The process of oxidation takes place in the body as part of the body?s energy-producing metabolism. It provides the vast amounts of energy required to keep us alive, and it continues as long as we live. It is a very precise, ordered process, which calls for the presence of catalysts (such as enzymes) at various stages throughout, and it is designed to produce the maximum amount of energy for the cells without disturbing their balance and functions.

Free Radicals and Ageing

This process can generate by-products, in the form of highly reactive and destructive molecules, called free radicals. These molecules are dangerous because they are unstable. They carry a small electrical charge, and have a single unpaired electron, which makes them extremely volatile and liable to react with other atoms and molecules they contact. Even more free radicals are rapidly generated from these chain reactions.

Biological systems are designed in such a way that free radicals are part of their normal functioning. The body copes with oxidative stress by using its own antioxidant mechanisms based on certain enzymes, proteins, vitamins and minerals, described below. But if free radicals get out of hand, they can overtake this natural defence system and bring about the degeneration of body cells, which ultimately leads to ageing and degenerative disease.

Recent developments in the biochemical study of free radical action have provided a more unified understanding of degenerative processes. It is now possible for researchers to make sense of the causation of a variety of pathological conditions, including cancer, heart disease, atherosclerosis, arthritis, Alzheimer's and other diseases of old age, and to work towards counteracting and preventing these conditions.

Free radicals operate by attacking molecules of protein in the body and causing them to become cross-linked. Cross-linkage degrades the molecules of cells and tissues so that they harden and lose their elasticity. This happens both internally, resulting in hardening of the arteries and the degeneration of brain tissue, and also externally, producing wrinkling of the skin. Because proteins are the basic building matter of all the types of cells and tissue, this attack affects all protein functions, including cell building and repair, hormone and enzyme production, muscular and vascular tissue, and the immune system. The nucleic acids DNA and RNA, which carry the genetic messages of the cells, are also affected.

Causes of Increased Free Radical Production

To an extent, free radicals are a natural result of body processes. Especially in today's world, however, the production of free radicals is likely to be accelerated by many outside influences:

Pollution, Pesticides, Radiation, Solvents.
Air conditioners, Aerosol sprays, Drycleaners.
Car exhaust fumes.
Physical or emotional stress or trauma.
Cigarette smoke, Excessive alcohol intake.
Illness, Infection.
Faulty protein digestion.
Spoiled or tainted foods, Rancid, heated and hydrogenated fats.
Chemicals in food.
Ozone, Ultra-violet rays.

Add to this the fact that humans eat fewer natural foods (especially raw foods rich in protective elements), and we can see why our health is becoming compromised.

The Benefits of Antioxidant Elements

Ideally, the body protects itself with the help of naturally occurring elements, which it derives directly from the diet, or produces using dietary sources. The first of these to be discovered are often called the First Generation Antioxidants.

Enzymes: Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase, Catalase.
Vitamins: Vitamins A, C, and E.
Minerals: Zinc, Selenium.
Amino Acids: Arginine, Cysteine, Glutamine, Taurine.

The antioxidant enzymes are the first line of defence. But the body needs adequate supplies of other nutrients before enzymes can be effective. Superoxide dismutase requires zinc, manganese and copper, and glutathione peroxidase requires selenium and vitamin E - which, as we know, operate synergistically. If these nutrients are not available in sufficient quantity, the scavenging activity of the enzymes is reduced.

The Second Generation Antioxidants

As research into antioxidants developed, a ?second generation? of more powerful free radical fighters emerged: the Carotenoids (associated with Vitamin A) and the Bioflavonoids (which enhance the action of Vitamin C). These were far more powerful in their action than Vitamins, and remained longer in the body, increasing their effectiveness even further.

Carotenoids (over 600): Astaxanthin, Lycopene.
Bioflavonoids (over 800): Rutin, Hesperidin, Quercetin, Anthocynosides, Catechins.

If a diet contains enough fruit and vegetables, bioflavonoids should not be lacking, but today's dietary habits and cultivation methods make for deficiency.

