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People wanting to lose weight are trying different kinds of diets. It has become a craze over the past decades and gave birth to many food regimens that reduces carbohydrate and fat intake and increases proteins. Many health studies show that a reduction in fat will lead to reduced calories because the calories in fat is twice as many than those found in carbohydrates. Consuming low-fat food is perceived by the majority as an effective method in improving overall health, physique, and athletic performance. Consuming low fat food has long been thought to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, gallbladder disease, diabetes, and many more.

Advocates of low-fat food regimen are pointing out that high cholesterol in the blood is unhealthy. They eliminate food sources that are rich in animal fats, meat, poultry, fish, oils, egg yolks, and other dairy products. Many believe that cutting fat from a food consumption is an easy and effective way to cut calories and therefore shed some unwanted pounds. In addition, cholesterol levels in the bloodstream play a key role in the development of coronary heart disease and other health ailments. This happens because of the buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels may constrict the blood and inhibit the flow of blood in the heart.

People think that food consumptions low in fat automatically has low calorie. Many health experts however warn that “fat-free” points may cause more harm than good. A dramatic decrease of fat can be unhealthy for many individuals. A diet too low in fat may lead to shortage of certain necessary dietary vitamins and nutrients like zinc, B vitamins, and other essential fatty acids that the human body needs. Fat in food is also needed to absorb fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, K, as well as other compounds like lycopene. A kind of phytochemical that is primarily found in tomatoes and other food products and may protect against certain cancers. However, there are certain foods that should be avoided or taken in moderation to reduce the risk of developing ailments associated in consumption of excessive fat.

Food that should be avoided or eaten in moderation may include the following.

• Commercial biscuits, cakes, and pastries
• Butter is not only high in fat, but saturated fat as well
• Palm oil
• Margarine
• Cheese
• Processed meats (sausage, salami, hot dogs, bologna)

Foods that are low in fat that are better to eat include the following:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Fish and shellfish
• Cereals, rice
• Whole wheat products
• Nuts and seeds
• Vegetable oils
•
Many health studies show that fat is a major source of energy for the human body, but excessive or insufficient fat in one’s diet may cause ill-effects to one’s health. Before partaking in low-fat food regimens, individuals are advised to consult health professionals like dietitians and nutritionists. They may devise programs that involve a balanced portions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Good eating habits coupled with exercise may lead to improved health and enhanced well-being.

Genital herpes in some people may never show symptoms, but for others, the symptoms become so severe that complications develop, especially if sores or herpes blisters appear in other areas of the body.

Cold sores on the lips, called “herpes labialis”, are normally mild and may be considered a mere nuisance. But if these become prolonged, frequent, or severe, the use of antiviral treatments is recommended.

Blisters on the hands and fingers can also occur and it is called “herpetic whitlow”. Since the hands can practically reach all parts of the body, it has the greatest capacity to spread the virus. To prevent such a disaster, the hands must be covered with plastic or rubber gloves.

There can be blisters on the anus, too. The infection is called “herpes proctitis”. This infection is usually more painful and more distressing than genital herpes.

The eyes, especially that of the newborn, is also susceptible to the herpes virus. The infection is called “herpes keratitis” or “ocular herpes”. When this happens, or even when you only feel a painful irritation in your eyes, consult the doctor immediately. If ignored, herpes keratitis could lead to blindness.

Women who experience genital herpes outbreaks may also have vaginal yeast infections, called “vulvovaginal dandidiasis”. There will be swelling, itching, and pain when the woman urinates or engages in a sexual activity. This is due to the presence of too many yeast organisms in the vagina. If you have vaginal yeast infections, it doesn’t mean that you also have genital herpes. The excess growth of yeast occurs for many reasons, such as when the woman is taking antibiotics or birth control pills, or when she is pregnant, or when she is wearing tight body-hugging clothes. Fortunately, with good hygiene, this type of infection disappears on its own.

Sometimes, the genital herpes virus can infect the cerebrospinal fluid and the tissues that surround the brain. This will result to meningitis and encephalitis. Meningitis is life-threatening especially when these occur: changes in vision, photophobia, drowsiness, bulging on the baby’s head, and seizures. Encephalitis happens when the brain becomes swollen. It is also a life-threatening complication and have similar symptoms to that of meningitis. It can also lead to coma.

Other internal organs, such as the joints, lungs, and liver, may suffer complications when a person has genital herpes. These complications occur in people with ineffective immune systems, such as those with HIV, diabetes or cancer and those who are undergoing chemotherapy.

To avoid complications, you must again recall that HSV survives in mucus and may affect any part of the body where mucus is found.

In most health clubs the personal training department is viewed as a source of some additional cash flow and is focused on the affluent component of the clubs member base. Typically trainers will offer an assessment to new members and will only impact the club’s bottom line by selling packages to those members who can afford one, two or even three sessions per week training. Unfortunately, this is very shortsighted. A well-structured personal training department can be much more than a profit center impacting only a small segment of your club’s member base, it can be your club’s customer service center, referral and retention center and a source of as much as 25% of your club’s gross revenues all rolled up intro one. You just have to look for ways to maximize your trainers’ impact in your club. Here are four tips to get you started.

1. Generate Higher Usage Rates Among Club Members.

If you’re maximizing the role your personal trainers play in your club, invariably your usage rates will climb. By offering a complimentary personal training and program design session to all new members you will ensure that everyone that joins your club will feel more comfortable and have an initial “game plan” to get the results their looking for. When they feel comfortable in your club and feel they’re on the path to their desired results, regular attendance is a foregone conclusion. And that’s going to result in:

•Increased likelihood of them remaining a member of your club longer.

•Increased likelihood of them referring new members to your club.

•Increase the lifetime value of that member via peripheral purchases like cooler drinks, nutritional supplements, tanning sessions, fitness apparel and services like personal training and weight management coaching.

2. Improve Club Member Retention Rates.

In this market where there are new health club franchises popping up almost every other month, and new clubs opening at a break-neck pace, holding on to the members you already have has to be your first objective.

It’s much easier (and also much cheaper) to retain a current member than it is to gain an entirely new member.

You’ll have a much better retention rate if your members:

•Feel a sense of community in your club, which can begin with the personal trainers.

•Are consistently using your club. We discussed this in tip number one. If they are utilizing the services of a personal trainer or at least using the initial plan laid out during their complimentary session, their attendance will dramatically improve.

•Are getting the results that lead them to join your club in the first place.

3. Improve the Rate of New Referrals From Your Members.

If your members are getting all the things listed above, they are going to willingly provide more referrals to your club. And if your trainers are working with them on a one-on-one or small group basis, they are going to experience great results.

Your trainers can also systematically facilitate referrals by inviting clients to bring a friend, family member or co-worker to a session. This will allow the guest to experience the club as a member would rather than on a tour or by wandering around on their own during a trail membership. The guest will feel comfortable because they’re with a friend and in turn be far more likely to join you club.

4. More Clients = More Money.

If you want to reap the benefits listed previously, you need to have a higher personal training penetration rate among your members. In most health clubs the penetration rate is 2-4%. 2-4% of members utilize a personal trainer, therefore only 2-4% of those members are maximizing their results, being coached to make peripheral purchases and are great “referral champions.”

If you don’t already, begin offering one and two session per month personal training programs to members where the clients will receive monthly program design, body composition testing and goal setting. Consider offering small group personal training to bring the price point down and make it a viable option to more members. By implementing just these two strategies you should be able to push your penetration rates above 10% and start taking advantage of the benefits associated with a well-managed personal training department.

Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list of the numerous ways you can use your personal training department to improve your club’s membership and your profits, only a starting point. Take these tips, modify them to fit your club and add you own ideas to them. Before you know it, you’ll be viewing your personal training department as “control central” in your health club.

The employment outlook for health care workers as well as salaries for almost all health care related positions is on the rise, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

„Job opportunities should be excellent in all employment settings because of high job turnover, particularly from the large number of expected retirements and tougher immigration rules that are slowing the numbers of foreign health care workers entering the U.S. Wage and salary employment in the health care industry is projected to increase 27 percent through 2014, compared with 14 percent for all industries combined“

While the baby boomer generation ages and hospitals cut expenditures and limit staffing, many of these new positions will come from the home health care industry. Traditionally, elderly individuals have relied on extended hospitals stays for post surgery care or ongoing illnesses. With many insurance companies limiting the number of overnight stays they will pay for, both procedurally and as a cumulative annual total per policyholder, as well as increased desire from seniors to stay independent in their later years, the shift in patient care has been dramatic.

„Employment growth is expected to account for about 3.6 million new wage and salary jobs—19 percent of all wage and salary jobs added to the economy over the 2004–14 period. Projected rates of employment growth for the various segments of the industry range from 13 percent in hospitals, the largest and slowest growing industry segment, to 69 percent in the much smaller home health care services.“

The bottom line for those considering a career in the health care industry is a positive outlook for the near future. With economic uncertainty making other traditional career choices less attractive, enrollment for health care related educational programs is on the rise. Still, many health care professions require multiple years of training. While some industry needs for personnel can be quickly met, especially at the administrative level, not all positions will be accounted for. Whether the current supply of health care field graduates can meet the current and future demand, especially for positions in nursing, patient diagnostics and other highly technical areas, is truly anyone’s guess.

As a young person, it is never easy to narrow down the long list of possible careers to a few options that might be most suitable for them. There are so many options for both men and women these days that the process might be a little bit overwhelming. Many times kids end up studying and doing something that they are familiar with because of their parents or friends. Health care jobs are definitely some of the best jobs to be had today. Whether you are a young person looking for your first job out of college or whether you are much older and looking for a career change, it is important to be intentional about the job search process.

One of the best ways to get informed is to talk with people who are doing the jobs that might interest you. Getting first hand information will help immensely and give you a realistic picture of what the job will look like. If you are interested in health care jobs, talk to people in the health care profession in a variety of ways. Speak with nurses, doctors, massage therapists, receptionists, physical therapists or any other kind of health care job worker that interests you.

A great thing about pursuing health care jobs is that they are highly needed right now. Especially in urban areas, there seems to always be a demand for health care job workers. In today’s society, having the job security that many health care jobs can bring is valuable. People who choose to enter the health care field rarely have trouble finding or keeping jobs. This is an important thing – one of the most important things perhaps – to consider when choosing a career.

Another great thing about health care jobs is that you get to help people in very tangible and real ways. If you are a person that loves to care for and help people than there can be no better profession for you than health care jobs. What a great way to get paid to do something you love. Health care jobs allow you to gain skills that meet the real needs of people. So many professionals cannot go home at the end of a day knowing that they have done something that clearly benefits society. Health care jobs give you a clear sense of helping society in positive ways.

Consider seriously a career doing one of many health care jobs. You will be busy doing something you love and that our world really needs.

Nowadays, jobs falling under the health care category are one of the most in demand jobs. This is because more and more countries fall short with regards to their employees and staff in the health care industry.

In fact, aside from computers and information technology, heath care jobs are the ones that are greatly sought after by both the employers and applicants.

Aside from the increasing demand, health care jobs are also one of the best paying jobs all over the world. For example, in the United States alone, physical therapist assistants get to earn $27,500 to $ 41,780 in a year. It is also expected to grow by 46% in the years to come.

For people who are dreaming to go abroad and land a job in the health care category, here are some tips that that can help:

1. Know your craft

The problem with most people who are looking for health care jobs is that they do not know the fundamental skill needed in this kind of job: care for others.

There are many instances wherein health care jobs do not necessarily require people who have a higher education diploma in health care. So, people who have a “caring” attitude, can have a lucrative job in the health care industry.

2. Health Information technicians and Medical Records rank six on United States’ 10 hottest jobs of 2005.

These positions can work well for people who are looking for health care jobs. These positions pay $19,700 to $27,400 annually.

3. Success is in the keywords, For people who are searching for specific health care jobs on the Internet, it is best to narrow down their searches with some more detailed keywords. In this way, heath care job searches will reap better results.

4. Aim for the best positions in the health care industry

For people who wish to land a good job in the health care industry, it would be better to do some homework first. In this way, they can get an overview on which position has the most demands for employees and which job entails higher salaries.

In the United States’ 10 hottest job of 2005, medical assistants are the top positions in demand in the health care industry today. In fact, surveys show that the demand for medical assistants will continue to grow and will increase by 59% in 2012.

Indeed, the health care industry continues to saturate the market with a continuous growth for the demands of its services. No wonder why most people are into health care jobs!

