Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Safely Transitioning Off Meal Replacement Plans

Meal replacements have been part of the diet landscape for decades. They have helped numerous people lose weight, and more importantly, they have helped people learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy eating choices. Both quantity and quality of life improvements can be credited to the concept of meal replacement solutions.Those that have successfully relied upon a meal replacement . . .

The Zone Diet Explained

Developed by Barry Sears PhD, the 'Zone Diet' is the latest in a long line of attempts to get a fresh angle on weightloss, and is currently among the 5 most popular diets in the States, partly because dieters report losing up to 5 pounds in the first week, and up to 1.5 pounds each week thereafter. Dr Sears main thrust is that food is 'medecine' for the body, and not just the 'fuel'. He propose. . .

StriVectin-SD Offers a Safe Alternative to Botox

We all know that botox is fast becoming one of the most popular ways for people to get rid of those irritating fine lines and wrinkles that naturally go along with aging. It is also one of the leading reasons why so many people that you meet these days seems to look permanently surprised or unable to show any emotion in their faces. With that in mind; alternative methods for getting rid of thos. . .

Personal Wellness Program

Having a personal wellness program has become a concern for more and more people. The problem is many people do not know where to begin a wellness program. Here are a few keys to maintaining a personal wellness program:Know and understand your current health situation. Do you have a proper assessment of your current state of health? Do you have a bad cholesterol problem? Or maybe you have good. . .

Knee Pain and Running

Running with knees that hurt and are not getting better trough time is no fun, and being addicted to running doesn’t help either.Fortunately, pain isn’t always a definite sign of tissue damage; instead it can be protective pain that is coming from entities called myofascial trigger points.Pain from trigger points can feel like its coming from knee joint or patellae, while it’s actually coming f. . .

Do You Have A Healthy Brain? The Secret to Mental Agility

We all know to exercise our bodies to keep fit, but how often do you think about exercising your brain? And what type of exercise does it need anyway? What are the facts? What is the secret to mental agility?Keeping mentally active will keep your brain in good shape. Getting older does not mean that you have to be forgetful!Recent research into Alzheimer's disease found that people who were l. . .

The Benefits of Green TeaReduce Smoking Risks: Green Tea ...

In an article, "The Irreversible Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking", Paul H. Brodish, MSPH of the American Council on Science and Health defined irreversible health effect as a permanent change in the structure and/or function of an organ system or a permanently increased risk of suffering from a disease or some other threat to health. Thus, in Brodish' article, he does not expound on th. . .

Menopause and Progesterone

Do women going through menopause have lowered levels of progesterone? Recent research tells us that women do suffer from decreased levels of progesterone and also experience other symptoms such as unexplained weight gain (particularly in the stomach area), depression, fatigue, hair loss, memory loss, mood swings, migraines and loss of libido. A natural cream can balance estrogens without side e. . .

Tips on Nutrition (Proper Nourishment for Your Body)

It is a must for all of us to be conscious of the proper nourishment that our body needs. While all of us are aware that it is important to have an intake of three complete meals per day, with at least snacks in between, many, though, are not very conscious of meeting the body’s daily nutritional needs, while attending to their daily menu. Knowing the importance of balancing each meal accordin. . .

Who Is At Increased Risk For Developing Mesothelioma?

Since the late 1800's Asbestos has been mined and used commercially. The use of Asbestos dramatically increased during World War II and since the early 1940's millions of Americans have been exposed to asbestos dust working within industries where initally the risks were not known. There has been widespread exposure to Asbestos by workers within shipyards, mines and mills, producers of asbestos. . .

Understanding Amino Acids and their Importance in Diet

The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well known to nutritional scientists, and widely understood by the general population. Indeed, every bodily system is directly or indirectly supported by protein. For example, protein supports the structural development of cells, helps ensure the integrity of tissue, aids digestion, carries hormones, and strengthens the immune system[i]. More r. . .

Protein Principles for Diabetes

Dietary considerations can present a Hobson’s choice in diabetes. Even when the intake is nutritious, assimilating it can be another matter. Then there is the problem of progression of diabetic complications if one ends up with excess glucose or fat in the system. Excess carbohydrates in a meal, and the resulting uncontrolled blood sugar levels can be detrimental to any number of tissues, from . . .

The Glycemic Index and Dieting

The field of nutrition is awash with charts, tables, diagrams, models, acronyms, and abbreviations; more than the average person can memorize. As such, one often comes across someone who has simply burnt out trying to keep track of how much to eat, when to eat it, how to find the calories from fat, the RDI, the DV, and so on. There is an overkill of useful information within the nutrition fie. . .

