Drinking Water Helps Lose Weight

A recent study found that middle-aged and older adults who drank 2 glasses of water before each meal, consumed fewer calories and lost more weight than their counterparts who did not drink water before their meals.

Two groups of overweight and obese adults aged between 55 and 75 were formed for the study. One group was told to follow a low-fat low-calorie diet and the other was told to follow the same diet but to drink two cups of water before each meal.

At the end of 12 weeks, the study found that those who drank water before their meals lost an average of 15.5 pounds, compared to the 11 pound loss for their counterparts, which is almost a 30% difference.

The researchers followed up the subjects after 1 year, and those who continued to drink water before their meals not only kept their weight off but continued to lose a bit more, around 1.5 pounds on average.  Researchers warn that the pre-meal water drinking may only work for middle-aged and older people as a similar study that involved those aged 18 - 35 did not show weight loss or lower calorie intake.


Source : http://www.publichealthforums.com/s-drinking-water-helps-lose-weight.html

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The Future of Addiction Treatment

Is there some way out of here?

Addictions are chronic diseases. They may require a lifetime of treatment. After a number of severe episodes of alcohol or drug abuse, the brain may be organically primed for more of the same. Long-term treatment is sometimes, if not always, the most effective way out of this dilemma. (The same is true of unipolar depression.)

We will need to learn a lot more about chemicalsthe ones we ingest, and the ones that are produced and stored naturally in our bodiesif we plan to make any serious moves toward more effective treatment. What we have learned about the nature of pleasure and reward is a strong start. The guiding insight behind most of the work is that addiction to different drugs involves reward and pleasure mechanisms common to them all. The effects of the drugwhether it makes you sleepy, stimulated, happy, talkative, or delusionalconstitute a secondary phenomenon. A good deal of earlier research was directed at teasing out the customized peculiarities of one drug of abuse compared to another. Now most addiction scientists agree that receptor alterations in response to the artificial stimulation produced by the drugs are the biochemical key, and that recovery occurs when the brains remarkable plastic abilities go to work at the molecular level, re-regulating and adjusting to the new, drug-free or drug-reduced status quo. An addict beats addiction by ceasing the constant and artificial manipulation of neuronal receptors, to be entirely unromantic for a moment about the nature of recovery.

But in order for that to happen most effectively, you have to stop taking the drugs.

Comparing our reservoir of pleasure chemicals to money in the bank, Dr. George Koob, Chairman of the Committee On The Neurobiology Of Addictive Disorders at the Scripps Institute in La Jolla, California, draws  the following analogy: 

We can expend that money over the course of a single weekends binge on cocaine or we can expend it over a two-week period in the normal pleasures of everyday life. If you spend these pleasure neurochemicals in one lump sum such as a crack binge, you use up your supply of pleasure for a certain period, and so you pay for it later.

Addicts vividly demonstrate a compulsive need to use alcohol and other drugs despite the worst kinds of consequencesarrest, illness, injury, overdose. What kind of euphoria could be worth such psychic pain? Even stranger, why continue when the drug no longers works as well as it once did due to tolerance? What makes these people eat their words, shred their best intentions, break their promises, and starting using or drinking again and again? 

There really is no cheating in this game. The system has to self-regulate. Craving and drug-seeking behavior, once set in motion, disrupt an individuals normal motivational hierarchy. How does this motivational express train come about? It happens at the point where casual experimentation is replaced by the pharmacological dictates of active addiction. It happens when the impulse to try it with your friends transforms itself into the drug-hungry monkey on your back.

 Formal medical treatment and intervention can work, but the results are inconsistent and often little better than no formal treatment at all. Most alcoholics and smokers and other drug addicts, it is frequently asserted, become abstinent on their own, going through detoxification, withdrawal, and subsequent cravings without benefit of any formal programs. Our health policy should not only encourage addicts to heal themselves, but must also help equip them with the medical tools they need in treatment. After all, behavioral habits as relatively harmless as nail biting can be all but impossible to break. 

 As Detailed  by Dr. Mary Jeanne Kreek, a professor and senior attending physician at the Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases at Rockefeller University:

Toxicity, destruction of previously formed synapses, formation of new synapses, enhancement or reduction of cognition and the development of specific memories of the drug of abuse, which are coupled with the conditioned cues for enhancing relapse to drug use, all have a role in addiction. And each of these provides numerous potential targets for pharmacotherapies for the future. 

In other words, when an addiction has been active for a sustained period, the first-line treatment of the future is likely to come in the form of a pill. New addiction treatments will comeand in many cases already do comein the form of drugs to treat drug addiction. Every day, addicts are quitting drugs and alcohol by availing themselves of pharmaceutical treatments that did not exist twenty years ago. Sometimes medications work, and we all need to reacquaint ourselves with that notion. As more of the biological substrate is teased out, the search for effective medications narrows along more fruitful avenues. This is the most promising, and, without doubt, the most controversial development in the history of addiction treatment. 

