Acupuncture your Body for Health and More Nicer

Acupuncture for Weight Control

Are you a holistic practitioner experienced in acupuncture? Then you are surely the one that many are looking for. Acupuncture is a traditional energy healing technique which believes that every state of disease or illness in the human body is caused due to an imbalance in the bioenergy in the body and this balance is brought about by certain corrective measures using needles, seeds, magnets, etc. and many people around the world today believe in its ability to treat pain, nausea, vomiting, arthritis, stress, etc. Acupuncture is also used as a holistic health care measure to help in weight control. With all these pros, the place you need to be is at The Alternative Health Connection. Many individuals suffering from obesity and over-weight are searching for the right holistic practitioner to help them reduce and maintain their weight with acupuncture.

Weight control is never an easy thing. It involves a lot of strenuous work along with a permanent change in eating habits and regular workouts. In spite of all this hard work, weight control might not be permanent because habits have not been changed. There is also the risk of side effects from many types of treatments. But acupuncture is a form of holistic medicine which helps in bringing about weight loss easily and has no side effects what so ever. So the number of people seeking help from practitioners of holistic medicine is increasing by the day. Every single day, hundreds of people scan through the databases to find an experienced acupuncturist in their locality. With this form of holistic health care you could also help people deal with stress, frustration and other ailments. It is the most perfect form of holistic medicine to assist the fat burning metabolism of the body.

How to Lose the Weight and Keep It Off with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

Weight loss comes under the topic of "Weight Control", because we are concerned with the loss and MAINTENANCE of loss of weight. This is a multi-faceted problem, and a good program involves diet, exercise and stress reduction techniques. Chinese acupressure and digestive aid exercises are also useful tools in the battle with weight loss.

Acupuncture is an ADJUNCT therapy. It is not a panacea or a wonder cure in the treatment of weight control. But, acupuncture is effective in making it easier to lose and maintain that loss if the patient is willing to change their lifestyle. The exact mechanism by which acupuncture works is unknown but we know that acupuncture needles inserted into specific points on the body and in the ear release endorphins which have a calming and relaxing effect that makes it easier to deal with stress, frustration and anxiety that can trigger overeating and bingeing on fattening foods. Also endorphins affect the digestive and hormonal systems so acupuncture can help rebalance the organ systems that are running too fast- or in this case too slow—i.e., the metabolism and the will power.

The Acupuncture Treatment

In order for the acupuncturist to choose the correct points for you, you must first come in for a consultation to discuss your particular pattern of overeating, and let the practitioner know in your intake form if there are any real digestive difficulties. Then the acupuncturist would check your pulse to discern the general state of your energy and measure the health of your stomach energy in particular, and then they would look at your tongue to check for cracks, peeling or puffiness on the stomach area, or a suspicious yellow or thick white coating that might indicate troublesome heat or coldness in the stomach and would provide some clues as to why the person was gaining weight.

The Acupuncture Points

Then, armed with this information, the acupuncturist would devise a treatment protocol using a combination of ear and body points. Although the Chinese developed the system of auricular (ear) acupuncture a long time ago, as one of the various Microsystems of the body containing all the points relating to the major organs and body parts, a Frenchman by the name of Nogier, discovered many more acupuncture points on the ear that pertain to Western medicine such as points called "Adrenal", "Pituitary", "FSH", "Ovary", "Thyroid", etc.

Many of the points from both ear acupuncture systems that are important for weight loss treatments are:

* Mouth - for the impulsive eater who may also smoke a lot and talk a lot
* Stomach - for the person who eats even after they're full or who's constantly nibbling
* Hungry - for general appetite control
* Lung - for food addicts, and people who love chocolate, sweets
* Shenmen - a calming point, for the psychology overlay for anxiety, anger, frustration,
insecurity
* Endocrine - for water retention that's responsible for some of the weight gain
* Adrenal and Ovary - if weight gain is due to menopause or P.M.S.
* Spleen - for sugar imbalances and hormonal disturbances
* Kidney - for water retention, and nervous system and hormonal imbalances
* Thyroid - for slow metabolism

The practitioner chooses two or more of these points for each treatment depending upon the patient's problem and personality profile regarding overeating.