Beyond Macronutrients and the Importance of Vitamin Suppl...

Most healthy eaters are familiar with the three macronutrients that garner the most media attention within the diet world: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Indeed, some highly regarded eating programs, such as the Isometric Diet®, are designed to deliver an optimal balance of these three macronutrients. Yet what is often overlooked in a nutrition vocabulary dominated by talk of proteins, ca. . .

Why Many Fat Free Diets Do Not Work

Most people understand that it is wise to limit the amount of fat grams in their daily diet. The dietary reference intake amount for an adult ranges from 20% to 35%[i] of daily calories; or about 44 to 55 grams per day[1]. Since a single slice of pecan pie carries with it 27 grams of fat, and a mere tablespoon of thousand island salad dressing contains 8 grams of fat[ii], it is not surprising. . .

How To Jump Rope For Health and Fitness

Rope skipping is an excellent cardiovascular exercise according to the U.S. Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Council. It is far less hard on the muscles and bones than jogging. While running or jogging, each foot absorbs up to 5 times the body weight from the force of the impact as the foot hits the ground. This force of hitting the ground can cause damage to the feet, ankles, hips and knees. . .

Redeeming Unsaturated Fat

The most dreaded word in many dieter’s vocabulary is ‘fat’. It is not uncommon to hear a dieter discuss their avoidance of eating fat as if it were something thoroughly unwholesome, or even life-threatening, like an allergen, or a contagious disease. In one way, this impassioned hatred of fat is positive. It reflects a generally understood medical truth that overindulging in fat-rich foods o. . .

Food Selection for Gastric Bypass Patients

Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively “stuck” with their excess fat may be surprised to learn there is a scientifically-accurate truth to their statement. Fat cells -- which are created when the body is unable to convert excess calories to energy -- are permanent. Fat cells cannot be removed by any diet known to humanity [1]. They can, however, be reduced in size. This is the. . .

Omega 3 and Reduced Risk of Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction is a technical term used to describe an irreversible injury to heart muscle. It is normally used as a synonym for a heart attack and will be so used in this essay. Myocardial infarction is normally related to progressive atherosclerosis (blockage of the arteries.) Essentially the heart is slowly starved of oxygen and stops functioning properly causing irreparable damage an. . .

Omega-3 And Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is responsible for numerous deaths in the U.S. and other countries around the world. It is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack normally occurs when advanced atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries) slowly starves the heart causing irreversible damage. The heart finally cannot function properly and stops. Sudden cardiac death occurs when the electrical imp. . .

Why Do Weight Loss Diets Fail?

Most Americans wish that they weighed less than they do. Two-thirds of us are overweight. At the same time, there are literally hundreds of weight loss programs--each one promising that it will help you finally lose those extra pounds. Some of them work--and you are able to lose weight. But most people gain back the weight they lost--and more--when they begin to eat normally again. Why do these. . .

Fish Oils And A Plethora of Chronic Health Problems

I recently heard of an older couple that eats salmon every day for breakfast. To my finicky palate that does not sound as appetizing as waffles. Why do they do it? They argue that salmon is the most perfect food on the planet, full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They do it because they plan on living a long time.Most of us know that fish makes for a healthier dinner than steak. It is lower. . .

Childhood Obesity

Along with the increase of obesity in adult, childhood obesity is on the rise. Around 15.5 percent of adolescents in the United States, aged 12 to 19 are obese. Even more alarming, about 15.3 percent of children ages 6 to 11 are obese. These children are developing Type II Diabetes and high blood pressure at an early age. They are placing themselves at increased risk for heart disease and other. . .

Low-Carb: The Role of Insulin

There are three basic units the body uses for energy: Fats Proteins CarbohydratesAll three can be converted to blood glucose. However, while fats and proteins are converted slowly, carbohydrates are converted quickly causing quick spikes in the body’s blood sugar levels. These spikes in blood sugar levels cause the pancreas to create and release insulin until the blood sugar level returns to no. . .

3 Easy Dieting Success Tips

1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each dayOkay, for many people this is a big problem. Water doesn’t taste all that great generally because water doesn’t really “taste” like anything. Drinking water 8 to 10 times each day gets easier the more you actually do it. It is simply a matter of conditioning your taste buds, and yourself, so that it becomes easier to do. Once you get started, you will begi. . .

