Blogger Healthy Life

Miracle of Banana

2008-04-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

The banana has become an everyday fruit and is easy to carry, easy to peel and easy to eat. In other words a perfect snack for those in a hurry. The taste and texture makes it particularly good as an alternative to cookies and candy when it's time for a snack break. Bananas are also very suitable for cooking. The mild, sweet flavor makes it a great supplement in hot, spicy meals, especially if they contain curry.

There are relatively quite a lot of calories in a banana so it gives you an instant energy boost when you are in need of one. Compared to other fruits bananas do contain an unusual lot of energy, but the banana calories come mainly from carbohydrates, i.e. starch and sugars. Lots of people think the calories in banana come from loads of fat, but that is completely wrong. Therefore, if you want to reduce your fat intake to easier maintain a healthy body weight, bananas are an excellent choice to lower the desire to eat fat food or sweets. A banana is easy to chew and easy to digest which means it quickly raises the blood sugar level and reduces the desire for cookies or chocolate.

So what is the number of calories in a banana? An average banana (105g) contains only 100 calories, compared with 550 calories in a 100g chocolate bar, or 170 calories in a pastry (40g). Also, almost zero of the banana calories come from fat whereas half of the calories in the chocolate bar and pastry come from fat. Athletes who workout and compete a lot have long ago discovered the benefits from eating bananas and absorbing the banana calories. Immediately after a workout it's important to refuel the muscles by eating food that contains a lot of carbs that increases blood sugar levels quickly. Which is precisely what a banana does! A small word of warning though - food with this quality is not recommended if you have diabetes and have to closely regulate your blood sugar level. Be cautious with bananas if you are a diabetic.

Potassium
The banana is also known for its high potassium content. All fruits and vegetables contain a lot of potassium but bananas are among the best. A banana (105g) contains 13% of the recommended daily intake for women and 8% for men. Potassium is a mineral that we need quite a lot of, about 3 grams a day. It has an important function in the blood pressure regulation system and is needed for muscles and nerves to function properly. Several major studies point to the fact that a low potassium intake conduces a high blood pressure. If you want to keep your blood pressure on a normal and healthy level throughout your life, or lower it, a great dietary advice is to eat plenty of fruit, especially bananas, and vegetables.

Magnesium
Perhaps less known is the fact that bananas contain quite a lot of magnesium. A banana (105g) contains 12% of the recommended daily intake for women and 10% for men. Magnesium is involved in most of the energy producing processes in your body and is just as potassium vital for muscles and nerves to function properly. Research show a high enough intake of magnesium is important to prevent cardiovascular diseases and brittle-bone disease. Other areas where magnesium seems to have importance are the origin of and cure for migraine and endurance and performance during physical exercise.

Vitamins
Bananas contain particularly much of vitamin B-6, or pyrixodine as it is also called. A woman gets half of the recommended daily intake through a single banana, and a man gets 40%. Vitamin B-6 is involved in the requisition of protein. It makes sure that amino acids, the building blocks of protein, can transmute to other amino acids and energy. It also plays a significant part in the protection against cardiovascular diseases. Research has shown that increased levels of the amino acid homocysteine increases the risk for heart attacks and stroke. Three kinds of B-vitamins is needed to keep the level of homocystein low and healthy: B-6, B-12 and folic acid.

So next time you feel the urge for something small to eat, eat a banana! Make it a habit and your body will thank you and keep you healthier.

Carrots Elements.

2008-04-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

The 3 most important elements are Beta-carotene, Alpha Carotene, and Phytochemicals.

Beta carotene usually receives most attention when examining carrots. It is one of about 500 similar compounds called carotenoids, which are present in many fruits and vegetables.

The body changes beta carotene into vitamin A, which is important in strengthening the immune system, keeping the skin, lungs and intestinal track in order, and promoting healthy cell growth. Beta-carotene is found primarily in dark green, red, yellow, and orange-coloured plants, and is converted by the body into vitamin A and also works on its own. Photo of beta carotene under the microscope.

Vitamin A is a pale yellow primary alcohol derived from carotene. It affects the formation and maintenance of skin, mucous membranes, bones, and teeth, vision and reproduction. In addition dietary Vitamin A, in the form of beta carotene, an antioxidant, may help reduce the risk of certain cancers. However, beta carotene is much more than the precursor for vitamin A.
Only so much beta carotene can be changed into vitamin A, and that which is not changed contributes to boosting the immune system and is also a potent antioxidant.
Antioxidants fight free radicals and help prevent them from causing membrane damage, DNA mutation, and lipid (fat) oxidation, all of which may lead to many of the diseases that we consider "degenerative." Exposure to sunlight, cigarette smoke and air pollution, along with your body's every day cellular activities, cause free radicals to form. It is free radical havoc that scientists believe is pivotal in the development of age related degenerative diseases such as cancer, cataracts, arthritis, heart disease an even asthma. It is highly recommended that vitamin A be consumed from the diet rather than from supplements (particularly in the case of beta carotene), because vitamin A obtained from a varied diet offers the maximal potential of health benefits that supplements cannot. The richest sources of preformed vitamin A are liver, fish liver oils, milk, milk products, butter, and eggs. Liver is an especially rich source because vitamin A is primarily stored in the liver of animals and humans.
Vitamin A is also found in a variety of dark green and deep orange fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, butternut squash, turnip greens, bok choy, mustard greens, and romaine lettuce. Beta carotene is the most active carotenoid (the red, orange, and yellow pigments) form of vitamin A, but it is inefficiently absorbed and converted to retinol in comparison to vitamin A from animal sources. As you can see Vitamin A intake is essential to human health.

