Blog

vitamin C and Cancer

Sat, 09 May 2009 14:21:00 -0400

for the past couple of days I have been taking vitamin c. It's Great for your immune system after all right. ?? well I beg to differ. taking streight ascorbic acid is after all acid ...... duh and if you are trying to balance your body's ph taking any kind of acid in that quantity makes it harder to go . I eat fresh citrus fruit. I think that is plenty of C for me. I also eat lemons . While taking the vitimin c I experienced joint pain, soreness and my cancer also flaired up. Welcome to my life where only what works works, and we thhrow the rest out. Get your C from your diet, it's balanced and alkline there. other things are alright to take in a pill form.

Johns Hopkins Report on Cancer

Wed, 06 May 2009 20:58:00 -0400

Here's something serious and very useful from Johns Hopkins on Cancer. Actingon it could save your life. This could potentially help you changeyour life and increase your lifespan.

*AFTERYEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY,BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLYSTARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.*

*Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins :*

*1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells donot show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a fewbillion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no morecancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the testsare unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached thedetectable size.*

*2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.*

*3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells willbe destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.*

*4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person hasmultiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic,environmental, food and lifestyle factors.*

*5. To overcomethe multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and includingsupplements will strengthen the immune system.*

*6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and

also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bonemarrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, likeliver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.*

*7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.*

*8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will oftenreduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiationdo not result in more tumor destruction.*

*9. When the bodyhas too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immunesystem is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumbto various kinds of infections and complications.*

*10.Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and becomeresistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cellsto spread to other sites.*

*11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. **

**CANCER CELLS FEED ON: **

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off oneimportant food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes likeNutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc. are made with Aspartame and it isharmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molassesbut only in very small amounts.. Table salt has a chemical added tomake it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or seasalt.*

*b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especiallyin the gastro-intestinal tract Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting offmilk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are beingstarved.*

*c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. Ameat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a littlechicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestockantibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful,especially to people with cancer.*

*d. A diet made of 80%fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a littlefruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can befrom cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide liveenzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellularlevels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthycells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drinkfresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eatsome raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed attemperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).*

*e. Avoidcoffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is abetter alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best todrink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavymetals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it. **

f**. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot ofdigestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomeputrified and leads to more toxic buildup..*

*g**. Cancer cellwalls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating lessmeat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cellsand allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.*

*h**. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence,Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable thebody's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements likevitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, thebody's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneededcells.*

*i Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit.A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be asurvivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into astressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgivingspirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.*

*j Cancer cells cannotthrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deepbreathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygentherapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.*

CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL , U S - PLEASE READ **

1. No plastic containers in micro.*

2. No water bottles in freezer.*

3. No plastic wrap in microwave.*

* **

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters Thisinformation is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center aswell. Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxinsare highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze yourplastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from theplastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager atCastle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. Hetalked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that weshould not be heating our food in the microwave using plasticcontainers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He saidthat the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxininto the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, herecommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex orceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, onlywithout the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen andsoups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated insomething else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in thepaper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. Hereminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants movedaway from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin

problem is one of the reasons.

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just asdangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As thefood is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually meltout of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a papertowel instead.

**This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life.*

from

http://helpisonurway.webs.com/reportoncancer.htm

I'm trying b12 therepy and nitric oxide.

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:06:00 -0400

yesterday I started an oral b12 regimen to suppliment what I am already doing. i will let you know how it works out for me. I found these two sites about treatment and leading edge breakthroughs .......... combine the two and you might have something. NO and b12 hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

ScienceDaily (Mar. 24, 2009) — Diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of cancer called anal sac adenocarcinoma, Oscar's future seemed bleak. Bedridden and unresponsive to chemotherapy or radiation, he would be lucky to survive three months. But thanks to an innovative new drug treatment, Oscar's cancer receded and he was walking again within two weeks.

Oscar's recovery was extraordinary enough, but his case was unusual for another reason. Oscar is a Bichon Frise, who scientists reporting in Salt Lake City, Utah at the 237th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society on March 23 call "the Miracle Dog." Joseph A. Bauer, Ph.D., and colleagues described promising results with a drug called nitrosylcobalamin (NO-Cbl) in battling cancer in Oscar and three other canines without any negative side effects. While it gives profound hope to dog owners, NO-Cbl also points to a powerful new cancer treatment for humans — one that infiltrates cancer cells like a biological Trojan horse.

