Vitamins and Minerals Help Ensure A Good Healthy Heart

By Charlene Nuble

Taking good care of your body means that you are able to maintain adequate amounts of the minerals, vitamins and nutrients that are needed to ensure a totally healthy well-being. Also, it is very important to note that the heart requires a significant amount of attention too, in order for it to be able to function well and be able to have a healthy circulation of blood around the body. When the heart is healthy, it is able to respond efficiently to the body’s changing needs for oxygen and nutrients, which vary with different activity levels throughout the day and night. There are several vitamins and minerals that specifically support the heart in these important tasks.

Potassium is a mineral that is quite important to how the heart can function more properly. At the most basic level, potassium is essential to the rhythmic, smooth and continuous pumping of the heart. This is because potassium supports the nerve transmissions and greatly takes part in making sure that every muscle in the body gets to move. Potassium greatly helps in regulating a person’s heartbeat.

Aside from being an important factor in keeping our teeth and bones healthy, Vitamin D is also important to the heart’s health and its ability to function properly. In fact, recent research has showed that meeting the standard recommended daily intake levels of Vitamin D can significantly reduce the risk of death caused by heart failure. Sufficient intake of Vitamin D has been connected with reducing inflammation, which is a common cause of heart disease. Vitamin D also plays an important role in the ability of the heart to pump blood efficiently, as well as affects the structure of the cells located in the heart.

Children need between 200 and 300 International Units of Vitamin D per day. Adults should have about 400 International Units per day, with those over 55 years of age, actually need to increase their dosage to 800 International Units. It is, however, important to not take Vitamin D in excessive amounts, as it can negatively affect one’s health.

Selenium is another mineral that is important to the function and health of the heart. Together with Vitamin E it actually serves as an important antioxidant in addition to its role in keeping the tissues of the body flexible. Selenium also offers protection against diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Lack of selenium in the body has been connected to various types of heart diseases and conditions including an enlarged heart and compromised heart function in children. For adult males, selenium intake should be about 70 micrograms per day while adult females should have a selenium intake of about 55 micrograms daily.

Magnesium actually helps the heart with its muscle contractions by regulating the neuromuscular activity that assures a regular heartbeat as well as its role in helping the body to make the most out of potassium and calcium - both of which also affect heart health and function. Adult men should have about 350mg of magnesium per day and adult women need 280mg daily. Depending on a child’s age and weight, the standard recommended amount of magnesium are 130mg and 240mg each day.

It is important to note that there are nutritional supplements that can greatly help a person when it comes to having a good bill of health. However, keep in mind that moderation is key when it comes to taking care of one’s health. Nutrient supplements may seem harmless at first glance but it can actually prove to be quite harmful to one’s health once taken in considerably excessive amounts.

Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

Brain Damage Leads to Adult Cerebral Palsy

By Low Jeremy

This is a disorder that is always associated with the medical condition of both a mother and child. It can take place as early as in the stages of pregnancy. Cerebral palsy is not only present in infants but likewise with adults.

The brain or mind of a person is one of the focal points of human activities. This is responsible for making decisions on the things that the body should do for a certain situation. From a mere idea that pops up on your mind, you start to scribble and find the best possible solution or action as a response.

What if your mind began to malfunction? This will surely be a crucial point in your life because your entire system will be affected. It is the saddening truth about cerebral palsy because a person experiences a loss of brain control over movement.

The causes for the development of a cerebral disorder are not clearly established. Medical researches have been done but nothing is proven yet. These are probabilities alone. The disorder can be caused by the deficiency of oxygen during pregnancy especially if the woman has constant alcohol intake and cigarette smoking. Likewise, it can also be due to certain blood conditions leading to jaundice then to cerebral palsy.

It is also believed that if the child experiences brain damage during his early years because of the constant bumping of his head to the floor or some hard objects, he or she is likely to suffer from cerebral palsy in the future.

When it comes to the adults, cerebral palsy disorder can be determined after you have observed the common symptoms. Sometimes, a person may tend to ignore it because they are inclined to thinking that the said signs are just being part of old age. It is best if an afflicted person will contact their doctors immediately. Frequent to them is the athetoid that results to drooling, grimacing and difficulty in speaking. Others may also encounter the other types of cerebral palsy.

There are four general classifications of cerebral palsy and each of such is distinct in effect and symptoms to the patient. The level of tolerance will also vary. They are called spastic, athetoid, ataxic and mixed. Among these types, spastic is the most common that typically attacks cerebral palsy patients.

You can be well oriented about the effects of the four types by asking your trusted doctors. Don’t worry because if early detection is done, cerebral palsy can still be prevented from worsening.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Cerebral Palsy, please visit [http://cerebral-palsy.articlekeep.com]cerebral-palsy.articlekeep.com

5 Ways to Counter Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

By Greg Frost

Children are not the only ones who suffer from ADD, many intelligent adults are struggling with this condition as well. Whilst it is nothing to be ashamed of, it is important that you seek help and treatment, as this can significantly improve your quality of life. Most sufferers are apt to hide their condition, and over time experience low self confidence and find that there is little meaning in their lives.