50% of people, who travel, suffer a travel – related illness. All travelers should be well prepared for travel and be prepared to protect themselves from travel related illness. In this issue various aspects of travel related illness have been discussed with related protective measures.

According to ayurveda traveling causes vitiation of vata dosha. Vata dosha regulates all the activities of body like digestion, respiration, excretion, transmission of nerve impulses, reflexes, body movements etc. When vata gets vitiated due to traveling all these normal functions of body also get imbalanced .The imbalances in body functions project themselves as travel related illness.

Motion sickness:

Almost every body are susceptible to motion sickness. Fatigue, giddiness, deprivation of sleep, nausea and vomiting are the main unwelcome symptoms of motion sickness. Avoid consuming alcohol, pain killers, spicy foods, fried foods and junk foods during traveling. Try to relax and chose a window seat. Do not read or talk. Or watch someone who is motion sick.

Eat light food. Include pomegranate, ginger and curds in your diet while traveling. Rinse your mouth and wash your face with cold water as soon as you take your food.

Diarrhea:

Though travelers’ diarrhea is mild inconvenience to a traveler, it may at times be life threatening too. Upsets in digestive system frequently occur in travelers due to stress, time zone changes, irregular meal times and new foods. But serious diarrhea during traveling is caused by bacteria, viruses or parasitic infections. The best way out is to take ample precautionary measures.

Wash your hands frequently. Use sanitizing liquids, hand washes or gels which cleanse the hands without water. Always use disposable hygienically packed tissue papers than towels. Avoid street, roadside foods, buffet meals. Select food which is well cooked and served hot. Thick-skinned fruits which you can peel yourself are usually safe. Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish, uncooked vegetables, salads. Be care full with unpasteurized milk and milk products. Always use sealed mineral water, canned juices and beverages. Never use ice cubes or unsealed bottled beverages. Bottled Beer, wine and hot coffee or tea are safe. Drink from original containers or clean glasses
If you get mild diarrhea eat light ,soft and semi solid foods like idli, soups etc which are easily digestible. Avoid heavy, spicy and non vegetarian foods. Drink plenty of fruit juices.(canned or hygienically packed.). Keep yourself well hydrated. Consult a doctor immediately if diarrhea leads to dehydration.

Constipation:

people often become constipated when traveling because their normal diet and daily routines are disrupted. Drink plenty of water and consume food which are rich in fibers to avoid constipation .

Try to adhere to routine food timings .Drink a big glass of water every day morning. Avoid frequent consumption of tea or coffee. Taking two thriphala tablets with warm water before going to bed helps to normalize bowel movements. These tablets should be avoided during pregnancy.

Tired feet

Even healthy people can get blood clots in their legs after long hours of traveling. Try to walk every now and then. Drink water, stretch your calf muscles while you’re sitting and wear support stockings.
Foot bath for tired feet: Massage your foot with little coconut oil and soak them in warm water . You can add few drops of lavender oil or peppermint oil or sandal wood oil to warm water. After a foot bath rub your foot. Relax after a foot bath.

Prevention of Malaria:

To prevent mosquito bites and malaria wear mosquito repellent .Stay indoors between dusk and dawn. The malaria spreading mosquitoes generally feed at this time. Apply mosquito repellent, to your clothes and bedding. Wear socks, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts when outdoors. Use a mosquito net while sleeping. Stay in air-conditioned, screened accommodation.

Jet lag

To avoid jet lag get plenty of sleep before you leave. Don’t drink a lot of alcohol while on flight. Eat well-balanced meals and avoid over eating. Exercise as much as you can on your trip. Get used to a new time zone by going along with the local meal and bedtime schedules.

Accidents:

Do not drive in unfamiliar places where you know less about that regional language, road conditions, rules of the road, condition of the vehicles. etc. Choose your transportation carefully. Check the security, life saving facilities provided in the transport. Chose, the cab with seat belts, hotels with fire escape and ferries with life preservers. Never swim in unknown rivers or seas when you are not familiar with sea currents and waves.

Sex:

Have a safe sex when you are with unfamiliar new partners. Alcohol, drugs and sex are dangerous combination

Immunization:

Get immunized with vaccines before traveling. Avoid animal bites and saliva. If you are bitten by dog wash the wound immediately with soap and water.

Travel during pregnancy:

If you chose to travel during pregnancy the second trimester (weeks 14 to 27) is the best time. Before traveling take the opinion of your consulting doctor and provide him the sufficient details about the places you are visiting, mode of transport etc.

Tips for older travelers

See your doctor for a checkup and discuss your fitness .See your dentist and ophthalmologist. Keep a spare pair of glasses, any medications you need in a small medical kit. Organize travel health insurance with pre-existing illness cover if needed. Make sure it covers emergency evacuation. Make sure routine immunizations are done before traveling. Consider your back – use luggage with built in wheels. Take clothes and hats to suit the climate.

Other safety precautions:

Check with the regional office or through internet the situation of places you are planning to visit. The destination places must be free from riots, terrorism, floods or other calamities.

Mental tensions:

Preparations for traveling lead to worry and tensions. Here are few relaxing tips before and during traveling.
1. Close your eyes , take five deep breaths through your nose and pay attention only to your breathing while doing this.
2. Taking a hot shower relaxes your muscles, and the break from more stressful activities helps too.
3. Laugh. Laughing helps to relax. Find people who can make you laugh and make your moments lighter..
4. Listen to relaxing music.
5. Take a walk.
6. Get a hug.

A visit to your family physician and some thought and planning ahead make your trip more successful and memorable. We wish you a rewarding, memorable, safe and healthy trip.

Dr.Savitha Suri

Various organizations and government officials have cited estimates for the number of illegal immigrants at between eight and twenty million. With rising health care costs as a major issue for most Americans, this article considers the moral and practical issues of providing medical care for uninsured immigrants.

According to a research report entitled “The Size and Characteristics of the Unauthorized Migrant Population in the U.S.” {© [2006] Pew Hispanic Center, a Pew Research Center Project}, there are an estimated 11.5 to 12 million unauthorized migrants currently residing within The United States. The report was based on Census 2000 data, as well as the Current Population Survey of March 2005, and the monthly Current Population Surveys through January of 2006. The Pew Hispanic Center uses the term: ‘Unauthorized Migrants’. This term refers to persons residing in The United States who are not U.S. citizens, have not been admitted for permanent residence, and do not have specific authorized temporary status that permits extended residence and work within the United States.

The Pew Hispanic Center report found that the unauthorized population consisted of 5.4 million adult males, 3.9 million adult females, and 1.8 million children. Adult males are in the majority, making up 58% of the unauthorized adult migrants, while females account for 42%.

When discussing the percentage of unauthorized migrants, it is important to consider their labor force participation. Thirty-one percent of unauthorized migrants are employed in service industry jobs, while only sixteen percent of natives work in service. Native workers make up the great majority of white-collar jobs, while unauthorized migrants are underrepresented. Certain occupations have proportionately high concentrations of unauthorized migrant workers: Farming (24%), Cleaning (17%), Construction (14%), Food Preparation (12%), Production (9%), and Transport (7%). This is relevant to the issue of health insurance because the cited industries do not typically provide health insurance coverage.

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) addressed eligibility requirements for non-citizens to receive Federal means-tested public benefits. The Act resulted in significant restrictions on immigrants’ eligibility. Such benefits include Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Certain immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP for five years from the date they enter the United States in a qualified-alien status.

Generally, only “qualified aliens” are eligible for coverage. Who is considered a qualified alien? There are nine basic types of qualified aliens: Aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 USC 1101 et seq.; Refugees admitted under §207 of the INA; Aliens granted asylum under §208 of the INA; Cuban and Haitian Entrants, as defined in §501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980; Aliens granted parole for at least one year under §212(d)(5) of the INA; Aliens whose deportation is being withheld under (1) §243(h) of the INA as in effect prior to April 1, 1997, or, (2) §241(b)(3) of the INA, as amended; Aliens granted conditional entry under §203(a)(7) of the INA in effect before April 1, 1980; Battered aliens, who meet the conditions set forth in §431(c) of PRWORA, as added by §501 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208 (IIRIRA), and amended by §5571 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, P.L. 105-33 (BBA), and §1508 of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000, P.L. 106-386. Section 431(c) of PRWORA, as amended is codified at 8 USC 1641(c).1; Victims of a severe form of trafficking, in accordance with §107(b)(1) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, P.L. 106-386.2.

Unauthorized migrants will be denied health care with the exception of emergency situations. This policy creates a problem for paramedics and other medical professionals, who will be forced to determine whether the individual’s life is at risk and what constitutes a medical emergency. How emergency health care workers are expected to enforce this policy is unclear. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently working on the terms, with the start date set for less than three months from now.

To receive health care, individuals will be required to provide proof of citizenship or proof that they are eligible as qualified aliens. This requirement creates potential problems for United States citizens, as well as immigrants. The homeless are perhaps the most obvious example of individuals who are eligible for care but may not have the proper documentation. Another, lesser known, example may be African-American senior citizens. African-Americans from the South were not allowed to be born in hospitals and therefore do not have proper birth certificates.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is the potential spread of disease. Testing for Tuberculosis, for example, is something that Americans take for granted. Those initiating and enforcing these policies should consider whether basic medical testing will be provided. Regardless of the apparent moral implications, denying health care services to individuals residing within the United States can easily result in more tangible problems.

The health care industry and the Internet have always made uneasy bedfellows, although the relationship has improved dramatically in recent years. Initially, when the Internet was less regulated, health care professionals were crying foul at the proliferation of unlicensed pharmacies and unlicensed practitioners doing business via the World Wide Web. While those complaints have subsided coinciding with a new set of laws for e-commerce, many health care professionals are still wary of the influence of the Internet on the industry as a whole. Some medical practitioners lauded the onslaught of web sites that offer free medical information while others saw it as an intrusion to their authority. Health care education suffered the same fate for quite some time. While many in the medical community saw an opportunity to expand the opportunities for health care education, others were skeptical.

Today, it is accepted that an online education is just as viable for most areas of study as a traditional campus education. While there are some positions in health care that will always require hands on learning, many can be effectively taught online. Most universities that offer online curriculum are now making degree programs in health care available. Administrative programs are the most widely offered, although there are several that lean toward the clinical side of the industry. Nurses, in particular, have a variety of choices when it comes to online education. Several bachelors of Science degrees in nursing have become a popular way for nurses with LPN or RN licensure to advance their education.

The emergence of online educational opportunities for the health care industry will have a positive effect in the next several years. With an aging baby boomer population, positions in health care are expected to rise well above the average for all other industries. New positions will be created and both new and existing positions will need to be filled. Online degree programs offer many the chances to work in the health care industry that otherwise might not be able to because of scheduling conflicts that keep them from attending traditional universities.

Extended air travel or long-distance flights can bring far off destinations near, but along comes boredom, uncomfortable seating and blood circulation problems.

Good blood circulation ensures a comfortable journey. The lymph system must receive constant blood circulation, while traveling by air. The lymph system is a network of blood vessels and nodes that transmit the fluid to different parts of the body. These nodes produce white blood corpuscles, which are essential to combat any sickness. Your lymph nodes swell up when you are sick, as your body is working overtime to produce its requirements. The lymph does not have a pump to transmit fluid like the heart and therefore, it only relies on the movement of the muscles to maintain the pressure within the system. Lymph fluids help in the improvement of the overall health. They help in blood circulation and when the blood vessels are contracted, the vital contents are squeezed through the contracted vessels. The lymph vessels then collect the leftovers and take them back into the system. They are then transmitted to all the important organs of the body. The lymph system also transmits the white blood corpuscles to the necessary parts of the body. Any part of the body that is injured, damaged or inflated needs white blood corpuscles and the only way to transmit these cells is through lymph fluids. Lymph fluids are only transmitted through muscle movement. In short, it means that you have to move around frequently to maintain the blood circulation throughout the body.

During air travel, movement is restricted for a longer duration, which is very harmful. Sometimes the cabin-crew guides you through this matter, via a preflight talk. To reduce stiffness, fatigue and discomfort during long distance flights, you can try some simple stretch exercises in-flight, as this can help lower the risk of venous thrombosis or clotting of blood. The blood clots are very dangerous as they can sometimes lead to heart attack, seizure or even coma. You can start off by doing some simple exercises like holding your carry bag as close to your body as possible, at a ninety-degree angle and then doing few biceps curls. That should give you a good workout. If you are good at balancing then you can place your carry bag on your ankles and do some leg lifts, so as to reduce pressure on your ankles. A small walk in the cabin can also be relaxing and it helps you stretch your legs. You can also try some hand stretches by placing the palms of your hands together and pushing them as hard as you can. Hold the position as long as possible or hold your arms out flat for sometime, balancing a book on top. Rest for a while and then repeat. But while doing these comfort tricks see that you don’t disturb your co-passengers.

