Health Effects of Fast Food

The ill effect of fast food and the potential danger that it possesses by its regular consumption is shocking. Obesity, increase in cholesterol levels, nutritional deficiencies, cardiac disorders, loss of muscle mass, depression and even sexual dysfunction, can all be caused by eating fast food on a regular basis. Soaked in trans fat and loaded with calories, fast foods are labeled as ‘health hazards’ by many leading medical professionals. Listed below are some of hazardous health effects of fast food consumption.

10 Negative Health Effects of Fast Food

#1 – Headaches
The processed meat used in fast food contain nitrates, nitrites, artificial sweeteners and monosodium glutamate which increase blood flow and can trigger a migraine attack. Additives are used to keep the meat fresh and to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum the bacteria which causes food poisoning. The increased blood flow can cause excessive pressure to build up in the head and can lead to headaches or a feeling of a hangover.

#2 – Collection of Trans Fat
The processed food used in the fast food industry is loaded with trans fat, which not only increases the ‘bad cholesterol’ (Low Density Lipoprotein) levels but also reduces the ‘good cholesterol’ (High Density Lipoprotein) levels. Processed meat used by fast food industries can sometimes have 45% more trans fat than their natural counterparts.

#3 – Increased Cholesterol Levels
Consuming fast foods leads to an increased intake of cholesterol which is highly dangerous for humans. The cholesterol molecules attach themselves to the arteries which leads to their thickening or clogging. This can cause obstructed blood flow which can lead to high blood pressure. If cholesterol accumulates in one of the main arteries it can lead to a blockage, when an artery is completely blocked it can lead to heart attacks or complete heart failure.

#4 – Depression
Depression is one of the many negative effects of fast food. This emotional condition has been linked to regular consumption of fast foods by a study done by the University College of London. According to the study, people who indulge in fast foods regularly are 58% more likely to suffer from depression. Fast foods do not contain antioxidants, foliate and omega -3s which is necessary for good mental health. Fast foods contain preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers and flavor enhancers which can affect the mental well being of the person.

#5 – Excessive Sodium Intake
Fast foods contain high amounts of sodium which can lead to hypertension and high blood pressure. Although small amounts of sodium is needed for bodily functions, consuming too much can lead to not just high blood pressure, but build up of fluids in people who are suffering from liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failures or kidney ailments.

#6 – Sexual Dysfunction
What we eat affects our physical, mental, and sexual health. Fatty acids found in fast foods are a major contributor to sexual dysfunction, not only does it cause weight gain but can trigger biochemical changes which effect libido, sperm count and female ovulation.

#7 – Food Poisoning
Even if we overlook the dangers posed by low fiber, trans fat and high calories, fast food pose another problem, food poisoning. The processed meat is many times contaminated with manure which contains Escherichia Coli and Salmonella. E.Coli is considered very difficult to treat and sometimes referred to as the worst sort of food poisoning. Even after antibiotics kill the bacteria, the toxins released by it can produce harmful effects. This disease is usually spread through undercooked hamburgers and is a leading cause of renal failure among American kids.

#8 – Addictive Nature of Fast Foods
According to the Science Daily, high levels of sugar and fat can cause blood sugar to spike and then crash suddenly. The patrons of fast food feel a sudden rush of euphoria when this happens making them dependent on the euphoric effects of insulin surges. Therefore one of the harmful effects of fast food consumption is the addiction or the incessant craving it causes among people.

#9 – PFCA Contamination
The wrappers used in the fast food industry are coated with perfluoroalkyls (PAC) which prevents the grease from leaving through. These have been proven to get inside the human body and change into more harmful forms which can lead to many health complications. The wrappings used in fast food industry are a significant and indirect source of PFCA contamination.

#10 – Weight Gain
Studies have found a direct link between fast food consumption and weight gain and increased Body Mass Index (BMI). The high levels of trans fat and calories present in fast foods leads to accumulation of abdominal fat and even insulin resistance which is an early indicator of diabetes. Obesity has been ranked the number one health threat for Americans; it is also the second leading cause of preventable death in United States which claims up to 400,000 lives a year. Obesity can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart problems, hyper tension, blocked arteries, increase in cholesterol levels, malnutrition, loss of muscle mass and depression.
Fast food addiction can lead to an unhealthy and depressive sedentary lifestyle, to prevent this it’s recommended to switch to a healthy and balanced diet along with regular exercise. Hopefully, this article on the health effects of fast food consumption has been informative. Remember the key to happiness is a healthy lifestyle.

Cool Drink Tins contain Rat Urine that can Spread Virus - Facts Analysis

Story:
Important and Should Read do not delete this message before Sharing to the other..
On Sunday a family picnic with a few drinks tin.Pada Monday, two family members admitted to hospital and placed in the Intensive Care Unit space. He died on Wednesday. Autopsy results concluded it hit Leptospirosis. The virus is stuck to the tin cans are drunk, without the use of glasses / cups. Test results showed that tin was infected mice that had dried urine (rat urine) containing Leptospira i. Because of this rat urine effect, highly recommended to rinse the parts evenly on all soda cans before drinking it. Cans are usually stored in the warehouse and delivered direct to retail stores without cleaning. A study shows that the top of all beverage cans more contaminated than public toilets (full of germs and bacteria.)
So, clean it with water before putting mouth in order to avoid all accidents total.

Hoax or Fact:
Mixture of hoax and facts.

Analysis:
This story has been circulating since 2002 in various forms. It claims that a person died because of a virus on the cool drink tins that was laid by rat urine. The story also talks about a study which claims that beverage cans are more contaminated than public toilets. However, the story is a hoax. There are no such incidents reported.