If you have taken active steps to find out more about adult ADD and what it entails, as well as looked for a professional opinion, then you will find that the following 5ways to counter ADD will be highly useful for you.

Method #1: Overcome your Inattentiveness

Being unable to focus or pay attention can be an annoying trait, but it is not difficult to deal with. Train yourself to follow a certain schedule everyday based on what you need to accomplish. This will give you something concrete to follow and focus on, as you have acknowledged the various tasks you are responsible for. This will cause your mind to stop pushing the various thoughts through your mind. It is also handy to keep a notebook with you at all times. When you're concentrating on one task and random thoughts start filling up your mind, simply jot them down to think over at a later time.

Method #2: Face the Problem

Nothing can be more comforting that facing up that you have a problem, and that you are normal. By admitting that you have a problem, you will find that it is easier for you to take active steps to treat the problem. Talk to your friends and family and help them to understand why you behave a certain way sometimes. This will also highlight to you the areas that you need to work on or take notice of. Scheduling regular sessions with a therapist will also help you to work through your problems.

Method #3: Kick the Restlessness

Your mind and body are restless because they find the tasks at hand too boring, or a lack of a challenge. Engage in frequent sessions of exercise, such as going to the gym or playing soccer 4 times a week, to help you get rid of all the extra restlessness that seems to be bugging you.

Method #4: Distance yourself when Necessary

After you've talked to your friends and family, you should be able to identify situations and possible warning signs that you are getting agitated or losing your focus. When you feel the symptoms coming on, take a deep breathe and calm yourself down. Focus on your breathing to relax. If that doesn't work, distance yourself physically by going out to take a breath of air or pace away the excess energy.

Method #5: Boredom, be Gone

If you are aware that your job is too boring for you, find ways to make it interesting and challenging. For example, a particularly tedious job could become challenging if you set yourself a time limit to beat, or if you promise yourself a nice reward for completing the task. Alternatively, you can engage your other senses to keep your mind challenged. Burning aromatherapy candles will have a dual purpose of exuding calming properties and engaging your senses. Listening to music in the background will also serve as a much needed distraction from the boredom of your task.

Greg Frost is a leading innovator in the field of ADHD and the founder of http://www.Attention-Deficit-Disorder.net which specializes in providing a whole range of ADHD Medications topics to improve the quality of people's lives and help them concentrate.

Adult Stem Cell Nutrition - Providing Not Just A Whimper Of Hope But A Real Revolution

By Paula Rothstein


At approximately the age of 35 the body starts to break down at a more rapid rate. One of the reasons for this decline in health is the reduction in the release of adult stem cells into the blood stream, a supply which is readily available in your very own bone marrow.

Stem cells are the very essence of life. When a sperm unites with the egg, the very first cell created is a stem cell. Also known as “master cells,” a stem cell has the ability to differentiate into other cell tissue types. This ability allows the stem cell to become many different types of cells as needed by the body and, therefore, act to support optimal organ and tissue function. Is your heart in need of repair, skin, eyes, liver, stomach, brain? Stems cells have the ability to act as a repair system, rebuilding and restoring healthy functions and replenishing other cells as long as the organism is alive. Initially, it was believed that only embryonic stem cells had the ability to become any type of cell in the human body, known as "pluripotent capabilities". Quite recently, however, it has been discovered that adult stem cells may have that same wide reaching potential.

TRACKING AN ADULT STEM CELL

It was the discovery of a fluorescent green protein found in a jelly fish deep in the ocean that first enabled scientists to further their hypothesis that adult stem cells may have the same pluripotent capabilities as embryonic stem cells. By isolating the DNA of the fluorescent protein and then injecting that same genetic code into adult stem cells in a laboratory setting, they could follow their trafficking tendencies by seeing which parts of the body were lit up with fluorescent coloring.

In one such study, highly purified bone marrow stem cells were genetically modified to produce this fluorescent protein. The mice's stem cells were then killed off through irradiation and genetically modified stem cells were transplanted into their bone marrow, leaving only the fluorescent bone marrow stem cells as the sole source of available stem cells. Cardiac arrest was subsequently triggered in the mice by coronary artery occlusion. In less than two weeks time, the engrafted fluorescent stem cells had travelled through the bloodstream to the heart muscle and differentiated into cardiac muscle and endothelial cells which contributed to the formation of functional cardiac tissue, as well as new blood vessels.

Further studies revealed that adult stem cells could cross the blood-brain barrier and then differentiate into brain cells. The authors of the study wrote, "Our results clearly show that adult stem cells from the marrow can gain access to the adult brain and assume characteristics of central nervous system neurons."

