Did you know that according to research, children laugh about 400 times a day while adults only laugh about 15 times a day? Some how we lost the ability to laugh, as we got older. Could it be that putting more humour and laughter into our day will improve our health and wellbeing?In an article written by Drs. Gael Crystal and Patrick Flanagan they stated that; “Scientists have found that laughter is a form of internal jogging that exercises the body and stimulates the release of beneficial brain neurotransmitters and hormones. Positive outlook and laughter is actually good for our health! More than ever, scientific evidence suggests that laughter really is one of the best medicines.”According to a study done by Dr. Tan from California’s Loma Linda University Medical Centre, laughter can have a huge impact on our immune system. The university conduced a study of average adults. One group of adults was subject to an hour of laughter through watching videos of comedians and another group sat quietly out of earshot of the first group.What did they find? Through regular blood tests carried out during the comedy shows they found that the laughter group had an increase in good hormones and a decrease in the body’s stress hormone. Dr. Tan concluded that; “Laughter brings a balance to all the components of the immune system.” Some clinics are now using this information with their patients. They are using laughter therapy to replace anti-depressants and to reduce the use of painkillers. According to researchers faking laughter will also produce the same health and wellbeing results as real laughter.Do you need to improve your ability to laugh more?
Well here are some tips from Family Scientist, Herbert G. Lingren to help all of you, who are humour impaired, to add laughter and humour to your everyday life.1. Hang around funny friends, or better yet, marry a funny partner.2. Start looking for the absurd, silly, incongruous activities that go on around you each day.3. Take a 5-10 minute humour break each day. Read jokes, add to a humour notebook, and listen to a funny tape.4. Rent a comedy video, go to a funny movie, and watch humorous programs on television.5. If you hear a joke you really like, write it down, or tell it to someone else to help you remember it.My final tip would be to spend more time having fun with children maybe you will catch a few hundred laughs off them! Better still join a laughter club or start your own.
For years now we have heard that the sun is dangerous and we should avoid tanning for this reason. You will hear experts recommend that you use sun block so you aren’t exposed to UV-rays. For this reason, the government has put into place regulations governing tanning. Healthy tanning is now a contradiction in terms if you ask these experts and you may feel like you are committing a crime every time you go out in the sun to soak up some rays. What is this doing to the human body though?Due to the negative attention placed on tanning, many are now suffering from a vitamin D deficiency. This is costing billions and yet governments around the world continue with their negative campaigns. They regulate tanning and give advice as to how much sunlight should be received. Manufacturers of sun protection products contribute to this as they benefit by selling more product when the government makes these proclamations. The sun has been shining since time began and yet it has only become dangerous over the past few decades. Why is it that the government is suggesting that something the human body needs is harmful and what can we do about this?When you are tanning, either through the use of natural sunlight or artificial methods, your body is creating vitamin D. Vitamin is necessary for the human body to perform properly. Not only does it contribute to the immune defense, it also helps fight free radicals produced by tanning. If you have high levels of vitamin D in your body, you reduce your risk of many types of cancer. This includes skin cancer which is one of the “risks” of tanning. You don’t have to lie out in the sun or in a tanning bed for extended periods of time to have your body producing more vitamin D either. Very little time is needed out in the sun to do this; much less than the time needed to get a tan.The UVB-rays in sunlight only reach the Earth when the sun is slightly higher than midway between the horizon and its highest point of the day. For this reason, you need to be tanning mid-day. Sun screen products prevent the UVB-rays from entering your body so you don’t produce vitamin D. Unfortunately the sun can only help you to produce vitamin D for those times during the year when the sun reaches the correct point which is where tanning beds come in. They allow you to create vitamin D year round. If you wish to tan and help your immune system in the process, tanning and tanning beds are beneficial. Don’t let the government tell you otherwise.
What is your mouth telling you about your health?Consider your mouth to be the spokesperson for your body. The state of your mouth reflects the overall health of your body.Or to put it another way– a clean mouth may mean you have a clean bill of health.Researchers are finding that an unhealthy mouth, especially one in which gum disease is present, can increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke.There is a vital connection between oral health and the state of your entire body. Your mouth has a lot of bacteria in it and that’s ‘normal’. When your body is healthy and your immune system is running on full power, the bacteria in your mouth is contained at a level that is standard for you.But sometimes things go wrong.Do you have….-bleeding gums?
