4 Tips of How to Treat Hair Loss Naturally

Many ways people do to treat hair loss. It could be a natural way or other way can be taken to prevent that hair does not fall out. In this article I provide 4 tips of How to treat hair loss naturally.

1. Candlenut Kukui Oil Efficacy Candlenut (Hawaii people call it "Kukui") has been known since centuries ago. Candlenut not only as a spice in the kitchen, but also believed to blacken hair. Candlenut kukui oil can also be used for hair loss treatment. Candlenut kukui oil can reduce hair loss, even originating from the hair root. The content of protein and minerals in the nutritious hazelnut oil strengthens hair roots.

How to use candlenut kukui oil is also very easy, simply apply a candlenut oil in your hair and on your scalp. Then massage evenly and slowly. Let stand for 1 hour or it could be all night. Then wash with shampoo using shampoo as usual. Perform this hair loss treatment once or twice a week. If you do not like to make your own, now available native candlenut kukui oil equipped with  Argan Oil from Morocco. You can order it online here minyak kemiri kukui.

2. Aloe Vera GelAloe vera can also be used for the treatment of hair loss naturally. The trick grab aloe meat, then you rubbed on the hair. Let stand overnight. Perform this hair treatment for 2 times a week. Your hair will be more healthy, beautiful, and shiny. Aloe vera gel can also be made fresh drink tablets 

3. Extract Coconut OilWho does not know the coconut? This one fruit known as the fruit with a myriad of benefits. One of the benefits of coconut is nourish the hair. Coconut extract derived from coconut oil and coconut milk is very beneficial for your hair, which can make your hair becomes stronger but still soft.

4. Olive OilHow to use olive oil together with the use of coconut oil or argan oil that has been proven to make your hair become more healthy, strong and shiny. Should do this hair treatment every week and to get maximum results.

May these 4 tips on how to treat hair loss naturally is useful for those who crave beautiful hair, healthy, and strong. If you want a more practical way, you can order the original minyak kukui oil made from the seeds of hazelnut choice plus argan oil is very useful to treat your hair naturally.

Magnetic Therapy

Hi my dear readers, me again here. For long time ago I did't write anymore post because I was so busy doing some businesses. I am now a member of BioMagWorld. This is my Business Account (BA): MES_BMW. You can contact me to get more information about this great business. Today I want to introduce Magnetic Therapy as an alternative medicine for better health and beauty.

History and Growth of Magnetic Therapy
For thousands of years, magnets have been used by the Chinese, Egyptians, Chaldeans, Arabs, Greeks, Romans and Indians to heal. Cleopatra, the beautiful Egyptian Queen was the probably the first celebrity to use magnets to keep her skin youthful. The newest magnetic therapy was introduced to the western world during the first International Conference on Biomagnetism which was held in Boston (USA) in 1976. Today, Bio Magnetic Therapy is gaining popularity worldwide including in Europe and USA with many celebrities devotees.

Lack of Magnetism may cause many diseases
We need five elements for a healthy life: Oxygen, Water, Food, Exercise, and Magnetic Field. It is proven by experts that a body that lacks of magnetism may cause many diseases. Lacking of magnetism in cells may accelerate sense of cells that may increase thickness of blood, aggravating the burden of heart and blocking the sediment in circulation system, which will lead to many diseases for blood, nerve, digestic system, etc. In order to prevent the symptom of magnetic famine, we should apply magnetism to our body regularly.

Main benefits of using Magnetic Therapy are:

• It helps removal of waste products from the blood (i.e. lactic acids, calcium, cholesterol, and fat deposit).
• Overcome the blood pressure problem (high/low).
• Regenerates the damaged cells and increases metabolism.
• Improves circulation/body and extermity warming.
• Increases energy and strength.
• Improves sexual intimacy.
• Block growth of cancer cell.
• Increase the amount of oxygen in the body.
• Prevents the spread of bacteria and fungi.
• Useful for hair, skin, and nails to keep them healthy and youthful, also prevent from hair loss and grows hair.
• Improves sleep by giving you a more restful nights sleep.
• Alleviates migraine and headaches.
• Helps digestion problem, liver and stomach function.
• Treats diabetes.
• Reduces weight or helps obesity problem.
• Raise the alkaline levels in the body.
• Alleviates pain and improves mobility of arthritic joints.
• Aids recovery of torn ligaments, muscles and tendons.
• Reduces tensed nerves.
• Strengthen human immune system.
• Cures asthma, bronchitis, and sinus.
• Improves overall health.

I will continue this post later. If you want to get more information about the products and business plan of BioMagWorld, please visit http://www.biomagworld.com. Use my BA: MES_BMW as your reference.

Thank you and see you later :)

10 minutes a day for better life

Jessisca Ashley gives her tips how to optimize 10 minutes a day for better life. You can get some benefits of her experience. Below what she wants to share. Have a nice reading.

I'd like to say that I've been struggling to get enough sleep for a few months or years, but the truth is that I've had this challenge most of my life. One of my mother's favorite stories from my childhood centers on the night I stood at the door long after midnight, cheerfully waving dinner party guests goodbye like I was the hostess of the New Year's bash my parents threw. I was two years old. Aside from being a professional, a parent, and living a few blocks from the home where my mom's dinner parties now take place, my attitude about sleep is not that different. If there's something going on -- a phone conversation, a late-night movie, a new blog post going up, a work deadline -- I am probably going to be wide awake, waving, and smiling at whatever is happening and whoever is still up at the same time.

The problem is that I really need more sleep than I get. I can't take a toddler-sized nap and I never seem to make up for the many years of sleep I've lost along the way to my mid-thirties. I've spent the last six months trying to make a habit of evening rituals, self-imposed bedtimes, and anything that will lure me away from the laptop and into my bed.

I tried and tried and tried. And I would do great for a week or so, fall off the sleep wagon, re-commit and relapse all over again. It felt crazier than being chronically sleep-deprived, to be honest. At least when I was getting a consistent five hours of sleep (and really, I need 8 or more), I didn't feel like my energy level was up and then down and then up again. It was low, but it was steady.

Then, two weeks ago, I just gave up. I decided to forget my efforts to get more sleep. I was feeling like a failure and still exhausted and it just wasn't working. Instead, I shifted my focus from getting myself into bed to what happens when I get up in the morning.

If I couldn't get it together in the evening (or early a.m., which is when I really am hitting the sack), then I could at least make my mornings better. And with that, I decided to start doing yoga. Every single morning.

The crazy and wonderful thing is that I've not only committed to my new yoga practice, I now crave it. The key, I think, is that I am keeping it as simple as I possibly can.

I started with an A.M. yoga DVD that I dug out from a basket of dusty movies and fitness videos. It was familiar -- it was my 20-minute escape at a time when my home was full of unbearable stress. I remembered the class helping me to breathe deeper in the midst of a suffocating time. It felt right to revisit Rodney Yee, the calm and compelling teacher, for a short, relatively easy class at a time when my stress was peaking again.

Then I moved on to another A.M. yoga class I found OnDemand through Exercise TV (here's a schedule of what's on cable when), and am trying out new morning practices I've found there, in old copies of Yoga Journal I have stashed away, and from sequences I remember from a studio class I loved last year. During the week, I need the guidance and discipline of a teacher on the screen telling me what to do and for how long. But on the weekend, it is nice to go with the flow of poses from magazine pages or memory. Some mornings, I do 10 minutes of more heart-pumping yoga, and other classes are 20 minutes of slower-paced poses. They are all active, though, and all stretch me out, get the synapses firing and blood circulating.

Some wonderful things are already happening in the two weeks I've been doing yoga daily.

First, my 4-year old son joins me most mornings, if not for the whole class then for parts of it. Together, we are building our self-care skills, making a habit of being active, and breathing deeper. I've noticed that getting him moving after that is easier and he doesn't complain as much about putting on his clothes or hurrying out of the house for school. It probably doesn't hurt that I emerge less rushed and more calm, either.

Second, I have noticed my stress level drop. It's not that the stress has dissipated. It's just that I am giving the things that make me anxious less of my energy. I had one day last week where I got all worked up over something pretty small. Later that night as I thought about the day and how exahusted all that consternation left me, I realized I'd forgotten to do yoga that morning. Yoga's not solving the stress, certainly. But it is making me better prepared to deal with it and that is obvious already.

