Massage, For Leisure Or Health?

You may think that of massages as primary a leisure activity, and consider them to be an extraneous luxury expense. While many people do enjoy their relaxing effect, massage is actually a way of helping the body heal itself and improving overall health.

You may think that of massages as primary a leisure activity, and consider them to be an extraneous luxury expense. While many people do enjoy their relaxing effect, massage is actually a way of helping the body heal itself and improving overall health. There are a variety of different types of massages and techniques used at Olivers Salon and Day Spa, and each is centered around the process of kneading and moving the soft tissues in the body. By doing this, a massage therapist assists the body's circulation system, leading to a number of positive health benefits for the massage recipient.

1) Psychological improvements. Massage is an excellent way to treat psychological disorders, in conjunction with other professional behavior therapies. The power of human touch contributes to a general feeling of nurturance and well-being in an individual. Over time, regular massages gradually lessen feelings of anxiety, depression, and anger, and lead to an overall increase in self esteem and sense of self-worth.

2) Pain regulation. By manipulating a person's muscles, a massage therapist helps to promote the release of natural painkillers within the body. These relieve the pain experienced as a result of soreness from physical activity, labor pains felt during maternal pre-birth and delivery, female menstrual cramps, and a variety of different muscular spasms.

3) Improved immune system. Because massage aids in the healing of the body, the immune system does not have to work as hard to get rid of illnesses and toxins. Less stress on the immune system leads to improved immune response and functioning.

4) Cancer treatment. Massage is often prescribed as a treatment to cancer, in conjunction with other pharmaceutical therapies. Regular massage sessions have been shown to reduce cancer symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and concern for one's physical condition.

5) Healthy pregnancy. Healthy mothers give birth to healthy babies. Children born to regular massage recipients were larger in size, and also spent less time in the hospital following birth as a result of medical complications.

6) Diabetes. Individuals who get regular massages were shown to be more encouraged to treat their diabetes symptoms properly, in terms of diet, exercise, and drug treatments. This leads to an overall reduction in diabetic symptoms.

7) Improved lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is the human body's method of excreting waste. Massage-induced increase in blood flow leads to a boost in lymphatic system functioning, and more efficient waste removal. Individuals are often advised to drink plenty of water following their massage session to further promote this particular health benefit.

To maximize the health benefits of massage, be sure to accurately fill out the required physical forms upon your arrival to the massage parlor. It is advisable to have a short session with your therapist at Olivers Salon and Day Spa before disrobing and beginning your massage treatment. During this time, you can communicate your particular ailments and concerns, and develop a customized massage plan to meet your needs.

Once the massage begins, clear your mind and let yourself become immersed in the experience. The health benefits of massage are best achieved by being totally present in the moment and allowing your body to receive the healing. After your session, drink plenty of water as mentioned earlier, and try to maintain the sense of peace you have achieved. You will begin to notice some health benefits immediately, and with more long-term benefits to look forward to in the future. credit:1888articles

Cholesterol and Vitamins for Cholesterol

Cholesterol is used to build cell membranes and hormones and is made by the liver. The body can produce all of the cholesterol that it needs, so we don’t need to ingest it. It is possible however to have too much cholesterol in the blood stream if the died includes foods that are high in saturated fat. This can block the flow of blood and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Not all cholesterol is bad however. Cholesterol attaches itself to lipoproteins to travel through the bloodstream. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is said to be the ‘bad’ cholesterol that clogs up the arteries. High density lipoprotein (LDL) however is referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol because it helps to take the LDL out of the blood stream. It’s important to keep overall levels of cholesterol low and ensure that there is a much higher ratio of HDL to LDL.

It is recommended that total amounts of cholesterol do not exceed 5.5mmols per litre. The best way to do this is to avoid foods that are high in saturated fats including full cream dairy products, fatty meats and snack foods to name a few. Alcohol should also be limited to two standard drinks a day and smoking should be avoided. It’s also important to exercise and to maintain a health weight. There are also some foods including legumes, nuts, cereals, fruit and sunflower seeds which have been shown to reduce levels of LDL.

