Breathe Away Your Tension and Stress

Breathing properly is one of the simplest and best ways to drain your tension and relieve your stress. Simply by changing your breathing patterns, you can rapidly induce a state of greater relaxation. If you control the way you breathe, you have a powerful tool in reducing bodily tension. Just as important, you have a tool that helps prevent your body from becoming tense in the first place.

What happens inside when you breathe

Breathing provides your body with oxygen and removes waste products — primarily carbon dioxide — from your blood. Your lungs carry out this gas exchange. Lungs, however, don’t have their own muscles for breathing. Your diaphragm is the major muscle necessary for proper breathing. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates your chest cavity from your abdominal cavity and acts as a flexible floor for your lungs.

When you inhale, your diaphragm flattens downward, creating more space in the chest cavity and permitting the lungs to fill. You can see your stomach rising. When you exhale, your diaphragm returns to its dome shape. Diaphragmatic breathing, also called abdominal breathing, provides the most efficient way of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.

How we breath

Your diaphragm works automatically, but you can override the process, especially when you’re under stress. And that’s where problems can arise. Too often you neglect to use your diaphragm when you breathe, and you interfere with the proper exchange of gases in your system, which can result in greater tension, more fatigue, and more stress.

Is your breathing bad?

“Bad breathing” can take a number of forms. You may be a chest and shoulder breather, bringing air into your lungs by expanding your chest cavity and raising your shoulders. This description certainly fits if you have more than a touch of vanity and opt for never sticking out your tummy when you breathe.

You also may be a breath holder, stopping your breathing entirely when you’re distracted or lost in thought. Both are inefficient, stress-producing forms of breathing. And when you’re under stress, your breathing patterns deteriorate even more. To make things worse, once your breathing goes awry, you feel even more stressed. Quite a nasty cycle.

Breathing for life

Why change your breathing now?

You probably take your breathing for granted. And why not? You've been breathing for most of your life; you’d think by now you would have figured out how to do it right. No such luck. When you’re feeling stressed, your breathing becomes faster and shallower. When you breathe this way, your body reacts:

• Less oxygen reaches your bloodstream. 
• Your blood vessels constrict. 
• Less oxygen reaches your brain. 
• Your heart rate and your blood pressure go up. 
• You feel light-headed, shaky, and tenser. 

Our primitive ancestors knew how to breathe. They didn't have to deal with the IRS, stacks of unpaid bills, or the Boss from Hell. These days only opera singers, stage actors, musicians who play wind instruments, and a couple of dozen moonlighting yoga instructors actually breathe effectively. The rest of us mess it up.

Are you breathing right?

However, for a period of your life, you did get the whole breathing thing right. As a baby lying in your crib, you breathed serenely. Your little belly rose and fell in the most relaxed way. But then you grew up and blew it. Thankfully, all is not lost. You can re-teach yourself to breathe properly.

Evaluate your breathing

You may be one of the few people who actually breathe properly. But before you skip this, read a little further. To find out whether the way you breathe is stress-reducing, take this simple test.

• Lie on your back. 
• Put your right hand on your belly and your left hand on your chest. 

Try to become aware of the way you breathe. Check to see whether your breathing is smooth, slow, and regular. If you’re breathing properly, the hand on your belly rises and falls rhythmically as you inhale and exhale. The hand on your chest should move very little, and if that hand does rise, it should follow the rise in your belly. 

Don't stress about breathing technique

A lot of people who want to adopt new patterns of breathing have a fervent desire to get it perfectly right. They frequently get so lost in body parts or lung mechanics that they wind up more stressed out than they were before they started. Don’t let this happen to you. And remember that there’s no one exactly right way to breathe all the time.

Give yourself lots of room to experiment with your breathing. And don’t overdo it. If you've been breathing inefficiently for all these years, changing gears may take some time. Above all, you’re not taking a test. Don’t grade yourself on how deeply you can breathe or how flat you can make your diaphragm. Remember, the goal is to reduce your stress, not add to it.

A lung function test can be done to test your lung capacity

Surprising Health Benefits of Parsley

• Parsley is a pretty little Mediterranean herb that lends a sprinkling of color to your plate. But let’s not think of it as just a garnish—after all, parsley has been around for more than 2000 years, and boasts some time-tested benefits that you should know about.

