How healthy are you really?

Why Do Stretch Marks Form?

Inevitably, no matter how beautiful your skin may be today, you will develop stretch marks. Although painless, stretch marks are both unsightly and a potential source of embarrassment. For the most part, you are stuck with stretch marks unless you opt for expensive laser therapy or perhaps dermabrasion. But why exactly do stretch marks form in the first place?

Your skin is made up of 3 layers. The outer layer is known as the epidermis and its main purpose is to prevent foreign agents from invading your body. The second layer is the dermis and it is comprised of collagen and elastic fibers which combine to give your skin its smooth appearance. The last layer is called the hypodermis and it is mostly made up of fat and various tissues.

Stretch marks, also known as stria atrophica, form in the dermis layer of your skin. In fact, stretch marks are literally tears in the dermis. Now stretch marks should not be confused with scars, although they do appear quite similar when looking at them. Scars are made of fibrotic tissue which is simply not present in stretch marks.

As stated earlier, the dermis produces elastic fibers. These special fibers are what allows your skin to stretchbasically, they give the skin its elasticity. Stretch marks form when the skin grows faster than the elastic fibers can handle. Rapid growth weakens a skins elasticity and can actually break the connective fibers holding it together.

Now it is possible for stretch marks to form even when rapid growth is not present. This happens generally because of poor diet. Improper nutrition will deprive the body of the raw materials it needs to maintain healthy, elastic skin. Smoking is another factor that may cause stretch marks because it will also cause the skins elasticity to weaken. However, some growth will be necessary for stretch marks to form even when poor nutrition or smoking are factors.

Stretch marks are very common problems associated with pregnancy because this is a period of rapid growth for women. Any period of rapid weight gain will most likely be accompanied by stretch marks and they are common factors in obesity. However, it is possible for heredity to be a factor as some people have proven more prone to stretch marks than others.

The discoloring present with new stretch marks will eventually fade. Eventually, a stretch mark will appear almost identical to a scar. However, as stated earlier, stretch marks and scars are very different phenomena and caused by very different factors.

So, while stretch marks can be embarrassing and unsightly at first, the fact remains that they are painless. Many of us acquire these unsightly stretch marks as we lose our baby fat and enter into puberty and a period of rapid growth. Therefore, they are nothing to be overly self-conscious about because we all end up with them at some point. The best defense against stretch marks is eating a healthy, well-balanced diet which should keep the skin healthy and prevent periods of rapid weight gain.

Pills for Breast Enhancement

Search the internet for breast enhancement and you will find many sites that sell a breast enhancement pill. The breast enhancement pill usually contains plant estrogen. Plant estrogens can stimulate breast growth. Though it is an estrogen, it is not the same estrogen a medical doctor prescribes.

Taking a breast enhancement pill sounds much better than surgery. Though many people are pleased with the results of implants, surgery always has risks. A breast enhancement pill costs much less than surgery and leaves no scars. You do not have to worry about recovery time with a breast enhancement pill.

Users who like taking a breast enhancement pill say that an advantage is better control over the end result. You have no control over surgery once it’s over. With a breast enhancement pill, you can stop taking it when you reach your desired size.

You may wonder if there are any risks to taking a breast enhancement pill. As with any supplement, you should research and talk to others who have used a breast enhancement pill. You may find that different companies offer a different combination of herbs in their breast enhancement pill. You will want to know the ingredients of any breast enhancement pill so you can research it for safety. Knowing the ingredients in anything you swallow is especially important if you have any allergies.

Many women choose a breast enhancement pill in order to feel better about their looks without undergoing surgery. If you are considering breast enhancement without surgery, research all the options. Research the ingredients in any breast enhancement pill you are considering. Find out how effective it is, and what side effects there may be. This is how you find the best breast enhancement pill for you.

7 Reasons to Use a Male Desensitizer Spray

Leave it to the folks who made VigRX Plus to take a new technology and make it something amazing. Steve Jobs did it with the mp3 player and turned it upside down with some product called an iPod that everyone said would fail. Now Leading Edge Health has done it with their new male desensitizer spray – VigRX Delay Spray – which helps guys last longer in bed.

What camp are you in? If you think you don't need a male desensitizer spray, consider this: VigRX Delay Spray turns sex into something ecstatic. Some guys to illegal things for this kind of pleasure (yes, it's one of those 'sexual secrets' that guys tell you about).

And if you've already used a male desensitizer spray, here's why you'll want to switch to VigRX Delay Spray:

Buy VigRX Delay Spray

You'll Last Longer – The most obvious benefit of VigRX Delay Spray is that you'll last longer in bed. But VigRX Delay Spray departs from other so-called male desensitizers because it uses benzocaine rather than lidocaine, which many guys find works better than the latter.

You'll Extend Your Pleasure – We're gonna get a little suggestive here for a moment. Have you ever received oral sex and your partner teased you so well you wanted to make that pleasure last forever? Use VigRX Delay Spray and that's precisely what happens. Look up 'edging blowjob' – then consider how long you'll get that ecstacy with this top-rated product.

You'll Set Records – Studies suggest the average man lasts five and a half minutes from the moment he penetrates until he ejaculates. If you're below that – and many guys are – a male desensitizer spray can get you where you want to be. In fact, it's not impossible you'll last two, even three times longer with VigRX Delay Spray.

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You'll Make Her Cum – Half of this is about her. Don't neglect that – a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found almost half of women felt sexually distressed. Give here what she wants by lasting long enough for her to orgasm. Use VigRX Delay Spray enough and see how many climaxes you give her before you choose to ejaculate.

You'll Have Greater Intimacy – The sex will be amazing, and so will your relationship. You'll take a trip with your partner in the bedroom with a male desensitizer like VigRX Delay Spray, and it will take your relationship to exciting new places.

You'll Do It Discreetly – You don't need a prescription to buy VigRX Delay Spray. It's discreet – just buy the product online and it's shipped to you in a box that doesn't reveal what's inside. No one has to know what's inside. VigRX Delay Spray is simply there, quietly working for your sex life at all times.

You'll Do It Quickly – Apply a male desensitizer spray and you're good to go in 10 minutes or less. That's because it quickly absorbs into your penis and tells the nerves to relax. That's it – just 10 minutes. Then you're ready and randy, and up for a whole lot of fun.

