Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts

The Fastest Way To Lose Weight In 3 Weeks

Are you looking to lose weight quickly? Are you sick of all the scams out there like diet pills and infomercial products that promise the world but don’t deliver? Then I have the solution for you! 

Everybody says that weight loss is an extremely difficult task that takes months and sometimes years, and that you have to eat terribly boring foods to see any results. I know for a fact that this is not true because I lost over 20 pounds in only 21 days using a secret diet I found online.

I was in the exact same situation you are in now. I was overweight, lazy, and hated my body. I didn’t feel sexy, or slim, and I hated buying new clothes because I knew I always had to buy the extra large size. I had tried all the diets out there – from the low carb diet, the sugar free diet, the cabbage soup diet, the mango diet, the acai berry diet, and frankly, none of them worked for me. I had tried going to the gym regularly to exercise but honestly, when you are a full-time mother with 3 kids, who has the energy to workout every day for hours on end? Then, I discovered The 3 Week Diet and my life changed.

The 3 Week Diet

I was doing some searching on Google one day for “extreme diets”. You know, not the types of diets that take months of slow, boring progress, but the “rapid” diets that work fast. I came across an article by a world class nutritionist who said he had tried a program called The 3 Week Diet and was able to lose 1 lb of body fat a day for 3 weeks by following it. 

I could hardly believe it. 1 pound of fat per day? I didn’t think it was possible. My goal that I had been trying for years to achieve was to lose 20 pounds. And this diet was promising that I could achieve that in only 20 days! All those years of feeling frustrated and disgusted by my body would be over in an instant. I visited The 3 Week Diet and watched the video where the doctor explained how he was able to create a scientific method to burn the fat fast, without using diet pills or exercise. I had never heard someone explain a diet like this before, but everything he said made 100% sense to me.

I quickly joined The 3 Week Diet and begun the process of losing weight quickly. Day 1 of following the diet, I lost half a pound of fat. Not bad. Day 2 on the diet and I lost a massive 2 lbs of fat! By the end of the first week I had lost near 10 lbs of pure body fat. My stomach was slimmer, my butt was firmer, and I could actually fit comfortably into a nice pair of jeans!

I followed the diet for the entire course of 3 weeks, and by the end of it, I had lost a staggering 25 pounds! That was more than I had expected! Friends and family were commenting how much weight I had lost, and I was getting looks from young men half my age! I had never felt healthier or happier in my entire life. I could now wear any outfit I wanted, I felt more confident. My husband was so pleased and excited. He loved my new body and our sex life improved dramatically! 

I owe it all to The 3 Week Diet. It changed my life and it allowed me to lose so much fat off my body without having to starve myself or do strenuous exercise. It was honestly so easy to follow and keep up with.

The 3 Week Diet is an extreme diet for rapid weight loss that shows you how you can lose over 20 pounds of pure body fat in just 3 weeks. Whether you want to lose weight off your belly, hips, butt, or thighs, The 3 Week Diet is fastest way to lose weight quickly without diet pills or exercise. Speed up your metabolism and discover the secret foods you need to eat to burn the fat off fast with this diet used by A-list celebrities and professional athletes. Start shedding the pounds today by visiting The 3 Week Diet now!


The 3 Week Diet



How to Lose Weight With Reflexology

Reflexology for weight loss is great at helping anyone reach their weight loss goals.
If someone is already looking at their diet and making changes, as well as finding active things to do to help lose weight, then regular reflexology sessions (do it yourself reflexology or from a Professional Reflexologist) will definitely help the process.
Since reflexology helps to restore balance among the bodies main systems, as well as regularly stimulating the glands including the thyroid, the digestive system and nervous system.. all the parts of the body! 
Reflexology does not cure anything and unfortunately cannot be used in a medical way or to lose weight simply through the act of reflexology. 
Nutritionists can be a lot of help too, a Nutritionists job is to help a person find out what the best and worst foods are for them Maybe also find a Fitness Coach? They can be anyone eg dance teacher, soccer coach, school sports teacher, a friend that already works out regularly etc.


Ways reflexology helps for weight loss

1) Reflexology may create a more balanced, motivated and energised individual who then feels able to focus on a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise. Many people who are overweight can often become depressed and lethargic, and reflexology can often create a healthier mind, allowing you to focus on the physical. 
2) Reflexology can energize your key endocrine glands, which will promote balanced hormone secretion and appropriate appetite. Your endocrine glands are also responsible for your response to stress, so applying pressure to the reflex points for your thyroid, pituitary gland, and your adrenals will help balance your emotional and physiological stress. The less stress you have, the better chance you have to stay on your diet. 
3) By stimulating your stomach and pancreas reflex points could allow your body to absorb more nutrients from the food you eat, so even though you are eating less food, you are getting the maximum nutritional value possible from what you are eating. 
4) Reflexology can also work your gall bladder, and because your gall bladder stores bile, the digestive liquid continually secreted by your liver, the bile emulsifies fats in partly digested food, which is conducive to weight loss. 
5) For reflexology weight loss, a reflexologist should also concentrate on the pressure points that correspond to your spleen and digestive organs. Stimulation of the spleen reduces hunger. 
6) Metabolism is essentially the speed at which your body’s motor is running. To lose weight, you must try to increase your metabolism through exercise and diet. Reflexology can also boost the body’s metabolism - metabolism is the body’s process of converting food into energy (movement and heat). It takes place in your muscles and organs, as the result of what we commonly refer to as “burning calories”. If weight management is caused by physical imbalances, e.g. the thyroid, a reflexologist may work the endocrine system, specifically the thyroid gland to increase metabolism. 
7) Overweight individuals often have circulatory problems – reflexology aims to promote blood flow so this will aid poor circulation and energy levels. 
8) It would also be useful to stimulate the pineal gland to suppress an overactive appetite, the kidneys for proper elimination, and the liver, the colon, and the small intestine for detoxifying. Reflexology could also encourage you to drink more water which will also help with your detox and elimination. 
9) Lastly, and one of the most important uses of reflexology for weight loss, is that it will promote a sense of well-being, reduce tension and stress and create a more relaxed and energised, happier individual who is then more able to take on the challenge of weight loss.

