Regular Health Mistakes

Regular Health Mistakes
All of us make little health mistakes that cause damage to our bodies in the long run - simply because we are unaware we are doing something wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by many of us.
Crossing our legs Do you cross your legs at your knees when sitting? Although we may believe that this is the lady-like elegant way to sit, sitting this way cuts down circulation to your legs. If you don't want varicose veins to mar the beauty of your legs and compromise your health, uncross your legs every time you realize you have one knee on top of the other. The best way to sit is to simply place both legs together on the floor, balancing your weight equally. If you feel like changing position, instead of crossing your legs, simply move both legs together to one side. As an alternative, you could also consider crossing your legs loosely at the ankles. This is a classically elegant way to sit, and is far better for your legs and your health than sitting with your legs crossed at your knees.
Not changing our toothbrush How often do you change your toothbrush? Most of us wait until most of the bristles have either fallen off, or are in such bad shape that we'd be embarrassed to pull out our brush in public. However, since not many of us need to pull out our brush in public, we carry on with our frayed one until we lose it. Replace your toothbrush often. Damaged bristles can harm the enamel, and don't massage your gums well. If you find brushing your teeth a pain like I do, but know you must do it, you might as well be doing it right. Imagine going through the annoyance of brushing your teeth twice a day only to find out that you're damaging your enamel every time you clean your teeth. Also, use a brush with soft bristles unless your dentist has advised otherwise.
Eating out often There are oils that are high in cholesterol, and oils that cause little harm and are better for your heart. However, no matter how lightthe oil is, it is never a good idea to eat too much of it. Avoid fried foods. Remember that in all probability your favorite Indian foodrestaurant throws a huge, HUGE chunk of butter in a tiny bowl of dal. Rita, who worked in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel, was shocked when she saw the cook chop a 500gm butter slab in half, and throw half into a Paneer Makhani dish. No wonder the customers left licking their fingers. And no wonder they felt so stuffed and heavy afterwards. Limit outdoor eating unless you know that you're getting served light and healthy food.
Skipping breakfast Never, ever skip breakfast. Remember, when you wake up in the morning it's been around 10-12 hours since your last meal. Your body needs food now, more than at any other time. Eat a heavy breakfast. You will then be busy through the day, and the calories will get expended quickly. If you are trying to diet, eat a light dinner. Here are some more common health mistakes we make. Being informed and making a few changes can help make us feel a whole lot better.
High heels High heels sure look great, but they're murder for your back. This however doesn't mean you should steer clear of stilettos. Wear them, but not when you know you will be walking around a lot. Wear them when going out for lunch or dinner - when the only walking you will be doing is to your car, to the table, and back. Avoid high heels when you are going somewhere on foot. If you are constantly tempted to wear your heels, take a good look at your flats. Is there something about them you dislike? Invest in a new pair of beautiful flats or shoes with a low heel. Buy something you love, that you will enjoy wearing. If possible, get a matching bag. You will then enjoy your flats as much as you do your heels.
Sleeping on a soft bed You don't have to sleep on the floor be kind to your back, but do make sure you have a firm mattress. Although a mattress on springs is soft and lovely to sink into, it's bad for your back. If you already have an old bed with springs, you don't need to invest in a new one - simply get a thick wooden plank put over the springs, and place the mattress on the plank. Similarly, if your mattress is old and lumpy, throw it out and get a new one. Your neck and your back will thank you. The same rule applies to sofas. If you will be spending hours on a sofa, get a firm yet comfortable one. Sofas you completely sink into are not the best idea.
PillowsNo matter how comfortable sleeping with ten cushions is, have pity on your neck and resist. Sleep with one pillow, and make sure it is not too thick. If your pillow gets lumpy, discard it and go for a new one. Get a thin pillow if you sleep on your stomach, and something a little thicker if you sleep on your back, to give your neck adequate support.
Not exercising So all of us know we should exercise more, but many of us don't. This is a health mistake we consciously make! And why is that? Simply because we refuse to admit the damage we are causing to our bodies by not working out. A number of people only start working out once they've experienced a warning signal. Don't wait for a heart attack to strike before you decide to opt for a lifestyle change. Make the change now. You don't need to train for the marathon to be in top shape. Half an hour of brisk walking three to four times a week will make a world of difference to your health. You could then increase this to forty minutes, four times a week - and you're all set. If you haven't exercised for a week, you're making a mistake.

GOUT

Home Remedies for GOUT
GOUT

Gout is a strange disease, which is not in any way related to other forms of the bone disease. It is a metabolic disorder. Gout occurs more frequently in males, usually in middle life.

Gout tends to run in families. In all cases there is too much uric acid in the blood. This excess uric acid is deposited in some of the soft tissues of the body and also around certain joints. This results in painful swellings, known as tophi, which are most likely to develop in cartilage, such as in the outer ear. They also occur in the synovial membranes of such joints as the knees and ankles and particularly the big toe and also in various tendons and bursae. Even the ends of some bones may be invaded by these tophi.

This may be the result of wearing ill-fitting shoes or tight gloves. It may also follow a heavy meal, or overindulgence in rich foods or alcohol. It sometimes comes on after a surgical operation, or after an acute infection of the nose or throat. Severe pain may develop at the base of the big toe, usually in the middle of the night. Several joints, such as the ankle or knee, may also be affected at the same time.

The pain becomes more severe as fluid collects in the joint space and in the surrounding soft tissues. The skin is tense, hot, and shining, and is of a red or purplish color. The patient is likely to have chills and fever, a rapid pulse, and feelings of general weakness. Severe attacks may continue for several weeks, milder attacks usually last only a few days. Repeated attacks may occur each year, gradually becoming more severe and prolonged.

