Potential Warning Signs of Cancer that People Too Often Ignore

Health experts emphasize the importance of paying attention to warning signs and symptoms that could indicate undiagnosed cancer. If cancer is the cause, early detection by doctors greatly improves the chances of successfully treating the condition.
Though the signs and symptoms described below do not necessarily indicate cancer, do not ignore them. If you experience any of these symptoms, analyze your symptoms and get an appointment with a doctor soon.
There are more than 200 types of cancer. The most common types include lung, prostate, breast, ovarian, bladder, colorectal, kidney (renal), pancreatic, and endometrial cancers as well as melanoma and leukemia.

Here are some warning signs of cancer that you need to be aware of and address appropriately if you experience them.

1. Unexplained weight loss

Unexplained weight loss is often one of the first noticeable signs of cancer. It is particularly common in people suffering from solid tumor cancers like breast and lung cancer.
Weight loss often occurs when a cancer spreads to the liver and impairs its functioning, especially related to regulating appetite and removing toxins. Weight loss can also be an early sign of colon or other digestive cancers.
Unexplained weight loss is so common that:

• as many as 40 percent of cancer patients report unexplained weight loss at the time of diagnosis, and
• unexplained weight loss and cachexia (general ‘wasting’) are experienced in up to 80 percent of cases of advanced cancer.

If you have not been trying to drop some pounds by exercising and watching your diet but you are losing weight anyways, consult a healthcare provider. Losing 10 pounds a month or up to 10 percent of your weight in a span of six months can be cause for concern.

2. Frequent fevers or infections

Though a fever may simply indicate that your body is fighting an infection, a persistent or prolonged fever can be a sign of a cancerous condition, such as lymphoma. Leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells, can also cause symptoms like frequent infections, fevers, fatigue, aches, and other flu-like symptoms.

3. Weakness and fatigue

Weakness and fatigue that does not diminish, even when you get more sleep and rest, should be evaluated by a doctor. It can be a sign of a variety of cancers, so you and your doctor will need to consider other symptoms as well.

4. Wheezing or shortness of breath

Though wheezing and shortness of breath can be caused by a variety of conditions, these symptoms can be associated with lung cancer too. When a tumor in a lung presses against and narrows an airway, it may lead to wheezing – a whistling sound that occurs during exhalation due to constricted airways.

5. Chronic cough and chest pain

At times, symptoms of cancers like leukemia and lung tumors can mimic a bad cough or bronchitis. The problem may persist or come-and-go in repeating cycles. There may also be chest pain extending into the shoulder or down the arm. Consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Also, get yourself checked by a doctor if you have a cough and hoarse voice for more than six weeks, especially if you smoke or have smoked in the past. Occasionally, a hoarse voice may be a symptom of laryngeal, thyroid, esophageal, or lung cancer.

6. Bloating

Unexplained abdominal bloating continuing on-and-off over a long period of time may be sign of ovarian cancer. Bloating accompanied by pelvic pain, swelling in the abdomen, and feeling full may be another tip-off to this condition. Similarly, pain or bloating in the stomach after eating can be a sign of stomach cancer.

7. Chronic heartburn

Heartburn is usually a symptom of acid reflux disease, but if it is persistent, it may be associated with Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer.
A study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology in May 2012 found that inflammation of the tissue lining in the esophagus caused by chronic heartburn may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
Moreover, a study by researchers at Rhode Island Hospital discovered a pathway linking Barrett’s esophagus to the development of esophageal cancer. The research was published in the American Journal of Cell Physiology in 2013.

8. Bowel problems

If you notice a change in your bowel habits that lasts four weeks or longer for no obvious reason, consult your doctor as it may be a sign of bowel cancer, especially in older adults.

9. Difficulty swallowing

Trouble swallowing, or the feeling that food is stuck in the throat or chest, that gets worse with time can be a symptom of esophageal or throat cancer. Symptoms of these cancers also include pain or a burning sensation when swallowing food.
Esophageal cancer typically does not cause symptoms initially, so do not ignore these symptoms if they occur. Similarly, difficulty swallowing can be one of the first signs of lung cancer.

10. Jaundice

Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Though it is mostly considered a symptom of liver or gallbladder disease, it can also be caused by pancreatic cancer interfering with the bile duct and liver.

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11. Unusual swelling or lumps in the body

Unusual lumps on the breasts, testicles, groin, neck, abdomen, underarms, or other parts of the body should be thoroughly checked by a doctor, especially if they last for three weeks or more.
At times, an enlarged lymph node or lump under the arm can be a sign of breast cancer. Red, sore, swollen breasts may indicate inflammatory breast cancer.

12. New or changing skin spots or moles

Changes on your skin rarely cause pain and often pose little or no health concerns, but experts recommend screening for cancer when you see:

• new growths, spots, or sores on the skin that won’t heal, or
• changes in symmetry, border, color or diameter of an existing mole.

13. Changes in nails

Unusual changes in fingernails can indicate several types of cancers, such as skin, liver, or lung cancer. While each of the following changes can occur for many reasons, they could be warning signs of cancer.

• Black or brown spots under your nails may indicate skin cancer.
• Clubbing of the fingers or toes (enlarged ends of the nails) may be associated with lung cancer. Diseases that reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood cause this problem.
• Pale or white nails may indicate poor liver functioning, which may be due to various diseases including liver cancer.

14. Pelvic or abdominal pain

Pelvic or lower abdominal pain, accompanied by pelvic heaviness, may be a symptom of ovarian cancer. It may also cause changes in bathroom habits. Generally, women are more at risk of developing ovarian cancer if they:

• have never been pregnant,
• have a family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer, or
• have been diagnosed with breast, colon, rectum or uterine cancer.

Plus, pain in the pelvic area may be a sign of uterine cancer or leukemia (when pain is due to an enlarged spleen).

15. Unexplained pain lasting more than four weeks

Though aches and pains tend to be vague, if you experience persistent unexplained pain or if it comes-and-goes over a period of four weeks or more, then it is better to get the problem checked by a doctor. Pain is often an early symptom of bone or testicular cancer.

