Sleep Apnea – A Potentially Dangerous Sleep Disorder

Sleep apnea is a fairly common and potentially serous medical condition. People with this sleep disorder stop breathing on and off during the night while sleeping.

There are two types of sleep apnea. The most common is obstructive sleep apnea and the less common is central sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea is caused by problems in the brain that disrupt signals to the respiratory muscles so no effort is made to breathe for a short time. Central sleep apnea accounts for less than five percent of all cases of sleep apnea.

It is most commonly caused by brain damage, cerebrovascular disease, heart disease, or drug overdose. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when respiratory effort is made but air cannot flow into the lungs because of an obstruction of some sort.

Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by obesity, nasal obstruction, drug overdose or anything that causes over relaxation or obstruction of the muscles of the throat.

Many people with sleep apnea display the symptom of being overly sleepy during the day because of lack of a restful night's sleep. They may also have insomnia at night and frequent headaches, especially in the morning. They may awaken abruptly, gasping for breath or wake up short of breath. They may also snore loudly and awaken with a dry mouth and sore throat.

Sleeping partners may actually observe periods when no respiratory movements are made or they may witness the sleeper struggling to draw air past the obstruction in the nose or throat.

A doctor may be able to diagnose sleep apnea based upon the history of symptoms. A definitive diagnosis can be made by means of a sleep study test or polysomnography. This test is performed at night while the patient sleeps. It is done in a sleep lab or in the patient's home in some cases.

The patient is connected to devices that measure the oxygen in the blood, heart rate, respiratory rate, chest movement, and airflow. It may also be necessary to determine the cause of the sleep apnea in order to properly treat it.

A neurological workup may be needed for cases of central sleep apnea.

Examination by an ear, nose, and throat specialist might be indicated for a patient with obstructive sleep apnea.

The primary treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). This is a medical device worn on the nose while sleeping that blows air into the airway in order to create a positive pressure that keeps the airways open and air flowing into the lungs.

Oral devices may be effective in some cases. These are put in the mouth and they pull the lower jaw forward in an effort to keep the airway open.

For some people, surgery might be the best option. This might be sinus surgery or laser surgery on the uvula. These surgeries remove blockages and trim away excess tissue that might be blocking the airway.

Lifestyle changes may also help combat sleep apnea. Losing weight is the first step since there is a strong link between obesity and this sleep disorder.

Avoiding drugs or alcohol before sleeping is also recommended. Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated and sleeping on one's side can also help keep the airways open while sleeping.

It is important that sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated properly otherwise serious complications can arise. Daytime sleepiness can make patients more susceptible to having accidents. The drop of oxygen levels caused by apnea puts a strain on the cardiovascular system and can lead to high blood pressure and even heart attack or stroke.

Charles

What are kidney stones?

A common complication among people when it comes to their kidney, uterer, and bladder are kidney stones. This is due to many people having an unhealthy diet with a laid back living lifestyle, with minimal physical movements and lack of exercise.

Experts say that anyone may encounter kidney stones at one point of his or her life. But, with early diagnosis, healthy lifestyle, diet to prevent the condition, and regular exercise, one can recover from it.

However, recovering might be easy but if people do not follow the preventative steps to avoiding kidney stones, chances are, they will have it again within the next 10 or 15 years of their life.

Many people tend to neglect kidney stones because they think that they can easily recover from it with all the medications and medical procedures available today.

One thing that they don’t realize is that if they continue to have their kidney stones unchecked or undiagnosed, they are more prone to develop related diseases which will make their health conditions more complicated.

To avoid further complications when it comes to kidney stones, it is best that you arm yourself with all the knowledge that you can get, especially if you think that you are prone to the condition.

The first thing that you need to know about kidney stones is what it really is. Kidney stones are made up of minerals and other excess substances in body. It is the product when these substances and minerals are formed in the person's urine.

The process of developing kidney stones involve the crystallization of minerals and other related substances that form "lumps" which can be hard as a real stone. It most cases, kidney stones can be very tiny when they initially form but can grow, as they remain undiagnosed.

From a stone that can be compared to the size of grain, kidney stones can grow in size up to a quarter inch or even larger. Ouch!

Experts say that people who have kidney stones don't have to worry so much about its size but should more focus on where its is located. The location of the kidney stone is very important because it can cause the kidney and other related organs not to function very well.

Doctors agree that kidney stones that sit in the kidney itself are not much of a problem. But if it's located it the uterer, the tube that connects to the bladder, is a very big problem.

This is because the stone, regardless of its size, can block the path where the urine should pass. When this happens, it will cause the person a great deal of pain because it will stretch the kidney. The pressure caused by this stretching can build up and can even result to other related symptoms such as blood in the urine or hematuria, nausea, vomiting, and slight fever or chills especially if there's already an infection.

The next thing that you should pay attention to is the possible causes of the condition. Experts say that there are a number of factors that may cause the development of kidney stones. These factors may include the Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), kidney failure, diseases that may have been inherited that involves the kidney, foods that contain high levels of calcium, sodium, oxalates, and others, as well as lack of regular movement or exercise.

Charles

Importance of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential for the blood to clot to repair injuries. Whenever a person has a bleeding wound, it is vitamin K that is present in the blood that stops the bleeding and enables most minor cuts to heal quickly.

There are three different forms of vitamin K. The first variant of vitamin K is vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone. This is the form of vitamin K that is found in types of plant foods.

Vitamin K found in plant foods. The second form of vitamin K is vitamin K2, or menaquinone. This type of vitamin K is formed by friendly bacteria in the intestines.

Thirdly, there is vitamin K3 which is also known as menadione and is actually an artificial form of vitamin K. All three of these types of vitamin K end up in the liver where it is used to create the blood clotting substances.

The best natural sources of vitamin K are green leafy vegetables, such as spinach. However, because the friendly bacteria in the intestine makes one of the forms of vitamin K it is extremely rare for a person to have a deficiency of vitamin K and so vitamin K supplements are not needed by the majority of people.

Apart from the main function of helping blood to clot, vitamin K, specifically vitamin K1, has an important part to play in the bone building process. This vitamin K is required to retain the calcium in the bones and redistribute it to where it is needed.

Although a vitamin K deficiency is relatively rare there are certain groups of people who may suffer from it. Newborn babies may not have enough of vitamin K as they have insufficient bacteria in their intestines to produce it. The majority of newborn babies in developed countries are therefore given a vitamin K injection to tide them over until the natural process takes over.

That is the only time that a vitamin K supplement will be taken by most people throughout their lives. However, an extended course of antibiotics may lead to a vitamin K deficiency due to the fact that the antibiotics kill the intestinal bacteria as well as the ones that they are being taken to cure.

