Fat Loss 4 Idiots Secret

Friday, August 21, 2009

What to Eat on a Detox Diet

By Jesse Regan

A lot of people understand that they have options. If something is said and introduced to have advantageous benefits, regardless if it were initially meant for a different recipient, most likely, many would take their chances. This comes rather true especially when it comes to diets. It would be a safe bet that everyone who has or had set their mind at working on a diet has tried at least more than how much one can count in a set of hands.

Then there's detox diet. From the denotation of detoxification, it is a process wherein a person is introduced of methods that are set to remove toxins in the body. Detox diets, generally short-term ones, were originally introduced for alcoholics and drug dependent people, who are either in their rehabilitation or treatment. As the process gained apparent results, it accordingly gained popularity among those who'd want to try an effective diet.

What can you eat or get in your body, then, if you are in a detox diet?

Water As it has constantly been incessantly been emphasized, that 8 glasses of water, and more, is very much needed by the body. It has been recommended to take them best in lukewarm or room temperature.

Veggies and Fruits Many might find the latter more appealing than the former, but these glow food's nutrients are equally needed by the body. Particularly for the vegetables, green leafy vegetables and red ones are said to be the best for detox diets, as cauliflower, broccoli, garlic, onions, and beets.

Nuts about nuts... and grains Unsalted of these nuts can be mixed with those salads. There are walnuts, cashews, sesame seeds and almonds being the more popular choice, as well as, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and lax seeds. Rice are best recommended, too. However, for some that are not comfortable with this, there's the selection of substitutes as buckwheat, millet and amaranth.

Beans So much easy to digest, much easier for your tummy. With split yellow, green peas, lentils, pinto bins and kidney beans around, that can be a happy meal for you and your digestive system.

Healthy living is basically what these food suggest. Accordingly, it is advised to chew it well, especially those grainy ones so to aid the digestion process of your body, getting in more of those nutrients, and less of those parts that can pass less through processing.

So why detoxify and eat these food? Because there are toxins easily those are produced by the body, as ammonia during the breakdown of the body's protein, and accordingly, those that can easily be acquired in one's environment, as household cleaning products, additives placed in the food, air pollution, pesticides, and among the biggest contributors, drugs and cigarette smoke.

With this, a lot of people are very well aware of the varying options that they can take. If the diet practice is reportedly successful, there might be something in it that can work for other people, as well. If choosing the appropriate weight loss diet would be equally benefiting to one's health, wouldn't it be great deal? After all, like in any diet practices, all you'll need would be that discipline no matter what type of healthy diet respites you have in mind. - 17274

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Bodybuilding & Muscle Building Supplements

By Ricardo d Argence

Looking intelligent and muscular is a popular desire. Everyone dream of a well built healthy salubrious body. Deciding on how to complete such body built is the main question.

The majority prefer to do their regular workouts in a gym. The building stones, the body building supplements, of a well built body are required to be taken besides from using exercise equipments.

Certain supplements affect bodily functions in their own way. They offer many benefits by firming up the muscles to give the best shape and a perfectly symmetrical figure. Along with this, some dietary cares are indispensably required. Of course you should eat moderate amounts of high quality food along with enough exercise to stay fit.

You can find bodybuilding supplements in many forms including; capsules, tablets, liquid and powder. Typically, these body supplements include proteins, vitamins, hormones and other ingredients that can aide in the growth of body muscles. Most importantly it is necessary to know and understand the way of dose administration. If ingested in a sufficient amount and following the instructions exactly, these pills should begin to make a difference in your body.

Creatine is among the most popular leading muscle building supplement today. It can be from natural or manufactured sources. In its natural form it is found in red meat. The manufactured creatine comes in tablets, liquids, serums and even injections. All these provide much needed energy for the muscles. Creatine can also aid in the chance of cellular dysfunction.

Glutamine has become a popular source with body builders these days. It's properties generate quality muscles. Glutamine comes in a soluble powder and helps to stock up non-required amino acids. Leucine and Glucosamine are amino acids that are well used supplements by body builders. These are taken during extensive workout periods. Those allergic to seafood are advised to avoid Glucosamine as it is an amino sugar.