Massage Technique to Stimulate Weight Loss


7 Remedies to Get Rid of a Headache Fast

Headaches are a very common problem. People of all ages get headaches from time to time. They can cause unbearable pain along with nausea and, at times, vomiting.
Common causes of headaches include stress, tension, restlessness, sinus problems, migraines, lack of sleep and dehydration.

Here are the top 7 ways to get rid of a headache fast.

1. Lavender Oil

Not only does lavender smell great — it’s also a useful home remedy for headaches and migraine pain. Lavender oil can be either inhaled or applied topically. Two to four drops for every two to three cups of boiling water are recommended when inhaling lavender-oil vapors as a headache treatment. Unlike many medicinal oils, this home remedy can also be safely applied externally without the need to dilute it. Lavender oil should not be taken orally.

2. Lemon

Lemon is a very effective and powerful ingredient to treat headache because it is refreshing and relaxing. Plus, it helps maintain the acid-alkaline balance in the body.
  • Drinking warm water mixed with juice squeezed from one-half of a lemon will reduce the intensity of a headache. This particular remedy is beneficial for headaches caused by gas in the stomach.
  • Another option is to apply lemon crusts, pounded into a paste, on your forehead to immediately relieve pain.

3. Butterbur


Used medicinally since the middle ages, butterbur extract can be taken daily to help reduce the number and severity of headache attacks. It is available commercially in capsules, powder, tincture, or other forms and is thought to have both antispasmodic effects and anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is a soothing home remedy that has been shown to benefit tension headaches. This fresh-smelling oil has vaso-constricting and vaso-dilating properties, which help control blood flow in the body. Headaches and migraine pain are often due to poor blood flow, and peppermint oil helps to open and close the vessels that promote flow. Peppermint home remedies also open up the sinuses so that more oxygen can get into the bloodstream.

5. Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease headache pain. It also helps relax the blood vessels in the head, reduces swelling in the brain and activates natural opiates in the brain that help lessen the pain.

6. Ice Pack

Placing a cold compress like an ice pack on your forehead will numb the pain, help shrink the blood vessels and improve circulation to the area. This particular remedy works well for headaches due to stress or sinus problems.

7. Magnesium 

Take a multivitamin containing magnesium. The mineral helps to calm nerves, which tend to get overexcited during a migraine. Some studies have found that migraine sufferers tend to be deficient in magnesium. You can also increase your magnesium by eating foods like broccoli, beans, soy milk, nuts, spinach, etc

Top 7 Best Home Remedies for Constipation

“Potty problems” are something we avoid in our everyday conversations. While you may be more than willing to share how much your sore throat is torturing you, rarely do you go into the office and announce that you haven’t pooped in five days. However, constipation is not something to be embarrassed about, and if you’ve had it (and we all have) than you understand that it is no laughing matter-in fact it can be downright debilitating. Before running to the drugstore for a quick-fix laxative (which often worsen the problem) try some simple home remedies to relieve your discomfort, and keep it from coming back.


1. Castor oil

Castor oil is a yellowish liquid that can be used as a home remedy for constipation because of its laxative property. One study in Nigeria found that oral castor oil helped children with chronic constipation to move their bowels. An upside to castor oil for constipation is that it works quickly. 
For that same reason, however, castor oil should be cautiously administered as a constipation remedy. It should not be taken at bedtime, due to its quick effects. Another downside to this constipation remedy is that it tastes bad, so it is recommended that the castor oil be chilled and mixed with a sweetener such as orange juice. Castor oil is generally considered safe, but it can lead to overdose if taken in large amounts.

2. Figs

Figs are very high in fiber and act as a natural laxative. Those suffering from chronic constipation should include figs in their diet. For the treatment of constipation, both fresh and dried figs can be used. When fresh figs are available, eat them with their skin on. The skin contains most of the fiber and calcium.

3. Fresh lemon

Ah the scent of a fresh lemon…did you ever think your stomach might appreciate it as much as your nose? The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant for your digestive system, and can also help flush out toxins and undigested material that may have built up along the walls of the colon. Mixing the juice with water not only lessens the intensity of the lemon flavor, but helps get you the fluids you need to get everything moving normally again.

4. Fiber

One of the best known home remedies for constipation is fiber. The recommended dosage - 20 to 35 grams per day - can be found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber is also a convenient constipation remedy since most people already have these items in their homes. Fiber supplements such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel) can be used as well. 
The one downside to using fiber as a constipation home remedy is that it can actually make constipation worse if you don't drink plenty of water with it. For the fiber to help alleviate constipation, it needs fluids to help move it through the digestive system. Fiber derived from supplements especially must be taken with water in order to avoid worsening constipation.

