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• healthy diet
• diet
• toxins
• Natural Detoxifying Techniques
• fasting

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Having a healthy body is not all about having a slim or muscular figure. We don't only have to take care of our physical appearance but more importantly what is inside our body. Each day our body is exposed to various toxins. This could be found in the air we breathe and the food we eat. Detoxifying is a great way of getting rid of these pollutants to keep our body working in tip top shape. It compliments a healthy lifestyle improving the benefits of eating healthy and living an active lifestyle.

To help you get started in your detoxifying journey, below are some tips you could start at home.

• Load up on water  - Most of our body is made up of water. And loading up on water goes a long way in helping our body flush out toxins. All it takes is eight glasses of water and that's the minimum. However, getting a few extra glasses of water each day doesn't hurt either.
• Exorcise those toxins through exercise - Help the body get rid of toxins by spending a few minutes each day exercising. Sweating is a great way of coxing sweat out of the body. Get the benefit of having a slimmer figure while eliminating harmful toxin buildup.
• Get those veggies - Eating vegetables helps get rid of toxins. This is especially useful for cleaning the digestive tract. It makes it easier for the body to flush it through our solid waste. It provides bulk to our feces decreasing our risk for developing colon cancer.
• Fruit and Juices -  Whether eaten directly or in its liquid form, fruits are good detoxifying agents. Just like water, fruit juices course its way through our body flushing toxins along the way. Turn your favorite fruit into a juice or make it your favorite snack. A great alternative to processed food and snacks.
• Fasting for a day - Give your body the best opportunity to get rid of toxins by letting it focus on detoxification. Drink plenty of fluids such as water and juices. This could be done once every month. Living a healthy lifestyle is striking a balance. Never fast for more than a day. You shouldn't confuse fasting for detoxification with dieting.
• Body wraps - Body wraps promotes sweating. Increase the benefits of using body wraps by matching it with detoxifying oils. Body wrap treatments are not only a good way of helping your body detoxify but is also a simple way of releasing stress. This way you don't only get rid of physical toxins but also mental toxins as well.
• Stay clear of toxins - Don't just get rid of toxins but prevent it from coming back by living and eating healthy. Stay clear of dirty or polluted environments. Toxins could also enter the body through the air. Eat healthy food that promotes detoxification while avoiding processed foods.

There are many facets to a healthy body. Eating healthy foods and living an active lifestyle is just part of the process. Helping the body rid itself of toxins should not be ignored. Get the complete healthy lifestyle by incorporating each discipline.

• arthritis
• living with arthritis
• signs of arthritis

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Arthritis is a common ailment among the elderly. But this is a complaint that also affects younger people. There are many types of arthritis but general symptoms include swelling, stiffness and pain. Treatment for arthritis usually includes the use of medications that provide instant pain relief. But the use of drugs and medications are not the only means available for effective arthritis management.

For the millions of arthritis sufferers searching for effective home remedies for arthritis, below are proven natural treatments for arthritis.

Eating a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet keeps you within ideal weight limits while reducing the stress on your joints. Talking with a nutritionist also gives you an idea on what type of foods to avoid. Eating dairy products in particular should be minimized or eliminated altogether. A nutritionist could give you information on healthier alternatives to dairy products. Arthritis sufferers should also keep an eye for high sugar foods, caffeine and carbonated drinks that could worsen joint pain and swelling.

Fish is an excellent source of Omega-3. This is also available in supplements, nuts and flaxseed oils. Omega-3 improves circulation by removing blockages. However, before taking Omega-3 supplements check this with your doctor. If you are currently taking blood thinning drugs, this could increase your chance for bleeding or hemorrhage.

Massage

Massaging is a simple way of providing instant relief to swelling and arthritis pain. It is also a powerful stress reliever, preventing the production of cortisol (stress hormone) that only aggravates the condition. Massaging improves blood flow and reduces inflammation.

Acupuncture

Arthritis sufferers searching for alternative treatments for arthritis could use acupuncture to reduce inflammation and pain. It is also a powerful stress reliever that calms and soothes the nerves of arthritis patients. Acupuncture needles are used to restore the normal flow of energy through the body. It reduces inflammation in painful areas and promotes healthy blood flow.

Herbs and Supplements

Another traditional way of treating arthritis at home is through the use of herbs and supplements. Herbs for example have long been used in traditional medicine to enhance body functioning and are important ingredients to some of today's most potent medicines.