16. Abnormal bleeding

Blood in your urine, though sometimes a symptom of a urinary tract infection, can be caused by bladder or kidney cancer. Similarly, blood in stools, though a common sight among those who have hemorrhoids, can be a symptom of bowel cancer.
Bleeding between periods or after menopause may indicate endometrial or uterine cancer. In rare cases, vaginal bleeding may be due to vaginal cancer. Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract may be a sign of colorectal cancer.
Vomiting blood and coughing up blood may be signs of stomach or esophageal cancer and lung cancer, respectively. Excessive bruising and bleeding that does not stop could be signs of leukemia. While abnormal bleeding can be caused by other illnesses too, it still needs to be evaluated by a doctor.
So, apart from getting your recommended health check-ups and cancer screenings, be sure to keep an eye on the symptoms mentioned above. Try to adopt the “better safe than sorry” approach and get these symptoms checked out by a doctor, particularly if you do not have health issues that would otherwise cause such symptoms.

Source: http://www.top10homeremedies.com/news-facts/potential-warning-signs-cancer-people-often-ignore.html/2

Top 10 Superfoods to Boost Immunity

It is absolutely vital to have a good, strong immune system to stay healthy. The immune system is the body’s defense mechanism to fight off illnesses and infections.
Nutritional deficiencies as well as lack of physical exercise and too much stress can impair immune functions and compromise immunity, increasing both the risk and severity of infection. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
The foods you eat have a great impact on your immune system which is a complex network of cells and organs. Feeding your body certain foods packed with nutrients and disease-fighting properties will help keep your immune system running strong.

Here are the top 10 superfoods to boost immunity.

1. Garlic

Garlic is one of best immune-boosting foods. It contains powerful antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties that help the body ward off and fight infections.
Regular consumption of garlic helps your body fight infections and inflammatory diseases like the common cold, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Plus, it can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and aid in preventing various types of cancer. To stay healthy, eat one or two raw garlic cloves daily.

2. Honey

Daily consumption of honey has been found to strengthen the immune system. Its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties help fight infections from viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Honey also can improve your digestive system, treat acid reflux, soothe a sore throat, treat a nasty cough, improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity, and heal wounds and scars quickly.
Start each day with one teaspoon of honey along with a glass of lukewarm water to enjoy its numerous health benefits.
Note: Honey should never be given to children under age 1.

3. Ginger

This pungent herb has been used for ages to boost the immune system and treat many health problems. Apart from being a strong antioxidant, ginger has antimicrobial, antiseptic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties.
This herb helps eliminate congestion, ease throat pain, kill cold viruses, combat fever, inhibit pancreatic cancer cell growth, inhibit growth of peptic ulcer disease, promote gastric mobility, decrease chronic pain and lower high cholesterol. Drink one to two cups of ginger tea daily to keep your immune system functioning properly.

4. Green Tea

Green tea is the best drink known to boost the immune system. It introduces a type of flavonoid called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) into the body that helps fight bacteria and prevent viruses from multiplying.
It also has many powerful antioxidants that help protect against viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms that can cause health problems.
Regular consumption of green tea also will help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis. Enjoy a soothing cup of green tea several times a day. Do not add milk, as it will make the tea less effective for this purpose.

5. Yogurt

To boost your immune system, include yogurt with active cultures in your diet. The strains of ‘good’ bacteria such as Bifidobacterium lactis in yogurt boost the activity of immune system cells to destroy viruses and ‘bad’ bacteria. The friendly bacteria also help the body absorb many essential nutrients.
Eating yogurt on daily basis can reduce the incidence of intestinal infections, fight different types of viral infections, improve digestion, reduce the length of the common cold, and treat dysentery and various types of diarrhea. For maximum benefits, buy yogurt that has “live and active cultures” printed on the label.

6. Oranges

Oranges are rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps boost your immune system. Vitamin C promotes the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections.
Oranges are also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B9 or folate, and copper that are important for immune functions. Also, they help lower both cholesterol and blood pressure levels. To improve your immune system, drink a glass of fresh orange juice in the morning and one glass later in the day.

7. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes also are an excellent immunity-boosting food. They are full of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which protects against damaging free radicals and improves immune cell function. Plus, they have a high amount of vitamin A, which is required for the normal functioning of the immune system and helps develop resistance to infection.
Sweet potatoes also help regulate blood sugar and lower insulin resistance; combat inflammatory problems like asthma, arthritis, and gout; relieve constipation and prevent colon cancer; protect against emphysema; and prevent strokes and heart attacks. Eat one-half cup of boiled sweet potatoes daily to improve your immune system and stay healthy.

8. Chicken Soup

A bowl of homemade chicken soup can boost your immune system and increase your chances of beating a viral infection quickly. Chicken soup provides a strong dose of protein, an important nutrient for immune system maintenance.
Plus, it contains B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and zinc, all of which strengthen your immune system. Chicken soup also helps you stay hydrated, which can speed up the healing process if you do get sick. Have chicken soup several times a day when dealing with symptoms of a cold, including a runny nose, nasal congestion and cough.

9. Cayenne Pepper

The compound capsaicin present in cayenne pepper can help boost your immune system. Cayenne pepper also has high beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A content, which is essential for a healthy immune system. It helps defend the body against invading pathogens to prevent illness.
Cayenne pepper helps flush out toxins, stimulate digestion, clear congestion, and reduce symptoms of colds and other infections.

10. Mushrooms

Mushrooms have high antioxidant content and are rich in the essential minerals selenium and copper that are important for the immune system. Research has shown that an increase in selenium intake can help improve the immune function.
Mushrooms also nourish and protect the heart and liver and have the ability to help prevent breast and prostate cancer. They are also known to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke. To boost your immune system, opt for shiitake, reishi or maitake mushrooms.
Adding these superfoods to your diet will boost your immune system and help you remain healthy and free of disease.

Source: http://www.top10homeremedies.com/superfoods/top-10-superfoods-boost-immunity.html

Are Pets Killing the Environment?

What has four paws, loves belly rubs, and is poisoning our planet? Some research points the finger at our fluffy friends—and urges us to be considerate of their carbon pawprints.
Mother Jones recently reported on the book Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living, explores what sustainability really means across all of our lifestyle decisions… including our pets.

So what harm are Mr. Whisker Mittens and Fluffy McKissyNose doing? The book’s authors found that:

• Dogs are the biggest offenders—a medium-sized pup is worse for the planet than a gas-guzzling car, with twice the impact of driving a luxury SUV 10,000 miles.
• While unscooped poop contaminates waterways, those of us who do scoop usually use bags that aren’t biodegradable.
• Cats aren’t off the hook either—two million tons of cat litter gets sent to landfill each year, and most of it isn’t biodegradable.
• Outdoor cat? It can have an impact on the local wildlife, as anyone who’s received a mouse “gift” from their well-meaning friend knows.
• Nosh time is rough, too. Pet food has an environmental cost when it comes to packaging, shipping, and distribution.
• Sick pet? Medications and flea and tick treatments add toxic chemicals to the environment.

