Mobile Health & Fitness Training Video

I got this video intended for mobile(iphone/ipod) using very simple exercise and easy to understand videos & its targetted group of muscles.

Enjoy

Chillies: Ever heard of its benefits?

I've travelled to some parts of the  gulf areas. I've observed and seen this people are really making chilli part of their daily dishes. And sometimes, they just eat it alone with some other steamed or grilled meats and veggies. Never thought that there really are some health benefit  these chillies provide .

Chillies are excellent source of Vitamin, A, B, C and E with minerals like molybdenum, manganese, folate, potassium, thiamin, and copper. Chilli contains seven times more vitamin C than orange.

Ever since its introduction to India in 1498, chillies have been included in Ayurvedic medicines and used as tonic to ward off many diseases. Chillies are good for slimming down as it burns the calorie easily. Chillies stimulate the appetite, help to clear the lungs, and stimulate digestive system.

* Capsaicin : Chillies have vitamin C and Vitamin A containing beta-carotenoids which are powerful antioxidant. These antioxidants destroy free radical bodies. Usually, these radical bodies may travel in the body and cause huge amounts of damage to cells. These radical bodies could damage nerve and blood vessel in diabetes.

The antioxidants present in the chilli wipe out the radical bodies that could build up cholesterol causing major heart diseases such as atherosclerosis.

Chillies have antioxidants that can destroy cholesterol which could cause major disease like atherosclerosis and other heart diseases. Other disease like cataract and arthritis like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It also dilates airway of lungs which reduces asthma and wheezing.

* Detoxicants : Chillies acts as detoxifiers as they removes waste products from our body and increases supply nutrients to the tissues. It also acts as gastrointestinal detoxicants helping in digestion of food.

* Pain killer : Chillies stimulates the release of endorphins that are natural pain killers. It relieves pain caused due to shingles (Herpes Zoster), bursitis, diabetic neuropathy and muscle spasm in shoulders, and extremities. It also helps in relieving arthritic pains in the extremities.

* Antibiotic : Chillies brings fresh blood to the site of the infection. The fresh blood fights infection. The white blood cells and leukocytes present in the fresh blood fights viruses.

* Brain : Capsaicin stimulates brain to excrete endorphin and gives a sense of pleasure when ingested. This is the reason people get addicted to chilli.

* Cancer : It has been noted that vitamin C, beta-carotene and folic acid found in chilli reduces the risk of colon cancer. Chillies such as red pepper have cartonoid lycopene, which prevents cancer disease.

* Heart Attack : Chillies have vitamin B6 and folic acid. The vitamin B reduces high homocysteine level. High homocysteine levels have been shown to cause damage to blood vessels and are associated with a greatly increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It also converts homocysteine into other molecules which is beneficial to lower cholesterol level.

* Lung disease : Chillies gives relief from nasal congestion by increasing the metabolism. It also dilates airway of lungs which reduces asthma and wheezing. It relieves chronic congestion in people who are heavy drinkers.

Cigarette smoke contains benzopyrene which destroys the vitamin A in the body. The vitamin A present in chilli reduces inflammation of lungs and emphysema caused due to cigarette smoking.

Secrets of Longevity

Nice video of Secrets of Longevity.
Enjoy.

Healthy diet to fight stress

You can reduce your level of stress just by eating right, and have the added benefit of increased health and beauty. Here’s what you need to know!
Fight stress with a healthy diet Photograph: GoogleFight stress with a healthy diet Photograph: Google

Stress is one of the biggest problems faced by people today. Stress is basically a physical reaction and it starts when a person feels vulnerable or besieged. As we get busy and stressed, we tend to make poor nutritional choices that can actually increase our stress levels and cause other problems. Studies have shown that food and stress are linked together. Diet plays an important role in maintaining our physical as well as mental health. Signs of stress generally are fatigue, headache, constant health problems, stomach disorders and giddiness. Proper diet and rest is one of the best ways to get relieved of stress.

1. Despite the best advice, most people under stress neglect food, so at least start your day with 5 almonds and either milk/lassi/protein drink or egg. You can also start a multivitamin multi-mineral supplement during the stress period.
2. Try not to skip lunch and if you do not have the time to eat then always keep a packet biscuits.
3. Avoid heavy and late dinners. Instead of the regular atta roti (wheat chapati) for dinner, use a healthier atta with a mix of channa, soy, wheat, ragi, mung. On weekends try to take rest and a light dinner.
4. Avoid consuming too much of tea and aerated drinks. For people who are prone to eating processed food, try having muesli with milk if nothing else is available at home. It can be made at home also with equal mix of cornflakes, oat flakes, rice flakes, wheat flakes.

