How to Bounce Back After a Bad Night’s Sleep

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="image" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="330" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/image55-620x330.jpg?075c4b" width="620" /> </div>So, you had a disturbed sleep last night! May be you were up till late night going through facebook posts and had a mug of coffee too; may be you were disturbed. Whatever it is, not being able to sleep throughout a night is disturbing in <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">itself</span>, but it is common to many of us. Now you are feeling tired, bloated, acidic in mouth, and so on, but overall you are craving for a good sleep. Until you go to bed tonight you need to perform all the prescheduled tasks. <b>Here is how to bounce back after a bad night’s sleep</b>. <b>Beverage</b><br /> The first thing you are going to do is indulge in mugs of coffee to try to shake off the feeling of sleepiness. But this is a mistake. You need caffeine, especially on such days, but only in moderation. Taking more than two mugs of coffee can make you more fatigued.<br /> <b>Green Tea</b><br /> You can have one cup of <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">green</span> tea instead of one cup of coffee. This will help you stay awake and at the same <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">time</span> destroy the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">harmful</span> free radicals accumulated in your <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">body</span> due to disturbed metabolism owing to lack of sleep.<br /> <b><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">Sugar is</span> prohibited</b><br /> Lack of sleep throws your metabolism out of gear. The normal <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">process of</span> breaking down of <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">sugar</span> into energy goes haywire. Thus sugar accumulates in your body. So if you are feeling like having something sweet the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">next</span> day you should exercise refrain. You may feel more fatigued.<br /> <b>Take a nap</b><br /> The best medicine for <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">symptoms of sleep deprivation</span> is sleep itself. So if you get a window of opportunity such as during the recess time, grab it to have a catnap. Get a comfortable and peaceful places to lie and just fall asleep. Tell your colleagues or friends to call you up after one hour or so.<br /> <b>Get some sunlight</b><br /> Sunlight is rich in vitamin D and getting enough sunlight for at least 15 <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">minutes</span> can make you more alert.<br /> <b>Exercise</b><br /> Some light aerobic exercise can help your heart pump more blood and thereby generate more energy. Do some cycling or take a stroll in sunlight. You will feel better.<br /> <br /> Source: healthdiytips.com

How to Bounce Back After a Bad Night’s Sleep

So, you had a disturbed sleep last night! May be you were up till late night going through facebook posts and had a mug of coffee ...

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Can Laser Treatments Give You Perfect Skin?

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="SHD_7932" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="330" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/SHD_7932-620x330.jpg?075c4b" width="620" /> </div>Lasers aren’t just for Jedi knights anymore. Dermatologists are wielding their beams to vanquish everything from lines to tattoos. Could a laser solve your skin woes? Thanks to their versatility and quick results (treatments take just 5 to 30 minutes), lasers have become almost as ubiquitous as Botox. “They’re one of the fastest-growing <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">services</span> in-office,” says Robert Anolik, a dermatologic surgeon in New York City. Two million laser treatments were performed in 2012, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and that number has grown at a lightning pace since. What can lasers do (or not do) for your complexion? Here, illumination.<br /> <h4>How Do Lasers Work?</h4><img alt="laser-beams_300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8141" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/laser-beams_300-252x300.jpg?075c4b" width="252" /><br /> <em>Laser</em> is an acronym for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” In other words, it’s “a device that focuses light energy onto a specific area,” says Tina Alster, a <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">dermatologist</span> and <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">the director</span> of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, in Washington, D.C. “For a dermatologist, that means targeting and obliterating something specific in the skin, such as water or pigment.” This creates a “controlled injury” that jump-starts the body’s healing process, says Adam Kolker, a plastic surgeon in New York City: “Nearby cells are stimulated to repair the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">targeted</span> region through the production of collagen and new cells, which ultimately <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">results in</span> nicer-looking and feeling skin overall.”<br /> Dozens of lasers have been invented over the years, and they fall into two general categories: traditional and fractional. And within the fractional category are ablative (which leaves skin looking visibly abraded) and nonablative (which leaves the skin surface intact). Traditional lasers emit a concentrated ray of light onto one spot, while fractional lasers emit many beams at once, allowing for numerous miniscule forays into the skin that are combined into one zap, “like pixelation in a digital image,” says Roy Geronemus, a dermatologic surgeon in New York City. Subsequently, there’s less pain and a faster recovery from each session. The only drawback: It takes multiple sessions to achieve the same results, which is why some dermatologists still opt for traditional lasers.<br /> <h4>What’s Used for What?</h4>The answer varies, depending on your skin <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">texture</span> and tone. But here are some guidelines.<br /> <h2>The Issue: Lines and Wrinkles</h2><strong>The options:</strong> For the most stubborn wrinkles and the most dramatic results, dermatologists reach for traditional lasers, such as the CO2 or the Erbium. These lasers heat the water in the skin to the point where the surface skin is vaporized, prompting the production of new collagen. The catch? You <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">pay a high price</span> in terms of <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">downtime</span> and serious wound care.<br /> For these reasons, for the treatment of lines and wrinkles, laser surgeons are increasingly recommending fractional ablative lasers (such as the Fraxel Repair) or nonablative lasers (such as the Fraxel <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">Restore</span> and the Clear + Brilliant Permea). These lasers leave the skin’s surface slightly red but not raw. In numerous sessions spaced about a month apart, they gradually accomplish close to what a traditional treatment does in one session. Keep in mind that you can undergo nonablative laser treatments as often as monthly (but typically annually after three initial sessions), but “you will probably need only one or two fractional ablative treatments in your lifetime,” says Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist based in New York City and Miami.<br /> <strong>The downtime:</strong> After treatment with a fractional ablative laser, you can expect two to three days of oozing, pinpoint bleeding, and up to one week of crusting, says Paul Friedman, a dermatologist with practices in New York City and Houston. Redness will persist for several weeks. Fractional lasers of either sort offer slightly less damage and discomfort than their traditional counterparts.<br /> <strong>The cost:</strong> Traditional or fractional ablative resurfacing, $2,000 to $5,000; fractional nonablative resurfacing, $700 to $1,500. Prices vary depending on where you live.<br /> <strong>Pain relief:</strong> For traditional treatments, an oral prescription painkiller and, possibly, sedation. For fractional treatments of either type, a topical numbing cream.<br /> <br /> <h2>The Issue: Broken Blood Vessels, Facial Redness, Spider Veins, or (Red) Vascular Birthmarks</h2><strong>The options:</strong> Lasers for vascular marks (such as the V-Beam Pulsed Dye) target and eradicate the hemoglobin in blood cells, which destroys the blood vessels. Capillaries and some smaller blood vessels respond to one treatment; rosacea, larger veins, and port-wine stains (a type of red birthmark) require several treatments. Results aren’t permanent, and touch-ups may be required yearly.<br /> <strong>The downtime:</strong> For capillaries, rosacea, and veins, you may have no downtime, a few hours of redness, or, rarely, a bruise. For birthmarks, you can expect up to a few days of redness and crusting.<br /> <strong>The cost:</strong> For an isolated blood vessel, $300 to $700; for leg veins, $300 to $1,000, depending on the laser used; for a birthmark, $300 to $2,000. Treatments for birthmarks may be covered by insurance.<br /> <strong>Pain relief:</strong> A topical numbing cream.<br /> <br /> <h2>The Issue: Brown Spots or Birthmarks</h2><strong>The options:</strong> Fractional nonablative lasers (like the Fraxel Restore Dual and the Clear + Brilliant) and the fractional or traditional Q-Switched Ruby target excessive melanin, which causes spots. “A <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">single</span> treatment can make a dramatic difference on the face,” says Karyn Grossman, a dermatologist in Santa Monica, California. “On the body, a second or third treatment may be necessary, since these areas scar easily and can’t be treated as aggressively.” Results can be permanent, but because areas may darken with sun exposure, touch-ups are often needed.<br /> <strong>The downtime:</strong> Scabs form within days and fall off within a week.<br /> <strong>The cost:</strong> For brown spots, $300 to $2,000; for birthmarks, $300 to $2,000, depending on <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">the size</span>.<br /> <strong>Pain relief:</strong> A topical numbing cream.<br /> <h2>The Issue: Acne</h2><strong>The options:</strong> The Isolaz, an intense-pulsed-light device that emits broadband light, is technically not a laser, but it is used for similar purposes. It destroys acne-causing bacteria, especially when used with topical or oral medication. It also has a vacuum to suck debris from pores. The Smoothbeam nonablative option targets oil glands and slows oil production. Several sessions may be needed for results that last up to several months.<br /> <strong>The downtime:</strong> A few hours of redness.<br /> <strong>The cost:</strong> $400 to $800 for a full face.<br /> <strong>Pain relief:</strong> A topical numbing cream.<br /> <br /> <h2>The Issue: Acne Scarring</h2><strong>The options:</strong> Fractional ablative or nonablative resurfacing lasers (like the Fraxel Repair and the Fraxel Restore, respectively) offer a 50 to 75 percent <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">improvement</span>, depending on the depth of the scar, in up to five sessions, says Friedman. For better results, you’ll need a traditional laser (like the CO2 or the Erbium).<br /> <strong>The downtime:</strong> A few days of “sunburn pink” skin with possible swelling or two weeks of pinpoint bleeding.<br /> <strong>The cost:</strong> $700 to $5,000, depending on the size of the scar and the type of laser used.<br /> <strong>Pain relief:</strong> For traditional or nonablative treatments, a topical numbing cream; for fractional ablative treatments, a painkiller and/or an injectable anesthetic.<br /> <br /> <h2>The Issue: Broken Blood Vessels, Facial Redness, Spider Veins, or (Red) Vascular Birthmarks</h2><strong>The options:</strong> Lasers for vascular marks (such as the V-Beam Pulsed Dye) target and eradicate the hemoglobin in blood cells, which destroys the blood vessels. Capillaries and some smaller blood vessels respond to one treatment; rosacea, larger veins, and port-wine stains (a type of red birthmark) require several treatments. Results aren’t permanent, and touch-ups may be required yearly.<br /> <strong>The downtime:</strong> For capillaries, rosacea, and veins, you may have no downtime, a few hours of redness, or, rarely, a bruise. For birthmarks, you can expect up to a few days of redness and crusting.<br /> <strong>The cost:</strong> For an isolated blood vessel, $300 to $700; for leg veins, $300 to $1,000, depending on the laser used; for a birthmark, $300 to $2,000. Treatments for birthmarks may be covered by insurance.<br /> <strong>Pain relief:</strong> A topical numbing cream.<br /> <h2>The Issue: Brown Spots or Birthmarks</h2><strong>The options:</strong> Fractional nonablative lasers (like the Fraxel Restore Dual and the Clear + Brilliant) and the fractional or traditional Q-Switched Ruby target excessive melanin, which causes spots. “A single treatment can make a dramatic difference on the face,” says Karyn Grossman, a dermatologist in Santa Monica, California. “On the body, a second or third treatment may be necessary, since these areas scar easily and can’t be treated as aggressively.” Results can be permanent, but because areas may darken with sun exposure, touch-ups are often needed.<br /> <strong>The downtime:</strong> Scabs form within days and fall off within a week.<br /> <strong>The cost:</strong> For brown spots, $300 to $2,000; for birthmarks, $300 to $2,000, depending on the size.<br /> <strong>Pain relief:</strong> A topical numbing cream.<br /> <br /> <h2>The Issue: Tattoos</h2>The options: The PicoSure laser emits bursts of light that target blue and green ink. “It’s a major advance in tattoo removal,” says Friedman. The bursts make quick (therefore not painful) work of erasing that ex’s name from your …wherever. Sessions last 15 minutes for a three-inch tattoo.<br /> <strong>The downtime:</strong> The treated area will turn white, possibly blister, then crust over.<br /> <strong>The cost:</strong> $250 to $800, depending on the size of the tattoo and the type of laser used.<br /> <strong>Pain relief:</strong> A topical numbing cream or an injectable anesthetic.<br /> <br /> <h2>The Issue: Hair</h2><strong>The options:</strong> Defuzzing lasers (like GentleLase and GentleMax) target the pigment in strands (and so won’t work on blond or white hairs) and give longer-lasting results than waxing. The results may not be permanent; for some, hair grows back in months. Most women need several sessions with these nonablative lasers at one- to two-month intervals.<br /> <strong>The downtime:</strong> Several hours of sunburned-like skin in that area.<br /> <strong>The cost:</strong> $100 to $1,200, depending on the size of the area.<br /> <strong>Pain relief:</strong> A topical numbing cream, as needed.<br /> <h4>At-Home Lasers</h4>Those approved by the Food and Drug Administration promise big benefits. Although they can’t do what doctors do in the office as quickly, they work much faster than topical treatments. These are worth a try.<br /> Tria Age-Defying Laser, $495, triabeauty.com. Smooths facial lines.<br /> Silk’n Face FX, $149, silkn.com. Treats spots and facial sagging.<br /> Remington I-Light Pro, $250, remingtonproducts.com. Removes hair.<br /> <h4>Surefire Strategies</h4>Take these simple steps to ensure you have a safe and successful laser treatment experience.<br /> <ul><li>Select a laser practitioner who is board-certified in dermatology or plastic surgery. Find one at asds.net or plasticsurgery.org.</li><li>Don’t schedule a procedure when you have a tan. It could cause blistering and scarring.</li><li>Don’t get any laser treatment on your face or chest on the day before an important event, says dermatologist Tina Alster: “You may be OK, but there’s no guarantee. Everyone heals differently.”</li><li>If you have a history of cold sores, tell your doctor; the heat of a laser can provoke an outbreak. You’ll be given an antiviral prescription a day or two before your treatment.</li><li>Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E for two weeks before a procedure or you’ll risk bruising.</li><li>To prevent swelling post-treatment, sleep with an extra pillow on the first night.</li><li>After a procedure, keep out of the sun and use skin care with antioxidants and SPF for further protection from sun damage, says Alster. Even ambient sun exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation.</li></ul><span style="color: #999999;"><em><small>Source:realsimple.com<br />Photo Credit:hokgins.com.hk</small></em></span>

