

Ready to look like a pro? From side to side jumps, lift your non-weight-bearing foot and tap your heel a little on the ground in front of you. In aerobics, this is called a heel dig. Do a single double-footed jump in between heel digs so your feet go left heel, both feet, right heel, both feet. As soon as you feel confident, drop the double footed jump and go for alternating heels.

• Knee ups

Lastly, switch over from heel digs to knee lifts. It's basically the same step but you are lifting your knee up so your heel is clear of the floor. Start with low knee lifts and work toward pulling your thigh up to parallel to the floor. Use the same left, both, right rhythm you used before then slowly wean yourself off the double footed jump till you have the ability to do alternating high knee ups.

These five exercises are the best jumping rope exercises for beginners and give an excellent training effect despite their simplicity. If you only ever did these jumping rope moves, you would still gain enormous benefits from your jumping rope training.

Walking 10,000 Steps A Day Can Improve Weight, Health and Fitness

10.000 steps a day may seem a lot of walking. But with a little planning and determination, we can all do something to have fitter, leaner and healthier bodies.

There can be no doubt, the world's population is becoming obese at an alarming rate, due mainly to most of us eating more, putting the wrong foods into our bodies and getting little or no exercise.

OK, on average we may be living longer because of the advances in medical science, but our health generally is on a downward spiral with hospital and doctor visits increasing all the time. Taking a brisk walk for a few minutes a day around the neighbourhood could start to turn all that around.

Medical opinion suggests that we all need at least 20-30 minutes of moderate activity each day to stay healthy, but many fall short of even that. Which explains why serious health issues like diabetes, strokes, high blood pressure and heart disease are on the rise.

Fitness experts also recommend we should walk 10,000 steps a day to maintain good health and weight. Most of us would be lucky to achieve half that in an average day. A 10,000 steps walk is about five miles, but your length of stride will affect this of course. Depending on your fitness level, age and weight, every mile walked will shed approximately 100 calories.

A pedometer will give you a good idea of how many steps you take each day. I recommend you get one and use it for a couple of weeks to get an average step count. Remember, you should be aiming to walk at least 10,000 steps a day.

For many like me, sat at the computer all day is what we do nowadays to earn our living. A hundred years ago, our ancestors mostly worked in manual jobs and often would walk considerable distances each day just to get to their place of work. Not only that, everything they ate was fresh and produced from scratch in their own homes. Today, we tend to drive everywhere and eat more refined foods and snacks, usually with our feet up in front of the television.

There are many things you can do to increase your daily step count quite naturally:

• Walk to the local shops instead of driving


• Get off the bus one stop earlier


• Use the stairs instead of the lift


• Walk the dog more often (I'm sure he/she would appreciate it too!)


• Spend more time on family walks

These are just some simple suggestions, but do what feels right for you. You will be surprised how easily you can achieve your 10,000 steps a day, and will soon feel the benefit of better health and a fitter, leaner body.

Muscle Toning 101

Bombshell time... Muscle toning is an enormous myth which was created and fabricated by people who don't really understand the human body and exactly what they needed to do to get the look they wanted. Unfortunately this myth has kept a number of people from actually making any progress for years on end. An understanding of our anatomy, human physiology combined with research clearly shows us that this myth of muscle toning is unfounded.

Don't believe me? Consider this. A muscle can only get stronger or weaker, bigger or smaller it cannot and does not become toned or untoned. A muscle by nature is always toned, it is simply the amount of tension a muscle retains while in a relaxed state. So it is appropriate to say that a bodybuilder has higher muscle tone than a couch potato. This tension or toned state is not a thing of its own but rather a byproduct of gaining muscle so improving the tone of the muscle or the tightness of a muscle is determined by the amount of muscle. By nature a non-muscular fluffy fellow will not have a toned look. A muscular lean individual with a low body fat will have a toned look.

Everybody still with me?

Ultimately it really doesn't matter what we call something but rather that we are clear on what we are trying to achieve. What we want is to get rid of that soft and flabby look and at the same time tighten everything up giving it a more firm and lean appearance. This means if you tell me you want to get more toned your two training goals for the rest of your life are this: 1) Gain muscle, 2) Lose body fat. Repeat after me Build muscle, lose fat. If you feverishly work to adhere to these two rules of longevity, vitality and performance I promise you will be as toned as you have ever been!

