Physical Activity is Terribly Important

Yes, it's true that exercising can make you hungry, but that hunger is a result of your body trying to restore and repair following activity. It's terribly important to get physical activity as it helps to improve the quality of sleep which is the key to weight management. Get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity each week.

Adding regular physical activity and exercise will make any healthy eating plan work even better. If you decide to start exercising after a period of relative inactivity you should start very slowly and consult your doctor if you experience any discomfort, distress or any other symptoms. The training should follow a very natural course with the implication of the entire system in the physical activity.

Especially Women need Calcium

Calcium is used by the body to form and maintain bones and teeth and is used in the nervous system. Calcium supplements may still be needed, however, especially for women. Dairy products and other sources for calcium and vitamin D are recommended. Yogurt is a good source of calcium, and the individual packaging keeps the portion size under control.

Take in the daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. A child's diet must provide enough protein, fat, iron, and calcium, as well as all the other nutrients, for the child to develop properly. Soy beans are also a rich source of calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, B-vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and fiber. Where creating a healthy eating plan is concerned, calcium plays a vital role because it is essential for strong bones and teeth. Eat fat free dairy or calcium and vitamin D fortified soy products.

You only need 2000 Calories

That is why high fat diets can lead to weight gain much easier than lower fat diets: it's easy to eat foods packed with calories and not realize you have eaten too much'. Other women and inactive men need only about 2,000calories daily. Men and very active women may need up to 2,500 calories daily. The number of calories you should eat each day depends on your age, sex, body size, how physically active you are, and other conditions.

Avoid fried veggies or ones smothered in dressings or sauces - you may still get the vitamins, but you'll be getting a lot of unhealthy fat and extra calories as well. It is generally recommended that pregnant women increase their daily intake by 100 calories in the first trimester and 300 calories in the second and third trimester. Many of the overweight and obese are suffering from malnutrition, meaning although they consume an excess of calories, they are still not meeting the minimal nutrient requirements for good health.

How Dietary Lipids work

Dietary fat controls many critical processes in your body. Dietary fiber is important in maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Unlike most dietary products lining the shelves at the local drugstore, the natural weight loss supplements, and natural weight loss pills that are available here have been clinically tested for safety and efficacy. Researchers have been looking at how dietary lipids work in EAE and have found that molecules called eicosanoids, made from dietary lipids, can alter the levels of cytokines which in turn affect the body's immune response. However, some people may still need a fiber supplement if dietary changes aren't sufficient, or if they have certain medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Sexual Enhancement

Sexual Enhancement - Some People Don't Even Know What They're Missing

Sexual health is becoming more of a focus in the US, since sexual satisfaction is no longer such a taboo subject that it cannot be openly discussed and debated. Sexual health is actually defined as a compilation of the many factors that impact human sexual functions and reproduction.

Sexual health, like mental and physical health, is reliant on many different factors, and has profound impact on both emotional state and physical well being. Any type of sexual disorder or dysfunction, ranging from erectile dysfunction, to plain old lack of sex, can lead to serious self esteem and self image issues, as well as negatively impacting relationships.

Men and women alike are effected by sexual dysfunction. Although male sexual dysfunction is addressed more frequently than female sexual disorders, women are impacted just as much, if not more, than men are in this arena. It is estimated that only 15% of women achieve orgasm every time they have sexual intercourse. It is being quietly rumored that a major pharmaceutical company may be coming out with a female version of the popular male sexual enhancement drug Viagra.

According to a 2003 survey called the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, approximately 52% of men after the age of 40 experience some degree of erectile failure, or failure to achieve a full erection. This problem can be frustrating to say the least, and has a huge impact on ego and self image. Because of this, sexual dysfunction spills over into other areas of life such as personal relationships, work and even home life. Sexual problems, and the lack of sexual satisfaction and release is a key ingredient to overall contentment, satisfaction and anxiety relief.

