With the daily news of H1N1 swine flu that we hear, we are advised to take personal care precautions to avoid contracting the dreaded virus. Whether we are at work, home or somewhere, it’s always wise to be alert of the risks factors that one can be exposed to. Be it a virus, bacteria or germs with whatever names it’s called, we can’t stop the microorganism from existing. In fact we should learn to co-exist with them in a manner that our body do not get attacked and defeated ever so easily.

Most of us when we are sick, we see a western trained doctor who are regarded in high esteem. This is nothing wrong but we should first examine our own lifestyle, diet and environment. Take two persons working in the same workplace, eat almost the same food and exposed to same surroundings but why one get sick and another doesn’t. The reason has something to do with your own body defence system. Your defence consists of your white blood cells or leucocytes within you that are always defending you from the attackers and invaders. These invaders are the toxins that come from the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water that we drink. Of course we can’t avoid these toxins a hundred percent but we can at least take efforts to learn where they are coming from and take the right precautionary steps to minimize the harmful intake or stay off from them if possible.

The white army of soldiers in your body can only do so much to ward off the invaders but it may come a time that these leucocytes are so weak, due to poor nutrition, high stress levels and poor lifestyles that they can’t defend you anymore. Your system ultimately breaks down and you fall ill. Most occasions your body contracted a fever, which in complementary medicine, is considered not completely bad at all. Complementary or alternative medicine believes that through the fever, your body gets the rest that it so badly needed. The higher body temperature is there to kill the bacteria and germs that had so overwhelmed you. Give yourself a couple of days rest and with the right nutrition, your body cells will gather enough strength to face new battles.

If you feel compelled to take painkillers, antibiotics or any suppression drugs that the allopathic doctors give you, you are merely suppressing the symptoms of a chronic sickness that in most situations, you already have. Your fever or pain may ease but you have not solved the underlying causes of your problem/s.  Perhaps you are not aware of the chronic problem but when it comes the time that you are aware that the pain existed, the sickness is already full blown. This is especially true of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. Studies have shown that most symptoms or signals show when the diseases are already in a serious stage. If you are younger and have stronger immune cells, your chances of full recovery are pretty good. For those reaching mid age in life, whose body health conditions may be far from satisfactory, you should pay more attention to your diet, lifestyle and stress levels. Give the body the proper nourishment it deserves and it should reward you.

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For women who think that life is about over when menopausal symptoms sets in, don’t despair. In fact this is the beginning of a new life – a journey of self-discovery and a discovery of things around you. While some men claimed that life begins at forty, I would think women too should think just the same. Left with precious time in your hands as the children are most probably in their teens, starts to get hold of things around you – especially your own health and wellbeing. You’re not going to allow some hormonal changes to affect you and blamed it on your bad genes. Your wellbeing is almost totally in your hands!  

Your diet

Diet is one serious area to watch. Diet is what makes you well or hell. There is no question about it. Hippocrates had said some 2000 years ago, Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food. In fact our bodies are intelligent enough to heal itself. Provided we feed ourselves the right food, the right nutrients that is the right nourishment it needs. It’s nothing unusual to expect a bad reaction when we put in toxins. Our body is clever enough to give you a bad diarrhea so by eliminating the substances out of the system, you are protected. Starting age 45 above, our body biochemistry reactions slows much as compared to when we were 20 years ago. This is a natural biological process that we can’t stop. But we can slow down the damage by taking care of what goes into your mouth. For example, researches have already established the powerhouse of antioxidants in their role in turning back the aging clock. Antioxidants are, without a slightest doubt, the key to fight off aging.

Your beauty sleep

Getting plenty of good night sleep and rest helps the body cells to recuperate and rebuild stronger cells. No wonder we feel very good after a sleep or at times felt irritable if your body is not getting the sleep it needs. Do you know that the miracle hormone melatonin that your pineal gland in the body produces during sleep has been recognized as nature’s age reversing, disease fighting sex enhancing hormone? The promise that it can help prevent damage to cells by free radicals may well add years to your age. If you are dying for a good night sleep, taking a melatonin supplement should help. Of course please consult your nutritional practitioner first.

Your stress levels

Managing stress becomes very important because studies had shown that chronic stress can actually kills people. Women and man included, when they smoke raises a chemical called Interleukin-6, secreted by fat cells that causes fatal diseases like heart failure, arthritis, osteoporosis and type-2 diabetes.  However, exercise reduces these chemical levels and coupled with sufficient sleep, our body is normalized once again. Needless to say, give yourself a break from getting all worked up or unduly stressed.  Take things one step at a time and think objectively. Each time you’re about to fly into a rage, tell yourself “stay calm”.

Sometimes we ought to ask ourselves what’s all the talk about eating right, proper sleep or the rushing are for. Aren’t we all heading in the same direction and will soon catch up with Him in the clouds. My view is that health and beauty must be enjoyed while we can and know how. Yes, it makes sense to take care of your health naturally!

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When we talk about personal care, we know what’s good for the skin, beauty and health. The billions of money poured into research and development to improve our age, looks or health are indeed mind-boggling. As a result we may at times lose focus of the environment, just to meet our own needs. We need to think green, think nature as the way forward for our future and our children’s future too.

Going green starts within us – we can choose to do it. Here’s 3 simple ways you can start your nature journey:

Use organic skin care

Make sure that you are buying certified organic products which usually come with a label that says so. Using products that are healthy for the environment also means that you don’t have to worry about the toxic ingredients that can do more harm to your body. On the personal care level, use natural toothpaste made of simple herbs free from fluoride and lauryl sulfate, substances that are recognized as toxic chemicals. Be aware of deodorants or skin care products that contain aluminum or parabens that can seep into the body tissues and develop into health complications. Avoid artificial fragrances that contain phthalates, instead use essential plant oils.

