Wednesday 31 December 2014

Different Benefits of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice

Image result for aloe vera juicedigestive health and skin health from aloe

In addition to drinking aloe Vera juice to help with weight loss there are many other health benefits. Since ancient times the healing properties of aloe Vera have been known to man. Because of its healing touch the aloe Vera plant has been honored with titles like The Natural Healer and The Miracle Plant. It belongs to the lily family and is grouped under Xeroids which is a class of plants that can conserve water by opening and closing their pores. The most favored aloe Vera plant for using for medicinal purposes are the Spanish Aa'vila or Aloe Barbadensis.
Benefits of drinking aloe Vera juice
• Adaptogen-drinking the juice is believed to increase resistance to stress, fatigue, anxiety, and trauma.
• Healing accelerator-the juice contains vitamins C, E, and B and acts as a healing accelerator for minor burns, cuts, and scrapes.
• Antimicrobial-the antipruritic action helps to relieve skin rashes, itchiness, poison ivy, and itching associated with sunburn.
• Dilates capillaries-it helps to relax your capillaries which promotes nutrient and blood supply which in turn can help to lead to the healing of diseases of the skin,
• Immune system support-the juice works with your immune system to help inhibit spreading in some types of cancer and reduces tumor mass
• Moisturizes-the chemical composition of aloe Vera juice enables it to penetrate your skin faster than water and the vitamin E that is present in aloe Vera juice helps to improve skin conditions.
• Natural cleanser-the juice contains long-chained sugar molecules and mucopolysaccharies which enter the membranes of your cells to help nutrients like water and electrolytes to enter your cells and flushes out toxins. Both of these actions help to enhance your energy levels and metabolism.
• Pain inhibitor-anthraquinones and salicylic acid are analgesic properties of aloe Vera juice and they help put a check on the growth and spread of bacteria and help to relieve pain.
• pH factor of skin-drinking the juice helps to maintain the pH balance of your skin, which is between four point five and five point five. Maintaining the pH balance of your skin helps in fighting fungi and bacteria.
• Digestion-when you drink the juice each day it can help to initiate the process of loosening and discharging of waste material that are attached to the inner lining of your colon like bacteria and undigested food residue.
• Anti-inflammatory properties-for people who are suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis drinking a glass a day can help with the pain and stiffness of their muscles along with helping alleviate the pain. It also can help with regenerating tissues of your joint muscles.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Different-Benefits-of-Drinking-Aloe-Vera-Juice&id=8763953

Depression and Loss of Sex Drive: The Inbound Relation!


