60 Uses Of Salt

Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off easier.
Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting..
Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.
Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl.
Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.
Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
Clean your iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.
Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for awhile.
A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea. ?
Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.
Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash..
Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.
Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains..
Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odor.
A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee..
Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.
Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.
Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later.
Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.
A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.
Salt and lemon juice? Removes mildew.
Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass growing.
Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a better look.
Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt water.
If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled

Satisfy all your sexual fantasies with ED pills

Erectile dysfunction is the condition in men when they are unable to hold the erection or sustain the erection for the sufficient amount of time during the sexual intercourse. Around 70% of the men worldwide suffer from the erectile dysfunction either temporarily or permanently. The main cause of the erectile dysfunction is found to be lack of blood supply to the penis during the sexual activity. For penis to get erect and remain erect for a considerable time, it requires a persistent supply of blood. If the blood supply is irregular then men are not able to achieve or retain the erection for the adequate duration during the sexual activity.Erectile dysfunction can also include the inability to achieve an orgasm, losing an erection during sex and only reaching 30-50% of your erection potential. So  it must be treated as soon as possible.There are many drugs that may be used called as ED pills e.g.etc... So if you are going with ED treat now...dont wait.ED pills enhance the sexual appetite of the men and help them to satisfy their partners by improvising their sex skills. Men, who take the ED pills never lose the erection in between the sexual act and hence are able to prove their manliness to their partner. ED pills nurtures the sexual desire of the men and makes them like the sex. The involvement of the men suffering with the ED is found to more as they start taking the ED pills. Some ED pills show the effect for 4 hours and some show for about 6 hours. So depending on your requirement select the pill. Thus satisfy all your sexual fantasies with the help of the ED pills.

8 Wonder Ways For A Flat Tummy

Blame it on SRK’s six-pack-magic, Aamir’s eight-pack-charisma or Priyanka’s hot bikini bod, but flaunting the flattest tummy and a set of well toned abs is the latest dream for many youngsters.
But, they usually tend to forget that it takes more than just basic crunches and crash dieting to carve a drool worthy, flat stomach. Explains fitness trainer, Deanne Pandey, “Ab exercises + cardio exercises + right diet – this is the most effective formula to achieve well-toned abdominal muscles. Missing upon any one of these will take away the real impact of an abs-workout.”
“An ideal diet and workout for every individual depends upon his/her weight loss requirement, body type and body shape,” suggests Pandey. For instance, a pear shaped person may indulge in a less strenuous workout and minimal diet modifications to get the desired tummy in comparison to an apple shaped body, who is usually heavy in the tummy area.
Here are a set of workout and physical activities, which when combined with an ideal eating plan and cardio workouts can assure you of the killer abs that you always dreamt of...
1. Naukasana- A common yoga posture that works wonders on your abs.
Method: Lie flat on the ground, with your back on the floor. Raise your upper body and legs to an angle of 30 degrees and hold the posture for 30-40 seconds, then relax. Repeat this asana for 10 times to begin with, graduating to 30 times. Breathe normally all through the work out.
“Holding onto the posture tightens and contracts your upper and lower abs while repeating the movement tones them up,” tells yoga expert Usha Chegappa of Bharat Thankur’s Artistic Yoga.
2. Ushtrasana : It is the counter pose to naukasana .
Method: Stand on your knees, with heels facing upwards. Arch your back, placing your hands on your knees one by one. Hold your head behind pushing your belly outwards. Hold this posture for 30 seconds and repeat 30 times.
“During naukasana , the ab muscles contract building up tension in the area, while ushtrasana releases the tension by giving your tummy a good stretch. It is important to practice ushtrasana after naukasana to save one's back from injury,” explains Usha.
3. Basic crunch : The good old crunch still remains the best exercise to bag the perfect abs.
Method: Lie on the floor with your legs off the floor in a right angle. Keep your shoulders just above the floor. Breathe in and bring your knees in towards your chest, while lifting your upper body to an angle of 30 degrees and breathe out while you relax. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times to begin with.
“Don’t arch your back. The crunches will help you contract your abdomninal muscles giving them an effective workout,” suggests Deanne.
4. Bridging: Stretch till you feel the burn!
Method: Lie flat on the floor with your hands resting by your sides, feet flat on the floor, shoulder width apart and knees bent. Now, contract your abdominals, lower back and gluts and slowly lift your midsection to form a bridge from your knees, through your hips to your shoulders. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then slowly lower. Fitness expert Kiran Swahney suggests, “Avoid this exercise in case you are suffering from lower back problems.”
5. Lying Torso Twists:  Twisting motion stretches the oblique muscles.
Method: Lie on the floor with knees pulled over your chest. Place a ball between your knees and stretch arms to the sides like an airplane, palms facing up. Contract your abs and twist your hips to the right, bringing knees towards the floor Don’t touch the floor, but use your abs to bring your knees back to the start and go to the other side.
“Make sure your shoulders lie flat on the floor and keep breathing normally,” advises Kiran.
6. Cycling: Not on the cycle, but on the floor.
Method: Lie on the floor and raise your legs. Make slow pedaling motions with both your legs alternatively. Keep breathing normally. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee.
“The slower and controlled are the motions, more is the pressure exerted on your abs giving better results,” explains Deanne.
7. Side plank: targeted to your oblique muscles or side abs.
Method: Lie down on your side with elbows supporting your body above the ground. Now lift your body sideways. This will make you feel the stretch on your oblique muscles giving them a good workout. 2-3 sets of 15-20 movements are ideal.
“Make sure your body is in one line without any bends and arches. If indulging in a strenuous workout is on your mind, hold in the position and pulsate,” adds Deanne.
8. Dancing wonders: Feel the pulse
“Stomach muscles are core muscles involved in any kind of dancing. A toned stomach accentuates your moves, while dance movements make your stomach sexy. It’s a co-related process,” says dance instructor, Nanda Kundu.
Some of the dance forms that can help you tone your stomach include Lindy Hop, Jive, cha cha and belly dancing. “All these forms of dance involve lots of lifts, dips and tricks which give a great workout to the stomach muscles,” adds Nanda.
The above mentioned abdominal muscles are required to be repeated over a period of time to get desired results. “Give sufficient rest between abdominal exercises and sets. Increase the amount of repetitions that you perform each week by two times, until you can comfortably perform 20 repititions of each abdominal exercise,” advises Kiran.
“With adequate diet and a regular workout, the effects can be felt in as many as just seven days,” adds Usha.

