by Dr John anne

Constipation - we all know the feeling. Most people suffer from constipation at least once in their lifetime. Constipation is not a disease, rather, it's is a series of symptoms that can be caused by any number of things, from poor diet, lack of exercise, a side effect of medications, a side effect of a more serious illness or disease, and major changes in your life. People can suffer from constipation from infancy and throughout their lives.

The most important thing to know is if you are actually suffering from constipation or if it is actually your body's natural schedule. Each body works on it's own schedule. Being aware of your body's schedule will enable you to determine if you are suffering from the symptoms of constipation and if you should treat these symptoms.

Commercials for laxatives would have you believe that everyone needs to have a bowel movement at least once a day. This is not always the case. Some people need to have a bowel movement more often - they naturally defecate 2-3 times per day. Some people naturally defecate once per day - while still others may only need to defecate 2-3 times per week. There is no set precedence. Each individual body functions according to it's own timetable.

So, when should you worry about constipation? Most physicians diagnose constipation if the following criteria are present: Less than 3 bowel movements in a week (less that 1 for more serious cases), extreme difficulty passing feces, feces that is dry, hard, and small, and bloating or discomfort in the abdomen. Once you have been diagnosed with constipation, you should develop a plan to decrease the episodes of constipation as naturally as possible. While constipation is not in itself a serious ailment, the failure to treat it could lead to more serious illnesses.

Constipation Treatment

There are many constipation treatments available - from medications to natural treatments. In severe cases, your physician may recommend the use of laxatives for constipation relief. But in most cases, the physician will want you to relieve the constipation with natural treatments. While laxatives may sometimes be a necessary constipation treatment, you will only want to rely on laxatives for short-term

relief. Overuse of laxatives can cause your digestive system to become dependent on the laxatives and can disrupt the normal digestive cycle - this could lead to a more serious bout of constipation.

The best constipation treatment is one that consists of a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. A healthy diet and exercise are essential for your overall health - and in turn, a healthy digestive system is essential for your overall health. A healthy diet should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, foods that are rich in fiber, and foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. You should limit your intake of foods that may trigger constipation - such as dairy products, foods that may cause gas, and foods that are high in protein. Some protein is necessary, of course, but foods like red meats, which have high protein content, can do more damage to your digestive system than good.

You should also try to avoid stress whenever possible. Stress and other life-changing events can contribute to the onset of constipation. Should you find that you are actually suffering from constipation, you should seek natural constipation relief whenever possible. There are many natural constipation treatments. Many of these can be used daily in order to prevent constipation - and many can be used to provide constipation relief after the symptoms begin. Infants often suffer from constipation, as their bodies need to adjust to changes more rapidly than adults. A great remedy for constipation relief in infants is adding corn syrup to the formula. Corn syrup can also be added to warm water or warm milk for older children and adults.

It is very important for your overall health to be aware of your body's natural digestive cycle and to do things that will help your body to perform this cycle naturally. Living a healthy lifestyle is the best thing that you can do for your body.

Dr John Anne is an herbal specialist with years of experience and extensive research on herbs and alternative health. If you are looking for more information, read about Constipation Relief at http://www.ayurvediccure.com/constipation-treatment.htm. AyurvedicCure.com is the World's Largest Alternative Health Portal. Also participate in Health Questions Q&A where you can Ask, Answer and Earn Money! Also visit the exclusive Baby Care Guide section.

by: Pierre Jean Cousin

One of the most important ways in which we can influence our health is by monitoring what we eat. Eating unhealthily – too much animal fat, salt, sugar and artificial additives – can cause irreparable damage to our bodies, especially to the cardiovascular system and the kidneys. Eating healthily can increase vitality, immunity and life expectancy. We can also influence the health of future generations by teaching our children healthy eating habits.

Food can be used not only to prevent illness but also to treat it. Throughout the ages, and in all cultures, food has played an important role in healing the sick. Yet in contemporary Western societies the emphasis in healthcare has moved from traditional methods, such as diet, to modern medical techniques and a reliance on pharmaceuticals. As a result, self-help dietary remedies are rarely considered. As an experienced practitioner of a range of complementary therapies, I firmly believe in bringing the healing power of foods back to where it belongs – in our homes.