This is where sexual enhancement products can really help. There are sexual enhancers that actually contain natural ingredients which have been used literally for thousands of years, by shamans, herbalists and naturopaths as a means of sexual healing and drastically increasing the quality of both men and women's sex lives.

Sexual Enhancers - The Natural Answer to Sexual Apathy and Low Sexual Gratification?

Some of the common ingredients are L-Arginine, Saw Palmetto, Zinc, Yohimbe, Ginkgo Biloba, and Ginseng, but the list goes on as far as herbs that have the potential to kick your sex drive and sexual gratification into another stratoshphere. Many people who have taken these types of supplements report having a renewed sense of vitality and sexual vigor. Some even say it has saved their relationship.

Whatever the case may be, we are fortunate enough to live in a day and age where sexual problems are no longer something to be ashamed of or kept quiet. While we still have a little ways to go in our sexual inhibitions here in the US, we have certainly made great strides in coming to grips with our sexuality, accepting that it is a large and wonderful part of being human, and also in creating effective natural sexual enhancement products that help to make our sex life great.

7 Keys to Walk in Divine Health

Drink Water.

I recommend that you drink a cup of pure water an hour. This way you won't be running to the bathroom every 10 minutes, and you will have what you need by the end of the day. You should drink 1/2 of your body weight in ounces daily. Example: 100 pound person should drink 50 oz. of water daily. We are made up mostly of water, so it is our most vital nutrient.

Eat Whole Food Nutrition.

Think foods without labels. This is what I call "whole food nutrition." God gave it to us, and we eat it, and stay healthy. Man has not tampered with it. Eating with the seasons is very important as well. Remember that vegetables and fruits are carbohydrates and we need these carbohydrates for our energy source. Let most of the carbs you consume be from vegetables and fruits. We also need an adequate amount of protein, which should come from free range chicken, grass fed beef, wild-caught fish, free range eggs and beans. Plant proteins are believed to be healthier because of their lower fat content. Plant protein is found in beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds. The average adult needs about half a gram of protein per pound of healthy weight. Lastly, we need good fats in our diets such as avocados and olive oil for healthy skin and good brain function. Extra-virgin coconut oil is my preferred use in cooking and frying since it is the most stable at high temperatures. Olive Oil is my favorite for salads.

Take Supplements.

Supplements are not meant to take the place of good whole food nutrition, but to fill in the gaps. I recommend a whole food supplement which is not loaded with binders and fillers. I am partial at this point in time to a multivitamin called "The Vitamin Code." I personally take one for women and my husband takes the one for men. They also have a Family multi as well. In addition, I believe everyone could benefit from a good probiotic supplement such a "Primal Defense" by Garden of Life, as well as a greens supplement. We rarely get enough greens in the standard American diet. Vitamin D3 is also very important, as well as Omega 3. Additionally, if you are a woman requiring extra calcium, that should be taken at night before bed, and be sure you are taking a calcium supplement with magnesium.

Get Moving.

We all know the importance of exercise. You must exercise to get the lymphatic system moving. The lymphatic system is the drain of the body that causes toxins to be removed from the body. Be sure to move your body on a daily basis, whether it's walking, running, dancing, jumping, or any other activity that exercises the heart and muscles. Combine this aerobic activity with strength training a few days a week and flexibility exercise such as pilates or yoga, or simple stretching.

Cleanse and Detox Regularly.

I believe that keeping the body clean inside, or detoxing the body regularly is a key to life. You can cleanse your body gently by going on a juice fast, or if you are past age 40 and have never done a cleanse, I recommend a cleanse by drnatura.com. I use this cleanse myself for one month every 6 months and have found it to be wonderful. To rid your body of heavy metals, they have a cleanse on that site called Toxin Out. You can read more about it by going onto the dr.natura.com site. Juice Fasting with a Greens Powder Supplement or just green vegetables will also help with getting heavy metals out of the body.

Control Stress Daily.