Besides movement, you must drink fluids as much as you can to safeguard yourself from dehydration. Avoid smoking and drinking, as this can affect blood circulation. Avoid crossing your legs while you are seated, as it can stop the blood circulation to your legs. You must wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothes while flying on long distance flights. Compression stockings can help prevent swelling and increase circulation. You should only purchase these after seeking a doctor’s advice.

Health care degrees online can be earned in several different disciplines, but one of the most often overlooked is actually one of the most essential to today’s medical practitioners. A degree in medical billing or health care reimbursement is essential for anyone working in the office of any medical facility that accepts health care insurance of any kind.

Today’s hospitals, clinics and private practice medical offices have to accept insurance payments in order to survive. Health insurance is what allows medical practices to provide expensive procedures to patients who need them by paying for most or all of the expenses. The problem for medical offices, hospitals and clinics is universal – the health insurance companies use complex, confusing coding and procedures for all billing and reimbursement.

Physicians Don’t Have Time to Learn Billing Codes

Ask any doctor and he’ll tell you that he or she doesn’t have enough hours in the day. If you also demanded that a doctor fill out all of the paperwork for his or her patient’s health insurance payments, you would be told in no uncertain terms that the patients would suffer as a result. That’s why medical insurance and health care reimbursement experts are in such demand. Doctors and nurses have to focus on the care of their patients. They need someone professional they can rely on to handle the paperwork.

If you get a health care degree online that focuses on this area, you will be one of the most essential members of the staff. Their are thousands of health insurance providers in the United States, thousands of different variations on coverage provided by these companies and unique and complicated billing codes, procedures and regulations for each company and type of policy.

It is essential that a medical provider hire someone who is good with numbers, pleasant on the phone (medical billing experts spend a lot of time talking to health insurance companies) and familiar with the many rules, regulations and codes used for health care reimbursement.

Understanding Health Care Reimbursement

When you earn a health care degree online that focuses on health care reimbursement, you’ll learn:

What the major types of health care coverage are, including HMO’s, PPO’s, FFS’s, etc. and how they differ.

The rules and regulations of managed care, Medicare and Medicaid.

Billing codes, federal regulations and how to process the paperwork.

The intricacies of co-insurance and third party payers

Ways to work with patients and insurers to provide the best health care possible at the most reasonable cost.

Lots of people looking for a health care degree online overlook health care reimbursement at first, which is a shame. The fact is, medical billing specialists earn excellent salaries and keep their medical practices running smoothly by insuring that there is money coming in and that patients’ health insurance issues are resolved.

If you are interested in a health care career and are good with numbers, look into health care reimbursement or billing specialist health care degrees online. There are several reasons this might be the right career choice for you:

You can obtain an associate’s degree with less time and money invested than you would need for some other specialties.

Health care reimbursement is one of the fastest growing fields in the medical profession.

You can transfer your skills to many different environments – from small private practices to major hospitals.

With medical costs increasing every year and Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance companies revising their procedures and paperwork on a regular basis, the need for qualified reimbursement specialists will only grow. If you want to establish yourself in this vital field, consider a health care degree online while you work and soon you’ll have the medical career you’ve always wanted.

It is vital to our health to receive the nutrients our body needs. Most of these important vitamins and minerals are available in food, but not everyone gets the right amount from the food they eat. To prevent serious health care problems it is wise to make sure you supply your body with the right amount of these nutrients.

Why Take a Multivitamin?

Multivitamins provide essential ingredients needed to maintain good health. They come in different forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquid. This is the convenient way to get the daily doses of important nutrients. Along with a healthy diet, a multivitamin will help support good men’s health and women’s health.

Feel Better With a Multivitamin

Although most people do not suffer from serious malnutrition, their bodies might be slightly deficient in some nutrients. Even a slight deficiency can pose an increased risk of numerous diseases. Even what is considered minor problems can cause a person much suffering and loss of production. Sleep disorders, loss of memory, and lack of energy are common complaints. To support good health care, a multivitamin is very helpful.

Everyone has different needs due to lifestyles, genetics and age. There are different formulas that supply a wide range of nutrients at general nutritional levels.

Multivitamins for All Ages

People of all ages can benefit from a multivitamin. Children are growing and need nourishment for their organs and healthy bones. Pregnant women have special needs to help their child to be born healthy. As people age they develop different requirements for good health. Many young women have an iron deficiency and require an extra boost of iron. There are formulas for all ages and different needs to promote good health care.

Health Care Benefits

Some deficiencies are hard to pinpoint, but a multivitamin could help prevent serious problems in the future. Healthy skin, good cholesterol levels, diabetes, enzyme absorption and digestion are often improved with a combination of vitamins and minerals in a multivitamin. Some doctors use vitamins as therapy for specific conditions but it is not recommended to take mega doses without consulting your doctor. The recommended dose is the safest way to take the multivitamin.

One Pill a Day

Instead of taking a handful of supplements, a multivitamin can give you the recommended minimum daily requirements at one time. It will keep the dosages in balance to help insure the absorption of key ingredients. Doctors report that everyone would benefit from a daily multivitamin, and you will too!

It’s that time of year when giving and indulging in the sweetness of sweets (especially with your sweetie) is seen as perfectly acceptable.

But, new research shows that there are more reasons than ever to NOT avoid or deny your chocolate cravings all year long.

According to some studies done in Italy, dark chocolate has many of the same benefits as vitamin C helping the body use insulin more effectively and lower blood pressure.

The research examined two out of three chocolate varieties, dark chocolate and white chocolate. Dark chocolate is made up of cocoa solids and sugar but no milk solids (prevalent in milk chocolate) and white chocolate, although referred to as chocolate had no cocoa solids, but instead is made of cocoa butter (the fat in chocolate), mil solids and sugar.

According to the study, participants who enjoyed 100 grams of dark chocolate daily for 15 days had reduced blood pressure and become more sensitive to insulin than they were prior to the „experiment“.

Researchers believe that the benefits of dark chocolate are because of the flavonoids it contains, which are associated with the ability to lower the risk of heart disease and some cancers. However, white chocolate exhibited no effect on patients since it is free of cocoa solids, where the flavonoids are found.

So what does this mean for you and me? Is it time to replace the celery and carrot platters with chocolate samplers and related goodies? Is it time to switch from „an apple a day“ to „a chocolate bar a day“? The answer to this is probably a big „no“. Nonetheless, knowing this little tidbit and what other discoveries it may lead to in the future sure won’t inhibit a healthy person from treating themselves to the oh-so-desirable rich goodness of a nice piece of dark chocolate on occasion.

People lift weights for various reasons. Some lift weights to build strength and endurance, improve their health, while others just want to look good. Whatever the reason, the health benefits of this exercise are just overwhelming. There are two basic types of weight lifting that produce different results. These principles become important for individuals who are training for certain sports. Exercisers who want to develop strength may train with heavy weights with fewer repetitions. On the other hand, individuals who want to develop muscle endurance may use light weights and more repetitions. Whatever the effect, heavy and light weight training may bring health benefits to anyone who engages in it.

Medical studies show that light weight training may reduce the development of osteoporosis, an ailment that may cause brittle bones. This is possible because strength training may increase bone mass and decrease the possibility of osteoporosis. Lifting weights may also improve one’s balance and range of motion, help prevent exercise-related injuries, and help lose weight and keep them off.

Other health benefits of light weight training may include the following:

Develop strong bones. Strength training increases bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Control your body fat. As you lose muscle, your body burns calories less efficiently — which can result in weight gain. The more toned your muscles, the easier it is to control your weight.
Reduce your risk of injury. Building muscle protects your joints from injury. It also helps you maintain flexibility and balance — and remain physically independent as you age.
Boost your stamina. As you grow stronger, you won’t fatigue as easily.
Improve your sense of well-being. Circuit training can boost your self-confidence, improve your body image and reduce the risk of depression because it promotes the excretion of hormones called endorphins. Many professionals call this effect the “runner’s high.”
Get a better night’s sleep. People who strength train regularly are less likely to struggle with insomnia.

Injuries that may be developed from weight lifting are inevitable. These injuries can be treated with rest, medication, and physical therapy. One popular medication that is used to alleviate pain caused by injuries is Tramadol, a synthetic pain reliever that has gained the approval of many doctors across the United States. It works by binding the receptors of the brain which are responsible for transmitting painful sensations throughout the body. Several medical studies show that this medication has a low abuse rate compared to other pain relievers. In addition, Tramadol side effects are milder compared to other pain relieving drugs out in the market. These side effects may include nausea, constipation, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and vomiting. Individuals should consult their doctors before taking this medicine. Though Tramadol side effects are mild and bearable, may not be used by individuals with certain health conditions and medical history. This drug may also interact with other drugs which may lead to development of more unwanted side effects.

Before engaging in fitness programs weight training, individuals who want to improve their health are encouraged to seek the advice of doctors and other health specialists. They may devise an exercise program and diet that are appropriate for one’s health needs. Understanding weight training of physical activities may lead to improved overall health and well-being.

Orgasm is the crowning of a successful and highly pleasurable session of sex. It puts a smile on the lips of satisfied women and makes men walk with a swagger. It’s the biggest little thing in the world and the crucial detail and the end of a delightful exertion. Life without orgasms is simply not possible.

But orgasm is not limited in scope to making one (or two) people feel good for five or ten minutes before falling asleep. Science has shown that frequent sex and orgasms are very important to the general well-being and health of every person. The more frequent the orgasm, the better off that person is going to be on both the physical and psychological planes.

Everyday life is bound to result in some nervous tensions for most people as the troubles of jobs and relationships take their toll on the mental balance. Sex and orgasms are a chance for these tensions to join the psychological and physical build-up and release. Thus, the mind uses orgasm to flush the tensions out of the system and replace them with the delicious relaxation of that comes with pleasure.

The best thing to do after disentangling from the tender embrace is, of course, to slide into sleep. The combined exertion of sex and relaxation brought by orgasm is the perfect replacement for any sleeping pill. Instead of reaching out for the bottle of pills, you would be better off reaching out for the man lying in bed next to you or for your favorite sex toy. It’s a perfectly natural solution that we heartily recommend.

Don’t let headaches get in the way. What men don’t realize is that headaches are many times a woman’s way of saying “You have to try harder”. The pleasure brought by orgasm is the result of a discharge of endorphins into the brain. No headache can survive the attack of pleasure flooding the brain and the calming effect it has.

Aside from releasing endorphins into the brain sexual stimulation also activates the production of phenethylamine, an amphetamine secreted by the body which is thought to play a role in the regulation of appetite. Of course, sex is not meant to replace dieting, but it seems to go some way toward helping you rein in those food cravings and it does burn some calories. In fact, sex burns a bit more calories per minute than tennis.

The number of scientific studies showing that frequent orgasms are good for one’s health is testimony to the important role played by a successful sex life in the physical and mental health of all men and women. Aside from the fact that increased heart rate and heavy breathing keep the circulatory system in shape and make oxygen circulate through the body, sex has other benefits.

A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine in 1976 showed that failure to reach orgasm has a negative impact on the cardiovascular health of women. Doctor Winnifred Cutler, a specialist in endocrinology, found that women who have sex at least once a week are more likely to have normal menstrual cycles and higher levels of estrogen in their blood. Healthy levels of estrogen help keep the cardiovascular system in shape, fight cholesterol and keep the skin supple.

This is why we recommend the Ultimate Sex Guide. This one-stop guide to more pleasure than ever before is packed with new positions, tricks and tips that will banish boredom and routine from your relationship. Bring back the spark and make it turn into a flame with the help of new information. More pleasure means a healthier life for you and your partner.

Spas are places where a person can get a wide range of health treatments and beauty treatments that are meant to relax and relieve the person from stress and strain. Due to extreme stress in professional life, spas have become more popular offering relaxation treatments with a bigger price tag. The word spa is derived from Latin “solus per aqua”, which means health through water. The spa concept of immersing the body of the person in water to restore and maintain health is considered to be very important to life. According to Sebastain Kneipp, father of hydrotherapy, water and herbs mixed in the right combination; can be used to cure any illness. Today’s modern life style has made people feel sick, stress and exhausted. To maintain a good balanced diet, good exercise and enough rest has become a real challenging issue for both men and women. They get stress from working all the day and get even more aggravated when doing the household chores after the day’s work.