Fighting fire with fire is not without risk, of course. None of this is meant to deny the usefulness of talk therapy as an adjunct to treatment.  However, consider the risks involved in not finding more effective medical treatments. Better addiction treatment is, by almost any measure, a cost-effective proposition.
Source: http://ehealthforum.com/blogs/dirkh/the-future-of-addiction-treatment-b25699.html

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Beauty Secrets Of The Stars

It is true that many of the most attractive and famous people had gone through surgical treatments to maintain their young appearance.

They exercise with their personal trainers. They attend the finest beauty parlours (parlors) and regenerating health spas. They apply exotic skincare ointments. And they ask help of the best plastic surgeon.

Plastic (cosmetic) surgery can be as uncomplicated as a "lunchtime peel" or as complex as a full face lifting. Botox shots can wipe out "fine lines." Liposuction and Abdomino-plasty can reduce extra adipose tissue. You are able to slim down or magnify almost anything! But there's one beauty mystery that is not well known. It graces the most attractive part of the body. It makes spectacular transformations in one appointment with your doctor. It does not involve surgical procedure. As a matter of fact, you can stay awaken through the whole process. What is it? Cosmetic odontology.

While reconstructive surgery surely has its place, cosmetic odontology (dentistry) features its unique well-known advantages. It does not depend how beautiful the other features are, if the teeth are horrifying, no one's going to look much at rest of your facial beauty. Embellishing a smile gives instant satisfaction. The modifications to one's persona can be fabulous! A "cosmetic smile treatment" instantly improves self-confidence and self-pride. The recovery time is unimportant. You are able to eat with it, grin with it, speak with it and kiss with it!

Beyond visual aspect, cosmetic odontology has the unusual advantage of being able to increase one's health. So a lot of people avoiding much needed historical dental treatment that is related to their oral health. Several others have eroded their dentition to the point that their bite is inducing symptoms of problems such as headaches, muscular tissue pain, and even giddiness. Top cosmetic dental practitioners deal these problems. The icing on the cake is that you look your very best after treatment.


Source: http://timeshealth.blogspot.com/2012/01/beauty-secrets-of-stars.html

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Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy

After you undergo radiation therapy, you will most likely be able to witness a number of side effects. But their effect may vary for each person. Some people may have severe side effects while others can have very mild effects.
The effect of radiation therapy largely depends upon how often and for which body part the therapy is given.Those who receive chemotherapy, before, after or during radiation therapy, may have side effects that are more severe.

The side effects that are generally experienced after radiation therapy are:


Fatigue
Most patients experience fatigue during the course of therapy. But the degree of fatigue affects a person depending on his/her level of energy. Those who receive several weeks of treatment may experience fatigue frequently. For most patients undergoing radiation therapy, fatigue is mild.

However, your doctor will advise you to take proper rest and limit your activity. Try to get uninterrupted sleep at night and eat healthy nutritious diet to increase your energy level.

Skin Problems
During your treatment, you may go through some skin changes in the area that are exposed to radiation. The skin may appear red, sensitive and tanned just like sunburn. You may experience skin irritation and dryness of skin.
Depending on the dose of radiation, your skin may peel, become dry and itchy or you can even have blisters as radiation therapy damages healthy skin cells of the treatment area. Treated area should be cleaned gently with mild soap and water and pat dried with a soft towel.
Take special care of your skin during the therapy. Your doctor can prescribe special creams and gels for improving the condition of the skin. You must avoid scented body lotions and perfumes, and exposing the affected area directly to sun. Stay away from wearing tight fitting clothes. All this reactions on your skin are temporary and will subside gradually within 2-3 weeks after the completion of treatment.

Loss Of Appetite
Loss of appetite is quite common during radiation therapy which leads to fatigue and nutritional deficiencies. You have to take especial care of your diet. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to get essential vitamins and nutrients. Eat small meals throughout the day to increase your energy level. Appetite will increase after the completion of treatment gradually.

There can be some other possible side effects, depending on the type of cancer you are suffering from and on which part of the body you are undergoing the treatment. Some of them are:

Hair Loss
Hair loss generally occurs when a person is treated for head or neck cancer and not for other parts of the body. But with higher dose of radiation, some people lose hair in clumps, which is very upsetting. Hair loss is mostly temporary.  After the end of the treatment, the hair usually grows back, though the texture and color of your hair may not be the same.

Hearing Problems
Some patients can experience temporary hearing problem due to hardening of the wax in their ears, if they receive therapy near the ear area. If you experience such difficulty, consult your physician.

Nausea or Vomiting
Few patients suffer from nausea and vomiting when they receive radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy.

Decreases In Blood Count
Another possible side effect of radiation therapy can be lowering of platelets and white blood cells which make the immune system weak and vulnerable to bacteria and virus. So, regular tests should be done to check the blood counts.
Side effect of radiation therapy shows its effect according to the nature of treatment. For example, when a person receives therapy for neck and head there can be risk of dental problem such as cavities and radiation for pelvis can produce fertility problem. It is essential to ask your physician about the possible side effects and how to prevent them before going for radiation therapy.


