Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

By Brian V Shortt

Symptoms of elevated blood sugar are very significant to know for anyone who is a risk for diabetes or diseases associated to blood glucose levels that are out of range. Read this article to learn five significant signs of high blood glucose levels. While all of these symptoms at the same time are not telltale signs of diabetes, they can alert you to a potential problem.

Signs of high blood sugar

1) Fatigue Fatigue occurs once your the glucose in your body is not properly being converted to energy. The outcome is that the loss of energy in your body makes you tired.

2) Increased urination When there is surplus blood glucose in the bloodstream, and the body cannot convert the blood sugar to energy, it is processed through the urinary tract. Increased urination can be a symptom of high blood sugar and is commonly a result of the person consuming more fluids due to increased thirst.

3) Vaginal Yeast Infections (in women) Increased glucose levels additionally affects the urinary tract. Not merely is yeast infection a sign of high concentration of blood glucose, someone with high glucose levels in their body is also at danger for urinary tract infections, kidney infections, as well as kidney stones.

4) Increased Thirst This is due to the brain's response to the surplus sugar. It reacts by making the body thirsty so that the bloodstream can be watered down, resulting in an attempt to lower the blood sugar concentration.

5) Blurred Vision Blurred vision as a result of increased glucose levels can lead to more serious diseases of the eye such as diabetic retinopathy which results from damage to the retinal blood vessels from prolonged periods of extreme blood sugar.

Observe that these symptoms of high blood glucose may or may not occur in any combination. The root cause of these signs is that the surplus glucose in the bloodstream has thickened, resulting in various organs responding to the excess sugar.

Untreated elevated glucose levels (or hyperglycemia can result) can result in the hardening of the arteries due to the excess levels of glucose in the blood which causes destruction to vessels. The longer the signs of high blood sugar go unchecked, the more likely damage that is done to one's organs (and body). The good news also is that if you are able to get your blood glucose levels under control, you may be able to reverse any adverse affects that prolonged periods of high blood sugar have had on your body. - 17274

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Facts About Whey, Soy, Egg And Casein Protein

By Henrick Scofers

Protein is an essential nutrient for the body, especially for the muscles. The general recommendation is an intake of around .3 grams of protein for each pound a person weighs. For athletes and bodybuilders, though, the requirement is higher because the body is working harder and demands more protein. The recommendation jumps from .3 to 1.25 grams for this group of people.

Not only is the amount of protein important, but the source of the protein also matters. For the average person, diet alone is sufficient to get the needed amount of protein, but for those who need more than the average amount of protein, there are protein supplements that are necessary. There are 4 different types of protein that can be used. Each reacts differently and so the type of protein used should be chosen carefully.

The four protein sources common in protein supplements are whey, soy, casein and egg. While some protein supplements are made from just one source, most often there will be protein from two of these sources in a given protein supplement.

Whey protein comes from milk and is the most common of these four sources used to produce protein supplements. This protein contains essential amino acids (those which we cannot produce ourselves and must take in through dietary sources) and nonessential amino acids. Except for people who are allergic to milk or have lactose intolerance (who should avoid whey protein), this is a great source of protein which is readily digested. Concentrated whey protein contains 30%-85% protein and is inexpensive, making it a common ingredient in protein supplements. Whey protein isolates contain around 90% protein by weight, but are far more costly. Whey protein helps improve immune function and speeds muscle recovery in addition to being a good source of protein.

Soy protein is derived from soy flour. This is the most complete vegetable protein known and like whey protein, there are isolates and concentrated forms available; isolates are higher in protein but more expensive. Easily digestible, soy protein is suitable for everyone except for the small number of people who are allergic to soy. Soy protein can be added to foods easily and is beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol.

Egg protein is an excellent protein source. Derived from egg whites, egg protein contains all of the essential amino acids and is easily digestible. It's generally considered to be the best source of protein for supplements, but as with other proteins, there are some people who are allergic and should not use it.

Casein is another protein derived from milk. Casein protein is digested more slowly than whey, which makes it a protein often combined with other, more quickly digester proteins. Casein protein is ideal for adding to pre-workout meals or before bed. As with whey protein, those with milk allergies should avoid casein protein.