"We are one of the few research groups that is offering to treat dogs with cancer that otherwise have no hope," Bauer said. "With no other options available, most people in this situation opt to euthanize so that their pets don't go through the pain of disease and trauma of surgery."

About six million dogs are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), pets with cancer provide a win-win opportunity for cancer researchers. Scientists can study new cancer treatments in animals other than lab mice. And pets get access to new treatments that provide hope and in instances like NO-Cbl, additional time.

Bauer put it this way: "The beauty of using a dog or a cat to test a cancer drug is two-fold. First, the animal can get the benefit of the most up-to-date drug in cancer medicine. Second, the NCI gets data on pets that are exposed to the same environmental factors their owners are. They breathe the same polluted air and drink the same polluted water that you and I do every day. If you can find an agent to treat cancer that occurs in a dog with success, there is a higher likelihood that you can take that to the human population and have a much higher response rate than with mice."

Although NO-Cbl has been used in only a few dogs, daily treatments have led to promising results in each case. "In all four dogs, there has been a significant reduction in tumor size without any toxic side effects or discomfort," says Bauer.

Oscar was the first success story. Since then, Bauer has treated two other dogs. A six-year old golden retriever named Buddy was unable to walk due to a spinal tumor pinching essential nerves leading to his right hind leg. After nine months of daily NO-Cbl treatment, Buddy's tumor shrank by 40 percent and he was going on two mile walks. A 13-year-old female Giant Schnauzer with inoperable thyroid carcinoma also showed tumor reductions of 77 percent in less than 10 weeks.

"Our case studies demonstrate anti-tumor efficacy with limited toxicity to normal tissues," Bauer added. "NO-Cbl sensitizes multidrug-resistant cancer cells to the antitumor effects of several different drugs, so it may be valuable when utilized in combination regimes," he added.

The drug targets cancer cells with "biological Trojan horse technology." Cells have receptors for vitamin B12 on their outer surface. The receptors serve as docking ports where molecules of the vitamin, essential for cells to divide and multiply, attach and then enter the cell. In order to divide at their abnormally rapid pace, cancer cells grow extra B12 receptors — 100 times more than normal cancer cells. Scientists have been trying since the 1950s to exploit that vulnerability and make B12-based drugs that attach to the receptors, sneak into the cell, and deliver a knock-out dose of medication.

Bauer and his colleagues from the Cleveland Clinic attached nitric oxide (NO) molecules to vitamin B12. NO kills cancer cells. The B12 acts as the Trojan horse, easily slipping into cancer cells. The subsequent release of toxic NO kills the cancer cells from within.

The team's goal is to successfully treat 10 dogs with NO-Cbl and slingshot the drug into human use as soon as possible. Because of the genetic similarity between dogs and humans, Bauer says his approach should have a much better chance of getting through the FDA's strict drug approval chain.

But Bauer stresses he wants to get the NO-Cbl dog treatment approved, as well. "I'm committed to the animals, and my goal would be to do a dual clinical trial, Phase One human and Phase One dog," says Bauer.

Oscar is still alive and well. Today, Bauer is treating another Golden Retriever named Haley with a spinal tumor.

"This is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in my life," says Bauer, the owner of a two-year old Beagle. "It gets boring working in the lab, but to see the fruits of your labor in a positive outcome like this and to know you're responsible in some small way, that's pretty cool."

from

http://www.sciencedaily.com

and you can get Nitric oxide here

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/no2.html

1. What is it and where does it come from?
Nitric Oxide is a free form gas that is produced in the body and is used by the body to communicate with other cells in the body. To produce this gas, enzymes in the body break down the amino acid Arginine.

Nitric Oxide is a molecule consisting of one atom of nitrogen and one atom of oxygen. The production of Nitric Oxide occurs when the amino acid L-arginine is converted into L-citruline through an enzyme group known as Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS). The chemical process of conversion is shown in figure 1.

2. What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?
Despite the claims of some in the supplement industry, there exists ample scientific literature to suggest the efficacy of Nitric Oxide products. The following was written in May 1996 in a document prepared for the Royal Society and Association of British Science Writers:

Fig. 1 - Click To Enlarge

"Summary research papers continue to flood the scientific journals and insights into the biological activity and potential clinical uses of nitric oxide (NO): a gas controlling a seemingly limitless range of functions in the body. Each revelation adds to nitric oxide's already lengthy resume in controlling the circulation of the blood, regulating activities of the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach and other organs."

