Making Life Sweet - Splenda®: Is It Safe Or Not?

 The dangers of aspartame are now widely known, but the risks of using

Splenda are not as well documented - yet.  Essentially, the sucralose in

Splenda does not readily penetrate the blood brain barrier as aspartame

does, hence creating neurotoxic havoc at the brain center.  But, the

research shows sucralose can negatively affect the body in several ways

because it IS a chemical substance and NOT natural sugar.

There¹s a sweetener war going on out there ­ a battle for your dollar at

the expense of human health. It is important to educate yourself on the

facts about Splenda, aspartame (NutraSweet/Equal®), and all the other sugar

substitutes available on today¹s sugar-free market.  In order to make a

decision whether to use chemical sweeteners or not, you must have all the

data available, good and bad. But ALL the information is hard for the

general public to find. I have spent over fifteen years working with victims

of aspartame because the truth and information about the dangers of

aspartame has been quietly steered away from public access since the early

1970s.

The same patterns with aspartame are repeating with sucralose (Splenda).

The individuals who stand to profit the most have immense influence, and the

information about Splenda¹s dangers, just as with aspartame, is being

downplayed.  Corporate claims of product safety and innocuous research

results are identical to those used by The NutraSweet Company.  As you learn

more information about Splenda and see its advertisements, note the

comparisons and repeated patterns between the products, the corporations,

and the marketing strategies.  Maybe consumers can prevent damage to their

health from sucralose sooner than they did with aspartame, which has

affected the health and lives of millions of innocent people since it was

introduced into the public food supply over twenty years ago. Especially

damage to a fetus or a child.

At least you, the consumer, deserve to be informed about the ³other side²

of this safety issue so you can make up your own mind whether to use Splenda

or not.

This information is based on research from Dr. Janet Starr Hull. For more

information on Splenda, see Dr. Hull¹s newly released book Splenda®: Is It

Safe Or Not?

Making Love Last (When infertility comes between your marriage)

 Jay and Mariana are the perfect couple. They met and dated during their senior year in high school and had been inseparable ever since.  After a long wait, they were finally engaged right after finishing college. After less than a year our of college,  Jay and Mariana decided to tie the knot.

The first few months as newlyweds was a bliss.  They were so in love that there wasn't even room for even a single petty quarrel.  But on their second year as husband and wife, things began to change. Suddenly, both began to feel the pressure and frustration of still having an empty nest.  Their romance and intimacy was slowly eroded by the sense of incompleteness.  

Mariana was so consumed about having her own child that she eventually drifted away from Jay.  In her mind, marriage was all about having a family.  At times, she would feel very depressed and think that maybe she was at fault.  At the back of her mind, she was worried that something was wrong with her and that is reason why she has not been able to conceive.

Jay had his own share of stress and anxiety in their marriage. Even if he tried to hide his frustrations, he could not help but express his envy whenever his best friend Mikey spoke about his one-year old son and how his wife Pamela was expecting their second child. 

The couple found family reunions and other occasions with relatives to be particularly difficult.  Jay and Mariana were always bombarded with questions about when they would finally have children of their own.  The sight of nephews and nieces made them more sensitive to the fact that they were childless.  Both of them had to endure endless questions, jokes, stares,  and the noise of happy children.  They would not have minded the laughter, crying, and screams of the children --- except that these little packages of energy and fun were not their own.  Every family reunion, an insensitive aunt would always joke about the “stork” that lost its way and never reached Jay and Mariana's empty home.   The couple just kept silent everytime they heard that cruel joke.

For such a long time, Jay and Mariana exchanged accusation and blame for not having a child of their own. The stress and anxiety of not having a child almost took a toll on their marriage.   Fights became more frequent and the moments of intimacy became rarer --- which further complicated their problem.  How could they have a child if they were always fighting?

With the prodding of a mutual friend,  Jay finally agreed to go with Mariana to a doctor.  After a series of tests, the doctor told them that Mariana was perfectly capable of getting pregnant.  The doctor also said that Jay had a very low sperm count which could probably explain why Mariana still could not get pregnant.

Like Jay and Mariana, many couples experience problems with infertility.  In fact, in the Unites States, it is estimated that six million couples face infertility challenges each year, or about 10 percent of all married couples.  Infertility is the failure of a couple to become pregnant after one year of regular and unprotected intercourse. Under ideal circumstances, the probability that a woman will get pregnant during a single menstrual cycle is only about 30%. In many cases, infertility is caused by a combination of factors in both partners that conspire to prevent such conception from occurring. Infertility affects one in 25 American men. Men infertility cases are due to low sperm count or poor sperm quality. In most industrialized countries like the U.S, sperms counts have been found to be in a decline especially among busy, career-driven men.

