MAV's Healthy Tips

Gastroenteritis

2012-01-12T18:45:00.000-08:00

Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal tract). The most common symptoms are

diarrhea,
crampy abdominal pain,
nausea,
vomiting.

Many people also refer to gastroenteritis as "stomach flu." This can sometimes be confusing because influenza (flu) symptoms include headache, muscle aches and pains, and respiratory symptoms, but influenza does not involve the gastrointestinal tract.

The term stomach flu presumes a viral infection, even though there may be other causes of infection.

Viral infections are the most common cause of gastroenteritis but bacteria, parasites, and food-borne illnesses (such as shellfish) can also be the offending agents. Many people who experience vomiting and diarrhea that develops from these types of infections or irritations think they have "food poisoning," when they actually may have a food-borne illness.

Travelers to foreign countries may experience "traveler's diarrhea" from contaminated food and unclean water.

The severity of infectious gastroenteritis depends on the immune system's ability to resist the infection. Electrolytes (these include essential elements of sodium and potassium) may be lost as the affected individual vomits and experiences diarrhea.

Most people recover easily from a short episode of vomiting and diarrhea by drinking fluids and gradually progressing to a normal diet. But for others, such as infants and the elderly, loss of bodily fluid with gastroenteritis can cause dehydration, which is a life-threatening illness unless the condition is treated and fluids restored.

Resource: www.emedicinehealth.com

Abdominal Exercise

2011-12-22T00:12:00.000-08:00

1. Lie on the floor with your back flat and knees bent with around a 60-degree angle between the hamstrings and the calves.
   2. Keep your feet flat on the floor and stretch your arms overhead with your palms crossed. This will be your starting position.
   3. Curl your upper body forward and bring your shoulder blades just off the floor. At all times, keep your arms aligned with your head, neck and shoulder. Don't move them forward from that position. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement and hold the contraction for a second.
   4. Slowly lower down to the starting position as you inhale.
   5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Variations: For the most advanced lifters, a weighted plate can be held in your hands.

source: http://www.bodybuilding.com

10 tips to lose weight

2011-12-08T01:07:00.000-08:00

1. Drink plenty of water. First how to lose weight fast tip is that our body needs a lot of water so give in to water. Water is not just way to flush out toxin but if you have more water in your body you will generally feel healthier and fitter. This it self will discourage any tendency to gorge. The best thing about water is that is has no calories at all. Drink water before meal and while eating, drink water after you eat it's a way of making yourself full.

2. Choose fresh fruit to processed fruits.Processed and canned fruits do not have as much fiber as fresh fruit and processed and canned fruits are nearly always sweetened.

3. Increase your fiber intake. Like I mentioned, the body needs a lot of fiber. So try to include in your diet as many fruits and vegetables as you can.

4. Start loving vegetables. Vegetables are your best bet when it comes to how to lose weight fast. Nature has a terrific spread when it comes to choosing vegetables. And the leafy green vegetables are your best bet. Try to include a salad in you diet always.

5. Watch what you eat. Keep a watchful eye on every thing that goes in. Sometimes the garnishes can richer than the food itself. Accompaniments too can be very rich. Remember that it is the easiest thing in the world to eat something without realizing that it was something that you should not have eaten. Selective memory you know.

6. Quit snacking in between meals. Do not fall for snacks in between meals. This is especially true for those who have to travel a lot. They feel that the only time they can get a bite to eat is snacks and junk food. The main problem with most snacks and junk food is that they are usually less filling and contain a lot of fat and calories. Just think about French fries tempting but terribly fattening.

7. be sure to burn out those extra calories by the end of the week. If you feel that you have consumed more calories than you should have during the week, it happens you know, and then make sure that you work off those extra calories by the end of the week.

8. Do not skip meals. The worst thing you can do while watching you diet is skip a meal. It has just the opposite effect of what you want. You need to have at least four regular meals every day.

9. When you do notice a change, reward yourself. When I say reward I do not mean go for some goodies like chocolates or sweets. Maybe you could go for a movie or buy yourself something like a new dress or a trinket. This is something that can keep you going. It is a good idea to save on the money that you wanted to spend on ice creams and chocolates and then treat your self to something more substantial.