Any person suffering from acute joint pain who is otherwise healthy should be tested for gout. There are times when gout may stimulate rheumatic fever, but this disease is more likely to attack larger joints, while gout tends to involve the smaller joints.
Gout Symptoms
Acute pain in the toe, swelling
The most common Gout symptom is acute pain in the big toe, which becomes tender, hot, and swollen in a few hours. It may also similarly affect other joints such as the knees and wrists, and sometimes more than one joint may be affected at a time. The attack, usually occurs at midnight or in the early hours of the morning when the patient is suddenly awakened. The acute attack generally lasts for a week or so. During this period, the patient may run a slight fever, and feel disinclined to eat. A serious complication of gout is the presence of kidney stones containing uric acid. In some cases the kidneys get damaged and do not function properly.
Causes of Gout
Gout caused due to Uric Acid Crystals
One of main causes of gout is the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints, skin, and kidneys. Uric acid is an end product of the body's chemical processes. Those affected by gout have a higher level of uric acid in the blood than the normal, due either to formation of increased amounts or reduced amounts of acid being passed out by the kidneys in the urine. This uric acid usually remains dissolved in the blood. But when the blood becomes too full of it, the uric acid forms needle-shaped crystals in the joints which bring about attacks of gout.
Excessive alcohol, heredity, rich foods, lack of exercise also causes gout
Other causes of gout are heredity, alcoholic drinks, regular eating of foods rich in protein and carbohydrate, lack of proper exercise, and stress.
HOME REMEDIES FOR GOUT
Treating gout using Cherry
The cherry, sweet or sour, is considered in effective treating gout. To start with, the patient should consume about fifteen to twenty five cherries a day. Thereafter, about ten cherries a day will keep the ailment under control. While fresh cherries are best, canned cherries can also be used occasionally.
Gout treatment using Vegetable Juices
Raw vegetable juices are used for gout treatment. Carrot juice, in combination with the juices of beet and cucumber, is especially valuable. Beet juice - 100 ml and cucumber juice - 100 ml should be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to make 500 ml of combined juice and taken daily
Treating Gout using French Beans
The juice of French or string beans has also proved effective in treating gout. About 150 ml of this juice should be taken daily by the patient suffering from this disease.
Cure for Gout using Apple
Apples are regarded as an excellent source for curing gout. The malic acid contained in them is believed to neutralise the uric acid and afford relief to gout sufferers. The patient is advised to take one apple after each meal.
Gout relief using Banana
Bananas have been found beneficial in the treatment of gout. A diet of bananas only for three or four days is advised for providing some relief from gout. A patient can take eight or nine bananas daily during this period and nothing else.
Treating gout using Lime
Lime is also used as a source in treating gout. Vitamin C is known to prevent and cure sore joints by strengthening the connective tissues of the body. The citric acid found in lime is a solvent of the uric acid which is the primary cause of this disease. The juice of half a lime, squeezed into a glass of water, should be taken twice daily.
· Avoid alcohol , protein , heavy foods , coffee and soft drinks in your diet. These foods cause uric acid levels to rise.
· Simple sugars, simple carbohydrates and saturated fats - they increase your body's production of uric acid and impair your kidneys' ability to get rid of it. Eliminate fructose (found in food and drinks, like sodas).
· For natural gout treatment, eat foods high in potassium
· Lemon juice prevents gout attacks by stimulating the formation of calcium carbonate in the body.
· Taking ½ teaspoon of baking soda with meals will prevent gout attacks. This will help alkalize the body.
· Press and massage between the ball of the foot and the bottom of the big toe on each foot; then on the left foot only, stimulate a point halfway between the base of the little toe and the heel pad.
· Alfalfa is a good source of minerals and other nutrients that help reduce serum uric acid.
· For natural gout treatment, add some rose hips to vinegar and boil; apply on affected area.
· Prepare a mixture by adding two teaspoons each of apple cider vinegar and raw honey in a glass of water and drink at mealtime.
· Soak the foot in a mixture of ½ cup of apple cider vinegar and three cups of hot water.
· Get some natural, concentrated black cherry juice and drink several tablespoons of the concentrate daily.
· Blueberries are high in anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins, which help to relieve the pain of gout.
· Buchu tea helps dissolve and flush out uric acid crystals.
· Soak a piece of white flannel in warm castor oil, wring it out and place over the affected area; cover with plastic wrap and apply a heating pad. Do this for one hour twice daily.
· Boil one tablespoon of pepper in 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water and apply on the painful joint.
· Cook a tablespoon of celery seeds in two cups of water until they are soft; strain and drink 1/2 cup four times a day.
· Take ½-1 teaspoon of activated charcoal daily. This is very effective home remedy for gout.
· Prepare a poultice using ½ cup of activated charcoal, 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed and warm water to excrete toxins from the body.
· Eat several cloves of raw garlic daily.
· Put 1/3 cup of ground ginger in a bathtub of water and soak for 30 minutes. This will cause you to sweat, which will help eliminate the uric acid from your tissues.
· Grapes are high in alkalines, which lessen the acidity of uric acid and helps in its elimination from the body.
· Apply an ice pack for ten minutes, and then alternate with a moist hot-towel compress, to soothe and numb the pain.
· Soak mullein leaves in a hot vinegar/water mixture. Pack the leaves on the affected area.
· Prepare a poultice of spearmint leaves and wrap the affected area. This is also very effective home remedy for gout.
· Eating a cup of strawberries with each meal should bring quick relief. They neutralize uric acid.
· Prepare a tea by using equal parts of yarrow and stinging nettles; strain, cool and drink several cups a day.
· Eat an apple after every meal. This is very helpful in natural cure for gout.
· Take the juice of ½ a lime in 1 glass of water. Drink this morning, noon and night.
· Extract ½ a cup of juice of French beans (String beans). Drink this juice everyday for a month.
· Apply a frozen cabbage leaf to the area and cover with a dry towel. Leave in place until the leaf thaws out and repeat.
· Drinking lots of water will help kidneys flush out the excess uric acid.
· Meats having high protein content, such as fish (herrings, salmons and sardines), sweet bread, liver, kidney, milk extracts and meat soup should be avoided.
Gout Diet
Fast of Orange juice and water
For an acute attack, there is no better remedy than a fast of orange juice and water. In severe cases, it is advisable to undertake a series of short fasts for three days or so rather than one long fast.

All fruit diet
After the acute symptoms subside, the patient may adopt an all fruit diet for another three or four days.

Natural food diet
Thereafter, he may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of natural foods, with emphasis on fresh fruits, raw vegetables, and sprouts.

Avoid purine and acid producing foods
The patient should avoid all purine and uric acid-producing foods such as all meats, eggs, and fish; tea, coffee, sugar, white flour and its products; and all canned, processed, and fried foods.
Other Gout Treatment
Warm water enema
A warm-water enema should be used daily during the period of fasting to cleanse the bowels.

Epsom salt bath
Epsom salts foot baths are advised twice daily. About 250 gm - 500gm of these salts may be added to tolerably hot water for this purpose. Full Epsom salt baths should also be taken three times a week. The baths may be reduced to two per week later.