Managing Stress Without The Use of Drugs

 In today’s fast paced environment, many people are under a lot of stress. Women are even more susceptible to the strains of everyday life. Some are single mothers that work full time jobs and then come home and care for their baby. They are over worked, underpaid and under extreme stress.

Many women go to their family doctors complaining about headaches, lack of sleep and mood swings. The doctor will calmly explain to them that they have stress problems, and to take a few days off, and then prescribe them a drug to alleviate the symptoms.

While the drugs may work in the short term, it doesn’t treat the root problems. When you stop taking the drug, the stress will still be present. And who has the time to put their feet up and relax, especially if you have a toddler causing mayhem at home?

So what are the alternatives?

Well there are many and we will explore a few of them in this article, but the first thing you have to do is figure out the cause of your stress. Stress can be caused by many things. What is stressful to one person can be joyful for the next. For instance, speaking in public can cause some people a lot of anxiety, but to some it is a joy.

Once you have located the reasons for your stress try to think of ways to alleviate it. Here are some more helpful tricks and tips for managing stress levels without the use of drugs.

Take a Deep Breath: The reason why stress causes headaches in a lot of cases is because when a person is under significant stress they will tend to breath shallowly, or hold their breath without even realizing it. Your muscles then get a lack of oxygen and you cramp up in such places like your neck and abdomen and you get a headache. Sometimes it just makes you feel uptight.

If you feel a headache coming on, or you feel uptight, stop and check your breathing. Take a few minutes to rest and take deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth.

Talk to People: Being lonely is a terrible thing, and this can cause stress all by itself. Try joining a club or something you enjoy that will connect you to other people. Sometimes just talking and having fun can do wonders for your stress problems.

Regular Exercise: It has been scientifically proven that exercise helps relieve stress. Try joining a gym, or just going for a walk each night. You will boost your energy level making it easier to cope with the stress of daily life.

Managing Time: Nothing causes stress like being late for an appointment. Avoid this unnecessary stress by planning your day. Insure that you have enough time to get to all of your appointments. Maybe invest in a day planner.

Body Break: Your mind and body are one. Make sure that you eat proper nutritious meals, and sleep well at night. Avoid excess sugar and caffeine. These foods will give you a temporary high, but will cause you to crash later. A body that is properly maintained will be better able to cope with stress.

Avoid The Use of Illegal Drugs: Many people turn to alcohol and drugs to relieve their stress. While it may seem that these things are helping with your stress they are really harming you. Not only are they wrecking your body, but they are only a temporary fix. When you wake up in the morning, the problem that you were trying to escape will still be there.

Change Your Surroundings: Make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. If your chair at work is causing your back to hurt, change it. If your bed is causing backache and lack of sleep, change it. Why put your mind and body under stress that can be easily avoided. 

Go to Your Happy Place: Try daydreaming for a minute if you feel stressed out. Imagine a sunny beach, or a quiet cottage. Imagine the tastes and sounds. A few minutes of imagined vacation can do wonders for your mental outlook, and relieve stress.

These are just a few techniques that will help you cope with your stress levels. Try concentrating on the positive aspects of your life, and not the negative. Without some stress life would be boring, but too much of anything can kill you.

Managing Those After- Birth Woes

 All expecting mothers are scared stiff by the thought of giving birth, even those who don´t admit it, During the nine months of waiting, expectant mothers have their regular check ups, and their physicians  really do their best to calm and motivate the mothers-to-be. Expectant mothers usually buy tons of books and magazines about childbirth, pregnancy and health in preparation for their upcoming baby. They read every detail about pregnancy and child care. 

Giving birth is a magical moment in most mothers' lives, yet many fear it the first time it happens to them. Questions run through their minds like what will happen to them, what should they prepare for, is the baby going to be fine, and a long list of other nagging questions about pregnancy and childbirth. Every woman will experience something different and unique during birth. In the United States and other western countries, the risk of complications is low. But after giving birth, there are changes, both expected and unexpected, such as postpartum depression.