Next, body points would be selected.

During the first few treatments, most likely the "Four Gate" points (LI 4, Liver3) would be used to circulate the energy throughout the body and calm the nervous system. Ren 12, the front collecting point of the stomach energy would be chosen for many treatments, as would Stomach 36, three inches distal to the eye of the knee that tonifies the energy and helps circulate oxygen and blood of the whole body and of the stomach in particular. Then, based on the diagnosis, the practitioner may add Stomach, 40, the master point for mucous, or Kidney 7 or 10 for edema or water retention.

The acupuncturist may use electro stimulation on some of these acupuncture points to increase the endorphin release and stimulate the metabolism. The needles would be kept in place for around thirty to forty-five minutes depending on how much support was needed for the patient, and after the needles are removed, ear tacs with adhesive on them are often placed in the same spots on the ear to continue the stimulation between treatments. The way it works is this: when the patient feels an urge to eat, s/he applies mild pressure to the point or rubs it back and forth for about 20 seconds. This type of acupressure stimulates the point, causes a mild endorphin release, relaxes the patient and helps them to regain their willpower or resolve about resisting the temptation to eat. The patient removes the tacs at home after three days and throws them away or takes them out sooner if there is any irritation or discomfort. It is a good idea to also remove oneself from the location, person or food that triggers the resistance to the diet or contributes to the breakdown of willpower. For example, one might want to stay away from the kitchen and refrigerator between meals.

The Treatment Plan

The number of acupuncture treatments necessary depends on the patient's goals for losing weight, the speed at which they want to lose, and their commitment to keeping the weight off. If the overeating is severe, a treatment every day for the first five days is appropriate and can then taper off the second week to every other day and the third week to every three days. For the average patient who wants to lose between five to ten pounds, one treatment every three days or twice a week until they reach their goal is appropriate, and then a booster treatment once every two weeks is optimal. After a few booster treatments, the patient and practitioner will mutually decide when to terminate frequent treatments and then can aim to meet approximately four times a year at the change of seasons when energy levels are unstable and tonification and harmonizing of one's system is appropriate for everyone.

Types of Heart Disease

Types of heart disease

Your heart needs care for life. A healthy heart is about enjoying a healthy lifestyle and making this a part of your every day life. It is also about taking positive steps to improve or remove risk factors.
Everyone can do something to help prevent heart disease, including people who already have heart
disease or who have had a heart event.
The good news is that if you lead a healthy lifestyle you can reduce your risk of developing heart
disease.

Heart Disease

The biggest risk to your heart is a gradual clogging of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This clogging process is called ‘atherosclerosis’. It is the main cause of most cardiovascular disease. It can also occur in arteries that supply blood to the brain and other vital organs.
The clogging process begins early in life and continues over the years. Fatty deposits called ‘plaque’ slowly build up on the inner wall of the arteries causing them to become narrow.
Clogging of the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen) is known as
‘coronary heart disease’. Coronary heart disease can lead to angina or heart attack.

Heart Attack

A heart attack is an emergency. Getting to hospital quickly can reduce the damage to the heart and increase the chance of survival. A heart attack occurs when there is a sudden, complete blockage of an artery that supplies an area of the heart. As a result, a portion of the heart muscle begins to die. Without early medical treatment, this damage can be permanent.

Know the warning signs of heart attack. These warning signs vary and usually last for at least 10
minutes. You may experience more than one of these:
• Tightness, fullness, pressure, squeezing, heaviness or pain in your chest, shoulders, neck,
arms, back, jaw or throat.
• You may also have difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, a cold sweat, a feeling of being
dizzy or light-headed. If you experience these heart attack warning signs, immediately stop what you are doing and rest. If you are with someone, tell them what you are experiencing. If your symptoms are severe, get worse quickly or last for 10 minutes (even if they are mild), this is an emergency. Get help fast. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Don’t hang up. The operator will give you advice before the ambulance arrives. (If calling 000 does not work on your mobile phone, try 112).

