Saturday, June 28, 2008

Hair Loss Treatment - 5 Essential Hair Loss Vitamins

Most of us know that each part of our body is nourished by vitamins. In fact, we are often dependent on vitamin supplements to maintain our health. This is because our food choices do not always provide our body with all the vitamins and minerals needed in order to keep it strong and healthy.

What about our hair? There is one problem: it is very difficult to provide our hair with vitamins especially if those vitamins are needed elsewhere. Our body will start pulling away the vitamins and minerals from our hair if we are not providing our body with enough nutrients through our food intake. Thus, what we need in order to provide more vitamins for our hair is a balanced diet. We must be aware of the exact vitamins that our hair needs so that we would know what food we need to eat more of. Here is a list of vitamins that will help combat hair loss:

1. Vitamin A (Retinol)
It is an antioxidant that encourages the production of needed sebum in our scalp. The recommended daily dose is 5,000 IU. Vitamin A is found in apricots, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, peaches, eggs, milk, cheese, meat, and fish liver oil. Note that more than 25,000 IU of Vitamin A per day can be toxic. It can cause serious health problems as well as hair loss.

2. Vitamin B Complex
The B vitamins such as Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), and Cobalt (B12) aid in fighting hair loss. Recommended daily doses are 15 mg, 4-7 mg, 1.6 mg, and 2 mg, respectively. Niacin promotes the circulation of blood in the scalp area. It is found in fish, chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and wheat germ. Note that large intake of niacin may have harmful side effects; this is called niacin flush, which is heat sensation brought about by blood cell dilation. Pantothenic acid helps in reducing hair loss and premature graying of the hair. Examples of food that are rich in this vitamin are meat, whole grain cereals, and egg yolks. Pyridoxine aids in the creation of melanin, which gives our hair its color. It also helps prevent hair loss. It is found liver, vegetables, whole grain cereals, and egg yolk. Cobalt also helps prevent hair loss. Cobalt-rich foods are fish, eggs, chicken, and milk.

3. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
It is an antioxidant that maintains the health of our skin and hair. Citrus, kiwi, melons, pineapple, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, and green vegetables are rich in this vitamin C. The recommended daily dose is 500 mg.

4. Vitamin E
Like vitamin B3, this vitamin promotes scalp circulation. Soybeans, dried beans, green leafy vegetables, and raw seeds and nuts are rich in this vitamin. The recommended daily dose is not more than 400 IU. Note that this vitamin can heighten blood pressure and decrease blood clotting. Thus, those who are on high blood pressure medication or on anticoagulants should not take vitamin E supplements without consulting their doctor.

5. Vitamin H (Biotin)
This actually belongs to the vitamin B complex group. It is considered as one of the most important hair loss vitamins. Inadequate supply of vitamin H may cause hair thinning and loss. Vitamin H aids in the metabolism of fats, which are essential in hair growth. It also aids in keratin production and helps prevent premature graying. Examples of vitamin H-rich foods are milk, eggs, liver, kidney, and yeast. The recommended daily dose is 300 mcg. It should be taken side-by-side with other B vitamins so that it would be more efficiently absorbed in the body.

Related topics: Women Hair Loss and 5 Herbal Hair Loss Treatments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wong_Darren

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Natural Remedies For High Blood Pressure-Hypertension

High Blood pressure usually causes no symptoms until complications develop, this is why it is known as the "silent killer." Warning signs associated with advanced hypertension may include:

* Headaches

* Sweating

* Rapid pulse

* Shortness of breath

* Dizziness

* Visual disturbances

Blood pressure is usually divided into two categories, designated primary and secondary.

Primary hypertension is high blood pressure that is not due to another underlying disease. The precise cause is unknown, but a number of definite risk factors have been identified. These include:

* Cigarette smoking

* Stress

* Obesity

* Excessive use of stimulants such as coffee or tea

* Drug abuse

* High sodium intake

* Use of oral contraceptives

* Family history

Because too much water retention can exert pressure on the blood vessels, those who consume foods high in sodium may be at a greater risk for high blood pressure.

When persistently elevated blood pressure arises as a result of another underlying health problem, such as a hormonal abnormality or an inherited narrowing of the aorta, it is called secondary hypertension. A person may also have secondary hypertension because the blood vessels are chronically constricted or have lost elasticity from a buildup of fatty plaque on the inside walls of the vessel, a condition known as atherosclerosis. The narrowing and or hardening of the arteries makes circulation of blood through the vessels difficult. The result is high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension can also be caused by poor kidney function, which results in the retention of excess sodium and fluid in the body. This increase in blood volume within the vessels causes elevated blood pressure levels.