Use With VigRX Plus to Double Your Pleasure

A male desensitizer spray is designed to help you last longer in the bedroom. By itself, it's amazing and can transform your sex life. But if you really want to max out your pleasure, use VigRX Delay Spray with VigRX Plus.

The logic is simple. VigRX Delay Spray is a male desensitizer that helps you last long enough to ejaculate when you want. Yet you already know about VigRX Plus – it's the top-selling libido pill for guys and one of the very few with clinical studies to vouch for results.

One of those results should really grab your attention; VigRX Plus is clinically proven to increase sexual and intercourse satisfaction by over 71%.

Put another way, you'll last longer and have sex a lot more often. And that sex is nothing shy of astounding when you use VigRX Delay Spray with VigRX Plus.

Click here to find out more!

The Different Types Of Incontinence Symptoms Explained

There are different ways to classify incontinence by dividing it between stress and urge related incontinence.

Urge incontinence is a state in which you know that you want to urinate but you just cant hold it to reach the restroom even for a short time. With urge incontinence, you can feel the leakage coming. Theres no way to hold it longer, and if you try to run fast to the bathroom, the more likely you are to urinate prematurely. This condition is found after a bladder surgery and also radiation therapy and when females reach the postmenopausal stage. The withdrawal of their estrogen can result in urge incontinence developing.

Stress Incontinence is the most common type of incontinence. Women who have had children may experience this situation because their urinary tract has been compromised during pregnancy and childbirth. The leakage happens when they are sneezing, coughing, and laughing or when lifting a heavy object, which puts pressure in the bladder. Stress incontinence is described as the leakage when abdominal pressure is achieved this is most often caused by surgery and lax pelvic floor muscles.

Overflow incontinence is observed in bladders that are not working well because of the impaired sensation, passage destruction, and poor contractility. This happens when the amount of the urine goes beyond the capacity of the bladder, causing the urine to leak. You may have an unpleasant feeling because you feel that your bladder is never empty.

Some people with incontinence experience longer times in the bathroom because of the unpleasant feeling it gives them. Some people control this when they feel that their bladder is again full. This problem may be caused by physical obstructions and an example of this includes the prostate problems that men encounter.

Reflex incontinence is due to neurological trauma or spinal disease when you only have a little or no sensation at all. Also, you do not have control of the bladder which causes leakage. You may not feel your urine coming but notice that leakage took place before you knew it.

People who suffer with more than one type of incontinence experience mixed type incontinence. This means that you may have stress incontinence that may become functional incontinence. When a patients symptom does not fall into the types of incontinence as explained above, most definitely, it is considered the mixed type incontinence.

Incontinence may be the result of some surgical procedures brought on by rectal surgery or prostate and caesarean surgery. Treating the different types of incontinence must be decided with a plan. It may take a physical examination, analyzing your medical history and lengthy discussions with your doctor to establish a proper diagnosis.

Total Curve Promotes Breast Health

Breast cancer kills women. On average, breast cancer accounts for almost ten per cent of all cancer deaths in women, accounting for over half a million deaths in women world-wide, and almost one per cent of all deaths each year. Most deaths from breast cancer occur in the United States.

These are discouraging stats. They're made more discouraging when you consider that breast cancer is often preventable. While some cases are hereditary, more often than not, lifestyle, diet, exercise and other factors play a role in determining a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

Total Curve believes that awareness of the issue is an important step in preventing breast cancer, while enhancing overall health in women. That's why we've written this article. We think you'll agree that knowledge is power, and with it comes the chance to save lives.

Breast cancer occurs most commonly in the breast's milk ducts, or the lining that supplies the ducts with milk. Eighty per cent of breast cancers are discovered when the carrier discovers a lump on her breast. Timing is crucial to a positive outcome. The earlier it's detected, the better the outlook for survival. Treatments for breast cancer include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Statistically, an American woman has 12.5 % chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime, with a one in 35 chance of death. While genetics play a role in determining the likelihood of breast cancer, it's a minor cause, at five per cent. The most common cause of breast cancer, by far, is lifestyle. Excessive alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise and obesity – especially after menopause – are leading causes of breast cancer in women.

Age is also a factor. Only five per cent of breast cancer patients are women under 40.

This makes it even more important to adopt healthy living habits when you're young. The list of breast cancer-preventing habits is extensive.

You can start by eating mushrooms and drinking green tea. A recent study of over 2,000 women suggests that women who regularly ate mushrooms had a 50% lower rate of breast cancer. When combined with green tea, the risk was lowered by 90%.

In fact, make vegetables a staple of your diet, especially brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts). Studies show that women who consume one and a half servings of brassica vegetables every day have a 42% reduced risk of developing breast cancer. Brassica vegetable consumption works inversely to breast cancer risk. The more brassicas consumed, the lower the risk.

Avoid obesity, especially after menopause. A recent study concluded that an added weight of 22 lbs after menopause increased breast cancer risk by 18%.

Alcohol and second hand smoke are also leading causes of breast cancer. Studies have conclusively found a link between women who consumed two units of alcohol each day increased their chances of developing breast cancer by 8% and increased proportionately for every additional drink. Second hand smoke, particularly in pre-menopause women, increased the likelihood of developing breast cancer later in life by an astounding 70%!

Total Curve can help you reduce your risk. We've strategically placed buckwheat and watercress in our Total Curve Daily Supplement because they're both proven to increase overall breast health in women. What's really encouraging though is that new medical evidence suggests that watercress is a powerful inhibitor of breast cancer. In a recent British study, scientists concluded that watercress interferes with a protein responsible for breast cancer. In fact, evidence from the study suggests that watercress simply 'turns the breast cancer signal off', stopping the cancer growth on the spot.

This is good news for women and another reason to let Total Curve 3-Step Breast Enhancement Therapy enhance your body with beautiful, natural and healthy breasts.

How to Improve Your Memory

Those first signs of slipping memory can be a little alarming – especially if you know the dreariness of that route. You may first see it in your 40s, or even younger, with memory loss symptoms like slower facial recall or where you left your keys.