Alpha carotene. Beta carotene is not the only carotenoid. Often overlooked, and also found in carrots, is alpha carotene. According to an article in NCI Cancer Weekly (Nov. 13, 1989), Michiaki Murakoshi, who leads a team of biochemists at Japan's Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, contends that alpha carotene may be more powerful than beta carotene in inhibiting processes that may lead to tumor growth. Murakoshi indicates that neuroblastoma (cancer) cells coated with carotenoids experience a drop in N-myc activity compared to untreated cells. N-myc is a gene that codes for cell growth-stimulating proteins and can contribute to cancer formation and growth. Alpha carotene was found to be about ten times more inhibitory toward N-myc activity than beta carotene. Murakoshi concludes that all types of carotenoids should be studied for possible health benefits.

Phytochemicals which are found in vegetables, fruits, and nuts, may reduce the risk of cancer, strokes, hinder the ageing process, balance hormonal metabolism, and have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
A phytochemical is a natural bioactive compound found in plant foods that works with nutrients and dietary fibre to protect against disease. Research suggests that phytochemicals, working together with nutrients found in fruits, vegetables and nuts, may help slow the ageing process and reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cataracts, osteoporosis, and urinary tract infections. They can have complementary and overlapping mechanisms of action in the body, including antioxidant effects, modulation of detoxification enzymes, stimulation of the immune system, modulation of hormone metabolism, and antibacterial and antiviral effect.

From those 3 elements, carrots benefit our bodies by:

Boosting immunity (especially among older people).
Reducing photosensitivity (beta-carotene protects the skin from sun damage).
Improving symptoms of HIV.
Easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Helping to heal minor wounds and injuries.
Reducing the risk of heart disease.
Reducing the risk of high blood pressure.
Cleansing the liver, and when consumed regularly, can help the liver excrete fats and bile.
Fighting bronchitis.
Fighting infection (vitamin A keeps cell membranes healthy, making them stronger against disease-causing microorganisms)
Improving muscle, flesh, and skin health.
Helping fight aneamia.
Reducing acne.
Improving eye health.

The Miracle of Carrot

2008-04-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

Carrots are nutritional heroes, they store a goldmine of nutrients. No other vegetable or fruit contains as much carotene as carrots, which the body converts to vitamin A. This is a truly versatile vegetable and an excellent source of vitamins B and C as well as calcium pectate, an extraordinary pectin fibre that has been found to have cholesterol-lowering properties.
The carrot is an herbaceous plant containing about 87% water, rich in mineral salts and vitamins (B,C,D,E).
Raw carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium; they contain vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamine, folic acid, and magnesium.
Cooked carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, a good source of potassium, and contain vitamin B6, copper, folic acid, and magnesium. The high level of beta-carotene is very important and gives carrots their distinctive orange colour.

Carrots also contain, in smaller amounts, essential oils, carbohydrates and nitrogenous composites. They are well-known for their sweetening, antianaemic, healing, diuretic, remineralizing and sedative properties.
In order to assimilate the greatest quantity of the nutrients present in carrots, it is important to chew them well - they are the exception to the rule - they are more nutritious cooked than raw.

Nutrition is the cornerstone of good health. As we go through life, there are so many illnesses that could have been prevented with better nutrition. This has been proven beyond any shadow of doubt over the past few years.
Research has proven that getting the proper level of antioxidants into our bloodstream will reduce the risk of cancer. Consumption of carrots increases the level of key antioxidants in the bloodstream.

Vitamin supplements are not normally necessary if you have a balanced diet. Eat whole food and feel good knowing that you've got nutrition from nature's gifts going through your body every day. Good health never came out of a bottle or capsule.

The power and goodness of carrots - Carrots have many important vitamins and minerals. They are rich in antioxidants Beta Carotene, Alpha Carotene, Phytochemicals and Glutathione, Calcium and Potassium, and vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E, which are also considered antioxidants, protecting as well as nourishing the skin. They contain a form of calcium easily absorbed by the body. Finally they also contain Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous.and Sulphur - better than a wonder drug!!

Health and Lifestyle Tips II

2008-04-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

The first important point to make is that these tips are not substitutes for proper medical advice and should in no way take the place of consulting your GP or doctor if you are worried in any way about your general health. If you are in good general health then they might well prove thought provoking and helpful.

Live a little bit for today and a little bit for tomorrow. Sometimes people put themselves under tremendous pressure worrying too much about what tomorrow might bring.

Enjoy today and take what comes simply from being. Good health cannot be derived solely from a gym workout, it's equally important to be emotionally fit and balanced.

Try to take some exercise everyday. It's not always possible to get to the gym three times a week, although it is possible for most people to take a brisk 10 minute walk. Why not park the car five minutes away from where you work? You would barely notice the difference. Why pay a premium parking fee to park right by the shopping mall when parking five minutes away would not only give you the exercise opportunity but also save you money?

Smoking really is bad for your health, and even more so if you have a history of breathing problems or asthmatic tendencies. If you have tried in the past to give up and find yourself feeling worse for failing, you might want to consider hypnotherapy, which is gaining increasing recognition as being a very effective way to stop the habit.