5. Flax seed

Flax seed has many medicinal properties along with tons of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Also, flaxseed has a laxative property, which can be very useful in curing mild to very serious cases of constipation.
  • Mix one tablespoon of flax seed in a glass of water and allow it to rest for two to three hours. Drink the water daily before going to bed. In the morning, your bowel movement will be much better. 
  • Alternatively, you can simply eat two to three tablespoons of ground flax seed with a glass of water.

6. Moving

If you want stuff to move through your body, you need to move too! Our lifestyle these days not only involves dietary changes that increase constipation, but we’re often sitting much more than we’re active. While there isn’t an exact scientific reason as to why lack of exercise is linked with getting clogged up, we can assume that moving the body helps get the smooth muscle in the colon moving as well. Keep in mind, however, that you should wait an hour after big meals before exercising. There are also specific stretches and workouts that are supposed to help with getting good old number 2 out the door.

7. Spinach

Spinach is really good for the digestive tract, especially when you are suffering from constipation. Raw spinach has various components that can cleanse, reconstruct and regenerate the whole intestinal tract.
  • To get rid of constipation, you must include spinach in your diet. You can eat it either raw or cooked, depending on how you like it. 
  • If you have severe constipation, drink a mixture of one-half glass of raw spinach juice and one-half glass of water, twice daily. Within a few days, you will get much relief.

10 Yoga Poses Which Will Help You Lose Weight fast

Yoga calms your mind, but it can't possibly help you lose weight, right? Wrong. For starters, you'll sweat, blast calories, and tone and shape your entire body, especially if you practice a more physically active style of yoga, such as Ashtanga, Vinyasa, or Bikram (hot yoga). In fact, you can torch 400 calories in one Bikram class, roughly the same amount you'd burn by running for 40 minutes at a moderate pace—but with a lot less stress on your body.

The 3 Week Diet






With everything being said, here are 10 amazing yoga poses that will not only help you lose weight, but also keep your body fit and toned :


1. Pigeon pose


Begin in Downward Facing Dog. Bring right leg forward to the ground, placing right knee behind right wrist, and allowing right heel to draw in toward groin—the closer it is to the groin, the gentler the stretch. Using the arms to support body weight, lift chest and lengthen spine as you stay here for as long as you comfortably can. Return to Down Dog and repeat on opposite side.

2. Crow pose


From a deep squat, place your hands flat on the floor in front of you so they are shoulder width apart. Come to your tiptoes and walk your feet closer to your body. Then slowly bring your weight forward onto the hands and off the feet until your knees touch your upper arms. As you deepen the bend in your elbows, inch the knees up above the elbows, bringing them as close to the armpits as possible. Transfer the weight fully onto the arms, squeeze your elbows in, tighten your abs, and press your shins into your forearms, causing your feet to float up behind you. You might want to rest in Child's Pose for a few breaths after Crow.

3. Down dog pose


Come down on all fours. Spread your fingers wide on your mat. Tuck your toes, lift your hips up and back, and extend your legs. Press your shoulders toward the floor and relax your neck. Press your palms against the floor. Walk your feet back, pull up through your hips, and press your heels down.

4. Shoulder stand pose


Lie on your back with arms by your side. Bend your knees and rock your legs up, bringing your knees to your forehead and placing your hands under your hips to support them, keeping your elbows on the floor. Slowly straighten your legs into the air, balancing for 8 to 10 breaths, then slowly release your knees and roll gently back onto the floor.

5. Bow pose


Lie down with your belly on the ground. Your chin should be touching the ground. Keep hands beside you with your palms facing upward. Your legs should be placed at a 6 inches distance from one another. Bend your legs at the knees and bring the heels close to your hips. Now grasp the ankles with both your hands. Slowly lift your chin, head and neck backwards. Your chest should be still on the ground. Now inhale deeply and lift your legs, thighs, chest till only your abdomen is touching the ground. Balance yourself on the abdomen only. Pull your legs with your hands as much as possible so as to arch your body completely in the shape of a bow. Bring your feet together. Now look up and gaze at a point on the ceiling. This is your final position. Hold your breath while in this position. When you feel a strain on your back, exhale fully and return to your original position.

6. Camel pose


Kneeling, with your body erect and your knees directly beneath your hips, and toes curling under. Stack your hips on top of your knees, your shoulders atop your hips, and your ears atop your shoulders. Then place the palms of your hands on the small of your back, fingertips facing up. If that's uncomfortable, the fingertips can face the floor. As you inhale, inflate the chest and feel your breastbone rise, floating the ribcage up and off the waist. Then continue to lift the upper back up and over an imaginary ball behind you until you begin to reach one hand and then the other toward the heels. You should arrive in your deepest arch only in the upper back when both hands rest comfortably on your heels or props. Take 5 full, complete breaths, letting the head drop back; if that strains the neck, tuck the chin and relax the face muscles.

7. Standing forward bend


Stand on the mat straight and in relaxed position. Bring your legs together keeping just a few inches distance from one another. Now bend forward and touch your ankles with your hand. Keep forehead positioned in front of your knees. If you are a beginner, you may face difficulty in coming forward without bending your bend knees. So just bend your knees a bit and touch your ankles. Another option is that, don’t bend your knees and instead of touching your ankles keep a block in front of you. Support yourself on that.