Since the above was written in 1996, Nitric Oxide containing products have continued to be touted by those in the medical profession, as well as by athletes looking to add muscle to their frames.


[ Top 5 Sellers ]
	1.	BSN NO-Xplode
	2.	Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump250
	3.	Universal Animal Stak
	4.	BSN Nitrix
	5.	MuscleTech NaNO Vapor

The above quotation states that Nitric Oxide controls the circulation of blood, and transmits messages between nerve cells.

The fact that nitric oxide increases blood flow should make it of interest to bodybuilders, as increased blood flow will serve to deliver more nutrients to muscles, thus helping muscles become larger when subject to stress.*

Nitric oxide also affects the endocrine system. It affects the release of gonadotroptin releasing hormone, as well as the release of adrenaline from the adrenal medulla.*

3. Who needs it and what are some symptoms of deficiency?
Everyone REQUIRES nitric oxide to carry out key physiological processes within the body. From a bodybuilder's perspective, nitric oxide supplementation may prove useful in increasing growth due to increases in blood flow to certain areas of the body.*

Signs of deficiency include physical weakness and extreme fatigue. Most "nitric oxide" supplements contain the amino acid Arginine-alpha-keto-glutarate.

4. How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?
With any amino acid containing product, overdose is a possibility. Dosing with too much arginine can lead to diarrhea, weakness and nausea. Clear dosing guidelines have not been established, so it is best to do what is known as "tolerance mapping". Take a small dosage for one week, note the benefits and the side effects, and increase the dosage until the benefits are maximized and the side effects minimized. Over time the two will converge and you will hit the optimal dose. This process is similar to "receptor mapping" for bodybuilders who use insulin.

Many protein powders are fortified with amino acids, including arginine. With this in mind, pay particular attention to how much arginine you are ingesting from all supplements taken.

5. Where can I get it?

At the time of this writing, Pinnacle Brands makes NOx2. This product is very similar to the NO2 product made by MRI. IDS also make a similar product, NP2. With IDS's product, tribulus terrestris is also included. Tribulus is proven to increase testosterone levels.* The combination of tribulus and NO may prove incredibly effective. Other NO products are listed below.

Republished from Clayton South's Health Facts.

Featured NO2 Product

BSN NO-Xplode

Designed to help promote intense energy & full body pumps.

Learn More!

Use Your Time Wisely!

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:28:00 -0500

When I was small, I have never considered the importance of time. I would just laze around, watch TV, lie in bed, and play video games. As I grew older, I thought about the things that I have achieved. To my surprise, I haven't accomplished a lot.

I resolved to myself that I will do things that will contribute to the benefit of mankind. I studied very hard and learned a lot of lessons from my experience. I lack self-confidence before, so I want to help other people overcome this predicament.

I became obsessed with self-improvement, so I started a newsletter. I'm also working on an ebook about persuasion as I'm writing this. I want to help anyone in need because it feels so good to solve other people's problems.

I urge you now to make the most use of your time. It may be joining a fundraising organization. You may also learn new skills or crafts. Create a goal and go for it!

Don't be a couch potato. Don't just sit around and be contented with the monotonous patterns of your daily activities.

Do something nice and give all your best to the fulfillment of a worthwhile endeavor. It will give you a very deep sense of happiness and satisfaction.

Some people complain that they don't have enough time to take action on their goals. They have to go to their 9 to 5 job, then when they go home they feel so tired all they can think about is watch TV, relax, and sleep.

I'm not saying that leisure is a no-no. In fact, everyone should take time out once in a while to recharge and revitalize their energy. The key is to have a balanced life. Set aside a fraction of your time to carry out your dreams and ambitions. Reserve some time to establish healthy relationships.

Ok, I hear you. You're saying that you really just can't budget your time?

Don't panic. Here are some time management tips.

1) If possible, do more than one thing at the same time.

Exercise while watching your favorite TV show. Listen to educational tapes while waiting for the bus.

Be forewarned! Never do this if it puts you at risk or in danger; for example, don't text while driving.

2) Don't do something later if it can be done concurrently with an activity at present.

If you're going to the market to buy some eggs, think of the other things that you have to purchase so that you don't have to return again.

If you have an appointment with the dentist today and you also have to go to the bank (which is near the dentist's clinic) at any day, schedule the two activities on the same day.

3) Be organized in everything that you do.

Put labels on bottles. Put similar files on one folder. Make a list of things you have to do for the day.