Source: http://timeshealth.blogspot.com/2012/01/side-effects-of-radiation-therapy.html

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Get Fit Without Gym

Going to a gym may be the most common way of getting and staying in shape, but it certainly isn’t the only one. Sticking to a regular weekly gym workout no doubt has its benefits, but it isn’t practical for everyone. But what really matters is the commitment and motivation you contribute. Not everyone is a fan of the gym, so take a look at these tips for getting fit without hitting the treadmill. If you don’t have time to spare for a gym routine, or if it simply isn’t to your taste, take solace in the fact that there are other ways of getting fit. Before beginning any regular exercise regimen, you need to first ask yourself: what is my goal? This will not only give you a target to work towards – it will define what forms of exercise you need to incorporate into your routine to achieve the goal.

Skipping

Maybe you haven't tried it since school, but skipping is the easiest way to shape up... and it's free. It's a great way to burn body fat – and it's particularly good at shaping your legs, abdominals, arms and shoulders. Skipping is a high intensity exercise (there is a reason why lean boxers and followers of martial arts make it such an integral part of their training) and will provide you with top-to-toe fat burning. There's a good reason why boxers use this exercise as part of their training. You can burn up to 450 calories in a in a 45-minute workout. Skipping can be completed anywhere, so get outside in your garden or a park.

Running

Just like walking, running is the perfect gym-free workout because all it requires is a good pair of running shoes and some space. Whether it's around your neighborhood, at a park or on a track, running burns more calories than almost any other cardiovascular activity, and those who do it regularly claim that "runner's high" is a real-deal.

Swimming
Swimming exercises all the major muscle groups of the body as well as the heart and lungs, making it a great activity for overall fitness. It builds lung capacity, endurance and strength. It's also a great alternative to high-impact exercise like running and aerobics. Use this six-week swimming plan to get in shape. Thirty minutes of steady swimming can burn up to 200 to 300 calories. Try running in the water, climbing in and out or water aerobics, which is very popular especially for women swimmers. All are good fun and great calorie burners.

Cycling

Cycling increases aerobic fitness and tones the muscles of the legs and bottom. It’s a non-impact activity, which means that it places no stress on the joints of the knee, ankle, and back. Try cycling to work, which is kinder to the environment, instead of taking public transport or driving. Get fit with our six-week cycling plan for beginners.

Taking the stairs

In a study we found that the average adult is so unfit that they feel breathless after running up a flight of stairs, while 31 per cent are left gasping for breath after rushing to catch a bus. Walking a flight of stairs is an excellent way to prevent health problems that come with inactivity – including obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. It's easy to go a day without any physical activity, so incorporate taking the stairs in your daily regime rather than taking the elevator.

Walking

Why put yourself through hell in the gym when you can walk your way to fitness? Walking may not feel like the most intense exercise in the world, but just one hour of brisk walking can relieve you of an impressive 400 calories (compared to around 600-700 running). A pound of fat is equal to 3500 calories, so build an hour of walking into your daily routine and it won't be long before you notice your waistline going in the right direction. You could even try wearing a pair of MBT shoes or fitflops (you have saved money on the gym membership, after all) for extra toning.

Pop in a workout DVD
What could be better than a fitness regime that does not even involve leaving your house? As long as you have the right strategy, getting fit at home is much easier than you think. As with any exercise programme, you need to know what you are doing otherwise you might not see the desired results and could end up doing yourself a mischief. Ask a personal trainer to design a programme for you or buy a workout DVD. Running on the spot, skipping, press ups, squats - the exercises are the same, you just don't have to put up with overcrowding in the showers when you are done.

Circuit training
Circuit training is a great way to exercise because it incorporates cardiovascular fitness and bodyweight training at a level that you can choose yourself. You can devise your own circuits – a simple circuit routine might consist of push-ups, sit-ups, squats, chin-ups and lunges. So start by setting yourself some consecutive series of timed exercises indoors or out in the park.

Join Boot camp 
It will still cost you, but we guarantee that your money will be much better spent and you stand a greater chance of finely tuning your fitness if you sign up for boot camp sessions rather than enrolling at your local gym. Personal trainers across the country have realised that, because of the recession, they have to offer their customers an affordable alternative to one-on-one sessions. As a result there are suddenly boot camps everywhere. You'll be forced to get down and dirty. Get creative! Examples might include triceps dips on a park bench, seated squats up against a tree, pushups with your feet on a curb, sprints to a pond and back, and even hill repeats. No matter which exercises you choose, be sure to warm up with a 5-minute walk and cool down with some gentle stretching.

Play Outdoor Game
So few of us make time in our lives to just have fun and play. Whether it's engaging in a sport, playing an active video game or even just dancing around your living room, lighten up and do something active that you love. As long as you get your heart rate up you'll burn calories—and have a good time doing it.

Do Yoga
One of the best things about yoga is that you only need your body and a mat to do it. From online workouts that explain the poses to a variety of free yoga videos on YouTube, you can try any style of yoga without leaving your living room. You can even download workouts to your iPod and take your yoga practice outdoors! While yoga isn't known for its calorie burn, it is fantastic for flexibility and can be a muscle builder when doing more strenuous poses like plank. It's also a wonderful stress reducer.

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