Can Laser Treatments Give You Perfect Skin?

Lasers aren’t just for Jedi knights anymore. Dermatologists are wielding their beams to vanquish everything from lines to tattoos....

Read more »

What Causes Hand and Wrist Pain and it’s Remedies

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="8" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="330" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/88-500x330.jpg?075c4b" width="500" /> </div><strong>Hand <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">pain</span> is a very common reality, especially for women. Your hands and wrist may fall sleep at night or experience swelling, numbness or weakness,</strong> and it can even result in not being able to use them in some cases. We will explain the causes that normally determine this problem and possible remedies that you should keep in mind. Your hand, although it may surprise you, is one of the most complex areas of your <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">body</span>: <strong>it has 19 bones, 17 joints, and 19 muscles. </strong>If one of these parts has a problem, it will definitely affect all the movements that you do with them. Here are the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">causes of</span> these pains.<br /> <h2>Hand and Wrist Pain: Why Does it Affect Women More?</h2><img alt="Excellent" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8009" height="200" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hands-300x200.jpg?075c4b" width="300" /><br /> This is one of the more common problems: hand and wrist pain, joint pain, unbearable tingling at night. All of that is due to a degenerative disease that women are more vulnerable to. <strong>Your cartilage, bones, and joints end up wearing down before men’s do, women are likely to have a lack of calcium, and the hormone factor can also cause this pain when you approach menopause. </strong>There is the hereditary factor as well. Your hands are always moving and before they start getting worn down, their joint complexity makes the slightest problem end up changing the best functioning of your hand.<br /> <h2>Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain</h2><h3>Thumb Arthritis</h3><img alt="thumb-arthritis" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8010" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/thumb-arthritis-300x300.jpg?075c4b" width="300" /><br /> <strong>This happens when there is inflammation due to Arthrosis in the joint area of the wrist and base of the thumb.</strong> It tends to happen when you are around 40, it may be due to your job, from forcing this joint a lot which ends in it wearing down, or even from stress. It is painful and prevents you from being able to have proper mobility.<br /> <h3>Carpal Tunnel Syndrome</h3><img alt="4" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8007" height="219" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/411-300x219.jpg?075c4b" width="300" /><br /> It usually <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">starts</span> with unexplainable pain or discomfort in your wrist. Little by little it extends throughout your whole hand up to your arm. <strong>It causes <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">tingling and numbness</span> in your fingers at night. You may feel weak when you pick up objects or lose fine <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">motor skills</span> (</strong>holding or handling small things). <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">Carpal tunnel</span> syndrome is a common problem among women. Sometimes it may be due to working for a long time on a keyboard, any action that involves squeezing your hand continuously, or moving your fingers a lot. But normally it has a hereditary aspect that is related to wear and tear.<br /> <h3>Ganglion Cyst</h3><img alt="6" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8011" height="195" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/68-300x195.jpg?075c4b" width="300" /><br /> <strong>Small bulges filled with liquid will appear on the joints of your wrists or fingers. </strong>They are normally located on your tendons and although they aren’t extremely painful, they are uncomfortable and cause weakness. The origin of ganglion cysts is not known but it is associated with Arthrosis or small lesions covered by joints or tendons. The treatment depends on the patient, sometimes they will administer anti-inflammatories, or it may even go away on its own. In other cases it requires a small intervention to get rid of the liquid, although this doesn’t guarantee that it won’t come back.<br /> <h3>Trigger Finger</h3><img alt="7" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8012" height="245" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/79.jpg?075c4b" width="240" /><br /> This is very common and painful. <strong>It happens when a finger stays in a bent position and you can’t straighten it. It</strong> is due to a hardening of the covering or sheath that surrounds the tendon of the finger. Trigger Finger tends to often appear in people that do manual jobs, repetitive tasks, where the hand ends up suffering from it. Because you are more likely to suffer from arthritis or inflammation in your muscles and tendons, it is common <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">for this</span> problem to happen in your fingers.<br /> <h3>Wrist Tendinitis</h3><img alt="8" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8013" height="200" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/88-300x200.jpg?075c4b" width="300" /><br /> its symptoms are very common and almost everyone has felt it once: <strong>swelling located a centimeter under the base of your thumb, pain when pinching your fingers together, squeezing, or doing any other movement. </strong>Tendinitis tends to be due to a wrong movement, lifting too much, etc. The inflammation is very painful and can extend throughout your arm.<br /> <h2>Instructions and Remedies</h2>Hand and wrist pain, if it is due to joint problems related to arthritis, is very difficult to solve. Sometimes only surgery can give you the results you want. However, you can get functionality and a better quality of life. <strong>Your doctor should always be the one to diagnose you and give you the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">instructions</span> to follow. We can just offer you simple actions for your nutrition so that you can use them to alleviate pain and inflammation.</strong><br /> <h3>Linseed Oil</h3>This is a natural remedy that will help reduce inflammation. According to experts, consuming a tablespoon of linseed oil every morning for a month will notably reduce inflammation.<br /> <h3>Vitamin B6</h3>This is essential for your joints, bones, and tendons. It prevents inflammation and alleviates many symptoms of hand and wrist pain. You can eat <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">banana</span>, leafy vegetables, and chicken breasts. You can also find vitamin B6 in pill form at pharmacies and natural stores. Take 2 mg a day.<br /> <h3>Omega 3</h3>Omega 3 fatty acids are abundant in a lot of fish. Due to the great anti-inflammatory capability that they have, they are essential for naturally treating osteoarthritis. They also reduce joint pain.<br /> <h3>Cherries</h3><strong>Many studies are finding evidence that eating cherries reduces osteoarthritis pain, which promotes mobility (if you eat them for two months). </strong>Eating ten cherries a day is highly recommended. If you can’t find them or if they are too expensive, they are coming out with them in pill form for people with joint or inflammatory problems.<br /> <br /><em><small>Source:steptohealth.com</small></em>

What Causes Hand and Wrist Pain and it’s Remedies

Hand pain is a very common reality, especially for women. Your hands and wrist may fall sleep at night or experience swelling, num...