Third, my body feels better. I'm not doing anything complicated, high level or rigorous, but I am stretching out and working my achey muscles. As a result, my shoulders are pulled back and my posture is better. I can feel the core work in my abs. It also feels good to get even a minimal amount of exercise in.

Fourth, my energy level is boosted. I feel really ready for my day when I've finished the final relaxation portion of the morning yoga practice. I feel centered and still energized. Dare I say that I feel as much - if not more - refreshed than I do after getting eight hours of sleep.

I do know that I need more rest and that 10 or 20 minutes of yoga cannot replace that. I will definitely address the sleep again (and likely, again and again and again) soon. For now and until I can more thoroughly get to what's happening at night, a minimal amount of morning yoga is making my days so much better.

How do you get going in the morning? Does it make up for lack of sleep at night?

Baby Steps Can Equal Big Changes in Diet

Do you want to make changes to your diet and lifestyle but intimidated by the prospect of making big changes in how you live? It’s a common misconception that in order to make significant changes in your health it’s necessary to totally overhaul your lifestyle. In fact, you can make great changes in your health and fitness levels just by making small changes to the way you already live. Baby steps can equal big changes in your diet, fitness level and overall health. In fact, experts say that taking baby steps is the best way to create lasting change when it comes to diet and exercise. Here are some small steps that you can take to change your diet and fitness level.

Take a Walk

Walk whenever you can. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk to work one or two days a week. Park your car at the farthest end of the parking lot and walk further to get into the store. There are lots of small ways that you can get more active everyday without changing your schedule drastically. Walk around the block after dinner, or even just walk in place in the living room while you’re watching your favorite show instead of sitting on the couch. You don’t need to join a gym or spend thousands of dollars on exercise equipment to get more active. Just get off the couch.

Add One Serving of Vegetables to Your Daily Diet

Diet is one area where people often try to make sweeping changes and then ultimately go back to their bad eating patterns because they try to change to many things quickly. To start off with, just add one more serving of vegetables to your daily diet. Drink a glass of vegetable juice in the middle of the morning for a quick pick-me-up instead of having a doughnut. Have a salad with dinner. Throw some tomatoes into your morning omelet or make a breakfast wrap with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, onions, and cheese in a low fat tortilla. You don’t need to make any big dramatic changes, just add one serving of vegetables to your daily diet and you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel.

Drink Water

Replace sugary soda with water. Invest a few dollars in a refillable plastic bottle and carry it with you. There are lots of delicious sugar free drink mixes that come in individual portions so that you can put one in a bottle of water, shake it up, and have a delicious and refreshing beverage that is much healthier for you than a soda or fruit cocktail. Our bodies are mostly made of water, and most people don’t drink enough water every day. Dehydration can cause mental and physical sluggishness, so drink more water every day to feel better.

Take Vitamins

Most people don’t eat balanced or healthy diets. Even when you’re working on eating better, a multi vitamin is necessary to make sure that you get all the vitamins and minerals you need everyday. Investing in a good multi-vitamin and remembering to take it everyday is a great baby step everyone can take to start feeling better. Put the vitamin bottle on the counter with the coffeemaker or next to the juice glasses so that you remember to take one every morning.

Stretch during the Day

Your body was made to move. Sitting at a desk all day causes the body to become sluggish and no one wants to exercise after sitting down all day. Take little five minute breaks throughout the day to stand up and do some stretching at your desk. It will help you stay alert and awake, and get you ready to walk the stairs and out through the parking lot at the end of the day. Baby steps can add up to big changes in your diet, fitness level, and desire to exercise each day, so start taking baby steps to better health.

Knowing Diet Secrets of the Stars

We know that Celebrities always look wonderful. If appearing in television or films or strutting down the red carpet during movie premiers and awards, they never cease to fascinate us with their larger than life presence. It takes a lot of effort to look the way they do.

Of course these stars have their own secrets when it comes to staying fit and gorgeous. Their health agenda can range from extreme workouts to well-planned meals. Who doesn't want to know their secrets in staying absolutely sexy? Here are some of the diet secrets of seven women celebrities.

1. Claudia Schiffer
The bodacious German supermodel eats salad and steamed vegetables for dinner and eats only fruits before the afternoon. While on locations, she prefers to eat black grapes and drinks tomato juice and herbal tea.

2. Christie Brinkley
Long-time supermodel maintains her all-American good looks by being a vegetarian. She does not keep junk foods of any kind inside her home to make sure that she does not eat them when cravings occur. She snacks on sweet potatoes in place of candy bars, and she adopts a liquid juice diet when she needs to slim down fast.

3. Gwyneth Paltrow
A lot of people may find it hard to believe that the perpetually slim Academy award-winning actress actually needs to diet. Gwyneth actually follows a healthy eating plan that resembles Oprah's, avoiding sugar and white flour. She usually follows a macrobiotic diet, eating foods like vegetables, brown rice, and lean meat. She also eliminated dairy from her diet, and does yoga everyday.

4. Jennifer Aniston
The star of the phenomenal television show Friends not only mesmerized audiences with her adorable comic sense and her famous hairstyle, she was also known for having one of the sexiest bodies in Hollywood, as she appeared in countless magazine covers. To stay trim, Jennifer follows the 40:30:30 diet method. The diet consists of:

40% Low glycemic carbohydrates
-Foods such as beans, fruits and vegetables, legumes

30% lean proteins
-Tofu, fish, chicken, turkey, beef and low fat dairy products

30% essential fats
-nuts and seeds, fish and olive oils

It is essential that every meal should contain macronutrients to attain the balance of hormones and maximum weight loss.

5. Kate Hudson
The gorgeous daughter of actress Goldie Hawn gained 60 pounds during her pregnancy, which she needed to shed quickly before commencing on her next film. From her previous eating plan, she switched to a higher protein diet. She consumed high protein meals in smaller portions, and she combined this diet with an exercise program that includes weight training and cardiovascular workouts. After getting a lot of flak because of her post-pregnancy figure, Kate removed all that baby weight in only four months and has gained abdominal muscles that gained the envy of many in Hollywood.

6. Madonna
The pop star known as the Material Girl has always flaunted a body that is to die for, and has become a true fitness paragon over the years. She keeps herself in tip-top shape by having Ashtanga Yoga, and follows a strict diet that mostly shuns junk foods. She adopted a macrobiotic eating plan that includes organic foods rich in lean protein.

7. Oprah Winfrey
As one of the most successful talk-show hosts in the world, there is no question that Oprah needs to maintain her physical appearance for her millions of audiences. Known as one of those celebrities who are constantly battling weight gain, she has recently toned up her figure and has never looked figure in age 50 by combining a regular exercise regime and diet plan. Oprah works out five days a week, spending 30 minutes on the threadmill and doing free weights. Her eating plan consists of legumes, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables, chicken and dairy products that are lowfat. She limits her consumption of white sugar and flour. Oprah also credits her trim figure to her habit of not eating anything after seven in the evening.

Celebrities are just like ordinary people. They need to maintain their figures just like anyone else, and there is more pressure on their part since they are constantly in the public eye.

Do you want to have celebrity-like bodies? By following these diet and fitness plans, you can also look like red-carpet worthy.

Planning Your Weight Loss

Since excess weight puts you at risk for many health problems, you may need to set some weight loss plans to help avoid those risks and prevent disease.

But what should be your long-term goal? And what short-term goals should you set to help you get there? You have a better chance of attaining your goals if you make sure that the weight loss plans that you will use are sensible and reasonable right at the beginning.

Here are six important things from the experts in choosing your weight loss plans and goals.

1. Be realistic

Most people’s long-term weight loss plans are more ambitious than they have to be.

For example, if you weigh 170 pounds and your long-term plan is to weigh 120, even if you have not weighed 120 since you were 16 and now you are 45, that is not a realistic weight loss goal.

Your body mass index or BMI is a good indicator of whether or not you need to shed of pounds. The ideal BMI range, according to the national Institutes of Health, is between 19 and 24.9. If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, you are considered overweight. Any number above 30 is in the obesity range.

From this point of view, you will need a sensible weight loss plan that will correspond to the required BMI based on your height, because this is the primary factor that will affect your BMI.

2. Set appropriate objectives

Using a weight loss plan just for vanity’s sake is psychologically less helpful than losing weight to improve health.