Multivitamins are also being used as a muscle building supplement. There are plenty multivitamin products available and these help in accelerating the muscle building process. These vitamins are very efficient as they bring out the energy from carbohydrates, fat, and protein. As an antioxidant they help the body get rid of free radicals.

Muscle building supplements are necessary for any muscle builder to accomplish his goal of growing muscles in an efficient manner. For the different training points of your body various supplements are prescribed. Many times all muscle building supplements will be needed simultaneously. Consumers should follow the directions of physical trainers and fitness experts when taking supplements. - 17274

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Common Parts to Look for in a Juice Extractor

By Aaron Benjamin

A regular juice extractor will have to be able to operate correctly in order to obtain the juices from fruits and vegetables and so they will be gathered properly. With this in mind, it will be important to use each of the special juice extractor parts. These parts are the blade, motor, baskets for foods, and a cover. Usually, a plunger will be part of the assembly as one of these juice extractor parts. A great model to consider is the Breville Juice Fountain Plus.

The motor can be the most important part of the extractor in most instances. The motor is among the major juicing tools since it is used to rotate the blade and other juicer components. A typical motor will be able to work at about six thousand revolutions per minute. It will also be about a third of a horsepower as far as its power and will have to be capable of being powered by electricity. In many cases, these motors will be quiet when they are insulated nicely.

The blade that is put in the extractor will be important, as well. The blade has to be one that is simple to deal with and can move in full revolutions at a quick period of time. One of the most important factors here is the keenness of the blade. If the blade is sharpened correctly, it will be able to cut through the foods put in the juicer with ease.

Baskets are commonly used in juice extractors. The major basket for juices is among the most important juicing tools because it will work to help with collecting the juices that are created. A pulp basket will be needed so that it will collect the majority of the pulp and other solid ingredients that might get through the extractor.

A strainer is required for gathering any pieces that are not fully juiced. This is so that you never have to struggle with pulp slipping into the juice basket.

The plunger is the last of the juicing tools. A plunger will be needed for helping to make the fruits and vegetables fit nicely into the juicer. The juicer will need to be turned off you can use it properly and safely so that all parts of the foods for juicing may be nicely ground up and juiced. A nice model that you can purchase is the Breville Juice Fountain Plus.

When hunting for a juice extractor, it will be extremely helpful to take a look at these juice extractor parts. These parts are the motor, a plunger, and the blade. Other parts are different baskets for juices and solid ingredients and a strainer, which will be required to help with keeping the juices pure. If you have each of these juicing tools, it will be simpler to get the most delicious juices from a juice extractor. - 17274

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Arthroscopy of the Knee

By Dr. Richard Edelson

Arthro is joint in Latin. Scopy is view. Arthroscopy is literally to view a joint. The use of arthroscopy allows an orthopedic surgeon to look inside a joint and see what needs to be done. Arthroscopy is very useful in the diagnosis and treatment of problems with the knees.

Using high resolution cameras and state of the art arthroscopes, this technique is extremely effective in diagnosing and treating knee disorders.

The Composition of the Knee

The knee is made up of three bones: The patella, the tibia, and the femur. The juncture of these bones is cushioned by articular cartilage, which allows them to move easily.

Synovial membrane is a thin, smooth membrane that coats the interior surfaces of the knee. In a healthy knee, the synovial membrane produces a lubricant that allows the knee to function comfortably and smoothly.

The three bones that make up the largest joint in the body are the shin bone (tibia), thigh bone (femur) and knee cap (patella). The entire structure is held together by ligaments that run between the tibia and femur. The patella moves along a groove in the end of the femur. The strong muscle of the thigh provides support and stability.

Click here for more on arthroscopic surgery .

Knee Difficulties

When everything is functioning properly, the parts of the knee work together smoothly. However, the knee gets a lot of use, and everyday wear and tear can cause problems. Sports, work, injury, weakened tissues, arthritis, and aging all take a toll on the knee. Over the course of time, these things can cause a lot of pain and reduce the ability of the knee to do its job.

