I saw a video on You Tube that said we need to drink at least half our body weight in fluid ounces. So if you weigh 200 pounds, then you need to drink at least 100 fluid ounces every day. I would buy gallon jugs of water, but I rarely drank the whole gallon in a day. I noticed that the small bottles of water were measure in 16.9 fluid ounces. This was easy to measure.
I started to buy 24 packs of 16.9 ounce bottles of water. I made a goal to drink 10 bottles a day. I only weighed 190 pounds at that time but I knew that since I had severely dry skin then I probably needed to drink much more water than one half my body weights in fluid ounces. I probably drink an average of about eight 16.9 fluid ounce bottles of water each day. Since I started paying attention to the amount of water that I drink I noticed several things within only two weeks.
- The cracked, flaky skin on my legs started to clear up.
- The discoloration around my wrists disappeared completely. (The skin around my wrists had been extra dry and discolored for years.)
- My urine was either clear or light yellow (It was normally dark yellow.)
- The hard calloused skin on my feet started to soften up.
- I am more regular.
- I noticed a dramatic difference in my sexual performance. (There is nothing more devastating to the male self-esteem than the inability to "get it up.")
- I lost about 10 pounds of fat. (I was not trying to lose weight, but I am more ripped than I have ever been in my life!)
Those are just the things that I immediately noticed. I was so blown away that I looked up some of the other benefits of drinking water. Here are 10 benefits of drinking water.
1. Drinking water is good for fat loss. Water flushes out the by-product (waste) of fat breakdown. When there is not enough water to do this job the liver compensates, which diverts the livers attention from its more important job of burning fat. Also you will naturally eat less when you drink more water.
2. Drinking water is good for preventing certain ailments. Some ailments such as fatigue, headaches, muscle spasms, and back pain are caused by dehydration.
3. Drinking water can help you to look younger- What? Yes, water is the mythical fountain of youth. Water flushes toxins out of the skin. When you are properly hydrated your skin and muscles are more full and radiant.
4. Drinking water is good for sexual performance. Yes it is true. Your pride and joy, the love muscle, is mostly comprised of water when it is at its peak performance.
5. Water is good for cleansing and detoxing. Spending tons of money on detoxing solutions without drinking lots of water is defeating the purpose, and may do more harm than good.
6. Drinking water reduces the risk of disease- cancer, heart attack
7. Drinking water helps you to recover from injuries quicker.
8. Drinking water will help to boost your immune system and mental acuity.
9. Drinking water increases energy and alertness.
10. Drinking water cushions joints and muscles.
If 75% of your body is water and roughly 90% of your brain, doesn't it make sense to drink plenty of water? Drinking more water is just one thing you can do for better health. When you incorporate drinking more water with other healthy habits you will be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle.
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10 Benefits of Drinking Water By Jeremiah Carstarphen
Walking Increases Blood Flow To The Brain, Study Says
Brisk walking can boost blood flow to your brain, according to a new study from the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine in Dallas.
A team of researchers, led by Rong Zhang, analyzed data they collected over the course of three months from 16 women aged 60 and older. At the beginning of the study, the researchers used Doppler ultrasonography to measure blood flow in the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood and glucose to the brain. They then created specific work out regimens for each participant, which, depending on their level of fitness, added up to an average of 30 to 50 minutes of walking three to four times a week.
At the end of three months, their findings show that blood flow to the brain had increased by 15 percent.
"There are many studies that suggest that exercise improves brain function in older adults, but we don't know exactly why the brain improves. Our study indicates it might be tied to an improvement in the supply of blood flow to the brain," Zhang said in a press release.
The study also found that, overall, the women’s blood pressure decreased by about four percent, their heart rates declined by five percent, and their body’s ability to carry and use oxygen during physical activity rose by 13 percent.
The researchers presented the study at the Experimental Biology meeting in Washington D.C.
The Onion- A True Superfood
The onion: it makes your breath stinky and when you slice one, it may make you cry. But that’s not all the onion does. It turns out that the simple onion is the king of nutritional benefits, and its perks have been known for thousands of years. Historical records reveal that onions have been used as far back as 4000 B.C. as a cure-all for many illnesses. In WW II, the vapors of onion paste were used to reduce the pain and accelerated the healing of soldiers' wounds.