Again, a vitamin K supplement may be given if the course of antibiotics has to continue for a long period of time.

Charles

Herbal Skin Care

Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines.

The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things – our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialisation of skin care.

Even herbal skin care products have been commercialised. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home.

However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.

So what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?

Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.

A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.

Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.

Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)

Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies. Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psorasis.

Most herbal skin care products don’t have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive.

So, herbal skin care is the way to go. However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.

Charles

Losing Weight the Healthy Way

Almost 108 million Americans were overweight or obese in 1999. Until now, obesity continues to be a serious problem and is predicted to reach epidemic levels by the year 2020.

One way to prevent this scenario is to make people aware of the risks of being overweight or obese.

Here are some diseases that you are putting yourself in risk of if you are carrying a lot of extra pounds:

1. heart disease
2. stroke
3. diabetes
4. cancer
5. arthritis
6. hypertension

Losing weight helps to prevent and control these diseases.

The quick weight loss methods which have spread like fire these days do not provide lasting results. More often than not, dieting methods which involve dietary drinks, foods and supplement or pills do not work. If they do, the results are just temporary.

It is better to rely on a healthy weight loss option which will provide lifetime results. You have to set realistic goals and not expect to lose a lot of pounds in a short span of time.

Here are some tips on how you can lose those unwanted pounds the healthy way:

1. Do not starve your self.

The key to a healthier way of losing weight is: Do not diet.

You may seem happy and feel that you are losing those unwanted flabs on your belly and thighs by skipping meals. But remember that this would not last long. Your body cannot tolerate having insufficient food to fuel the energy that you use up everyday.

If you get used to skipping one or two meals a day, your stored calories will be used up instead of the energy that should have been provided by your meals. So if you just eat one huge sandwich in one day, it will end up straight to your problem area (i.e. highs, buttocks, hips).

2. Start your day right.

Mothers always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Have a healthy meal in the morning to jump-start your metabolism.

Your food intake after you wake up will be used to burn fat all day long.

3. Eat small, healthy meals frequently.

Five small-serving snacks per day is better than three hearty meals. Eating more frequently, and in small servings, can prevent over-eating. This will also increase your metabolism and make calories burn faster.

4. Decide on how much weight you want to lose.

Keep your goals realistic. In the long run, it is virtually impossible for you to lose 40 pounds in 2 weeks. Have a mindset that you want to eat healthy to stay healthy for the rest of your life.

Once you have decided on a weight loss plan or program, stick to it and make sure that you follow your own set of dieting rules.

5. Drink lots of water.

Your body needs sufficient water to burn fat and keep your cells hydrated and healthy.

6. Avoid too much sugar.

Plan your meals around lots of fruits and vegetables, some bread, rice or pasta for that carbo fix that you need, plus lean meat and protein rich-foods. Sweets, sodas and pastries should be once-in-a-while indulgences only.

7. Watch your fat intake.

Fat is not the culprit to being overweight. You need this to keep your weight at the proper level. There is such a thing as healthy fats. Olive, peanuts and canola oil have them. Tuna, salmon and mackerel have omega-3 fats which is good for the heart.

8. Exercise.

Leave your car if you are only going a few blocks from home, take the stairs instead of the elevator, jog, cycle or skate. Use these activites and other home chores if you are too lazy to go to the gym and take exercise classes.

Make sure that you do this regularly and you will not even notice that you are already shedding pounds with these mundane activities. It does not matter how much weight you plan or need to lose. What is important is that you set realistic goals for yourself.

Go slow. If you have already lost 5 or 6 pounds, give yourself a break then try to lose the next 5 pounds. Eat healthy, drink lots of water, have enough sleep and exercise. This will give you a higher chance of losing weight and improving your health, which would result to a new, healthier you.

Charles

Free Weight Loss Programs

The race to fitness is on and a lot of people are getting into the band wagon. Some people do it to achieve a sexy body, some people just do it because they are embarrassed with the body they have now, while others do it simply to remain fit and heatlthy.

As such, many fitness programs are out in the internet, in gyms, spas and fitness centers all over. Some are too expensive to afford that one may even lose weight just by trying to work out the money needed to pursue these fitness programs.

One may not have to go to the gym or the spa or any fitness center and spend much just to slim down to obtain that longed for sexy body. There are many books available in the bookstore which offer weight loss programs which are convenient and for free, of course the books are not though.

These weight loss programs, or diet plans are gaining immense popularity with so much publicity, testimonials and reviews that one may be confused which exactly to follow. So before choosing which weight loss plan to follow, try reading these summaries about the most popular diet programs out today.

Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins. This weight loss program encourages high protein diet and a trim down on the carbs. One can feast on vegetables and meat but should fast on bread and pasta. One is also not restricted against fat intake so it is okay to pour in the salad dressing and freely spread on the butter. However, after the diet, one may find himself lacking on fiber and calcium yet high in fat. Intake of grains and fruits are also limited.

Carbohydrate Addict's Diet by Drs. Heller. This diet plan advocates low carbohyrate eating. Approves on eating meats, vegetables and fruits, dairy and grain products. however, warns against taking in too much carb. "Reward" meal can be too high on fats and saturated fats.

Choose to Lose by Dr. Goor. Restrains fat intake. One is given a "fat" budget and he is given the liberty on how to spend it. It does not pressure the individual to watch his carbohydrate intake. Eating meat and poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafoods is okay. A go signal is also given on eating vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread and pasta.

This weight loss plan is fairly healthy, good amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as saturated fats. Watch triglyceride levels though; if high, trim down the carbohydrates and tuck in more of the unsaturated fats.

The DASH Diet. Advocates moderate amounts of fat and protein intake and high on carbs. Primarily designed to lower blood pressure, the diet plan follows the pyramid food guide and encourages high intake of whole wheat grains as well as fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy. Some dieters think it advocates too much eating to procure significant weight loss.

Eat More, Weigh Less by Dr. Ornish. Primarily vegetarian fare and strictly low-fat. Gives the go signal on the "glow" foods but warns to watch it on non-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet is poor in calcium and retricts consumption of healthy foods like seafoods and lean poultry.

Eat Right for Your Type. Interesting because it is based on the person's blood type. recommends plenty of mest for people with the blood type O. Diet plans for some blood types are nutritionally imbalanced and too low in calories. And for the record, there is even no proof that blood type affects dietary needs.

The Pritkin Principle. Focused on trimming the calorie density in eating by suggesting watery foods that make one feel full. Eating vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, pasta, soups, salads and low-fat dairy is okay. Although limits protein sources to lean meat, pseafood and poultry.