3 Ways to Get Toned Lose Fat and Gain Muscle

1) Heavy Resistance Training, remember we need to build muscle here. Muscle tone is not developed by doing endless repetitions with your 5 pound pink dumbbells or 30 minute core circuit composed of 5,000 crunch variations. Heavy means heavy.

2) Intense Interval Training, Say goodbye to the never ending hours on the elliptical, you need to turn it up a notch if you want to get that metabolic furnace burning hot.

3) Optimizing Nutrition, Bottom line if you want that lean look you better take this one very, very seriously. Remember you cannot out train a poor diet. We eat poorly we look poor, funny how that works.

Gym Gloves Could Stop You Picking Up Harmful Bacteria In The Gym

Think about this for a second, how many people do you ever see wiping down the handles and grips of exercises machines they use?

Yes, most well educated gym goers will clean the surfaces of benches and seats that they come in to contact with, but most of us simply don't think to wipe down the surfaces that we actually take hold of with our hands and this could be one of the biggest factors responsible for passing around many types of germs and bacteria from person to person. Wearing gym gloves could help combat this by forming a barrier between your hands and the things that you and other folks take hold of.

Whilst it is true that sweat itself from other people poses no threat to you at all, the bacteria and germs that it carries however most certainly can do. These germs are the ones responsible for all manner of illness such as stomach upsets, colds or viruses etc.

The main thing to watch out for is that you don't touch your mouth, eyes or nose with your hands. Now this is far easier said than done and most of time you'll probably do this without even thinking about it. To be safe totally safe, you'd need to wash your hands after every set or exercise that you did... something that is obviously not practical to do.

However there is a far more obvious solution. By wearing gym gloves, you can ensure that no sweat get's in to contact with the skin on your hands. The gloves will be the part touching any sweat left on weights by others and not your skin.

Did you know on average we lose at least 1 litre of sweat every day and this is increased enormously if you work out in the gym for any amount of time. You don't need to worry about your own sweat as it is an odorless cooling agent which helps to regulate your body's temperature. In fact studies carried out in Germany recently show that some of the protein found in sweat may actually kill off one strain of bacteria. However other studies carried out by scientists in Demark pointed to a conclusion that sweat is the perfect breeding ground for superbugs.

Either way, it is better to be on the safe side and protect yourself and the skin on your hands and just wear the gym gloves in the first place. They can help to improve the control you have over the weights you use, may support your wrists and fingers and above all protect the skin on your hands meaning you're far less likely to suffer from blisters and calluses.

Intimidated At The Gym? Don't Be: 10 Points To Ponder

You've likely been astonished or shocked by incredible feats of strength and agility at the gym. Maybe you've been demoralized by the sight of someone's better body. Maybe everyone seemed young and fit and you felt old and out of shape.

Many spectacles seen at the gym could cause someone to feel intimidated. The U.S. Constitution proclaims that all men are created equal- but not when they're at the gym working out.

Dumbfounding feats don't lay a foundation for fitness so don't feel intimidated when you see them.

Realize this: what you observe on any given day at the gym is sort of like reading only one page of a book. One page does not tell the whole story.

Moderation, consistency, and an intuitive approach to working out are your best choices, can happen in any setting, are available to everyone, and are not intimidating. Add perseverance to the mix and you'll be unstoppable.

Going to the gym is sort of like going to church. People who go there aren't perfect, but they are trying to do the right thing.

Regardless of anything else try not to feel intimidated. These ideas will help:

• Not every example should be emulated. Some examples are put in front of us to teach us how not to behave.

• Respect and your own journey. Someone else's journey is just that. Your journey is yours, and that' the way it should be. Regard you challenges as learning opportunities.

• Observing someone's behavior doesn't establish it as wise- regardless of physical appearance.

• Will it withstand the test of time? What you may never know is how long the individual will sustain what he or she is doing and what the condition of his or her body will be perhaps 30 years from now (or by the end of the day) if that pace is maintained too long.

• If lifelong fitness is your objective then excess works against a body and is not a good thing. Find your tipping point for what will build you up but won't wear you out- prematurely.

• Moderate workouts paired with consistency- over a span of time- can create a healthy level of fitness. Extremes should be avoided if your purpose is to sustain a lifelong fitness habit.