You can also use your mind to organize things you have to remember. Studies have shown that you could only retain information that fit between 5 to 9 categories at a time. This is the 7+-2 rule of Neurolinguistic Programming.

If you have many things to do, try to group related things together. You can combine activities such as reading books, listening to educational tapes, and watching training videos into a category such as "Education." Then you can group swimming, playing basketball, and paying fees for the gym in a category called "Fitness." Get the picture?

Time is one of our most valuable resources. Once lost, it can never be reclaimed. We must use time wisely for our development and advancement; so that when we are old, we can look back and recollect the pleasant memories and deeds that we have achieved. Time well spent is worth much more than gold.

Michael Lee is the author of "How To Be A Red Hot Persuasion Wizard," an ebook designed to fully improve your relationships, multiply your profits, win negotiations, and help you attain all the desired freedom and power you could ever dream of. Go to http://www.20daypersuasion.com now and grab a sample chapter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Lee

Slay The Toxic Dragon In your Life

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:27:00 -0500

How To "Slay The Dragon" In Your Life In Five Simple Steps

Any time you spend around that toxic dragon , you are adding another cup full of misery to your life. You must accept that the toxic person you are with will not change, does not want to change, and does not want you to change. The toxic people want to keep poisoning you with their behavior and feel that they have every right to do so.

Toxic people roam around freely and openly because they can. They take our energy, strength, love, and our precious time on this earth. This goes on and on and slowly before we know it, our lives are used up,our hearts and souls are ruined, and the dragon keeps on going like the energizer bunny.

This is a truth that each of us needs to understand. Some people cannot be around each other, be together, or even mix without harmful effects. There are definite mismatches that were never meant to be and certainly were not meant to continue.

Coming to grips with the fact that you must leave a toxic relationship is one of the most difficult things you will ever do. It is a life changing experience and you have to have the strength to do it.

Get Prepared To Slay The Dragon By Doing These Simple tasks:

Sit down with a friend, co worker, a neighbor, or a family member and review what is going on in the toxic relationship. You need someone who can help you put the whole situation in perspective. Unfortunately we may be so close we cannot see the forest through the trees. Maybe we have started to think all of this is our fault. (It isn't.) Make a list of what has been going on, the things that have been said or done which have left you feeling destroyed. Talk about how that toxic person makes you feel and how so far you have felt powerless to change things.

Realize that love and pain are not one and the same. You do not have a good or healthy relationship if you feel drained, used, hurt, and humiliated by that person. If you are angry, depressed, lonely, hurt when you are with this person, it is no good. It is not love. It is simply an addiction to the toxic drug of choice.

Is there a reason you have been sticking with this relationship which has nothing to do with your feelings? Are you staying in this relationship for your friends, for your parents for your kids? This is not good. The clock is ticking, your life is slipping away. You cannot stay in a toxic relationship for the sake of anyone else. The relationship has lost it's value if being around the person makes you feel horrible. Don't hold onto a hot potato.

Decide if you have to make the break and then do it permanently. No trial separations, no second chances, no giving it more time. Time will only suck more energy out of you and make the dragon stronger. This is asking a lot from you because you have become somewhat used to this toxic relationship. In some ways you find yourself attracted to it, maybe for money, security, sex, etc. Sometimes you have to give up a lot to get out.

Work on your health and physical fitness. Strong body, strong mind. Work on curbing any of your habits which are hurting you, like overeating or using alcohol or drugs. Make sure you are in shape to slay the dragon before you start. The dragon will not go away easily. There may be a confrontation and you need to be strong enough to handle it.

Only you can get yourself out of the toxic relationship. Only you can slay the toxic dragon. You have given the power away to someone who has no love for you. Now is the time to take back the power and take back your life.

Sharon Schurman is a retired clinical counselor whose site offers information, tips, and suggestions to deal with all types of depression. Please go to http://www.depression-help-guide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Kater

How to Pick a Trainer?

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:26:00 -0500

Quick Overview- I think the most important thing for people starting a workout program is to keep moving, so I highly recommend starting with a basic walking regiment ie. {like walk around the block}

I'm not the typical trainer, I don't think people want the stereotypical trainer you get at most clubs. My focus is more on "WHY" we do what we do, or don't do. So I like to think of myself as a life coach!

Here is a little of what I teach:

Relationship between pain versus fear
Mental State, management
Power moves
Body physiology
Breathing for peak performance
Goal setting as it relates to taking action on your health and fitness program.

Our topic this month is,
"How do you pick the Right Trainer for YOU".
It can be a complicated process. You want the best trainer for your buck. So what do you do?

