Health and Fitness Oasis

Homeopathy is an alternative form of medicine which has been practiced since ancient times to treat everything from common colds to life threatening illnesses.  Many people who are used to modern medicine may find it suspicious, though it is still one of the most used types of medical treatment worldwide and is steadily gaining popularity in the western world.

Homeopathic medicine is based on three basic principles.  The biggest principle of homeopathy is that like treats like.  Instead of treating based on the disease doctors think you have, treatment is done based on the symptoms you know you have.  The second principle is that there is only one treatment, not two or even ten like a traditional doctor might give you.  The third principle is that everything is given in extremely small doses.

To treat yourself homeopathically, you must figure out all the symptoms.  Once you know your symptoms, you find a substance that causes the exact same set of symptoms and take a small amount of it.  Because you are only taking a very small amount, the substance not only doesn’t harm you, it’s said to cure you, generally long term or even permanently. Read the rest of this entry »

Holistic medicine and health food professionals are extolling the benefits of flaxseed oil and milled flaxseed. This plant, originally found in Europe, has been used as a source of fiber for many years.

Flaxseed contains lignans, which are used to counter hormone related problems and also to ward off the ill effects of bacteria and fungi. There are several studies that show the benefits are extensive while there are other scientists who claim the research isn’t conclusive and more studies are required before physicians could recommend the use of flaxseed oil for specific ailments.

More recently scientists have discovered that the plant and oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for people who are suffering from cardiac problems and lupus. Read the rest of this entry »

When the warm weather comes everyone wants to reach for their favorite swimsuit.  But, often they notice that their stomach is not quite in the shape that they would like it to be.  If you are that person, whether it is warm or cold outside, here are ten tips for a flat stomach.

 It’s important to note that there are no shortcuts to getting a flat stomach or six pack abs. It will take some time & work, but you’ll love the results and they will encourage you to even higher exercise goals.

1. Evaluate your eating habits.  The biggest obstacle to a flat stomach is eating too much fat.  What usually happens is that you have done the work to get your abs in shape but no one (not even you) can see them if they are covered by fatty tissue.

2. Get plenty of protein.  As you work the stomach and other muscles, they will need time to recover.  Protein is the building block of muscle tissue. Read the rest of this entry »

Eating is a part of life.  Your body gets its nutrients from food.  Sometimes we can go overboard with our eating habits and it can result in gaining weight.  One issue with food is emotional eating. 

The problem of emotional eating may end with the scale but it begins in the mind.  Stress takes its toll on your life.  When your defenses are compromised your health takes a hit and so do your emotions. 

Everyone has good days and bad days.  How we deal with the bad ones brings emotional eating into play.  You look for comfort for your hurts.  People who turn to food for comfort find a coping mechanism that won’t judge them, hurt them or tell them “no.” To complicate the issue, eating pleasurable foods can stimulate the release of endorphins just like exercise.  So, after you eat, you feel better.

Emotional eaters use food to relieve stress.  They hide behind the food instead of seeking solutions to the problems.  This is not uncommon when the stressor is something horrible such as physical abuse or a death. Read the rest of this entry »

The expression ‘we are what we eat’ is not just an expression but a reality.  There is a relationship between diet and disease.

Some people believe it’s healthier to be vegetarian. But being vegetarian doesn’t mean you have to eat only vegetables.  There is also the choice of flexitarian and pescatarian.  The Pescatarian is the self-proclaimed vegetarian who abstains completely from meat but eats fish.  While the Flexitarian is the term coined to describe those who eat mostly vegetarian but occasionally eat meat.

The word Flexitarian was originally coined in a magazine review of a new restaurant who described their offerings as ‘flexitarian’; a menu that was leaning towards vegetarianism but with a hint of animal protein. Although this term is recognized in the dictionary, it isn’t recognized by most vegetarian groups.  The idea that a person can be called a vegetarian who eats meat sometimes appears to be paradoxical.

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Something that we all know and hear about all the time, exercise can do a body good. It helps you to stay trim, tone muscles, and helps boost energy levels as well. What you’re probably not aware of, is that exercise can actually help you achieve that great complexion you’ve always wanted.

It’s true that regular exercise will nourish the skin all over the body with fresh blood, oxygen, and nutrients. As well, the increased blood flow and circulation that come with working out will help to draw toxins out of the body and improve the condition of all your vital organs, including your skin.

A lot of people think that sweat can trigger acne flare ups. The fact is, sweating is great for any type of congested skin, as it helps promote the flushing of impurities from the epidermal layer and will clean out the pores. As well, vigorous exercise can actually correct the hormonal imbalances that can trigger blemishes, therefore reducing the likelihood of outbreaks. Read the rest of this entry »

The Acai berry is making an appearance everywhere these days. Oprah has talked about it on her show. Rachel Ray has praised the Acai berry. You can find Acai berry products all over the Internet.

The Acai Berry is a fruit that is found in the Amazon rain forests of Brazil. This fruit grows on the Acai palm tree and is harvested by the natives of the Amazon rain forest.

The Acai berry is approximately the size of a grape, and it is dark purple in color. Ten percent of this berry is skin and pulp and the other ninety percent of the berry is seed. The skin and the pulp are edible and the seed is not.

