Why Do I Have Diabetes?

This week's topic is the common causes for diabetes. My clients often comment on how rampant people are being diagnosed with diabetes. Some of these clients think doctors are conspiring with the pharmacy industry to get more people to use diabetic medications. Personally, I find most doctors are skittish about diagnosing someone with diabetes because treating diabetes is very expensive and time consuming. Some doctors are apt to tell their patients they have "borderline diabetes" and recommend them to lose weight and exercise to control their blood sugar. On the other hand, since studies have proven 90% of complications (i.e. stroke, kidney disease & blindness) can be prevented with good blood glucose control, many doctors are treating diabetes more seriously. Here are the common causes for diabetes:

1. It's the genes, baby!

You inherited your mother's beautiful eyes and your father's great smile. Your parents may have also passed down your chance for diabetes. People of African, Asian and Native American origin have a higher risk of developing diabetes than Caucasians. Most of my clients admit to having a least one close relative with diabetes. Sometimes I get someone who claims they do not have anyone in their family with this condition. If you are one of these people, you need to think about the next four reasons you have diabetes.

2. Aging

Your possibility for diabetes increases with age. Around one hundred years ago, most people lived 40 to 45 years. Today, living until age 45 would be tragic. However, guess the average age most people are diagnosed with diabetes. Yep, age 45! I often ask my clients who tell me their parents did not have diabetes, how long did their parents live. However, people recently are being diagnosed at a younger age due to the next factor.

3. Weight

The obesity rate in the United States is at epidemic proportions. Two-thirds of our country is overweight and 30.5% of our fellow Americans are obese. Medical professionals consider anyone with a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 25 overweight and individuals with a BMI over 30 to be obese. A person with a BMI over 25 is at risk of developing diabetes, so most of our country is in the danger zone.

4. Processed Foods

Eating highly processed foods put you at risk for diabetes because most of these foods are not satisfying to your body. Do you ever notice how quickly you feel full when you eat a whole potato as opposed to chomping down on a bag of potato chips? Eating highly processed foods causes you to overeat thereby putting you at risk for gaining weight. We all know excess weight increases your likelihood for diabetes.

5. Your body is fighting back.

This is strictly directed to people with type I diabetes. Research has shown individuals with juvenile onset or type I diabetes may have developed this disease as an immune response from their body. People with type I diabetes have no cells left in their body to produce insulin. Scientists think these cells may have been destroyed when these people were sick. Something as simple as a bad flu or chickenpox may have triggered the body to attack these cells.

If you are reading this blog and do not have diabetes there is good news. Losing weight, exercising and avoiding highly processed foods decreases your risk for diabetes by 58% if you have a family history of diabetes. Your risk is even lower if none of your ancestors have this disease.

Causes of Hemorrhoids - Are Your Bad Eating Habits the Cause of Hemorrhoids?

There is no exact definition for hemorrhoids, but this term usually refers to a condition in which there is an inflammation in the veins around the lower rectum or anus.

One common cause of hemorrhoids is simply an individual's posture, wherein all of the blood above the rectum puts in pressure on the areas of the rectum and anus. Conditions that cause the rise of hemorrhoids include diarrhea, pregnancy, bad bowel habit, constipation, obesity and the regular straining of a person when he is having bowel movement. Nonetheless, other individuals develop hemorrhoids without the mentioned causes. Human beings are susceptible to hemorrhoids because the straight standing position puts too much pressure on the veins of the region of the anus. Heredity is thought to be a factor that causes hemorrhoids because this condition usually runs in families. Consistent constipation is also considered a primary cause of hemorrhoids. Pressure in the anal and rectal are is increased for constipated individuals because the always strain to remove their bowels.

Another cause of hemorrhoids is a person's diet. Eating the incorrect food will bring an individual to constipation that may lead to straining himself on the toilet. The Western diet, which consists of processed food and lacks the necessary fiber for correct bowel movement is considered a contributor of hemorrhoids. Countries that have diet high in fiber are less likely to develop hemorrhoids while those who have increasing processed food intake have a greater chance to develop the condition.

One must know the causes of hemorrhoids to find means to draw away from them. Nobody wants to get hemorrhoids, but they are very possible to acquire.

What Is Childhood Schizophrenia?

Childhood schizophrenia is a chronic disorder that occurs before adulthood. It involved abnormal thoughts, false ideas, strange perceptions, and unusual social behavior. This condition occurs more frequently during the teenage years.

Problems during the brain's development produce chemical abnormalities which can cause schizophrenic symptoms. When this kind of brain alteration happens, a person can have unusual emotions associated with hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Experts in the field do numerous schizophrenia tests to rule out other possible causes. Antipsychotic drugs are the most effective treatment to control symptoms, and counseling is also important in helping patients and their family members learn how to manage the disorder.

Fortunately, it is quite rare in children under the age of 7. This type of psychological disorder normally develops during late adolescence and early adulthood. One out of 40,000 children is being diagnosed with the disorder. The sad news is, the illness comes on very gradually in children and is often initially confused with other conditions. Autism or a disorder of neural development, OCD, and even ADHD were once believed as childhood schizophrenia but they are totally different disorders.

There is a big difference between the behaviors of young people with schizophrenia from that of adults who are suffering from this illness. As the symptoms develop gradually, it is rare for them to progress before the age of 12. At the start, children may talk about their strange fears and false ideas. They may have lack of ability to distinguish reality from fantasy. Moreover, the early warning signs may include extreme mood swings, behaving younger than one's age, paranoid thoughts, confused thinking, severe anxiety, and problems in maintaining good relationships with their friends.

Diagnosis of schizophrenia usually takes months of careful observation. When evaluating a child, it is very important to consider his or her behaviors. Some children may have unusual actions such as talking about imaginary friends or hearing voices. These are common in children; perhaps they have a greater desire for companionship due to their lack of playmates or siblings. But if a child who is already seven years of age or older with these same behaviors, it is advisable to have him or her evaluated.

During the medication, children are particularly at risk to the side effects of antipsychotic drugs to control schizophrenic symptoms. They can get side effects such as tremors, slowed movements, unusual actions, obesity and abnormal levels of fat in the blood.

It is very helpful to provide the patients the effective social skills training, vocational rehabilitation, as well as psychological and educational support. These are very crucial to help everyone not only the patients but also their families in dealing with the disorder and its consequences. Schizophrenic patients must have a complete evaluation. Parents and guardians should ask their doctors to refer them to a child and adolescent psychiatrist so they can evaluate, diagnose, and treat their children thoroughly. It is necessary to have a proper medication, individual therapy, and specialized programs to help the children with schizophrenia.

Learn How To Lose Weight Fast! Safe and Effective Weight Loss

Learn How to Lose Weight Fast with This Healthy Approach to Weight Loss

Losing weight can be a challenge for many people. Being overweight is associated with many different health risks including heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, just to name a few. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, obesity has more than doubled since 1970! With all the promotions for fast food, busy lifestyles and economic hardship, weight loss is getting harder and harder every year. I've created this post to provide a road map to weight loss. I'll detail some key components of how to lose weight fast, and most importantly, keep it off! Healthy weight loss is two-fold:

Proper Nutrition, Not Starvation, Can Lead to Fast Weight Loss

Most people are under the impression that in order to lose weight, they need to stop eating. While this does have some truth to it, there is a lot more to losing weight than just not eating. It isn't a coincidence that so many people drop 10 or 20 pounds just to gain back everything they lost. By going on extreme low calorie diets, your body will go into starvation mode, because it doesn't know when it will get more nutrients! By eating so few calories, your body slows down its calorie burning processes and starts hoarding fat. This is why you see results initially, but as soon as you start to eat again, your body balloons right back to your initial weight. In addition to that, your body won't be getting the nourishment it needs to function properly. You may feel like you're always in a bad mood, tired, or even show signs of depression. Due to a hormone imbalance, you might constantly crave unhealthy foods. Assuming you're trying to exercise, you likely won't have the energy to get in a great workout or to repair properly afterwards.

The key to fast weight loss isn't always low calories. It is consuming the RIGHT calories. If you're exercising like crazy and trying to live on 1,000 calories per day, your body is going to be a mess! So what should you eat to lose weight quickly? Without getting too complicated, you want to consume hefty amounts of protein, fiber and water. You want to avoid or limit things like sugars, starchy carbs and fats.

You don't have to count every single calorie you eat. You just need to make sure what you're eating is healthy. One of the easiest methods to use for weight loss is the plate method. Separate your breakfast, lunch and dinner plate into sections as follows:

1. 1/2 your plate should be non-starchy carbs - I'm talking about VEGGIES especially. Things like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, etc. That doesn't mean cover them in veggie dip or saute them in 5 tablespoons of butter either! Learn to love veggies for what they are. A good, healthy source of nutrients.

2. 1/3 of your plate should be lean protein - This is your fish, chicken, turkey, or any other lean meat. Things like beans are also great sources of protein.

The rest should be starchy carbs - This is a small portion of things like brown rice, wheat bread, wheat noodles, etc.

This isn't a state-of-the-art system, but it is a simple plan that everyone can follow that will work. If you look at your plate and you have 2 pieces of broccoli and a giant pile of noodles or fried rice, you need to make some adjustments.

Things to Eliminate Completely

In order to lose weight quickly, there are some common things you will have to get rid of completely:

1. White Flour - White flour and whole-wheat flour differ significantly in their nutritional value. In order to really get rid of that hard to lose belly fat, you need to let go of white flour products like white bread, white rice, tortillas, and anything else with white flour in it. What's the alternative? Whole wheat flour products

2. High Fructose Corn Syrup and other refined sugars - Read your ingredients! Sugar is a major factor in weight gain and the ability to lose weight fast. Sugar is sugar but getting your sugars from things like fruit, which provide some nutritional benefits, is much better than getting sugar from processed treats. What's the alternative? Eat things with natural sugars like fruit!

