Archive for February, 2011
Healthy Foods That Your Kids Will Love
Is getting your kids to eat healthy foods is a battle in your home? If so, you’ll love these tips that will make your kids happy and give you the satisfaction of knowing you are feeding them foods that are good for them.
Start the Day Right
You can give your kids a delicious, healthy breakfast by getting rid of the ready to eat cereals and pastries and replacing them with bran pancakes and low-sugar syrup and/or fruit. Whole-wheat tortillas filled with fruit, scrambled eggs, or cheese and turkey bacon are delicious and your kids will have fun eating them, paying no attention to the fact that it is actually good for them.
Naturally Sweet
Most kids will ask for sweets such as candy and snack cakes. Instead of giving in to the pressure, give your kids applesauce and homemade oatmeal cookies prepared with a sugar substitute or honey rather than white sugar. Fruit snacks and dried fruit roll ups made from 100 percent fruit are great ideas for kids.
Replace fruit drinks and sodas with flavored tonic water and fresh fruit juice. Drink boxes containing pure fruit juice are relatively inexpensive and kids love the individual boxes, complete with straws.
Make it Fun
The secret is in the presentation. Arrange an assortment of healthy foods in a fun way on your child’s plate. You can include smiley faces made from raisins or nuts and choose foods that are colorful. Kids will eat most things if they are presented in a unique design that makes eating fun.
Healthy Dinner
Dinnertime can include homemade pizza topped with cheese and vegetables, or soft tacos made with shredded chicken and cheese. Chicken strips prepared in the oven are always a hit and you could include an assortment of fresh vegetables and whole-grain breads. Fish sticks are relatively healthy if you
prepare them in the oven rather than fried. Cheese and legumes are healthy choices.
It’s not difficult to get kids to eat healthy foods. It just takes a little extra thought and planning. Start by using our tips and you may be surprised to see what your child will eat.
Fight Asthma With Vitamins And Over The Counter Products
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by episodes or attacks of inflammation and narrowing of small airways in response to exposure to environmental stimuli. Asthma attacks can vary from mild to life threatening. The main symptom of Asthma is shortness of breath as the result of the bronchial passages becoming narrowed through exposure to some type of stress, either physical (allergy) or psychological.
During an asthma attack, histamine and leukotrienes are produced by respiratory system, which results in a rapid constriction of the smooth muscle of the bronchial tubes. The bronchial tubes narrow and reduces the amount of air that can pass.
Asthma is a seriously debilitating and sometimes life-threatening disease that affects more than 8 million adults in the United States. The incidence of asthma cases has surged in recent years, although researchers are not sure why. Asthma is the most common chronic pulmonary disorder in the United States. Asthma prevalence has been increasing to epidemic levels, especially in areas with high urbanization. More than 5,000 deaths are attributed to asthma attacks each year.
Asthma is experienced during the life span of approximately 10% of the population, resulting in morbidity and mortality costing a substantial economic burden on individuals and on society. Although the research in asthma has advanced rapidly in recent years, the etiology of asthma remains unclear. Asthma is not contagious, and although it appears to follow some genetic pattern. Researchers have found that an asthma attack can be caused by heredity, air pollution, food allergy, infections, emotional disturbances, and dozens of other factors.
Almost 5% of adult-onset asthma cases were recognized as having work-related symptoms. A worker reporting improvement of symptoms after being gone from the workplace over the weekend or after a vacation and then reporting a worsening of symptoms upon returning to the workplace is labeled as having work-related asthma.
Among the various risk factors of asthma, those of occupational origin are gaining more importance with time due to use of various chemicals in industries which potentially induce hypersensitivity and predisposition to asthma. In addition, there has long been evidence that physicians do not adequately assess the work-relatedness of many diseases, including asthma. It appears that providers seldom recorded information about occupation in notes on asthma unless they considered the symptoms triggered by workplace exposures.