Of course, even the most eco-conscious pet owner would probably argue that the benefits of having a pet outweighs the impact it has on the earth—they’re important parts of our lives and families. If you’re set on lowering our pet’s carbon pawprint, though, Mother Jones offers some suggestions:

• Make your own pet food using locally grown, organic products.
• Make your own litter with something like discarded wood shavings (and hope your cat doesn’t retaliate by peeing in your bed).
• Buy natural and organic pet care products.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/are-pets-killing-the-environment.html

7 Winter Vegetables that Boost Your Health

We rarely think of vegetables in the winter but it is important to eat your veggies this time of year to keep your immune system strong.

Beets—Beets are one of the most overlooked superfoods.  They lower blood pressure, increase exercise endurance, and reduce inflammation.  They contain potent phytonutrients called proanthocyanidins which give beets their brilliant purple color.  Proanthocyanidins are proven anti-cancer compounds.  They are packed in nutrients like folate which is important to prevent birth defects, potassium which is critical for healthy muscles and nerves, manganese which helps build strong bones, and vitamin C for a strong immune system.

Carrots—Just one carrot contains 13,500 IU of beta carotene which translates into a tremendous amount of nutritional power against free radicals.  Beta carotene is anti-cancerous, prevents cellular damage and premature aging, and is important to prevent cataracts.

Ginger—Ginger is one of the best natural anti-pain remedies.  Technically it is a spice but it is ideal for winter since it reduces joint pain that plagues so many people with arthritis this time of year.  It also adds warmth to foods and beverages making freshly minced garlic a welcome addition to most soups, stews, and curries.

Rutabaga—Contrary to popular belief, rutabagas are not turnips.  The most common rutabagas are larger than turnips, have purple and cream-colored skins, and tend to have a cream to yellow-colored flesh.  It is high in anti-cancer compounds, immune-boosting vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin B6 which is needed for a healthy nervous system. They are great in soups, stews, curries, and other places you’d use hardy winter veggies.  I love them cut into small cubes, tossed with a bit of olive oil and sea salt and roasted in the oven on 350 for about an hour.

Squash—Squash is rich in beta-carotene, the nutrient that gives squash its brilliant orange-colored flesh.  Enjoy it cut in half, seeded, and roasted.  Add roasted squash to soups, salads, stews, or in wraps and on sandwiches.  Use grated, raw squash in muffin recipes, in place of zucchini in zucchini bread recipes, or in other baked goods to increase their nutritional value.

Sweet Potatoes—Like squash, sweet potatoes are also high in beta carotene.   They also contain vitamins C, B6, and minerals like blood-building iron, energy-boosting potassium, and Nature’s relaxant, magnesium.  Enjoy them chopped into French fry-shapes, tossed in a little olive oil and sea salt and baked in the oven for about 45 minutes on 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Turnips—Turnips are a good source of fiber which helps to keep blood sugar levels steady and stabilize energy and moods.  They are also a rich source of glucosinolates—the precursors of isothiocyanates that are proven anti-cancer powerhouses.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-winter-vegetables-that-boost-your-health.html#

Why Everyone Should Try Sprouting Chia Seeds

I have to admit, I was a little bummed at Christmas when at my family’s gift exchange, I was the recipient of a Chia Pet. Everyone else got stuff they could use or gifts that were fun, but what was I going to do with a chia pet?
I soon realized that out of everyone in my family, I was actually the best one to get the Chia Pet. I had been eating chia seeds for years, but had never tried sprouting them. I knew right then that I was going to eat my chia pet!
What a great and fun way to grow microgreens! I soaked the chia seeds like the directions indicated, and carefully spread them around my pet's face to grow his microgreen beard. It took several days on my countertop before I started to see the sprouts forming. (I think if I had a little more light, things would have been faster.) However, it wasn’t long ... just 4-5 days and I had microgreens (of course not quite as full as the photo on the box showed)!
I invited a friend over for lunch, and we ate my Chia Pet's beard. We scooped off the microgreens and added them to our guacamole. Yum! You could also add these small microgreens to your salad, atop your sandwich, in your smoothie, or anywhere you need an extra boost of nutrients. They’re so tiny and tender, you hardly even know there are there, but they pack a powerful nutritional punch.
USDA researchers recently published a study on microgreens and reported that they possess significantly higher nutrient densities than mature leaves. In fact, microgreens can have 4-6 times the nutrients than the mature leaves of the same plant!
Chia seeds actually got their name from the Mayan word for “strength,” and for good reason! Chia seeds are extremely healthy, which is why they're known as a superfood! Here are just some of the benefits of chia seeds:

• They have maximum nutrients with minimal calories.
• They contain high levels of ALA omega-3 fatty acids (higher than flaxseeds and even salmon).
• They're a good source of fiber and antioxidants (which neutralize free radicals).
• They're high in calcium
• They're high in manganese (good for bones and helps our body use other essential nutrients).
• Have plenty of phosphorus to maintain healthy bones and teeth.
• They are a great protein source.

Once sprouted, you also get the added benefit of chlorophyll (the source of the “green” of the leaf). Chlorophyll is a powerful blood cleanser and blood builder. It replenishes and increases our red blood cell count and increases the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen and deliver us increased levels of oxygen.
If you to purchased already sprouted microgreens, they're expensive and can go for $30 a pound. However, when grown at home with the help of your chia pet, they cost significantly less!
So don’t throw away that unwanted Chia Pet; or go purchase one on the cheap, since we are post-holiday, and you’ll be adding healthy microgreens to your diet in no time while having fun doing it! Invite some friends over for dinner and have your Chia Pet as a centerpiece. Show your guests how to use the microgreens, and your centerpiece will be something they won’t soon forget!

Read More:  http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12404/why-everyone-should-try-sprouting-chia-seeds.html

5 Foods Your Dentist Wants You To Eat

It’s certainly important to be aware of foods that should be avoided because of the damage they have on teeth, but why not focus on delicious and nutritious options that can help? Adding some beneficial foods to your dental care routine can boost your oral health and help you maintain that beautiful smile.
You’re probably used to dentists and doctors always telling you what foods to avoid in order to improve your health – the key word is always “don’t.”
This time, however, I’m happy to be the bearer of good news. There are several great foods that you should be eating to improve oral health.