When the heart pumps the blood through the arteries, the blood presses against the walls of the blood vessels. In people who suffer from hypertension, this pressure is abnormally high.

Whether blood pressure is high, low, or normal depends on several factors:

* The output from the heart

* The resistance to blood flow of the blood vessels

* The volume of blood

* Blood distribution to the various organs

If blood pressure is elevated, the heart must work harder to pump an adequate amount of blood to all the tissues of the body. Men tend to develop hypertension more often than women, but the risk for women rises after menopause and soon approaches that of men. A woman's risk of high blood pressure also increases if she takes oral contraceptives or is pregnant.

Eat a high-fiber diet and take supplemental fiber. Oat bran is a good source of fiber.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, eggplant, garlic, grapefruit, green leafy vegetables, melons, peas, prunes, raisins, squash, and sweet potatoes.

Eat grains like brown rice, buckwheat, millet, and oats,

Take 2 tablespoons of flax seed oil daily.

Keep you weight down.

Be sure to get sufficient sleep.

It is important to support the solid health of the heart and circulatory system.

It's our gift to ourselves, how we take care of it. We can float through days, months, years, not paying any attention to our health. Yes, we are busy, things to do, children to raise, careers to contend with, but all these areas need us to be healthy. We need clean water & exercise, and nutrition to keep our bodies in good working vibrant condition.http://supplimentpros.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geneda_Gilbert

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Six Major Causes of Hair Loss in Men and Women

1. Hair loss cause: Your dental fillings
No dermatologist or trichologist will ever ask you about this, and yet it is one of the most common causes for hair loss in men and women: your dental fillings. And even if you have had most of your toxic fillings taken out, you will still have the heavy metals in your body. Your hair will not be able to regrow unless you do a very specific detox for these metals.

2. Hair loss cause: Toxicity, not heredity
You may have been told that your hair loss problems are hereditary because other people in your family have this problem. However, there are only very few cases where this is true, and chances are you are not one of them. You do not have inherited faulty genes; you have inherited toxicity from your parents. If a woman has toxic dental fillings in her teeth while she is pregnant, she detoxes via the fetus. So even if you don't have any fillings, you still may have toxins in your body from your mother.

3. Hair loss cause: Drugs and vaccinations
If you 'do drugs' even on a casual basis and even if they are not hard drugs, you are giving yourself a small dose of chemotherapy every time, and you know what happens when someone gets chemotherapy treatment in hospital - they lose their hair. But even vaccinations and medically prescribed drugs can upset the immune system so much that hair falls out.

4. Hair loss cause: Foods
Is your diet causing your hair to fall out? There are certain foods that have been found to be detrimental to hair growth because they cause an underfunctioning of the thyroid. Then there is one specific food group that you must cut down on if you are a man with hair loss problems. Another type of food can lead to you losing the hair on your head and your entire body if you are sensitive to this food but keep on eating it.

5. Hair loss cause: Parasites
Parasites are not confined to third world countries; they are all around us. You can easily get them from your pets, from the grass in your garden or from eating food which someone prepared without washing their hands. Parasites live in your body and eat your food so that your hair does not get the necessary nutrients to thrive.

6. Hair loss cause: Stress
If you are having problems with your hair, you may notice that more hair is shed when you get stressed. Stress changes your blood chemistry and can make hair loss worse. If you want your hair back, you will have to do something about your stress. Self-hypnosis is a proven tool and an excellent way to help you become calmer again.

This article was written by Mandy Wallace following an interview with a renowned health kinesiologist with many years experience of treating hair loss in men and women, helping many clients to regrow their own hair naturally. Read her book "Regrowing Hair Naturally" at http://www.happyhealthyhair.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mandy_Wallace

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Sciatica

The pain known as sciatica (sometimes misspelled as "syatica" or "psyatica") is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve (one on each side). The symptoms of sciatica usually start in the buttock and may extend partially or all the way down the leg. The sciatic nerves are each formed by nerve roots from the lower lumbar and sacral parts of the spinal cord. The individual nerve roots come together in the lower pelvis to form the sciatic nerves. Each sciatic nerve then runs from the pelvis down the back of each leg. The sciatic nerve splits into two parts below the knee and the two halves run down the back of the lower leg to the foot.