Read more »

4 Easy Eye MakeOvers

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="bigstock-Beautiful-Eye-Makeup-12577274-small-870x666" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="330" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/bigstock-Beautiful-Eye-Makeup-12577274-small-870x666-620x330.jpg?075c4b" width="620" /> </div><div class="panel-pane pane-entity-field pane-node-field-deck page-header__deck"><div class="pane-content"><div class="field-deck">Four women brighten their entire look by playing up one key <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">feature</span> (see it and believe it).<br /> </div></div></div><div class="panel-pane pane-entity-field pane-node-field-slides gallery-slide__text"><div class="pane-content"><div class="field-slides"><article class="node node-article node--article--gallery_slide_text node--gallery_slide_text clearfix" id="node-133773"><header><h2>1.  To Look Instantly Polished: Add Color</h2><img alt="eye-makeovers_300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8131" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/eye-makeovers_300-252x300.jpg?075c4b" width="252" /><br /> </header><div class="content"><div class="tout-deck"><div class="field-body"><strong>Erin Patterson, 38</strong><br /> Erin’s daytime go-tos were “quick and easy” tinted moisturizer, lip gloss, and mascara. But while they made her feel pulled-together, they didn’t <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">bring</span> out her eyes. So New York City <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">makeup artist</span> Tina Turnbow smudged soft purple pencil along Erin’s upper and lower lash lines and brushed matching shadow over the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">line to</span> intensify <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">the color</span>. Erin’s <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">verdict</span>? “Now I look made-up. Better yet, I could actually do this myself!”<br /> <header><h1>Tips</h1><img alt="where-color_300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8137" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/where-color_300-252x300.jpg?075c4b" width="252" /><br /> </header><div class="content"><div class="tout-deck"><div class="field-body"><h4>1. Where to Apply Color</h4>For a subtle effect, keep <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">liner</span> and shadow close to the lash line. For more oomph, bring shadow up to the crease.<br /> <h4>2. How to Pick the Right Tones</h4>To bring out the color of your eyes, use a contrasting shade of liner or shadow. For green eyes, go for purple; for blue eyes, green; for brown eyes, orange or gold tones.<br /> <br /> <header><h1>2.  To Look Instantly Younger: Play Up Your Lashes</h1><img alt="playup-lushes_300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8134" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/playup-lushes_300-252x300.jpg?075c4b" width="252" /><br /> </header><div class="content"><div class="tout-deck"><div class="field-body"><strong>Nazli Coan, 54</strong><br /> “I wear quite a bit of eye makeup, but never mascara, because I’m afraid it will smudge and make my dark circles look worse,” says Nazli. But the key to drawing attention away from those under-eye shadows, says Turnbow, is to open up the eyes with…mascara. So she lined Nazli’s upper lids with an eggplant-colored pencil (“It’s less harsh than her old black liner,” says Turnbow), swept on bronze shadow to add even more <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">luminosity</span> to the area, then applied two quick coats of mascara to her upper lashes only, to avoid those unsightly smudges. “This took a couple of years off my looks. Turns out, the one product I thought I didn’t need was the only one I really did,” says Nazli.<br /> <h4>Tips</h4><img alt="where-lush_300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8138" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/where-lush_300-252x300.jpg?075c4b" width="252" /><br /> <div class="content"><div class="tout-deck"><div class="field-body"><h4>1. Curl Carefully</h4>For enhanced eye-opening effects, curl lashes pre-mascara. Clamp near (not at) the base of your lashes for a natural (not baby-doll) result.<br /> <h4>2. Curb Clumps</h4>Layer on two quick coats of mascara. If you wait for the first to dry, the second will clump.<br /> <h4>3. Wing It</h4>To give eyes a “lift,” flip eyeliner slightly upward at the outer corners.<br /> </div></div></div><br /> <header><h1>3.  To Look Instantly Professional: Try New Glasses</h1><img alt="try-glasses_300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8135" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/try-glasses_300-252x300.jpg?075c4b" width="252" /><br /> </header><div class="content"><div class="tout-deck"><div class="field-body"><strong>Shanti Akkineni, 25</strong><br /> Shanti’s old, elongated glasses (on next slide) seemed too casual to wear to the office and left little space for makeup, making her feel further underdressed. The new frames (Zelig frame, $225, moscot.com) not only make a dressier statement in both color and shape but also reveal more of Shanti’s eyes. For eye makeup, Turnbow applied peach shadow and a soft purple liner for a look that’s job-appropriate but decidedly unfrumpy. “Even if I don’t choose to wear makeup, I feel made-up in these glasses. I would go anywhere in them, from a meeting to a dinner out,” says Shanti.<br /> <header><h1>Tips</h1><img alt="glasses-tip_300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8132" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/glasses-tip_300-252x300.jpg?075c4b" width="252" /><br /> </header><div class="content"><div class="tout-deck"><div class="field-body"><h4>1. Find the Best Frames</h4>Despite what you’ve heard, it’s OK—flattering even—for your frames to mimic the shape of your face. (See Shanti’s squarish face and her new square frames.)<br /> <h4>2. Get Centered</h4>Your eyes should sit in the middle of your lenses horizontally. Too much lens at the outer edge of each eye will give you a cross-eyed appearance.<br /> <h4>3. Makeup Tip</h4>Lenses amplify makeup, so a little color goes a long way. When possible, avoid harsh dark shadows and heavily lined lids.<br /> <br /> <header><h1>4.  To Look Instantly Awake: Groom Your Brows</h1><img alt="groom-brows_300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8133" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/groom-brows_300-252x300.jpg?075c4b" width="252" /><br /> </header><div class="content"><div class="tout-deck"><div class="field-body"><strong>Erin Thanik, 38</strong><br /> Erin thought she could get away with infrequent plucking because her brows are blond. “But even light fuzz on the lids can give eyes a sleepy, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">enclosed</span> look,” says Turnbow. So she removed the hairs that grew below Erin’s brow line. Next, she filled in Erin’s brows with pencil one shade deeper than her brow hairs. “The combination of tweezing and darkening your brows helps frame your eyes and makes them sparkle,” says Turnbow. “I’m surprised by how much more open my eyes seem. I promise I’ll keep this up! It took less than five <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">minutes</span>,” says Erin<br /> <header><h1>Tips</h1><img alt="where-brows_300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8136" height="300" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/where-brows_300-252x300.jpg?075c4b" width="252" /><br /> </header><div class="content"><div class="tout-deck"><div class="field-body"><h4>1. How to Shape Brows</h4>Having a pro pluck your brows twice a year is worth the investment ($15 to $30 a visit). Then you’ll have a shape to follow and can simply <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">clean up</span> strays between <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">appointments</span>.<br /> <h4>2. Outer Limits</h4>To figure out where your brows should end, hold a pencil at a 45-degree angle to the outer corner of your eye (the eraser end will be at the side of your nose). Your brow should extend to the pencil.<br /> <h4>3. Pro Pointer</h4>To pencil in brows, draw quick, upward strokes wherever you see skin between hairs. Then blend with a brow brush.<br /><br /> <span style="color: #999999;"><em><small>Source:realsimple.com<br />Photo Credit:makeover-essentials.com</small></em></span><br /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></article></div></div></div>

4 Easy Eye MakeOvers

Four women brighten their entire look by playing up one key feature (see it and believe it). 1.  To Look Instantly Polished: Add C...

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Is Too Much Estrogen Causing Your PMS? (and 5 Simple Tips for Balancing Estrogen Levels Naturally)

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="image" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="330" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/image52-620x330.jpg?075c4b" width="620" /> </div><i>Why do we get PMS? </i>Those chocolate cravings, that crippling fatigue, the scary mood swings, the unexplainable weepiness… it sure can creep up on you every month, but what in the world causes it? And even more importantly: what can we do to stop it? “<i>Periods Aren’t Supposed to Be Miserable</i>”<br /> PMS is so common that just mentioning those three letters is enough to get an emphatic nod from almost every women.<br />But just because PMS is “normal” doesn’t mean you can’t find a solution. In her book Quit PMS, Lauren Geerston reminds us that we have the power to do something about PMS:<br />“This may blow your mind, but periods aren’t supposed to be miserable. They aren’t supposed to hurt. They aren’t supposed to mean a whole day of crying and a gallon of Ben and Jerry’s. PMS, cramping, bloating and all the rest of it is the result of imbalanced hormones. If we can manipulate those hormones into balance with diet and lifestyle changes, the unpleasant symptoms will disappear.” – from Quit PMS<br />PMS: Symptom of Too Much Estrogen?<br /> The fact that PMS symptoms cycle around hormonal fluctuations is a big clue about why PMS happens. When your hormones are out of whack, these imbalances can throw a wrench into how your <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">body</span> is supposed to function… and it leads to side effects like PMS cravings, bloating, and mood swings.<br />So which hormone is responsible for PMS? A lot of fingers point to estrogen. Or to be more exact, too much estrogen. Estrogen does play some important roles in our <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">health and</span> fertility, but you can definitely have too much of <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">a good thing</span>.<br /> Lauren describes these as <b>common symptoms of estrogen dominance:</b><br /> •Salt and fluid retention<br />•Impaired thyroid function<br />•Lowered metabolism<br />•Increased cortisol<br />•Increased risk of cancer<br />•Increased risk of insulin resistance<br />•Increased permeability of the gut<br />•Increased risk of <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">autoimmune disorders</span><br />Yikes! Not exactly a pleasant list. But when the body’s natural balance is disrupted, the results aren’t always pretty.<br /> <b>Why do We Have Too Much Estrogen?</b><br /> These days estrogen is just all over the place. Estrogenic substances are in the food we eat, the bottles we drink from, and the expensive moisturizer you just bought at the department store. Our bodies simply become overloaded with estrogenic compounds, and according to Lauren, getting rid of all this excess estrogen is not so easy for your body to do:<br />“Estrogen is a long-acting hormone in the body. Unless it is removed from circulation in the blood, it will repeatedly deliver its chemical messages to body cells. Estrogen dominance is exacerbated due to the fact that it requires a lot of effort and energy to eliminate estrogen from the body. Excess estrogen is eliminated with two primary pathways: the liver and the digestive tract. Part of the unneeded estrogen gets shipped to the liver, where it is prepared for excretion and sent to the kidneys to be eliminated. If the liver is not functioning, then 100% of the estrogen sent to the liver can be recirculated in the bloodstream.” from Quit PMS<br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>5</b> <b>Simple Tips for Balancing Estrogen Naturally</b></span><br /> So to end estrogen dominance and relieve PMS symptoms, it best to approach the problem of too much estrogen in three ways: 1) improve liver health, 2) improve digestion and elimination, and 3) avoid estrogenic foods and environmental toxins as much as you reasonably can.<br />Here are five simple ways you can get on the road to estrogen balance:<br /> <b>1. Eat enough quality protein.</b><br />“A protein deficiency or impaired protein digestion can <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">suppress</span> liver function. Since <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">a healthy liver</span> is required to detox estrogen, inadequate protein may exacerbate estrogen dominance.” from Quit PMS<br />I personally recommend about .5 grams of protein per pound of body weight (so someone who weighs 150 lbs would eat at least 75 grams of protein per day). This is just a general guideline, but it can be a helpful starting place. (Note: If you’re super active, you may need a lot more protein.)<br />Of course, the quality of protein is important, too. Grass-fed meat and dairy are good, as well as other quality meats and seafood. Bone broth and gelatin are also excellent sources of protein.<br /> <b>2. Avoid Soy</b><br />Many people turn to soy for protein, but when you have too much estrogen, soy can just make the problem worse.<br />“Soy is extremely high in phytoestrogens, substances that mimic estrogen in the body. If you have hormonal imbalance, the last thing you want to do is eat this ‘estrogen supplement.’ “ from Quit PMS<br />If you have PMS, it’s probably best to limit soy consumption (there are other reasons to avoid soy as well, but that’s for another post!).<br /> <b>3. Stay “Regular”</b><br />Since the body gets rid of some estrogen through the digestive tract (aka by “elimination” if you catch my drift), constipation is your enemy.<br />“Some estrogen is packaged into bile, where it is excreted into the small intestines during digestion. There, the estrogen is eliminated as part of solid waste. If there is constipation or slow transit time, however, the waste sits stagnant in the colon. Here, the estrogen can be reabsorbed by the body and sent into recirculation.” from Quit PMS<br />To assist your body in eliminating excess estrogen, it’s important to stay regular and prevent constipation. In general, I’ve found that eating enough quality food and supporting metabolic health are extremely helpful for preventing constipation.<br />The herb cascara sagrada can help, as can magnesium (you can use topical magnesium oil or supplemental magnesium glycinate). Lauren also recommends raw carrots:<br />“What is so special about raw carrots? Raw carrots contain a special fiber that binds to estrogen in the digestive tract and helps move it out of the body. Hormone researcher Ray Peat found that consuming a raw carrot for just three days in a row significantly reduced estrogen levels.” from Quit PMS<br /> <b>4. Go Organic</b><br />One reason I choose organic food is to avoid the chemicals in conventional herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. These chemicals can be highly estrogenic. Avoid these chemicals by choosing to buy organic or from a farmer you trust, or grow your own instead!<br /> <b>5. Avoid Aluminum</b><br />“Aluminum (a metalloestrogen) is capable of binding and activating estrogen receptors. The aluminum in conventional anti-perspirants/deodorants is absorbed through the skin, along with the other stressful toxins in these products.” from Quit PMS<br />Make sure you use an aluminum-free deodorant and avoid letting <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">aluminum foil</span> come in <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">contact</span> with your food. It’s also smart to avoid aluminum <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">cookware</span> (<span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">learn more</span> about safe cookware here).<br /> Source: livingthenourishedlife.com