My belief is, you need to investigate and interview different prospective trainers.

Here are a few tips of what to ask:

How long have they been training?

How many clients do they have?

What are their specialties? ie. {nutrition, weight loss, muscle building etc.}

Ask for any references of past or present clients?

Are they certified or have they ever been certified?

In my professional opinion a trainer must possess these skills:

Making the client feel comfortable
Have strong communication skills
Be a teacher instead of a boss.

Without these skill, in my observation, a trainer may have all the credentials in the world but will not be able to complete the task at hand.

"Motivate and develop results in the client".

These are some of the strategies I recommend when looking for a trainer.

Create your enjoyment, Remember everything comes to people that have the ability to create constant pleasure for themselves and others,
A need to push themselves to continually grow.
Success, money, love and virtually anything you want will manifest itself when you have the ability to control your emotional states.

LIVE IN THE STATE OF PASSION

Warmest regards,
James Spicer
Founder, "Neuro-Fit Fitness"
You can visit James at:
walkablock.com/james

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Spicer

What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar?

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:25:00 -0500

Unfortunately, the words “diet” and “cheating” go hand in hand. When you say, “I’m on a DIET”, it usually means you are depriving yourself of something. Diets do not work; they are restrictive and can become exceedingly frustrating, leading you to “cheat”. The more you restrict calories and the tempting treats you love, the more likely you are to binge eat. This is counterproductive in a fat loss program and will prevent you from becoming lean.

I’m sure you know the scenario; you embark on a weight loss plan (a.k.a. A Very Low Calorie Diet) fully confident and filled with motivation and willpower. You go out to eat and turn down the dessert you desperately want and then have to sit at the table and watch EVERYONE else gobble down their brownie ala- mode or a slice of Death by Chocolate cake. As the days of deprivation go on you suddenly find yourself thinking about food more and more. You dream about the pint of ice cream that’s calling your name. You begin to bargain with yourself, promising to do extra cardio or to fast in exchange for a cheat day.

This, of course, never comes to pass and you find yourself “starting over” on your DIET once a week. Worse yet, you have made no progress and have slowed your metabolism to a grinding halt by eat too few calories. The best way to lose weight is to adopt a balanced meal plan you can stick to for life! This means you can still enjoy the so-called “forbidden foods” you love, only less often and in moderation. If you consistently eat “clean” and “balanced” your desire for the “bad stuff” will eventually disappear.

If you have SEVERE difficulty resisting sugar and constantly have a high sugar craving, this may indicate that your diet is substantially low in “beneficial” fat and it is likely that you have an intestinal flora imbalance. Beneficial fats regulate mood, taste and fulfillment hormones that help you feel satisfied and reduce cravings. An intestinal flora imbalance means certain “shut off” nutrients that reduce the need for sugars are not fully synthesized into your blood stream. Combined, both of these problems cause you to hold onto fat and create cravings for simple sugars.

The solution is to incorporate beneficial fats. Try drizzling 1 to 2 tbsp. of raw safflower, canola, olive or flax oil on your high fiber based vegetables and proteins. Either sauté, grill or make a soup with vegetables like zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, spinach and mushrooms to name a few. Use any of the oils previously mentioned except flax oil. Flax oil is NOT for cooking.

Chewing your proteins more fully may combat the intestinal flora imbalance. Instead of trying to digest large pieces, chew more fully to give your protein sources greater surface area. Your protein sources for optimum fat loss are eggs, egg whites, white fish (like cod, halibut, and orange roughy), chicken or turkey breast.

Whatever you do, DON’T give up! DO whatever it takes to “clean up” your eating plan and banish your food demons.

My fat loss and fitness plan “Every Body Loses” will give you the tools you need to begin a healthy weight
loss program. The style of eating and exercising outlined in my book is one that you can follow for life without feeling deprived. If you’re serious about losing fat and getting fit go to www.aim4nutrition.com and get started TODAY!

Good Luck and Be Well,

Aimee Deak

Personal Trainer & Nutrition Analyst

AIM 4 NUTRITION http://www.aim4nutrition.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aimee_Deak

Plastic Surgey: The New Beauty Norm?

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:24:00 -0500

This is a good topic to discuss especially now since the popularity of all the make-over shows. I have always been curious as to why people, mostly women, have this idea that they are expected to look a certain way in order to "fit in" with society.