-bad breath?
-stained teeth?The presence of any of these conditions may mean that the mouth and teeth need to be cared for better. There may be too much bacteria in your mouth, which is allowing infections and decay to develop. If these conditions persist, oral infections can enter your body through your bloodstream and cause many health issues.Daily and proper care of the teeth, mouth and gums is vital to maintaining overall health. The products that you use for oral care should be of the highest standard and preferably made from natural ingredients.Unfortunately, many of the toothpastes and whiteners sold at the supermarket contain chemicals that may do more harm than good. For instance, sodium fluoride, triclosan, FD&C Blue Dye #1 and 2, sodium lauryl sulfate, and hydrated silica have all been found to be harmful to humans, yet they are in most oral care products.These chemicals can easily enter your bloodstream through your gums and over time, negatively affect your kidneys, liver, heart and other organs.But, there is good news. Several manufacturers are producing oral care products made from natural ingredients.A very interesting ingredient used for mouth and gum health is known as “blood of the dragon”. This is a resin harvested from the Dracaena draco trees found in the Cloud Forests of the equator. The benefits of this extract have been known for centuries to promote healing.”Blood of the Dragon” is:
-antibacterial
-antifungal
-antioxidant
-antiseptic
-antiviralThese properties make “blood of the dragon” an excellent choice for oral health care products.When the mouth, teeth and gums are healthy, the rest of the body enjoys an increased measure of health as well.Your mouth says a lot about the state of your health. Listen to what it’s telling you and seek out products that are both safe and effective in cleansing the teeth and gums.
There are many things you should know about natural forms of supplementation to boost your body’s health and natural immunity such as how to take the proper Lutein recommended dosage to meet your health and anti-aging goals. Just like any other substance, whether it is natural or synthetic, you should take it in moderation and also monitor your body’s reactions to it as well. When you do this you are preventing the occurrence of unwanted side effects in your body that could possibly cause damage to your cells and organs. There are a few different dosages you can take in regards to the desired outcome and your health condition.The correct Lutein recommended dosageDue to the many different ways to utilize this natural alternative health supplement, there are different amounts you can take. The Lutein recommended dosage that you can take to improve the function and condition of certain organs in the body ranges from six to thirty milligrams per day. It is not a good idea to take a higher amount until you gradually work up to that amount, after close analysis of how your body reacts to the first initial amounts. This is an ingredient that is found in many fruits and vegetables and works alongside another important substance in the body which is called zeaxanthin. These two ingredients work synergistically in the body to prevent cellular deterioration and age related diseases.Advantages of using a Lutein recommended dosageEffects of your Lutein recommended dosage will vary with time and your health condition. There are many great health benefits you can experience when you use this alternative health supplement. This ingredient strengthens your heart and vascular system which is a leading contributor to its ability to reverse the effects of aging within your body. This ingredient which is found in many natural foods is great for the health of your eyes and skin, and when used properly, can prevent age related disorders such as Age Related Macular Degeneration. Due to its ability to enhance the health and strength of your skin cells, the most accurate Lutein recommended dosage will leave you with younger, more vital looking skin.Scientific analysis of the Lutein recommended dosageWhen you’re trying to choose the perfect product to meet your health goals, you should first consider its contents, as some manufacturers have different amounts of this ingredient contained in the product. Scientists performed many studies on the amounts of this ingredient in the body and its desired effects. For those that want to prevent age related diseases, they recommend taking six to twelve milligrams per day. Clinical studies performed in regards to this ingredient show that people who’ve taken the proper amount are at less risk of getting AMD.Our tips on getting the most from your Lutein recommended dosageThe Lutein recommended dosage that you take will depend on many factors relating to your health condition before and during herbal supplementation. This powerful antioxidant serves as a strong barrier between your body and the external environment to protect from cellular damage on many levels. When it is taken in combination with other vitamins, minerals, and natural ingredients, its healing effects are amplified naturally to enhance your whole body health. When you use this all-natural healing ingredient you can trust that your body will be at its peak health level no matter how old you are.