Time management is not just about filling every waking hour with tasks. The balanced time planner knows the wisdom of planning a bit of time for doing absolutely nothing. The message here is to plan a bit of time for you.

The word "lifestyle" is all too often interpreted as the ability to own aspirational brands and products or being able to afford lavish skiing trips or fashionable leisure pursuits. The word we would ask you not to forget is "life". You only get one, so you should think about how you want to spend it. Thousands of people spend the whole year doing something they hate simply to be able to afford a week or so doing something they love. We suggest this may be the wrong ratio.

Drink plenty of water. It is believed that in cooler climates up to 90% of the population are dehydrated at some level. This is because for most of the year in these climates people don't feel thirsty and consequently they can go for most of the day without taking water in. Add to this the fact that many people drink coffee, tea and alcohol, which actually accelerate the dehydration process. Aim to drink up to two litres of pure water each day. Drink it gradually; if you gulp it down in one session, most of it will pass through you unutilised.

Diet is very important. If you are unsure about what is the right balance of food intake, buy a good book on nutrition, but as a general rule, consider the following.

The following foods are generally regarded as important to be eaten regularly and should form the basis of your diet: vegetables, fruit, salad leaves, cereals, nuts, bran, wholemeal bread, lentils, pulses, fresh water and pure fruit juice.

The following foods should be carefully evaluated in terms of how frequently and how much of them you eat but as a general rule should be consumed in moderation, and for some people not at all: red meat, bacon, sausages, most fats and butter, sugar, cakes, tea, coffee and alcohol.

How to Avoid Secondhand Smoke

2008-04-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

Limiting exposure to secondhand smoke takes planning. Here are some ways you can reduce or eliminate secondhand smoke in your life.

Don't allow smoking in your home.

If family members or guests want to smoke, ask them to step outside. Don't rely on an air conditioner or an open window to clear the air. Running the air conditioner may remove the visible smoke, but it doesn't remove the dangerous particles from circulation. An open window doesn't provide adequate ventilation, either.

Insist that smoking restrictions be enforced in your workplace.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified secondhand smoke as a Group A carcinogen, which means it's known to cause cancer in humans. The only way to fully protect nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke is to prevent all smoking in the building. Even powerful ventilation fans don't effectively remove secondhand smoke from the work environment.

Choose smoke-free care facilities.

If you take your children to a child care provider, choose one with a no-smoking policy. The same goes for aging relatives. If they live in a long term care facility, make sure it's smoke-free.

Don't allow smoking in your vehicle.

If someone must smoke on the road, stop at a rest stop for a smoke break outside the car.

Patronize businesses with no-smoking policies and tell the management that you appreciate the healthy air. Many restaurants and other establishments are entirely smoke-free.

When you absolutely must share a room with people who are smoking, sit as far away from them as possible.

If your spouse or partner smokes, have him or her refrain from smoking indoors, just as you would with houseguests. Encourage your partner to quit smoking.

Health Threats to Children From Secondhand Smoke

2008-04-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

Secondhand smoke has a marked effect on the health of infants and children. They're more vulnerable than adults are because they're still developing physically and generally have higher breathing rates, which means they may inhale greater quantities of secondhand smoke than adults do.

For children who live in households where someone smokes, the effects are worst during the child's first five years, since the child may spend the bulk of that time with a smoking parent or guardian. Ironically, infants are at the highest risk of secondhand smoke from their own mothers. A child who spends just one hour in a very smoky room is inhaling as many dangerous chemicals as if he or she smoked 10 or more cigarettes. And even when parents don't smoke at home or in the car, there can still be negative effects when children are exposed to the tobacco smoke pollution released from the clothing and hair of smoking parents.

Here's a look at some of the main health problems in infants and children associated with secondhand smoke.

Growth and development
Women who are exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy are at higher risk of having babies of slightly lower birth weight. This can cause a host of health problems for the baby, such as cerebral palsy or learning disabilities. Women who actively smoke during pregnancy expose their developing baby to passive smoke — the chemicals may pass through the placenta — and put the baby at risk of lower birth weight.

An infant who was exposed to secondhand smoke as a developing fetus may be at increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Post-birth exposure to secondhand smoke from the mother, father or others in the household also increases the risk of SIDS.

Asthma and other respiratory problems
Secondhand smoke may cause asthma in children. In children who already have asthma, secondhand smoke can make episodes more frequent and more severe.

Secondhand smoke is also tied to infections of the lower respiratory tract, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, especially in those younger than 6. It's also associated with irritation of the upper respiratory tract and a small reduction in lung function.

Middle ear conditions
Children living in households with smokers are more likely to develop middle ear infections (otitis media).

AVOIDING ALLERGIES

2008-04-13T22:21:00.000-07:00

1. Spotting hidden food allergens-know their hiding places

One type of allergic response, anaphylaxis, is a sudden and sometimes deadly drop in blood pressure that can potentially stop the heart or close air passages, causing death by suffocation. Avoiding foods that you know you're allergic to is the first step to preventing a serious allergic reaction. The most common food allergens are milk, egg, peanut, wheat, soy, shellfish, fish and tree nuts. But, beware of the hidden sources of your food allergens: unlabeled ingredients in processed food; milk toppings on specialty or bar drinks that can contain eggs; deli slicers used for both meat and cheese products; ethnic dishes that use peanuts and peanut oil can contaminate dishes prepared without nuts.