Based on information gathered by various scientific teams, Dr. Gitte Jensen recently proposed the Stem Cell Theory of Healing, Regeneration and Repair. This breakthrough theory suggests that bone marrow stem cells migrate from the bone marrow and travel throughout the body, providing for healing and regeneration of damaged organs during the entire lifetime of an individual.

Through these studies we have gained remarkable perspective as to the natural healing mechanisms utilized by the human body for cellular regeneration and repair as produced by adult stem cells already abundantly present in the bone marrow. This concept led the company of StemTech to develop a product which could enhance the body's natural ability of releasing adult stem cells from the bone marrow.

INTRODUCTION TO STEM CELL NUTRITION

The National Institutes of Health lists 74 treatable diseases using ASCs in therapy - an invasive and costly procedure of removing the stem cells from one’s bone marrow (or a donor’s bone marrow) and re-injecting these same cells into an area undergoing treatment. For example, this procedure is sometimes done before a cancer patient undergoes radiation. Healthy stem cells from the bone marrow are removed and stored, only to be re-inserted after radiation into the area of the body in need of repair. This is a complex and expensive procedure, not accessible to the average person. However, there is now a way that every single person, no matter what their health condition, can have access to the benefits of enhancing their body’s innate ability to repair every organ and tissue using stem cell nutrition.

StemEnhance is the very first product of its kind, creating a category of nutritional products known as "stem cell enhancers". StemEnhance’s method for enhancing “stem cell trafficking” is protected by U.S. Patent #6814961 granted to StemTech HealthSciences Inc. of Klamath Lake, Oregon, USA and a second patent is pending.

Dr. Christian Drapeau has been pioneering the research for the past two decades on cyanophta Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA), the key nutrient in StemEnhance responsible for the release and migration of millions of adult stem cells. AFA is a fresh water, edible species of blue-green algae known to be one of the oldest and most nutritious foods on the planet. This simple organism is complete nutrition in its most basic form, providing the "building blocks of health". Not only does StemEnhance promote the rapid release of stem cells from the bone marrow but it increases their ability to get to the damaged tissues that need them most by perfecting their homing mechanism. Although AFA grows in many other areas of the world, the biomass that accumulates in Kalamath Lake is unique in both its abundance and purity and this is the location of harvesting for StemTech’s fresh supply of AFA.

Traditional health supplements nourish existing cells, they do not create new cells. When you take two capsules of StemEnhance, the ingredients help to support the release of millions of stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. According to the New England Journal of of Medicine, the number of stem cells circulating in the bloodstream is one of the best indicators of health.

StemEnhance is a blend of two compounds which are extracted from AFA. These compounds are extracted using a proprietary process that uses no chemicals or harsh agents. One of the compounds, which contains L-selectin ligand, blocks the receptors on your stem cells that keep them anchored in your bone marrow, therefore allowing them into circulation. The second compound which is called Migratose, is polysaccharide-rich and may support the migration of stem cells out of the blood and into tissues and organs where they are most needed. These results were demonstrated in a triple blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study conducted by Dr. Christian Drapeau. The results were quite dramatic. Volunteers rested for one hour before establishing baseline levels. After the first blood samples, volunteers were given stem-enhancers or a placebo.

Thereafter, blood samples were taken at 30, 60 and 120 minutes after taking the consumables. The number of circulating stem cells was quantified by analyzing the blood samples using Fluroescence-Activated Cell Sorting. Consumption of stem enhancers led to an increase in the number of circulating stem cells, while consumption of the placebo did not lead to any statistically notable effect. Within 60 minutes of consumption, a 25 to 30% increase in adult stem cells was measured. This translates to approximately 3.5 million additional circulating stem cells. This study confirmed that StemEnhance effectively supported the release of stem cells from the bone marrow. Through a natural process, those stem cells then travel in the bloodstream to areas of the body where they are most needed.

MIGRATION OF ADULT STEM CELLS TO DISTRESSED SITES

Recently, extensive research was performed by the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada, led by Dr. Gitte S. Jensen, on the effect of AFA on the immune and endocrine systems, as well as general blood physiology. The results were remarkable. It was discovered that consuming AFA had a profound and unique effect on natural killer cells. The results were published under the title “Effects of the Blue Green Algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae on Human Natural Killer Cells,” Chapter 3.1 of the IBC Library Series, Volume 1911, “Phytoceuticals: Examining the health benefit and pharmaceutical properties of natural antioxidants and phytochemicals.” Within two hours after eating 1.5 grams of AFA, an average of 40% of the blood natural killer cells (one billion) left the bloodstream and migrated into the tissues. They further discovered that in some cases the natural killer cells remaining in the bloodstream had two to three times as many adhesion molecules as they did before the AFA was consumed. After a few hours, the natural killer cells returned to the bloodstream.