The onion today is no less powerful. Here’s a look at why you should make at least one medium-sized onion a staple in your daily diet.
• Onions are high in sulfur, chromium and vitamin B6, all of which studies show help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. And, according to the Journal of Nutrition, onions also reduce the risk of heart attack and heart failure.
• The allyl proply disulfide in onions is believed to increase insulin in the body and as a result, stabilize our blood sugar level in our bodies.
• According to a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the antioxidant quercetin found in onions has been known to prevent colon cancer, and in one study the antioxidants have been shown to cure precancerous lesions in the stomach.
•In a study reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a compound called GPCS found that yellow onions in particular were shown to keep bones from weakening.
• Research published in Nutrition and Food Science reveals that onions act as an anti-inflammatory for the joints. This helps reduce pain caused by arthritis and similar medical conditions.
• Other studies have shown onions act as an antiseptic, fighting infectious bacteria including E. coli and salmonella.
To get the most benefit, purchase well shaped onions that have dry and crisp outer skins. Pass on the ones that are already sprouting, are wilting or have discolored tops. Store onions at room temperature but keep them in a well-ventilated area and way from light to keep their roots from sprouting. Don’t put them together with potatoes because they’ll absorb the moisture and will rot sooner.Stir fry onions or chop and slice them raw (for toppings) to maintain the onion’s impressive nutritional value.
Jogging– Not Good For Weight Loss
Jogging may have a cult following among fitness fanatics, but if you want to lose weight, jogging may not be the ideal kind of exercise, says London-based personal trainer Greg Brookes. Jogging is not the ideal exercise, because the more one runs, the more the body prepares itself for the next run.
The human body is a remarkable machine that has the ability to adapt to almost anything; including jogging.
The more you jog, the more efficient the body becomes at the activity – the body becomes more efficient and so there will be fewer calories burnt as the body adapts better and better to this physical activity.
In fact, in time, the body may even start to hold on to the fat, since fat is one of the body’s more favorite sources of energy.
Another reason why jogging is not to be recommended is that it is bad for the joints; since as much as two and a half times one’s body weight is transmitted through the joints.
While the perception is that any exercise will speed up the metabolism, this may not be true for jogging, according to Brooke, who is of the view that jogging could actually end up doing the opposite.
Tips for a Better Eyesight
Our eyes are two of our most precious possessions which connect us to the world. They express our deepest feelings and emotions, giving life to the wonderful things we see every day. The eyes are constantly taking in information while they are open, working non-stop to help us view the world.
The health of your vision is ultimately governed by the health of your eye muscles. But as we age, all the wear and tear on the eyes will start to weaken the muscles. Also, in today's age of video games, computers, and other electronics; we work our eyes a little too much.
In such cases, the most common way people improve their vision is by wearing prescriptive lenses. But better eyesight without glasses is no longer a dream today. Most people are not aware that you can improve eyesight naturally. Take a look at ways to improve eyesight naturally:
1. Have plenty of fish: Eat oily fish like salmon or tuna at least twice a week. Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which helps to reduce the risk of dry-eye syndrome. You can even have fish oil supplements.
2. Eat raw vegetables: Eat raw vegetables like carrots, broccoli and cucumber as they have Vitamin A which is essential for eye care. You can also drink plenty of fruit and vegetable juice to increase your vitamin A levels. Also, eat spinach as studies have shown that lutein (a nutrient abundant in spinach), may prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
3. Blink Regularly: Blinking is a natural preserver of your better vision. Blinking is your body's natural way of lubricating your eyes and preventing dry eyes. The more you blink the better it is for your eyes.
4. Avoid Stress: When you are stressed, you will find difficult to focus your eyes on a certain object. In other words, avoiding stress can improve your eyesight.
5. Use sunglasses and goggles: If you are working in an industrial belt or swimming, make sure to wear goggle. While swimming, goggles will protect eyes from chlorine, salt and other chemicals used in the water. Wearing safety goggles in an industrial belt will protect your eyes from the flying dust particles or other flying objects. When you go outside, always use sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun as well as from the drying effects of wind.