Stress management is so important. Be sure to take deep breaths in and out through the nose when you feel stressed. Also don't eat when stressed because you will not digest anything. Take 5-10 deep slow breaths in and out through the nose before eating to be sure of good digestion. Also, the BEST stress buster?.... LAUGHTER. If you can watch a funny show at night and lighten up a bit, you can make a world of difference in your life. I personally believe in the power of prayer and have seen the tremendous difference in my own life as a result of staying close to God and trusting Him on a daily basis. Stay away from deadly and toxic emotions such as depression and anger. If you need to get help in these areas, do so right away.

Get Good Sleep.

Be sure to get 7-9 hours every evening. Everyone is different, so figure out what works best for you, and make an effort to get the proper amount of rest. It is important, however, to try to get to bed by 10 p.m. If you are awake after 10 p.m., chances are you will get your second wind, and it will be harder to fall asleep and you may not get a good night's sleep. Additionally, if you are awake at 11 p.m., the gallbladder dumps toxins back into the liver and your body cannot do its repair work.

Hormones - The Good, The Bad, and the Vital

Hormones are vital to your health. Hormones are a catalyst, causing reactions to happen in the body. They regulate a number of actions in your body. The pituitary gland sends messages (hormones) to your thyroid, pancreas, liver, breast, ovaries, etc. All these glands need hormones to call them into action.

Energy is created with the help of hormones. Cancer and Alzheimers are prevented when hormones are balanced properly.

Estrogen is the hormone that keeps people young. It helps the brain to function properly, helps the eyes to avoid degeneration, controls your blood pressure, protects heart health, and prevents bladder problems and cancer. Men have estrogen and their health can be compromised by the lack of estrogen. But it will be tough to convince men that they need estrogen.

Progesterone balances estrogen and is a feel-good hormone. Progesterone and testosterone increase your physical desire. Testosterone helps build muscle and decrease fat, while improving motivation and energy. Estrogen and testosterone convert the bad cholesterol (LDL) to good cholesterol (HDL).

There is also good and bad estrogen. Type E2 is a good estrogen and protects against cancer of many kinds including colon and breast cancer. Not enough good estrogen will grow fibroids in the uterus. The good estrogen also acts like an antidepressant.

The wrong/bad estrogen, as in synthetic, will cause problems such as cancer, blood clots, etc. This includes birth control pills, which give you synthetic hormones to make your body think that it is pregnant for 3 weeks, then not pregnant for a week, which is when you get your period, though it's a false one that is really like the bleeding that takes place after child birth.

The newer birth control pill that goes in 3 month cycles just holds the pregnant phase longer and gives your body less often to flush out the uterus and vagina.

E4 and E16 are two types of bad estrogen and will cause cancer. This is the type of estrogen given in synthetic medications for hormone replacement. These should be avoided. If you are currently taking these, talk with your doctor about alternatives, or find another doctor.

The brain loses cells when estrogen is low. This can be reversed. The brain can heal and regenerate, if given the right nutrition and hormones. An example is a woman who had Alzheimers at age 70 and is now driving at age 90. This is a documented case, by Dr. Nasr, where nutrition and hormones were used to regain health.

Calcium without estrogen will not work to prevent osteoporosis. Sometimes only 10% of the calcium consumed is absorbed into the bones. Estrogen helps get the calcium into the bones. If no egg is released in the middle of a woman's menstrual cycle, no progesterone will be produced. This gives an overabundance of estrogen, which can cause problems. This is very common in women with PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) involving bloating, night sweats, being easily irritated, and mood swings.

Men make their own progesterone, so they rarely have a deficiency. That's why men don't have PMS and mood swings. Women use lots of progesterone and are often deficient, which is why PMS is increasingly common in women.

Men and women both get low on the hormone testosterone. A woman's level of testosterone is much less than a man's level, but still vital to overall health. Symptoms of low testosterone in women are lack of motivation, extreme fatigue after exercise (tired for 2 days), and overall fatigue, loss of body hair and lack of interest in sex.

