Much has been reported about the potential for illness and death as the result of bird flu. But is it a true threat or just another case of the media capitalizing on our fears?
Leslie Ann Dauphin, Ph.D., a microbiologist at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and recent author of The Germ Handbook (Siloam), has researched the avian influenza virus that causes bird flu. Dauphin told SpiritLed Woman the virus does not usually infect people.
Dauphin says: "Although rare, the viruses…may be transmitted to humans via direct contact with infected birds or surfaces that infected birds have been in contact with...[or] through an intermediate host, such as a pig."
Although we have known for some time that the underlying issue for eating disorders is a need for control, research now links this need for control to unresolved pain from significantly hurtful experiences in a person's life. According to Dr. Gregory Jantz in his book Hope, Help and Healing for Eating Disorders (Shaw Books, 2002), "Studies have indicated that 80 percent or more of people with eating disorders have been victims of some sort of abuse--whether verbal, emotional, physical or sexual. By controlling what you eat, you are really trying to control that terrible pain."
You've probably heard people tell you that walking is good for your health because it increases muscle and bone strength, improves circulation and the overall condition of your heart, and lowers cholesterol. But did you know it can even reduce your risk for certain cancers?
With flu season (November to March) quickly approaching, it is important to remember some of the natural ways to boost your immune system. According to Dr. Reginald Cherry, taking herbs such as echinacea will not only help your body fight off viral infections, they can also lessen symptoms, and can even protect you from coming down with the flu in the first place. He says many people take echinacea daily during flu season as a preventative measure.
Though some cancers have no effective method for facilitating early detection, there are ways to screen for breast cancer with the goal of diagnosing the disease at an early, treatable stage. In 2003, the American Cancer Society issued the following guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer:
Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
A clinical breast exam should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for a woman in her 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and older.
Women should examine their own breasts to become familiar with how their breasts normally feel. Any changes should be promptly reported to their health-care providers. Don't procrastinate.
Women who have a strong family history, a genetic tendency, or have already had breast cancer should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, of having more frequent clinical exams, or of having additional screening tests such as a breast ultrasound or MRI.
While the search for a cure continues, these screening guidelines have proven to be useful for increasing the likelihood of detecting breast cancer at an early stage, thereby facilitating a good response to treatment. But their benefit depends on adherence.
Far too many Holy Spirit-led women are failing to take advantage of these simple and effective screening methods. Don't let fear, myths and old wives tales prevent you from getting a breast exam and mammogram. Become proactive in preserving your health so that you might experience the blessing of a long and healthy life.
Janet Maccaro, Ph.D., CNC, recommends the following steps for coping with symptoms of peri-menopause or menopause:
1. Manage your stress. Forgive past hurts and apologize to those you may have wronged in the past. Make sure to get enough sleep. Exercise daily. Eliminate sugar as much as possible. Fellowship daily.
In her book Finally FIT!, Lorraine Bossé-Smith points out the benefits of keeping active. Exercise, she writes, will reduce stress, improve the quality of your sleep, give you more energy, maintain healthier muscles and joints, increase bone density, decrease blood pressure, reduce your chances of becoming depressed and make you feel better about yourself. So what are you waiting for? Get up and get going!
According to medical doctor Don Colbert, a recent study shows that chocolate--the dark variety, that is--can be good for you. Dark chocolate, Colbert says, contains high levels of flavonoids, an antioxidant that protects the heart and blood vessels from the damaging stress of free radicals. This beloved treat can actually increase the levels of antioxidants in the blood by about 20 percent! Colbert recommends restraint, however, because the high sugar content of most chocolate candy causes more health problems than chocolate can protect you from. So if you get chocolate, get only the dark--and eat it only in moderation.
That many of our modern-day medicines are derived from herbs? That's because "herbal plants are time-tested and approved sources of healing," writes nutritionist and women's health specialist Janet Maccaro in her book, Natural Health Remedies: An A-Z Family Guide. Though some Americans are still skeptical, Europeans have used herbs as medicines for centuries. So the next time you're ill, consider asking your doctor for an herbal alternative to the medicine he prescribes. It may provide the same benefit without the negative side effects!