Although prescription medication for the treatment of asthma are abundant and are improving in effectiveness, there are inherent risks and side effects with most of them. Despite many newer drugs for asthma, people are dying more frequently from this illness. It is apparent that asthma is not well controlled in many individuals.
Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with treating Arteriosclerosis such as Vitamin C, Beta Carotene, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Butterbur, Vitamin A, Pantothenic Acid, Glucosamine, Manganese, Omega Smooth and Flavonoids.
Vitamin C is nature’s protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the human body immune system.
Beta Carotene protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. It also helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation, which enables it to perform at optimum efficiency.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation report published in December 8, 2005 revealed that taking Vitamin D supplements could help improve the effects of steroid drugs used to treat Asthma.
Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.
Butterbur is a common herbal extract that is highly effective asthma therapy. As far back as the 17th century, butterbur was used to treat cough, asthma, and skin wounds.
A number of studies have suggested that taking antioxidants such a Vitamin A reduces the risk of bronchoconstriction associated with asthma. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.
Many find pantothenic Acid to be very helpful against asthma symptoms. It is another form of non-toxic Vitamin B.
Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory and may give some relief from asthma symptoms.
Magnesium has been employed in the treatment of acute asthma, but its use has not become universal, nor has it been studied for the treatment of chronic asthma. Manganese has been found deficient in bronchial biopsies of asthmatic patients, indication manganese replenishment could aid in the treatment of asthma.
Omega smooth is a delicious tasting liquid that is derived from fish oil. Regular fish comsumption has been associated with a reduced risk of children having asthma attacks.
Flavonoids are the brightly colored pigments found in most fruits and vegetables. When consumed, they have antioxidant properties and have been associated with improved lung junction.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.
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Milk Teeth – Taking Good Care of a Child’s First Teeth
Despite the fact that milk teeth are lost naturally as a child grows, it is important to ensure that these teeth are correctly maintained. The teeth have a number of important functions, such as helping in correct speech formation. A young child is also increasingly aware of their appearance to others and the teeth are an important aspect of this appearance. Gaps or other discrepancies in the teeth can lead to a child feeling self conscious and unhappy. A good dentist will frequently be able to correct problems in a child’s dental alignment and in many cases this is better and more easily done when the child is young. Never be afraid to ask for advice from your dentist – the profession has developed a lot over recent years and the number of corrective techniques has increased dramatically in that time.
Here is a list of some of the actions you can take to ensure that your child’s teeth are kept in good condition;
1. Make sure that the child brushes their teeth twice a day. Food particles which remain in the mouth can cause the development of harmful acid which in turn can cause tooth decay.
2. Remind your child to brush their teeth before bed. This helps to prevent the build up of bacteria in the mouth as the child sleeps.
3. Do not ever let your child go to bed with a bottle of fruit juice or other acidic drink. The acid from such drinks remains on the teeth and attacks the enamel over an extended period as the child sleeps.
4. Eating sweets between meals increases the risk of dental caries. A young child can be easily trained in good habits just as easily as poor habits and most children follow an adults example. If you show them that a piece of fruit can be enjoyed after a meal rather than sugary sweets then they will quickly get into a habit which is healthy and may last a lifetime.
5. Most children drink far too much juice, particularly the sweetened variety which is marketed as “healthy”. Avoid this since this kind of drink is high in sugar and this will cause rapid tooth decay if accompanied by poor dental hygiene.
Top 7 Tips To Treat Eye Conditions Using Vision Therapy
Unfortunately, few people have ever heard of vision therapy. It is the best kept secret in eye care. The few people who know anything about it think it is the Bates Method. But Bates is outdated. This method only focus on the eye muscles. Today, we know, in addition, vision therapy works by retraining the way the brain processes visual imagery. It is more like visual biofeedback than vision callisthenics. Using today’s methods, we get better, more permanent results than Bates did. Today’s vision therapy helps treat many vision-impairing eye conditions. Here are some of the tips you can consider to treat your eye conditions.