Exercise Leads to Muscle Definition and Keeping the Pounds Off

When it comes to weight loss, the most important benefits are the health benefits, but let's be honest, most people wouldn't mind having a better body too. As a trainer, I hear it all the time. "I want to tone up! Sculpt and tone. How do I get better muscle definition?" If your goal is to get some muscle definition, it doesn't matter how good your diet is. You have to exercise! Your muscles will not grow unless you make them work.

What Exercises Help You Lose Weight Fast?

Exercise, especially weight lifting, is not a simple thing. There are many different styles and techniques you can utilize. The exercise program that works best for you will depend on your goals and your individual body. There a few things just about everyone can count on when it comes to being able to lose weight fast:

1. You need to do cardio and Resistance Training - If you want to see the best results, you need to do a combination of cardiovascular exercise and weight lifting. I see people get frustrated all the time because they run on the treadmill for 60+ minutes per day but still don't look how they want. You cannot get muscle definition without muscles! In order to build muscle, you have to lift weights. And Vice Versa, to maintain a healthy heart and burn the most fat, you need to do some type of cardiovascular exercise.

2. Use a lot of full body exercises - When it comes to losing weight fast and burning fat, full body exercises typically work better than isolated exercises. An example of a full body exercise is a squat with a shoulder press. By using your legs, core and arms, you'll burn a significant amount of calories while improving your muscular strength. An example of a less effective calorie burning exercise would be a seated biceps curl. If your goal is to have nice biceps, this is a great workout for you. If your goal is to lose weight fast, you'll see much better results going with a high-calorie burner like the squat and press.

Bonus Tips for Rapid Weight Loss

1. Try High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) -HIIT is a safe, effective workout program to lose high amounts of fat in a short time. HIIT is so effective because it is great for weight loss while promoting muscle growth, as opposed to steady state cardio, which burns calories but doesn't offer much for muscular improvement.

2. Check out my article about the top ten best diet foods - If you're looking for some great foods to eat during your weight loss program, these are ten "super foods" that will help provide the right nutrients to safely lose weight fast.

3. If you want a professionally created workout program that will give you step-by-step instructions on how to lose weight, check out my workout program subscription. You'll never have to worry about the effectiveness of your exercises again. I'll give you everything you need to lose weight and get the muscle definition you want.

Grants For Non Profit Organizations - Free Money

If you are a non profit, you might want to consider getting grants for non profit organizations.

There are literally million of dollars give away each year to these programs. The key is knowing where to look.

Grants are defined as a form of funding that does not require repaying the grant proceeds. They may come from many sources, including individuals, businesses, government, and international organizations. They typically may be classified into three categories: unrestricted, restricted, and in-kind. All three types of programs are great choices if you are looking for grants for non profit organizations.

Unrestricted Grants

The great deal about unrestricted grants is that they may be used for any purpose. They help to fund the existence of a nonprofit organization in general, as well as to accomplish specific goals. While it is crucial by a definition of a nonprofit organization to use all proceeds to accomplish the organization's mission, such grants may be used for everyday expenses, such as payroll, office rental, supplies, and any others.

Restricted Grants

The major factor that distinguishes restricted grants from other kinds of grants for nonprofits is that they must be spent exactly according to grant proposal. This money may not be used for any other purpose besides the stated financing need. Restricted grants are great for financing specific programs and events.

In-Kind Grants

An in-kind grant is a form of grant for nonprofits that does not involve monetary funding. Instead of money, a nonprofit organization receives free products and services, such as equipment, tools, literature, computer software, and so forth. Even with no money involved, such grants are of great help to nonprofits as they allow them to receive something of value free of charge. In-kind grants may go directly to people that receive help from a nonprofit organization, for example: a vaccine for children in Africa, or clothing for low-income families.

What is Aqua Yoga?

Usually a yoga program is conducted in a classroom or on land surfaces. But a new concept of yoga has come into being known as aqua yoga. Just like novel games such as water aerobics, this new fitness program has emerged.

Practicing yoga in the water can provide a number of benefits. It acts as a safeguard against any injuries that will most likely occur on land. When you are practicing on hard surfaces, your knees and other muscles might get stiff and it may lead to injuries. The movements of your hands and legs become smoother in water and therefore your body will not experience the strain if you do aqua yoga. Water is often considered as a symbol of mental relief and it soothes your soul because it brings a sense of enthusiasm within you.

There are a few asanas which need to be practiced in the water such as the eagle standing pose, tree pose, the dancer pose and various other yogasanas. You can perform these asanas quickly in water as compared to land because the ripples that are created in the water force your body to maintain the necessary pose.

Therefore start your yoga program with a difference - Aqua Yoga - today.

The Process of Becoming Healthy, Make the Decision to Start the Journey

I am a General Surgeon with a passion for Health and Wellness. The number one New Years Resolution has to do with Health, Exercise, and Diet. We all feel that it is the best time to start for the first time or again. The percentage of people that make it through the whole year is disappointingly small and here is why I believe it happens. As I watch what is going on in the media I am beginning to believe that we are becoming a "credit card" society. What I mean by that is we get what we want now and are willing to pay for it later, immediate gratification.

That does not work with our health. The media also suggests to us that we can lose large amounts of weight or get a "six-pack" abdomen in a six-eight week time frame. That is impossible in all but extreme situations. We take these kinds of external influences into consideration when it comes to our health and look for those "immediate" results. Becoming "Healthy" is not an overnight miracle; It is a process just like learning how to walk is a process. You could not cheat that process or find any shortcuts. You cannot take a seed and grow it to harvest in three days. You cannot change or cheat the "Process" of nature.

As you read this article you are either becoming healthy or unhealthy. You cannot stand still. It is just like if you were standing on a staircase; you either go up or down, but cannot stand on the same step forever. The question becomes "Do you want to get Healthy?" You, first of all, need to know your reasons for getting healthy. Some of us just need to look at our medical history and there are a plethora of reasons there. We, as a nation, are beginning to lead the world in obesity and diabetes. Becoming healthy can reverse many of these trends. Once you know your reasons, you need to make some commitments to your cause. We, as human beings, are good at making commitments, but, for the majority, do very poorly in carrying them out. Just look at "New Years Resolutions." We also tend to react to crisis faster than the subtle hints that we get everyday. We decide to improve our health after the heart attack instead of doing things to help prevent it.

There are two phrases to keep in mind as you consider the content of this Letter. "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing everyday expecting different results." We all are guilty of that in all aspects of our lives, not just our health. We feel that we can change our results with our old habits and actions but if you continue to do what you have always done, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. The other phrase is: "If you want to make some changes in your life, you have to make some changes in your life." Change is often uncomfortable because we are so secure in our comfort zones, but change is good. It is part of the "process". We will not make these changes that we need to make to improve our health and lives if the reasons for doing so are not important enough.

So with all of this as background, how does one get started? Stated very simply, take the first step: make the decision to start the journey. Every journey begins with the first step. Make some commitments; develop new habits. You do that every day of your life for your job or profession because you want the result at the end of the week, a paycheck. What about another result? Your good health.

One caution: Don't do it alone. Find yourself a mentor, someone who has done what you want to do and is very successful at it. In the area of health it may be your doctor, a personal trainer, a nutritionist, etc. Find someone with the fruit on the tree and follow their direction and advice. You will pay a golf pro to improve your game. Find a pro in your health. Finally, set some goals and go after them. Let your mentor guide you in the process initially.

Remember this: Becoming healthy is a process, which must be an ongoing journey. Learn to enjoy the journey for, believe it or not, the success of achieving these goals is not in attaining them, it is the "process" of becoming who or what you need to become while you are doing it.

Overweight People Get Sick More: 12 Steps to Boost Your Immune System

Have you every observed that some people seem to catch every bug that goes around, while others seem to just rise above it? The connection between obesity and chronic illnesses like Diabetes and Hypertension is well documented in clinical literature. What may be less widely recognized is that weight loss (or maintaining a healthy weight) can contribute to your body's ability to fight off all kinds of illness, like the cold and flu, simply by boosting the immune system. I offer 12 recommendations developed to help you stay healthy and fight off illness and disease.

The question of how the immune system is boosted is not easily answered. Research on immunology continues to try to define the specific factors that links the body's ability to fight off disease. While the details may be elusive, the findings link a healthy life style, including exercise and nutrition with increased ability to fight off illness and disease. However, leaving the specific cause and effect questions for the scientists, there are very specific, actionable steps you can take to ensure your best health. These steps, all lifestyle related effectively keep your body in its tip top working order allowing your immune system to efficiently do its job and block illness.

When your body is stressed by any of the lifestyle factors to be discussed below, the immune system becomes compromised and you fall victim to any passing virus that you get exposed to.

• Eat a diet high in fiber including fruits, vegetables and whole grains with low saturated fats.


• Get regular exercise.


• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.


• Maintain a healthy blood pressure.


• Drink alcohol only in moderation.


• Avoid tobacco.


• Get adequate sleep.


• Avoid infections through good hand washing and clean food prep practices.


• Follow recommended preventive screening guidelines for your age and gender.


• Eat a diet low in sugar and carbohydrates and high in protein.


• Manage stress.


• Stay well hydrated with water.

The first nine recommendations are from a study published by Harvard Medical School but I added items 10, 11 and 12. My experience would tell me that eating a diet high in fiber (first item in the list) may not be going far enough to underscore the importance good nutrition in fighting off disease and illness. The importance of avoiding sugary foods and getting adequate protein in the diet are essential to a good nutrition profile as well as adequate water intake. On the other hand, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight would be difficult to achieve without a solid nutrition plan consisting of limited sugar/ carbohydrates, good quality protein and adequate hydration. Reference: Harvard Medical School ( http://www.health.harvard.edu/flu-resource-center/how-to-boost-your-immune-system.htm )

Similarly stress, as a contributor to illness, is missing from the Harvard list. However, it could be said that getting regular exercise, adequate sleep and maintaining a healthy blood pressure (all included in the Harvard list) are the fundamental techniques used in managing stress in addition to behavior techniques like time management.