• Approach your workouts intuitively and make adjustments based upon the moment you're experiencing.

• Love your unique journey- treat your body lovingly.

• Athletes use fitness as a means to a goal-they're trying to achieve something way beyond fitness. We don't all need to be super athletes. Quite often athletes will go beyond what is healthy for the sake of achievement.

• Even though we are all on a fitness journey we are taking different modes of transportation and we're at different mile markers. Don't hop off too soon. Everyone who tries to be fit is a winner.

Fitness means different things to different people. Maybe you just want to keep your moving parts moveable or look better in your clothes while someone else is trying to become a champion body builder. The point is to do what's within your personal power to be as healthy as you can be.

The gym is a great resource especially if you've been injured because a variety of equipment provides alternate ways of working out specific muscles.

We learn primarily by imitating behavior yet we shouldn't imitate everything we see. Guard against following an example simply because you observed it- particularly at the gym.

Use the gym to suit your purpose. Or don't use the gym. You can be fit without ever stepping foot inside a gym. The secret of fitness success for each of us is to learn what works for us and what doesn't.

Be sure to include strength training along with your cardiovascular conditioning. If you train with weights then review your form from time to time. Going years without checking your form is a mistake. Even slight corrections can make results significantly better.

Don't be intimidated at the gym. Instead, love your unique journey. You are a work in progress.

How to Choose the Ideal Elliptical Machine for Your Home

An ideal machine for cardio exercises

What is an elliptical machine? Indeed, that is not a question that many people ask these days, given the overwhelming presence of such an equipment in all gyms and even home gyms. Such machines are ideal for low impact yet effective cardio workouts at home or at the gym. This cardio workout machine provides a great workout for the upper as well as the lower body and hence, it is a favorite for all gym goers. Even though the treadmill is a staple equipment at all gyms, it is found that the elliptical machine is more useful and effective to provide a more rounded, cardiovascular exercise regime to a gym goer.

Are you wondering which are the best elliptical machines to look at? Indeed, in this day and age of numerous fitness and sports brands, that might be a tough decision to make. That is when you can take the help of the different consumer forums. There are many forums which offer consumer reviews and rankings based on different factors. These forums are useful for one to know how to gauge the performance of such machines as well as the factors that need to be considered.

Different segments and different priorities

Today there are two large segments of consumers who consider the purchase of such equipments. There are the professional gym owners and the home gym buyers. Thus, the two groups of consumers will have their different priorities on which they will base their decision for the purchase of elliptical machines. Today it is a challenge to choose the right elliptical machine as the comfort and design factors vary from one brand to another. Thus, well rounded and informative reviews need to be referred to in order to arrive at such a decision.

Brands to consider

There are different popular brands and they are known to make the best elliptical machines. Here are a few examples and how you can base your decision on them for a home purchase:

• · Yowza is one brand whose elliptical machines are popular for the quality of machines they provide along with the price tags that are affordable. Such machines will provide the latest features as well as comes with a comprehensive warranty and return policy.

 

• · Sole Fitness on the other hand, builds such machines that are designed to last. If you are looking for a quiet machine to work out at home which will be durable and smooth, you might want to consider this brand

 

• · Smooth Fitness is also known to offer durable machines at a fair price. It offers a machine that is sturdy and comfortable. It is adjustable as well and provides a great fit.

 

• · LifeCORE has a wide range of budgeted as well as higher range machine. In both segments the machines are built to last and will provide good value for money.

 

• · Profrom will offer you many features on budget friendly pricing

 

• · Schwinn on the other hand, uses the magnetic resistance technology for the stride motion and its elliptical machines are affordably priced.

How to Stay Sane During an Insanity Workout

The Insanity Workout. When exercise sounds this intimidating, you might wonder if you can survive Shaun T's 63 day challenge.

The good news is, it IS possible and countless people from all levels of fitness have managed to beat Insanity and stay sane. If you want to start this journey and last the distance, hold on to these 12 tips to keep you safe, strong and steady throughout the next 63 days.

1. Be honest with yourself.

Many people are so pumped up by the before & after photos posted online that they expect to look as buff as Shaun T by the end of it! Keep your goals high but within reach. Unrealistic expectations will only lead to disappointment which, in turn, derails your motivation. The amount of weight you lose and the extent of muscle definition you gain will depend on variables such as your starting weight, fitness level, genetic make up, the quality of your diet, the flexibility of your daily schedule and how much you can push yourself throughout each workout.