After childbirth, a dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone may trigger depression. The hormones produced by the thyroid gland may also drop sharply and leave the woman who recently gave birth feeling tired, sluggish, and depressed. Changes in a woman's blood volume, blood pressure, immune system, and metabolism can lead to fatigue and mood swings.  However, some women may experience a deep and ongoing depression which lasts much longer. This is called postpartum depression. Researchers have identified three types of postpartum depression: baby blues, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.

The “baby blues” is the most minor form of postpartum depression, Several major rapid changes are brought about by this form of depression including a drop in hormone levels, breast engorgement, and reluctance to return home from the hospital after the delivery. “Baby Blues” usually start one to three days after delivery. It is characterized by weeping, irritability, lack of sleep, mood changes, and a feeling of vulnerability. The baby blues are not an illness, as they will go away on their own. There is no treatment necessary other than sufficient rest, reassurance, and support from family and friends. 

People often confuse the baby blues with postpartum depression because they have common symptoms. Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first, but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with a woman's ability to function as a mother. Moreover, some women do not tell anyone about their symptoms because they feel embarrassed, ashamed or guilty about being depressed when they're supposed to be happy about having given birth to a healthy baby.

Postpartum depression is more debilitating than the baby blues. Women with this condition suffer from melancholy, feelings of inadequacy, guilt, anxiety, irritability, and fatigue. Physical symptoms include headaches, numbness, chest pain and hyperventilation. A woman with postpartum depression may regard her child with negativity or disinterest. An adverse effect on the bonding between mother and child may result because of this particular pregnancy and childbirth-related mental and emotional distress. Because this syndrome is still poorly defined and under studied, it tends to be under reported. Estimates of its occurrence range from 3% to 20% of births. The depression can begin at any time between delivery and 6 months post-birth, and may last up to several months or even a year.

Postpartum psychosis is a relatively rare disorder. The symptoms include extreme confusion, fatigue, agitation, alterations in mood, feelings of hopelessness and shame, hallucinations, and rapid speech or mania. Studies indicate that it affects only one in 1,000 births. Postpartum psychosis requires immediate treatment, often in the hospital. When a woman's safety is assured, treatment may begin with antidepressant medications or hormone therapy. 

Experiencing depression after childbirth isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply part of giving birth. If a woman is depressed, prompt treatment can help manage her symptoms and enjoy the baby and the rest of her new life as a mother.

Manganese 101

 Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a 17th century German chemist named Johann Glauber, though it was not isolated in a pure form until 1774, by Johan Gahn. It was Gahn’s associate, a Swedish chemist, Carl Scheele, who first determined that manganese was an element. Manganese, as a trace mineral element, is found in all forms of life. It is essential to the health and functioning of the human body and mind in many ways. 

In terms of physical health, the mineral manganese is important to almost all of the body’s major systems. It works in the digestive system which is responsible for breaking down foods through digestion and transforming them into a form that the body can use. The primary function of manganese in the digestive system is acting as a cofactor in many of the enzymes responsible for releasing the energy in food making it accessible to both body and mind to fuel the essential and nonessential functions. This essential mineral is also needed to metabolize Thiamin Vitamin B1. The skeletal system requires manganese for the building of strong and healthy bones. Without it, the skeleton may not develop properly. Manganese also supports good muscular reflexes. It also serves the reproductive system having an important role in the production of sex hormones and sperm.

Manganese has vital antioxidant properties working as a cofactor in the production of the body’s most important antioxidant enzyme: the superoxide dismutase. Antioxidants perform a task that is essential to the body. It controls or stabilizes free radicals which are responsible for a great deal of damage within the body. Free radicals are destabilized by their lack of an electron and in seeking to stabilize themselves they assault other molecules in an effort to take what they need from them which then results in those molecules becoming destabilized as well. Accumulation of free radicals is dangerous for if it reaches a certain number cellular damage can occur thus leading to tissue damage.  And as the free radicals roam, their population also up in number.

Manganese is also essential for the brain to function properly. It supports the nerves and also promotes memory and emotional stability. Researchers are studying the relationship between epilepsy and other seizure disorders and the influence manganese levels may have on seizure activity and severity. This mineral is also being investigated for its potentials in the treatment of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia.  If proven positive, this could be a big breakthrough is the field of medical science.  

Deficiencies in manganese can contribute to convulsions, confusion, tremors, dizziness, paralysis, deafness and blindness in infants, adult hearing loss, digestive disorders, ataxia, bone malformation, general weakness, infertility, irregular pulse, and pancreatic damage. 