Angina

Angina is temporary chest pain or discomfort. It happens because part of the heart is temporarily unable to get enough blood and oxygen to meet its needs, due to a narrowed artery in the heart. Pain or discomfort develops in the chest and can spread into the shoulder, arm or neck. Angina may come on during exercise, but usually goes away with rest, although medication is often required. Angina does not damage the heart muscle so it is not the same as a heart attack. People with angina are more at risk of a heart attack.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to a part of the brain becomes blocked or bursts. This means that part of the brain is damaged because it is suddenly deprived of its blood supply. This blood supply normally carries oxygen and sugar to the brain so that it can function.
Different parts of the brain control different functions of the body, such as movement, speech and sight. Damage to the brain will lead to a loss of the functions that part of the brain controls. Just like a heart attack, a stroke can be mild or severe.

Risk factors

‘Risk factors’ for heart disease are characteristics that increase your chance of developing heart
disease.
These include:
• Smoking;
• A high blood cholesterol;
• Physical inactivity;
• Diabetes;
• High blood pressure;
• Being overweight.

Being male, increasing age and having a family history of early death from heart disease are also risk factors for developing heart disease, but are much more difficult to control or change!
The best ways to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and to help prevent it getting worse if it already exists, are to improve or remove the risk factors over which we have some control, and take all medications as prescribed by the doctor.

POSSIBLE RISKS OF PLASTIC SURGERY

Plastic surgery ranks among the top surgical procedures in the medical field.
With continual progress made in innovative technologies and surgical techniques,
plastic surgery is consistently reliable and generally considered safe.

Although complications from plastic surgery are rare, there are still existing
risks and complications, just like any other surgical procedure.

The degree of plastic surgery complications and risks is highly dependent on
the specific surgical procedure(s) performed, and the patient's own health condition
and physiology. Smokers, the elderly, people with diabetes, heart conditions
and certain allergies are more likely to experience complications that others.

Obviously the type of procedure will determine plastic surgery dangers that
may be present. This page will serve as a summary to general plastic surgery
risks and complications. Comprehensive coverage of risks and complications to
specific plastic surgery procedures can be viewed by following the links at
the bottom of the page to the procedure that interests you.

Before you undergo plastic surgery it is important to have blood tests and
a physical done to ensure that you are a good candidate for surgery. Additionally
you should make sure to look into the procedure you are considering and learn
about the risks involved so that you can be as prepared as possible for your
transformation.

The following lists some "general" risks and complications associated with
plastic surgery.

Bleeding and Associated Risks

Bleeding is quite common within the first 24 hours following surgery and can
lead to complications. Blood can pool and collect under the skin to form a hematoma
which will be firm in feel, and may turn the overlaying skin blue or purple.
The area can cause pain but usually becomes reduced when your body's' own clotting
mechanism takes over and reabsorbs the collected blood. However, if the hematoma
continual to grows, it will compress the tissue and prevent oxygen from circulating
around that area. This may result in skin death, and a return to the operating
room is required to drain out the excess blood. Further, a large hematoma can
increase your risks of other complications such as infection, wound separation,
and necrosis.

During surgery and within 72 hours, you become more susceptible to secondary
infections since bacterial and viral pathogens have easier access via
open wounds, sutures, or drain sites. That is why antibiotics are usually taken
during and following the procedure. Typical signs of infection are fever, redness
in a local area, foul odor, and/or thick yellow or white discharge.

