Article By Victoria Stein

Is high-fructose corn syrup worse for you than sugar? Researchers at Princeton University think so. But the American Medical Association and most dietitians say no. AOL Health contributor and nutritionist Victoria Stein examines the issue.

Before we delve into the debate, let’s review some basic chemistry. Sugar and HFCS have the same chemical structure. The main difference is that HFCS is manufactured from corn syrup (primarily glucose), which undergoes enzymatic processing to increase the fructose content and is then mixed with glucose. Pure sugar is also composed of glucose and fructose but in marginally different concentrations. Both are calorie dense (with about 16 per teaspoon) with no nutrients.

Thanks to corn subsidies, HFCS has become a cheap alternative to sugar and is often added to processed foods and soft drinks — substances that offer little nutritional value and, when consumed in excess, contribute to weight gain. But whether HFCS has distinct adverse health effects is less obvious.

Critics believe HFCS plays a direct role in obesity by disrupting normal metabolic functions. According to a recently published Princeton study, rats fed a diet rich in HFCS accumulated more belly fat and had higher levels of circulating triglycerides (i.e., fat) — both of which are factors in metabolic syndrome, a precursor to heart disease — than their sugar-fed peers. However, a number of nutrition experts dispute these findings, suggesting that the data produced inconsistent results. Previous studies have shown that fructose is metabolized differently than glucose and excessive amounts of fructose interfere with appetite-regulating hormones and lead to increased fat accumulation. But HFCS is not any higher in fructose than table sugar — both are about 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose. And an excess of either is unhealthy.

The HFCS Image Makeover
HFCS has become the latest health villain, and consumers have begun to demand that manufacturers remove it from popular processed foods. Starbucks has eliminated HFCS and trans fats from all of its products, and PepsiCo introduced a “throwback” version of Pepsi and Mountain Dew that replaced HFCS with sugar.

Meanwhile, the Corn Refiners Association is busy trying to give HFCS an image makeover. In 2008, the CRA launched a multimillion-dollar media campaign with the goal of destigmatizing and educating consumers about HFCS.

The ads all play upon a similar theme: one character scolding another for using HFCS but unable to come up with a reason why. After the first character trips over his words for a few seconds, the other jumps in to correct him: “What do they say? That it’s made from corn, nutritionally the same as sugar, and fine in moderation”.

Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, wants to help consumers make informed decisions.

“It’s always been calories in, calories out, and singling out any one ingredient or food or beverage in our overall diet only misleads consumers,” she says. “If we single out any element of the food supply and say if you just stop consuming this — whatever this is — it suggests to people that they’ll get skinny. We all know that’s very misleading and not helpful.”

How HFCS and Sugar Can Hurt Your Health
What we do know is that as excessive sugar intake (in any form) increases, so does risk of diabetes and heart disease. We also know that liquids do not register the same way as solid food, and people rarely compensate for those extra calories by eating less. As people drink more sugar-sweetened beverages, they gain more weight and, as a result, are at a greater risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Sugar-sweetened beverages are the main source of added sugar and the leading source of calories in our diet. When added to drinks, all sweeteners — including natural ones like brown sugar, sugar in the raw, agave syrup and honey — contribute empty calories. Since 1980, calorie intake has increased by an average of 150 to 300 calories per day with about half of those calories coming from liquids — sugar-sweetened beverages in particular. During the same period, there has been no change in physical wellness activity levels. Simply put, Americans are eating more and exercising the same.

The American Heart Association recommends Americans limit their sugar intake to half of their discretionary calorie allowance — about 100 calories per day for women and 150 calories per day for men (or about five and nine teaspoons respectively). To put that in perspective, one 12-ounce can of Pepsi contains 150 calories and about eight teaspoons of added sugar. But it’s worth noting that the same amount of orange juice has 165 calories and more than eight teaspoons of sugar, albeit in its natural form. If you’re looking to add vitamins and minerals, the OJ is the smarter choice, but if weight maintenance is your goal, you should steer clear of both. When it comes to energy, it’s unlikely that your body registers natural sugar any differently than table sugar or HFCS.

Marion Nestle, NYU professor of nutrition and author of “Food Politics” and “What to Eat”, agrees that it’s a matter of too many calories, rather than one particular food.