Is Too Much Estrogen Causing Your PMS? (and 5 Simple Tips for Balancing Estrogen Levels Naturally)

Why do we get PMS? Those chocolate cravings, that crippling fatigue, the scary mood swings, the unexplainable weepiness… it sure c...

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19 Small Changes You Can Make to Improve Your Health

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="healthy-lifestyle" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="330" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/healthy-lifestyle-620x330.jpg?075c4b" width="620" /> </div>You don’t have to go vegan or sign up for boot camp to give your well-being a nice boost. This month, try one of these refreshingly easy feel-good tips from fellow Real Simple readers. <br /> Sometimes big changes start with small shifts. Whether you’re trying to eat better, get more active or ward off germs, a healthier you doesn’t have to mean a total lifestyle makeover. We asked our readers which small change has made the biggest impact on their health.<br /> <strong>I gave my refrigerator a total makeover.</strong> First I placed fruits and veggies inside clear containers and put them, along with yogurt and salad fixings, on a shelf at eye level. Now when I open the door, those options grab my attention. I also threw out any takeout containers, because they only encouraged me to eat more takeout. As a result of this new system, I unconsciously make healthier choices, and it has helped to lower <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">my blood pressure</span>.<br /> <em>—Sharna Small, Borsellino Dedham, Massachusetts</em><br /> About a year ago, instead of reading during my 15-minute break at work, I started <strong>taking brisk walks around my office-building complex.</strong> After a couple of months, I was so surprised at how my <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">body</span> shape had changed with that small amount of exercise. My midsection had slimmed down, and my legs were more toned. Now I feel more energetic throughout <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">the day</span> and sleep better at night.<br /> <em>—Karen <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">Swanson</span>, Taylor, Texas</em><br /> My therapist suggested <strong>deep breathing</strong> as a tool to manage stress. I teach eighth-grade math, and my stress level is pretty high on <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">some days</span>. I breathe in to a slow count of five, hold for a slow count of five, then slowly release to a count of five. This instantly calms me down and keeps me centered. Think of it as a three-minute break that you can take anytime, anywhere.<br /> <em>—Cathy Morse, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">Forest</span> City, North Carolina</em><br /> There are tons of sweets and fatty snacks within arm’s reach at my office, so I fell into the habit of grabbing a bag of chips or <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">cookies</span> in the late morning and afternoon. Early this year, I began <strong>bringing healthy bites (like mandarin oranges, nuts, and granola) to work.</strong> Since I’ve cut all those refined sugars and empty calories out of my diet, I no longer experience a late-afternoon slump.<br /> <em>—Katy Lange, Tulsa, Oklahoma</em><br /> <strong>Weight lifting</strong> has improved my flexibility and made the aches and pains in my back, neck, and shoulders subside. I spent most of my life believing that cardio was the key to a lean, healthy body and that lifting would only make me appear bulkier. Yet now, at age 41, I look and feel better than ever.<br /> <em>—Christi McCrary, Dallas, Texas</em><br /> <strong>My family and I order all our groceries online.</strong> When shopping in the supermarket, I’m more likely to make impulse purchases. (Who can say no to “buy one, get one free” boxes of cookies? I certainly can’t.) It’s much easier for me to resist temptations online. We eat healthier and spend less money to boot.<br /> <em>—Becky Kenemuth, Washington, D.C.</em><br /> I’ve struggled with weight issues my whole life, so a few months ago I <strong>adopted my 10-year-old daughter’s daily exercise <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">routine</span></strong>: 40 situps and 20 push-ups. While she does it at night for her gymnastics class, I do it within the first <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">10 minutes</span> of waking up. Not only do I feel stronger but the activity also puts me in a better mood and encourages me to make good choices throughout the day.<br /> <em>—Jenny Kober, Sheboygan, Wisconsin</em><br /> In the past, I would drink coffee while getting ready for work, yet I still felt tired. So my fitness instructor advised me to <strong>drink water in the morning before my usual cup of joe</strong>. He said that this would get my metabolism going and wake me up. Since I’ve begun guzzling water and waiting until the midmorning slump to drink coffee, I’ve felt refreshed and energized.<br /> <em>—Abbie Dunham, Redondo Beach, California</em><br /> When I gobbled down decadent breakfasts in the morning, like an egg and cheese on a bagel, I felt lethargic at work. Daily tasks, like sending e-mails and preparing for meetings, required more effort. By<strong>eating lighter morning meals</strong>, like a dairy-free smoothie or oatmeal with fruit, I have more energy in the morning and that lasts all day.<br /> <em>—Katie Muilenberg, Rockville, Maryland</em><br /> <strong>Establishing a sleep schedule and sticking to it</strong> has cured my bouts of insomnia. I go to bed and get up at the same time every day, and I sprinkle my bed with lavender and play soothing <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">music to</span> help me fall asleep. With a full night’s rest, I have fewer mood swings and my mind stays sharp.<br /> <em>—Mare Hare, Marinette, Wisconsin</em><br /> As part of my goal of getting fit for my wedding, over two years ago I started <strong>tracking what I eat on an app called MyFitnessPal. </strong>I quickly learned how the calories from my snacking added up, and I also saw how much exercise can make up for those extra calories. I still use the app, despite being a <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">married woman</span> now, as it has proven to be great motivation for eating well and exercising.<br /> <em>—Laura VanderLaan, Atlanta, Georgia</em><br /> While I understand that fitness is important, I get embarrassed at the gym, and I won’t go for a run unless a bear is chasing me. However, <strong>gardening</strong> is a surprisingly great alternative to traditional exercise and relieves tension at the same time. Shoveling, tearing out weeds, and stomping on a pitchfork to loosen dirt definitely get my heart rate up.<br /> <em>—Merricka Breuer, Sunderland, Massachusetts</em><br /> I am amazed by how <strong>paying closer attention to how food affects my body</strong> and then adjusting my diet accordingly has affected my overall health. For instance, after discovering that a lack of fat in my meals caused an upset stomach and bloating, I started eating more healthy fats. I have <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">dropped</span> 15 pounds and am experiencing less joint and muscle soreness.<br /> <em>—Jill L. Lindsey, Lebanon, Ohio</em><br /> Since I think it’s more often the things we touch that make us sick as opposed to the air we breathe, I press upon my two boys the importance of <strong>washing our hands frequently</strong>. We have been an illness-free home for the last year, and I take much pride in that. No one has missed a day of school or work in the longest time. Either we are really lucky or we simply wash our hands.<br /> <em>—Pamela Jean Grady, Kalispell, Montana</em><br /> After researching the potential sources of my back problems and fatigue, I learned that poor posture can cause these symptoms. So to help me <strong>sit up straight</strong>, I swapped out my office chair for a stability ball. My back issues have vastly improved, and I’m more alert, not to mention confident, at work.<br /> <em>—Felicia Goldsmith, Davis, California</em><br /> Sugar has always been my biggest vice. I used to eat dessert after lunch, and I would start thinking about my nighttime dessert even before dinner. Now I refrain from having multiple desserts a day and<strong>satisfy my sweet tooth with a piece of dark chocolate or a handful of raspberries instead of ice cream.</strong> Besides not having to deal with the constant crashes and the cravings, I enjoy the sweets that I do eat more than before.<br /> <em>—Abby Pfeiffer, Portland, Oregon</em><br /> I used to think that stretching was a total waste of time, but after being told to <strong>stretch daily</strong> after a painful knee injury, I discovered what a difference it makes. When I stretch after a workout, my body is much less sore and achy. My legs used to feel really tight all the time, but as long as I stretch in the morning and at night, they’re pain-free.<br /> <em>—Teresa Tobat, Burke, Virginia</em><br /> Thanks to our new practice of <strong>reading nutrition labels</strong>, my kids and I are able to look at a product and know whether it will make us feel good or not. If a food doesn’t pass our criteria (no hydrogenated oils or high-fructose corn syrup, a small amount of sugar, and at least two grams of fiber per serving), we don’t buy it. We love knowing exactly what we’re putting into our bodies.<br /> <em>—Erica Privitelli, Los Angeles, California</em><br /> About five years ago, when I returned to work after being a stay-at-home mom, I realized that waking up at the same time as my daughter and husband made me cranky. I felt overwhelmed having to immediately prepare breakfast and get everyone ready for the day. So now <strong>I wake up 30 minutes before the rest of the household</strong>. I enjoy a cup of coffee and read or watch a funny TV show. This daily ritual helps me feel more awake and relaxed and puts me in a better state of mind.<br /> <em>—Michele Gorka, Bridgewater, New Jersey</em><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="color: #999999;"><em><small>Source:realsimple.com<br />Photo Credit:nhwe2014.files.wordpress.com</small></em></span>

19 Small Changes You Can Make to Improve Your Health

You don’t have to go vegan or sign up for boot camp to give your well-being a nice boost. This month, try one of these refreshingl...