1. Traumatic Brain Injury
Some people who sustain head injuries in auto or other accidents largely recover, except that they experience blurred or double vision. They are often told they have to live with it, but vision therapy can often help them see better.
2. Athletic Performance
Keep your eye on the ball is standard advice in baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball and many other sports. The problem is that sometimes even world-class athletes can’t do it well enough to remain competitive. With the help of vision therapy, they can. In a study, vision therapy was conducted on a group of professional tennis players. Lights were flashed at them and time how long it takes them to respond. At first it may take them one-tenth a second. But after a while, they start responding in one one-hundredth of a second, ten times faster. The difference between a tenth and a hundredth of a second may not sound like much, but when you are playing a professional tennis, it is the difference between seeing the ball leave your opponent’s racquet and not seeing it until it is already on your side of the court.
3. Balance
Good vision is critical for good balance because vision, our dominant sense, provides the brain with a great deal of information about the body’s position. A group of 20 male and female students were tested on their balance and then trained them in Eyerobics, a visual-skills training program that uses vision therapy exercises to improve depth perception, peripheral vision, reaction time and spatial judgement. After Eyerobics training, the researchers retested the participant’s balance and found significant improvement.
4. Crossed Eyes, Lazy Eyes And Binocular Disorder
In addition to causing cosmetic problems – the eyes look funny – these disorders interfere with reading and close-focus work and may lead to blindness of the weaker eye. They are also surprisingly common. According to a report in the Journal of the American Optometric Association, about 5 percent of schoolchildren have strabismic eyes, and up to 8 percent have some degree of amblyopia. Each year in United States, the National Society to Prevent Blindness estimates 127,000 new diagnoses of amblyopia. Six months of vision therapy produces substantial, long-lasting improvements of these conditions in about 75 percent of cases.
5. Learning Disabilities
Many children diagnosed with learning disabilities or dyslexia does not really have them. They often have learning-related vision problems, and vision therapy can help them – if they are diagnosed and treated by a behavioural optometrist. Unfortunately, many are not. In a study, with three children, two age eight and one ten, who had severe problems with reading. One had been diagnosed as dyslexic. After two months of vision therapy, the children’s reading abilities improved dramatically
6. Focusing Problems
Normal eyes hold objects in focus and automatically refocus when they shift from one object to another that is closer or farther away. People with focusing problems cannot do this, and their constant struggle to keep their eyes focused leads to chronic eyes stress that often causes headaches, fatigue, double or blurry vision and a burning sensation in the eyes. In a study, 96 people with focusing problems were treated with vision therapy. Fifty-three percent were cured. Symptoms were significantly reduced, though not eliminated, in 43 percent. Only 4 percent showed no benefit.
7. Jerking Eye
This condition interferes with smooth eye movement, causing the eyes to jerk from point to point. It impairs reading ability and anything else that requires fluid eye movements. Vision therapy usually can cure ocular-motor problems.
Topical Vitamin C
Topical Vitamin C is one of the most recent developments in the world of medical science, as an aid for skin protection. Vitamin C, when manufactured into a Topical formation, becomes an excellent antidote against photoaging of the skin. The currently available products contain very low levels of antioxidants, which are not well absorbed by the skin.
Inventors are especially excited about the protective qualities and anti-inflammatory effects of this vitamin. Once applied, it is absorbed in the skin and cannot be washed or sweated off. Research studies have shown that Topical Vitamin C provides wavelength-independent ultraviolet protection, which is much more effective than any other skin care products. When exposed to sunlight, Topical Vitamin C products prevent sunburn damage without blocking vitamin D synthesis, unlike other sunscreen products in the market. It might also stimulate melanin production without causing harm to neighboring cells.
Topical Vitamin C has a tendency to degrade rapidly, and hence must be stored in airtight, light-resistant containers. Some of the side effects include stinging and skin irritation. Research studies have shown that regular application of Topical Vitamin C results in clinically visible anti-wrinkling. When used along with such vitamins as C and E, it provides utmost protection against the exogenous oxidative stressors encountered in daily life.