“The public now puts HFCS in the same category as trans fats: poison (it’s not; it’s just sugars),” says Nestle. “Biochemically, it is about the same as table sugar (both have about the same amount of fructose and calories), but it [HFCS] is in everything and Americans eat a lot of it — nearly 60 pounds per capita in 2006, just a bit less than pounds of table sugar. HFCS is not a poison, but eating less of any kind of sugar is a good idea these days.”

The American Medical Association agrees. In 2008, the organization issued a statement maintaining that HFCS does not contribute more to obesity than other sweeteners.

The Verdict
As a dietitian, I shun foods and drinks with HCFS because I don’t think anything manufactured in a lab belongs on our dinner plate. But whether the body differentiates between HFCS and sugar is unclear. While the jury is still out on what (if anything) HFCS does to us, it’s always best to eat foods that are as close to their natural form as possible.

Bottom line: Eat less high-fructose corn syrup and, while you’re at it, cut back on the sugar, too.

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Article By Tiffany Lowery

Nearly every man, woman and child living in America today is constipated. Yes, they are constipated whether they know it or not.  And even though your bowels may move regularly every day, you are still constipated. Even people with chronic diarrhea suffer from one form of constipation.

Constipation is a condition in which one’s feces are packed together.  Bowel movements may expel (with lots of strain) very hard feces while at the same time the walls of the colon may be lined with old, hardened feces that stay there for years.

Constipation is so common and has been for so long a time that it is considered normal. The medical profession does not recognize the problem, let alone the public. Constipation means that there is a constant accumulation of poisons in the body giving a sluggish response to life. Mental acuity and clarity of mind begin to deteriorate.

All health practitioners who have made a study of colon health say that a bowel movement after each meal is very desirable for a healthy digestive and excretory system.  Ideally there should be enough moisture in our stools that the entire contents of fecal matter should pass out of the body very quickly within seconds after one sits on the toilet. Anytime it takes 10 minutes or more to complete a bowel movement it’s a sure sign you’re constipated. Plus, a healthy person’s stools will float.

Yes, a bowel movement after every meal means fast transit time of the elimination process and very fast movement of toxins out of the body. The shorter the transit time in the colon, the healthier we are.  The longer material remains in the colon, the more moisture is absorbed from it and the more dry and pressed together it becomes.  Then you experience the build-up of old feces in the pockets of the colon and the small intestines.

Laxatives are not the answer! A laxative does nothing to render stagnant material in the colon free enough to flow out of the body.  Once a laxative has passed through the colon, the bowels will still be just as sluggish as ever. Laxatives do nothing to clean the colon or help it function better. And your body could develop a dependency upon laxatives.

Colon cleansing IS the answer to a clogged colon. To help restore healthy bowel eliminations for a whistle-clean colon, look for amazing digestive nutrients such as Psyllium Husk, Flax Seed, Rose Hips (Fruit), Hibiscus (Flowers), Black Walnut Hulls, Marshmallow Root, Slippery Elm (Ulmus Rubra – Bark), Guar Gum (seed), Chamomile (Chamaemelum Nobilis – Leaf), Alfalfa Leaf, Dandelion Root (Taraxicum Officinale)…  

No Pain and No Strain With This Amazing Colon Formula!

If your stool is yellow, gray or black… you’re experiencing constipation or diarrhea… your feces is intensely smelly… or you release foul-smelling gas during elimination, your colon may be crying out for help. In fact, most experts agree that death begins in the colon.

More signs your digestive system may be in jeopardy include…

• Straining hard to have a bowel movement.
• Suffering two… three… four or more days between bowel movements.
• Passing either hard “pellet” stool or thin, pencil-shaped stool.
• Experiencing bowel movements filled with mucus.

When you don’t have proper elimination, toxins begin to leak into your body and you can’t properly absorb nutrients from the foods you eat. Now, you can get back on track with a simple and natural colon-cleansing formula that can help you achieve whistle-clean bowels. Take the first step toward a healthier digestive system with this amazing solution when you  click here

Article by: William Rudolph, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) People who suffer from the debilitating pain of migraine headaches need relief. Could the solution be found in a radish-like root vegetable that grows in an extreme climate where few other plants can survive? Might something the Incas consumed regularly 2,000 years ago be a modern day panacea for migraine sufferers?