The principles of healthy eating

The mainstay of a healthy diet is plenty of unrefined complex carbohydrates and fibre. Foods such as beans, lentils, potatoes, wholemeal pasta, wholegrain bread and cereals should make up – quite literally – the bulk of our diet. Protein-rich foods, such as meat or fish, can be added to this carbohydrate base in small amounts. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t need very much protein for good health and it is not necessary to eat meat, fish and dairy products as a daily source of protein. The other essential ingredients in a heathy diet are vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals (biologically-active substances in plants) which are found in abundance in fruit and vegetables, and essential fatty acids from nuts, seeds, oily fish and oils such as olive oil.

This basic template for healthy eating:

This basic template for healthy eating closely matches the traditional diet that is – or was – eaten in many cultures. Civilizations throughout history have relied upon a combination of cereals and pulses for their staple diet. In Asia this combination is rice and soya; in America it was corn and beans; in Europe it was wheat, rye, barley, oats or buckwheat and beans, lentils or other pulses; and in Africa it is wheat, millet or sorghum and beans or chickpeas. Traditionally, a variety of fruit and vegetables (often eaten raw) have complemented this diet, together with small amounts of meat and fish when available. Fermented foods, such as cheese, yoghurt, curd, fish sauce, pickled vegetables, cider, beer and wine – all of which have a beneficial effect on the gut – also feature in the traditional diet. This diet is ideally suited to the human body – it is rich in friendly bacteria, fibre and nutrients and helps to maintain a healthy biological balance in the gut.

It is very easy to adopt the healthy eating habits that are characteristic of such diets by following these simple common-sense measures:

-Buy more fresh fruit and vegetables (they are rich in antioxidants – substances that help to prevent degenerative disease such as cancer and heart disease), cereals, pulses and fish.

- Cut down on meat, dairy products and convenience food.

- Replace meat with oily fish.

- Tailor food intake to match your actual calorie needs (for most people this means eating less).

- Buy a cook book that emphasizes the Mediterranean diet.

- Reduce your intake of sugar, coffee, tea, fizzy drinks and alcohol.

- Eat at regular intervals (up to five times a day if this suits your needs).

- Eat food that is in-season and, ideally, locally produced.

- Make sure that your diet is as varied as possible.

- Use fresh ingredients as often as possible; avoid canned or dried food which contains additives.

- Be flexible in your eating – aim for balance and enjoyment. Avoid rigid dietary programmes.

How the modern diet fails

These principles of healthy eating contrast starkly with the diet that is increasingly common in the West. Whereas the diet of our pre-industrial ancestors was rich in fresh produce, the modern diet, which has evolved over the last 50–60 years, is characterized by food that contains preservatives, colorants, taste enhancers, sugar, caffeine and even traces of fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, hormones and metals. This leads to a proliferation of unhealthy bacteria in the gut, an accumulation of toxins in the body, poor digestion and an increased likelihood of allergies, cardiovascular disease and cancer of the colon.

In the West, food is abundant (the amount produced far exceeds our needs) and relatively cheap owing to modern production and processing techniques. These techniques have created what has been termed “food industrialization" – the production of large amounts of food quickly and cheaply at the expense of quality and nutritional content. Paradoxically, although we now have more choice in what we can eat, less time is devoted to the selection, preparation and consumption of food. Our diets often consist of a limited number of ingredients that we continue eating out of routine and convenience.

Much of the food that we buy is impoverished. For example, when fresh produce is out of season in one country, it is often imported from another, and much of its vitamin content is lost during transit or storage in refrigerators or on supermarket shelves.

Goodness is also depleted in the process of sterilization: in order to make fresh food “safe" and prolong shelf-life by eliminating micro-organisms, it is often sterilized or irradiated – yet this procedure renders it, quite literally, lifeless. Although all unhealthy disease-causing bacteria are killed in the process, all the “good" bacteria and ferments are also destroyed. These are important for digestion and in maintaining a healthy and balanced environment in the gut. Most milk, for example, is pasteurized, with the result that it does not contain natural ferments and is difficult for many people to break down and digest. Milk products that have not been pasteurized, such as live yoghurt (which is full of lactobacilli bacteria), are well tolerated by most people. Another consequence of sterilization is that, if food is left out of the refrigerator for too long or is reheated too many times, micro-organisms, such as listeria, will re-establish themselves. Without competition from good bacteria, the unhealthy ones can proliferate unchecked and cause disease.