Some Notes About Antioxidant Herbs and Health Foods

Herbs: Bilberry, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Garlic, Ginger, Ginkgo Biloba, Hawthorn Berry, Milk Thistle, Rosemary, Wild Cabbage.
Health foods: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Grape Seed Extract, Green Tea, Pollen, Propolis, Pine Bark Extract.

Tomatoes are the best source of the carotenoid Lycopene, the pigment that gives tomatoes and pink fruits their colour. Studies have proved that lycopene is far better absorbed from cooked tomato products than from raw tomatoes. Lycopene has been shown to have beneficial effects on prostate cancer.

Bilberry, in addition to vitamins A and C, has high levels of anthocynosides. These bioflavonoids fortify blood vessel walls, improving blood flow to the vessels that keep eyes healthy, and they help maintain good circulation throughout the body. Bilberry has a reputation for improving night vision and preventing and treating macular degeneration and cataracts.

Green Tea contains bioflavonoids called catechins. These antioxidants may selectively inhibit the growth of cancer. Positive results have been obtained from studies of green tea, although it appears black tea cannot be shown to have the same effects.

Fresh Berry Fruits contain bioflavonoids, especially the dark berries such as noni, goji berries, blueberries, blackberries and pomegranate.

Grape Seed and Pine Bark Extracts both contain proanthocyanidin bioflavonoids. The pycnogenol and catechins present in pine bark extract are said to be extremely effective, exerting a stabilising effect on collagen and cellular membranes of all kinds. Grape seed extract contains a very high level of proanthocyanidins.

Patricia Howitt
Webmistress, Author
Editor: http://www.healthnews-nz.com/
http://marketing.the-junglequeen.com/
http://www.webfeet.biz

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A stroke, also known as a CVA (cerebrovascular accident), is a life-threatening event in which the brain?s oxygen supply has been cut off causing problems with such functions as speech, sensation, behavior, memory, and thought processes. A stroke may also result in paralysis, coma, and even death.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of neurological disability after Alzheimer?s disease. The incidence of stroke has slowly declined over the last 30 years partly due to increased awareness of risk factors and improvement in prophylactic measures and better surveillance of those individuals at increased risk.

Strokes occur when an artery to the brain becomes either blocked by a blood clot (thrombotic stroke) or when an artery bursts due to an aneurysm (hemorrhagic stroke). Brain tissue deprived of oxygen dies within a few minutes causing part of the body controlled by that portion of the brain affected to lose function.

Symptoms of a stroke can include sudden numbness and weakness in the face, arm, and leg; usually on one side of the body. Other signs and symptoms that can be associated with a stroke can include difficulty talking (getting words out), slurred speech, blurred or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye, unexplained dizziness, or a sudden severe headache.

Approximately 10 per cent of strokes are preceded by TIAs (transient ischemic attacks; also called mini-strokes). These TIAs can precede a major stroke days, weeks, or even months before a major stroke. They frequently last less than 5-10 minutes with symptoms similar to a stroke, but symptoms usually completely resolve. TIAs generally do not cause permanent damage or functional loss, but they are a warning sign indicating that something critical is looming. One should immediately visit their doctor or go to the emergency department for an evaluation because a stroke can be frequently prevented if the site of the problem is identified and proper medical care is instituted.

A stroke usually results in varying degrees of loss of sensation or function throughout the body determined by the portion of the brain that has been affected. Some stroke victims are unable to speak but everything else maybe normal. This is because the speech area of the brain has been damaged. Others may have right arm and leg weakness or complete paralysis because the damage of a stroke is usually limited to one side of the brain and each half of the brain controls the function of the opposite side of the body. So if a patient presents with left sided arm and leg weakness, we know that the stroke has occurred on the right side of the brain. An MRI or MRA scan can usually identify where the stroke has occurred. Most of the time, strokes are treated with medications to prevent further damage and lessen the chances of developing additional strokes. Sometimes a surgical intervention is required depending on the type and location of the vessel blockage.