Depression and loss of sex drive do go hand in hand. This is because depression can interfere with special brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. When the balance of these neurotransmitters are upset in any way, they do tend to become unbalanced and this is what causes a loss of sex drive.
Does taking anti-depressants for depression cause sexual problems?
Despite the fact that anti-depressants are very good when it comes to boosting mood and a sense of self worth. There are some forms of anti-depressants out there that can actually cause sexual issues. These type of anti-depressants are known as being SSRIs and they happen to have side effects that no one does want. These SSRIs are something that can result in sexual problems.
What are some sexual problems that are associated with anti-depressants?
Some of the sexual problems that are associated with anti-depressants do include the following. They are the inability to start, initiate, or even enjoy sexual contact. A marked decrease in desire to have any sex. An inability to keep and maintain an orgasm. Also, it can cause erectile dysfunction in men, which is more popularly known as being ED in the media.
How are sexual problems treated with depression?
Those who have sexual problems and depression are treated with the best treatment plan possible. Some of these problems are addressed by using newer anti-depressant medications that aren't know for dampening the libido or may even prescribe a patient this newer anti-depressant drug to take along with another form of prescribed medication. Sex problems that are in connection with depression are treated with the method that the doctor does think will help solve the issue the most from the start.
Is sex an anti-depressant or what is it?
The relationship between sex and depression is indeed a very complex one. Because on one hand, depression can steal your sex drive, and it can also take away your motivation among other things. It can also reduce any desire that you once did have to be attractive, as well. Sex, on the other hand, can boost your mood up and shield you from feeling anything negative about yourself that may be associated with depression trying to sneak in on you. Therefore, it only makes sense with the study on semen, and this study does indicate that being exposed to semen can actually help one to fight depression. This is because semen does have mood boosting hormones and other chemical compounds that are good for people to experience.
Can depression medication lower your sex drive at all?
Having chronic depression can affect any part of your life and this does include your sex life. Depression can most certainly curb your sex drive. The very same can be said about some medicines that can curb libido in the very same way. Therefore, one must remember that despite all this, sex is the one thing that can truly boost your mood up instead of down. So, with this said, don't stop having sex simply because you don't feel like it. You should still try to maintain a want for sex because it is very important to the foundation of one's relationships with significant others or partner. Don't stop your depression treatment at all. However, don't let go of the sex part of your life, as it is the very thing you do need to make your life happy and content with someone you do love.
Is a low sex drive a sign of depression for sure?
Low sex drive can be a sign of many things in general. However, it is very possible, that it could be a sign of underlying depression that a person is not aware that they do have. Depression is not something that does show itself right away. It can gradually sneak up on an individual in some instances. So, with this said, it is indeed a distinct possibility that it could indicate depression. However, it may also be a symptom of something else, as low sex drive can have lots of causes other than just depression.
Summary:
There is a connection between depression and loss of sex drive unfortunately. However, this connection doesn't have to be a bad thing, and it can be treated successfully, which does bring lots of promise to those who have been diagnosed with some form of depression. Sex drive is lost whenever depression is around, but the good thing is this, when the depression is treated with the right medication or course of treatment that does work. The desire for sex will return in time.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Depression-and-Loss-of-Sex-Drive:-The-Inbound-Relation!&id=8666420

The benefits of yoga for over 50s

image

When it comes to exercise, yoga is most definitely in vogue – all over the country yoga studios are opening and offering classes for beginners right through to experts.
The list of benefits is nearly endless – practicing yoga regularly can improve balance, moderate pain, increase flexibility and even improve sleep quality and fight depression.
Over 50s often complain of feeling stiff, particularly after sitting still for a longer period of time like a car ride or through a film. You might even notice you’re not as flexible as you used to be, and find tasks like bending down to tie your shoes or reaching to the top shelf not quite as effortless as they once were.
If any of that sounds familiar, why not consider yoga? There are great beginner classes that can help you learn the basics when you’re starting out, plus excellent online fitness videos and DVDs that can teach you the poses and help you practice in the comfort of your own home.
Not quite convinced? Here are some of the other benefits of practicing yoga as you age…
It’s low impact
Many fitness experts recommend low impact workouts for the over 50s because in general these exercises put less strain on joints and bones. Yoga is a great example of a low impact workout – it’s gentle enough but still offers some cardio and lots of excellent resistance training and stretching to help build and improve muscle tone.
 It can improve your range of motion
Practicing yoga just a few times a week can improve your flexibility and range of motion, something that’s particularly important as we get older. Our range of motion naturally declines as we age and carries the risk of greater injury from falls and can get in the way of daily life.
Yoga is a great antidote to that; regular stretching will help improve spinal flexibility and prevent falls by working on your balance – with each class you will be strengthening your lower body, particularly ankles and knees.
It combats arthritis pain
Yoga is an excellent exercise for arthritis sufferers because it promotes strength and flexibility but is still gentle at the same time. Research even suggests it can reduce pain and mobility problems in people with knee osteoarthritis. If you’re an arthritis sufferer, speak to your GP or physiotherapist about whether integrating yoga into your exercise routine is safe and appropriate for you.
It’s for body and for mind
Exercise of any kind can help improve your sleep quality and relieve stress, and this is especially true of yoga – the practice itself is as much about the body as the mind, and through breathing techniques and meditation, practicing yoga can help you deal with stress and anxiety in the process.