Leptospirosis, also called Weils disease, is indeed a potential deadly disease that is caused by a bacteria that generally spreads to humans in contact with urine from diseased animals such as rats, rabbits, snakes, frogs, dogs, cows, sheep, and certain marine mammals. Rats are the primary hosts of this bacteria, while the other animals act as secondary hosts. This bacteria usually lives in contaminated lakes and reservoirs. According to World Health Organization (WHO), up to 0.001% of world population is affected by this disease every year, depending on the atmospheric conditions. Leptospirosis, when discovered on time can be effectively treated with anti-biotics.

But it is also a fact that the manufacturers and suppliers use packaged cardboard boxes to store these cool drink tins and soda cans to safeguard them from any such harmful dirt like rat urine, and they also see that they reach the consumers at the earliest, while they are fresh. Moreover, there is no cited study saying that these beverage cans more contaminated than public toilets. Therefore, this story is a certain hoax.
A similar hoax talks about hantavirus spreading through rat urine on soda cans and grocery items. The story claimed that using such cans can cause a life-threatening disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) called it a hoax. Refer

However, it is still a good idea to safely clean the tins before using them, just to wipe off any possible dirt formed due to human handling or anything.

References:
Leptospirosis - Wikipedia
Leptospirosis - WHO

How to Treat a Scar With Honey & Lemon

The formation of a scar is a result of the natural heeling process of the body. The skin is composed of two main layers; the dermis which is the lower and thicker layer, and the epidermis which is a thinner outer layer. The more damage which is done to the dermis, the deeper and darker the scar will be, notes ScarInfo.

Scars will generally fade and improve over the two years after the injury, or acne outbreak, as new collagen forms and blood vessels are repaired. However, the skin will always be marked to some degree as hair follicles and sweat glands will not return.

Step 1

Make a paste of manuka honey and cinnamon in a bowl. 3 tbsp of manuka and 1 tbsp cinnamon.



From a fresh lemon, squeeze the juice into a small bowl or dish.

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Step 2

Cleanse face with warm water and an over-the-counter cleanser lotion or tonic.

Step 3

Dab cotton ball in lemon juice and apply to scarred area. Drench the area in juice and leave for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Step 4

Aapply manuka honey paste in a thick layer to the scar, before bed. Allow this to dry before sleeping. Rinse off in morning.

Step 5

Apply moisturizer. If the scarred area is on the face or another area of body exposed to sunlight, use a moisturizer with a high SPF--sun protection factor.

Tips and Warnings

• The honey can be applied with no cinnamon content. To save on mess, it can also be applied to a dressing or bandage. The lemon juice can sting. To reduce the citric acidity it can be diluted in water. Lemon juice can also increase photo sensitivity in the scarred area and so the moisturizer with SPF is recommended.
• There is very little medical research evidence to support the effectiveness of home remedies like honey and lemon in treating scars. It is best to always consult a specialist before beginning any self-treatment. Both honey and lemon can create skin irritation in some sensitive skin types. If there is no improvement in the scar coloration after several weeks of use an over-the-counter product or a prescription medicine may be recommended by a specialist.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Spoon
• Manuka honey
• Cinnamon powder
• Cleanser lotion
• Cotton wool balls
• Moisturizer

Health benefits of amla

Here's why it is good for you...
The winters kick-start the season of the Indian gooseberry, better known as amla. Botanically, this extremely sour little fruit is known as Emblica Officinalis. Though you may not find its taste appealing, don't be quick to dismiss it — it's abundant in nutrients and packed with the power of Vitamin C. Here's a list of the other health benefits of amla:
-Winter brings along its share of colds and cough. To cure this, prepare a mixture of two tablespoons of amla with an equal amount of honey. Have this three to four times a day.
-People suffering from Vitamin C deficiency can greatly benefit by eating amlas, as it is one of its most potent sources. On the other hand, Vitamin C, taken in the form of supplements, is not easily absorbed by the body, unlike when taken in a natural form.
-Battling with constipation problems? Amla contains high fibre content and will ease your problem.
-Because they are also rich in antioxidants, which protect against the formation of free radicals in the body, amlas, when eaten frequently, help to prevent cancer.
-To seek relief from painful mouth ulcers, simply gargle with a mixture of water and amla juice.
-Are joint pains getting you down? Have amlas, as they contain anti-inflammatory properties which will help in reducing the swelling in the joints caused by arthritis.
-Struggling to get some sound sleep? Amlas are a great option to relieve stress and therefore, useful in treating sleep disorders like insomnia.
(Compiled by Lisa Antao)

11 Benefits of Drinking Water and How

You will be amazed of the benefits of drinking water as follow:

