Is Our Diet Killing Us? by Jason Hunter - ArticleCity.com

October 29th, 2008 by admin

Americans are spending 40 percent of their food dollars eating out. Our food is processed, refined, concentrated, sugared, salted, and chemically engineered to produce taste sensations high in calories and low in nutrients. Our cattle get fat in feedlots without exercise and with antibiotics and growth hormones. The result: bigger cattle producing juicier steaks containing nearly twice the fat as ranged cattle. In addition, we are paying dearly for these advances. Although we eat to live, what we eat is killing us.

The foods that we eat are causing most of the diseases that we are seeing in major numbers today. The statistics are real. In 1900, about 10 to 15 percent of Americans died of heart disease and strokes. Today it is 45 percent. Back then, less than 6 percent died of cancer, while today the figure is over 25 percent.

This is not nature’s way. We were not meant to die in such numbers from heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and from cancer of the lungs, breast, prostate, and colon. Significant cardiovascular disease started to emerge in America after World War I. It became rampant only after World War II, when people could afford diets rich in animal products and when the food industry started producing processed foods crammed with calories and emptied of nutrition.

This problem is unique to the westernized people. Rural populations in China and Southeast Asia who have little access to rich foods experience few heart attacks. Similarly, most people in rural Africa and South and Central America have little fear of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Yet in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and the increasingly rich countries in Europe and Asia, where diets are rich in fat and cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes are epidemic.

The villains, low fiber, high fat, and cholesterol, take their toll by damaging the body’s oxygen-carrying arteries and by upsetting important metabolic acts. Because of thickened, narrowed arteries, 4,000 Americans have heart attacks every day, every third adult has high blood pressure, and thousands are becoming crippled from strokes. Because of disordered metabolisms from unbalanced lifestyles, obesity is epidemic, and a new diabetic is diagnosed every 50 seconds.

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Caterpillar Fungus Discovered in Uttarakhand India is Likely to Emerge as a New Ed Drug!

October 29th, 2008 by admin

Erectile dysfunction is a sexual disorder that never fails to remain in the limelight. Every now and then, one hits upon something new related to ED. It is as if all those innumerable years that ED spent in oblivion have been compensated for all at once. Right from the invention of the first ever ED drug a decade back, the disease has always been highly publicized for several reasons, namely, controversies, ED drug abuse, invention of some other ED treatment et al. However, the invention of oral ED pills like levitra has definitely provided impetus to the process of inventing cures for ED treatment. Today, apart from medicines like levitra, there are other effective ED treatments.

 

However, there are certain drawbacks of ED pills and one of them is their side effects. So, attempts have also been made to invent ED cures that don’t possess side effects and   altogether medical science has emerged successful in inventing such cures of erectile dysfunction that are without any side-effects and function effectively like the erectile dysfunction medicines.   

 

One point that is to be noted here is that the introduction of newer and effective ED cures has not diminished the effectiveness of medicines like levitra. People still buy levitra online and other similar erectile dysfunction pills after availing of the doctor’s prescription. Levitra is proved to work effectively even for erectile dysfunction afflicted men suffering from heart disease and diabetes.  Considering the 0000fact that ED is a disease commonly prevalent in the old age and heart ailments as well as diabetes are also common in this age, levitra is the ultimate medicine that guarantees sexual bliss for aged people. However, in spite of levitra being the highly sought after cure for erectile dysfunction, one cannot buy levitra without a valid prescription. In order to keep oneself at a safe distance from the levitra side-effects, levitra prescription is imperative. The prescription is also necessary as the details on levitra dosages to be used by the patient and other important medical instructions are duly inscribed on the levitra prescription.  Thus the prescription cannot be skipped in any way.

 

It is the general nature of human beings to be inquisitive and curious. This inquisitiveness and curiosity is apparent in human beings` urge to invent newer ED drugs. Of late, it has been found that a specific caterpillar fungus can prove to be of help in the introduction of an ED drugs. This caterpillar fungus is found in the Uttarakhand state, located in northern India. In this hilly state, this caterpillar fungus is known as kheera ghas or yarchagumba. Yarchagumba is an aphrodisiac agent. This element called yarchagumba is also used by the locals as an ingredient in manufacturing a whole array of medicines apart from the ED medications. The government of Uttarakhand is currently showing interest in this element and is eager to offer the requisite help in inventing ED drugs containing yarchagumba as a primary ingredient.  