Cold packs, fresh air, exercise, reduced stress
Cold packs, applied to the affected joints at night, will be beneficial. Fresh air and outdoor exercise are also essential. The patient should eliminate as much stress from his life as possible

The Best Treatment For Acute Back Pain

The Best Treatment For Acute Back Pain
Do you know what it's like to have a sudden, sharp pain in your back
that you know is going to lead to several days of terrible pain and stiffness?
I am very familiar with this scenario from my own experiences with back pain and from my work as a chiropractor for many years. If you know what this feels like, then you might find what I have to say next to be surprising. The best thing that you can do for yourself as soon as you feel that familiar spasm or pull in your back muscles is the following: Nothing. No matter what you are doing - shovelling snow, carrying groceries, painting, laundry, or exercising - stop immediately and lay down on the closest comfortable surface.

You want to lay down with your knees bent up so that your feet are flat on the floor, or so that your calves are resting on several pillows or on a chair. As you lay down, try to relax all of your muscles, especially the ones in your back. You can facilitate effective relaxation by taking slow,deep breaths from your tummy. Depending on how badly you have pulled your muscles or ligaments, you can lay like this for 15 minutes or 1 hour.

When you feel very relaxed, try to get up slowly, turning on your side and using your arms to help lift your upper body off the ground. Be sure to use your thigh muscles to stand up. If you feel any pain as you try to stand up, lay down again and relax some more. Following this recommendation will significantly decrease the severity of your injury, and will have you back to normal much sooner than if you had continued on with your activities. Here's why... The first moment that you experience sharp pain in your back is a signal that a muscle or ligament has been stressed beyond its natural capacity. From that moment on, if the muscle or ligament in question is still being asked to work, your body will create inflammation in that area,
which brings pain, stiffness, and swelling. Why does your body do this?

Because pain, stiffness, and swelling are parts of a protective response that your body uses to get you to rest that area until it heals. Can you see why popping a pain killer in this situation is not in your best interest?

If you numb yourself to pain, then you'll probably continue being active, not giving your injured tissues a chance to rest and recover. This is a great way to worsen your injury and prolong your suffering. And let's not forget the negative side effects that pain killers have on your stomach, liver and kidneys. At the first sign of sharp pain in their backs, many people choose to continue working, finding that if they stay active and warm, they don't stiffen up and they are able to remain functional for a few hours or the rest of the day.

Continuing to be active after the initial injury causes your body to produce natural pain killers like endorphins, which gives you the illusion that you are fine.

The problem with this is that while you are not feeling much discomfort, your injured tissues are continuously being stressed, which will increase your pain and stiffness later on that day or the next morning. By laying down at the first twinge of back pain, you will minimize damage to your injured tissues. You will also minimize inflammation, which will lead to less pain and stiffness.

Sometimes, if the injury isn't too severe and you are able to lay down right away, you might be totally fine as soon as you stand up. Following this recommendation can mean the difference between having back pain for one hour or for one week. Please try it the next time you feel that awful pull or twinge in your back. Note: some people make a trip to a physical therapist, chiropractor, or massage therapist right after injuring their backs.

Unless your injury is causing you to lose control over your urine flow and bowel movements, I highly recommend that you first try my suggestion. Why? Think about all of the stress that your back faces in going for treatment. You have to get into your car, make the drive to the office, get out of the car, sit in the waiting room, get up onto the treatment table, and all of the above in reverse.

Believe me, in most cases, it is far more beneficial to lay down on your living room floor for an hour than to put your back through all of these steps. And your floor is free. If you still have pain or stiffness after resting right after your injury and do not experience gradual improvement over the next few days, that might be a good time to visit a practitioner who can provide treatment that will hopefully help your injured tissues heal properly.

What All People With Chronic Low Back Pain Need to TryDo you know anyone who suffers from chronic low back pain? As simple as it seems, many people with chronic low back pain can improve and even fully heal their backs by doing one simple thing: stretching their hamstrings.

Your hamstrings are the muscles that run along the back of your thighs, from behind your knees to the bottom of your pelvis. If your hamstrings are tight, they are causing a constant downward pull on your pelvis.

Since your pelvis is the foundation of your lower back and spine, having tight hamstrings contributes to an unstable lower back and a greater chance of intermittent sprains and strains.

In my chiropractic practice, I estimate that at least 80 percent of people who present to me with chronic lower back pain have tight hamstrings as the root of their problem.

Even if these people have their lower backs treated on a regular basis, they will continue to suffer from intermittent lower back pain if they do not address their hamstring tightness.

How do you know if your hamstrings are tight? The best way to assess hamstring length is to lie flat on your back and have someone slowly raise one leg.

Your leg must be completely relaxed, and you must not help lift the leg with your own muscles. If your hamstrings are at an appropriate length for your body, your leg can be raised to 90 degrees off the ground without any significant tightness anywhere along your hamstrings from behind your knee to your sitting bone (pelvis). If you start to feel tightness before 90 degrees, you know it's time to stretch!

A simple and effective way to stretch your hamstrings is to sit in a hurdler's stretch – with one leg tucked behind your bum, and one leg flat on the ground, outstretched in front of you - and to lean forward slightly until you feel a stretch anywhere along the back of your thigh or knee. An alternative is shown in this picture, where your resting leg is tucked in with the foot resting on the inner thigh of the leg being stretched.

It is important to keep your back straight, and to only go to a point where you feel a comfortable stretch. If you experience pain, ease back until you are comfortable. Some people find that slinging a towel around their outstretched foot and holding onto both ends with their hands is more comfortable than bending forward without a towel.

Be sure to breathe while you stretch, and to do the same stretch for your other leg. It is best to stretch your hamstrings later on in the day, or after a good warm up such as after a brisk walk or jog. The key is to get lots of blood going through your muscles before you stretch. Alternating between legs for a few minutes each day is enough for most people.

Many people with chronic lower back pain can experience dramatic improvement after stretching
their hamstrings on a daily basis for 1-3 months. If you don't have lower back problems,
stretching your hamstrings everyday is an excellent preventive measure that will keep your lower back and pelvis balanced for the years ahead.

What is Sciatica?

What is Sciatica?
Technically speaking, sciatica is a symptom not a diagnosis It is a non-specific term commonly used to describe symptoms of pain radiating downward from the buttock over the posterior or lateral side of the lower limb. It is usually assumed to be caused by compression of a nerve but this is not necessarily so.