There are different kinds of spas like the day spas where the person has to make an appointment and get treated. Resort spas are like staying in a hotel, spas on cruise ships as one of the relaxing ways, medical spas which are run by medical practitioners to treat patients, home spas for daily indulgence in homes etc. The spa treatments include facials, massages, sauna and other skin and body treatments like pedicure, manicure etc. Some spas are dedicated to particular health aspects like weight loss regime or for back pain treatment.

Latest breakthrough in spa technology involves ultrasonic waves, ozone negative ions and far infrared rays into a single portable home spa machine. This machine provides relief from stress and from common illnesses. Studies have revealed that five minutes of ultrasonic bubble treatment is equal to massage done for an hour. Like the traditional massage of applying pressure directly on the body tissues, this too applies pressure by dilating the cells and penetrating the skin. This ultrasonic home spa provides relaxation and massage to the body, cleans deeply, provides internal warming, beauty contouring etc. For an aroma hydrotherapy to be done at home, one needs to add few drops of herbal oils like the sandalwood oil, citrus oil or lavender oil to enjoy and feel the natural healing of a waterfall, forest bath or a hot spring.

Health benefits of home spas:

Apart from making the person relaxed and rejuvenated, a home spa can even benefit them health-wise too. A home spa can improve the health of a person when used with bath oils and spa salts. It improves the removal of metabolic wastes and toxins from the body. It enhances the oxygenation of the extremities and joints, blood circulation is improved. The muscles are toned with a youthful and glowing complexion. It increases the metabolic rate, enhancing the power to burn calories quickly and promotes weight loss.
It normalizes the blood pressure levels, lowers the cholesterol levels, balances acid-alkaline levels in the body, boosts immunity, improves the flow of lymph, reduces aches and pains of the muscles and joints, enhances the mood and improves the digestive system.

According to Winepros.org, “Moderate consumption of red wine on a regular basis may be a preventative against coronary disease and some forms of cancer.” Chemical components of red wines function as anti-oxidants, preventing free radicals from doing cellular damage. Other compounds help to “boost the immune system, block cancer formation, and possibly protect against heart disease and even prolong life.”

This information has shocked milk and tea drinkers the world round. However, with this information, there has been an increase in the consumption of wine by those who would have never considered it before. According to winebusiness.com, wine sales in the United States were higher in 2006 than ever before. The site also says that the sale of red wine in particular continues to surge. In order to tap into the trend, wine gifts have sprung up as a way to compete for many companies. Wine gifts are used to promote corporations, foundations and even events.

Wine gifts range from basic corkscrews to wine and cheese carriers. Wine gifts can be simple or extravagant. All gifts are easily engraved or printed upon in order to promote a business or foundation. Wine gifts are available in a variety of styles, colors and uses, which makes them ideal as promotional products to anyone a company is trying to reach.

Wine gifts can add a touch of class and fun to an otherwise boring promotional event. There are few better ways to reward a client with great taste than a wine gift. More extravagant wine gifts, such as a wine and cheese carrier, make great prizes during corporate events. After all, as any wine enthusiast will tell you, a wine drinker can never have too many ice buckets, corkscrews or glasses. The simplest wine gift can make anyone’s day a little brighter.

There are also few better ways to spread the word about the health benefits of red wine than with a gift that accessorizes it beautifully. Anyone who is interested in the benefits will be interested in consuming it. Sales numbers have shown that this information has contributed to the success of wine; why shouldn’t your company be a part of the phenomenon?

The stinging nettle (which is called ortie in France and Brennessel in Germany) was said to be introduced into Britain by Caesar’s soldiers. They sowed it along the sides of the great straight roads; both the roads and the nettles survive. At the end of a day’s march the cooler climate of England and the weary miles made their legs ache. They would gather the nettles and beat each other with them so warming the affected parts. Really an embrocate for the strong.

Culpeper says wittily that they may be found by feeling on the darkest night! He tells us that the juice with honey is a safe and sure medicine to open the pipes and passages of the lungs.

Today the herbal practitioner has found many uses for the humble nettle. The extract with alcohol is a stimulating hair tonic. Urtication, or beating with nettles, is sometimes used as a counter irritant for rheumatic sufferers. It is given to lessen bleeding in the mouth, in the form of a juice, and the juice will apparently greatly relieve painful piles or haemorrhoids if taken a tablespoonful (l5ml) at a time, three times a day.

The active constituents are many and include 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine, formic acid and gallic acid, plus much readily assimilable iron. Research by Drs Herrmann and Neumann established that an increased metabolic rate took place over a period which lasted from the sixth to the twenty-second hour after taking a glassful. They said that this was very helpful when used in conjunction with therapies for removing -toxins from the blood, and for rheumatism.

For the same reason, nettle juice is a good addition to any iron therapy for anemia. It helps control diarrhea and is at the same time a diuretic which aids the elimination of uric acid. It is powerful so is usually taken a wineglassful at a time. The part of the plant to pick is the top leaves; you may wear gloves or ‚Grasp it like a man of mettle and it soft as silk remains.‘

Meditation is one of the top-10 alternative therapies used by the U. S. population. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that 8% of Americans use meditation as a health tool. No longer just for Buddhist monks and New-Age types, meditation is now appealing to mainstream business professionals, medical doctors and even health care companies. This is a result of the growing evidence which supports that meditation can promote physical healing.

Meditation may be spiritual for some, but the practice is not necessarily religious in nature. There are many meditative approaches but regardless of the technique, medical research indicates that the practice of meditation tends to evoke a state of physiological relaxation: blood pressure drops, heart beats slower and breathing is quieter, other biochemical changes can also occur. Scientists do not understand why the changes happen but understanding the physical effects can explain the potential health benefits of meditation.

Twenty minutes of daily meditation can provide relief for ailments such as low back pain, headaches, depression and anxiety. Suffers of these chronic conditions should attempt to incorporate the meditation practice into their daily routine. If meditation can lower blood pressure, it could be a useful tool in helping patients with hypertension. If scientists uncover exactly how meditation works to relieve these symptoms, they may be able to apply that understanding to treat a variety of other disorders.

Research on meditation began back in the late 1960s. Herbert Benson, MD, began studying the physiological impact of Transcendental Meditation on individuals. In recent years, the scope of studies has focused on how the practice can reduce symptoms of chronic illnesses from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Critics indicate some of the research is been on small study populations and has not had adequate control groups for comparison. But some studies have shown promising results.

Meditation can relax the body. Promote more restful sleep and boost the body’s immune system. This will help fight illness and better manage the symptoms of chronic conditions. Meditation can relax the mind and help us better deal with the stress of our daily lives. The popular interest in meditation and its health benefits may help drive more research in the future.

After a long hard day at the office wouldn’t it be nice to get a massage. Unfortunately you have to first find a certified or licensed massage therapist. If you’re lucky and happen to know someone or have a regular therapist you work with, you still have to schedule an appointment. After you call and set the time you’ll have to get back into your car and drive to therapist’s office.

In today’s world most of us want instant gratification and have limited time in our hectic life. If money was no object most of us would get a massage every week, or possibly two or three times a week.

Let me pause here for a moment. It is very ironic that I would be writing an article about massage recliners because I am a certified massage therapist. As a therapist my first goal is to help the client get healthy. Sometimes I refer a client to a chiropractor or to an acupuncturist that can better serve the clients needs. The same is true about massage recliners. With new technology massage recliners have advanced beyond clunky massage rollers to high tech massagers that can emulate the human touch.

There are many health benefits from a massage from a trained therapist or a massage recliner. A trained massage therapist knows how to get the kinks out of your back and relieve the muscle tension from everyday stress. Massage recliners have superior technology and do more than rub your back. New models from Human Touch, iJoy, Panasonic and Sanyo can also massage the legs, feet, arms and shoulders.

Health Benefits of Massage

* Improves lymphatic flow. The act of massaging and kneading the muscles increases blood flow. Health benefits are better circulation and absorption of nutritional elements into the muscles and tissues. In addition, kneading the muscles helps clear out toxins out of the muscles.

* Decreases muscle tension and improves flexibility. Body tension and stress causes the muscles to tighten and shorten. Health benefits include loosening tight muscles and restoring range and flexibility.

* Massage therapy produces the ‘feel good chemical’, the same endorphins that are increased after working out at the gym. This ‘feel good chemical’ helps speed recovery, reduces pain and reduces anxiety.

Another benefit seldom discussed is clearer thinking. When you are out of body pain and the range of motion is restored to your neck, your mind can better concentrate on your everyday tasks.

Rates for a massage therapist can range from $40 to $100 depending on the therapist’s level of training and the city they are located in. Massage recliners are not cheap and can cost thousands of dollars. But over time, a massage recliner can pay for itself and provide many health benefits. Other considerations of cost savings are other family members using the massage recliner. In addition, some massage recliners are very stylish and are a handsome addition to any home décor.

Another benefit of a massage recliner is the fact it is a recliner chair. Anybody who has ever sat in a recliner knows how comfortable it is. Even if you do not activate the features of the massage recliner, the recliner itself has health benefits. The simple act of just sitting in a comfortable chair relaxes your body and eases body tension.

It’s your choice. Buy a massage recliner or call a massage therapist. Either one that you choose will have many health benefits. To make your buying decision easy I’d suggest scheduling two or three appointments with a certified or licensed massage therapist. Then try several brands and models of massage recliners to compare results.

The number of marriages ending in divorce is on the rise and many couples are now starting to re-evaluate their relationships. But while the increasing statistics may be true, it is important to know some facts about marriage and how it benefits both spouses, physically, emotionally. psychologically, even financially.
According to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), married people were healthier for nearly every measure of health. They live longer lives, and they suffer less from heart disease, back pain, headaches, and serious psychological distress. Most married people are also less likely to get involved in smoking and heavy drinking. They even fared better on their depression tests than when they were still single.
Married couples benefit about equally from marriage, although in different ways. While both men and women live longer, happier, healthier, and wealthier lives when they are married, husbands are usually the ones to gain greater health benefits. The wives, on the other hand, get the greater financial advantages.
Although some quarters claim that the arrival of the first baby comes in between the husband and wife, thus bringing some kind of stress to the marriage, it seemed that it was just an initial effect since couples with children have a slightly lower rate of divorce than childless couples.
For most couples, the secret to a long-lasting marital relationship are commitment and companionship. They define their marriage as a product of hard work, dedication, and commitment to each other and to the institution of marriage. The most successful marriages are couples who have become friends who have compatible in interests and values.
In the past, women with higher education were less likely to get married. On the contrary, recent studies on marriage rates in the mid-1990s concluded that today’s educated women are more likely to marry despite of their older age, than their non-college peers.
Even the notion that those couples living-in together prior to marriage are able to test their compatibility for a more satisfying and lasting marriage seems to prove otherwise as they become less committed over time and more likely to call it quits when problems arise. Recent findings reveal that there may be less motivation for cohabiting couples to undergo conflict resolution. Still, others may argue that co-habitation is just like marriage, but without the “piece of paper.” However, it does not bring the benefits — in physical health, wealth, and emotional well-being — that marriage does. In terms of these benefits, cohabitants in the United States more closely resemble singles than married couples. This is due, in part, to the fact that cohabitants tend not to be as committed as married couples, and they are more oriented toward their own personal autonomy and less to the well-being of their partner.
While some feminists believe that a marriage license gives men a “license to hit” women, a large body of research shows that being unmarried and/or living with a man outside of marriage, is associated with a considerably higher risk of domestic violence for women. Moreover, married men are less likely to commit domestic violence because they are more invested in their wives‘ well-being, and more integrated into the extended family and community. These social forces seem to help check men’s violent behavior.
When it comes to sexual relationship, married people have both more and better sex than do their unmarried counterparts. Not only do they have sex more often but they enjoy it more, both physically and emotionally.
With all of the above-mentioned advantages and benefits of marriage, the one area where married couples fared unsatisfactorily is with body weight. Most married men and women have the tendency to gain weight. From ages 45 to 64, three out of four married men were overweight or obese. Single men and women who had never been married were the leanest groups.
While live-in partners, divorced and separated coupled don’t get the same health benefits as happily married couples, a bad marriage can have serious negative effects on your health. Marital stress can be a strong a marker as work stress when it comes to your risk of heart disease.