While there are several possible causes of sciatica, by far the most common source of sciatic nerve irritation is a bulging or herniated disc in the lower lumbar spine. A damaged disc may bulge into the opening where one of the nerve roots exits the spine on it's way to join other nerve roots as part of the sciatic nerve. The bulging disc may create direct nerve pressure, and/or may trigger inflammation and swelling, which can also cause pressure on the nerve. When this occurs, pain and other symptoms may be felt part along the course of the sciatic nerve, starting in the buttock area and possibly running down the leg, sometimes all the way to the foot.

Besides disc bulges, spinal openings for nerves may be narrowed by bone spurs or other bone formations related to spinal degeneration. In some cases, sciatica may result from direct trauma to the nerve after it exits the pelvis, such as what can happen if there is a direct impact or hard pressure applied in the lower buttock region. Rare sources of sciatica can include spinal tumors, which can compress sciatic nerve roots as they exit the spine. Another rare cause of sciatica is a cyst or tumor that compresses the sciatic nerve in the hip or knee area.

Not every buttock or leg pain that people think is sciatica is acutually sciatica. True sciatica (sciatic nerve irritation) is usually felt mostly in the back of the leg (not the front or side of the leg). Symptoms of true sciatica are described by various people as stabbing, burning, tingling, numbness/heaviness, or like an electric shock. But even if symptoms seem like sciatica, they are not always due to actual irritation of the sciatic nerve.

One common condition that closely mimics sciatica is caused by knots of contraction called trigger points in a muscle called the piriformis. The piriformis muscles are located on either side of the lower buttock area, running from the upper thigh bone to the edge of the sacrum (the triangular pelvic bone that is at the base of the spine). In addition to causing symptoms that mimic sciatica, tightness in the piriformis muscle may also cause true sciatic irritation, because the sciatic nerve actually runs through the center of the piriformis muscle in some people, and can be compressed by excessive muscle contraction.

Trigger points in other muscles in the buttocks and upper thigh can cause referred pain in the side of the leg that may be mistaken for sciatica as well. It should be kept in mind that true sciatica and piriformis syndrome are associated with symptoms that are primarily felt in the back of the leg. If symptoms are in the front or side of the leg, there's a good chance that the problem is not sciatica.

Treatment of sciatica is usually associated with treating a bulging disc. The first line of treatment is usually an attempt to reduce inflammation to reduce pressure on the nerve bymeans of oral medications. If oral medications fail, steroids may be injected in the area of the disc bulge in order to provide more potent anti-inflammatory effects. A variety of other types of treatment may also be used, such as physical therapy, massage, chiropractic or osteopathic spinal manipulation, acupuncture, or one of the newest forms of treatment, spinal decompression. In some situations, surgery may be recommended as a last resort.

Most episodes of sciatica will resolve within a period of several weeks with or without treatment, but due to the severity of the pain typically involved, most people with sciatica will seek out treatment. Unfortunately, due to misconceptions by doctors and patients alike regarding the nature of sciatica, the necessary steps to prevent a return of sciatica are usually not taken. So, even though most people do recover from a bout of sciatica, nearly all will eventually have problems again at some point. Even sciatica sufferers initially treated successfully with surgery will often have future problems with sciatica.

The good news is that with awareness of how to manage sciatica and a little bit of effort dedicated to prevention, most people can avoid ongoing long-term sciatica problems. The challenge is simply to making people aware of the necessity of a "management" versus "cure" approach to sciatica and getting them to follow-through with preventive exercises and other self-care techniques.


About The Author
Dr. George Best has been treating patients with sciatica and piriformis syndrome in his San Antonio practice for over 15 years. To educate people on the importance of properly managing sciatica long-term. Dr. Best has produced a free ebook and online video program on Sciatica and Sciatica, which you can access at http://www.SciaticaSelfCare.com.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

8 Tips to Prevent Worsening of Acne

Medicines are not the sole healers. Self-care and precautions go hand-in-hand with drugs to improve healing. If you suffer from acne, it is essential that you exercise caution to avoid worsening of symptoms.

Here are some easy home-care tips for acne:

(1) Wash your skin gently: Take care of your skin every day. As a general rule, wash it gently with water and a mild soap or an acne cleanser at least two but not more than three times a day.

However, do not scrub yourself too hard, as it can worsen the acne.

(2) Avoid sweating: If you find that excessive sweating worsens your acne, try to avoid activities that would cause you to sweat. Also, wash yourself after taking part in any strenuous activity.