Nutritional supplements offer a reliable and safe means of seeing to it that the diet contains adequate amounts of this essential trace mineral provided supplement dosage remains within the standard recommended daily intake levels. Too much of any nutrient can do physical harm to the body and thus it is important to be knowledgeable about the nutritional needs of your body and the supplement you are considering for use.   It is therefore important to consult a doctor to avoid over dosage.  Consultation with a licensed nutritionalist is also essential to aid you in planning a daily diet that can supplement the much needed healthy daily dosage of manganese 

Martial Arts Wisdom for Alzheimer's Caregivers: Rolling with Life's Punches

 What can the martial arts teach Alzheimer's family caregivers? Plenty.  One powerful lesson comes from Aikido, a powerful, ethical,dynamic and beautiful martial art. Aikido means:  "The Way of Harmonizing Energy."  Aikido practitioners learn to blend and steer an opponent's force to safely control a situation.  In the process of training we learn a lot about ourselves as well.

One thing that we learn in Aikido is ukemi (pronounced ooh-keh-mee) training.  Ukemi is the art of falling down safely. It is important to learn how to fall in this martial art, so that you don't get hurt when you are thrown.   Basically, injury to yourself is not the result of being thrown hard, it's the effect of falling poorly. Knowing how to fall well is essential for those times when you are thrown.  You can spend a lifetime perfecting this skill. And you might as well.   Take it from me:  Gravity Always Wins.

In everyday life, when we fall down, we automatically tighten up our bodies, and increase the risk of injury.  In ukemi trraining, we learn to gradually relax and let go of tension, even as we fall. This training leads to much softer impact, and a much happier Aikido-ist.  Falling begins to feel more like floating, and less like crashing.

Now, am I sugesting that you drop everything and go enroll in Aikido classes?  Of course not!  But you can adopt the philosophy of falling well. What is the lesson of ukemi training for life? Putting aside the martial arts reasons for training, IN LIFE WE CONSTANTLY FALL DOWN!  And caregiving is a continual challenge filled with even more sudden throws, and many expected and unexpected falls.

So we need to learn to fall with grace.

Think about it.  If a person is bound and determined to never ever waver, to never try a different approach, what will happen when she hits an obstacle?   What will happen when her usual approach to caregiving isn't working right?  Any Alzheimer's caregiver knows that mistakes, challenges, and frustrations are inevitable.

And you know what makes that simple setback worse? It's that good old human tendency to get upset because you made a mistake. We are expert at tormenting ourselves by getting distressed, angry anxious, nervous, worried, or whatever- just because we ran into a frustration.  That's the way in which we tighten up emotionally as we fall.  And we know what pain that can lead to. Sound familiar?

So, how can we roll with caregiving's punches?

1.  Expect to fall, to be frustrated at times.  It is inevitable in life, and even more unavoidable for a caregiver.

2.  Perfect your own personal emotional ukemi training. Stubbornly refuse to torture yourself about your mistake.  Learn to relax when you are frustrated.

3.  Find ways to remind yourself that it's OK to make mistakes, and that the important thing is to relax, get your balance, and get back up. You could make a sign that says something like "Relax," or "Balance," and hang it where you can see it.  make more than one.

4.  Don't ignore your signs once they are up. When you pass your sign, stop a minute, and rehearse its message.  That's the way advertising works.

5.  Get in the habit of rewarding yourself not for being perfect, and not just when things are going along smoothly.  Instead, celebrate that you got back up to try again.

6.  If you are comfortable, try sharing this radical philosophy with others.

7.  Remember: it's not the mistake that stops you.  It's your decision to stop that stops you.

8.  Finally, keep in mind a wise old Buddhist saying:

"if you fall down seven times, get up eight times."

I trained for years with a very remarkable person who was also a caregiver.  When I would see him and ask how he was doing, he'd smile and say, "I'm still taking ukemi."   And then we'd train.  I wish you good ukemi!

Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support is a series of articles to help empower someone who cares for a person with Alzheimer’s disease. The material in this article is educational, and is not a substitute for professional advice.

Marvel the Wonders of Reflexology

 It is a gentle art, a fascinating science, and an extremely effective form of therapy that has carved an impressive niche in the field of alternative medicine. Many studies have been done in relation to the effectiveness of this wonder method called Reflexology. Reflexology is the practice of strategically applying pressure to areas of the feet and hands as they correspond with specific body organs.  By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, it can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. 