Read the labels of those protein supplements to make sure you're purchasing one that you'll tolerate and will give you the protein you need for your exercise regimen. Keep the qualities of each protein source in mind as you choose protein supplements. - 17274

About the Author:

Henrick Scofers has been a weightlifter for 20 years. He is an expert on bodybuilding supplements. Learn more about top quality supplements today.

Helpful Techniques How To Stop Acne Once And For All

By Jason Cartwright

Acne is the curse for numerous young persons' and grown-ups' survival and a lot of us would like to be familiar with how to stop acne swiftly. Life is full of tensions and tackling the world with a damaged skin texture makes life even more complex. In spite of the fact that there is no therapy for acne, dermatologists have made major advances in the healing of acne vulgaris.

Most dermatologists should be able to offer you a skin care program tailored for your skin type. Dermatology has also used cosmetics technology to treat acne beyond the typical antibiotics and creams. Nowadays blue light therapy, dermabrasion, and laser treatment are a few of the modern acne treatments at home.

Steps to eliminate acne include natural, pharmaceutical, and surgical acne treatments that truly act. The complex part is finding the proper healing system for your skin. Regrettably, acne has numerous bases consequently; how to stop acne contrasts from one human being to the next. This article will concentrate on some of the most accepted and unbeaten acne medications.

Prescription Acne Medications

Other than natural ways to cure acne, the most popular prescription acne remedies include topical creams and oral medications. Topical creams such as Differin gel, Retin-A, Tazorac, and Duac contain ingredients like vitamin A, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid which help treat pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads as well as wrinkles and sun damage in adult acne sufferers.

Oral drugs contain antibiotics similar to Tetracycline and Erythromycin and oral isotretinoins such as Accutane. Extended use of antibiotics can make acne more opposed to healing and can make the sufferer more defiant to antibiotics. Accutane has side effects similar to rigorous sadness and birth faults. All the prescription acne treatments have side effects and it is vital to look for these and notify them to your dermatologist while searching how to stop acne.

Cosmetic Acne Remedies

Cosmetic dermatology is a growing field that weds traditional acne treatment with cosmetic procedures. Cosmetic acne treatments can include everything from facials, to chemical peels, to dermabrasion, to laser removal. Various pulse lasers are used to keep pores from producing oil, or sebum, and so help in how to cure pimples too.

How to stop acne with blue light, or photodynamic therapy, uses a specific wavelength of light which kills acne-causing bacteria. These cosmetic acne remedies can be used for active acne or to remove acne scars. They are excellent alternatives to traditional acne treatment.

Natural Acne Treatments

The best natural acne treatments at home is water. Drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day is crucial to maintaining a healthy complexion. Water flushes toxins from the body helps the pores from clogging with dirt and oil.

Another helpful way how to stop acne at home is to eat more raw vegetable and fruit. These foods are loaded with nutrients and water that are great for the skin. Being able to lower your stress levels and working out on a regular basis also promotes healthy skin.

Exercise - one of the natural ways to cure acne - helps the body sweat out toxins and regulates all the body's organs, including the skin. Though stress itself is not thought to cause acne, hormones can aggravate the condition. Therefore managing stress can help regulate its hormones thus preventing acne flare-ups. Natural, topical acne remedies include aloe vera gel, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E.

And these are some of the ways how to stop acne before it ruins your life. To be safe, always try the natural alternatives first before using harsher antibiotics and cosmetic treatments that have more side-effects. - 17274

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Resveratrol and Its Effect On Your Health!

By Laura Lane

When it comes to health and anti-aging, it is hard to find better guidance than that offered by Oprah Winfrey. Several months ago, Oprah invited Dr. Mehmet Oz, a doctor originally from Turkey who specializes in cardiac problems and is known as an expert concerning reducing the problems caused by growing older, to speak on her show. What Dr. Oz presented was resveratrol; a scientific breakthrough in the fight against aging with which we all are forced to struggle.

Antioxidants

Oxidants are toxins that attack the body's organs. These toxins are responsible for wrinkles, organ damage, and can even produce cancer. Antioxidants, as the name suggests, are the archenemies of oxidants. They protect the body's organs and cells, particularly its nervous system. Consequently, antioxidants at once destroy toxic oxidants and restore damaged tissue.