Although it is healthy by providing low amounts of saturated fats and rich amounts of vegetables and fruits, it is also low on calcium and limits lean protein sources.

Volumetrics. For low-density calorie eating. Recommends the same foodstuff as Pritkin but restricts fatty or dry foods like popcorn, pretzels and crackers. This plan is reasonably healthy given the high amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as being low in calorie density and saturated fats.

The Zone. Moderately low on the carbs yet moderately high on the proteins. Encourages low-fat protein foods like fish and chicken plus veggies, fruits and grains. It is also healthy but lacking in grains and calcium.

Weight Watchers. High carbohydrates, moderate on fats and proteins. A very healthy diet plan and very flexible too. it allows the dieter to plan his own meal rather than give him a set to follow.

Which one to choose?

Charles

10 Skin Care Tips

Healthy skin is really one of the most important ingredients for beauty-enhancement. This article on skin care tips is an effort to bring the 10 best skin care tips to you. The list of skin care tips has been restricted to 10 because anything more that that would not only be difficult to remember, but also shadow the more important skin care tips.

So let’s see what these top ten skin care tips are:

1. Knowing your skin type is one of the most important skin care tip. This is important because not every skin care product suits everyone. In fact, all the skin care products specify the type of skin they cater too.

2. ‘Drink a lot of water’. This will not keep your skin moist but will help in overall upkeep of your health (and in turn your skin). It might seem a bit awkward to some, however, this is an important skin care tip.

3. Cleanse your skin regularly (1-2 times everyday). A very effective skin care tip that helps in getting rid of the dirt and other harsh elements from your skin. Cleansing is especially important when you have been out of your house (and hence exposed to pollutants, dust etc). This skin care tip also advocates the use of Luke warm water for cleansing (hot and cold water, both, cause damage to your skin)

4. Be gentle, after all it’s your skin. Don’t scrub/exfoliate too hard or too often. Similarly, don’t apply too much or too many skin care products. A must-to-follow skin care tip.

5. Keep your skin moist at all times. This is one of the most important skin care tip. Don’t let your skin get dry. Dryness causes the outer layer of your skin to break, leading to a rough and unattractive appearance. Use moisturisers/ emollients. Moisturisers work best when applied while the skin is still damp.

6. Avoid the use of soap on your face. Soap should only be used from below the neck. A small but important skin care tip.

7. Use sunscreen to protect yourself from sun’s harmful UV radiations. You can use day-time moisturisers that have sunscreen built into them. Use them even when it’s cloudy. UV radiations are known to cause skin cancer, so follow this skin care tip without fail.

8. A bit of exercise and good sleep are essential too, not just for skin care but for your health as a whole. Lack of sleep can lead to formation of wrinkles below your eyes and lack of exercise can cause your skin to slack. Moreover, exercise and sleep also help in beating stress. So besides being a skin care tip, this is also a health care tip.

9. Treat skin dilemmas with care. This skin care tip is about not ignoring any skin dilemmas. Consult your dermatologist before you go on to use a skin care product (lest you do end up harming your skin even more).

10. Beat the stress. The harmful effects of stress are known to everyone, however, sometimes stating the obvious is essential too (and hence this skin care tip found its place here). Yes, stress harms skin too. So, take a break or indulge in a warm bubble bath or just get good sleep.

Charles

Vitamins For Healthy Hair

There a number of different specific hair vitamins and minerals that can play a major role in helping a person have a healthy head of hair. If a person does not have sufficient hair vitamins then the deficiencies can lead to thinning hair or even total baldness in the most severe cases.

The fact is that the state of a person’s hair reflects the overall condition of their body. Extra hair vitamins are likely to be needed if a person is generally unwell or is undernourished as their hair will show damage too and may even stop growing.

Some of the most important hair vitamins that a person needs to have healthy hair include B6, biotin, inositol and folic acid. The best way to ensure that a person receives enough of these essential hair vitamins are for them to be taken as vitamin supplements.

It is not just hair vitamins that are necessary for healthy hair though as there are a number of minerals that are essential, including magnesium, sulphur, silica and zinc.

The most essential hair vitamin is vitamin a but the best form of this is to include in the diet is beta-carotene. This is because the hair vitamin A can be toxic if consumed in large quantities but beta-carotene has no such problems and is converted by the body into vitamin A that can be used to promote healthy hair.

Of course, vitamin A is not just a hair vitamin, it is also needed for a number of other functions including normal growth of bones, skin, nails and the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres.

Protein is another essential hair vitamin. This is because hair itself is essentially protein. The amount of this hair vitamin that a person consumes in their diet can affect the hair directly. If a lot of protein is included in a person’s diet then this hair vitamin will lead to improved hair growth and a far fuller head of hair.

However, a person who has a diet that is lacking in this hair vitamin will suffer from thinning hair and slow hair growth. Of course, it is not just hair vitamins and minerals that are needed to ensure that a person has healthy, strong hair.

There are a number of researchers who have found that there are direct links between the overall health of a person and the condition of their hair. If a person is under a lot of stress or suffers from a lack of sleep then their hair is also likely to suffer and it is likely that their diet will not provide enough hair vitamins to counter these effects.

Hair vitamin and mineral supplements can be the solution to weak and damaged hair.

Here's to looking good!

Charles

Info On Vitamin E

Vitamin E is extremely important for a variety of functions in the body. A healthy heart needs plenty of the vitamin E as it has been shown to actually prevent heart disease. Vitamin E can also help contain any existing heart disease and stop it from getting worse.

Vitamin E is also vital in protecting the cell membranes from the harmful free radicals that are present in the body. Without vitamin E, amongst others, the cell membranes would be damaged and this could lead to serious health problems, including cancer.

The reason that the vitamin E is so effective against free radicals is that it is fat soluble so it can be absorbed into the cell membranes. Vitamin E is therefore essential for the immune system.

The recommended daily amount of the E vitamin that a person requires depends on their body weight. This is connected to the fact that the more fat a diet contains then the more of the E vitamin that is needed.

However, the only foods that really contain any reasonable amount of vitamin E are vegetable oils, seeds, wheat germ, and nuts. It is for this reason that most people should take some form of vitamin E supplement.

A deficiency of the E vitamin does not affect a person immediately. In fact, it can take months for the effects of insufficient vitamin E to be detected. After years of vitamin E deficiency there may be some detectable damage to the nerves of the spinal cord or retina of the eyes, but this is very rare.

Most people obtain enough vitamin E from a normal diet but it is essential that the food that a person eats contains a little fat to help with the absorption of the E vitamin.

There are a few medical conditions that may lead to a deficiency of vitamin E and may require the person to take vitamin E supplements. Cystic fibrosis causes a person to be unable to digest fats well which leads to less of vitamin E being absorbed.