2. Mold allergies-some tips for coping

Damp, shady or dark areas of the home and garden harbor molds-a common allergen for many people. Take these steps to "air out" mold and avoid those damp and musty places if you can: Use a dehumidifier to dry out damp basements; open a window or use a fan after a steamy bath or shower to allow the humidity to escape. Don't store clothes or other frequently used possessions in damp basements. Avoid moist, shady areas outdoors, garden compost piles and greenhouses.

3. Asthma and allergies can go hand-in-hand

According to the American Academy of Allergies, Asthma and Immunology, as many as 78 percent of individuals with allergies also have asthma, a condition in which the airways of the lungs narrow, resulting in wheezing and problems breathing. Twenty percent of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. Experts say that allergies should not be treated as a trivial problem. Untreated, allergies can lead to the development of chronic sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) and asthma. Once diagnosed, a combination of medications may be recommended to relieve seasonal allergies. These medications include antihistamines, topical nasal corticosteroids, cromolyn sodium nasal spray, decongestants and immunotherapy. See your health care professional to assess your symptoms, if you think you might suffer from seasonal allergies, or if the steps you take to relieve your symptoms aren't working.

4. Love your pet, but can't stop sneezing?

All pets can cause allergies-except, perhaps, a fish. Pet dander, skin flakes, saliva and urine can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to these allergens. Another big source of discomfort for pet owners with allergies is the pollen, mold spores and other outdoor allergens brought inside on your animal's fur. If you can't bear to give up your fur-bearing friend, try these strategies to minimize your allergies:

keep your pet out of your bedroom, where you spend the most time

wash your hands after handling your pet to avoid spreading the dander

have someone else bathe your pet weekly and brush it outdoors several times a week

have someone else clean the litter box and store it away from forced air heating and/or central air conditioning vents.

5. Asthma and pregnancy-hormonal shifts may improve asthma or make it worse

It's probably no surprise to women with asthma to hear that hormonal shifts affect their asthma symptoms. Up to 40 percent of women with asthma find that their symptoms worsen just before and during menstruation, then improve once their periods end. Asthma may get worse during pregnancy-a time when hormones fluctuate greatly-but asthma symptoms may also improve or stay the same when you're pregnant. Most asthma medications can be continued during pregnancy, under the supervision of your health care professional. If you nurse, it's best to nurse your baby before taking your medicine and then don't nurse again for several hours, since nearly all asthma and allergy medication enters breast milk, though infants are exposed only to minute amounts.

HAVE BRILLIANT CHILD IS NOT DREAM

2008-04-08T20:38:00.000-07:00

Almost all parents wishing get smart child. More than anything else if the intelligence of their son is above average. For have brilliant child, the parents must have strive various means. So, how the way of getting real brilliant child?

A child can become brilliant if the parents able to recognize talent of their child. This ability or talent can be developed to be more uppermost child. With knowing child ability, the parents will not difficulty to develop and improve their child.

Brilliant child characteristic cannot to be seen early on. However, in brilliant child self there are talented child figure. In general, a child told brilliant if he can maximize entire of his potency. He can more either compared child like his age.

For get brilliant child, there are many factors which must be paid attention. The first factor is nutritious food. This matter must be attention since pregnancy period. Protein consumption of pregnant mother have to enough because in this period happened forming of brain.

The second factor is stimulus and environment. For example, the child who coming from family which like singing. Since in mother womb, musical intelligence from child have been stimulated. After experiencing of growth, smart baby musically mentioned will expanding with the goodness count ability. Absolutely that ability have to be more stimulated for better result.

Health and Lifestyle Tips

2008-04-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

Human beings are very often products of our environments. Whatever habits we are surrounded with are what we usually pick up as a kid. Our parents set the standard for us as kids at an early age when it comes to our nutritional habits. If people had more knowledge about nutrition and how to lead a healthy lifestyle we wouldn't have the problem we have today with obesity starting already at the age of 5 in our society. Knowledge is power and to have the power to make the right choices based upon your knowledge is what makes the difference in people's life. To make healthy conscious choices makes you feel very powerful and strong. You are in charge of your own healthy and your own lifestyle. Nobody likes to be the victim of his or her own environment.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips: Educate Your Family.Educate yourself and your family. Learn how to cook healthy meals for your children and your family. The more knowledge you have as an adult, the more you can pass on to your children and give them a healthy start in life.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips: Build a Support Group.If you are starting a strict diet, try to get the support from your family and friends. The more informed people around you are the more you can count on them to support you in your pursue of a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips: Avoid Temptation.Clean out the cupboards in your kitchen and through out everything that you shouldn't eat. Create a new healthy kitchen for you and your family. Do not buy anything in the grocery store that is not on your diet. If you bring it home, you will end up eating it at a weak moment. The rule is very simple: If you shouldn't eat it, don't buy it!