Reflexology is an art because much depends on how skillfully the practitioner applies his or her knowledge, and the dynamics that occur between the practitioner and the recipient. And because it is based on physiological and neurological study, it is also considered a science. Reflexology is a holistic healing technique. The term “holistic” is derived from the Greek word “holos”, which means “whole.” The goal of reflexology is to treat the individual as a complete entity, incorporating and healing the body, mind and spirit.

Research has found that reflexology is not only beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress relief. It has been established that it is also an effective device for improving circulation, relieving pain, and speeding up the body's process of detoxification. Reflexology is also good for people who are recovering from surgery due to its positive stimulating effect on the immune and nervous systems. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies, acid reflux, migraines, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause, insomnia, fertility problems, and even arthritis have been helped tremendously by reflexology treatments.

Because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body. It has been shown to relieve many common pregnancy complaints including headache, nausea, backache, sleepiness, fatigue, constipation, swollen ankles, and digestive problems. However, a lot of practitioners have been giving this holistic approach for most cases to patients to treat anxiety.

From side effects of chemotherapy to pain and depression, symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment can impinge on quality of life almost as much as the disease itself. No equipment needed nor invasion of privacy are some of the ease of reflexology which can be applied in a medical environment which makes it convenient alternative treatment.

In 2006, a team of medical school researchers at University of Udine, Italy, reported positive results for the use of reflexology foot massage to treat anxiety in patients admitted to an oncology unit for a second or third round of chemotherapy. And, in yet another recent study, to treat anxiety for breast and lung cancer patients, the reports said that the patients experienced relief after reflexology. The breast cancer patients also experienced a decrease in pain. Furthermore,the study also claimed that women that had at least 10 reflexology sessions showed reduced labor times and complications than women who did not have the treatments.

Studies have also shown that patients that received reflexology treatment after surgery experienced far less pain than the patients that took painkillers alone. Moreover, reflexology was shown to be more effective than catheterization in patients with retention of urine after surgery. 

Reflexology is safe, non-invasive, and effective therapy for everyone that can and should be used throughout a person's lifetime. In a society that relies heavily on chemically laden prescription drugs for remedy, reflexology is definitely showing a lot of promise as an effective alternative treatment.

Massage & Massage Rollers

 When lower back pain hits you, a massage and massage rollers can be very effective in relaxing the tensed muscles. Massage is an ancient pain relieving technique and provides you relief from day-to-day stress, muscle cramps, while easing the back pain and headaches, by increasing blood circulation. A massage also flushes out toxins and wastes from your body, thus lending a healthy shine to the skin. 

Effective Massage through Massage Rollers

These days, an alternative way to providing your body with the much needed massage is through massage rollers. If you don’t have the time to go to a massage parlor or if you are staying alone, you can use a massage roller to give yourself instant relief. There are various types of massage rollers available in the market today: 

The Omni Massage roller – 

It provides pressure and has the necessary mobility for a great massage. It has a directional massage ball, with an easy to grip handle. You can use it anywhere and carry it in your purse or bag. You can massage your lower back, neck or even forehead, if you have a headache. 

You can begin by applying pressure on the roller and then gently roll the ball in circular motions around the lower back. While moving it in circular motion, you can apply the necessary pressure. Once you are able to identify the spot from where the pain is originating, you can continue to massage the affected area for 10-20 minutes. The massage roller will, thus, provide you relief as it soothes and loosens the muscle tissue or ligaments. It will also gradually increase your blood circulation, leading to the healing of the affected area and elimination of the back pain. 

You can also find a Knuckle baller sports massager in markets. This massager fit into your hand near the knuckles and has four directional massage balls to provide you with four times the comfort. A Knuckle baller sports massager is small, so, you can carry it to a theater, park or your office. Massage anytime and feel relaxed! 

Massage Information For Consumers

 What should someone expect during a massage?

- The massage therapist will ask questions about what prompted you to get a massage.

- The massage therapist will want background information about your physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress levels and any painful areas.

- The massage therapist will ask what your health goals are and will discuss how massage may help you achieve those goals.

- During a one-on-one massage, you will be asked to remove clothing ..

What should someone expect during a massage?

- The massage therapist will ask questions about what prompted you to get a massage.

- The massage therapist will want background information about your physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress levels and any painful areas.

- The massage therapist will ask what your health goals are and will discuss how massage may help you achieve those goals.