Treat Hair Loss For Men And Women

Hair loss is something that most people dread and hope that it never takes place. Men have documented their attempts to reverse the process of hair loss and cure baldness.
Cure for Baldness
Currently there is no cure for baldness. There are some lotions that can help slow down the process but there is no cure for male pattern baldness. There are, however, a number of things that you should consider.
Suggestions for Male Hair Loss
Emphasize your other facial features. Many men are using products to improve their looks. There are many products available in the market that improve your skin. If you have great eyes you can think about getting your eyelashes dyed. Seek advice from a beautician or a health expert.
Your clothes style can affect the way you look. Good clothes can make you look much younger and more attractive. One of the most effective way is to get a good hair cut. Short, cropped styled or a light perm can add volume to your hair. A complete shave may look great.
Get a hair piece. It looks very realistic. Covering up a bald area can be the answer. Good ones can be very expensive but last a longer if taken care of properly.
Wearing a hat can look stylish.
Medication for male hair loss     
There are two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration - Finasteride and Minoxidil (Rogaine) that have shown a positive effect on balding.
Finasteride is a 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor. It works by blocking 5-Alpha reductase and prevents the enzyme from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is DHT that causes male pattern baldness. There are two drugs that contain Finasteride, Propecia and Proscar. Originally prescribed by doctors for benign prostate hyperplasia (prostate problems), the drug has been shown to stop hair loss and in some cases reverse the balding process.
Finasteride takes about three months to show results and hair loss occurs a year after the drug is stopped. Side effects are unusual but can include impotence, reduced libido, ejaculation disorders, breast tenderness and enlargement, hypersensitivity reactions such as rashes and lip swelling. Women of child bearing potential should not touch the drug and condoms should be used as the drug is excreted in semen as there is a risk of birth defects.
Minoxidil (Regaine) is found to be effective in about 25% of men with baldness on the crown. Applied twice a day in a cream the hair growth only occurs as long as it is used. Minoxidil was originally approved to treat high blood pressure. Side effects are unusual but Regaine should not be used by people with a history of heart problems, sudden weight gain, chest pains, fainting, or rapid heartbeat.
Surgical Intervention for male hair loss
In the case of HAIR TRANSPLANTS very small plugs of hair are taken from the side or back of the scalp and transplanted onto the bald patches. The procedure has improved over the years but it still takes months to give a good effect.
Tissue expansion for male hair loss :Tiny balloons are inserted under the scalp between the areas of dense hair and gradually inflated over a number of months. This makes the area up to one third larger and it is this area that is surgically removed and the sides are pulled up to the top of the head.
Scalp reduction for male hair loss :Loose skin on the scalp is surgically removed pulling the hair on the sides of the head up. As the skin on the forehead is also sometimes slightly lifted it lessens wrinkles.
Women hair loss treatment
Women's hair loss is due to imbalances caused by medications, abnormal hormonal functions within the body, and at times simple hormonal imbalances. Such things may get resolved by themselves over a period of time. Medicines can also be administered to stabilize the imbalance. Unlike male baldness pattern , women's hair loss can be reversed over time and the treatment can stop. However there are fewer treatments available for women than for men.
The importance of blood tests to determine exactly what may be causing your hair loss, and how imperative it is to find an educated specialist to follow up with you cannot be denied.
It is assumed that you have already been to a physician and received an accurate diagnosis. It is important that this is done prior to evaluating the available treatments because certain treatments can potentially exacerbate certain types of Alopecia, and make them worse. Therefore, we are going to categorize the available treatments by the types of Alopecia, to ensure that no mistakes are made.
Female Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA): Appears as diffuse thinning of hair throughout the scalp, resulting in overall reduced hair density. Typically appears at times of hormonal change whether by medications or systemic hormonal imbalances.
Antiandrogen Treatment: Since Androgenetic Alopecia is by nature a byproduct of elevated androgen levels in your body, the most common treatment for it is an Antiandrogen. Unfortunately, no Antiandrogen treatments that work for women have gotten as far as FDA approval for use in treating women's hair loss. Because of this, it is vital that you work together with your dermatologist to determine the benefits and drawbacks of each of the following antiandrogens.