These 12 factors of a healthy lifestyle interact with each other and all contribute to your body's ability to stay healthy. If you are overweight, losing weight through exercise and solid nutrition will improve your body's ability to stay healthy and you will feel better, have more energy, sleep better and look younger.

About the Different Definitions of Aerobic Activity

Depending on whom you ask people may define aerobic activity differently. Basically, when you talk about, this is supposed to be a low intensity, low impact, high endurance activity that would require the person to utilize oxygen over a period of time. Other people may define it as an endurance sport that would require continuous but low intensity movements over long distances. In any case, the bottom line here is that the person has to do a specific low impact pursuit or occupation in order to utilize and burn up a lot of oxygen. This is different from aerobic exercises, as we will explain later on.

If the term still sounds confusing, perhaps it would be best to define these activities by examples. Walking, more particularly, brisk walking for 10 minutes to 20 minutes on a level surface area can be considered as an aerobic activity. The body uses up a lot of oxygen during this time. Also, it helps burn up a fair amount of calories. However, this is a relatively low intensity, low impact workout, which does not strain a lot of muscles or joints. This is perfect for elderly people, those who are in physical rehabilitation programs, overweight or obese people and people who are only beginning their own exercise regimen. This type of activity can help promote the strengthening of the cardiovascular muscles or the muscles necessary for respiration, which includes the lungs and the heart.

Slow cycling, slow jogging and even golf can also be considered both as aerobic activities and sports that cover longer distances, as compared to walking. In this regard though, cycling and jogging may be more efficient in keeping the heart rate up since golf often entails the person to stop and swing.

Dancing can also be a form of aerobic activities, but not all dances are relatively low impact. Ballroom dances like cha-cha, foxtrot, quickstep, rumba, samba, pasa doble and waltz can be low impact. However, dances like the tango, the jive and street dancing are relatively high intensity.

It should be noted though that aerobic activities should never replace aerobic exercises. The former is just a way of helping promoting health in between sessions of aerobic exercise. For example, a daily 15 minute walk can help keep the cardiovascular muscles working, but that should still be coupled with the bi-weekly trip to the gym or those or the weekend DVD workouts in front of the TV for more oxygen burning exercises.

Aerobic exercise, on the other hand, can be defined as a medium to difficult physical activity that is supposed to promote a more avid circulation of the blood in the body. This can be done by raising the heart beat level considerably through a series of exercises. These exercises are supposed to be maintained at a specific level for a specific amount of time in order to be successful. Examples of aerobic exercises range anywhere from: high intensity body sculpting exercises, to running 4 miles per day, to cycling up the mountain for 30 minutes or so, and even to swimming 50 laps or more.

Does Zumba Help You Lose Weight and Inches?

Why are so many people joining Zumba dance and exercise classes? Does Zumba help you lose weight and inches ?

Well the short answer is a resounding - YES!

Here are ten tips to lose the maximum amount of fat, body weight and drop inches that I have shared with many of my clients that have asked me-- does Zumba help you lose weight and inches

Tip #1: Take a Zumba dance class a minimum of three times a week. Using videos is fine but there is something about the excitement and energy in a Zumba class that makes the workout so much fun.

Tip #2: Watch what you eat and read nutrition labels. Look for food products with no trans-fats and little saturated fat. Raw fruits and vegetables, plain popcorn and yogurt are healthier snacks.

Tip #3: Drop the soda and choose calorie free flavored water instead of sugary beverages.

Tip #4: Pack your lunch to work and bring some healthy snacks to prevent that candy machine run.

Tip #5: Almonds are king of nuts add them to salads or have 10 as a snack. Almonds give you extra magnesium, what a bonus...this will help you sleep restfully.

Tip #6: Add low fat dairy-- diets high in calcium help you metabolize fat.

Tip #6: GO FISH...diets high in omega 3 fatty acids help boost metabolism.

Tip #7: Eat eggs...egg whites eaten at breakfast are great for making you feel fuller, longer. No growling stomach here.

Tip #8: Build muscle with beans. They are packed with protein, fiber, & iron they are an excellent low calorie addition to your foods, salads & soups.

Tip #9: Swap your morning beverage for Green Tea. Green tea has been proven in nutritional studies to boost metabolism and aid in fat burning.

Tip #10: Go ahead eat some carbs...just don't over do it, they can bloat you. Make sure they are whole grain ONLY. From pretzels to mini bagels to sushi, anything and everything comes in whole grain these days so no excuses! Just don't eat more than 2 servings a day to maximize the pounds you'you'll drop.

The Most Successful Weight Loss Techniques and Discussion

Few of the extreme weight loss techniques used today try to target speed of losing weight and amount of weight reduction. Following are few well known techniques:

Diet Pills

Basically diet pills are of two types: Prescription only diet pills and Over-the-Counter diet pills. As per the functionality of these drugs... these drugs do one of the two things. They either suppress your appetite or inhibit fat. Appetite suppressants while some work in the digestive system of the body, however they have a common goal to help the user attain enough weight reduce. The goal of fat inhibitor is to prevent your body from adding that particular food product to your current fat stores. There are varying degrees of success with diet pills but the side effects often make this method less than desirable.

Liposuction

Liposuction is the way of extracting fat out of the body with a vacuum. It sounds amazing, doesn't it? Fat is literally ripped out from blood vessels and all the body by this method. In many of the cases this doesn't worked out because patients were obese or very obese as per the BMI test. But they were succeeded to remove fat from perceived stubborn areas, by this method. Only because of this feature of liposuction, this method considered to be the fastest and extreme weight reduction in the terms of speed weight loss techniques.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery works by making the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the small intestine. While the success rate of gastric bypass surgery is quite high, so are the risks and side effects associated with it. Every effort is taken to prevent complications, but because of the magnitude of gastric bypass and the many medical problems of many of the patients, complications do occur. Gastric bypass surgery as the method of weight loss addresses both the speed and amounts of weight reduction associated with extreme weight loss.

Dieting

When it comes to the extreme dieting method to reduce the weight, you can add too many types in this list. But the most successful weight loss method is the one that provides sustainable dieting type, consistent, safe and reliable weight loss with very low possible risks of physical or mental side effects.

After discussing all these methods and techniques of speed weight reducing, people would surely wants to know which the most effective speed weight loss technique is. Here I want to mention one more method which most of the people know but they don't want to hear and follow it. It is one that disregards the speed term of the weight loss definition. Loosing weight is the timeless technique followed by balanced nutrition, regular exercise and patience. Today people use to say, we are living in the advanced world where everything is possible and that too in the speed manner. And some of the weight losing methods really had proven to be the successful for obese patients.

After knowing all the risks associated with all these techniques, people are still willing to undergo major surgeries and the risk of addiction to diet pills to achieve faster results rather than changing their current lifestyle for a longer period of time to get the desired results.

The Health Hazards of Skipping Lunch

Do you hectically work through lunch, rushing around with no time to refuel?  Do you think you are fine because you don't feel miserable?  What people don't realize is that they need to give their system more energy every four to five hours.  When extremely busy, an adrenaline rush may mask hunger signals.  But the body will start to suffer with no immediate source of glucose, which many of the body's cells need to function normally (most importantly, the brain!)  It's comparable to not getting enough sleep and believing it's fine: When you are so used to feeling the way you feel, you can't imagine how much better you would feel if you were well-rested and well-fed!

In reality, skipping a meal will eventually slow your body's metabolism.  Our physiology still reacts as we did in the caveman days--if there is not a source of food, we burn energy more slowly in order to conserve it.  As a result, people  who are overweight may be skipping meals and then expecting to lose weight.  But this does not happen because you end up burning fewer calories to conserve energy, as well as making up for the calories later on in the day.

That's right: Adding insult to injury, we tend to make up for the meals we skip later on in the day by eating empty calorie foods.  Eventually, giving in to hunger leads to grabbing the first food we see--often something from a vending machine like a bag of chips or a candy bar. 

Obviously, skipping a meal means skipping any nutrition you would have eaten at that meal.  It's hard enough to get in all our servings of fruit, vegetables, dairy, etc--if you skip a meal how are you ever going to fit all those nutrient-dense foods in later in the day?!

Another part of missing a meal means you are missing fluids needed for hydration.  It's so important to get enough water in each day--whether you consciously realize it or not.  You might not feel thirsty but your body still needs about eight glasses of water each day to keep you adequately hydrated. 

The bottom line is, people who are rushing to meetings, glued to their computer or telephone, not leaving their desks--are not making time for a break to re-energize.  They are missing the opportunity to rehydrate and refuel their body, and missing out on needed nutrients.

To fix this, read the next article, "The Fix for Skipping Lunch"

Why You Need to Build Credibility in Public Speaking

Let's say that you are interested in pursuing a career in public speaking. Or maybe you have a presentation due in your public speaking class. Possibly you are a member of Toastmasters and you are scheduled to speak at your next meeting. Why should people listen to you? Why should others trust what you have to say? What makes you credible?

Establishing credibility is one of the most important qualifications for ensuring your success as a speaker. Zig Ziglar, internationally-renowned public speaker, salesperson, and writer, commands thousands of dollars to speak for 40-minutes. People flock to his presentations to hear his words of advice. What makes him so successful?

One of the reasons for his huge success is that he has established credibility. People believe what he has to say because they want to believe what he has to say. In public speaking, credibility is dependent on your audience's perception of you as being qualified to speak on a particular subject. Just as in other types of business, your audience or your clientele must believe that you are knowledgeable in your field.