Healthy Lifestyle Tips: Top Up On Tap.Bring a bottle of water with you everywhere you go whether it's shopping, driving in your car, going to a meeting or just to work. Don't let that water bottle leave your side all day. Keep drinking your water throughout the day.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips: Beat The Pavement.Take a walk around the block at night before you go to bed to clear your mind and to get some fresh air before you go to sleep. If you work in the city, take a 20 minutes walk at your lunch. It will relieve some stress and get your metabolism going. If you have the possibility to take a power nap nothing will recharge your batteries better then a 20-30 minutes catnap.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips: New Role Models.If you are trying to change old habits and create new healthy ones it can sometimes be hard to do it all alone. Try to find other people that are going through the same experience and share your thoughts with them. Join a community group or participate in an online health and fitness message board.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips: New Activities.Pick up a new activity involving the whole family such as hiking, group exercise and outdoor activities in the park on the weekends. There is a lot offered if you just look around you a little.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips: Change Your Mind.Put little notes of motivational thoughts and other supporting words in your home in places where you will walk by them constantly. Changing your lifestyle takes discipline, energy, determination, motivation and will power but it can be done and the sooner you start to take that first step towards a healthier you the sooner you get to reap the rewards.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips: Get Personal.Join the nearest fitness center and book yourself a couple of sessions with a personal trainer. You will not only push yourself to go if you have an appointment with somebody but you will also learn so much more from a fitness professional then just how to use the exercise equipment. A personal trainer can answer a lot of your health related questions and help you put a weekly lifestyle schedule together that would work for you. Starting out with a personal trainer also help you get to know more people at the fitness center that are trying to do the same thing as you are.

Health Threats to Adults From Secondhand Smoke

2008-04-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

Health experts have recognized the relationship between secondhand smoke and health risks for decades. Research exploring these connections continues.
Some of the known or suspected health risks include:
Cancer

Secondhand smoke is a known risk factor for lung cancer. Experts believe that secondhand smoke is to blame for about 3,400 deaths from lung cancer in adult nonsmokers each year in the United States. Secondhand smoke is also linked to cancer of the nasal sinuses.
Heart Disease

Secondhand smoke harms the cardiovascular system of nonsmokers in many ways. For one thing, it causes heart disease, such as a heart attack. It also damages blood vessels, interferes with circulation and increases the risk of blood clots. It's estimated that some 35,000 nonsmokers die of secondhand smoke-related heart disease in the United States every year.
Lung Disease

Chronic lung ailments, such as bronchitis and asthma, have been associated with secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke is also associated with chest tightness at night and feelings of breathlessness after physical activity.

Secondhand smoke: Avoid dangers in the air you breathe

2008-04-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

Breathing the toxins in secondhand smoke can literally make you sick. Find out how to avoid secondhand smoke, which can cause cancer, asthma and more.

You don't smoke because you understand the dangers. But what about that thick cloud of secondhand smoke at your favorite restaurant? Or the smoky haze left behind by guests after an evening of partying? What about the effect of secondhand smoke on your children when smoking relatives come to visit?
These instances of secondhand smoke present health hazards comparable to smoking. High in toxic chemicals, secondhand smoke plays a role in causing or contributing to a number of health problems, from cardiovascular disease to cancer. The Surgeon General reported in 2006 that scientific evidence shows there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
But secondhand smoke is often avoidable. Take steps to protect yourself and those you care about from secondhand smoke.
Toxins in secondhand smoke
What exactly is secondhand smoke? It's two different forms of smoke from cigarettes, pipes or cigars:
- Sidestream smoke comes directly from the burning tobacco product.
- Mainstream smoke is smoke that the smoker exhales.
Secondhand smoke is also known as environmental tobacco smoke, passive smoking, involuntary smoking and perhaps a more descriptive term, tobacco smoke pollution.
Regardless of what you call it, both types of secondhand smoke contain harmful chemicals — and a lot of them. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, more than 250 of which are toxic. And more than 50 of the chemicals in cigarette smoke are known or suspected to cause cancer. Included in secondhand smoke are:
- Formaldehyde
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Benzene
- Polonium
Here are a few more chemicals in secondhand smoke that might sound familiar, along with their effects on health:
- Ammonia — irritates your lungs
- Carbon monoxide — reduces oxygen in your blood
- Methanol — toxic when inhaled or swallowed
- Hydrogen cyanide — a potent poison that interferes with respiratory function
The dangerous particles in secondhand smoke can linger in the air for hours. Breathing them even for a short time — as little as 20 or 30 minutes — can harm you in a variety of ways. And breathing in secondhand smoke over years can be all the more dangerous.

10 Things To Avoid When You Quit Smoking (extension)

2008-04-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

4. Don't neglect yourself.

This is a time when you should be taking extra care to make sure all of your needs are getting met. Following these simple guidelines will help you weather withdrawal more comfortably: • Eat a well-balanced diet. Your body needs good quality fuel now more than ever as it works to flush the toxins out of your system. • Get more rest. You will need it, and chances are you'll feel extra fatigue for a few weeks. Don't fight it. Sleep more if you can. • Drink water. Water is a great quit aid. It helps you detox more quickly, works well as a craving-buster, and by keeping yourself hydrated, you'll feel better overall. Drink as much of the stuff as you can manage. • Exercise daily. Walking is a wonderful way to get your exercise if you don't already have a favorite physical activity. It's a good, low impact aerobic workout, and it works well to keep cravings in check. Take a few 15 minute walks every day and see if it improves your spirits. • Take a daily multi-vitamin. Giving your body an extra boost this way isn't a bad idea for the duration of the withdrawal process. Cigarettes deplete so many nutrients. It may help you regain your energy more quickly.

5. Don't drink.

Withdrawal isn't a pain-free experience, but it is survivable, and it is certainly short-lived. Always keep in mind the fact that withdrawal from nicotine is a temporary condition.Alcohol and tobacco go hand-in-hand...