8. Rotated triangle


Lower the fingertips of your left hand to the floor outside your right foot. Open your shoulders to the right and extend your right arm up. Bring your left foot forward about 12 inches and press your heel down so your toes point a little out to your left side. Straighten your legs.

9. High lunge


From low lunge, lift your hips until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Extend your arms straight up next to your ears and relax your shoulders. Put some weight onto your left foot, reach your heel out behind you for stability.

10. Low lunge


Stand with your feet hip-width apart, arms at your sides. Step forward with your right foot. Bend forward from the waist and press your fingertips to the floor on each side of your right foot. Bend your knees slightly and step back with your left leg into a low lunge. Push through your left heel and sink your hips low.

8 Causes Of Eye Twitching and How to Stop it


Eye twitching, eyelid tics and spasms are pretty common. Usually only the bottom lid of one eye is involved, but the top eyelid also can twitch. Most eye twitches come and go, although they can last for weeks or even months.
I once received an e-mail from a patient's wife, who told me her left lower eyelid had been twitching for several weeks, and it was driving her crazy. Could I help?
To find a solution for eye twitching, we needed to determine the underlying cause of this annoying problem. Called myokymia in doctor lingo, these rippling muscle contractions in an eyelid can be triggered by:
  • Stress
  • Tiredness
  • Eye strain
  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol
  • Dry eyes
  • Nutritional imbalances
  • Allergies
Almost all sudden-onset eyelid twitching is benign, meaning the condition is not serious or a sign of a medical problem.
However, this kind of eye twitching also can be hard to treat. The only option for making the twitching stop may be to figure out the cause and deal with it.
More serious forms of eyelid twitching are caused by neurological conditions such as blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm. These conditions are much less common and should be diagnosed and treated by an eye doctor.

Why Does My Eye Twitch?

Stress: While we're all under stress at times, our bodies react in different ways. Eye twitching can be one sign of stress, especially when it is related to vision problems such as eye strain (see below). Reducing the cause of the stress can help make the twitching stop.
Tiredness: A lack of sleep, whether because of stress or some other reason, can trigger eyelid spasms. Catching up on your sleep can help.
Eye strain: Vision-related stress can occur if, for instance, you need glasses or a change of glasses. Your eyes may be working too hard, triggering eyelid twitching.
Computer eye strain from overuse of computers, tablets and smartphones is also a very common cause of vision-related stress.
If your eyelid twitching is persistent and very annoying (like the problem experienced by my patient's wife), you should have an eye exam, because you may need vision correction.
If you spend a lot of time on the computer, you also should consider talking to your eye doctor about special computer eyeglasses.
Caffeine and alcohol: Many experts believe that too much caffeine and/or alcohol can trigger eye twitching. If your caffeine (coffee, tea, soda pop, etc.) and/or alcohol intake has increased, cutting back is worth a try.
Dry eyes: More than half of the older population experiences dry eyes, due to aging. Dry eyes also are very common for people who use computers, take certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, etc.), wear contact lenses and consume caffeine and/or alcohol. If you are tired and under stress, you also may develop dry eye.
It's best to see your eye doctor for a dry eye evaluation, because many treatments are now available.
Nutritional imbalances: Some reports indicate a lack of certain nutritional substances, such as magnesium, can trigger eyelid spasms. Although these reports lack scientific evidence, I can't rule this out as a possible cause of eye twitching.
If you suspect a nutritional deficiency may be affecting you, however, I suggest talking this over with your family doctor for expert advice rather than randomly buying over-the-counter nutritional products.
Allergies: People with eye allergies can have itching, swelling and watery eyes. When eyes are rubbed, this releases histamine into the lid tissues and the tears. This is significant, because some evidence indicates that histamine can cause eyelid twitching.
To offset this problem, some eye doctors have recommended antihistamine eye drops or tablets to help some eyelid twitches. But remember that antihistamines also can cause dry eyes. It's best to work with your eye doctor to make sure you're doing the right thing for your eyes.

Why Does My Eye Twitch?


  1. Determine the severity of the twitch: Is it minor or severe? A minor eye twitch is an uncontrollable eyelid spasm that may come and go for about 2 to 3 days, then disappear on its own. A severe eye twitch lasts much longer and usually does not go away. The eyelid may contract so forcefully that the entire eye completely opens and closes, over and over again. A severe eye twitch becomes extremely annoying, interfering with daily life.
  2. Relax. Try to eliminate stress in your daily life.
  3. Limit caffeine.
  4. Rest. Get plenty of sleep and take frequent breaks from the computer.
  5. Apply warm compresses to the twitching eye and gently massage the eyelid with your fingers.
  6. Try over-the-counter oral or topical (eye drop) antihistamines to slow the eyelid muscle contractions.
  7. For severe eye twitching or a twitch that last longer than a few days, see your eye doctor. Treatment for severe eye twitching may include Botox injections to paralyze the eye muscles, medications to relax the muscles or surgery to remove the contributing eye muscles. 

Natural Tips and Remedies to Fight Sciatica

Sciatica is leg pain caused by a pinched nerve in the lower back. Although the pangs begin in nerve roots located on either side of the lower spine, they then course through the sciatic nerve, which runs the length of each leg from the buttock down to the foot. The leg agony, called radiculopathy, "is often worse than the back pain," says William A. Abdu, MD, medical director of the Spine Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Usually felt in one leg, the sensation "can be intolerable," says Birgit Ruppert, a physical therapist at the Spine Center. "Some people liken it to the nerve pain you experience if you have a toothache."