This berry is rich in nutrients and is considered one of nature’s best super foods. If you were to eat the Acai berry straight from the tree it would taste like a mix between berries and chocolate.
Amazon natives have used this berry for centuries to maintain good health and to provide needed energy. The berry is now available in the United States. Researchers have been preforming studies on the acai berry and the results have been incredible.

Can Acai Berry help me reduce fat?

Acai berry helps with weight loss due to its high concentration of omega fatty acids and fibers. These help to suppress appetite and reduce the accumulation of body fat.
Another theory about the Acai berry and weight loss is that since the Acai berry contains fiber it will help you to feel full on less food and therefore, reduce the number of calories you take in.

This is a good theory because studies have shown that if a person eats a high fiber food before a meal, they will feel full and eat less.  Simply take acai berry supplements before breakfast and before you eat lunch. You will notice a reduction in your appetite and an increase  in metabolism.

The Acai berry promoters also claim that it will increase your energy levels. In fact, professional soccer teams in Brazil will take Acai before they have a match because it increases their stamina and energy levels. So in essence if you have more energy and are able to exercise longer you will notice weight loss.

If you combine Acai berry supplements with a great diet and exercise program you are going to lose weight quicker. The Acai berry can help you drop the pounds easier and  faster.

Acai Berry Research

The acai berry contains high levels of antioxidants and enough vitamins and nutrients to classify it as one of natures best super foods.

Studies have shown that acai pulp contains a remarkable amount of antioxidants that will help to fight  premature aging. In fact, the acai berry contains ten times more antioxidants than red grapes and ten to thirty times the anthocyanins of red wine. That is why it  promotes  healthier looking skin.

Research has also proven that the acai berry contains healthy fats and dietary fiber. These two components are very important when it comes to good cardiovascular health and a healthy digestive system.

The acai berry contains a blend of essential amino acids and vitamins and minerals that will help to maintain proper muscle contraction and regeneration. This is great for those that suffer from painful joints or inflammation.

The fatty acids found in the acai berry help the cell membranes to stay supple. When the cell membranes remain supple this allow for hormones, neurotransmitters and insulin receptors to function at maximum capacity.

The most amazing acai berry research has got to be the studies that took place at the University of Florida a few years ago. The effects of the acai berry were tested against cancer cells.

Research proved that extract from the acai berry triggered a self-destruct response in eighty-six percent of the leukemia cells that were tested. This study seems promising as new uses for the acai berry are coming to light. Does this mean that acai berries are the cure for cancer? No, it just means they can have an impact on cancer cells because of their high levels of antioxidants. But as research continues more uses for the acai berry may come to light. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re like me, always looking for ways to improve your memory and concentration, I’d like to suggest some brain foods to you.

Studies show that certain foods and nutrients can improve memory, concentration and the health of your little gray brain cells. If eaten at the right time, they can even motivate you more. But there is no one magic food. Certain nutrients are used to manufacture brain chemicals that are contained in specific foods. These chemicals prevent brain aging, improve reaction time, concentration and memory.

Proteins are foods that improve your memory by enhancing the brains production of dopamine, which is a natural chemical that helps to keep you alert. However, the dopamine isn’t available to the brain until about four hours after eating foods that contain protein. It is best to keep a steady source of protein available to the body by eating 4-6 ounces of meat or almonds, fish and other protein sources, each day to meet your needs. Read the rest of this entry »

Black Seed Oil comes from the Black Seed herb, also called Nigella sativa. It is also known as “the Blessed Seed” because it is a truly a remarkable herb. The oil has been known for its healing properties since early in history. The old Romans and Egyptians used it to relieve headaches, toothaches and other problems.

The oil is cold-pressed and considered to be a great source of polyunsaturated fatty acids or essential fatty acids. These are needed to build healthy cells and to stimulate the body to produce Prostaglandin E1, which improves calcium movement, regulates hormones, controls cell growth and stops inflammation.

Internally, Black Seed Oil can be taken to stabilize the immune system, protect healthy cells, relieve symptoms of asthma and arthritis and other ailments. Read the rest of this entry »

Recommendations made by the American Heart Association, the National Cholesterol Education Program, and the American Cancer Society suggest fewer calories are received from protein. This provides the body with nutrients deemed essential to building, maintenance, and repair of body tissue.

High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets are promoted in great lengths. Falling under names such as Atkins, Zone, Sonoma and South Beach, they are technically variations of the same trend. They recommend 30% to 50% of the dieters’ total calories be consumed in the form of protein, while stressing removal or drastic reduction of carbohydrate consumption.

How Do These Diets Work?

By restricting carbohydrates to a fraction of what Americans typically eat, the body goes into a metabolic state called ketosis. The body burns its own fat for fuel where it would normally burn carbohydrates instead. A person in a state of ketosis receives energy from ketones, which is the fuel created by the breakdown of small carbon fragments. This leads to the breakdown of fat stores. Bodies in ketosis tend to feel less hungry, resulting in eating less than you might otherwise. However, ketosis can also cause serious health problems.

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