How to boost your immune system

Posted on 26th December 2010 in Energy & Food balance, Mind & Body connection

Excerpted from “The Truth About Your Immune System”, a Special Health Report from Harvard Health Publications

What can you do?

On the whole, your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: A germ invades successfully and makes you sick. Is it possible to intervene in this process and make your immune system stronger? What if you improve your diet? Take certain vitamins or herbal preparations? Make other lifestyle changes in the hope of producing a near-perfect immune response?chronic_diseases_nutrition-factors

The idea of boosting your immunity is enticing, but the ability to do so has proved elusive for several reasons. The immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity. To function well, it requires balance and harmony. There is still much that researchers don’t know about the intricacies and interconnectedness of the immune response. For now, there are no scientifically proven direct links between lifestyle and enhanced immune function.

Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 0 »

8 Best Android Apps for Health and Fitness

Posted on 24th December 2010 in Fitness

Here are eight highly rated free and paid Android apps that will help you get and stay in shape. If you’ve got recommendations — particularly for apps that will help folks get outdoors while the weather’s nice — please let us know about them in the comments.

1. CardioTrainer + Racing android-health-2

Rating: 5 stars
Price: $2.99
Downloads: 1,000-5,000

This app combines the free CardioTrainer with a racing application that challenges users to beat their own best times. Motivational features include a virtual race simulator, complete with a voice telling the user exactly how far behind or ahead he is. In addition to the racing module, the free CardioTrainer app can be enhanced with a weight loss module, which will cost you another $2.99 in the Android Market.

User comments:
“This works great since it’s so motivating! I’m easily beating my previous times. Well done on Droid!”
“The perfect running coach.”

Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 2 »

Ways to Increase Metabolism

Posted on 8th December 2010 in Energy & Food balance

Are you looking for ways to increase metabolism? Have you ever wondered what the heck metabolism actually is? Let’s take some of the mystery out of metabolism first so that when we look at some honest-to-goodness ways to boost metabolism, they’ll make some sense!
physical activity pyramidMaybe you’ve heard that “you were born with a slow metabolism and there’s nothing you can do to change it.” Wrong! While genetics do play a part in determining the rate of your metabolism, genetics are not the only factor that affect metabolism. In fact, the choices that you make regarding your body and health have a considerable impact on the efficiency of your metabolism.

The word “metabolism” derives from the Greek word “metabole” which means “to change.” Metabolism changes nutrients into energy and living cells.

food-nutrition-health

Metabolism refers to all of the actions that the body goes through in order to change the nutrients in food and supplements into live cells and energy (cells are the basic building block of the body; tissues, organs, hormones, etc.)

Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 3 » tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Living a Healthy Way of Life is No Mystery

Posted on 25th November 2010 in Energy & Food balance, Fitness

We’ve heard over and over again that a well balanced diet and good exercise program are the building blocks of good health. So why don’t more people strive to achieve both?

Nutrition Metabolic Summary

Life Time Fitness, a national Healthy Way of Life company, is seeking to help people take charge of their health and wellness in the face of a national obesity epidemic. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 50-percent of U.S. adults – or approximately 100 million people – are overweight, and more than 33% are trying to lose weight.

“Over the years, I’ve heard more excuses than you can possibly imagine,” says Jeff Zweifel, vice president of the nutritional products division for Life Time Fitness. “People tell me they’re too busy or that it’s too difficult to take the time to eat right and exercise. Others have tried and faced disappointing or ineffectual results. We aim to help folks change their habits and attitudes toward achieving better health.”

Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 2 » tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

10 healthy habits that can change your life

Posted on 16th November 2010 in Fitness, Mind & Body connection, Yoga

Do you want to change your life but making great promises and setting goals is not actually “your type” and you forget them easily? Start with small daily habits that can really make a difference. Follow the 10 healthy habits below and very soon you will notice a change in your life.

1. Make sure that you exercise

exercise
Physical exercise combined with proper nutrition is the main key to longevity. It is also known that physical exercise slows the aging of tissues. However, physical exercise can also ensure better quality of life.

The gym, and anaerobic exercises are for those who want to build muscles. Instead, the mild exercises such as walking or jogging (and in general aerobic exercises), are ideal to keep you in shape and lay the foundations for a better and long life.

Yoga is also another discipline that has something for everyone: you can have you far reaching and diverse benefits of yoga.

Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 9.0/10 (1 vote cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 0 » tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

20 tips for stress management

Posted on 11th November 2010 in Anti Stress, Mind & Body connection

Stress is a disease of modern life that needs special attention. To manage stress successfully you have to follow certain tips for stress management that will help you eliminate stress and protect your health from the harmful effects of stress. Stress is not always bad, it is sometimes good because it helps us react quickly and solve problems. If on the other hand stress is repeating and lasts for a long time, chronic stress, it can cause several problems to our physical and emotional health. This article outline 20 tips for stress management and also explains what is chronic stress and what you can do to manage this type of stress.stress management

Stress can be effective…

Stress is a protective mechanism and a defense agency of the body and can do miracles when necessary to tackle a problem. But when the pressure exceeds human strength, the stress can cause many health problems to our body and mind.