There are many solutions to stop snoring and more solutions are coming every year. When someone has a problem with snoring it is a symptom of physical conditions of the throat or nose, or related to weak muscles in the back of the throat. This occurs as we age, naturally, yet some children also snore.Doctors that specialize in these disorders are known as Ear Nose and Throat Doctors. These doctors are able to operate on the muscle to remove the tissue from the back of your throat that is causing the snoring vibration. Doctors that work with patients with snoring, specifically, are call Sleep Specialists. There are several over the counter solutions that work for most individuals who snore. These include foam pillows, soft pillows with a support base, nose strips, mouth pieces and throat sprays.You should take an action to cure your snoring to improve your health. Snoring prevents necessary oxygen from entering your airways. The lack of oxygen from snoring causes many serious problems. We need good, healthy sleep to keep us sharp and full of energy. Here are statistics that will convince you to take care of that health problem.1. Snoring affects 30% of adults, rising to 40% in middle age.2. Snoring occurs with the muscles in the tongue and throat, relax and vibrate.3. Snoring is more frequent when you gain weight.4. Snoring is more common with alcohol consumption.5. Snoring is common if you have nasal problems. 6. Snoring is often associated with Sleep Apnea.7. Snoring is an occasional problem, or can be habitual.8. Snoring causes exhaustion from the lack of proper sleep.9. Snoring can hurt a sleeping partner’s hearing.10. Snoring affects hypertension and heart disease.11. Snoring helps weight gain.12. Snoring people wake up an average of 23 times during the night.The statistics show the relevance of snoring leading to many health problems. It is in the best interest of every person who snores to take action to stop the irregular breathing. Every solution does not work for every person. Therefore you may need to try a few before you find relief. It is always good to see a doctor to diagnose if you have sleep apnea. This is a very serious issue that can even cause death. The National Sleep Foundation follows the trends in the sleeping industry. They review new products that are available for all sleep issues. Their non for profit status ensures their honest evaluation of sleeping products and other important related health solutions.
Lentil soup is delicious. But lentils can be eaten as a vegetable side and they come in many different colors ans tastes. Harvested only for their seeds, they are a type of legume, described as a “pulse” crop. The advantage is that they do not have to be soaked overnight as most other legumes require. They can be prepared quickly and easily and can be ready in 15 to 20 minutes. And they add an interesting flavor and color to any meal.Lentils are a basic food in the cuisine of many cultures. In South Asian, European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern diets these little seeds are the basis of a wide variety of dishes. And they provide a high level of nutrients. These tiny beans are replete with protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (providing antioxidants) and they contain 20 of the 22 amino acids. Combining them with whole grains, like barley or amaranth, gives you a complete protein. They can also be sprouted. Somehow, in the process of sprouting, they actually develop the two additional lacking amino acids. Sprouted lentils can be used in salads and stir-fries and soups.10 Different Types of Lentils
- Yellow: Mild flavor, often ground into flour, popular in India and Pakistan
- Brown: Classic, available in most grocery stores, for salads, stuffing, casseroles, soups
- Green: Like Puy Green or French Green, hold their shape, don’t turn mushy
- Red Chief: Turn golden, softens quickly, used in purees and Indian dahl (flavored stew)
- Black Beluga: Glisten when cooked, rich flavor, hold shape, salads, non-lentil soups to add body
- Puy Green: Peppery flavor, salads, Italian food, French dish sauteed with diced bacon & spices
- Macachiados: Yellow and larger than the brown ones, from Mexico, stews, soups, chili
- White: Black with skins removed to reveal the white interior
- Split Black: Black that have been split but not skinned
- Petite Crimson: Very small, cook very fast, about 1/3 the size of other lentils
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- Lentils are a good vegetable source of iron, manganese, phosphorous and so many other nutrients but there are some danger warnings. Since lentils contain purines, natural crystalline compounds that can break down into uric acid when oxidized. Therefore, someone who has gout or kidney problems is warned to avoid eating these otherwise healthy legumes. Another problems is under cooking. When not fully cooked, they can be difficult to digest and can lead to gastric problems.If you are looking to expand your culinary repertoire or to cut down on animal fats and add more vegetables, legumes and specifically lentils may be an excellent choice. After all, you could conceivably eat a different type and different colors every day of the week and continue to benefit from the high nutritional content.