Seromas are similar to hematomas, except it is a collection of tissue fluid,
rather than blood. Seromas can occur usually in operations where tissue is removed
(i.e. tummy tucks) since the body will attempt to fill the empty space created
between separated tissues. Seromas can be recognized by enlargement, heaviness,
weight gain, and even sloshing of fluid. They also increase the risk of secondary
infections. Seroma are treated with compression or with drainage with a needle
and syringe.

Suture Reaction and Wound Separation

Since sutures are foreign substances, it is not unusual to have an immune reaction
against it. If the body rejects the suture, it may try to get rid of it by pushing
it to the surface of the skin. This can be manifested as a spitting suture,
which can occur within weeks to a months following surgery. The body may produce
scar tissue surrounding the suture to separate it from the body. This may result
in a suture granuloma, which is seen as a bump under the skin. If bacteria
enters the area around the suture and causes infection, a suture abscess
may result. This is discernible as redness, tenderness, and pus around the suture.
This may cause further infection of the skin if left untreated.

If you have experienced these problems with previous surgeries, it is important
to inform your surgeon prior to the operation. This way, they may be able to
make the necessary changes (suture material, surgical technique) to minimize
the risk of problems.

Anytime an incision is made, there is a probability that it will not seal properly,
leading to wound separation. Many factors such as bleeding, nicotine use, excessive
movement, steroid medication, uncontrolled blood sugar, hematoma, and infection
can contribute to poor wound healing. The surgical technique, the amount of
tension placed on the wound, and premature suture removal are also contributing
factors. If your wound separates, it may be possible to re-suture the incision
immediately (especially within 24 hours of surgery), otherwise your surgeon
may prefer to let it heal on its own without tension and then revise the scar
once it's healed.

Necrosis

Necrosis is the death of tissues and is generally caused by insufficient oxygen
reaching the affected areas. In most cases the risk of necrosis is barely there
but with higher risks plastic surgery procedures such as face lifts, tummy tucks,
and breast reductions, during which flaps are created separating the skin and
its blood supply from underlying structures, the possibility of necrosis is
at hand. The risk of necrosis increases with dramatically noticeable swelling.
Unsurprisingly, smokers have a higher incidence of necrosis due to blood vessel
constriction and a decreased oxygen supply. Signs of necrosis are a blue, purple,
or gray cast to the skin, and pain will be all too obvious. In its later stages,
the tissue will turn gray or black, and may smell or become infected. Necrosis
is generally treated at its earliest stages with therapy including relieving
compression by releasing sutures and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Nerve Damage

In extreme cases, nerve damage can occur from the surgery or simply from the
injection of anesthesia. If nerve damage occurs, you may notice numbness, tingling,
or changes in sensation. Weakness or paralysis to the affected muscles may be
noticeable after damage to nerves controlling muscle. Usually, any nerve damage
is temporary and sensation will return to normal within 6 months to a year,
although sometimes it can take 2 to 3 years for complete regeneration. As the
nerve regenerates, itching, shooting pains, or electrical shock sensations may
be experienced. If the nerve is severed completely then numbness and inability
to move the affected muscle is permanent. Reconstructive surgery to give support
to the affected muscle may be required.

Adverse Reactions to Anesthesia

Although some plastic surgery procedures do not require the use of anesthesia,
some of the more extensive procedures do require the use of general anesthetics.
Adverse reactions to anesthesia are generally rare but nevertheless complications
are still there. Risks differ depending on the individual with factors varying
from your health beforehand and the seriousness of your operation. Nausea is
relatively common and is treated with appropriate medication. Sore throat associated
with breathing tube placement is also quite common, but usually only lasts a
day or so. Of course, there are a number of infrequent, less serious complications,
such as pain and bruising at the site of injections, headaches, and dental damage.
These are usually easily treatable, get better quickly, and are also quite rare.
In very rare cases, adverse reactions could become serious with documented cases
of seizures and heart attacks and high temperatures leading to death. But overall,
most people do not suffer any complications.