What groceries were you supposed to buy? Wait – you forgot your grocery list at home.

While it’s normal to forget things on occasion, it’s a pattern to watch. The makers of Brain Pill natural memory supplement believe it’s important to keep your brain active. Challenge your memory – just like a muscle, give your brain a good workout daily with these memory-boosting tips courtesy of Brain Pill:

Use Your Memory Daily – Your brain needs a workout just like the rest of you. It’s a case of ‘use it or lose it’, so use your brain every day. Try crosswords, for example, or read a section of the newspaper you’d normally skip. You might also take a different route to work, for example, or learn another language or how to play a musical instrument.

See Your Friends – You’re not an island, dude. Depression and stress can both lead to memory loss, which is why you’ll want to socialize often – especially if you live alone. Be with others and take them up on their invitations. Life gets better when you do.

Organize Your Life! – You lose points with a cluttered home because you’re more likely to forget stuff. So make lists and notes of appointments and things to do in a special notebook or on your calendar. Heck, download an app on your iPod and write down what needs to get done. Speak it out loud too, to reinforce it in your memory, and check-off your tasks when completed.

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While we’re on the subject, try to stay focused on the task at hand and limit distractions. You’re more likely to recall information if you concentrate specifically on that rather than multi-tasking. Put another way, focus on what you want to remember later and you’re in better shape to remember it quickly.

Sleep Well – Shut-eye helps your memory. Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. So make time for adequate rest – go to bed earlier if you have to and work on your sleep hygiene. Your memory will thank you when you try to remember stuff the next day.

Eat Healthy – Do you see a pattern here? Your memory likes healthy living. That extends to your diet, with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Opt for low-fat protein, like fish and skinless poultry. Drink plenty of water too, and watch the alcohol intake.

Exercise Daily – This boosts blood flow throughout your body. That includes your noggin. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (like walking) each week, says the Department of Health and Human Services, or 75 minutes of something with greater intensity, like jogging, though even a few 10 minute brisk walks per day will suffice in a pinch.

Stay in Touch With Your Doctor – Chronic conditions can affect your memory, to say nothing about the rest of your health. So follow your doctor’s recommendations, be it for depression, your kidneys or anything else in your medical history. Review your medications often with your doctor as well – some medications can reduce your memory.

Try Brain Pill

We can’t end an article on how to improve your memory without mention of Brain Pill natural memory supplement. That’s because it’s simply rocket fuel for your brain; a cognitive booster with clinically proven nootropics like cognizine, vinpocetine and ginkgo biloba, which increase alertness and blood flow in your brain.

Studies also suggest the ingredients in Brain Pill enhance and may even protect memory. They don’t call it ‘Your Unfair Advantage’ without good reason – better memory is linked to higher cognitive function. Your brain is more efficient with a sharp memory, which gives you better intelligence, and the financial and social rewards that go with them.

Try Brain Pill to improve your memory. Combine it with the memory-boosting tips we’ve discussed in this article, and you really do have an unfair advantage. Your memory will like it too, and you may finally have a solution to that pain-in-the-butt issue of where you left your keys!

FAT BURNING SECRETS: SECRET #1: EAT FAT BURNING FOODS

 All foods can cause fat creation, but certain foods actually help burn fat. Some foods

have minerals or vitamins that raise metabolism and act as virtual fat burners. There are

negative calorie foods with low calories that burn extra calories during digestion. Other

foods, even eaten in small quantities, deliver a feeling of fullness with very little calories.

Sticking to the right whole foods will drastically reduce the fat profile of your body.

By eating these fat burning foods at the right time, in the correct amount, the body fat

profile starts to reduce. Add in foods that lower the likelihood of fat depositing in your

body for an extra boost. Here is a list of everyday foods that double as secret fat

burners. 

Poultry

Poultry such as chicken has special assets that increase the body’s metabolic rate,

helping you melt extra fat away. Chicken is low in fat and carbohydrates with a good

protein profile. Proteins require a lot of energy to digest, and more energy for proteins

to be stored as fat. It is also a great source of iron, zinc, and niacin. For best results,

remove the skin from poultry before eating to avoid excess fat. 

Salmon & Tuna

Salmon and tuna are good sources of protein that provides the body with healthy fats

from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Both meaty fish, while satisfying, are also low in

calories and unhealthy saturated fat. Eating salmon positively effects leptin, the

hormone responsible for burning and storing calories. High leptin levels cause the body

to store fat. Salmon and tuna reduce leptin, giving your metabolism the boost it needs

to burn calories.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruit hikes up the metabolism while supplying a big dose of vitamin C, a chemical

used in the process of fat burning. Citrus fruits are ranked as the best fat burning foods

you can eat. Oranges, grapefruit, apples and even tomatoes share these fat burning

qualities. With the large variety, mix several varieties to for different flavors and taste.

Citrus fruit effectively burns fat around the hips and waist. 

Apples

An apple a day keeps the fat away. Apples contain a substance called pectin that

restricts the cells from absorbing fat and assists water absorption from food. This also

helps push fat deposits from the body. The antioxidants in apples may also reduce

excess belly fat from metabolic syndrome. Apples have a high level of soluble fiber that

helps you control hunger pain.

Berries

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries – take your pick. Fruits as a

whole are packed with vitamins and minerals. They are low on calories and high in water

compared to refined foods. Excellent sources of fiber, berries boost the metabolism,

breaking down food and fats. Naturally sweet and delicious, a handful of berries will

keep you feeling fuller longer and help eliminate the craving for sugary glasses of

artificially flavored, empty calories.

Oatmeal

A large portion of oats calorie profile is soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps control blood

sugar and helps you feel fuller longer. Oatmeal also lowers the risk of heart disease and

lowering cholesterol. Choose old fashioned or steel cut oatmeal and eat with fresh fruit.

Make sure to monitor your serving sizes during diet phases carefully. 

Vegetables

Most vegetables (except for potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes) maintain low calories,

yet contain essential vitamins and minerals that improve the body's metabolism.