Sometimes diet and lifestyle changes are not enough and individuals with high cholesterol may need to turn to vitamins or medication. A few vitamin supplements have been said to help reduce cholesterol including Policosanol, Omega-3s, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Policosanol is made from the waxy coating of sugar cane. When 5-10mg of Policosanol is ingested each day, it has been shown to reduce overall cholesterol by 8-18%, reduce LDL by 11-28% and increase HDL by 17-29%.

Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are found in large amounts in Flaxseed Oil. Studies have shown that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower LDL and increase LDL cholesterol levels. The suggested amount of flaxseed oil for individuals with high cholesterol is 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil 2-3 times a day with meals.

Vitamin C and Vitamin e are both antioxidants which are said to help protect the body from the effects of LDL cholesterol oxidation. Recommended dosage is 60mg of Vitamin C and 10mg of Vitamin E per day.

Whilst these nutrients are said to have benefits for cholesterol sufferers, you should never substitute qualified medical advice with information found in this article. Credit:articlebiz

Body Detox To Have Full Body Cleansing And Total Mind Rejuvenation

The word toxin is always mistakenly thought of as poison in a labeled bottled. When we live our everyday life, minute and invisible microbes can penetrate into our body through our pores. Think about that everyday you will be in the street exposing yourself to all sorts of air pollution.

You might not think anything bad about being polluted with all the toxins. But do not think that it's as simple as that you will only fall sick. As pollutants block or slow down the delivery of needed nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body, mind processing is significantly affected. And since the brain is the major consumer of oxygen, it has the tendency to be damaged. Have you tried jogging in a over polluted area and feel terrible after that? It is because the air you breathed in can stop your body to function properly because the blood did not carry fresh oxygen throughout the body.

In fact, it's extremely difficult to ensure us that we are free from disease throughout our lifetime. Even though the body can heal by itself, we would need to take care of it and detox our body of the excessive toxins. Detoxification helps in rejuvenation of the mind as much as it cleanses the body.

One of the safest ways to detoxify your body is through proper diet. While you are detoxifying your body, you should reduce your intake of junk habits. This means that you must avoid products that obstruct your filtering system like fats, alcohol, caffeine, and food additives. While you stay abstinence from these foods, you can nourish your body with easily digested fruits and vegetables. This is extremely important in the period of detoxification. They are not only rich in vitamins, but they supplement the body with energy boosting nutrients. In addition to that, the fibers in fruits and vegetables toss the toxins out.

In detoxification, fasting for a short period of time will catalyze the process. You should always start detoxification under the supervision of your nutritionist or doctor. During the process, you would need to avoid solid foods. You should only consume fruit juice and herbal teas. Research is made to prove that fasting decreases the stress on the digestive system. By emptying the stomach, toxins are also flushed out of the body. And the liquids that you take keep you away from starving. Nevertheless, fasting is quite critical so it is advised that a physician must be consulted first. Preferably, fast during the weekends when your time is allotted merely to relaxation.

Besides drinking fruit juices, additional supplements can be recommended for nutrients and safety. Some of the common examples are the fermented soybeans and algae powder. Fermented soy beans support the colon function and can help produce the good intestinal bacteria which are major proponents of the inner cleansing process. In parallel, the algae powder gives you the feeling of being full. It supplies ample protein to ease the fatigue that some people experience during fasting.
Credit:articlebiz

Natural vitamin supplements

Science has proved repeatedly that synthetic products are not as well tolerated as natural vitamins supplements. Unlike the ones extracted from various herbs, pharmaceutical compounds sold under the name of mineral and vitamin supplements require a high effort on the part of the body for adequate and healthy processing. Moreover, the assimilation rate of synthetic compounds is a lot lower than that of natural vitamin supplements, which is why the latter are usually favored when it comes to diet support. Presently, it is beyond any doubt that the best source of vitamins and minerals is Mother Nature, and this "nature-oriented" trend is gaining prominence.

Natural vitamin supplements do not overload the body and immediately pass into the blood flow, once they are identified as easy to process. Many people have actually taken the habit of administrating the natural vitamin supplements during meals because of the widespread belief that they will be better absorbed. As a matter of fact, natural vitamin supplements do not depend on specific times of the day in order to have an optimum action, they can be taken with or without food, any time you like. The general recommendation is that you administrate the supplement in the morning, so as to benefit from the boost of energy throughout the entire work day.

