Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Vitamins And Minerals May Boost Immune Function

(NC)-Many experts believe vitamins, especially antioxidant vitamins, help boost the disease-fighting powers of the immune system. Antioxidants are thought to help protect cells in the immune system from damage caused by environmental contaminants, cigarette smoke, radiation and normal wear and tear.Following Canada's Food Guide is a great way to get a full compliment of vitamins and minerals on. . .

Heart Attack Warning Signs

(NC)-Heart disease is a leading cause of death for Canadian men and women.1 Chest pain (a classic symptom of angina or heart attack) occurs when not enough blood is reaching the heart muscles due to the narrowing of the heart's coronary arteries or complete blockage of these arteries. Learn the signs of a heart attack and the steps to take if you or a loved one experience these signs: Uncomfort. . .

Vaccines: Reducing Doctor Visits

(NC)-While vaccines are a proven, safe and effective way to prevent certain life-threatening diseases, myths abound about vaccinations and the risks that they pose to human health. This is a sobering thought when you consider at least two million children die each year from diseases that are vaccine-preventable.Immunization has led to great advances in eradicating common childhood illnesses. Wi. . .

Cetyl Myristoleate for Arthrtis: Science or Speculation

There are a lot of fabulous stories about Cetyl Myristoleate (also known as CMO or CM) floating across the Internet. Mine is one of them. There have been a number of articles published in little known journals or magazines. There have been four small booklets published. One making fantastic claims, all four filled with anecdotal evidence but offering no real research to back up the claims. The. . .

Top 10 Signs That You Have An Anger Problem

1. You display your middle finger on the dashboard before you start the car.2. There are more holes in the walls of your house than there are craters on the moon.3. You thought the movie “Natural Born Killers” was a documentary.4. You joined the Beer & Gun Club.5. Your definition of Anger Management is managing to program the VCR without throwing it across the room first.6. Your bumper sticker . . .

The Destructive Aspects of Anger

"We are here to encounter the most outrageous, brutal, dangerous and intractable of all passions; the most loathsome and unmannerly; nay, the most ridiculous too; and the subduing of this monster will do a great deal toward the establishment of human peace." ­Seneca, Roman philosopher, 50 AD Anger cauuses a bodily reaction. Your sympathetic nervous system and muscles mobilize for physical. . .

Cetyl Myristoleate Seperating Fact From Fiction

I am a strong believer in Cetyl Myristoleate for the treatment of arthritis. For the last three years I have been researching and writing about Cetyl Myristoleate. I am constantly searching for new research and contact and interview every doctor I can find that works with it. The purpose of the article is to evaluate the claims made about Cetyl Myristoleate on the myriad of web sites that sell. . .

The Importance of taking a Multivitamin Supplement

It's absolutely crucial that your body gets the nutrients it needs to function effectively and efficiently. The daily stress of pollution, fatty and processed food, and stress deplete your body of nutrients and it's up to you to replace these nutrients. You can do this through healthy nutrition, or even better, through healthy nutrition and proper supplementation.For the average person, it's di. . .

Diabetes Can Be Deadly - Know What To Do

(NC)-Food is your body's fuel to provide energy to enjoy an active lifestyle. Healthy bodies produce insulin to convert sugar in the blood into energy. For people with diabetes, the body does not produce sufficient insulin and sugar builds up instead of becoming energy. Diabetics have to be careful with diet and exercise and may take insulin regularly to control their condition.Sometimes a pers. . .

The Startling Statistics On Road Rage

* A recent Gallup poll reported that motorists were more worried about road rage (42%) than about drunk driving (35%). - NY Times * The Mizell Report, commissioned by AAA, uncovered 10,037 crashes caused by violent aggressive driving between January 1, 1990 and August 31, 1996. At least 218 men, women and children were killed as a result of these incidents and another 12,610 were injured. . .

The Importance of taking a Calcium Supplement

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and also an important supplement to take. Calcium is needed to form bones and teeth and is also required for blood clotting, transmission of signals in nerve cells, and muscle contraction. The importance of calcium for preventing osteoporosis, however, is probably its most well-known role.While anyone can benefit from taking a calcium suppl. . .

Up Close And Personal With Someone Who Has Lived With Col...

(NC)-Imagine being 41 years old and being told by your family physician that you have colorectal cancer and that it has spread to other areas of your body. Treatment will involve surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.Automatically your mind is racing with all sorts of questions - Am I going to die? How am I going to tell my family? What will the surgery involve? What is chemotherapy and radiation. . .