Crohn’s disease causes to lower absorption rates of vitamin E and a supplement may be necessary. Some forms of liver disease can also lead to problems absorbing vitamin E, especially through the intestine.

Of course, as fat is required to help absorb sufficient amounts of vitamin E, anyone on an extremely low-fat diet will need to discuss their options for increasing the amount of vitamin E that their body needs.

To Your Health!

Charles

Acne Skin Care

Acne is defined as a diseased condition of the skin that involves the hair and oil glands. It is characterised by pimples, black/white heads, reddishness and cysts.

Face acne can spoil your appearance to a great extent and body acne can really ruin your day by making you very uncomfortable. Considering acne as a minor problem, some people tend to totally discard the topic of ‘Acne skin care’.

However, the importance of Acne skin care cannot be undermined in any way.

Acne skin care should really start much before the acne actually appears. Acne skin care is more about being proactive than reactive. Acne skin care is about being aware of preventive measures.

Acne skin care is - following daily skin care routines with complete discipline. So let’s have a look at how acne skin care can be applied to our daily routine.

Acne skin care starts with the most basic thing - cleanliness. So morning showers are the most basic way of keeping the skin clean. In fact, a lot of people take night showers too (that not only helps in keeping your skin clean but also provides relaxation to your body and enables a good sleep).

If you are living in a hot and/or humid place, a night shower becomes a must. In fact, a shower is recommended after any activity that causes high levels of sweat to develop. It’s a very effective acne skin care technique.

However, acne skin care is not about just showers. Acne skin care is also about wearing clean clothes and sleeping on clean pillows. Moreover, too tight clothes can cause sweat to accumulate quickly; so soft and comfortable cotton clothes are recommended, especially if you already have acne. In the same sense, acne skin care also advocates regular cleaning of your make-up brush and any equipment that you use on your body.

Besides that, you should also use a mild, water-soluble, oil-free and soap-free cleanser for keeping your face, neck and arms clean. Cleansing is the most important part of any acne skin care routine. Cleaners are the easiest and the most effective way of removing dirt, grease, pollutants and excess oil from your skin; thus reducing the probability of acne occurrence.

Acne skin care also recommends removing your make up using a make up remover, and this should happen before you go to bed (not in the morning).

If you already have acne, do not try to touch them or squeeze them; it can lead to permanent scars. Acne skin care advocates gentle cleansing and cleaning of the affected area using an over- the-counter medication and a clean, soft cotton pad. There are various acne skin care creams and lotions available over-the-counter (a lot of these acne skin care products are actually cleansers).

However, if these acne skin care measures don’t give you the desired results, contact a dermatologist for acne skin care advice and treatment.

Charles

Food Drug Administration and Prescription Drug Manufacturer Partnership

The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) was passed into law by Congress in 1992 and allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to collect feeds from Prescription drug Manufacturers to fund the new drug approval process.

The PDUFA declares that the FDA is allowed to collect a fee, called an application fee, from these Prescription Drug Manufacturers whenever a new drug is introduced through a new Drug Application (NDA). The fee was up to $250,000 per new NDA.

Note: Kinda looks like the FDA is now working for the Prescription Drug Companies. In fact, a comment from the Public Citizen’s Health Research Group stated “The review of new drugs is too important to leave to ‘user fees’ and likened the drug industry’s financial support of the FDA review process “similar to criminals paying user fees to the police department.”

Originally a short term experiment slated for 5 years, it was “improved” by The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA). This act extended user fees for NDA’s for another 5 years and introduced three amendments: Off Label Use of Drugs; Drug Labeling for Children: and, Fast Track or Accelerated Approval of new drugs.

Off Label Use pertains to using drugs for other than it was approved for. The FDA did away with thus prohibition on the Drug Companies promoting other than approved uses for their drugs, opening the door for Drug Salesman to promote new drugs with no proof of safety or effectiveness for the off label use.

The Drug Labeling for Children amendment. Previously drugs approved for adults were presumed to be safe in children albeit with different doses. This is not always the case. Now drug companies were required to do additional clinical trials to provide information for prescribing to children.

The Accelerated Approval and Parallel Tracking amendment opened up the door for new drug approval based on one “well controlled” Phase 3 clinical trail when the previous standard was two. There is no denying this amendment made drugs available that have saved countless lives, however with much less of a process to ensure safety.

The PDUFA III continued user fees and integrated a Medical Device User Fee as well. PDUFA IV was signed into law in September 2007 represents a significant addition to FDA authority. Among the many components of the law, the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) and the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act (MDUFMA) have been reauthorized and expanded.

The FDA claims these programs will ensure that FDA staff will have the additional resources needed to conduct the complex and comprehensive reviews necessary to new drugs and devices. However, the FDA and Drug Manufacturers continued to share the same bed.

Allowing the industry to “negotiate” with the FDA on recommendations and “pay” the FDA user fees for new drugs undercuts the agency’s original true role as an independent, drug safety regulator. If the FDA and the prescription drug manufacturers are going to regain the respect and trust of the American public, the FDA must be seen as an objective regulatory entity with a clear and inviolable mission to serve the public, and its reliance on the fees and goodwill of the industry they are supposed to oversee must end.

The bottom line is that the prescription drug consumer needs to live by the old adage “let the buyer beware”. Do your own research and be careful for the drug interactions if you are taking multiple prescriptions, especially from multiple Doctors and Pharmacies.

In a perfect world, you would be able to mitigate much of the problems you are addressing by living a healthy lifestyle, eating low glycemic foods and taking the best nutritional supplements.

Stay Informed!

Charles

Choosing A Herbal Detox Diet

Toxins can include perfume, alcohol, cigarette smoke, pesticides, mercury, food additives, oral contraceptives, and cleaning supplies. Toxins are transformed chemically to less harmful compounds that can be excreted via stools or urine.

Is there anyone who should not try a detox diet?

Consult your primary care provider to find out if a detox diet is appropriate for you. A detox diet should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with anemia, eating disorders, heart problems, lowered immunity, low blood pressure, ulcers, diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, ulcerative colitis, unless recommended and supervised by your primary care provider.

There are endless detox plans you can follow, so chose carefully. Some will advocate complete fasting or juice-only days, but beware of the health implications and never start such an extreme plan without consulting your doctor or a qualified nutritionist.

Detox Benefits

1. Improves symptoms of heartburn, constipation and gas and treats digestive disorders.

2. Boosts the immune system.

Allergies or sensitivies?

By and large, conventional health care only deals with masking the symptoms of allergies and food sensitivities, rather than attempting to resolve them. The first step that many alternative practitioners recommend is a change of diet that cuts out wheat and dairy foods, two common allergens.