With arthroscopy, a number of conditions can be diagnosed and treated:

Chondromalacia, which is the softening of articular cartilage and/or damage to joint surfaces.

Crystalline arthropathy: Gouty arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflamed synovial membranes.

Patellar instability and misalignment.

These problems can be located using arthroscopy.

Damage to meniscal cartilage can be visualized.

Loose and/or fragmented bone and cartilage can be located.

Posterior and anterior damaged cruciate ligaments can be diagnosed.

Arthroscopy is extremely useful to the orthopedic surgeon in locating and assessing all of these knee problems. The use of the modern technology helps todays orthopedic surgeon deliver efficient and effective treatment. - 17274

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Body Building Tips and Ideas

By Robert Johnson

Body building is a phrase that conjures a thousand pictures in people minds, but what exactly is it? Body building is a very popular sport that enables people who are committed to develop strong, muscular bodes through the right food and exercise program. The result of these intensive training and dietary programs is visible in the form of strong and toned muscles, which creates a very attractive and sexy appeal for those professional and amateur body builders. How do you achieve the standards needed and what would be the criteria that you can use to get the best possible result? Obviously, in order to achieve all of the above criteria, exercise and eating the proper food is the way to go.

The first step to an effective body building program is weight lifting. It is important to possess physical strength and endurance to perform weight lifting exercises, which often involve the use of machines and equipments that are specially designed to stimulate the necessary body parts. Today, not everyone that performs rigorous weight lifting exercises are doing it for competition or sports, some are only interested to develop a great physique. There are tremendous benefits of weight lifting for the entire body, plus it is also useful in assisting the body to recover from a serious injury. If strict observations can be exercised, weight lifting may be useful to assist those who are recovering from illnesses or introduced as part of a rehabilitation program.

A good diet and nutrition is essential to ensure that you get the best out of your body building program. Ideally the suggested best ratio of protein, carbohydrate and fat would be 2:2:1. Complex carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. Select food that is rich in carbohydrates for that fast energy such as brown rice, sweet potato and oatmeal. It is important to consume a lot of fiber in your diet to assist digestion and metabolism during your body building program.

Your body needs ample supply of water to avoid any damage to the existing muscles. One good habit to follow is to start each session at the gym by drinking plenty of fresh water and end each session with some fresh liquids as well. It is also helpful to drink between exercises.

The training instructor can show you how to perform weight lifting and what you need to do to stimulate the proper body parts when performing vigorous routine in the gym. - 17274

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What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Mini Stroke

By Barb Hicks

TIA, also known as a mini stroke, occurs when there has been temporary blockage of blood flow in the brain due to a thrombus. In a TIA, the body releases its own small amount of tPA and quickly dissolves the clot. This accounts for the temporary symptoms that incur and cause no damage to brain tissues. The TIA is a warning sign of an impending stoke, and medical help should be sought immediately. Mini strokes happen only in ischemic episodes. Ischemic and hemorrhagic are complete opposites of each other but have the same symptoms and inclinations.

An ischemic event occurs when the clot totally occludes an artery, preventing blood flow. This causes ischemia leading to cell death, and loss of functionality of the extremities, including the face.

The formation of these blood clots can also be caused by atrial fibrillation, previous heart attack, heart valve diseases, some STDs, cardiovascular disease and Cerebrovascular disease.

Narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup, which leads to clots forming, is a common factor in ischemic events. Cells and other debris stick to cracks in the plaque.

The body protects itself from injury by forming clots. A clot is formed in order to stop constant bleeding. If the bleeding is not stopped a whole host of other, more serious complications can occur.

In order to dissolve a clot, the body will release an enzyme called plasmin to dissolve it. After this, phagocytes or white cells will come along and engulf the remaining debris, carrying it away.