The ideal indoor humidity level is either 35% to 45% or 40% to 50% depending on who you ask. Thankfully, the human body is quite flexible and you do not have too aim at an exact figure. The important thing is to avoid extremes. Living indoors is not entirely natural. The artificial environments that we create for ourselves can sometimes cause extremes of humidity to occur. For short periods of time this is nothing to worry about, but the long term effects can be quite unpleasant.If the humidity level regularly exceeds 50% you are likely to experience a rapidly increasing dust mite population, which will affect allergy sufferers. Permanently damp rooms tend to have a musty smell. The damp air is a perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew and fungus, which can cause serious health problems. Where ever possible the cause of such conditions should be removed, but it is not always that simple and a dehumidifier may be required. A modern dehumidifier with built in humidistat can be programmed to maintain a humidity level below 50%. There are a wide variety available, so it is important to find the correct type for your situation. A useful guide to dehumidifiers can be found at DehumidifierTips.comConsistently low humidity levels are also bad. This tends to occur when the weather is cold outside and we turn up the heat in our homes. The most noticeable effects are a sore throat and sinus pain, symptoms that are common in modern society at certain times of year. You can also get dry skin and itchy eyes. The solution is to buy a humidifier that will put moisture back into the air. Like dehumidifiers, these can be programmed to operate automatically, and there is a huge range available that make the most of a variety of different humidification techniques. These techniques are explored in detail at HumidifierInformation.com together with everything else you need to know on the subject.If any of these symptoms sound familiar, maybe you should buy a hygrometer (humidity meter) and take some readings to find out if humidity is the cause. With modern technology at your disposal there is no need for your health to suffer.
Affective as of September 22, 2010, anyone who has to renew their health insurance policy can look forward to a new option when considering their children’s health care plan. With the new health care reform has come the possibility for extension of coverage to adolescents ages 16 and under.After this date, children are now entitled to remain on the same health insurance policy as their parents.The new health care reform bill means that children parents can stay under the same health plan as their parent’s until they are 26 years old- irrespective of their marital status, student status or home address. It also does not matter if the child (children) is named as a dependent on the mother’s or father’s tax return.The only exemption is if a child under 26 is eligible for enrollment into a health plan offered by their employment. The term “child or children”, in this case, applies to natural children, stepchildren, adopted children and any other child that is dependent upon an adult during the adoption waiting period. Grandchildren are not eligible. As a result, grandparents who care for their grandchildren full-time are not eligible. Meanwhile, the law for any states that have a maximum dependent age that is above 26 will remain as it was.1. Anyone wanting to add dependents under the age of 26 years to their health insurance policy is entitled to a one-off special enrollment. Even adult children currently under the age of 26 who have been previously denied such coverage, can apply.2. Anyone who is currently covered by a single person’s health insurance policy or a spouse/employee policy and wants to add their child, can do so. However, they must change their enrollment status to one that allows dependents to be added to the contract, for example as family policy or an employee/child coverage policy.3. Anyone who is not already enrolled in a health insurance program, but wishes to do so now and take advantage of the new rules regarding dependents under 26, can participate. They must enroll within the special enrollment period and meet all applicable eligibility requirements to qualify.4. If your children already belong to your health plan, everything remains the same and nothing is subject to change.5. If you do not require your dependents to remain on your policy until they are 26, you can remove them. In order to do this, you will need to make contact with your health insurance provider and ask for them to be removed.