Hazelnut which is a very important nutritional value in a well-balanced diet, has several important health benefits in protecting against diseases. Having special combination of oil (especially oleic acid rich oil structure), proteins, carbohydrate, beta-sitosterol, essential vitamins and minerals, giving hazelnut a special place among other nuts for its unique ability to protect against diseases. It is known that consuming only 25-30 gr of hazelnuts a day, is enough for daily vitamin E needs and a very good way of protecting against heart-vein diseases and cancer

Hazelnut and hazelnut oil is the best known source for Vitamin E which is essential for the healthy heart muscles and other muscles of the body as well. It is also necessary for normal functioning of the reproduction system. Vitamin E prevents the disintegration of red blood cells, thus it serves as a protection against deficiency of blood which is called anemia. Another benefit of Vitamin E which is found in hazelnut is to prevent the factors which prepare the basis for cancer disease. If cancer is already formed in the body, then it fights to defuse the harmful cells. Beta-sitosterol, which is found amply in hazelnut, is an important mean of decreasing cholesterol and preventing cancer (breast cancer and prostate cancer).
Thus, consuming 25 gr. Hazelnut a day protects the body both for heart-disease and cancer.

Hazelnut is rich in oil. Indeed 60-70 % of hazelnut consists of oil. This structure provides not only energy to organisms, but also protection of body temperature, protection against outer factors and helps to the movement of vitamins which melt in the oil. In the combination of hazelnut oil, there are some oil acids which carry out important duties for organisms. For instance; oleic acid which is found in hazelnut oil prevents the rise of cholesterol in the blood, decreases cholesterol by 26,2%, arranges the blood sugar, increases the protective Apapratein A-1 for health-vein diseases by 25% and decreases risky Apapratein B by %7,5.

Another beneficial acid in hazelnut oil is Linoleic Acid which can be found heavily in hazelnut oil. Linoleic Acid plays very important role for the growth and healthy development of organisms.

Vitamin Components of Hazelnut

Hazelnut is a good source for B1, B2 and B6 vitamins. These vitamins are essential in blood formation and mental health, especially for those of children in development age.

The following vitamins can be found in substantial amounts in hazelnut:

– Calcium which is essential for healthy bones and teeth;
– Iron, which has blood production function;
– Zinc, which has an important role in the development of sexual hormones;
– Potassium, which is necessary for the stimulation of nervous system and the properly functioning of muscle system.

Consuming hazelnut is very important for healthy life. Eating only 25 gr hazelnuts a day can be a very good protection against many diseases including cancer and heart diseases. According to results of a research, people who consume hazelnuts or hazelnut oil, have 50% less risk of dying because of hearth attack when compared to those who never consume hazelnuts. It is the most beneficial nutraceutical element for heart health. For more information visit http://hazelnut-health.blogspot.com/

Ginseng is a common health drink in China, Korea, and Japan and consumed its distinct flavor and medicinal properties. The word “ginseng” came from the Chinese term “jen-shen,” which means, “in the image of man.” Ginseng refers to a group of herbs from the plant family Araliacae. There are the three main types of ginseng: Oriental ginseng (Chinese or Korean), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and Siberian ginseng (Eleutheroccus senticosis). Traditional Chinese medicine says that each type of ginseng has unique healing properties. It contains complex mixtures of carbohydrate compounds, nitrogenous compounds, nitrogenous compounds and other essential vitamins and minerals. Compounds called ginsenosides were identified by many studies as its main active components. Ginsengs have “cooling” effect, which make it useful for the treatment of fever, respiratory tract disorders, and the improvement of blood circulation. Studies show that ginsenosides, the active ingredient of ginseng, is responsible for the many health benefits of ginseng. For this reason, ginseng is used by people the world over as an alternative medicine.

All over Asia, thousands of people drink the beverage because they believe that ginseng helps:

· reduce fatigue and increases stamina;
· increase the formation of red blood cells and helps eliminate anemia;
· improve mental conditions and helps prevent neuroses;
· increase the secretion of body fluids and helps prevent diabetes;
· normalize pulmonary functions, preventing coughing, tuberculosis, and asthma;
· strengthen the gastrointestinal system and can help facilitate liver regeneration;
· detoxify poisons;
· enhance blood alcohol clearance;
· reduce the effect of alcohol intoxication;
· eliminate hangovers; and
· treat influenza and other infections.

Ginseng is also used to enhance physical and mental performance. It is often called an “adaptogen” because it bolsters the body’s ability to combat physical and mental stress. Several studies show that ginseng is able to reduce the levels of fatigue in men and women. Many clinical studies show that people who take ginseng or ginseng supplements were able to overcome higher levels of emotional and physical difficulties. In addition, regular intake of ginseng may reduce one’s chancer of acquiring different types of cancer especially the types that affect the lungs, liver, and ovaries. Reports say that individuals who use ginseng regularly feel better and are more alert. It may also improve one’s memory and other mental faculties. For maximum results, some regular consumers of this herbal beverage include another traditional healing ingredient called gingko biloba.

Impotence is another ailment that can supposedly be treated through regular consumption of ginseng. Ginseng is believed to be effective in helping increase sperm production. It is also taken as a supplement to improve sexual performance. Recent medical studies show that ginseng does enhance libido and sexual performance. Ginseng promotes the release of nitric oxide and improves the blood flow in the penis and, in the process, enhances sexual pleasure and performance.

For centuries, ginseng was used not only as a beverage but also as a tonic to improve sexual performance. Still, more research is needed to fully validate the efficacy of Nature’s wonder root as a medicinal product.

Massage of any kind is relaxing and promotes a feeling of calmness. To many health practitioners, in fact, foot massage has been known to be good for health and well-being. Foot massage is common throughout the east as a healing method. In the east, foot massage is not only practiced on adults but on children as well.

Foot massage or reflexology works in the same manner as acupuncture. Each area of the foot corresponds with another area of the body and by massaging each part of the foot, you may be working on your liver, kidney, colon, stomach, etc. Thus, if you experience constipation, a massage through your feet can help in your bowel movement problems.

Health benefits are not entirely proven, but many claim they work. It is said that reflexology can get rid of toxins, help your circulation, improve body functions and even improve memory. A professional foot reflexologist can even diagnose the health problems that you are facing just by massaging your feet.

Foot massage can be really painful. This is especially if more pressure is applied. Screams of pain from a patient in a foot massage center is not uncommon. However, this should not deter you, if you are considering a foot massage. Just explain to the foot reflexologist about your low tolerance for pain and ask him to adjust the pressure applied.

If nothing else, a foot massage will help melt away the day’s stress. Your feet take the biggest beating throughout the day. They have to get you where you need to go and hold up your entire body weight. People tend to overlook their feet. However, hurting feet may just render a person immobile.

With many new age ideas filtering to the west, foot massage has also become more popular in areas like the United States. It is a natural way of treatment after a long hard day. The health benefits may be disputed but it never hurts to try it out and see what benefits it may hold for you.

Carrot juice has a number of health benefits. The carrot provides what is certainly the most important basic juice. The yellow color is due to carotene. Another name for this form of carotene, the transform, is pro vitamin A. Many authors write that carrots contain a lot of vitamin A. This is not actually true; what the carrot does contain is the pro vitamin. That means a substance that is converted by the body into the vitamin itself.

Carrot juice plays the most important part in an infant’s supply of vitamin A. When carrot juice is consumed jointly with milk, the utilization of carotene as vitamin A is considerably increased. A carrot and milk juice is the ideal vitamin A source for infants and can in no case lead 10 the risk of the child having too much A.

Carrots are widely used. Indeed it is estimated that in Germany carrots account for 10% of the total vegetable consumption. From the carrot juice point of view, the varieties to be employed are ideally those with the most carotene. It is fortunate that the pro vitamin is strongly colored for this means that so long as you use good colored carrots they are likely to be the best nutritionally speaking too.

As a general rule, early carrots are pale and low in carotene. Because carotene is not water soluble, but is fat soluble, there is not a very great deterioration in the vitamin content on storage.

Nursing mothers are well advised, for the sake of the quality of their milk, to take carrot juice throughout lactation. When the baby is on its way it is good sense not only to drink the juice but also to nibble a carrot when you feel hungry. For although a good sized one will provide your minimum requirement of vitamin A, 7oz (200g) of carrot contain only 50 calories, which cannot be considered to be a fattening snack.

The carrot is recorded as being used in medicine by the early Greeks and has been cherished ever since. Its juice is one of the most delicious and healthful, and alone or in combinations should be in every daily diet providing, as it does, the essential vitamin A, without the saturated fats with which this vitamin is associated in eggs and butter.

Many vegetables are known for their numerous health benefits. Diets composed of more vegetables can reduce the risk of chronic disease and other health ailments. Vegetables can supply the body of necessary nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are vital for development and maintenance of the body and internal organs. In addition, many vegetables contain disease-fighting phytochemicals that can help reduce the risk of different kinds cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

One such health-promoting vegetable is called bitter melon or bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia). Aside from being a food source, bitter gourd is also used as a source of alternative medicine. This vegetable grows in tropical areas like East Africa, Asia, South Africa, and the Caribean. It is rich in iron, calcium, potassium, beta carotene, and phosphorus. Improving the body’s insulin levels is one of the primary health benefits of bitter melon. Many researches shows that this vegetable increases the production of beta cells in the pancreas which leads to improvement in the insulin production of the body. Aside from insulin production, bitter melon is also used to treat sores, eczema, leprosy, skin infections, and even leukemia.

Bitter melon is said to be a remedy for infections associated with retroviruses, including the ones that cause Human Immunodeficiency Disease (HIV). It is said that this vegetable can also destroy strains of herpes virus. Bitter melon has been used as a folk remedy to treat infections and other diseases. In addition to these properties, leaf extracts of bitter melon have indicated antibacterial activities against e.coli, a specie of bacteria that can live in the lower intestines of mammals and human beings. This bacteria is responsible for urinary tract infection and gastrointestinal ailments. It is also used as potent antihelmintic (drugs that destroy parasitic worms) substance that eliminate worms from the intestinal tract. For external use, bitter melon has been acknowledged to heal skin eruptions, chapped skin, burns, hemorrhoids, and psoriasis.

Because of the health benefits of bitter melon, it is now widely used as a dietary supplement. Over the years, health researchers have verified the efficacy of the bitter melon as an alternative medicinal product. Bitter melon capsules are now available in the market as alternative treatment for diabetes, viruses, colds, and other ailments. However, these products should also be used with certain precautions because it may also cause side effects and may interact with certain over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, and other herbal medicines.

Pregnant women are not encouraged to use this product because it may cause uterine contractions. Bitter melon should not be used by hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) individuals because it may worsen or cause lower blood sugar levels. In addition, diabetics who use prescription hypoglycemic drugs or insulin should avoid bitter melon or bitter melon supplements, unless prescribed by a physician. People with cirrhosis of the liver and medical history of hepatitis or HIV should also refrain from using this herb.
While many health experts are already praising bitter melon for its health benefits, the said supplement should not be regarded as a stand-alone medicine and should be taken only with the approval of doctors and other health experts.

As confusing as it may seem, in small quantities, alcohol can be benefic for health. But excess can produce so much damage, that any trace of a benefit is erased. Moderate use of alcohol includes two drinks for a man and only one for a woman per day, under the age of 65. Together with his doctor, a person will establish whether to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer, or this can seriously affect health.

In small quantities, the following benefits can result from alcohol:

– It decreases the risk of cardiovascular problems
– Decreases the possibility of lethal heart attack
– Sometimes, alcohol reduces the possibility of ischemic or other kind of strokes
– Diminishes the possibility of gallstone
– It may reduce the diabetes danger

In large quantities, or in excess, the consequences may be terrible:

– The pancreas, the mouth, pharynx, esophageal, breast and liver are more likely to be affected by cancer
– Pancreatitis may appear, especially in youth
– Stroke
– Atrophy of the brain
– Cirrhosis
– Pregnancy problems, like spontaneous abortion
– Possible malformations and other birth problems of the fetus
– Car accidents
– Suicidal tendencies
– Sudden death in case of cardiovascular problems
– Cardiophaty generated by alcohol

There are certain diseases that forbid the affected person to drink at all, such as:

– Conditions of the liver
– Affection of the pancreas
– Precancerous stages affecting the digestive system
– A record including a previous hemorrhagic stroke

Pregnant women or people whose family has an alcohol related background must be extremely cautious and, if possible, not to drink at all.