Hepatitis C: Early Detection Means Better Health

(NC)-Experts estimate that 240,000 people in Canada are currently infected with hepatitis C, of whom only 30% know they have the virus. The only way to find out for sure if you have hepatitis C is through a blood test. Your doctor can order one for you. By taking this action you'll be doing yourself a favour because hepatitis C can be treated only if it has been detected. Untreated hepatitis C . . .

Hepatitis C Virus Lives In Your Liver

(NC)-Your liver works 24 hours a day, performing over 500 vital functions for your body. Most of the blood that returns to your heart passes through the liver. Your body can't function without it. The hepatitis C virus lives in your liver. It inflames liver cells, which, over time, affects the way your liver functions. The effect of the hepatitis C virus varies from person to person. There is n. . .

Ways You Can Get Infected With Hepatitis C

(NC)-Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood. Here are just some of the ways in which you can be infected with this virus:Sharing needles, straws, pipes, spoons and other drug-related equipment. (At least two-thirds of all new hepatitis C infections are drug-use related. Cleaning equipment with bleach does not always effectively kill the virus)Getting a tattoo, body piercing o. . .

The Risks Of Piercing And Tattooing

(NC)-If you plan to get a tattoo, or body piercing, you should know that there is a risk of getting hepatitis C from old, unsterile tattooing needles that have been used on more than one customer, or from unsterile practice by the tattoo artist (i.e. licking the tattooing needle, using the same ink or ink containers for more than one person, or testing needle sharpness by pricking his/her hand.. . .

'Keyhole' Surgery: An Innovative Boon For Live Kidney Donors

(NC)-Each year, a growing number of Canadians make the heartfelt decision to give one of their kidneys to a relative or friend in need.While this life-saving gesture is a blessing for the recipient, it can pose challenges on a number of levels for the donor. The standard practice for removing a kidney is to make a 20- to 30- centimetre incision across the side of the body, go through two to thr. . .

Study Examines Use Of Wireless And Handhelds At Patients'...

(NC)-Researchers are investigating the use of wireless technology and handheld computers to bring quality information about treatment and diagnosis to physicians at the bedside and in the examining room. Earlier research found that when physicians are given the opportunity to request information at the bedside, they used it extensively and it made a difference in their delivery of healthcare by. . .

Today, Living Well Means Making Healthy Choices

Here are some tips to help: o Eat for health as well as for pleasure. o Read food labels carefully - know what you eat. o Follow your body weight, blood pressure and blood values. o Quit smoking - there is a lot of help available once you make the decision. o Make time to exercise regularly at a level appropriate for you. o Explore ways to reduce stress such as meditation or other relaxation t. . .

The Kidney Foundation Promotes Healthy Choices

(NC)-How you live today can make a big difference in how you'll live tomorrow. Making healthy choices early on - what you eat, how active you are, and how you cope with stress or spend your leisure time - has been proven to lower your risk of disease and illness in later years."Chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, which can lead to kidney disease,. . .

What is Hepatitis C?

(NC)-Hepatitis C is an infectious virus that is carried in the blood and harms the liver. About 240,000 Canadians are infected, many of whom are unaware that they even have it. The number of people with hepatitis C is increasing in Canada and around the world, primarily among those who share needles and other drug equipment. An estimated 5,000 Canadians - mostly young people - get this virus ea. . .

Skin Care 101: How To Be 'Skin Smart' This Winter

(NC)-'Skin smart' protection and behavior works from the outside in, and from the inside out. That is, it helps to understand the outer layer of skin, and how skin is formed, so you can do the right things to protect your skin from damage.The epidermis, the skin's outer layer, is coated with a thin film of sebum. This oily liquid is produced by the skin and normally keeps it smooth and supple, . . .

Simple Steps To Avoid 'Winter Itch'

(NC)-Here are some helpful tips you can follow this season to avoid the dry, itchy skin that affects so many Canadians. Make sure you use moisturizers regularly, particularly after bathing. Look for products, such as Uremol, which contain urea, a moisturizing factor and keratolytic agent that removes dead, dry skin to reveal softer skin. Avoid overheating rooms. Use humidifiers to keep heated . . .

Colorectal Cancer - Preventable, Curable And Beatable

(NC)-March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and to ensure Canadians have the necessary information to make informed decisions and choices about their colon health, frequently asked questions are answered below. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer for both men and women in this country, and in 2002 more than 17,000 individuals were diagnosed with the disease. Don't wa. . .

Important Steps That Can Lower Your Risk Of Colorectal Ca...

(NC)-March marks National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Barry Stein, President of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada and a colon cancer survivor, wants Canadians to know that the goal of the campaign is to generate widespread awareness about this disease and to encourage people to learn more about how to reduce their risk of the disease through regular screening and by leading. . .

Psoriasis Itch Causing Marital Tension?