You can greatly reduce your risk of a stroke by eating a healthy low fat diet, keeping your blood pressure low, exercising, keeping your weight down, not smoking, and by getting regular checkups and measurements of your cholesterol levels. Elevated homocysteine levels have also been associated with the incidence of stroke. I also recommend that it is a good idea to take a baby aspirin (81 mg) daily if you are past the age of 50 or sooner if you have multiple risk factors for stroke. Make sure that you check with your doctor first before doing this as you should not be taking aspirin if you have a bleeding disorder or a history of peptic ulcer disease.

Treatment of stroke initially involves using thrombolytic (clot breaking) medication and measures to prevent further brain damage or another stroke. It is paramount in getting patients who have had a stroke to reduce their risk factors such as getting them to quit smoking, bringing their blood pressure under control, and treating their lipids (cholesterol) if those are elevated. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are important and often required in the management and rehabilitation of patients after a stroke in an attempt to improve and restore motor function. The goal of therapy is to enable the patient to gain enough strength and motor function to be able to carry out their activities of daily living. Speech therapy may also be important to those patients suffering from speech difficulties.

The most important points to take from this article are to be aware of the seriousness of the problem, the signs and symptoms of a stroke or an impending stroke, and to modify your lifestyle to prevent a stroke from occurring.

Copyright 2006 Ted Crawford

A Stroke. Why it is so important to read this! ==>http://www.babyboomersdoc.com

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When it comes to exercise, routine is your enemy. Your body should constantly be forced to guess what crazy new workouts you decide to put yourself through. This practice inhibits your muscles and physiological systems from gradually adapting to the demands you place on them. While some training programs address this adaptation by completely changing the workout program's set, rep, and exercise routine every 4-8 weeks, I'd like to explain a less common idea: changing the daily intensity. For the purposes of this article, I will be incorporating three different intensities - high, medium, and low. With a routine like this, you won't have to worry about switching your workout mode every few weeks, as long as you constantly plug and play new exercises.

Think of your body as a car's engine. Low intensity would involve idling at a stoplight. Your primary fuel is fat, and your actual caloric expenditure is low. There is still a good amount of blood flow to exercising muscles, but the actual cardiovascular stress and fiber tearing in the muscle is minimal. You are not breathing hard, conversation with your fellow gym-goers is fairly non-stressful, and muscles really don't burn all that much. Such an intensity is great for a recovery workout, or for a strength/power workout with long rests between sets. You could potentially go for several hours at this intensity and still be able to do another workout the next day.

You're cruising down the highway when in medium-intensity mode. Breathing and heart rate become a bit more rapid, you can feel a burn in the working muscles, and the primary fuel is a mixture of fat and carbohydrate. Mental focus is typically a little higher than low-intensity mode, and the workout itself is challenging, but not daunting. You can usually exercise the next day, but typically want to avoid stressign the same muscle groups.

In high-intensity mode, you are working at a 100%, all-out effort. Muscles are constantly burning, breathing and heart rate are very high, carbohydrate is the main fuel source, and caloric expenditure is through the roof (as is your post-workout metabolism). The entire body is tired after this type of workout and you generally need about 24 hours of rest of very easy work afterwards. Many times, it can be difficult to mentally force yourself to *begin* one of these kind of workouts, although once you launch into and the adrenaline kicks in, energy levels naturally rise.

The key to the sample training program outlined below that the low, medium and high intensities are stacked so that your body optimally responds and optimally recovers from each workout. So here is a sample daily-intensity based workout for a fairly frequent 6 day work-out routine.

Day 1 (i.e. Monday): high-intensity cardio intervals (shorter, i.e. 20 minutes) with high-intensity full body resistance training (longer, i.e. 45 minutes), incorporating back-to-back sets, challenging weights, difficult training scenarios, and short rest periods.

Day 2: low-intensity cardio, long and steady (i.e. 45 minutes+), with no lifting. Good day for an outdoor workout, like a hike or easy bike ride.

