Healthy Tips For Better Live

Archive for September, 2009

I often see this huge debate on whether sit-ups or crunches are better. To me, it just depends. But first, lets take a look at why someone might prefer one or another.

Sit-Ups

Why do some people think that sit-ups aren’t a good exercise? Well the sit-up goes beyond the range of motion of the abs, using the hips flexors to lift you up into a seated position. Because of that, some say it isn’t a good exercise because it uses a lot of hip flexors and because once in the seated position the abs are relaxed. But if you think about it, you use your hip flexors a lot, in pretty much any sport, especially soccer and martial arts where you need to kick. So a sit-up might not be such a good abs exercise, but it can be a good core exercise.

They also say that because the hip flexors pull on the spine in the opposite direction of the abs, it creates a big amount of torsion on the spinal disks, leading to eventual chronic back pain. This is true, if your lower abs aren’t functioning properly. When your lower abs are functional, they will oppose the force of the hip flexors and keep your spine in a comfortable position. So a sit-up is safe as long as your lower abs function correctly.

Crunches

Why do some people think that a crunch isn’t a good exercise? Well some argue that a crunch doesn’t work the abs through their full range of motion. This is true in part, because the abs can go a lot further back into extension; so a crunch on a ball would work your abs through a full range of motion. But a sit-up does not work your abs through a full range of motion. The only motion it gets more than in a crunch is motion at the hip with the hip flexors. So people who use this argument to say that a sit-up is better than a crunch probably have very limited knowledge in anatomy and biomechanics.

The Winner of the Ultimate Battle

The winner of the battle, as I said earlier, it depends. It depends what your level of conditioning is, if you have lower abs coordination [http://devynecode.com/2008/10/21/how-to-work-lower-abs-to-improve-performance-in-your-sport/] and what are your objective with the exercise. If you just want to develop your abs, a crunch is probably better; not to mention that there are a lot of variations to a regular crunch. On the other hand, if your lower abs are functional and you want to train your core for ultimate performance in your sport, you might want to go with a sit-up, which integrates more muscles in a more global and functional movement.

I hope this puts an end to this non-sense debate. It’s non-sense because there isn’t one answer, the answer depends on many factors. So evaluate your level and your objectives and YOU decide which one you think is best, not some internet guru who never even spoke to you or even less saw you.

Feline anemia develops when there are not enough red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body. It is a symptom of disease, but is not a disease itself. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of feline anemia.

Kidney Disease

One of the most common causes of anemia is kidney disease. The kidneys are responsible for producing a hormone called erythropoietin. This hormone stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells. When there are not enough hormones to stimulate red blood cell production, your cat will develop feline anemia.

Parasites

Parasites can also cause your cat to develop anemia. These parasites sometimes destroy red blood cells. The most common culprits include hookworms, ticks, and fleas.

Trauma

One of the next causes is a traumatic injury. Some injuries can cause damage to your cat’s internal organs. Some forms of trauma can also sever one or more blood vessels. Both of these conditions will cause blood loss and anemia.

Viruses

Another cause of feline anemia is a viral infection. There are two common viruses to blame, namely the feline leukemia and immunodeficiency virus. Other diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disease are also common causes. This condition can also result if your cat ingests certain chemicals or toxins.

There are many different things that can cause feline anemia. Kidney disease is one of the most common. Parasites such as ticks, fleas, and hookworms can also destroy red blood cells. A traumatic injury such as a car accident is another cause of anemia.

Iron is in abundance in nature and in our food, so why is iron deficiency anemia as common as it is? Is everyone who has low iron levels diagnosed with Anemia? How is iron deficiency determined? How do I know if I’m getting enough? First we need to gain some basic understanding about iron and how we can become deficient.

What does the body use iron for?

Iron is most commonly known for it’s essential role in the formation of hemoglobin, the substance in the red blood cells that carry oxygen. Hemoglobin is a complex molecule with iron in the center and is identical to chlorophyll in green plants except the iron is replaced with magnesium. Iron is also needed for cells to use oxygen to produce energy to function. This vital mineral is also needed for the immune system; deficiency makes neutrophils (one type of white blood cell) less effective. It is also needed to enable your brain to work properly. Another interesting role iron plays is in the detoxification of drugs and other toxins taken into the body.