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Reversing the Metabolic Syndrome

October 28th, 2008 by admin

Reversing the Metabolic Syndrome

What is the Metabolic Syndrome?The metabolic syndrome is a collection of high-risk symptoms including elevated lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), hypertension and a proinflammatory state. Having the metabolic syndrome places the individual at high-risk for heart disease and diabetes. Men are more prone to developing the metabolic syndrome due to their natural tendency to deposit excess fat as visceral adipose tissue (VAT) also called intra-abdominal fat. Postmenopausal women are also at risk due to lower estrogen to androgen ratios. The shift from a pear shape to an apple shape displays this hormonal shift. In fact, the apple shape is primarily caused by VAT as opposed to subcutaneous (fat under the skin) fat.The American Heart Association has established standards for diagnosing the metabolic syndrome. The patient must have 3 of the following conditions:1. Waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men, 35 inches for women.2. Triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dL.3. HDL Cholesterol less than 40 mg/d for men, less than 50 mg/dl for women.4. Blood pressure greater than 130/85 mm Hg.5. Fasting glucose greater than 100 mg/dL.What causes the Metabolic Syndrome?The metabolic syndrome appears to be caused by insulin resistance and the associated accumulation of VAT. VAT releases inflammatory adipocytokines, which contribute to the proinflammatory state. Fatty liver is also strongly correlated with VAT [1], and is a likely cause of the elevated lipids.VAT accumulation correlates with fasting insulin, total whole-body glucose disposal, glucose oxidation and nonoxidative whole-body glucose disposal [2]. Also, factors associated with insulin resistance are also correlated with VAT accumulation, including triglycerides [3], hepatic lipase [4] and HL/LPL ratio [5]. Likewise, factors inversely associated with insulin resistance are also inversely correlated with VAT accumulation including HDL [3]. How can the Metabolic Syndrome be reversed?Improving insulin sensitivity is of primary importance. This requires an improved diet along with exercise. 1. Lose weight. Weight loss greatly improves insulin sensitivity.2. Upgrade your fat intake. Saturated fat significantly worsens insulin resistance, while monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3) improve it [6].3. Exercise. Even something as simple as daily walking reduces visceral adipose tissue areas and improves insulin resistance [7].4. Minimize stress. Cortisol appears to be involved in VAT accumulation and insulin resistance.5. Eat more fiber. Fiber improves insulin sensitivity and is associated with lower amounts of VAT [9]. Pectin appears to be an especially effective fiber for reducing VAT [10].6. Take supplements. Pantethine [11], taurine [12], calcium [13] and tea [14] all improve insulin sensitivity and reduce VAT.David SpeltsFat Loss Nutrition[1] Kelley DE, McKolanis TM, Hegazi RA, Kuller LH, Kalhan SC. : Fatty liver in type 2 diabetes mellitus: relation to regional adiposity, fatty acids, and insulin resistance. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 10/2003.[2] Laakso, Markku: Insulin resistance, body fat distribution, and sex hormones in men. Diabetes, 2/1/1994. [3] R. B. Terry, P. D. Wood, W. L. Haskell, M. L. Stefanick and R. M. Krauss: Regional adiposity patterns in relation to lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein subfraction mass in men. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1989. [4] C. E. Tan; L. Forster; M. J. Caslake; D. Bedford; T. D. G. Watson; M. McConnell; C. J. Packard; J. Shepherd: Relations Between Plasma Lipids and Postheparin Plasma Lipases and VLDL and LDL Subfraction Patterns in Normolipemic Men and Women. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 1995. [5] Despres JP, Couillard C, Gagnon J, Bergeron J, Leon AS, Rao DC, Skinner JS, Wilmore JH, Bouchard C: Race, visceral adipose tissue, plasma lipids, and lipoprotein lipase activity in men and women: the Health, Risk Factors, Exercise Training, and Genetics (HERITAGE) family study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 2000. [6] Riccardi G, Giacco R, Rivellese AA.: Dietary fat, insulin sensitivity and the metabolic syndrome. Clin Nutr. 8/2004.[7] Miyatake N, Nishikawa H, Morishita A, Kunitomi M, Wada J, Suzuki H, Takahashi K, Makino H, Kira S, Fujii M.: Daily walking reduces visceral adipose tissue areas and improves insulin resistance in Japanese obese subjects. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 11/2002.[8] Gluck ME, Geliebter A, Lorence M.; Cortisol stress response is positively correlated with central obesity in obese women with binge eating disorder (BED) before and after cognitive-behavioral treatment. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 12/2004.[9] DS Ludwig et al: Dietary fiber, weight gain, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in young adults. Journal of the American Medical Association 1999. [10] Hendricks KM et al. High-fiber diet in HIV-positive men is associated with lower risk of developing fat deposition. Am J Clin Nutr 78: 790-5, 2003. [11] Osono Y, Hirose N, Nakajima K, Hata Y: The effects of pantethine on fatty liver and fat distribution. J Atheroscler Thromb, 2000. [12] Nakaya Y, Minami A, Harada N, Sakamoto S, Niwa Y, Ohnaka M: Taurine improves insulin sensitivity in the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rat, a model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr, Jan 2000. [13] Soares MJ, Binns C, Lester L: Higher intakes of calcium are associated with lower BMI and waist circumference in Australian adults: an examination of the 1995 National Nutrition Survey. Asia Pac J Clin Nutrition, 2004. [14] C. Wu, et al: Relationship among Habitual Tea Consumption, Percent Body Fat, and Body Fat Distribution. Obesity Research, September, 2003.