When a man has low testosterone, he may go into what society calls a mid-life crisis. In reality, age 14-20 is when males have their highest levels of testosterone. The inability to hold an erection can also be related to heart disease, so men need to talk to their doctor. Please don't look for the quick fix of erection drugs. Your body is telling you something. Fix the source of the problem.

Interferon is another substance important to health. It is produced when you are happy, exercising, laughing, during a good night's sleep and through good nutrition. This fights disease. Interferon levels go down when a person is depressed, opening them up for disease. This is the substance that was working when the now famous man cured himself through laughter while watching The Three Stooges.

So, hormones (the good ones) are vital to excellent health. And hormones (the bad ones) can set you up for some serious health problems.

How do you get the Good without the Bad and stay Vital? Balance between all of the many factors that affect your health like diet, exercise, attitude, passion, fun, family and friends for starters.

Achieving Optimal Health - The Truth

Symptoms Are Just the Tip of The Iceberg

We grow up believing that when we are not unwell, we are healthy. However, in reality there is a large gap between optimal health and vitality and ill-health.

In fact, most disease processes take 10-20 years to develop. Symptoms are merely one of the final stages of the disease process. If you already have the symptoms, the body's fundamental metabolic control systems have been out of balance for some time and are now demanding attention.

It is true that there is place for every type of healing. However, in some instances people taking medications are just masking their symptoms. Therefore, the disease is still there, but the symptoms are just being masked by the medication. That is why some call the current medical establishment a 'disease management' service, not a health service.

Now, I am not suggesting for one second that you stop taking any medications you may be using. You should only ever alter your medication dosage in consultation with your Doctor.

I'm not sure if you are aware, but Doctors don't cover health in their syllabus. The majority of a Doctor's studying includes pathology (illness and disease) and pharmacology (drugs). Many Doctor's receive no more than 4 hours of training on nutrition during a 5 year degree.

Now let me put it this way. If you were rowing a boat and it sprung a leak, would you try to plug the hole or just tip the water out as it fills the boat? Well building health is like plugging the hole. Treating symptoms is like tipping the water out.

Therefore, you need to be very aware of your own body. If you have symptoms, it is a warning sign to you that your bodily systems are out of balance and need attention. You need to consistently be building and maintaining health to avoid and even reverse illness and disease.

Symptoms are just the tip of the health iceberg.

o The absence of symptoms doesn't reflect true health

o Symptoms are the consequence of a long series of events (lifestyle choices)

o Symptoms are the last phase to develop

o You can't judge true health by looking at symptoms

o Symptoms are the last phase to develop and the first phase to improve during the
regression of a disease.

Therefore, it is important that once symptoms subside, you continue to move further towards optimal health and vitality. If you don't continue to improve health, you are skating on very thin ice with your health.

There are five stages in the progression of disease:

1. Excretions:

o Phlegm, dandruff, skin conditions

o Not painful

o symptoms may come and go

2. Inflammation:

o Burns nerve endings and causes pain

o Usually self-treated with anti-inflammatory medications (covers up pain/problem)

3. Deposits:

o Cellulite, cysts, tags etc.

o Compensation systems are failing and body is depositing things it can't get rid of so as not
to compromise cell function

o Patients may have them removed

4. Impregnation:

o The enzyme pathways of the cells are being interfered with and energy pathways are being
upset.

5. Cell Degeneration:

o Organs may now need to be removed

6. Neoplasm:

o Cancer, the body is in the process of being recycled.

To achieve optimal health, energy and vitality, you need to consistently use the Foundation of Health Principles to build health from the ground up. The Foundation of Health principles are:

o Positive Thoughts

o Breathing correctly

o Proper hydration

o Eating right for your metabolic type

o Exercising right

o Drink plenty of good water

o Get plenty of good quality sleep.