10.Exercise out doors as far as possible. There are two advantages of doing whatever you are doing out side. One advantage is that it gives your body a chance to get a lot of the much needed fresh air and sunshine. The second advantage is that the surroundings keep you perked up and it is a break form remaining cooped up all day long.

source: http://www.fitnesstipsforlife.com

a Bowl of Oatmeal a day

2011-12-06T01:51:00.000-08:00

This past days I started to have my oatmeal as my breakfast diet, I learned that it has a lot of health benefits, it has Soluble fiber that may reduce LDL cholesterol (Low-density lipoprotein) without lowering HDL cholesterol(High-density lipoprotein). LDL is bad; HDL is good. Oatemeal also is a good source of vitamin E that will help our metabolic process.

What a great way to start a day, so stay healthy and fit.

Swak for your budget : Rice De Luxe Recipe

2011-11-17T19:36:00.000-08:00

Rice De Luxe

Ingredients

1 pc    egg, beaten
7 cloves    garlic, crushed
1 pc    small onion, chopped
100 g    pork pigue, cut into strips
125 g    chicken giblets, cut into cubes
3/4 cup    chicharo
130 g    sayote, cut into cubes

Procedures

1. COOK egg as in omelette. Cut into strips and set aside.

2. SAUTè garlic, onion, pork and chicken giblets. Add 1 tsp iodized fine salt (or 1 tbsp iodized rock salt), 1-1/2 tsp sugar and 1/8 tsp pepper. Add vegetables and DEL MONTE Spaghetti Sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.

3. ADD cooked rice. Blend thoroughly. Top with egg strips just before serving
1 pc    small red bell pepper, sliced
1 pouch (250 g)     DEL MONTE Italian Style Spaghetti Sauce
3-2/3 cups    cooked rice

source :http://www.kitchenomics.com

Tips to Avoid Pimples

2011-10-27T02:22:00.000-07:00

1. Wash face 2-3 times daily.

2. Use a gentle, water-soluble cleanser and tepid water.

3. Use non-comedogenic moisturizers and makeup.

4. Avoid overmoisturizing the skin. Use the lightest-weight moisturizer necessary.

5. Use a mud mask once a week to clean out pores.

6. Try a medicated refining mask that cleanses and corrects problem skin.

7. Wash makeup brushes and sponges frequently to minimize dirt and bacteria.

source: eHow.com

Tips on How to sleep better : Eat right and get regular exercise

2011-10-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

Your daytime eating and exercise habits play a role in how well you sleep. It’s particularly important to watch what you put in your body in the hours leading up to your bedtime.

    1. Stay away from big meals at night. Try to make dinnertime earlier in the evening, and avoid heavy, rich foods within two hours of bed. Fatty foods take a lot of work for your stomach to digest and may keep you up. Also be cautious when it comes to spicy or acidic foods in the evening, as they can cause stomach trouble and heartburn.

    2. Avoid alcohol before bed. Many people think that a nightcap before bed will help them sleep. While it may make you fall asleep faster, alcohol reduces your sleep quality, waking you up later in the night. To avoid this effect, so stay away from alcohol in the hours before bed.

    4. Cut down on caffeine. You might be surprised to know that caffeine can cause sleep problems up to ten to twelve hours after drinking it! Consider eliminating caffeine after lunch or cutting back your overall intake.

    5. Avoid drinking too many liquids in the evening. Drinking lots of water, juice, tea, or other fluids may result in frequent bathroom trips throughout the night. Caffeinated drinks, which act as diuretics, only make things worse.

    6. Quit smoking. Smoking causes sleep troubles in numerous ways. Nicotine is a stimulant, which disrupts sleep. Additionally, smokers actually experience nicotine withdrawal as the night progresses, making it hard to sleep.

Smoking kills

2011-09-27T02:36:00.000-07:00

do you still want to continue smoking? ...

. . .think again..