Veggies such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and artichokes contain no fat and

very low carbohydrate levels. In fact, they aid in fat burning since your body uses more

calories to digest vegetables than they produce. The extra calories needed to break

down food are taken from body fat reserves. For example, one serving of Brussels

sprouts has 50 calories, but the body needs 75 calories to digest. That’s 25 calories of

body fat burned just for eating your Brussels sprouts.

Beans

Beans are not only full of minerals; they are also low in calories and rich in amino acids.

The amino acids in lentils help decrease body fat while helping build muscles, and

maintain stable blood sugar. In addition, they are excellent sources of dietary fiber

keeping you satiated longer, reducing the urge to overeat.

Eggs

Eggs, one of the most nutrient dense foods, are a natural superfood. Their high levels of

protein rev up the metabolism and help you burn fat. Eggs are hands down one of the

best fat burning foods. Among other protein foods, eggs have the most abundant mix of

essential amino acids. Despite having low calories, they are packed with vitamin D,

vitamin B12, choline and selenium. It’s been proven eggs don’t contribute to bad

cholesterol, but does improve the good cholesterol needed for a healthy body. Eggs

have all the nutrients crucial for good health.

Almonds & Walnuts

Almond and walnuts are excellent sources of the healthy fats needed for the smooth

functioning of the body’s cell structure. Just an ounce of almonds has 12% of the daily

protein allowance and contains calcium and folic acid. Plus, the form of vitamin E in

walnuts is especially beneficial. A handful of nuts is a tasty, crunchy snack to satisfy

your hunger pains. 

Pine Nuts

According to scientist, pine nuts contain an abundance of healthy fatty acids. These fatty

acids help eliminate fat accumulation in the abdominals. Pine nuts also increase satiety

level hormones along with the benefits of fat reduction.

For my best weight loss recommendations click here

This Liver Hormone Burns Fat 20 Hours a Day

 Controversy over the weight loss secret of the longest-living doctor in the world reveals:

This often-overlooked molecule in your pancreas is the key to burning fat 20 hours a day.

The secret involves a 30-second "trick" that instructs your metabolism to burn fat for steady, clean energy.

"It's a brand new way of helping your liver to release more glucagon...", says dr. Adrian Miller.

This shocking discovery is quickly going viral:

Rita lost 67 lbs* on this program and Jason 39 lbs*.

87 other American volunteers tried Tom's simple ritual for 4 weeks.

Here’s what happened:

• 90% reported a reduction in belly fat… *
• 92% reported feeling healthier and happier… *
• 100% reported more energy… *

As an unexpected bonus — 79 of the 87 volunteers reported fewer cravings for unhealthy foods.*

This 30-second ritual is designed to work for anyone, at any age.

But the best results can often occur in folks who are over the age of 40.

*Volunteers were aged 42-73 (including both males and females)

*Not a scientific study

*Results not typical and will vary

Click Here For Video

LOSE WEIGHT BY CHANGING HOW YOU COOK

Here are a few tips that will help you to lose those first ten pounds by simply changing how you prepare your food. How food is cooked has just as much to do with how healthy it is or is not.

Instead of frying in oil or fat, try baking those items instead. Baking does not require all the fat and oil that frying requires and your food is not soaking in those substances while it cooks.

Use non-stick frying pan spray so you don't use oil. Also, pans that are non-stick don't require as much, if any oil.

Boil vegetables instead of cooking them. You can also steam them, as this is probably the healthiest way to eat foods like cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and carrots.

Be leery of no fat and low fat food items. There are many of these food items on the market, but they are not exactly healthy. Many of these food items use some sort of chemical or carbohydrate to sweeten them so that they taste better. However, the body turns these chemicals and carbohydrates into sugar in the body, which means they are still getting turned into fat.

Don't fall victim to crash diets. These are bad for you and do more harm than good in the long run. The short term results are typically that you will lose a few pounds, but once you give them up then everything comes back and your weight is worse the second time around. You cannot survive on a crash diet and you eventually get to a point where you have to give it up.

Chew your food at least 8 to 12 times whether it is liquid food, sweets or ice cream. This adds saliva to the food that digests the sugar. When food isn't eaten properly and is just swallowed, you fill your stomach with food that isn't ready to be digested and it then does not yield the health benefits that you need.

When you are cooking with oil, use a good Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It is more expensive than vegetable oil, but the health benefits are much better and it is worth the cost. Olive oil has been associated with a reduced risk in coronary heart disease and helps to increase the elasticity of the arterial walls which reduces the chance for heart attack and stroke

Jump Start you weight loss program with Garcinia Cambogia Select. Combine with your diet and exercise program, it will help you.

Click Here For More Info

EATING WELL AND LOSING THE POUNDS

Okay, when most people think about losing weight and eating, they think about dieting. Well, unfortunately, all of the fad diets out there tend to cause people to gain weight. Why? Because they starve them to death and the person eventually breaks down and eats everything in sight because they are so darn hungry. They also deprive them of the foods that they love. This is not a way to lose weight, nor is it a way to live. You only cause yourself stress, which actually causes you to gain weight! So, in eating right there a few tips that you can follow each and every day and they're not going to deprive you of the foods that you love, but treat those foods as luxury items so you enjoy them that much more.

: Eat fresh fruit and vegetables that have high water content. These are foods like tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupe, kiwi, grapes – you get the idea. All of those fresh and flavorful juicy fruits and veggies are good for you. These items contain about 90 to 95% water, so you can eat a lot of these and they will fill you up without adding on the pounds.

Eat fresh fruit instead of processed fruit. Anything that is processed as more sugar. Processed and canned fruits also do not have as much fiber as fresh fruits.

 Increase your fiber intake as much as you can. This usually means eating more fruits and veggies.

 Veggies are your friends when it comes to shedding pounds. There are tons of options here and you may even want to try some you haven't had in the past. The leafy green varieties are the best and you always want to work in a salad when you can. Salads are packed with nutrients as long as you don't pour too much dressing on and load them with too much cheese. The leafy greens also have a lot of natural water. 

 Be intelligent about what you eat. Don't eat just to eat. Animals eat on instinct; people eat when they know their body really needs it. Don't be an impulse eater. 

 Watch everything you consume from the food itself to what you top it with. Garnishments and condiments can sabotage a healthy meal because they are typically high in fat. 