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9 Very Real Benefits of Laughter

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="image" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="266" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/image46.jpg?075c4b" width="400" /> </div>Laughter is medicine. And that’s not just a cute saying. Science says there <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">are real</span> and tangible benefits associated with laughter. So <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">if you love</span> laughter and crave comedy, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">maybe</span> that’s just your <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">body</span> nudging you toward better health. <b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">9 Very Real Benefits of Laughter</span></b><br /> Benefit of Laughter #1:<br /> It’s good for your heart! One study showed that people who have heart <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">disease</span> tend to laugh less than people who don’t. They also responded with less humor to normal life situations. Humor is good for your heart!<br /> Benefit of Laughter #2:<br /> Help fight cancer. For real! The Cancer Treatment Centers of America actually use laughter therapy to boost immunity, relieve pain, and improve moods in cancer patients.<br /> Benefit of Laughter #3:<br /> Heal relationships. One of the greatest benefits of laughter is that it brings people <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">closer</span> together. It can relieve anger and anxiety while restoring positive feelings. Laughter can break the tension in a tough moment and pave the way for finding solutions to relationship problems.<br /> Benefit of Laughter #4:<br /> Make work fun. Humor in the workplace (appropriate humor, of course) is a great way to boost creativity and <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">productivity</span>, and strengthens teamwork and morale.<br /> Benefit of Laughter #5:<br /> <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">Relieve stress</span>. It probably goes without saying, but it’s such an important benefit it’s well worth mentioning: laughter is a huge stress reliever! Stress is one of the top causes of modern disease (one of the main ideas I discuss in my book The Nourished Metabolism), so this might be why laughter has so many health benefits. It relieves tension and gets oxygen pumping through the whole body, which is exactly what you need when you’re stressed out.<br /> Benefit of Laughter #6:<br /> Stop pain. Laughter raises endorphins, chemicals in your brain that are tied to pain relief. Researchers at Oxford <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">University</span> found a dose-related laughter effect–the more people laugh, the less pain they feel.<br /> Benefit of Laughter #7:<br /> Fight depression. Everyone knows that laughter can lift your spirits, but it can go deeper than that. <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">Research</span> shows that laughter aids depression <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">recovery</span>, and people who laugh more become depressed and anxious less often. People who use humor as a coping mechanism generally have a more positive view of life, which can help prevent feelings of depression.<br /> Benefit of Laughter #8:<br /> Boost your immunity. Laughter can improve immune system activity, while stimulating circulation and oxygen uptake throughout the body.<br /> Benefit of Laughter #9:<br /> Get better sleep. A study in Japan showed that laughing more in the evening actually improve sleep quality. (source) So watching a little of your favorite sitcom or <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">reading</span> a funny book before bed might help you catch some more shut-eye!<br /> Source: livingthenourishedlife.com

9 Very Real Benefits of Laughter

Laughter is medicine. And that’s not just a cute saying. Science says there are real and tangible benefits associated with laughter...

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12 Natural Toothpaste Alternatives

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="image" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="297" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/image45.jpg?075c4b" width="468" /> </div>Natural toothpaste alternatives are all the rage these days. So, what’s wrong with toothpaste? <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">Well</span>, like most commercial <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">health and beauty products</span> on the market, toothpaste has been industrialized over the years.<br /><br />Here are just a few of the <b>questionable ingredients commonly found in commercial toothpastes:</b><br /><b>Fluoride</b>. While fluoride is supposedly the ingredient that prevents cavities, it doesn’t do that job very well and can actually be very toxic to the body. In fact, if you suffer from acne outbreaks around the mouth and chin area, fluoride toothpaste may be the cause! (If you haven’t already, check out The Case Against Fluoride and The Fluoride Deception for more <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">information</span>.) Fluoride-free toothpastes are becoming more common, but unfortunately it’s not the only ingredient in toothpaste you should be avoiding. Read more about fluoride dangers here. <b>Titanium dioxide</b>. There are some concerns that titanium dioxide is carcinogenic. The biggest problem is that nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide can be absorbed through the mouth and may cause toxic damage in the cells of the body. <b>Glycerin</b>. This is found in almost every toothpaste on the market (even the natural ones). Glycerin helps give toothpaste its pasty <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">texture</span> and keeps it from drying out. But it can also leave a coating on your teeth that prevents them from remineralizing. <b>Sodium lauryl sulfate</b>. It gives you the foamy cleaning action we all expect from toothpaste, but sodium lauryl sulfate is also a strong chemical <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">surfactant</span> that doesn’t belong in our bodies. Artificial sweeteners. I don’t know about you, but I generally avoid chemical sweeteners like sorbitol and saccharin. Unfortunately, these are commonly used in commercial toothpaste to make them taste sweet.<br /> <br /><b>12 Natural Toothpaste Alternatives</b><br /> <b>1. Sea Salt</b><br />How much more natural can you get than brushing your teeth with salt from the sea? It’s easy, too: just dab your toothbrush in sea salt and brush away as usual. Concerned about abrasion? Me, too. You can also dissolve the salt in water first and then dip your brush in the saltwater before brushing.<br /><b> 2. Baking Soda</b><br />This has got to be one of the most popular natural toothpaste alternatives. Like sea salt, you can just dip your toothbrush in baking soda and brush like normal. Or you can dissolve it in water first and use the brine for brushing (just like the sea salt). A lot of people use baking soda as a base for homemade tooth powder. You mix it with a few drops of peppermint essential oil and stevia to give your mouth a minty fresh feel.<br /><b> 3. Hydrogen Peroxide</b><br />Hydrogen peroxide is known for keeping teeth clean and white, and many people use it instead of toothpaste. <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">Jessica</span> on Facebook suggests, “Dip your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide and then in a 50/50 mixture of baking soda and fine sea salt.” The only potential problem with hydrogen peroxide is if you have amalgam fillings: peroxide may leach mercury from your fillings.<br /><b> 4. Herbal Tooth Powders</b><br />Herbal tooth powders can be used in place of toothpaste. They do a good job of cleaning, and the herbal ingredients can also help ease inflammation, pain and infection throughout the mouth.<br /><b> 5. Dry Brushing</b><br />It doesn’t get much more simple than this. Tired of looking for a natural toothpaste alternative? According to some, there’s no need to use anything at all: dry brushing does the job. But while it does seem to work well enough, there’s no minty mouth feel (like we’re all used to, of course) and might feel a little strange.<br /><b> 6. Brush with Pure Water</b><br />If dry brushing doesn’t quite cut it for you, try brushing with pure water. This also works surprisingly well for clearing debris from the teeth, but you still don’t get that minty mouth feel.<br /><b> 7. All Natural Soap</b><br />Yes, you can brush your teeth with soap. I’ve tried this one a few times, and while it does work, it also tastes pretty, well, soapy. Not exactly the natural toothpaste experience I was looking for personally. But if you decide to try it, trying a natural soap like peppermint castile soap.<br /><b> 8. Tooth Soap</b><br />For those who aren’t keen on using actual soap in their mouths, there are quite a lot of brands of specially designed tooth soaps on the market as a natural toothpaste alternative. Just try to find one without additives.<br /><b> 9. Coconut Oil</b><br /><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">Coconut</span> oil is another great natural toothpaste alternative. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties come in handy for mouth cleaning. Coconut oil can be used alone and combined with other ingredients listed here (like baking soda and <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">essential oils</span>).<br /><b> 10. Oral Irrigation (Waterpik)</b><br />Getting a Waterpik has been on my to-do <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">list ever</span> since I read Cure Tooth Decay by Rami Nagel. But I don’t have one yet, so I can’t speak from personal experience about using one. According to user reports, however, this little device can work some wonders cleaning teeth and gums. Some say the results are nothing short of miraculous. Rami Nagel suggests in his book that you use salt water for oral irrigation, which can enhance the benefits.<br /><b> 11. Essential Oils</b><br />These can be bought at a local <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">health</span> food store or from a reputable online store. Learn where I shop for high quality therapeutic essential oils online.<br />Sometimes I just use a drop or two of peppermint oil on my dampened toothbrush if I want a quick and easy way to get my mouth feeling clean and minty fresh.<br />Want to learn more about essential oils and how to use them? Join my essential oil Facebook group HERE.<br /><b> 12. Oil Pulling</b><br />Never heard of it? Here’s a post that explains what oil pulling is and how to do it. Basically you swish about one <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">tablespoon</span> of oil (I use coconut oil) for several minutes. Then brush with plain water or use one of the methods listed above. Trust me, your teeth have never felt this clean!<br /> Source: livingthenourishedlife.com

12 Natural Toothpaste Alternatives

Natural toothpaste alternatives are all the rage these days. So, what’s wrong with toothpaste? Well , like most commercial health an...

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Symptoms of Stress and How to Deal with It