According to recent studies, every year hundreds of thousands of people all over the globe die from medical complications caused by smoking. Aside from the stench it leaves on one's clothes, breath, and hair, it also has other complications. Here are some of the different effects of smoking:

Immediate effects upon smoking a cigarette stick:

Raises a person's blood pressure and heart rate.
Decreases a person's blood flow to body extremities like the fingers and toes.
The brain and the nervous system is stimulated for a short time and then reduced.
Dizziness.
Nausea.
Watery eyes.
Hyper acidity.
Weakened sense of taste and smell.
Loss of appetite.
Shortness of breath.
Chronic coughing.
Reduced overall fitness.
Yellowish stain on the smoker's fingers and teeth.
Smokers experience more coughs and colds as compared to non-smokers.
Difficulty recovering from minor illnesses.
Impotence for men, infertility for women.
Facial wrinkles appear at an early age, making them look older than non-smokers of the same age.

World Heart Day

2011-09-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

World Heart Day was created in 2000 to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year.

Together with its members, the World Heart Federation spreads the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors, tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are controlled.

World Heart Day will take place on 29 September each year.

National activities such as public talks and screenings, walks and runs, concerts or sporting events are organized worldwide by members and partners of the World Heart Federation.

Resource: www.world-heart-federation.org

Tips to prevent knee pain

2011-09-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

Knee pain has a host of causes. Many types of pain are difficult to prevent, but you can do some general things to reduce the likelihood of sustaining a knee injury.

1. Stay slim

- Staying slim reduces the forces placed on the knee during both athletics and everyday walking and may, according to some medical research, reduce osteoarthritis.
-Keeping your weight down may also reduce the number of ligament and tendon injuries for similar reasons.

2. Keep limber, keep fit

          - Many knee problems are due to tight or imbalanced musculature. Stretching and strengthening, therefore, also help to prevent knee pain.
          - Stretching keeps your knee from being too tight and aids in preventing both patellofemoral syndrome and iliotibial band syndrome.
         - Strengthening exercises particularly of the quadriceps (straight leg raises and leg extensions are two excellent exercises, but please see a book on exercise and training for more) can help prevent knee injury.

   3. Exercise wisely

         - If you have chronic knee pain, consider swimming or water exercises.
         - In water, the force of buoyancy supports some of our weight so our knees do not have to.
         - If you don't have access to a pool or do not enjoy water activities, at least try to limit hard pounding and twisting activities such as basketball, tennis, or jogging.
         - You may find that your aching knees will act up if you play basketball or tennis every day but will not if you limit your pounding sports to twice a week.
         - Whatever you do, respect and listen to your body. If it hurts, change what you are doing.
         -If you are fatigued, consider stopping; many injuries occur when people are tired.

    4. Protect the knee

         - Wearing proper protection for the activity at hand can help avoid knee injuries.
          - When playing volleyball or when laying carpet, protecting your knees may include knee pads.
         - When driving, knee protection may include wearing a seat belt to avoid the knee-versus-dashboard injuries as well as injuries to other parts of your body.

site source: www.emedicinehealth.com

Durian Health benefit

2011-09-21T02:16:00.000-07:00

- Durian is rich in dietary fiber, which makes it a good bulk laxative. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.

- Durian fruit is a good source of antioxidant vitamin-C (about 33% of RDA). Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals.

- is an excellent source of many health benefiting B-complex groups of vitamins; a rare feature among fruits, such as niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish.

- It also contain good amount of minerals like manganese, copper, iron and magnesium. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.

-Fresh durian fruit is a very rich source of potassium. Potassium in an important electrolyte of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

- It also contains high levels of essential amino acid, tryptophan (also known as "nature's sleeping pill") which in the body metabolizes into serotonin and melatonin; these neuro-chemicals have an important functions like sleep induction and in the treatment of epilepsy.

Dengue

2011-09-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. It occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Symptoms appear 3—14 days after the infective bite. Dengue fever is a febrile illness that affects infants, young children and adults.

Symptoms range from a mild fever, to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue. It is important to maintain hydration. Use of acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. aspirin) and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Ibuprofen) is not recommended.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever (fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding) is a potentially lethal complication, affecting mainly children. Early clinical diagnosis and careful clinical management by experienced physicians and nurses increase survival of patients

Characteristics

Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.