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is one of the most powerful antioxidants discovered to date. How does resveratrol work? This antioxidant activates "Sirtuins," a type of longevity gene capable of both reducing cellular decay and aiding the cells of the body to restore themselves. As a result, a person who takes resveratrol as a dietary supplement can expect to not only feel better on the inside as the health of their internal systems improves, but also to see a marked improvement in the appearance, tone, and coloring of the skin.

Many observable advantages are generated by taking resveratrol. Resveratrol boosts the immune system, aiding both cancer patients and people who have suffered some kind of injurious exposure to radiation. It has helped many lose weight as well.

Nevertheless, we have only begun to skim the surface of the possibilities that resveratrol has to offer! The pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline has funded analyses of the antioxidant with close to a billion dollars, and there are no signs to indicate that we have come close to comprehending all resveratrol's beneficial aspects.

Homeopathic? Of Course!

Did you know about resveratrol before you began reading this article? Did you know that you may have already consumed some today? It's true! Used consistently for years and years in Asia as a remedy for a multitude of ailments, "ko-jo-kon," as resveratrol began to be called in 1962, is found in Japanese Knotwood. This Knotwood is so vivacious that it has not only crossed the Pacific, but is known in many parts of the United States as a weed that has the ability to kill and overrun other plants quite quickly. Its capacity to do this is directly correlated to the vast quantities of resveratrol that Knotwood has within itself. In fact, Knotwood contains large enough amounts of resveratrol to be grown for profit by companies that have begun manufacturing resveratrol supplements. Other people simply use it rather than rhubarb in numerous tasty recipes.

Peanuts, believe it or not, are an important resource for resveratrol. Think about that the next time you're at a bar, and snack away! Indeed, long-believed to be a danger due to its high fat content, the peanut has been redeemed through studies which exhibit that people who eat peanuts daily are healthier than those who do not. Eating fatty peanuts actually reduces the amount of fat in your body, and it does so by means of nothing other than resveratrol.

Yet another source of resveratrol was found in 1992: the grapevine and, accordingly, red wine derived from it. A glass of red wine a day is now considered to be a healthy option for most heart-conscious adults. Nonetheless, when it comes to resveratrol, consider the fact that it would take nearly a thousand bottles of red wine to generate the amount of resveratrol that you will find in a single dosage of a resveratrol supplement! - 17274

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Are Acai Berry Side Effects Common?

By Travis Van Slooten

With all of the great health benefits of acai berry receiving plenty of press, many people are left wondering if there are acai berry side effects. Most products only list their side effects in the small print as it is. But when a super fruit like acai berry becomes as popular as it has, it is important that people know whether or not they can rush out and try the supplement. There are some very important things that you need to know about before you consider acai berry.

Side Effects of Acai Berry in its Raw Form

Natives living in the Amazon rainforests in Brazil where acai berry is sourced have made this fruit part of their daily intake for hundreds of years now. Studies reveal acai consists of about 40% of their diet. The fact that no side effects have been observed from the people who consume the largest quantities of acai should say something about eating acai in its raw form. The only instance where a few individuals might have some adverse reaction to acai is if they have pollen or food allergies that might be set off by eating the fruit. But this is no different than what other people experience from eating mangoes or oranges which could trigger irritants in the body. Other than this, it's safe to assume that acai berry in its natural form should cause little or no discomfort at all.

Acai Berry Supplement Side Effects

If someone is having a problem which they think might be related to an acai berry allergy, the first thing they should consider is the supplement. Many companies use other ingredients and additives in their supplements that may cause a reaction. Some acai energy drinks may contain sugars that could cause a reaction. Other supplements may have ingredients that could cause reactions if not taken in the recommended dosage. It is always important to understand moderation even with something healthy such as the acai berry. Drinking too many acai drinks could lead to an upset stomach or diarrhea just like any other drink. Too much of a good thing can certainly make you sick.

Is Taking Acai Berry Risky?

To answer that question, try to ask yourself if eating an apple or orange is unsafe. I'm sure you will say no. Well, that's also how "risky" eating acai can be. It is a fruit first and foremost, and one that contains more nutrients than many other fruits. Just to be on safe side however, consult with a physician first if you are taking any prescription drugs, or have allergies or any medical condition that might adversely react to the supplements. This way you can be sure that you will not experience any acai berry side effects. - 17274

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Are you worried about acai side effects? No need to be! As long as you get pure acai supplements and you consume them according to the recommended dosage, they are just as safe as taking vitamin C! Check out our site to get facts about this incredible berry including potential health benefits and recommended products.