What causes iron deficiency?

There is no particular elimination mechanism in the body for iron. It is mostly lost in bleeding, such as during menstruation and major injury, with a small loss from sweat, hair and dead skin cells flaking off and in the bile. What the body does is control the amount coming in, and 90% of iron is recovered and recycled. Recycling not an idea originated by man, but his creator. If the body needs iron it absorbs more, if it has enough it will stop absorbing it. Most people’s diet is abundant in iron. Deficiency usually comes from poor absorption, rather than from lack in the diet, although anemia can result from blood loss, and occult (hidden) blood loss such as hook worm infestation and bleeding ulcers. While iron in animal products (mainly from the blood consumed) is absorbed more readily, animal products require iron and other nutrients to detoxify the toxins they contain. About of 5 to 10% of the iron in food is normally absorbed. This can go up in times of extra demand such as menstruation and in cases of anemia when it can be as high as 45 to 64%.

The major cause of iron deficiency is vitamin C deficiency as well as anti iron substances in our western diet. Such as Tea and coffee which reduce absorption. Vitamin C is easily destroyed. An orange can lose most of it’s vitamin C within hours of picking. Processing destroys many vitamins, including up to 90% of vitamin C and most people’s diet is grossly deficient in fresh fruits and vegetable which are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for the absorption of iron. The digestive function is critical, low stomach acid, antacids can reduce absorption. Lack of intrinsic factor in the stomach prevents absorption. This intrinsic factor is similar in structure to B12′s intrinsic factor, and heme, the iron containing molecule in hemoglobin.

It is interesting to note that chlorophyll in green leafy vegetables have a similar in structure. Both heme and chlorophyll have the same structure, except that heme has iron in the center, chlorophyll has magnesium. Oxalates and phytates in food bind to iron but calcium causes it to be released. Again it is interesting that calcium is high in green leafy vegetables, especially Chinese greens. It seems to me that this is no accident! Iron must be chelated (bound) to be transported. Unbound inorganic iron feeds certain bacteria. Lack of phytate to bind free iron has been implicated in colon cancer. Phytic acid, also called phytate, is known as Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6) (Inositol is a member of the B group of vitamins). This interesting substance binds to minerals. It has been thought that it prevents their proper absorption. This assumption has been shown to be incorrect. It does bind minerals in order to transport them and it appears that it releases them when needed.
Free, inorganic iron is toxic.

Iron will react very readily with oxygen causing substances which destroy cell membranes, including that of the gastrointestinal tract. Excess can cause a number of iron overload diseases. It can cause irritation to mucus membranes and bleeding, liver damage and renal failure. Many bacteria also need iron and unbound iron can cause bacteria to multiply. Overload has occurred in South African Natives from alcohol distilled in iron stills and cooking in iron cooking pot. This would have been inorganic free iron which would have caused GIT irritation. Too many blood transfusions can also cause Iron overload.

How is iron deficiency determined?

Iron deficiency Anemia is usually diagnosed by a blood test and looking at symptoms.
Pathology Blood Tests. A Hemoglobin count is taken from a blood sample and if the count is below a set lower limit, the person is considered to have iron deficiency anemia, if above a set upper limit, the person is considered to have an excess or iron overload. Symptoms are also considered of course. Now Pathology blood tests can provide very valuable information, however like any test done on anything it needs to be properly interpreted. The limitation is that all the test can tell anyone is what is happening in the blood at the instant the sample was taken. Also it tells what is in the blood, not the tissues. The blood can also be high in a mineral because it is bringing out from one place to transport it to another. In one case a lady had dangerously low Hemoglobin in her first test and before her second test, which showed normal iron levels, she had eaten a meal mainly of whole grains and used a lot of vitamin C. I must emphasis at this point that pathology blood test and Naturopathic blood test are looking at different sides of the picture. I have had people show low B12 in my live blood test when there Pathology Blood test showed normal B12. There was enough B12 in their blood at the time, but the overall average was low. A Naturopathic blood test is looking at the deficiency by how the blood cells were formed giving a long term picture, Pathology blood tests are looking at what is happening in the moment.