The clinical features of dengue fever vary according to the age of the patient. Infants and young children may have a fever with rash. Older children and adults may have either a mild fever or the classical incapacitating disease with abrupt onset and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and rash.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, often with enlargement of the liver, and in severe cases circulatory failure. The illness often begins with a sudden rise in temperature accompanied by facial flush and other flu-like symptoms. The fever usually continues for two to seven days and can be as high as 41°C, possibly with convulsions and other complications.

In moderate DHF cases, all signs and symptoms abate after the fever subsides. In severe cases, the patient's condition may suddenly deteriorate after a few days of fever; the temperature drops, followed by signs of circulatory failure, and the patient may rapidly go into a critical state of shock and die within 12 to 24 hours, or quickly recover following appropriate medical treatment (see below).

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever.

For DHF, medical care by physicians and nurses experienced with the effects and progression of the complicating haemorrhagic fever can frequently save lives - decreasing mortality rates from more than 20% to less than 1%. Maintenance of the patient's circulating fluid volume is the central feature of DHF care.

Immunization

There is no vaccine to protect against dengue. Although progress is underway, developing a vaccine against the disease - in either its mild or severe form - is challenging.

With four closely related viruses that can cause the disease, the vaccine must immunize against all four types to be effective.

There is limited understanding of how the disease typically behaves and how the virus interacts with the immune system.

There is a lack of laboratory animal models available to test immune responses to potential vaccines.

Despite these challenges, two vaccine candidates have advanced to evaluation in human subjects in countries with endemic disease, and several potential vaccines are in earlier stages of development. WHO provides technical advice and guidance to countries and private partners to support vaccine research and evaluation.

Amebiasis

2011-09-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

Definition of Amebiasis

Amebiasis is an infection of the intestine, liver, or other tissues by pathogenic amebas (protozoan parasites).

Description of Amebiasis

Infection is typically by the organism Entamoeba histolytica, acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated by infected feces.

Entamoeba histolytica is an ameba, a type of single-celled animal that multiplies by simple division and moves around in the intestine, scavenging for small morsels of food and bacteria.

People can have the ameba in their intestines and excrete amebic cysts, but have no symptoms.

Most cases of amebiasis have very mild symptoms or none.

More severe infection may cause fever, profuse diarrhea, abdominal pain, jaundice, anorexia, and weight loss.

Treatment

Most individuals with amebiasis may be treated on an outpatient basis.

Be sure to drink clean water, and take medication with proper prescription by your doctor.

Health Benefits of Sex

2011-09-03T04:26:00.000-07:00

1. Sex Relieves Stress

A big health benefit of sex is lower blood pressure and overall stress reduction, according to researchers from Scotland who reported their findings in the journal BiologicalPsychology. They studied 24 women and 22 men who kept records of their sexual activity. Then the researchers subjected them to stressful situations -- such as speaking in public and doing verbal arithmetic -- and noted their blood pressure response to stress.

Those who had intercourse had better responses to stress than those who engaged in other sexual behaviors or abstained.

Another study published in the same journal found that frequent intercourse was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure in cohabiting participants. Yet other research found a link between partner hugs and lower blood pressure in women.

2. Sex Boosts Immunity

Good sexual health may mean better physical health. Having sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which can protect you from getting colds and other infections. Scientists at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., took samples of saliva, which contain IgA, from 112 college students who reported the frequency of sex they had.

Those in the "frequent" group -- once or twice a week -- had higher levels of IgA than those in the other three groups -- who reported being abstinent, having sex less than once a week, or having it very often, three or more times weekly.

3. Sex Burns Calories

Thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more. It may not sound like much, but it adds up: 42 half-hour sessions will burn 3,570 calories, more than enough to lose a pound. Doubling up, you could drop that pound in 21 hour-long sessions.

"Sex is a great mode of exercise," says Patti Britton, PhD, a Los Angeles sexologist and president of the American Association of Sexuality Educators and Therapists. It takes work, from both a physical and psychological perspective, to do it well, she says.

4. Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health

While some older folks may worry that the efforts expended during sex could cause a stroke, that's not so, according to researchers from England. In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, scientists found that the frequency of sex was not associated with stroke in the 914 men they followed for 20 years.

And the heart health benefits of sex don't end there. The researchers also found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half for the men, compared with those who had sex less than once a month.

5. Sex Boosts Self-Esteem

Boosting self-esteem was one of 237 reasons people have sex, collected by University of Texas researchers and published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

That finding makes sense to Gina Ogden, PhD, a sex therapist and marriage and family therapist in Cambridge, Mass., although she finds that those who already have self-esteem say they sometimes have sex to feel even better. "One of the reasons people say they have sex is to feel good about themselves," she tells WebMD. "Great sex begins with self-esteem, and it raises it. If the sex is loving, connected, and what you want, it raises it."

6. Sex Improves Intimacy

Having sex and orgasms increases levels of the hormone oxytocin, the so-called love hormone, which helps us bond and build trust. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of North Carolina evaluated 59 premenopausal women before and after warm contact with their husbands and partners ending with hugs. They found that the more contact, the higher the oxytocin levels.

"Oxytocin allows us to feel the urge to nurture and to bond," Britton says.

Higher oxytocin has also been linked with a feeling of generosity. So if you're feeling suddenly more generous toward your partner than usual, credit the love hormone.

7. Sex Reduces Pain

As the hormone oxytocin surges, endorphins increase, and pain declines. So if your headache, arthritis pain, or PMS symptoms seem to improve after sex, you can thank those higher oxytocin levels.

In a study published in the Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 48 volunteers who inhaled oxytocin vapor and then had their fingers pricked lowered their pain threshold by more than half.

8. Sex Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk

Frequent ejaculations, especially in 20-something men, may reduce the risk of prostate cancer later in life, Australian researchers reported in the British Journal of Urology International. When they followed men diagnosed with prostate cancer and those without, they found no association of prostate cancer with the number of sexual partners as the men reached their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

But they found men who had five or more ejaculations weekly while in their 20s reduced their risk of getting prostate cancer later by a third.

Another study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that frequent ejaculations, 21 or more a month, were linked to lower prostate cancer risk in older men, as well, compared with less frequent ejaculations of four to seven monthly.

9. Sex Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles

For women, doing a few pelvic floor muscle exercises known as Kegel exercises during sex offers a couple of benefits. You will enjoy more pleasure, and you'll also strengthen the area and help to minimize the risk of incontinence later in life.

To do a basic Kegel exercise, tighten the muscles of your pelvic floor, as if you're trying to stop the flow of urine. Count to three, then release.

10. Sex Helps You Sleep Better

The oxytocin released during orgasm also promotes sleep, according to research.

And getting enough sleep has been linked with a host of other good things, such as maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure. Something to think about, especially if you've been wondering why your guy can be active one minute and snoring the next.

source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com

Guava Health benefits

2011-08-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

Guavas for Cholesterol Reduction

A study from the Heart Research Laboratory in India demonstrated that people who ate five to nine guavas a day for three months reduced their cholesterol levels by 10 percent, triglycerides by 8 percent, and blood pressure by 9.0/8.0 mm Hg, while boosting their “good” cholesterol (HDL) by 8 percent.

Foods such as guavas that are high in pectins appear to lower the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood, perhaps by forming a gel in your stomach that sops up fats and keeps them from being absorbed by the body.

Guavas for Cancer Prevention

The anti-proliferative activity of guava leaf oil on mouth cancer is 4.37 times more potent than Vincristine, a cancer drug.

Guavas are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene, and several studies support a reduction in prostate cancer risk associated with high lycopene consumption.

Lycopene also inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. Studies in mice have shown that it suppresses breast tumors.

Guava Leaf Extract as an Anti Inflammatory

Preliminary studies on the anti inflammatory properties of guava leaf extract have indicated that the extract is involved with the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 (inflammatory agents). It is speculated that the numerous chemical compounds present in the plant are responsible for the anti inflammatory effects of the leaf extract.