A common neurological cause of this pain is entrapment of the sciatic and/or posterior femoral coetaneous nerves. But the pain may be caused by trigger points in the soft tissue. This latter case is easily overlooked and requires manual palpation of the musculature associated with the hip if the pain is not to be misdiagnosed.

Background

It is often assumed that there is sciatic nerve root entrapment, resulting in the compression of the nerve. Pain and symptoms being transmitted or referred from the low back to one of the buttocks and down the back of the leg along the pathway of the sciatic nerve. Hence the term sciatica.
The exact cause of sciatica is not fully understood but is commonly thought to involve a slipped or herniated disk. This means one of the disks, which lie between each of the vertebra in the lower back (lumbar area), has cracked and allowed some of the inner disk material to protrude out, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve root, which in this case is the sciatic nerve. The term 'lumbago' is often banded about as well which is a general term for low back pain. However, some people have been found to have a slipped disk but have no pain.

Sciatica Symptoms

Symptoms can vary from extreme pain in the low back radiating into one buttock and down the leg. Pain often increases on exertion or bending forward. Alternatively, there may only be a mild sensation in the leg or buttock. There may be numbness in the area, weakness in the leg and diminution of the reflexes. Pain may be triggered by coughing or straining and can be so severe that the lower back becomes locked in sideways bending position (scoliosis) caused by a strong contraction.


Alternatively, it may only come on when sitting or standing in a certain position. Clinical experience indicates that these certain positions are usually associated with continually holding a poor posture either at home or at work. For example, protruding the head forward peering at a computer all day or regularly lifting a baby out of the back of the car. But some or all of these symptoms are also associated with other conditions which is probably why the name is often misused as a catchall word for any pain affecting the buttocks or other parts of the leg. In this case the pain is triggered by a local trapping (trigger point) or straining of the nerve along its pathway.

Piraformis Syndrome Symptoms

May be a mixture of seemingly unrelated symptoms. Pain and paresthsias (pins and needles) may be apparent in one or more of these areas: the low back, groin, perineum, buttock, hip, back of the thigh, leg and foot or the SI joint. Swelling can occur in the painful leg and sexual dysfunction can occur. The condition can be aggravated by sitting, getting up, or standing. Conversely, activity can worsen the symptoms. It can also cause the buttock muscles to atrophy. Numbness of the foot and loss of position sense (proprioception) can lead to an unstable walk.

Activation
Piraformis syndrome can be activated in numerous seemingly different ways. For example, long drives in the car result in the accelerator foot being flexed for long periods, resulting in the tightening of the piraformis muscle. Lifting or lowering of a heavy weight, catching oneself from falling, twisting sideways while bending or lifting a weight such as a baby out of the back of the car. Direct trauma such as hitting the muscle itself or impact caused by a car accident particularly when the impact is from the side. Morton's foot (second toe is longer than the big toe) can initiate the syndrome after a long walk. This is because the condition tends to cause medial rotation and adduction (inward movement) of the thigh, which puts a strain on the piraformis

Sleep apnea ?

Sleep apnea ?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times.
There are two types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.
Am I at Risk for Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. However, risk factors for this sleep problem include:
Male gender
Being overweight
Being over the age of forty
Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
Having larger tonsils
Having a family history of sleep apnea
What Are the Effects of Sleep Apnea?
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems including:
Hypertension
Stroke
Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school, motor vehicle crashes, as well as academic underachievement in children and adolescents.

SNEEZING

CONTINUOUS SNEEZING

Contiunuous sneezing is mostly a sign of an allergical reaction against some things. Most people have it in summer when the weather is hot and the air is not good because of to many tussocks which gives you a continuous sneezing.
Continuous sneezing has nothing to do with a bacteria or a virus and so any antibiotica will helps.
If you suffer on continuous sneezing you first have to find out on what you are allergical from and then you can take some medicaments or homeopathic products which gives you a comfortable life.
But of course they are also some other remedies you can do and it is better for your health. Use a washing-glove and do it against your face many times a day. Drink a lot of water.
Continuous sneezing can be a sign of hay fever. You can't cure it but you can take some preventions to have a comfortable life. Eye-drops for dry eyes is also very good because mostly if you are continuous sneezing dry eyes is mostly a problem too.
SNEEZING
Don't feel dopey and try not to be grumpy if you achoo on cue. You're just sneezy, so there's nothing to be bashful about. Without dwarfing the size of the problem, you should be happy to know that within limits, you can be your own doc in stopping those noisy nose fits.

"A sneeze is usually a response to an allergic nasal irritant," says Howard J. Silk, M.D., a physician at the Atlanta Allergy Clinic and assistant professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. "And you must always guard against common household allergens such as dust, mold, mildew, pets and dust mites."
But don't hold your breath--literally or figuratively. After taking all cleaning and allergic precautions, "don't expect miracles right away," Dr. Silk, says. "It could take six months to significantly reduce all the allergic materials in your house." Start with patience, and add the following actions.
Muffle your mattress. Beds often harbor mites that feed on dead skin cells, Dr. Silk says. Sheathe mattresses and box springs in an airtight noncotton cover, then wash the sheets regularly in water at least 130°F. That temperature is hot enough to kill the microscopic monsters that cause so many sneezes.
Down with down. Though comfortable and natural, down pillows have a big minus: They hold dust and mites, Dr. Silk says. Instead, choose a washable, hypoallergenic polyester pillow. Wash it every few weeks, again in water hot enough to kill any mites that might pervade the polyester.
Stuff the stuffed animals. They're cute and cuddly, but stuffed animals and, dolls collect dust and dust mites. To safeguard your sneezing snout, Dr. Silk says, you may have to give your teddy bear to the family archivist. It doesn't belong in your room anymore.
Don't get your pet's dander up. People who have allergic reactions to dogs or cats are usually reacting to dander, the small flakes and scales of the animal's skin, according to Dr. Silk. Cat saliva and urine can also be allergens. "If you're allergic to pets, don't keep them," says Dr. Silk. "If you have them and don't want to get rid of them, keep them outside or at least out of the bedroom."
Always wash your hands immediately after petting any cat or dog, he recommends, and bathe your pet once a week.
Be pro-antihistamine. "If the sneezing spell is short and seasonal, people can try an over-the-counter antihistamine to see if it provides some relief," says Horst R. Konrad, M.D., chairman of the Division of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield. Topical nasal sprays containing cortisone are the most effective medicine for reining in sneezing fits and allergies, according to Dr. Konrad. But these are available only by prescription.
Let the grass grow. If plants send your sneeze control haywire, limit your time outside. "Don't mow the lawn," Dr. Konrad says. "Talk someone else into doing it." And keep the windows closed when the grass flies.
Don't make a move. You may think relocation is the answer to your allergies, but there are always going to be allergens, no matter where you move. "Obviously, it's hard to avoid spring," says Mark Loury, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore. "In the spring, it's tree pollen. In summer and early autumn, sagebrush and tumbleweed pollinate throughout the western United States. In the fall, regardless of location, ragweed and molds are just about everywhere." Dust, of course, is unavoidable year-round, no matter where you live.... God Bless!