Migraines Defined

The word migraine derives from the Greek word hemikrania meaning “half a skull”. The disorder was so named because migraines are typically unilateral (affecting one half of the head). Migraines are severe, vascular headaches often accompanied by symptoms such as persistent pain in the temple or behind the ear, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sounds and light. Some migraines are preceded by an aura, which is a type of unusual visual or auditory sensory experience. For some, a migraine will last only a couple of hours. For others, the intense pain and discomfort can last up to 72 hours.

Triggers & Causes

Some of the usual suspects such as stress, lack of exercise, allergies, irregular sleep patterns, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol (particularly red wine) are implicated as possible causes of migraines headaches. Migraines involve excessive dilation or contraction of the brain’s blood vessels. Nicotine is known to constrict blood vessels and red wine can contain sulfites which will cause a reaction in some people. Other potential stressors on blood vessels can be elevated estrogen levels or progesterone levels that are too low.

The Hormonal Connection

Modern-day exposure to chemicals and pollution, along with the standard American diet and its accompanying toxic load, can wreak havoc on the endocrine system, leaving individuals with wild fluctuations and deficiencies in hormone levels. It is interesting to note that women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men. Low progesterone levels are often the reason for these terrible headaches in women over the age of 35. Also, when excessive estrogenic burdens (xenoestrogens from plastics, for example) are placed on the body, the endocrine system’s homeostasis can be disrupted. This may indicate a relationship between migraines and fluctuating hormone levels.

Maca’s Role

Maca is a superfood that grows at 14,000 feet elevation in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is both adaptogenic and restorative in that it helps the body to adapt to stress and can help to recalibrate the body’s hormones. Maca has an incredible nutritional profile of potent phytonutrients that include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fiber, and fatty acids. This amazing plant can nutritionally fuel the endocrine system so that it is able to produce hormones regularly. Maca does not actually increase levels of any hormones but encourages the body to produce them on its own. This is accomplished through maca’s targeted nourishment of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands (master glands of the body). These glands in turn regulate other glands, bringing balance to the adrenal, thyroid, pancreas, ovarian, and testicular glands. This can move the body toward a more optimal balance of estrogen and progesterone levels potentially reducing the severity and occurrence of migraine headaches.

Maca is easily enjoyed in its powdered form mixed in a smoothie, yogurt, or cereal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migraine

http://www.macamagic.com/index.html

https://www.medicine-plants.com/articles/64/

http://ezinearticles.com/?Superfood…

http://www.naturalnews.com/027797_m…

http://www.herbcompanion.com/Herb-P…

Article by : Carole Jackson
Bottom Line’s Daily Health News

Recently, scientists proudly announced their creation of an index to rank how particular foods encourage or discourage inflammation — a well-known contributor to chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and dementia. This is great in theory, but scientists being scientists, it’s all obscure algorithms and formulas — hardly a useful list to take to the grocery store. So I asked contributing medical editor and nutrition expert Andrew L. Rubman, ND, to give us his easy-to-follow list of foods that reduce inflammation — making us healthier — along with the most inflammatory foods that should be avoided. But first, the latest findings by researchers…

How Do Foods Spark Inflammation?

Philip P. Cavicchia, MSPH, a PhD student in the department of epidemiology at the Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina, helped design this new inflammatory index. He and his colleagues scored 41 foods and food components thought to positively or negatively affect levels of inflammation, based on a review of all the English language, peer-reviewed studies relating to diet and inflammation that were published between 1950 and 2007.

Carbohydrates, fat and cholesterol were among the food components most likely to encourage inflammation, while magnesium, beta-carotene, vitamins A, B-6, C, D and E, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, turmeric and tea were the strongest anti-inflammatories.

Next, using data from the Seasonal Variation of Cholesterol Levels Study (SEASONS), they examined the records of 494 men and women (average age 48), looking specifically at the relationship between the inflammatory index (what they ate) and their blood levels of C-reactive protein (typically called CRP). Manufactured by the liver, CRP predicts vulnerability to inflammation and is also elevated in people with obesity, allergies and immune disorders — a lower CRP is thought to translate to reduced risk for heart disease, cancer and other inflammation-related chronic health conditions.

After factoring in variables such as age, weight and smoking status, Cavicchia and his team found that there is indeed a relationship between an anti-inflammatory diet based on the inflammatory index and a reduced level of CRP.

These findings appeared in the December 2009 issue of The Journal of Nutrition.