We all would like to believe that quaint saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", but how true and meaningful is that phrase when the beholder has been brainwashed, so to speak, into subscribing to the belief that beauty is the artificial look we see on glamour mags, in TV commercials, and even in some children's books? For some time now, that image has consisted mainly of white women and the "white standard of beauty".

I decided to take this question of plastic surgery and the search for beauty and see how it can affect some women in the African-American community. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, African-Americans make up only 6% of plastic surgery patients. Why is this? Do African-American women have a more positive self/body image or is it that many cannot afford it? And for the 6% who do have surgery, to which standard of beauty were they trying to aspire?

I chose to start my search for the white standard of beauty in 1960. I chose that year because at the time, a TV show was airing that sought to teach moral and societal lessons through fantastical tales.
Two episodes of this show were very telling and prophetic, and they both dealt with how society viewed beauty and the expectations placed on women to be "beautiful".
That show was, The Twilight Zone.

Beauty in 1960...
Rod Serling offered us a tale of beauties and beasts in episode #42 entitled: Eye of the Beholder.
Here's a brief synopsis of the show I found at The Twilight Zone Guide:
Janet Tyler anxiously awaits the outcome of her latest surgery. Janet, who's abnormal face has made her an outcast, has had her eleventh hospital visit - the maximum allowed by the State. If it didn't succeed, she will be sent to live in a village where others of her kind are segregated. As her bandages are removed, she is revealed to be very beautiful. The doctor draws back in horror. As the lights come on we see the others, their faces are misshapen and deformed. As Janet runs from her room crying, she runs into another of her kind, a handsome man named Walter Smith. He is in charge of an outcast village, and he assures her that she will eventually feel she belongs. He tells her to remember the old saying: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Although the show was filmed in black and white, we can clearly see that Ms. Tyler is Caucasian. The doctors appear to have darker skin, nevertheless, the idea here was that the viewers empathized with Ms. Tyler because she was the classic blonde, slender beauty commonly seen in 1960's fashion magazines.
As the show closes, the narrator speaks:
"Now the questions that come to mind. Where is this place and when is it, what kind of world where ugliness is the norm and beauty the deviation from that norm? The answer is, it doesn't make any difference. Because the old saying happens to be true. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, in this year or a hundred years hence, on this planet or wherever there is human life, perhaps out among the stars. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Lesson to be learned...in the Twilight Zone."

1964: The Standard Continues
Episode #137, in Season Five, is called, "Number Twelve Looks Just Like You", and was adapted by a short story called "The Beautiful People". In this episode, we meet Marilyn, a young woman who is about to go through a rite of passage in her community. This rite is called "The Transformation" and it requires citizens to choose among several models of bodies into which they will be transformed. The message here is that this society only sees one standard of beauty and that one will not be happy unless they look and act just like everyone else. Opening Narration:
"Given the chance, what young girl wouldn't happily exchange a plain face for a lovely one? What girl could refuse the opportunity to be beautiful? For want of a better estimate, let's call it the year 2000. At any rate, imagine a time in the future when science has developed a means of giving everyone the face and body he dreams of. It may not happen tomorrow--but it happens now, in the Twilight Zone."

Once again, the beautiful people are all white and we don't see any women or men of color. What was this episode trying to tell black women about beauty? The closing narration:
Portrait of a young lady in love--with herself. Improbable? Perhaps. But in an age of plastic surgery, body building, and an infinity of cosmetics, let us hesitate to say impossible. These and other strange blessings may be waiting in the future--which after all, is the Twilight Zone."

Beauty 40 Years Later

Some aspects of beauty standards have changed, but not much. We do see more black models and beautiful black women, but when you look at the majority of the more famous ones, (Tyra, Halle, Janet, Vanessa Williams, Beyonce, a few of whom have had plastic surgery, on their noses and other body parts), you can see straight away that they have many Caucasian attributes: small, pinched noses, lighter complexion, lighter eyes, straight, lightly colored hair. It is rare that you will see a model with very dark skin, a tight afro, wide, round, larger nose, and full, large lips. Flip through any issue of Vogue or Glamour and look for that image I just described. Then look for the first image I described.

So, are black women trying to aspire to the white standard of beauty when they seek plastic surgery?

According to Cynthia Winston, assistant professor of psychology at Howard University in Washington, D.C., We really don't know much about how blacks are influenced. Most of the research focuses on perceptions related to skin color. Foe most African-Americans, perception can be shaped by their environment. For example, an African-American woman growing up in an all-white neighborhood in Nebraska may be more likely than an African-American woman raised in inner-city Detroit to compare herself with white images of beauty.