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Natural Remedies and Tips to Prevent and Treat Cardiovascular Disease

October 28th, 2008 by admin

Natural Remedies and Tips to Prevent and Treat Cardiovascular Disease

The heart is a powerful organ that works constantly, without ever pausing to rest. Stopping to function for a few seconds means disaster. Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death in developed countries. Each year 1.5 million people suffer a heart attack; 250,000 will die as a result before they reach a hospital. In the United States alone, heart disease kills one person every 34 seconds. Any symptoms of heart disease you that feel you should take it seriously. Cardiovascular diseases are mainly caused by the environment, age, gender, lifestyle, stress, tobacco and unbalanced diet.Age - The incidence and risk of heart disease increases as we grow older.Family - Some people are particularly predisposed towards developing heart disease due to inherited genetic factorsGender- Men have more heart attacks than women, but women have a higher death rate.Lifestyle - Choosing a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly can help you improve your health and reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.Stress – stress makes your blood pressure goes up, which can cause heart disease and other health problems. Besides heart disease, stress affects the immune system, which influences many diseases. Tobacco – besides cancer, cigarette smoke is the leading cause of heart disease. Three out of four deaths from heart disease are due to smoking. Alimentation – A good diet high in soluble fiber may lower your risk of heart disease. Several cardiovascular risk factors are heavily influenced by nutrition: • cholesterol and especially the bad (LDL) cholesterol• triglycerides (fats are as harmful as cholesterol when it comes to cardiovascular disease)• homocysteine (risk factor independent of cholesterol and hypertension) which increases 3 times the risk of coronary heart disease. • fast and slow carbohydrates that release insulin, which in turn, promotes the formation of cholesterol and fatsLet’s talk a little bit about cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. To work properly, your body needs some cholesterol. The problem occurs when you have too much in your blood. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream adheres to the interior walls of arteries; this is called plaque. In return, Plaque can narrow or block your arteries. Too much cholesterol is very common among men but also among women.Very often, when a patient has high cholesterol, he is prescribed drugs (generic Simvastatin, pravastatin Atorvastatin). They are indeed very effective, but sometimes cause muscular side effects. Moreover, once the treatment is interrupted, cholesterol is back quickly because the problem is not resolved.Supplements to prevent cardiovascular diseaseThe strongest prevention against cardiovascular disease is a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat, cholesterol, meat, and sugar. Supplements you need to intake in your diet are B-vitamins, magnesium, Omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, potassium, calcium, agnesium, and Coenzyme Q10. Alternative treatmentMany alternative treatments can restore and keep your heart healthy. One of them, Chelation therapy, is considered as the alternative equivalent of heart surgery. To learn more about Natural alternative for heart disease including heart nutrition, heart supplements, and herbal remedies to reduce heart attack risk, Visit our heart disease cure, website.