Exercises To Help You Lose Weight

By Austin Stern

Each and every year, people make different New Year's resolutions at the beginning of the year. often times, these resolutions are to try to be a better person, or to get a new degree or finish a degree they hadn't finished before. The most popular resolution, by far, is to decide to lose weight.

Working out is a great way to slim down and to build healthy muscle at the same time. When you push yourself beyond your normal level of physical work, you tear muscle mass, and over the next few days it repairs itself and your muscle strengthens and grows. It doesnt matter if youre pumping iron or running on the treadmill, youll burn calories and burn fat as well.

Depending on which workout method you choose, you will exercise different muscles which will vary by activity. Whichever method you choose though, you will be burning calories if you are exerting yourself. We want to get rid of calories, and so if you are being careful not to take in as many calories through eating a you burn through working out, you'll be in good shape (literally)!

Cardio exercises stress the amount of oxygen the body can hold during strenuous activity, forcing the heart to pump faster and in turn forces the body to burn more calories. Some examples of cardio exercises are walking, running, swimming, and bicycling, just to name a few.Cardiovascular activity also boosts an individuals oxygen capacity, which allows them to run, swim, or overall be active longer with less stress on the lungs and heart as time moves forward.

Weight lifting, or strength training exercises, allow your muscles to tear so that they heal and grow later, by lifting weights. Strength training is one of the most popular forms of exercising and working out. You can make your body look toned and better looking, while also being able to burn a lot of calories.

A very cheap (in fact, free) form of strength training is resistance training. instead of using free weights, you use your body's weight and gravity to provide the resistance. Sit-ups are a really good example of body resistance training as are push ups.

You can really burn fat quickly with strength training. Although you've probably heard that muscle can weight more than fat, it does, but do not worry. When you engage in strength training, you are building muscle which adds pounds (good pounds) but it also burns away fat quickly, causing you to lose very unhealthy weight.

No matter the time it is, New Year's or not, it's always a great time to begin working out. You'll look more attractive, and you'll notice that you have more energy for working out and other daily activities. If you don't work hard you won't get results. - 17274

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Hold off on buying any weight loss supplements until you have finished reading Austin's awesome free acai berry blast review or the many other diet product reviews on the ePrivacy Group website.

Have You Tried Blue Light Acne Treatment?

By Jason Cartwright

Did you know you could cure your acne vulgaris with blue light acne treatment? Though this type of acne eventually goes away, it can leave you will unsightly scarring that can lower your self-confidence.

Since acne is so widespread, there are a number of acne cure treatment methods, all promising the same results. One such highly specialized treatment has been introduced by dermatologists where acne and its scars can be cleared cosmetically.

One of the most recent techniques in cosmetic dermatology is blue light acne treatment, or photodynamic therapy. Patients sit or lie down in front of the blue light for approximately 15-30 minute intervals each week for 3-8 weeks or more based on the severity of acne. The narrow-intensity blue light wavelength assists to kill acne-causing bacteria.

A topical ointment called Levulan may furthermore be used together with acne light treatment. Levulan will cause the skin to become pink and crust although it is also considered to facilitate in the overall reduction of acne and acne scars. Blue light therapy has been round since the 1970s, however as an acne cure it is a modern addition to cosmetic dermatology practice.

Advantages of Blue Light Acne Treatment

Though blue light acne treatment is still new and its future side-effects unknown, there are a number of clear benefits to this type of skin care.

Firstly, using a blue light acne treatment clinic is a bonus if other acne cures give you side-effects. Acne antibiotics are too often used by patients to clear their acne, but the long-term use of antibiotics tends to break down their immune system, making them susceptible to other illnesses. Another acne cure - Accutane - is widely know to make you really depressed and even suicidal, and cause birth defects for pregnant women.

Secondly, with blue light acne treatment, you do not have to worry about sticking to a regimen of applying lotions or taking medication.

Thirdly, this acne cure treatment is a good alternative for people who have not had success with other cures. If your body resists acne antibiotics or ointments, at least you now have another option.

Number four - Light acne treatment now comes in handy kits that you can use in the comfort of your home. With a choice of blue or red light, these kits are a cheaper, but less effective option to expensive clinics.