Plenty of herbs, fruits and vegetables lie at the basis of the manufacturing process of natural vitamin supplements. Lemons, limes and kiwis for instance provide a great source of vitamin C, but little do people know that the wild rose extract is even richer in vitamin C. Hence, don't be surprised to read the name of such a herb on the natural vitamin supplements you are taking. Over the last decade, there has also been an upsurge in the interest shown towards the great benefits of certain seaweed and algae for human health. As an added benefit, these natural supplements can greatly assist in the weight loss process actiing like a natural diet.

Natural vitamin supplements that include high concentrations of spirulina, chlorella and other green-blue algae are totally positive in the action they have on the body. Unlike any other vitamin and mineral supplement, they have absolutely no side effects, allowing long-term or indefinite administration. Actually, in certain parts of the world, such seaweeds are part of the regular diet of native African tribes that prepare them in bread-like food items. All in all, the popularity of such natural miraculous remedies can definitely mean one thing: people are every day more preoccupied with the return to natural vitamin supplements.
Credit:articlebiz

Weight Loss Without Workouts

Reducing excessive flab? No sweat!

One of the most painful sights to a woman is that of a bulging tummy in a tight-fitting dress. That’s the moment when you realize that you are not fit for your stylish wear. This knowledge is so devastating that you can become depressed and distressed. But is distress any remedy for your flabby tummy? Of course not! You must look for better and more available options. Instead of going into vigorous exercise sessions, you can reduce your weight by simply maintaining and keeping track of your diet and caloric intake. This is the best weight loss tip you’ll ever receive.

Eat as much as you like, but not what you like

It’s not necessary that you cut down on your meals in order to promote weight loss and to flatten your bulging belly. What you need to do is to eat healthy food, which reduces fat. Make sure to eat green salads and fresh fruits daily so that you get all of the necessary nutrients and your health remains in order. The first thing to consider when adopting a weight loss regimen is to incorporate foods high in fiber into your diet, which will not only cut down on the fat, but detoxify your system as well. High fiber foods keep the digestive system and intestinal functions intact, ensuring a healthy body. Fiber-rich foods mainly consist of polysaccharides, pectin, glucose, gums, hemicelluloses, lignin, and mucilage. These constituents help to lubricate the digestive system and break down the food in the stomach until it is digested completely. Moreover, they are very filling and you won’t get hungry every few hours. Fiber helps in enlarging the inner lining of the large intestine, which facilitates the easy process of waste.

More nutrients, fewer calories

High fiber foods are the only foods that do not have many calories and, above all, they increase the capability of chewing and help to purify the intestinal system. A diet high in fiber will satiate your hunger and spare you from a continuous craving for food. It is this craving for food after short intervals of time that leads you to consume many more calories than your body requires. This adds extra pounds, which are responsible for the fattening of your body and the loosening of your skin.

The best part of a high fiber weight loss diet is that you take longer to eat these fiber-filled foods and, as a result, your stomach gets filled quickly with low-calorie, nutritious foods that will leave you feeling satisfied for hours. The result is a drastic reduction in calories, which does not leave you feeling weak or without energy. Although you eat less, you never feel like you’re starving. This is beneficial because after eating fiber-rich food, the time period between meals is increased because you do not feel hungry.

Your diet should consist of two kinds of fibers: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Foods that contain soluble fiber include oat products, legumes, fruits, and seeds. Foods high in insoluble fiber include green vegetables, breads, whole grains, and cereals.

As active and hard-working as ever

So switch over to foods rich in fiber, high in nutrients, and low in calories. This is a very effective weight loss diet and you will start losing the excess weight that you have put on due to a high intake of fatty acids. But remember that as you did not accumulate extra pounds very rapidly, don’t expect to lose them very quickly either. Your weight loss diet will work wonders, but in a slow and steady manner. An important aspect is that it will neither make you less energetic nor disrupt your busy working schedule. You’ll remain as active and hard-working as ever.
Credit:articlebiz

Top 10 Foods You Should Start Eating Now-Part 2

#6 Broccoli. Broccoli is one of those “super” vegetables because it has so many powerful components, each offering wonderful health benefits. But recent research suggests that several of those components are working together too. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign discovered that crambene, one of the phytochemicals in cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli), is more active when combined with another better-known cruciferous phytochemical, indole-3-carbinol. There’s also evidence that components in broccoli have synergy with components in other plant foods. For example, subjects in lab studies fed a combination of tomatoes and broccoli had markedly less prostate tumor growth, compared with groups who ate either food alone.

