Sunblock, Sunscreen & SPF When Exercising Outdoor

Many people prefer to exercise outdoors when possible, especially if they live in temperate climates. Those of us who live in the Sunset District in San Francisco can hardly wait to burst out of our homes as soon as the fog and overcast lift, ready to catch sun rays at every opportunity. In either case, whether you live continuously in sun drenched climates or experience strong sunlight only 6-8 months of the year, sunscreen should be an important part of your cancer prevention treatment regimen.

According to an oncologist colleague at the University of California San Diego, the best form of physical sunblock should contain either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active product ingredient. Both provide broad spectrum protection (UVA and UVB). They are gentle enough for daily use and because they are physical blocking agents (unlike chemical sunblocks), they rarely cause skin irritation.

Most chemical sunblocks are composed of a number of active ingredients. By combining several chemicals with different UV spectrum protection, manufacturers can provide a broader range of sun defense agents in a single product. Avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789), a photostable chemical sunscreen, offers pretty good UVA protection overall.

Realistically, no matter what sunscreen you use, some UV still gets through to the skin. So by practicing a comprehensive program of sun protection that includes the use of a sunblock (preferably physical for UVA blockage), a sunscreen that provides 15 or higher protection against UVB, avoidance of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses, you can limit the amount of sun damage the skin suffers over time.

SPF ratings indicate the length of time a sunscreen or sunblock remains effective on the skin. You can determine how long it will likely be effective by multiplying the SPF by the approximate length of time it takes to sunburn without the use of a sunscreen or sunblock. For example, if you generally start to sunburn within 10 minutes of exposure to the sun, an SPF factor of 15 will protect you for about 150 minutes (10 x SPA 15). Sunblock or sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 that is applied to all sun exposed skin should be reapplied every 2 hours or more frequently if you are sweating profusely or are in and out of the water.

Keeping the Knees Strong and Supple

By The Better Life Experts

The parts of the body are designed to take us through our lifetime (provided that we take good preventative care of them) and the knee is no exception. The knee is the largest joint of the body and can withstand loads equal to more than four times body weight. It is able to pivot, twist, bend and is self-stabilizing. It is also prone to injury, especially as we age. In order to keep the knees strong and responsive, we need to practice some lifestyle tips, including: Strengthening thigh muscles, stretching regularly, moving more and losing weight.

Researchers have found that people who have strong quadriceps (thigh) muscles tend to have less knee pain and improved physical function when compared to those who have weak thigh muscles. Learn the right way to exercise and build quadriceps muscles before heading out to the gym and over-stressing knee joints.

Flexibility and maintaining suppleness as we age is extremely important for the muscles and tendons that connect to the knee. Because muscles that are not used tend to weaken, it is imperative that we continue to move, even if we feel a slight soreness in the knee. Muscles help to absorb pressure that moves up the leg with walking and stepping; a stiff knee has to take on more of the body’s weight than a supple knee with good strong muscular support.

And, losing as little as 5% of body weight can reduce the likelihood of developing arthritis in the knee, according to some authors at a meeting in November, 2009 of the American College of Rheumatology.

If you have swelling, hear grinding noises or have the sensation of feeling gravel moving around in your knee, get to a doctor as soon as possible. You may have existing arthritis or cartilage damage, in which case, you may need physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications or even surgery in order to relieve pain. And, although the jury is still out, many doctors recommend taking 1,500 mg of glucosamine together with 1,200 mg of chondroitin daily to help strengthen aging cartilage, according to Frederic Nicola M.D. an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Marina del Rey, California.

Omega 3 and Dental Health

A new study by Japanese researchers led by Masanori Iwasaki from Nigata University has concluded that increased levels of omega 3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may decrease the risk of periodontal disease in older people. Since periodontal disease may contribute to the inflammatory process and is considered to be a risk factor for chronic illness as well as cardiovascular disease, the health benefits of supplementing with omega 3 fatty acids may well go beyond just heart health. “The findings suggest that there may be an inverse, independent relation of dietary DHA intake to the progression of periodontal disease in older people”.

The researchers suggest that the possible mechanism of omega 3 fatty acids that slows down the progression of periodontal disease is probably its anti-inflammatory properties. “In periodontal diseases, bacteria trigger inflammatory host responses that cause the destruction of alveolar bone and periodontal connective tissue”. The Japanese researchers recruited people with an average age of 74 for this study whose dietary intakes of EPA and DHA were between 947.1 and 635.2 milligrams, respectively.