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="StressBall3" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="330" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/StressBall3-620x330.jpg?075c4b" width="620" /> </div><strong>When you’re pushed to the max, things can get ugly (literally). Here’s some face-saving relief.</strong>Our bodies are quite adept at dealing with high-anxiety situations. Once the stress hormone cortisol kicks in, a chemical cascade of events follows, helping us to tackle whatever challenge is being thrown our way, from a tight deadline to a ferocious dog. But while this process can be helpful physiologically and mentally (we tend to be quicker on our feet because of it), it can also wreak havoc on our hair, skin, and nails. Breathe easy: Here are simple ways to overcome the aesthetic effects <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">of stress</span>.<br /> <h2>Hair Issues</h2><h4>Shedding</h4><strong>Why it happens:</strong> Let’s face it—great hair is an asset but not essential to good <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">health</span>. Your body knows this intrinsically, so when you’re so stressed that you’re eating poorly or losing weight, it directs all its energy to making sure that your vital organs are functioning properly; it doesn’t <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">waste</span> precious resources on your hair. As a result, says Amy McMichael, the chair of the department of dermatology at Wake <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">Forest</span> Baptist Medical, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, “follicles in the growing stage go immediately into the resting and shedding phase,” a condition known as telogen effluvium.<br /> <strong>How to treat it:</strong> If, instead of shedding the normal 100 strands a day, you’re shedding more like 300—meaning handfuls fall into the sink when you’re brushing—see your doctor. If your hair loss is caused by a poor diet due to stress, your doctor may start by testing your <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">levels</span> of B12, zinc, iron, and the protein ferritin—nutrients that are crucial to hair growth—and suggest that you take supplements if you have any deficiencies. She may also discuss stress-management techniques if diet alone is not to blame. Once the stress is addressed (<em>ohmmm</em>), the condition should fully reverse in 6 to 10 months. In the meantime, you can make the effects less noticeable: Lather up with a thickening <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">shampoo</span> that coats the hair with amino acids, such as L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Shampoo ($7 at drugstores), and consider styling with a dry-shampoo spray, such as Bosley Bos-Renew Volumizing Dry Shampoo ($19,ulta.com). It will keep scalp oils from weighing down <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">thin hair</span> while still offering hold.<br /> <h2>Graying</h2><strong>Why it happens:</strong> As we’ve witnessed time and again, anyone who holds the most stressful job in the country—president of the United States—goes gray fairly quickly. And until now researchers have never completely understood why. But this past summer researchers at New York University School of Medicine found that physical stress, such as burning your hand, causes melanocytes, the stem cells responsible for hair color and other regenerative processes, to migrate from the hair follicles to other parts of the body to promote healing. This leaves hair without pigment and therefore gray. The researchers theorize that emotional stress may also be associated with depletion of melanocytes, setting off graying.<br /> <strong>How to treat it:</strong> There is currently no known way to reverse graying, but some of the latest home and salon hair colorants are formulated with an oil-based delivery method that can help mask silvery strands by increasing the dye penetration into the shafts and coating wiry grays so that they lie flat and smooth. (Try <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">Garnier</span> Olia Oil Powered Permanent color, $10 at drugstores; or Redken Chromatics Beyond Covers, prices vary, redken.com for salons.)<br /> <h2>Nail Issues</h2><h4>Ragged Cuticles and Tips</h4><strong>Why it happens:</strong> According to Amy Wechsler, a dermatologist and psychiatrist in New York City, trying times don’t directly affect the thickness or the strength of the nail beds. But they can cause people to ease their stress by biting or picking at their cuticles, which may have long-term effects on the appearance of the nails, she says. Picking at cuticles leaves fingertips vulnerable to inflammation, infection, and swelling, which can, in turn, cause nails to grow with unsightly grooves and bumps. And over time nibbling can permanently weaken nails, altering their shape and ability to grow.<br /> <strong>How to treat it:</strong> If you’ve picked your cuticles to the point of redness, apply a small daily squeeze of an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. If they’re ragged, rub in a treatment like CND SolarOil ($11, cnd.com for info), which conditions with sweet-almond and jojoba oils. If nail biting is your bête noire, try a long-lasting salon gel manicure. “The professional grooming will keep your nails neat, so you’re less tempted to pick and bite, and the amount of time that you can expect a gel manicure to stay on—three weeks—can help wean you off a bad habit,” says Dana Stern, a New York City–based dermatologist who specializes in nails.<br /> <h2>Grooved Nail Beds</h2><strong>Why it happens:</strong> Not unlike telogen effluvium, stress-induced changes in diet can cause nails to stop growing. Luckily, nails don’t fall off en masse the way that hair can. Instead, about three months after the intense event, a deep and harmless horizontal groove, known as a Beau’s line, appears on the nail bed.<br /> <strong>How to treat it:</strong> “As the nail with the Beau’s line grows, it can occasionally lift off the nail bed and smooth itself out,” says Stern, and this is normal and painless. But more often it simply grows out and is filed away. To even out the divot temporarily, use a ridge-filling base coat, like Deborah Lippmann Ridge Filler Base Coat ($20, neimanmarcus.com).<br /> <h2>Skin Issues</h2><h4>Acne</h4><strong>Why it happens:</strong> In a 2003 Stanford University School of Medicine study, researchers suggested that undergraduates’ acne worsened during exams. Adjusting for changes in diet and the amount and quality of sleep, the researchers determined that increased stress levels were the primary cause of acne flare-ups. “The exact mechanism is not totally clear, but hormone levels that rise in times of stress are known to increase oil production,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, in New York City. More specifically, high levels of cortisol and adrenaline tell the body to free up more glucose (a.k.a. blood sugar) so it can be used as an immediate energy source to fend off threats. The problem is, raised glucose levels also switch on a gene that promotes acne. To make matters worse, cortisol, in and of itself, increases sebum production and decreases the skin’s ability to reduce inflammation. At the same time, adrenaline, during periods of chronic stress, binds to sweat glands, which brings more pore-clogging sweat to the skin’s surface. The result: a perfect storm for acne to proliferate.<br /> <strong>How to treat it:</strong> Stress-induced acne responds to the same treatments as regular acne. You just might need to step up your game a bit. <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">For example</span>, “if you usually use an over-the-counter product and it’s not effective, talk to your doctor about a prescription treatment, such as a topical containing a retinoid,” says McMichael. (For an acne-reducing, skin-care regimen, try washing with a gentle cleanser, such as SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser; $34, skinceuticals.com. Next, moisturize with a calming cream, such as Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator; $40, kiehls.com. Offset any redness with Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive Tint; $40, dermalogica.com.) Of course, few strategies work better than reducing the stress itself: Take breaks. Meditate. And get sufficient Z’s (sleep deprivation is also associated with increased cortisol).<br /> <h2>Fine Lines and Wrinkles</h2><strong>Why it happens:</strong> The aforementioned spike in blood sugar, prompted by cortisol and adrenaline, also raises the amount of sugar molecules in collagen, the protein that gives skin its structure. The process, known as glycation, forms compounds called advanced glycation end products—shortened to, fittingly, AGEs—which stiffen collagen, giving the skin a more brittle appearance over time. On its own, cortisol also reduces levels of glycosaminoglycan and hyaluronic acid, molecules that keep skin plump and youthful looking.<br /> <strong>How to treat it:</strong> The effects of AGEs on the skin are naturally more apparent as we A-G-E, but dietary adjustments can slow down the process. Minimizing simple carbohydrates in the diet, like white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, which increase the rate of glycation tenfold, may stabilize blood sugar. Traditional anti-aging treatments can be effective, too. Peptide- or retinol-containing products help produce new collagen, and antioxidants fend off free-radical damage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="color: #999999;"><em><small>Source:realsimple.com<br />Photo Credit:funfamilycrafts.com</small></em></span>

Symptoms of Stress and How to Deal with It

When you’re pushed to the max, things can get ugly (literally). Here’s some face-saving relief. Our bodies are quite adept at dealin...

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Fluoride Intake Increasing Bone Fractures