You have made a big step forward if you decide to undergo a weight loss plan that includes exercise and eating right so that you will feel better and have more energy to do something positive in your life.

3. Focus, focus and focus on doing, not losing

Rather than saying that you are going to lose a pound this week, say how much you are going to exercise this week. This would definitely make up of a sensible weight loss plan.

Keep in mind that your weight within a span of a week is not completely in your control, but your behavior is.

4. Build bit by bit

Short-term weight loss plans should not be “pie-in-the-sky.” This means that when you have never exercised at all, your best weight loss plan for this week should be based on finding three different one-mile routes that you can walk next week.

5. Keep up the self-encouragement

An all-or-nothing attitude only sets you up to fail. Learn to evaluate your efforts fairly and objectively. If you fall short of some goals, just look ahead to next week. You do not need to have a perfect record.

After all, self-encouragement should definitely be a part of your weight loss plans. Otherwise, you will just fail in the end.

6. Measure your measurable goals

Saying that you are going to be more positive this week or that you are going to really get serious this week is not a goal that you can measure and should not be a part of your weight loss plan.

This is another reason why you should incorporate exercise on your weight loss plan and focus on it. You should be able to count up the minutes of exercise in order to be successful in your plan.

The bottom line is, people should make weight loss plans that will only remain as it is, just a plan. They have to put it into action by incorporating goals that will motivate them to succeed. So, planning your work and working your plan!

weight loss plan

Fast weight loss diets

You are overweight for the most simple of reasons -- because you're eating the wrong foods, the wrong types of calories per meal, and you're also eating meals in the wrong patterns each day.

Think closely about what we're about to tell you, since it's going to change the way you think about dieting...

FOOD is more powerful than any prescription weight loss pills, because the FOOD that you eat can either make you THIN or FAT. You don't get fat because of a lack of exercising, that's a myth. You get fat because you don't eat the right foods at the right intervals each day.

Also, the pattern that you choose to eat your meals each day is more powerful than any prescription weight loss pills. This is true because your body is like an "engine" and it only needs certain foods at certain intervals each day, and if you don't eat the right foods at the right times then it won't burn those calories -- and you'll wind up storing those calories as fat tissue. (Hint: You need to eat more than 3 times per day to lose weight, but we'll show you the details later).

You have gotten overweight by eating the wrong foods, that much is a fact. And guess what? You can get SLIM by eating the RIGHT FOODS at the RIGHT INTERVALS each day.

It's not really any more complicated than that, and the way to start losing weight has nothing to do with starving yourself or jogging.

Read more about fast weight loss diets

Losing Weight Naturally

By MES

You just have read all that you need to know about how to prevent being overweight. That simple set of instructions should be easy to follow, but not for 35% of Americans who are unable to prevent being overweight.

Of course, once we are overweight, we usually want to trim down for a whole lot of reasons, some related to health, others having to do with looks.

In addition, it is never too late to lose weight. But the fact is, it is a whole lot easier to prevent putting on pounds than to try losing them later on. And if there is one thing we all know, it is that weight gain is likely to happen if we do not take forward-looking steps to stop it.

Health experts say that most people who are into losing weight usually stray. They tend to go back to their old eating habits even after they learn to enjoy low-fat eating. They tend to return to sedentary ways even though they enjoy exercising.

But despite the momentum toward weight gain, you can stop it from happening, experts say. And there are plenty of good reasons to avoid excess pounds, reasons that go beyond vanity or social acceptance.

In fact, some health experts contend that the significance of excess weight is more than cosmetic. They say that it takes a huge toll on people’s physical health.

The Way to Losing Weight…Naturally

The nuts and bolts of eating right maintaining a healthy weight is not all that complicated. In fact, it is a good bet that most people know pretty well what is best. Hence, losing weight the natural way should not be a problem at all.

Consequently, a reasonable approach for losing weight naturally is to stick to a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates, high in fiber, moderate in protein, and low in fat.

A complex carbohydrate is a baked potato. Fat is the sour cream and butter you should not put on it. Fiber is vegetables. Fat is the oil you should not fry them in. Protein is a lean cut of meat. Fat is the gravy you should not pour over it.

Moreover, health experts say that dietary fat promotes weight gain because it is a very dense source of calories. Also, when you consume excess calories from dietary fat, you store those calories as body fat more efficiently than excess calories from other sources.

On the other hand, it can also help you lose weight naturally if you will not fall into the so-called “fat-free” trap. Manufacturers keep coming out with low-fat or fat-free versions of their best-selling foods, but Americans keep getting fatter anyway.

One of the greatest delusions of the 1990s is that “no fat” means “non-fattening.” The truth is, you are often getting just as many calories from the no-fat version, even if the calories are not coming from fat.

The term fat-free can be a trap if you start to believe that you can eat any amount of the foods that are advertised that way.

What’s more, it is best to respond to hunger with healthful snacks. Health experts say it would be better to try eating every three to four hours, which may mean a nutritious low-fat snack between lunch and dinner.

When you feel the urge for food coming on, snacking on something healthy such as a slice of whole-grain toasted bread is a better alternative. Never skip a meal and eat snacks instead because that is the worst thing you can do if you are trying to control your eating habits and weight.

Remember, if you want to lose weight naturally, you have to keep track of every food you eat and of every activity that you do. When you say natural weight loss means that you do not have to use some accessories or helpful aids just to lose weight.

Losing weight naturally is a process and not a fad. Hence, it would take a lot of dogged determination, self-control, and discipline just to achieve your ideal weight.

Overnight Weight Loss

The rise in the number of fast foods joints that have a lot of saturated fat in the meals, the use of a lot of refined sugar in sodas and other processed foods and eating food with less fiber have all contributed to the fact that there are more people than before who are classified as either overweight or are obese.

A lot of other factors cause this to happen such as genetics, overeating and as people age; the metabolism slows down making it harder than before to burn the food that was just consumed.

The rate that a person loses weight is commensurate to how it is gained. Rapid weight is not good advisable since it leaves the person with lose skin and the only way to get rid of that would require surgery.

Weight loss depends on the condition of the person which includes weight, health, calorie-intake, age, gender, lifestyle, stress level and routine.

Being overweight does not necessarily make a person unhealthy. It just makes the person a bit unfashionable. Studies have shown that people who are a bit overweight live longer than those who have normal weight.

There is no quick or overnight solution for quick weight loss.

Nutritionists and other health experts will say that a person’s weight with proper exercise can actually help lose a certain number of pounds per week The best way to do this is with a low calorie diet and an exercise plan.

The first thing a person needs to do is to choose a diet program designed by a dietitian or another health professional. The patient has to be evaluated before any program can be made. The program usually consists of an eating plan and an exercise program that does not require the use of supplements or one to purchase any expensive fitness equipment.

The best exercise plan should have cardiovascular and weight training exercises. This helps burn calories and increase the muscle to fat ratio that will increase ones metabolism and lose weight.

A good diet should have food from all the food groups.

This is made up by 2 things. The first is carbohydrates. The food that a person consumes should have vitamins, minerals and fiber. A lot of this can come from oats, rice, potatoes and cereals. The best still come from vegetables and fruits since these have phytochemicals, enzymes and micronutrients that are essential for a healthy diet.

The second is fat which can come from mono and poly saturated food sources rather than animal fats. Since fat contains more than double the number of calories in food, this should be taken in small quantities to lose weight.

All diet plans are designed to make the person induce reduced amount of calories into the body. This does not mean that the person has to eat less. It just means that one has to eat smart by choosing the foods that have less calories. This makes it possible for someone to lose weight without the need to eat less.

During the course of the program, the person should still consult with the doctor and other health experts to monitor ones progress. There will be times that it is essential to modify the diet plan to further lose weight.

It is up to the person already to stick to the program to see that it works.

Weight Loss Supplements

More and more spend hundred and even thousands of dollars yearly on weight loss supplements in the hope of speeding up their metabolism. The main desire is to be attractive and accepted but it is becoming a more difficult goal to achieve. The fitness industry is booming but still a lot of people are unable to cut those fat in spite of all the exercise and diet efforts. In America, more than sixty per cent of adults are overweight and thirty per cent are considered obese. This is because:
1. A lot of weight loss products promises unrealistic goals
2. Dietary supplement manufacturers rely on the overweight person’s failure to survive
3. The information about the supplements in the market are just written by themselves just to
make a sell.