1. Lose weight: Drinking water helps you lose weight because it flushes down the by-products of fat breakdown. Drinking water reduces hunger, it’s an effective appetite suppressant so you’ll eat less. Plus, water has zero calories. Here are the further details on how to achieve fat loss by drinking water.
2. Natural Remedy for Headache: Helps to relieve headache and back pains due to dehydration. Although many reasons contribute to headache, dehydration is the common one.
3. Look Younger with Healthier Skin: You’ll look younger when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturizes skin and increases skin elasticity.
4. Better Productivity at Work: Your brain is mostly made up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better, be more alert and more concentrated.
5. Better Exercise: Drinking water regulates your body temperature. That means you’ll feel more energetic when doing exercises. Water also helps to fuel your muscle.
6. Helps in Digestion and Constipation: Drinking water raises your metabolism because it helps in digestion. Fiber and water goes hand in hand so that you can have your daily bowel movement.
7. Less Cramps and Sprains: Proper hydration helps keep your joints and muscles lubricated, so you’ll less likely get cramps and sprains.
8. Less Likely to Get Sick and Feel Healthy: Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu and other ailments like kidney stones and heart attack. Water adds with lemon is used for ailments like respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis etc. In another words one of the benefits of drinking water is that it can improve your immune system. Follow this link for further information on how lemon water can improve your health.
9. Relieves Fatigue: Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body. If your body lacks water, your heart, for instance, needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all cells, so are the rest of the vital organs, your organs will be exhausted and so will you.
10. Good Mood: Your body feels very good and that’s why you feel happy.
11. Reduce the Risk of Cancer: Related to the digestive system, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens the time in which they are in contact with bladder lining.

Can you see the importance of water to your body after understanding the above benefits of drinking water?

Smoking and your health

How does smoking affect health?

Cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 different chemicals which can damage the cells and systems of the human body. These include at least 80 chemicals that can cause cancer (including tar, arsenic, benzene, cadmium and formaldehyde) nicotine (a highly addictive chemical which hooks a smoker into their habit) and hundreds of other poisons such as cyanide, carbon monoxide and ammonia.
Every time a smoker inhales, these chemicals are drawn into the body where they interfere with cell function and cause problems ranging from cell death to genetic changes which lead to cancer.
This is why tobacco smoking is a known or probable cause of approximately 25 diseases. According to WHO figures, smoking is responsible for approximately five million deaths worldwide every year. However it also contributes to, or aggravates many other diseases and may play a part in many more deaths. Even the WHO says that its impact on world health isn’t fully assessed.
WHO says smoking is a greater cause of death and disability than any single disease. By 2020, the WHO expects the worldwide death toll to reach 10 million, causing 17.7 per cent of all deaths in developed countries.
There are believed to be 1.1 billion smokers in the world, 800 million of them in developing countries.

Risk factors of smoking

People take up smoking for a variety of reasons. Young people are especially vulnerable because of pressure from their peers and the image that smoking is clever, cool or 'grown-up'. Just trying a few cigarettes can be enough to become addicted.
Many people say that smoking helps them to feel more relaxed or cope with stress but nicotine is a stimulant not a relaxant, so it doesn’t help stress. What people are describing is more likely to be relief from their craving or withdrawal symptoms.

Smoking damage

There are hundreds of examples and volumes of research showing how cigarette smoking damages the body. For example, UK studies show that smokers in their 30s and 40s are five times more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers.
Smoking contributes to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries) where the heart’s blood supply becomes narrowed or blocked, starving the heart muscle of vital nutrients and oxygen, resulting in a heart attack. As a result smokers have a greatly increased risk of needing complex and risky heart bypass surgery. Smoking also increases the risk of having a stroke, because of damage to the heart and arteries to the brain.
If you smoke for a lifetime, there is a 50 per cent chance that your eventual death will be smoking-related - half of all these deaths will be in middle age

Smoking and lung problems

Smoking does enormous damage to the lungs, especially because these tissues are in the direct firing line for the poisons in smoke. As a result there is a huge increase in the risk of lung cancer, which kills more than 20,000 people in the UK every year.
US studies have shown that men who smoke increase their chances of dying from the disease by more than 22 times.
Women who smoke increase this risk by nearly 12 times.
Lung cancer is a difficult cancer to treat - long term survival rates are poor. Smoking also increases the risk of the following cancers:

• Oral
• Uterine
• Liver
• Kidney
• Bladder
• Stomach
• Cervical
• Leukaemia

Even more common among smokers is a group of lung conditions called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD which encompasses chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These conditions cause progressive and irreversible lung damage, and make it increasingly difficult for a person to breathe.

Harm to children from smoking

Smoking in pregnancy greatly increases the risk of miscarriage, is associated with lower birth weight babies, and inhibits child development. Smoking by parents following the birth is linked to sudden infant death syndrome, or cot death, and higher rates of infant respiratory illness, such as bronchitis, colds, and pneumonia.

Smoking and young people

Smoking is particularly damaging in young people.
Evidence shows people who start smoking in their youth - aged 11 to 15 - are three times more likely to die a premature death than someone who takes up smoking at the age of 20.
They are also more likely to be hooked for life. Nicotine, an ingredient of tobacco, is highly addictive – it takes on average on about six cigarettes before nicotine receptors in the brain are switched on, generating a craving for nicotine which may continue for the rest of the persons life. In less than one packet of cigarettes, a person’s brain can be changed forever from that of a non-smoker to a nicotine addicted smoker.
Although the health risks of smoking are cumulative, giving up can yield health benefits, regardless of the age of the patient, or the length of time they have been smoking.
If you join a proper smoking-cessation service, using all available help including medication and counselling, your chances of quitting may be as high as one in three (compared to just three per cent if you go it alone).

15 health benefits of eating apples

Many of us forget that sometimes, the simplest answers are the best. Better health could be as easy as reaching for the fruit bowl for some apples next time you need a snack

 

What makes apples so great?

In 2004, USDA scientists investigated over 100 foods to measure their antioxidant concentration per serving size. Two apples—Red Delicious and Granny Smith—ranked 12th and 13th respectively. Antioxidants are disease-fighting compounds. Scientists believe these compounds help prevent and repair oxidation damage that happens during normal cell activity. Apples are also full of a fibre called pectin—a medium-sized apple contains about 4 grams of fibre. Pectin is classed as a soluble, fermentable and viscous fibre, a combination that gives it a huge list of health benefits.