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can be used to slow cartilage loss and reduce pain. However, its effects are not readily felt by the sufferer. The benefits are sometimes seen after one month of use. Ginger is another health supplement that has proven itself as an effective natural treatment for arthritis. It improves blood circulation and carries inflammatory chemicals away from the joints.

Applying Heat and Cold Treatments

Applying heat and cold treatments to painful joints provides instant relief. Hot packs, electric blankets, heating pads and hot packs are just some of the simple ways you could introduce heat to painful joints. Taking a hot bath or shower soothes the body and helps reduce pain quickly.

Cold treatments equally work well in reducing painful joints. It reduces pain by numbing the nerves and reduces inflammation by preventing the flow of white cells into the joint. Wrapping ice in a towel or placing cold fruits and vegetables over the painful joints are just some of the creative ways to apply cold treatments.

Capsaicin is a chemical found in hot peppers and brings instant hit when rubbed on the skin. It reduces pain by distracting the brain and irritating nerve endings. Eucalyptus oil and wintergreen are also great for soothing painful joints. These creams are very potent and should not be combined with heating pad; this could burn or irritate the skin.

These are just some of the effective home remedies for arthritis that offer a gentler and more natural way of managing and treating the symptoms of arthritis. However, for a more complete treatment regimen, establishing a relationship and constant communication with your physician should always be a priority.

• breast cancer awareness
• breast cancer
• cancer awareness

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

The incidents of breast cancer continuous to rise over the past years even with the advent of new technologies and new cancer intervention treatments. And this is not only confined to women but with men as well.

Cancer Causes

Even with breasts cancer awareness programs and information drives, plenty still of those who have it are still unaware of it. Most often this happened when these women are not in any line of cancer genes or has been healthy all their lives.

Breast cancer though can be very silent and can stalk you without knowing. Causes of breast cancer are detailed below:

• Old age
• Genetics/ hereditary
• History of breast cancer
• Breast lumps
• Estrogen exposure
• Obesity
• Height (taller women has higher chance of having it)
• Alcohol consumption
• Radiation exposure
• Specific Jobs(night jobs exposed to carcinogens and endocrine disruptors)
• HRT or hormone replacement therapy

Early Signs of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer intervention can be very effective once it is done at the start early onset of the condition. To be able to detect it early, women should be able to keep their selves aware of its different symptoms.

Angelina Jolie, when diagnosed with a certain rare cancer strand had a Mastectomy (removal of breasts). The beauty of early intervention is it keeps you even from acquiring it or making it worse. Jolie who undergo mastectomy have had a breast implant or breast augmentation after to go back to normal.

Many women who had mastectomy ahs found a savior from breast implants to restore normal look and be confident again. And for the early diagnosis and intervention, see below.

1. Change in nipple and breast feeling. Tendency is, there will be lumps or thickening near the breast. Mostly it appears near the underarm area also. Another notable one is the enlargement of pores in the breast. But don't panic once you detect a couple o lumps, some are not cancerous. To be sure, have a professional examine it for you.
2. Change in breast and nipple appearance. A change in the size of the breast as well as any dimpling can be an early sign. Uneven swelling or shrinkage should also be checked. When suddenly your nipples turn inverted or inward, it can be a sign that you need to be checked up.
3. Nipple discharge. A milky discharge is okay with women who are breastfeeding. But once you are not into it, chances are you may be experiencing something. Though it might not be cancer, it always pays to be careful.
4. Pain in the armpits. Once the pain in your armpits is bothering you and it isn't by any chance related to your period, then see a doctor right away.

Don't Panic, Be Calm

Once you have some of the symptoms above, don't panic nor be alarmed. Keep calm and go to a doctor right away. Have some laboratory tests scheduled. Some may even be a false alarm.

Once your first diagnosis is positive, always go for the second and third opinion. But if it is really positive, there are interventions in it.

There are plenty of treatments for cancer.  Treatments depend on the cancer stage. Known ones include chemotherapy, mastectomy (like those of Angelina Jolie), hormone therapy and biological treatment. But the biggest weapon you can have is a huge heart, a good fighting will and a strong spirit. So be aware of its symptoms and have early intervention once you suspect you have it.

• Weight Loss
• weight training
• healthy foods
• bananas

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Considered as one of the world's miracle fruits, the musa acuminata better known as a banana has a number of known and proven health benefits. In fact, it may even have more health benefits than any other fruit in the market. What makes a banana even better than most healthy fruits like apples, grapes, mangoes or an orange is that fact that it is a lot cheaper and is widely available in most parts of the world.