For Zig Ziglar to discuss the issues, causes, or high incidence of obesity in the US today is not going to be as credible as if you were to hear this information from the Surgeon General.

Likewise, were the Surgeon General to talk about the best kept secrets for increasing your business sales, I am confident you would not find the presentation to be one of the blockbusters on the public speaking circuit. Both individuals have established credibility, but credibility in their own fields.

If you are planning to give a presentation on a subject about which you have limited knowledge, you must research your topic. You need to know more than those in your audience; otherwise, there is no reason for them to listen to you. You would be better served listening to them!

Not only must you establish credibility; but, as a novice speaker, you need to do so in your opening statement. What is fascinating about this fact is that you needn't necessarily have firsthand knowledge of or experience in your topic. You can easily establish credibility by quoting others, by means of interviews, by reading about your topic, and by gathering information, statistics, dates, and facts from legitimate sources. And don't forget to use anecdotes as well.

Generally, the information you find in a library or in collegiate books is valid; but it is very important to understand that not everything you read on the internet is true. There is an entire generation of young people who were raised on the internet. Don't trust everything you read on the web: you need to know whether the statements you are quoting or the sources from which you are gathering your information are reputable. And that can occur by knowing your sources.

If you want your audience to trust in you and in what you have to say, build your credibility, an important qualification in establishing your success in public speaking.

Hypertension Clinical Features - Symptoms and Forms

Symptoms

Hypertension is often asymptomatic or cause only proceeds uncharacteristic complaints. It is typically occurring in the morning as a headache, which can be reduced by increasing the bed head end. Other possible symptoms include dizziness, nausea, nosebleeds (epistaxis), fatigue and insomnia. At high blood pressure, shortness of breath can occur (dyspnea) with exertion, angina pectoris, and visual disturbances. Arterial hypertension may also long asymptomatic (without symptoms). They often make themselves felt only by the damage, which is why it is sometimes referred to as "silent killers or silent killer".

Forms

In an unstable and the load-hypertensive blood pressure values are increased only temporarily or under stress, whereas long-term stable hypertension in the case. Malignant or accelerated hypertension is defined as a severe form with a diastolic pressure above 130 mmHg, which usually goes hand in hand with clear symptoms. In the literature there are indications, however, different to the definition of malignant hypertension. In addition to nausea and vomiting symptoms such as headache, impaired vision and impaired consciousness, seizures and other neurological deficits in the foreground. Partially occurred changes of higher degree, transcended the day-night rhythm in long-term blood pressure and the development of renal impairment are included in the definition.

The hypertensive crisis is a sudden dysregulation of blood pressure in the systemic circulation with a critical increase in blood pressure, usually over 230/130 mm Hg. There is a risk of acute organ damage, such as a brain injury (high-pressure encephalopathy), of acute heart failure, a pulmonary edema, a rarity of a heart attack or Aorteneinrisses (aortic dissection). The occurrence of such damage is known as a hypertensive emergency that requires prompt reduction in blood pressure medication is necessary.

Complications Consequences

Arteriosclerosis

Hypertension is recognized as a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. Come to the risk factor hypertension or obesity (severe overweight) and another risk factor - such as diabetes mellitus (diabetes) or dyslipidemia (elevated cholesterol -- or LDL values) -- added, there is a significantly increased risk later in life to a heart -- to suffer cardiovascular disease.

According to the German Hypertension League, 45% of male deaths, 50% of female deaths from cardiovascular diseases are caused, which are associated with arterial hypertension, such as coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction, heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, and arterial occlusive disease.

The incidence of CHD-related deaths is approximately linearly from the blood, it increases from 10/10.000 person-years (normal blood pressure) up to 60/10.000 person-years (systolic pressure> 180 mmHg). As light and medium blood pressure increases are much more common than extreme pressures of more than 180 mmHg suffer a total of significantly more people with average blood pressure values cardiovascular events. This also means that the very people must also be recognized and treated with only slightly elevated blood pressure to lower the high number of cardiovascular deaths significantly.

Arterial hypertension is the second most important after cigarette smoking, while the most common risk factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Nowadays, every second (51% died) one German and Austrians suffer from cardiovascular disease. Only 16,000 Austrians die each year in a heart attack.

Good Nutrition and Illness - The Benefits of Eating Healthy Foods

There are many benefits of eating healthy foods. Most people think that eating healthy foods will help them lose weight, become leaner, lose body fat, and give them more energy. Yes, these things are all true. What most people do not realize is that there is a link between good nutrition and illness.

The benefits of eating healthy go far beyond getting a six-pack of abs! Eating healthy and providing your body with better nutritional needs helps yourself by building up your body's immune system - it's disease fighting mechanism. When your immune system is stronger you have less chance of becoming ill. A strong immune system is ready to combat any virus or bacteria that enters your body - helping you to stay healthy, longer!

If you don't provide your body with good nutrition then just like your physical appearance, your immune system will suffer. It becomes weaker and can't function the way that it should. You will be more prone to illness because of this. Poor nutrition will lead to an increased frequency of the number of times per year that you get sick. This is an inverse relationship between good nutrition and illness - the worse your nutrition is the more likely it is that you will get sick.

The heatlh benefits of good nutrition far outweigh poor nutrition in regards to staying healthy. You can't expect your body to stay strong and function properly if all you ever feed it is junk food. Foods that are high in saturated fats, salt and processed flour. These foods interfere with the body's ability to fight illness and stay healthy. They can make the body's immune system weaker which leaves you prone to disease. When you are sick you cannot do the things that you need to do to lose weight, body fat and unwanted pounds.

So the benefits of eating healthy foods goes far beyond simply losing weight. The health benefits of good nutrition will provide you with a strong disease fighting mechanism so you can stay healthy longer and achieve the body image that is right for you.

Stress - Hindrance to Weight Loss

We cannot deny; defy, an emotional root to our every action. Food being one of our major weaknesses thus has been tapping on the emotional connections and resting heavily upon weight loss drives. Getting off the plateau is successfully possible if an epiphany is successfully dealt with: The co-relation between Weight loss and stress levels. Unless one gets to know about the full impact of stress on his system, he can't fight it back.

The dictionary definition provides multiple facets to stress, which share a common ground. Mental (or, emotional) strain is a suspense created by imaginary threats and the resulting physical responses. The imagery is often derived from real-life situations, which may prove beneficial or malefic, depending upon an individual's endurance, all constitutional and environmental factors taken in. Studies conducted upon controlled situations revealed certain stresses are possible being removed with ease. Regarding the rest, some are beneficial and some impact your body adversely. Emotional disturbances leading to physical failures are no alien info to the medical sector.

So take stress as just an emotion (which it is) that brings harmful repercussions. A state of stress or anxiety is taken into notice when the body is on its last option: Fight or Flight. Hypertension and cardiac rhythm failure is often a result of the flight mode; the third one concerns the digestive system. It is a result of the blood being shifted away from the midsection that shuts down 98% of the normal activities of the digestive system. This is why certain people gain zero benefits even from the healthiest of foods. Unless you fully digest and absorb the nutrients, there won't be enough calories to burn, effectively. You can't help if the blood and oxygen are being used elsewhere. All that affects metabolism as well.

Those who know about the intestinal flora shall understand the subject even better. Stress decreases enzyme levels in the stomach, shooting cholesterol and triglyceride levels higher. This makes the stomach grow sensitive to food, bringing allergies, gastro-esophageal reflux and heartburn as common symptoms making cortisol (an adrenal-cortex hormone involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism) and insulin levels surge aiding in the development of visceral fat. The overall effect is the metabolic syndrome, which, if closely associated with insulin resistance increases LDL for several cardiac disorders and hypertension. Central obesity is also one of the results. The collective effect is, therefore: A tired body demanding more fuel to function. At times, this blurs the boundaries between true and emotional hunger. The low energy levels shall also not allow you to workout adequately and depression has been often noticed to result from such a situation. If you have a feeling about not being able to lose weight as expected, check on your stress levels first.

Negative Body Image - Is the Media to Blame?

The question I get asked most frequently is "What is the cause of a Negative Body Image?" "What is the reason for the pervasive discontent with our bodies and our physical appearance?" With 95% of women, and a growing number of men, agonizing over their physical self, it has become an epidemic.

The most popular answer that people usually give is the media. Whenever there is a discussion about body image and eating disorders, the media is blamed as being the cause of this sorry state of affairs. Others argue that differences in brain chemistry among those with eating disorders are the leading cause of the problem. Still others point to the ready and easily accessible supply of unhealthy food in cases of obesity. What is the cause of this insecurity that plagues so many? For if we know the cause, we should be able to find a solution, right?

Now I am not going to claim that the media plays no part in affecting how people view their bodies. On one level, it certainly does. Nor am I going to claim that brain differences don't exist. There is plenty of evidence that shows human brains have unique tendencies that can lead to specific disorders and afflictions. And there is no doubt that high-fat, high-sugar diets are a contributing cause to the growing obesity epidemic. However, and this is a big however, to consider these sources to be the root of the problem is to miss the underlying cause, the cause of all causes, if you will. In my experience, the root of the problem is existential in nature: every one of the problems above stems from the fact that we have a mistaken view of ourselves and of our world.

The bottom line is that each of the circumstances mentioned above is simply a manifestation of a fundamental flaw in the way we think of, perceive, and live reality. Most of us view ourselves through a lens of inadequacy and deficiency instead of as the truth of boundless and unsurpassed beauty. We believe ourselves to be inadequate on some level: not young enough, not tall enough, not thin enough, not enough of something and too much of something else. This lens, this belief of inadequacy is an illusion, or, better said, a delusion, that cuts us off from our true nature and prevents us from seeing the beauty and the brilliance that we truly are, have always been, and will always be.

