American Medical Association at Losing Weight

Exercise Tip of The Week

Cucumbers vs. chips

If you snack at night like I do - try to make a conscious effort to at least substitute something healthy for the chips. I often opt for a few slices of cucumber. Filling and not fattening!

Our Goal: Healthy Minds & Physically Fit Bodies!

Healthy Treadmills Losing Weight Navigation

Recent Health & Fitness Articles on the www

Getting Your Dream Job
I was recently laid off after a company down-sizing. Not having a job was hard on me, so I started looking for a new job immediately. I went to Santa Clarita career coaching first, knowing that it had been 10 years since my last job interview and I was a bit rusty. While I was [...]

Notice: Please be careful when making changes to your activities and habits and only accept advice based on approval from a health care practitioner you trust.

American Medical Association at Healthy Treadmills Losing Weight

Vitamin D - What You DON'T Know

The benefits of Vitamin D are not much talked about in the press. That could be why most folks are unaware of the major benefits of Vitamin D. But please don't think that Vitamin D is not for you.

Vitamin D is another one of those fat soluble vitamins. Fat soluble means that Vitamin D (along with Vitamin A and E) are stored by your body.

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that your body can manufacture. Your body needs exposure to sunlight (without sunscreen) for this to occur.

Your body can also get benefits of Vitamin D from food sources or from supplements. Food sources of Vitamin D include cod liver oil, fatty fish like sardines, tuna or salmon, milk that is Vitamin D fortified and eggs.

However, most folks do not get the required amount of Vitamin D from their diet or exposure to sunlight.

Vitamin D is not found in many foods and the foods that it is found in, people don't eat enough of.

An article in the READER'S DIGEST titled "The Healing Vitamin" states that "Even with a healthy diet, you may be D-ficient (get it? D-ficient?)." The article argues that Vitamin D is not found in many foods and the foods that it is found in, people don't eat enough of.

In addition, folks are using sunscreen to keep the sun from damaging their skin. And even sunscreen with an 8 SPF cuts the UV rays necessary to make your Vitamin D to almost nothing.

An article in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION titled "Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults" points out the benefits of Vitamin D. It states that "low levels of vitamin D contribute to osteopenia (comes before osteoporosis) and fractures."

This same article goes on to state that "most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone" and "pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements."

Another article appearing in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION titled "Osteoporosis, Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy" tells us that "adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is crucial to develop optimal peak bone mass and to preserve bone mass throughout life."

The major benefits of Vitamin D is in enabling your body to use calcium and phosphorous. Without Vitamin D, your body cannot process the calcium in your diet and starts taking it from your bones.

In adults, this results in the bone disease called osteoporosis. In children, a severe Vitamin D deficiency causes what's called rickets.

An article in the NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE titled "What Was Wrong With Tiny Tim" amusingly argues that Tiny Tim of the Charles Dickens’s "A Christmas Carol" fame is thought to have suffered from Rickets.

Although Rickets is rare in the industrialized world, osteoporosis is not. In the U.S. it is estimated that 10 million folks have osteoporosis. 18 million more have low bone mass making it highly likely that they too will eventually have this crippling disease.

Osteoporosis is a major health concern and major source of suffering for us older folks. It is estimated that one in two women and one out of every eight men over 50 years of age will have a fracture related to osteoporosis.

300,000 fractures of the hip, 700,000 fractures of the vertebrae, 250,000 fractures of the wrist and over 300,000 other fractures happen every year related to this disease.

Again, the major benefits of Vitamin D is that it enables your small intestine to absorb calcium from the foods you eat. Calcium is required by your muscles and nerves as well as for bone formation.

When your muscles and nerves are not getting enough calcium because of low Vitamin D levels, your body robs it from your bones.

Your bones then become porous and brittle. This does not happen overnight but over the course of your lifetime. That is why prevention of osteoporosis should begin at childhood. And making sure you get the benefits of Vitamin D along with an adequate supply of calcium is one way to do so.

Another Osteo you say? Sorry! This time it's osteoarthritis (OA). This disease is a gradual deterioration of the cartilage in the joints. It is the most common form of arthritis.

Another of the benefits of Vitamin D is that it has been shown to lessen the severity of the pain and disability of this disease. The Arthritis Foundation has also reported on the link between low levels of Vitamin D and the increased progression of osteoarthritis of the knees.

Also, in an article in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION titled "Steps Toward Understanding, Alleviating Osteoarthritis Will Help Aging Population," we are advised that "preliminary results appear particularly strong for vitamin D."