It has been found that workers who have to work increasingly longer hours and also have many duties, most often resort to other harmful health habits such as smoking, alcohol, poor diet. The result is at increased risk to fall ill, in relation to employees who work fewer hours and do not have many duties.
Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 9.3/10 (3 votes cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 3 » tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stress Management

Posted on 10th November 2010 in Anti Stress, Mind & Body connection

Stress management is the need of the hour. However hard we try to go beyond a stress situation, life seems to find new ways of stressing us out and plaguing us with anxiety attacks. Moreover, be it our anxiety, mind-body exhaustion or our erring attitudes, we tend to overlook causes of stress and the conditions triggered by those. In such unsettling moments we often forget that stressors, if not escapable, are fairly manageable and treatable.

tips for stress managementStress, either quick or constant, can induce risky body-mind disorders. Immediate disorders such as dizzy spells, anxiety attacks, tension, sleeplessness, nervousness and muscle cramps can all result in chronic health problems. They may also affect our immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems and lead individuals to habitual addictions, which are inter-linked with stress.

Like “stress reactions”, “relaxation responses” and stress management techniques are some of the body`s important built-in response systems. As a relaxation response the body tries to get back balance in its homeostasis. Some hormones released during the `fight or flight` situation prompt the body to replace the lost carbohydrates and fats, and restore the energy level. The knotted nerves, tightened muscles and an exhausted mind crave for looseners. Unfortunately, today, we don`t get relaxing and soothing situations without asking. To be relaxed we have to strive to create such situations.

Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 8.0/10 (1 vote cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 3 » tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Yoga Exercises For Back Pain

Posted on 23rd October 2010 in Yoga

Back pain, second only to cold, is the most common health problem in the world. Several yoga exercises are effective to overcome back pain. Let us have a look at a few of them.

Yoga is a set of certain exercises, postures and breathing techniques. It has gained immense popularity in recent times as it has a remarkable effect on most disorders and pains. Yoga improves health, increases resistance, relieves stress and is also a great way to stay limber. It has been practiced since a long time, and is not something new. Practicing yoga regularly improves physical and mental strength, increases flexibility of the body and also makes it less vulnerable to diseases.

Yoga is found to be one of the most efficient techniques to relieve back pain. Back pain is a symptom observed due to numerous reasons. Kidney diseases, ovarian disorders, injuries to muscles or ligaments, ruptured disc, spondylitis, etc., are some of the common reasons for back pain. Constant stress, tension, wrong sitting postures can also cause back pain. You can ease back pain by practicing the following simple yoga exercises.
Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 10.0/10 (2 votes cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 2 » tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Types of Exercise

Posted on 23rd October 2010 in Fitness, Yoga

Ever thought about the different types of exercise? If you think that the various types of exercises that you perform in the gym are the only ones to know, you’re wrong. There is a vast range of physical and mental exercises that help you in achieving total body and mind fitness.

fitness benefits
Fitness is the new rage among people. In this new world of technology more than medicines there are diseases and disorders which are affecting mankind. Not everyone can afford expensive treatment so the best way to avoid such harmful diseases and disorders is to have a balanced diet and a fitness regime which ensures boosting your fitness levels. Having a proper workout everyday ensures you a healthy immune system. To achieve that it’s necessary that you have the basic knowledge about the types of exercise.

Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 9.0/10 (1 vote cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 6 » tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dealing with Stress in Our Life

Posted on 16th October 2010 in Anti Stress

We live in a fast-paced world. We want everything done well and quickly. We demand immediate results. We want to know our efforts will be productive and end in success. It seems that, to a degree, everything in our lives is now marketed for speed.

Even though we have every modern, time-saving convenience, we never seem to have enough time on our hands. We sometimes wonder if this constant pressure is all life holds.

stressMany families are finding it difficult to provide the amount of time expected and needed to accomplish everything on their “To Do” lists. They find that working and caring for a family under these time constraints and pressures takes a toll on their physical and emotional health. Yet, they feel they must keep trying: there’s no relief in sight.

I have discovered that Jesus also had stress in His life. In fact, at one point, He tried to find a place to rest, but the crowd followed Him and wouldn’t leave Him alone. I always smile when reading that passage. I think that many of us can relate to the frustration Jesus felt. Sometimes, we just want to be left alone!

While He was in the desert, Jesus was tempted to assert power and control, but He chose, instead, to follow His Father. We have those same temptations today. Many times we would like to have power and control over others, or negatively exercise the power we have.

Click here to read more.. »

VN:F [1.9.5_1105]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
Did you like this? Share it:
comments: 0 » tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Previous