Only through consistent healthy lifestyle habits will you achieve your true potential in life.
I you wish you well in your quest to build amazing health using the Foundation Principles. Building health will also reduce your chances of illness and you will feel great all the time.

Osteoporosis/Loss Of Bone Mass

The cause of osteoporosis is generally due to bone resorption and the malfunction of the body to renew the formation of new bone tissue. Factors that play a role start in our early formative years and can be traced to poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Habits such as smoking, excessive use of alcohol and caffeine drinks such as coffee and colas will deplete the bones of healthy bone mass. Osteoporosis is more common in women than in men; generally in middle-aged individuals, and is greater in whites than in blacks. In women the bone loss is greater during the 4 or 5 years after menopause.

A hormonal factor may play a significant role at this crucial time. The fact that at this time in their lives the individual reduces their activities and becomes more sedentary places them at risk. An individual with osteoporosis may not have symptoms during the onset of the disease. Should the individual become aware that something is wrong, there may only be the hint of an ache in the bones, most often in the back. It could be at this time that a crush fracture in a vertebra may be caused by a minor trauma, seemingly of no consequence and usually around the mid, or lower vertebrae. Should crush fractures occur in more than one vertebra, the individual will develop a dorsal hyperlordosis (a rounded back), and an exaggerated curve of the neck.

At the onset when this occurs, the individual generally complains of an acute pain lasting for several days which later becomes a dull chronic ache in the mid and lower back. "Hip and Colles'" fractures, when occurring in an elderly individual, is generally due to a pre-existing osteoporosis. Other frequent sites of fracture are the wrists and ribs. During early childhood and up to age 35, the bone mass is regenerated faster than bone mass is lost. After age 35 especially, it is necessary to correct any factors that may be important in alleviating the things that cause the loss of healthy bone tissue and the rebuilding of new bone tissue faster than the loss. This rate of bone loss and the rate that osteoporosis develops are related to many factors as previously stated, and faulty body chemistry. Hormonal factors, the body's ability to absorb and utilize calcium, and the amount of physical activity, play a most significant role. Our eating habits and the amount of exercise in our early years, help to strengthen the bones and thus prevent the formation of osteoporosis.

Smoking and drinking large amounts of alcohol, coffee and colas that contain large amounts of caffeine as previously mentioned are risk factors that play a negative role. Fortunately, many factors that have predisposed the individual to develop osteoporosis can be alleviated to a great extent. Dietary factors that have been neglected in the early years should be improved. A diet rich in calcium-rich foods must be included in our dietary regime. Foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, green leafy vegetables are such foods. For those who are lactose intolerant, there is lactose free milk and other dairy foods. And again I must advise that smoking be entirely eliminated, along with large amounts of alcohol and caffeine drinks. A small amount of coffee and alcohol may be permitted. At this time a good calcium supplement (1000 to 1200mgs) along with vitamin D (1000mgs) should be included in the daily diet, also aids in Bone & Connective Tissue repairs.

In severe cases check with your physician who will do a complete physical, with x-rays, blood tests, etc. If a hormonal insufficiency is found, hormonal therapy may be instituted. Even if hormonal therapy is instituted, vitamin and mineral supplementation is very important. If sudden severe episodes occur, with acute onset of back pain, such as when a crush fracture or sprains and strains, falls or other trauma may develop in a disabling condition, we must institute supportive measures. The use of an orthopedic support can be a very valuable adjunct. Other very valuable measures are analgesics, and when muscle spasm is present, heat and massage can be of great value. At this time you must avoid heavy lifting (nothing over 5 lbs.), or stretching for objects above your head. Getting in and out of your car in the proper way is important in not adding insult to injury.