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Mediterranean diet

October 27th, 2008 by admin

Mediterranean diet

What is the next phase in healthy eating? According to Robert Ancill, President of The Next Idea, Los Angeles based Restaurant Consultancy consumers are taking increasing interest in Mediterranean cuisine. In 2007, The Journal of the American Medical Association reported, a combination of the Mediterranean diet, moderate exercise and drinking, and no smoking can lower mortality rates by 65 percent. What is the Mediterranean diet? It%26rsquo;s heavy on the olive oil and light on meat and dairy. It also includes lots of fish, vegetables, seeds, grains, nuts and legumes. The first study was conducted over 12 years (1988%26ndash;2000) by researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and other European universities. Twenty-three hundred healthy people between the ages of 70 and 90 were surveyed about their eating habits and physical activities. Another study conducted at the Second University of Naples found that people who suffered from %26ldquo;metabolic syndrome%26rdquo; improved after following a Mediterranean diet. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Symptoms include being fat around the middle, having high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and improper processing of glucose. After two years, only 44 percent of those on the Mediterranean diet still suffered symptoms. Ancill reports that The Next Idea has experienced a larger than normal interest in Mediterranean concepts both from entrepreneurs and restaurant investors. In a recent interview Robert Ancill commented; %26ldquo;Possibly we will eventually see a Healthier consumer if such a trend gains traction in the market place, the question is whether operators will understand the unique economics of executing a Mediterranean menu%26rdquo;.

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Coventry Health Care Article - Health Articles

October 26th, 2008 by admin

Many people who are on vegan diet eschew eating any animal products due to their beliefs, but others are finding that a vegan diet can be extremely beneficial for weight loss and healthy for their bodies as well. Weight Loss Supplement - variety

Also the program represents a holistic approach which includes not only sound nutrition but also a sensible exercise program. The Zone Diet is based on the concept of achieving a balance between insulin and eicosanoids. By controlling the balance of insulin and eicosanoids with the Zone Diet, you increase the loss of fat (weight loss), increase blood flow, increase your physical and mental stamina, and decrease the likelihood of heart disease and diabetes.

The Zone Diet advises a moderate intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat in order to control insulin. The Zone Diet is designed to balance your intake of protein and carbohydrates at 1 part protein to 4 parts carbohydrates.

The Zone Diet prescribes a maximum amount of low-fat protein to one meal at 3-4 ounces, which is nearly exactly the recommendation of the USDA and the FDA. The majority of carbohydrates on the Zone Diet come from vegetables and fruits, with limited amounts of bread, rice, potatoes and grains. Most of the fat intake with the Zone Diet should come from monounsaturated fats like olive oil, safflower oil, and other ‘heart healthy’ oils. Safest diet so far is free kimkins diet food list

Generally speaking, health experts say the best weight loss programs combine diet with exercise. In this way, you can ensure that your body is using food efficiently. You can build up your strength and muscle tone, becoming more fit in the process.

If you have serious questions about the best way to go about weight loss, it’s best if you talk to your family doctor.. See http://www.kimkins-diet.info/what-is-the-kimkins-plan/kimkins-weight-loss-blog.php. Also the program represents a holistic approach which includes not only sound nutrition but also a sensible exercise program.

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Key Facts About Rapid Weight Loss Diets

October 26th, 2008 by admin

Key Facts About Rapid Weight Loss Diets

If you looking for a diet that can help you shed a couple of pounds, you might be in for a big surprise. There are so many fad diets on the market, with claims of rapid weight loss and slim waist lines. Some of them involve teas, others are liquid diets, and worst of all… unproven diet pills. The latest diet programs revolve around high amounts of protein, that will supposedly “fill you up and slim you down”. Not only can these diets be confusing with their false claims of weight loss, but they can also be hazardous to your health.While one program may have dramatic results for one person, the same diet may have no affect on the next person. It all comes down to body chemistry and metabolism. But some basic guidelines will lay a foundation for healthy weight loss — guidelines that aren’t part of most fad diets.Most quick-fix or fad diets, particularly those based on eating only from one food group — foods rich in protein, for example — aren’t nutritionally balanced and may harm the body over time. A rapid loss program is usually robbing the body of nutrients, which is why the programs will only show initial weight loss results. These programs are not sustainable, and your body will begin to regain body fat.Craving a thinner image is one thing. But studies also indicate that being overweight is a risk factor for chronic illness such as heart disease and diabetes. The goal of losing weight is a great idea, but it is important to follow common medical sense, very believing the “success stories” that are all too common in the informationals or sales ads (if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is).Calories fuel the body and unused calories are stored as fat. The Dietetic Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Institutes of Health all say that the best way to shed pounds is twofold: cut back on calories and increase your physical activity.Starving your body is not going to get rid of those extra pounds… instead, you have to safely and effectively lower your daily caloric intake. The safe way to cut calories is by eating fewer foods high in fats and sugars — which are loaded in calories — while following a balanced diet drawing from all the major food groups. Besides being healthy, diets rich in variety are easier to stick to and therefore more likely to succeed over time.Eat less, exercise more. It sounds straightforward and yet only 20% of the people that are trying to lose weight are actually taking a two stage approach. The ideal weight loss program will feature a gradual transition to a healthy meal program with a gradual increase in daily exercise and intensity.Rather than accepting the fad diets at face value, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting any diet program. Your doctor may have clinical information about the program that you won’t get from the sales pitch on TV or on the internet.