Keep in shape and sharpen your competitive edge in the backyard or on the field.
This summer, you have a chance to get outdoors, pump some fresh air into your lungs, work up a sweat and bond with the guys or your family. Without further adieu, here are my top 10 summer sports for shaping you into a "new man:"
The sacred time called 'when things slow down' always seems out of reach for most men.
So your profession is very demanding and you carry a heavy workload. You pull a couple of all-nighters every now and then, plus give up a few weekends to go to work. What's the big sweat? Someone's got to pay the bills, right?
Look at your return: You get that water-cooler reputation and recognition in the workplace as being successful--a real company man.
Will biotechnology stretch our legacies out longer, or are the ethical implications too damaging?
Although escaping mortality is out of the question, stretching its boundaries may not be, according to new discoveries in genetic research.
Geneticists discovered how to lengthen the life span of animals and insects by the alteration of a single gene. Though companies form to benefit from any future application to humans, some are raising questions about the ethical implications of such a process.
Summer will soon be here and millions will decide to trim the fat by exercising in the sunny weather. But jogging a mile each day won't help anyone if their diet consists of Big Macs and fries.
Here are some healthy foods, as listed on CNN.com, that can help you achieve your fitness goals--and that don't taste like carpet lint.
How does marriage affect your health? More than you know!
God told Adam that it was not good for him to be alone. Then, God did one of the riskiest things ever. He made woman.
But before woman came, Adam was quite self-sufficient--he ruled the garden. He fed himself; he never had to shower; and he was free to roam wherever, whenever. Let's face it, the guy was living in bachelor paradise.
If the story ended there, our lives today would be just a little different: No steak and no sex. Fortunately, there is more to the story.
The death of my father refocused my health priorities.
Be tough!" "Hang in there!" That's what us guys have been told all our lives. That's what real men are made of, right?
Well, I have to admit, the things that make a hero in my mind ironically don't come from toughness. As we strive to be our best in developing a healthy body and getting our pectorals the size of Arnold Schwarzenegger's, it is vitally important that we look beyond what may be the least fulfilling single-dimensional viewpoint--being self-centered.
Did you resolve to lose weight last year, the year before that and the year before that? Did you quit before the flowers bloomed in the spring? We've listed 5 tips to help you achieve your weight-loss goal once and for all. Build exercise into your schedule. Schedule your workout time as if it were an important doctor's appointment. Block out a specific time and make exercise part of your weekly routine. Make sure you choose calisthenics that you'll enjoy. The best exercise is the one you'll do.
Drink more water. Water is the single most important nutrient for our bodies. It is involved in every function of our bodies. You can live five to seven weeks without food, but the average adult can last no more than five days without water. How much water should you drink? Take your weight in pounds and divide it by two. The result is how many ounces of water you should drink daily.
Avoid skipping meals. It may seem like a good way to shed a few pounds, but it is actually harmful to your body. Your metabolism slows down to preserve the carbohydrates and fats still in your body to survive. It's important to eat three meals a day to give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function properly.
Restore your body with sleep. Every night when you go to sleep, your body shuts down and repairs itself. Your immune system recharges. Your major organs are restored. Old cells are being replaced with new ones. Your mind relaxes and orders its thoughts, creating a healthy mental state. A good night's sleep is free. A bad night's sleep is costly, because it takes a toll on your health.
Conquer food cravings. Unhealthy food cravings do require an extra measure of self-control if we are going to conquer them, but be encouraged. Think of healthier alternatives. For instance, instead of a bowl of ice cream, try a scoop of frozen yogurt; instead of potato chips and French onion dip, try baked chips and fresh salsa. While these alternatives might not be ideal, they are a step in the right direction and can help bridge the gap between where you've been and where you want to be with your diet.