Blue light acne treatment is only one of the many acne cures available. Before you waste money and risk your health trying antibiotics or various treatments, it is always best to try a natural cure for acne first. - 17274

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Is acne ruining your life? Get a FREE copy of our "How To Stop Acne" E-Course, and discover how to eradicate this embarrassing skin condition for life. For more about light acne treatment options, visit the site.

How To Gain Lean Muscle - Dos and Don't's

By Jack Thomson

If you have always been dreaming of a sexy body, you must be interested to know how to gain lean muscle. Actually, if you have been surfing the net quite a bit for answers to how lean muscles are gained, you must be aware by now that the answers lie in your attitude and diet.

Yes, when you want something really bad, then you must approach it with the right mind. Tell yourself you can do it, and you can. Make no room for negative thoughts because these can make you lose your focus.

You also need to work on your diet. If you have been eating junks most of your life, now's the time, to junk them out of your system. Get rid of foods that have a lot of fat, oil and sugar. Your ideal meal should consist of 50% starchy carbohydrates, 35% proteins, and 15% healthy fat. Eating more fruits and vegetables also helps to make your muscles lean. It's also advisable to eat six small meals in a day as this helps to improve metabolism. Keep in mind that a faster metabolism helps you burn fat a lot faster, too.

To gain lean muscles, you must burn calories by doing cardio exercises. Cardio exercises, like jogging, swimming, hiking, brisk walking, and running, can speed up your body's metabolism, thus helping you burn more calories in the long run. Actually, you can do any sort of activity you want so long as your body is moving and your heart is pumping.

It is essential that you join a good weight training program. No you don't have to spend a lot of money on equipment because you can easily get by with just a few sets of dumbbells, and they don't cost a lot. Weight training enables you to tone your muscles, firm them up, and develop them so they become lean.

Gaining lean muscles do not require a huge investment; but you need to have patience, determination, and commitment in order to reach your dreams. This may not be easy, and honestly, it can take time.

The moment you feel like giving up, change your tactics. You don't have to go to the same gym every time nor do you have to jog on the same park. Try a different venue, a different attire, a different set of equipment. It also helps to have a friend come along with you to pump each other up when the going gets tougher that you can handle.

I know there's no easy road to getting your dream body, but at least there's plenty of help around. Find out some more truths on how to gain lean muscle on my site. - 17274

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Click for more detailed information on how to gain lean muscle effectively.

How to Lose Weight Fast

By Jose Hunter

We all think we can lose those stubborn 10 or 20 pounds very quickly if we just starve ourselves for a few days. Even though it has taken years to put on the weight, you want it off now. We must be realistic about the time we need to do it in a healthy way. If you approach weight loss the right way, not only are you going to lose weight fast, you will keep it off.

One of things you have to figure out is what your weight goals are. Write down what you weigh and how much weight you realistically want to lose. After that, you have to figure out how many calories you are taking in during the average day. Sometimes we think that we have a grasp on what amount of food we take in every day but I suggest writing these down so you can keep track of the numbers.

You must be consistent and write down all the food you are consuming. This notebook will be your record so that at some point, you can go back and modify the amount of calories youre eating if you have to. You don't want to go overboard with the amount of weight to lose. Keep an obtainable goal at first such as losing 10 pounds in 10 weeks. What this will do is setup the baby steps approach so that we don't get easily frustrated.

If won't be fun at first to write down your food but soon you will see that you may be eating more calories than you originally thought. Be fair and honest with yourself and count the dressing on your salad, soda, juice, and any snacks you have consumed from the vending machine. These tend to add up so make sure you are counting them.

Check out the BMR chart and find that for your current weight you need to maintain with 1427.3 calories per day. That's what it takes for you to support life and normal breathing and sleeping activities plus moderate movements.

By knowing this number, you can subtract for example, 250 calories a day and lose half pound a week. This is only if you just cut out a few hundred calories a day. Remember that a pound has 3500 calories and that's why it's only half pound.

If you increase your activity to include walking or jogging, you will burn more calories. By burning 500 calories per workout, 5 days a week, that's another 2500 calories. This totals 4250 calories off per week. That's an easy way to lose weight fast.