To do so is also the first step in "detoxing." Higher levels of detoxing, as well as additional immune support through nutritional supplementation, have been known to help many allergy sufferers. Allergies are, however, almost by definition, a very individualized condition.

What happens after the detox?

Many of the foods that were eliminated during this diet can be allergenic. A natural health practitioner can help to systematically reintroduce food groups (wheat, dairy, gluten, corn) and note reactions to identify the food groups that may be aggravating health conditions such as sinus congestion, fatigue, skin conditions, arthritis and bloating and constipation. Flare-ups can occur, so supervision is recommended.

Charles

Is A Vegetarian Diet Safe For Infants?

If, for dietary or ethical reasons, you have decided that you want to put your infant on a vegetarian diet, you should be very careful in choosing formulas and solid food for your child.

If you plan to breastfeed the infant and you are also a vegetarian, you may need to supplement breastmilk with additional sources of nutrition, depending on your dietary restrictions. If you are a vegan, or an ovo-vegetarian, you should add sources of vitamin B-12 to your child’s diet.

Other than the B-12 supplements, your infant should be able to receive all micro and macronutrients through breastfeeding, even if you are on a strictly vegan diet.

If you plan to use formula rather than breastmilk, you should stick to commercial formulas, which contain the proper amounts and ratios of nutrients. If you opt for a homemade formula or soymilk over a commercial product, your child could experience developmental problems from a lack of proper nutrition.

If you want to keep your infant on a vegan diet, you can select a soy commercial formula, as long as it is nutritionally-adequate.

After about a year, you can begin to supplement formula or breastmilk with other sources of nutrition, such as homemade formulas, soymilk, yogurt, and cow’s milk (if you are not a vegan).

Nutritionists suggest that you keep your infant on a full-fat, high protein diet after age one, which includes vegetarian-friendly foods, such as mashed and pureed avocados, soy milk, nutrient-fortified tofu, and yogurt.

When you are ready to switch your infant to solid vegetarian foods, you can introduce solid tofu, pieces of vegetarian burgers, eggs, and cheese.

If you supplement what a nonvegetarian diet lacks, maintain a full-fat diet, and increase your infant’s sources of protein, you should have no problem maintaining a healthful vegetarian diet during your child’s crucial developmental stages.


Charles

Diet and Your Health

In recent years, we have heard more and more about how our diet affect our health, especially in relation to the production of cancers. Research has shown that our diet contains an enormous variety of natural mutagens and carcinogens.

It is also apparent that we are ingesting vastly greater qualities of these substances than was previously suspected. Perhaps this natural chemical product should be a primary concern rather than the mutagenicity of industrial chemicals, food additives and pollutants in our environment.

For example, in 1989 the United States had a big publicity generated scare concerning the plant growth regulator Alar, which is used to delay ripening of apples so that they do not drop prematurely. Alar was said to be carcinogenic, but when put in perspective with chemicals in our daily diets, it does not to be so bad.

For instance, the hydrazines in a helping of mushrooms are 60 times more carcinogenic than the Alar consumed in a glass of apple juice or 20 times greater than a daily peanut butter sandwich, which frequently contains aflatoxin B. Our diets contain literally millions of natural chemicals; in fact it is not practical to test them all for carcinogenicity.

Animal tests and the Ames test have been used to evaluate cooked foods for their potential for inducing cancers and it has been found that browned sugars or breads contains a variety of mutagens.

In addition, caffeine and its close relative theobromine found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and some soft drinks may increase the risk of tumors by inhibiting DNA repair enzymes.

Plants synthesize many carcinogenic or teratogenic chemicals as delense mechanism to ward off the animals that want to consume them. Examples of plants plant carcinogens include psoralen and its derivatives, which are widespread in plants and have been used as sunscreen in France; solanine and chaconine are teratogens and are found in greened potatoes.

Other food that contains natural cicargens includes banana, basil, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, horseradish, mustard turnips, and black pepper. In addition, red wines are believed to be responsible for the high incidence of stomach cancers among the French people, although red wine also seems to decrease the incidence of coronary heart disease. It seems that nothing can be consumed that does not contain mutagen!

Another big problem with American diet is the consumption of excess quantities of fats. The average American consumes 40% of her/ his calories in the form of fat. Comparisons of cancer death rates in different national populations have provided important clues to the nutrational causes of cancer.

Very different types of cancers appear in the United States than appear in Japan. In United States, colon, breast, and prostate cancer are most prevalent, whereas stomach cancers are in excess in Japan.

When the amount of dietary fat intake is plotted against the number of death by breast cancer, the results are striking; the more fat in the diet, the more higher the rate of breast cancer.

How might fat intake cause cancer? It may be caused by rancid fat because it represents a sizable percentage of the fat are very prone to oxidation, which produces a variety of carcinogenic compounds. Another likely explanation is that may carcinogens are soluble in fats and accumulate in the fat of the animals we eat.


Charles

Arthrits Relief with Simple Dietary Changes

The best course of action to take sometimes isn't clear until you've listed and considered all of your alternatives. The following paragraphs should help clue you in to what changes the experts think are significant when trying to control the pain of Arthritis..

Arthritis is one of the most prevalent health problems facing today's aging population. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which usually strikes weight-bearing joints such as the ankles, knees and hips.

Pain is caused by the gradual breakdown of cartilage, the soft "padding" material that cushions the joints. About 85% of adults who reach the age of 85 will have osteoarthritis, unless they take a proactive approach to prevent it.

Exercise is very important. But what about diet?

For a long time, doctors doubted there could be any link between diet and osteoarthritis. They saw the disease as a natural result of wear and tear on the joints, something inevitable as we age. But new research is making them reconsider that idea.

It now appears that nutrition plays a vital role in helping to prevent or ease the effects of osteoarthritis. One key element is vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and may protect the joints from the damaging effects of free radicals (unstable molecules that can cause joint inflammation).

Recent research is showing that vitamin C can help prevent bone loss and cartilage inadequacies associated with aging. Specifically, when your joint has cartilage that needs to be repaired, vitamin C is needed for such repairs. It helps to keep your cartilage "young".

The information about Arthritis presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Arthritis or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

According to Dr. Timothy McAlindon of the Boston University School of Medicine, "Vitamin C may also help generate collagen, which enhances the body's ability to repair damage to the cartilage."

When scientists at the Boston University School of Medicine studied the eating habits of people with osteoarthritis of the knee, they found that those getting the most vitamin C, more than 200 milligrams a day, were three times less likely to have the disease get worse than those who got the least vitamin C (less than 120 milligrams a day).