I probably don't need to tell you that alcohol and tobacco go hand-in-hand. New quitters are tender. Putting yourself into a social setting where there is drinking too soon after quitting can be dangerous. Don't rush it. The time will come when you can have a drink without it triggering the urge to smoke, but don't expect that to be within the first month, or perhaps even the first few months. We're all a little different in how we go through recovery, so defining a specific time frame isn't realistic. Just be aware of your own situation. If you have an engagement coming up that involves drinking and you feel nervous about that, it may be best to postpone until you're feeling stronger. If that's not an option, have a plan in place for how you'll manage the event smoke free. Will you be able to excuse yourself to step our for some fresh air? Can you request that people don't smoke around you? However you decide to handle a situation, don't be shy about it. This is your life we're talking about here, and quitting tobacco has to be a top priority for awhile. Whatever you need to do to maintain your quit, you should do. Period! Remember, life won't always be this way - it will return to normal eventually.

10 Things To Avoid When You Quit Smoking

2008-03-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

The Proper Care and Feeding of a Healthy Quit ProgramWe all want this quit to be the quit. We're looking for permanent freedom from nicotine addiction. This article takes a look at some of the things you should avoid when quitting tobacco. Build a strong quit program by educating yourself about the process!
1. Don't be impatient.

The natural tendency is to quit smoking and expect to be done with it within a month. Cessation just doesn't work like that. When you quit smoking, you are letting go of a habit that you've had for many years, if not all of your adult life. It's only fair to expect that breaking all of the old associations down will take some time. Sit back, relax, and put some time between you and that last smoke. Have patience with yourself, and with the process.
2. Don't worry about forever.

It can be overwhelming to think you'll never smoke another cigarette. Don't do that to yourself. Train your mind to stay in the here and now of today. This is where your power is, and always will be. You can't do a thing about yesterday or tomorrow, but you sure can control today. If you find your mind wandering in either direction, pull it back. Pay attention to your thoughts, and do your best to stay focused on the day you have in front of you.
3. Don't be negative.

It's been said that the average person has approximately 66,000 thoughts in a given day, and two-thirds of them are negative. We can be so hard on ourselves! Don't beat yourself up for things you can't change, such as the years you spent smoking. Don't look at past quit attempts as failures. Learn from the experiences you've had and move on. Think about all of the positive changes you're creating in your life. Successful long-term cessation always starts in the mind. Focus on your purpose and develop an attitude of gratitude. We have a way of believing what we tell ourselves over and over. Don't feed yourself negatives. Affirm the changes you are working to create in your life, and action will follow more easily.
Source From Terry Martin quitsmoking.about.com
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QUITTING IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO COMBAT ILL EFFECTS OF SMOKING

2008-03-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

Heavy cigarette smokers who cut back their smoking - rather than quitting - might not see any health benefits, according to researchers.

A team from the US Mayo Clinic studied 23 volunteers who smoked more than 40 cigarettes a day. Over the course of nine weeks, they tried to gradually cut back to 10 cigarettes a day. At the end of 12 weeks, researchers tested the volunteers for signs of harm from cigarettes.

Lead researcher Dr Richard Hurt said: "Many people - smokers and medical professionals alike - assume that if smokers can simply cut back, there will be some health benefits. "Our results didn't show that." The volunteers found it difficult to achieve the targets they had been set for reducing their cigarette consumption.

On average, they were only able to cut their smoking rate in half by the 12th week – well short of the target of 10 cigarettes a day. Only two participants were able to cut back to 10 cigarettes a day, and after 24 weeks they had increased their daily smoking rate.

Dr Hurt said: "The study found that cutting back on cigarettes isn't easy, even with help, and the health benefits are unclear." For smokers motivated to improve their health, research shows that abstinence is the best approach. Heavy smokers who use nicotine replacement therapy and receive counseling and support can stop smoking. When smokers stop, there are measurable and almost immediate health benefits.

TIPS FOR GETTING HEALTHY SKIN

2008-03-25T19:31:00.000-07:00

Owning health and beautiful skin is hungering everyone and surely for women. Nevertheless, many people still don’t know the best natural way for get it. They even using many chemical substance which exactly destroy their skin. Following some natural ways getting healthy skin with natural and cheap way.

1. Doing Relaksasi
Relaksasi method like sleep and regular exercise is easy way to get healthy and smoothly skin. Research have proved that a person who have routine exercise and regularly sleep will look ageless compared a person who don’t it. Physical exercise can relieve stress and loosening muscles. Physical exercise like aerobik or swim twice a week during thirty minute until one hour can launch blood stream causing stream of nutrition and oxygen becoming good and quickly. This is can make cell regeneration.
2. Avoid Lateness Sleep
Fond of lateness sleep making a person losing time to get healthy skin. We need sleep regularly because at the moment happened commutation of cell. Damage skin cell will change constructively melatonin hormone.
3. Choose Healthy Food
Very suggested to avoid sweet food, alcohol, and caffeine. This food type can make our blood sugar become very high. Our skin will accommodate this sugar excess . The result is incidence skin blot caused by bacteria activity which eating sugar. Therefore, choose food with low calorie level. This food such as spinach, chickpea, soybean, brown rice, pineapple, grape, apple, plum fruit, and orange.
4. Drink Natural Supplement for Skin
Natural suplemen like vitamin E very useful for skin because content of antioksidan which protecting skin from free radical. Vitamin E can be obtained from vegetable, fruit, and also natural drug supplement.
5. Using Moisturizing Cream
Using body lotion which have content natural moisturizer. Moisturizer can make your skin always awake dampness and not easy to peel off .