The root cause, the cause of all causes, is the failing to realize that each and every one of us is intrinsically beautiful, valuable, and worthwhile exactly as we are, right now. No matter where you are at in life, no matter what struggles you have undergone, no matter what your body looks like or feels like, the deepest part of you remains unaffected. You are right now, in this moment, inherently beautiful and perfect. As you discover this truth, as you replace the illusion of inadequacy with the truth of inherent beauty, you will discover the power to make whatever changes you want in your life. If you want to achieve better health, you can achieve better health. If you want to experience more peace, you can experience more peace. As you discover the majesty and mystery of your true being, you will discover the ability to become the person of your dreams.

Since the root cause of a negative body image, low self-esteem, and accompanying eating disorders is an identity problem, to find the solution, we must shift our identity. Here is a four-step process to help you make this identity shift, to help you abandon the lies of inadequacy and insecurity, and instead experience the beauty and glory of who you truly are.

1. Meditate.

Meditation is a key component in discovering who you truly are, the source of limitless beauty and power. Through meditation, you connect with that part of yourself that is beyond the body and the mind, that part of yourself that will allow you to create what you want in life. Meditation removes the delusional thought-constructs of inadequacy that limit your potential.

2. Realize the cultural standards of beauty are an illusory construct.

What society considers beauty changes dramatically throughout the ages. Recall artwork that you may have seen in a museum - paintings of women during the renaissance considered goddesses of beauty would now be considered overweight and out-of-shape. Modern-day photographs of runway models would probably be considered emaciated and unattractive by these painters in the past. Yet they are considered svelte and irresistible in today's fashion mags. What is considered beautiful at any given time is a social construct, subject to the changing whims of time and place. Discover yourself, not as someone controlled by the changing whims of society's fancy, but as the changeless in the midst of change. From this place of changeless awareness, you can create a standard of beauty that honors yourself in all of your beauty and uniqueness.

3. Surround yourself with people and information that affirms your inherent beauty.

As you commit to undergoing this identity shift, it is helpful to surround yourself with support. Commit to finding help during this process. Look for friends, reading materials and resources that will help you discover and honor this timeless beauty within yourself. There are many resources available.

4. Whenever you find yourself dwelling in inadequacy, remind yourself that you are the beauty of the universe manifesting as a human being.

Realize that you have a habit of viewing yourself through the lens of insecurity and inadequacy. For most, this is a life-long habit that has been cultivated since childhood. Be patient with yourself when you find yourself critiquing, chastising, and condemning who you are. Be gentle with yourself if you find yourself falling back into negative patterns of judgment. Simply remind yourself that you are inherently beautiful, loveable, and worthwhile and recommit to discovering and experiencing this truth for yourself.

Practice these four steps and you will be well on your way to transforming your identity and creating a body and a life that you love.

Seven Serious Barriers to Achieving Your Weight Loss Goals

It doesn't matter how much you exercise or how strictly you control your caloric intake - if the following seven barriers are not removed from your path, you will constantly fail in pursuing your health, wellness, or performance goals. But if these barriers are removed, your energy levels will soar, your fat-burning efficiency will explode, and you'll literally add years (quality years!) to your life.

1. Neurotransmitter Deficits

The body has several neurotransmitters that are actively involved in control of appetite and mental motivation. Dopamine is your body's pleasure molecule, acting to significantly affect desire for activity, eating satisfaction and food cravings. Inadequate dopamine increases the chances that you will have a decreased drive to exercise and be less effective at regulating your nutritional intake. Serotonin plays a significant role in the regulation of sleep, mood, and appetite. If serotonin levels are too low, one result is carbohydrate and sugar cravings, since these nutrients actually increase productin of serotonin. Another result is sleep loss, since low serotonin results in low melatonin levels, and melatonin is necessary for deep sleep. Low levels of another neuorotransmitter, GABA, can result in mood swings, sleep loss, anxiety, and lack of self-control. So what causes low levels of these key neurotransmitters? Stress, and lack of sleep. This makes for a vicious cycle, as you will see from barriers 2 and 3.

2. Cortisol

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is secreted in response to repetitive negative stress. Although there are many harmful results from elevated cortisol levels, some of the more common effects include high blood pressure, decreased blood sugar regulation, a suppressed immune system, depression, anxiety, and excess fat around the mid-section. Not only can this subtract significant years from your life, but the high levels of the stress molecules released in conjunction with cortisol, called catecholamines, can decrease testosterone levels and sex drive. If you are the type of person who has difficulty with breathing throughout the day, has constant hectic deadlines or work projects, feel "spread too thin", and do not have time to relax until the wee evening hours, then you need to re-evaluate your lifestyle. Is *it* really that important?

3. Lack of Sleep

This is one of the easiest barriers to remove, but most people seem to place more importance on a favorite TV show, website, or unhealthy obsession with excessive exercise. Undercutting your necessary sleep by even one hour per night can decrease insulin sensitivity, decrease leptin levels, and increase ghrelin levels - all of which can severely affect your appetite and metabolism, thus increasing your propensity towards fat storage, diabetes, and obesity, among other chronic metabolism-related diseases. Furthermore, lack of sleep can increase cortisol levels, decrease key neurotransmitter levels, and give your body inadequate rest and recovery for muscle tissue and organ repair. Not giving your body from 7-9 hours of sleep a night is the equivalent of parking your car in a hailstorm every night. The long term effect is a battered and broken down body.

4. Nutritional Issues

There are two main considerations with nutrition. Lack of fruits and vegetables is the top deficit I observe in most diets. The resultant mineral and vitamin deficiencies can drastically depress beta-oxidation, which is the body's primary fat burning mechanism. How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you have per day? If you don't know, the answer is probably not enough. The second problem I frequently observe is consumption of foods that cause an allergenic response. Depending on the individual, frequent food sensitivities include allergies to dairy, wheat, eggs, and soy. Although you may not have always been sensitive to such foods, a long-term allergenic response by the body causes a consistently increased immune system response, and eventually the body begins to experience noticeable changes, such as chronic inflammation and joint pain, mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, bloating, and headaches. Simply removing the offending foods from the diet can result in significant positive changes within a one to two week period.

5. Thyroid Function

Hypothryoidism, or low levels of active thyroid hormone, are consistently low in individuals who experience chronic stress, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. This condition manifests itself with a depressed metabolism, skin problems, depress, chronic fatigue, and irritable bowel. Iodine is a major necessity for production of thyroid hormone, and high levels can be found in seafood. Including fish as a regular part of your diet can assist with hypothyroidism, but caution should be taken to avoid high consumption of seafood, due to consistently dangerous levels of mercury and PCB's. Increasing sleep and decreasing stress would be the best alternative.

6. Toxins

Our bodies are constantly barraged by environmental toxins, primary found in processed and packaged foods, artificial sweeteners, pesticides and herbicides, industrial cleaners and chemicals, and even water. Since your body stores toxins in fat cells, one way the body deals with toxins is to increase fat cell production and storage. Another mechanism is decreased thryoid function, which can slow the metabolism by up to 30%, thus decreasing toxin damage. To avoid this "double-whammy" response, invest primarily in organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed beef, non-chemical sweeteners, natural cleaning solutions, and a good water filter.

7. Sugar

Insulin resistance is probably one of the most serious problems I encounter on a regular basis in my clients. Through constant consumption of refined sugars, processed flours, soda, high fructose corn syrup, energy bars, just plain "too much food" and chronic stress, our body's pancreas is forced to produce huge amounts of insulin, which takes the sugar and forces it into the cells and liver, where it is either used as energy or converted to fat. Constantly high levels of insulin overstimulates the body's insulin receptors and leads to insulin insensitivity and eventual resistance, resulting in an inability to burn fat cells, low blood sugar, joint and gut inflammation, heart disease, dementia, diabetes, and obesity. One of the most effective changes you can make to defuse this ticking time bomb is to stop your daily consumption of scones, sweet coffee drinks, muffins, soda, bread, pasta, and fast food, while stepping up consumption of lean proteins, nuts, legumes, beans, fruits and vegetables.

If you found yourself reviewing this list and thinking about making these changes, you fit into the minority. Most people simply laugh, say "Impossible!", and continue in their daily routine of self-destruction. How much better would your life be if you had triple the energy, alertness, mental clarity, and physical performance that you currently have? How would it feel if this included a more toned and lean body? Does that make the decision easier? Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results...e-mail me at elite@pacificfit.net if I can help.

Massage Technique - Friction

Description

Friction movements normally make use of the balls of the thumbs (although the fingertips, knuckles or even the elbows may be used). The muscle is moved against the bone by small circular movements of the balls of the thumbs. Stand directly over the area to be treated and use your body weight to penetrate right down into the deeper tissues - the human body is not as delicate and fragile as you might imagine. This stroke is particularly effective when performed on either side of the spine. If your thumbs are not aching by the time you reach the neck area you are not performing the stroke correctly!

Benefits

• This technique is particularly useful for breaking down the knots and nodules that build up in the body due to the stresses and strains of daily life.


• Any accumulated waste products may be eliminated.


• Friction helps to break down the fatty deposits and is therefore of benefit in cases of obesity.


• Friction is very effective around a well-healed scar to break down adhesions and is also used to massage around bony prominences such as the patella (knee cap).


• It also increases the temperature by increasing cellular activity and bringing an increased flow of blood to an area providing temporary analgesia (pain relief).

Errors to avoid

• Work deeper and deeper into the tissues gradually, as the pain tolerance levels vary greatly. Do not overtreat an area as this can lead to pain and soreness.


• Do not hunch your shoulders with the effort (otherwise you will need a massage yourself straight afterwards).


• Ensure that you are moving the tissues under the skin and not just the skin.


• Use the pads of the thumbs only, avoiding digging the nails in!

