SkyBlue Cross Alternative Health Blog

Thursday 22 March 2012

4 Essential Foods To Help You With Weight Loss

By: http://www.skybluecross.org/
Do you know that you can lose weight by eating certain foods? Sounds unbelievable, I know. After all, the so-called 'experts' have probably always advised you to starve in order to lose weight. Now, the foods I'm going to tell you about don't contain any special metabolism-boosting chemicals that can help you with quick weight loss.

 The fact is that your body needs to burn a lot of calories in order to digest these 'special' foods. As you might be aware, the more calories you burn, the faster you lose weight!

 As we become older, our metabolic rate slows down considerably! Ever wondered why most people gain weight during their middle age? During middle age, a person's metabolic rate becomes low; hence he is not able to burn as much fat as he used to during his youth. Eating these 'special' foods is, however, a good way of boosting your metabolic rate! In this article I will tell you about some of these foods:

 1. Green Tea: If you are in the habit of drinking morning tea, replace it with green tea! Ordinary tea is not bad, but green tea is even better! It contains fat burning chemicals which will help you with weight loss. It is no wonder that many of the weight loss supplements available in the market have green tea as a common ingredient!

 2. Peanut butter: Peanut butter is a great replacement for the ordinary butter. Unlike the ordinary butter, which is rich in fat, peanut butter is rich in protein and fiber, both of which will help you with weight loss. While protein will help you burn fat by building lean muscle mass, fiber will help in suppressing your appetite for a long time.

 Peanut butter is available from any local store but I would recommend that you buy the natural ones and avoid the popular commercial brands. Or if you want, prepare it at home! Peanut butter makes for a great breakfast when combined with wholegrain wheat!
 
 3. Almond:
There are two types of fat available: the good and the bad fats. The bad fats should be avoided because they make you fat! The good fats, on the other hand, supply your body with essential nutrients such as fatty acids. Almond is one such food. It is rich in fatty acids and protein. Almond helps you burn fat by boosting your metabolic rate!

 4. Beans: How successfully you are able to suppress your hunger will determine how fast you are able to lose weight. Beans make for a great appetite supplement. Since they are rich in fiber, they help to keep your stomach full for a long time.
 

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Fix Your Bedroom, Cure Your Insomnia

By:http://www.skybluecross.com
If you find yourself afflicted with insomnia, your bedroom could well be the culprit. Many of us realize to some extent that the comfort level of our sleeping environment can affect the quality of our sleep, but did you know that the kind of activities we habitually carry out in our bedrooms can affect sleep as well? The following are some tips for creating a sleeping environment conducive for sleep.
 • Reserve the bed for sleep and intimacy with your partner. Do not do work, eat your meals or watch television in bed. Condition your body and mind such that they “know” that the bed is associated with sleeping.
 • Use comfortable bedding. The mattress that you sleep in must neither be too soft nor too hard, as no one can possibly sleep well when their back is hurting from sleeping on a bed that is too uncomfortable. Of equal importance are the pillows, the degree of hardness of which is up to personal preference. Evaluate whether your bedding is the source of your problem, and make necessary changes.
 • Block out distracting noise. If you are one of those people who are highly sensitive to even the slightest noise, earplugs are highly recommended. Troublesome neighbourhood noises can be dampened by installed double-paned windows as well as using heavy curtains and rugs.
 • Eliminate light. Our sleep patterns are closely linked to our bodies’ circadian rhythm, which in turn is sensitive to light. Turn off the lights before light as well as any light-emitting appliances. Use shades or curtains that block external light. If all else fails, invest in eye shades and cover your eyes at bedtime.
 • Find the right temperature. Set the temperature at a comfortable level for sleeping, usually a few degrees cooler than you’ll keep during the day. A room that is too stifling or freezing will lead to a night of fitful sleep. Also make sure that the room is well-ventilated by switching on a fan if necessary.

 Having a good night’s sleep is crucial for a healthy and active life. And a good place to start would definitely be to make your sleeping environment as conducive to sleep as possible.
 

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Mesothelioma- Are You At Risk?

 By: http://www.skybluecross.com/
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare type of cancer that occurs when cancerous cells grow in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a protective lining that is on most of your internal organs. Typically, mesothelioma is attributed to asbestos exposure when someone inhales particles and they become lodged in the lungs.

To be in the "at risk" category, odds are you had to have come into contact with asbestos at one time or another. Asbestos is a mass of flexible fibrous material that is naturally found in the Earth.

For many years it was used in common goods such as shingles, brake pads, cement, flooring, and
insulation. The mining process as well as the plants that manufactured products containing asbestos are the top contributors to mesothelioma.