WHAT CAN STEM CELL NUTRITION DO FOR YOU?

StemEnhance is not a product based on anecdotal evidence (although the remarkable stories are rapidly accumulating) but rather a body of collected evidence. Everyone is different so the stories are quite dramatic and varied. The body knows what it needs as do these master cells. People who have difficulty getting around due to joint pain are regaining their ability to walk as cartilage is being repaired. Patients with MS and Parkinson's are finding accumulated damage is being repaired and symptoms are lessening or disappearing. It is helping improve some individual's vision because adult stem cells are involved in eye health. One woman who used to be plagued with frequent migraines has not had a single one since starting StemEnhance. It can repair heart muscle, the liver, digestive system, and most definitely the skin. StemEnhance supports brain function, improving clarity, focus and mood. The results can be quite extraordinary.

When StemEnhance is used as a daily supplement over time, the stimulation of billions of additional stem cells in the bloodstream could be one of the safest and most efficient methods for maintaining optimal health that science has yet discovered.

Paula Rothstein is the author of numerous articles on the topic of holistic health, offering clients and customers solutions for recovery from toxic lifestyle choices, diet, and environment.

For more information, please visit http://www.medicinefreeliving.com

Finding Support for Adult Autism

By Rachel Evans

Toys are a great way to stimulate autistic children, but what about adult autism? All autistics, regardless of their age or degree of autism require proper care and support. That being said, although high functioning autistics do require support, they don’t always require constant care like those who have low functioning autism.

High functioning autistics (HFA)

High functioning autistic adults can be very successful and live relatively normal lives. They can work, care, and support themselves, live independently, and in some cases, even have a family. However, in order to be successfully independent an HFA adult must have had the proper education growing up. If an HFA child is effectively taught and understands accepted behaviors and social responses, by the time they reach adulthood, they can contribute to society like everyone else.

Of course, not all high functioning autistics are independent, and even those that are may still struggle with finding suitable employment and suffer with social interaction. For this reason, those with high functioning adult autism require support to help them take care of themselves, and live the best life they can live.

Support for high functioning autistics

The following are ways in which HFA adults can find support:

Locally – Finding support locally may be a challenge if you don’t know where to look. Nevertheless it doesn’t hurt to try searching with the help of:

- Health care providers – Talk to any doctors or those who provided you therapy over the years. They may be able to get you in touch with local organizations or support groups.

- Government – Call or visit the government website to learn about support for those with adult autism

- Yellow Pages – Search the phone book to see if any support groups are listed locally

- The internet – Conduct a search by using the name of your city and “autism support”

Online - There are many support groups online. The following are some websites that offer support and may be helpful for employment and information:

- www.csaac.org

- www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger

Low functioning autistics

Low functioning adult autism means that these individuals are unable to measure up to societal standards and can not function independently, regardless of how they are educated as children. Therefore, these autistics typically live at home with their parents or in special residences where their needs can be continually addressed. Nevertheless, due to the fact that residential facilities or group homes are quite costly, many low functioning adults (and even some HFA adults) live with their families.

In these cases, the ones who require support and assistance are the caregivers. Caring for an autistic can be extremely overwhelming and stressful, especially when you are faced with:

- Learning everything you can about adult autism

- Locating the necessary services, treatments and supports needed

- Dealing with different health care service providers

- Financial burden

- Socially isolating yourself in your home, as making social calls can be difficult

- Focusing all your attention on one child and giving less attention to the rest
- Discrimination from others

Support for caregivers of autistics

There are different services you can look for to help you cope with adult autism, such as counseling, reducing stress, learning new techniques, financial advice, etc. Support can be found in the following ways -

Locally – The same methods used in HFA support listed above can be used to find local support.
- Friends – If you have made friends who also have autistic children, use them as support and find out if they have any new information they can provide for a particular problem you may be facing.

Online – There are many support groups online. Check out the following:

- www.autism-society.org

- www.autismsociety.ca

- www.bbbautism.com

- www.autismlink.com

- www.udel.edu

Each provides you with information, resources and support groups for adult autism.

Sign up for a free regular newsletter at [http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com?source=ez]The Essential Guide to Autism and discover many more resources for [http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com/blog/2007/02/22/finding-support-for-adult-autism/]adult autism and [http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com/autism.html?source=ez]high functioning autism.

How to Treat Adult Diaper Rash

By Steve Valentino

Adult diaper rash is a common concern for incontinence sufferers. Typically, adult diaper rashes are similar in cause and symptoms to children’s diaper rashes. It is most often caused by skin irritations such as prolonged exposure to urine or fecal matter. Good hygiene is a key to preventing this uncomfortable and irritating rash.

In all cases, preventing diaper rash is best. We have all heard the adage “prevention is worth a pound of cure”; and this holds true when discussing adult diaper rash as well. Keeping the diaper area clean and dry with frequent changing can prevent most cases of adult diaper rash. Some people use a lubricating cream daily to prevent further chaffing from the diapers.