More research is needed but preliminary studies have shown benefits of Vitamin D in areas such as high blood pressure, cancer of the colon as well as breast cancer and diabetes.

Dr Reinhold Vieth, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto argues that the Recommended Dietary Allowance (birth to 50 years - 200 IU, 50+ years - 400 IU) may keep you from getting osteomalacia. But he feels more is needed to keep you from getting osteoporosis and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

In an article published in THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION, titled "Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and safety," he argues that our ancestors were "naked apes in tropical Africa (his words)." And as such they enjoyed full body exposure to the sun on a daily basis. This, he stated, could give them the equivalent of 10,000 IU every day (and possibly a severe sunburn - my words).

A Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been set by The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine. This is the level of Vitamin D that they suggest you do not exceed. The UL for infants 0 to 12 months old is 1000 IU. The UL for both children as well as adults is 2000 IU.

Studies done since 1997 suggest that the current UL is conservative and that Vitamin D is safe below levels up to as high as 10,000 IU.

Since multivitamins supply Vitamin D in doses of 400 to 800 IU as do the single supplements, you should feel more than safe getting your benefits of Vitamin D.

Rickets is a softening of bones in children and is rare in the industrialized nations though.

A Dose of Vitamins

The word, vitamin came from Vita in Latin which means life and the –amin suffix is short for amine, an organic compounds containing nitrogen as the key atom in the amine functional group. Most of the time, the term Vitamin is collectively referred to as organic molecule whose insufficiency in the diet can result in disease thus acquiring vitamins are reduced only at diet. From the span of several years, several vitamins along with its sources have been discovered.

Retinol or what is commonly called vitamin A is a fat-soluble, antioxidant vitamin that can help improve or maintain good vision and bone growth. Vitamin A can be sourced from different foods. Cod liver oil is one of the main sources of vitamin A. Egg, butter, whole milk, carrots, spinach, squash, breakfast cereals and sweet potato are foods rich in Vitamin A. Insufficiency could result to night blindness or sometimes referred to as impaired dark adaptation. Vitamin A overdose could result to death. Regular dietary allowance for regular adult is 900mcg a day or 3000iu.

Thiamine (thiamin) or previously called Vitamin B1 is another form of vitamin essential to the body that is water-soluble B-complex vitamin. It is a coenzyme that is an organic non-protein molecule that is a functional part of an enzyme. It functions in the metabolism of carbohydrates and functions in the pentose phosphate pathway to synthesize NADPH and the pentose sugars deoxyribose and ribose. Rich sources of this vitamin are pecans, spinach, orange, cantaloupe, milk, cooked egg, whole wheat bread, long grain white rice, and wheat germ breakfast cereal. Lack of vitamin B1 could cause Beriberi with symptoms such as eight loss, emotional disturbances, impaired sensory perception, weakness, and periods of irregular heartbeat. It affects the cardiovascular, nervous, muscular, and gastrointestinal systems.

Riboflavin or vitamin B2 is sourced from milk, cheese, leafy green vegetables, liver, yeast, almonds and mature soybeans which aids metabolism of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Though deficiency is a rarity symptom may include ore throat, redness and swelling of the lining of the mouth and throat among others. Niacin or vitamin B3 is another form of vitamins that could be acquired in several fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms and more. It can also be sourced from chicken, fish, milk and eggs, nuts and grains. Deficiency causes pallegra which often results to the four Ds: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death. Other Vitamin B include: pantothenic acid or vitamin B5, vitamin B6 that comes in pyridoxine and pyridoxamine, biotin or vitamin H or B7, folic acid or vitamin B9, and Cyanocobalamin, also known as Cobalamin or vitamin B12.

Vitamin C or the ascorbic acid that can be acquired in numerous citrus fruits like lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit, tomatoes, and potatoes, vegetables, meat and fishes can prevent scurvy.

Vitamin D comes in many forms: Vitamin D1 or Lamisterol, Vitamin D2 or Ergocalciferol, vitamin D3 or Calciferol, Vitamin D4 or Dihydrotachysterol, and Vitamin D5 or 7-dehydrositosterol. All these prevent the Rickets, Osteomalacia, muscle weakness and pain.

The vitamin E or the Tocopherol is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in eight form: alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-, and four tocotrienols (also alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-). Commonly used as skin lotions and creams, vitamin E aids skin healing and reducing scarring after injuries such as burns.