Scarring

Scarring is one of the most common risks that people considering plastic surgery
should be aware of and is closely related to wound healing ability and suture
reactions. During the process of healing, visible thickening of the skin edges
and new red, bumps called granulation tissue form in and around the shrinking
wound resulting in a scar. For the following weeks and months following surgery,
healing around the scar tissue will usually diminish. However, if that is not
the case, scar remodeling can be performed to cha change a thick, red, raised
scar to a thin, flat, white scar over a period of months to years.

Most surgeons will try to hide incision lines in places where they aren't noticeable,
like under the crease of the breast in breast augmentation plastic surgery or
beneath the swimwear line in tummy tuck operations.

Nerve damage is a serious complication that people considering plastic surgery must be aware of. Some people who undergo plastic surgery will lose feeling in the area that was operated on while others may experience problems moving muscles in the area where the surgery was performed.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Some risk factors for heart disease you can control and some you cannot. Coronary artery disease causes roughly 1.2 million heart attacks each year, and more than forty percent of those suffering from a heart attack will die. Even more worrisome, 335,000 people with heart attacks will die in an emergency department or before ever reaching the hospital. According to the American Heart Association, over 7 million Americans have suffered a heart attack in their lifetime.

What Are the Risk Factors for Heart Disease?

There are several risk factors for heart disease; some are controllable, others are not. Uncontrollable risk factors include:

* Male sex
* Older age
* Family history of heart disease
* Post-menopausal
* Race (African Americans, American Indians, and Mexican Americans are more likely to have heart disease than Caucasians)

Still, there are many heart disease risk factors that can be controlled. By making changes in your lifestyle, you can actually reduce your risk for heart disease. Controllable risk factors include:

* Smoking.
* High LDL, or "bad" cholesterol and low HDL, or "good" cholesterol.
* Uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).
* Physical inactivity.
* Obesity (more than 20% over one's ideal body weight).
* Uncontrolled diabetes.
* High C-reactive protein.
* Uncontrolled stress and anger.

What Can I Do to Lower My Risk of Heart Disease?

Making changes in your lifestyle is a proven method for reducing your risk of heart disease. While there are no guarantees that a heart-healthy lifestyle will keep heart disease away, these changes will certainly improve your health in other ways, such as improving your physical and emotional well being. Also, because some risk factors are related to others, making changes in one area can benefit other areas.


Here are some ways you can reduce your risk of heart disease.

* Quit smoking.
Smokers have more than twice the risk for heart attack as nonsmokers. Smoking is also the most preventable risk factor. If you smoke, quit. Better yet, never start smoking at all. Nonsmokers who are exposed to constant smoke also have an increased risk.

* Improve cholesterol levels.
The risk for heart disease increases as your total amount of cholesterol increases. Your total cholesterol goal should be less than 200 mg/dl; HDL, the good cholesterol, higher than 40 mg/dl in men and 50 mg/dl in women (and the higher the better); and LDL should be less than 130 mg/dl in healthy adults. For those with diabetes or multiple risk factors for heart disease, LDL goal should be less than 100 mg/dl (some experts recommend less than 70 mg/dl if you are very high risk). Interpretation and treatment of cholesterol values must be individualized, taking into account all of your risk factors for heart disease. A diet low in cholesterol and saturated and trans fat will help lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk for heart disease. Regular exercise will also help lower "bad" cholesterol and raise "good" cholesterol. Medications are often needed to reach cholesterol goals.

* Control high blood pressure.
About 60 million people in the U.S. have hypertension, or high blood pressure, making it the most common heart disease risk factor. Nearly one in three adults has systolic blood pressure (the upper number) over 140, and/or diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) over 90, which is the definition of hypertension. Like cholesterol, blood pressure interpretation and treatment should be individualized, taking into account your entire risk profile. Control blood pressure through diet, exercise, weight management, and if needed, medications.

* Control diabetes.
If not properly controlled, diabetes can lead to significant heart damage including heart attacks and death. Control diabetes through a healthy diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor.