Buy organic food

When you buy organics, you are eating the best food. Food that is grown the ecological balance way, free from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Not forgetting the lands, water and air that are being protected from pollution and the wildlife that are allowed to thrive. The nutritional contents found in organic food far outweigh the higher costs you pay for these organically grown greens. Even meat that comes from grass-fed cows and free-range poultry raised in ways that support healthy people and a healthy planet.

Be on a go

Walk or use the LRT or any form of public transport if it is not too inconvenient to get to the destination you’d want instead of being dependent on your car. This can be good to your overall health whilst saving money. Participate in Go Green or Earth Day events to learn how to help Mother Nature.

Next when you go groceries shopping, give plastics bags the boot. It seemed daunting at first, but it may come surprisingly easy to accept the idea of bringing your own canvas bags.  Better than buying one, you can sew one from some old cotton wear that is no longer in use. Sea animals are dying from the ingestion of plastic trash that you and I used that has ended up in the water instead of a landfill. Always see if there are items that can be recycled, even your beauty package products, before dumping.

In doing your small bit, you are one of those people who care for the environment as well as the people around us.  As the environment improves and that means you’ll reap longer and better overall health.

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Acne occurs when the sebaceous glands secrete too much oil and cause a blockage in the skin pores, which along with bacteria results in pimples. The pore becomes inflamed, swollen and pus filled lesions start to appear and cause much pain. Acne is often aggravated by unhealthy eating habits and bad lifestyle causing much stress on the body system.

Millions of people in the world suffered from acne, and most commonly among teenagers and even older adults are not spared of these afflictions.

Naturally if one suffers from acne, the first thing to know is what causes the pimples to appear. Easier said than done – we may eat only oil free foods and get the best exercise yet the pimples remain and reappear. We then blame it on hormonal imbalance and our genes which is true to a great extent. Next what skin care can one use to minimize the breakouts yet can do a marvelous job of removing impurities and prevent bacteria from dwelling on the afflicted area. Thus it’s important to find a skin care regimen to combat current breakouts and prevent future ones from occurring.

Despite all the care we have taken, the ugly zits remain. What is another possible reason for the persistent breakouts?

A recent article that I have read had attempted to link the acne problem to gluten sensitivity. Gluten is found in wheat, pastas, breads and most processed foods. This gluten acne connection was as a result of taking food that contains gluten. Gluten is protein that is known to cause indigestion in most people. Gluten that is undigested gets carried in the blood stream and the body immune system has to be constantly on red alert to fight against the ‘invaders’. In the process, the body’s inflammation level goes up due to an allergic condition as a result of the gluten consumption. Such chronic inflammation can lead to increased sebum production and skin disorders including acne.

Sadly most of us aren’t aware of gluten sensitivity in our body. The effects of the food that contains gluten that we consume are not shown immediately to us. There is this hidden link which very few people know about. If you are one of those that suffer from acne condition, it pays to check the diet that you have been eating to ensure that it is not gluten that is behind the skin problem you faced that you are seeking desperately for a solution.

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I love this idea about taking juices especially the greens. One can consume lots of green leafy vegetables and juicy fruits but nothing beats the idea of juicing (minus the pulp) as food for your body.  We eat more than just to survive, to live – to live life to the fullest without the pains that we alone can understand.  We want to look good, feel good and food has a big role to play in a healthful life.

One can only eat so much the vegetables and fruits. Our body is not built to eat like cows do, the amount of greens we eat are therefore limited. Anything that goes beyond that will cause much discomfort to the stomach as indigestion and non-assimilation sets in. Therefore I would definitely recommend vegetable juicing as a great way to get all the nutrients that our body needs.  Why raw juices, you may ask. Raw vegetable juices are most alkalizing and promote the stomach acid lining to improve absorption so that you get the best medicinal value that nature had intended. Cooked vegetables are usually acidic and little left of important vitamins, phytonutrients and enzymes that any healthy body needs. Besides, the juices do a perfect job of cleansing the intestinal tract and you feel really good to know that the unwanted stuff is rid off.  Do you know that most of today lifestyle diseases, skin disorders and chronic lethargy are the result of the accumulation of unwanted wastes and toxins in the body long enough that the cells are practically poisoned?  It’s no wonder that we lack focus in mind and spirit, don’t we?

Vegetable and fruit juices fuels your body, allowing healing and rejuvenation to take place instantly. They energize, build, and regenerate the whole body system. By adding fresh juices to one’s diet daily, you are supplying the body with essential nutrients even proteins (yes vegetables contains proteins too) and the vital macro and micro minerals such as selenium, magnesium, potassium from the soil that only plants can provide.

Juicing a variety of organic green vegetables and fruits such as celery, kale, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, apple, berries and some lemon juice makes a great start for the day. You can mix and vary to suit your taste as long as there are more green vegetables than fruits. For the best results, you should drink them immediately. Otherwise keep them tightly sealed in the fridge for later consumption in the day.

I have some food for thought here. If you think that juicing is messy and time consuming, just do a simple calculation of the time cost involve when you are sick. The time you wait to see a doctor, the form to fill up, the medical costs to pay, the traffic jam you have to go through not forgetting the amount of drugs that you are prescribed with. What’s more , the side effects of taking these drugs. What do you think a day of juicing will do to your body, once a week will add up to 52 times a year and every year as way of life, will do great wonders to your health.

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