Med Info : Anemia

Anemia
What is it?
Anemia is condition caused by low levels of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin (the part of the red blood cells that delivers oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body). There are over 400 different types of anemia ranging from mild to severe. Many of them are rare.
Who gets it?
Anyone with certain underlying conditions can develop anemia. Those at risk include anyone with chronic blood loss due to cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, hemorrhoids, heavy menstrual flow, stomach ulcers, alcohol abuse, or other medical conditions.
What causes it?
Anemia is caused by chronic bleeding, a decrease in red blood cell production, or an increase in red blood cell destruction. A poor diet low in iron can cause anemia, as can some hereditary disorders and certain diseases. However, excessive bleeding due to cancer, childbirth, injury, gastrointestinal tumors, heavy menstrual flow, hemorrhoids, nosebleeds, stomach ulcers, alcohol abuse and surgery is the most common cause of anemia.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of anemia include weakness; fatigue; pale sallow skin; dizziness; lack of color in the palms of hands, gums and nail beds; chest pain; cravings for ice, paint or dirt; headache; inability to concentrate; inflammation of the mouth; insomnia; irregular heartbeat; lack of appetite; nails that are dry and brittle; swelling of the hands and feet; thirst; ringing in the ears and unexplained bleeding or bruising.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose anemia, the doctor may look at the patient’s medical history and symptoms to determine what tests should be done. Anemia may be diagnosed through laboratory tests that measure the percentage of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. The doctor may also use the tests to determine the type of anemia responsible for the patient’s symptoms. In addition, the doctor may order x-rays and examinations of bone marrow to identify the source of the bleeding.
What is the treatment?
Treatment of anemia is usually directed at the underlying cause. The doctor may recommend anemia due to nutritional deficiencies be treated with iron supplements, injections of vitamin B12, or other vitamin supplements. If blood loss is severe, the doctor may recommend the patient undergo transfusions of red blood cells to accelerate their production. Medication or surgery may be necessary to control menstrual flow, repair a bleeding ulcer, or remove polyps (growths or nodules) from the bowels. Cancer-related anemias may be treated with blood transfusions and/or medication.
Self-care tips
While inherited anemias cannot be prevented, avoiding excessive use of alcohol, eating a balanced diet that contains plenty of iron-rich foods, and taking a daily multivitamin can help prevent many types of anemia.

This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers.  The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician.  It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Maximum Fitness, Minimum Time: 16 Tips