'Scratchless' TipsQ: I have had psoriasis on my scalp for 8 years. My wife has always been very supportive, even helping massage my treatments into my scalp. But, in the past few months, she has started complaining about my constant scratching. Although she knows the scratching relieves the itch, she seems to tolerate it much less than before. The tension is mounting and I'm afraid this can lea. . .

No More Bad Hair Days : Tips For Clearing Stubborn Dandruff

(NC)-Dandruff - that dry, itchy, white flaking of the scalp - affects up to 70% of the population in various degrees of severity. It results from skin cells reproducing too rapidly, producing visible flakes. Dandruff is worse in dry climates and when the hair is not washed often. Mild dandruff can be kept under control with shampoos containing zinc pyrithione such as Dan Gard. What happens when. . .

Save Your Skin By Starting Early

(NC)-Maintaining proper skin-care habits to prevent dry skin throughout the year can go a long way toward keeping your skin moisturized during the harsh winter months. To avoid developing problems, take steps early.Although it can happen at any time of the year, dry skin is usually worse during colder periods when the humidity is low. Cold winds can actually 'pull' water from your skin and the . . .

Fact Sheet: ASPIRIN® - a Trusted Brand

Fact Sheet: ASPIRIN® - a Trusted Brand Acetylsalicylic acid, or ASA, the active ingredient in ASPIRIN® was launched on the German market under the trademark ASPIRIN® in 1899. Today, ASPIRIN® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG in Germany and in more than 80 other countries. With its history, ASPIRIN® has earned the trust of citizens and medical communities worldwide. ASPIRIN®'s mechanism o. . .

Glucosamine Review and Potential Benefits

Something interesting happened as my triceps workouts continued in their intensity. After doing some triceps elbow extensions and numerous other elbow extension exercises, I began to feel effects of what is known as elbow tendonitis. The symptoms generally included a pain with any movement of my elbows. So much so, that even resting my arms on a chair began to have an associated soreness to . . .

Don’t Blow Your Nose In The Water Fountain

We all know the general rules of the gym: don’t drop the weights, wipe your sweat off the machines when you’re done, etc. But do you know all about the more "colorful", lesser known rules of the gym?NOTE: These rules are JOKES! If you ever see any of these rules posted at any gym you ever go to, please take a picture for me!1. Don’t blow your nose in the water fountain.This is a crude habit a. . .

Get a Grip! Get More Out Of Your Biceps Curls

Would you like to know how to get more out of every single dumbell curl you do? Amazingly enough, you can do this simply by changing where you grip the dumbell.First, I’m going to tell you what the trick is, then I’m going to tell you exactly how and why it works. Then I’m going to finish by telling you how to make the trick so powerful it’ll blow your mind!In a nutshell, instead of gripping t. . .

Strong To The Core of Your Being - The Benefits Of Core T...

If you were to ask me which muscle group in your entire body you could work to get the greatest benefits in the shortest amount of time, I would tell you without hesitation, "the core." Strengthening the core can realize tremendous benefits to anyone regardless of his or her training experience and can do so very quickly.But what is the core? The core, as it’s known in strength training circl. . .

Follow the Path of MOST Resistance! Why Weight Training ...

Resistance is NOT futile! When it comes to changing your body for the better quickly and permanently, nothing comes close to good old-fashioned weight training.The shape of your body is determined by three things: muscle, bone and fat. While there’s really nothing you can do about changing your bone structure, there is a whole lot you can do about muscle and fat. This ratio of muscle to fat . . .

The Atkins Diet - Separating Fact From Fiction

Have you ever wished for a diet where you ate bacon, eggs, red meat, butter and sausage all day? Surprise! It’s not the Atkins Diet. The Atkins Diet has been in existence for over 30 years and has enjoyed a surge in popularity over the last few years. Pioneered by Dr. Robert Atkins, the theory behind the Atkins Diet is simple. Your body prefers to utilize carbohydrates (such as in grains, cerea. . .

Will The Real Fitness Hormone Please Stand Up!

WILL THE REAL FITNESS HORMONE PLEASE STAND UP!New Medical Research shows high-intensity exercise can increase the body’s natural production of the fitness hormone by 530%!By Phil Campbell, M.S., M.A., FACHEWhen I completed the research phase for a health and fitness book in 2002, the bio-medical research was complete enough to draw hard conclusions about the type of fitness program that would m. . .

What Do You Mean Low-Intensity Training Isn’t The Best Fo...

But how can this possibly be? Everywhere you look, it’s always said that long-duration, low-intensity training is best for fat loss. All high-intensity work does is burn carbohydrates, right?Wrong.After reading this article, I guarantee you’ll develop a new respect for high-intensity cardio training for fat loss.Low-intensity exercise is defined as working at a heart rate of about 60% to 65% . . .