Dr. McAlindon recommends that people get a least 120 milligrams of vitamin C every day. "That's the amount in a couple of oranges," he says. Dr. Michael F. Roizen and Dr. Mehmet C. Oz, co-authors of "You: The Owner's Manual", recommend even more. "Shoot for 1200 milligrams of vitamin C a day- spread between your diet and supplements throughout the day."

Be careful not to overdo it. Some data suggest that more than 2,500 milligrams a day can have the opposite effect and actually increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

Dr. Eve Campanelli, a holistic family practitioner in Beverly Hills, CA, recommends black cherry juice. She advises her patients to drink two glasses, twice a day, of four ounces of the juice diluted with four ounces of water.

Other fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C include oranges, cantaloupe, broccoli, strawberries, peppers and cranberry juice. A healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, has been recommended by nutritionists for years. Now there's another reason to pay attention- it can help your joints to stay young!

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of Arthritis. Share your new understanding about Arthritis with others. They'll thank you for it.

Charles

The Right Vegetables For The Dieter

With the right vegetables, however, you can eat as many as you want how many times you want it and not gain a pound. Exercise caution, however, by picking the right kinds of vegetables, as not all can keep you slim. This is because there are vegetables that are high in calories while there are also those who are low in calories. What are these low calorie vegetables?

The following are the types of vegetables that are considered to have low calories and are great to eat if you're in a diet or want to lose weight. These include carrots, cucumbers, radishes, fresh green beans, celery, cauliflower, cabbage, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and lettuce.

Clearly, you don’t have to go all green when you’re in a vegetable diet. If you look at the choices, you can gather for yourself that these not only contain the least calories, they are packed with essential nutrients as well.

To be more specific, if you are on a low carbohydrates diet you might have been hearing that munching on vegetables is the way to go. However, just as there are vegetables that contain low and high calories, there are also vegetables that are low and high in carbohydrates.

Do not generalize that just because they are vegetables they are immediately low in carbohydrates. Vegetables that are low in carbohydrates include but are not limited to sprouts, leafy greens, hearty greens, herbs, sea vegetables, broccoli, mushrooms, avocado, peppers, summer squash, scallions, asparagus, bamboo shoots, leeks, eggplants, artichoke hearts, okra and more. Of course, low calorie vegetables are also low in carbohydrates so you can take your pick.

To be cautious, here's a list of vegetables that are starchy and are high in carbohydrates. These include beets, corn, parsnips, peas, all types of potatoes, and winter squashes. If you want to experiment on other types of vegetables, as there are many available in the produce section, you can check out their calorie and carbohydrate count on the internet to guide you on your diet.

Other types of vegetables that should be included in your diet list are those full of fiber. Don't be confused by this statement. Though vegetables in general are good sources of fiber, there are certain types of vegetables that contain more fiber than others. Examples of these fiber-rich vegetables include brussel sprouts, carrots, cooked beans and peas, and spinach.

Cruciferous vegetables are also good sources of fiber such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. These vegetables are good sources of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps keep you feeling full and therefore makes it easier for you to resist eating too much food.

Though vegetables are generally not harmful if you are on a diet, observing the right serving sizes will help accelerate the results you want to see. The National Cancer Institute has recommended certain serving sizes for different types of vegetables. The recommended serving size if you are eating raw non-leafy vegetables or cooked vegetables is half a cup.

If you are eating raw leafy vegetables, the recommended serving size is one cup. If cooked beans or peas are what you’re having for a meal, the recommended serving size you should take is half a cup. These serving size recommendations are considered not only healthy but aids in dieting as well. Since all the vegetables enumerated earlier don’t all contain the same amount of carbohydrates, it is still helpful to do a carbohydrate count on those you want included in your diet.

A good point to remember when you are calculating carbohydrates is to exclude the fiber count because this is generally not included.

While you are on a vegetable diet, keeping a few tips in mind to be careful is essential. You might have lost weight but you got sick in the process so what’s good in that? When you pick out vegetables, try to go to the organic produce section. If you can’t get hold of organically grown products then exercise caution by washing your vegetables thoroughly. Vegetables that are not organically grown contain pesticides which are harmful to your health.

When you are picking out vegetables, choose the freshest among the lot. You can tell when it’s fresh if it’s brightly colored and are blemish-free or has the least amount of blemishes.

In-season vegetables are guaranteed to be fresh so buying vegetables growing in their season is a good idea. You shouldn’t plan on storing vegetables for too long. Buy only the vegetables you plan to be eating in a few days. Other than that you should discard vegetables that have been stored too long.

When you eat vegetables, try to leave as much edible skin on them as possible. The skin on vegetables contains their own nutrients which can benefit your health. Eating vegetables raw is also a good idea as cooking them can take away some of the nutrients and add fat from the oil you used.

As you can see, vegetables don’t seem daunting in the very least. These are great, quick and cheap alternatives to fatty foods that bring on the ounces on your weighing scale.

As they are low in fat, cholesterol, sodium and calories naturally, it is no wonder that vegetables have been advocated to dieters for such a long time. If recipe is your problem, there are great recipe books or online recipes that show you great ways to make your vegetables tasty without adding unnecessary fat and taking away their nutrients.

Charles

Dietary Loss Supplement Weight Controversy

In the world of bodybuilding, the dietary loss supplement weight controversy is huge. If you are serious about bodybuilding, this is an issue that you cannot avoid, especially if you have body fat. So, what is the deal with the dietary loss supplement weight controversy?

In recent years, many weight loss dietary supplements have been pulled off of store shelves by the FDA. It seems that they have horrendous side effects, such as heart attacks, strokes, and liver damage. But weight loss is still important in the bodybuilding world, so what should you do?

You should use the most miraculous body building supplement known to man - creatine. Creatine has an incredible number of benefits, it is safe, and it is highly recommended by doctors, scientists, and bodybuilding experts - and even weight loss experts these days.

It is amazing that there are still so many different dietary loss supplement weight products out there being used by bodybuilders - most of which do not work, and others of which are absolutely dangerous - when we have creatine which is highly approved of, incredibly effective, easily affordable, and simply proven to work.

Creatine occurs naturally in the body, and it consists of three amino acids, which include Methionine, Arginine, and Glycine. Once in the liver, these three amino acids are combined, and they produce creatine.

What scientists have found is that when you have plenty of creatine in your system, your muscles use more adenosine triphosphate during exercise. This is important, because this is what gives the muscles energy to perform the exercises that you are doing. The more creatine you have in your system, the more ATP you have, and the more exercises you can do.

Creatine is so effective in the process of building muscles that it has been deemed the legal steroid - even though it isn't actually a steroid. Creatine is perfectly safe, and it does not change your estrogen or testosterone levels in any way.