When you don't take all the numbers into account, you lose track of knowing what you ate that you didn't burn and you can determine how many calories you sent to fat storage. This is not a pleasant thought, so burn what you consume. - 17274

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Do you have loose belly fat Turn your body into a fat burning machine. Get ready to start burning body fat quickly

Green Tea Medicinal Benefits

By Julian Alusi

It is startling to know that the world is just awakening to realize the many health benefits of green tea. Although most of us may have had the opportunity to sip on the beverage in a Chinese restaurant or at a Japanese neighbors house not many of us outside the orient knew anything about the various health benefits of green tea up until recently.

This highly beneficial liquid is made from the dried leaves of Camellia Sinesis, which is shrub found in different parts of Asia.

The Asians have been making use of green tea for medicinal purposes since ages. A recorded history of the use of green tea in China dates back to over four thousand years.

With the advancement in medical science the specialists were able to test the substance for its alleged qualities. Much to their amazement that Chinese had been right all along as science discovered many brilliant health benefits of green tea.

The shrub is endowed with some very beneficial substances that give it the medicinal properties to help the body in various ways. The plant is potent with powerful antioxidants which is the key to green teas popularity as a health remedy.

One of the predominant anti oxidants found in the drink is Epigallocatechin Gallate.

The body requires the predominance of a certain level of antioxidants to ensure its smooth running. Furthermore antioxidants have the potential to keep the body safe from damages that can lead to cancer.

When compared to Vitamin C the particular antioxidant found in green tea is measured to be twenty five times stronger and more effective. The same is the case when EGCG is compared with Vitamin E and its effectiveness with regards to protecting cells and the DNA structure.

There are a host of diseases that can be prevented and even remedied by making use of green tea. The drink can help prevent some of the most dangerous diseases that can afflict the human body such as cancer and HIV. On its own green tea also helps to improve the immune system in general.

The list of diseases that green tea has the potential to treat includes diseases the likes of Alzheimers disease, rheumatoid arthritis, heart diseases and even Parkinsons disease.

Green tea is also an effective promoter of weight loss. This is largely due to the fact that it helps to expound more energy as the metabolic processes of the body are sped up with the consumption of the drink. This is why health care professionals recommend the use of green tea on a regular basis. - 17274

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Japanese Green tea in its powdered form is a highly versatile and healthy addition to many recipes. To be fully informed about Japanese Green tea healthy properties click on one of the above links.

Tips for Smart Stretching

By Dr. Jason Fowler

1. Why stretch? Stretching lengthens muscles and improves flexibility. Also, stretching the big leg muscles - the hamstrings, calves, and quads - simultaneously loosens and lengthens the muscles of your lower back. So, when you stretch, you're helping your back!

2. When to stretch? Recent exercise physiology studies show that static stretching is best done after exercise. Pre-exercise "dynamic warm-ups", such as torso twists, arm circles, and light jogging, prepare the body for work. Importantly, for those of us with back issues, it's still a good idea to do the familiar static stretches even before the dynamic warm-up!

3. Don't rush! Stretching is as important as what you're going to do after you stretch. And, if you rush, you might pull a muscle or worse. Be sure to include 10 to 15 minutes of stretching as part of your exercise time.

4. Stretch gently and slowly. You're not trying to accomplish anything while stretching. In other words, you're not trying to stretch "this much" or "this far". Nice and easy does it. Stretching is a Zen activity. There should be nor "effort".

5. Pay attention! If your mind drifts, you are headed for a pulled muscle.

6. Visualize! See (in your mind) what you're doing. Hold a mental visual image of the muscle group, where it comes from, where it goes. Visualization helps establish a brain-muscle connection, making your muscles much smarter!

7. Stretch your hamstrings first! Lie on your back with one knee bent [start with the left leg bent; you'll be stretching the right hamstring]. The left foot is on the floor and the left knee is bent approximately 90 degrees. Holding behind the right knee, gently bring that knee to your chest. Alternate this chest movement with a movement that begins to straighten the right leg in the air. The eventual goal on straightening is to achieve a 90 degree angle (or close to this) between the leg and your torso.

8. CAUTION - Progress may be quite slow. Remember - you are where you are. Stretching is gentle and slow. Alternate the bending and straightening movements gently, achieving a slightly greater straightening each time. You should work each leg for between three and five minutes.

9. Calf stretches. Face a wall and place both hands lightly on the wall. Keeping both feet facing front, bend the front knee and place the foot of the leg to be stretched directly behind you. Your weight is being supported by the front leg. The back knee is pretty straight and the back heel is on or close to the floor. Maintain the stretch for 10 seconds, feeling the stretch in the calf as the back heel reaches toward the floor.