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="image" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="330" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/image44-491x330.jpg?075c4b" width="491" /> </div><i>Fluoride</i> has been used experimentally to treat osteoporosis, although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">for this</span> purpose. The fact is that fluoride does increase bone mineral density. But this “benefit” is misleading because as it increases density, it simultaneously makes them more brittle and prone to fracture. Fluoride actually interferes with bone remodeling, or the process in which the mineral portion of your bone is broken down and rebuilt.<br /> By interfering, your bones become excessively mineralized and enlarged, “a disruption of the precise <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">architecture</span> needed to maintain resistance to fracture,” as the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) put it.<br /> <b>Fluoride Blamed for Increasing Bone Fractures in India</b><br /> Fluoride is described as “one of the oldest drugs available for managing osteoporosis,” but the gains in bone mass are being offset by increases in fracture rates.1 Vivek Logani, chief of joint <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">replacement</span> surgery at Gurgaon’s Paras Hospital in India, said:2<br /> “It is widely recognized that fluoride therapy for osteoporosis adds mass to bones but produces inferior bones. In short, the bio-mechanical competence of the skeleton may be compromised because the tensile (elasticity) strength of bone is sacrificed…<br /> Numerous studies show that fluoride may cause not only increased skeletal fragility (more non-vertebral fractures such as hips) but also osteomalacia (deficiency of bone mineralization).”<br /> For instance, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">research</span> has shown that patients treated with fluoride at doses of greater than 20 milligrams/day had an increase in fracture rates, including spontaneous hip fracture.3 Even at <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">levels</span> found in <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">drinking</span> water (4 mg/L), fluoride has been found to reduce the density of cortical bone and increase bone fracture rates among populations with fluoridated drinking water.<br /> The data actually spurred the US National Research Council to call on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce fluoride levels in drinking water, although they’ve yet to do so.4 Animal studies have also shown that as fluoride exposure increases, bone strength decreases.5 So don’t be fooled by its ability to increase bone mass…<br /> Fluoride Kills Your Bones in a Way Similar to Bisphosphonate Drugs<br /> As FAN said, “Remember, thicker bone does NOT equate to stronger bone,” and this is a lesson learned well from bisphosphonate osteoporosis drugs (Fosamax, Boniva, and Actonel). Like fluoride, these drugs poison your osteoclasts (cells that break down your bone), permanently killing them and interfering with your normal bone remodeling processes.<br /> So, your bones will indeed get denser but at the same time they will become weaker and more prone to fracture. Bone is a dynamic structure that requires the removal of unhealthy bone and REPLACEMENT with new bone to stay strong.<br /> Fosamax does NOT build any new bone… and neither does fluoride. It only kills the cells that break bone down, so your bone is not benefitting from its natural dynamic regenerative process.<br /> Government Fails to Disclose Fluoride’s Disproportionate Harms to Black Community<br /> <b>Fluoride toxicity is exacerbated by conditions that occur much more frequently in low-income areas. This includes:</b><br /> •Nutrient deficiencies<br />•Infant formula consumption<br />•Kidney disease<br />•Diabetes<br />Black and Mexican American children have significantly higher rates of dental fluorosis, and many low-income urban communities also have severe oral health crises, despite decades of water fluoridation. In the US, 40% of adolescents have dental fluorosis.<br /> According to documents obtained by FAN, government health authorities knew more than 50 years ago that <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">black Americans</span> suffered greater harm from fluoridation, including being more susceptible to dental fluorosis than whites. Yet, they failed to disclose those harms to the black community or make changes to water fluoridation guidelines. FAN reported:6<br /> “In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control [and Prevention] (CDC) acknowledged <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">for the first time</span> that the black community has higher rates of dental fluorosis. It took a Freedom of <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">Information</span> Act (FOIA) request, however, to learn the full extent of this disparity.<br /> According to recently released FOIA documents, 58% of black children were diagnosed with dental fluorosis in CDC’s 1999-2004 national survey, versus 36% of white children.<br /> ‘The epidemic of fluorosis now seen in the black community,’ says [attorney Michael] Connett, ‘is the visible legacy of the government’s failure to act on what it knew.’”<br /> <i><b>Dental fluorosis</b></i> is a condition that refers to changes in the appearance of tooth enamel that are caused by long-term ingestion of fluoride during the time teeth are forming. In some areas, fluorosis rates are as high as 70-80 percent, with some children suffering from advanced forms.<br /> It’s likely this is a sign that children are receiving large amounts of fluoride from multiple sources, including not only drinking water but also fluoride toothpaste, processed beverages/foods, fluoride pesticides, tea, non-stick pans, and some fluorinated drugs.<br /> It’s important to realize that dental fluorosis is NOT “just cosmetic.” It can also be an indication that the rest of your body, such as your bones and internal organs, including your brain, has been overexposed to fluoride as well. In other words, if fluoride is having a visually detrimental effect on the surface of your teeth, you can be virtually guaranteed that it’s also damaging other parts of your body, such as your bones.<br /> <b>How to Create Truly Stronger Bones Via Your Diet</b><br /> One of the important strategies for healthy bones is to eat the right kind of foods. A diet full of processed foods will produce biochemical and metabolic conditions in your body that will decrease your bone density, so avoiding processed foods is definitely the first step in the right direction. This goes far beyond calcium, which is the first nutrient many people think of concerning their bones.<br /> Your bones are actually composed of many different minerals, and if you focus on calcium alone, you will likely weaken your bones and increase your risk of osteoporosis, as Dr. Robert Thompson explains in his book, The Calcium Lie.<br /> Calcium, vitamins D and K2, and magnesium work synergistically together to promote strong, healthy bones, and your sodium to potassium ratio also plays an important role in maintaining your bone mass (larger amounts of potassium in relation to sodium is optimal for your bone health and your overall health). Ideally, you’d get all or most of these nutrients, including vitamin B12, from your diet (with the exception of vitamin D). This includes:<br /> Plant-derived calcium: Raw milk from pasture-raised cows (who eat the plants), leafy green vegetables, the pith of citrus fruits, carob, and sesame seeds<br />Magnesium: Raw organic cacao and supplemental magnesium threonate if need be; take regular Epsom salt baths or foot baths<br />Vitamin K2: Grass-fed organic <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">animal products</span> (i.e. eggs, butter, and dairy), certain fermented foods such as natto, or vegetables fermented using a starter culture of vitamin K2-producing bacteria, and certain cheeses such as Brie and Gouda<br />Trace minerals: Himalayan Crystal Salt, which contains all 84 elements found in your body, or other natural, unprocessed salt (NOT regular table salt!)<br />Vitamin D: Ideally from appropriate sun exposure (or a high-quality tanning bed), as it’s virtually impossible to get sufficient amounts from food. As <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">a last</span> resort, you could use a supplement, but if you do, you may also need to supplement with vitamin K2 and magnesium to maintain ideal ratios<br />Lower Your Risk of Fractures with Exercise<br /> The other component you can’t ignore if you want strong, healthy bones is weight-bearing exercises like strength training. Bone building is a dynamic process, so you want to make sure you exert enough force on your bones to stimulate the osteoblasts to build new bone. As mentioned, bone is living tissue that requires regular physical activity in order to renew and rebuild itself, so it is important to make exercise a lifelong commitment. Peak bone mass is achieved in adulthood and then begins a slow decline, but exercise can help you to maintain healthy bone mass as you get older, and should be viewed as a bone-building partner to your healthy diet.<br /> Weight-bearing exercise is actually one of the most effective remedies against osteoporosis, because as you put more tension on your muscles it puts more pressure on your bones, which then respond by continuously creating fresh, new bone. In addition, as you build more muscle, and make the muscle that you already have stronger, you also put more constant pressure on your bones. A good weight-bearing exercise to incorporate into your routine (depending on your current level of fitness, of course) is a walking lunge, as it helps build bone density in your hips, even without any additional weights.<br /> In addition, Acceleration Training, a.k.a. Whole Body Vibrational Training (WBVT) using a Power Plate, has also been shown to be a safe, natural way to ward off osteoporosis, and it’s gentle enough even for the disabled and elderly. Research shows vibrational training may help to produce a significant increase in bone density in postmenopausal women,7 making it another valuable tool for bone health.<br /> <b>Take Action Against Fluoridated Drinking Water</b><br /> Clearly, children and adults alike are being overexposed to fluoride, and their health and development put in jeopardy. Why? At least when it comes to topical application, you have a choice. You can easily buy fluoride-free toothpaste and mouthwash. But you’re stuck with whatever your community puts in the water, and it’s very difficult to filter out of your water once it’s added. Many do not have the resources or the knowledge to do so.<br /> Stay tuned, as the Fluoride Action Network has a game plan to END water fluoridation, both in the US and Canada. Clean pure water is a prerequisite to optimal health. Industrial chemicals, drugs, and other toxic additives really have no place in our water supplies. So, please, support the anti-fluoride movement by making a donation to the Fluoride Action Network today.<br /> <br /> Source: mercola.com

Fluoride Intake Increasing Bone Fractures

Fluoride has been used experimentally to treat osteoporosis, although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it...

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10 Affordable Home Remedies for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Almost 75% of women experience at <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">least one</span> symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) every month. It is most common between the late 20s and mid-40s. The exact cause is not clear, but it is associated with changes in hormone levels during the week before your period. Factors like poor diet, stress, high body mass index, environmental toxins and hereditary factors also contribute to this problem.<br /> PMS is associated with a wide variety of symptoms, such as <strong>bloating, water retention, headaches, cramps, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">mood swings</span>, irritability, food cravings, upset stomach, constipation, acne, breast <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">tenderness</span> and fatigue</strong>.<br /> <br /> Although there is no real cure for PMS, you can follow some natural and easy home remedies and practice a few healthy habits to reduce this problem. If your symptoms are more severe and disrupt your daily activities, consult your doctor. A severe form of PMS is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).<br /> <br /> Here are the top 10 home remedies for premenstrual syndrome (PMS).<span id="more-6858"></span><br /> <h2>1. Ginger</h2>Ginger is an excellent natural remedy for menstrual problems, including cramps, PMS and irregular menstruation. A study published in the journal International Scholarly Research Notices found ginger to be effective in reducing the severity of PMS symptoms.<br /> <ol><li>Add 1 teaspoon of grated ginger to a cup of boiling water.</li><li>Let it simmer for a few minutes.</li><li>Strain and add honey to taste.</li><li>Drink 2 or 3 cups of this ginger tea daily, at least for a week before your period.</li></ol><strong>Note:</strong> If you have problems with gallstones, consult your doctor before using ginger as a remedy.<br /> <h2>2. Chasteberry</h2>Chasteberry, also called vitex, regulates the endocrine system and the synthesis of hormones. It suppresses the release of prolactin, a hormone that is believed to be a contributing factor in PMS symptoms. It also helps treat irregular menstruation.<br /> <ul><li>Take 400 mg of standard extract of this herb daily.</li><li>Alternatively, take 10:1 chasteberry extract, 100 mg twice a day.</li><li>Another option is to take 40 drops of vitex tincture daily.</li></ul>Follow any of these remedies for at least a few months. As with all supplements, consult a doctor first.<br /> <strong>Note:</strong> This herb may interfere with drugs that affect the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">pituitary gland</span>.<br /> <h2>3. Apple Cider Vinegar</h2>Apple cider vinegar is helpful in treating a wide variety of ailments. It is also good for reducing PMS symptoms like bloating, water retention, cramping, headaches, irritability and fatigue.<br /> <ol><li>Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a glass of water.</li><li>Add a little raw, organic honey.</li><li>Drink this solution once or twice daily.</li></ol><h2>4. Flaxseeds</h2>Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids that have been found to be helpful in reducing PMS symptoms like depression, anxiety, bloating, breast tenderness and headaches. Plus, they contain lignans that block excess estrogen and balance hormone metabolism. They are also an excellent source of fiber.<br /> Consume 1 tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseeds twice daily. You can add it to your oatmeal, cereal, smoothies, salad or cooked vegetables.<br /> You can also include fatty fish, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">coconut</span> oil, eggs, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, almonds, walnuts and other foods rich in essential fatty acids in your diet.<br /> <h2>5. Calcium and Magnesium</h2>Calcium is believed to help balance hormone levels, thus easing PMS symptoms. Also, it is good for your bones as well as overall health.<br /> Magnesium helps reduce symptoms like food cravings, breast tenderness, fluid retention, bloating and menstrual migraine headaches. Both nutrients also reduce stress and alleviate cramping.<br /> <ul><li>Eat calcium and magnesium-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, beans, kelp, blackstrap molasses, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">bananas</span>, nuts and seeds.</li><li>Blackstrap molasses is a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, vitamin B6 and various other vitamins and minerals. Mix 1 tablespoon of this brown syrup in a glass of milk and drink it daily.</li><li>You can also take up to 1,200 mg of calcium and 300 to 500 mg of magnesium daily. Before starting any supplement regimen, consult your doctor.</li></ul>Vitamin B6 and E are also beneficial for treating PMS.<br /> <h2>6. Exercise</h2>Regular exercise is highly recommended for reducing premenstrual syndrome. Although more research is needed to confirm this, a few small studies suggest that exercising can ease some symptoms, especially pain and mood swings.<br /> It will also reduce stress, boost your mood, increase your metabolism, facilitate weight loss and improve your overall health.<br /> <ul><li>Women should engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes, 4 or 5 times a week.</li><li>Vigorous exercise can also be undertaken a few times a week.</li><li>Two muscle-strengthening sessions a week are also a must.</li></ul>Some women have reported an improvement in their symptoms after joining an aerobic exercise program.<br /> <strong>Note:</strong> Rest assured that exercise is good for you even during your periods and the days leading up to it. However, do not engage in exercise excessively.<br /> <h2>7. Red Raspberry</h2><img alt="Red raspberry leaf tea" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6859" height="394" src="http://www.top10homeremedies.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Red-raspberry-leaf-tea-opt.jpg" width="400" /><br /> Red raspberry herb is beneficial for women at all stages of life. It has been found to work as a relaxant agent, thus <a href="http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-menstrual-cramps.html"><span style="color: #20c10b;">reducing cramps and spasms</span></a>.<br /> It is rich in various vitamins and minerals, especially B-complex vitamins, calcium and magnesium. It also works as a uterine tonic, aids digestion and regulates menstrual periods.<br /> <br /> <ul><li>Add 1 tablespoon of dried red raspberry leaves to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for about 15 minutes. Strain and drink this tea up to <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">3 times</span> daily, at least for a week before your period.</li><li>Another option is to take red raspberry leaf capsules or extract. For proper dosage and suitability, consult your doctor.</li></ul><br /> <strong>Note:</strong> This herb may not be suitable for those suffering from hemochromatosis or iron overload.<br /> <h2>8. Evening Primrose Oil</h2><img alt="evening primrose oil" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5582" height="264" src="http://www.top10homeremedies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/evening-primrose-oil-opt.jpg" width="400" /><br /> Research indicates that <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">evening primrose oil</span> may help reduce PMS symptoms. It is particularly beneficial for those dealing with breast tenderness. Plus, it is loaded with gamma linolenic acid (GLA) that helps regulate <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">pain and inflammation</span> in the body.<br /> Take 500 to 1,000 mg of evening primrose oil standardized extract daily for about 3 months. Before starting any supplement regimen, consult your doctor.<br /> <h2>9. Fennel</h2><img alt="fennel seeds" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4641" height="361" src="http://www.top10homeremedies.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/fennel-seeds1-opt.jpg" width="399" /><br /> Fennel is considered useful in relieving cramping and discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome and menstruation as it helps rebalance female hormones. Plus, being a natural diuretic and digestive aid, it helps reduce water retention and bloating.<br /> <ul><li>Add 1 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink this fennel tea daily for at least a few months.</li><li>You can also simply chew on a few fennel seeds daily. Another added benefit is that it will keep bad breath at bay.</li></ul><h2>10. Cinnamon</h2><img alt="cinnamon" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6316" height="266" src="http://www.top10homeremedies.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/cinnamon-organic-brown-opt.jpg" width="400" /><br /> <br /> Cinnamon has potent anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that help relieve PMS symptoms like cramps. Also, it contains nutrients like calcium, manganese and iron. Cinnamon is good for digestion and blood sugar control as well.<br /> <ul><li>Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder to a cup of boiling water. Add some milk and a little honey. Let it simmer for a few minutes. Drink this tea daily, at least for a week before your period.</li><li>You can also include cinnamon in your diet by adding it to many <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">foods and beverages</span>.</li></ul><strong>Additional Tips</strong><br /> <ul><li>Limit your salt intake as it contributes to water retention.</li><li>Reduce your intake of processed foods and refined sugars.</li><li>Follow a low-fat diet.</li><li>Eat more vitamin B-rich foods, such as eggs, milk, poultry, fish, soy beans, leafy greens, whole grains, wheat germ, oatmeal, and various nuts and seeds. Research indicates that women who eat a vitamin B-rich diet are less likely to develop premenstrual syndrome.</li><li>Include more fiber in your diet as it promotes intestinal <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">clearance</span> of estrogen. Raw carrots are particularly beneficial.</li><li>Drink plenty of fluids, but cut back on caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.</li><li>Stop smoking.</li><li>Manage stress using <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">relaxation techniques</span>.</li></ul><br /> <span style="color: #999999;"><em><small>Source:top10homeremedies.com</small></em></span>