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Natural Remedies and Tips to Prevent and Treat Cardiovascular Disease

October 25th, 2008 by admin

Natural Remedies and Tips to Prevent and Treat Cardiovascular Disease

The heart is a powerful organ that works constantly, without ever pausing to rest. Stopping to function for a few seconds means disaster. Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death in developed countries. Each year 1.5 million people suffer a heart attack; 250,000 will die as a result before they reach a hospital. In the United States alone, heart disease kills one person every 34 seconds. Any symptoms of heart disease you that feel you should take it seriously. Cardiovascular diseases are mainly caused by the environment, age, gender, lifestyle, stress, tobacco and unbalanced diet.Age - The incidence and risk of heart disease increases as we grow older.Family - Some people are particularly predisposed towards developing heart disease due to inherited genetic factorsGender- Men have more heart attacks than women, but women have a higher death rate.Lifestyle - Choosing a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly can help you improve your health and reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.Stress – stress makes your blood pressure goes up, which can cause heart disease and other health problems. Besides heart disease, stress affects the immune system, which influences many diseases. Tobacco – besides cancer, cigarette smoke is the leading cause of heart disease. Three out of four deaths from heart disease are due to smoking. Alimentation – A good diet high in soluble fiber may lower your risk of heart disease. Several cardiovascular risk factors are heavily influenced by nutrition: • cholesterol and especially the bad (LDL) cholesterol• triglycerides (fats are as harmful as cholesterol when it comes to cardiovascular disease)• homocysteine (risk factor independent of cholesterol and hypertension) which increases 3 times the risk of coronary heart disease. • fast and slow carbohydrates that release insulin, which in turn, promotes the formation of cholesterol and fatsLet’s talk a little bit about cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. To work properly, your body needs some cholesterol. The problem occurs when you have too much in your blood. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream adheres to the interior walls of arteries; this is called plaque. In return, Plaque can narrow or block your arteries. Too much cholesterol is very common among men but also among women.Very often, when a patient has high cholesterol, he is prescribed drugs (generic Simvastatin, pravastatin Atorvastatin). They are indeed very effective, but sometimes cause muscular side effects. Moreover, once the treatment is interrupted, cholesterol is back quickly because the problem is not resolved.Supplements to prevent cardiovascular diseaseThe strongest prevention against cardiovascular disease is a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat, cholesterol, meat, and sugar. Supplements you need to intake in your diet are B-vitamins, magnesium, Omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, potassium, calcium, agnesium, and Coenzyme Q10. Alternative treatmentMany alternative treatments can restore and keep your heart healthy. One of them, Chelation therapy, is considered as the alternative equivalent of heart surgery. To learn more about Natural alternative for heart disease including heart nutrition, heart supplements, and herbal remedies to reduce heart attack risk, Visit our heart disease cure, website.