- During a one-on-one massage, you will be asked to remove clothing to your level of comfort. Clothing is not removed during “chair” massages.

Consumers also should consider the following tips to help them find a massage therapist who is trained and qualified.

- Are you licensed to practice massage? (35 states have passed legislation to regulate massage therapy)

- Are you a member of the American Massage Therapy Association?

- Are you Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork?

Massage May Help Ease Your Pain

Millions of Americans are all too familiar with pain. There can be countless trips to the doctor or chiropractor, pain medications, sleepless nights and the burden of making it through the day while enduring pain.

Have you tried massage?

A recent survey by the American Hospital Association shows that nearly 82 percent of hospitals that use some form of complementary or alternative care use massage therapy, with 70 percent of those hospitals using massage for pain management and pain relief.

A consumer survey commissioned by the American Massage Therapy Association? (AMTA) reveals that more people than ever are seeking massage to manage and relieve pain. The survey shows that nearly half, 47 percent, of those polled have had a massage specifically for pain relief.

A 2003 survey of 1,998 massage clients showed that 63 percent believed massage therapy provided them greater pain relief than chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy or other bodywork.

Clinical research has shown massage therapy can:

- Be more effective for chronic back pain than other complementary therapies.

- Promote relaxation and alleviate the perception of pain and anxiety in cancer patients.

- Reduce post-traumatic headaches better than cold pack treatments.

- Lessen pain and muscle spasms in patients who have undergone heart bypass surgery when part of hospital-based surgery treatment.

- Stimulate the brain to produce endorphins.

- Improve confidence by encouraging patients to effectively cope with their pain.

If you have chronic pain, talk to your doctor about adding massage by a qualified massage therapist to your pain management program. Finding a trained and qualified massage therapist is important, so look for a member of AMTA.

- Motivator

-https://www.rdkbo.id/

Massage Therapy and Stress Relief

 While the practice of therapeutic massage has been used for centuries in the east, it is a relatively recent phenomenon here in the west.  While the wonders of modern medicine have left many awestruck, more and more people are looking towards complimentary therapies and non-invasive treatments for their ailments.  Massage therapy has never been as popular as it is today in America.

A number of studies have shown that massage therapy is a highly effective stress reduction technique.  An earlier study, conducted by the University of Miami Medical School and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, suggested that children receiving 30 minutes of therapeutic massage daily were less depressed and anxious than they were at the time of their admittance.

This particular study also observed marked differences in the health and behavior of the children in the test group, over the children in the control group.  The nurses taking part in the study also noted that the children were more cooperative, and were able to achieve a higher level of sleep quality.  On the biological level, the children in the control group exhibited lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in their saliva and in their urine.  It quickly became evident to researchers that massage can play a significant role in stress reduction.

It is highly encouraging that both the medical establishment and the general public are starting to realize the impact that stress can have on an individual's health and well being.  Some physicians and researchers have suggested that stress is responsible for over 75% of all disease in the western world, including skin disorders, high blood pressure, headaches, digestive ailments, muscle pain, and depression.  By employing the age-old techniques of massage therapy, there exists the distinct possibility of overcoming these terrible afflictions.  

The eminent Victorian physician, Dr. Stretch Dowse, noted the following back in 1887:  "The mind, which before massage is in a perturbed, restless, vacillating and, even despondent state, becomes after massage, calm, quiet, peaceful and subdued; in fact, the wearied and worried mind has been converted into a mind restful, placid, and refreshed."  While modern medicine is full of promise in certain areas, it is not wise to ignore the knowledge and insights of the past.  Massage therapy has helped countless people cope with the stress of modern life.  It could help you, too.

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Masteron Propionate – The Most Exotic Androgenic/Anabolic Steroid

 Masteron Propionate is one of the most exotic androgenic/anabolic steroids (AAS) used by a sportsperson. Initially, it was originated and used as an anti-estrogen under the brand name ‘Masteril’ for treating breast cancer. It was largely used in conjunction with the Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), Tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancer, and decrease estrogen levels considerably in women undergoing such treatment. 

The reality that Masteron Propionate was being used as an anti-estrogen hinges upon its some properties. Masteron Propionate is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which doesn’t change to estrogen thru means of aromatization. Due to various reasons, Masteron Propionate is used by muscle-builders while preparing for competition. The androgenic effect of Masteron Propionate can cause an obvious improvement in muscle mass and rigidity that can facilitate the bodybuilder to get the ‘ripped’ appearance if his body fat proportion is low enough. 