Unfortunately, many more people come into contact than just the laborers. Their families are at great risk because the particles come home on clothing and can get all over the place. Laundry is a big factor. Anyone who has handled the clothing of the workers is at risk as well. This includes commercial laundry facilities as well as homes.

Asbestos was almost completely banned in 1989 but it has been in use since the late 1800s and peaked with World War II. Mesothelioma takes anywhere from 20 to 50 years to show up so many people today are feeling the effects of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI can tell you if you have mesothelioma. If you have ever been around asbestos, it's a good idea to mention that to your physician.

Monday 19 March 2012

A Good Night’s Sleep – The Natural Way

By: http://www.skybluecross.com/
There is probably nothing worse than not being able to sleep. Whether you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, you have probably struggled to find ways to overcome your insomnia. Most people assume that taking sleeping pills are the only way to cure insomnia but contrary to popular opinion, there are natural means to curing insomnia. Although sleeping pills may initially help you fall asleep successfully, almost all are addictive and do not really facilitate a state of restful sleep or most importantly, allow R.E.M. (rapid-eye movement) sleep. If you have never tried a natural remedy for insomnia, it is definitely worth a try to get a restful night of sleep.
1. Regular exercise during the day. We could learn a thing or two from children. Watch them run around the entire day and sleep soundly at night. Start a regular exercise regimen, particularly in the afternoon, which can help facilitate deeper sleep. However, do avoid strenuous exercise within the 2 hours before bedtime, which can have the opposite effect.
2. Avoid daytime napping. Common sense dictates that if you nap throughout the day, you would definitely have trouble sleeping at night. Late afternoon is generally a “sleepy time” for most people. Naps are fine as long as they are limited to about 30-45 minutes and are not taken later than 3 pm.
3. Re-evaluate your diet. The simplest way to cure insomnia would be to change your diet. A diet rich in junk food and caffeinated products, including coffee, tea, chocolate, and some types of sodas will throw off your natural brain chemistry and cause you to lose sleep.
4. Turn off the lights. Our sleep patterns, or circadian rhythms, are closely linked to the presence of light and dark. So, unless you have issues with sleeping in the dark, turn off all the lights in your bedroom when you’re going to bed. Or alternatively, use a dim nightlight.
Adequate sleep and rest is essential for a healthy and active life. If you are still unable to get a good night’s rest after trying these natural remedies, do seek medical attention.

Sunday 18 March 2012

A good treatment option for spinal cord injuries

 By: http://www.skybluecross.com
With all the distractions that is brought by modern times, more and more people are becoming prone to lifetime conditions such as spinal cord injuries or SCI. Experts say that the spinal cord injuries are damages or trauma in the person's spine area, which may lead to its inability to function well when it comes to mobility or feeling.

Studies show that the most common causes of spinal cord injuries may include accidents such as gunshot, clashing of vehicles as well as falling heavily on the ground. Other possible causes may also include certain diseases or illnesses such as polio or ataxia caused by unhealthy living.

Many people mistake spinal cord injuries to back injuries. Although both of these may affect the spinal area, the difference lies on the severity of the conditions. If the person have back injuries, it could be that his or her bones are broken, the discs on the back area are dislocated or the nerves have been joint. For those who have spinal cord injuries, these may not the present because many people who have it continues to have their spinal cord intact, the only difference is that the nerves may not be able to feel.

Although medical treatment options are the ideal options for these people, it would be best to try a milder form through the services given by a chiropractor. If you are one of those who know people with SCI, the best help that you can give them is by becoming a chiropractor yourself.

If you want to be a chiropractor, a good education is a must. Where else could an aspiring chiropractor get this but in a chiropractic school? Since the chiropractic field focuses on a person's overall health, people in this line of work should not only be properly trained but also have the license to conduct the nature of the field such as proper diagnosis and practicing treatment options.

Being a health care profession that is focused on the sensitive part of the person's body—which is the spine and the musculoskeletal system in general—people who are in the chiropractic field should be properly trained. This training as well as comprehensive knowledge on the field of chiropractic can only be acquired in a chiropractic school.

Chiropractic education ensures that the future practitioners or the chiropractors are qualified enough to do the work. All over the world, the admission requirements, the entry criteria, the overall education structure, the teaching methodologies as well as the nature of programs and training offered vary. However, there is a standard set of qualifications that is set by the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that future chiropractors are qualified for the nature of the work. According to WHO, chiropractors must be able to obtain a first professional, second entry, degree in Chiropractic medicine and should also be able to finish a three-year university undergraduate education to be able to apply for the chiropractic degree; finish a four-year course of pre-requisite training in basic sciences; complete a 4-year full-time program in a reputable college or university; and obtain a license by passing Chiropractic Board Exams by completing a 12-month or a one-year clinical internship to a reputable health care establishment or a hospital.