These 16 strategies will help you get the body you've always wanted:
1. In the beginning, your fitness plan should not be overly aggressive. One of the biggest problems most people encounter when starting a fitness program is rapidly depleted motivation after only a few weeks; this is due to an overly ambitious fitness plan.
Two days per week of 20-minute low-intensity cardiovascular exercise (walking, jogging, biking, swimming) and two days per week of 30-minute light resistance training (using weights or resistance machines) is adequate in the beginning. As you adapt to the lifestyle shift, you can add more days and get improved results. But beware: If you try to do too much too fast, you may end up quitting altogether.
2. If your goal is fat loss, then your cardiovascular exercise should be low intensity. Your heart rate during cardio exercise should not exceed 50 percent to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate. The simple formula for calculating your 100 percent maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age.
If the intensity of your exercise increases your heart rate beyond 70 percent (which can occur very easily if you are in poor shape), you start shifting from using body fat as your energy source to relying on glucose metabolism. Your personal trainer can supply you with a simple heart-rate monitor you can wear during exercise. That way, you always stay in your peak fat-burning range.
3. Don't waste your time working small muscles with isolated movements. If you don't enjoy doing resistance training or are pressed for time, concentrate on working the largest muscle groups with compound resistance movements.
When I see overweight people doing wrist curls or lateral raises, I wonder why. It's generally just a lack of understanding of how their bodies work. Most people want to lose fat and tone and firm their bodies. The way to do that is to use resistance (weights or machines) to train the large muscle groups
Men should be concentrating on legs, chest and back. Women should concentrate more on their legs and back. The best exercises for legs are lunges or squats (your personal trainer will show you the proper form and then monitor you during the exercise) and the leg press. The best chest exercise is the bench press, and the best back exercise is the seated row. All of these are compound movements, which means they incorporate multiple muscle groups.
4. Always stretch. Stretching improves flexibility, blood flow, muscle recovery and a host of other things. Additionally, stretching can prevent injury, make you sleep better and improve your performance in all sports. Always stretch, but be certain not to stretch cold muscles. You should always warm up before stretching. However, it is very important that you know how to stretch. Never bounce! Your personal trainer will show you the proper execution and timing of your stretches.
5. Never do a traditional sit-up. Unless you are super athlete with an incredibly well-developed midsection, sit-ups can lead to a strained lower back and possibly lumbar injuries. But it gets worse. Rather than hitting your abdominal section, sit-ups can shift exercise tension to your hip flexors, which defeats the purpose of the exercise.
There is so much misinformation about how to strengthen, tone and firm the midsection, it's almost frightening. It is very difficult to learn proper abdominal exercise technique by reading about it or watching it demonstrated on a video. You need to do it with supervision and get feedback about your form from a knowledgeable source.
And keep in mind that you use your abdominal muscles in almost every single movement you make. Strengthening your abdominal region is the most effective way to prevent, or recover from, lower back pain.
6. Set realistically attainable goals. You must have tangible, quantifiable, short-term and long-term goals for your fitness program so that you can gauge your progress. It's crucial to have a baseline before you begin. Your health club or personal trainer can give you a complete fitness analysis that will aid you or your trainer in developing a personalized fitness program to address your particular needs.
Having goals, particularly short-term goals, allows you to track your progress and keeps you motivated when times are tough and you don't feel like exercising. Keeping a journal of your cardio and resistance-training workouts, as well as tracking what you eat, will ensure fitness success.
Just remember that your goals should be realistic and attainable. The best way for you to understand what is realistic and attainable for you is to talk to a fitness professional -- don't buy into the hype of infomercials or diet products that blatantly mislead.
7. Set exercise appointments with yourself. You wouldn't miss a business meeting or client appointment, would you? So don't miss your exercise appointment with yourself. Nothing is more important than your health. Nothing. Everything else will crumble around you if your health goes south. So make your exercise appointments a priority.
If you find it difficult to keep these appointments, then consider hiring a personal trainer who will hold you to your commitment. When you have money invested and someone waiting for you to show up, you are much more likely to actually show up!
8. Remember the benefits of exercise. Remember that feeling of euphoria you experienced after a particularly good workout? You experienced that feeling because the most powerful feel-good drug in the world, endorphins, were coursing through your veins. If there is a panacea, it's exercise.
Nothing feels better than the post-workout high you experience after exercising. Revel in that feeling. Let it wash over you and truly experience it. Etch that feeling in your brain. It will fuel your motivation on those inevitable days when you just don't feel like exercising. Being physically fit affects every single aspect of your life: You sleep better, eat better, love better, overcome stress better, work better, communicate better and live better!
9. Exercise correctly. So much time is wasted doing, at best, unproductive exercise, or at worst, dangerous exercise. Get educated on how to exercise correctly. And the absolute best way to do that is to hire a personal trainer to develop a program for you and then teach you what to do and how to do it right.
Personal training does not have to be an ongoing process. You can hire a personal trainer for whatever length of time you need to learn the ropes. It could be five sessions or 15. It's completely up to you. But statistics prove that those who understand how to exercise correctly, get better and faster results. And that's what you want, right? Results!
10. Enjoy yourself. The most difficult thing is actually getting into your running shoes or going to the gym. But once you begin your workout, relax and enjoy the process. Don't fight it. Make exercise your personal time.
When you are exercising, you can focus completely on yourself. Yes, exercising can and should be somewhat rigorous (depending on your level of fitness), but it is just that investment that makes it supremely rewarding. As with anything, if you are in the moment, you can fully appreciate the experience and truly enjoy the process.
11. Americans eat too many carbohydrates for our lifestyles. Minimize your intake of bread, pasta, rice, potato and, of course, all sugary drinks. We are no longer an agrarian society participating in manual labor. Most of us are fairly sedentary throughout the day and therefore do not need the high levels of carbohydrates to sustain our energy.
Additionally, carbohydrates are addictive. The more doughnuts you eat, the more you want. The bulk of your carbohydrates should come from vegetables and fruit. Focus on those with high water content, such as cucumbers, grapefruit, tomatoes, cantaloupe, strawberries and even vegetable soups (watch out for high sodium), which will all fill you up nicely.
By the way, numerous studies have conclusively proven that the quarter of the population eating the most vegetables get half the cancer of the quarter eating the least!
12. Deep-fried food has no nutritional value none! Almost every food, whether it s steak, chocolate or red wine, has some nutrients to contribute. But one thing is absolute: Fried foods are garbage.
Potato chips, french fries, onion rings, breaded chicken strips and all the rest of the deep-fried junk are pregnant with saturated fat and calories -- and they contain almost zero nutritional value. If you're trying to lose weight and/or reduce fat, simply eliminate fried foods completely from your diet. Yikes! That stuff is scary.
13. Never skip breakfast. If you want to maximize your fitness results or fat-loss efforts, you've got to eat breakfast. Even if you don't exercise at all, breakfast remains the most important meal of the day.
Your breakfast should contain complete proteins and complex carbohydrates. A great breakfast is oatmeal (not the pre-packaged, pre-sweetened kind) with a little honey and banana and a protein drink. Or try scrambled egg whites with Healthy Choice turkey sausage.
14. Eat fat to lose fat. Healthy fats are necessary to your body for a bunch of reasons: regulating hormonal production, improving immune function, lowering total cholesterol, lubricating joints and providing the basics for healthy hair, nails and skin.
You must be aware of the difference between healthy good fats and dangerous bad fats. Good fats are monounsaturated fats such as olive; peanut and canola oil; avocados; all-natural peanut butter and nuts; and omega-3 fats found in salmon, mackerel and soy-based foods. Bad fats are saturated fats, partially hydrogenated fats and trans fats.
Your personal trainer can provide you with a simple diet program that will complement your exercise to help you live longer, feel better and boost your immune system. The bottom line is your body needs good fats and will revolt if you attempt to abstain from them; it absolutely does not need bad fats.
15. Drink plenty of fresh, clean water. Yes, I know that you've heard this over and over again. The recommended amount is approximately eight glasses, or 64 ounces, of water every day. When you are exercising, you need to drink even more. More than 75 percent of your body is water (even bone is more than 20 percent water). When you don't drink enough water and substitute diuretics like coffee, tea and caffeinated sodas, you dehydrate your body, your blood doesn't flow properly and your digestive system doesn't operate smoothly (among other problems).
Even a small deficit of water can radically affect how your body performs. Here's a good rule of thumb: If your urine is a dark yellow or has a strong odor, you're not drinking enough water. Drink up!
16. Eat regularly throughout the day. Fasting or overly restrictive diets will enable you to lose weight in the short run because the weight you lose is primarily water weight and lean muscle mass. But in the long run, it has exactly the opposite effect you want.
When you restrict your diet, your body instinctively thinks it's being starved and shifts into a protective mode by storing fat. Energy expenditures are fueled by your lean muscles. Therefore, your body fat remains essentially the same and you lose vital fluids and muscle instead.
The less muscle you have, the slower your metabolism becomes and the less fat you burn. You should be eating three nutritionally balanced meals each day, and you should have at least one or two healthy snacks. This keeps your metabolic furnace stoked -- you burn more at a faster rate. I know it's counter-intuitive, but it's the gospel truth!
There you have it: Sixteen essential strategies for an effective weight-loss-and-fitness program that will have you looking and feeling better than you have in years -- maybe ever!
I realize that starting (or re-starting) a productive and effective fitness program is not easy. That's why I encourage you to get help.
If you're sick, you go to the doctor. If you've got a tax problem, you see an accountant (or an attorney). Have a toothache? You're off to the dentist. Leaky pipes result in a call to the plumber. So why is it that so many people attempt to solve their health and fitness problems without consulting an expert? I don't know why, but I encourage you to make the investment in yourself -- in your quality of life -- by hiring a qualified professional to help you get started.
The hardest part is getting started and sustaining your motivation until fitness becomes habitual. Once you develop the habit, which can take as little as 30 days, your whole life will change for the better.