Cheese

 

Just in case you needed another reason to enjoy cheese, I’m here to give you one. This study gives us a few reasons this delicious dairy does a mouth good. First, just like milk and other dairy-rich foods, cheese is high in calcium and low in acid. Calcium fortifies teeth (and bones), prevents decay and may even let you keep your pearly whites longer in old age.

Cheese also contains a protein called casein, which is great at stopping bacteria from attaching to teeth. That means that cheese (and milk) can actually help prevent cavities. So, at the next dinner party where you’re parked at the cheese plate, just explain that it’s for your oral health. 

Apples

 

An apple a day might, in fact, help keep the dentist away. Crunchy, high-fiber fruits and veggies, like apples and celery for example, are great for teeth. They require some pretty decent effort to chew and break down, resulting in saliva production, which helps neutralize harmful acids in the mouth.

Additionally, as the food is broken down, it cleans your teeth. The fibrous pieces are natural scrubbers that get rid of some of the bacteria in your mouth as you chew. Fiber-rich foods are also beneficial for digestion and your heart, so you really can’t go wrong.

 

Sesame Oil

 

Sesame oil has long been hailed for its health and healing properties. When it comes to oral care, studies show that this oil is highly effective at reducing plaque, and thus, gingivitis. Because it has a fairly strong flavor, it may not be appropriate for all of your cooking needs, but it’s a perfect option for those healthy stir-fries and Asian dishes.

You can even use straight sesame oil in place of a plaque-fighting mouthwash. Oil pulling is an Eastern medicine method that involves gargling with sesame oil. Scientific studies have shown that swishing around a tablespoon of the stuff can reduce bacteria and even prevent more from forming on teeth. It may not taste as good as your minty mouthwash, but it is a great natural alternative.

 

Broccoli

 

While you’ll never hear a good dentist condoning soda, we realize that many people do enjoy the occasional fizzy drink. If you must have one, try eating some broccoli beforehand. A pre-soda broccoli appetizer might sound strange, but a European study showed that the iron in the vegetable actually creates a natural acid barrier over teeth. This coating helps prevent the acid in sodas from attaching to teeth and causing cavities. While this doesn’t give you a free license to chug soda, it can be used to help offset the harmful effects of sugary, acidic beverages.

 

Sugar-free gum

 

Just like fibrous foods, gum increases saliva, which is your body’s natural defense against the build-up of oral bacteria. Most sugarless chewing gums also contain a natural sweetening ingredient called Xylitol, which actually helps reduce the bacteria that results in tooth decay. However, it may be best to stick to mint-flavored gums because of the acid that other artificial flavorings can contain.

 

Read More: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-12359-5/5-foods-your-dentist-wants-you-to-eat.html

3 Reasons I'm Proud To Be Imperfect

I'm currently competing on ABC's The Taste as a happy, healthy living guru. Whenever you put yourself out there in a big way, like on national TV, you're certainly making yourself a target for judgment. So I guess I should have been more prepared for the remarks from vegans all over the Twitterverse when it was not clearly explained that although I LOVE baking and cooking vegan treats, I'm not a hard-core vegan.

When my French chef mentor, Ludo Lefebvre, pressured me to eat chicken, I cracked, and my attackers were ready to call me every name in the book. However, if I could go back and do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing! I’m not perfect; I’m REAL, and I want to inspire real people, people who might not be ready to go raw or be strict vegans.
I want people to know that you don’t have to be perfect! You can make small healthy changes and be compassionate with yourself at every stage of the process. I aim to show people that being healthy and happy is attainable for EVERYONE, because I’m not perfect, and I’m OK with that!
So here are three reasons I’m proud that I'm not perfect, and I hope you are too!


1. Perfect can be prison.
We are all free beings with different wants and needs that can change at any moment. Why put ourselves under the intense pressure and restrictiveness of a confining label? I eat plant based 80% of the time. I absolutely love making and enjoying vegan baked goods, and I frequently go to vegan restaurants. However, by not labeling myself, I’m able to feel flexibility in my diet and have compassion for my cravings. It makes my overall healthy eating a choice, not a life sentence. It also makes any sort diet more approachable and realistic.


2. Mistakes are totally OK.

Ever tried a low-carb diet and accidentally gorged yourself on bagels, cookies, cake and more because you had one little pretzel and figured you blew it? C’mon. Too many of us have been there! I always tell my coaching clients that they need to FORGIVE themselves. It’s not the end of the world if you want a cupcake. Life happens, and you shouldn’t feel guilty. I don’t even like calling it a “mistake;” you just veered slightly off your healthy course for a moment, and if you're totally loving to yourself in those moments, it’s so much easier to get right back on track.

3. Life was meant to be lived.
Whether it’s trying the best restaurant in town when you’re traveling, or skipping the gym because your boyfriend made you breakfast in bed, embrace life’s imperfections! It would be so boring if you always did everything perfectly, if you never allowed any room for improvisation. Cut yourself some slack! Be in the present and enjoy that moment, whatever it brings! There will be plenty of days when you can get the salad and make spin class — if adventure and experience calls, don’t be too busy drudging through your cardio workout to answer.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying abandon all your wonderful healthy habits, I just want you to know that it’s OK if you’re not perfect. Be kind to yourself, don’t let negative self-talk sabotage all the great healthy things you do for yourself on a regular basis, and don’t let anyone make you wrong for doing your personal best. We’re all at different stages of our journey, and the important part is that we're on the same path toward optimum health and happiness. We need to support each other along the way.

Read More: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12350/3-reasons-im-proud-to-be-imperfect.html

Physician Prescribes Coconut Oil And Successfully Cures Alzheimer’s Disease

What if there was an actual cure for diseases such as alzheimer’s disease, parkinson’s, ALS, epilepsy, dementia, schizophrenia, and even autism? What if that cure was not a drug and available at many health food and even grocery retailers? What if you could be incorporating something into your diet right now that is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, helps with weight-loss and is one of the richest sources of healthy sources of fat?