Although most of us have heard we need eight hours of sleep a night to maintain good health, we are seldom reminded that quality of sleep is just as important as quantity. Poor quality sleep can lead to poorer performance at work, accidents, and mood swings. Health problems also begin to develop if poor quality sleep persists for a number days or weeks. Understanding what symptoms may result from restless nights will help you understand and correct what might be contributing to mild or moderate insomnia. Sleepless nights can sometimes indicate an underlying condition such as thyroid disorders or depression, so check with your doctor if you are experiencing chronic sleeplessness.How many hours of sleep do I need?Some people claim to function optimally with as little three to five hours of sleep. However, for most people getting seven or eight hours is more optimal for maintaining good health. Because the number of hours necessary can vary from person to person, it is best to just pay attention to your own body and the changes in mood or attention span that may occur when you loose sleep. The loss of one hour of sleep in a night may produce subtle impairment of your cognitive abilities that you may not even notice. However, more than one hour of sleep loss in a night may lead to more noticeable changes such as drowsiness and nodding off. Sleep deprivation can also be dangerous. People suffering from sleep deprivation perform poorly when tested for coordination and reaction time. Changes such as these can lead to accidents and mistakes that may have serious consequences. Under conditions of sustained sleep deprivation, hallucinations and mood swings may also develop.Can losing sleep make me sick?Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland at night. Melatonin makes us feel drowsy and contributes to helping us achieve a restful night’s sleep. In addition to helping us sleep, melatonin is an antioxidant that aids in supporting our immune system. Sleep deprivation can weaken our immune system making us more vulnerable to diseases and disorders from the common cold to diabetes. When we sleep our immune systems are given a chance to replenish and attack any disease causing bacteria or viruses we may have encountered. The loss of sleep impairs the body’s ability to sustain a properly functioning immune system. Sleep deprivation additionally leads to stress which weakens our immune system further.Can a lack of sleep affect my mood?Although experiencing stress or anxiety can lead to sleepless nights, the opposite is also true leading to a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break. The human body uses a chain of chemicals to indicate stress. Quality sleep blocks this chain reaction effectively preventing the chemicals that produce stress from being made. At least some studies have also shown that sleep deprivation can even boost the level of stress hormones the following day. Exhaustion can lead to moodiness of varying degrees such as crying easily and anger outbursts. Depending on the duration of sleep loss over time, such mood changes can affect our professional and personal life making us less able to face the normally occurring challenges of life.
In post menopause, women lose the protective benefits of estrogen, as their body ceases to produce it. This female hormone is vital for the heath of bones and heart.This article looks at the most common health risks for post menopausal women and how they can have them reduced in the natural way.OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a disease in which the bones become fragile and more likely to break. Many people first learn of their osteoporosis when they have a fracture.The real danger of osteoporosis is not the broken bones. For older women, breaking a bone could be deadly. One in four women who suffer a hip fracture will die within 1 year, due to complications of the fracture, and 25% will require long-term care. Almost half of women with fracture will have long-term loss of mobility.Most cases of osteoporosis occur in menopausal women. Why is this?Osteoporosis is caused by calcium deficiency. Estrogen, the female hormone that plummets during menopause, plays a vital role in getting calcium to the bones and keeping them strong and healthy.Other factors such as lack of exercise, life styles, deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals all influence the calcium absorption rate.Cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death among women aged 65 and above. It is the second-leading cause of death in women aged between 45 and 64. Post menopausal women are ten times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than from breast cancer.It is more common in menopausal than premenopausal women. Menopausal women are especially vulnerable to heart diseases; because after the end of menstruation, their ovaries stop to produce estrogen, which helps keep our blood vessels and heart healthy.When estrogen decreases during menopause, we lose the benefits of this secret weapon against cardiovascular diseases.Post Menopause SupplementsAn all-in-one supplement can provide essential nutrients for post menopausal women, such as calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, Boron, Selenium and magnesium.Adequate intake of nutrients is especially helpful at this period for women, because they can benefit cardiovascular system, reduce risks of breast cancer and heart attacks, and maintain strong bones and teeth.If hormone-related symptoms are still bothering you after menopause, you may find relief from effective herbal supplements that contain beneficial herbs including Wild yam, Red clover, Dong quai and Black cohosh.When you are buying post menopause supplements, keep in mind that there is no supplement that works for all women. But a good effective one should work for MOST women. So, make no mistake in picking the right one for your post menopause health.For more information and reviews on supplements for menopause, please visit my website today.