Good Sleep can fight with Cancer

A complete night sleep can help something to beat cancer. According to one research, Shift workers have higher rates of breast and colon cancer than women who sleep normal hours.
Some researchers are on the view that one reason to cause this cancer is the exposure of these people to light at nights. Long exposures of light reduce the level of melatonin, a hormone that both makes us sleepy and is thought to protect against cancer.
Not only melatonin, but two possible culprits are the hormones melatonin and cortical. Melatonin is an antioxidant that mops up damaging free radicals, but the body produces less of it when sleep cycles are disrupted. Melatonin appears to suppress the growth of tumors.
Cortical helps to regulate the immune system, may also be compromised by troubled sleep.
In this regard, make sure before sleeping that your bedroom is dark, so that your body will produce enough melatonin to give you a good & healthy sleep and body.

All about India's commonest cancer : Cervical Cancer

All about India's commonest cancer : Cervical Cancer
Not many know that India, with a population of 365.71 million has women aged between 15 years and above who stand at the risk of developing cervical cancer. A World Health Organisation study reveals that every year 1,32,000women are diagnosed with this particular kind of cancer and 74,000 die from the disease. The growing risk of cervical cancer in women in India (aged 0-64 years) is 2.4% compared to 1.3% for the world.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical Cancer is the cancer of the mouth of the uterus called cervix. "It is the commonest cancer in India and all sexually active women are at a risk of contracting this disease. But it's mostly seen in woman aged between 50 to 55 years. If detected at a pre-cancerous stage (when the cells are not normal, but are not yet cancerous), this cancer is 100 per cent curable," says Dr Gauravi Mishra, a consultant in preventive oncology at the Tata Memorial Hospital.
Symptoms
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse, bleeding between periods, post-menstrual bleeding and discharge from the vagina
Main cause
HPV (Human papillomavirus infection): HPV is the main and necessary virus for this cancer. It is a sexually transmitted virus and even rubbing of the private parts can cause it. Most people never even know they have HPV, or that they are passing it to their partner. So it may not be possible to know who gave you HPV or when you got it. HPV is so common that most people get it soon after they start having sex. And it may only be detected years later.
Risk factors:
Having sex at an early age
Having many sexual partners
Having many pregnancies
Using birth control pills for 5 or more years
Consuming any form of tobacco
Prevention
Cervical cancer vaccine: Is the first vaccine ever designed to prevent cancer. It is recommended to girls aged 11 to 12 years as it allows a girl's immune system to be activated before she's likely to encounter HPV. This vaccine is not yet available in India, but is expected by the year end. "Although this vaccine has proved quite effective in the western countries, we still need to follow up to see for how long the immunity lasts," says Dr Mishra.
Delay sex: Waiting to have sex until you are older can help you avoid HPV. It also helps to limit your number of sexual partners and to avoid having sex with someone who has had many other sexual partners.
Use condoms: Condoms when used correctly can lower the HPV infection rate by about 70%. They can't protect one completely because they don't cover every possible HPV-infected area of the body, such as the skin of the genital or the anal area.
Important Tests
Pap test: Cells are collected from the surface of the cervix and checked on a slide. This test is available at most hospitals and clinics and its cost varies from Rs 250 to Rs 500.
HPV test: Doctors take DNA cells by swabbing the cervix. "The HPV test is ideal for the detection of cervical cancer. It is slightly more accurate than the pap test, but is not recommended for woman below 30 years of age," says Dr Neerja Batla, a senior gynecologist, AIIMS. This test is available at all major hospitals and costs around Rs 1,500.
Colposcopy test: It enlarges the image of the cervic and the cells can be then seen clearly. This test is available at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
Treatment
The three main treatments available today are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In case of a surgery, the chances of a woman conceiving a child later in her life are as good as nil. "In surgery, we remove the lymph nodes, uterus, some tissues and sometimes even some parts of the vagina," adds Dr Batla.
In Western countries, the cases of cervical cancer have come down due to the active awareness, vaccine and pap screenings which detect the cancer at a very early stage. But in India, which accounts for a shocking one in eight cervical cancer deaths in the world, there is little or no awareness about the disease. We hope this article brings the required alertness about this life threatening disease which a simple vaccine can stop women from falling prey to.
Mass vaccination must to prevent cervical cancer: scientist
Cervical cancer ranks number one and every year 1,32,000 Indian women are diagnosed with this cancer and 74,000 die of the disease

Mumbai: Mass vaccination can prevent high incidence of cervical cancer, the most common form of cancer among women in India, a top German scientist has said.
“Cervical cancer caused mostly by sexually transmitted Human Papilloma virus (HPV) can be prevented mainly through vaccination as the virus is stable outside the human system,” Prof Tino F Schwarz, head Central Laboratory and Vaccination Centre, Germany, said, addressing a workshop for media here yesterday.
“The HPV is made of only proteins and DNA and without an envelop and thus cannot be destroyed easily. This is in contrast to the HIV (Human Immuno Virus) which has an envelop and can be destroyed easily and are not stable outside the human system,” he said.
Cervical cancer ranks number one and every year 1,32,000 Indian women are diagnosed with this cancer and 74,000 die of the disease. The National Cancer Control Programme should gear up for mass vaccination of women between age group of 10- 45 years to prevent it, Schwarz said.
In India, HPV types 16, 18 and 45 are responsible for 81% of the cervical cancer cases, the German scientist said.