It is also a good idea to find a proper-fitting diaper, whether you choose the disposable or cloth diaper options. You should find a diaper that fits snuggly and comfortably without being too tight. You should additionally be sure to change the diaper frequently when wet to avoid prolonged exposure to acidic urine.

One downfall of using cloth diapers is that you must additionally use a plastic pant cover to prevent leaking. These plastic pants can increase the temperature within the diaper area and transform it into a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs. This is one reason that many people choose to use disposable diaper to prevent adult diaper rash. Disposable diapers are much more absorptive than cloth diapers, which usually results in less moisture being trapped on the skin.

It is also a wise idea to let the diaper area completely dry after a diaper has been soaked. You can additionally clean the area with a soft cloth and a very mild soap. Having a good hygiene regime and acting swiftly in your changing habits are the best ways to prevent adult diaper rash. If you should try these methods and still have problems with rashes, you can buy over-the-counter remedies in the form of creams. These creams often have anti-bacterial agents in them and usually clear up mild to moderate cases of diaper rashes very quickly. [http://www.e-adultdiapers.com]Adult Diapers Info provides comprehensive information about adult incontinence diapers, adult cloth diapers, adult disposable diapers, and adult diaper rash, as well as where to buy adult diapers and discount adult diapers. Adult Diapers Info is affiliated with [http://www.original-content.net]Original Content.

Emotions and Health

By Matthew Romberg

For many years conventional medicine believed that your health was a matter of genetics, infection exposure, and lifestyle. It was a rare exception when emotional experience also played factor to your health condition. There is now solid science behind the correlation of emotional experience and a host of diseases and health conditions including heart disease, depression, obesity and chronic pain. When looking at the body as a whole, emotional experience now plays a significant part in your overall health. Fatigue and stress have been seen as culprits in hindering your health.

Without dealing with their emotional health, no one can be really well. Little progress can be made curing a physical condition, no matter what therapy is used, until there is progress at the emotional level.

Unresolved emotional issues contribute to failing physical problems. They might be emotional experiences that happened many years ago in your childhood, hidden and festering inside the body that come out later in life in the form of an adverse health condition or disease. Often for women, menopause is a time when your body is telling you it is ready to resolve emotional issues and needs healing. Both your emotional and physical health can be healed together. It can be a time when you can reclaim your self.

The most insightful place to explore the emotional roots of disease may be the breakthrough ACE Study. In the 1990's over 17,000 patients of a large health plan were enrolled in a study to assess the link between emotional experience and adult health. The results were stunning which gave reason to reconsider the structure of primary care in America's medical practice.

Participants were asked whether they had experienced any of eight forms of personal abuse or dysfunctional family behavior before the age of 18, each called an "adverse childhood experience" (ACE). More than half of the patients had one ACE or more. Even more surprising was the correlation to health outcomes. Those who had experienced an ACE were more likely to have an adverse health condition or disease as an adult. The health outcomes covered a wide range including heart disease, fractures, diabetes, obesity, alcoholism, and more.

The truth is that all emotional experience affects our health, whether positive or negative, and whether it occurs in the past or the present. Negative emotional experiences appear to have more lasting health effects, perhaps because we tend to ignore dealing with them.

Some psychologists and scientists believe we have five basic feelings: joy, fear, anger, grief and love, with other feeling states being variations on these five. An emotion is what your body does with one of these feelings.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 90% of all visits to the doctor are stress-related. There are hundreds of medical studies linking stress to a host of diseases. Stress is personal. Something that is stressful to one person is not necessarily to another, because of each person's emotional history. Our biography becomes our biology, in a sense. People develop patterns to dealing with stress. It is important to be aware of your personal patterns and to learn to control them for your emotional wellbeing and your physical health.

For information on women's health and to find a [http://www.heartoftexasobgyn.com]Round Rock OBGYN, visit Heart of Texas OBGYN.

About the Author: Dr. Matthew Romberg, a [http://www.heartoftexasobgyn.com]Round Rock OBGYN specializing in obstetrical and gynecologic care, is the President of the Heart of Texas Women's Center. The Heart of Texas Women's Center provides state of the art health care including surgical procedures, family planning counseling, complete prenatal care including high risk pregnancy management, in-house ultrasonography and well-woman services.

Adult Depression Treatments - Pharmaceutical and Non-pharmaceutical Adult Depression Treatments

By John Gibb

Depression is, to say the least, a difficult illness to have. Many times, people will be told "Get over it!" or "It's all in your head!" The second statement is in all truthfulness correct; although not as it is meant when that comment is typically made. Depression is an illness marked by a deep sense of sadness, a feeling of hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities you have typically enjoyed, including sex and eating. It is an illness that requires treatment by professionals.