Symptoms of a mini stroke include loss of balance, inability to speak and sudden headache. These symptoms are short lived and leave behind no permanent brain damage. If someone experiences these symptoms, it is highly advisable that they seek immediate medical assistance as these are small warning signs that a major stroke is about to occur. Medical professionals will then try to restore blood flow to the brain in order to prevent the onset of a major stroke.

There is a time element with stroke. In order for doctors to use certain medications, treatment must begin within 3 hours from when symptoms started. If symptoms are not recognized, then extensive damage could result. This is why it is important to know the signs and symptoms to avoid a delay in treatment.

Mini strokes are sudden and carry no warning signs as they are warning signs within themselves for an ischemic episode. It is highly common for someone who has experienced a mini stroke to undergo a major stroke the following year. Visiting your medical professional will allow them to weigh your risk factors and perform tests to ensure a proper course of treatment for your situation. - 17274

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Losing Weight And Staying Youthful With The Acai Berry

By Deborah P Walker

In the last five years the hype on the acai berry has skyrocketed. There are ads promoting the benefits of this marvelous diminutive berry that range from weight loss to anti-aging to disease prevention.

Still, the acai berry is not brand new. It is an authentic berry fruit that is found on the acai palm in the rainforests of Brazil. The inhabitants of the area have had this nourishing berry as a essential piece of their pattern of eating for centuries. It is new to the rest of the world though, since this little berry is exceptionally perishable and it has only been in the last five years and because of sophisticated processing methods that it has been available at all.

The acai berry is one of the most healthy fare ever grown on the planet. It has an abundance of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, amino acids, fiber and phytosterols. Every single one of these things add to assisting your own body work at optimum levels. All of these things can help you to lose weight.

As a complement to a dependable workout plan and a nutritious food intake, the nutrition contained in the acai berry can be very beneficial for fat loss. The fiber in the acai can help you to stay fuller for a longer phase of time and it can also support a healthy digestive system.

The acai berry is rich in essential fatty acids in the form of Omega's. These essential fatty acids are necessary to our physical condition and we can only get them from our diet because our bodies can't make them. Omega fatty acids are critical to many bodily functions and it is thought that they are beneficial for things such as weight loss. Study is continuing on the many benefits of essential fatty acids.

You can also locate 19 amino acids contained in the acai berry. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and protein is required for many functions but especially for building and maintaining muscle tissue. Muscle tissue is metabolically more active than any other type of tissue in our bodies and having more muscle automatically makes us burn more calories just in day by day life.

The acai berry has a profusion of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The antioxidants assist your body to fend off the damage caused by free radicals and the vitamins and minerals help you to have the energy and stamina that you want in order to diet and exercise and lose the fat.

The acai berry and its correlated products can be an tremendously beneficial extra to a wholesome lifestyle. With the optimum nourishment from this diminutive berry you can drop fat, fend off the normal declines connected with aging and sustain your optimal health. - 17274

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The Health of Your Pet Bird

By Emmanuel J. Hood

Birds can sometimes be a little more difficult to comprehend than a cat or a dog, and sometimes that can lead to serious issues. Health concerns in a bird could be respiratory infections, or even excessive molting just to name a few. If you take care of your bird properly however, a lot of said issues can be avoided. Some things that you should do to keep your bird in good health is feed it the proper foods and go to the veterinarian on a regular basis. This article will outline a few more methods of keeping your bird healthy, so keep reading.

First, it's important to realize that every kind of bird will require different care. Birds don't have the same needs any more than dogs, cats, and hamsters all respond to the same diet and care. They may all be mammals, but they need different things. That's why you'll have to be careful and take the time to learn what's appropriate for your particular bird.

There are a lot of pet products out there that won't be so good for your bird, and the reason they exist is because they're not very regulated. Once you learn more about your bird and what could be harmful to it, then you will begin to understand what you can and can't buy for it.

Make sure that your bird has a proper diet that features the right nutrients. In most cases you will find that this is pretty easy because there are food packets that have the right nutrients for your particular bird. Sometimes though the seed packets are of low quality and you will need to add a few supplements in order to get the desired effect. That doesn't mean that all of them are inadequate but there are definitely a few that are so you'll need to keep an eye out for that.

