Herbs for menopausal comfort
MENOPAUSE is not a disease. It is a phase in every woman’s life that occurs as a result of declining hormonal levels. (more…)

Carbohydrate restriction improves the features of Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome may be defined by the response to carbohydrate restriction
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) represents a constellation of markers that indicates a predisposition to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other pathologic states. The definition and treatment are a matter of current debate and there is not general agreement on a precise definition or, to some extent, whether the designation provides more information than the individual components. We consider here five indicators that are central to most definitions and we provide evidence from the literature that these are precisely the symptoms that respond to reduction in dietary carbohydrate (CHO). Carbohydrate restriction is one of several strategies for reducing body mass but even in the absence of weight loss or in comparison with low fat alternatives, CHO restriction is effective at ameliorating high fasting glucose and insulin, high plasma triglycerides (TAG), low HDL and high blood pressure. In addition, low fat, high CHO diets have long been known to raise TAG, lower HDL and, in the absence of weight loss, may worsen glycemic control. Thus, whereas there are numerous strategies for weight loss, a patient with high BMI and high TAG is likely to benefit most from a regimen that reduces CHO intake. Reviewing the literature, benefits of CHO restriction are seen in normal or overweight individuals, in normal patients who meet the criteria for MetS or in patients with frank diabetics. Moreover, in low fat studies that ameliorate LDL and total cholesterol, controls may do better on the symptoms of MetS. On this basis, we feel that MetS is a meaningful, useful phenomenon and may, in fact, be operationally defined as the set of markers that responds to CHO restriction. Insofar as this is an accurate characterization it is likely the result of the effect of dietary CHO on insulin metabolism. Glucose is the major insulin secretagogue and insulin resistance has been tied to the hyperinsulinemic state or the effect of such a state on lipid metabolism. The conclusion is probably not surprising but has not been explicitly stated before. The known effects of CHO-induced hypertriglyceridemia, the HDL-lowering effect of low fat, high CHO interventions and the obvious improvement in glucose and insulin from CHO restriction should have made this evident. In addition, recent studies suggest that a subset of MetS, the ratio of TAG/HDL, is a good marker for insulin resistance and risk of CVD, and this indicator is reliably reduced by CHO restriction and exacerbated by high CHO intake. Inability to make this connection in the past has probably been due to the fact that individual responses have been studied in isolation as well as to the emphasis of traditional therapeutic approaches on low fat rather than low CHO.
We emphasize that MetS is not a disease but a collection of markers. Individual physicians must decide whether high LDL or other risk factors are more important than the features of MetS in any individual case but if MetS is to be considered it should be recognized that reducing CHO will bring improvement. Response of symptoms to CHO restriction might thus provide a new experimental criterion for MetS in the face of on-going controversy about a useful definition. As a guide to future research, the idea that control of insulin metabolism by CHO intake is, to a first approximation, the underlying mechanism in MetS is a testable hypothesis. (more…)

Is Your Child Vulnerable to Teen Body Images?
As a parent you can’t change the covers of fashion magazines or censor your child’s exposure to society-driven stereotypes, but there are some ways in which you can positively affect your child’s health and wellness. As a household mentor, parents have the ability to mold and shape a child’s perceptions and priorities. By placing a strong importance on health (through fitness and proper nutrition) (more…)

Vitamins For Female Hair Loss Prevention
In today’s image conscious society, physical appearance is more important than ever to a woman’s self-esteem. Imagine the heartache caused when a woman notices her hair thinning? It is estimated that over 25 million women experience thinning hair in the United States. Many are genetically predisposed to the condition. Most wonder if there are any natural remedies to help or prevent their female hair loss.
Several vitamins have been found to be very effective in supporting female hair health. Of course, many factors may contribute to female hair loss but proper nutrition can help prevent further thinning and more loss. (more…)

Are You Trying To Lose Weight? Don't!
Are you trying to lose weight?

If you are, STOP!

Funny thing to say coming from someone that wants to help you lose all the weight you want, right?

Actually, there’s a good reason.

You see, you can’t try to lose weight. Don’t believe me?

OK, let’s use an example. Look around where you are sitting right now and find a small object. Perhaps a pen, envelope or book. Got it?

Now, try to pick it up. Go ahead.

Is it in your hand? If it is, well, then you didn’t try, you actually picked it up. If it’s not in your hand, you didn’t.

Simple, right?

There’s no middle ground in doing. You can’t “try” to do anything, it’s a fallacy. You either do it, or don’t do it.

The same applies to losing weight (or anything else for that matter). Saying that you’ll try gives your mind fuzzy instructions, and it will return fuzzy results, results that aren’t what you really want. It also gives you a “way out” if you don’t achieve the goals you set out to reach.

You see, your subconscious mind doesn’t interpret your directions, it just goes to work following them as complete truth. When you say you’ll “try to lose weight”, it will “try” to follow your instructions, which we now know is impossible.

What in fact you want, (if you really do) is to lose weight. To feel better. To have more energy. To overcome health challenges. To look great.

Now, if you say you want to lose weight and are not successful, or continue to use language that includes words like “try” or “we’ll see” or “maybe”, perhaps you’re wired backwards.

What does that mean? Well, maybe you say that you want to lose weight, but your mind says it doesn’t. Somewhere along the way you gave your mind instructions that it’s too hard, or impossible, to lose the weight you want. Perhaps you’re more comfortable where you are now, but know that it’s the right thing to say that you want to lose weight.

If this is the case, ask yourself what beliefs you hold that are at odds with what you want. For example, “it’s too hard to lose weight”, “it’s impossible to lose weight”, “I can’t lose weight because I’d have to exercise all the time”, “I’ll lose my friends if I lose weight”, “I can’t lose weight because I’ve always failed”.

Ask yourself if in fact they are true. Are they making your life easier, or more difficult? Do these beliefs serve you or harm you?

Then, replace the old beliefs with new ones. Positive, confident statements about how you want to look and feel.

The best way to lose weight is to avoid saying you’ll “try” to lose weight, and say you “will” lose weight. See yourself at your ideal weight. Imagine how great you look and feel. Use positive language and give your mind specific instructions like “I’m now happily at my ideal weight of (number of pounds) weight” or “I now happily choose to wear a size (your ideal size)”.

Watch your language and self talk closely and avoid using “try”. It may take constant attention at the beginning, but after a short time, you’ll get used to keeping your language positive, upbeat and confident.

Your weight loss results will follow immediately, depending on how confident, committed and persistent you are in applying these exercises. The more confident, committed and persistent, the faster your results will appear.

You CAN do it!Mark Idzik reports on natural and alternative health and is an author and health coach helping his clients lose weight and make better health choices. Receive 37 free weight loss tips by visiting his site: http://www.Everyday-Weight-Loss.com (more…)