Hypopnea

While eupnoea is normal breathing, hypopnea is an abnormal type of breathing when the airflow is labored because of some pathology of the respiratory system. In other words it's underbreathing. Hypopnea comes from the Greek roots hypo- (meaning low, under, beneath, down, below normal) and pnoe (meaning breathing). Among other abnormal breathing patterns are: bradypnea - rare and slow breath, dyspnea - intense breath with a shortness, sometimes with cyanosis, hyperpnea - the increased amplitude of breathing at the normal rate, tachypnea - quickened and fast breathing, oligopnea - weakening of respiratory movements accompanied with reduction of breath. Hypopnea is often confused with apnea. But while hypopnea is a reduced amplitude of breathing at the normal rate, apnea is a total cessation of breathing.

Hypopnea can occur during sleep. In this case it may turn into a serious sleeping disorder. Sleep hypopnea can be characterized by person's repetitive stops of breathing or low breathing for short periods of time during sleep. Speaking in anatomical terms, there is intermittent collapse of the upper airway and reductions in blood oxygen levels during sleep. Thus, a sleeping person becomes incapable to breathe normally and awakens with each collapse. Quantity and quality of sleep is lowered, what results in sleep deprivation and excessive daytime sleepiness. The most usual physiological consequences of hypopnea are cognitive disfunction, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, memory loss, heart attack, stroke, impotence, psychiatric problems. People suffering from sleep hypopnea increase considerably the overall number of traffic accidents. Their productivity is diminished and they have constant emotional problems and strains.

The most common hypopnea symptoms are: loss of energy, forgetfulness, excessive sleepiness, snoring, lack of concentration, depression, rapid changes in mood and behavior, morning headaches, nervousness.

There is the so called hypopnea index that can be calculated by dividing the number of hypopneas by the number of hours of sleep. But as far as hypopnea is closely related to apnea most often we speak of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). AHI is an index of severity that combines apneas and hypopneas. It is calculated by dividing the number of apneas and hypopneas by the number of hours of sleep correspondingly. When AHI is positive we usually speak of sleep-disordered breathing or SDB.

Although hypopnea itself is not a mortal disease, if it is not treated properly it may shorten a person's life considerably by aggravating other diseases. CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is considered to be the most effective treatment of hypopnea. It is usually used in case of heavy hypopnea. A patient puts up a mask over his nose or mouth while an air blower forces air through the upper airway. The air pressure is adjusted in a way to avoid the upper airway tissues from collapsing during sleep. Mild hypopnea is treated more conservatively. In the majority of cases hypopnea treatment presupposes refusing from alcohol and smoking before sleep, strengthening gullet muscles by doing certain excercises, avoiding sleeping on the back. Also there is a straight relation between weight loss and improvement of breathing while sleeping. It is established that abnormal breathing patterns during sleep such as sleep apnea and hypopnea, obesity hyperventilation syndrome, etc. usually improve when eating disorders causing overweight and obesity are properly treated.

What's an Adjective? Define Adjective

An adjective is a word we use to describe a noun. It gives the reader detailed information about the noun.

With adjectives, the writer informs the reader. For example, if you write the noun "dog" it gives the reader only generic information. When you add adjectives, you give the reader details that can be used to create a picture of the dog in their mind. The general idea of a dog can be transformed into the more specific idea of a fluffy, young labrador dog or a muddy old cattle dog.

- In the same manner, the girl can be transformed into the delighted birthday girl.

- The man can be transformed into the exhausted elderly man.

- The cake can be transformed into the lilac wedding cake.

- The light can be transformed into the glowing star light.

- The baby can be transformed into the giggling chubby baby.

- The sandwich can be transformed into the moldy club sandwich.

There are so many adjectives in the english language that it can be useful to look at the types of adjectives commonly used.

They can indicate:

quantity - (several, ten, some, one)

personal opinion - (wonderful, unpleasant, favorite, best)

personality - (happy, sad, out-going, cranky)

sound - (clanging, clapping, echoing, tinkling)

taste - (salty, sweet, tangy, milky)

touch - (rough, smooth, bumpy, satiny)

size - (enormous, tiny, microscopic, gigantic)

smell - (pungent, fragrant, musk)

weight - (heavy, light, obese )

temperature - (icy, boiling, warm, cold)

speed - (instantaneous, slow, fast, lightning)

age - (ancient, new-born, teenage, elderly)

distance - (distant, close, far, kilometre)

shape - (angular, rectangular, square, circular)

quality - (wet, dry, fluffy, painted, scuffed)

color - (red, rainbow, beige, brown)

time - (annual, daily, weekly, monthly)

position - (last, next, first, second)

origin - (Jamaican, British, Egyptian, Pacific)

material - (concrete, paper, steel, copper)

purpose - (bread, fruit or cheese knife)

5 Super Benefits of Saturated Fats

Saturated fat is often linked with clogged arteries and heart disease. However, recent research suggests that the opposite is true. Rather than being detrimental to your health, this type of fat actually supports it. In this article I will be discussing five of the benefits saturated fat can provide.

1) BETTER ABSORPTION OF OMEGA 3s:- Eating this type of fat enhances your body's ability to absorb omega 3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). Omega 3 EFAs offer numerous health benefits which include protection from cancer and heart disease. Therefore, by eating this type of fat on a regular basis you can indirectly enjoy the benefits of omega 3s.

2) HEALTHIER HEART:- When your heart is placed under stress it uses the saturated fats palmitic acid and stearic acid for energy. Therefore, contrary to popular belief they actually support heart health rather than cause heart disease.

3) HEALTHY LUNGS:- Your body uses this type of fat to produce a substance called lung surfactant. Lung surfactant is essential for keeping your lungs functioning properly and without it you would not be able to breathe. Not eating enough saturated fat causes faulty lung surfactant to be produced which can make breathing difficult and also cause lung damage. Therefore, eating it on a regular basis ensures that your lungs remain strong and healthy.

4) STRONG BONES:- Consuming saturated fat helps your body absorb calcium properly. Calcium is one of the most important nutrients when it comes to bone health and is essential for building both strong bones and teeth. Therefore, by eating this type of fat you can keep your bones healthy avoid bone related conditions such as osteoporosis (reduced bone density).

5) STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM:- Certain saturated fats have been shown to strengthen your immune system. For example, both lauric acid and myristic acid help your body produce white blood cells. White blood cells help your body fight infection and are essential for strong immunity.

I hope this article has given you a true insight into saturated fat. Whilst most people would encourage you to avoid it because it has a negative effect on your health, the exact opposite is true. This type of fat is needed to keep your body functioning properly, support your vital organs and protect your cells from disease and infection. When it comes to avoiding fats, hydrogenated trans fats are what you should be focusing efforts on. These are artificially created fats which are extremely detrimental to your health and have no reported health benefits.

Overcome Female Infertility - Progesterone Supplement - Definition, Effects, Side Effects and Risks

As we mentioned in previous article, conventional medicine plays an important role in treating all kinds of disease and most of the time is the first treatment for a couple who for what ever reason cam not conceive after 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse or can not carry the pregnancy to full term. With the advance of medical technology, conventional medicine has proven record in treating infertility but with some side effects. In this article, we will discuss Progesterone : definition, effects, side effects and risks of conventional medication in treating hormone imbalance.

1. Definition

Progesterone is a type of hormone produced in our body in regulating the menstrual cycle. Women body start to produce progesterone just before ovation in order to make mucus friendly to sperm invasion. The rise of levels of progesterone after ovulation helps to soften the uterine lining for preparation of fertilized egg.

2. How progesterone supplement effects infertile women

Types of medication specially used for women with luteal phrase deficiency (lasts under 10 days and it is considered a luteal phase deficiency) leading to increasing risk of abnormal development of uterine lining and interfering with fertilized egg implantation.

a) Uterus Lining

The rise of levels of progesterone by using progesterone supplement increases the softness of the endometrium which is vital for egg implantation. With enough progesterone, the endometrium is not soft enough for the egg to attach to it, leading to early miscarriage.

b) Unfriendly to Sperm

It helps to increase levels of progesterone just before ovulation that stimulates the expansion of tiny glands in the endometrium leading to production of uterine fluid which helps to nourish sperms and allow sperm to travel to the Fallopian tube for egg fertilization. Deficiency of progesterone causes sticky mucus which is hostile to sperm invasion.

c) Egg Movement

progesterone supplement boost the levels of progesterone, because after fertilization, the fertilized moves from the fallopian tube to the uterine and ready for implantation. without enough levels of progesterone, the uterine mucus may interfere with that movement, leading to miscarriage.

4. Maintaining pregnancy

it helps the levels of progesterone remain high during the last part of menstrual cycle, if the pregnancy occurs, because it is vital for embryo development. Deficiency during pregnancy causes abnormal development of embryo resulting in miscarriage.

3. Side effects

Although progesterone helps to increase the chance of fertilization, it causes some side effect including

a) Blood clots in the lungs ( sudden shortness of breath) and legs, or even stroke ( blocking the blood circulation)

b) Chest pain.

c) Blurred vision.

d) Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs.

4. Risk

a) Breast cancer

b) Heart disease and strokes

Almost 100% of women who take these types of medication will ovulate, but not all women will get pregnant. If a couple can not conceive after the infertile female taking the treatment in their first 6 treatment than the chance of pregnancy is reduced by 50%.

Dealing With Reduced Penis Sensation - How to Increase Penile Sensitivity

Reduced penis sensation, or RPS, is popularly believed to be a side effect of aging. However, men as young as their teens and early twenties, as well as older men, often report lack of penis sensitivity. In some cases, the problem affects only certain parts of the penis, but some men are able to experience very little in the way of tactile stimulation, making it difficult for them to enjoy sexual activity.

Men with RPS often experience loss of confidence, frustration, and even depression and anxiety; in some cases, men may also develop erectile dysfunction. However, understanding the causes of RPS and making the right choices about penis care may be effective in restoring sensation and increasing enjoyment of intimacy.