In terms of weight loss, creatine is effective in that it has been proven to burn off excess fat while building lean muscle mass. This happens very easily. The idea is to absolutely drench your muscles with creatine, by taking a creatine supplement. This in turn will attract water to those muscles. When this happens, the muscles must expand, which makes them bigger.

Bigger muscles require more energy than smaller muscles. When they cannot find that excess energy anywhere else, the muscles will start using stored body fat for energy. Note that exercise is still required; however this is incredibly beneficial for body builders, and in recent years has settled the great dietary loss supplement weight controversy.

Charles

5 Healthy Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet has been around for centuries, but if you don't live in countries where this diet is prevalent such as Greece or Italy, you may not realize the many benefits of eating healthy foods "Mediterranean" style.

According to studies, the Mediterranean diet encourages healthy weight loss and helps to reduce risks of many life-threatening diseases. Below are five of the top benefits of following this diet.

1. Fast Weight Loss

One of the key benefits of the Mediterranean diet is fast weight loss. This is not from the results of a diet pill or a crash starvation diet, but from healthy, portion-controlled eating. Weight loss rates will vary, but some have reported losing an average of 10 pounds per month. Delicious diet recipes are often provided when following the Mediterranean diet that help to speed up the weight loss process without depriving you of much needed vitamins and nutrients. Losing weight alone can offer many health benefits.

2. Good Heart Health

The delicious diet recipes provided while following a Mediterranean diet are all designed to promote good heart health. The Mediterranean diet consists of healthy doses of olive oil, fruits and vegetables, and oily fish. With some participants, a moderate amount of wine is consumed with meals. All these help to lower cholesterol and keep the blood flow to the heart at a normal level, thus, reducing the risk of heart disease tremendously.

3. Lower Cancer Risks

Having too many toxins in the body can cause some types of cancer, such as breast cancer. Eating the types of healthy foods promoted in the Mediterranean diet such as fruits and vegetables will lower the amount of toxins in the body because these foods are natural antioxidants.

4. Prevent Gallstones

Those who have fallen victim to gall stones realize how painful they can be. With around 639,000 people being hospitalized per year with gallstones, many studies are being conducted to help find a cause and cure. The Mediterranean diet is rich in nuts, vegetable oil, and fish. Though gallstones are not always diet-related, consuming these foods can help to reduce the risk of gall stones or eliminate them altogether for some according to recent studies.

5. Lower Blood Pressure

The healthy foods in a Mediterranean diet can also work to lower and regulate blood pressure. Blood cholesterol levels can return to normal when eating less fatty foods and salt, and more healthy vitamins and minerals. Cooking procedures on a Mediterranean diet usually involve roasting or grilling rather than frying, so more nutrients are retained in the food during preparation, and there is much less fat consumption.

These are only a few of the benefits. The Mediterranean diet also offers many other benefits such as reducing the risks of blood clotting, diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and other life-threatening diseases. Don't deprive yourself. Start eating delicious diet recipes on the Mediterranean diet for healthy weight loss today.

I'm Hungry!

Charles

Chinese Green Tea Diet

Did you know that during the Boston Tea Party, the tea that was dumped into the harbor was mostly Chinese green tea? Well, this delightful beverage has been around for thousands of years and has been part of the Chinese diet since the ancient times. Today, it is highly appreciated for its advantages. As numerous studies have found out, the Chinese diet green tea has a significant number of health benefits.

Origin and Background

As noted, Chinese green tea has been around for thousands of year, approximately 4,000 years. Legend has it that this delightful brew was discovered accidentally by a Chinese emperor. It comes from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis, as traditional black tea and oolong tea. And, for centuries, Chinese medicine has used it to treat headaches, digestive problems, lack of energy, and immune enhancement.

The Chinese diet green tea is actually produced by steaming the fresh tea leaves at high temperatures, leaving a significant part of the nutritional enzyme content intact. Unlike the black and oolong tea, the green tea is never fermented.

Instead, its leaves bypass the fermenting process and steamed, baked or pan heated. The leaves are rolled and those tightly rolled leaves have long been considered as a sign of quality.

Chinese Diet Green Tea for Weight Loss

One particular claim that linked the Chinese green tea to diet is its being a miracle tea for weight loss. Well, there is no such thing as a “miracle” weight loss food or drug though, but several indications were revealed that Chinese green tea brings a number of benefits to those trying to lose weight.

It was revealed that green tea extracts are capable of reducing fat digestion by inhibiting digestive enzymes. Other studies have shown that green tea has thermogenic properties, which are probably brought on by the interaction between its caffeine content and catechin polyphenols. As you may know, thermogenesis is the process of the body burning fuel without making chemical energy.

Experts have said that of combined with the other weight loss supplements or techniques, the Chinese green tea could be an excellent addition to your diet.

Other Benefits

There are also other benefits connected with the intake of Chinese diet green tea. One of those is the claim that the polyphenols found in green tea have been shown to inhibit growth of cancer cells. The polyphenols appear to block the formation of cancer-causing compounds, and it is believed that the Chinese diet green tea has the greatest benefit on cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.

The Chinese diet green tea polyphenols are also powerful anti-oxidants. They are even more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E, and more powerful than that found in many fruits and vegetables. The green tea itself contains vitamin C.

Further researches even found out that the compounds in green tea stimulate immune system cells. In recent years, research has shown that green tea may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is even good for the teeth as it contain fluoride that helps fight tooth decay.

Having said all these, I think that now is the right time to brew up a bit of Chinese diet green teas for a beneficial break in your day.


Charles

Skin Care Products

Maybe you've already noticed this, but there is an entire world of cosmetics, facial cleansers, moisturizers, eye creams, facial masks, sunscreens and face scrubs currently gracing the skin care market.

This translates to it may be quite difficult to pinpoint the skin care product or products that suit your complexion. On the other hand, there is no reason to fret just yet. There are a few simply things you can do to narrow down your search for the ideal cosmetics and skin care remedies.

The first step in finding great skin care solutions is understanding your skin type. This could be normal, dry, combination, sensitive, oily or even problematic. Do you have a clue what you particular skin type is? If not, you can find out be answering a simple survey online.

Once you've established your skin type, it will be mush easier acquiring the right skin care product. Let's say you have combination skin like so many people do. Your face is dry in the cheek areas on occasion and oily in the T-zone.

You should start by seeking out skin care products that were designed for this skin type. Most likely you will find numerous cleansers, toners/astringents and moisturizers. Price can really narrow down your search and likely exclude some skin care product lines.

