Monthly Archives: January 2009

What is osteoporosis?

osteoporosis 300x195 What is osteoporosis?Osteoporosis, which literally means “porous bone”, is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. As the bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly increased. The loss of bone occurs “silently” and progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs.

The most common fractures associated with osteoporosis occur at the hip, spine and wrist. The incidence of these fractures, particularly at the hip and spine, increases with age in both women and men.

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Eggs Health Benefits

eggs 300x225 Eggs Health BenefitsSome of you may have eaten eggs over the Easter weekend so I thought I’d post ten health benefits of eggs (and it doesn’t count if they were chocolate eggs!)

1. Eggs are great for the eyes. According to one study, an egg a day may prevent macular degeneraton due to the carotenoid content, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin. Both nutrients are more readily available to our bodies from eggs than from other sources.

2. In another study, researchers found that people who eat eggs every day lower their risk of developing cataracts, also because of the lutein and zeaxanthin in eggs.

3. One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids.

4. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, there is no significant link between egg consumption and heart disease. In fact, according to one study, regular consumption of eggs may help prevent blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks.

5. They are a good source of choline. One egg yolk has about 300 micrograms of choline. Choline is an important nutrient that helps regulate the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system.

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How To Treat Toenail Fungus Using Tea Tree Oil

tea tree oil How To Treat Toenail Fungus Using Tea Tree OilFor centuries aboriginal people from Australia have been using the tea tree’s leaves to treat skin infections. Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil or manuka oil is stream-distilled from the leaves of this plant which grown in Australia or New Zealand. Brought by Captain Cook from its native Australia in the 1770s, the oil is produced from the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. High quality tea tree oil is usually available in health food or specialty stores.

One of the most beneficial natural antiseptics, tea tree oil has been extensively used to combat a wide variety of infections and ailments. The active ingredient in tea tree oil is terpinen-4-ol, which has been proven to combat bacteria and fungi. It has been used to treat cuts, scrapes, and other minor skin wounds and irritations. Not only does tea tree oil attack infections and speed healing, it also reduces the risk of scarring in many applications. Because of its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, it has rapidly become one of the most widely used antiseptics. Tea tree oil also has the ability to quickly bond with natural oils present in the skin. Because the application of this essential oil to the skin encourages the formulation of a chemical barrier on the skin, continued growth of fungi and other unhealthy organisms is diminished.

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How Much Water Should You Drink?

water 200x300 How Much Water Should You Drink?You probably already know that it’s important to drink enough water. A minimum of eight glasses of water a day is recommended. You should aim for more if it is really hot, or you are working out and sweating a lot.

Getting enough water in your body will prevent you from getting dehydrated.

According to WEBMD the early signs of dehydration are increased thirst, dry mouth, sticky saliva and reduced urine output with dark yellow urine. You may also experience a lack of energy and a headache.

None of these sound very fun. I know it is hard sometimes to drink that much water; especially when sodas and coffee tempt us. However, to stay healthy and feel great, we should strive to drink those eight glasses of water a day.

Here are a few tips to help you remember to drink the water, and to make it a little more pleasant or interesting.

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