Bad diet will make the bird vulnerable to infections, and even excessive growth of certain body parts such as it's beat and nails. It may also end up losing feathers, and as you're going to find out birds are extremely delicate. They may not look sick until the problem is progressed very far, and that's why you need to have regular checkups and good veterinarian that can help you with these problems as they arise.

There may be some changes such as attitude or even fluid excretion, and these are things that you need to pay attention to, because these are definite indicators that your bird is sick. If your bird is sick you need to take care of it as quickly as you possibly can because other birds in the cage will see this as an opportunity to start bullying the sick bird. Make sure you take care of this as quickly as possible for the well being of your bird.

Be willing to take your vet's advice when you bring your pet in, even if it means changing something major about the way you take care of your pet. It's possible that your cage has been too small, the environment wrong for your bird, or that something else is wrong. If you aren't willing to correct this problem, you're not going to be able to keep your pet bird in good health. Even if someone else has told you that your setup is fine, take the time to try and correct it, for the sake of your pet.

Being observant and willing to learn are the things that are most important if you have a pet bird. Once you take the time to find out the best way to keep your pet, you'll have a much easier time keeping him or her in good health. - 17274

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Using Food To Relieve Constipation

By Jean Johnson

An endless array of advice exists with reference to diet. This is bad for you, that's worse, and don't even smell that! Much of what we eat and don't eat can lead to constipation. Lack of exercise can also lead to this result. Those who have suffered from constipation can testify to the level of discomfort this can bring. The question is what foods can we use to relieve the symptoms of this malady.

There are numerous foods that can prove beneficial in the relief of constipation symptoms. We can benefit greatly from exploring these options. Two of these foods are dates and figs; they are very high in fiber and thus useful to constipation sufferers. Being high in minerals and fiber, these fruits aid the digestion process and can banish constipation within hours.

One or two pounds of grapes eaten on a daily basis will also be helpful in reducing the incidence of constipation. This fruit is high in vitamins, minerals and fiber and its skin contains the anti-oxidant resveratrol. These facts make grapes a very healthy way to relieve constipation.

Papaya is another excellent choice in this area. It contains lots of fiber and when ripe is very easily digestible. The protein-digesting enzymes papain and chymopapain are incredibly helpful in creating and maintaining a free flowing system. It is also high in anti-oxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene which produce excellent results in reducing inflammation and improving overall health. Papaya can be used as part of a healthy breakfast, a quick snack or can be added to delicious smoothies.

Persimmons are high in fiber (3.6g per 100g) and minerals like, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. In addition they contain substantial amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C and folate. As a result, this bright orange little fruit stands out from other substances that produce just a laxative effect. Not only does it relieve constipation but the persimmon also revitalizes the body with the nutrients it needs to function at its best. That this fruit enriches any diet is an understatement.

Raspberries make it to this list because of their richness in vitamins A and C. The minerals magnesium, iron and calcium also fortify this dark fruit. This fragile and tasty little fruit can not only make constipation disappear quickly but can also replenish your vitamin reserve.

Last on the list are prunes. If there ever was a fruit superpower, this would be it. These babies are incredible for constipation relief. I think just about everyone has heard of them for that same reason. Each prune is forty percent insoluble fiber which makes life very easy on the lower intestine in waste elimination. Prunes outrank any existing vegetable or fruit in antioxidant content, not to mention the eighteen body fortifying vitamins and minerals. Among them are folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin A, zinc, selenium, thiamine, potassium, sodium, riboflavin, phosphorous, pantothenic acid, niacin, manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and calcium. Ounce for ounce no other food can outdo the prune. So introduce yourself to the prune and enjoy a free flowing colon. - 17274

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Tips For Fast Recovery After Knee Arthroscopy

By Dr. Richard Edelson

Recovery from knee arthroscopy is fairly quick, especially when compared with recovery from open knee surgery. Still, it is important to follow all of your orthopedic surgeons instructions for the fastest recovery possible.