(3) Dress comfortably: Wear soft, cotton clothing as far as possible. Other materials rub against the skin, causing irritation and worsening the acne. Acne can be made worse by tight chinstraps and bra straps rubbing against the skin.

(4) Choose cosmetics carefully: Certain cosmetics such as gels and hair mousses, which contain a large quantity of oil, can cause the acne to flare up. Use only non-comedogenic products, which are designed to not cause or worsen acne.

(5) Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight: Long hours under the sun can spell trouble for your skin. Always try to go out in the sun for a short time, if at all, and use a sunscreen with a high PPF when you do so.

(6) Wash your hair: Hair often falls onto the face and rubs against the skin. If it is oily or dirty, it can worsen the acne. Cleanse your hair with a good shampoo at least twice a week, and tie your hair up properly to prevent it from falling onto your face.

(7) Avoid exposure to chemicals: Avoid environments that would expose you to harsh chemicals like petroleum and coal dust.

(8) Reduce stress: Stress plays an important role in causing, as well as worsening, acne. Learn stress-management techniques and do some form of aerobic activity to help you manage stress.

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About the Author

Mark Dulisse is website owner of www.all-in-one-health, a leading health and wellness website.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Vitamin ABCs: Bioflavonoids -- Do I Really Need Them, or Can I Just Take Vitamin C?

Roses are red, violets are blue, oranges are orange, and lemons are yellow. Is this a rhyme gone wrong? No, it's the beginning of a recipe for good health. Each of these and, in fact, almost every plant whether fruit, vegetable or flower contains an ingredient that gives the plant its color and helps ward off natural predators. That ingredient is bioflavonoids and, in the human, their function is much the same. Find out why you need bioflavonoids, and how you can get them.

Bioflavonoids, also known as flavonoids, are sometimes called 'nature's biological modifiers.' Their powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties boost the immune system to protect us from viruses, carcinogens and allergens, and help fight the free radical damage that can make us ill and old before our time both inside and out.

What can bioflavonoids do for you?

Studies have shown that bioflavonoids help strengthen the walls of capillaries the blood vessels that enable hormones, nutrients, antibodies and oxygen to travel to our cells and help prevent bruising, bleeding gums and hemorrhaging in the brain and retina.

Bioflavonoids also help blood clots, protect us from carcinogens that invade the heart and blood cells, stop or slow the growth of malignant cells, and act as natural antibiotics.

But that's not all. Bioflavonoids are vital elements in over three hundred different bodily functions. Here's the rundown on just a few of the most widely known:

- Quercetin provides the quick response to an allergic reaction or inflammation. It's also a powerful free radical fighter, can inhibit the spread of viruses, treat varicose veins and bruises, and may be helpful in the fight against many diseases including Alzheimer's and cancer. Your best source of quercetin is apples -- yes, an apple a day may keep the doctor away -- but it can also be found in onions, blueberries and cranberries.

- Epicatechin is largely used for heart health as it maintains the integrity of the blood vessels. A study published in the January 16 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found epicatechin to be directly linked to improved circulation and other elements of cardiovascular health. Epicatechin is plentiful in blueberries and grapes, as well as some teas and cocoas. (That's right, chocoloate!!)

- Polyphenols are more powerful antioxidants than both vitamins C and E and are the ingredients that give green tea its reputation as a health drink. In addition to fighting free radicals, studies have also shown polyphenols may boost the immune system, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and inhibit the development of cancer. Polyphenols are found in many foods, including grapes, green tea, soybeans and wine -- some are even derived from tree bark.

- Oligomeric proanthocyanidins do just about everything -- strengthen blood vessels, fight free radicals, and inhibit the destruction of collagen, the protein that supports many tissues throughout the body, gives us strong bones, hair and teeth, and provides the structure that keeps our skin firm. Where can you get them? The black chokeberry has the highest content found so far, but they are also found in pine bark, grape seeds, grape skin, certain red wines, bilberries, cranberries, chokeberries, black currants, and green and black teas.

Bioflavonoids work in tandem with vitamin C: they are somewhat interdependant. In fact, researchers have found that many of the functions attributed to vitamin C are actually performed by bioflavonoids.

If you're looking for an overall boost, bioflavonoids are one of the best choices you can make. They're available as supplements with vitamin C, or by themselves. Many people currently taking vitamin C alone really notice the difference when they add bioflavonoids to the mix. Give them a try. With so much to offer there's really nothing to lose, and a lot to gain.