Day 3: high-intensity cardio intervals with medium-intensity full body lift, incorporating primarily body weight training. Great day to experiment and try new exercises and/or group exercise classes.

Day 4: low-intensity cardio, long and steady (i.e. 45 minutes+), with no lifting.

Day 5: medium-intensity cardio (shorter, i.e. 20 minutes) with low-intensity lifting (longer, i.e. 45 minutes),. For the lifting, incorporate heavier weights with longer rest periods, and focus on slow and controlled movements with perfect form and little to no ballistic activity.

Day 6: high-intensity cardio (longer, i.e. 45 minutes) with high-intensity full body resistance training (shorter, i.e. 20 minutes). Great day to try the Weekly Trainer Challenge, plus some extra cardio.

Day 7: active rest. Does not equal couch+bon-bons. Get up and move around, but just don't stress your body too much.

There you have it. This type of exercise routine allows for sufficient recovery after the high-intensitiy periods, while still allowing for maximum caloric burning and efficient workouts. There are many different ways you could approach such a routine (in terms of exercises, specific cardio intervals, etc.). Just let me know if I can help you put a training plan together...you can e-mail me at elite@pacificfit.net.

Head trainer Ben Greenfield runs the online training website Pacific Elite Fitness, and holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Sport Science and Exercise Physiology, as well as certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CPT & CSCS). For over 6 years, Ben has coached and trained professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes, and helped hundreds of individuals achieve their personal fitness goals. For more information on online personal training and fitness, contact Ben at elite@pacificfit.net.
www.pacificfit.net

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If you really want to achieve optimal health, you have got to get a move on, at least a couple of times per week. There is little argument in the scientific community regarding exercise complementary role to diet in the prevention of numerous diseases and chronic conditions. Simple walking on a regular basis can help prevent osteoporosis in some women, and some form of cardiovascular exercise helps to strengthen the heart muscle and many of your other muscles for the long haul ahead. Keeping active in the here and now helps ensure that you will be able to remain active when you are older.

How do diet and exercise work together to promote health? If you are exercising, but eating a high-fat diet, plaque can still develop in your arteries, and you are still at risk for numerous types of cancers. Conversely, if you take the step to cut your fat, you are still taking in a couple thousand calories per day. If your daily exercise consists of walking from the car into the office in the morning, you are not burning off too many of those calories. You may lose a few pounds, but you won't want to keep yourself on such a restrictive diet, and you may find yourself slipping. Eventually, you will probably gain all that weight back, losing your grip on better health. What's more, as we age, our metabolism slows, meaning that your body will be using even fewer of those calories if you don't do anything to work them off.

We know that not all of us are cut out for the health club scene and not all of us are gifted athletes. This matters very little, as there are many more physical activities in life than hitting the basketball court. For those who want to include exercise in their lifestyle but don't want to train for a triathlon, walking is a sensible alternative. A thirty-minute walk every day or a one-hour walk three or four times per week will cover about eight miles and, more important, improve muscle tone and burn up about 1,000 calories. Add a low-fat vegetarian diet to that, and you have got a start at a formidable plan to be healthy.

The only way you will stick with an exercise program is to find something that you like doing. If you like to jog every morning, by all means do it. But if you'd like something more low impact, you don't have to look very far to find it. Do you like to dance? Do you like to play tag with your children or take your dog on long walks around the neighborhood? Once you get into an enjoyable routine of exercise, it will be something that you look forward to on a daily basis. And weight loss won't be the only indication that your body is undergoing a change. You will look better, you'll feel better, and you will probably be able to handle the stresses of your day better. Exercise is not only healthful for the body, but it is also therapeutic for the mind.

For more bodybuilding, health articles, resources, tips and cooking recipes from around the world:

www.101bodybuilding.com

www.desserts-recipes.com

www.101cookingrecipes.com

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You should check if there is enough space in your wardrobes. Why? Because you will need it! You will enjoy buying all the clothes you ever wished for. I'm thankful for this opportunity to thank her!! She has enabled me to deal with the problems that are in my every day life with a smile and serenity said Julie and her statement is representative for thousands of others!