Definition of RPS

According to the article "All about Penis Sensitivity Issues," reduced penile sensation is diagnosed when a man has normal erectile function and sex drive, but has difficulty achieving sufficient physical arousal to reach an orgasm - often because physical stimulation has little effect on the penis.

Causes of RPS

A number of factors can contribute to reduced penile sensitivity, most of them related either to circulatory or nerve issues. Reduced circulation to the area due to obesity, cardiovascular problems, diabetes or prolonged sitting can result in some loss of sensation. Nerve damage related to penis trauma, circumcision, prostatectomy or spinal injuries may also result in lost sensation.

Another leading cause of sensory loss to the penis is simply a thickened outer layer of skin, which may develop as a result of friction (from rough clothing, aggressive masturbation, and other forms of chafing). This keratinized layer of skin can block tactile stimuli from manual stroking, oral sex or penetration, limiting a man's ability to experience sensual pleasure.

RPS or ED?

While RPS may eventually lead to erectile dysfunction, they are not the same thing. Men with decreased sensitivity may have no problems at all with their libido, and they may obtain erections through visual stimulation or mental imagery.

Men who are concerned about erectile dysfunction and do not achieve erections during the day may attempt the following test:

Before going to bed for the night, tape a thin strip of paper securely around the penis. If the ring of paper is broken in the morning, this is a fairly good sign that a nocturnal erection has occurred. As an alternative, a doctor can test erectile function by applying an electrical current to the penis to stimulate an erection. If arousal is achieved, then the problem is most likely related to RPS. If no erection occurs, then treating for ED may be necessary.

Impact of reduced penis sensation

As already noted, RPS may lead to erectile dysfunction. Men with reduced sensitivity may also find it difficult to reach an orgasm; in some cases, they may not be able to achieve orgasm at all.

Aside from the physiological issues associated with RPS, men may suffer from loss of self-esteem, anxiety that they may never be able to enjoy sex again, and even depression. Relationship difficulties are also a common occurrence.

How to increase penis sensation

Men who are experiencing lack of sensation can take a number of steps to improve the situation. First and foremost, it is important to optimize all other aspects of health; this can help to rule out some physiological causes for RPS, as well as improving a man's overall self-image and sense of well-being and confidence. Quitting smoking (a big factor in loss of function), limiting intake of alcohol and maintaining a healthy body weight are an important part of this process.

Visual imagery during intimate sessions can also do a great deal for penile stimulation; whether this comes from watching an adult film or from visualizing erotic scenes depends on the preference of the individual.

Rejuvenating and softening the penis skin and supporting circulatory and nerve health with the right nutrients is also recommended. A specially designed penis vitamin formula (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can provide the penile tissue with the nutrients it needs to regain its supple tone and responsiveness to erotic stimulation.

Good Fats vs Bad Fats

Fat is a necessity in our lives. Fats helps nutrient absorption, nerve transmission, etc. However, when consumed in excess amount, fats causes weight gain that will lead to health problems like heart problems, high blood pressure and many more. Fats are not created the same. There are fats that is good for our health while some increase our risks of heart disease. We need to replace the bad fats with good fats in our diet.

Saturated fats increases our blood cholesterol as well as LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). Saturated fats are usually found in meat, dairy, eggs and seafood.

Trans fats also referred as "hydrogenate" liquid oils so that they can withstand better in food production process and have longer shelve life. As a result of hydrogenation, Trans fatty acids are formed. Trans fatty acids are found in many commercial foods such as French Fries from some fast food chains, other packaged snacks such as microwave popcorn as well as in vegetable shortening and hard stick margarine.

Monounsaturated fats however lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and increase the HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). Nut, canola and olive oils are high in monounsaturated fats.

Polyunsaturated fats also lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Seafood like salmon as well as corn, soy and sunflower oils are high in polyunsaturated fats.

Please avoid using cooking oils that are high in saturated fats and/or trans fats such as coconut oil, palm oil or vegetable shortening. Instead, use oils that are low in saturated fats and high in mono- and polyunsaturated fats such as canola oil, olive oil.

Trim visible fats and skins from meat products.

With better understanding of the types of fats, the rate of obesity can be lowered. Not forgetting with a balance regime of exercise as well.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

(excerpted from the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan)

Jim Rohn's Second Pillar of Success: Goal-Setting, Part Three - S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Hi, Jim Rohn here. As you know, we are focused on the Second Pillar of Success this month - Goal-Setting.

We have introduced the four main components of Goal-Setting:

1. Evaluation and Reflection.

The only way we can reasonably decide what we want in the future and how we will get there, is to first know where we are right now and secondly, what our level of satisfaction is for where we are in life. As we focus this month on goal-setting, our first order of business and our topic two weeks ago was evaluation and reflection.

2. Dreams and Goals.

What are your dreams and goals? Not related to the past or what you think you can get, but what you want. Have you ever really sat down and thought through your life values and decided what you really want? This isn't something that someone else says you should have or what culture tells us successful people do or have. These are the dreams and goals that are born out of your own heart and mind. These are the goals that are unique to you and come from who you were created to be and gifted to become. Last week we showed you exactly how to find out what you want from life.

3. S.M.A.R.T. Goals.

S.M.A.R.T. means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive.

Specific: Don't be vague. Exactly what do you want?

Measurable: Quantify your goal. How will you know if you've achieved it or not?

Attainable: Be honest with yourself about what you can reasonably accomplish at this point in your life - along with taking into consideration your current responsibilities.

Realistic: It's got to be do-able, real and practical.

Time: Associate a timeframe with each goal. When should you complete the goal?

We will spend time this week looking at how to apply the S.M.A.R.T. test to your goals to make sure they are as powerful as they can be!

4. Accountability.

Think of the word "accountable." It means to "give an account." When someone knows what your goals are, they help hold you accountable. Whether it is someone else going through this program with you (have you thought about inviting a friend to join you on this one-year journey?) or just someone you can give the basic idea to, having a person who can hold you accountable will give you another added boost to getting your goals! Next week we will show you how to set up an accountability partner.

This week we will be discussing point 3 - S.M.A.R.T. Goals.

S.M.A.R.T. means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive.

I really like this acronym S.M.A.R.T., because we want to be smart when we set our goals. We want to intelligently decide what our goals will be so that we can actually accomplish them. We want to set the goals that our heart conceives, that our mind believes and that our bodies will carry out. Let's take a closer look at each of the components of S.M.A.R.T. goals:

Specific: Goals are no place to waffle. They are no place to be vague. Ambiguous goals produce ambiguous results. Incomplete goals produce incomplete futures.

When we are specific, we harness the power of our dreams and set forces into action that empower us to achieve our goals. We then know exactly what it is we are shooting for. There is no question. As we establish our priorities and manage our time, we do so for a specific goal to achieve the results we expect. There is no wondering or guessing. The future is locked into our minds and we see it - specifically - and that is powerful! Never underestimate just how important it is to have very specific, concrete goals. They act as magnets that draw you toward them! A S.M.A.R.T. goal is specific.

Measurable: Always set goals that are measurable. I would say "specifically measurable" to take into account our principle of being specific as well. Our goals should be such that we know when we are advancing and by how much. Whether it is by hours, pounds, dollars or whatever, we should be able to see exactly how we are measuring up as we proceed through the journey of life using our goals. Could you imagine if you didn't measure your goals? You would never know which way you were going or even if you were going anywhere! A S.M.A.R.T. goal is measurable.

Attainable: One of the detrimental things that many people do - and they do it with good intentions - is to set goals that are so high they are unattainable. Yes, it is very important to set big goals that cause your heart to soar with excitement, but it is also imperative to make sure that they are attainable. In the next section we talk about being realistic. So what does it mean to be attainable? An attainable goal is one that is both realistic but also attainable in a shorter period of time than what you have to work with. Now when I say attainable, I don't mean easy. Our goals should be set so they are just out of our reach; so they will challenge us to grow as we reach forward to achieve them. After the next paragraph, I will give you an example of a goal that is both attainable and realistic. A S.M.A.R.T. goal is attainable.

Realistic: The root word of realistic is "real." A goal has to be something that we can reasonably make "real" or a "reality" in our lives. There are some goals that simply are not realistic. You have to be able to say, even if it is a tremendously stretching goal, that yes, indeed, it is entirely realistic -- that you could make it. You may even have to say that it will take x, y, and z to do it, but if those happen, then it can be done. This is in no way to say it shouldn't be a big goal, but it must be realistic. This is to a great degree, up to the individual. For one person a goal may be realistic, but for another unrealistic. I would encourage you to be very honest with yourself as you do your planning and evaluation. Perhaps it would be good to get a friend to help you (as long as that friend is by nature an optimist and not a pessimist). This can go a long way toward helping you know what is realistic. A S.M.A.R.T. goal is realistic.

Example of Attainable and Realistic: Knowing that perhaps you could use a bit of help differentiating attainable and realistic, here is an example: You are overweight and have 150 pounds to lose to get to your proper weight. Is that goal attainable? Yes, considering that you also make it realistic. For example, it isn't realistic to think you can do it in 5 months. 18-24 months would be realistic (with hard work). Thus, losing 150 pounds in 2 years is both attainable and realistic, while losing 150 pounds in 5 months is neither attainable nor realistic.

Time: Every goal should have a timeframe attached to it. I think that life itself is much more productive for us as humans because there is a timeframe connected to it. Could you imagine how much procrastination there would be on earth if people never died? We would never get "around to it." We could always put it off. One of the powerful aspects of a great goal is that it has an end, a time in which you are shooting to accomplish it. You start working on it because you know there is an end. As time goes by you work because you don't want to get behind. As it approaches, you work diligently because you want to meet the deadline. You may even have to break down a big goal into different measured parts time frames. That is okay. Set smaller goals and work them out in their own time. A S.M.A.R.T. goal has a timeline.

