Healthspan Blog

A co-worker at my office recently went under the knife for a painful plastic surgeries. She was out of work for two weeks and when she returned to her desk the next Monday, she looked like death warmed over. She was in tremendous pain. Her face was bright red, her nose swollen to two times its regular size, the staples in her scalp could be seen upon closer examination, and the pain medication that she was on rendered her almost incoherent. The looks themselves were enough to break me of any desire to submit my body to that kind of torture. The sad thing was, she is only 50 years old and this was her third facial plastic surgery. This made me think that her desires to be young were more addictive than rational.

We see the same thing with dieters. Being a healthy weight is desirable but some go to extremes to obtain what they view as the perfect weight. Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are examples. But these are not healthy. The key to good health and weightloss is excercise and lots of fruits and vegetables. Akavar Weight Loss Pills work great without side effects but if possible healthy eating and excercise should be tried first. Likewise there are healthy means to youthful appearance and there are very unhealthy procedures that we should stay away from.

Two Tips To Remember In Choosing A Healthy Way To Youthful Beauty

Do what feels right.

Painful procedures (like micro-derm abrasion) don’t feel good. And they are not good for you. The natural way to exfoliate dead skin is using natural exfoliator such as sea sand. There are many cosmetic exfoliators with these natural exfoliators as their main ingredients.

Work with your skin.

Don’t try to change your skin and stay away from products that claim to. Using a product such as Amatokin that works with your skin to enhance its natural abilities is a good alternative. If you have oily skin, choose products that work with oily skin (not those that eliminate it). Treat your skin with care and respect and it will serve you well for “ages” to come.

I have mentioned Amatokin because it has shown to be a very good eliminator of wrinkles. Yet it does so without painful procedures. Women should choose their way to beauty like they choose their lifestyle and their weight loss course. They should choose, with care, those products which are nourishing and beneficial for their body in the long run. Healthy skin is beautiful skin.

By Brad Bahr

Stress is a normal and necessary response to life changes. It is something that everyone experiences as part of his or her everyday life. To better give you an understanding of the role that stress plays in life is to remember that stress is a perception. It only becomes a problem when it causes physical, emotional and psychological reactions that do not go away. When your stressors are channeled properly stress is actually what can lead you to your best outcome however when not channeled properly these same stressors can wreak havoc on your life. There are some ways to reduce the impact that stress has on your health and emotional well -being and to manage your stress to remain at a healthy level. Some natural or holistic approaches to stress management involve expressive therapies. Art therapy is one such method.

Art therapy in a clinical setting combines development, visual art, and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. An art therapist will most likely have you create something that expresses the feelings that you are having at the particular time. They will encourage you to discuss what your creation means. Art therapy can work in any medium and is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic expression can help people to develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, help to resolve conflict or problems, increase self esteem and self awareness, achieve insight and in turn these will help to reduce stress and goes a long way toward stress management. Art therapists are skilled in the application of several different modes of art including drawing, painting, sculpting, along with other media for assessment and treatment. While art therapy is its own field and therapists are master’s level professionals it is something that you can practice on your own, whenever and wherever you feel the need.

Many find that using art therapy is both cathartic and inspirational. Whether it is painting, drawing or some other method creating art can help you to manage or relieve stress in more ways than one. During the creative process you can take your mind of what it is that is stressing you, being in the moment and the flow of the art is very engaging and can bring you to an almost meditative state. The finished product is rewarding since it is something that you created. Having a hobby or something that you do for yourself can go along way toward bringing a sense of balance to your life and help with stress management. Often just putting your problems out there on paper, as a clay model or whatever making them external makes them easier to deal with and you have the emotional satisfaction of having created something that is all your own. Art is a window into human emotion, thought, expression and personality. Too much stress can cause you to lose touch with your true thoughts and feelings and artistic expression can help you to get them back. Art is a way of healing.

About the author: Brad Bahr is the editor of many health related websites and publications. He has been testing and reviewing nutritional supplements for over 20 years. After trying hundreds of products, he recommends one supplement above all others for renewing health and energy: Learn More

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A look at health news headlines from around the world:

-Research from the University of Texas found large waist measurements, relative to hip size, were linked to early signs of heart disease.  This confirms other research that waist size, rather than overall body weight, is a key indicator of heart disease. The study of 2,744 people suggests that a waist size of 32ins (81cm) for a woman and 37ins (94cm) for a man represents a “significant” raised risk.  Time for me to cut back on the beer.

-The Department of Health (DoH) advises people not to drink more than five single espressos - roughly seven instant coffees - a day, although individuals vary in their sensitivity and reactions.  The highest natural caffeine content is found in filter coffee, a mug of which contains about 120mg of caffeine. Instant coffee contains roughly 75mg and espresso 107mg.

-Carrying too much weight while pregnant increases the risk of complications for mother and baby, including birth defects, labor and delivery problems, fetal death and delivery of large babies, according to the March of Dimes. A revision is long overdue, said Dr. Raul Artal of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. “The reality is for too long we are telling pregnant women to take it easy during pregnancy, be confined and to eat for two,” he said. “This has been one factor in causing the epidemic of overweight and obesity that we see in our country.”