How many people tried everything to lose weight? How many people are frustrated because the weight came back every time? Or worse, they even start eating more when they just think about going on a diet. That's over now! There is a solution for all those people running from one disillusionment to another. Here is the solution!

But, please allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Phil. I am from Belgium and I work in the field of personal improvement and spiritual growth. As a former EMT I have seen many overweight women and men. They all had serious health problems because of their overweight. All of them had tried already many diets, pills, tried to control their eating habits? but nothing really worked.

But some did it. They changed their weight and modified it to their dream level, others didn?t. And those were really desperate. But, there is a reason why one can lose weight with a diet, another one with pills, another one with exercise and another one with another technique. And, of course, there is a reason too why some people simply don?t become overweight. They eat just like you and their body stays in a beautiful shape. So, here?s the question: Why did diets for you never work? Why came the pounds back after the diet?

It can?t be because of the diet. It may have worked for others. But not for you. Why? Don?t be afraid, you are not abnormal? you are just different from other people. Everybody is different. What works for person A does not necessarily work for person B. That?s perfectly OK!

Here?s the good news: You can change your weight, too. You increased it so you can decrease it. You just need another approach. You are not condemned to live with a weight that does not make you feel happy about it. You can change it! Yes! And you know what? You deserve it!

The key is in your mind. Your subconscious mind holds the power to resolve the deep issues you may have with food and there is a unique and safe way to communicate with your subconscious mind: Hypnosis!

The University of Connecticut says about weight loss hypnosis: ?An analysis of five weight loss studies reported in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 showed that the ??weight loss reported in the five studies indicates that hypnosis can more than double the effects? of traditional weight loss approaches?.

If you are overweight, that means any weight that you don?t want for yourself (regardless what other people say), then there is a purpose for this weight. There?s a reason for this weight in your subconscious mind. Nothing happens to you without a reason for this in your subconscious.

The reason for the weight may vary. Not everyone is overweight for the same reason. Of course, in a way you are overweight because you eat too much or the wrong things. But why do you do that? What purpose serves the weight in your subconscious mind? How can you find this out? ? Well it?s easier as you think.

For more information on how you can lose weight fast without dieting in an easy and healthy way, visit www.weightlosshypnosis101.com

I wish you all the best,

Phil

Phil Brull lives in Belgium and works in the field of personal development and spiritual growth. Phil strongly believes that anyone has the internal power to achieve every single dream and dedicated his life to help others doing this, too. He is involved in the ancient Polynesian wisdom known as Huna as well as in many powerful life changing techniques. Phil Brull is also the Web master of ?101 Real Success in Life?. At his site you can find free articles and the best, most helpful and promising tools for personal development and spiritual growth. Visit http://www.101realsuccess.com or to know how to lose weight easy and healthy forever: http://www.weightlosshypnosis101.com

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Ever wonder how fitness models look so great in magazines? Well its not all smoke, mirrors and Adobe Photoshop editing.

Believe it or not, some photographers will flat out turn a fitness model away if she shows up to a photo shoot out of shape. It?s just too hard to sell images of flabby fitness models.

So how do models firm up before a shoot? There?s tons of ways to do this but the easiest way is to give yourself two weeks to shed five pounds.

That may not seem like a lot of weight to lose, but looking good is not so much about weight loss as it is about weight re-distribution.

In reality, shedding five pounds of flab could mean the difference between a 32-inch waist and a 28-inch waist. Using these five steps, you?ll drop that body jiggle in no time.

Step 1: Double up on your aerobics

Instead of exercising for 30 minutes on the treadmill, step it up to 60 minutes. You don?t need to walk, step or jog faster, only longer. Extending your workouts past 30 minutes gives your body more time to burn fat, as opposed to only burning carbohydrates for energy.