(Source: African-American Women & Plastic Surgery: Self-Improvement or Self-Hatred? By Angela D. Johnson, Sept. 2, 2003)

Now What?

I suppose, it all comes down to how one feels inside about themselves. But there is this viscous cycle of doubt that women constantly face so it's often hard to reconcile your inner voices with the outside images thrown at you everyday. Many women buy into the trends and fashions that dictate beauty. TV shows and print ads abound with images of sexy women. Fitness clubs persuade women to join not so they will lower their risk of heart disease, but so they will aspire to be beautiful on the outside. No one tries to sell things that will help them on the inside.

In the end, you can look at all of this and say that there will always be standards of beauty and those who aspire to live up those standards, and those wanting to make a profit off those standards (cosmetic companies, ad agencies, modeling agencies, fashion designers, plastic surgeons, psychotherapists). The media portrays what people want to see and apparently, it's sex and "beauty".

Ms. Martin currently resides in sunny Southern California with her son. When she's not writing, she works part-time as a preschool teacher where she hopes to help all children develop positive self and body images.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K.__Martin

Discover The Missing Key to Improving Your Health

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:22:00 -0500

Do you know the top ten causes for death? You will
recognize them all.

Here they are…

1. Heart disease

2. Cancer

3. Stroke

4. Lower-respiratory diseases

5. Injury (mostly car accidents)

6. Diabetes

7. Flu and pneumonia

8. Alzheimer's disease

9. Kidney disease

10. Infection

Source: 1999-2001 mortality statistics from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention

Most of us want to live long, productive, pain free lives.

So, then, why are so many people dying from heart disease,
cancer and strokes - most of which can be prevented through
lifestyle changes?

***Health Is More Than Just Physical***

Health is defined in Webster's dictionary as "sound
physical or mental condition". Did you notice this
definition only includes physical health and mental health?
What about emotional health and spiritual health? So many
times I separate my life into different "file folders".

I have a folder for exercise and diet, a folder for my
relationship with God, a folder for my social life, and
another folder for my emotions….can anyone else relate? I
try to fix my exercise and diet without addressing my
emotions. Or I try to overcome a difficult relationship in
my "social folder" without addressing my relationship with
God.

I try to separate myself -- my emotions, my mind, my spirit
and my body into different parts. And it just doesn't
work.

***Water, Ice & Steam - The Same Substance In Different
Forms***

Let's take the example of water. It has different functions
as water, ice and steam, but it is still the same basic
molecular substance. H2O.

Similarly, I believe each one of us has different parts -
our emotions, mind, spirit and body, but they all
interrelate to one another. They can't be separated.
Picture three circles. Now picture them all overlapping. I
believe the three circles are your emotions, mind and body
and where they all overlap - the core of your being - is
your spirit. Your deepest beliefs and desires.

Have you ever noticed that when you feel depressed it is
harder to exercise? Or if you suffer from physical pain it
is harder to concentrate mentally on your work?

***Fitness Trends - Yoga, Pilates & Wellness***

I believe one reason Yoga & Pilates have become popular
fitness trends is because they try to incorporate some form
of spirituality. They realize the "key" to improved health
is not just physical.

There's another popular trend called "wellness". Instead of
only addressing exercise, wellness also addresses other
aspects of our life, such as emotional and mental health.

"The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every
thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and
well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only
emotionally but also physically and spiritually." -- Greg
Anderson

***Unlock Your Potential With This Key -
Spirituality!***

Our bodies "were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about
our bodies…. Don't you realize that your bodies are actually
parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which belongs
to Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!.... Or don't
you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,
who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not
belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So
you must honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:13,
15,19-20 (NIV)

What is the key to improving your physical health? Honor
God with your body. It is as simple as that.

But, just because it is simple, does not mean it is always
easy. How can you honor God with the foods you eat and the
physical energy you have (or don't have)? You can honor
God with your body with the choices you make each day. One
of the main reasons I exercise is to have more physical
energy for my daily tasks and to not feel so tired in the
mornings.

Honor God with your body.

In closing, remember that "physical training is of some
value, but godliness has value for all things, holding
promise for both the present life and the life to come."
1Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

Written by Shelley Hitz, Licensed Physical Therapist and Certified NASM Personal Trainer.
Sign up for her free Exercise Advice journal at http://www.abs-exercise-advice.com/journal.html or read more of her articles at http://www.abs-exercise-advice.com. Get your free unbelievable abs ball workout here!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Hitz

The Top Ten Things You Don't Want to Hear About Losing Weight

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:20:00 -0500

(But What You Need to Know if You Want to Get Fit!)