Get a handle on the sweet tooth. This doesn't mean you can't have your sweets; just don't eat them as a meal. Always remember that these sweets end up adding to an area that you don't want them to add to. Don't deprive yourself either though, because then you'll eat twice as many as you should. 

: Set meal times and stick to them. Try to have your meals at specific times and eat them at that time. An eating pattern will help you to control what you eat and when you eat it. Also, it really is better to have 5 small meals a day rather than just one or two huge meals. Just eating once a day makes your body feel as though it is starving, which packs on fat instead of using it as fuel. Also, don't wait until your starving to eat. This only makes you overeat until you're stuffed.

 Eat only when you are hungry. Be sure to drink a glass of water first to determine if you really are hungry or if you are really thirsty. Many people have the tendency to eat when they see food. It doesn't mean they are hungry; they just want to eat it. Don't eat anything you're offered unless you really are hungry. If you feel you must eat it out of being polite, just nibble, don't have a meal. 

 Try not to snack between meals, but if you must have a snack make sure it is a healthy one. If you travel a lot try to find healthy snacks and not junk food. 

 Veggies make great snacks. They can get you through the hunger pangs if you are having them. Carrots are great because they satisfy hunger and they are packed with nutrients.

 Counting calories is a good idea for those must have food items. If it is a packaged food item, then it will have the calories on the packaging. Be sure to pay attention to serving sizes in terms of calories as well. An Otis Spunkmeyer muffin is intended to be two servings, so you have to double the calories listed. This is where food producers get tricky and you can't fall in their trap. 

Work off the extra calories by the end of the week. If you feel you have splurged too much this week, be sure to get to the gym or go walking a little longer to work off those extra calories you have consumed.

 Stay away from all things fried. If it is breaded, it is better that it is baked. Fried foods are immersed in fat and oil. Even after the excess has oil has been drained away, there is still oil absorbed into the food item itself

 Don't skip meals. You should have, at the very least, three meals a day, but preferably five small meals. This will keep you from getting hungry during the day and overeating out of starvation. 

 Just like fruits, fresh vegetables are better than those that are canned. It is even better if you can eat your veggies raw. When you cook them, you cook away the nutrients. If you must cook them, try to boil them to the point that there is still some crispness to them. Also, don't soak them in butter. If you can buy organic and pesticide free veggies, that is even better.

 Don't eat more than one egg per day. It is best if you can reduce your egg intake to three a week. 

Chocolates should be treated as luxury items. Buy the good stuff and only eat them every once in awhile. If you really savor each morsel, you'll experience that much more joy in eating them and they will taste even better. 

: Eat foods from all of the food groups each day. This is a great way to ensure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs and it helps to ward off any diet deficiencies. Also, don't eat the same foods all the time. Experiment so that you don't get bored with same old diet. 

Try to eat breakfast within an hour of waking up. This is the best way to give your body the jump start it needs. Don't wait until you are really hungry. Breakfast is important, but you don't need to stuff yourself. The idea is that you're breaking the fast from not easting all night. 

Your diet should include all aspects of the food groups including carbohydrates. In fact, your diet needs to be about 50-55% carbs. Carbs are a great source of energy. Those diets that prohibit carbohydrates are actually harming you and only making you crave them that much more. Your diet should cause you to be deficient in anything. 

 Proteins should make up only 25-30% of your diet. Far too much emphasis is put on meat as the main part of your meal. In actuality, it should be considered more of a side dish rather than the main course. 

Fats should make up 15-20% of your meal. This is really all the fat your body needs. A lot of this is going to be in your diet in the form of cream, sugar and the like. 

 Eat more white meat than red meat. White meat includes chicken, fish and some other fowl. Red meat includes beef and pork.

 Try to go as vegetarian as you can. This really is a healthier lifestyle, even if you can't cut meat out completely. The more fruits and veggies you can eat the better. The more meat you cut out, the more fat you can cut out of your diet as well. However, protein is important, so be certain that your option allows you to maintain good protein levels.

 White bread is good, but high fiber multigrain breads are much better. These breads are another way to add more fiber to your diet and they also have a good protein level. 

 Pork does not assist in weight loss in any way. The less pork you eat, the better off you will be when trying to lose weight. Pork has a high fat content and includes food items such as bacon, ham and sausage. 

Limit your sugar intake as much as possible. If you must have sweetener in your coffee and tea, try to find an artificial sweetener that you don't mind the taste of. However, these things are not all that healthy either and should be limited as well. 

 Try grazing five to six times a day. These are those small meals we discussed earlier. Some people lose weight better when they never feel hungry and grazing on healthy food items can do this for you. Plus, it keeps your metabolism working, which will burn fat naturally. 

 Don't worry about cheating, but don't cheat for a meal. Eat sweets and your favorite cheat food for the flavor only. If you want dessert after dinner, share one with the whole family. You'll get the flavor, but not the pounds. 

 Watch your fat intake. Each fat gram is 9 calories. If you know your total calories then you can figure the amount of fat in those items. 

: Take it easy on the salt and try to cut what you use in half. Salt is one of the main causes of obesity. 

My best recommendations for weight loss

WEIGHT LOSS BEGINNING WITH WHAT YOU DRINK

First and foremost, people don't realize that what they drink is the first step in losing that first 10 pounds. In fact, most people don't know that when they feel hungry, they may actually be dehydrated and they are really thirsty, not hungry. Water is remarkable as well. Over 66% of your body weight is nothing but water. This is also why water plays an important role in weight control. 

TIP #1

Drink plenty of water. It is recommended that you drink 8 glasses per day, but that may take you some time to work up to. Your body needs a whole lot of water. Water doesn't just flush all the toxins out of your body, but it makes you feel better and healthier. When you drink a lot of water you just begin to feel fit and this is the motivation you need to lose weight.

 The best thing about water is you can drink as much as you want because it has no calories at all. When you're drinking a lot of water, you eat less as well because you won't feel as though you are starving to death. Remember, if you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water first and you'll realize you were probably just dehydrated and not hungry at all.