6. Regularly palm your eyes: Rub your hands together briskly to generate heat. Once warmed, place the palms over your eyes making sure to block all light. Breathe comfortably while palming your eyes. Do this for at least a minute, longer if you have the time available to you.
7. Have a chocolate: The dark variety of chocolate offers flavonoids which are important for the protection of blood vessels in the eyes.
8. Avoid staring: Staring is the most commonly practiced bad habit in regards to poor vision. Avoid sitting for long periods of time watching the T.V. or computer monitor. If your job requires you to work at a computer, stop once in a while (every 30 to 40 minutes) and look around the room at some distant point for 30 seconds.
9. Avoid dry air: Air from hair dryers, car vents, air conditioners and fans can make eyes dry, so avoid situations where air blows into your eyes. When you are in a car, point the air vents away from your face, and when you use a hair dryer, try to keep it away from your face.
10. Eye exercises: The goal of eye exercises is to strengthen the muscles on your eyes. These soothing exercises are a great addition to a healthy vision care routine:
• Squeeze your eye lids together tightly. Open, and blink rapidly several times. Repeat once or twice more.
• Try to move your eyes upwards and then roll the eyes. At first you follow clock rotation. After you make one rotation, reverse the direction
• To counteract the tendency to squint, look up while exhaling with eyes half open.
• Hold a pencil at arms length in front of your nose. Now slowly move the pencil towards your nose while focusing your eyes on the pencil.
11. Relaxation: Better eyesight without glasses also can be gained through eye relaxation. Consciously rest your eye muscles every now and then in order to give sufficient rest to the eye muscles.
It is not an easy task to improve eyesight naturally, at the same time it is not impossible. You can have the eyesight you desire using the above natural techniques. Remember eye care is important and not something that should be ignored even at the slightest discomfort.
To Nap Or Not To Nap ?
Taking a nap can have many benefits – it can lessen fatigue and improve relaxation, it can improve alertness and mood, and it can refresh you, improving performance, reaction time and memory, while lowering confusion, and chances of having accidents.
Unless you are one of those people who simply cannot nap in the middle of the day, or if you find that a nap leaves you groggy and disoriented or that it interferes with your nighttime sleep, you should consider taking a nap in the afternoon.
Keep the nap short. The duration should ideally be between 10 and 30 minutes. A longer nap may mean grogginess.
Afternoons are best for taking naps – between 2 and 3 PM is possible. This will not interfere with night time sleep, and this is the time you are most likely to feel that post lunch lassitude. Of course one’s daily schedule and sleep patterns are the best determinants for when you should take that nap.
Take a nap in a quiet, dim and restful place, with a comfortable room temperature if possible.
After a nap, give yourself time to awaken fully before jumping into activity; particularly if that activity is the sort that requires any sharp reflexes of quick responses.
Drinking Water With Meals- Good Or Bad For You?
There is one view that says drinking water with meals aid digestion, while another says that it hinders digestion. So what is the real truth about drinking water with meals – is it good for you or bad for you?
For digestion, food has be broken down and for this it has to be liquified and dissolved. This job is done firstly by saliva in the stomach and then by the digestive juices in the stomach. Drinking water with your meals is not really going to help in the process of digestion because the body is well able to secrete and reabsorb the fluids that it needs to do the job.
What water may do is, it may make it easier to swallow the food, however according to Dr. Braden Kuo, director of the GI Motility Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, this impact is moderate to minimal.
Water doesn’t hinder digestion either, since there is no evidence to show that it dilutes digestive juices. Does it give a feeling of fullness though, making you eat less? Well it could work if you drink a great deal of water right before a meal, which may have the best chance of stretching the stomach and making you feel full.
Planning For Abortion? Get Info Of Procedures And Risks!
Do you know, for some woman, abortion is not just a simple medical procedure rather it is a life-changing event with significant physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences.
So, before planning for abortion, it is better to have abortion information. Abortion means ending a pregnancy before birth takes place.
An abortion can occur when an embryo or fetus unexpectedly stops developing or a woman decides voluntarily to end her pregnancy by means of an induced abortion.
A doctor and other health care professional usually perform abortions at a clinic, health center, or in a doctor’s office and you will be able to return home an hour or so later.
Gathering abortion information regarding its procedures and risks may change your decision of abortion. When it comes to abortion procedures, there are two types: medical and surgical.