The Best Ways To Keep Swelling Down

The instructions from your orthopedic surgeon will likely include keeping your leg elevated and applying ice to help with swelling and pain. It is important to follow this advice, especially during the first few days after your surgery.

Taking Care Of Your Bandaging

You will leave the hospital with a bandaged knee. It is important to keep that bandage on for the first day. After you take it off, it is OK to take a shower, but be sure not to spray water right on your knee. Keep your knee clean and dry until the incisions are healed. Definitely avoid soaking in the bath.

In a few days, you will have an appointment to see your orthopedic surgeon for a followup appointment. At this appointment, the orthopedic surgeon will tell you about your surgical findings and review your treatment plan with you.

How Soon Will I Be Able to Bear Weight on My Leg?

Click here for more on recovering from knee injuries .

You may come home with instructions to use a walker, cane or crutches after your surgery; however, this is unusual with arthroscopic knee surgery. Usually, you will be able to walk without assistance. You will need to take care about bearing weight at first, but as time passes and you persist with your postoperative exercises, you will gain strength and ability. You will probably be able to drive after about a week has passed. Check with your orthopedic surgeon about this.

Using Exercise to Strengthen Your Knee

Your orthopedic surgeon will prescribe some exercises for you to do after your surgery. He or she may even refer you to a physical therapist for specialized work. Whatever the instructions are, be sure to follow them exactly to facilitate quick and thorough recovery.

Managing Your Prescriptions

It is typical to return home with a prescription for preventative antibiotics and another for pain medications. Be sure to follow instructions carefully to prevent infection and keep your pain and discomfort at a minimum.

Will There Be Complications?

The complications that arise with arthroscopic knee surgery are rare and easily managed. You will want to watch for blood clots, blood accumulating around your knee, and infection.

Here Some Signs To Look Out For

Be sure to let your orthopedic surgeon know if you experience:

1) A high, persistent fever

2) A feeling of chills

3) Redness or a hot feeling around the knee

4) Increasing or persistent pain

5) A significantly swollen knee

6) Calf muscle pain that increases - 17274

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Shiatsu Massage Chairs Confirm a Whole Body Massage at Home

By Jacob Peacock

After a long day at work, you may be tired, under a little pressure or feeling some anxiety. A great option, once you finally make it home, might be a massage. That would relieve some tension and anxiety. Then I realize my house did not include a masseuse service. But wait, there is another option: How about a shiatsu massage chair! No appointment necessary. Just sit down, lean back, raise the footrest up and hit the start button. Oh, ah, oh, ah, now that is hitting the spot!

Massage chairs have come a long way over the years. The advance of electronics and mechanical systems has combined with massage techniques into the massage chair of today. You can find a robotic chair that is capable of massaging almost all parts of your body. These chairs can reach your neck, shoulders, back, buttocks, thighs, calves, feet and even your arms and hands. The best massage chairs have great technology to simulate many of the most beneficial massage techniques. Massage techniques such as a Shiatsu massage, Swedish massage or a Deep Tissue massage. These massage techniques have specific applications for your overall health and wellness.

For a truly techological marvel, the Montage Elite massage chair by Omega Massage, Inc. is an amazing machine. The Montage Elite brings sophisticated luxury with advanced technology giving you the healing benefits of a full body massage. The Montage Elite is equipped with full body heat. One can individually control the heat for the chair back, the seat and the footrest. Music is a great way to relax and the Montage has an MP3 player and headphones. There is a massage sychronization button that synchronizes the massage movements to the tempo of your music. Need a great foot massage? Look no further, the Montage Elite has a reflexology foot massage built into the footrest. Need to get stretched out a bit? Omega even included a lower body traction function that will stretch and elongate your lower body from the hips down.

The massage chair industry and has electronics companies such as Panasonic and Sanyo. Sanyo has the HEC-DR7700K which has lie detector technology which is used to find your stress points in your back. The HEC-DR7700K has a new roller concept introduced by Sanyo called GK roller system. The GK roller system extends out and around your shoulders and neck. It is like they reach out from the chair back. The GK roller system provides an invigorating neck and shoulder massage. The Sanyo shiatsu massage chair certainly delivers a thorough massage therapy.