Now, here are Dr. Rubman’s picks of the best and worst foods if you want to reduce inflammation in your body…

10 BEST ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS
-Wild salmon, mackerel and other omega-3-fatty-acid-rich fish.
-Berries.
-Green, leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach and kale).
-Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc.).
-Deeply pigmented produce, such as sweet potatoes, eggplant and pomegranate… along with carrots, plums, oranges, peppers, peas and red grapes.
-Nuts.
-Whole grains.
-Tea — specifically black, green and white teas.
-Cold-pressed fresh oils, including avocado, flaxseed and olive oils in   particular.
-Spices (specifically, garlic, ginger, turmeric, saffron).

10 WORST INFLAMMATORY FOODS
-Desserts made with lots of sugar (cookies, candy, ice cream and so on).
-Sweetened cereals.
-”White” carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, white potatoes, English muffins, etc.).
-Non-diet soft drinks.
-Anything containing high-fructose corn syrup.
-Processed meats (bologna, salami, hotdogs, sausage and others made with preservatives and additives).
-French fries, potato chips and other fried snack foods.
-Fast foods, most specifically the ones that are high-fat, high-calorie, high simple carbohydrate — which describes most of the inexpensive offerings at quick-serve restaurants.
-Margarine, because it contains processed sterols called stanols that have been implicated in both atherosclerosis and various fatty-deposit diseases.
-Organ meats such as liver, because these often contain undesirable products including antibiotics, fertilizer and other unwanted residues.

How to Feel Better Fast
While on the topic, Dr. Rubman urged me to add one more bit of information to this “highly inflammatory” list. “It should also include almost any food eaten quickly, especially if you drink a lot of liquid while eating,” he said, noting that this is all the more true for people who then end up soothing their predictable digestive distress by taking anti-heartburn medication. His advice is to eat slowly… chew thoroughly… avoid liquids during a meal so that you don’t dilute the stomach acid and reduce its ability to help digest food… and include items from the “best” list in every meal, every day, while eliminating those from the “worst” list or at least reserving them for an occasional treat. “Within weeks, you will decrease your risk for disease, improve your digestion, enjoy more energy and feel better overall,” he promised.

Source(s):
Philip P. Cavicchia, MSPH, student in the department of epidemiology, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
Andrew L. Rubman, ND, director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, Connecticut. www.southburyclinic.com.

Article by: Norm Shealy, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) Americans spend two to three times as much on disease care as do Europeans, but Americans are significantly less healthy!

In a study of 9900 Americans, 6500 Brits and 17,000 mainland Europeans, ages 50 to 74, Americans had the highest prevalence of all in heart disease (18% higher) , cancer (11%) compared to Brits. The differences were less compared with Europe itself but still striking. The bottom third of individuals, according to economic status, played a significant role. Thus, for stroke the economic bottom third had 1.9 times as many strokes in the U.S; 2.08 times in England and 1.36 times in mainland Europe. Am J Public Health, 2009, 99:540.

Americans spend two to three times as much on disease care as do Europeans, but Americans are significantly less healthy! In a study of 9900 Americans, 6500 Brits and 17,000 mainland Europeans, ages 50 to 74, Americans had the highest prevalence of all in heart disease (18% higher) , cancer (11%) compared to Brits. The differences were less compared with Europe itself but still striking. The bottom third of individuals, according to economic status, played a significant role. Thus, for stroke the economic bottom third had 1.9 times as many strokes in the U.S; 2.08 times in England and 1.36 times in mainland Europe. Am J Public Health, 2009, 99:540.

Let’s face it—MEDICAL CARE HAS LITTLE OR NOTHING TO DO WITH THE INCIDENCE OF STROKE, HEART DISEASE OR CANCER.
HABITS, BEHAVIOR, DIET, EXERCISE are the critical factors!!

No amount of medical care or attention can truly prevent DISEASE. SELF-CARE is the only answer.

Playing one of my most frequent records:

Only 3% of Americans have the 4 ESSENTIAL health habits:
-No smoking About 78%
-BMI 18-24–0nly 33%
-Eat at least 5 servings of fruits & veggies daily–10%
-Exercise minimum of 30 minutes 5 days weekly–10%
-All 4–only 3%

Doubling the number of hospital beds and medical students, initiated in the 40′s because Congress could not pass a national disease care system, did less than nothing for our Health!