10) No, you won’t end up looking like the latest hot young model/singer/actress!

Let’s face it: your body is your body. It’s the only one you’ve got. Can you still look great? Sure! But there are some things you can’t change. You can’t make your legs longer or your feet smaller. You can’t grow five inches or elongate your torso. You have what you have, so work with it! Concentrate on making a healthy and fit you instead of wishing you looked like someone else. You don’t have to be perfect to be attractive. A strong, fit body as well as the self-confidence it brings can make any person attractive!

9) It’s better to be muscular and weigh more than to be flabby and weigh less.

I’ve said it so many times: I’d much rather be 135lbs and muscular than 120lbs and flabby. I’ve been both, and 135lbs with a lower percent of body fat was definitely better! I was smaller, stronger and had much more energy. So, don’t always seek that magical number on the scale, but look at your total body composition instead.

8) You can’t get fit in a week.

Okay, well, you can, but only if you’re one week away from being in peak condition and you keep working out. Otherwise, forget about it! If you want to look good for that class reunion or because you’ll be in a bikini soon, then get moving way before that. Or better yet, get moving for your own health and not for “things” like reunions and bikinis.

7) You need to put some effort into it.

You want to get fit? You have to work at it. You have to plan it, you have to schedule it, and, most importantly, you have to do it. No excuses. Sitting on the couch, telling yourself you should be doing something will not burn up a lot of calories. If nothing else, get out there and start walking. And while you’re out there walking think about a plan of action for a healthier you and get started on it today – not tomorrow!

6) You need to exercise.

Can you lose weight just by diet alone? Sure, you can! But if you want to get fit, you need to exercise those muscles, including your heart. And that heart won’t get any exercise if you’re sitting on the couch, eating broccoli. Lose the weight that you need to lose and you’ll just end up with a thin, but flabby, body. Get moving! Weight training is ideal, but if you’re really not into weight training, find an activity you like to do that work all your major muscle groups.

5) You need to eat properly.

Putting aside any low carb/low fat/high protein controversies, the simple fact is, if you want a fit body, you need to nourish it. Protein, carbs and fat are important, but vitamins and minerals are key elements that your body needs, too. No matter what way of eating you’re following make sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals. Add a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit to your diet. The next time you go grocery shopping, linger around the produce section and not only pick out some old favorites, but experiment a little by trying something new!

4) You can’t lose weight overnight.

You didn’t gain it overnight -- or in two months -- and you’re not going to lose it overnight -- or in two months. Think of getting fit as a train leaving the station: you start off slow, gather speed and then off you go! Patience is the key here. Look for consistent trends. If you’re really not losing fat and getting stronger after a couple of months, then you need to sit down and honestly analyze what you’re doing. Keep a journal to help you know how you’re really eating and exercising.

3) You can’t spot reduce.

Genetics will decide where the fat will come off. Doing 1000 crunches won’t reduce your belly fat. Nor will 1000 leg lifts get rid of the fat on your inner thighs. Your body does not burn the fat it needs from the body part that you’re exercising. Your body will burn fat much like an onion is peeled, a layer at a time, if you will. So, don’t overdo it on the exercise for one specific body part and look to getting your whole body in shape.

2) There are no quick fixes.

That’s right, you heard me. There are no quick fixes. None. Put all those pills, potions, contraptions and miracle diets in the garbage where they belong. Learn the basics about how your body gains muscle and loses fat, so you won’t get sucked in by another scam again.

1) Fitness is a lifelong commitment!

So, you faithfully work out and eat properly and you’ve reached your goals. Now what? Well, now you’ve got to keep doing it for the rest of your life, that’s what! You can’t just work your way to being fit and then stop, because you’ll end up exactly like you were before. Fitness is a lifelong commitment. And, you want to know a secret? It isn’t easy! And anyone who says it is easy is trying to sell you something. Make fitness a lifelong ambition and you’ll reap the rewards of a long and healthy life, filled with energy, strength and an overall sense of well being.

Suzanne Hiscock has been interested in fitness and nutrition for over 16 years. She is the owner of FitWatch Inc. and developer of the FitWatch Fitness Tracker, an online food and exercise tracker. You can visit the site at http://www.fitwatch.com for a variety of fitness calculators and tools.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Hiscock