Knowledge is Healing

http://lookstare.com/blog///index.php/Health?cat=60

The health care products industry is possibly one of the most profitable in the market place today. Every year millions of weekend warriors spend millions of dollars on exercise equipment, health club memberships and weight loss products. Every year, those same well intentioned individuals either give away their expensive exercise equipment, or sell it on garage sales for next to nothing in order to make room in their over crowded garage.

Many are discouraged by the current failure rate that plagues many that venture into living a healthier and better life. This toppled with the high cost of all the “get healthy” paraphernalia that is typical of weight loss enthusiast, is preventing many from taking a step towards a healthier life style. But the truth is that in order to loose weight one does not need to purchase expensive exercise equipment at all.

One of the healthiest and most rewarding exercises available to the average person is walking? Walking can provide one with the ability to loose unwanted pounds in a healthy way. To make walking more palatable, try walking at a park or by the beach if at all possible. Adding a change of scenery to ones walking routine can get rid of the “walking blues” by providing a stimulating environment that can certainly invigorate.

Another way that you can spice up your walking is by talking your dog along with you. Taking your canine friend with you can certainly be a win-win situation for the both of you, since your dog will benefit from walking. Additionally, if you happen to be the owner of a large breed dog, bringing your dog with you can provide protection for you. This is especially important if you are a female and if you will be walking in an area while it is dark, or when there are not too many people around. If your dog is the type that likes to pull and lead the way, visit a Dog Directory and look for information on dog trainers or dog training, so that you can train your dog not to pull you any more.

The fact of the matter is that aside from having a physical disability, there is not a valid reason for getting involved with walking as a form of exercising and weight loss or control. So get up on your feet and out the door, and get in good shape before it is too late.

http://lookstare.com/blog///index.php/Health?cat=60

I was reading an article that claimed that eating ice cream might help woman get pregnant. I know, it sounds crazy and you might be led to believe that I was reading one of those crazy tabloids out there, but according to the article a study from the well known Nurses’ Health Study showed that eating two ice cream servings a week reduces a woman’s risk of infertility by approximately 38 percent.

Although scientists were able to observe the dramatic increase in percentage, to this date they are not able to figure out why. However, it is obvious that the fat in the ice cream and in other full fat dairy products or perhaps a substance inside the fat seem to help the ovaries function properly. Of course, I am not making this up. Dr. Chavarro who is a fellow in the research department at Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition, backs up this research according to the article I read.

The same Dr. Chavarro also found that woman that get their daily iron from pasta, cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables, had a better chance of not suffering from the risk of infertility, as supposed to those who got their iron from chicken, beef and fish. He attributes this finding to the fact that pasta may encourage egg development, and that there is the possibility that the fat on meat limits iron absorption.

http://lookstare.com/blog///index.php/Health?cat=60

One of the things that concern me the most about traditional medicine and its treatment protocols is that most of the drugs that are prescribed have major side effects. For instance, I was reading that the drug REQUIP (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) which is used to treat moderate to severe Restless Legs Syndrome, and some time is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, has some minor side effects that I think should be looked into by those who are about to use it.

The possible side effects of REQUIP are:

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness. Some patients also show urges to gamble, increase sexual urges, and hallucinations.

As always consult a licensed health care provider to discuss this side effects or any other questions that you might have. The content provided here is solely for informational purposes only and was not meant to treat or diagnose an illness.

http://lookstare.com/blog///index.php/Health?cat=55

Hair loss prevention through Ayurveda By: Dr Savitha Suri

Hair loss is experienced by all of us at one or the other time. To know the causes of hair fall, it is very essential to know the structure of hair and its normal growth cycle.