Although the Food and Drug Administration has successfully banned illegal marketers, some products are still available. Consumers can be deceived of the labels which claims caffeine or ephedra fee not knowing that these supplements composes of other ingredients that may pose the same health risks. These include heart and digestive problems, headaches, insomnia, and even psychological side effects.

Other supplement manufacturers say that their products contains EGCG which is a phytochemical ingredient found in green tea. This so-called component claims to speed up metabolism but in reality poses to reduce the risk of cancer. Some studies denote that it could slightly increase the potential to burn calories and now can be found in many weight loss supplements. It has good points on the other hand since the body might conform to EGCG after a period of time. Eve the weight loss benefit could sum up to 60 to 70 calories a day. This helps prevent excessive weight gain.

A few other significant effects of weight loss supplements is that it may contain ingredients that makers claim will prevent the absorption of carbohydrates. One good example is Chitosan, which appears most promising, which in fact shows no positive result in fat absorption. It could even take up to seven months for men to lose just a pound of body fat and for women, there is no fat loss at all. Thyroid supplements act as thyroid replacements help regulate and optimize the thyroid at a higher level. This they say makes the body feel like a couch potato and won’t perform the job it has to.

Since the number one reason why people eat is because they feel hungry, there is another type of ingredient that manufacturers made which increases the feeling of being full and decreases appetite, Guar Gum. However, recent studies show that it has no meaningful benefit at all to weight loss. It is ironic that manufacturers mix Psyllium that has the reputation of reducing eating and aiding weight loss for initial studies so far do not support this claim although it helps control blood cholesterol and sugar.

One of the latest innovations in the fat loss industry is by way of skin absorption. There’s a Cutting Gel, which is an epidril product by far the best selling in fat loss creams technology. Rub it where you want the fats cut. For now, it will seem safer to advise the age old remedies to excessive weight gain and that is to invest on walking shoes instead of diet supplements, go to the park and do brisk walking, go to the gym, and have a well balanced diet instead.

Keeping Your Health by Doing Weight Loss Exercises

By MES

After my two previous posts about Weight Loss Advantages and Weight Loss Fast Tips, now I am giving you the article about how we should keep our health by doing some simple weight loss exercises.

A lot of us live our lives like penned animals. Built to move, too often we put ourselves in a cage. We have bodies designed for racing across the savannas, but we live a lifestyle designed for migrating from the bed to the breakfast table; to the car seat; to the office chair; to the restaurant booth; to the living room couch and back to the bed.

It was not always this way. Not long ago in the United States, a man who worked on a farm did the equivalent of 15 miles of jogging every day; and his wife did the equivalent of 7 miles of jogging.

Today, our daily obligations of work and home keep us tied to our chairs, and if we want exercise, we have to seek it out.

In fact, health experts insist that obesity problem is probably caused at least as much by lack of physical activity as by eating too much. Hence, it is important that people need to move around.

However, that does not mean that a lap or two around the old high school track will offset a daily dose of donuts. Exercise alone is not very efficient, experts say. They contend that if you just exercise and do not change your diet, you may be able to prevent weight gain or even lose a few pounds for a while.

Nevertheless, it is not something that you are likely to sustain unless exercise is part of an overall program. The more regularly you exercise, the easier it is to maintain your weight. Here is what to do every day to make sure that you get the exercise you need.

1. Get quality Zzzs.

Make sure that you get adequate sleep. Good sleep habits are conducive to exercise, experts point out. If you feel worn out during the day, you are less likely to get much physical activity during the day.

In addition, there is evidence that people who are tired tend to eat more, using food as a substance for the rest they need.

2. Walk the walk.

It is probably the easiest exercise program of all. In fact, it may be all you ever have to do, according to some professional advices of some health experts.

Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week. Brisk walks themselves have health and psychological benefits that are well worth the while.

3. Walk the treadmill.

When the weather is bad, you might not feel like going outdoors. But if you have a treadmill in the television room, you can catch up on your favorite shows while you are doing your daily good turn for your weight-maintenance plan.

Most of us watch television anyway, and indoor exercise equipment enables anyone to turn a sedentary activity into a healthy walk.

4. Seize the time.

Excuses aside, lack of time is certainly a limiting factor in most lifestyles. That is why health experts suggest a basic guideline for incorporating exercise into your schedule.

Get as much exercise as you can that feels good without letting it interfere with your work or family life. If you need to, remind yourself that you are preventing many health problems when you prevent weight gain; and keeping your health is a gift to your family as well as yourself.

Doing these simple weight loss exercises will keep your body fresh and healthy.

Weight Loss Advantages

Do you know the advantages from losing weight? There is a great benefit acquired from losing weight. Though losing weight is not easy, the long term effects brought by it would probably be of help to anyone considering to shed those unwanted and unhealthy pounds.

Here are a few of the remarkable advantages from losing those excess weight:

1. Weight loss prevents high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke

That is a three in one benefit from losing weight. It is a fact that heart disease and stroke are one of the primary reasons for disability and death in both men and women in the US. People who are overweight have a higher risk to have high levels of cholesterol in their blood stream as well as triglycerides (also known as blood fat).

Angina, one type of heart disease, could cause chest pains as well as a decrease in the oxygen pumped to the heart.

Sudden death also occurs from heart disease and stroke, and usually this strikes with very little warning, signs and symptoms.

It is a fact that by decreasing your weight by a mere five to ten percent, this could positively decrease the chances of you having or developing heart disease or a stroke. Plus, how your heart functions would also improve as well as your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride count will decrease.

2. Weight loss prevents type 2 diabetes

Diabetes puts in jeopardy one’s life as well as how one leads his or her life because of the complications that result from having it. Both types of diabetes, type one and type two are linked with being overweight. To those who already have diabetes, regular exercise and losing weight could help in controlling your blood sugar levels as well as the medication you may be currently taking. Increase your physical activity. You could simply walk, jog or dance. It helps get those blood streams moving as well as lose those unnecessary pounds.

3. Weight loss helps reduce your risk for cancer

Being overweight is linked with a number of kinds of cancer. Specially for women, the common types of cancer that is associated with being overweight include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, ovary, breast, and colon. This is not meant to scare you, this is only to keep you informed. Men are at risk too from developing cancer if they are overweight. These include cancer of the colon, prostate and rectum. Extra weight, a diet high in fat and cholesterol should as much as possible be avoided.

4. Weight loss reduces sleep apnea

Or it could eliminate it all together. Sleep apnea is a condition wherein one could temporarily stop breathing for a brief period and then would continue to snore heavily. Sleep apnea could cause drowsiness or sleepiness during the day and – because of being overweight – could result in heart failure. Shedding those excess pounds could help in eliminating this problem.

5. Weight loss reduces the pain of osteoarthritis

When one weighs heavily, the joints of his or her knees, hips and lower back would have to exert double – if not triple – effort to carry him or her through out his / her waking, walking and moving life. This could cause tension and stress on these joints. Weight loss decreases the load these joints carry thus decreasing – if not eliminating – the pain of one who has osteoarthritis.

Weight Loss Fast Tips

Other than physical appearance weight affects a person in many ways. This could be the overall quality of life, self-esteem, depression, health risks, and physical incapabilities. There are a lot of positive changes once a person experience weight loss. It is for this reason why a lot of people are searching for a weight loss technique that will surely trim down those fats and get a super slim head turner body.

The first thing that an over-weight should do is seek a doctor to recommend the best weight loss regimen. This will be done after a full physical examination, which leads to the determination of proper weight loss technique. And to lose weight fast and effectively four aspects of life should be changed: what to eat, how to eat, behavior and activity level.

Here are fast tips that can change an over-weight's life:

First: Fast weight loss composes of a multi-faceted technique that consists mindset, exercise, and in other cases, diet supplements. Begin by learning a diet food plan that can easily be accustomed with. Incorporate an exercise plan that allows even at least fifteen minutes a day like brisk walking, running, swimming, and dancing.

Second: Set realistic approaches. The ability to focus and have proper mindset enables someone on a diet to quickly lose those extra pounds. With discipline and proper mind set, a dieter will never be discouraged and lose focus.