Here are some food that will help you keep stress at bay
1.Fiber – Green, yellow and orange vegetables are very good source of fiber. Vegetables like carrot, capsicum, tomatoes, should be included in the diet for stress treatment. Food rich in fiber can be helps control stomach disorder and maintain the right bowel system.
2.Milk – Milk is rich in tryptophan which maintains serotonin. Serotonin is a mood stabilizer, which helps to control stress level. Mood swings is one of the basic features of stress and milk helps in controlling that.
3.Apricots – Apricots are rich in magnesium, which is a natural stress buster. It is also a good source of vitamin C and is rich in fiber. It helps in relaxing the tensed muscles and nerves.
4.Fish – Too much of stress may lead to a weak heart and fish is the best source for a healthy heart. Fish contain Omega fatty acid which keeps the heart healthy and is also a memory booster. Fish diet for stress is one of the major requirements.
5.Sweet – If you are stressed then indulge into some sweet treat. Sweet, helps in controlling the stress impulses in brain. This helps in controlling your stress level. Sweet diet for stress works wonders. Sweet also generates a feel good factor which helps one to get rid of stress.
6.Water – Drink loads of water. This helps your body to stay hydrated. Stress tends to dehydrate the body and water prevents it. A stressed person may also develop acidity problem. Water helps to wash out all the extra acid and thus keep your digestive system healthy.

Getting High Nutrient Foods in Your Diet

An excellent video of Dr. Furhman explaining why an excess of macronutirents (fat, protein and carbohydrates) and deficiencies of micronutrients in our diets cause most of the diseases that we are so typically facing today.

Stress Relief Balls

At some point in life, we all do face situations where we deal with stress. We all face stress that is a result of work issues, relationship troubles and finances. This stress comes into our lives and goes away or it stays. A given types of stress require medical attention. They affect our emotional and physical health negatively. In such cases, you have many ways to combat this stress and continue the daily life with a calm and a refreshed mind. The smallest tool that victims of stress usually use for temporary stress is a stress relief ball. It requires minimum effort in order to enjoy the benefit fully.

Stress relief balls are squishy balls that that you repeatedly squeeze and roll between palms. Any stressed up person who wants to relieve the tension can use this special ball. These ball other names are stress toys, and stress relievers. Musical balls, Steel balls and Chinese balls are all types of stress balls. The robustness and texture of any stress ball is necessary for proper use. The common stress ball is spherical in shape, although they are available in many sizes, shapes and colors. Since they are available in so many different kinds, one has a variety to choose. Make sure you pick a unique ball for yourself.

HealthWatch: Health, Wellness & Fitness Campaign

Lavender Oil Aromatherapy

There are many types of oils used in relation to aromatherapy, all different in order to achieve different effects. Aromatherapy oils are most commonly divided into several different categories. These categories include:

* essential oils
* absolutes
* floral waters (hydrosols)
* resins
* carrier oils
* infused oils

Lavender oil aromatherapy falls into the first category listed, the essential oils category.

Lavender oil aromatherapy is a liquid most often distilled from the purple blossoms of the lavender plant, or also known as lavendula officinalis. Lavender oil is usually extracted by using a delicate process involving water or steam. Being extracted this way, lavender oil aromatherapy most often captures the absolute essence of the lavender plant itself. It is normally so highly concentrated that a few drops is all that is necessary to reap lavender oil’s full therapeutic benefits.

The appearance of lavender oil is normally clear, with just a hint of yellow. With it being called lavender oil, one may think it is an oily substance. However, despite it’s name, lavender oil aromatherapy is not oily. To the contrary, the consistency of lavender oil aromatherapy is one of the thinnest among all of the other essential oils.

Because the consistency of lavender oil aromatherapy is so thin, the smell of this scent only goes to a medium level. However, once the medium scent starts to settle in the air, lavender oil aromatherapy can be one of the most relaxing scents there is. It is not too strong, and it is not too light. Lavender oil aromatherapy smells very fresh, as well as sweet, with just a twist of a floral aroma. Some people think lavender oil also smells a little fruity.