1. Get whiter, healthier teeth

An apple won’t replace your toothbrush, but biting and chewing an apple stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria.

2. Avoid Alzheimer’s

A new study performed on mice shows that drinking apple juice could keep Alzheimer’s away and fight the effects of aging on the brain. Mice in the study that were fed an apple-enhanced diet showed higher levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and did better in maze tests than those on a regular diet.

3. Protect against Parkinson’s

Research has shown that people who eat fruits and other high-fibre foods gain a certain amount of protection against Parkinson’s, a disease characterized by a breakdown of the brain’s dopamine-producing nerve cells. Scientists have linked this to the free radical-fighting power of the antioxidants contained therein.

4. Curb all sorts of cancers

Scientists from the American Association for Cancer Research, among others, agree that the consumption of flavonol-rich apples could help reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to 23 per cent. Researchers at Cornell University have identified several compounds—triterpenoids—in apple peel that have potent anti-growth activities against cancer cells in the liver, colon and breast. Their earlier research found that extracts from whole apples can reduce the number and size of mammary tumours in rats. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute in the U.S. has recommended a high fibre intake to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

5. Decrease your risk of diabetes

Women who eat at least one apple a day are 28 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who don’t eat apples. Apples are loaded with soluble fibre, the key to blunting blood sugar swings.

6. Reduce cholesterol

The soluble fibre found in apples binds with fats in the intestine, which translates into lower cholesterol levels and a healthier you.

7. Get a healthier heart

An extensive body of research has linked high soluble fibre intake with a slower buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque in your arteries. The phenolic compound found in apple skins also prevents the cholesterol that gets into your system from solidifying on your artery walls. When plaque builds inside your arteries, it reduces blood flow to your heart, leading to coronary artery disease.

8. Prevent gallstones

Gallstones form when there’s too much cholesterol in your bile for it to remain as a liquid, so it solidifies. They are particularly prevalent in the obese. To prevent gallstones, doctors recommend a diet high in fibre to help you control your weight and cholesterol levels.

9. Beat diarrhea and constipation

Whether you can’t go to the bathroom or you just can’t stop, fibre found in apples can help. Fibre can either pull water out of your colon to keep things moving along when you’re backed up, or absorb excess water from your stool to slow your bowels down.

10. Neutralize irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and bloating. To control these symptoms doctors recommend staying away from dairy and fatty foods while including a high intake of fibre in your diet.

11. Avert hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a swollen vein in the anal canal and while not life threatening, these veins can be very painful. They are caused by too much pressure in the pelvic and rectal areas. Part and parcel with controlling constipation, fibre can prevent you from straining too much when going to the bathroom and thereby help alleviate hemorrhoids.

12. Control your weight

Many health problems are associated with being overweight, among them heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. To manage your weight and improve your overall health, doctors recommend a diet rich in fibre. Foods high in fibre will fill you up without costing you too many calories.

13. Detoxify your liver

We’re constantly consuming toxins, whether it is from drinks or food, and your liver is responsible for clearing these toxins out of your body. Many doctors are skeptical of fad detox diets, saying they have the potential to do more harm than good. Luckily, one of the best—and easiest—things you can eat to help detoxify your liver is fruits—like apples.

14. Boost your immune system

Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify your immune system, especially when you're stressed out.

15. Prevent cataracts

Though past studies have been divided on the issue, recent long-term studies suggest that people who have a diet rich in fruits that contain antioxidants—like apples—are 10 to 15 per cent less likely to develop cataracts.

 

9 Differences Between the Male and Female Brain

Most people are intrigued by the thought processes of the opposite sex. Despite rumors to the contrary, men and women are from the same planet. However, there are many differences between the brains of men and women. I have listed nine of them below. There is bound to be some respectful discourse about this topic, so please feel free to comment or provide alternative points of view below.
1. Brain size: The male brain is typically about ten percent larger than the female brain. Although the extra mass does give males more processing power, this doesn’t make men more intelligent. Rather, science believes the reason for the increased brain mass is to accommodate the bigger body mass and muscle groups of the male (human).

2. Brain hemispheres: Many men are sharply left-brain dominant, while women tend to be more evenly balanced between left and right-brain processing. Women are therefore  thought to be slightly more intuitive, and sometimes better communicators. Men are often less socially adept, and are more task-oriented thinkers than females.

3. Relationships: Women are purported to have better communication skills and emotional intelligence than men. Women tend to be group-oriented, and apt to seek solutions by talking through issues. Men can have trouble picking up on emotional cues unless they’re clearly verbalized – making for tricky communications between the sexes.

4. Mathematical skills: The inferior-parietal lobule, which controls numerical brain function, is larger in males than in females. On standardized tests, men often score higher on mathematical tests than women.

5. Stress: When faced with stressful situations, men usually employ ‘fight or flight’ tactics, while women use a ‘tend or befriend’ response that is rooted in their natural instincts for caring for their children and establishing strong group bonds.

6. Language: Women often excel at language-based tasks for two reasons: two brain areas that deal with language are larger in females, and females process language in both hemispheres while males favor a single brain half.

7. Emotions: Since women tend to have a larger deep limbic system then men, they’re more in touch with their feelings and are better at expressing their emotions. This makes women better at connecting with others, but unfortunately also more prone to different types of depression.