* Get active.
Many of us lead sedentary lives, exercising infrequently or not at all. People who don't exercise have higher rates of death and heart disease compared to people who perform even mild to moderate amounts of physical activity. Even leisure-time activities like gardening or walking can lower your risk of heart disease. Most people should exercise 30 minutes a day, at moderate intensity, on most days. More vigorous activities are associated with more benefits. Exercise should be aerobic, involving the large muscle groups. Aerobic activities include brisk walking, cycling, swimming, jumping rope, and jogging. If walking is your exercise of choice, use the pedometer goal of 10,000 steps a day. Consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.

* Eat right.
Eat a heart-healthy diet low in salt, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and refined sugars. Try to increase your intake of foods rich in vitamins and other nutrients, especially antioxidants, which have been proven to lower your risk for heart disease. Also eat plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

* Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Excess weight puts significant strain on your heart and worsens several other heart disease risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and triglycerides. Research is showing that obesity itself increases heart disease risk. By eating right and exercising, you can lose weight and reduce your risk of heart disease.

* Manage stress.
Poorly controlled stress and anger can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Use stress and anger management techniques to lower your risk. Learn to manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques, learning how to manage your time, setting realistic goals, and trying some new techniques such as guided imagery, massage, Tai Chi, or yoga.

Tips Following The Healthy Eating Pyramid

We can’t look at a pyramid these days without thinking of food and healthy eating. The problem was that these efforts, while generally good intentioned, have been quite flawed at actually showing people what makes up a healthy diet. Why? Their recommendations have often been based on out-of-date science and influenced by people with business interests in their messages.

But, there’s a better alternative: the Healthy Eating Pyramid, built by the faculty in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. Based on the latest science, and unaffected by businesses and organizations with a stake in its messages, the Health Eating Pyramid is a simple, trustworthy guide to choosing a healthy diet. Its foundation is daily exercise and weight control, since these two related elements strongly influence your chances of staying healthy. The Healthy Eating Pyramid builds from there, showing that you should eat more foods from the bottom part of the pyramid (vegetables, whole grains) and less from the top (red meat, refined grains, sugary drinks)

1. Focus on food, not grams. The Healthy Eating Pyramid doesn’t worry about specific servings or grams of food, so neither should you. It’s a simple, general guide to how you should eat when you eat.

2. Start with exercise. A healthy diet is built on a base of regular exercise, which keeps calories in balance and weight in check.

3. Go with plants. Eating a plant-based diet is healthiest. Choose plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, like olive and canola oil.

4. Cut way back on American staples. Red meat, refined grains, potatoes, sugary drinks, and salty snacks are part of American culture, but they’re also really unhealthy. Go for a plant-based diet rich in non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. And if you eat meat, fish and poultry are the best choices.

5. Take a multivitamin. Taking a multivitamin can be a good nutrition insurance policy.

Foods For LOSE Your Weight.

Do you Care About OBESITY..? If 'yap'...Make some perfect care for yourself.

1. Eggs. Skip the bagel this morning. Eggs, which are full of protein, will help you feel fuller longer-a lot longer. A multicenter study of 30 overweight or obese women found that those who ate two scrambled eggs (with two slices of toast and a reduced-calorie fruit spread) consumed less for the next 36 hours than women who had a bagel breakfast of equal calories. Other research has shown that protein may also prevent spikes in blood sugar, which can lead to food cravings.

2. Green tea. The slimming ingredient isn't caffeine. Antioxidants called catechins are what help speed metabolism and fat burning. In a recent Japanese study, 35 men who drank a bottle of oolong tea mixed with green tea catechins lost weight, boosted their metabolism, and had a significant drop in their body mass index. Health bonus: The participants also lowered their (bad) LDL cholesterol.l.