HANGOVER

HANGOVERS

What is a hangover?A hangover, medically known as veisalgia, is caused due to the consumption of large amounts of alcohol or some other drug. Hangover is most commonly associated with the after-effects of large consumption of alcohol. This article summarizes the cures and remedies available for alcohol hangovers.
Hangovers are caused by drinking too much ALCOHOL at one time, and are dependent on each person’s tolerance level for alcohol. It can be based on height, weight, and the genetics of a person. Hangover symptoms last only about 24 hours.
The main symptom of a hangover is dehydration and drinking plenty of water can minimize. A headache is a symptom of dehydration and may be relieved by drinking water. Drinking too much alcohol decreases the essential nutrients of the body such as vitamins, minerals, water, and blood sugar.
Some of the important symptoms of hangover are headache, nausea, intestinal upset, and perhaps diarrhea, aches in the muscles and joints, and fatigue. Some alcohol is worse than others - Brandy, red wine, rum, whisky, white wine, gin and vodka
Some alcoholics drink more or less steadily, others drink only when under stress or anxiety. Some drink in excess and destroy themselves rapidly. Alcohol often destroys the liver, causing hepatic cirrhosis. It produces gastritis or inflammation of the stomach. Their effect upon the brain is even more marked. Alcohol makes the heart weak and flabby. Some alcoholics may develop the symptoms of peripheral neuritis in which the nerves become weakened and deteriorated. Alcohol in any form may cause intoxication if enough has been taken. It is responsible for many deaths. The alcoholic who is dead drunk can be allowed to sleep off his stupor. This may one or two days. But the man who is half drunk is often violent, and may not be restrained. Young people should avoid the use of alcohol in any form. Many people suffer from a severe headache due to hangover after taking large quantities of alcohol. Alcohol is toxic to the tissues and directly irritates the meninges and coverings of the brain, thus causing pain in the head. The alcohol also dilates the arteries in the brain, and this produces a pain. The best treatment for this type of headache is to avoid the excessive use of alcohol in any form.
Hangovers symptoms
Dry mouth
Your mouth will feel very dry and you will feel that strong urge for wetting your tongue and throat.
Headache remedy using Cinnamon
Heads feels very heavy and sometime here could be throbbing and painful. You feel sleepy and drowsy.
Bloodshot eyes
Your eyes may look swollen and will be slightly or very red in color. Your eyes may also dislike exposure to light.
Nausea and vomiting
Strange sensation in the stomach with a feeling of nausea and vomiting.
Dizzy feeling
You feel drowsy when you wake up. There is a very strong urge of going back to sleep.
Hangover causes
Excessive alcohol consumption
Ethyl alcohol or ethanol causes a lot of dehydration which causes your mouth to go dry and also is responsible for the headaches.
HOME REMEDIES FOR HANGOVERS
Hangover cure using water
Consume a lot of water before you go to bed. This should provide some relief to the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Drink lots of water even after you wake up.
Hangover remedy: eat some food
Its a good practice to eat something while and after your are drinking. This helps reduce the rate at which alcohol enters your blood and thus can help reduce the after-effects.
Hangover remedy: Vitamin C
Take vitamin C tablets. These help break down the alcohol content in your body.
A large glass of orange juice or tomato juice will help to remove the alcohol from the system the morning after.
Honey is a very concentrated source of fructose, and eating a little the morning after is another way to remove the remaining alcohol from the body.
Amino acids play a role in repairing the effects of a hangover.
Few cup of coffee can do a great deal to relieve the headaches associated with hangovers.
Take Vitamin C as it may increase the rate of alcohol breakdown in the body.
For hangover treatment, drink plenty of water to cover the deficiency of fluids caused by dehydration
Bouillon soup or sports beverages (i.e. Gatorade) may help to replace depleted salt and potassium.
Eating 6 raw almonds before consuming alcohol helps prevent intoxication.
Put a teaspoon of bifidus powder in a glass of water and drink before going to bed.
Evening primrose oil helps prevent hangovers. Take two teaspoons.
Eating peanut butter before drinking is an African remedy.
To help stop the urge for alcohol drink a tangy drink, such as tomato with the juice of one lemon added.
A good, brisk walk will increase circulation and help to get rid of your hangover by helping the body rid itself of toxins.
For hangover treatment, apples eaten on an empty stomach the day after drinking is an effective.
One of the quickest ways to cure a hangover is to make a banana milkshake sweetened with honey.
Chicken soup, seems to work as well for hangover problems as it does for colds.
Add the juice of one lemon to a cup of black coffee and drink it without sugar and without milk.
Add two teaspoons of fresh limejuice and a teaspoon of sugar to 8 ounces of water. Drink it slowly.
Make a tea by pouring one cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of the dried peppermint; cover; steep for fifteen minutes; strain. Drink 1-2 cups as soon as you can. Peppermint either in tea or chewing leaves as such will relax the intestines and this is very effevtive home remedy for hangovers.
Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) extract has been found to relieve hangover nausea and dry mouth.
Eat raw cabbage to give relief to the headache.
Drink sauerkraut juice with some tomato juice. This drink helps to replace lost nutrients.
Pull your hair in clumps so that your full scalp is stimulated. This remedy brings blood to the scalp and relieves the headache.
Prepare a tea by lightly crushing five fresh or dried leaves; place in a cup and fill with water cooled to just below boiling; cover and leave to infuse for five minutes; remove leaves and drink. This is also very effevtive home remedy for hangovers
Putting anything in the stomach prior to indulging in alcohol helps prevent a hangover.
Never skip breakfast, especially when hangover. The classic eggs and toast is the best breakfast.
Suggestions to avoid hangovers
Never drink on an empty stomach. Food helps to absorb some of the alcohol and aids the body in digesting it faster. Try to eat starchy foods to slow down the alcohol absorption. Limit yourself to less than 1 drink per hour. Try to alternate your alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic beverages such as water Stick to non-carbonated drinks as carbonation can speed up the alcohol absorption. Try to avoid sweet drinks (and sugary foods) while you drink. The sweet taste of the drink can make it difficult for you to judge how much alcohol you’re actually consuming.