One drink each day is permitted to persons over 65 years, because in their case, a higher consume is more dangerous; the process of absorption needs more time, the effects are stronger, and the risk of intoxication is a real one.

Alcohol must not be used during the following medications‘ administration:

– Anticoagulants
– Medication for diabetes
– Beta blockers
– Antihistamines
– Antibiotics
– Antidepressants
– Pain relievers
– Sleeping pills

Alcohol should not interfere with medication at all, because in combination to aspirin increases its stomach damaging action and the possibility of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, if combined with acetamine damages the liver.

Both he positive effects of a reduced quantity and the dangerous, negative ones must be taken into consideration. Also, a person shouldn’t be influenced to drink, because no doctor will give such piece of advice. Consumed with responsibility and moderation, in case of healthy persons, the alcohol doesn’t need to be completely eliminated.

By reading food labels and making nutritious choices for their dogs, „pet parents“ can help ensure that their canine companions enjoy longer, healthier and allergy-free lives.

More than 50 percent of dog owners feel their pet suffers from some sort of allergy. While such reactions can be caused by seasonal environmental factors, they are more likely caused by food sensitivities year-round.

Natural foods for dogs and cats made with human-grade ingredients can be an allergy remedy. Ingredients such as deboned meats free of added hormones and steroids, wholesome grains and fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs provide pets with the nutrients they need and flavor they love in the simplest and healthiest way possible.

Less is more when approaching existing allergy challenges or preventing them from occurring. Wellness Simple Food Solutions is the perfect example. It contains only five simple, balanced ingredients selected for their nutritional value and health benefits.

„The few ingredients that go into the Wellness Simple Food Solutions are all-natural and less likely to cause a reaction,“ said Deborah Ellinger, President of Wellness. „We believe that a limited-ingredient, all-natural diet is the best approach to alleviating allergies.“

Wellness Simple Solutions and the full range of Wellness products are available only through local, independent and specialty pet retailers.

Health and Safety-It Makes Good Cents

Data shows that small businesses that have health and safety procedures in place reduce their injury and illness costs by 20 percent and even up to 40 percent. Nearly 95 percent of business owners report that health and safety programs have a positive impact on the company’s bottom-line according to a recent survey. Of this group, 61 percent say their return-on-investment is 3 dollars for every 1 dollar they invest in improving workplace safety. In addition, companies that have working health and safety programs in place have seen employee absenteeism drop in half.

A well planned health and safety program is obtainable even for small businesses. For example in this worst to first situation, a small manufacturing company was forced into putting a health and safety program in place or be shut down. They started by doing an audit, identified and controlled hazards, showed working procedures, and had to keep their injury rates below the national average for their sector. After they had implemented their health and safety program, they had many years with not one injury and saved more than $45,000 on insurance premiums. The company was even recognized with an award for their safety record. The owner, Rick, said „Our health and safety program has helped us protect our employees, maintain compliance, keep our vital employees working for us, and has saved us real money to put back into our company.“

Health and safety is no longer just viewed as a good idea, but a crucial investment in the business‘ long term success. Mounting costs of unhealthy employees and the expense and disruption of staff turnover is turning many small business owners to health and safety. The payback in health and safety programs comes in the form of: improved productivity, fewer insurance and worker’s comp claims, less absenteeism, decrease in accidents, reduced staff turnover, higher employee morale, and leads to a better business reputation and customer loyalty.

Unhealthy and absent employees are costly. Businesses incur direct costs such as worker’s comp payments, disability costs, replacement employees, equipment damage, and even lost productivity.

By having a health and safety program in place, employers also protect themselves from liability in employee’s injury in being exposed to unidentified hazards in the workplace. Employers can be charged in injuries caused to untrained employees. An unhealthy may also threaten the safety of others such as fellow employees, the business owner, and even the customer of the business.

In starting a program, there needs to be commitment. Employers must get a feeling of the seriousness of this new procedure. The planning should be a partnership between the business owner and employees. To be able to actively engage all aspects of the on-going process in the business, the program should consider all of the major health risks in all of the areas of the workplace to meet the needs of all employees.

Deciding on whether to have a health and safety program should be clear. Health and safety issues in the workplace cost the business owner directly and even in lost opportunity. A change to making the business safer will lead to a more positive bottom-line.

For any questions or even help in getting started, drop us an e-mail at abbsafetynet@gmail.com.

Research, based on polls given to small and mid-sized managers and owners, has found that health and safety risk management is most likely to be outsourced. The research has found that although only a minority currently outsource many are considering outsourcing key corporate functions and the health and safety is at the top of the list. Only one in ten managers and business owners will outsource the management of accounting function; over 50% of these managers would consider or are currently outsourcing health and safety management.

The main reasons for outsourcing, cited by respondents, is time saving, cost effectiveness, and allows managers time to focus on core business. Managers and owners of small businesses are considering outsourcing as a way of managing the very real risk of non compliance. Managers and owners may not also be aware of rules they need to follow or not have sufficient time or the right resources to comply with regulations.

Many companies are finding it an increasing burden to comply with the health and safety regulations and are facing an increase in employer’s liability insurance rates and penalties. Complying with the regulations relevant to the business is the solution for insurance reduction. Not having a proper health and safety program in place can cost tens of thousands of dollars in fines should an accident occur.

Each business is different and so each health and safety program should be customized as well. By starting with the basics, developing or even updating a health and safety program can be established. Maintaining compliance is made easier by establishing an effective safety management system.

A health and safety program is concerned with the prevention of occupational injury and ill health through pro-active strategy. It focuses on prevention through hazard assessment, risk management and pro-active controls and procedures.

Implementing these health and safety procedures will be done with behavioral change. Some programs can become weak and non effective because of:

No definition of safety practices – No written processes
No teamwork – Safety is communication from the top to bottom and vice versa. A well written plan will describe what roles everyone plays in safety policies.
No effective goals – The “accident free days” poster will come as a result of sound safety processes.
Wrong incentives – Money as a reward does not work well. Health and safety should be fun and worth employees effort. The right incentive plan can be cost effective and have obtainable goals. Incentive plans can include movie passes or simply “free coffee on the boss.” The insurance industry reports for a dollar spent on health and safety yields four to six dollars in savings.

Outsourcing the health and safety program will meet the goals on which the program was intended and overcome non effective measures. Monthly maintenance can be accomplished with little effort on the hosted company and can be completed in a timely fashion.

Not many would be aware of this, but the government has legislation for health and safety of people at work. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires the employers to have proper health and safety management systems at work. The Act makes provision for securing the health of people at work, welfare and safety of the employees including the people who are not directly employed by the company like contractors and visitors.

While the law exists and it is mandatory for the employers to follow the guidelines, it is also necessary for the employees to know about their rights and duties regarding their own health & safety. Employers should conduct a General Risk Assessment to ensure the health and safety of their employees.

To create awareness about health & safety at work, the employers should have proper employee induction & health and safety training programs whenever new employees join the company. The induction program should educate the employees about the safety standards, procedures and policies of the company.

The basics of health and safety at work start with having proper First Aid. Every organization big or small must have proper First Aid Kits and systems. While at work, people can suffer an injury or fall ill. It is very important for the company / firm to have proper arrangements so that the employees can receive immediate medical attention. A person who has received proper training for administering First Aid should be appointed for this.

Fire safety is of prime importance at work. The potential hazards and sources of fuel, oxygen & ignition etc should be identified. Proper Fire detection and warning systems should be in place to prevent any mishaps. Fire extinguishers should be kept ready in different places throughout the building. There should be exit doors and escape routes in the building. Electrical equipments and wiring should be proper and checked at regular intervals. The employees should be given training on dealing with fire emergencies. Fire drill and Fire Risk Assessment should be done at regular intervals.

Stress at work place is common. But if it starts affecting the health of the employee then it is a problem. Employers should identify the factors causing excessive stress to the employees. A stress risk assessment should be done to identify the potential hazards and risks. Proper measures should be adopted to control excessive employee stress. Employees should be given proper training, support and care to help them prevent & relieve the stress.

Employers should follow the norms of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. They should assess the health risks faced by the employees from the chemicals or substances used at workplace. Proper control measures should be adopted and the same should be followed by the employees. Training and information about the health risks should be provided to the employees.

The employers are also required to have proper policies for disability health & safety. Employees with cognitive, physical, sensory, ambulant and other disabilities have a right to proper arrangements and facilities at the workplace. There should be proper access, lighting, signage, seating arrangements for the disabled. Other employees of the company should also be sensitized about the same.

New and expectant mothers have a right to proper care at the workplace. The employers should identify the potential hazards to the mother as well as the baby while at work. The employers can offer alternative work, different or less work timings or paid leave to ensure the health and safety of the mother and baby. Similarly, arrangements should be made for young persons at work and lone workers. A general risk assessment should be done for the security, health and safety of such employees.

It is important that the employer as well as the employee is aware of the rights and duties pertaining to health and safety at workplace. For details you can take the services of a health and safety consultant or just search for “health and safety at work” on any major search engine.

In planning for your retirement, buying disability, health or long-term care insurance is important. The insurance company would usually want to know a lot about you. You will be classified based on your habits, medical records and family history.

You have to have an understanding of your own health. The biggest factor in determining the insurance cost is your health.

Here is some advice from insiders to get the best health ranking possible at lowest possible rates:

1. Tell the truth

Hiding some facts on your health will not help you. First, the insuring company will eventually find out because they do have your records. They will presume that the problem is serious, since you did not mention it. Worse, withholding info the company regards as important could lead to the cancellation of your policy.

Give the insurance company your complete health history. But do it under your own terms. For example, don’t just say that you have high blood pressure. Inform them that you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure several years ago and have kept control of it.

Give them complete information and reduce the uncertainty, then eventually you would get a good deal.

Be careful on how you say things, a hesitant answer would seem that you are hiding something. Be as clear as possible with your replies.

Ask what the ranking is based on. There would generally be criteria in determining the health ranking and it varies from one company to another. Determine your ranking in a specific company and why. This helps you get a better picture and hopefully and decrease your premium. Canvass for the best rates possible but know that the rate is just one consideration.

2. Your doctor can help.

Inform your physician. Insurance companies would want to talk with your physician and look at your records. If not that, they would at least look at your records at the Medical Insurance Bureau.

Your best move is to inform your physician that you’re applying for insurance. A forewarning helps in ensuring that the insurance company gets noticed and gives you in return a favorable rating.

Ensure that the company gets a complete record, especially if you have moved from one doctor to another. The insurance company wants all of your health records to get a complete idea of your state of health.

Inquire discretely. Too much inquiry might raise a red flag on you. Try to get an agent to do the shopping for you. Choose your insurance broker carefully. Just like other professionals, they’re not created equal.

It’s not everyday that a person has the chance to change the way that they eat. You might try to do so, become healthier and eat healthier but in a great many ways you will be thwarted in this desire. This is why the benefits of organic food can have a far reaching effect on you, more so than you might have thought.

Why do I say this? Because even though you might try to become healthy and change your way of living, it is extremely difficult to do so in many circumstances. With the advent of more and more organic foods onto the scene however, it becomes easier to hold to your desire to live a healthier lifestyle. Why? For the simple reason that your healthy eating habits become even healthier when they come in the guise of organic foods.

As you can see, the benefits of organic foods are many and you need only to scratch the surface to start finding them. As you dig deeper you will find there are more and more benefits of organic foods, some of which you might not even have thought about.

So what are the benefits of organic foods? Well, to begin with, organic foods are produced in such a way that there are no chemicals in the growing process or in the case of animals, the rearing process.

No chemicals are introduced into the mix and only natural fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are used. In the case of farm animals, only organic feed is given to them, so you can be assured that when you get organic meats or milks and things that the animals too are reared according to organic standards.

There are also other benefits to organic food which includes the exclusion of genetically modified organisms (GMO). GMO’s to put it succinctly are foods which have had their genetic structure modified in some way or other.

While this might seem to yield many benefits in the field of agriculture by providing farmers with larger amounts of useable crops, no one still fully knows what the disadvantages are of modifying the genetic structure of living organisms. You need to look no further to find further such glaring deficits that science only found out about years after their regular and widespread usage, than to look at Lead and how bad we consider that to be.

To that extent, the benefits of organic food far outweigh the dubious goodness of non-organic foods, at least until the jury comes back in on that question. The only problem is the high cost of organic foods – the medical costs that you might incur upon seeing your monthly food bill after going organic might put you off the many benefits of organic food until such time as they become less expensive!