The skin care products you choose should be made from natural ingredients and not contain a lot of preservative chemicals called "parbens". This may be difficult at times, as there are not too many on the market.

An excellent selection of natural skin care products can be found at the following website: http://tiny.cc/naturalskincare

If you want to stay on a small budget, you may want to give a few drugstore brands a shot such as Neutrogena, Avenno or Biore. These are all well-known skin care lines that tons of women and men trust daily to care for their delicate mugs.

Then again, if you're in the market for something on the more expensive side, you'll have plenty to choose from in any high-end department store like Macy's or Nordstrom's. Try samples of high-end cosmetics like Lancome, Estee lauder, Channel, Shisedo, Clinique or Origins.

The web has plenty to offer in regards to skin care product lines and infinite correctional cosmetics. All you really need to do is search for a particular skin issue or skin type and you will be flooded with skin care product results. Take full advantage of product reviews prior to purchasing.

This way you can at least get someone else's impression of the skin care product before buying it. Also, always be sure to check the website for money-back guarantees. If the product or product line fails to offer one, you might want to consider this a red flag.

Charles

Tired All The Time?

Many people have the same problem that I had. I was tired all the time, and I knew it is because I was not sleeping well. Many don’t sleep well and there are many reasons why this happens.

I know why it was happening to me, but for the most part, some folks don’t even realize what is going on. They go to bed and wake up the next morning feeling anything but rested, and they don’t know that something is going on while they are sleeping.

I knew why I was tired all the time, and my problems pile on top of each other. I had problems falling asleep each night, and sometimes I did'nt nod off until after three or four AM. I have a problem turning my mind off, and this had been a problem for me for a few months.

On top of that, I had a horrible bed, and the person who sleeps next to me should by all rights be exiled to the couch. It’s like she’s running a race in her sleep some nights. It’s no wonder I felt tired all the time.

If you feel tired all the time, you should consider that you might need a new or bigger bed. In my case I needed a new bed that is more comfortable, and we also needed to get a bigger size so that my wife is not bumping into me all night as she moves around.

I also had to find ways to calm my mind down before I go to sleep or this feeling tired all the time mode I was in might of followed me around for a very long time.

You should also make sure there is no light in your room keeping you alert, and have a white noise machine to keep out jarring noises. You may sleep through them, but you might be waking up all the time and not remembering it.

If none of these things seem to be the reason behind the fact that you are tired all the time, you should see a doctor to see if you have an underlying medical condition. There are some things that can go wrong with your body that you may not know until symptoms start to pop up.

Being tired all the time can mean that there is something going on that needs medical attention. The sooner you get help the sooner you can start to feel rested when you wake up in the morning.

To A Better Tomorrow!

Charles

Vitamin C and Health

You may know that you need to make sure you get enough vitamin c each day, but you may not know why. This vitamin is essential to good health, and you can get very sick if you don’t get enough of it.

It is something that helps to ward of a cold, most people know that, but there are many other things that it can do. You do have to be careful that you are not getting too much though, and that might be a good reason to throw away the vitamin c supplements you might have in your home.

There are many things that this vitamin can do for you, and you can usually get what you need from the foods you eat if you have a decent diet. It boosts the immune system, which is very important. This prevents some illnesses, and helps to fight of things that do get into your system.

It is also important for the health of your joints. It does a lot of things in the body, and if you don’t have what you need, you will know it soon enough. Simply eating an orange or two a day goes a long way towards better health.

Like all vitamins, this one is dangerous if too much is taken. Though you may think something like this won’t happen unless you eat a whole bottle of pills, you would be mistaken to think an overdose can’t happen. It won’t be obvious right away, but over time, taking too much vitamin c will cause liver damage.

That is just one of the things that can happen. If you are concerned, you can talk to your doctor about what you should be getting and if a supplement is a good idea or not.

There are many people who will take a supplement of vitamin c if they suspect they are getting a cold. They do this leading up to the cold, and all through it. This is not as good an idea as it sounds. This will do more harm than it will do good. If you are careful about getting enough vitamin c in your diet each day, this won’t be something you would want to do.

Talk it over with your doctor. They may tell you the same thing. Throw them out and try to get what you need each day from the foods you eat, and you won’t have to worry about any negative effects on your body.

Stay Healthy!

Charles

Macular Degeneration

Our eyes provide us with a daily visual feast of the world around us. Ironically, it's so easy to take our eyesight for granted. However, as we age, many parts and body systems begin to lose resiliency. We develop little arthritic pains in joints and hands, or lose muscle tone and strength.

However, these are far easier to deal with than loss of eyesight. Age related macular degeneration is such a condition and the most common cause of blindness in people 50 years or older.

Age related macular degeneration attacks the central part of the retina, with the formation of additional blood cells beneath the retina. The growth of these blood cells causes leaking of fluids from the eyes, often resulting in scar tissue and eventual loss of sight. Typically, both eyes are affected, although sometimes in varying degrees.

There are two types of age related macular degeneration, referred to as ”dry” or “wet”. The dry type accounts for 90% of cases. With the dry type, visual cells cease functioning. To date, there is no effective treatment for this type.

The wet form of age related macular degeneration is treatable, but is also far more aggressive, usually resulting in blindness in a period of three months to a few years. Laser treatment may help in the shorter term.

Because this condition affects the central portion of the retina, the patient retains some peripheral vision, but that vision is often distorted and cloudy. People with this form of age related macular degeneration are often quite sensitive to light and may perceive light where there is none.

Early symptoms of age related macular degeneration include blurry vision in the central portion of the eyes, distortions of perception of shape or size of objects and light sensitivity. The condition is not particularly painful, although some degree of discomfort may occur.

Recent research suggests that genetic factors are involved in the development of age related macular degeneration. It is certain that diet plays an important role as a preventative factor.

It's been found that people who disdain foods throughout their lifetime, known to help prevent age related macular degeneration, are far more likely to develop this condition.

Here are some foods that are shown to be powerful preventatives. It's never too late to start including quantities of these food in your diet.

It's fairly easy to identify foods high in carotenoids, antioxidants valuable to the prevention of AMD. Carotenoids produce the bright yellow, orange and green colors in produce. Ample amounts of these fresh fruits and veggies can prevent AMD.

The list is long, so if you dislike some, there's plenty more from which to choose.

Carrots, collards, cantaloupe, carrots, grapes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, peaches, yams, yellow corn, and yellow, orange and red bell peppers are all rich sources of these antioxidants. Among the dark green vegetables, asparagus, aragula, broccoli, chard, endive, dandelion leaves, lettuce, mustard greens, spinach, and parsley are among the best.

So protect yourself against age related macular degeneration. It is preventable.

See Ya Later!

Charles