Finally, we have the Vitamin K or the Naphthoquinone that helps in posttranslational modification of certain proteins, mostly required for blood coagulation.

With a normal supply of these vitamins, the human is maintained healthy and beautiful.

The Latest High Dose Fish Oil News

The evidence seems to be increasing at a faster pace regarding the purported benefits of high dose fish oil supplementation. There have have been many studies done previously, and many studies being conducted now, which appear to support the claims that large doses of fish oil may be very good for your overall health. The key is the long chain omega-3 fatty acids epa and dha, of course.

While some other foods such as eggs and flaxseed oil have some omega-3's, it is widely agreed that the levels, as well as the availability to the body, of these fatty acids in fish and fish oil suggest this to be the superior source of the vital nutrients. Of course doctors have known for quite some time about it's benefits, the previous versions (cod liver oil and health food grade fish oil) were considered by many to be unsafe due to their relatively high mercury and pcb levels.

While some researchers point out that individuals who injest sizeable amounts of marine oils, like the Japanese and certain Mediterrean cultures, for instance, tend to live longer, there are numerous specific case studies to draw upon that draw a clearer picture.

For example, under well-controlled laboratory and dietary conditions fatty acid intake can have profound effects on animal models of autoimmune disease.

In addition, taking fish oil regularly might even help reduce several of the symptoms associated with the condition, according to BBC Health. There have also been numerous specific cases reported in the media. One story reported that Governor Shwarzennager is a proponent of fish oil and always has some in his medicine cabinet. Another instance involves Randall McCloy Jr., the lone surviving miner from the Sago mine disaster, has returned home. When rescued from the Sago mine about 4 months ago, he had brain failure, heart failure, kidney failure as well as liver failure. His outlook obviously looked somewhat bleak.

He was then transferred to one of the thirty-odd brain trauma centers that are located in the U.S. to be under the care of Dr. Julian Bailes. Dr. Bailes then contacted Dr. Barry Sears, one of the top authorities regarding fish oil in the world. Dr. Sears then suggested administering some thirty gms. each day of the fish oil concentrate he developed called OmegaRx.

Now the damage to his heart, kidneys, and liver has been reversed, and he is at home with his family. Dr. Bailes believes was substantially aided by the fish oil.

"I certainly think it played a big role," Bailes said. "How can he rebuild his brain, if he doesn't have the substrate to do it?"

The Truth About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that occurs when cells in the outer layer of skin reproduce faster than normal and pile up on the skin's surface. This produces scaling, itchiness and irritation of the skin. Psoriasis is non-contagious.

Currently in the United States almost 5 million people are affected by this disease. It occurs in all age groups and about equally in men and women.

When psoriasis develops, thick patches of skin become red with silvery scales. Often the skin at the joints cracks making outbreak very painful. Psoriasis most often occurs on the knees, lower back, soles of the feet, scalp, elbows, face and palm.

There have been huge strides in understanding what causes psoriasis. Recently, a team from the University of Michigan looked for the gene -- called PSORS1 -- in more than 2,700 people from 678 families in which at least one family member had psoriasis. According to the researchers, PSORS1 is the first genetic determinant of psoriasis to be definitively identified in a large clinical trial. The finding may help in the development of new, more effective treatments for the disfiguring inflammatory skin disease.

Some other research has found that psoriasis may be a disorder of the immune system. In a normal immune system a type of white blood cell, called a T cell is produced, that normally helps protect the body against infection and disease. Top Scientists have concluded that an abnormal immune system produces too many T cells in the skin. These excess T cells trigger the inflammation and excessive skin cell reproduction seen in people who suffer with psoriasis.

Doctors usually diagnose psoriasis after a careful examination of the skin. However, diagnosis may be difficult because psoriasis often looks like other skin diseases. A pathologist may assist with diagnosis by examining a small skin sample under a microscope.

For those people who have a suppressed immune system, the symptoms of psoriasis can be extremely severe.

Dietary change can help with psoriasis, avoid alcohol, gluten which is found in wheat, barley and rye, avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, avoid red meats, dairy products, eggs, cheese and sugar and if you are a smoker, then it is best to quit.

Topical applications to the affected areas with aloe vera gel, Dead Sea mineral salts or mud, Zambesia Botanica, mahonia ointment and gotu kola can all improve psoriasis.