As with most aromatherapy oils, lavender oil aromatherapy is most often used by diluting it with carrier oils. These carrier oils can include:

* sweet almond oil
* apricot kernel oil
* grape seed oil

Once the oils are blended, they are usually applied to the skin for the best adsorbtion.

In addition to applying lavender oil aromatherapy to the skin, it may also be used by careful inhalation. Once the lavender oil molecules enter the lungs, these oils can then be absorbed into the bloodstream. This will provide you with the therapeutic benefits you need to soothe whatever ailments you may be experiencing.

There are a wide variety of ailments that lavender oil aromatherapy may help treat. Some of these health issues can include:

* acne
* allergies
* anxiety
* asthma
* athlete’s foot

Lavender oil aromatherapy can also help treat ailments such as bruises, burns, colic and chicken pox. Those with cuts, who are suffering with depression, or have an earache may also benefit from the therapeutic benefits of lavender oil aromatherapy. Other possible uses for this healthy oil can include headache treatment, treatment of hypertension, as an insect repellant, to relieve itching, to help reduce labor pains, to treat oily skin, skin scarring, stretch marks, as well as to treat whooping cough.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made by the fermentation of apple cider. During this process, sugar in the apple cider is broken down by bacteria and yeast into alcohol and then into vinegar. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid (like other types of vinegar) and some lactic, citric and malic acids.

Unlike white vinegar, apple cider vinegar is a light yellow-brown color and is often sold unfiltered and unpasteurized with a dark, cloudy sediment called mother of vinegar (consisting mainly of acetic acid bacteria) settled at the bottom of the bottle.

Unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar is sold in health food stores, online and in some grocery stores.


Apple cider vinegar pros
• One of the best pros of apple cider vinegar is that it is mostly made out of apple, therefore it contains vitamins, and mineral salts, which means it does not contain potentially dangerous drugs/chemicals.
• Drinking diluted apple cider vinegar helps with sore throats.
• You can use apple cider vinegar to cook. (salad dressing among a few other things)
• It can also be used as a skin toner and beauty treatment.
• Drinking a few spoons of apple cider vinegar before dinner can help you loose weight.
• Reduce blood sugar levels.
• Remove difficult stains.
• Helps relief arthritis discomfort.

Apple cider vinegar cons
• Although apple cider vinegar is known for its many pros, it is also its biggest con. This is because ones people hear of its many uses, they usually do not carefully research it before taking it, and therefore it could be dangerous.
• Apple cider vinegar has an awful taste.
• Apple cider vinegar contains various acids that can be harmful if it is not diluted before usage.
• If it is use to often for long periods of time, it can lead to lower levels of potassium and lower bone density.
• If you use medication wile drinking apple cider vinegar, it can interfere with your medications.
• Because apple cider vinegar is very easy to purchase, some apple cider brands may contain harmful chemical that can be dangerous for your body.
• Although many people use apple cider vinegar for various things, there is no exact proof from clinical studies regarding how apple cider vinegar manages to do all it does. In other words, apple cider has no scientific back up.

How to reduce your risk of heart disease?

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the United States according to the Center for disease control and prevention. Common risk factors for cardiovascular disease include: hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, family history, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, metabolic syndrome, and physical inactivity.

From that list, there are plenty of risk factors that are deemed, modifiable, which means you can make changes to reduce your risk. For many people quitting smoking, eating healthier, losing weight, or getting more exercise are more difficult than they sound. It takes a lifetime to develop bad habits, so it’s not surprising that it’s difficult to change.

Summary of steps to lower your risk of Cardiovascular Disease:

1. Achieve and maintain ideal body weight
2. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, soy products, and low-fat dairy products in your diet.
3. Eat baked or broiled fish at least twice per week
4. Limit intake of saturated fat and trans fat/ try to consume food rich in omega-3 fatty acids
5. Limit alcohol intake (less than 2 drinks per day for men / 1 drink per day for women.
6. Reduce salt intake (< 2400 mg/d of sodium)
7. Exercise – Walking 30 minutes per day can reduce your risk of MI by as much as 50%!!!
8. Quit Smoking
9. Talk to your doctor about Aspirin use (risk of bleeding) but effective for reducing risk of MI.
10. Proper medical care for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.