Adequate levels of Topical Vitamin C can be achieved from substantial intakes of fruit, vegetables and juices daily. A correctly formulated Topical Vitamin C is very difficult to manufacture. This is due to the instable nature of L-ascorbic acid, the key ingredient of Vitamin C. Moreover, the cheaper variations of the products are not absorbed properly by the skin. Researchers are constantly trying to find a more stable version of the product. In order to get an authentic version of a Topical Vitamin C product, it is always advisable to consult a doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist.
Natural Make-Up: Organic Ingredients Make a Better Product
What makes an ingredient natural? More and more leading make-up companies are responding to the demands of today’s educated market and offering their customers make-up containing natural and organic ingredients. Women – and more and more men – are realizing the benefits of leaving behind the man-made ingredients used in cheaper cosmetics and looking for the quality and results that come from natural make up. Cosmetics that have been made using quality ingredients – natural products close to the original state, and, whenever possible, organic certified.
One of the most popular ingredients you find in any natural make-up is almond oil. It is excellent for dry, rough skin and very sensitive skin. You will see it used as a base in massage oil, body lotions and many many bath products. Because it is so gentle it can be used on even a baby’s skin. Almond oil is a natural moisturizer and protects then skin beautifully- making it a great choice for those is drier climates. Adding a few drops of your favourite essential oil, such as rose oil or lavender to almond oil makes wonderful massage oil.
Using natural and organic certified products only serves to enhance the healing qualities of natural ingredients. Reputable companies will not indulge in cheap mass produced ingredients such as petrochemicals, lauryl sulphate, parabins, laureth sulphate and low grade alcohol. Alcohol, which is used as a preservative is still an ingredient – but only food quality and plant derived – such as beet root. Fragrance and colors are never artificial – artificial scents and additives are to be avoided when looking for a true natural make-up.You will see the ingredient grape seed extract in a myriad of products. It has restorative properties and is a valuable ingredient in natural make-up – especially face creams and moisturizers. Grape seed extract comes from the tiny seeds of red grapes. Grape seed is extract is rich in anti-oxidants – in fact there are more antioxidants found in grape seed than in vitamins C and E. Grape seed extract will help maintain the skins’ elasticity and is a key ingredient in any face cream.
Another ingredient listed on many cosmetic and natural make-up labels is Lemon Oil. You will most often find this in bath and body products, massage oil, lotions and foot care. Lemon oil is derived from a cold pressing of lemon peel. In quality natural cosmetics the oils will come from certified organic fruit. Lemon oil is believed to have energizing properties- often leaving the user feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Rose oil, sometimes called rose otto, is a popular ingredient found in many natural make-up and skin care lines. Be sure it is “rose oil” and not “rose essence”, which in most cases is synthetic. Synthetic rose oil has no healing benefits or therapeutic value. Rose oil is often used in skin care because of its gentleness – it is suitable for almost all skin types – especially dry or very sensitive skin. It’s also a much sought after ingredient in natural make-up because it has been attributed to the relief of depression, anxiety, spasms, tension, stress and menopausal problems. You will often see rose oil used in many bath products because of the relaxing and calming effect it has on the user. Rose oil’s delicate scent is thought to increase perception and for this reason and it is believed to have aphrodisiac properties.
Natural ingredients, organic certified ingredients are important to the quality and effectiveness of the products you put on your skin. When you are choosing a natural make-up, look at the labels and try and get a better understanding of what you are putting on your skin – and what is being absorbed into your body. Knowing what is safe and what is effective will help you make better decisions about the products you buy. Using natural sources such as plants and herbs rather than synthetic man-made chemicals is always a better choice. Look for high-quality ingredients, ingredients that are not synthetic and are certified organic on the products you buy.