Added tip, don?t eat more because you exercise more. Lean bodies are nutritionally efficient bodies.

Step 2: Go to bed the same time every night before 11pm

When bodybuilders train for a show, you can bet on one thing for certain, they?re snoozing by 11pm every night. Going to bed consistently by 11am gives fat the one-two knockout.

Early sleep lowers the amount of cortisol levels in your blood. Higher than normal cortisol levels encourages fat storage. As an added boost, when you regulate your sleep, you levels of melatonin kick in like clockwork each night to not only enhance your sleep, but to actually burn fat better.

Step 3: Wake up 30 minutes earlier

OK, you have to get your double exercise time from somewhere, so it comes from your sleep time. Getting up earlier also helps you sleep better. With the added fatigue from exercising and going to sleep at a regular time, your dozing hours will be more restful and you probably won?t even notice those 30 minutes that you skimped on.

Step 4: Eat you last meal by 6:30pm

If you meet a successful fitness model, one thing you?re sure to encounter is that she has her eating habits down to a science. Closing down you kitchen a 6:30 has several weight loss benefits. First, by not eating for a full twelve hours each day, you give your stomach time to empty itself and allow you body to use excess fat for energy. Second, if your last meal is at 6:30pm and you crawl into bed by 11pm, your body won?t be so busy digesting food all night long- making your rest all the more peaceful.

Step 5: Eat more frequently, 6-8 times a day

Metabolism manipulation is the cornerstone of weight loss. Manipulate your meals and you manipulate your metabolism.

If you normally eat 3-5 meals a day, break those feasts in the 6-8 mini meals. Remember, do not add more food just split the meals in two. Regularly feeding your body keeps the body?s energy level at its optimum.

Moreover, you?ll have the energy you need to make it through an extended cardio session.

There you have it, fives steps to the slimmer you. And yes, it works like clockwork. Give yourself two weeks and watch the last bit of flab slip away. I dare you.

Are you a pro at yo-yo dieting? Let Naweko show you how to go from slob to sexy using the secret mind tools that even fitness models won?t tell you about. Get the real scoop on how to lose weight and keep it off at http://www.Noixia.com, home of ?Skinny Fat Chicks: Why We?re Still Not Getting This Dieting Thing? ISBN:0974912212.

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Food allergy or intolerance?

One out of 3 North Americans believe that they are allergic to certain foods, but fewer than 1 percent have genuine allergies. For most people food intolerance is the reason for this confusion between the two. The other 29 percent are usually just unable to tolerate certain foods, often because they lack an enzyme needed for proper digestion.

Although, some people are sensitive to lactose, a sugar found in milk, however, they can tolerate other dairy products like cheese, yogary and sourcream. This is an example of food sensitivity or intolerance, NOT an allergy to diary products. A person with an allergic reaction would have a reaction to most types of dairy, and usually the symptoms are worse, and longer lasting.

Sometimes children cannot tolerate gluten, found in wheat products, but will grow out or the intolerance. On the other hand this could also be a allergic reaction to a protien in wheat. But the child would also react to anything that has wheat in it. Children can outgrow an allergy aswell, so sometimes it may be hard for even a doctor to tell weather or not it is an intolerance or an allergy without a blood test.

MSG (Mono-soduim glutamate) a flavor in foods, is a common trigger for a food intolerance.It is used as a flavor enhancer and can cause flushing, headaches, and numbness in certain people. Its not known how much MSG is needed to trigger a reaction, but it varries from person to person. Generally large amounts cause more severe allergic reactions.

Sulfites, used as a preservitive in many foods and wines, can cause sensitivity as well as trigger allergic reations. It depends on the person, the best way to check is to have a blood test done by a allergy specialist. They will be able to determain which type of reaction is causing you or your child problems, and properly treat what ever it is.

To find out more about allergies visit: What you need to know about allergies and how the effect you

Tyler writes about various topics, contact him @ tylerdking@gmail.com A proper link must remain in the article and bio for re-print rights. This applies to ALL articles he publishes.

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