As you might expect, there is a variety of treatments available to you. There are treatment methods for those who want to avoid medication at all costs, those who refuse medications and even for those for whom typical treatments fail. The treatments fall into some basic categories such as Herbal medicine, Alternative treatments named so because they are not treatments used in Western medical practice, Holistic treatments, and medical procedures to name just a few. Within these groups, there are so many treatments available.

Herbal treatments come in various forms including supplements and teas. Specific herbs that are known to affect mood are blended with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutritive substances. Some of the herbs that are used in herbal supplements include Chamomile, popularly taken in the form of a tea as well as a supplement. Dandelion Root which is also taken as a tea and a supplement has leaves that are used in salads.

Alternative treatments include Chiropractic massage. Reflexology is done by putting gentle pressure on specific spots on the hands and soles of the feet that are said to be directly connected to specific body parts. Reiki is a healing practice where healing energy is transferred from the Reiki practitioner to the patient to enhance the body's ability to heal itself and deal with pain, fatigue, and even depression.

Holistic treatments treat the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. It includes such treatments as Chiropractic massage, Homeopathy where small doses of natural substances are given to boost the immune system and the body's defense system. The substance is given to cause a condition to occur, so the body can attack it and heal itself. Meditation or prayer takes care of the mind and spirit. As the mind and spirit are calmed, other symptoms may be eased as well.

Medical procedures that are used in Adult Depression treatments include ECT- Electroconvulsive Therapy also known as "Shock Therapy". VNS- Vagal Nerve Stimulation where a pace maker type device is implanted in the chest and pulses are delivered to the Vagus nerve that runs from the neck to the brain to stimulate the nerve thought to be connected to the mood center of the brain.

TMS- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is done by a doctor using a hand-held magnetized coil that is charged with electricity.

It is passed over the patient's scalp and the pulse penetrates the skull and goes to the brain to stimulate it. It is currently experimental but has potential of becoming very exact.

Medications called Anti-depressants are used to help balance out the chemicals in the brain, particularly Serotonin and Norepinephrine. The type of medication you get will depend on the type and depth of your depression. Anti-depressants do have some serious if not dangerous side effects, not the least of which is suicidal tendencies. This is why people now are turning more and more to herbal, holistic, and non-medical treatments.

Adult Depression treatments still may be effective and may eventually help you to lead a happy successful life. Getting help or more importantly needing help is nothing to be ashamed of. Rather than it being a sign of weakness, I believe it is a sign of strength and the will to survive.

We have found a pure natural depression supplement that can also help with anxiety and overall general well being.

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John Gibb is the manager and owner of various health websites. His latest addition is Natural Depression Alleviation

Symptoms of Adult Onset Diabetes

By Nathalie Fiset

People often talk about Adult Onset Diabetes. The thing is we have to know what are the symptoms to this disease so we can be aware if we have it.

It is interesting to note that the word diabetes comes from 'passing through' and mellitus is 'honey'. To put it simply and in a more sensible manner, the high levels of sugar in a person's urine is pretty much like honey passing through. Adult Onset Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by the high levels of the glucose level in the bloodstream. This results to spilling over in the urine. It is also associated with an increase of carbohydrates in diets.

At the moment, adult onset diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the US., but there's good news to this disappointing statistic. 90% of the diabetics who are non-insulin dependent can be cured as long as they achieve their ideal weight and by practicing a healthy lifestyle and having a balanced diet.

Other causes for insulin deficiency are toxic reaction to nitroso compounds, auto-immune disease and viral infection of the beta cells found in the pancreas. When not cured, risks include stroke, atherosclerosis, premature heart disease, blindness, pancreatic failure and gangrene of the limbs. Also, it runs in the family. If a family member has diabetes, chances are people in his blood line have more risk of getting it too if they do not watch what they eat.

A person's diet is quite critical in regulating diabetes. Doctors recommend a healthy nutritional approach. In fact there are so many ways to regulate Diabetes Mellitus - from botanical medicine to traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy and psychological approaches. Prevention is better than cure so the best way to control the disease is to simply regulate what you eat. If you have a sweet tooth the very minute you get up from bed, a grilled cheese sandwich might be a better breakfast as opposed to donuts and coffee.

Steer clear of pastry treats, cookies, pasta and soda-pop. You can have these but in moderation. If this is your diet day in and day out, expect the doctor to be diagnosing you with diabetes. You cannot change your diet overnight, but it can be done slowly and patiently with persistence. Since we are used to eating this and that, it's hard to ignore the treats that we enjoyed before. But think of it this way, it is for your own good. This change in diet can be done. Plus, it puts you at less risk in getting diabetes.

Here's a secret. Have a diet that does not contain sugar and high complex carbohydrates. Refined sugar is a carbohydrate that has been chemically altered through bleaching and processing. Examples of foods to ignore include cookies, candy, pastries, boxed cereal, alcohol, honey, soda pops, pizza and ice cream.