2. Get a medical check-up.

Coming from a sedentary lifestyle, I found Insanity manageable so long as I respected my own fitness limitations. It's always advisable, whatever fitness level you're at, to check that your heart and joints are equipped to deal with the physical demands that come from high impact interval training (HIIT).

3. Count your calories.

Too many calories will undo your hard work. Too little, and your body will hold onto your fat reserves for dear life! The Insanity pack includes a nutrition guide to help you plan calorie-controlled meals. If you can't afford to follow it exactly, make sure you calculate your calorific needs (the calorie calculation formula is printed in the guide) and plan how you will meet those needs within your own budget.

4. Take plenty of 'selfies'.

No matter how embarrassed or ashamed you might feel about your current shape, it's important to take photos of your body before you begin so that you can chart your progress. Take a full body picture of your front, side profile and back. There will come a time when you need a visual reminder of the physical changes that are going on in your body, especially when the scales tell you that nothing's happening. Plus you'll want that Insanity T-shirt when you finish, right? Comparing photographs from different time intervals can be a tremendous motivator. And you'll find that other people often see the changes in your shape even before you do.

5. Don't eat for at least one hour before your workout.

Insanity involves a lot of jumping and power and speed with minimal breaks in between. Don't fill up on food beforehand unless you plan to wear it! If you need to eat first, have a small light meal or better still, down a protein shake to fuel you for the workout.

6. Start slow and build from there.

Insanity workouts generally follow a pattern of warm-up, main circuits and then cool down, with at least three rounds of each drill. Take it easy on the first round and let your muscles warm up. Conserve your energy so that you can push a little harder in the second round and then go flat out in the third round. It's all about progression.

7. Go at YOUR best pace. No one else's.

It can be daunting to watch a team of super-fit people attack these workouts with such finesse and power. Remember, they're there to show you what you can achieve with the same hard work. Ignore how fast they're running. These people are in peak physical condition and you will see in the videos that even they struggle at times! Your only goal should be to push yourself to your own physical limits. This might mean doing more reps, taking less breaks during a particular drill or simply stretching a little further in yoga poses than you did yesterday. By respecting your own limits, you take care of yourself and increase your chances of making it through the next 63 days without injury.

8. Stop when you need to.

Despite Shaun T's constant urging that you should 'dig deeper', he also reminds you to stop when you need to. Digging deeper isn't about digging your own grave! Push when you know you have more to give. Stop when you run out of energy or feel pain. Don't allow yourself to be discouraged if you need to skip a day because of important life commitments. It's only a workout. Keep yourself healthy and protected. Remember, you're not in competition with anyone but yourself. Insanity isn't about being as fit as Shaun T. It's about being the best that you can be right now.

9. Take short swigs of water.

Insanity will make you sweat like never before! Keep yourself hydrated with short swigs of water during breaks. Don't be tempted to take large gulps - you'll feel sick or throw up during the workout. Save major rehydration for afterwards.

10. Write about it.

Keep a workout journal. Start a blog like I did. Share your agonies and triumphs. Do something that captures your thoughts, feelings, setbacks and achievements so that you have a visual reminder of how hard you're working and how much you're continuing to achieve. As you begin to repeat certain drills, you'll find yourself referring back to your first, second and third attempts at this very same workout and you will marvel at your progress!

11. Snub the Scales.

Scales are useful but they won't give you an accurate idea of your progress. Not only will you be shedding fat, you'll also be gaining muscle and your weight will typically go up and down. Don't let scales to discourage and mislead you - use a tape measure instead. This will give you a better idea of where and how the fat is being shed. Notice how your regular clothes fit and feel as you move deeper into the program and write about in your diary or blog. These are the details you need to pay attention to!

12. Get support.

Tell friends, family, co-workers or whoever else you trust that you are doing Insanity. Log onto the Team Beachbody website and join the forums. Direct people to your workout blog. Share your ever-changing profile photos. Supporters will keep you motivated by asking about your progress, keeping you accountable and heartily cheering you on.