• Parsley is rich in many vital vitamins, including Vitamin C,  B 12, K and A. This means parsley keeps your immune system strong, tones your bones and heals the nervous system, too.
• It helps flush out excess fluid from the body, thus supporting kidney function. However, the herb contains oxalates, which can cause problems for those with existing kidney and gall bladder problems.
• Regular use of parsley can help control your blood pressure. The folic acid in this herb is like a tonic for your heart.
• Parsley essential oil, when massaged into the scalp, may reduce hair loss.
• Use parsley daily, and you’ll feel relief from joint pain. That’s because the herb has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Parsley tea relaxes stiff muscles and encourages digestion.
• Studies indicate that parsley—especially its essential oil—may have a role in inhibiting cancerous tumors. In fact, scientists have billed it a ‘chemoprotective’ food.

On my recent visit to France, I had the chance to enjoy several delicious dishes garnished with parsley. Now I am back in India, and while we here are partial to cilantro leaves, I am going to flirt with dainty parsley in my cooking. Your suggestions are welcom

SWINE FLU PRECAUTIONS

If you are sick or have any flu-like symptoms, stay home. Do not go to school or work. Swine flu symptoms may mimic those of regular flu and cold symptoms.

Contain Your Cough
Cough or sneeze into the crook (inside elbow) of your arm. This way you do not transfer the germs to your hands and then to every object you touch. Swine flu is very contagious, and can spread easily by touching an infected object and then touching your face. A flu mask will help you avoid infection in enclosed spaces. 

Wash Hands Frequently
Wash hands constantly to avoid swine flu. Anything you touch may be affected, so keeping hands clean will help you avoid infection. 

Hand Sanitizer
Carry hand sanitizer with you. If you have things others have touched, use your hand sanitizer to avoid swine flu infection. In addition, avoid shaking hands or other hand to hand contact whenever possible. Also avoid kissing on the cheek or other face to face contact as a greeting method. 

Public Facilities
Touch public handles and pens as little as possible. These are loaded with germs that may carry the swine flu virus. 

Air Travel
When you fly, be most diligent about following these guidelines. Transferring any flu, including swine flu, is most likely in close quarters like an airplane. 

Clean Your Produce
The life span of a virus is different for each and can vary from as much as 48 hours to 100 years depending on the hardiness of the virus. Although there have been no known cases of swine flu transmission through fruit and vegetable consumption, there does seem to be some concern about the possibility. The best bet is to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables if possible. Make sure you wash your fruits and vegetables with water, and soak for greater effectiveness. Washes and using chlorinated rinses have not been proven to work. So far there have been no cases of swine flu transmission through fruits and vegetable sources. 

Avoid Crowds
Stay out of crowds as much as possible. Close proximity to other people will heighten your chances of to get swine flu. Wear a surgical mask in areas of high traffic concentration. Try to stay at least 3-6 feet away from people. 

Eating and Drinking
Do not eat or drink after others without complete sanitization of containers or utensils. Swine flu can be transmitted by contact with infected eating utensils. 

Vaccinations
Vaccinations are not effective against the H1N1 virus. If you contract the virus get to the doctor within 36 hours and ask for Tamiflu or Relenza. These antiviral medicines will halt the progression of H1N1 or Swine flu virus. 

Visit Your Doctor
Get to a doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of swine flu including high fever and body aches. Swine flu can be deadly, and it is imperative to get to a physician immediately if you think you have swine flu symptoms and think you might have contracted the swine flu virus. Both Tamiflu and Relenza are antiviral medicines that are currently effective against some strains of Swine Flu. These medicines should be taken within 36 hours of flu infection for maximum effectiveness.

Breathe Away Your Tension and Stress

Breathing properly is one of the simplest and best ways to drain your tension and relieve your stress. Simply by changing your breathing patterns, you can rapidly induce a state of greater relaxation. If you control the way you breathe, you have a powerful tool in reducing bodily tension. Just as important, you have a tool that helps prevent your body from becoming tense in the first place.

What happens inside when you breathe

Breathing provides your body with oxygen and removes waste products — primarily carbon dioxide — from your blood. Your lungs carry out this gas exchange. Lungs, however, don’t have their own muscles for breathing. Your diaphragm is the major muscle necessary for proper breathing. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates your chest cavity from your abdominal cavity and acts as a flexible floor for your lungs.

When you inhale, your diaphragm flattens downward, creating more space in the chest cavity and permitting the lungs to fill. You can see your stomach rising. When you exhale, your diaphragm returns to its dome shape. Diaphragmatic breathing, also called abdominal breathing, provides the most efficient way of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.