Guava Leaf Extract for Acne

Thirty-eight men and women with various types of acne participated in a study that concluded that guava leaf extract to be beneficial in treating acne.

Guava Leaf Extract as a Cough Remedy

The anti cough activity of guava leaf extract has been evaluated in rats and guinea pigs. The results suggest that guava leaf extract is recommended as a cough remedy.

Guava Leaf Extract for Diarrhea

Essential oil guava leaf extracts have been tested and shown to inhibit the diarrhea causing bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli, and that the use of guava leaf extracts can be a feasible treatment in diarrhea cases where access to commercial antibiotics is restricted.

A randomized, double-blinded, clinical study performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a phytodrug developed from guava leaves for the treatment of adult patients with acute diarrhea showed that the used guava product decreased the duration of abdominal pain in these patients.

Guavas for Dental Health

Guaijaverin, a flavanoid compound present in guavas inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans, which is considered to be a pathogen for dental caries.

Guavas for Diabetes

The guava is an important medicinal plant in tropical and subtropical countries and is widely used in folk medicine. Many pharmacological studies have demonstrated the ability of this plant to exhibit anti diabetic activities, supporting its traditional uses.

Significant blood glucose lowering effects of guava leaf extract has been observed in a mouse study. The study results suggest that the guava leaf extract possesses anti diabetic effect in type 2 diabetes.

source: elements4health

chicken Chili recipe for diabetic

2011-08-29T04:12:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

    * 4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)
    * 1/8 cup good olive oil, plus extra for chicken
    * 1/8 cup minced garlic (2 cloves)
    * 2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and large-diced
    * 2 yellow bell peppers, cored, seeded, and large-diced
    * 1 teaspoon chili powder
    * 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    * 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes, or to taste
    * 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
    * 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for chicken
    * 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled plum tomatoes in puree, undrained
    * 1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves
    * 4 split chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
    * Freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

    * Chopped onions, corn chips, grated cheddar, sour cream

Directions

Cook the onions in the oil over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Crush the tomatoes by hand or in batches in a food processor fitted with a steel blade (pulse 6 to 8 times). Add to the pot with the basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast the chicken for 35 to 40 minutes, until just cooked. Let cool slightly. Separate the meat from the bones and skin and cut it into 3/4-inch chunks. Add to the chili and simmer, uncovered, for another 20 minutes. Serve with the toppings, or refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.

recipe from foodnetwork

Top 7 Health Benefits of Exercise

2011-08-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

1.Increased energy: The right combination of exercise and nutrition creates an hormonal environment conducive to fat loss, increased muscle strength and increased energy. When your body is working at peak efficiency, your energy levels soar!Everyday things become much easier to do.

2.Increased Self-Esteem: Gaining control of your body size and weight through fitness is an amazing way to increase self-esteem. You look better and are more confident which empowers you in everything you do. You will find that the self-discipline required and learned through regular exercise spills over into other areas of your life and you will be better able to make other necessary and desirable changes.

3.Increase Mental Focus: Did you know that the latest research shows that exercise helps keep the brain sharp well into old age? Anything that involves mental acuity (focus and concentration) is improved. You also stand a much better chance of avoiding such diseases as Alzheimer's and senility.

4.Decreased Risk of a Heart Attack: By exercising regularly and making positive changes in your diet, you lower your cholesterol and blood pressure and greatly diminish the chances of having a heart attack.

5.Decreased Risk of Osteoporosis: Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, and can even reverse it buy building bone tissue!

6.Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer by up to 60% Estradiol and progesterone, two ovarian hormones linked to breast cancer tumor production are lowered in the body by exercise.

A womans body is most susceptible to these hormones during the time between ovulation and menstruation. Habitual exercise can actually delay ovulation until later in the menstrual cycle. This reduces the time she must fight these hormones.

Fat has long been known to be a catalyst in the production of estrogen (estradiol). Regular exercise burns body fat and thus decreases the rate of estrogen production.

So there you have it!. A two pronged, cancer preventing exercise benefit!

