Categories: Health and well being, Aging, Akido, Alzheimer, Back Pain, Colic, Depression, Emergency Preparation, Weight Loss
The GI Diet: Part of the War on Fat
April 13th, 2008You might have heard of the GI diet and wondered if it had anything to do with the nation’s military forces. Actually, this meal plan is not connected with any branch of the armed services. But it is definitely an important part of the war on fat. By following the GI diet, you might be able to successfully fight the battle of the bulge.
To begin with, it is important to define our terms. GI refers to glycemic index. The GI measures just how quickly the body breaks apart food in order to develop glucose, which has been referred to as a major energy source for the body. The GI was the brainchild of Dr. David Jenkins, a nutritional expert at the University of Toronto.
If food ranks high on the GI scale, it means that the food breaks down quickly. As a result, the body is not satiated and goes looking elsewhere for food. However, food that is low-glucose breaks down less quickly, which means that it makes you feel satiated. The GI diet, therefore, is made up of food that is low on the GI barometer. If you follow this food plan, you will be eating lean meat and fish, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, you can partake of dairy, as long as it is low-fat. However, you’ll be passing up cake, cookies, bread, and other foods that are comprised of white flour and therefore high on the GI.
Those who support the GI diet maintain that the vast majority of diets are unsuccessful because dieters do not feel satiated. Dieters may also feel fatigued, causing them to binge. In addition, many diets are complex, requiring individuals to do complicated calculations in order to determine how much they should eat.
Following the GI diet is as easy as following a traffic light. Red means stop—in other words, don’t eat that particular item. Yellow means proceed to eat with caution—and moderation. Green means go ahead and eat the item—it’s good for you. There are numerous advantages to the GI diet. To begin with, it provides proper nutrition, which means that it is heart-healthy. Also, you can eat as much as you want—if the foods have been given the green light. Chances are you won’t feel as if you’re running on empty with this diet, since it’s designed to keep you feeling satiated. It is believed that the diet can reduce the likelihood that you will be afflicted with heart disease, diabetes, stroke, colon cancer and prostate cancer. The GI diet is easy to maintain and equally easy to follow.
You might believe that the GI diet is like Atkins; however, there are notable differences. For example, the Atkins approach stresses high protein and animal fat while curbing carbohydrates. Atkins is based on the philosophy that, if the body does not receive carbs, it will end up breaking down fat instead. Over the long term, Atkins has been linked to kidney damage, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.
But the GI diet is based on carbs such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and encourages dieters to eliminate saturated fat, winning it the endorsement of a number of nutritionists. Still, it should be noted that the GI diet is not perfect. If you have spent a lifetime eating foods in the red category, you might find the diet quite challenging. Also, during the initial stage of the diet, the dieter’s weight may rise until the body makes an adjustment.
The GI diet may not be as popular as other diet programs, but it has a number of qualities to recommend it. It is not complicated, so it may not lead to as much frustration as other diets. The traffic light system might appeal to even the most unsophisticated of dieters. It encourages the consumption of good carbohydrates which are nutrient-rich. It is also sure to eliminate an individual’s reliance on junk food. While the adjustment to the diet may be difficult at first, a number of dieters maintain that it is well worth the effort. You may actually be surprised to learn exactly how much weight you can lose following the GI system.
Depression - your rights
April 11th, 2008Do you know your rights? Do you know that depression comes from influences? Did you know that Traditional mistaken assumptions could lead to depression? Knowing your rights can provide you mean for managing and conquering depression. Many people believe that putting self-first is selfish in nature. Contrary to the notion, you have the rights to be first sometimes. Some people believe that when you express your thoughts or feelings, other people do not like to hear them. Thus, the person may remain silent, while suffering depression. The truth is you have the rights to express your thoughts, emotions, and feelings, as well as the rights to express your pain.
Traditional beliefs claim that you should not waste priceless time spending your problems verbally. This is a misconstrued notion, since you do have rights to ask others for support, and/or help to cope with your emotional issues. You may have heard people tell you that making mistakes is stupidity on your part, however the fact is we are all human beings and mistakes is a part of life. In fact, mistakes are how we learn to grow.
Most people expect us to remain consistent and logical at all times, but the fact is these people lack the ability to remain consistent and logic at all times. Thus, this is the process of decision-making, which you have rights to take other actions contrary to your decision. You have the right to revolutionize your mind as you wish.
You probably heard that it is inappropriate to questions others around you. The fact is they are lying, since you have right away to demand proper treatment from others. The same rule applies to those telling you that you need to adjust your thinking, or else show flexibility in your actions and words. Assumption is guesses that often form in mistaken beliefs.