Home Remedies to INCREASE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT

Home Remedies to INCREASE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
INCREASE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
The bone structure must remain elastic if one is to become taller. One must take exercise regularly. I suggest the following exercises will help one gain height:
(i) Stand in an open space in “attention” position. In hale deeply through the nose and extend yours arms lifting then slowly up to your shoulders. Keep your arms straight. Hold that position for some time and then take the arms backwards as far as they will go. No inhale again the release your breath slowly, resuming the former position.
(ii) Stand with your arms straight at right angles to your body. Lift the arms vertically and then bring them to the level of the shoulders. Do not exhale in the process, but stand on your toes, lifting your heels as far as they will go. Exhale slowly after some moments and resume the earlier position.
(iii) Extend your arms forward up to the level of the shoulders. Inhale and fill your lungs to about one-third of their capacity. Wait for a few moments and then take your arms above your head. Now move them in a circular motion-taking them behind your back and in the former position again. Exhale slowly.
How can one increase weight?
Take to a diet for three to four days. Take 100 to 150 grams of bran with the fruits. The best way will be to mix bran with a fruit like papaya. It will increase appetite, improve the digestion and remove costiveness, if any. One will tend to eat more and the capacity to assimilate food will be increased.
Foods like flour, rice honey, raisins, figs, dates, butter, and etc. can help increase weight. Sweat substances can increase weight than fatty foods. Those wishing to increase their weight should become pure vegetarians and eat fruits, rice, flour, fresh vegetables, bananas, dry fruits, butter, and milk. Germinated wheat is also extremely beneficial if taken in the form of gruel mixed with hot milk.
Take plenty of water, exercise and fast once a week

Home Remedies for TONSILLITIS

Home Remedies for TONSILLITIS
TONSILLITIS
Tonsillitis refers to acute inflammation of the tonsils, which lie, one on each side of the throat. Chronic tonsillitis is a term applied to cases in which there is enlargement of the tonsils accompanied by repeated attacks of infection
Tonsillitis symptoms
Fever, Headache, body parts pain and general weakness
The main symptoms of tonsillitis are sore throat, fever, headache, pain in various parts of the body, difficulty in swallowing, and general weakness. The tonsils are seen to be inflamed and red when the mouth is opened wide. In many cases, spots of pus exude from them
Tonsillar lymph glands gets tender and enlarged
Externally, the tonsillar lymph glands, which lie just behind the angle of the jaw, are tender and enlarged. In severe cases, there may be pain in the ear.
Pain in the throat (sometimes severe) that may last more than 48 hours and be associated with difficulty in swallowing. The pain may spread to the ears.
The throat is reddened, the tonsils are swollen and may be coated or have white spots on them.
Possibly a high temperature.
Swollen lymph glands under the jaw and in the neck.
Headache.
Loss of voice or changes in the voice.
Tonsillitis causes
Toxic condition of the system, throat affliction and sudden chill
The chief cause of tonsillitis is a toxic condition of the system, which is brought to a head by a sudden lowering of vitality, resulting from exposure and sudden chill. The tonsils enlarge and get inflamed when the toxins cannot be got rid of through the normal channels of elimination such as the bowels, kidneys, and skin. A throat affliction of this kind is also associated with and is the result of chronic constipation, when toxins are reabsorbed into the bloodstream
Home Remedies for Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis treatment using Lime
Lime is one of the most effective remedies in the treatment of acute tonsillitis. A fresh lime squeezed in a glass of warm water, with four teaspoons of honey and a quarter teaspoon of common salt, should be sipped slowly in such cases
Tonsillitis treatment using Milk
Milk has been found valuable in tonsillitis. A glass of pure boiled milk, mixed with a pinch uf turmeric powder and pepper powder, should be taken every night for three nights in the treatment of this condition. It will bring beneficial results
Tonsillitis treatment using Vegetable Juices
Juices of carrot, beet, and cucumber, taken individually or in combination, are especially beneficial. The formula proportion recommended, when used in combination is 300 ml of carrot juice, 100 ml of beet juice, and 100 ml of cucumber juice
Tonsillitis treatment using Banafsha Flowers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_violet
Banafsha flowers, botanically known as Viola odorata, are beneficial in the treatment of tonsillitis. About 12 gm of these flowers should be boiled in 50 ml of milk. This milk should be taken hot after being filtered. The filtered banafsha can also be lightly fried in ghee and worn round the throat as a poultice at night
Tonsillitis treatment using Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) or menthya (Kannada) or Venthayam (Tamil) or menthulu (Telugu) Methi (Hindi)
A gargle made from fenugreek seeds is very effective in severe cases of tonsillitis. To make such a gargle, two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be allowed to simmer for half an hour in a litre of water and then set aside to cool. The entire quantity should be used the same day as a soothing gargle. It will have beneficial results
Bake a medium-sized banana in its skin for 30 minutes at 350° F. Peel and mash the juicy banana, adding 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil. Spread the mush on a clean white cloth and apply it to the neck. Leave it on for a half-hour in the morning and a half-hour in the evening.
Haldi/Turmeric is an antibiotic which plays an important part in treating tonsillitis. One teaspoon turmeric powder mixed in one cup of lukewarm cow's milk helps to alleviate the tonsillitis problem. It will show great results, if had every night.
Gargling two teaspoons of onion juice mixed with lukewarm is used to gargle which helps in curing the tonsillitis problem.
Juices of carrot, beet, and cucumber, taken individually or in combination, are especially beneficial. The formula proportion recommended, when used in combination is 300 ml of carrot juice, 100 ml of beet juice, and 100 ml of cucumber juice
Juice garlic cloves so that you have 1 tablespoon of fresh juice. Add the juice and 2 ounces of dried sage to 1 quart of water in a glass or enamel pot. Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.As soon as it starts to boil, turn off the heat and let it stand until it's lukewarm. Strain the solution.
Dose: Drink 1/2 cup of this sage-garlic tea every two hours. Gargle 1/2 cup every hour until the condition is better.
Tonsillitis Diet
Water and orange juice combination
To begin with, the patient should fast for three to five days, by which time the serious symptoms should subside. Nothing but water and orange juice should be taken during this time
All-fruit diet
After the acute symptoms of tonsillitis are over, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for the next three or four days. Thereafter he may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits
Avoid spices, condiments and sour substances
The patient should avoid spices and condiments as they tend to irritate the throat. Sour substances like curds, buttermilk, and fried foods should also be avoided
Other Tonsillitis treatment
Warm-water enema and exercises
Daily dry friction and a hip bath, as well as breathing and other exercises, should all form part of the daily health regimen. The bowels should be cleansed daily with a warm-water enema during the period of fasting
Cold pack and Hot Epsom salts bath
A cold pack should be applied to the throat at two-hourly intervals during the day. A hot Epsom salts bath taken everyday or every other day will also be beneficial