Deficiency Symptoms

Fatigue, decreased exercise tolerance, behavioral changes, anorexia, and pica (compulsive eating of non-food items), cognitive and growth abnormalities in children, pale skin, inside lower eyelid, finger and toenails and gums, fingernails can be thin and spoon shaped; burning and red mouth and tongue; smooth, waxy, glistening tongue and gastritis. Please note, other factors besides iron deficiency can cause these symptoms. See a health care professional such as a Naturopath for confirmation.

How do I ensure I’m getting enough iron?

I consider the best supplement for iron deficiency is vitamin C combined with a diet high in iron rich foods such as parsley, pine nuts, legumes especially soybeans, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, whole grains and green leafy vegetables, especially Chinese vegetables. Vitamin C must be taken with bioflavonoids, vitamin E, and Beta Carotene otherwise it becomes a free radical in it’s self and can cause damage. Use plenty of vitamin C rich raw fruit and vegetables such as lemons, citrus, black current, red capsicum, rose hips, parsley, raw cabbage, pineapple etc. Because of modern Horticulture, it is unlikely to be enough. Don’t use ironware cookware on a regular basis. If you want to use an iron supplement, use one that is naturally derived, not an iron salt. Many common iron supplements can encourage bacterial growth. They also can cause constipation, so take measures to make certain your bowels are moving regularly, at least twice a day. Mineral deficiencies can be found by a naturopath using live blood analysis.

The lemon tree, like other citrus trees, has its origin in Central Asia. The Arabs introduced the lemon to Europe in the 12th century. It was first refined in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. It is by no accident that the juiciest, most aromatic lemons are found in the Murcia region in Spain.

After being customary in Southern Europe, it was introduced to the Americans by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Today it is cultivated in moderate regions on the five continents. Although the lemon does not prosper in extreme cold or heat, it needs several cold nights while the fruit is ripening to change its colors from green to yellow. It is because of this that lemons in tropical regions tend to be green, as also happens with oranges and other citrus.

However, the most fascinating workings of lemons are its phytochemicals. These are substances that lack any calories, and they are neither vitamins nor minerals. The recent discovery of these substances in foods and their remarkable preventative effects on cancer and other diseases is one of the greatest advances of nutrition science.

Although the lemon affects the entire body, its scientific applications derive chiefly from its effect on the blood:

Anti-anemic: It improves iron absorption

Improves blood fluidity, thus preventing thrombosis

Depurant, facilitating the removal of toxins from the blood

For these reasons, lemons are expressly suggested in the following cases:

Anemia: Lemons should shape a customary part of the diet of anyone suffering from anemia. The lemon also contains a certain amount of folic acid, which aids blood production, as well as many other protective functions, particularly in pregnant women.

Circulatory disorders: Lemons strengthen the circulatory walls, improve the elasticity of arteries and reduce the blood’s tendency to excessive clotting.

Excess uric acid: The lemon is highly effective in eliminating uric acid, which is a waste product generated within the body and must be eliminated in the urine. Excess uric acid is a major cause of Gout.

Kidney stones: A lemon treatment is very effective in helping dissolve kidney stones.

Infections: Because of their vitamin C and phytochemical content, lemons improve the body’s immune system’s ability to resist infections. Lemons are good for all types of infections whether viral or bacterial.

Digestive disorders: Lemon juice diluted with water is an excellent beverage in cases of diarrhea, gastroenteritis, or colitis.

Regular lemon use with meals can also contribute to neutralizing many of the carcinogens found in foods and the environment, and in this way, help prevent cancer.

Different women experience menopause in different ways. While there are some experiences that everyone can expect to have, for most, menopause is a lonely journey. With such a wide array of potential symptoms, from depression to weight gain to general feelings of unease, it’s hard to create a single form of medication that’s applicable to every woman.