3. Salad. Do you tend to stuff yourself at meals? Control that calorie intake by starting with a large salad (but hold the creamy dressing). In a study of 42 women at Penn State University, those who ate a big, low-cal salad consumed 12 percent less pasta afterward-even though they were offered as much as they wanted. The secret, say researchers, is the sheer volume of a salad, which makes you feel too full to pig out. Health bonus: A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that people who ate one salad a day with dressing had higher levels of vitamins C and E, folic acid, lycopene, and carotenoids-all disease fighters-than those who didn't add salad to their daily menu.

4.Beans. You've probably never heard of cholecystokinin, but it's one of your best weight-loss pals. This digestive hormone is a natural appetite suppressant. So how do you get more cholecystokinin? One way, report researchers at the University of California at Davis, is by eating beans: A study of eight men found that their levels of the hormone (which may work by keeping food in your stomach longer) were twice as high after a meal containing beans than after a low-fiber meal containing rice and dry milk. There's also some evidence that beans keep blood sugar on an even keel, so you can stave off hunger longer. Heart-health bonus: High-fiber beans can lower your cholesterol.

5. Soup. A cup of chicken soup is as appetite blunting as a piece of chicken: That was the finding of a Purdue University study with 18 women and 13 men. Why? Researchers speculate that even the simplest soup satisfies hunger because your brain perceives it as filling.

6. Grapefruit. It's back! A 2006 study of 91 obese people conducted at the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center at Scripps Clinic found that eating half a grapefruit before each meal or drinking a serving of the juice three times a day helped people drop more than three pounds over 12 weeks. The fruit's phytochemicals reduce insulin levels, a process that may force your body to convert calories into energy rather than flab.

7. Tofu. It seems too light to be filling, but a study at Louisiana State University showed that tofu does the job. Researchers tested it against chicken as a pre-meal appetizer for 42 overweight women-and the participants who had tofu ate less food during the meal. The secret: Tofu is an appetite-quashing protein.

8. Nuts. Yes, they are fattening: A handful of peanuts is about 165 calories. But research shows that people who snack on nuts tend to be slimmer than those who don't. A study from Purdue University found that when a group of 15 normal-weight people added about 500 calories worth of peanuts to their regular diet, they consumed less at subsequent meals. The participants also revved up their resting metabolism by 11 percent, which means they burned more calories even when relaxing. Health bonus: Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids. And researchers at Loma Linda University recently found that eating 10 to 20 whole pecans daily can reduce heart disease risks.

9. High-fiber cereal. Studies show that you can curb your appetite by eating a bowl for breakfast. But how well does it really work? Researchers at the VA Medical Center and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis tested the theory against the ultimate diet challenge: the buffet table. They gave 14 volunteers one of five cereals before sending them out to the smorgasbord. Those who'd had the highest-fiber cereal ate less than those who didn't have as much fiber in the morning. Try General Mills Fiber One (14 grams per serving) or Kellogg's All Bran With Extra Fiber (13 grams per serving).

10. Hot red pepper. Eating a bowl of spicy chili regularly can help you lose weight. In a Japanese study, 13 women who ate breakfast foods with red pepper (think southwestern omelet) ate less than they normally did at lunch. The magic ingredient may be capsaicin, which helps suppress appetite.

Beet Root - Natural Benefits and Curative Properties

The red beet, commonly known as garden beet, is a juicy root vegetable. It is distinguished by its individual flavour. It is more colorful than other root vegetables. Beets have several varieties, which are grouped according to their shapes. They are flat, short top shaped, deep oblate to round, globular to oval, half long and long The two varieties, most commonly grown in India are Crimson Globe and Detriot Dark Red, both belonging to the globular to oval group.

Origin and Distribution of Beet Root

Beet is believed to be a native of the Mediterranean region Europe or around West Asia. It has been used as a vegetable for the last 2,000 years, even by early Greeks and Romans. It is now widely distributed in the tropics and is cultivated in the Caribbean, Malaysia, Indonesia, philippines, Central, East and West Africa. In India it is cultivated for its nutritious roots.