This study may well lead to the recommendation of supplemental intakes of omega 3 fatty acids not only as a benefit for heart health, but also as preventative treatment in the progression of periodontal disease.

Talk to your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist about recommended dietary intakes of omega 3 fatty acids. The NIH (National Institutes of Health) recommends that adults get at least 650 to 950 milligrams of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA as well as 2.22 grams of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) daily. It is recommended that adults with coronary artery disease or high cholesterol levels should probably supplement with 2-4 grams of EPA and DHA daily.

Obesity And Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is considered an inflammatory disorder caused by repetitive stress, physical injury, or various medical conditions including hypothyroidism, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and pregnancy.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, being overweight consistently turns up as a risk factor for CTS and may play a direct causal role for CTS. Greater body mass appears to reduce nerve flow speed into the hand. Obesity is also related to poor physical fitness, which may also increase risk. A 2005 analysis indicated that weight is strongly linked to the onset of CTS in patients under the age of 63 years.

CTS is also a common feature of diabetic neuropathy, one of the major complications of diabetes. Neuropathy is decreased or distorted nerve function; it particularly affects sensation. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, weakness, and burning sensations, usually starting in the fingers and toes and moving up to the arms and legs. About 6% of patients with CTS have diabetes.

Since both obesity and Type II diabetes are linked, there may be a causal link between these medical conditions and CTS. These findings make it all the more important to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise every day and avoid being overweight.

Healthy Heart Formula

Heart or cardiovascular diseases has been major health concern for modern people of all ages, not just old folks like it used to be many decades ago.  If you want to maintain a vibrant heart, stick to this healthy heart formula religiously.

The typical human heart beats approximately one 100,000 times a day. Even when we are resting, the heart works tirelessly. It’s in charge of maintaining the body supplied with fresh oxygen and nutrients and it also aids in cleaning up harmful waste products that the body produces, such as carbon dioxide. Since the heart is in charge of the body’s blood delivery system, it’s a major component of life and we should take good care of it.

However, many of us don’t even take into consideration our heart and its significance to life – at least not until something goes wrong and we’re forced to deal with the issues of cardiovascular disease. Don’t make the mistake of believing that because the heart beats automatically on its own without our conscious control, it’s impervious to our lifestyle and diet choices. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in America and worldwide, nearly 7 million people die annually from cardiovascular disease. That’s a lot of people.

Learn how to care about your heart – it is going to take you where you want to go in life. By considering a few very important tips and practicing them consistently, you can actually help to make your heart young and happy:

• If you want your heart to be strong, you have to exercise it.

• Make sure to eat an assortment of healthy foods and avoid foods high in bad fats, such as saturated fats and trans fats. Foods that are high in bad fats make the heart work less efficiently.

• Consume a minimum of five servings of vegetables and fruit daily. Vegetables and fruit are full of essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, carbohydrates, and phytochemicals.

• Refrain from sugary soft drinks and fruit drinks. Excessive sugar contributes to obesity which effects heart health.

• Don’t smoke. Because it can damage the heart and blood vessels.

Supplements for healthy heart formula:

• fish oil (omega 3) in a ratio of 2:1 of EPA & DHA has been shown to be ideal for heart health
• CoEnzyme Q10: take 30 mg (in soft gel) daily  helps create blood levels and energy.  Also support liver kidneys health and every cell in your body.
• Vitamin B complex: helps maintain a healthy heart in addition to maintaining homocysteine levels that are already in normal range.
• Garlic is also good for your heart.  Nurture your heart with  significant levels of allicin,  a key component of garlic.

Immune System Vitamins

With all kinds of flu going on around us, from Swine flu to the flu of the season,  millions and millions of people are lining up to get their yearly doses of flu shots.  To me, strengthening and maintaining oneself optimal immune system is the best way to avoid any flu.

There are vitamins and supplements you can take on a regular basis to achieve this goal.  In fact, all the antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin A, vitamin C, and Vitamin E are all good for a strong immune system.

• Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin which is stored primarily in the liver. Vitamin A is available in two forms:  retinol, which is found in animal products and beta carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A.  Vitamin A is present in liver, cod liver oil, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Retinol is found in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Beta carotene is present in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables and dark, leafy greens. Beta carotene is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals – molecules that damage healthy cells – decreasing the immune system and other health conditions.  Multi Carotene is a good source in supplement form.
  
• vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. It is a powerful antioxidant in the body. vitamin C is a water-soluble essential vitamin that is quickly lost from your body, so daily intake is very important.  Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables are black currants, green pepper, mangoes, citrus, cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes.  The body utilizes vitamin C in the immune system by maintaining activity of the white blood cells. Water, cooking, heat and light all reduce the levels of the vitamin C available in food sources. Vegetables begin to lose vitamin C as soon as they are cut.  Taking supplement from a good source of Vitamin C might be a healthy idea. Smokers, those who consume alcohol regularly, people taking medications regularly, and people who suffer from stress regularly all may benefit from taking adequate or slightly higher than daily recommendations of vitamin C.
• Vitamin E is fat-soluble,  only stored in your body for a short period of time, making regular intake is essential.  Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps decrease the effects of free radicals, which may damage cells and decrease the immune function. Food sources for vitamin E: Wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, peanut butter, sweet potato, asparagus, spinach, and avocado.  But they are readily destroyed by heat processing (deep-fat frying) and through oxidation.  Natural E Complete is a all-natural, all-vegetarian blend supplement with nine forms of vitamin E found in nature.

Take charge of your own health.  Prepare your body to fight a good fight and win over any flu or cold by taking care of your immune system, regularly.

What Causes Hemorrhoids

Embarrassing problem, but hemorrhoids are a fairly common among adults and some children.    Just about 50% of all adults over the age of 50 (or even much younger) have suffered from uncomfortable symptoms at one time or another. But because it is an embarrassing health issue, most people are reluctant to discuss the symptoms with a doctor and tend to avoid the topic all together.  Don’t you notice even television commercials for products to treat hemorrhoids seem to avoid a straightforward approach to describing the symptoms and causes of hemorrhoids.  In an effort to address this issue more openly, here are a few basic facts that could help you decrease the probability of becoming a hemorrhoid sufferer:

• External hemorrhoids occur when veins around the anus become enlarged and inflamed. They often appear during the later stages of pregnancy due to pressure and also appear to have a hormonal component.
  
• Other causes of hemorrhoids include constipation from low fiber diets, insufficient water consumption, excessive lactic acid from dairy products or a vitamin E deficiency.
• Other dietary culprits include excessive caffeine usage and over consumption of alcohol because these substances rob the body of water, necessary for the digestion process.
  
• Lifting and carrying heavy objects may also cause hemorrhoids.
  
• Finally, some people may have a genetic predisposition to getting hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are painful and can make it difficult to have bowel movements. There are many ways in which we can prevent and treat external hemorrhoids ourselves, but often, they are a manifestation of other health problems that should be addressed by your physician. High blood pressure, obesity, cancer, abscesses, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. must be diagnosed and treated by your physician. If you develop hemorrhoids or have any rectal bleeding, call your doctor and make an appointment for evaluation. If your physician recommends dietary and/or lifestyle changes, some of the following could be valuable in the management of hemorrhoids:

• Increasing fiber and consuming adequate fluids in your diet as well as avoiding heavily processed and refined foods can help prevent constipation, a major cause of hemorrhoids.
  
• If you have hemorrhoids, be careful of hard wiping after a bowel movement because this can aggravate the tissues and actually cause new hemorrhoids to appear.
  
• Try using wet disposable cloths that are flush-able to clean yourself gently and safely during flare-ups.
  
• If you cannot avoid heavy lifting as part of your job, make sure that you take precautions to raise and lower heavy objects properly so that you don’t weaken vein walls through excessive pressure.
• Losing weight can help reduce hemorrhoids because it lessens the pressure on veins in the rectum.
  
• Sitting too much can also cause or exacerbate hemorrhoids and is often an occupational hazard of long distance truck and bus drivers.
  
• Try and take advantage of any work breaks you have to walk around and reduce the pressure that constant sitting places on your rear-end.
• Use acupressure point Chengshan BL57 to relieve hemorrhoids pain and constipation condition.

Remember that external hemorrhoids are a fairly common problem that should not be ignored and can be treated successfully by making healthy lifestyle changes and working with your physician to treat any underlying health problems.

Acupressure Healing

Want to relieve any pain, fast?

This “Acupressure Pain Management Guide” is what you need.

Take the most successful pain treating experience using this Ancient Chinese technique by a 30 years veteran of acupressure practitioner and heal yourself, your family members or friends.