Spending 2 to 3 times as much money as other countries has done nothing for our health.

Whatever the outcome of the current debate over medical/disease care (WE DO NOT HAVE A HEALTHCARE SYSTEM!!), ALL THE MEDICAL CARE IN THE WORLD WILL NOT IMPROVE HEALTH.

At least 85% of disease is the result of HUMAN MISBEHAVIOR. If only everyone would adopt the 4 ESSENTIALS, within 10 years our medical expenses would decrease by 50% and within 25 years by at least 75%
Health is an inside job, just as is happiness.

It begins with each individual accepting responsibility for CARING for SELF.

Obesity is the number one cause of disease and of early death today.

Smoking is number two. And the Medical System (treating all the avoidable diseases) is number three! If you do not vigorously do the top 4 essential habits, WHEN? And Why Not? All the money in the world cannot create a medical system as good as SELF-CARE!

A Great solution go getting 5 servings of Fresh Fruits and Veggies:  http://www.livewholefoodhealth.com

Article by Danna Norek, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) Growing your own organic garden may be easier than you think. Not only does growing your own organic produce fill you with an incredible sense of gratification, but it also ensures that it is 100% untouched by chemicals. When you have produce right out in your own back yard, it is always guaranteed to be fresh and is always tastier than the greenhouse grown stuff.

If you’ve ever experimented with buying both non-organic and organic vegetables at the store, then surely you taste the difference in flavor and texture. Organically grown veggies may not grow as large as those helped along with chemical fertilizers and insect sprays, but they are always better tasting and somehow more satisfying.

When growing just about any vegetable, you are going to want to make sure your garden space gets full sun at least 3/4 of the day. This may need to be right in the middle of your back or front yard, depending on where shadows from your home or garage may fall. If you have problems with common pests that like to eat your garden projects, make sure you build a barrier or fence.

If your soil is rocky or mostly clay, you are going to need to fortify the soil with a lot of organic material. You can either buy a good compost from your local garden center (make sure it’s organic friendly), or you can make your own compost. Tilling good, with your less than fertile soil will help ensure your vegetables get the nutrients they need to grow healthy, disease free produce.

As for the plants that go in your garden, the types you will grow are entirely up to your personal taste. Going to your local garden center should provide you with plenty of geographically suitable options. There is also the consideration on whether you will start with seeds and grow your own seedlings indoors (from organic seeds, of course). The other option is to buy seedlings already started.

If you are growing tomatoes, buying the seedlings already started may be your best option as these are always readily available in this form. Some professional gardening centers will also offer common herbs used in cooking as seedlings.

When transplanting seedlings into your garden, or when sowing seeds into the soil, make sure you mark each section with a designation as to what is planted there. This will avoid confusion when you are weeding your garden as to what might be weeds and what is a veggie. It also helps you to remember what to expect to grow in this area, and what types of water and fertilization that particular crop may require.

Year after year, you will want to alternate the areas of planting for the different vegetables. For instance, if you planted carrots in one area last year, try planting your tomatoes there the next year. This is because each vegetable requires more of certain nutrients, and it may drain that area of that particular nutrient, rendering it less fertile for the same plant next year. Alternating helps keep the plant-specific nutrients available year after year for the various plants you decide will be in your garden.

You may be surprised after planting your first organic vegetable garden how easy it can be to grow your own produce. It not only saves you money, but it also ensures that you and your family are eating truly naturally grown plants.

Don’t have the time to grow organic vegetables…here is a Proven shortcut to get 30 vegetables and 30 fruits into your diet:   http://www.livewholefoodhealth.com

Sources:
http://www.organicgardeninfo.com/gr…
http://www.gardenguides.com/74992-t…
http://gardeningtips.org/February/v…

Article By Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz

You think you know asparagus, that harbinger of spring? Did you know that asparagus is a member of the lily family, along with onions and garlic? Did you know that asparagus can grow up to 10 inches in a 24-hour period?

Here are some other factoids you may find surprising about the spring vegetable.

1. Asparagus historically was heralded as an aphrodisiac, probably because of its phallic shape.

2. Recent research suggests eating asparagus can help ease hangovers and protect liver cells against alcohol’s toxins: It boosts levels of key enzymes that break down the alcohol.