Athletes rarely experience any side effects with this steroid. The main side effects of Masteron Propionate are gynecomastia, water retention, dangerous increases in blood pressure, male pattern baldness (MPB), increased aggression, and severe acne.

By suppressing the aromatase enzyme, Masteron Propionate would block the alteration of free testosterone to estrogen by the aromatization pathway. The normal dose of Masteron Propionate is 100 mg that is taken intravascularly every other day. It is better to inject Masteron Propionate every 2-3 days because of its short duration of effect. Popular steroids stacked with Masteron Propionate are Winstrol (stanozolol), Parabolan (trenbolone hexahydrobencylcarbonate) and oxandrolone. 

Initially when Masteron Propionate was made, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pharmacologically found it as a safe medication, even at high dosages. Dosages more than 150mg on a daily basis (that’s more than 1000mg a week) were counted as safe limits by the FDA. So the user does not misunderstand this information to use extreme quantities of Masteron Propionate. As in reality anything higher than 600mg a week is not going to give any more benefit than 500-600mg per week would give, thus excessive use would be a waste of money and injections.

Maximize The Effects of Vitamins Supplements

 In today's very accelerated paced world we do not consume a appropriate diet all of the time. If you lead a active life and do not get decent vitamins for your body to operate decently then you should be correcting with natural vitamin supplements.

Herbs or botanicals that have not yet been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration are marketed as diet nutritional supplements if they claim to improve health, shape the body, improve immunity, improve vision, improve mental acuity, boost energy, or help prevent diseases.

Naturally, the most visible benefit to adopting multi vitamin supplements is convenience. It is far quicker for a person to acquire one dosage of a multi vitamin supplement that incorporates each of the needed vitamins compared to adopting each one one by one. This is especially the case for children as it can be more laborious for them to acquire a large number of vitamin supplements but one dosage of a multi vitamin supplement is far more easygoing.

Our bodies need adequate nutrition in order to operate properly. Our bodies need adequate necessary vitamins to habitually make it through the day and with our daily food ingestion not supplying each of the essential nutrients the demand for a vitamin supplement has never been bigger.

The ideal time to take supplements is with your meals. During this time, your body can absorb the nutrients better, as your digestive system will be stimulated with food. If you are using time released supplements, you should take them with food to ensure that they move through your body at the right pace and release the proper amount of nutrients and vitamins your body needs at the right time.

If you do not have any deficiency for a particular nutrient, your body will usually absorb only about 10 percent to 15 percent of the nutrients from vitamin and nutritional supplements. The remaining 85 percent is excreted in your urine. This means that for every $10.00 you spend on vitamin and nutritional supplements, $8.50 of it can be going down the toilet.

To make the decision smoother there are now a many of multi vitamin supplements made for particular people. For instance, there are multi vitamin supplements that are planned for children. These multi vitamin supplements carries the particular nutrients that children demand for them to grow and develop decently. Pregnant women have singular nutrient demands to guarantee that their baby gets the necessary nutrients and there are multi vitamin supplements prepared for pregnant women.

It is significant to consider the contents of any multi vitamin supplement prior ingesting too many. Many vitamins can be dangerous if too much is absorbed and this can occur more easily with multi vitamin supplements as a lot of the content may be neglected. The labeling of the actual percentage of the suggested daily allowance for each vitamin in a multi vitamin supplement should be clearly labeled and must be evaluated before a person acquires them. Always seek professional medical advice before acquiring any multi vitamin supplement if there is any doubt as to the benefits of the contents.

Medication Options For Acne Sufferers

At the onslaught of puberty, many teens suffer from various radical changes - physical, physiological, emotional.. you name it! Of course, one of the most apparent transformations is that of the physical changes. Aside from the males developing more muscles and moustache and females developing their breasts and hips, there's this one change that commonly annoys an enormous portion of the adolescent population. Acne vulgaris!

Acne vulgaris is also known as acne or pimples in more common terms. Overproduction of oil that suddenly happens to teenagers and sensitivity to dirt are the precursor to this menacing skin disorder. But those two or their combination are not the only cause of breakouts. Many other factors could trigger acne. Genes, weather conditions and certain substances from food may set off the invasion or just the presence of acne. 