7.Increased Strength and Stamina: Every physical thing you do becomes easier which is immensely useful in everyday life.

7 Health benefits of Banana

2011-08-03T01:07:00.000-07:00

Bananas are good source of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and it has high levels of potassium. The natural fiber in bananas contributes to many health benefits.

7 benefits of Banana

1. Reducing Depression
Bananas contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that can be converted to serotonin, leading
to improved mood.

2. Anemia
Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body’s hemoglobin function.

3. Constipation and Diarrhea
Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In
addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the
most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain
pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the
digestive tract.

4. Blood Pressure
Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg),
thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure.

5. Ulcers
This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle
cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells
on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid).
Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in
the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.

6. Stress Relief
Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the
body’s water balance. During periods of high stress, our body’s potassium levels tend to
be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using
drugs.

7. Morning Sickness
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid
morning sickness.

DIABETIC DIET

2011-08-01T03:35:00.000-07:00

1,600 CALORIES PER DAY

BREAKFAST SAMPLE MENU

MEASURE PLAN A

1 slice ripe papaya

2 pieces Sausage with tomato slice

1cup fully packed Rice

1cup (3 tbsp. non fat

p.m =3/4 cup of water) Milk

PLAN B

2 slices Mango

1 piece Sunny side up egg

½ slice Luncheon meat

6 slices Slice Bread

1 cup Hot tea

MORNING SNACKS PLAN A

2 slices Butter sandwich

1 glass Buko Juice with buko meat

PLAN B

1 pack Crackers /biscuit

1 glass Carrot juice w/fresh fruit juice

LUNCH PLAN A

1cup Corn soup

1 Regular size fish Broiled fish

½ cup Sari-sari guisado

1 ½ cup fully packed Rice

1 piece Banana

PLAN B

1 cup law-oy

2ozs. Meat Beef steak

½ cup cucumber Salad w/o Sugar

1 ½ cup fully packed Rice

1 Slice Guyabano

AFTERNOON SNACKS PLAN A

1 piece Boiled young corn

1 glass Fruit shake w/o sugar

PLAN B

8 pieces Biskotso

1 slice any fresh fruit

SUPPER PLAN A

½ cup & 1oz. fish Fish Tinola w/ Malonggay leaves

1 slice Manggo

PLAN B

½ cup & 1oz. meat Chicken Tinola

1 piece Chicos

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

2011-07-30T02:30:00.000-07:00

Chest discomfort, mild pain
Coughing
Crushing chest pain
Dizziness
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Face seems gray
A feeling of terror that your life is coming to its end
Feeling really awful (general feeling)
Nausea
Restlessness
The person is clammy and sweaty
Vomiting

Heart Attack

2011-07-30T02:27:00.000-07:00

The death of heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply. The loss of blood supply is usually caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery, one of the arteries that supplies blood to the heart muscle. Death of the heart muscle, in turn, causes chest pain and electrical instability of the heart muscle tissue.

The electrical instability of the heart causes ventricular fibrillation (chaotic electrical disturbances affecting the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart). Orderly transmission of electrical signals in the heart is important for the regular beating (and the efficient pumping) of the heart. A heart undergoing ventricular fibrillation simply quivers and can not pump or deliver oxygenated blood to the brain. Permanent brain damage and death can occur unless oxygenated blood flow is restored within five minutes.

definition by: medterms (an online medical dictionary)

Hypertension : Symptoms and Signs

2011-07-29T00:58:00.000-07:00

Hypertension does not often cause problems over days, weeks, months, or even years, most patients with the condition don't experience any symptoms and signs. It usually takes several years for high blood pressure ( Hypertension ) to cause noticeable symptoms and signs; even then, the symptoms of high blood pressure are often mild and nonspecific.So high blood pressure ( Hypertension ) is often called as "the silent killer." patients with high blood pressure ( Hypertension ) typically don't even realize they have it until they have blood pressure readings that are too high. It is a deadly condition and symptoms and signs aren’t always associated with those suffering from high blood pressure ( Hypertension ).

It’s important to understand the symptoms and signs that do rarely occur so you can recognize them should they happen to you.