About the Author

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, contributes articles on vitamin ABCs for Feelgoodforlife.com. More information on these and other topics can be found at http://www.feelgoodforlife.com.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Five Steps to a Healthy Heart

The heart is an extraordinary organ in our body. Our life and death depend on our heart. Our live begins when we have our first heartbeat and our life ends when the beating of our heart stops. People may argue the level of importance our heart in our body as compared with other organs of the body, but none can argue the fact that we need our heart to live. That is why we need to take extra good care of our heart.

The first step to a healthier heart is to exercise regularly. Even the littlest amount of exercise can help us to maintain the health of our heart. This is because regular exercises play an important role in preventing heart or coronary diseases. Exercises give our heart the stamina it needed to pump blood into our veins.

If you have a poor heart, do some simple exercises but do take care to not over-strain your heart. Simple exercises like a long and leisurely walk at the beach or the park can really help you to be in a better physique that will ultimately influences the health of your heart.

The second step that you can take to take care of your heart is to stop smoking or to not start the bad habit of smoking. Smoking is bad for your heart because smoking can increase the risks of hypertension, heart and coronary diseases and even strokes. Not many people realize that smoking is also the key cause to cardiovascular diseases. This is because smoking can actually cause the fatty substances to build up in our arteries. These built up fats will eventually block our arteries and cause us to have a heart attack or a stroke.

To prevent yourself from getting a heart disease, you must also limit your alcohol intake to the minimum level. This is because, just the same as smoking, alcohol consumption will have harmful effects on your arteries that will one day lead to heart attack and stroke.

Alcohol consumption will also lead to increased risks of hypertension. Alcohol when consume in moderation will have a good effect on our body. The alcohol raises the level of the HDL, which is the good cholesterol and thus will help to protect us from heart diseases. But only when consumed in moderation.

The fourth step to preventing heart diseases is to have a good and healthy diet routine. Eating healthily can not only maintain the health of our heart, it can also lower our cholesterol level and also our blood pressure. To have a good and healthy diet plan, do make sure to include a lot of greens or vegetables into your diet. Do not forget to consume the minimum portion of fruits for your daily intake to ensure that your body have the right level or vitamins and minerals.

The last step that we can follow to make sure we have got a good and healthy heart is to keep and maintain a healthy weight. People suffering from obesity have more chances of contracting heart diseases than the people who have normal body mass indexes.

There were studies that showed cases where heart diseases were linked directly to heart failures. So obese people should really try their best to lose some weight and those on the edge to obesity should take care of their weight as to not have heart problems in the future.

Heart diseases are scary but they are treatable. And if we take enough prevention measures, there might not even be any need for treatments. Do the right thing, and start your prevention steps now.

About the Author

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Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Mesothelioma Variants

Mesothelioma is a rare yet deadly cancer that almost always surfaces in a malignant form and results in tumors on significant organs of the body. Most people believe mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. So what exactly is the mesothelium? The mesothelium is a film or sac that surrounds vital organs in an attempt to protect them (such organs can include the lungs and heart). Mesothelioma can almost always be attributed to asbestos. While we might think there exists only one form of mesothelioma, there actually several. We will be talking about pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma. As unfortunate as it may be, mesothelioma's symptoms don't surface until the disease has progressed, which at times can be several years following exposure to asbestos. As one might guess, this can make diagnosis a pain and treatment a near impracticality.

Pleural mesothelioma is the widely known variant of mesothelioma. In this form of mesothelioma, tumors develop on the lining of the lungs. Most people with the disease have a difficult time swallowing, breathing, and getting around without coughing. They may also experience other symptoms such as weight loss.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a more uncommon form of mesothelioma. This variant of the disease sheds ill will on the lower parts of the body, particularly the abdomen and stomach. This cancer can start in either of the two locations and metastize (grow into other parts of the body). This variant of the disease tends to bring about more severe symptoms such as nausea and blood clots. Since these tumors can put pressure on surrounding organs, they can make for an unpleasant sensation.

Finally, its time we talk of a very rare type of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma. That variant focuses on the heart and can bring palpitations and breathing problems.

If you are or have ever experienced these types of symptoms, its best to speak to a doctor.

About the Author

Javier Jimenez is a seasoned individual with interests spanning several subject areas. He is knowledgeable in {a href=”http://www.meso-resource.info”}mesothelioma litigation and has a site on Mesothelioma Attorneys California. This site will prove to be useful to those looking for mesothelioma lawyers california.