Panasonic has the EP-3222 with their Swede-Atsu massage which combines aspects of Swedish and Shiatsu therapies. The rollers of the EP-3222 give a very realistic massage by replicating the motions of a master masseuse. This chair also has a full lower body air compression massage system. This Panasonic shiatsu lounger can memorize settings for 3 different users. Nice to have a chair that can learn what you like!

The premier massage chairs built today integrate a multitude of capacities to provide relief in the areas you need most. Each advance of technology enables more and more realistic functions to be added to the chair. The shiatsu massage chairs is getting closer to simulating a skilled masseuse. These advanced chairs come remote controls allowing both manual and automatic controls. Pinpoint the massage to a trouble area on your back or choose an automatic massage and let the chair give you a vigorous total body massage.

There is a wide variety of massage chairs with many different features. You should take your time and educate yourself. It is important to know what types of massage therapy would be good for you. If you can, get out and try some massage chairs. Be sure the chair is comfortable to sit in. Try chairs from different massage chair brands. Invest a little time upfront to really find what is suitable for your needs. A shiatsu massage chair is an investment in your health and relaxation. Find the right chair for your needs. Then you can enjoy a full body massage in the privacy and comfort of your home. - 17274

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Shiitake Extract's Many Uses

By Dr. Markho Rafael

In Europe and America, "mushrooms" in a recipe usually refers to button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), which were first cultivated in France in the 1600's. In Far East Asia, the equivalent is Shiitake, which has long been the cultivated "food mushroom" of choice. Only in the past few decades has Shiitake become a household name in western cuisine.

Known alternately as Black Mushroom or Chinese Mushroom, wild Shiitake grows in Asia only. The name derives from the Shii Tree, its preferred host, although Shiitake may also grow on oaks and beeches. Shiitake has been cultivated in China and Japan for a thousand years.

Although most westerners are now familiar with Shiitake as a food mushroom, few know that it's also the most researched medicinal mushroom in Asia. As with other medicinal mushrooms, the research has largely focused on applications against cancer, [94] but also on its anti-viral properties. [93]

When it comes to medicinal use of Shiitake, the preferred part to use is the mycelium (the "roots") not the fruit body ("mushroom"). The mycelium contains a higher concentration of medicinal compounds, some of which may not be found at all in the fruit body.

The most researched Shiitake extract is known as LEM, short for Lentinula Edodes Mycelia. (Shiitake's Latin name is Lentinula edodes.) Research has found LEM to enhance the immune system, [95, 96, 97] especially against bacterial infection. [98, 99] It's also been reported to be anti-tumoral. [100] A 2005 study published findings that it killed melanoma cells while sparing non-diseased tissue. [101]

Lentinan is the name of another much researched compound isolated from Shiitake, named after the Latin genus name Lentinula. Lentinan is a polysaccharide that has been found to stimulate the human immune system to combat cancer. [102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110] It is currently used in Asia as an intravenous cancer drug.

Arabinoxylanes, compounds resulting from Shiitake-on-rice fermentation, have also demonstrated significant anti-viral activity. [111, 112, 113]

Specifically herpes simplex virus type 1 [114] and more importantly HIV have responded to Shiitake extracts in several studies. [115, 116, 117] However, the previously mentioned Lentinan polysaccharide, by itself, has no significant effect on the replication of HIV. [25]

Additional studies have reported positive results with Shiitake extract in conditions of chronic fatigue syndrome [119] and Candida [118], as well as for septic shock prevention. [120]

In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown Shiitake extract to have a beneficial effect: Blood Pressure; Blood Sugar; Cholesterol; Kidney Tonic; Liver Tonic; Sexual Potentiator; Stress; Breast Cancer; Liver Cancer; Prostate Cancer. [134]

Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.

Credit: Thank you to Paul Stamets for source material. - 17274

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