1 - Headache
Headach is most common physical symptom of high blood pressure. When you feel headach always go to your doctor and let him check your BP. When’s a headache not just a headache? When it’s frequent it can be a sign of high blood pressure ( Hypertension ), which isn’t something to be ignored.

2 - Dizziness
Sometimes patients with high blood pressure ( Hypertension ) will experience dizziness and vertigo. If you feel dizzy and you think your blood pressure may be to blame, it is extremely important that you check your blood pressure and seek medical help if you are experiencing hypertension.

3 - Nausea
Nausea is not only symptom of GI prolems but hypertension can also be associated with nausea and vomiting. When blood pressure symptoms and signs are experienced, oftentimes nausea will be a part of those symptoms and signs. Nausea does not have to include vomiting. It can simply be a feeling of sickness in your stomach with no other symptoms and signs associated with it.

4 -Drowsiness
Hypertension can also be associated with drowsiness. If you have a hard time keeping your eyes open or you feel the need for excessive sleep, you may be experiencing high blood pressure.

5 - Loss of Vision
In rare instances, severe increases in one’s blood pressure can result in blurred vision or loss of vision. If you suddenly lose vision, it is extremely important that you immediately call 911 and explain the situation to them. They will be able to get you to the nearest hospital, where you will need to undergo treatment to stabilize your blood pressure.

reference : http://www.highbloodpressuremed.com

Hypertension

2011-07-29T00:30:00.001-07:00

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is chronically elevated. With every heart beat, the heart pumps blood through the arteries to the rest of the body. Blood pressure is the force of blood that is pushing up against the walls of the blood vessels. If the pressure is too high, the heart has to work harder to pump, and this could lead to organ damage and several illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, aneurysm, or renal failure.

The normal level for blood pressure is below 120/80, where 120 represents the systolic measurement (peak pressure in the arteries) and 80 represents the diastolic measurement (minimum pressure in the arteries). Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called prehypertension (to denote increased risk of hypertension), and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered hypertension.

Types of Diabetes

2011-07-28T22:02:00.000-07:00

The three major types of diabetes are:

1. Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes)

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type of diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for 10-15% of all people with the disease. It can appear at any age, although commonly under 40, and is triggered by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or chemicals in people genetically predisposed. People with type 1 diabetes must inject themselves with insulin several times a day and follow a careful diet and exercise plan.

2. Type 2 diabetes (previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes)

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all people with the disease. This type of diabetes, also known as late-onset diabetes, is characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. The disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess weight, inactivity, high blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors for its development. Symptoms may not show for many years and, by the time they appear, significant problems may have developed. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease. Type 2 diabetes may be treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets. Insulin injections may later be required.

3. Gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

GDM, or carbohydrate intolerance, is first diagnosed during pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance test. Between 5.5 and 8.8% of pregnant women develop GDM in Australia. Risk factors for GDM include a family history of diabetes, increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a community or ethnic group with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While the carbohydrate intolerance usually returns to normal after the birth, the mother has a significant risk of developing permanent diabetes while the baby is more likely to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in life. Self-care and dietary changes are essential in treatment.

What is diabetes?

2011-07-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

What is diabetes?

Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is classed as a metabolism disorder. Metabolism refers to the way our bodies use digested food for energy and growth. Most of what we eat is broken down into glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar in the blood - it is the principal source of fuel for our bodies.

When our food is digested the glucose makes its way into our bloodstream. Our cells use the glucose for energy and growth. However, glucose cannot enter our cells without insulin being present - insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. After eating, the pancreas automatically releases an adequate quantity of insulin to move the glucose present in our blood into the cells, and lowers the blood sugar level.

A person with diabetes has a condition in which the quantity of glucose in the blood is too elevated (hyperglycemia). This is because the body either does not produce enough insulin, produces no insulin, or has cells that do not respond properly to the insulin the pancreas produces. This results in too much glucose building up in the blood. This excess blood glucose eventually passes out of the body in urine. So, even though the blood has plenty of glucose, the cells are not getting it for their essential energy and growth requirements.

reference: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com