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About Hypothyroidism – a Common Health Problem

October 24th, 2008 by admin

About Hypothyroidism – a Common Health Problem

By hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is producing too less hormones to stimulate the metabolism, or the body is not able to utilize the hormones. The lack of thyroid hormones slows down the metabolism and thus all the activities in the body, giving a combination of many symptoms related to slowness of bodily processes.Hypothyroidism is common, but the frequency of the condition is not well determined. Some authorities estimate that 0.5% of the total American population have the disease to some degree. The frequency is much greater among people over 50 years of age than among young people.THE SYMPTOMS AND COMPLICATIONS OF HYPOTHYROIDISMThe most common early symptoms are: Mental and physical fatigue, weakness, weight gain or over-weight, and depression.One or more of these symptoms also use to appear early: Constipation, sensitivity to coldness, cold hands and feet, thick tongue, decreased sweating, dry hair, thin brittle hair, thin brittle nails, muscle and joint pain, pale or yellowish skin, rashes and itching. One or more of these symptoms usually appear later: Poor memory, slow thought process, drowsiness, slow speech, thinning of eyebrows, hoarseness, low blood pressure, poor circulation, dry and flaky skin, decreased taste and smell, menstrual irregularities, skin thickening, puffy face, puffy hands and feet, swelling of extremities, overall swelling, muscle spasms, muscle atrophy, joint stiffness.In children or young persons hypothyroidism may give developmental problems, like disturbed tooth development and short stature.Hypothyroidism increases the risk of elevated cholesterol levels, heart disease and diabetes (diabetes mellitus). This occurs even by moderately decreased thyroid production. THE THYROID GLAND AND ITS HORMONESTo understand the hypothyroidism, some knowledge about the thyroid gland and its hormones is essential.The thyroid gland produces hormones that accelerate and in other wise regulate metabolism. A part of metabolism is the process of breaking down energy containing nutrients, and using the energy to produce molecules that all the processes and activities in the body use as fuel. Another part is the production of molecules that the body use as building materials. The thyroid makes four hormones: Thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), diiodothyronine (T2) and monoiodothyronine (T1). The hormones contain iodine, and the figures tell about the number of iodine atoms in each hormone molecule. T3 is not made directly, but is produced from T4. T3 is a more efficient hormone than T4. Therefore this conversion is important.The pituitary, a gland under the brain, produces a hormone called thyrotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) that enhances the activity of the thyroid gland. If the body has too less thyroid hormone in the blood, the pituitary produces more thyrotropin. This makes the thyroid gland speed up its own production. By a too heavy thyroid hormone concentration, less thyrotropin is produced by the pituitary, and the thyroid gland slows down. This feed-back mechanism regulates the metabolism of the whole body.THE MECHANISMS AND CAUSES OF HYPOTHYROIDISMBy hypothyroidism the body does not get enough thyroid hormone, or the hormones do not work effectively in the body. This causes the metabolism to slow down. When the metabolism decreases, the processes in the body do not get enough fuel and building materials, and all the body activities will therefore slow down. Energy containing nutrient will also be stored as fat, since they are not broken down. Serious variants of hypothyroidism are called myxedema. This is a rare condition. However, less serious, but painful variants are common. There are several reasons for hypothyroidism, each giving a variant of the disease:*An autoimmune reaction against the thyroid tissue can destroy the capability of the thyroid gland to produce hormones (for example Hashimoto’s disease).*Sometimes the production of T3 by conversion from T4 is impaired. The total amount of hormones may be normal in these cases, but the body is still lacking T3, and gets the symptoms of hypothyroidism.*Iodine deficiency can cause hypothyroidism, since the thyroid hormones contain iodine. In Europe and America the food is seldom short in iodine, but bad nutrition may result in iodine deficiency.*Surgery or radiation at the thyroid area can destroy enough tissue to cause hypothyroidism.*Injury or disease in the pituitary or of the part of the brain controlling the pituitary may cause a decrease in secreted thyrotropin, and then the thyroid will respond by producing less of its own hormones with hypothyroidism as a result.*Some people have symptoms of hypothyroidism even though the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood is normal. One of the symptoms is raised levels of thyrotropin, indicating that the body signals need for more thyroid hormones. This variant may be caused by conditions elsewhere in the body that make it difficult for the hormone to reach their destination in the cells. In many of these cases the immune system produces anti-bodies against the thyroid hormones. This variant is called sub-clinical hypothyroidism, and responds to the same treatment as ordinary hypothyroidism.*Some types of food can contribute to a depressed thyroid function or aggravate hypothyroidism when eaten raw in great amounts: Brussel sprouts, broccoli, corn oil, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, radishes, rutabaga, soy and turnips. By cooking these vegetables, the depressing effect is decreased*Factors suspected for causing hypothyroidism are: The artificial sweetener aspartame, mercury pollution, dental fillings containing mercury, fluoride and heavy metal pollution.HOW CAN HYPOTHYROIDISM BE TREATED For serious hypothyroidism caused by tissue destruction, external supplement of thyroid hormones is necessary.When the condition is caused by lack of iodine in the diet, dietary changes and iodine supplements will be a part of the treatment.Less serious, but painful hypothyroidism is sometimes also treated with hormone supplements. In these cases it is difficult to find the right dose, and treatment may result in hormone poisoning. You can sometimes alleviate hypothyroidism by reducing the amount of food suspected for depressing the thyroid function: Brussel sprouts, broccoli, corn oil, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, radishes, rutabaga, soy, soy products and turnips. However, these food types are valuable in many ways, so it is probably not wise to cut them out totally. Also try to avoid artificial ingredients like the sweetener aspartame, conserving additives and fluoride.Changing out mercury dental fillings and avoiding mercury or heavy metal exposure may help to ameliorate the condition.You may also alleviate the condition by eating food that stimulates the thyroid function according to practical experience: Chia seed, dulse, fish from the ocean, flax seed, pumpkin seed, seaweed, coconut and brewer yeast.You can find nutritional supplements to help for hypothyroidism. The compositions of these products vary:*They may contain building materials that the thyroid uses to make its hormones, for example: iodine, acetyl-L-tyrosine or L-phenylalanine. *They may also contain vitamins and minerals that stimulate the mechanism of hormone production by being a part of necessary enzymes, or by helping the absorption of the ingredients that hormones are made from, like: Magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper and vitamin E.*They may furthermore contain constituents that stimulate tissue regeneration by being part of tissue building enzymes, and thus helping to restore a degraded thyroid, for example: Folic acid or folate, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid or pantothenate), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamin) and molybdenum.