NOTE: The holistic health professionals we talked to believe that tonsils should not be removed unless it's absolutely necessary. They function as armed guards, destroying harmful bacteria that enter through the mouth. Asian medicine practitioners believe that when tonsils are unable to fulfill this function, the body's immune system needs to be strengthened-but the tonsils should, not be removed.

Home Remedies for ECZEMA

Home Remedies for ECZEMA
ECZEMA
Eczema also called as dermatitis, is a group of skin disorders. Atopic eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, infantile seborrhoeic eczema, adult seborrhoeic eczema, varicose eczema and discoid eczema are different types of eczema. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It mainly occurs among infants and small children. In more than 90% of cases, eczema is found to occur in children below 5 years of age. It is a non contagious disease.
Eczema is a skin condition characterized by redness, cracking, oozing and scaling of the skin. This may be caused by the extremes of heat and cold and even emotional stress. The patient usually complains of itching and burning in the skin, especially at the night. Sores appear on various parts of the body, but most often on the hands, feet, ears and legs. Eczema may come on at any time of life and in either sex. The commoner manifestations are erythema changing to papule, vesicle, crust, scale and fissure, with serous exudation. In chronic cases, thick scales accumulate. This is the effect of local irritation by chemical, thermal, or mechanical agents in a hypersensitive individual, subject of an allergy or constitutional disabilities such as gout, chronic nephritis, rheumatism, local sepsis, dyspepsia, alcoholism, uterine disturbances also teething .in some cases heredity may be found. Papules, vesicles and pustules with some degree of local oedema are found; exudation, crusting and scaling with inflammation of varying severity may be present. These tend to spread to the contiguous areas. One or both cheeks of an infant or the ear, limbs or trunk are occasionally involved. In adults also similar papulo- vesicular eruptions appear. Sensations of burning, smarting, throbbing or itching are present, according to the acuteness of the process and severity of the inflammation. When chronic the discharge diminishes or disappears, leaving a thickened, irregular, scaly patch, fading at the margins. The best way to take care of eczema at home is to keep dry, patchy skin moist and well lubricated. Children with eczema are most often allergic to eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish and tree nuts, although a child is usually allergic to only one or two of those foods.
Eczema Symptoms
Following are the symptoms of eczema. Itching, Redness on skin, Dry and flaky skin, Itchy blisters, Inflammation on skin, Small bumps on forehead, neck and cheek, Rough and thickened skin. Symptoms of eczema are more severe on the folds.
Heredity
Eczema is considered to be hereditary. Studies reveal that a person is prone to eczema if his family has a history of closely linked conditions like hay fever and asthma.
Causes of aggarvation
Eczema could be aggravated by irritants like smoke, chemicals, detergents, solvents and so on. Even weather conditions could aggravate the condition. Excessive stress, heat and emotional stress also aggravates the symptoms of eczema.
Other Causes
Cause of eczema depends upon the type of eczema the person is suffering from. Sometimes blood circulation problem in the leg can also cause eczema. Deficiency of vitamin B6 causes eczema.
HOME REMEDIES FOR ECZEMA
Oatmeal bath is useful for patients suffering from eczema. For the bath, pour 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal into a tub of lukewarm water. This is very effective home remedy for eczema.
Cotton clothing is the best for the skin and is much better than either wool or polyester, especially wool. Avoid synthetics or itchy fabrics, as well as tight- or ill-fitting clothes.
Daily bathing is not necessary, as it tends to make alreadydry skin even drier. Instead, you can sponge bathe the parts of the body that really need it--the hands, face, neck, armpits and (for babies) the diaper area.
A moisturizer or soap should be avoided as they can contain fragrances that will trigger a flare-up of eczema. Look for products that are fragrance-free.
Avoid overdressing your child unnecessarily at night, because getting too hot can make the rash worse.
Stress can trigger eczema or make it worse. Try to reduce the stress.
Make a paste by adding 1 tsp camphor to 1-teaspoon sandalwood and apply on the affected eczema areas. This is also very effective home remedy for eczema.
Make a paste by rubbing a nutmeg against a smooth stone slab with a little water and. Apply to affected eczema area.
Apply Crisco 2-3 times a day is said to not only make you greasy, but eczema free.
Coconut oil may be applied to the areas with eczema.
For eczema treatment add carrot juice and spinach juice and apply to the affected area.
Drink plenty of water and take fruit juices like orange.
Make a paste by adding 1 tbls turmeric powder to a tbls of bitter neem leaves. Apply to the affected areas.
Deficiency of vitamin B6 may also cause eczema. So increase your intake of vitamin B6.
Evening primrose oil can also help. It contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is helpful in curing the eczema.
Take watercress every day. It helps to cure the eczema, along with a daily drink of parsley, spinach, celery, and wheat grass.
Add 1 Tbsp. Vinegar,1 Tbsp. Honey. Mix together with water and drink all at once. This is very effective home remedy for eczema.
Neem has been used for treating all sorts of skin problems for centuries. It contains Nimbidol and Gedunin, which have excellent fungicidal properties. Crush some neem leaves and apply to the affected area. It will immediately give relief.
Basil (tulsi) is extremely effective in treating skin disorders as it is a blood purifier and kills bacteria.
Crush the garlic clove and mix it with half a cup of hot water in a pan. Soak a clean washcloth in the solution and then apply to the affected areas only.
Add five drops of castor oil in half a cup of any fruit or vegetable juice, or plain water, and take on an empty stomach in the morning, is beneficial for any kind of skin disease.
One or two bananas a day are useful for those who are allergic to certain foods and who consequently suffer from skin rashes, such as in eczema.
Foods which should be excluded from the diet are tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, sugar and products made from it, refined cereals, meats, fish, chicken, tobacco, milk, cheese, butter, smoked and salted pickled foods, and foods containing any chemical additives, preservatives and flavorings.
For eczema treatment try to do some prevention techniques such as relaxation, exercise, meditation, and mind control.
Apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon camphor and 1 teaspoon sandalwood paste on the rashes. Apply nutmeg paste to the affected areas. Put natural vitamin E on the affected skin, it will relieve you of itching. Zinc taken orally and applied directly on the affected skin is effective. Both shark cartilage and lotion of blueberry leaves reduce inflammation. Use pine tar soap to wash the affected skin. Drink tomato juice daily, it will cure the symptoms in a few days.
Avoid dairy products
Diet never causes eczema. Food only causes allergy, it does not cause eczema. It is the genes of a person that cause eczema. If you are allergic or sensitive to certain foods then try avoiding them, because they can trigger eczema. Dairy products, eggs, nuts, preservatives and citrus fruits are more likely to trigger eczema.
Other Suggestions for Eczema
Always avoid substances you are allergic to. Wear cotton clothes as they do not irritate your itchy skin. Exposure to water for a long time can lead to skin dryness. Use good quality moisturizer.