Body Hair Removal for Men

Body Hair Removal for Men
Tired of back hair? More men than ever are choosing to take it off, and they have several options in their quest.
According to a survey in Men's Fitness magazine, if men could change one thing about their bodies, 54.9% would rather change their hair follicles than their muscles.
Ron Shelton, MD, an assistant professor at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, says that back hair is the chief complaint of men who visit his New York City clinic for hair removal procedures.
"They're tired of being told they're wearing a sweater," he says, of his clients' experiences when they take their shirts off.
Dr. Shelton also treats swimmers who feel weighed down by arm hair, and body builders who refuse to hide behind their chest hair.
Here's the lowdown on the latest options for hair removal.
Laser Treatment
Laser hair removal, the latest and perhaps most effective method of hair removal, may be one reason more men are talking to their doctors about hair removal.
"I'm not sure," says Dr. Shelton, "but I think the thought of having a hot wax over the entire back was not appealing to people."
In 1995, the FDA approved the first laser treatment for hair removal use. So far, laser treatments appear to be safe and effective for long-term hair removal.
"About 80% of patients maintain 80% removal of their hair one year after treatment," says Dr. Shelton. Studies on long-term effectiveness vary, indicating 40%-80% hair removal after six months.
But getting your hair zapped off will cost you. Laser treatments can run anywhere from $800 to $1,500 per session, and effective treatment can take from two to six sessions.
Another drawback is temporary skin color change. "Color change is temporary as a rule," says Dr. Shelton, particularly "lightly-colored and darkly-colored spots that can take three to six months to go away." In one study of 53 people, 29% experienced skin color changes after laser hair removal.
And when it comes to laser hair removal, blonds have less luck than dark-haired men. Lighter hair doesn't absorb the laser light as well as darker hair does. Indeed, if people with blond hair call Dr. Shelton's clinic about laser hair removal, he says, "We try to discourage them on the phone so they don't waste a trip." The perfect candidate for laser hair removal has dark hair and a light to semi-light complexion.
Electrolysis
For those with blond hair or dark skin, electrolysis may work. Electrolysis involves inserting a needle into one hair follicle at a time, destroying each with an electrical current. After treatment, 25%-50% of a person's hair may grow back.
Christine Sabick, a certified cosmetic therapist, has removed men's back hair with this method, but says that it is time consuming.
"If they can't spare a half an hour or 45 minutes a week for two and a half years," says Sabick, "I wouldn't recommend it."
Sabick sees a lot of men for facial hair removal. Even this process can demand one appointment a week for a year to a year and a half.
While laser treatments can create the sensation of a rubber band snapping the skin, people have still rated lasers less painful than electrolysis needles. And scarring is a potential risk with electrolysis.
Electrolysis session can run between $50 and $100 and complete hair removal can require 50 to 100 or more sessions.
Waxing
For the man whose threshold for pain is higher than his bank balance, waxing is always an option.
Waxing sessions at a salon can cost from $30-$60, and home waxing kits cost anywhere from $6-$9. Waxing can tweak a unibrow and remove back and facial hair. The effects can last up to six weeks.
But even men who rip off bandages with gusto should think twice before waxing, in which a sheet of hot wax is ripped off of the skin, taking the hair along with it. If you choose to wax at home, be careful not to wax over moles or warts, and don't put the wax on so hot that you burn your skin.
Depilatories
If none of these procedures appeal, a man can always purchase a depilatory (like Nair or Neet), which dissolves hair, for less than $10 at the drugstore.
Depilatories can be used on chests and backs, but they don't compare to a good shave for facial hair. Several days may pass before you need to reapply a depilatory.
To prevent an allergic reaction, apply some to the underside of your wrist, before applying it to your body. Also, follow the instructions on the bottle closely if you leave a depilatory on too long it may leave your skin with a chemical burn.
Depilatories may leave your skin feeling itchy and tingly, and may also require more than one application, but re-applying may lead to chemical burn.

Yoga For all

According to a 2003 study by Yoga Journal, over 15 million Americans now practice yoga, and the number is growing. Yoga is perhaps the perfect form of exercise, for in addition to toning and stretching muscles, it works to balance every system of the body. It also calms the mind and reduces stress. And you don't need to twist yourself into a pretzel, or even get down on a mat, to reap the many benefits of this ancient practice. And with Chair yoga, all you need is a chair, your breath, and the willingness to learn. Chair yoga has become more and more common as people with disabilities are realizing the benefits and accessibility of yoga.   
Lakshmi Voelker Binder, a yogini with nearly 40 years of experience, developed Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga: The Sitting Mountain Series in 1987 when one of her students, Candace Terry, found she could no longer get down on the floor to do yoga because of worsening arthritis symptoms.
Accessible to Everyone
"I wanted to develop a style of yoga that would be accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical condition," explains Lakshmi. "With Chair Yoga, everyone, regardless of age or ability, can benefit from yoga."
After Candace began practicing Lakshmi's chair asanas (poses), she quickly became stronger and more flexible. Within six months of daily practice, Candace regained the strength and vitality to attend regular yoga classes again.
Yoga Benefits
Besides being a great stress reliever, yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the opposite of the flight-or-flight (sympathetic) system we easily fall into. The gentle flow of breath and movement calms the mind, increases blood circulation, improves strength, reduces muscle tension, and enhances respiration. It's also grounding, improves focus, and helps people become more in touch with themselves and what they need.
"Many of us live with our sympathetic nervous system activated to some extent nearly all the time," explains Lakshmi. "Deep breathing reminds our bodies of what it feels like to deeply relax." And once we relax, we become more clear-headed and productive.
Benefits for People with Disabilities
For people with disabilities, yoga offers additional benefits, including improving gross motor skills; developing self-esteem; improving communication, listening, and relationship skills; and helping people discover their unique qualities in a non-competitive atmosphere.
And, for those in wheelchairs, Chair Yoga enhances one's friendship with the chair by making it more of an extension of his or her body.
Almost any yoga pose can be modified to be practiced in a chair, and Lakshmi encourages all her students to be creative and do the best they can with the limitations they currently have. Any style of chair can be used for chair yoga, though a sturdy armless chair works best.
For those who spend their days in a wheelchair, arm and leg rests may be removed, or kept in place as needed.
"The only limitations of doing yoga in a wheelchair are the individual's physical limitations, " says Lakshmi, who quickly points out that she rarely uses the word "limitation. "