To ensure that you get all the qualifications needed to become a qualified chiropractor who can help people with spinal cord injuries, it is a must to choose a chiropractic school that meets the above-mentioned standards.




Saturday 17 March 2012

Get better sleep the natural way

By: http://www.skybluecross.com
Some people are really born to have a hard time to get better sleep. While there are those who were able to develop this problem because of unhealthy practice. Either way, the problem still lies that one is having a hard time lulling into that good slumber.

The best way to go about it is that first, one needs to address the problem of sleeping. These include knowing the reasons why that person is having a hard time sleeping. The focus areas should include the personal issues, status at work, health conditions, and sleeping environment.

1. Personal issues. The may include stress factors that affect the overall emotional state of a person. If one if stressed by personal issues, it will be harder for him or her to get better sleep because that person is thinking too much. If it's possible to address these problems and problems immediately, it would really help a person to get better sleep. If not, one should seek help from professionals so he or she can cope with the issues and will have better chance of getting sleep at night.

2. Status at work. Studies show that more and more people are having a hard time sleeping because of their status in work. With the overall global crisis that the world experiences now, it is only common for people to worry about their security. If you think that this is one factor that won't let you get better sleep at night, then now is the right time to face it and be prepared for the worse. If you are prepared that no matter what happens, you will still have your job or you are confident that you can easily find one, then you will have peace of mind and will lead you to sleep better at night.

3. Health conditions. Some people are able to develop sleeping disorders without them knowing. These sleeping disorders are usually caused and triggered by so many factors. If you are having hard time sleeping and you think that the reasons are something that you can no longer control, then it is best to seek professional help.

4. Sleeping environment. This is also among the things that affect the overall sleeping state of a person. If you have bad sleeping environment, then the tendency of your body is to resist sleeping.

The natural way

In the market today, there are so many products and even medication that promise to help one get better sleep. But, these artificial substitutes may have a side effect. To avoid further complications, it is best to try sleeping techniques the natural way. Some may include routines that will only help you get better sleep but help improve your overall health as well.

The first thing that you could do is to develop and practice good sleep hygiene. These include eating the right foods that can help you sleep better and avoid those that affect sleeping patterns. It also includes having regular exercise and avoiding napping in the afternoon so you will sleep well at night. You may also want to develop a routine that will help you sleep better such as doing relaxing activities before your bedtime such as taking a warm bath, reading, or writing in your personal journal.

To get better sleep, you can also try soundproofing your room to avoid unnecessary noises, adjusting the lights so you will be more comfortable, getting into a comfortable sleeping position and practicing deep breathing to relax your senses.

Friday 16 March 2012

A Good Night’s Sleep – The Natural Way

 By: http://www.skybluecross.com/

There is probably nothing worse than not being able to sleep. Whether you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, you have probably struggled to find ways to overcome your insomnia. Most people assume that taking sleeping pills are the only way to cure insomnia but contrary to popular opinion, there are natural means to curing insomnia. Although sleeping pills may initially help you fall asleep successfully, almost all are addictive and do not really facilitate a state of restful sleep or most importantly, allow R.E.M. (rapid-eye movement) sleep. If you have never tried a natural remedy for insomnia, it is definitely worth a try to get a restful night of sleep.
 1. Regular exercise during the day. We could learn a thing or two from children. Watch them run around the entire day and sleep soundly at night. Start a regular exercise regimen, particularly in the afternoon, which can help facilitate deeper sleep. However, do avoid strenuous exercise within the 2 hours before bedtime, which can have the opposite effect.
 2. Avoid daytime napping. Common sense dictates that if you nap throughout the day, you would definitely have trouble sleeping at night. Late afternoon is generally a “sleepy time” for most people. Naps are fine as long as they are limited to about 30-45 minutes and are not taken later than 3 pm.
 3. Re-evaluate your diet. The simplest way to cure insomnia would be to change your diet. A diet rich in junk food and caffeinated products, including coffee, tea, chocolate, and some types of sodas will throw off your natural brain chemistry and cause you to lose sleep.
 4. Turn off the lights. Our sleep patterns, or circadian rhythms, are closely linked to the presence of light and dark. So, unless you have issues with sleeping in the dark, turn off all the lights in your bedroom when you’re going to bed. Or alternatively, use a dim nightlight.
 Adequate sleep and rest is essential for a healthy and active life. If you are still unable to get a good night’s rest after trying these natural remedies, do seek medical attention

https://ketointermittentfasting.org/keto-and-intermittent-keto-and-intermittent-fasting-for-mental-clarity-and-focus/

  Alzheimer's ,   Intermittent Fasting Schedule ,   KETO DIET FOR KETO IF TLM ,   keto-if for ,   keto-if for anti-aging ,   keto-if for...