I know it sounds to good to be true but coconut oil can do all these things. It’s natural, widely available and thankfully not a patented. Coconut oil is one of the healthiest cooking and edible oils in the world. It is extracted from the kernel of matured coconuts in typically tropical regions. Throughout the tropics, it has provided the primary source of fat in the diets of millions of people for generations. It has always had various applications in food, medicine, and industry.

In the video above, Dr. Mary Newport speaks out on her incredible initiative to prescribe coconut oil to her husband, Steve Newport for his Alzheimer’s disease.

“He had an MRI in May 2008 showing a diffuse involutional change of the frontal and parietal lobes and moderate left-sided and severe right-sided amygdala and hippocampal atrophy with no ischemic change, which would support a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease,” Dr. Newport stated.

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Dr. Newport, a physician who runs a neonatology ward in a Florida hospital, became determined to help her husband after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The report hosted on CBN.com stated that “insulin problems prevent brain cells from accepting glucose, their primary fuel…there is an alternative fuel, ketones which the cells easily accept. Ketones are metabolized in the liver after you eat medium chain triglycerides which are found in coconut oil.”

After incorporating coconut oil into his diet, Steve Newport began passing specific clock tests designed to help diagnose Alzheimer’s patients. He began improving intellectually, emotionally and physically.

Dr. Newport documented Steve’s success in a book called Alzheimer’s Disease – What If There Was a Cure? She received dozens of thank you letters from other people whose loved one’s Alzheimer’s was helped after they followed Steve’s diet.

Coconut oil has always received a crticism because a group of scientists had incorrectly promoted that it increased LDL cholesterol, also known to promote health problems and cardiovascular disease. However, it never did increase LDL cholesterol, but it did increase HDL or good cholesterol. That distinction was never corrected in the mainstream press and the misconception still continues to this day.

“Why the mainstream persists in this delusion of criticising coconut oil is beyond the understanding of many in the natural food industry,” said raw food expert and retailer Ian Macdonald.

“You know you’re on to something healthy when national and international health agencies are advising AGAINST it,” Macdonald stated. “This is typically due to influences from pharmaceutical and high profile corporations who strive on keeping the population sick and diseased,” he added.

For example the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), World Health Organization (WHO), International College of Nutrition, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, American Dietetic Association (ADA), American Heart Association (AHA), British National Health Service (NHS), and Dietitians of Canada all simultaenously recommend AGAINST the consumption of coconut oil. Unfortunately, and against the better interest of the public, none of the above organizations have a track record of recommending healthy solutions for the public, so Macdonald suggests that when these organizations recommend against something, “that is your cue to incorporate it into your diet, with proper research of course.” Coconut oil may be the perfect example.

The way coconut oil benefits the brain and body can be of benefit to may conditions. Dr. Newport stated:

“Until very recently, I didn’t see anything regarding the potential use of medium chain triglycerides (MCT oil), or ketone bodies (also called ketoacids,) the end product of their metabolism, which may not only treat, but also prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Further, this is a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), drug resistant epilepsy, brittle type I diabetes, and diabetes type II, where there is insulin resistance. Ketone bodies may help the brain recover after a loss of oxygen in newborns through adults, may help the heart recover after an acute attack, and may shrink cancerous tumors. Children with drug resistant epilepsy sometimes respond to an extremely low carbohydrate ketogenic diet. MCT oil appears to be useful as an aid in weight loss and body builders use it already to improve their lean body mass (MCT oil can be easily purchased on the internet.) Athletes and soldiers could use MCT oil as a source of fuel when the body runs out of carbohydrates, which occurs rather quickly when food is not readily available.”

Coconut oil is very heat-stable, having one of the highest smoking points, which makes it suited to methods of cooking at high temperatures like frying. Because of its stability, it is slow to oxidize and, thus, resistant to rancidity, lasting up to two years due to high saturated fat content.

Multiple studies on Pacific Island populations who get 30-60% of their total caloric intact from fully saturated coconut oil have all shown nearly non-existent rates of cardiovascular disease.

50 percent of the fat content in coconut oil is a fat rarely found in nature called lauric acid. Your body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-protozoa properties. Lauric acid is a powerful virus and gram-negative bacteria destroyer, and coconut oil contains the most lauric acid of any substance on earth!

Coconut oil is exceptionally helpful for pregnant women, nursing moms, the elderly, those concerned about digestive health, athletes (even weekend warriors), and those of you who just want to enhance your overall health.

Nigel Turner and Jiming Ye from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research compared fat metabolism and insulin resistance in mice fed coconut oil and lard based diets.

“The medium chain fatty acids like those found in coconut oil are interesting to us because they behave very differently to the fats normally found in our diets,” said study leader Turner.

“Unlike the long chain fatty acids contained in animal fats, medium chain fatty acids are small enough to enter mitochondria – the cells’ energy burning powerhouses – directly where they can then be converted to energy.”

Read more at http://www.realfarmacy.com/physician-prescribes-coconut-oil-and-successfully-cures-alzheimers-disease/

The Biggest Mistake People Make When It Comes To Weight Loss

As a certified fitness trainer and health coach, I work with people all the time who want to lose weight. Some are depressed about how much they weigh. Others are frustrated because they drop a few pounds, only to put them right back on. Some want my help because they feel defeated or their weight loss has plateaued.
Many women tell me they don't feel like their outside matches how they feel inside. Some used to be athletes, or at their ideal weight and are now struggling to find that person once again.
I get it.
I live in the weight loss space and know how exasperating it can be for people who want more than anything to take off the extra weight. However, I meet too many women who put their lives on hold until they reach some ideal number on the scale. It's as if life begins when three specific digits appear on the scale. Or they won't smile again until they lose weight. I don't care what weight you're at—don't put your life on pause as you embark on your weight loss journey.
Here's a little secret: You are completely worthy of love (your own love too!) right now. You don't have to wait for your weight to be a certain number to love yourself, deserve love from others or live your life.

Read Also: Addicted to diet soda

I'm all about change from a positive place.
If you're beating yourself up, thinking defeating thoughts, and feeling unworthy of love because of your size, you're going to have a difficult time losing that weight. Change is more likely to happen if you can start from a positive place. This way, you're in the control seat and you believe change is possible. You tell yourself positive things like Yes, you can or I've got this. When you are a positive person, positive things happen.
Wherever you are in your journey, don't let extra weight prevent you from having a full life right now. Go to the gym, go on a date, buy the dress, attend the party, pose for the photograph, jet off on vacation ... Do all the things you want to do, regardless of the number you see on the scale. Live fully and you'll build the confidence you need to make positive change. Plus, we should all accept ourselves and our flaws. Life is about learning, right? Perfect is a title nobody gets.
How do you do this? A few ways:

Practice loving yourself and not tying your emotional state to those three numbers on the scale.
You can set a goal weight, but keep it in perspective. Your mood shouldn't soar up or down based on that number on the scale. Be kind to yourself.