The 6 Biggest Skin-Care Mistakes...

1. Using a cleanser with harsh detergents:
Many people assume that the suds of their vigorously foaming cleanser are a good sign -- surely they'll leave skin extra clean. Unfortunately, copious suds are generally a sign that your cleanser contains a harsh detergent, like lauryl sulfate, that strips skin of vital lipids. (And don't get me started on bar soap -- that is always a no-no.) Instead, look for cleansers that contain fatty acids and will actually fortify your skin, like Dove's ProAge products, or even simple cold cream. If you have particularly dry skin, I recommend cleansing oils, which remove dirt and makeup without disturbing your skin's natural protective barrier.
2. Not using a retinoid:
Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is the only topical ingredient proven not only to prevent lines and wrinkles but to minimize the ones you already have. Past the age of 30, I recommend seeing a dermatologist for a higher-concentration prescription retinoid (like Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac, for example), but there are also many great over-the-counter creams that contain lower concentrations of retinol. I like Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Night Cream, and SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0.
3. Spending too much on skin care:
Splurging on the beautiful packaging and luxurious scents of pricey boutique skin care lines can feel wonderfully pampering -- provided you know that it's absolutely not necessary for great skin. In fact, many of my favorite products are made by drugstore brands, because those companies have the large budgets for top-notch research and development. If you have to choose, put your money toward that prescription retinoid, and buy the rest of your regimen at the drugstore.
4. Getting facials:
Yes, that's right -- you can strike facials from your skin-care budget and actually be doing your skin a favor! Studies show that as many as 80% of people break out after a facial. Aestheticians often don't know which products are right for the skin of each client, and may use ingredients that can worsen acne, or essential oils that tend to irritate sensitive skin. Even if you don't break out, there are really no long-term benefits to facials.
5. Washing your face at the wrong time:
Always wash your face after you rinse out your hair products and conditioner in the shower, never before. Many conditioners contain pore-clogging isopropyl myristate and other hair products often contain coconut oil -- both are common acne-causing ingredients that you don't want to leave on your skin.
6. Not using sunscreen every day:
Not just for your trip to the beach. Not just during the long summer days. Every day. Yes, it's important to be even more vigilant if you plan to spend lots of time in direct sunlight. But incidental sun exposure typically accounts for more of our lifetime exposure to ultraviolet rays than those days at the beach. Walking to and from your car, dashing out of the office for a sandwich, or sitting outside for a few minutes adds up -- make sure you're covered with at least SPF 15, every day.
Wishing you great skin!

What colour are you eating?

What colour are you eating?
The colour of the food you eat affects your mind and body
Every living being on this planet carries a different vibration, so colours really do play an important role in our life. The body’s functions are dictated by the chakras , the main energy centre of the body. If you are eating the same foods all the time you will not be providing your body with the colours and vibrations which it requires. Eating different coloured food can keep you healthy, as well as change your mood and behaviour.
Here is a list of colours, which can change your life.
Blue/Purple
Blue is considered to be peaceful and calming and they have same affect on our health. The blue/purple colour in food is due primarily to their anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are antioxidants that are particularly heart healthy and may help support healthy blood pressure. Out of all the blue and purple food available, blueberries are considered to have the highest antioxidant activity. An analysis of the latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES), a survey of eating and health habits, found that people who eat purple and blue fruits and vegetables are at a reduced risk for both high blood pressure and low HDL cholesterol and are also less likely to be overweight.
Dr. Bhavesh Saxena, a food and health expert, says “The darker the blue colour, the more beneficial it is. Blue and purple colour foods helps people suffering from heart diseases by preventing clot formation, and they also lower the risk of cancer.”
Foods that contain blue and purple colours are raddish, eggplant (especially the skin), blueberries, blackberries, prunes, plums, pomegranates and purple grapes
Green
We all know that we should eat our greens as green symbolises nature. The natural plant pigment chlorophyll colours green fruits and vegetables. The green foods represents foods rich in isothiocyanates, which induce enzymes in the liver that assist the body in removing potentially dangerous compounds. Green vegetables and fruits contain isothiocyanates, which have anticancer properties
Dr. Ashok Agarwal, a food and nutrition secialist, explains “They are excellent sources of vitamin K, folic acid, potassium, as well as carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. Folic acid is needed to prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy, while vitamin K is essential in blood clot formation. Diets high in potassium are associated with lowering blood pressure. The colour green makes you feel healthier overall and has the potential to help you eat healthier foods. “
Foods that contain the green colour are: Broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, brussels and sprouts
Red
It is known fact that restaurants usually splash red colour around the décor since it encourages patrons to eat more and to eat faster. Lycopene is the predominant pigment in reddish fruits and veggies. It is a powerful antioxidant that has been associated with a reduced risk of some cancers, especially prostate cancer, and also provides protection against heart attacks. Tomatoes help support the health of prostate and breast tissue.
Dr. Ashok Agarwal, food & nutrition specialist, says, “Cooked tomato sauces are associated with greater health benefits as compared with the uncooked version as the heating process allows lycopene, to be more easily absorbed by the body, Obtaining optimal benefit from nutrients in food, especially produce, depends on proper selection, storage, and cooking of the produce.”
Foods that contain red colour are: Tomatoes and tomato products, watermelon, guava, cranberries, red onions, red chili peppers, red apples, red grapes, cherries, etc.
Yellow/Green
Yellow is an energising colour, it stimulates the appetite and is said to help improve memory.
Dr. Bhavesh Saxena, M.B.B.S & food expert says, “With a variation of the green colour, these foods exhibit a richness in lutein, which is particularly beneficial for eye health and is also high in vitamin C.”
Foods that contain yellow/green colours are: Avocado, kiwifruit, spinach, pistachios, etc
Orange
The orange group foods are also rich in beta-carotene, which are particularly good antioxidants. These foods are commonly considered eyesight foods because they contain vitamin A.
“Orange fruits and vegetables also play a part in preventing cancer, particularly of the lung, esophagus, and stomach. They may also reduce the risk of heart diseases and improve immune function," adds Dr. Agarwal.
Foods that contain the colour orange are: Carrots, mangoes, cantaloupe, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, apricots, etc.