Food Value of Beet Root

This vegetable is a good tonic food for health. It contains carbohydrates, mainly in the form of sugar, and it has a little protein and fat. Beet is taken in a variety of ways. They are widely used in salads and in the preparation of pickles and chutney. They are also baked like potatoes or boiled, steamed or cooked. They should be thoroughly washed before boiling and the skin should be removed before use. The leaves, like all green vegetables, should be cooked with a small amount of water and for only a short time. The fresher the beets, the better the flavor and the Quicker they cook. The beet juice is considered as one of the be&t vegetable juice. It is a rich source of natural sugar. It contains sodium, potassium, phosphorus. calcium, sulphur. chlorine, iodine, iron, copper, vitamin B1, B2. niacin. B6, C and P. This juice is rich in easily digestible carbohydrates, but the calorie content is low. The protein factors or amino acids are good in both quality and quantity.

Beet Root*

Food Value	Minerals and Vitamins
Moisture - 87.7%	Calcium - 18 mg
Protein - 1.7%	Phosphorus - 55 mg
Fat - 0.1%	Iron - 1.0 mg
Fibre - 0.7%	Vitamin C - 10 mg
Minerals - 0.8%	Good amount of vitamin A & B
Carbohydrates - 8.8%	Small amount of Vitamin B Complex
* Values per 100 gm's edible portion	Calorific Value - 43

Natural Benefits and Curative Properties of Beet Root

Beets are of great therapeutic value. They have properties to clean the kidneys and gall bladder. Being rich in alkaline elements, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. they are useful in combating acidosis and aid the natural processes of elimination.

Anemia:- Red beet juice is associated with human blood and blood forming qualities. Due to its higher content of iron, it regenerates and reactivates the red blood cells, supplies fresh oxygen to the body and helps the normal function of vesicular breathing i.e. normal breath sound. It is thus extremely useful in the treatment of anemia. According to Dr. Fritz Keitel of Germany , "The juice of the red beet strengthens the body's powers of resistance and has proved to be an excellent remedy for anemia. especially for children and teenagers where other blood forming remedies have failed.

Digestive Disorder:- Beet juice is beneficial in the treatment of jaundice. hepatitis, nausea and vomiting due to biliousness, diarrhea and dysentery Adding a teaspoonful of lime juice to this juice increases its medicinal value and can be given as a liquid food in these conditions. Fresh beet juice mixed with a tablespoonful of honey taken every morning before breakfast helps the healing of gastric ulcer. Leaves of beet root. eaten as green-leafy vegetable and its juice, mixed with lime juice. are also valuable in jaundice and gastric ulcer. The juice should be taken once daily.

Constipation And Piles:- The cellulose content of the beet acts as a bulk residue. increases peristalsis -i.e. wavelike movement and eases the passage of stool. Its regular use thus prevents habitual constipation. A decoction of the beet root is highly valuable in chronic constipation and haemorrhoids i.e. piles. It may be given in doses 01 haH to one tumblerful at bed time.

Circulatory Disorders:- The beet juice is an excellent solvent for inorganic calcium deposits. It is, therefore, valuable in the treatment of hypertension. arteriosclerosis. heart trouble and varicose veins

Kidney And Gall Bladder Disorder:- The beet juice. in combination with the juice of carrot and cucumber, is one of the finest cleansing material for kidneys and gall bladder. It is highly beneficial in all disorders relating to these two organs.

Skin Disorder:- The water in which beet roots and tops have been boiled is an excellent application for boils. skin inflammation and out breaks of pimples and pustules. The white beet is better for this purpose. For an irritable skin the body should be sponged down occasionally with a mixture of three parts of beet water to one part of white vinegar. This mixture is also useful as a skin wash in cases of measles and eruptive fevers.

Dandruff:- The decoction of beets mixed with little vinegar can be used externally to cleanse scurf or dandruff from the head. For dandruff, the beet water should also be massaged into the scalp with the ginger tip every night.