The symptoms of adult onset diabetes Type 2 include the following:

- frequent urination

- increased appetite

- increased thirst

- blurred vision

- fatigue

- slow-healing or frequent infections

- inability to have an erection

In order for the person to be sure that he has Type 2 Diabetes, the following examinations can be conducted:
- blood glucose level. If the level is above 126 mg/dL during two incidences, the diagnosis is possibly diabetes
- random blood glucose level testing – if the level is above 200 mg/dL and the person has the symptoms mentioned earlier, the diagnosis is possibly diabetes
- oral glucose test - if the level is above 200 mg/dL, the diagnosis is possibly diabetes.

People ask how to treat Type 2 diabetes. First, you have to eradicate the causes. You should also regulate the glucose level in the body. By continually doing this, the goal is achieved and a person with diabetes can have a longer life. The key to remember is that the main treatment for adult onset diabetes is diet and exercise.

Plan your meals and choose healthy foods. Eat the right amount and eat meals on schedule. In your free time, learn how much exactly fat, carbohydrates and protein you need in a balanced diet. Meal plans can be customized depending on your preferences and food habits.

Everybody's advised to exercise regularly. This is a necessity if you're diagnosed with diabetes because it controls the glucose level in your body. It also burns the extra calories and fat. That helps you mange your weight. In addition, it also helps you to cope with stress better. Adult onset diabetes may have these symptoms detailed here, but a consultation with a medical practicioner is the sensible path to take as soon as you suspect you may have diabetes.

Dr Nathalie Fiset is a family doctor and a certified hypnotherapist. For more information go to: http://www.livinghealthywithdiabetes.com/Symptom-of-Adult-Onset-Diabetes.html http://www.aperfectharmony.com or http://www.a-1hypnosis.com

Treatments for Adult Enuresis

By Ashira R

Adult enuresis is more common than people realize. After consulting with a medical professional to determine the cause of the enuresis is the time to determine what the next step is. Are there any real solutions other than wearing an adult diaper to bed? The answer is yes, but no treatment is a cure nor will it provide immediate results.

Sleep Disorders

Many sleep disorders are the culprit of adult enuresis. When a person sleeps to deeply, the mind does not wake the persons conscious up resulting in the enuresis as the brain releases the bladder. In this instance a simple solution is an enuresis alarm. These alarms wake a person up out of a deep sleep at the first sign of any moisture so that you have the time to fully awaken and get to the bathroom.

Infections

There are a variety of infections such as bladder infections and urinary tract infections that cause temporary adult enuresis that are easily treatable with antibiotics. Once the infection is gone usually so is the adult enuresis.

Medications

When the cause of the adult enuresis is incurable, there is still hope without resorting to the adult diaper. There are some medications that have proven effective in treating the condition.

DDAVP is a medication that actually reduces the amount of urine the body produces. When taking sleep medications for insomnia, some adults find it is impossible to awaken even with an alarm. In this case the medication DDAVP may be an option. It allows a person to go much longer periods of time without the need for urinating. However, this medication is not a cure, it does assist many patients in controlling the symptoms. DDAVP can be taken as a pill or as a nasal spray. As with all medications, certain side effects can occur. With the spray, irritation of the nasal area, nose bleeds are often seen. Further if the patient has a congestion problem the nasal spray will not get into the blood stream. With the pill form some patients have complained of headaches, nausea, and vomiting after taking the drug. When using either the pill form or the spray, the patient can not drink any liquids afterwards, so it best used right before bed.

Imipramine which is used as an anti depressant has shown promise in treating the symptoms of adult enuresis. It works much like DDAVP as it also reduces the amount of urine the body produces. Although less often prescribed by doctors, some find it is the best solution.

Medical doctors in general do not like to prescribe any medication for adult enuresis unless it is a last resort solution in controlling the symptoms.

Other Options

There are a number of other options that can be employed in treating the condition such as behavior modification, hypnotherapy, and psychological counseling when the condition exists because of severe trauma or extreme depression.

The key to overcoming the shame and denial of adult enuresis and treating it is talking to your health care provider. Most doctors are well aware of the condition and its causes, so there should be no embarrassment in speaking to yours as soon as the symptoms develop.

Bright blessings,

Ashira http://www.ashira.ws

[mailto:ashira@ashira.ws]ashira@ashira.ws

Ashira is a Practicing Pagan for over 15 years. Currently she is a featured columnist at Asknow.com.

The Witches' Child Author

Bacon Bits Author

FFWA Member

Cassel Network of Writers Member

Wound Healing Process

By Valerie Garnier

In man and domestic pets, scarring left after a trauma, surgery, burn or sports injury is an important health problem, usually resulting in altered aesthetics, loss of function, restriction of tissue elasticity and/or growth and adverse psychological effects.