#7 Beans. Beans offer an amazing package of nutrients—every piece is important—but the beauty is in the balance. This plant food is uniquely high in protein and bursting with beneficial phytochemicals, many of which have antioxidant power. You get some good-quality carbohydrates that interact with lots of fiber to be digested slowly. Beans have been shown to result in relatively small increases in blood glucose levels following meals in people with and without diabetes.

Beans and soy are two of 11 plant foods that the American Institute for Cancer Research recently named as “foods that fight cancer.” The active ingredients in beans that seem to play a protective role include three phytochemicals (saponins, protease inhibitors, and phytic acid). They are thought to protect cells from the type of genetic damage that can lead to cancer. Beans may also help reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease too.

#8 Yogurt. Bet you never thought bacteria would be a good thing! Well, your body actually needs a healthy amount of “good,” or beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. We can promote the activity of these beneficial bacteria by eating probiotic foods. Most major brands of yogurt contain probiotic bacteria. Yogurt with active cultures may help stimulate the immune system, according to several recent research reviews, although more research needs to be done using well-designed human studies. Yogurt with active cultures may prove helpful for certain gastrointestinal conditions, including lactose intolerance, constipation, diarrheal diseases, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and Helicobacter pylori infection.

#9 Apples. Eat an apple a day to help keep breast cancer away? In a recent lab study at Cornell, researchers found that breast tumor incidence was reduced by 17 percent when rats were fed the human equivalent of one apple a day over 24 weeks and 39% when fed the human equivalent of three a day. Actually numerous population studies have linked eating apples with a reduced risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes. And in the laboratory, apples have exhibited very strong antioxidant activity to inhibit cell proliferation (the type of rapid multiplication that occurs in tumors), decrease lipid oxidation (when fats in the body combine with oxygen), and lower cholesterol. Simple phenolics and flavonoids represent the majority of antioxidant activity found in apples, and it’s the phenolics in apple peel specifically that account for the majority of the antioxidant and antiproliferating activity.

#10 Almonds (and other nuts). Nuts in general contain a combination of various cholesterol-lowering plant food components. Here’s the fact that got my attention, though: In virtually all studies that examined the impact of nuts in our diet, nut consumption has been associated with a reduction in coronary heart disease risk. Each nut contains its own unique profile of phytochemicals, types of fatty acids, and types and amounts of fiber. Almonds and most nuts contain large amounts of oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat), which may help raise HDL “good” cholesterol levels and lower LDL “bad” cholesterol. Plus, almonds contain a vegetable protein that may also lower LDLs.

Credit:health.glam.com

Top 10 Foods You Should Start Eating Now-Part 1

If you want to take a step towards eating more consciously, add these 10 foods to your grocery list now. These incredible edibles pack a nutritious punch with vitamins and natural compounds that don't just taste good, they can help prevent disease.

Elaine Magee, MPH, RD will advice for these.

#1 Berries. Berries are brimming with nutrients and phytochemicals and have been named a “food that fights cancer” by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). They're also loaded with vitamin C, and fiber -- both substances have been consistently linked to lower cancer risk. But they also contain ellagic acid that laboratory studies have shown may help prevent cancers of the skin, bladder, lung, esophagus, and breast. And blueberries contain a family of phenolic compounds called anthocyanosides, which seem to be among the most potent antioxidants yet discovered.