Structure of hair
The hair on our scalp can be divided into two parts, the root and shaft. The root part of hair is in the skin (epidermis) of scalp. The hair root is surrounded by a pouch like structure called follicle. The base of hair root is in the shape of a bulb. This bulb is indented by capillaries and nerve fibers. The cells in the center of bulb divide. The newly divided hair cells push the previous cells up. The cells which move upwards die slowly forming hard hair shaft.
The hair shaft has three layers the cuticle, medulla and cortex.
Cuticle is the outer layers and protects the inner layers. It is transparent. Healthy cuticle gives a shiny appearance for hair and unhealthy cuticle gives lifeless look

Medulla is the innermost layer composed of large cells.
Cortex is the layer between cuticle and medulla. This contains pigment and keratin. Cortex determines the bulk and strength of hair.
The hair follicle contains oil secreting glands which make the hair shiny .Stress and illness diminish secretion of oil and pigments causing graying of hair.
According to Ayurveda the hair is considered as a tissue which uses the same nutrients of bone and considered as a tissue which is formed as bi-product of bone tissue.

Normal cycle of hair growth.

About 10 % of the hair on the scalp is in a resting phase at any given time. The resting hair falls after 2 to 3 months and new hair starts growing in its place. The growing phase continues for 2.25 to 6 yrs. During this phase each hair grows approximately 1 cm per month. At any given time about 90% of the hair on scalp will be in growing phase.
Few strands of hair fall as the part of normal hair growth cycle. But some people may experience excessive hair fall which is more than normal cycle. Excessive hair loss can affect men, women and children.

Causes of hair loss

1. Hormonal imbalance in men and women: In men high concentration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in hair follicles causes hair fall. In women hormonal imbalances during pregnancy and after delivery cause hair fall.
2. High amount of sebum in scalp clogs pores of scalp and prevent nutrition to hair follicle.
3. Inadequate nutrition causes hair fall.
4. Stress, worry, lack of sleep, worry and anxiety cause hair fall
5. Long standing diseases like typhoid, viral infections, anemia, surgery etc cause general debility which lead to hair fall
6. Some medicines used for gout, chemo therapy of cancer , birth control pills , antidepressants etc cause hair fall
7. Diseases like lupus, diabetes cause hair fall.
8. Tying hair tightly pulls the hair from follicles and cause traction alopecia.
9. Heredity also causes hair fall.
10. Dandruff or Fungal infection of scalp.
11. Accumulation of dirt on scalp causes blocking of pores and weakens hair roots. This leads to hair fall.

According to ayurveda the causes of hair loss are described as follows

1. Too much exposure to dust, sunlight, water and other pollutants.
2. Too much of sweating.
3. Irregular sleeping pattern.
4. Anxiety, depression, insomnia.
5. Unhygienic way of living
6. Diseases
7. Alcohol consumption.
Hair loss Remedies
1. Liberal intake of vitamins.
2. High protein and iron rich diet.
3. Consumption of raw vegetables, fresh fruits, salads, green leafy vegetables regularly.
4. Washing hair regularly ( twice weekly ) with suitable shampoo.
5. Using relaxing techniques to overcome stress, anxiety and sleeplessness.
6. Preventing fungal infections of scalp.
7. Preventing hairstyles which pull hair.

Due to these causes the tridoshas get vitiated and cause hair loss. The vitiated doshas affect the scalp skin and cause hair fall occurs. Medicated oil with the herbs Bhringaraja ( Eclipta Alba ), Amalaki ( Embelica officinalis ), Haritaki ( Terminalia chebula ) and Vibhitaki ( Terminalia bellirica ) is a best remedy for hair fall.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com Read more about hair care at http://www.ayurhelp.com/hair/hair.htm

http://lookstare.com/blog/index.php/Health?cat=33

Pfizer Rushes to Halt Innovative Cardiac Experiments Due To High Risk Involved

A series of highly experimental drug trials that were being performed by health care and consumer products giant Pfizer, have abruptly been stopped due to a high risk for patients. Pfizer, which was founded in 1849, and has since been dedicated to the betterment of life by engaging in the production of drugs, was conducting a study involving cardiovascular therapy torceptrapib/atorvastatin (T/A). According to sources from the Food and Drug Administration, Pfizer followed standard procedures when conducting its investigational treatment, however, as the investigational procedure was used, a high number of patients died as a result.

The FDA is in agreement with Pfizer staffers’ decision to immediately stop the experiments and it said “The system of biomedical research monitoring was effective in this case, assuring that once a certain signal was seen, the trial was halted. FDA will continue to work with Pfizer and other sponsors developing molecules in this class of drugs to ensure that appropriate protections are in place to identify any safety signals as early in the development process as possible.”