It is SAFE, FAST and EFFECTIVE

Just use these twelve POWERFUL ACUPRESSURE POINTS to relieve any pain or discomfort throughout your body without the use of drug or any kind of pain killer.  Be your own doctor to treat:

• Headache or migraines
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Back pain
• Knee, joint or leg pain
• Toothache
• Stomachache
• Heartache
• Chest Congestion
• Eyes, ears, throat problems
• Minor injuries
• And many more, you name it.  If you master the meridians and the points, you can treat yourself just like the pros, without the expensive session, of course!

Very simple to learn.  Only twelve acupressure points:  Six on the hand and six on the foot.  Easy to remember and come complete with videos showing you exactly the meridians and the location of the pain control acu-point and which symptoms they treat.  This guide is very handy and definitely safer than a cabinet full of pain killer drugs!

I paid hundreds of dollars and traveled far to Taiwan to learn this skill from the master and I’m ever grateful for it.  Now I want to share it with you and hope that you, just like me and my family, never have to depend on pain medication, ever again.

I was going to sell this guide to recover the cost of putting it together, but you can join my mailing list and download this guide FREE OF CHARGE TODAY and I’ll have more goodies coming your way soon!

Dietary Supplements and Arthritis

Lets take a look at the means by which supplements can be more effective as an adjunct to a healthy diet and physician care to those with arthritis.

Ideally, a healthy diet should provide all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by the body. Supplements can be used to complement our diets, but should not be employed as a substitute for healthy, nutrient rich foods. Note: People can take too many supplements at higher doses than they would ever consume in food products, so supplementing with vitamins and minerals can increase the risk of toxicity in some individuals, especially those made synthetically.

If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, consult with your physician about the use of vitamins and minerals before you begin a supplementation program. Remember that it is important to take supplements properly and follow the label instructions. The following list can help to increase the effectiveness of supplements:

• Consume supplements with food in order to improve absorption by the body;

• Be aware that some supplements interact with each other (e.g. zinc interferes with copper and iron absorption). Taking lots of different supplements can reduce effectiveness due to possible interactions;

• Always check with your pharmacist concerning possible interactions with prescription drugs;

• Buy your supplements from reputable manufacturers so that consistency of product is maintained;

• Consider the cost. Taking supplements can get expensive;

• Always consult with your physician before taking more than the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of any supplement.

The following lists details some (but certainly not all) of the supplements popularly taken by people with arthritis. This list is designed for informational purposes only.

• Aloe Vera – Generally marketed for internal use as a drink, some animal studies have reported promising results, but taking aloe internally might alter the effects of prescribed medications. Any benefits in the reduction of inflammation seen in rheumatoid arthritis may be overshadowed by safety concerns about the ingestion of aloe.

• Bromelain – Derived from pineapples, this mixture of protein digesting enzymes may reduce inflammation and the swelling associated with arthritis flare-ups. Taking antibiotics, or any blood thinning medications, such as warfarin or aspirin in combination with bromelain may cause bleeding.

• Calcium – An essential mineral for the construction and repair of bones, only 1/3 of dietary calcium is absorbed through food, and as we age, our ability to absorb calcium decreases. Since calcium helps to keep bones hard, it becomes increasing important to supplement with calcium and vitamin D if you have arthritis. Check with your physician about appropriate dosage levels. Additionally, if you have any kidney problems, check with your physician before supplementing with calcium.

• Ipriflavone – Helps your body absorb calcium and put it to work.  Studies show that, when it’s taken with 1,000 mg of calcium, 600 mg of ipriflavone can help your body from new bone cells.  Vitamin D and chicory root give the extra boost.

• Chondroitin Sulphate – Part of a large protein molecule that gives cartilage elasticity, chondroitin sulfate occurs naturally in the body. Supplement forms are generally derived from the cartilage of cattle or fish. It is often combined with glucosamine and is used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. There is no current evidence that it is effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Because chrondroitin sulfate is a slow-acting supplement, it may take a couple of months to notice any improvement in function. If you haven’t noticed any improvement within a few months, it is unlikely that you will derive any real benefit from this product. You may experience an increased possibility of bleeding if you are currently taking blood thinning medications such as aspirin or warfarin.

• CMO (Cetyl Myristoleate) – Made from beef tallow (a hard fatty substance extracted from cattle) and marketed under names such as Cetyl-M, Celadrin and Flexcin (as well as many others), Cetyl Myristoleate is a scientifically unproven product for the treatment of osteoarthritis. If you are under physician care and take methotrexate or any other steroids, do not stop taking your medications despite any sales pitches which claim that CMO can be used as a substitute for these prescriptions.