3. About 40 percent of people experience strong-smelling urine after eating asparagus, a sulfurlike odor that results from the digestion of certain amino acids. Some people are genetically unable to smell the odiferous urine.

4. Five ounces of asparagus contain 60 percent of the recommended daily intake of folic acid, which prevents heart disease and birth defects. Other possible benefits include preventing cancer and urinary tract infections, easing arthritic pain.

5. White asparagus comes from the same plant as green asparagus, but it is grown underground to block sunlight and urinary tract infections, easing arthritic pain., thus inhibiting production of chlorophyll. Purple asparagus is genetically modified, but once you cook it, it turns green.

6. The German town of Schwetzingen claims to be the “Asparagus Capital of the World,” and holds its annual Spargelfest (asparagus festival) in May. The person who grows the heaviest stalk is named Spargel King or Queen.

Sources: California Asparagus Commission, Institute of Food Technologists, Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, “The Food Encyclopedia.”

Here is a Supplement that contains 30 vegetables:  http://www.livewholefoodhealth.com

Article by Danna Norek, citizen journalist.

(NaturalNews) Some people may not think of yoga as a true “exercise” because it is often viewed as more of a relaxation and stretching technique. That is, until they feel the incredible empowerment, flexibility and spiritual peace they experience after a few challenging sessions.

Yoga is an extremely adaptable practice that offers both men and women the chance at increasing flexibility, muscle strength, mental sharpness, and even self confidence. There are several different types of yoga to choose from that fit into just about every user’s experience levels and fitness goals.

For beginners who want to learn the basics about yoga and lay a foundation for the base poses in more advanced practices, Hatha is a good choice. Hatha is considered the foundation of all other yoga practices since you learn the ground level poses which the more advanced dynamic poses are built upon. Breathing is emphasized, and slow, easy movements help prime the body and ease the joints, muscles and more importantly the mind into the practice.

Kundalini yoga is a bit more involved, with movements and breathing focusing on the spine as the center. There is also quite a bit of chanting and meditation that occurs, making it more of a peace-inducing practice for those looking to ground themselves in serenity in peace. This is a great choice for those that feel they can never “quiet” their mind and live in the moment.

Ashtanga yoga is one that is very dynamic and a good choice for those seeking more of an aerobically challenging workout. It involves almost constant movement, flowing in and out of yoga poses that range from basic to challenging. Those that don’t think of yoga as true exercise would almost certainly change that mindset after trying this modality.

Ashtanga builds up the lung’s ability to process oxygen, increases physical endurance, tones muscles and is great for building a strong, lean physique. It is not for beginners though, and so you must have a solid base in yoga practice before trying this physically taxing practice.

If physically demanding is what a person has in mind, then surely Bikram yoga will not disappoint. This is also commonly called “hot yoga”, and that is because it is quite literally performed under hot temperatures. This discipline is carried out in rooms that are anywhere from ninety five to one hundred degrees Fahrenheit.

The idea behind the high temperature is that the muscles are more flexible, more “pliable”, and therefore more conducive to bending and stretching without injury. You may find that after a physically challenging Bikram yoga session, you won’t experience much soreness the next day.

That’s because your muscles were essentially manually warmed by the high temperatures. The beauty of Bikram yoga is that it also may have benefits for toxin release since one typically sweats profusely during practice. Adequate water intake is vital for this reason. Purified water helps your body to expel those toxins more quickly and effectively.

There are numerous types of yoga for you to consider, all with various levels of complexity and targeted health benefits. It truly is the perfect way to bring your body in tune with its natural rhythms, induce peace of mind, and increase your confidence.

Sources :

http://www.matsmatsmats.com/yoga/yo…

http://itandb.com/thai.htm

http://www.evolutionhealth.com/flex…

Article by Heidi Fagley, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) Coconut water has been a staple for tropical regions around the world for centuries. Recently it has been grabbing the attention of athletes, sports enthusiasts, and health-conscious individuals as a natural and healthy alternative to sports drinks.

Not to be confused with thick, white coconut milk that comes from mature coconuts, coconut water is the clear juice of a young green coconut. Refreshing and naturally sweet, this powerful antioxidant can be considered Nature’s isotonic beverage.

The desire to replenish lost electrolytes and essential minerals after a heavy workout has sent many sectors of the Western world’s soft drink industries on a frenzy to satisfy this demand. There has been enormous growth in experiments to find the perfect beverage that has sent new product development into the millions. Yet with the sugar and food coloring added to most of these energy drinks, lost minerals and electrolytes may not be the only thing being put into the body.