#2 Garlic & Onions. Loaded with phytochemicals, onions and garlic are members of the allium family of plants (other members include scallions, leeks, and chives), which produces organosulfur phytochemicals, including allicin and diallyl disulfide (DADS). It’s probably not one component in garlic and onions that holds the wealth of health benefits, either, but a combination of substances. A recent review of garlic research by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City concluded that garlic does indeed have modest lipid-lowering effects when consumed for 6 months. Onions are one of the richest sources of quercetin on the planet. This potent antioxidant is suspected of helping protect against heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

#3 Oats. There’s a lot more to oats, nutritionally speaking, than fiber (4 grams per 1/2-cup). You also get some protein; smart fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat); and a host of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals to boot! Oats can block harmful effects of “bad” cholesterol. Oats contribute two important antioxidant phytochemicals to your diet: avenanthramides and phenolic acids. More needs to be known on this but researchers from Tufts University completed a clinical trial using an evenanthramide-rich oat extract and found that the oat phytochemicals worked synergistically with vitamin C to protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation. (Oxidized LDL becomes a lot more harmful and more likely to encourage plaguing in the arteries.) In many studies, eating oats have been shown to help reduce blood pressure too.

#4 Tomatoes. Tomatoes first grabbed headlines when researchers discovered that it’s loaded with lycopene (thought to have the highest antioxidant activity of all the carotenoids), which has synergy with vitamin E and other food components. But upon closer inspection, it’s a standout among fruits and vegetables because it actually contains all four major carotenoids (alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene) and all three high-powered antioxidants (beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C), also thought to have synergy together.

#5 SoySoybeans are a unique member of the legume family: They contain a large amount of natural plant estrogens (Isoflavones), as well as all the essential amino acids and a number of antioxidant phytochemicals. Genistein, the main isoflavone in soy, has possible antitumor activity, but soy possesses other cancer-fighting components. Researchers suspect that these powerful anticancer components work at different stages of the cancer process. This means there is value in eating your soy in close to whole form so you are sure to get all of the aforementioned components versus just one in a soy supplement.

It’s also probably better to get your soy in food form to fully benefit from the cholesterol-lowering properties of its protein. Processing can also reduce the isoflavone content of some soy protein products by as much as 80%. According to soy expert Mark Messina, PhD, conceivably isoflavones and soy protein work cooperatively to reduce cholesterol. Here’s one more reason to eat your soy in close to whole form: Soy contains “inactive” components along with the “active” ones we’ve just discussed. It’s possible that some of these inactive components are required for the active ones to be useful.
Credit:health.glam.com

10 Slimming Wardrobe Tricks & Tips

Trying to slim down for summer? Forget about logging time at the gym: According to Bobbi Schwartz, founder and CEO of The Bobbi Schwartz Group, a Dallas-based personal styling company, achieving a long and lean silhouette comes down to dressing to compliment your figure.

“Boot-cut or flare-leg pants are more flattering than narrow-leg pants, for those with hips. And, believe it or not, wide-leg pants are very flattering to the backside, no matter what size or shape your hips are,” says Schwartz. “Somehow, they make the backside look small and shapely. Go figure!”

Clothing style makes a big impression on how someone looks, yet many people end up choosing items for the color or style, rather than finding something that will help create a more flattering image. Here are some simple tips for using clothing to your advantage, this summer:

· For those with a tummy, there are t-shirts that are cut in an A-shape that will help hide and distract. Eileen Fischer is a designer that offer such shirts in a variety of colors, with a high-quality fabric and cut. “The t-shirts will take pounds off those that are thicker in the middle,” adds Schwartz.

· Another notable designer that creates a figure forgiving line is Eskandar.

· V-shaped necklines help many women to get a quick slim look.

· For those with a long waist, opt for shirts or dresses that have a belt, to help with waist definition.

· Women can help keep larger hips in proportion by opting for a slightly flared skirt.

· Find a swimsuit that accentuates your better features and downplays your less flattering ones. Many swimsuit product lines offer such information right on the tag. There are suits today that look good on all body shapes and sizes such as Calving Klein and Magicsuit.



“Longer shorts are very flattering to almost everyone, especially those baby boomers who want to wear a more flattering length and yet something that allows for a little air conditioning,” says Schwartz.

When choosing shorts this summer, those who would like to hide their hips should opt for a slightly wider leg. Those with thinner legs and hips will look nicer in the narrow-cut shorts, creating a long and lean look.

“If you are doing the short, however, unless you are really tall and thin, stick to wearing at least a short-heeled sandal, to really make the look flattering,” adds Schwartz.

Credit:Susan C-fashion.glam.com