10. Quad stretches - stand on your left leg, placing a hand lightly on a wall to support the upright posture. Grasp just above the right ankle with your right hand and bring that heel close to the right buttock. The quadriceps is stretched by bringing the right thigh in line with the left thigh, just as if you were standing on both legs. The knees should also be close, in a line. You should feel a stretching sensation down the right thigh. Imagine a straight line running from your right hip socket all the way to the floor. Ferreira GN, et al: Gains in flexibility related to measures of muscular performance. Clin J Sport Med 17(4):276-281, 2007. 2Peeler J, Anderson JE: Effectiveness of static quadriceps stretching in individuals with patellofemoral joint pain. Clin J Sport Med 17(4):234-241, 2007. 3Behm DG, et al: Effect of acute static stretching on force, balance, reaction time, and movement time. Med Sci Sports Exercise (36(8):1397-1402, 2004. - 17274

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For more information on health please contact Dr. FowlerDr Jason Fowler at www.lakestlouisdc.comwww.lakestlouisdc.com

What Makes A Good Probiotic Supplement

By Maxine Yottoni

Probiotics are microflora that exist in our digestive tract and help maintain a healthy balance in our digestive system. Our body is home to billions of microorganisms, both harmful and beneficial. The intestinal tract is especially bacteria dense. A healthy digestive tract has an optimum balance between the beneficial and harmful bacteria. Once this balance is upset, the body becomes prone to various digestive disorders such as excessive gas and diarrhea.

The etymology of the word probiotic refers to for life. This name is indicative of the fact that they are very much required for keeping out body healthy. More than 400 such entities have been reported to be visible in the gut of human beings. Studies related to the use of each and every micro organism is in progress and the results are yet to be established. The gut flora has been reported to facilitate great improvements in the resistance of the human body. They also play a pivotal role in synthesizing essential vitamins within the body. They keep control of the abusive bacterial content in the intestine too. The latest study reports have established a correlation between reduced cholesterol contents and the gut flora within the human body.

Probiotics and pre-biotics are not one and the same. Pre-biotics refer to the natural carbohydrates which are not digestible. They have testified to help in the colonization of the beneficial bacteria in the digestive track of humans. Probiotics refer to the friendly gut flora in human beings. They colonize the intestines right after birth. Amidst the hundreds and thousands of micro organisms that are present in the gut of human beings, the friendly bacteria constitute 15% of the overall bacterial population. They have proven to help in curing digestive disorders with ease. The human gut consists of both good and bad bacteria. Though one cannot get rid of the abusive bacteria completely, the utmost thing that can be done is to bring in a balance of good bacteria that can help defending against the harmful ones.

Probiotic supplements play a critical role in inducing this balance within the human system. The vital bacterium that makes up the gut flora is the lactobacilli species of bacterium. Commonly found in yoghurt, this bacterium secretes lactic acid and ensures the presence of acidic ambience in the intestinal track of human beings. This in turn would discourage the survival of other harmful bacteria in the gut of the humans.

The strenuous lifestyle and the hectic schedule that we are currently into is pressurizing and has all chances of spoiling the bacterial balance in our guts. The recent inclination towards taking fast food and the popularity that the junk food has gained in the recent past can speak volumes of the imbalance that can occur in the digestive track of humans in the long run. The inability of antibiotics to distinguish between the beneficial and the deleterious bacteria adds fuel to this fire. Even worse is if you are habituated to drugs like steroids and birth control tablets. They affect the gut flora adversely. If you are addicted to drinking coffee or other carbonated beverages often, it is for sure that there would be an imbalance in your gut flora. Too much of strain, water that has chlorine added to it, unnatural coloring, addition of preservative chemicals are some factors that can wipe out the friendly bacteria and can induce the imbalance in human beings.

Also, to replenish our gut with the right proportion of probiotics, the supplement should have a very high concentration of live bacteria, typically running into millions per gram. This would be mentioned as so many cfu or colony forming units per gram. The higher this is, the more effective the supplement would be at restoring the probiotic balance in your intestinal tract. - 17274

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I am confident I have found the Probiotic Formula that contains the largest number of human probioticsof any product on the market -120 Billion, yes Billion and 12 different species of human probiotics.