People down through the centuries advise us to respect other people’s perspectives, especially if the person is a licensor over you. Thus, they might tell you to keep a lid on it, while listening and learning from the influence of authority. This is far from the truth, since you have your own convictions and perspectives, and the right away to express them.
Assumptions are theories, which you probably heard that if other’s cannot find reasons behind your pain or reasons, thus then you have a problem. NOTE: Depression physical symptoms often include undefined aches and pains. Most times doctors cannot find purpose or reason for the cause. Listen up; you have the rights to make the final call on your feelings. You have the rights to express your thoughts, and pain and you have the rights to confirm what you believe. Doctors do not always have answers, and if a person claims they have aches and pains, thus it is coming from some source. Therefore, this notion in diagnostics may not be valid for depressive symptoms. In other words, doctors and other expects could be exaggerating. If someone tells you, you are crazy, thus you have the right away to leave him or her behind.
If someone tells you that your problems could claim to higher mountains, your rights include letting them know that you have the rights to ask for better results, or changes.
Many people in life do not know their rights and will rely on guesses and theories rather the exploring for the truths. This is one of the largest reasons that depression is hitting millions of people everyday. Now, if you want to know how to manage and conquer your depression, learn your rights, and further your education.
Hormones and All that Good Stuff in Healthy Aging
April 11th, 2008Stomach weight is associated with making the arteries age. Your arteries supply blood through out your whole system and if these become blocked it can cause many problems for you. Obesity can lead to a heart attack, memory loss, the skin will wrinkle and strokes can occur too, which is all caused from the blocked arteries. Your diet plays an important role in helping to keep these arteries clear. You need to include a certain amount of goods fats in you diet if nothing else eating nuts for a snack.
Keeping the mind busy and enjoying activity helps the brain and it will help prevent depression, anxiety and stress. Everyone seems to get these three things as we age because we slow down and don’t get out enough. It is very important to be with people and get that exercise to keep your mind from thinking and worrying so much.
Watch your diet keeping it in control and enjoy many activities. You’ll feel and look better as you age. We can consider all these aspects, yet to find a clear vision of what healthy aging means to you, we have to consider hormones.
The glands produce several hormones, including the Human Growth Hormone. (HgH) Science shows the body produces enough but it doesn’t release all of it as we age. The low levels of human growth hormone cause wrinkling of skin, reduction of energy and sexual performance. Gray hair is incurred from hormonal deficiencies. The hormone will also cause increases of body fats, and puts you at the risk of heart disease. You will lose muscle mass from deficient HgH, which can lead to shrinking of bodily organs.
Studies were conducted that shown results from 26 men. These men were between the ages 61 and early 80s. The studies shown that the supplement of Human Growth Hormone slowed the aging process 10-20 years total. After giving HgH, these men showed improvements, which enhanced muscle strength. The skin tone was enhanced as well as the memory. The overall of aging has not been stopped but important signs of maturity are improved.
Vitamin A is known to help the eyes but in recent studies, it was discovered that it is also helps release the human growth hormone. Just remember when buying supplements in a health food store the labels are not always accurate.
When taking any hormone replacement supplements make sure that you consult with your doctor, only he or she knows what is best for you. Since supplements, Vitamins, or replacement therapies may include side effects, you want your doctors advice first before administering these remedies.
Women rely on estrogen to maintain healthy bones. Women need these hormones to reduce the risks of shrinking in bone density. Women will often experience symptoms that form into osteoporosis when estrogen is deficient. Estrogen will often slow as a woman ages, and usually after menopause the woman’s lipid levels drop.
This can cause high cholesterol also, since LDL increases. In addition, lipid levels when increased can lead to blocked arteries, or coronary blood vessel/artery disease. After a woman goes through menopause she, starts to age for the reason that the ovaries begin to slow the production of progesterone and estrogen. These major hormones control menstrual cycles, which stop at this point.
Men rely on testosterone to maintain their youth. This hormone controls a male’s sex drive, facial hair growth and so on. We all have our hormones that perform many actions, yet in some instances we need replacement, especially as we grow old. Sometimes replacing the hormones will slow the aging process, thus promoting healthy aging.
Tips on earthquake emergency preparation
April 11th, 2008The year 1906 was a determining factor in how future resident of the San Francisco area would live their lives. Will they be able to sleep peacefully at night knowing that anything can happen between the time they slept and the time they will be awake. But the question for most people is the possibility that they may never wake up again.