But there is one solution: Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Called BHRT for short, it won’t cure menopause, or even put it off, but it will alleviate those unpleasant symptoms. And though it’s been around for almost two decades, BHRT only recently gained popularity as a reliable and healthy way to combat the natural effects of aging.

Before BHRT prescriptions came along, doctors would prescribe synthetic hormones, which were often designed by pharmaceutical companies. But because these synthetics are foreign to the human body, they carried unwanted side effects with them. What’s more, the synthetics couldn’t be fine-tuned to the body chemistries of individual patients, so there was no guarantee that a given symptom would be addressed.

Unlike synthetic hormones, bio-identical hormones are derived from natural sources, and thus match the formula of those hormones already in your body. BHRT prescriptions are designed to mimic your body chemistry perfectly, which makes the entire menopause experience — from beginning to post-menopause — easier on your body and mind. Since every woman’s body chemistry is different, every BHRT prescription is different. A good compounding pharmacist can work with you and your health care provider to determine the best course of action for you.

So how can you decide whether a bio-identical hormone replacement therapy prescription is for you?

Learn the ropes. All women experience menopause in different ways, but there are some common symptoms that can tip you off that it might be your time. Has it been more than two or three months since your last period? (As a corollary to this question: Are you sure you’re not pregnant?) Do you seem to be gaining weight despite eating right and exercising? Are you having trouble sleeping?

Know your symptoms and medical history. Compile a list of your symptoms to bring to your doctor. Figure out your most pressing concerns, and what kind of changes you’d like to see. Your doctor may ask you why you’re pursuing a BHRT prescription — be prepared to answer her.

Talk to your doctor. If you’re between doctors, this may be the perfect time to find one who’s familiar with BHRT. Since it’s still somewhat new, there may be doctor out there who aren’t well-schooled in it, or who don’t support it.

Learn as much as possible. Read more than just this article. Google is your friend here, and so is your doctor. Before making the final leap, learn everything you can about bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.

Ovarian cancer forms on the inside of the small, almond-sized ovaries located on the sides of the uterus. The cancer may appear on one or both ovaries. The ovaries produce and release the eggs into the fallopian tubes. They also produce the two female hormones which are known as estrogen and progesterone.

These hormones are produced in high amounts before and during ovulation, and if these hormone levels become too high, they may be what causes the tumors to form in the ovaries.

There are two different types of tumors which are formed, one type is cancerous, and the other type is non-cancerous.

The cancerous tumors will spread to the outside of the ovaries, and into the pelvic organs, as well as other parts of the body through the bloodstream or the lymph nodes.

The non-cancerous tumors are usually not considered to be a health threat, but nonetheless, they can also contribute to the increased production of estrogen, which may cause other cells to become cancerous.

Unhealthy fat cells also help to produce excess levels of estrogen.

So if we want to prevent ovarian cancer, we need to reduce the levels of estrogen which the body produces. This is not difficult when we understand some of the factors which are associated with the production of estrogen.

Studies have shown that obesity increases the risk of ovarian cancer by about 80 percent. This is because of all the unhealthy fat cells which continuously help to produce high levels of estrogen.

So what causes obesity? The answer is simple, a high fat diet. This includes all animal proteins and fats such as meat, milk and dairy. It also includes processed foods, and most cooked foods. Refined sugars can also contribute to unhealthy fat cells.

If we can eliminate these foods from the diet, and maintain a healthy weight, we can eliminate 80 percent of the risks involved with ovarian cancer.

Hormone replacement therapy also plays a major role in causing ovarian cancer. So if you can avoid any of these therapies, even if the treatment includes both hormones (estrogen and progesterone).

Avoid taking a drug called danazol, which is a male hormone (androgen) and is used to treat endometriosis. This drug has also been linked to the cause of ovarian cancer.

Having several children, with the first child being born before the age of 30 will also help to prevent ovarian cancer as one ages.

Last but not least, eat a healthy diet of mainly raw foods. Foods that are in their raw state have more vitamins and nutrients for the body to absorb, and thus the body is able to stay strong and healthy for many years to come.