The whole 8 glasses a day rule is really something you should strive for. The best way to do this and to measure your water intake is to buy a jug from the drug store or grocery store that is designed to hold exactly 8 glasses of water. These are great weight loss tools because you can fill them up, freeze them and as it melts throughout the day you have fresh and cold water. Or, if you don't mind your water room temperature you can drink it that way as well. All that matters is that you're getting in the water your body needs.

TIP #2

Start off your day with a fresh, clean glass of water. As soon as you get up in the morning, drink one down. This will help your body to get going because it won't be fighting through dehydration. Also, after you drink a glass of water you won't need to eat such a large breakfast. A glass of water wakes up all the digestive juices in your body and gets it well lubricated. You can always have your morning coffee or tea, but be sure to have a glass of water afterwards. Caffeine dehydrates you and you want to ward off dehydration.

TIP #3

Drink a glass of water before you sit down to eat. Water will naturally make you feel fuller so you don't have to eat as much food.

TIP #4:

 Have a glass of water while you eat as well. Take a drink after each bite and you will feel full more quickly so you can leave the table feeling satisfied without feeling bloated. Drinking water while you eat will also help your food to settle more quickly, which also helps you to feel full faster.

 TIP #5:

 Do your best to stay away from soda. All sodas are sweetened with lots of sugar. The more you can cut out of your diet the better. Also, diet soda is still soda. It may not have as much sugar, but it has other chemicals and components that are not good for your body either. If you drink a soda, counteract it with a glass of water. Remember, caffeine dehydrates you as well. Decaffeinated sodas still have caffeine in small amounts as well and just as much sugar, so they are not much healthier either.

 TIP #6: 

Fruit juice isn't as healthy as most people think either. Juice actually has a lot of sugar in it as well. If you are craving a glass of juice, drink fresh fruit juice instead of juice that has artificial flavors and coloring. It is even better if you can make your own fruit juice. Just be sure not to add too much sugar which adds to the calories. Instead of drink fruit juice, eat more fruit. Fruit provides your body with much needed fiber as well as vitamins. 

TIP #7:

 Go easy on the tea and coffee. They are pretty much harmless if you don't add a lot of cream and sugar to them. It is the cream and sugar that becomes fattening. Think of it this way, when you have a cup of coffee or tea with cream and two cubes of sugar, you are essentially eating a piece of chocolate cake every time. Now think of how many pieces of cake you are eating when you have a Venti Starbucks Latte – yikes. 

TIP #8:

 If you must have your tea and coffee, try to drink it black. Black tea or coffee actually has health benefits to it as long as you counteract the caffeine in your body with a nice big glass of water. Caffeine is also not good for you because it affects functions in your body, like your metabolism. Another type of tea that you can drink freely is green tea. Green tea has been used as a medicine in China for over 4,000 years. It aids the digestive system and can help ease an overly full stomach and it has been linked to a reduction in cancer risk.

 TIP #9:

 If you can say no to alcohol, then that is best. Alcohol beverages are not exactly good for you, although a glass of red wine does have heart benefits, most are just fattening. Beer is especially fattening. Cocktails are fattening depending on what they are made of. For instance, whiskey and Coke. The whiskey may not be fattening, but the Coke definitely is. Plus, after a few drinks most people get the munchies and when you're feeling a little inebriated and hungry you won't be able to make rational decisions regarding your diet and it's usually late at night, just before you pass out from a night of drinking, that you overeat. The overall combination is just not a good one. 

TIP #10:

 If you must have alcohol, try dry wine. Dry wine is better than your sweet wines, because sweet wines have more sugar! Dry wines have sugar, but most of it has been fermented away into alcohol and from a weight gaining perspective, dry is better. 

TIP #11

: Another word on coffee, that is not necessarily bad, but more interesting than anything. Some people have reported that when they drank black coffee before exercising, they lost more weight. There's no scientific proof to back this, but nutritionists believe it may be caused by the body being forced to depend on fat for fuel. Hey, it's worth trying if you can stand black coffee. Just remember to drink plenty of water during your exercise!

 TIP #12: 

Avoid drinking excessive amounts of coffee, as it desensitizes your body to the natural fat burning effects that caffeine has. One or two cups (if the day's really slow to get started) max.

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5 Super Simple Weight Loss Tips

Weight loss is one of those subjects that everyone is always talking about. It seems you cant go anywhere without seeing or hearing some type of weight loss message. Stories of the dangers of not losing weight appear regularly on the nightly news. Retail outlets and the Internet both are full of weight loss books and products. Weight loss is discussed in medical centers and at schools and even in the work place. If you're trying to lose weight, here are a few tips to get you going.

Tip #1 Stop Talking About Weight Loss!

All that talk about how much you want to lose weight isn't going to make the weight come off. You've got to take action, starting right now. So take this simple advice: Stop moving your mouth and start moving your body! It wont take long to begin seeing the results.

Tip #2 Slow and Steady is Best

Slow and steady weight loss is better (and safer) than riding the dieting roller coaster. If you're looking for long-lasting weight loss results, aim to lose an average of about two pounds each week. In order to lose weight you've got to consume fewer calories than you burn. As a bonus, when you combine dieting with exercise, you'll be reducing your caloric intake and increasing your caloric burn rate at the same time.

Tip #3 Save Your Money

Don't spend your hard-earned money on the latest weight loss gimmicks. Pills, fad diets, hypnosis, and extreme surgical procedures are not the answer! These gimmicks wont slim you down, but they will fatten the bank accounts of those who promote them! Eating a nutritionally-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, good fats and lean proteins will encourage weight loss faster than any miracle cure you can buy.

Tip #4 Weight Loss is a Way of Life

Unfortunately, the issue of weight is something that most people will struggle with throughout life. Excess processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle are the two biggest contributors to this constant struggle. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you've got to change the way you think about food. It should be thought of as a source of fuel, not a passion. Successful weight loss really is about making lifestyle changes, including making the right food choices, and then sticking with those choices throughout life.

Tip #5 Weight Loss is More Than a Number

When you're dieting, don’t become a victim of the dreaded scale. When the numbers go down, happiness goes up. But when the numbers stay the same or go up, it is easy to give up and give in. Remember that even if your weight isn't changing as you would like, your body is. You'll be taking better care of your heart. You'll be lowering your cholesterol levels. You'll be sporting a leaner body and your clothes will begin fitting more comfortably. When you learn to find joy in these other benefits, you'll want to keep on being a loser!