Resistance Training With Your Dog

You may be wondering, "How can I possibly do resistance training with my dog?" Well, here are a few exercises you can do with the aid of your faithful furry companion. Leg raises - if you have a male dog, he's probably already shown you how to do this one. Abdominal crunches with a paw on your forehead - laying down on the floor and grunting in pain can cause your dog to do it's own investigati. . .

The Most Amazing (and Ridiculously Simple) Trick For Stif...

The stiff-legged deadlift is one of the best exercises you can do for your hamstrings. The only problem is, it can also be one the hardest exercises to perform properly.For years, I tried to feel my hamstrings working when I did the stiff-legged deadlift. I knew it was the best exercise to work the hip extension function of the hamstrings but I never succeeded in feeling my hams work until I . . .

Cracked Up Glossary Of Common Gym Terms

If you’ve ever had occasion to visit a gym, you’ve no doubt heard people talking about "feeling the burn" and "pumping up." But did you ever wonder what people were really saying? Here are some common terms and phrases that will help you to learn what is really going on in the gym. In The Zone - Tired and incoherent during a workout. Commonly described out of the gym as "spaced out." Extende. . .

Target: Rear Delts. One simple movement and they’ll be o...

The Bent-Over Lateral Raise is one of the most common exercises used for working the rear or posterior deltoids. For most trainers, it can be difficult to really feel the rear delts working during this movement as the larger, stronger muscles of the back have a tendency to take over.To really get the most out of this exercise, you need to remove the back muscles from the equation. This can be . . .

Tenderizing Meat and Other Uses For Home Exercise Equipment

Almost everyone has bought home exercise equipment at some point in their life, be it a few rusty dumbells at a garage sale all the way to a complicated new home gym.But how many people continue to use it consistently? Here are some uses (that you should never, ever actually take seriously, of course!) you may not have thought of for your forgotten purchases. Dumbells - The original dark basem. . .

Unstable And Proud Of It! Power to the Push-Ups!

When I get finished teaching you this never-before-seen version of the push-up, you’re going to think that either I’m crazy or a genius or both! Of course, the results you’ll get from it will speak for themselves.First, we need to set the stage for this version of the push-up. To begin with, exercises that move your body rather than the weight (such as the push-up) have been shown to fire mor. . .

How Stretching Can Explode Your Muscle Growth

When you think about gaining muscle, stretching is probably not the first thing that pops into your head. But did you know that stretching plays a critical role in building muscle?Every muscle in your body is enclosed in a bag of tough connective tissue known as fascia. Fascia is important for holding your muscles in their proper place in your body.But your fascia may also be holding back you. . .

Pizza, French Fries, Beer and Other Diet Foods...

Now this is the real American Dream! I’m here to let you know that it is totally possible to lose all the fat you want while eating nothing but junk food. The only hitch is that all the fat you want to lose is going to have to be zero!Here are some tongue-in-cheek (or burger-in-belly) suggestions for how you can turn even the greasiest, sugariest, most overprocessed calorie bomb into lean, me. . .

Secret Training Tip #242 - Be 10% Stronger in Leg Curls ...

This is a trick to be done on a leg curl machine. By simply changing where you grip your hands on the machine, you can increase your strength in the movement by as much as 10% instantly! Lie face down on the bench as you normally would when doing the exercise. Instead of gripping the machine on the handles below the bench with your arms bent, extend your arms straight overhead in front and grab. . .

10 Things You Can Do To Lose Fat Without Even Trying

1. Eat smaller more frequent meals - not only is your metabolism boosted every time you eat something, your body can more efficiently process smaller meals. Instead of having 3 large meals in a day, try to break them up into 5 or 6 smaller meals.2. Drink more water - regular water intake helps to flush away waste products in the body. Get at least six to eight 8 oz. glasses per day. An eas. . .

Back To School : Chemical Poisoning - A Threat To Everyone

About The AuthorrNews Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web. News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The se. . .

Are You At Risk For Having High Cholesterol?

Take the cholesterol test to see if you have any risk factors(NC)-High cholesterol is a common medical condition, affecting approximately eight million Canadians. Since high cholesterol cannot be felt, many people do not fully understand the effect it can have on their arteries and heart. High cholesterol is a contributing factor for the development of heart disease.1. If any of these apply to . . .

Health Alert: You Must React Immediately To Potentially L...

(NC)-Does this sound familiar? Your doctor has shown you how to use an auto-injector for adrenaline in the event of a severe allergy attack, but you are dreading the day it is needed. At the same time, you also know that your child's life could be saved by the correct use of this medicine. These anxieties are natural for parents, so it may relieve you to know that help is on its way. Currently . . .