HEALTH TIPS FOR YOUR CHOLESTEROL

2008-03-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

1. Cholesterol-lowering cooking tips
The definition of "low fat" just got more specific. Medical guidelines suggest that in order to keep your cholesterol in check, you should reduce the amount of saturated fat you eat. Saturated fat is found in animal products, including meat and whole-milk dairy foods. To cut back on saturated fats, try these cooking tips—they're a healthier way for the whole family to eat:
o Rely on spices and other seasonings instead of fat for flavor
o Substitute two egg whites for each whole egg in recipes
o Select poultry, fish and lean cuts of meat
o Remove the skin from chicken and trim the fat from meat
o Use low-fat cooking methods like poaching, baking and broiling instead of frying
o Substitute bouillon for oil when sautéing or stir-frying
o Use low-fat or non-fat yogurt, sour cream and cream cheese instead of the high-fat varieties.

2. Eat Your Oatmeal
Research indicates that eating two servings of oats each day lowers cholesterol levels and reduces heart disease risk. A Northwestern University study that evaluated 127 postmenopausal women with moderate cholesterol levels to see the affect oat fiber had on lowering total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol levels. Women in the study were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments for six weeks: oats and milk, oats and soy, wheat and milk, and wheat and soy. Results showed that those who consumed oats had lower total and LDL cholesterol levels than the women who consumed wheat.

3. Get Serious About Exercising
Do you keep putting off exercising? You shouldn't. Not only can regular physical activity such as walking make you look and feel better, it may lower your LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels, raise HDL or "good" cholesterol levels, help you trim down if you're overweight, lower your blood pressure and make your heart and lungs more fit. Before starting any activity program, talk with your health care professional to make sure it's safe for you.

4. Trans Fatty Acids: What You Need to Know
Like saturated fat, trans fatty acids (TFA) can raise cholesterol. TFA is present in small amounts in various animal products such as beef, pork, lamb and the butterfat present in butter and milk. To avoid them, use canola or olive oil when possible. Stay away from French fries, fast food, doughnuts and cookies—all high in TFA. Don't even think about eating fast foods and commercial baked goods. Not only are these foods very high in fat, but that fat is also likely to be very hydrogenated, with loads of TFA.

5. Try a Cholesterol-lowering Spread

Two margarine-like spreads approved as foods by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can reduce cholesterol levels. Benecol contains hydrogenated sterols derived from pine tree wood pulp, while Take Control contains naturally occurring unsaturated sterols from soybean oil. Studies find that plant sterols effectively lower cholesterol even in patients already on statin medications. You should use two to three grams a day.

6. Monitoring Your Cholesterol at Home
A word of caution concerning the new home cholesterol tests now available at local pharmacies and through the Internet: home cholesterol tests such as the CholesTrak, Home Access Instant Cholesterol Test, and First Check Home Cholesterol Test are indeed faster than visiting your health care provider, but may not be very useful. The kits, which require the user to draw blood from a prick of the skin, measure only total cholesterol (not HDL, LDL and triglycerides individually)—interesting information that doesn't provide accurate information about your cardiovascular risk or much about the impact of diet or exercise on your cholesterol.
Two other home test kits, Cardio Check and Lifestream Personal Cholesterol Monitor can tell you your total cholesterol, HDL, and triglyceride levels (not LDL), but requires three separate jabs with a sharp lancet and costs more than $100.

HEALTH TIPS FOR WEB DESIGNER

2008-03-18T19:40:00.001-07:00

It is silly to complain about a Web Designer’s job. You sit in your favorite chair with a laptop in your lap or in the office behind your custom made table. However, when you lack inspiration - you’re in trouble. Specially if the deadline is tomorrow morning. That is the time your mind and body overheat. In every possible way.

I have some weird mind flow with deadlines. Even though I have weeks to complete a design, in 90% of cases I work through Sunday night, completely stressed and freaked out with a bunch of cold energy drinks. Don’t even want to talk about how I look next morning.

Here are some health tips based on my experience.

Health tips :

Don’t rely on deadlines. Start soon. If you expect you’ll need 2 hours to complete the project and have a clear vision of what you need to do – do it right away. In most cases, it will take you at least 1 day to polish your creation. If you have 2 weeks, leave the second week for small adjustments. Don’t wait last day to start!
Don’t smoke next to your computer. Well, don’t smoke at all! I do, and I’ll start a new blog once I try to quit. If you smoke, don’t smoke next to your PC. When I did that, I stopped counting packs. To be honest, new tip is just born. Don’t smoke while you write your blog entry. Just don’t.
Change your everyday routine. Go to places you’ve never been before. I read some study regarding F5 neuron syndrome (refresh for non geeks). Anyway, when you are stuck in your every day routine, you refresh only part of your brain which leads you to a sort of depression and inspiration deadlock. So, change your behavior. If you have your 9-5 work, you have 16 hours a day for trips, nature, off topic books, movies, friends, your loved ones… Combine these the way you like.
Follow common trends. You don’t need to invent your design. The worst nightmare for Web Designer is to look at empty white sheet for 30 minutes. This is a best way to get stuck. Browse through some successful websites and see what they do. Compare your projects with them and see what is working best. Start from there and everything will go smoother. Even though I don’t visit microsoft.com often, now I do since they did a great job with their new website.
Try to find some personal space. When you work in your office, you are usually disturbed by your colleagues and pulled out of your creative flow. If you are a nervous guy (some say I am, damn it), buy some studio headphones as your #1 office sanctuary. Fill your PC, iPod, iPhone (bless it), or Zune (God forbid) with a music you find inspiring. Off-site solution is working in your home studio (usually part of your room) or wherever it is where you find your peace.
Always absorb a glass of water. This way can help you to stay fresh during your work. Too much and too long work can make weak and stress because liquid and ion in your body pass away. Therefore, you need absorb much water for change it.