1 Massage

Massage therapy can relieve sciatica pain and also help the body heal itself, especially if the problem is caused by a muscle spasm. Plus, it helps release tension, stimulate circulation and increase the range of motion.
Massage the affected area with St. John’s wort oil 2 or 3 times a day until you get relief. St John’s wort has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve sciatica pain and inflammation. Another option is to add 3 tablespoons of nutmeg powder to 1 cup of sesame oil. Heat the mixture. Allow it to cool and massage the affected area with it when it is comfortably warm. Do this a few times a day for a few weeks. You can also consider trigger-point massage therapy at least once daily. Pain in the lower back, buttocks and side of the thighs is often associated with trigger points in the gluteus medius and minimus muscles.

2. Acupuncture

"You can get relief as soon as the first session, though it takes about 12 sessions to see improvement," says Jingduan Yang, MD, assistant professor at the Jefferson Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University. A small study in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that of 30 people with sciatica, 17 got complete relief and 10 saw symptoms improve with warming acupuncture, in which the needles are heated.

3. Valerian

Valerian root works as a relaxant and relieves chronic nerve pain. It is particularly good for easing sciatica pain caused by a muscle spasm. The herb contains volatile oils that help relax your muscles and ease tension. It is popularly used as a sleeping aid as well.
Take 150 mg of valerian root supplement 3 times a day for a few weeks. Consult your doctor first. You can also drink valerian tea prepared by steeping 1 teaspoon of dried valerian root in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Drink this herbal tea several times a week for a few weeks.

4. Yoga

A study in the journal Pain reported that people with chronic back pain who practiced Iyengar yoga for 16 weeks saw pain reduced by 64% and disability by 77%. Although yoga's effects on sciatica are less clear, gentle forms may be beneficial. By strengthening muscles and improving flexibility, a yoga practice can help sciatica sufferers "move and function better so they don't fall into a posture that aggravates the sciatica," says James W. Carson, PhD, a psychologist at the Comprehensive Pain Center at Oregon Health & Science University.

5. Spinal Manipulation

Chiropractic care is an increasingly popular natural treatment for neck and back pain. Chiropractic spinal manipulation includes different techniques involving rapid, short thrusts to alleviate nerve irritability responsible for inflammation and other symptoms associated with sciatica. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulation benefited 60% of the study participants suffering from sciatica to the same degree as a surgical intervention could have provided.

6. Ice or heat

Because the sciatic nerve is buried deep within the buttock and leg, ice or heat on the surface of the body won't ease that inner inflammation. But the timehonored treatments can act as counterirritants—that is, "they give your body other input in the painful area, and that brings the pain down a notch," says Ruppert. Apply an ice pack or a heating pad as needed for 15 minutes.

Top 10 Foods to Fight Inflammation

A number of anti-inflammatory drugs in the market promise to ease our pain and calm angry allergic reactions. While they may provide quick relief, long-term use of some anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs and steroids can actually weaken our immunity or cause unwanted side effects.
Nature has provided us with many anti-inflammatory foods which don’t just work with negligible adverse reaction, but are also great tasting. Besides their abilities to reduce inflammation, they also supply us with loads of essential vitamins and minerals that boost our immune health. Talking about value for money! 
In this article, I will introduce you to ten foods that are well-known for their inflammation-dousing properties.


1. Fatty fish

Oily fish, like salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation. To get the benefits, however, you need to eat fish several times a week, and it should be cooked in healthy ways: In a 2009 study from the University of Hawaii, men who ate baked or boiled fish (as opposed to fried, dried, or salted) cut their risk of heart disease by 23% compared to those who ate the least.

2. Raisins

Berries are bright, shiny, and famously chock-full of free radical–fighting antioxidants, but as you stock up on the blue-and-red beauties, keep in mind that their wrinkly relative, the raisin, can also keep inflammation in check. “Snacking on raisins, and other fruit in general, tends to reduce a marker of inflammation known as TNF-alpha,” says Jim Painter, PhD, RD, a professor at Eastern Illinois University.

3. Apples

"An apple a day, keeps the doctor away." This classic adage has been around for quite some time and for good reason. Research has shown Apples are rich in phytochemicals, in particular, flavonoids such as quercetin, catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid (Boyer & Liu, 2004). Some of these antioxidants, in particular, quercetin, has recently been the subject of discussion as it pertains to immune system recovery and endurance performance (Davis et al., 2010; Gordon et al., 2009).

4. Turmeric

This Asian spice commonly found in pre-mixed curry powder contains a powerful, non-toxic compound called curcumin. Studies found that turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects are on a par with potent drugs such as hydrocortisone and Motrin, but yet having none of their side effects

5. Dark leafy greens

Studies have suggested that vitamin E may play a key role in protecting the body from pro-inflammatory molecules called cytokines—and one of the best sources of this vitamin is dark green veggies, such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard greens. Dark greens and cruciferous vegetables also tend to have higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals—like calcium, iron, and disease-fighting phytochemicals—than those with lighter-colored leaves.

6. Soy

Beans in general are great sources of anti-inflammatory botanical compounds known as phytonutrients, but soy has been singled out by researchers for its ability to reduce the inflammation marker C-reactive protein, says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD, author of The SuperfoodsRx Diet. This is great news for your heart—high levels of C-reactive protein have been linked to coronary artery disease. Another bean benefit: the protein-rich, satisfying legumes are good candidates to displace pro-inflammatory meat in meals.