Tuesday 30 December 2014

Raw Food Promises Longevity


Do you ever wonder what the cliché, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" really means? According to book aficionados, the phrase came from a Welsh folk proverb dated 1866 that means eating an apple before bedtime will keep the doctor from earning his money.
The writer of that phrase was not just referring to apple per se, but to all kinds of fruits because these are beneficial to the body, especially when eaten raw.
Fruits help our bodies flush out toxins. This is why vitamins have a fruit base.
Best Eaten Raw
Doctors specializing in end-stage cancer and other terminal diseases recommend eating raw food over cooked food, as the former will helps the body resist cancer cells. In fact, they would classify food cooked at high temperature as dead food that feeds the body's bad bacteria and nourishes its cancer cells.
Moreover, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation will not improve the health condition of a cancer patient who refuses to eat healthy food according to specialists.
The only way to destroy the bad bacteria that nurtures cancer cells is by opting for organic food that did not undergo multilevel food preservation methods, which are designed to destroy the microorganisms of a food product including its good bacteria that aides the body in fighting diseases.
A survey of 10 women with breast cancer reveals that three of them decided to change their diet to fruits and vegetables, and after three months with no meat and just raw fruit and vegetable recipes, their disease vanished.
According to three successful women who almost succumbed to cancer, their macrobiotic diet helped them beat the cancer cells. While a macrobiotic diet only constitutes of fruits and vegetables, one of them heeded the advice of her doctor to include raw beef liver and pork pancreas in her daily menu. She was the first to be cleared of the disease.
Natural Cure for Cancer
Actress and thigh trainer Suzanne Somers is another breast cancer survivor who opted out of chemotherapy in favor of the natural healing process. She grew vegetables in her backyard and had them every day apart from Iscador, an extract from mistletoe, and just like that, her breast cancer was gone.
It is not wrong to have faith in modern medicine, but even the best doctors advise their patients to match their radiation and chemotherapy sessions with a healthy diet. They added that bromelain and pexoxidase, which are enzymes found in pineapple, are among the best nutrients that can kill cancer. Broccoli, on the other hand, is rich in phytonutrients that prevent prostate cancer.
Meanwhile, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are rich in ellagic acid that reduces the risk of heart and liver diseases.
Take your fruit whole or extract its juice. No matter what your preference is, just make it a point to include a fruit in your daily diet to keep cancer and other deadly diseases away.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Raw-Food-Promises-Longevity&id=8665538

Griddled tuna steak on a bed of spiced cranberry couscous with mango and avocado salsa

Healthy, low-fat recipe for a training diet

This meal just oozes flavor. It is packed with nutritional value and is equally good either before or after a workout. The salsa contains a wide variety of vitamins and the couscous is a good low-fat, medium G.I. carbohydrate. It goes without saying that fresh tuna is one of the better sources of omega-3 fatty acids — good for your heart and good for your brain.
Griddled tuna steak on a bed of spiced cranberry couscous with mango and avocado salsa

Method

1. Prepare the salsa: combine all the ingredients, season and refrigerate.
2. Turn on the griddle and leave it to get really hot.
3. Prepare the couscous: add a drop of olive oil and about 150ml stock (check pack for exact amount — an approximate measure is an equal volume of liquid to couscous), stir and leave for 5 minutes. In a separate dish, pour boiling water on the cranberries and leave for a few minutes to soften. Strain and stir into the couscous when it is ready, fluffing it up gently with a fork. Add the spices and season couscous according to taste.
4. When the griddle is smoking hot, season the tuna steaks with salt and black pepper, brush with a little oil and then place on the griddle for about 2 minutes each side, less if they are not very thick. They need to be pink in the middle or they will be tough. Give the steaks a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, season with more salt and pepper and serve on individual plates with the couscous and the salsa.