How we breath

Your diaphragm works automatically, but you can override the process, especially when you’re under stress. And that’s where problems can arise. Too often you neglect to use your diaphragm when you breathe, and you interfere with the proper exchange of gases in your system, which can result in greater tension, more fatigue, and more stress.

Is your breathing bad?

“Bad breathing” can take a number of forms. You may be a chest and shoulder breather, bringing air into your lungs by expanding your chest cavity and raising your shoulders. This description certainly fits if you have more than a touch of vanity and opt for never sticking out your tummy when you breathe.

You also may be a breath holder, stopping your breathing entirely when you’re distracted or lost in thought. Both are inefficient, stress-producing forms of breathing. And when you’re under stress, your breathing patterns deteriorate even more. To make things worse, once your breathing goes awry, you feel even more stressed. Quite a nasty cycle.

Breathing for life

Why change your breathing now?

You probably take your breathing for granted. And why not? You've been breathing for most of your life; you’d think by now you would have figured out how to do it right. No such luck. When you’re feeling stressed, your breathing becomes faster and shallower. When you breathe this way, your body reacts:

• Less oxygen reaches your bloodstream. 
• Your blood vessels constrict. 
• Less oxygen reaches your brain. 
• Your heart rate and your blood pressure go up. 
• You feel light-headed, shaky, and tenser. 

Our primitive ancestors knew how to breathe. They didn't have to deal with the IRS, stacks of unpaid bills, or the Boss from Hell. These days only opera singers, stage actors, musicians who play wind instruments, and a couple of dozen moonlighting yoga instructors actually breathe effectively. The rest of us mess it up.

Are you breathing right?

However, for a period of your life, you did get the whole breathing thing right. As a baby lying in your crib, you breathed serenely. Your little belly rose and fell in the most relaxed way. But then you grew up and blew it. Thankfully, all is not lost. You can re-teach yourself to breathe properly.

Evaluate your breathing

You may be one of the few people who actually breathe properly. But before you skip this, read a little further. To find out whether the way you breathe is stress-reducing, take this simple test.

• Lie on your back. 
• Put your right hand on your belly and your left hand on your chest. 

Try to become aware of the way you breathe. Check to see whether your breathing is smooth, slow, and regular. If you’re breathing properly, the hand on your belly rises and falls rhythmically as you inhale and exhale. The hand on your chest should move very little, and if that hand does rise, it should follow the rise in your belly. 

Don't stress about breathing technique

A lot of people who want to adopt new patterns of breathing have a fervent desire to get it perfectly right. They frequently get so lost in body parts or lung mechanics that they wind up more stressed out than they were before they started. Don’t let this happen to you. And remember that there’s no one exactly right way to breathe all the time.

Give yourself lots of room to experiment with your breathing. And don’t overdo it. If you've been breathing inefficiently for all these years, changing gears may take some time. Above all, you’re not taking a test. Don’t grade yourself on how deeply you can breathe or how flat you can make your diaphragm. Remember, the goal is to reduce your stress, not add to it.

A lung function test can be done to test your lung capacity

How Being Diabetic During Pregnancy Can Affect Your Child

When the body is unable to produce enough insulin, a person may develop diabetes. When a woman is pregnant her body may stop producing enough insulin. This results in the pregnant woman developing gestational diabetes.

Complications of Gestational Diabetes

For women with gestational diabetes there are some complications that may develop if she does not control her blood sugar levels. One of the most common side effects of gestational diabetes is babies that are larger in size.

Once the baby is born he/she may have low blood sugar and will need to be monitored during the first few days after birth. Premature births, preeclampsia, as well as other health related issues may arise as well.

How Diabetes May Affect a Child’s Brain

There are now studies that show how diabetes may affect children later in life. Women that do not control their blood sugar during pregnancy may affect the child’s memory and the damage that is done may not be reversible.

An ongoing study conducted by the University of Minnesota has shown that children born to diabetic mothers have consistent issues with their memory. The researchers believe that this may be caused by damage to the hippocampus which develops during the final trimester of pregnancy.

There is also new information being released that shows that pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes are more likely to have a child diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). However, this study does not mean that autism is common for children that are born to women who develop gestational diabetes.

In addition, there have been findings that show that when women have had good control over their diabetes while pregnant tend to have children who perform as well in school as their peers or even better. Women who did not have good control over their diabetes tend to have children who perform poorly in school and get lower grades when compared to those children who had mothers who did not have diabetes.