Industrialized food production is partly responsible for a range of contemporary health problems such as male hormone imbalance (linked to the misuse of hormones in animals), the advent of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (linked to the routine addition of antibiotics to animal feed), salmonella in poultry and eggs (linked to poor living conditions among animals), and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (linked to bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, a disease affecting cows that is caused by contaminated cattle feed). Genetic modification of food is the latest in a catalogue of food-production experiments that I believe may have harmful long-term effects on human health and the environment. The defensive attitude of scientists who argue that “no evidence exists that genetically-modified (GM) food is unsafe" needs to be challenged – this kind of negative statement does not constitute proof that GM food is safe.

Due to the wide-ranging effects of food industrialization it is important that, as consumers, we make informed choices about what we buy – not just favouring foods that are unprocessed and grown according to organic principles, but also excluding products that are nutritionally-empty and preserved and enhanced in artificial ways.

The medicinal value of food

Our knowledge of the healing power of food is based upon thousands of years of tradition and empirical observation. Modern scientific research now confirms the curative abilities of foods that have been used therapeutically through the ages. A huge variety of foods are known to contain compounds that have medicinal properties. For example, the potent antibacterial action of allicin, a substance found in garlic, is well documented. So too are the protective and healing properties of antioxidants and essential oils found in fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices. Some pharmacologically-active ingredients are extracted from food and sold in tablet form. Cynarin, for example, is an active ingredient that is extracted from artichoke. An extensive body of research has shown that this substance can play an important role in treating liver disease and help damaged liver tissue to regenerate. The great advantage of using food as medicine is that food is readily available to all of us and can be self-administered with relative safety. Food cures work in a purely holistic way by enhancing the body’s natural functions and encouraging it to heal itself.

Selecting and harvesting ingredients

Whenever possible, use organically-grown fruit and vegetables, make sure they are fresh and avoid keeping them in a refrigerator for too long. When buying meat, buy organically-produced, free-range or farm-raised meat; buy small quantities of quality cuts rather than larger amounts of cheaper meat. Try to buy fish on the same day that it is delivered to your fishmonger.

If possible, try to harvest wild ingredients from your garden or local countryside. When picking ingredients, such as borage leaves, nettles and dandelion leaves, choose young plants that are growing away from main roads, rail tracks, and paths that are regularly used by animals. Make sure that you can confidently identify the plants that you need and that what you pick is in good condition and fit for consumption. You can cultivate many herbs, such as camomile, lemon balm, savoury, mint, basil, thyme and rosemary, in your garden or in pots on a patio or balcony. When harvesting wild fruit, such as berries, choose bushes and trees that are not exposed to pollution from roads. Collect only undamaged, ripe fruit and don’t be tempted to eat it on the spot – it must be washed thoroughly, and preferably cooked.

source:searchwarp.com

Jimmy Faro

They say balance is the key to life, and with that comes a well balanced diet. All meals should include the necessary measurements and ingredients from all parts of the nutritional pyramid, like fats, proteins, vegetables, carbohydrates and dairy. But regarding how much seafood to eat in order to maintain a healthy diet, and when you’ve had too much, a question remains on everyone’s mind. This article will answer many questions pertaining to the nutrients, benefits and risks involved with seafood, so that at last you can enjoy seafood worry free!

More than ever before, humans are at risk of developing heart disease, which is the number one killer of Americans today. Therefore, the FDA recommends that people should eat 8oz, or two servings, of seafood weekly. Consuming these servings of either fresh fish or shellfish can
significantly reduce occurrences of sudden deaths due to heart failure up to 90% more than humans who do not include seafood in their overall diet. After ongoing controversies, the FDA has finally put the risks and benefits involved with seafood to rest. According to the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, “the benefits involved with the consumption of seafood significantly outweigh the risks.”