My recommendations to lose weight

Treasure Your Vitamin C

The Best Exercise For Weight Loss

Tips Associated to Diet and Fitness for Keeping Your Body Healthy

One of the most complicated things to do is getting started with a valuable project such as attaining a healthy body. This is often the basic nature of humans. There is always a tendency to set aside important things today and instead prefer to do it some other day. 

To become successful in such undertakings, you need to set goals that are more realistic. It is easy to follow besides minimizing your pressure. For example, losing forty pounds as well as keeping it as realistic as possible to become an attainable goal. But never fear because there are several tips that can integrate your mind, body, and spirit to stay in the right track. 

1. Follow a healthy nutrition and diet. Experts on health care advise people to provide their body with quality fuel to function properly. Eat food that are healthy, high in important nutrients, and free from chemicals. Also take vitamin and herbal supplements to support good health. 

2. Get enough rest. If possible, get the right amount of sleep without interruptions for engaging your REM (rapid eye movement) patterns. This is the way of your nervous system to heal and refuel your body. If you feel overly sluggish, then rest, sits, or takes a nap shortly.  You must report sluggishness and chronic sleep problems to your doctor. You cannot do your exercises properly if you are in this situation. 

3. Keep your concentration at the present. Avoid feelings of worry or regret because you failed your fitness goals in the past. It can stress out your body. Instead appreciate the gifts that are offered to you at this moment. Continue what you have started and stick to it this time. 

4. Do your exercise. Your body should stay in movement and action. Burn your excess fat and calories. Mental stimulation and exercise can be incorporated to keep you mind sharp and sound. Challenge your mind to grow, expand, learn, explore, decipher, and experience. You can do meditations as well. It can reduce your stress and heart rate, keep you at present, and maximize your feelings of joy, serenity, spiritual faith, and peace to stay fit. 

5. Keep yourself surrounded by a good support system like your family and friends. Achieving your diet and fitness goals will be easier if there are people who care, love, appreciate, and support you. 

6. Laugh often. Some studies revealed that laughing is significant in keeping people healthy and to heal a sick body. 

7. Your thoughts should always stay positive to look and feel great. Closely monitor your thoughts to ensure that only positive things are stored there. Reverse negative thoughts into positive thoughts. 

8. Learn to handle your emotions. Stifled emotions can affect your life. It also causes poor appetite. Your emotional energy should also stay positive. You cannot achieve the best fitness results as well as maintain your diet. 

Follow these tips properly to ensure a happier and longer life. It is not too late to set your goal to meet your fitness needs.

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Causes of bad breath

Bad breath is a common health problem which greately affects the daytoday activities of somany people. The offenssive odor from the mouth is unpleasent to those who come in close contact with bad breathers. The problem will be doubled by psychological trauma leading to depression. The sufferers from this problem wil be isolated from the society. This can even lead to marital disharmony.

Literally speaking all humanbeings are badbreathres. Oral cavity contains millions  of  anaerobic bacteria like fusobacterium and actinomyces which acts on the protein of food materials and putrifies them. This process results in the formation of offenssive gases like hydrogen sulphide,methyl mescaptan,cadaverin,skatol,putrescine ect causing bad odor. If oral hygiene is not maintained properly all will suffer from  bad breath. Most of us control this by regular brushing,tongue cleaning and gargling. Even after maintining cleanliness in the mouth some individuals suffer from offenssive smell due to various causes which has to be diagnosed and treated properly.

Some common causes of bad breath.

1) Poor oral hygiene:

If oral hygiene is not maintained properly the mouth becomes the seat for millions of bacteria which produce offenssive gases by degrading the food debris. Bad breath is severe in those who do not brush their teeth regularly and clean their mouth after every food. Snacks taken inbetween meals can also produce bad breath because of improper cleaning.

Badbreath is common in almost all people in the morning on waking. During sleep there is less production of saliva .Saliva  has got some antibacterial properties which help to keep the mouth clean. Saliva conains oxygen molecules which is needed to make oral cavity aerobic. So the reduction in it's quantity during sleep makes a favourable condition for anaerobic bacteria.

2) Food habits:

The main cause of bad smell is due to degradation of protein by the bacteria and hence all food products rich in protein favours bad breath. Meat,fish,milk products, eggs,cakes,nuts,pear and ect can cause bad breath. Some food articles can produce particular type of smell which may be unpleasent. Raw onion can produce typical bad smell. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away,a raw onion a day keeps everybody away. Eating groundnuts can also produce bad smell. However if proper cleaning is done smell can be reduced irrespective of the nature of food.  Irregularity in timing of food can also produce bad breath. Small food articles taken in between the meals can also produce bad smell.

3) Biofilm: 

There is formation of a thin sticky coating  called biofilm on the tongue and oral mucosa. This coating is thick on the posterior aspect of the tongue where millions of gram negative bacteriae are seen .The thick coating on the tongue is always associated with badbreath. Even a  thin biofilm can make anaerobic condition favourable for bacterial proliferation.

4) Dental caries:

This is a destructive process causing decalcification with distruction of enamel and dentine resulting in cavitisation of the tooth. These are produced mainly by the lactobacilli . Food particles are deposited inside these cavities and are putrified by the anaerobic bacteria producing bad smell. Normal brushing will not remove the food debris easily and hence they are putrified completely. Caries are common in schoolgoing children and in those who donot maintain proper oral hygiene .Calcium and vitamin deficiency can also predispose caries.

5) Gingivitis:

Gum is a mucus membrane with supporting connective tissue covering the tooth bearing borders of the jaw .The main function of gum is protection .Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gum .Due to various causes gum tissue get infected resulting in swelling,pain and discharge. If the condition become worse the infection spread towards peridontal area leading to continuous discharge called pyorrhoea. Some times the infection goes deep producing alveolar abscess with discharge of pus. Infection can even reach the bone causing osteomyelitis.All these conditions can produce offenssive smell.

6) Gum retraction:

When the gums retract from the teeth a gap is developed which will lodge food particles and cause bad breath.