Third: Listen as the body speaks. Each and everyone's body metabolism reacts differently to different fast weight loss programs and plans. Try substituting one program for another to compensate the body's reaction. Exercise program must be suitable to one's body, as others are not able to exercise as rigorously as others can. If walking is all that can be done, then walk for this is proven the best exercise. Muscles burn more calories than fats so it's also best to put on a little muscle and looking good too.

Fourth: Eat more fibers for it makes a person full sooner and stays in the tummy longer, slowing down the rate of digestion. A single serving of whole grain bread moves fat through the digestive system faster. Grains turn into blood sugar that spikes the body's insulin level. Thus, making the body more energized and ready to tell the body when it should stop burning fats or start storing.

Fifth: Keep away from fried foods especially deep-fried as this contains a great amount of fat. Although fish and chicken appear leaner than beef, this white meat can contain more fat than when a beef is fried. It is recommended for those on strict diet to opt for grilled food as this does not have or contain less amount of fat after the food is cooked.

Sixth: Takes lots of fluid. Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day keeps the body refreshed. Since weight loss depends on how the body eliminates body wastes, the body must stay hydrated.

All in all, discipline and consistency is still the best practice and the key to a rapid weight loss success. Light dieting, workout, and right amount of supplementation applied in a regular way everyday will result in faster weight loss than having a massive action only to be followed a return to old habits as this would only lead to gaining more weight than when the weight loss plan has started.

You Should Know How to Read Food Labels

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with food? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you've ever wanted to know about food.

You cannot measure every morsel that passes your lips, but it is a good idea to measure most foods and beverages until you get a feel for portion sizes.

It is a supersized world out there, and most people are surprised to find that their idea of a single serving is actually two or three.

If you are into bells and whistles, there are food scales that are preprogrammed with nutritional information, as well as scales that will keep a running total of your daily food and nutrient intake for you. The only tools you really need, however, are a simple and inexpensive gram scale, dry and liquid measuring cups, and idea on reading food labels.

Among all of the mentioned tools, reading food labels seem to be the most effective way of determining the right kind of food to be bought in the supermarket. It lets you make sensible food selections. Through the “Nutrition Facts” section in a particular item in the grocery, you can identify the amount of serving sizes provided in that product.

With food labels, you can clearly understand the amount and kinds of nutrients that are provided in the item. Usually, it contains the information on saturated fat, sodium, total fat, fiber, and cholesterol amount “per serving.”

However, understanding and reading these food labels can be very perplexing. A typical consumer would definitely ask what those numbers mean and how it will affect her diet intake if ever she will religiously follow the serving guide as stipulated on the food label.

To further have a clear and more comprehensive understanding of the items stated in the food label, here is a list of things that you need to know:

1. Serving size

This is the primary item you will see in a food label.

The amount of servings stated in the food label refers to the quantity of food people usually consume. However, this does not necessarily mean that it reflects your very own amount of food intake.

Those of you not familiar with the latest on food now have at least a basic understanding. But there's more to come.

Moreover, serving size determines the amount of nutrients that enters the body. This means that if you will follow strictly what the serving size is, you will obtain the same amount of nutrients according to the serving size that was given in the label.

For instance, if the serving size says one serving size is equal to 54 grams, that would mean you have to measure 54 grams and eat that and you have just eaten one serving. So to speak, the amount of nutrients stated in the food label is the same amount that has entered your body considering the fact that you have just eaten 54 grams.

However, if you have eaten everything, and the food label says that each pack is equivalent to 4 servings, you have to calculate the amount of nutrients that have entered your body. This means that if the food label says 250 calories per serving that means you have to multiply it to four to get the total amount of calories you have taken.

2. Nutrients

This refers to the list of available nutrients in a particular item. It is also where the nutritional claims of the product based on the recommended daily dietary allowance are stated. Usually, the nutritional amounts are based on both the 2,500-calorie diets and the 2,000 recommended dietary allowances.

In order to understand the numeric value of each item, you should know that the “% daily value” that the food label indicates is actually based on how a particular food corresponds to the recommended daily dietary allowance for a 2,000 calorie.

If in the event that you have purchased an item that has a dietary allowance different from the 2,000-calorie diet, you just have to divide the stipulated amount by 2,000 and you will be able to identify the “%daily value” for the nutrients.

3. Ingredients

This refers to the list of the ingredients that were used to manufacture the product. The listing is usually arranged from the main ingredients that have the greater amount by weight up to the smallest quantity. This simply means that the actual quantity of the food includes the biggest quantity of the main ingredient or the first item and the minimum amount of the very last ingredient.

4. Label claim

This refers to the kinds of nutritional claims of a particular food item. For instance, if an item says it is sodium-free, it has less than 5 milligrams per serving or a low fat item actually contains 3 grams of fat or less.

Indeed, reading food labels can be very tedious and confusing. Nevertheless, once you get the hang of it, it would be easier for you to watch your diet because you can already control the amount of food that you take.


Those who only know one or two facts about food can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here.

food nutrition

Discover how your body is able to support the healing process

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, aside from keeping the internal processes of the body healthy, strong and functioning well, also serve to promote the healing of wounds, both on the external and inner surfaces of the body. The rate at which wounds heal and the quality of the repair tissues depends upon adequate nutrition. There are several vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that affect the healing process.

Vitamin K is essential to the very first step of healing a wound – stopping the bleeding, via the clotting of the blood. Without Vitamin K, healing would not proceed, as the blood would not clot. Vitamin K partners with the mineral calcium in the production of the body’s primary clotting agent, thrombin.

One of the most important vitamins involved in the healing of wounds is Vitamin C. It is particularly helpful in the growth and development of new tissues, in part because it also supports the health and function of the body’s many tiny capillaries that are responsible for taking oxygen and nutrients to the far reaches of the body.

Another aspect of its importance in the growth and development of new tissues, thus in wound healing, as well as the maintenance of existing tissues, has to do with its role in collagen production. Collagen is what makes the scar that holds a wound together and makes up the connective tissue of the body. Collagen supports the structure of the skin. Vitamin C is essential to the production of collagen, meaning that Vitamin C has a great part in literally holding the body together.

Zinc is another mineral important to wound healing. There are more than 300 enzymes in the body that require zinc to perform their tasks. Many of these enzymes relate directly to the healing of wounds, such as the production of collagen. Zinc plays a role in the body being able to make use of certain proteins and in cell division.

However, it should be noted, too much zinc can interfere with the healing of wounds. That is because the body operates on a chemical system that has a delicate balance, and too much zinc interferes with how the body uses copper and other substances, thus throwing off the balance that is necessary for the best wound healing.

Copper, a mineral, is also significant to the process of healing wounds. Copper has many roles in the body, including being a component of numerous enzymes. In terms of healing, one of its most important roles is in the formation of collagen, which is essential to the wound healing process.

The vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that we consume daily are what support all of the processes of the body and the mind. The healing of wounds is essential to the body, and proper nutrition is what allows the process of wound healing to operate at peak performance, meaning that wounds heal as well and as quickly as they should. Dietary supplements are an affordable, safe and convenient way to make sure that your body is able to support the healing process.

Low Back Pain (LBP atau Sakit Pinggang)

Hari Kamis pagi, 20 Sept 2007 lalu, aku baru selesai mandi dan sedang asyik sikat gigi, bersiap ke kantor. Tiba-tiba aku terbatuk-batuk sedikit, dan tak lama ada rasa menjalar dari pinggang belakang ke bagian bawah kaki. Lalu aku merasa lemah terkulai. Sekuat tenaga aku mencoba bergerak dari kamar mandi ke tempat tidur karena aku merasakan sakit pinggang yang demikian hebat dan membuatku merasa lumpuh. Sepertinya aku kena LBP lagi (ini sudah yang ke-3 kalinya aku alami).

Selama 2 hari pertama aku merasa lumpuh, bahkan untuk duduk pun tidak bisa kulakukan. Untuk ke kamar mandi praktis ngga bisa, jadi untuk buang air kecil aku lewat botol air mineral :). Hari-hari berikutnya aku mulai belajar bergerak dengan sangat hati-hati agar bisa pulih seperti sedia kala.

Low Back Pain (LBP) adalah rasa nyeri yang terjadi di daerah pinggang bagian bawah dan dapat menjalar ke kaki terutama bagian sebelah belakang dan samping luar. Keluhan ini dapat demikian hebatnya sehingga pasien mengalami kesulitan dalam setiap pergerakan (salah tingkah) dan pasien harus istirahat serta dirawat di rumah sakit.