Abortion information on medical procedure: Medical abortion is done using medicines. Usually, it will be done within the first 9 weeks of pregnancy.
The medicines that are used for this kind of abortions are mifepristone (brand name: Mifeprex) and misoprostol (brand name: Cytotec), which are approved by FDA (Food And Drug Administration).
You will swallow a prescribed dose of mifepristone to obstruct progesterone, a hormone necessary for pregnancy, and to cause the lining of the womb (uterus) thin. A few days later, you will swallow misoprostol to make your uterus contract and empty.
The majority of women expel the pregnancy about four hours after taking the misoprostol. The embryo or pre-embryo that develops during pregnancy is passed out through the vagina.
FDA also approved methotrexate as a medicine to use for medical abortion. Even this medicine will be taken five days before taking misoprostol. Abortion occurs within 1-2 days.
However, surgical abortion is a procedure done by a doctor to remove the lining of the womb. There are 2 common types: Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) and dilatation and suction curettage (SC or also known as D&C).
Abortion information for MVA surgical procedure: MVA removes the contents of the uterine by applying suction through a cannula that can be inserted into the uterus through the cervix. It can be done within first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Abortion information for D& C procedure: D&C is done with a suction machine and tools. D&C can be done within the first trimester.
It is performed using mechanical dilators, which opens the cervix and then curettes (metal instruments) will be used to scrap and empty the uterus. This procedure is usually done under a heavy sedation or general anesthesia.
Abortion information about the risks: However, side effects may occur with induced abortion whether it may be surgical or medical abortion. The risks include abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In some severe cases, risks include heavy bleeding, infection, incomplete abortion, sepsis, scarring of the uterine lining, and damage to organs (cervix, bowel, bladder). Very rarely, the abortion leads to death.
Other risks of abortion include premature delivery (if giving birth to a child). Greater chances of developing breast cancer. Sometimes, you may undergo depression, Sexual dysfunction, stress disorder and any more.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to gather abortion information before planning for abortion.
Celebrity Fitness Secrets- What do they do to look so good?
This is a question most of us have caught ourselves asking, and apart from great genes, these are some of the secrets behind celebrity fitness and weight loss –
• Blake Lively’s fitness secret is fiber. According to celebrity nutritionist Cynthia Pasquella, fiber is what keeps Lively and others looking great; also fiber is great for the digestion and one of the reasons behind those washboard abs.
• Ben Affleck’s wife Jennifer Garner and her trainer Valerie Waters ensure that the pantry is kept clear of unhealthy foods such as cookies, refined flour, and other processed items. Stock only healthy food at home and make sure labels are read properly.
• The secret behind Audrina Partridge’s svelte form is advice from Christine Avanti, chef and clinical nutritionist and the small regular meals she recommends.
• For Jeremy Piven, it is organic, local and sustainable food choices, and a big no-no to packaged food items.
• Sandra Bullock depends upon the Simple Clean Food Plan, which is a food delivery service based out of Los Angeles and this is what helps ensure that she eats small portions of fresh food.
• For supermodel Cindy Crawford, moderation has always been the key – even pizza is not forbidden, but the portion is small, and salad forms the remainder of the meal.
7 Foods that Help in Weight Loss and Enhance Fitness
You may not have associated cheese with weight loss, but there may be some surprises in this list of 7 foods to help you lose weight and keep fit-
1. Full fat cheese can help you lose weight because of its linoleic acid content that helps give a boost to the metabolism.
2. Almonds may be high in fat but they are good fats that help burn fat. Additional almonds are a great source of Vitamin E and help shore up the immune system.
3. Coffee helps to up the body’s metabolic rate by as much as 15% but remember black coffee sans milk and sugar is what will offer benefits.
4. 3 cups of green tea a day can also help boost the metabolism and burn 30 calories extra per day.
5. Chili peppers have long been touted as fat burners because of the chemicals they contain that help burn fat in the body. Even less hot poblanos can help.
6. Eggs, long blamed for causing weight gain can actually help you lose weight because of the amino acid content that helps build lean muscle which will in turn help you lose weight all day long.
7. Portobello mushrooms contain copper and pantothenic acid potassium, all of which can help with weight loss.