At this time I would be remiss in not mentioning the role of exercise. For those who live a sedentary lifestyle, this can be THE MOST important decision you can make. A good exercise program will help strengthen your muscles, especially your back and abdominal muscles that support your back. Strengthening the flabby back and abdominal muscles can be the greatest factor in the prevention of future fractures and lifelong pain and suffering. It will also restore your balance, flexibility and vitality. When you have decided that it is time to start an exercise program, you must also decide to dedicate yourself in continuing with the program. Then, your health will improve; you will feel more vital and vigorous. The exercise will also add normal bone tissue and strengthen the entire skeletal structure of the body.

More Energy - Here Are 7 Things I Do That Gives Me Lots of Energy

I enjoy looking up the meaning of words in the dictionary even the simple ones and I recently looked up Energy. It gave me about nine definitions but the one that I liked best which applies here defined energy as "any source of usable power."

For the sometime now I have been following a regimen that I developed for myself which gives me a great source of usable power. These 7 simple things I do provide me with great energy which I then channel to achieve the things that I want in my life.

1. Diet

Common sense dictates that if I want energy and lots of it, I had to retool my diet. Awhile back I read a book which compared an acidic body vs. alkaline body. What I got out of it is that you want your body's ph balance to be neutral or at least leaning towards more alkaline. Having an acidic body invites diseases, viruses and bacteria and if left in that state serious illness can develop.

It also made me aware of the signals to watch out for that tells me if my body is leaning towards being acidic such as being sluggish, gassy, skin problems, unable to concentrate and irritability to name a few. So I started eating alkaline rich foods and minimizing acidic foods (you can search in Google or Yahoo for a list of alkaline rich foods) which help keep my body's ph balanced. My overall goal is to help my body in the development of red blood cells. This is vital because without a quantity and quality red blood cells in the body optimal health and energy production is not possible.

2. Exercise

I don't think I need to tell you the benefits of exercise. The problem is finding the time do it. I found that 20 minutes of exercise a day works for me. Push-ups, crunches, skipping rope and a 25 lbs. and 30 lbs. dumbbell are all I need to get a good workout going.

3. Liquids

The right kinds of liquids I should say. I still drink coffee but not as much as I use to. I substituted green tea for most of it. Green tea with brown rice from Genmaicha is my favorite. The rest of my liquids are made up of water, juices and health shakes.

4. Supplements

Just like my goal with retooling my diet, I want to help my body develop lots of quality red blood cells. I take Total Balance Men's plus supplement made by Xtend Life (see resource link). In addition, I also take Omega-3 fish oil and other key supplements that I determined is right specifically for me.

5. Sleep

I try to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Many underestimate the power of sleep. Sleep helps repair your body from the wear and tear you give it, it reduces stress which contributes to an acidic body, improves your memory and overall recharges your body.

Just like your cell phone, laptop and any other wireless device you own needs to be recharged every night so that you can use it to its full capacity, you need to recharge your body in order for you to use it in its full capacity.

6. Habits

I had a habit of eating a lot of sweets. I love cakes, pies, cannolli and ice-cream. Now I didn't give up all that stuff but I did have to reduce the amount and frequency of eating too much sweets. Learn this word - Moderation. It is your friend.

Personally, I don't smoke and if you do, I am sure you already know the answer. If you need help in this I suggest reading the book The Motivated Mind by Jason M. Gracia. He explains how you can change your internal motivation to best serve you.

7. X-factor

The last of the 7 things I do which I named the "X-Factor" and helps give me tremendous amount of energy or energizes me is having a worth while goal - A BIG DESIRE.

I am sure just like me you have a lot of things you want to accomplish. I have goals in 5 key areas of my life - Financial, Physical, Mental/Intellectual, Social and Spiritual. You see having something worthwhile to strive for gives you purpose. Purpose provides for a huge source of energy you can draw from.

The attainment of your goals and desires is where you want to direct most of your energy and without it is like being in a powerful car with no steering wheel.

Well that's it. These are the 7 things I do that provide me with lots of energy everyday. They are simple and based on common sense. But someone told me a long time ago unfortunately, common sense is not common.