Keluhan low back pain ini ternyata menempati urutan kedua tersering setelah nyeri kepala. Dari data mengenai pasien yang berobat ke poliklinik Neurologi menunjukkan bahwa jumlah pasien diatas usia 40 tahun yang datang dengan keluhan low back pain ternyata jumlahnya cukup banyak. Di Amerika Serikat lebih dari 80% penduduk pernah mengeluh low back pain dan di negara kita sendiri diperkirakan jumlahnya lebih banyak lagi.

Mengingat bahwa low back pain ini sebenarnya hanyalah suatu simptom / gejala, maka yang terpenting adalah mencari faktor penyebabnya agar dapat diberikan pengobatan yang tepat.


Sebab-sebab terjadinya LBP

Pada dasarnya timbulnya rasa sakit adalah karena terjadinya tekanan pada susunan saraf tepi daerah pinggang (saraf terjepit). Jepitan pada saraf ini dapat terjadi karena gangguan pada otot dan jaringan sekitarnya, gangguan pada sarafnya sendiri, kelainan tulang belakang maupun kelainan di tempat lain, misalnya infeksi atau batu ginjal dan lain-lain.

SPASME OTOT (ketegangan otot) merupakan penyebab yang terbanyak dari LBP. Spasme ini dapat terjadi karena gerakan pinggang yang terlalu mendadak atau berlebihan melampaui kekuatan otot-otot tersebut. Misalnya waktu sedang olah raga dengan tidak kita sadari kita bergerak terlalu mendadak dan berlebihan pada waktu mengejar atau memukul bola (badminton, tennis, golf, dll). Demikian juga kalau kita mengangkat benda-benda agak berat dengan posisi yang salah, misalnya memindahkan meja, kursi, mengangkat koper, mendorong mobil, bahkan pada waktu kita dengan sangat gembira mengangkat anak atau cucu kita akan dapat terjadi LBP. Pengapuran tulang belakang disekitar pinggang yang mengakibatkan jepitan pada saraf yang bersangkutan dapat mengakibatkan nyeri pinggang yang hebat juga.

HNP (Hernia Nukleus Pulposus) yaitu : terdorongnya nucleus pulposus suatu zat yang berada diantara ruas-ruas tulang belakang, kearah belakang baik lurus maupun kearah kanan atau kiri akan menekan sumsum tulang belakang atau serabut-serabut sarafnya dengan mengakibatkan terjadinya rasa sakit yang sangat hebat. Hal ini terjadi karena ruda paksa (trauma/kecelakaan) dan rasa sakit tersebut dapat menjalar ke kaki baik kanan maupun kiri (iskhialgia). Adapun sebab lain yang perlu kita perhatikan adalah: tumor, infeksi, batu ginjal, dan lain-lain. Kesemuanya dapat mengakibatkan tekanan pada serabut saraf.

Hendaknya jangan dilupakan adanya stress mental yaitu : suatu keadaan kejiwaan yang menyebabkan pasien tersebut merasa sangat tertekan. Penderitaan kejiwaan stress ini gejala klinisnya dialihkan menjadi LBP, walaupun sebelumnya telah ada faktor-faktor kelemahan dari susunan organ-organ di punggung.

PENATALAKSANAAN

Penatalaksanaan yang terbaik adalah menghilangkan penyebabnya (kausal), walaupun bagi pasien yang terpenting adalah menghilangkan rasa sakitnya (simptomatis). Jadi kita menggunakan kombinasi antara pengobatan kausal dan simptomatis. Untuk mencari penyebab yang tepat disamping pemeriksaan foto rontgen poros tulang belakang, kadang-kadang diperlukan pemeriksaan khusus misalnya Scanning, MRI, dll.

Pada LBP karena tegang otot dapat dipergunakan SIRDALUD (Tizanidine) yang berfungsi untuk mengendorkan kontraksi otot tersebut (muscle relaxan). Untuk pengobatan simptomatis lainnya kadang-kadang memerlukan campuran antara obat-obat analgesic, anti inflamasi, NSAID, penenang, dll. Apabila dengan pengobatan biasa tidak berhasil mungkin fisioterapi (rehabilitasi) dengan alat-alat khusus maupun dengan traksi (tulang belakang ditarik). Tindakan operasi mungkin diperlukan apabila pengobatan dengan fisioterapi ini tidak berhasil misalnya pada HNP atau pada pengapuran yang berat. Jadi penatalaksanaan LBP ini memang cukup kompleks. Disamping berobat pada Neurolog (spesialis Penyakit Saraf), mungkin juga diperlukan untuk berobat ke internist. Bedah Saraf, Bedah Orthopedi bahkan mungkin perlu konsultasi pada Psikiater atau Psikolog.

MENCEGAH LEBIH BAIK DARI PADA MENGOBATI

Agar kita tetap sehat, khususnya agar tidak terkena LBP walaupun usia sudah lanjut, perlu dilakukan hal-hal sebagai berikut :

1. Olah raga yang teratur dimana frekuensi / jumlah dan intensitasnya harus cukup,
jangan berlebihan. Bagi yang berbakat LBP, dianjurkan untuk berenang, dan sebaiknya
jangan meloncat-loncat.

2. Mengatur makanan dengan menghindari makanan-makanan yang mengandung banyak
lemak, asam urat, dll, agar memperlambat terjadinya pengapuran tulang belakang.
Disamping itu usahakan jangan sampai terjadi kelebihan berat badan.

3. Hidup dalam lingkungan yang sehat dengan udara yang bersih dan menghindari
polusi yang berlebihan.

4. Hidup yang teratur, mengatasi stress, serta menjalani hidup dan beragama dengan
sungguh-sungguh.

Dengan cara-cara tersebut diatas, mudah-mudahan kita tetap dalam keadaan sehat dan mudah-mudahan Tuhan selalu melindungi kita semua.


PENGOBATAN (jika sudah terlanjur terjadi)

Pada kasus yang aku alami sendiri, ada beberapa tindakan yang aku ambil untuk mengobati LBP atau sakit pinggang ini:

1. Aku analisa belakangan ini aku kurang istirahat dan pikiran agak tegang. Jadi aku harus
banyak istirahat (tidur) dan menenangkan pikiran.

2. Panggil tukang urut untuk meredakan ketegangan di pinggang dan kaki.

3. Oleskan balsem Geliga (atau Counter Pain) untuk melemaskan otot2 pinggang.

4. Minum obat China Strong Shen Chow dari Shoalin untuk meredakan nyeri. 1 tabung isi 20
tablet. Diminum 2 tablet 3x sehari.

5. Untuk menambah pelemasan otot bisa dilakukan penyinaran dengan Infraphil, produk dari
Philips yang menghasilkan semacam sinar infra merah yang makin lama makin panas.
Lakukan penyinaran pagi dan malam hari selama 5-10 menit di bagian yang sakit.
Aku dibantu isteriku yang setia.

6. Lakukan semacam senam/therapy gerak dengan dibantu teman/keluarga. POIN INI
SANGAT DIANJURKAN. Karena dihari ke-2 setelah melakukan senam ini saya mulai bisa
duduk dan berdiri. Langkah-langkahnya sbb:

- Tidur tengkurap tanpa bantal, kaki lurus.

- Bapak saya mulai menginjak-injak paha kiri dan kanan dengan perlahan dan ada sedikit
tekanan. Tujuannya untuk melemaskan kaki/paha.

- Setelah dirasa cukup, beliau mengangkat kaki kiri saya sehingga dengkul/tumit terangkat
dari kasur, lalu betis ditekuk perlahan ke arah pantat. Lakukan 3 kali.

- Setelah itu lakukan hal yang sama pada kaki kanan 3 kali.

- Silangkan kaki kiri dan kanan, lalu tekuk perlahan ke arah pantat. Lakukan 3 kali.

Setelah tahap ini saya merasakan lebih enteng. Lalu saya mencoba duduk, berdiri, berjalan sedikit-sedikit, dan akhirnya saya bisa buang air besar di toilet. Puji Tuhan, saya merasa sangat lebih baik saat itu! Lega dan nyaman rasanya. Meski kemudian masih merasakan agak nyeri, tapi saya merasakan ada perbaikan yaitu BISA BERGERAK, tidak lumpuh lagi!