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Healthy Tips by Bernard Dozier

October 24th, 2008 by admin

Enjoying life to the fullest and aging gracefully without the burden of disease depends primarily on the healthy choices we make for our bodies TODAY.

Here are tips that will aid you lengthen your “good” years:

Eat Breakfast

Research suggests that eating breakfast early in the day may reduce the risk of weight gain and perhaps heart disease and diabetes.

Avoid fats and carbs from items like sugar, potatoes, and white bread. Choose foods that are heart-healthy and include fruits, whole-grain cereals, bread, reduced-fat cheese, and low fat or skim milk.

Beat the Sugar High

For those that have a sweet tooth, staying away from sugar is a constant struggle. On one hand it is just so much easier and faster to grab that doughnut on the way to the office! On the other hand, sugar becomes like an addiction that is very hard to break.

If you happen to like sugar a little more than you should and you need that sugar fix each day, an enormous way to get control and to curb the sugar craving is by using a natural substance called 5-HTP. You can find it in most any natural health food store. (5-hydroxytryptophan)

There are no magic pill for weight loss, but if appetite, and not willpower, is your downfall, then 5-HTP may do the trick.

5-HTP is a direct precursor to “serotonin”. It causes feelings of fullness and eliminates cravings for carbohydrates and balances the serotonin levels in your brain. This safe, effective herbal compound can also lift your spirits, which makes it great for mood swings, anxiety and depression. The recommended dosage is 50-100 mgs per day.

Rotate Your Exercise Routine

Varying your exercise routine can help slow down the aging process. By changing routines you avoid boredom, and most importantly the danger of injury caused by overusing a particular muscle, bone, or joint.

Try rotating between aerobic exercises such as walking, dancing, jogging, swimming, cycling, and skating.

Add strength training exercises a couple of times a week and gently stretch your muscles at least two or three times a week to help prevent weakness, stiffness, bone loss, and falls.

Take Charge!

Taking charge of your own medical history and lifestyle is your right! You don’t have to become Dr. Know-it-all, but researching specific areas of health that pertain to your own conditions is a smart move.

Researching the natural remedies in addition to what your doctor advises giving you more choices, as well as natural healing options. Getting a second opinion from additional health care professionals is important as well.

You have the right to all your medical records and eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions. You are entitled to all copies of lab results, immunization records, and imaging studies. Keep them filed at home in an organized manner. Keep a record of up-to-date medications and doses for your files as well as carrying this list with you at all times.

By feeding your body and mind the best foods and nutrients possible not only will you have more energy, your body will be stronger and your mind sharper. The tips in this report are the first steps on the route toward a healthier life.

Healthy Tips

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