10 Affordable Home Remedies for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Almost 75% of women experience at least one symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) every month. It is most common between the late 20s and ...

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Men’s Top 5 Health Concerns

<div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="image" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="227" src="http://www.healthdigezt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/image39.jpg?075c4b" width="340" /> </div>The Men’s Health Network (MHN) reports that men die at higher rates than women from the top 10 causes of death – heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">obstructive pulmonary disease</span>, accidents, pneumonia and influenza, diabetes, suicide, kidney disease, and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. <br />Men also die <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">younger</span> than women. In 1920, women outlived men only by one year. Today, CDC figures show the life expectancy gap has widened: On average, women survive men by over five years.<br /> <br />“Any human being who is not connected to <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">a physician</span> to screen for major health problems is at greater risk (of disease and death),” says Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, a <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">board</span> member of the MHN.<br /> <br />The biggest problem that men have is not so much a specific disease, says Bonhomme, but the diseases are the result of lack of health care monitoring earlier in life. He cites the progression of heart disease as an example: “If you don’t get your cholesterol checked when it’s going high when you’re 20, and if don’t get your blood pressure checked when it’s going high when you’re 30, maybe your blood sugar’s getting a little high when you’re 40, what do you think is going to happen when you’re 50?”<br /> <br />Bonhomme places part of the blame on society in general, which expects boys to be tough and ignore pain. As people get older, however, the rules change. A little pain can get worse, or signal something more serious going on in the body.<br /> <br />Many of the top 10 causes of death are preventable, and can be treated, if found early. To help men better their health, WebMD examined the risk factors for five of the biggest killers of men: heart disease, stroke, suicide, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. We asked the experts why men were so vulnerable to these ailments and what they could do to reduce their risk of disease and death.<br /> <br /><b>Heart Disease</b><br /> Although heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women, almost twice as many males die of conditions that affect the cardiovascular system, the MHN reports.<br /> According to the CDC, one in four men has some form of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death.<br /> Average annual rates of the first heart disease complication rises from seven per 1,000 men at ages 35-44 to 68 per 1,000 at ages 85-94. <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">For women</span>, similar rates occur but they happen about 10 years later in life. The average age of a person having a first heart attack is 65.8 for men and 70.4 for women.<br /> “For men, heart disease begins to manifest itself about 10 years earlier than women,” says <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">Gregory</span> Burke, MD, professor and chairman of the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">department of</span> public health sciences at the Wake Forest <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">University</span> School of Medicine.<br /> This does not mean men have a free pass against heart disease until they’re older. Men have a shorter time to prevent the development of the condition so their overall risk is greater.<br /> According to the American Heart Association (AHA), <b>risk factors for heart disease include:</b><br /> •Increasing age<br />•Male sex<br />•Family history and race.Folks with family history of the disease have greater risk. So do African-Americans, Mexican Americans,<br />•Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and some Asian Americans.<br />•Smoking<br />•High blood cholesterol<br />•High blood pressure<br />•Physical inactivity<br />•Obesity and overweight<br />•Diabetes<br />Some things, such as your age and sex, obviously cannot be controlled, but modifying lifestyle to eat right and exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease, says Burke.<br /> <br /><b>Stroke</b><br /> Stroke is the third leading killer in the country, after heart disease and all forms of cancer. The incidence rate of stroke is 1.25 times greater in men than in women, although there is really no difference between the sexes as people get older, according to the American Stroke Association.<br /> “We know that a very important risk factor for stroke is hypertension. The control of hypertension is a crucial factor to try to prevent the onset of stroke,” says Burke.<br /> <br /><b>Other risk factors include:</b><br /> •Increasing age<br />•Race. African-Americans have the greater risk than whites.<br />•Gender. Stroke is more common in men than in women until age 75.<br />•Personal history of stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA, or ministroke)<br />•Diabetes<br />•High cholesterol<br />•Heart disease<br />•Smoking, including secondhand smoke<br />•Physical inactivity<br />•Obesity<br />•Alcohol and substance abuse<br /> In many ways, behaviors that can reduce the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">risk of stroke</span> mirror those that can reduce risk of heart disease. “We need to recognize that a healthy lifestyle — dietary factors and exercise — reduces the risk of people getting hypertension at all,” says Burke.<br /> “It happens more commonly in the older folks, but it should never be viewed as inevitable, even in people with a family history of the disease,” says Burke.<br /> <br /><b>Suicide and Depression</b><br /> Men are four times more likely to commit suicide compared to women, reports the MHN, which attributes part of the blame on underdiagnosed depression in men.<br /> William Pollack, PhD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, agrees: “Men are more prone to suicide because they’re less likely to openly show depression and have somebody else recognize it early enough to treat it, or to have themselves recognize that they’re in trouble.”<br /> According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 6 million men have depression each year. Pollack believes the number of males with depression could be even greater since men may show signs of depression in a manner different from many women.<br /> Instead of sadness, Pollack says depression may play out in the following ways in men:<br /> •Anger<br />•Aggression<br />•Work “burnout”<br />•Risk-taking behavior<br />•Midlife crisis<br />•Alcohol and substance abuse<br /> “Society around the men and the men themselves see (the male symptoms of depression) as ‘just being a guy,’ or ‘having a hard time,'” says Pollack. “The problem is that if they are signs of depression, and they’re getting bad enough, then many of these men are starting to form thoughts that life isn’t worth living.”<br /> To help men with depression and to reduce the risk of suicide, doctors, loved ones, and men themselves need to recognize that society’s model of masculinity — to ignore pain –can work against men. Looking the other way may trigger depression and thoughts of suicide.<br /> <br /><b>Lung Cancer</b><br /> Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of both men and women, claiming more lives than prostate, colon, and breast cancer combined. In men, there are expected to be about 213, 380 new cases of lung cancer and some 160,390 lung cancer deaths this year.<br /> The good news is that rate of new lung cancer cases has been dropping since the 1980s, and deaths from the cancer have fallen since the 1990s. “That is because of the drop in the prevalence of the use of tobacco <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">products</span> by men that followed the Surgeon General’s report in 1964,” explains Sener.<br /> Besides smoking, the ACS lists the following as <b>risk factors for lung cancer:</b><br /> •Exposure to secondhand smoke<br />•Exposure to asbestos or radon<br />•Personal history<br />•Air pollution<br /> Tobacco products are responsible for 90% of lung cancer, which puts the weight of prevention efforts on smoking cessation.<br /> If you’re thinking about kicking the habit, Sener recommends the following resources:<br /> •American <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">Cancer Society</span>: (800) ACS-2345<br />•National Cancer Institute Smoking Quitline: (877) 44U-QUIT<br /> According to the National Institute on Aging, as soon as you stop smoking, your chances of getting cancer from smoking begins to shrink, and you can prevent further damage to your lungs.<br /> <br /><b>Prostate Cancer</b><br /> Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men. It is the second leading type of cancer death in men, after lung cancer.<br /> There is not enough known about what causes prostate cancer and how to prevent it. Yet the disease is treatable if found in early stages. This can be a challenge, since prostate cancer can show no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body.<br /> This is where a <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">connection</span> to the doctor helps, says Bonhomme. “I personally know people who are alive today because they got (prostate cancer) screening.”<br /> The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam be offered annually for healthy men starting at age 50 or older. Men who are at high risk — such as those who have family history of prostate cancer or who are black — should begin testing earlier.<br /> According to the ACS, other <b>risk factors include:</b><br /> •Increasing age<br />•Nationality. The cancer is most common in North America and Northwestern Europe.<br />•High-fat diet. Men who eat a lot of red meat and high-fat dairy products and not enough fruits and vegetables may have a higher risk.<br /> Although older age is a risk factor for prostate cancer, younger men should not be complacent. Thirty percent of prostate cancers occur in men under age 65. “The younger a man is, the more aggressive the tumor is,” says Stephen F. Sener, MD, ACS president.<br /> Source: webmd.com

Men’s Top 5 Health Concerns

The Men’s Health Network (MHN) reports that men die at higher rates than women from the top 10 causes of death – heart disease, ca...

Read more »