Home Remedies to GAIN WEIGHT

Home Remedies to GAIN WEIGHT
Underweight Information
Underweight is a condition in which the person does not have an ideal weight as per his height and sex. Infact, he weighs about 10% below the ideal weight. Sometimes, the problem of underweight is hereditary. But, there are other factors also that can be held responsible for causing underweight like metabolic disorders. Read on to check out more underweight information…
Underweight Symptoms:
Fatigue
Poor physical stamina
Low resistance to infection
Common Causes Of Underweight:
Insufficient calorie intake
Unhealthy eating habits like skipping meals, frequent fasting and lack of physical workout
Metabolic disorders
Presence of intestinal worms
Sexual disorders
Chronic diarrhea
Diabetes
Inadequate digestion
Heredity
Following are some Underweight cure home remedies. Read on for home remedy for gaining weight:
Muskmelon is considered valuable in the underweight home remedy treatment. Consume muskmelons thrice a day for about 40 days and see its wonderful effects.
To gain weight, adopt mango-milk diet for a month. Eat two medium sized ripe and sweet mangoes, followed by a glass of milk. Consume mangoes three times in a day. Mango acts as a rich source of sugar, but lacks the necessary proteins required by the body. On the other hand, milk is rich in proteins but deficient in fats. Thus, the deficiency of mango is made up by milk and vice versa.
For instant weight gain, you can go in for an exclusive milk diet, in which milk has to be taken after every 2 hours.
Soak 3 dry figs in water and consume it two times in a day. Raisins act as a good remedy for increasing weight. Consume about thirty grams of raisins on a daily basis.

Belly FAT

Home Remedies to GET RID OF BELLY FAT
What is that thing that’s been growing around your mid-section since you started college? Is it a beer belly? Is it belly fat? Is it tummy fat? Is it a gut or a beer gut? There are so many names for the fat at builds up around our stomachs, is it any wonder why it’s become a national obsession? But don’t misperceive our obsession with fat as war on fat.
A little body fat is actually good for you. It keeps you warm and helps your body maintain a sufficient core temperature and nutrients when we get sick and can’t eat. Personally, I like the little tummy I have, and I’d rather it stay that way—little. So, I’ve started working out. Evidence is starting to prove the theory that lifting weights (anaerobic exercise, or weight training) and using the Stair Master (aerobic exercise) will help you get rid of that extra weight around your midsection. A healthy diet is also a good idea.
So, I’ve summarized here a list of things you should take into consideration if you’re serious about losing that tummy:
The Best Way to Lose Belly Fat
Reducing the amount of calories you consume is the most effective way to get rid of belly fat.

Really, when it comes down to it, losing any kind of fat, no matter where it is on your body, requires you to consume less calories than you body needs. This lack of calories will set into motion the processing of excess body fat to make up for the lack of calories. But don’t go all crazy about it. Starving your body of calories is only good to a certain extent, after a point you begin to do damage to important things, like your central nervous system.
There’s a reason they call it a “beer belly,” and drinking less beer, or quitting drinking altogether, will help you lose belly fat.
No matter who (or how good looking) the drinker is, beer is bad for a number of reasons. The most obvious reason is the caloric content of beer. The less obvious reasons are the inflammation of the pancreas and liver, and the bloating that often accompany the over-consumption of alcoholic beverages; this includes alcohol mixed with sweet, sugary liquids like soda.
Consuming less food loaded with sugar will help you to lose tummy fat.
Sugar is a big one. The sugar found in junk food and soda is the kind of sugar that burns quickly, unlike those sugars found in fruits and vegetables, which burn more slowly. If your body is processing sugar to create energy, and you’re not using any energy, those sugars will be converted into fat for later use. If you’re going to enjoy sweets, enjoy them right before you use the Stair Master.
There’s nothing wrong with strengthening your abdominal muscles, but it won’t get rid of belly fat like magic.
You may want to consider not only working out your abs, but also working out your shoulders, pectorals, back, and arms to help create a more shapely “V” figure, which will help reduce the appearance of your belly. Keep this in mind: bulking up your muscles requires fewer reps (about 8) and fewer sets with greater weight. Building leaner muscle requires more reps, more sets, and less weight.
Daily exercise and walking will definitely get rid of belly fat.
Going for a walk after a big meal or enjoying a dessert is never a bad idea. When Natasha and I were in Europe, we ate our fair share of delicacies, but we didn’t gain a single pound—in fact, we actually lost weight—because we walked everywhere. We walked from the train station to our hotel, and from our hotel to the restaurant, and from the restaurant to the museums, and from the museums to the…well, you get my point.
· A calorie restrictive diet, which requires you to eat no less than 10x and no more than 15x your LEAN bodyweight in calories.
· Regular cardiovascular activity for at least 30-45 minutes 3-4 times per week. Some recommend a moderate pace while other recommend a vigorous pace -- it doesn't really matter as long as you are exercising.
· Weight training.
· Supplementing your diet with vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Vitamin C, L-glutamine, and a good multi vitamin are the bare essentials.· Adequate dietary fat, including high amounts of Essential Fatty Acids