Dermatologists and researchers have been trying to discover the best acne medication. Acne, no matter how miniscule a disorder it may seem, needs adequate attention. These tiny bumps on one's face could elicit major effects on a person. Not only vanity motivates experts to find or formulate the most excellent acne medication. Ridicule for having a pockmarked complexion is often one of the leading causes of low self-esteem among adolescents. What's worse is that this lack of confidence may be brought until one reaches his maturity. 

The most recent forms of acne medication are the following:

Oral Antibiotic Acne Medication. This type of medication should always be mediated by consulting a physician. Various acne medication antibiotics that may be taken by mouth are supported by researches. Assorted antibiotics that act as acne medication are intended for moderate, severe to persistent types of acne. It is very important that a doctor is asked first on which antibiotics for acne medication is right for you.

Cortiscosteroids. Very severe acne may be prescribed with this acne medication antibiotic. This potent antibiotic is usually taken in a short span of time only. They have metabolic effects that make them inappropriate for long-term use. 

Oral Tetracycline. This antibiotic is one of the most popular oral acne medications. Moderate to severe acne may be treated with an initial dose of 500 to 1000 mg per day in a decreasing dosage as skin condition improvement is noted. This antibiotic is not for the pregnant women since it can cause skeletal defects to fetus. Children with age of under 8 years are also not advised to be given this medication.

Oral Minocycline and Doxycycline. These acne medications in the form of antibiotics are only derived from tetracycline. Research evidences tell that these acne medications are more effective than tetracycline. Doxycycline is reported to induce sunlight sensitivity. Both are advised not to be taken by pregnant women.

Oral Erythromycin. This antibiotic that serve as an acne medication may be taken as an alternative to tetracycline since it is safer for pregnant women and young children.

Isotretinoin. This acne medication antibiotic is said to revolutionize acne treatment due to its potent effect in dealing with severe and treatment-resistant acne. Reports has it that isotretinoin is very effective in treating all forms of acne. But it should be noted that many side affects are also attributed to isotretinoin. This includes severe birth defects to a fetus, dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, pregnant women, breastfeeding women or those who are planning to become pregnant must not take isotretinoin as a form of acne medication.

Meditation as a Health and Spiritual Exercise

 According to Buddhism, a person can reach “Nirvana” or the highest state of enlightenment through continuous meditation and by participating in the Buddha's daily service, among other things. Through time, many people have benefited from the practice of meditation. 

Meditation, as practiced by Buddhist monks and practitioners, has become a spiritual tool and health enhancer in one.  More than just the chants and meditative posture, meditation is about proper breathing and concentration of one's thoughts.  As a health and spiritual practice, meditation came into prominence centuries ago in the East where people's lives and culture demanded a way to “escape” the realities of life.  

How do we know if we are already in a state of meditation or just wasting away time with our eyes closed?  Meditation is a state of mind that leads to inner peace, self-fulfillment, self- improvement, and the development of a positive outlook in life. There are two types of meditation; the concentrative and the mindfulness type. Concentrative is more on the person's concentration, sitting quietly and calmly with good breathing patterns. It is said that the one's mind is somewhat connected to one's breath of air. Continuous rhythm of inhales and exhales of the breath will make the person feel more calm and relaxed, focusing on their steady flow of air in and out of their bodies. This will result in the mind being more aware and tranquil at the same time. Mindfulness, on the other hand, involves attention and awareness on passing wave of sensations, images, feelings, thoughts, sounds, smell, anything that your body can interact with. This in turn will give the person a more non-reactive mind state, much like looking at a television, without any feeling or thoughts that can bother you away.

Meditation and relaxation often go hand in hand. In scientific studies, it has been proven that there are health benefits in practicing this kind of activity. By being in a relaxed state of mind, the person is also regarded to as in alpha state, of which is a level of consciousness that promotes good healing. Relaxation in a person is highly recommended, since people always move and think, and by being relaxed it can also give relaxation to the body and mind that will eventually enhance our well-being as well.

Knowing all this, one can see the connection of both scientific and religious factors, all because of meditation. Indeed, this activity shows a unique philosophy that can really help oneself. In practicing such kind of relaxation process, the person sees the innermost self at its fullest. This helps the person in dealing with external difficulties, seeing past all this and in a way becomes humble and calm in dealing with situations. This relaxed state of meditating allows the person in helping oneself health-wise, since this to can take away simple headaches, stress, or even mild anxiety. It began way before, and it will never go away. This kind of activity brings out the person in you. By meditating, this will give you a sense of calmness in a positive state. There are no known facts that this can be harmful to you, so why don't you give it a try?