8. Spatial abilities: The parietal region is thicker in the female brain, making it harder for them to mentally rotate objects – an important spatial skill. Women often report difficulty with spatial tasks, both on tests and in real life. Want to test this theory with a loved one? Play HAPPYneuron’s visual-spatial game Points of View and test each others ability.

9. Susceptibility to brain function disorders: Men are more likely to be dyslexic or have other language disabilities, since they’re more often left-brain dominant. Males are also more prone to autism, ADHD and Tourette’s Syndrome, while women are more susceptible to mood disorders like anxiety and depression.

5 Simple Tips to Remove Pimples

Here are 5 simple tips for you to remove pimples if you are suffering from pimples and acne, which is one of the most disgusting thing on your beautiful face. No Iframes
Rule 1:
Wash your face 2-3 times daily with warm water and also make sure that you do not use soap or any other facial creams. Doing so will make your skin clean and bacteria free.  The main reason for pimples are bacteria, so keep your skin free from bacteria. Vapor treatment is also advisable.

Rule 2:
In case if you are using soaps, use only pure antiseptic soap or cleansing agent. If this is not possible then use soaps that contain minimum cosmetic agents like bleaching chemicals or aromatic elements. Whatever you use, make sure that they contain only gentle antiseptic agents and minimum additives. You can also use cosmetics made from petroleum jelly.

Rule 3:
If you are against nature, then you can use natural face packs or homemade face packs with herbs and natural ingredients. You can also try some home remedies for curing pimples and they will surely benefit you. Home remedies for curing – Use pure turmeric paste mixed with milk weekly. Mix dried and powdered orange peel with water and a few drops of  lemon can help in curing pimples.

Rule 4:
Drink plenty of water. It will keep you hydrated and also help you flushing out unwanted things from body and making your skin clean.

Rule 5:
Last but least, have a balanced diet. This will also prevent you from getting pimples. Diet to be avoided  to reduce pimples and the problems related to it - foodstuffs containing oil, cheese, butter, mayonnaise, chilly, spices and preservatives. Avoid mangoes and poultry products. They increase the heat levels in your body.

If these Simple Tips to Remove Pimples do not work for you, the you can opt for laser surgery and for this you need to consult a skin doctor in your locale.

How to Burn Calories

1-Fidget. Studies show that lean people fidget for about 150 minutes a day more than obese people do. That kind of low-grade activity (tapping feet and fingers, twirling hair, gesturing while speaking, etc.) can burn 350 calories a day, which translates into 10-30 pounds a year! It's called Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT), any movement that isn't intended as exercise. You can burn an extra 100-150 calories an hour by increasing NEAT. Here are some ideas:

• Standing burns 50% more calories than sitting. Stand while talking on the phone, using the computer, or reading the paper.
• Pacing is even better. By pacing, you can burn 90 more calories an hour than if you were sitting still. Make it a habit to pace whenever you use the phone.
• Buy a work station or desk that you can stand at or, if you can, set up a desk over a treadmill. By walking 1 mile an hour while you work, you'll burn an additional 100 calories per hour which, if you do this for 2-3 hours a day, you could lose 44-60 pounds in a year. It's recommended that you start slowly, though, walking 15 minutes every hour and then increasing gradually. Alternatively, you can use a mini-stepper under a tall desk, or while watching TV to achieve the same results.
•  

2-Reach for the caffeine, pass on the sugar and cream. Caffeine tends to increase the number of calories you burn, probably because they stimulate thermogenesis — one way your body generates heat and energy from digesting food and because the boost in energy means you move around more (which means more calories burned). Having 250 milligrams of caffeine with a meal can increase the calories spent metabolizing the meal by 10%. Green tea, in particular, seems to be especially conducive to burning calories. So instead of having soda or any other calorie-laden drink with your meals, go for an unsweetened cup of coffee or tea. Skip the sugar, milk, cream, or any other caloric enhancements so that you don't replace the extra calories you're burning. Drinking coffee or tea plain will take some getting used to, but purchasing high-quality beans or tea leaves will certainly help.








3-Increase your after-meal burn by eating more vegetables and phasing out meat and dairy products. Your body expends around 200 calories to digest your food. People who eat fibrous fruit, vegetables, complex carbs, and low-fat meat burn even more calories after they eat. In fact, vegetarians generally have a bigger after-meal burn than their omnivorous counterparts. And no matter what you eat, adding 5g of Tabasco sauce to any meal can raise your metabolism by 12-20 percent for up to two hours after you're done. This is caused by capsaicin - the nutrient that makes chile peppers hot.

4-Drink ice water. The colder the water you drink, the more calories you burn, since your body expends more energy warming up the water. If you have 8 glasses (64 oz) of ice-cold water in a day, you'll burn 70 more calories than if you drank 8 glasses of a body temperature beverage. In fact, this principle will work with any calorie-free beverage, as long as it's ice cold, so you might want to ice up that coffee and tea mentioned earlier for cumulative calorie-burning effects. Keep in mind, however, that the weight loss impact of this one particular practice isn't drastic: It would take 435 glasses of ice water (about two months, assuming 8 glasses a day) to lose one pound. And, don't go overboard. There's such a thing as water toxicity. Follow the guidelines in How to Drink More Water Every Day

5-Chill out. Shivering burns calories, so if you can spend more time outside when it's cold, you'll crank up the calorie furnace. Even if you don't shiver, though, you can get a 3-7% increase in calorie burn just from your body warming itself (similar to the principle at work when you drink ice water). Just don't run away with this idea and get yourself sick!




6-Calories burnt is proportional to your lean body mass. So, consume a good amount of protein, 20-30 grams, within ten minutes of your workout and you will be on your way to increasing you lean body mass and burning better calories.