Why, you ask? Many types of seafood contain an important ingredient called Omega-3, which is a fatty acid that must be consumed through food, as the body does not produce it on its own. Don’t let the words “fatty acid” scare you! This is a healthy fatty acid that has a number of benefits including improving cardiovascular health and neurological development, reducing tissue inflammation, correcting heart arrhythmia, and preventing weight gain, heart failure, strokes, and diabetes, as well as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

Who should avoid consuming seafood? Many publications and articles in the past have noted that pregnant and breast feeding women should stay away from seafood, however it is no longer recommended that these women stay away from seafood entirely. According to Bill Hogarth, a Ph.D. administrator from National Marine Fisheries, “The scientific evidence explored today is clear and solid. Eating more fish and shellfish will lead to a healthier, smarter and long-lived U.S. population.” In fact, it is noted that pregnant or breast feeding women eating omega-3 fatty acids, like tuna, shrimp and salmon, leads to higher intelligence in their offspring. However, they should limit their diet to seafood that does not contain high levels of mercury, like swordfish or shark. In conclusion, seafood is made for anyone who is seeking a healthier diet, but pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid seafood that is high in mercury…again, balance is key!
Below, we have provided a list of many types of fresh fish and shellfish, with their nutritional and beneficial information, as well as how they are cooked. Enjoy!!

Lobster: A very popular item on everyone’s menu, lobsters are freshest in the Northeast, but can be shipped overnight anywhere in the country.

Nutrients- Vitamin B12, Omega-3, Pantothentic Acid, Zinc, Copper, Phosphorus and Selenium
Benefits- Lobster is a huge source of protein, is low in saturated fat, and did we say delicious?
Cooking- This seafood favorite can be baked stuffed, steamed and boiled just to name a few

Scallops: A scallop is a muscle that is found inside two shells. Although cooked various ways, scallops always contain a mild and sweet flavor.

Nutrients- Tryptophan, Omega-3, Vitamin B12 and Magnesium
Benefits- Scallops are very high in protein and helps maintain healthy blood vessel walls that avoid blood clots. Scallops also are great for cardio vascular health, prevention of osteoporosis and lowering blood pressure
Cooking- Various cooking techniques are used including; seared, grilled, broiled, baked and fried

Salmon: An All-American favorite fish with a light pink coloring. With a distinct flavor, salmon is one of the highest consumed fishes in the US. Sold both farm-raised and wild.

Nutrients- Selenium, Omega-3, Niacin, Vitamins B6 & B12, Phosphorus and Magnesium
Benefits- Improves cardio vascular health, prevents blood clots in arteries and improves overall cholesterol
Cooking- Salmon can be grilled, broiled, poached and smoked. Tastes great grilled and on salads

Swordfish: A light and delicate flavoring fish that turns white when cooked. Contains a fair bit more mercury than other fish.

Nutrients- Zinc, Selenium, Niacin, Vitamin B12
Benefits- Contains many antioxidants that help protect against cancer and improves immune system functionality
Cooking- Swordfish tastes great in the summer on the grill, can be made into kabobs as well as baked or broiled

Tuna: A new American favorite fish served in all the finest restaurants! This fish is served as a delicacy and has a meaty flavor. It can be used to make homemade sushi or thrown on the grill.

Nutrients- Selenium, Magnesium, Potassium, Niacin and Vitamins B1 & B12
Benefits- Tuna is high in protein, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure as well as reduces the chances of developing asthma and heart disease.
Cooking- Great on the grill and on top of salads, raw for sushi or a little of both and pan Seared; lightly cooked with a pink center

Haddock: The most commonly eaten white fish with a non-oily texture. This fish is also known as the scrod fish, has a flaky texture and is high in protein.

Nutrients- Vitamins A & D, Omega-3 and Polyium Saturates
Benefits- Haddock is high in protein, low in fat and is a good source of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids that the body cannot produce on its own.
Cooking- Served fried but can also be broiled and baked.

Cod: Another white fleshed fish whose name is similar to “cold”, which is no surprise because it is found in the cold waters. Because Cod contains a mild flavor it is very versatile and can take on the taste you chose depending on how you prepare it.