7) Dental plaques and tartar deposits; Plaques and tartar is deposited mainly in the gaps  between the teeth and gum. This will provide shelter for the food debris and bacteria causing  bad breath.

8) Ulcerative lesions& coatings:

Almost all ulcerative lesions of the mouth are associated with bad breath. These lesions may be caused by bacteria,viruses,food allergies or due to autoimmune disorders. Apthous ulcer is the commonest amoung ulcerative lesions. Others are herpes,fungal infections,vincents angina,infectious mononucleosis,scarlet fever,diphtheria,drug reactions  and ect. Cancerous ulcers produce severe bad breath. All fungal infections produce white coating(candidiasis). Leucoplakia is a white thick patch on the mucus membrane of the mouth & tongue. It is considered as a precancerous condition. Offenssive breath is associated with these conditions. 

9) Diseases of the salivary glands:

Saliva is very useful to supply oxygen to all parts of the oral cavity. Even a thin film of coating called biofilm can provide an anaerobic condition in the mouth. Saliva can wet these layers and make an aerobic condition which is unfavourable for the bacteria .Any condition which reduces the production of saliva can increase bacterial activity.  Some times the salivary duct is obstructed by stones or tumors.Cancer of the salivary gland is associated with offenssive odor. In suppurative parotitis purulant dischrge in to the mouth causes bad breath.

10) Tonsillitis:

Tonsils are a pair of lymphoid tissue situated  in the lateral wall of oropharynx. Inflammation of the tonsil is called tonsillitis. Bad breath is seen in both acute and chronic tonsillitis. Quinsy or peritonsillar abscess can also produce bad breath.

11) Tonsillar plaques & tonsillar fluid:

If bad breath persists even after maintaining proper oral hygeine there is possibility of this condition. Serous fluid secreated from the folds of tonsil is very offenssive. Some patients complain that they hawk some cheesy materials from the throat;which are very offenssive in nature. These are formed inside the tonsillar crypts which contain thousands of bacteriae. In such conditions tonsillectomy gives noticiable relief from bad breath.                

12) Pharyngitis& pharyngial abscess:

Pharynx is a fibromuscular tube which forms the upper part of the digestive & respiratory tract. Inflmmation of the pharynx is called pharyngitis, caused mainly by bacteria and viruses. Bad breath is present in pharyngitis along with other signs like cough and throat irritation. Abscesses in the wall of pharynx can also produce offenssive discharge of pus in to the throat.

 

13) Dentures:

Denture users may complain about bad smell due to lodgement of small food debris in between. Proper brushing may not be possible in denture users especially fixed dentures. 

14) Tobacco:

Tobacco chewing is associated with bad breath. The smell of tobacco itself is unpleasent for others. Tobacco can irritate the mucus membrane and cause ulcers and coatings. Gingivitis and pyorrhoea are common in tobacco chewers. Tartar is deposited on the teeth mainly near the gums. Tobacco chewers get gastric acidity with eructations. All these causes offenssive smell.

15) Smoking:

Smokers always have  bad smell. It can also produce lesions in the mouth & lungs causing bad breath.Smoking increases carbon dioxide in the oral cavity & reduces oxygen level,causing a favourable condition for bacteria. Smoking reduses appetite & thirst hence acid peptic disease is common in chain smokers.

16) Lesions in the nose & ear:

Bad breath is occasionally seen in sinusitis(infection of para nasal sinuses). In case of post nasal dripping bad breath is common due to the presence of protein in the discharges. These proteins are degraded by the bacteria. Infection in the middle ear with discharge of pus in to the throat through the eustachian tube(passage from middle ear to the throat)can also cause offenssive odor. Chronic rhinitis(infection of mucus membrane of nose) and forign bodies in the nose can also produce bad smell in the expired air.

17) Diabetes mellitus:

Mostly all diabetic patients suffer from bad breath. Coated tongue,ulcers &coatings in the mouth ,increased sugar level in tissues ect are responsible for bad breath.Bacterial growth in diabetic patient is very faster than non diabetic individuals.

18) Fevers:

Bad breath is common in almost all fevers. Even an acute fever can produce bad breath. Severe bad breath is seen in typhoid .Other infectious diseases like Tuberculosis , AIDS ect produce bad smell. 

  

19) Fasting & dehydration:

Dry mouth favours bacterial activity. So any condition which produce dryness in the mouth makes the breath offenssive. Eventhough the food particles are known to produce bad breath, fasting can also produce the same. Production of saliva is also reduced during fasting. Chewing and swallowing also helps to keep the mouth clean.

20) Bedridden patients:

Bedridden patients suffer from offenssive breath due to thick coating on the tongue. water intake is also limited in these patients. Regurgitation of food aggravates the condition. Since they talk less aeration in the oral cavity is reduced which favours anaerobic bacteria to become active.

21) Diseases of stomach & esophagus:

Eructation of gas and food produce unpleasent smell. Abnormality in the function of lower sphincter can allow the food to regurgitate upwards causing bad breath. Bad breath is also common in gastritis,gastric ulcer and cancer of stomach.

22) Intestinal diseases:

Bad breath is common in patients suffering from ulcerative lesions of intestine like ulcerative collitis..Other diseases are malabsorption syndrome intestinal tuberculosis, peritonitis ect.

23) Diseases of lungs:

Lung diseases like pneumonia, lung abscess,chronic bronchitis,bronchiectasis,tuberculosis, lung cancer ect can produce bad odor during expiration.

24) Liver disorders:

Liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis,can  cause bad breath.Gall bladder diseases with vomiting also causes unpleasent odor.     

25) Psychiatric  patients:

Bad breath is common in psychotic patients due to poor hygiene,irregular food habits,less water intake and ect.

26) Somatisation disorder:

This is a psychiatric disorder charecterised by the presence of a physical symptom that suggest a medical illness .These patients come with physical complaints like pain,nausea difficult respiration, bad smell ect. This condition is diagnosed after detailed examination of the patient with all investigations.Since this is a psychiatric disorder it has to be managed with a psychological approach. 

[ THE POINTS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION. ANY PERSON HAVING BAD BREATH SHOULD CONSULT  A QUALIFIED DOCTOR ]

Say goodbye to that horrible dragon breath for good.