Good supplements to take are fish oil, flax seed oil and borage oil. These oils are very good in hydrating the skin cells. A topical treatment that has received tremendous attention is Psoriaway which is available at www.fastpsoriasisrelief.com. This is a topical cream combining natural moisturizers, coal tar, aloe Vera, blended in a unique formula to make this product extremely effective. It has been tested in the medical field, nursing homes and in the retail market with exciting and immediate results.

One important bit of knowledge is to stay away from alcohol and products that contain alcohol as it will dry the skin out even more.

At this time there is no cure for psoriasis but many effective treatments do exist.

• Genes
• New treatments that help skin not react to the immune system
• Laser light treatment on thick patches.

The unpredictable nature of psoriasis makes treatment challenging for many people. A wide range of treatments are available. No single psoriasis treatment works for everyone, but something will work for most people. It is hard to predict what will work for a particular individual; however, it is important to be open-minded and willing to work with your doctor to find a treatment that will work for you.

Researchers are studying psoriasis more than ever before. They understand much more about its genetic causes and how it involves the immune system. The National Psoriasis Foundation and the federal government are promoting and funding research to find the cause and cure for psoriasis.

Is Your Vitamin Giving You All You Need?

The health craze has been going on in America for over 50 plus years. Whether people were concerned with their weight, or a particular pain or illness, health issues, in so much, of what we put into our bodies does play a huge part in how healthy we really are. It does not matter how much you exercise that makes you healthy your body needs all the proper nutrients, minerals, and other micronutrients to go along with your exercising that makes you healthy.

The food we eat may not be giving our bodies enough of the nutrients our body needs to do its job so the solution for most of us is to supplement our diets with a multivitamin. This is a good thing to do; however, it may not be enough either. I say this because most of the vitamins we take are made with synthetic vitamins, which is more like taking a half a vitamin. Our bodies are amazing; however, we need to give our bodies all the right nutrients to function properly and to protect our organs. Our bodies treat synthetic vitamins and whole vitamins quite differently.

Taking vitamins made with synthetic components is definitely not giving your body what it needs. Synthetic vitamins do not trick our bodies; therefore, we are doing our body a grave injustice by taking synthetic vitamins. What our body’s need is whole vitamins like those found in fruits and vegetables. What I mean by whole vitamins is that whole vitamins have all of its natural components attached unlike synthetic vitamins. Thus, our body’s get all it needs to utilize the vitamin effectively. You may be asking yourself, “Where can I get these whole vitamins? One of the best sources would be whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. The problem here is what fruits and vegetables will give your body all it needs. Another excellent source is the Whole Food Vitamin (GVW).

Get your whole food vitamins from these foods: Wild Yam, Spinach, Kale, Tomato, Carrots, Broccoli, Wheat Germ, Acerola Cherry, Nutritional Yeast, and Black Current. In addition, you can get whole vitamins from juices like Blueberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Guava, Orange, Watermelon, Apple, Pineapple, Carrot, Cabbage, Broccoli, Spinach, and Parsley. Getting a daily dose of whole vitamins from these food sources would be quite expensive for most families these days. The other alternative is to get a whole vitamin made from all these whole food sources would be ideal for anyone who care about their health and wants to give their body what it needs to be and remain healthy.

Learn more about whole food vitamins by pointing your browser to One Unique Vitamin.

The author is a freelance writer, home business owner, writes poetry and loves learning new things. Your health is the corner stone to you and your Family’s future and wealth. Make your health your personal business and help others to do the same. Simply, find a health food or vitamin product that improves your health and offer you a great business opportunity without a huge investment. Get started on improving your health and increasing your wealth today, click here. You can also call 1.800.605.8482 Code# 232652 for more information.

More Healthy Related Articles on American Medical Association

Burn More Calories - What is really concerning is that in bad conditions like extreme warmth and an excessively long work out with lack of water several incidents like strokes can happen.

Preksha Meditation - Kayotsarga has two implications--complete relaxation of the body and self-awareness.

Colour Meditation Scripts - During the pratyahara you will play the role of a neutral observer of your thoughts, with the ultimate aim of achieving a state of consciousness without any thoughts.

Wearing Contact Lenses - According to recent research, wearing contact lenses instead of glasses can significantly increase your pulling power.

Falun Gong Meditation - Vitamin B6 is one of the B Group of vitamins and is also known as Pyridoxine.

Medical bracelet

A Medical bracelet should be worn by anyone with a potentially life threatening illness, chronic disease, or severe allergy to a medication or even bee stings. These medical alert bracelets can be instrumental in saving a life in an emergency situation. In the event that an emergency would occur, emergency personnel would be better able [...]