7-

Eating a small meal every 2 hours will keep your metabolism fired and keep your calories burning.
.
 

Herbal Tea Benefits

Herbal teas are renowned for their benefits but what benefits do herbal teas actually have and why are they so advantageous to our health?  Read on to find out more.

What is Herbal Tea?

Herbal tea looks like tea and is brewed in the same way as tea, but it not actually a tea at all.  This is because they do not come from the Camellia Sinensis bush, the plant from which all teas are made.  Herbal teas are actually infusions, and are properly called tisanes.  Tisanes are made from mixtures of dried leaves, seeds, grasses, nuts, barks, fruits, flowers, or other botanical elements that give them their taste and provide the benefits of herbal teas.
Unlike other forms of tea, herbal teas contain no caffeine.  They also taste great and are easy to drink.  Your herbal tea may consist of one main herbal ingredient or it may be a blend of herbal ingredients, designed to bring about a specific purpose, such as relaxation, rejuvenation, relief from a specific condition, amongst other things.

Noted Benefits of Herbal Teas

Firstly, it is important to note that there is a huge array of herbal teas available on the market – each one designed to have a specific therapeutic or medicinal benefit.  However, there are some general benefits that can be obtained from herbal teas, and these include:

• achieving a more calm and relaxed state of mind
  
• supporting heart health
  
• aiding with stomach and digestive problems
  
• providing cleansing properties for the body
  
• promoting energy and wellness
  
• nourishing the nervous system
  
• strengthening the immune system
  
• providing antioxidants to the body
  
• boosting energy levels and invigorating the body
  
• relieving stress
  
• helping to avoid colds
  
• stimulating the internal organs
  
• promoting a good night’s sleep
  
• it is caffeine free and tastes great

Some Common Herbal Tea Ingredients

There are many different herbs that can be found in an herbal tea, each with a different use.  Some common ones include:

• Allspice – helps to soothe the common cold and relieves upset stomachs
  
• Anise seed – aids digestion and freshens the breath.  It can also soothe a cough and improve bronchitis.
  
• Chamomile – is renowned for its calming properties and is also said to be anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic
  
• Chrysanthemum – is sweet-tasting and is able to reduce body heat resulting from fever.  It also helps protect against liver damage and neutralises toxins.
  
• Cinnamon – is calming and helps to support healthy circulation and digestion.
  
• Ginseng – stimulates vitality and helps the body stay healthy.
  
• Ginger root – is excellent for improving circulation, and is one of the best herbs for improving digestion, nausea, lung congestion, and arthritis.
  
• Hawthorne – strengthens the heart and increases blood flow.
  
• Lemongrass – is frequently used due to its calming properties.
  
• Parsley – is a diuretic and helps with kidney function.
• Pau d'arco - has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of organisms including bacteria, fungi, yeasts (including Candida albicans), viruses (including herpes simplex types I and II, influenza virus, poliovirus and retroviruses) and parasites.
  
• Peppermint – is good for stress relief.  It also helps with stomachs and digestive issues and helps to freshen the breath.
• Red Clover - use as a medicine for menopausal symptoms, cancer, mastitis, joint disorders, asthma, bronchitis, psoriasis and eczema. It is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
  
• Rose hips – are a natural source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids.  They are a liver, kidney, and blood tonic, and are a good remedy for fatigue, colds, and cough.
  
• Sarsaparilla – promotes energy and healthy skin.
  
• Slippery elm – helps to relieve stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal problems.

Making Herbal Tea

When you are making your herbal tea, use fresh, cold water.  Do not use aluminium cookware as it can affect the taste.  Use glass, cast iron, or stainless steel where possible.  A tea strainer is very helpful as it lets you create your own blends of teas or herbs, and stops the leaves and flowers from escaping into the drink.
Once the water has boiled, add one heaped teaspoon of herbs for every cup of water.  Cover and let the herbs steep for ten minutes.  Do not over-steep the herbs as the flavour may become too strong and taste more medicinal rather than pleasant.  If you want to enhance the flavour of your tea, honey or lemon can be great choices.

How to Naturally Whiten Skin at Home

Instead of using harsh chemical-based products for skin lightening, try the most effective home-made recipes that are free of side/after-effects and are reliable for Skin Whitening. Make your own Skin Whitening Night-cream at home (you can use it as a mask too).

1-Acquire plain organic Yogurt. Take a tablespoonful of yogurt. 

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2-Add 3-4 drops of freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice in it.

3-Add a tiny droplet of Lavender/Rose or Jasmine flower oil. You can also use Vanilla essence in place of the above-mentioned oils.

4-Mix all the ingredients well, cover them and leave to settle for two minutes. 

5-Now, apply this mixture as a night-cream before you go to bed. Or alternatively, apply this paste on your face and neck as a mask.

6-In case of using it as a night-cream, wash your skin with a mild soap in the morning. If you have used this paste as a mask, wash after 20 minutes with lukewarm water, without using soap.

Melasma Natural Treatment

What is melasma? This is a skin disorder that interferes with the natural color of the skin. A person affected with melasma shows formation of brown patches that are generally seen on the facial area. As we all know, the pigment melanin that is being produced in the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) is responsible for giving color to the superficial skin. However, when there is too much of melanin production, it can lead to the development of brown spots on the face. When it comes to curing this skin disorder, people prefer treating it naturally, instead of prescription medicines.