7. Almonds

Almonds are rich in Vitamin E and they also contain high amounts of unsaturated fats that reduce inflammation and assist in keeping joints lubricated (DiNubile, 2005). In addition, they are a great source of the omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linoleic acid (DiNubile, 2005). Recent research has shown that nuts such as almonds can lower cholesterol, increase LDL resistance to oxidation, improve endothelial function, decrease plasma concentration of C-Reactive protein, Interleukin-6 and other inflammatory markers (Rajaram et al., 2010; Ros & Mataix, 2006; Salas-Salvado et al., 2008).

8. Papaya

Coined by Christopher Columbus as the ‘fruit of the angels’, papaya contains papain, a protein-digesting enzyme. Together with other nutrients such as vitamin C and E, papain helps to reduce inflammation, and improves digestion and healing from burns.

9. Peppers

“Colorful vegetables are part of a healthier diet in general,” says Dr. Costenbader. “As opposed to white potatoes or corn, colorful peppers, tomatoes, squash, and leafy vegetables have high quantities of antioxidant vitamins and lower levels of starch.” Bell peppers are available in a variety of colors, while hot peppers (like chili and cayenne) are rich in capsaicin, a chemical that’s used in topical creams that reduce pain and inflammation.

10. Ginger

This spicy root has gained a following for its nausea-calming powers, but it has another trick up its sleeve—inflammation crushing. Studies have linked the root to lowered post-exercise inflammation and a drop in joint pain caused by the chronic inflammatory conditions osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While researchers haven’t pinpointed its anti-inflammatory effects to a single component, it’s likely one of the culprits is the plant’s active compound gingerol, Bazilian says.

9 Healthy Foods to Improve Your Sex Life

Sex is one of life’s most basic human functions. Besides the important job of procreation, sex brings pleasure and can deepen feelings of intimacy with your partner. Lack of desire, impotence, and other sexual problems can turn a sizzling hot sex life into a low-burning flame quickly. If your love life can stand a gentle nudge (or a substantial kickstart), look to your diet for help. These seven foods are packed with nutrients that can perk up your libido and may improve your overall health too.


1. Avocados

The Aztecs referred to avocados as, ahem, testicles, because of their physical shape. But the scientific reason why avocados make sense as an aphrodisiac is that they are rich in unsaturated fats and low in saturated fat, making them good for your heart and your arteries. Anything that keeps the heart beating strong helps keep blood flowing to all the right places; in fact, men with underlying heart disease are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED).

2. Dark chocolate

Fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants should be a part of your daily diet already because they can provide many health benefits. Luckily, delicious dark chocolate is chock-full of antioxidants so it’s a yummy way to get more of it. Antioxidants have been linked to reducing the signs of aging, reducing the risk for cervical cancer in women and enhancing sexual pleasure. With all those benefits and a devilishly good taste, this item shouldn’t have any trouble making its way into your grocery cart.

3. Salmon

Salmon is a popular poster child for heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The pink-fleshed fish, as well as tuna and halibut, might be the key to enhancing your sex life too. Omega-3 may help prevent the buildup of plague in your arteries, thus improving blood flow throughout your body. A fatty fish diet may not be the love potion for guys who are at risk for high-grade prostate cancer, however. Studies published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggest that omega-3 fatty acids could increase your risk for developing an aggressive form of the disease. Low-grade, slow-moving prostate cancer is not affected by eating foods rich in omega-3.

4. Almond

Topping my list of feisty foods, almonds have long been purported to increase passion, act as a sexual stimulant, and aid with fertility. Like asparagus (another one of my favorite sexy foods), almonds are nutrient-dense and rich in several trace minerals that are important for sexual health and reproduction, such as zinc, selenium, and vitamin E. “Zinc helps enhance libido and sexual desire,” says Dr. Berman. “We don’t really understand the mechanisms behind it, but we know it works.”

5. Celery

This fibrous vegetable can increase a woman’s sexual desire. It also contains androsterone, a hormone men release that appeals to women, getting them in the mood. Eating celery regularly can help keep the mood fresh and will likely increase the number of times a woman feels like having sex.

6. Apples

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and could also improve your love life. Apples, along with berries, cherries, onions and dark-colored grapes, are rich in quercetin. This antioxidant, called a flavonoid, may offer a number of medicinal effects. As far as sex goes, quercetin plays a role in controlling symptoms of prostatitis and interstitial cystitis (IC), and promotes circulation. Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland, sometimes causing testiclular discomfort and pain with ejaculation. IC, or painful bladder syndrome, may also make sex difficult for men and women. Sexual-related symptoms of IC can include genital pain, erectile dysfunction, painful intercourse, and low desire

7. Garlic

High in an ingredient called allicin, garlic can help stimulate circulation and blood flow to sexual organs in both men and women. Although, you should try to eat this in moderation because the intense smell of garlic on someone’s breath, may kill the mood. You can also opt for garlic pills if you want to bypass the mood-killing odour altogether.

8. Strawberries

The color red is known to help stoke the fire: A 2008 study found that men find women sexier if they’re wearing red, as opposed to cool colors such as blue or green. Strawberries are also an excellent source of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps ward off birth defects in women and, according to a University of California, Berkley study, may be tied to high sperm counts in men. This Valentine’s Day, try making dark-chocolate-dipped strawberries. And while we’re on the subject, there’s a reason we give chocolate on Valentine’s Day: It’s full of libido-boosting methylxanthines.