The Importance of Controlling Diabetes During Pregnancy

These studies show the importance of controlling blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Diabetes control before and during pregnancy will lower the risk of birth defects, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, low blood sugar for the newborn, and having babies with a larger birth weight.

The most important findings of these studies are that women who are pregnant need to be educated on controlling their blood sugar levels. Pregnant women who receive appropriate education on the subject are more likely to follow the recommended diet and exercise program, which will help keep their blood sugar levels in check.

Women who do not receive education on the disease and how to control it are more likely to not follow an appropriate diet, which can result in many health issues not only for themselves, but for their babies as well.

Trying To Lose Weight ? –Drink More Water Before Meals !

Most people gain some more weight as the result of many holidays, celebrations, low physical activity throughout the year. People just tend to be a crouch potatoes or prefer to sit in front of computers or television.

However, there are some small things that you can do for yourself to prevent gaining weight. One of those things is to drink a glass of water before every meal.

In fact, most people who have regular meals but low physical activity have a problem with their weight. So you have advice them that drinking a glass of water before meals reduces appetite and the stomach will have little space for food.

Benefits of Water

A recent study done in the U.S. confirmed that this fact is true and experts were focused on the answers of the following two questions: 

• Does this system works? 

• If it works, with whom and how it works? 

-Judging from a study published in the journal “Obesity” experts from Virginia came up with interesting results. They followed a group of older respondents (55 years and older) “exposed” to low-calorie diet for three months.

Now, for all this to be more“interesting”, one group drank water before every meal (about 2 cups), and in the other group participants drank water when they were thirsty (never before meals).

After three months, participants who drank water before every meal, on average reduced more than 7 kg/ 15.5lbs, while the other group failed to reduce the average of 5kg/ 11lbs.

The differences of 2kg/4.5lbs seems to be small, but yearly that means 8kg/ 17.5 pounds, and all you need to do is to drink water before every meal!

-Also, a study published in 2008, shows a similar effect as well as the already mentioned study by experts from Virginia and the experts of this study accurately measured and found that people who drank water before each meal entered 13% less calories! Small tricks, such as a glass of water, 30 minutes before each meal – can yield excellent long-term results.

Therefore, be careful during holidays and celebrations- consume more Healthy Foods, drink more water, continue with your Healthy Eating Habits, and let water be part of your Healthy Drinks list.

Tentex forte tabet benefits

TENTEX FORTE

Effective non-hormonal sex stimulant for men

Action:

Improves sexual desire: Tentex forte contains natural ingredients that possess tonic and aphrodisiac properties, which enhance sexual desire, drive and performance. Emotional stress disrupts the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary hormones, a key contributor of performance anxiety. The adaptogens in the drug stimulates, prevents and manages stress, which is effective in improving libido and performance.

Manages male sexual dysfunction: Tentex forte increases the testosterone levels in the body, preventing erectile dysfunction. The drug relaxes muscles around erectile tissue and penile arteries, which sustains erections.

Indications

• Low libido
• Male sexual weakness

Key ingredients:

Winter Cherry (Ashvagandha) is a potent adaptogen, which relieves mental stress, a key contributor of poor sexual performance. It is an effective antioxidant that helps in alleviating male sexual dysfunction.

Shilajeet acts as an adaptogen and rejuvenates the body in order to improve sexual function.

Cowhage/Velvet Bean (Kapikachchu) is an aphrodisiac, that supports the production of hormones associated with the ‘pleasure system’ of the brain. The herb is a prophylactic (preventative) against oligospermia (low sperm count).

Small Caltrops (Gokshura) is beneficial in erectile dysfunction as it strengthens the penile tissue. Protodioscin, a precursor of testosterone found in Small Caltrops, is converted to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the body, which improves flow-mediated vasodilation of the penile arteries.

Directions for use:

Please consult your physician to prescribe the dosage that best suits your condition.

Available as a tablet.

Side effects:

Tentex forte is not known to have any side effects if taken as per the prescribed dosage.

Antioxidant Brain Fruit

Eating good antioxidant Fruits helps you avoid diseases that make life tough on your brain. There are some Fruits which are a powerhouse for brain health. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals are groups of atoms that can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related diseases. A diet rich in antioxidants may also keep the brain operating at its peak to help reduce the risk of conditions.