Nutrients- Omega-3, Tryptophan, Selenium, Protein, Vitamin B6, Phosphorus
Benefits- Helps control high blood pressure, very low in calories and high in protein, helps with cardiovascular health and reduces risk of developing asthma
Cooking- Cod is a basic fish that can be either fried, broiled or baked. When cod is baked or broiled with various seasoning, it takes on the flavors of the marinade or spices you put on it.

by Daryl Plaza

In the past many people believed that as long as you ate a healthy diet you would not need to buy and take any anti-aging supplements. Most people tend to think that they will get all of the minerals and other vitamins that they need from their diet; however, there are actually very few people in the world who actually get all of the nutrients that they need just by eating a healthy diet. Most people do need anti-aging nutritional supplements to help them get the nutrients and vitamins that they need in order to fight of various diseases and help to slow down the aging process. Taking these anti-aging nutritional supplements can actually help your body to have the right levels to help protect yourself from toxins and other free radicals that may speed up the aging process or lead to diseases.

When your body starts to age there are a variety of things that begin to change. Bones begin to get more brittle, you start losing some of your muscle, and you also may have a harder time fighting off diseases and injuries probably occur more often. It can be difficult to get the anti-aging nutrients that you need by diet alone, which is why most people can benefit from taking anti-aging vitamin supplements. When you take these supplements no doubt you will benefit from having more energy, a clearer mind, and better moods as well. They will also help you to avoid getting various illnesses and diseases as well, which will improve your chances of living longer.

Benefits of Anti-aging Supplements

Many people are searching for ways that they can stop aging from occurring. One way that can help the process from going so quickly is to take anti-aging nutritional supplements. However, it is important to realize that your body will age and that you can only do your best to get the nutrition that you need to help make the process a graceful one. There are a variety of different supplements that you can take that will help your body such as flax seed oil, fish oil, green tea, omega 3's, and even grape seed extracts as well.

As your body begins to get older, there are some things that you can do to help your body out. One thing that your body produces is DHEA. This is the basic building block of both estrogen and testosterone within the body. It also helps to build up the brain and the immune system too. Other hormones also provide you with strong bones, healthy skin, and even a healthy sex drive. You may also have to help out your thyroid as well. Many people find that as they age their thyroid does not work as it should and they have to see their doctor for medication to help. The body also creates what is called HGH, or the human growth hormone. This hormone is important to the entire body and helps to stimulate growth. As you get older these levels tend to decrease, but there are now new HGH anti-aging supplements that have been designed by scientists. These new anti-aging nutritional supplements can actually stop the aging process and some problems may even be reversed as well. Much of the damage to your body can be reversed if you take this anti-aging supplement, such as the low energy, wrinkles, weight gain, and even loss of muscle mass.

Choosing the Right Anti-Aging Supplement

It is important that you make the right choice when you are picking out an anti-aging nutritional supplement. There are a variety of different supplements to choose from, but you will want to look for one that offers you a variety of different vitamins and minerals in one pill supplement. A good anti-aging nutritional supplement should include all of your important B Vitamins, such as B12, B2, B6 and folic acid. It should also include Vitamin D and Vitamin K as well. Also look to make sure that the anti-aging supplement also contains Selenium, miacin, Zinc, iron, copper, and magnesium.

A Few anti aging Tips

The following are a few important tips when you are picking out your anti-aging vitamin supplements.

Tip #1 - Make sure that the supplement you choose gives you between 100-300% of your daily value of the nutrients that are included in the nutritional supplement.

Tip #2 - Avoid purchasing vitamins that are chelated, time release, or colloidal minerals. These usually will cost you more money and may not do what they are supposed to.

Tip #3 - Avoid purchasing vitamin supplements with extra ingredients that you do not need, such as lipoid acid, enzymes, or inositol. These things will cost you more money and offer not value to you.

Tip #4 - Be sure to take extra calcium and magnesium as well. Most anti-aging nutritional supplements will not have enough of these ingredients in them.

Tip #5 - Potassium, phosphorus, and choline can be ignored when you are choosing an anti-aging supplement because most people actually get enough of these nutrients from diet alone.

Remember that taking care of your body is important. You can help out your body in a huge way by taking a variety of anti-aging vitamins and minerals and making sure that you get plenty of Vitamin E and Vitamin C, which can greatly help you get rid of toxins and free radicals. Exercising, eating a great diet, and making sure that you take your anti-aging nutritional supplements on a regular basis can help you feel great, have more energy, and improve the way you look.

About the Author

Daryl Plaza is a regular contributor to ProActiveAntiaging.com and informational based website to inform you more about ant aging products, nutritional diets and how you can change your lifestyle to feel more healthier and vibrant.