By Brad Bahr

Stress is necessary. It occurs as a normal part of life in response to changes, and real or perceived threats. Stress is also helpful in the face of a threat or challenge. Stress is harmful and can be dangerous when the emotional, physical and psychological reactions do not abate or return to normal. Since stress is subjective and affects everyone differently taking a holistic approach to stress management is most beneficial. Many practices used in holistic medicine today are based on Ancient Healing Ways. Practitioners of naturopathy, homeopathy and allopathic medicine believe that through reclaiming the old ways and connecting you with nature and your own innate being that your life will be fulfilled with wisdom, balance and meaning. Most of this basis is in energy. Some forms of ancient healing have been used regularly through the times, and some are gaining in popularity and widespread use by the western world as more information and research is available and holistic practices are becoming more widely accepted.

Ayurveda for instance has been practiced in India for thousands of years. It is described as a science of life. Writings about this type of practice exist from six thousand years ago but it is believed to have been in practice even longer than that. There are those that say it has been around since the dawn of time because our very existence is governed by nature. Aromatherapy is one practice used in Ayurveda. Aromatherapy is the name given to holistic treatments that use essential oils of plants for healing and to improve physical and emotional well -being. Most parts of the world have a history of using plants for medicinal purposes. Indian Head massage is another ancient practice that helps to counterbalance the effects of stress. American Indians, Indonesia, Ancient Greece and Rome, France, Russia and the United Kingdom have used different forms of massage for thousands of years around the world. The applications of Seichim are believed to go back as far as Ancient Egypt and even Atlantis. Their uses in treatments are almost identical to that of Reiki. Other ancient types of manipulation of the body include Reflexology, Acupuncture and Acupressure and are considered extremely useful for relaxation and stress management.

Another ancient form of treatment that is used in stress management today is gemstone therapy. Its use has been attributed to ancient Greeks, Egyptians and in Judaic cultures however the Vedic culture of India most verbalized the use and gave instructions on the methods in their writings. Gemstones are thought to have metaphysical properties that can improve healing and promote overall well being which is why there use may be helpful in stress management. Different stones have different properties. Color therapy or chromotherapy is one form of gem therapy. Nearly 2000 years ago, color halls were made in many countries where patients used to take color bath for cure of their diseases. As far as today and stress management it is well known that color affects mood and has a great influence on the body.

About the author: Brad Bahr is the editor of many health related websites and publications. He has been testing and reviewing nutritional supplements for over 20 years. After trying hundreds of products, he recommends one supplement above all others for renewing health and energy: Learn More

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By Brad Bahr

For adults with Down syndrome it is important to take care of their health and well-being. It is imperative for adults with Down syndrome treat problems as quickly as they arise; participate in preventive healthcare and health screenings as well as living a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and social and creative interactions.

Obesity is more common in adults with Down syndrome. Research has shown that they have a basal metabolic rate that is slower than that of the average adult. The average adult with Down syndrome burns 200 to 300 calories less per day than the non-Down’s adults. Simply cutting calories tends to result in nutritional deficiencies for the Down’s adults so it is imperative that they burn an extra 200 to 300 calories per day to prevent gaining weight and obesity.

Many adults with Down syndrome were born with congenital heart defects that required surgery to treat them. In some, the defect cannot be treated with surgery so exercise is contraindicated. There is a condition in which the vertebrae’s are too flexible in the neck and spine. In these cases, exercise is also prohibited. It can be difficult for these adults to exercise and not gain weight because of their ongoing health issues.

Sleep apnea is common in adults with Down syndrome. It has been reported that many Down’s adults sleep bent at the waist with their head on their legs. This can be a potential problem with getting adequate sleep and can aggravate sleep apnea. Also common is snoring, restless sleeping, and irregular breathing patterns during sleep. Due to sleep difficulties, many adults with Down syndrome experience tiredness and somnolence during the daytime hours.

Depression has been associated with a decrease in the immune system and an overall decrease in physical health. Enhancing the social interaction and creativity of an adult with Down syndrome will help combat these things. These adults need annual health screenings to address their original Down’s issues as well as the health issues that can arise such as problems with skin, hearing, eyesight, and teeth or gums.

As adults with Down syndrome get older, it is common for them to develop urinary incontinence and constipation. They are at risk for Alzheimer’s and orthopedic problems. It can become increasingly difficult for the Down’s adult to be independent and take care of them despite the desire to be like other adults and live independent lives.

Most adults with Down syndrome can live independent and successfully healthy lives as long as there are adults who can help manage their healthcare. Both physical and mental wellbeing are important to remaining physically healthy and living longer. Despite the many adverse physical effects that occur in the adult with Down syndrome as they age, it is possible for them to be productive adults in society. Most importantly to their success is that they know that they are productive and are made to feel like they are independent. Healthy living is more than just a lack of disease.

About the author: Brad Bahr is the editor of many health related websites and publications. He has been testing and reviewing nutritional supplements for over 20 years. After trying hundreds of products, he recommends one supplement above all others for renewing health and energy: Learn More

Popularity: 16%