YOUR INSPIRATION TO STOP SMOKING

2008-03-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Studies have shown that cigarettes worldwide kill more than 3,000,000 individuals each year. Cigarettes are responsible for more deaths than murders, car accidents, suicides, AIDS, alcohol and illegal drugs combined. Studies show that smokers have a 50% chance of dying from complications associated with their smoking. Many of these individuals die before they reach their seventies.

There are more studies that shown negative effect of smoking cigarettes. Cigarettes contain about 4000 chemical substance and 200 among it, is danger for your body. Smoking contains poisonous materials, such as nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, arsenic, benzopyrene, etc., that the smoker swallows in small proportions. Their harm accumulates with time to result in a gradual killing of the human organs and tissues.

In here, we aren’t explaining about more disease which occur from smoking habit, but we are explain how to stop it.

Once you're ready to quit, the next question is how to stop smoking. It's not easy, but there are some tips that can help. Giving up smoking is hard. Most people take many tries before they make it. And, that's fine. Trying to quit means you have a chance of getting there! And, if you're a smoker, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. "How to stop smoking" has a different answer for everyone. But preparing to quit, and then following your plan, can really help.

Pick a Date to Quit

Some people like to choose a special day, like a birthday or anniversary. But, attending a family gathering on your first day without cigarettes might be too much to face! It doesn't matter what day you pick. Just pick one. Don't put it off too long. Make it within the next four weeks.

Throw Away Your Cigarettes

That's right. Dump 'em. Get rid of ashtrays, too. Clean your home, if you can. Vacuum carpets and wash curtains to get rid of the smoke smell. If you smoke in the car, get it detailed. They'll wash down the inside, clean the carpeting and floor mats, and clear out the ashtray. You don't want anything reminding you of smoking.

Get Support

Has a loved one been asking you to quit? Let them know you're ready! Tell close friends, family, or anyone you're sure will be supportive. Warn them that it's going to be tough. You'll probably be grouchy and stressed out at first, as you go through physical withdrawal and overcome the psychological need for your cigarettes.

Identify Your Triggers

Maybe you take a smoke break every morning or light up as soon as you get into your car after work. Maybe you reach for the cigarettes as soon as dinner is over. And, there are probably activities that you identify with smoking. For a lot of people, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes go together. Make a list of your triggers. Now, get ready to avoid them.

Change Your Routine

For most people, avoiding their smoking triggers means making a change in their daily routine. If you always smoke right after dinner, get up from the table and go wash the dishes instead. If you smoke in the car on the way home from work, drive home a different way. Avoid alcohol for a while if it's a trigger. And if friends smoke, ask them—nicely!—if they can avoid smoking around you. If they're not supportive, you may need to spend a little less time with them until you're confident about being done with cigarettes.

Find Something Else to Do

You're used to having a cigarette in your hand. You feel funny without it. So find something to take its place. Some people like sugar free candies. Unwrapping them will give your hands something to do, and they'll keep your mouth occupied. Sugarless gum works the same way. Celery or other lo-calorie veggies are another option. When a craving hits, try going for a short walk, talking to a supportive friend, or reading a brief magazine article. If you're at your desk, reach for a pencil or pen instead of a cigarette. Often, if you can fight a craving for 10 or 15 minutes, it will subside. Do be careful about using food to soothe the cravings. It's common to gain weight when trying to quit, but you don't need to.

YOUR EXTRA HELP FOR STOP SMOKING

2008-03-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

Smoking is a strong addiction. If you need some extra help, you're not alone. Here are some of the options if you need a hand:

- Call a Quitline. Many states have free services to help people who are wondering how to stop smoking. You'll be able to talk to an expert who knows where you're coming from.

- Try a nicotine patch, nicotine gum, or nicotine lozenges. These are all available at the drugstore. They help you reduce your nicotine use slowly, so you won't be as grouchy or anxious while you're trying to quit. You choose a patch based on how much you smoked, then gradually switch to lower-dose patches over several weeks until you're done. Or, you have one piece of gum or one lozenge at set intervals throughout the day. Gradually, over several weeks, you stretch out the time between doses. Nicotine products seem expensive until you compare their cost to that of your cigarettes. For the same amount of money, you can buy these "helpers" for a few weeks—and once you've quit, you'll have a good idea how much you're saving.

- Talk to your doctor about bupropion (brand name Zyban or Wellbutrin). Bupropion is an antidepressant that has the useful side effect of decreasing cravings. It's helpful for quitting smoking even if you're not depressed.

- Ask about other drugs. A newer drug called varenicline (brand name Chantix) helps prevent the pleasurable effect of smoking. Other medicines are being studied.

For More Information on How to Stop Smoking

- Check out the Tobacco page at the American Cancer Society.
- Make a Quit Smoking Action Plan with advice from the American Lung association.
- Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit SmokeFree.gov to find your local QuitLine, plus lots of information and advice on how to stop smoking.

Source From http://addiction.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Category:Alcoholism_Resources