Bulgaria is a sunshine haven for fresh, mountain or sea air, open spaces and mineral spa treatments. For many, it is ideal location for a relaxed and healthy lifestyle.

It is no wonder that Bulgaria’s tourism figures are increasing at a level never seen before (50% in the past 4 years). Bulgaria’s recent government initiatives have invested heavily in its leisure industries and in turn they are creating some highly desirable tourist resorts.

Black Sea Resorts

Bulgaria is best known for its budget holiday resorts on the Black Sea. Here you can enjoy great health and leisure activities at a fraction of the cost of most other tourist destinations.

Warm sunshine with pleasant temperatures (around 26°C in summer) comfortable hotels, white, non-tidal beaches, water sports are but some of the attractions to the area. There is also plenty of entertainment laid on by the hotels, including night life at all the resorts. In addition, within minutes you can find yourself in picturesque mountains, ski resorts and golf courses.

The major seaside resorts are located at: Albena, Golden Sands (the largest seaside resort where 22 brand new hotels are currently under construction), St. Konstantin, Varna (known as the sea capital and Bulgaria’s third largest city), Elenite, Sunny Beach (the third largest resort) and Bourgas.
For extra entertainment, modern aqua parks can be found in Golden Sands and Sunny Beach.

There are several nudist beaches in Bulgaria. They are located

– between Albena and Kranevo – after Gergana Hotel in Albena
– Golden Sands resort – past the yacht port, in front of Glarus Hotel
– Kamchia – the widest nudist beach on the Bulgarian Black sea coast and a famous nudist
– Destination.
– Bourgass – north of the town after the Burgas Hotel, direction Nessebur (new town) near the saltpans of Bourgas.
– Sozopol – south of Harmanite beach

Skiing

Today Bulgaria is a highly desirable ski location, with some of the best value skiing and après-ski available in Europe.

The main ski centres are at: Bansko, the most developed of all the resorts but also retaining a rich history and culture, Borovets, the largest, with 40 km of piste, Pomparovo, the highest point is 1,926 m), Chepelare, picturesque and near to the longest Bulgarian ski run, “Mechi Chal (5,200 m) and Vitosha, set in a National Park and overlooking the capital city of Sofia.

The rugged heights of the Rila and Pirin mountains form a spectacular setting for the ski resorts.
The highest peak is Rila with its Musala peak(2925m).

The season is from mid-December, extending through to April in many locations.

The average temperatures in the main ski resorts are:
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
oC -1 1 5 9 15 19 22 23 16 12 6 1
oF 30 33 41 48 59 65 71 74 61 54 42 33

Trekking and Local Culture

To truly experience the character of Bulgaria, you must venture away from the resorts to where the locals live.

The Balkan Range, a 435-mile (700km) chain, crosses the entire country and offers some of the best hiking in Europe.

Rodopi for easy trekking amid green forests

Jeravna or Kotel for more strenuous trekking in the Eastern Balkan mountains

National Parks for various levels of trekking, at Pirin, Central Balkan or Rila

The six very different mountain ranges vary from high, snow-covered peaks to gentle green slopes and forests. They harbour thermal springs and mineral spas. The valleys are rich with Balkan flora and fauna.

The mountain dwellers have their own distinctive customs, crafts, colourful folklore, religious beliefs and speech. They welcome guests with typical Bulgarian warm-hearted hospitality, and are delighted to share age-old traditions and cooking.

Rural Bulgaria is particularly poor and many people here live under the poverty line. The villagers mainly live off self-sufficiency and preserve almost everything they produce, even meat.

Mineral Spas & treatments

People travel from far and wide to discover the health benefits to be gained from the Balkan mountain mineral spas. The main ones are located at:

– Hissarya – 22 mineral springs for the treatment of urological and liver diseases

– Touzlate – for bone diseases

– Sandanski – for bronchial asthma

– Velingrad – for conditions of the respiratory tract and disturbances of the locomotory system, neurological disorders, gynaecological complaints, mild forms of diabetes and obesity

– Kystendil – for conditions of the bones, joints and tendons, disorders of the nervous system, cardiovascular diseases, disturbances of the reproductive system and sterility

Healing Mud

The Black Sea resorts at Sveti Constantine, Pomorie and Albena are famous for their mud treatments.
The best known Black-Sea spa centers are at:
Dobroudja Hotel at Albena resort, Ambassador Hotel at Golden Sand resort, Riviera Holiday Club, Sunny Day and Grand Hotel Varna at St.Constantine resort and Pomorie Hotel in the coastal town of Pomorie.

The boost in tourist amenities has led to many of the luxury 4 and 5 star hotels offering spa centres, including pools, saunas, jacuzzis, solariums and fitness centres. Some of the best can be found in: Castle Hrankov Hotel in Sofia, Grand Hotel Veliko in Lovech, Plovdiv Novotel in Plovdiv and Kempinski Hotel in Zografski, Sofia.

Golf

Despite the abundance of open space, golf is in its early stages of development in Bulgaria. It is developing at a steady pace to create world-class facilities that will not only support the growth of golf in Bulgaria but act as a focus for tourism.

However at the moment there are only three golf courses in Bulgaria. Today’s courses are located at Ihtiman, opened in 2000, 40km from Sofia, and at Sliven, opened in 2004, 90km from the Black Sea.

Due to a huge increase in tourism and foreign interest in Bulgaria, several more golf courses are underway. One of these will be located at Razgrad, in the north-east, about 90km from the Black Sea. More are scheduled to open within the next few years: two at Kavarna and one at Primorsko, near Sozopol. Another course is near completion in the ski town of Bansko.

A large golf complex at Dolna Banya, between Kostenets and Borovets, near Ihtiman, now the country’s foremost ski resort is near completion. Its timely opening is scheduled for 2007, the year of Bulgaria’s entry into the European Union. The complex will include 220 apartments around a comprehensive sports complex, with access to the golf course by a short footpath.

Additional outdoor facilities will include: tennis, volleyball, squash, badminton, lawn bowls, boules (boccia), shooting, archery, croquet, mountain biking, and fishing nearby.

Indoor facilities will include: 140-seat main restaurant and cabaret stage, a huge main bar (perhaps the largest in Bulgaria), a sports bar with projection TV, snooker, pool, table football, table tennis, a Chinese restaurant, Indian restaurant, fast food cafeteria, pizzeria, gymnasium, sauna, massage parlour, clinic, chemist, sports shop and mini market.

Real estate prices in all golf resorts are set to rise substantially with increased public recognition and media coverage. Ian Woosnam, the 2006 Ryder Cup Captain, has increased international awareness whilst becoming heavily involved in the development of two of the new golf complexes at Bansko and Balchik, with their accompanying leisure centres and hotels.

A good health and fitness program needs to focus on factors that prevent us from becoming unhealthy. One factor that has definitely a correlation with unhealthiness is obesity. The health consequences for being overweight or obese are vast and may include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and some cancers to name a few.

Losing weight and becoming healthy for obese and overweight people is imperative and well designed fitness software can support this. One way it can be helpful is to calculate a person’s calorie balance and correlate these numbers to their body measurements and vital signs. It is very encouraging and motivating to see yourself lose weight and in the same instance your blood pressure and cholesterol levels go down.

Weight loss all boils down to your calorie balance. If your intake is higher then you spend, you gain weight. In part 1, we talked about the calorie intake side of the calorie balance equation. Part 2 describes the requirements for the calories spent module.

Let’s start out with the assumption that the calories spent will significantly vary between people and can not be generalized between high, medium and low activity level. We need a more precise method than that. If we look just plainly at the factors that influence our energy spending, we can conclude the following:

Larger people will spend more energy than small people. It makes sense that when you move more weight it costs more energy. Younger people will spend more than older people. Males will spend more than females. Tall thin people will spend more energy than short stocky with the same weight. The tall thin person has more body surface and loses more heat. Lean muscled people spend more energy than the average or overweight person with the same weight. Muscles use more energy than fat cells. Active people will spend more energy than sedative people.

During a day we execute many activities all with a different length of time and intensity level. Between activities there can be huge differences in intensity level. For instance fishing is way less intense than rowing a boat. Also within the same activity different intensity levels exist. For instance 30 minutes running will cost more energy then 30 minutes jogging or walking. Executing an activity with a high intensity level will spend more energy per unit of time.

When calculating the calorie balance, the fitness software should take all the above factors into its formula and adjust the variables automatically. For instance if somebody loses weight, this should be immediately reflected in the outcome. Let’s say I weigh in on Monday and the system calculates 2500 calories spent and two weeks later I weigh again and provided my daily activities were exactly the same but I lost two pounds, the system should automatically calculate the new calories burned taking the 2 pounds lost into account.

You should have the ability to create multiple activity plans in the system, individualized per person. Most people repeat their daily activities on a weekly basis, if today is Tuesday, next Tuesday my activities will be pretty much the same. From Monday till Friday the activities may be similar, but they can differ significantly from weekend to weekend.

In order to calculate the calories spent during the day precisely, you will need to record all activities, the length of time for each activity and the intensity level it was executed. Doing so could mean a lot of time behind the computer entering all this data. To circumvent this problem, the software should allow you to create a plan that is repeated on a weekly basis with default values. Now you need to only to copy this plan and update the differences from what actually occurred. The actual activities with their time length are noted on an activity worksheet that can be printed on a daily basis. This way your data can be recorded within 30 seconds.

Next we need to be able to compare our calories spent with our calorie intake. This can be done in the form of a chart that displays the calorie balance per person over time. See the following example: calorie analysis. This chart makes abundantly clear what your calorie balance is and consequently shows the reason why you lose weight or not lose weight.

In the next article I will talk about body measurement and vital sign readings and how they correlate to your work outs, supplement intake etcetera

Let’s keep the answer simple; everything that is related to your health.

The most important indicators for your state of health can be measured though your vital signs, like blood pressure, cholesterol level, heart beat, body mass index etcetera. The major input that influence these health indicators are what and how much you eat and drink, smoke, medication use, life style, daily activity and air quality.

Beside our genetic disposition, we are what we eat, drink and breathe.

A good health and fitness software program should be able to capture the above mentioned input and correlate the results with the output, or health indicators. This way you create a cause and effect system that the user can analyze and consequently take corrective measures and improve his or her overall health.

The bigger picture teaches us that an effective health and fitness software program contains modules that can monitor our food intake, record our body measurements and vital signs. Furthermore it should track our daily activities and convert them into calories burned. Also it should keep track of our medicine and supplement intake and monitor our overall health level. For the sport and bodybuilders we need additional modules that can keep track of our workout activities, sport results and fitness tests

Let’s start with food intake.

Most of the time we eat together with our family therefore a health and fitness software program should never be restricted to one user.

People tend to repeat the recipes they cook and meals they prepare on a regular interval. For most people this interval is between 20 and 30 days. Furthermore people tend to buy more or less the same ingredients for their meals. For this reason a fitness or diet program boosting databases with thousands of food items will be more of a hindrance than a benefit. The reason that I say this is because it will be very time consuming to pick an ingredient for a recipe or meal plan from a list of thousands of ingredients.

Look for a program that has the basic ingredients to build your recipes and allows you to add food items that are specific to your taste.

A food’s nutrition facts change depending on how it is conserved, processed or cooked. For example a cup of canned spinach that is cooked will have totally different nutrition facts than a cup of fresh spinach. Look for a program that can make a distinction between these food properties.

The cost of buying special diet foods can be a lot more (up to 2.5 times) than what the average American spends on food. It is a plus if a health and fitness software program can keep track of the food cost by recipe, meal and day. It is really a bonus if the program can compare grocery prices between shops and help you budget.

A recipe module is imperative to a good health and fitness system. This is the place where you can experiment and adjust your recipes to your diet’s nutritional fact limits. The recipe should calculate its nutritional facts per portion depending on the weight ratio of each ingredient that has been added to the recipe. Naturally you should be able to print the recipe and see the total recipe cost and the cost per portion. Having the ability of adding recipe pictures is a plus.

You should also have the ability to create multiple meal plans in the system. Maybe you would like a separate plan for the kids or baby. Or for a partner that has a cholesterol problem, high blood pressure or diabetes. Or you simply want to change diets. These meal plans should repeat over a certain amount of days. The timing of the meals should be more then just breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many diets ask for many small recipe portions during the day. The food items that you select on the meal plan should come from the ingredients as well as from the recipes. For instance you can add a raw apple to your meal plan, which is an ingredient to make an apple sauce recipe. The apple sauce recipe or the raw apple can each be added to the meal plan

As you would expect, the software program should be able to calculate the meal plan cost and nutrition facts by day and for the whole meal plan.