Hari ke-3 saya coba berjalan keluar rumah dan berjemur matahari selama 1 jam.
Hari ke-4 saya dan keluarga berkebaktian di Gereja Kerasulan Baru sidang jemaat Bekasi.
Hari ke-5 saya ijin lagi belum berani ke kantor.
Hari ke-6 (hari ini) saya memberanikan diri ke kantor naik motor sendiri. Setelah satu jam duduk saya imbangi dengan berdiri dan berjalan beberapa menit biar ngga kaku. Sampai saat saya menulis di blog ini saya sudah lewat jam kantor. Puji Tuhan, 1 hari kerja sudah saya lalui dengan selamat! Kini saya bersiap mau pulang kantor, sudah jam 5.47 sore ini.

Di atas semua itu, kita mohonkan kesembuhan dari Tuhan. Karena Tuhan-lah Tabib Agung, Allah Yang Makakasih dan Mahakuasa! Di dalam tangan-Nya kita serahkan hidup kita seutuhnya.

Saya sangat bersyukur dan berterima kasih kepada Tuhan, yang mengijinkanku mengalami hal ini. Aku yakin segala perkara terjadi atas perkenan-Nya untuk kebaikan kita semua.

Saya sangat berterima kasih kepada isteriku Sunarningsih, yang dengan setia dan penuh kasih merawatku di hari-hari yang sulit.

Saya sangat berterima kasih kepada kedua orang tua dan adik-adikku yang mendukungku sangat banyak, juga tatapan mata anak-anakku yang masih kecil, yang menimbulkan kekuatan bagiku untuk tidak menyerah.

Semoga pengalaman pribadi ini bisa bermanfaat buat banyak orang.

Vitamin E has an Important Role

Vitamin E has long been known to have an important role in the all over health of the body. Some studies have associated sufficient intake levels with the prevention of many serious health problems, and research still continues to delve into the many effects of this important nutrient.

One thing that researchers do know for sure, according to recent studies published by the United States Department of Agriculture, most people do not consume the daily requirement of this important vitamin.

Vitamin E protects Vitamin A in the body, allowing it to perform its essential functions. Furthermore, Vitamin E is also one of the anti-oxidants that serve to protect the cells of the body from the damaging free radicals, which are waste products from the making of energy.

Uncontrolled free radicals are thought to contribute to a variety of serious diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Vitamin E is also thought to have a role in DNA repair and in the body’s natural immune system.

It is important to note here that vitamins, minerals and other nutrients play important roles in the body at the correct levels of intake, meaning that more is not always better. Mega-dosing is something that should always be discussed with a physician, not a salesperson.

Supplements can play a vital role in making sure that the body receives the nutrients it needs to be healthy and strong, as well as in the protection of the body from the numerous diseases and health problems associated with the failure to consume the proper daily intake levels of important vitamins and minerals. But, like any other medicine, using supplements inappropriately can be dangerous.

As many people pay attention to reducing fats in their diets, they may unwittingly be reducing their daily intake of Vitamin E, as Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils and nuts, as it is in dark, leafy green vegetables. Maintaining optimum levels of health means that we must be honest with ourselves.

We know that there are certain foods we should eat – such as fresh vegetables and fruits. But, often we do not, pressed by time or simple through a lack of desire, many of us simply do not consume near enough of these important foods. In these circumstances, supplements may be the best choice to ensure that the body gets what it needs to be strong and healthy.

There are many types of supplements on the market. Understanding what you are looking for will help you to make the best decision about which supplement is best for your individual dietary needs.

Review of Vitamin E

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in eight different forms. Each form has its own biological activity, the measure of potency or functional use in the body. Alpha-tocopherol is the most active form of vitamin E in humans, and is a powerful biological antioxidant. Antioxidants such as vitamin E act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body's metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Studies are underway to determine whether vitamin E might help prevent or delay the development of those chronic diseases.

What foods provide vitamin E?

Vegetable oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables are the main dietary sources of vitamin E. Fortified cereals are also an important source of vitamin E in the United States. The table of selected food sources of vitamin E suggests foods that contain vitamin E.

What is the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin E for adults?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals in each life-stage and gender group. The 2000 RDAs for vitamin E for adults, in International Units (IUs) are: 22 IU for men and women over age 19 including pregnant women, and 28 IU for lactating women.

The RDA for vitamin E is based on the alpha-tocopherol form because it is the most active, or usable, form. Unlike other vitamins, the form of alpha-tocopherol made in the laboratory and found in supplements is not identical to the natural form, and is not quite as active as the natural form.

The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine states that most North American adults get enough vitamin E from their normal diets to meet current recommendations. However, they do caution that low-fat diets can substantially decrease vitamin E intakes if food choices are not carefully made to enhance alpha-tocopherol intakes.

When can vitamin E deficiency occur?

Vitamin E deficiency is rare in humans. There are three specific situations when a vitamin E deficiency is likely to occur. It is seen in persons who cannot absorb dietary fat, has been found in premature, very low birth weight infants (birth weights less than 1500 grams, or 3 1/2 pounds) and is seen in individuals with rare disorders of fat metabolism. A vitamin E deficiency is usually characterized by neurological problems due to poor nerve conduction.

Who may need extra vitamin E to prevent a deficiency?

Individuals who cannot absorb fat may require a vitamin E supplement because some dietary fat is needed for the absorption of vitamin E from the gastrointestinal tract. Anyone diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, individuals who have had part or all of their stomach removed, and individuals with malabsorptive problems such as Crohn's disease may not absorb fat and should discuss the need for supplemental vitamin E with their physician. People who cannot absorb fat often pass greasy stools or have chronic diarrhea.

Very low birth weight infants may be deficient in vitamin E . These infants are usually under the care of a neonatologist, a pediatrician specializing in the care of newborns, who evaluates and treats the exact nutritional needs of premature infants.

Abetalipoproteinemia is a rare inherited disorder of fat metabolism that results in poor absorption of dietary fat and vitamin E. The vitamin E deficiency associated with this disease causes problems such as poor transmission of nerve impulses, muscle weakness, and degeneration of the retina that can cause blindness. Individuals with abetalipoproteinemia may be prescribed special vitamin E supplements by a physician to treat this disorder.

Current Issues and Controversies about Vitamin E

Vitamin E and heart disease

Preliminary research has led to a widely held belief that vitamin E may help prevent or delay coronary heart disease. Researchers are fairly certain that oxidative modification of LDL-cholesterol (sometimes called "bad" cholesterol) promotes blockages in coronary arteries that may lead to atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Vitamin E may help prevent or delay coronary heart disease by limiting the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol. Vitamin E also may help prevent the formation of blood clots, which could lead to a heart attack.

Observational studies have associated lower rates of heart disease with higher vitamin E intake.

• A study of approximately 90,000 nurses suggested that the incidence of heart disease was 30% to 40% lower among nurses with the highest intake of vitamin E from diet and supplements. The range of intakes from both diet and supplements in this group was 21.6 to 1,000 IU (32 to 1,500 mg), with the median intake being 208 IU (139 mg).
• A 1994 review of 5,133 Finnish men and women aged 30 - 69 years suggested that increased dietary intake of vitamin E was associated with decreased mortality (death) from heart disease. But even though these observations are promising, randomized clinical trials raise questions about the role of vitamin E supplements in heart disease.

• The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) Study followed almost 10,000 patients for 4.5 years who were at high risk for heart attack or stroke. In this intervention study the subjects who received 265 mg (400) IU of vitamin E daily did not experience significantly fewer cardiovascular events or hospitalizations for heart failure or chest pain when compared to those who received a sugar pill. The researchers suggested that it is unlikely that the vitamin E supplement provided any protection against cardiovascular disease in the HOPE study. This study is continuing, to determine whether a longer duration of intervention with vitamin E supplements will provide any protection against cardiovascular disease

Vitamin E and cancer

Antioxidants such as vitamin E help protect against the damaging effects of free radicals, which may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer. Vitamin E also may block the formation of nitrosamines, which are carcinogens formed in the stomach from nitrites consumed in the diet. It also may protect against the development of cancers by enhancing immune function. Unfortunately, human trials and surveys that tried to associate vitamin E with incidence of cancer have been generally inconclusive.