• Devil’s Claw – Derived from the Devil’s Claw desert plant of Africa, this supplement claims to have modest anti-inflammatory benefit. Usually taken in capsule form, it should not be used by people who have ulcers, gallstones, diabetes, or are pregnant. Blood thinning drugs such as aspirin and warfarin should not be taken in combination with Devil’s Claw. Check with your physician before taking this supplement.

• Evening Primrose Oil – Commonly known as EPO, this product contains the fatty acid GLA (gamma linolenic acid). Several studies have shown that GLA, in supplement form, can relieve inflammation in people who have rheumatoid arthritis. EPO is a slow acting supplement and you may need 3-6 months to get the full benefit of usage. Generally, the effect is lost when EPO is discontinued. It may also be used with fish oil.

Now, do these apply to you?

Do You Want To Have…

• Freedom from the inflammation, stiffness, and pain of your arthritis?
• The ability to be able to do the things you WANT to do when you want to do them? Whether it is to simply take a walk in the morning or to go dancing with your spouse.
• The ability to enjoy your favorite past-times, whether they be sewing, golfing, playing tennis, etc.? Just the simple act of opening a jar or tying your shoes without any pain can be yours again!
• The information about how you can STOP arthritis at the root of the problem, instead of just masking the symptoms? Money in your pocket instead of continuously paying for doctor visits, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and strict diets?
• Freedom from the shackles of arthritis? So you are able to do things for yourself again, instead of having to wait for others to do it for you.
• Freedom from the daily grind of popping prescription pills, their side effects, and over-the-counter products?
• Your energy and enthusiasm go through the roof? Imagine what getting rid of your arthritis will do for you…

See how this thirty-five years arthritis sufferer cured in one month with no over-the-counter, no prescription drugs!

The Root Of All Sickness

Why do people get sick? There are a lot of things to blame. But here are a few reasons accounted for most sickness that most of us neglect their significant.

To Refill
We live in a hectic, fast pace life. When things go crazy, we forget to eat. The body expends energy even when we are doing nothing, let alone coping with work and taking care of the family and all that running around. Many are so busy that they skip breakfast, not a good idea for keeping a healthy body. And even when we eat, most likely we eat stuff we like or accustomed to, or even worst, fast food. We may feel full to the stomach, but not really giving the body what it needs. Just like a car, it needs more than just gas to run on. It needs water, engine oil, break fluids… in order to be safe to drive. We often need to check what it’s low on and refill or even refresh the ingredients it needs if we don’t want it to break down sooner then it is supposed to. When the engine oil is low, you won’t refill it with water, do you? It works the same way with the body, a much more complex machine, for optimal function, it needs 14 different types of nutrients to work properly. These nutrients are found in many different kinds of foods and fruit and vegetable. If we only feed it with what we like to eat, then it is like keep filling water when the car is low on engine oil. We are not properly refilling our body of what it needs. Over time, it will start to break down, just like a car.

To Repair

The human body was designed to spend 1/3 the time sleeping for a reason – to repair the body by replacing damaged cells with new ones. This self healing process is done during deep sleep, and it needs nutrients to produce the cells that are going to replace the death cells.  When we don’t have enough sleep (at the right time), we are robbing the body the chance to do its job.  When we don’t give it the right nutrients (whatever that may be) to produce the cells,  we are cheating our body to do  a good job, and the result,  a weaker body that are prone to many kind of ailments.

To beware of the living environment

We are living in a toxic fill environment.  Water and air are being polluted by the modern world. Pesticide, herbicide and hormone in the food we eat.  Household cleaning products,  medications in the cabinet are all contributing to the toxic build up in the body.  When the liver, the main toxic treatment center, is overloaded for a prolong period, its function starts to weaken and portion of the toxic never get leased out of the body.  The result?  Need I say more?

To manage stress

Another biggy, your emotion, which account for 50% of your overall health. Did you know that when you are angry, being startled or under lots of pressure, body cells are dying off in a faster rate than normal?  Sitting in traffic going to work, an issue with the coworker at the office,  you are late picking the children up from the baby sitter, having an argument  with your spouse….all these stress  building up.  Imagine a wooden table, you stack a few bricks on it every day, by the time you have about 50 bricks, you may notice that the table start to cave a little, a sign to stop loading it or even need to unload it.  What happens if you keep piling it up, until it has no more resistant? It will collasp!