Artificial colors are added to these beverages to enhance color or to mask undesirable colors. Many of these dyes have their source from crude oil and can contain unsafe levels of heavy metals. In addition, some artificial coloring has also been linked to numerous disease processes like cancer. Sugar is added to enhance flavor, to make things taste sweet and flavorful, and to lure you into wanting more. Many times these drinks never contain any fruit even though they are marketed specifically as fruit flavored.

Simply drinking pure coconut water – or juice, as they are used interchangeably – can super-charge your metabolism without any ill effects of added sugar, caffeine or chemicals. Rehydrating one’s body in this natural way also includes other benefits: aiding in weight loss, cleansing the kidney, and boosting the immune system, while providing Nature’s pure energy. With no side effects or preservatives it is safe for any age. This liquid nourishment improves digestion, balances body pH, enhances the metabolism, and beats dehydration, so it’s the perfect beverage to replenish essential body fluids.

An amazing antioxidant, this pure water contains essential salts and minerals in the same concentration as the body and can replace those electrolytes and minerals that are lost as a result of sweating during vigorous exercise. As a natural source of nutrition and hydration, coconut water contains the five essential electrolytes your body needs to keep the body’s temperature regulated, and muscles and nerves performing at optimal levels.

Coconut water has even been used throughout history as an intravenous fluid, actually saving many lives. It is similar to human blood plasma and is the only natural substance that can be safely injected into the human blood stream.

Not to be mistaken as a fruit – or, in spite of its name, a nut – the coconut is actually a member of the palm tree family. It is the largest seed known, contains no cholesterol, and has more natural electrolytes than any other fruit or vegetable.

This low-calorie, fat-free, pure form of liquid nourishment is an excellent source of potassium. In fact, 8 ounces of this “fluid of life” has more potassium than a banana, and about 15 times more than most sports drinks.

The refreshing clean juice from Nature’s perfect environment quenches the thirst and is best when chilled. The taste varies depending on the region the coconut is grown. The nectar of this young drupe provides its own rather unique flavor that most would say tastes nothing like coconut. It’s extremely versatile and can be added to smoothies or you can drink it straight from a freshly opened, young green coconut.

http://www.bluedominoes.com/content…
http://www.feingold.org/overview.php
http://www.piccadillybooks.com/coco…
http://www.living-foods.com/article…
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/coco…

Article by Ethan A. Huff, staff writer .

(NaturalNews) Sometimes it is the simple things in life that make all the difference in maintaining good health. A recent study published in the European Heart Journal revealed that people who are happy and have a positive outlook on life are less likely to develop heart disease than those who tend to be anxious and depressed.

Researchers evaluated 1,700 people over the course of ten years for the study. Each participant’s emotions were rated categorically on a scale from one to five; these included feelings like hostility, joy, anxiety, enthusiasm, and contentment. At the completion of the study, less than one in ten participants developed heart disease, but for each increase on the “happiness scale”, participants were 22 percent less likely to develop heart disease.

Though unable to explain precisely why happier people are less likely to become ill, researchers arrived at a few notable hypotheses. Because happier people tend to sleep better and have better sleeping patterns, their bodies are subject to less stress and, thus, less physical strain. Happier people are also better able to move on after a negative experience than unhappy people who tend to dwell longer on bad experiences.

Dr. Karina Davidson, author of the study, recommends that people try to have a better outlook on life. She believes the study reveals that learning to be content and enjoy life on a day-to-day basis will help to improve health and well being. Rather than simply look forward to a yearly vacation or some other far-off event, people should take the things they enjoy doing and incorporate them into their daily lives.

Reading a book, listening to enjoyable music, and taking time each day to relax and do something positive, even if only for a few minutes, will do wonders for one’s health, according to the research team.

Previous studies have also found a link between happiness and health, but some researchers insist that not every person is capable of simply changing his or her outlook on life. Concerted effort can be taken to think positively, but they say that certain “natural levels of positivity” cannot be changed, no matter how hard a person tries.

Every person is capable of striving towards thinking more positively. Learning to be conscious of and grateful for life’s many blessings is a good place to start. Learning to be content with what you have is another important aspect of happiness.

Sources for this story include:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8…