Ingredients

  • fresh tuna steaks
For the salsa:
  • mango (not too ripe), cut into small cubes
  • avocado (not too ripe), cut into small cubes
  • Handful of cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
  • shallot, very finely chopped
  • Bunch of mint, roughly chopped (25g or large handful)
  • Bunch of coriander, roughly chopped (25g or large handful)
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • Pinch of chilli powder
  • ½ tsp coriander seed, crushed in pestle and mortar
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • ½ tbs extra virgin olive oil
For the couscous:
  • 125g couscous
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • Stock
  • Small pack dried cranberries (optional)

Vital Statistics

Serves: 2
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Relatively easy
Good for: Excellent balanced, healthy low-fat meal, good for training but equally good enough for a summer supper party
Calories (kcal): 763.8
Protein (g): 67.2
Carbs (g): 69.7
Fat (g): 25.9
Fiber (g): 12.5

How To Get Rid Of A Cold And A Blocked Nose: 12 Remedies

Christmas colds are par for the course this season.
While everyone else is gearing up for the office party, you're all bunged up feeling sorry for yourself.
Sadly, there is no magical cure for the common cold, but there are plenty of things out there to help relieve symptoms such as sinus pains and blocked noses.
Cures for colds and blocked noses! [REX]Cures for colds and blocked noses! [REX]
We've compiled a list of some of the best and most unusual pieces of advice, so you're not a snotty mess missing out on all the fun.
1. Break Out The Swiss Ball
If you're feverish, then don't attempt this, but as my fitness instructor always used to say "If you're only sick from the neck up, get back on that treadmill!"
The common cold shouldn't stop you from continuing with moderate exercise. In fact, gently working up a sweat can do wonders for seeing off a cold faster, thanks to the endorphin-producing, immune-boosting consequences of a workout.
2. Humifidiers
Blocked noses are really annoying. There are lots of places touting really expensive humidifiers, but actually this really simple steam in haler, for as little as £4.99, works in just the same way!
Simple steam inhaler [Medisure]Simple steam inhaler [Medisure]
3. Coconut Water
Yeah yeah, we know, every man and his dog is trying to sell you on the benefits of coconut water. But besides it being the trendiest thing to drink since Fiji water, there is some evidence to prove it hydrates you at a faster rate than tap water.
And as any good Doctor will tell you, recovering from a cold is all about hydration, hydration, hydration!
(In the absence of coconut water, normal water will also work just fine).
4. Blow The RIGHT Way
Blowing your nose (rather than sniffing) can actually be good for you.
However, there IS a right way to go about it.
Trumpeting really hard isn't just annoying for everyone around you, it also risks damaging blood vessels and pushing the phlegm into the passages between your nose, throat and ears, leaving you open to earache.
The best way to blow is to press on one nostril and gently blow out of the other, in one swift motion. Then repeat on the other side.
5. Get In The Shower
Quite apart from making you feel generally refreshed, a steamy shower can work in the same way as a humidifier - clearing your sinuses.
A hot shower can make you feel better for a number of reasons [REX]A hot shower can make you feel better for a number of reasons [REX]
6. Allergy Tablets
Although you should always consult a doctor before using medicine other than for its intended use, tablets for allergies such as hayfever can be useful to those suffering from colds.
They often contain antihistamines, which in some forms can help decrease the swelling in your nasal passages and prevent you from feeling so stuffed up!
7. Raw Onion and Raw Garlic
Yep, it's gross, but eating raw onion and garlic can help. You won't make any friends doing this, but you might get over your cold faster in order to hang out with your old ones.
Cooking onion is thought to strip it of its antimicrobial properties.
Just knock it back! [REX]Just knock it back! [REX]
8. Dark Chocolate
This isn't just to make you feel better after scarfing raw onion and garlic, but it might help wtih that too!
The theobromine in dark chocolate can help stop persistent coughs and soothe sore throats.
9. Vaporub Babies' Feet
If it's not you but your little one that is feeling ill, popular doctrine says massaging vaporub into their feet and then covering with socks is best practice.
This means the vaporub is far enough away from hands and mouths where it would risk ingestion, but it is able to be absorbed and effective.
Rub on their feet to get them to sleep [REX]Rub on their feet to get them to sleep [REX]
10. Hot Toddies For Everyone!
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, didn't you know.
Sitting around feeling sorry for yourself while missing out on the season's party drinks is no fun.
Hot whiskey and lemon might be an oldie, with limited medical efficacy, but it makes everyone feel better, so who cares right?
11. Saline Solution
Is there anything a bit of salt water can't cure?
Whether it's gargling it three times a day, to spraying it up your nose, saline solution (salt water) can help.