How to Lose Weight and Get In Shape While Having Fun

You basically have two choices if you want to lose weight. You can change how you eat or increase your activity or exercise. The bottom line to the waistline is always going to be calories in versus calories burned. For most of us the idea of having to commit to an exercise program is difficult but it's the only option if you want to lose weight and get in shape. The fact is that we lose one-half of a percent of muscle per year after we pass the age of 30. That means our metabolism slows way down and it becomes even easier to gain weight. Most of us felt pretty good and looked pretty good all the way up until we didn't. So here is the best sleeping pill, diet pill, and anti-depressant that I know of and you don't need a prescription!

If you can think of exercise as a play date, then it can be something to look forward to rather than something to get done! Find something you enjoy doing, and do it. It could be tennis, swimming, hiking, jogging, walking the dog, weightlifting, Zumba aerobics, dancing, pole-dancing, kickboxing, boxing, cardio barre, Nia, yoga, biking, jump rope, hula hooping, climbing stairs or even just shooting baskets. Think about something you used to love doing and then do it again! If you can commit to anything physical for 20 minutes a day, you can make a big impact on your health and really boost your metabolism! There are so many fun ways to lose weight and get in shape while improving your heart health, reducing stress, increasing endorphins and building muscle.

Here are some statistics if you want to know how long it will take to lose a pound of fat when exercising. If you get on a bicycle for 20 minutes a day, at 70 revolutions per minute, it will take 35 days to lose a pound of fat for a total of 10 pounds per year. If you run on a treadmill for 20 minutes a day, at 4 mph, it will take 26 days for you to lose 1 pound of fat for a total of 14 pounds per year. If you run up and down stairs or use a stair master for 20 minutes daily, it will take 21 days to lose a pound of fat for a total of 17 pounds per year. Finally, if you do kickboxing or martial arts for 20 minutes a day, it will take 17 days to lose a pound of fat for a total of 21 pounds per year. Just by adding activity for 20 minutes a day, it can add up to several pounds of fat loss per year so you lose inches while you lose weight and get in shape.

The way I found a workout routine that I really enjoyed was by trying a whole bunch of different ones. I made a pact with myself that since there were about 10 different fitness centers in a 5-mile radius of my house that I would try something different every week. Most clubs offer at least one class for free or at a deep discount. So I started at one end of the busy boulevard by our home and made my way block by block. I finally discovered kickboxing, a sport I hadn't even thought of trying or knew anything about. It turned out to be a blast and I found a way to lose weight and get in shape while improving my endurance, strength, and muscle tone. I also felt better and had more energy. Working out doesn't have to be drudgery but something to look forward to!

What's the Best Whey Protein Powder for Women?

Whey protein is probably the most important post-workout supplement. This is how you re-fuel your muscles so that you can rebuild, stronger than before. The best part about whey protein, when compared to other protein powders, is that it is absorbed quickly. This means it can get to your muscles very quickly, just when it's needed. If you take it right after your workout, you can make much bigger gains in relation to your workout. This is why it's such a popular supplement for men and women.

In terms of what to look for, you'll want a whey protein powder with a 2:1 ration of carbs to protein. While it is called a "protein" powder, you still needs carbs since your body will be depleted after a workout. Make sure that whatever brand you buy has an appropriate ratio.

Men and women are different and they generally need different supplement products. You should always be cautious of the products that are marketed just towards men, because they are made with men in mind, so may not be as beneficial to women. However, men and women can use the same whey protein powder products. The biggest distinction is that they will need a different serving size. Women just don't need as much as men. So when you get some of these products with 40 grams of protein, it's just too much. Women need more like 15-20 grams of protein. This is the ideal amount.

You'll generally want to take your protein within 30-45 minutes of your workout. I usually have it at the gym, right after my workout. You don't want to wait until you get home. But you can get specific containers that allow you to bring the protein to the gym, and mix it right there. I definitely recommend getting one of these, since they're so convenient.

Protein shakes shouldn't be overused. One a day is usually enough. They should form part of your diet - they shouldn't take it over. It's a very specific type of protein so you want to make sure you get protein from other sources as well. It's also very quickly absorbed, so you want to get protein from other sources, that are more slow-absorbing.

Overall, the best protein powder for women will be one with a good carb-protein ratio, and has about 15-20 grams of protein. you can pick this up at any health food store. Good luck!