Solution Of Dandruff

Dandruff Symptoms

The scales from the scalp fall : When the hair is combed or brushed, or when the scalp is scratched, the scales from the scalp fall like snowflakes and settle on the eye brows, shoulders, and clothes. These scales sometimes appear as lumps or crusts on the scalp.
Itching is there and scalp may become red :Often there is itching as well and the scalp may become red from scratching.

Dandruff Causes

Impairment of general health, wrong food intake, constipation
The main causes of dandruff are impairment of general health, development of a toxic condition mainly due to taking of wrong foods, constipation, and a low vitality due to infectious diseases.
Emotional tension, harsh shampoos, general exhaustion
Other factors contributing to this disorder are emotional tension, harsh shampoos, exposure to cold, and general exhaustion.

Home Remedies for Dandruff

Dandruff treatment using Fenugreek Seeds

The use of fenugreek seeds is one of the most important remedies in the treatment of dandruff. Two tablespoons of these seeds should be soaked overnight in water and ground into a fine paste in the morning. This paste should be applied all over the scalp and left for half an hour. The hair should then be washed thoroughly with soap-nut (ritha) solution or acacia concinna.

Dandruff treatment using Lime

The use of a teaspoon of fresh lime juice for the last rinse, while washing the hair, is another useful remedy. This not only leaves the hair glowing but also removes stickiness and prevents dandruff.

Dandruff treatment using Green Gram Powder

A valuable prescription for removal of dandruff is the use of green gram powder. The hair should be washed twice a week with two tablespoons of this powder mixed with half a cup of curd.

Dandruff treatment using Beet

Beets have been found useful in dandruff. Both tops and roots should be boiled in water and this water should be massaged into the scalp with the finger tips every night. White beet is better for this purpose.

Dandruff treatment using Snake Gourd

The juice of snake gourd has been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of dandruff. The juice should be rubbed over the scalp for this purpose.

Dandruff treatment using Other Remedies

Dandruff can be removed by massaging the hair for half an hour with curd which has been kept in the open for three days, or with a few drops of lime juice mixed with indian gooseberry juice every night, before going to bed. Another measure which helps to counteract dandruff is to dilute cider vinegar with an equal quantity of water and dab this on to the hair with cotton wool inbetween shampooing. Cider vinegar added to the final rinsing water after shampooing also helps to disperse dandruff.

Dietaries for Dandruff

All-fruit diet with three meala a day of juicy fruits
Diet plays an important role in the treatment of dandruff. To begin with, the patient should resort to an all-fruit diet for about five days and take three meals a day of juicy fruits.
Avoid citrus fruits, bananas, tinned fruits
Citrus fruits, bananas, dried, stewed, or tinned fruits should not be taken.

Well-balanced diet

After the all-fruit diet, the patient can gradually adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on raw foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Further short periods of an all-fruit diet for three days or so may be necessary at monthly intervals till the skin's condition improves.
Avoid strong tea/coffee, pickles, refined and processed foods
Meats, sugar, white flour, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods should all be avoided.

Other Dandruff treatments

Keep hair and scalp clean to avoid accumulation of dead cells
The foremost consideration in the treatment of this disorder is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimise the accumulation of dead cells.

Hair should be brushed daily to improve circulation

The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground, and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head. The scalp should also be thoroughly massaged everyday, using one's finger tips and working systematically over the head. This should be done just before or after brushing the hair. Like brushing, this stimulates the circulation, dislodges dirt and dandruff, and encourages hair growth. Exposure of the head to the rays of the sun is also a useful measure in the treatment of dandruff.

Warm-water enema

During the first five days of the treatment when the patient takes an all-fruit diet, a warm-water enema should be taken daily to cleanse the bowels. Simultaneously, an attempt should be made to keep the body in good health.

How to Cure Dandruff

Dandruff is due to the excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp.
As it is normal for skin cells to die and flake off, a small amount of flaking is normal and in fact quite common.
Some people, however, either chronically or as a result of certain triggers,
experience an unusually large amount of flaking, which can also be accompanied     by redness and irritation.