How are you going to keep track of what you actually ate on a particular day and how do you know how to stick exactly to your plan? You do this by printing a meal plan worksheet for a particular day and you note the actual differences from the plan.

We don’t have much time in today’s busy society; therefore you should be able to register the actual daily food consumption in less then 30 seconds. A system that forces you every day for every meal to select your food items from a list of thousands records is not going to make it in 30 seconds. Only select a system that automatically populates your meal plan for that day and you only update the actual differences from the plan.

Just adding your daily food intake to a database is not going to benefit you. It will create a “data cemetery”, data that is never examined. The food data needs to be analyzed and correlated to other types of data like your body measurements or calories burned. Click on the calorie analysis hyperlink to view an example. The chart makes it very quickly clear that the calorie intake line is under the calories spent line and consequently you will lose weight.

Next article I will talk about activity calorie counting and the factors involved…

Most people know that having health and fitness is important. Many try to stay fit and healthy to get a great body shape. The question is do people know the benefits of being fit and healthy or how to get that great body shape they yearned so much for?

Unfortunately not, otherwise there will not be such high dropout rates in gyms all over the world and people getting fatter and fatter.

• Benefits of good health and fitness :-

1) Day to day chores are so much easier – Because you are fit, you will not tire that easily and chores such as gardening, carrying stuff , bending over or climbing up to pick up things will be so much easier.

2) Enjoy life better – Since daily chores are no longer chores, you are able to do more things and faster. Savor your productivity and efficiency.

3) Save money and live longer – Save money on your medical expenses from diseases that strike unhealthy and obese people. Your risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke and some form of cancers, all of which are deadly is reduced significantly when you stay fit and are in great health.

4) Your posture and confidence improve – Because you are stronger, your strong muscles hold up your skeletal structure will. This improves your body posture and your confidence will soar.

5) Look great in your clothes – You will carry your clothes well because you are no longer flabby or skinny with your clothes either too tight or too lose.

6) Attractive hunk – Gone will be the days when your body shape was the butt of jokes. Instead, people will ogle and admire your new attractive body. A body that many people will die for.

There are many more benefits for having great health and fitness. Too many to mention in just one article. So we shall go on to discuss how to be in great body shape, fit and healthy.

• How to be in great body shape-stay fit and healthy

Just three things.

1) Healthy eating habits and healthy lifestyle – You are what you eat. So if you eat unhealthy food, you will be unhealthy. Thus avoid saturated and trans fat. Eat less sugary stuff and sodium. Avoid alcohol and quit smoking. Drink plenty of water and remember what your mum used to say, “Take your vitamins.”

2) Do cardio exercises – It toughens up your heart and lungs. Cardio exercises are great for your respiratory and cardiovascular system. Best of all, it burns tons of calories.

3) Lift weights – Build muscles for a toned and defined body. With muscles come strength and with more strength you will be able to do many more things than just having a sexy muscular body.

So you can see, it is not that difficult to be fit and healthy. Having a great body shape along the way is indeed a bonus. So have you written out a plan for your health and fitness goals?

If you’re interested in investing in a health and franchise opportunity, then you will want to read this article. Specifically in this article we will discuss trends in the health and fitness industry which indicate that investing in a franchise opportunity related to this field is a wise idea. Finally, we’ll go over some common sense points that anyone should know about before purchasing a franchise opportunity.

Woman only exercise facilities and gym memberships have risen quite rapidly. Because of this, the weight-loss industry has also grown because more women are able to lose weight through these specialized gyms. Right now, exclusive training facilities for women account for about a third of all the fitness centers in the nation. This would indicate a potential for good investment in this kind of franchise.

Also, if you look at the sales of fitness clubs in general, you’ll see that they have increased over the last few years. How much is the sales revenue at fitness clubs? Try over $14 billion. This would indicate another good potential for investment in these type of health and fitness franchises.

Finally, most women have had more success losing weight with these type of woman only training regimens than with pills, dieting gimmicks and nutritional programs. Almost every woman’s biggest desire bills with her appearance. Since the trends seem to point to health and fitness memberships, specifically woman only facilities, as the best way for women to lose weight, it would stand to reason that more more women will resort to these methods. A good indicator for a potential franchise investment.

A great industry is one of the top factors you should be looking at when investing in a franchise. Sure, it might not be the franchise you have the most interest in, but in the end that’s not what matters. I suggest that new franchisees make a “Top 5 List of Industries they like” and then a “Top 5 List of the Most Profitable Performing Industries Currently.” After this top 5 list is made, try to see if any of the industries you like match up with any franchisors that are reporting great profits. If you find one that matches, up then you are in great shape for a successful franchise opportunity. If you cannot find one that matches up, then it’s back to the drawing board. The worse mistake you can make is investing in a bad industry, in the end you will be sorry. It’s better to wait for the perfect opportunity then to rush into a life long investment.

If you’re interested in investing in health and fitness franchises, I cannot imagine a hotter opportunity than this specific niche. Not only are the numbers growing, but they seem to indicate they will continue growing as the word-of-mouth spreads. The best time to get on any rising trend is on the ground floor. Do the research necessary, and at the very least look into this sector for franchise opportunities. Follow the trends given in this article, and you will see for yourself the opportunities that what you.

Most aging adults don’t get enough physical activity. Exercise, though, can improve health impairments and prevent some diseases. It can also improve mood and emotional well being. The keys, though, to a sensible senior workout are to take it slowly and keep it up. Older people need to find a realistic mild to moderate enjoyable program.

Let me give you 8 important reasons why You should work out.

1. Sleeping Aid for Seniors

Because exercise effects the body is so many positive ways, it is clearly the most natural option for helping address sleep related issues. Regular exercise will first of all help tire the body physically, ensuring a natural form of fatigue that the body will address with a
need to get appropriate rest.

2. Strength Training = Strong Bones

A critical aspect of aging is the general weakening of both muscle tissue and our bones themselves. One of the surest ways to reduce the stress on our weakening bones is to increase our muscles mass through strength training. Strength training has repeatedly been shown to be a safe and effective method of reversing muscle loss in the elderly

3. Strong Heart

People who exercise vigorously and often will reduce the risk of heart disease the greatest, but studies also show that any exercise can be beneficial. Studies have found that moderate exercise is also beneficial for those people with existing heart disease.

4. Arthritis Help

Arthritis is defined as the inflammation of a joint, but it can certainly seem more painful than that. It can cause searing pain that leaves the body feeling weak for days. As people age, arthritis tends to develop from the extended every day uses of the body.

Exercise, though, can assist with arthritis by strengthening the muscles near the joint which helps reduce joint stress. While exercise is necessary for everyone, it is essential for those with arthritis

5. 58% lower risk for Type 2 diabetes

A study reported a 58% lower risk for Type 2 diabetes in adults who exercise for as little as 2.5 hours a week, even if the exercise was of a moderate level.

People with diabetes are at high risk for heart disease, so the protective effects of aerobic exercise on the heart are very important for people with Type 2 diabetes. Initial indications are that strength training to increase muscle mass and reduce patient fat is also helpful for people with diabetes.

6. Increased Overall Fitness

Being physically active appears to stimulate immune cells that target many viruses and infections. Though exercise appears to stimulate such cells, that stimulation appears to last only a few hours. However, regular exercise appears to lower the overall risk of being susceptible to the flu, colds, and other viruses.

7. Increased Stamina and Slowing the Aging clock

Physical fitness allows the body to perform to its full capacity. Fitness helps us appear, feel, and act to our full potential. Exercise is essentially the capability to complete everyday responsibilities energetically and actively, with energy remaining at the end of the day for appreciation of other activities.

8. No Brain Drain

How many times do you hear yourself or other seniors say, „Sorry, I’m just having another senior moment?” Many seniors are making exercise more of a habit so their sharp and educated minds don’t suffer. Studies across the country are showing that seniors who exercise their bodies have the least trouble exercising their minds

For more information You can download free Ebook at http://www.lifestyledecision.com/senior.pdf

To accomplish a good cardio-vascular workout all you really need is a good pair of running shoes. Most cardio-vascular exercise needs little or no third party apparatus to help you accomplish your routine. Running, dancing, walking can all be done with no equipment (well, if dancing, then maybe some music would help). Other forms of cardio are step, circuit training, bike riding, swimming, aerobics and more…

With most exercise you should always remember to warm up first and cool down afterwards. This means gently stretching and moving your muscles to start off with. Suddenly moving into full exercise without building up first will cause problems such as stiffness and cramps. Ease yourself into it. Then after exercise, the cool down is basically gently moving the muscles and joints to stretch and relax, as your body returns to its normal pace.

Running:
Make sure you have a good pair of running shoes. The technology put into these shoes nowadays is highly researched and designed to reduce shock to the feet, ankles, legs and back. So don’t skimp on these – you get what you pay for.

Before you start your run, be sure to warm up first. Start with a brisk walk ensuring you move your arms vigorously gradually breaking into a slow jog. It is better to run at a speed to which you can still converse. If you find yourself losing breath, slow your pace down until you’ve recovered. If you are a novice runner try running and walking, until you can hold your run for 15 minutes.

Now increase the length and time of your run by a couple of minutes every other time you hit the road or treadmill, until you can run for 30 minutes without stopping. Try to increase your run time by 10% each week, remember not to over do it and don’t forget to warm down at the end of each by slowing down gradually. When your run is complete stretch your legs for 30 seconds per muscle, hamstring, calf and thigh.

Cycling:
Cycling is one of the best ways to get a good cardio-vascular workout.

First of all, if you are riding on the roads safety is paramount, always use the appropriate safety equipment when road riding. You can stay fit by riding a bike to work, most people work within a five mile radius of there place of work, which is a perfect distance for a bike ride.

Exercise bikes can be used in a variety of ways, general riding for specified length of time, this is like going for a bike ride with out the dangers of road riding and the weather. Warm up riding you can use an exercise bike for warming up the legs before a leg workout. Also exercise bike classes, these classes are taken by an instructor, who will put you through various levels of pace, quite like a circuit training exercise with a bike.

You may find it surprising to find that riding a bike five miles 3 times per week will improve your heart rate, your posture, skin and weight control. Some even say that riding and running are great ways of relieving stress.

Swimming:
One of the best ways to firm up and trim your body down. Due to the resistance the water has on the body swimming involves all the major muscle groups this allows the body to burn up to 20% more calories than swimming through air. Swimming a few lengths per day will keep you fit and give you an excellent workout. Swimming also has less impact on the joints than say, running.

If you wish to take your swim a little further try picking up the pace of your swim, you can work up to a great aerobic exercise and give your body an excellent workout.

Start off by swimming 1-2 lengths at a time resting between sets if necessary, after you have swam ten lengths call it a day. The next day repeat the process until you can swim five lengths without a break. Progress to ten lengths in by adding an extra length each time you return.

You can put together your own cardio raining routing in the gym, if you have a problem with this then the staff on hand will write one for you and show you how to achieve your goal. Try to make your cardio last between an hour and an hour and a half. A good start point for cardio is always a run.

This cardio workout will work for a person of medium fitness, however adjust the times and pace according to your fitness levels.

1. Run at a light pace for 20 minutes, start off at a walking pace and gradually move to a run, this helps you get warmed up and the blood pumping.

2. Rowing machine- set the rowing machine for a countdown time of 15 minutes or keep a check on your watch or the clock. Start off with a slow rowing motion to get the pace up, maintain this steady pace throughout the full 13 minutes and use the 2 minutes to slow the pace down.

3. Move immediately on to exercise bike take a stead paced ride for 12 minutes with a sprint finish for the remaining 3 minutes.

4. After the exercise bike move directly on to the step climber for a period of 15 minutes climbing on a light level to get the legs going. Try to move at a swift pace for the full 15 minutes as this is the last of the leg work you will be doing.

5. When you have completed the step climber, move onto the abs bench for some crunches. 4 sets of crunches to failure is your target for this exercise. Try twisting your body and touching your left knee with your right elbow and vice versa.

6. The last exercise in this quick cardio workout is the leg raise apparatus. Bring your knees up to your chest for 3-4 sets for as many reps as possible (failure)

After the completion of this cardio workout, remember to do a full warm down by stretching the muscles. The full workout should take you around 1 hour 20 minutes.