Here are some of selected fruits that have high benefit for our brain:

Avocado - Healthy unsaturated fats in avocados help keep your brain cell membranes flexible. Avocados contain high quantities of monounsaturated fatty acids. helped protect nerve cells in the brain known as astrocytes, which provide support to information-carrying nerves. Avocados combine brain healthy omega-3 fatty acids with natural vitamin E, which has been clinically proven to prevent Alzheimer's disease from progressing and even reversing it in its earliest stages.



Blueberries - Help to improve short term memory, and slow, and even reverse, the onset of age related memory problems and balance issues. They also have a low GI, Berries could play an important role in clearing the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain.Berries are a good source of antioxidant compounds and compounds such as polyphenolics that block inflammation and protect against cell damage. Scientists believe these polyphenolics restore the brain's ability to clean up cell debris produced as the brain ages, so it doesn't interfere with normal brain and nerve function. In a sense, the polyphenolics in berries carry out a "clean up" job that allows the brain to function better.

Nuts - Nuts are not only high in protein, but are also a good source of vitamin E, which helps prevent memory decline. Nuts contain protein, high amounts of fiber, and they are rich in beneficial fats. For getting an immediate energy boost that won’t turn into a spike later, you can’t do better than nuts. The complex carbs will perk you up while the fat and protein will sustain you. Nuts also contain plenty of vitamin E, which is essential to cognitive function. You don’t have to eat raw, plain, unsalted nuts, but do avoid the ones with a lot of sweetening or seasoning blends. Filberts, hazelnuts, cashews, and walnuts are great choices, with almonds being the king of nuts.





Watermelon - An excellent source of vitamin B6, watermelon makes an awesome brain food since it contains 92% water, which is the same content as the brain.  Besides this, watermelon helps regulate brain chemicals, thus normalizing sleep patterns, alleviating stress and depression besides enhancing a feel good factor. Being nature’s most natural source of potent antioxidant vitamins such as C and A through concentration of beta-carotene, along with their abundant supply of carotene antioxidant, lycopene, Watermelons protect the bodies from risk of various ailments.



Tomatoes - Tomatoes have been shown to fight against damaging free radicals. More concentrated methods of consumption, such as in tomato paste, provide the greatest benefits, but fresh tomatoes still hold some benefits as well.Tomatoes usually make the brain-boosting food lists. Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that is particularly good for your brain, it even helps prevent dementia. You have to cook tomatoes to get the lycopene take that, raw foodies! Just kidding. But this does mean that ketchup is good for your brain. Although because of the sugar in it, you should look to other sources for most of your lycopene intake, such as fresh tomato sauce.

Pomegranate - Pomegranates contain same level of antioxidant as blueberry, which are essential for a healthy brain. Your brain is the first organ to feel the effects of stress, so anything you can do to offset stress is probably a smart choice although note that the connection between pomegranate and stress reduction is currently both contested and unconfirmed.Drinking pomegranate juice is very effective than eating it, pomegranate juice is also contains a lot of Fiber




Kiwi - kiwi that increase bone density because of the presence of potassium which prevents the loss of Calcium and helps keep bones intact.Fresh kiwi fruit is a very rich source of heart-healthy electrolyte potassium, which is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure by countering malefic effects of sodium. It also contains good amounts of minerals like manganese, iron and magnesium. These nutrients are important for the development of healthy bone. Apart from this, it contains potassium that is required for development of bone. Potassium is required to prevent the loss of calcium. It increases body capacity to absorb and utilize calcium. So kiwi fruit is effective to protect from osteoporosis.



Cherries - Eating cherry improves brain health due to its rich antioxidants. It prevents degeneration of brain cell thus prevents memory loss. The cherry also contains another antioxidant called Melatonin which due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. It produces a soothing effect on the brain neurons helping to relieve neurosis, insomnia and headaches and calms down nervous system irritability. It was found that individuals with low melatonin levels have experienced heart attacks. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD benefit from eating cherries or drinking cherry juice as the melatonin level increased as it brought about a calming effect on the brain neurons. Melatonin, is also associated with slowing down the aging process.

Carrot - Eating carrots benefits your eyes, but did you know they’re also good for your brain? Carrots contain a significant amount of luteolin, a compound shown to reduce brain inflammation and memory deficits. During normal aging, immune cells in the brain tend to produce more inflammatory molecules, which contribute to memory problems. Luteolin stops the release of these inflammatory molecules in the brain. start to eat carrot or drink carroit juice from now to get active with your brain.