9. Figs

These funny-shaped fruits have a long history of being a fertility booster, and they make an excellent aphrodisiac because they are packed with both soluble and insoluble fiber, which is important for heart health. Plus, high-fiber foods help fill you up, not out, so it’s easier to achieve that sexy bottom line—or belly.

How to Heal Cavities Naturally

Most of us live with this wrong notion that tooth decay is caused by bacteria! Yes! This is a myth. Your cavities are not due to bacteria! Well, not exactly the way you think. Most of the times, cavities in your mouth are due to the deficiency of various nutrients in your body. This has been shown in various tests done on animals as well as in laboratories. Now when I say bacteria doesn’t cause tooth decay, what I mean is that stronger teeth are able to resist both acid and bacteria. Therefore, when your teeth become weak, like in the instance of nutritional deficiencies, it will have a cavity as it would not be able to fight off acid and bacteria. So, the first step towards healing cavities is to make your teeth stronger. According to one of the studies published in the British Medical Journal, cavities and tooth decay can be healed as well as reversed with diet. To heal cavities, you also need to control the acidity and bacterial invasion of your mouth, just to protect the weaker teeth.


Natural Ways to Heal Cavities

1. Remove sugar

Probably the worst culprit of them all for anyone who desires healthy, cavity-free teeth, sugar should be avoided like the plague. Not only does sugar feed oral bacteria that prevents a healthy flow of dental fluids, it is highly acidic and can literally decalcify or demineralize the structural content of teeth that create dental decay. 
This means staying away from soda, candy, and baked goods with sugar. Additionally, use raw honey and maple syrup and drink juices sparingly as too much sugar can contribute to cavity formation. Be careful of artificial sweeteners because of their health risks as well. Bottom line: Make stevia your new best friend along with raw honey in moderation!

2. Have a diet loaded with nutrients

From the above discussion, it is clear like a crystal that your cavities are due to poor nutrition and abundance of Phytic acid in your body. How to deal with the Phytic acid factor is know known to you. The next step would be to supply enough minerals and vitamins to your body to help heal cavities. 
This includes the increased intake of fat soluble vitamins. Here is a list of foods to guide you as to what constitutes a good food habit if you really want to heal your cavities naturally.

3. Do some oil pulling

Used for centuries by Ayurvedic medicine, oil pulling is a fantastic oral detoxification procedure that has gained some popularity in the U.S. the last several years. 
Simply done by swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for 20 minutes, this simple process has been praised to cure everything from gingivitis to headaches to systemic diseases like diabetes! If you can’t do 20 minutes, 3-5 minutes is still good. 
I recommend using coconut oil or MCT Oil and a drop or two of clove and/or tea tree essential oils for maximal antiseptic and antifungal power.

4. Use Activated Charcoal to Heal Cavities

Activated charcoal helps your body get rid of toxins. Many people use this activated carbon to cleanse skin and for whitening teeth. You can even use it to remove toxins from your mouth to heal cavities. Activated charcoal is nothing but the regular charcoal created solely for medicinal use. 
For this, regular charcoal is heated with a gas which causes the charcoal to expand and it thus creates porous surface that traps toxins. Due to its incredibly large surface area provided by porous structure, only a little activated charcoal can absorb a large amount of toxins, atoms, and ions. 
You can easily get activated charcoal in capsule form having powdered charcoal in it. You may also buy it loosely in bulk. When you brush your teeth with activated charcoal, you not only get whiter teeth but also destroy plaque and cure gingivitis as it prevents bacterial build up. 
Because activated charcoal also promotes formation of new enamel, you get stronger teeth too. Therefore, using activated charcoal seems to be a good remedy to heal cavities.

Tips and Tricks to Lose Belly Fat Fast

Belly fat is maligned for its way of tampering with any outfit that doesn't involve a muumuu, but really there's something way worse about the stuff: When white fat expands in your abdomen, nestling deep among your organs, it sets you up for some serious health trouble. We now know that this type of fat, called visceral fat, churns out stress hormones like cortisol and inflammatory substances called cytokines that affect the body's production of insulin. The result: It's worse than just being generally overweight; you're looking at increased risks of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The 3 Week Diet

1. Take a walk before breakfast

Zero Belly Diet panelist Martha Chesler did just this as part of her Zero Belly program, and the results were astonishing. “I saw changes immediately,” she reports. In less than six weeks on the program, Martha dropped over 20 pounds and an astonishing 7 inches from her middle by combining the Zero Belly Foods with a pre-breakfast walk.

2. Eat more protein

Of course you know that protein's essential for a slimmer you—you couldn't have made it through the Paleo and South Beach crazes without hearing all about it. But here's why protein really needs to play a prime roll on your plate: "Your body starts to produce more insulin as you age, since your muscle and fat cells aren't responding to it properly," explains Louis Aronne, MD, Director of the Obesity Clinic at Cornell. And insulin promotes fat storage, especially around your belly (yippee!). A diet high in protein may protect you against insulin resistance, Aronne says. In one study, obese women who followed a diet for eight weeks that was roughly 30% protein, 40% carbs, and 30% fat lost significantly more fat—including visceral pudge—than women who stuck to a plan that was 16% protein, 55% carbs, and 26% fat.