Some evidence associates higher intake of vitamin E with a decreased incidence of prostate cancer and breast cancer. There is evidence that vitamin E may reduce the size of cysts in women with fibrocystic breast disease, which is a risk factor for breast cancer. However, an examination of the effect of dietary factors, including vitamin E, on incidence of postmenopausal breast cancer in over 18,000 women from New York State did not associate a greater vitamin E intake with a reduced risk of developing breast cancer.

A study of women in Iowa provided evidence that an increased dietary intake of vitamin E may decrease the risk of colon cancer, especially in women under 65 years of age. On the other hand, vitamin E intake was not statistically associated with risk of colon cancer in almost 2,000 adults with cancer who were compared to controls without cancer.

At this time there is limited evidence to recommend vitamin E supplements for the prevention of cancer.

Vitamin E and cataracts

Cataracts are growths on the lens of the eye that cloud vision. They increase the risk of disability and blindness in aging adults. Antioxidants are being studied to determine whether they can help prevent or delay cataract growth.

Observational studies have found that lens clarity, which is used to diagnose cataracts, was better in regular users of vitamin E supplements and in persons with higher blood levels of vitamin E. A study of middle aged male smokers, however, did not demonstrate any effect from vitamin E supplements on the incidence of cataract formation. The effects of smoking, a major risk factor for developing cataracts, may have overridden any potential benefit from the vitamin E, but the conflicting results also indicate a need for further studies before researchers can confidently recommend extra vitamin E for the prevention of cataracts.

What is the health risk of too much vitamin E?

The health risk of too much vitamin E is low. A recent review of the safety of vitamin E in the elderly indicated that taking vitamin E supplements for up to four months at doses of 530 mg or 800 IU (35 times the current RDA) had no significant effect on general health, body weight, levels of body proteins, lipid levels, liver or kidney function, thyroid hormones, amount or kinds of blood cells, and bleeding time.

Even though this study provides evidence that taking a vitamin E supplement containing 530 mg or 800 IU for four months is safe, the long term safety of vitamin E supplementation has not been tested. The Institute of Medicine has set an upper tolerable intake level for vitamin E at 1,000 mg (1,500 IU) for any form of supplementary alpha-tocopherol per day because the nutrient can act as an anticoagulant and increase the risk of bleeding problems. Upper tolerable intake levels represent the maximum intake of a nutrient that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects in almost all individuals in the general population.

Some food sources of vitamin E

Vegetable oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables are good dietary sources of vitamin E. Food manufacturers fortify many foods with vitamins and minerals. It is important to read the nutrition facts panel of the food label to determine whether a food provides vitamin E.

• Wheat germ oil, 1 Tb: 26.2 IU ~ 90% of Daily Value (DV)
• Almonds, dry roasted, 1 oz: 7.5 IU ~ 25% DV
• Safflower oil, 1 Tb: 4.7 IU ~ 15% DV
• Corn oil, 1 Tb: 2.9 IU ~ 10% DV
• Turnip greens, frozen, boiled, 1/2 c: 2.4 IU ~ 8% DV
• Mango, raw, 1 fruit: 2.3 IU ~ 8% DV
• Peanuts, dry roasted, 1 oz: 2.1 IU ~ 8% DV
• Broccoli,frozen, chopped, boiled, 1/2 c: 1.5 IU ~ 6% DV
• Kiwi, 1 medium fruit: 0.85 IU ~ 2% DV
• Spinach, frozen, boiled, 1/2 c: 0.85 IU ~ 2% DV

Information provided by
National Institutes of Health

Article Created: 2001-02-26
Article Reviewed: 2001-02-26

Your Body Is Able To Support The Healing Process

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, aside from keeping the internal processes of the body healthy, strong and functioning well, also serve to promote the healing of wounds, both on the external and inner surfaces of the body. The rate at which wounds heal and the quality of the repair tissues depends upon adequate nutrition. There are several vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that affect the healing process.

Vitamin K is essential to the very first step of healing a wound – stopping the bleeding, via the clotting of the blood. Without Vitamin K, healing would not proceed, as the blood would not clot. Vitamin K partners with the mineral calcium in the production of the body’s primary clotting agent, thrombin.

One of the most important vitamins involved in the healing of wounds is Vitamin C. It is particularly helpful in the growth and development of new tissues, in part because it also supports the health and function of the body’s many tiny capillaries that are responsible for taking oxygen and nutrients to the far reaches of the body.

Another aspect of its importance in the growth and development of new tissues, thus in wound healing, as well as the maintenance of existing tissues, has to do with its role in collagen production. Collagen is what makes the scar that holds a wound together and makes up the connective tissue of the body. Collagen supports the structure of the skin. Vitamin C is essential to the production of collagen, meaning that Vitamin C has a great part in literally holding the body together.

Zinc is another mineral important to wound healing. There are more than 300 enzymes in the body that require zinc to perform their tasks. Many of these enzymes relate directly to the healing of wounds, such as the production of collagen. Zinc plays a role in the body being able to make use of certain proteins and in cell division.

However, it should be noted, too much zinc can interfere with the healing of wounds. That is because the body operates on a chemical system that has a delicate balance, and too much zinc interferes with how the body uses copper and other substances, thus throwing off the balance that is necessary for the best wound healing.

Copper, a mineral, is also significant to the process of healing wounds. Copper has many roles in the body, including being a component of numerous enzymes. In terms of healing, one of its most important roles is in the formation of collagen, which is essential to the wound healing process.

The vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that we consume daily are what support all of the processes of the body and the mind. The healing of wounds is essential to the body, and proper nutrition is what allows the process of wound healing to operate at peak performance, meaning that wounds heal as well and as quickly as they should. Dietary supplements are an affordable, safe and convenient way to make sure that your body is able to support the healing process (by MES).

Vitamins, Minerals, and Your Healthy Skin

Everybody wants to have healthy skin. Mostly healthy skin tend to be cosmetic in nature – healthy skin is beautiful, and keeps us looking younger than our years – there are practical health benefits to maintaining the health of our skin.

The reason of the skin is to act as a barrier. It serves to prevent bacteria, viruses and other contaminants from entering the body and causing infection, illness and disease. There are so many vitamins and minerals that help to keep skin healthy, and thus able to serve its vital role in the protection of the body.

Antioxidant vitamins, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are very important to healthy skin because it is these vitamins that share in the responsibility of controlling the damage that free radicals, byproducts of energy production within the body and of environmental contaminants, produce.

Among the several types of damage done by free radicals is the destruction of collagen and elastin, which are fibers that support the skin. As these are damaged, wrinkles and a lack of that youthful firmness can occur. Vitamin C also plays a part in the production of collagen, making it essential to the function and look of the skin. Recent studies have found that Vitamin C and E, used together may help to repair sun-damaged skin.

Vitamin A has its own important role in skin health and beauty, in addition to its anti-oxidant properties. In terms of diet, even small deficiencies can negatively affect skin, causing flakiness and dryness.

Dryness can make lines and wrinkles that much more apparent. Its primary use, however, is as a topical solution for the treatment of severe acne and the reduction of lines and wrinkles themselves. Recent research has found that a topical solution that contains both Vitamin A and Vitamin C can, in some cases, reverse damage done by the aging process and by sun-damage.

Deficiencies in the Vitamin B complex can leave the skin prone to cracking, bleeding and dangerous skin lesions, that allow all manner of bacteria, viruses and other contaminants to easily enter the body. But in terms of strictly cosmetic concerns, even a little shortage of the Vitamin B complex can result in scaly and poorly textured skin. Topical preparations have been found to play an important role in the hydrating of skin cells, leading to noticeably firmer, healthier looking skin.

Vitamin K has been found to relieve those awful dark circles under the eyes. Some research has found that creams made up of both Vitamin K and Vitamin A are more effective than those that just contain Vitamin K, but researchers are still following up on these results.

Minerals important to the look and health of the skin include selenium, copper and zinc. Selenium, whether used as a topical solution or taken in the form of a dietary supplement is thought to play a role in the prevention of skin cancer. Copper, zinc and Vitamin C work together to form elastin, which helps to support skin, keeping it firm and healthy.

Topical solutions and dietary supplements can help to keep skin healthy and youthful in appearance. However, it is important to recognize that these are powerful substances, and using them within the standard guidelines of dosage is essential to good health. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and the results of too much are not pretty. Used correctly, however, your skin can look better than ever.