Try dissolving a heaped tablespoon of salt into half a cup of water.

5 shocking sex facts

Sex can help you give a great speech

Before you get carried away, we are not suggesting you hop into bed with your boss or sleep with the entire audience. However, having sex can help ease those all too familiar and very dreaded pre-speech nerves. This theory was developed by the psychologist Stuart Brody, who asked 22 women and 22 men to keep sex diaries about their bedroom antics. The group of men and women then had to undertake stressful tasks, like public speaking and mental arithmetic tests. Brody found that the couples who had had penetrative sex were less stressed and their blood pressure levels returned to normal at more speed that the others. Sadly though, those who “did it” alone did not reap the calming benefits, so buddy up before your next big speech.
A couple kissingA couple kissing


The Victorians were filthy

It turns out that the Victorians weren’t the tight-lipped prudes we once imagined. In fact it would seem that the Brits of the nineteenth century were a rather fruity bunch. Not only was this the age that heralded the vibrator as a cure for hysteria, but it also saw a rise in kinky behaviour and tools, such as nipple piercings, pubic wigs and some rather gruesome looking sex chairs. The sauciness doesn’t end there though. Although it is still disputed, it’s thought that the term blow job also derives from this “prudish” period where people would speak about a ‘below job’ and referred to prostitutes as ‘blowsys’.


We kiss to inoculate

Researchers at the University of Leeds believe that humans kiss to inoculate. Women who catch cytomegalovirus typically cannot carry a baby to term. However, if women are exposed to the virus in small doses then they become inoculated. And how can you inoculate against the virus? Why, through swapping saliva of course. Therefore, the brain boxes at the University of Leeds have concluded that we don’t jump into bed with each other straightaway because if we did we might infect women. Therefore we kiss to protect women from catching cytomegalovirus. So pucker up and stay healthy by smooching.

Giving oral is as good as the gym

Sadly girls, giving oral will only benefit you if you’re the giver not the taker. A study has found that pleasuring a guy and swallowing can lower women’s blood pressure and reduce their risk of getting pre-eclampsia. However, if you don’t have the stomach to tackle your man’s area in this way there are other ways you can lower your blood pressure. Another study found that having regular sex with a partner you lived with could lower your diastolic blood pressure, whilst another study found a link between cuddling and reduced blood pressure. So, although you shouldn’t give up on the gym altogether, ladies, it might be worth swapping your sports kit for something a little slinkier once in a while.


Sperm is a great face cream

Although it’s not a great idea to bottle your man stuff and give it to your girl as a present, it turns out that sperm contains protein, which if applied to the face has the same anti-wrinkle benefits as moisturising creams. Apparently the white stuff can tighten skin and give you a little surgery-free facelift. Interestingly, this isn’t the only benefit sperm has to offer. It also contains zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium and fructose. Plus, if you’re still not convinced that sperm is super, a recent study in Albany found that women who had sex without condoms had fewer signs of depression than women who used condoms or did not have sex at all.

Monday 29 December 2014

4 TIPS TO BEAT THE BLOAT

Beat the bloat


Flights booked and bikini packed? Don't let a puffy pouch ruin your holiday with these top tips that are so easy, you can even do them on the beach. Simple!

1.EAT MORE FIBRE

‘The build-up of waste materials in the colon can cause serious bloating,. To get things moving along smoothly (and get rid of a swollen tummy), recommend upping your fibre intake.
Not serving All Bran at your hotel? Don’t fret. Other good sources of fibre include fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and lentils. Can't handle veggies? Rolled oats, linseeds, ripe fruits and non-starchy vegetables (like carrots, celery, bok choy and lettuce) may be easier to tolerate if vegetables tend to make you swell up like a beach ball.
Need an extra boost? Try a psyllium husk fibre supplement to help support healthy bowel movements.