Realize the story you tell yourself about yourself is powerful.
How you see yourself will match your actions. Who do you think would have more success on their weight loss journey ... someone who is enjoying life as they work to lose weight, or someone who stays at home waiting for the day when the scale hits a certain number? Elevate your self-perception and make the story you tell about you a positive one, and watch how can accelerate your weight loss results this year!
Decide to love your body this year! Know that you can be on a journey of self-improvement and love yourself through it—ups, downs, flaws, setbacks, triumphs and all! This is your one life after all. Don't you want to live it?

Read More: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12221/the-biggest-mistake-people-make-when-it-comes-to-weight-loss.html

5 Incredible Things Dogs Sense About You

For centuries, people have been turning to their beloved pooches for affection and companionship. And for good reason — dogs are incredibly perceptive and intelligent creatures. They may not understand the nuances of everyday life, of course, but dogs have an incredible ability to understand how their pet parents are feeling emotionally, and even physically. Indeed, they don’t call ‘em man’s best friend for nothing!
Continue reading to check out some of the amazing things that your canine friend can tell about you.

1. They Know if You’re Scared.
Heard something go bump in the night? Dogs can pick up on your fear, and will usually mimic your behavior. If you’d like to alleviate your dog’s fear, you need to alleviate your own first! One exception, though, would be the several breeds that have been, well, bred, to be guard dogs.

2. They Notice Inequality.
Dogs can tell if you’re playing favorites. Let’s say you have two dogs who both earned a treat for good behavior. If you give a treat to only one, the other will likely pick up on that, and believe she’s done something wrong. They can even stop cooperating all together. Perhaps there’s something us humans can learn from this!

3. They Know Whether or Not You’re Paying Attention.
Any pet parent with a sneaky pooch knows this one is totally true! The science backs it up, too: studies have shown that dogs are perfectly aware whether or not there are any people around, and will behave accordingly. Even the most well-behaved dog on the block can’t risk temptations when no humans are around to scold them.

4.  They Can Tell if You’re Sick.
Dogs have long been prized — and put to work — for their keen sense of smell. Their noses are thousands of times stronger than the average human! Just as dogs are trained to sniff for drugs or explosives, dogs have also been successfully trained to pick up on the extremely subtle scents our bodies give off when we have cancer. Other dogs have been trained to alert their pet parents when they’re about to have a seizure minutes or even hours before an attack will happen– though it’s not entirely clear if this skill is related to dog’s sense of smell.

5. They Know If You’re Sad.
Does your dog somehow know just what to do when you’re not feeling so happy? You’re not imagining it — studies have shown that dogs can pick up on your sadness and are more likely to approach you. One such study placed two people, one crying and one quiet, in a room. Almost all of the dogs approached the crying person, and most of those did so with submissive body language — even if the crying person was a stranger to them. Researchers, though, aren’t entirely clear on whether this means that dogs fully understand empathy.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-incredible-things-dogs-sense-about-you.html

Tips to pick the right puppy from the litter

When you've finally decided to spend time, money and patience on raising a puppy — lets also look into how you should ideally choose the right puppy for yourself from the litter.

After you've researched on the different breeds and the one that perfectly fits your lifestyle — now comes the best part, choosing which puppy to pick from the litter.

Just like humans, every puppy too has a different personality and temperament. Therefore, you need to be careful about the one that you end up picking.

Observe
Watch the puppies in the litter without disturbing them. Look to see how each puppy interacts with one another. It can be hard to resist wanting the shy puppy with the big sad eyes. However, you're best to avoid this type of puppy, especially if they are going to be around kids. This kind of puppy tends to show anti-social tendencies and can often bite people or kids out of fear.

Consider his energy level
It's crucial that the puppy you end up choosing has energy levels that match your lifestyle. Try and see the puppies after they've woken up from sleep so they are lively and ready to play.

Reaction to new people
When you walk into their enclosure, look for the one that comes to you first. This shows that the puppy is amiable and is friendly with people. After conducting this test, you know exactly which one to pick up.Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

15 Incredible Things You Won’t Believe Actually Exist In Nature

What you are about to see may seem like science fiction. We assure you, planet earth really is this awesome.

Volcanic lightning aka “dirty thunderstorms.

Frozen air bubbles in Abraham Lake.

Underground natural springs in Mexico

Giant crystal cave in Nacia, Mexico.

Shimmering shores of Vaadhoo, Maldives.

Reflective salt flats in Bolivia 

Light pillars over Moscow.

Natural salt water fountain off the coast of Oregon.

Beautiful sandstone formations in Arizona.Beautiful sandstone formations in Arizona

Rainbow Eucalyptus trees in Kailua, Hawaii.

The Blood Falls in Antartica.

Spiderweb cocooned trees in Pakistan.

Giant clouds over Beijing.

The underwater forest of Lake Kaindy.

Lake Hillier, Australia.

Read more at http://www.realfarmacy.com/15-incredible-things-you-wont-believe-actually-exist-in-natur

7 Things I Wish All Americans Knew About Global Health

When I was 21, I was lucky enough to be on the ground for the launch of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Uganda, and witnessed first-hand the roadblocks so many people face in obtaining appropriate health care and nutrition to lead happy, prosperous lives. It was a harrowing image—seeing hundreds of people lining the street waiting for medicine that had been readily available in the U.S for years.
People’s lives were limited and cut short simply because they were born at the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite major advancements in health and science, many people still can’t access the care they need. In 2008, I was connected with the other co-founders of GHC, recent college grads working at Google and FACE AIDS. We put our heads together and came up with a business plan to mobilize our generation to improve health equity around the world.
This seed of an idea eventually became Global Health Corps, an international non-profit focused on bringing great talent and problem-solvers to the field of global health. We recruit, train, and place outstanding young leaders to serve in yearlong fellowships in Burundi, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia , and the United States. Our first partners identified areas of need in their communities and our growth process has been guided by the needs of our partners ever since. We are driven by the conviction that health is a human right, and we can all contribute to the movement for health equity.
By learning these 7 facts about the global health movement, you can become a more engaged citizen of the world and start to make a difference in your community.