Causes

Hormonal imbalance is common during pregnancy, which can cause excess production of melanin. This eventually brings discolored skin and hence melasma is usually observed in pregnant women. Also, when skin is exposed to sun for prolonged periods of time, it may respond in the form of melasma. Thyroid problems such as overactive thyroid gland or side effect of certain medications such as oral contraceptives or estrogen and progesterone pills, are some of the factors that can cause melasma.

Natural Remedies

Lemon Juice
This is considered to be the best way to clear melasma naturally. Regular application of fresh lemon juice on the affected area can gradually disappear those ugly patches. Daily usage of lemon juice has shown considerable amount of improvement in the appearance of skin. With lemon juice, to lighten or fade away melasma is no big deal. Squeezing the lemon on the affected skin area, is the most sought after treatment for melasma. An important constituent of lemon juice is citric acid. Being acidic in nature, lemon juice scraps the outermost layer safely, thus helping to remove the discolored skin. After 10-15 minutes, washing your face with warm water is recommended. Keeping the lemon juice for over 20 minutes can do more harm than good to the skin.

Onion
This is yet another melasma natural treatment that can work wonders to heal this skin condition. First, chop the onion into very small pieces. Make slices of onion and immerse them into vinegar. Now, apply these onion slices dipped in vinegar on the affected skin. Onion juice can also be helpful to eliminate these brown spots. In order to extract onion juice, one will require a cheesecloth. First chop the onion into very small pieces and then wrap it in a cheesecloth. Tie the two ends of a cheesecloth and allow the cheesecloth to hang freely anywhere in the house. The onion juice will be seen oozing out from the cheese cloth. One can keep a container below the cheesecloth to collect the onion juice. Now mix it with vinegar in equal amounts. Now, use a cotton ball to apply this solution two times in a day. However, it may take several weeks, before the brown spots completely disappear. After 10-15 minutes, it is advised to wash your face with lukewarm water.

Grape Seed Extract
Use of grape seed extracts can also play a very important role to reduce the appearance of melasma. Grape seed extracts are known to support skin health by protecting it from free radical damage, hence their usage is helpful in treating melasma. Studies have revealed that grape seed extract can lighten melasma triggered by hormonal disturbances and UV radiation. In one animal study, guinea pigs who had patchy brown pigmentation due to excessive exposure to UV rays were put on grape seed extract. The dark skin discoloration on guinea pigs decreased noticeably due to oral dosage of grape seed extract taken for a stipulated period of time. In another study, about a dozen women affected with hyperpigmentation were given grape seed extracts for about a year. After evaluating the skin problem, just after 6 months, the patchy hyperpigmented skin improved considerably.

Oil Combination
Both lavender and tea tree oil display skin healing properties and so their mixture can also contribute effectively to treat melasma. Applying a mixture (3-4 times daily) that is made by combining lavender and tea tree oil in equal amounts can also help to lighten melasma. A combination of chamomile and lavender essential oil is yet another effective home remedy for the treatment of melasma.

Cucumber
Say goodbye to melasma with cucumber. Use of cucumber juice or cucumber mask has also been helpful in getting rid of melasma. These skin blemishes respond quite well to this natural remedy. Dark spots associated with melasma will soon fade away with regular application of cucumber juice or mask.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, an item found in almost every household can also be effective to remove melasma. Mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar in equal amounts of water. The solution thus prepared is then used for washing the face. Vinegar is basically an astringent that causes contraction of superficial skin. This action helps to make the skin look better and smoother. Use of apple cider vinegar has been long regarded as one of the beautiful skin remedies. Once you have applied the solution on the affected area, wash it with water after a few minutes. Allow the affected area to dry naturally and do not use a towel. For a bright clear skin free from melasma, use of this solution is certainly recommended.

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera promotes a healthy looking skin, involves usage of aloe vera gel, hence it is an active ingredient of most skin care products, due to its ability to alleviate skin problems. You can directly apply cold aloe vera gel to the discolored region of the skin. Massage the gel on the affected area with soft hands and one will see dark spots fading away within a couple of weeks. Application of a solution made by mixing aloe vera oil with vitamin E and primrose oil, once a week is also effective to reduce pigmentation.

Turmeric
Use of turmeric also comes in the list of melasma natural cures. A turmeric paste made by mixing lemon juice with turmeric powder, when applied on the affected region is helpful to eliminate melasma. This is because turmeric stops excessive production of melanin, which helps to reduce those brown spots. Once applied, let the paste remain for 10-15 minutes and then wash the affected part with clean water.

Melasma is a temporary skin problem that generally goes away after delivery. However, one has to follow any of these treatment options daily to restore healthy look of the skin at the earliest.

Home Remedies For kidneys

The kidneys and the bladder play important roles in the body. The main function of the kidneys is to remove excess fluid and waste products from the body through the urine. They also regulate the body's potassium and sodium levels, as well as its pH balance, and produce hormones that affect other organs, including erythropoietin (which stimulates red blood cell production) and renin (which helps blood flow). Since the kidneys are such a vital body organ, any injury or disease that interferes with kidney function has the potential to be very serious. Kidney disease is actually a catch-all term that includes diseases ranging from kidney stones and urinary tract infections to more serious disorders such as glomerulonephritis and polycystic kidney disease. Although each kidney condition has its own unique characteristics, certain symptoms are associated with the majority of kidney problems.
These include a frequent urge to urinate, chills, fluid retention (puffiness in the face and limbs or resulting weight gain), back pain (felt just under the ribs), vomiting, fever, pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and a burning sensation during urination. The urine may be cloudy or bloody. Both kidneys are usually affected by any kidney disease. If the ability of the kidneys to filter blood is seriously damaged, excess fluid and wastes may build up in the body. This causes symptoms of kidney failure and severe swelling.