3. Make sugar your enemy


Fighting belly fat is 80% healthy diet. Reduce calories by filling yourself up with protein, vegetables, whole grains, and replacing bad habit snacks with good ones. For example, if you have a sugar craving, replace your calorie laden latte with a Muscle Milk lite, one of my favorites, because it has zero sugar and a ton of protein that will satiate while also torching my sugar craving! Another great trick is a sprinkle of cinnamon in your morning coffee or oatmeal- the spice has been shown to help stabilize blood sugar. It also slows the rate at which food exits the stomach, which helps you feel fuller longer.

4. Eat healthy fatty acids

Yup, you heard me! It takes fat to burn fat. Like I said above, it’s sugar that gets you fat, not fat. Good fats include foods rich in Omega 3′s, like salmon, avocados & walnuts. These foods are full of nutrients that help keep you satiated throughout the day.

5. Get enough sleep

If you want to work late at night, think again. When your biorhythms are off, you end up eating more. When you’re tired you produce more ghrelin, which triggers cravings for sugar and other fat-building foods. Losing sleep can also alter your hormone production, affecting your cortisol levels that cause insulin sensitivity, prime reasons for belly fat! Getting about 7 hours of sleep a night is one of the best things you can do for your body shaping goals.

6. Consume Foods with fibers

As in, make sure you're eating a lot of it. In a 2011 trial, subjects who increased their soluble fiber intake by 10 grams a day (the equivalent of two small apples, one cup of green peas, and one half cup of pinto beans) reduced visceral fat by 3.7% after five years.

7 Foods to Never Eat When Trying to Lose Weight

It really is a shame. Some of the best-tasting foods are actually some of the worst in terms of fat and calories. But it can be hard to avoid them, especially in places—like malls—where nutrition information usually isn’t available. So we did the work for you; take a look at a list of foods you should skip—or pick—at a mall, restaurant, or grocery store. (A 2,000-calorie-a-day diet should have no more than 66 grams of fat, less than 20 grams saturated; 2,400 milligrams of sodium; and 300 grams of total carbohydrate, including sugars.)


1. White Bread

White bread is a staple in most pantries, but the truth is that it doesn’t have any nutritional value. White bread contains a lot of sugar and it doesn’t have the ability to keep you satisfied, so within a few hours you are likely to find yourself feeling hungry and reaching for snacks. As a result of these factors, it is unsurprising that research on those who eat white bread shows a correlation between eating larger quantities of white bread and being more likely to gain unwanted weight over a period of 12 years. As it turns out, even breads that claim to be wheat could contain more sugar than grain and should often be avoided.

2. Doughnuts

Doughnuts are fried, sugary, and almost always contain trans-fat as well as white flour. Store-bought doughnuts are made up of about 35% to 40% trans-fat, and an average doughnut contains about 200 to 300 calories (which are mostly from sugar) and few other nutrients. Furthermore, in the US, canola, soybean, and corn oils are made primarily from genetically engineered crops, which come with their own set of health risks.

3. White rice

Rice is a common ingredient in recipes, and it is also a popular side dish chosen to accompany meat dishes. Most people simply assume that rice is healthy, but the nutritional value of rice is entirely dependent on the type of rice you choose. Crucially, white rice is just like white bread; it can encourage your body to store excess fat that it doesn’t need and make it harder to lose weight. In addition, it has little nutritional value.

4. Any Snack That Only Contains Carbs

When you eat crackers, dry cereal, bread, or rice cakes alone, your body converts the carbs to simple sugars, and sends it directly into your blood stream. In response to the sugar rush, your body produces extra insulin, which helps your body absorb the sugar ASAP. The problem: You end up with low blood sugar and the same hunger pangs that led you to carb it up in the first place. You then may be inclined to reach for sugary foods with no nutritional value to satisfy your need for instant energy, says Dr. Charlie Seltzer, M.D., a weight-loss specialist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

5. High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup is a common sweetener that is often found in popular sodas, processed foods, baked goods and pasta sauces. There is heated debate about whether high fructose corn syrup is good or bad for your body, and the scientific community has yet to reach a consensus. However, as it stands, there is certainly some compelling evidence that it can quickly cause you to gain extra weight and even stimulate an increased craving for sugar or sugary foods.

6. Low-fat meals

Research suggests that people tend to eat upwards of 30 percent more when they know they're eating a food that's low fat. The problem (besides overeating, which can thwart your weight loss goals fast) is that when food makers remove fat from food, they inevitably remove some of the flavor. To compensate, they often add sugar, which makes the product even worse for you.

7. Booze

It's almost impossible to find a weight loss expert who recommends alcohol for weight loss. (Believe me, I tried.) While some cocktails have fewer calories than others, alcohol just doesn't support weight loss. It contains empty calories that don't fill you up or provide any nutrients; softens your resolve so you're more likely to overeat; and impairs your judgement, regardless of your weight loss goals. (It's why you drunk eat pizza, not salad.) But it gets worse: "When alcohol is present in your body, it's considered a toxin that your body wants to get rid of, and becomes you liver's top priority," says Dr. Caroline Cederquist, MD, creator of bistroMD. When your liver is in hardcore detox mode, it can't burn fat as efficiently. Because that's a major buzz kill, skip the buzz altogether if you're serious about losing weight. Or at least cut back on the booze, big time.