Current treatments are empirical, troublesome and uncertain: there are no prescription medicines for the avoidance or treatment of dermal scarring. Skin wounds on early mammalian embryos heal perfectly with no scars whereas wounds in adult mammals scar.

Scientists are researching the cellular and molecular differences between perfect healing in embryonic and adult wounds. Important differences include the inflammatory reaction, which in embryonic wounds consists of fewer quantities of less differentiated inflammatory cells. This, together with augmented levels of morphogenetic molecules involved in skin growth and morphogenesis, means that the growth factor profile in a healing embryonic wound is very different from that in an adult wound.

These experiments produced scar-free wound healing in adults. Such studies have allowed the recognition of therapeutic targets; a correct treatment evidently improves or completely avoids scarring during adult wound healing in experimental animals. Some of these new medications have successfully passed safety tests and others. This has permitted them to enter human clinical trials with approval from the appropriate regulatory authorities. Based on encouraging results obtained from these experiments lead medications have now entered human patient-based trials e.g. in skin graft donor sites.

The theory is that evolutionary factors have been exerted on medium sized, widespread, dirty wounds with high tissue damage e.g. bites, bruises and contusions. Modern wounds (e.g. resulting from trauma or surgery) caused by sharp instruments and healing in a clean or aseptic environment with close tissue apposition are new situations, not previously found in Nature and to which the evolutionary selected wound healing reactions are somewhat inappropriate. It has been demonstrated that both healing with scarring and regeneration can happen within the same animal, including man, and indeed within the same tissue, thereby suggesting that they share similar mechanisms and regulators.

Consequently, by subtly altering the ratio of growth factors present in adult wound healing, we can induce adult wounds to heal perfectly with no scars, with accelerated healing and with no adverse consequences, e.g. on wound strength or wound infection rates. This means that scarring may no longer be an ineludible sequel of modem injury or surgery and that a completely new pharmaceutical approach to the avoidance of human scarring is now possible. Not only skin suffers from scarring; they can appear in many other tissues as well.

Thus scar-healing treatments could have extensive benefits and prevent complications in several tissues, e.g. prevention of blindness after scarring due to eye injury, support of neuronal reconnections in the peripheral and central nervous system by the avoidance of glial scarring, recovery of normal gut and reproductive function by avoiding strictures and adhesions after injury to the gastrointestinal or reproductive tracts, and restoration of locomotor function by avoiding scarring in tendons and ligaments.

Scars caused by wounds, burns or surgeries can now be easily faded using a natural target=_new [http://www.stretchmarksremedies.com/remedies/]skin care product with an exclusive formulation that rejuvenates injured cells.

Natural Soluble Fiber and Health

By John Gibb

Natural soluble fiber, composed of indigestible complex carbohydrates,
comes from the thick cell walls of plants.

There are two kinds--water soluble, and water insoluble--of natural fiber: water insoluble fiber protects against heart disease in both men and women, while water soluble fiber is more effective in lowering cholesterol levels.

Positive Effects of Natural Soluble Fibers

Soluble fibers can lower blood sugar levels in diabetics, decreasing their need for insulin. The precise amount of fiber intake needed lower blood sugar levels ahs not been established; and it is not known how insoluble fiber can help diabetics. Insoluble fibers (whole grains) are more associated with preventing adult onset diabetes.

Insoluble fibers relieve constipation by softening so that it moves easily more the through the intestines, and may lessen the risk of colon cancer.

Although fiber fills the stomach and reduces appetite, there is no indication that it speeds weight loss. Some research has indeed said that it has no effect on weight loss, and we personally don’t believe that although it may help if included as part of a balanced diet, fiber alone will make you lose weight.

Flax seed, when used as a fiber source, offers the extra benefit of lignins which may protect against breast cancer.

Where to find sources of Natural Soluble Fiber

Natural soluble fiber is present in whole grains; insoluble fiber is found in beans, oats, whole fruit--not juice--psyllium, and some vegetables.

Deficiencies of natural soluble fiber can occur; those who eat a western diet--meaning anyone who eats a lot of white flour, rice and refined sugars--are most deficient.

Women who eat whole grain fiber live longer than those who eat a lot of refined grains.

Those are allergic to wheat should avoid this nutrient. And beans, while a good source of fiber, contain sugars that are not easily digested and can cause gas. There are, however, widely-available commercial products that can counteract this problem.

The product we personally use called Total Balance, which contains Natural Soluble Fibers - http://www.natural-nutritional-health-supplement.com is the best supplement we have come across. We have been using this supplement for over 3 years with excellent health results.

We highly recommend you learn more about our best natural nutritional supplement if you are interested in improving your overall health.

John Gibb runs a series of health websites, We offer a free health book for subscribers to our websites newsletter. We cover everything you need to know on nutrition and how to improve your general overall health. Check out our [http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/nut-ebook.html]nutrition e-book, for more information on our nutrition book.