1. You don’t have to be a doctor to contribute to global health.
Global Health Corps is based on the idea that great ideas don’t change the world, great people do. And some of the most valuable professionals in the fight for health equity are non-medical. At Global Health Corps, our fellows come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from architecture, to engineering, to professional athletics. One fellow, for example, applied his experience as a supply chain manager at the Gap to improving Tanzania’s drug supply chain. Whatever your skillset is, you can make a difference in global health.

2. Global health challenges exist right here at home.
Though the term “global health” suggests a foreign location, serious global health challenges exist in the United States. For example, 1 in 20 adults in Washington DC is estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS. So what’s being done about this epidemic? The Grassroot Project (TGP) uses sports and athletes to break the silence around HIV/AIDS and educate DC youth.
Each semester, TGP recruits, trains, and mentors athletes from the DC area to become health educators. These athletes reach students through P.E. classes at 31 DC schools, teaching sports-based HIV prevention and life skills programs for hundreds of local youth. So if you’ve ever thought that you can’t get a start in global health without traveling abroad, know that global health challenges, and their solutions, exist right here at home.

3. Health education is often a more powerful tool than medicine.
On average, 1 in 5 mothers in Newark, New Jersey, delivers prematurely, and that rate is even higher for African American women. So what’s being done? Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait (HBWW) is a community-based initiative focused on reducing preterm birth rates in Newark, NJ.
They collaborate with hospitals, health departments, and community organizations to educate pregnant patients on reducing preterm birth risk and implement preterm birth prevention interventions. Often, it's education, rather than pills or shots, that is most effective at improving health.

4. Many of the best public health innovations in the United States come from developing countries.
We always hear about western nations aiding African nations in the news. However, innovative public health strategies from developing nations are equally needed in the United States. For example, CliniPAKTM, a Clinical Patient Administration Kit developed by Vecna Cares, has been deployed throughout Kenya and Zanzibar. Public health workers in these nations have adopted the CliniPAK technology—a rugged touchscreen device that syncs with cell phones when capturing patient data.
Based on CliniPAK’s success in Kenya and Zanzibar, public health officials in the United States decided to adopt the technology to better coordinate the patient data for transient populations using various free health clinics in Massachusetts.

5. Diseases often come in twos or threes.
1 in 3 American children and teens is overweight or obese. That’s a staggering number. What is even more surprising, however, is that many of these children are also malnourished. Though they consume an excess of calories, that doesn’t necessarily mean they're receiving the nutrients they need to live healthy lives. The added complexity of addressing multiple diseases in the same population at the same time is why now, more than ever, we need passionate and dedicated individuals in the fight for health equity.

6. Some of the biggest changemakers in global health are under 30.
One of the biggest misconceptions about global health is that you have to be a mid-career professional with an M.D. or an M.P.H. to make a difference in global health. This couldn’t be further from the truth. For example, GHC alum Nargis Shirazi was only 28 when she founded the Woman to Woman Foundation, an organization to ensure that rural schoolgirls have access to reusable sanitary pads and panties to enable them to stay in school. Young people will be dealing with the world’s global health challenges for years to come, and they’re equipped to bring real innovation to the table and to effect change.

7. The movement for global health is growing.
Between 2003 and 2009, the number of university based global health programs more than quadrupled from 8 to over 40 such programs. Around the nation, students are clamoring for more course offerings in public and global health, and universities such as Yale, Princeton, and Duke are increasing funding for existing global health initiatives. There has never been a more exciting time to get into the field of global health.So what can we do?You can start making a difference today.
Global Health Corps is now accepting applications for our sixth class of fellows, and we urge enthusiastic young professionals who want to make an impact in global health to apply for our fellowships in Burundi, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and the United States.To apply for a 2014-2015 Fellowship, please visit here. All applicants must be 30 years or younger, have earned an undergraduate university degree by July 2014, and be proficient in English.

Source: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12160/7-things-i-wish-all-americans-knew-about-global-health.html

How tomatoes help prevent cancer

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of cancer, and numerous studies have suggested that tomatoes in particular have a strong cancer-preventing effect. People whose diets contain more tomatoes have been shown to develop cancers at significantly lower rates, particularly cancers of the breast and prostate.

Now, a study conducted by researchers from Rutgers and Ohio State Universities shows one mechanism by which tomatoes may fight breast cancer. The study has been published online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

"The advantages of eating plenty of tomatoes and tomato-based products, even for a short period, were clearly evident in our findings," lead author Adana Llanos said.

"Eating fruits and vegetables, which are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals such as lycopene, conveys significant benefits. Based on this data, we believe regular consumption of at least the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables would promote breast cancer prevention in an at-risk population."

Tomatoes regulate hormones

The study was conducted on 70 postmenopausal women, since the risk of breast cancer is known to dramatically increase after menopause. For 10 weeks, the women were given a diet rich in tomato products and containing at least 25 milligrams of the phytochemical lycopene per day.

Lycopene, a chemical in the carotenoid family that gives tomatoes their distinctive color, has been linked to many of the fruits' health benefits.

In a separate 10-week trial, women were fed a diet similarly high in soy products, containing at least 40 mg of soy protein per day. Each diet was preceded by two weeks in which the women abstained from eating any products containing the food (tomato or soy) to be tested.

The researchers found that the tomato-rich diet led to a 9 percent increase in levels of the hormone adiponectin, which regulates blood levels of fat and sugar, while the soy diet led to a 9 percent decrease. These findings are significant, because high levels of blood sugar, blood fat and obesity have all been linked to heightened breast cancer risk.

Notably, the effect of the tomato diet was stronger among women with a lower body mass index.

"The findings demonstrate the importance of obesity prevention," Llanos said. "Consuming a diet rich in tomatoes had a larger impact on hormone levels in women who maintained a healthy weight."

The researchers tested the soy diet because of prior studies showing lower breast cancer rates among Asian women. The findings suggest that either the lower cancer rates are due to some other factor, or that soy is protective only in people with certain ethnic, ancestry-linked genetic profiles.

Other cancer-fighting effects

Adiponectin is not the only reason that tomatoes fight cancer. The orange-red fruits are known to be high in antioxidants (of which lycopene is one), which are known to fight cancer by eliminating the free radicals that can cause damage to DNA. Lycopene is also known to reduce levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which has been linked to cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and stomach.