There have been numerous clinical studies in the past that link banana to various health benefits, some of which are presented below.

Bananas are good for your heart and blood

Potassium is one of the most abundant nutrients packed in a single banana serving. Needless to say, potassium has a lot of known benefits. For starters, potassium helps the heart by promoting better circulation of blood. A single banana serving also has vitamin B6 : an essential vitamin that aids in the production of helpful antibodies.

Likewise, vitamin B6 also helps in the production of hemoglobin, another important nutrient the human body needs.

Banana as a natural mood enhancer

It is also said that banana is a natural mood enhancer. This miracle fruit has tryphotan which can help smoothen and enhance the mood of people. Tryphotan is an amino acid which can help the human body produce serotonin. Serotonin, on the other hand, can produce a calming effect on the human body and is bound to stabilize the mood of the person taking it.

A banana a day is good for your kidney and bones

The old adage, an apple a day keeps the doctor away may just be it : old. Bananas have already proven its worth many times over. One of its many benefits includes helping your kidneys and bones to become stronger and less vulnerable to complications.

This is due to the high potassium content of a banana fruit. Potassium suppresses calcium excretion in the urine and is therefore minimizing the risk against kidney stones. For that matter, I guess it would be wise to say that a banana a day keeps the doctor away.

Regular intake of bananas is said to make a person smarter

According to a study conducted on 200 students at a Middlesex school, a normal intake of banana after every meal makes pupils more alert and open to learning.

Bananas can promote better bowel movement

Another well known benefit of banana is that this miracle fruit is high in fiber and can restore and promote better bowel movement. That is the reason why people suffering from constipation are almost always given a serving of banana. In addition to that, better bowel movement brought about by a serving of banana is good for one's overall health.

Apart from the health benefits pointed above, bananas can also help people wanting to quit smoking and serve as a stress reliever for many. Heartburn, anemia and ulcers can also be improved by a daily intake of banana while morning sickness and hangover can be remedied with a single banana serving.

It is important to know and remember that a banana is a great natural remedy for many illnesses. Hence it would be wise to include a serving of banana in your daily diet.

• healthy diet
• Exercise
• diet and exercise
• eating right

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Dedicating yourself to a healthy lifestyle by eating the right diet and living a more actively seems simple. But it entails a lot of discipline and a little know how. This is true especially for those who are planning to spend a couple of hours at the gym.

The body needs a steady source of energy and nutrients. This holds true for those planning to lose weight or adding muscles. Energy is needed to power your various workout exercises and getting enough energy is essential to proper functioning in the gym. What happens after workouts is also essential. It determines the most safest and opportune time to eat and help your body in the recovery process.

Before Workouts

If you're planning to go on a workout it is important for you to adjust eating times accordingly. Working out with a full stomach could have a negative effect on your workout. The body spends energy digesting, energy which is needed during a workout. This only makes you tire easily as your body divides itself between digesting and providing you with energy during workouts.

Working out in the gym entails focus both mentally and physically. And a full stomach could make you feel lethargic or overly relaxed. Lifting weights especially free weights can be taxing mentally and needs full focus. Hard to do when your body is still busy digesting a meal.

Eating after Workouts

Your body's natural reaction after a workout is to replace lost energy stores. Strenuous workouts may have caused minor muscle tear which require immediate repair. Feelings of hunger is triggered, signaling you that your body is in need of instant nourishment.

If you're about to go through a long workout, one or two hours for example. Be sure to have something handy to provide you with a quick energy source. Eat snacks rich in protein and carbohydrates. Bring snacks in the gym to immediately replenish energy and jumpstart the repairing process. Water is also essential. This is needed to prevent dehydration after a grueling workout.

A 15 minute minimum is required after exercising before you eat.

For those not hungry

For some especially for those whose goal is losing weight, eating after your workout could be detrimental to your weight loss efforts. Eating after a workout actually helps the body restock lost fats which might have been lost during the workout. If you feel hungry, only consume that which is enough to keep you going through the day.

Drink water, pure fruit juices or an energy drink to prevent dehydration and replace lost electrolytes. Even when you're not feeling hungry or trying to lose weight, replacing lost electrolytes is essential for maintaining proper energy levels.

Eating habits before and after workouts

Working out in the gym is one of the best and fastest way to a healthier body. But it entails an extra sense of discipline. This includes proper eating habits to maximize every second you spend in the gym. So the next time you plan on going to the gym, take note of this simple guide on eating before and after workouts.