Calculating Your Calorie Needs

In order to eat fewer calories than you need, you have to determine how many calories you actually need. Adults can calculate their approximate energy needs using the following formula: Body weight multiplied by 12 (for men) or 11 (for women) e.g., 150 lbs. x 12 = 1800 Activity One third body weight multiplied by the number of hours you don't sleep, typically 16 hours 150 lbs. x 1/3 = 50 x 16 =. . .

Five Ways to Fit Fitness Into Your Life

Everyone is pressed for time these days. It does not have to mean that fitness can't be a part of your life. In as little as 10 minutes a day, you can begin to make positive changes to your body.People often have an all or nothing idea about exercise. They feel that if they can't fit in an hour of exercise that they will do nothing instead.Successful exercisers make fitness an important part of. . .

Dealing with Workplace Stress

One of the hardest forms of stress to avoid is workplace stress. After all, you need to go to work and there are plenty of things to worry about once you get there. However, that does not mean that workplace stress is unavoidable. Just like other kinds of stress, there are ways to manage workplace stress and there are ways to avoid it. Maybe you cannot avoid it entirely, but that is no reas. . .

Computer Stress

Of all the forms of stress in today's world, computer stress is the one that is on the rise the fastest. Computers are wonderful machines, but they can also stress out workers by their sometimes confusing demands, their constant presence and their simple inability to work properly. Thus, computer stress must be understood and it must find an outlet or computer users will find themselves even . . .

Combating the Effects of Stress

The effects of stress are many and varied and, it is now known, they are almost all entirely bad. Stress weakens the system, tears down the body and mind, and causes long-term health problems that have been documented in numerous studies and reports. Thus, stress is ultimately a bad thing that should be avoided. By keeping stress away, you can help ensure a lifetime of health and keep yourse. . .

Environmental Stress

An increasing problem in today's world is environmental stress. This is a type of stress caused by increasing pollution in air we breathe, the water we drink, and even in the sounds we hear. Though environmental stress seems to be simply a physical problem, it can actually alter the ways that our minds work. However, too much environmental stress can also cause physical problems that will ru. . .

How Is Mesothelioma Treated?

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. However, they may have been been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways. This could include working with asbestos or by home renovation using asbestos cement products or even by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos. The resulting disease is rare form of cancer in . . .

Programming Brief: Exercise Order

One of the fundamental principles of exercise prescription, specifically resistance training, is the principle of exercise order. Which exercises do I do first? Which do I do last? Does exercise order really matter? From personal observations in the weight room, it would seem to many it doesn’t matter. However, if you want an effective exercise program you must consider the order of the ex. . .

The Utopia of Now

Where am I running? What am I looking for? It seems like a funny idea and yet I, like many others, am running towards a utopia that I will never find. Sometimes I think that human beings are designed this way, programmed in constant search of a light at the end of the tunnel.What does it take to live peacefully in the moment? How can I be fully satisfied with the status quo? Perhaps I need. . .

Vitamin Intro

Today in our modern age we have just about every supplement possible. Every vitamin from a-z can be found in supplement form. Along with vitamins, herbal capsules and high concentrated of other things such as bee pollen and folic acid are common. Todays fast paced and unhealthy diets have lead to a dependency on a multi or daily vitamin. Although our bodies produce most of the necessary nutrien. . .

South Beach Diet Overview

Developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, The South Beach Diet touts itself as teaching dieters to eat the right carbs and the right fats. The diet has three phases. In the first dieter’s banish their bad carb cravings and induce rapid weight loss. In the second phase, some types of carbs are reintroduced and weight loss is slower. The final phase is the “Diet for Life” phase. This is the maintenance d. . .

You Are Getting Very Sleepy...The Truth about Hypnosis

A hypnotic “trance” is not something that is foreign to us--we’ve all been so absorbed in thought while reading a book or watching a movie that we fail to notice what is happening around us. These focused states of attention are similar to hypnosis. Simply put, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use them more powerfully. In this condition, we can tap into normally unuse. . .

Healthy Chocolate for Your Valentine

Let's face it. We're all going to eat chocolate for Valentine's Day. But there's no need to feel guilty! Chocolate is actually good for you…it's all the things added to it that are the problem. Here's how you can choose delicious healthy chocolates for your Valentine. HEALTH BENEFITS The gift of chocolate to a beloved as a token of love is more than just tradition. Naturally-occurring compounds. . .