The bladder is a hollow organ with muscular walls that is part of the urinary tract. Urine continuously drains into the bladder from the kidney. In an adult, the bladder can hold about two cups of urine. As the bladder fills, it causes discomfort and, hence, the urge to urinate.

Bladder infections and inflammation can occur in any area of the bladder and servicing tissue. The most common bladder disorder, cystitis, is an infection or inflammation of the bladder. Symptoms of cystitis include a frequent urge to urinate (even though the bladder may be empty), excessive night urination, and dark or cloudy urine with an unpleasant or strong odor. Lower abdominal pain and a painful, burning sensation on urination may accompany the infection. There may be blood in the urine, and you may suffer chills, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and back pain.
In addition to the herbs listed below, other beneficial herbs include barberry, bilberry, horsetail, marshmallow, sarsaparilla, and speedwell.

Home remedies for kidneys

 
Home remedies for kidneys #1:
1 teaspoon Oregon grape root
1 teaspoon wild cherry root
2 cups water
Place the above herbs in a pan and cover with the water; bring the mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 3o minutes; cool and strain. Place a tablespoon of the resulting tea in an 8-ounce glass of water and stir well. Drink one to two tablespoons at a time, up to one cup a day.

Home remedies for kidneys #2: TO IMPROVE URINE FLOW
1 teaspoon horseradish root
1 teaspoon queen of the meadow
1 teaspoon parsley
1 cup boiling water
Combine the above herbs and cover with the boiling water; steep for 3o minutes; strain. Take one tablespoon of the mixture in a glass of apple juice, three or four times daily.

Home remedies for kidneys #3:
1 teavoon black currant
1 teaspoon pipsissewa
1 cup boiling water
Combine the above herbs and cover with the boiling water; steep for 15 minutes; strain. Use two to three times daily for inflammation of the bladder, up to three cups a day, for no more than three days.


Home remedies for kidneys #4:
1  teaspoon uva urei leave and atente
1 teaspoon Oregon grape
2 cups water
Place the herbs in a pan and cover with the water. Bring to a boil and boil for 3o minutes; strain. Take as needed.

Fit Good Friday: Health Laws Explained

Sure, you may have heard that you should sleep at least seven hours a night, never skip breakfast, and go organic…but do you know why? No, it’s not because you’ll become a total raging lunatic if you don’t (though that might happen!). So if you want to feel Good Friday, it is the right time to know all these.......


1. Sleep at least 7 hours each night
A good night’s sleep lowers your stress, sharpens your memory, and reduces cravings for unhealthy food.

2. Choose colorful fruit and veggies
They are packed with flavonoids and carotenoids — powerful compounds against inflammation and free radicals.

3. Don’t skip breakfast
A lot of people think they end up saving calories if they avoid breakfast but what they don’t realize that they usually over-eat later because your body is starved and trying to over-compensate for starvation mode.

4. Choose healthy carbs
Whole grains, beans, fruit and vegetables are digested slowly, helping you feel full longer and keeping blood sugar and insulin level stable.

5. Go organic
Eating organic not only protects you from harmful pesticides and other chemicals, it provides you with more nutrients in every bite.

The Importance of Salt in Your Diet

If you are under the impression that salt is just another way to decrease your health and add to your waistline, then you should know there are benefits to adding a little salt to your diet. Salt plays a role in water retention, muscle contraction, and contains nutrients that are vital to your stomach. Salt in moderation is actually very important to your diet. Check out why:

Salt Helps Retain Water in the Body

Our bodies rely on electrolytes, including salt, to help carry out electrical impulses that control many of our bodies’ functions. To keep our bodies functioning as they should, our bodies need the proper amount of electrolytes. Electrolytes trigger thirst mechanism, which cause us to consume adequate amounts of water. With this water, our kidneys are able to keep the appropriate amount of electrolytes in our bloodstream. The amount of water our bodies retain also impact blood pressure. Think about it: a lot of bars and restaurants provide complimentary salty snacks. Why? They make you thirsty and wanting to purchase more drinks!

Salt Stimulates Muscle Contraction

Salt is important to the nerves, as it stimulates muscle contraction; this will also help prevent your muscles from cramping. Salt also keeps calcium and other minerals in the bloodstream. It also stimulates the adrenal glands. Salt is also very important in the prevention of heat prostration and sunstroke, which is very important to remember during hot summer months.

Salt Contains Nutrients Vital to the Digestive System

Salt plays a primary role in the processes of digestion and absorption. Salt activates an enzyme in the mouth called salivary amylase. At this point, the salt allows your taste buds to taste the food. Salt also plays a role in digestion by helping to break down food. Salt also creates hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is a very important digestive secretion, which lines the stomach walls. Salt actually helps your body digest food, rather than trying to eat itself.

A Lack of Salt Is Dangerous

A sodium deficiency is a health condition where a body fails to receive an adequate supply of sodium. Sodium deficiency can become extremely prevalent in excessive temperatures, which cause the body to perspire heavily and patterns of dehydration will set in. Sodium deficiency can lead to shock if the blood pressure is decreased too severely. Salt is important to good nutritional status. Too little can cause disturbances in tissue-water and acid-base balance, which is important to good nutrition.
Remember, diets too high in sodium can lead to high water retention and hypertension. Overall, salt is generally nontoxic to adults, provided it is excreted properly. The maximum amount of sodium that should be incorporated into a healthy diet should range from 2,400-3,000 mg/day.