2. SAY NO TO SUGAR

You already know that sugar is bad, right? Not only will it give you crazy mood swings and add pounds to your waistline, but it can also cause - yep, you guessed it - bloating.
'Simple sugars and refined carbohydrates can cause more gas by preferred pathogenic bacteria fermentation and encourage the growth of fungi like candida.' In other words, stuffing your face with sugar is like buying a one-way ticket to bloat city. 
'Avoid processed products such as white pasta, breads and baked goods. No churros for you, then.

3. POP A PROBIOTIC

 Bloating is frequently caused by an imbalance of gut microflora.
‘Probiotics have been shown in studies to rebalance the gut flora, support the efficient digestion of food and regular healthy bowel movements. recommend taking a multi-strain probiotic every day, or you could try one of these foods naturally high in probiotics. Gut-terly fabulous!

4. RELAX

‘Stress is known to reduce the levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut and can occur in many ways such as a busy lifestyle or lack of sleep.




Staying Well Through Winter

citrus tree : closeup of an orange tree full of fruitscitrus tree : small citrus tree in the potcitrus tree : Green orange tree, lots of fruits Stock Photocitrus tree : Mature lemons on tree.
I've not always been one for alternative medicine. OK, I'm stopping myself right there already. "Alternative Medicine" - it sounds so weird to say that. Basically ANYTHING that doesn't involve drugs or invasive surgery is considered "alternative"!! How dumb is that?! It's amazing how we've been conditioned to think that putting chemicals into your body is the normal thing and doing things naturally is alternative.

Anyway, I digress. It's been a great winter in New Zealand for many reasons. One of those reasons is that for the first time ever I've not gotten sick through these cold months - at all! What do I put this down to? Well... The simple fact is that I have a lemon tree in my front yard which has been yielding a TON of fruit this year. I've taken this with an immense amount of gratitude every time I've relieved the tree of some big lemons and taken them into the kitchen to juice them. Now, as I write this, I'm filled with even more gratitude knowing the massive benefit this tree has given me and my daughters.

Every single day for the last few months, I've started every day by juicing 3-4 lemons and drinking that enzyme filled juice in warm water with a little honey. Not only is that cleansing for the body, the Vitamin C is great for immunity, the enzymes help the body's chemistry AND... this was surprising for me to find out... lemons are alkaline, not acidic and the body's tendency for health is to be alkaline. Disease cannot live in an alkaline body - it has no chance at all!

On to of all that (if that wasn't enough) having a big glass of water as soon as you rise in the morning, with some lemon if you like, is amazing for hydrating and cleansing the bowel. Most people don't know that the bowel, your large intestine, is critical to the health of your entire body. The bowel is a major part of the whole immune system and it readily rids the body of anything that isn't meant to be there. It's not just for eliminating waste products from digestion, it gets rid of ALL the bad stuff. So bowel health is critical.

So I hope from reading that you'll understand how a big glass of water which contains the juice of 3-4 lemons is one of the best ways you can start the day. After that's soaked in, which doesn't take long, you can knock yourself out on coffee or tea or whatever else. I know that stuff isn't great for you as the coffee leaches water out of your system, but I love a coffee in the morning too, I just figure that what goes in first sets you up for the day. If that first thing is just a strong coffee with sugar and toast with jam or something like that, all your doing is cramming in acidic foods that feed the bugs and contribute to illness. You can make a small change now to combat that. Please, do something for you body and make what I've told you a new habit. Can't hurt right?

Your body can heal itself if it's given the right tools to use. The body is fully equipped to heal any illness it's presented with - the problem is, if we feed it crap fuel, then it has nothing to work with. It's like putting crappy gasoline into your car - it's not going to get very far and you're going to cause permanent damage. Simple theory right - but it DOES apply to our bodies too.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kieron_Atkinson



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