Choosing the Right Multivitamin

Choosing the right multivitamin can be a difficult undertaking. With so many choices on the market, its important to know a little bit behind the scenes in order to make the right choice. So what do you look for in a multi-vitamin? Well, that varies depending on your needs, but to fulfill the basic purpose of a multi-vitamin, it needs to contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. By now y. . .

Personal Fitness Goals And Keeping Them

Fall of last year you figured a donut once in an awhile or some other fat and sugar laden nasty food wouldn’t hurt. Your excuse it is the” muscle-bulking season” or you will ”work it off”. The next thing you know your waist measurement is almost the same size of your chest. You look in the mirror and you see your v-taper look like a square block. You say to your self “what the heck happen t. . .

Pet Food - What’s Wrong with a Commercial Diet?

Commercial dog food has only been around since the 1930s when cereal companies were trying to find something to do with their rejected grain their wheat and rice and corn that failed USDA inspection, usually because of mold. They discovered that the meat industry faced the same problem. Leftover meat not fit for human consumption, usually because the livestock was diseased.This gave birth to th. . .

Why Do We Get Fever?

God provided us with an ingenious body that knows what to do when something unwelcome invades it. As an animal must defend itself against enemies, so does our body fight bacteria or viruses when they try to occupy our system.The normal body temperature of a healthy man is 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit. When bacteria, viruses, or even fungi, invade our body it usually results to an infection. When our. . .

Medical Spa Menu Offers Hope for Long-Term Blemishes

A medical spa menu usually covers a range of services and treatments from pure cosmetic to deeper corrective treatments. A basic medical spa menu may include: Face Treatments Body Treatments Corrective Skin Care Photorejuvenation Laser Hair Removal BOTOX Cosmetic Restylane Collagen Microdermabrasion Vein Treatments Cellulite Therapy Corrective PeelsBeyond that, some menus include ex. . .

Ayurveda - Principles & Practice

Ayurveda - Principles & PracticeAyurveda which has been evolved around 600 BC, apart from treating ailments concentrated more in its prevention. This was followed by the Aryans & Dravidians who were inhabiting India and has been practiced ever since. In the 21st century, Ayurveda has become an indispensable branch of medicine due to its naturalistic approach, that depends on the diagnosis of o. . .

Natural Remedies for Hairloss

As many as 75% of men may suffer 'male pattern baldness' as they grow older. If your father, or either of your grandfathers had noticeable balding, the chances are high that you may, too. The news isn't all bad, of course. New research seems to indicate that the typical 'horseshoe' male balding is in fact a sign of an ultra-strong immune system, making the carriers of the genes that dicatate th. . .

Diets and Slimming

Its time to talk about diets. This but in America today there are many people who are overweight and, many of us need to think very seriously about a diet. I don’t like diets and I bet most of you don’t like them as well, but it’s a fact of life that many people in the US need to think about how to improve their well being. To help do this, one of the best ways is to diet. I didn’t want to get . . .

Vitamins and their usefulness

What is a vitamin? Well a vitamin is an organic compound which is vital for the growth of your body. Put in simpler terms, that means it’s just a natural chemical. There are 13 essential vitamins and each one has a special purpose in your body. The lack of one vitamin will lead to a vitamin deficiency There are two distinct types of vitamins, those soluble in water and those soluble in fats. Vi. . .

What Exactly Is Good Nutrition?

Secretly we all want just a few things in life, none the least of which is to live a life that is healthy and energetic. One way to accomplish this is to eat a well balanced diet that fuels the body to take on life’s challenges.Did you know that one of the best things you can do to improve your overall health and well being is to eat a diet that is well rounded and nutritious?Diet can make the . . .

The Fail-Safe Weight Loss Formula

Yes Virginia, the fail-safe weight loss formula exists. It’s so simple, we overlook it. Instead, we focus on the latest fad diet or the newest exercise video. The fail-safe weight loss formula appears in an audio program authored by the self-help guru Brian Tracey. Here’s his version of this formula . . . Eat LESS, Exercise MORE. GUARANTEED EVERY TIMEDisappointed? So was I. After all, we are ve. . .

Intractable Back Pain and Trigger Point Injections

Ever enigmatic back pain has been in the past largely blamed on the discs and other pathological factors.But with the help of new imagining technology, degenerative changes have been found from so many people living completely pain free, that it just doesn’t make much sense for them to be the main villain behind pain.While doctors agree that back pain is often muscular, in the sense that there . . .