The same goes for the people in Mexico, Baguio in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and other countries that have been victimized by strong earthquakes. Most of these people were caught unaware and this made the disaster more disastrous.
San Franciscans are aware that someday, their city will fall into the depths of the city. But why do they continue to live in a city, which though beautiful, is a catastrophe waiting to happen again?
Most of the people living in earthquake-prone areas prefer to live each day with the thought that they might never wake up again. However, what makes them different from majority of the people living safe lives in safe places is the fact that they are aware that a tragedy like an earthquake may strike them anytime and they are prepared for it.
These people party and live life to the fullest but they made sure they live in earthquake-safe buildings. Most of the high rise establishments were constructed with a strong earthquake in mind
Jason, a technology specialist lives in the Marina area which is the most earthquake-prone area in the city. While he accepts that he is taking a big risk living in that area, he takes no chances and always stores several gallons of water nearby.
He has also prepared earthquake packs and emergency kits containing first aid medicines as well as food packs that can be eaten right out of the packet. He also has extra flashlights, batteries and other thing-a-magics guaranteed to make any normal person flip out.
The most important thing to remember during an earthquake is to duck and keep off everything heavy that may fall on anyone. However, there are other earthquake emergency tips that will benefit any person who would be faced with an emergency earthquake situation at any time in his life.
When faced with an earthquake circumstance, it is always better to seek refuge from tables that can protect a person from heavy objects that are falling from everywhere. When this is however not practical, a person should immediately go out and proceed to an open area without the danger of falling trees, high rises or power cables.
Those who are caught driving when an earthquake occurs would be better off if they stay inside their car. When inside a grocery or a mall, make sure that the person is away from heavy shelves and other objects. When inside a theater or a sports stadium and an earthquake occurs, never run for safety and join the hundreds of people doing the same. Duck under the seat and wait until everything clears up.
A lot of people get hurt or even die not because of the earthquake itself but because of panic and failure to prepare for such an emergency. It is always helpful to have an emergency earthquake plan even if earthquakes are not common in the area.
Survival will always depend on how prepared a person is for emergencies. People who have not prepared for the worse case scenario are the ones who have the tendency to panic. And in most cases, those who panic and lose their presence of mind become the first victims of any emergency.
The Relationship Between Breastfeeding and Colic
April 11th, 2008When a newborn baby comes out of the womb, doctors encourage mothers to breastfeed the infant. This is because the milk that comes out has nutrients in the right concentrations. It also has antibodies, which becomes the first line of defense against harmful bacteria and viruses.
Studies show that a mother can continue to breastfeed the child until it reaches 4 years of age. But because the teeth have already been developed, many decide to use a pump or change this for artificial milk.
One of the first challenges parents will face in the first six months is a condition where the baby becomes colic. This is when the infant will cry for no reason at all that will take months to subside.
Some doctors believe that the reason why a baby will behave in this manner is due to the milk that is fed from the mother’s breast.
There are two theories that explain this. The first is because babies who suck milk also take in a certain amount of air. Mother’s are encourage to let the infant burp before going to sleep so he or she won’t wake up later on.
The second is from the types of food that the mother eats. Gaseous foods, which are digested, are passed on to the infant in the form of milk causing the colic to happen.
Until now, there is insufficient proof to prove there is a relationship between breastfeeding and colic. Believe it or not, this happens more often to bottle-fed rather than breast fed infants. This means the mother should just watch out the food being eaten so this condition does not happen.
Those who are unable to do it can ask help from a dietitian so certain dishes can be substituted for something else.
Watching the food and making sure the infant burps are just two ways to handle a colic baby. The mother can also carry the child onto the shoulders or in a swaying motion. Some even sing a lullaby making the infant go back to sleep.
The parents can also put a CD player near the crib that will play nursery rhymes. This will serve as background so the baby will not wake up from the sounds coming from outside the room or the house.
During the daytime, a colic baby can also be remedied with a warm bath or a massage. This is because adults who are stressed sometimes use this to release the tension in the muscles, which makes this also work for the child.
If the infant has grown some teeth already, perhaps giving a pacifier can help. Some babies’ cry when he or she is not sucking onto something and this device can work as a substitute for the mother’s breast.
There is nothing wrong if the doctor classifies the baby as a colic. In fact, this is a blessing in disguise because this means that the little boy or girl is normal. The excessive crying or shouting are ways for the infant to ask for attention that will serve as a wake up call for first time parents.
The parents should just persevere through this phase. After all, colic babies are hereditary which means the same thing happened to the mother and father many years ago.