Another study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in early 2013, showed that women with the highest blood levels of carotenoids were significantly less likely to develop breast cancer. The effect was strongest for estrogen-receptor-negative cancers, which are among the most lethal and hardest to treat.

Carotenoids may fight cancer by improving intercellular communication and boosting the body's tumor-fighting abilities. The body may also metabolize carotenoids into retinol, which is known to play important role in cell growth, gene expression and perhaps even tumor suppression.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/043401_tomatoes_cancer_prevention_lycopene.html

NASA: The sun has flipped upside down

The sun has "flipped upside down," NASA announced at the end of December. Although the star that defines our solar system has not physically flipped, its north and south poles have reversed in a natural process marking the midpoint of what is known as the solar cycle.

According to Todd Hoeksema, director of the Wilcox Solar Observatory at Stanford University, the sun goes through a natural cycle that averages 22 years. In each half-cycle, areas of intense solar magnetic activity known as sunspots gradually move from the sun's equatorial region toward the poles, eventually disrupting the magnetic fields at the star's North and South. Eventually, the sun's magnetic field shuts down entirely, then reboots with the positive and negative poles at opposite sides.

"It's kind of like a tide coming in or going out," Hoeksema said. "Each little wave brings a little more water in, and eventually you get to the full reversal."

This cycle then repeats, ending when the poles are back in their initial locations. The recent reversal marks the midpoint of Solar Cycle 24, which began in 2002.

NASA video shows reversal

Earlier in December, solar physicists announced that "the sun's north pole has already changed sign, while the South Pole [sic] is racing to catch up."

Solar Cycle 24 has been full of surprises. It was initially predicted to reach its midpoint in 2012, but scientists revised this estimate to 2013 when 2009 was marked by "extremely low activity" that, if it continued, could have led to another Little Ice Age.

To mark the long-anticipated solar reversal, NASA has released a video simulation of the second half of Solar Cycle 23.

"A reversal of the sun's magnetic field is, literally, a big event," said Tony Phillips of NASA.

The video begins in 1997, showing the sun with its positive polarity (marked by green lines) at the top and its negative polarity (purple lines) at the bottom. The video shows the lines gradually moving toward opposite ends of the sun, having completely switched places by 2002. This marked the end of Solar Cycle 23 and the beginning of the current cycle.

Cosmic effects

The solar reversal will have significant effects that reach past our own solar system, although few of them will be felt on Earth.

"At the height of each magnetic flip, the sun goes through periods of more solar activity, during which there are more sunspots, and more eruptive events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections," said NASA's Karen C. Fox.

For us on Earth, these effects will mostly be limited to an increase in the breadth, frequency and visibility of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the Northern and Southern Lights. The magnetic reversal might also lead to freak geomagnetic storms, temporarily disrupting satellite or radio signals.

"It's not a catastrophic event," Hoeksema said, "it's a large scale event that has some real implications, but it's not something we need to worry about."

In outer space, however, the effects will be felt more strongly.

"The domain of the sun's magnetic influence (also known as the 'heliosphere') extends billions of kilometers beyond Pluto," Phillips said. "Changes to the field's polarity ripple all the way out to the Voyager probes, on the doorstep of interstellar space."

"Cosmic rays are also affected," he said. "These are high-energy particles accelerated to nearly light speed by supernova explosions and other violent events in the galaxy."

These effects may impact space exploration. Intensified cosmic rays, for example, might damage space probes or even pose physical dangers to astronauts. They might also have effects on Earth's climate, although the exact nature of these effects remains unclear.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com#ixzz2pazd4wVb

Why You Should Never Drink From Plastic

Running out of ideas for New Year’s resolutions? Have you considered hydration?
Proper hydration is essential for overall health. Since every cell in your body relies on water to function, your hydration status should be just as important to you as your diet. Follow these three quick tips to improve detoxification, and make hydration part of your New Year’s resolution.

1. Drink plenty of fluids.
About 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. This means that we often lose more water than we consume. Whether you’re hoping to lose weight, meet your next fitness goal, or just feel more like yourself again, hydration will help. Drinking plenty of water will improve your athletic performance, decrease your appetite, and help wash out unwanted toxins and chemicals.
When you're properly hydrated, you'll have to go to the restroom multiple times throughout the day. Even though this may seem inconvenient, you will be cleansing your body and supporting your immune system. Aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water every day, but remember to drink more during the summer months and when traveling to higher elevation.

2. Choose clean, filtered water
Since more than half of the body is comprised of water, the quality of your water can have a direct effect on your state of health. We absorb water internally as we drink it, but we also absorb water through our skin when we bathe and swim. Heavy metals and other contaminants in the water supply can be absorbed through your skin and GI tract and stored in your body if you have genetic mutations (MTHFR) and cannot properly detoxify. In fact, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) discovered in a 3-year study that 85% of the population in the U.S. consumes water with about 316 contaminants, most of which are completely unregulated.
This is why filtering your tap water is so important. I believe that prevention is the most important aspect of good health, so I encourage all of my patients to drink and shower in filtered water if it is practical and affordable for them. In my home, I use Aquasana, a local Austin-based company whose filters are designed to remove heavy metals, chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, and herbicides from water. I grew to love their products so much that I became an affiliate of the company so that I could help spread the word of their cutting-edge water filtration technology.

3. Drink from glass or stainless steel containers
Did you know that 1,500 plastic bottles are used every second in the United States? Or that it requires 17 million barrels of oil to produce plastic bottles each year? According to the EPA, 32 million tons of plastic waste were generated in 2011 alone. Despite recycling programs, 40 billion plastic bottles end up in a landfill, where they sit for approximately 700 years before they decompose. For this reason, I encourage all of my patients to drink out of glass or stainless steel containers.
I use a stainless steel water bottle from Kleen Kanteen, but there are many green, toxin-free containers to choose from. I recommend avoiding plastic water bottles in order to reduce plastic waste but also to avoid toxins like Bisphenol A (BPA), which has been shown to imitate estrogen and other hormones in the body. Now you can find BPA-free containers from most companies, but I still prefer to drink out of glass and stainless steel just to be safe.
As you embark on this new year, remember to drink plenty of filtered water from a glass or steel container in order to continuously cleanse your body and regain your health.

Read More: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12137/why-you-should-never-drink-from-plastic.html