Be sure to spend some reflection time this week to make sure your goals fit the S.M.A.R.T. parameters. Go through the reflection questions below and the action points associated with them. Doing so will put a real engine in your goals and make them charged with power to help you accomplish your dreams.

Until next week, let's do something remarkable!

Jim Rohn

Parenting Skills II - Formative Years

Child rearing is an experience that makes adults out of grown-up children, called parents. As soon as a child is added in the life of a couple, everything changes. Suddenly, the baby becomes the focus of their lives. Everything revolves around the needs of the baby. The first formative years, from age birth upto five years lay the foundation of the whole life of a child. Mistakes made in child rearing during this time can sometimes be irreversible.

One of the fundamental principles of parenting is to appreciate the needs of a baby. If the needs are misunderstood, the responses of the parents will lead to damage in the bond between the baby and the mother. One of the earliest needs of the baby are- food, sleep, being clean and a sense of safety. Once these needs are met, the baby is a happy baby. The first three needs are physical but the need to feel safe is where there is a difference of opinion among experts. In cultures, where babies are free to sleep with parents and where the mother is available to cling to during any time of the day, the baby feels safe. In cultures where babies are made to sleep in separate rooms, and most of the waking life is spent in creches, there is a shift in the baby's perception of safe relationships.

Spending time in creches has the advantage of bonding with different person/s other than the mother, which may be looked at as the start of making the individual independent. But the frequent change in caregivers gives confusing messages to the subconscious. The more the changes in the number of caregivers involving less touch, the more the nervous system feels unstimulated. At the end of the day, the baby's needs for safety are prime after feeding and cleaning has been done. Touch plays a major role in providing the baby, a sense of safety. The more the tender touch is available, the safer the baby feels. Sensorial satiation is what makes a child grow up to be a stable individual.

When a baby does not get sensorial satisfaction, then the baby starts to develop various problems, one of which is hyperactivity. In my own observations, a child who has had the kind of touch that is available to a child reared full time by a mother in India or in Nigeria, he or she is likely to be more stable emotionally. In this case the behaviour can be easily controlled because the nervous system has absorbed the sense of safety in the subconscious. The hyperactivity happens because the nervous system has not reached its level of satisfaction. Children in India are of lesser weight than a baby born in Western Europe. Yet they develop motor skills like crawling and walking and talking earlier than children in the Westren countries. My conclusion is that the sense of safety by touch by mother is the key to this difference. In India, in families in which the baby gets touch -experiences the whole day by family members, even if the mother may be working, motor skills are learnt earlier.

As the baby grows up to understand language, the next step is to teach the baby ways of life. A normal baby who feels well loved, will behave well and will not show any problem behaviour. Any reprimand by the parent, by a well bonded child, is taken seriously and obeyed. The more the child feels loved, the less are the chances of misbehaviour.Love is the best foundation for discipline.

When a child is to be reprimanded, it needs to be done immediately after an event and not ten minutes later. A child has a short memory span. So correction has to be immediate. This way the child can learn to associate the event with the consequences. It is important to let a child know what the expected conduct needs to be rather than giving out for undesirable behaviour.

Spanking or beating is not needed to correct a child. They are counter-productive. If you want a behaviour to discontinue, let the child know of its consequences. For example, if you do not want a toddler to go near a burning candle, then you have to hold the child's hand and bring it to a safe distance from the flame, so that the child can feel the heat. Once a child knows the fire can burn, they will not go near the flame. Such experiences demand hard work and alertness on the part of a parent. But it is worth it if you want a healthy and well adjusted happy adult as a child.

Experience teaches a child. Words do not mean much, till they are associated with experience. In order for a child to learn, every mistake and its consequences have to be explained in simple language without going into too much details. And everything needs to be based on truth. If a child observes parents being untruthful in any area of life, no matter what you tell them about truth, they will learn to be untruthful.

Copyright Pradeep K Chadha 2006

What is Yoga Flexibility - A Simple and Basic Definition

Flexibility is defined as the ability to adjust to different state of affairs or the skill to easily bend an entity. Flexibility is the outermost range of progress in a joint, or a mixture of joints, that is possible in a momentary effort. Flexibility is related to specific body joints and not whole body. In other words, it is a legend that some people are naturally flexible throughout their entire body. Flexibility is related to range of muscle movement around our joints. Flexibility is also related to mobility and suppleness of our joints.

Dynamic, static-active and static-passive are the three major types of flexibility. Dynamic flexibility is the ability to attain a ceiling range of motion of the joint while performing a movement. In simple words this type of flexibility is exhibited in walking, running, or participating in physical activity. Static-active is equated more to the general stretching earlier to performing exercise, such as bending over and touching your toes (without bouncing). at last, static-passive flexibility is the range of motion achieved by the joint structure when an outside force such as another person or equipment assists the movement.

When performing any stretch:

• One should start every stretch slowly at the same exhaling to attain better flexibility

• Try to hold each stretch for at least 10 to 30 seconds.

Evade these stretching mistakes:

• Don't spring back a stretch. Holding a stretch is more helpful and there is less risk of injury.


• Don't stretch a muscle that is not warmed up.


• Don't hold your breath to have a proper flexibility.

Flexibility is the one thing that everyone can do that is a safe way to increase sports performance or prevent injury. Bear in mind to ease into your stretches and control the motion by holding the stretch between 10 and 30 seconds. Stretch two or more times a day for best results.

The flexibility types are different for different people and movements based on their need like for sports, work, or normal routine activities in a day. The major benefits from flexibility are

• Better blood circulation in the body


• Fewer injuries to the body


• Easy and more movements in the body without any strain

It should be noted that each joint has certain range of flexibility. Some people are more flexible and some more tight, so the extreme one needs more careful flexibility training. A person shape is not the deciding factor for flexibility. Yoga and stretching helps to increase flexibility in one's body.

Now days, flexibility exercises are a part every training session as it is necessary and helps to be fit and avoid injury. Rising your flexibility through stretching is sure to give you a great sense of health and welfare that will last for many years to come.

The Incredible Shrinking Fat Cell - What Really Happens When Body Fat is Burned?

Earlier this week someone in our discussion forum wrote, "I haven't "LOST" any fat... I know EXACTLY where it went! I got a chuckle out of that because I "got" the joke, but truth is, most people really don't know how fat cells work, how the fat burning process takes place or where the fat goes when it's burned. It's actually quite a complex biochemical sequence of events, but I'll explain it as simply as possible, so by the end of this article, you'll be a "fat burning" expert!

When you "lose" body fat, the fat cell (also called an adipocyte) does not go anywhere or move into the muscle cell to be burned. The fat cell itself, (unfortunately) stays right where it was - under the skin in your thighs, stomach, hips, arms, etc., and on top of the muscles - which is why you can't see muscle "definition" when your body fat is high.

Fat is stored inside the fat cell in the form of triaglycerol. The fat is not burned right there in the fat cell, it must be liberated from the fat cell through somewhat complex hormonal/enzymatic pathways. When stimulated to do so, the fat cell simply releases its contents (triaglycerol) into the bloodstream as free fatty acids (FFA's), and they are transported through the blood to the tissues where the energy is needed.

A typical young male adult stores about 60,000 to 100,000 calories of energy in body fat cells. What triggers the release of all these stored fatty acids from the fat cell? Simple: When your body needs energy because you're consuming fewer calories than you are burning (an energy deficit), then your body releases hormones and enzymes that signal your fat cells to release your fat reserves instead of keeping them in storage.

For stored fat to be liberated from the fat cell, hydrolysis (lipolysis or fat breakdown), splits the molecule of triaglycerol into glycerol and three fatty acids. An important enzyme called hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) is the catalyst for this reaction. The stored fat (energy) gets released into the bloodstream as FFA's and they are shuttled off to the muscles where the energy is needed. As blood flow increases to the active muscles, more FFA's are delivered to the muscles that need them.

An important enzyme called lipoprotein lipase (LPL), then helps the FFA's get inside the mitochondria of the muscle cell, where the FFA's can be burned for energy. If you've ever taken a biology class, then you've probably heard of the mitochondria. This is the "cellular powerhouse" where energy production takes place and this is where the FFA's go to be burned for energy.

When the FFA's are released from the fat cell, the fat cell shrinks and that's why you look leaner when you lose body fat - because the fat cell is now smaller. A small or "empty" fat cell is what you're after if you want the lean, defined look.

It was once believed that the number of fat cells could not increase after adulthood, only the size of the fat cells could increase (or decrease). We now know that fat cells can indeed increase both in size (hypertrophy) and in number (hyperplasia) and that they are more likely to increase in number at certain times and under certain circumstances, such as 1) during late childhood and early puberty, 2) During pregnancy, and 3) During adulthood when extreme amounts of weight are gained

Some people are genetically predisposed to have more fat cells than others and women have more fat cells than men. An infant usually has about 5 - 6 billion fat cells. This number increases during early childhood and puberty, and a healthy adult with normal body composition has about 25 to 30 billion fat cells. A typical overweight adult has around 75 billion fat cells. But in the case of severe obesity, this number can be as high as 250 to 300 billion!

The average size (weight) of an adult fat cell is about 0.6 micrograms, but they can vary in size from 0.2 micograms to 0.9 micrograms. An overweight person's fat cells can be up to three times larger than a person with ideal body composition.

Remember, body fat is basically just a reserve source of energy and fat cells are the like the storage tanks. Unlike a gas tank in your car which is fixed in size, however, fat cells can expand or shrink in size depending on how "filled" they are.

Picture a balloon that is not inflated: It's tiny when not filled with air - maybe the size of your thumb. When you blow it up with air, it can expand 10 or 12 times it's normal size, because it simply fills up. That's what happens to fat cells: They start as nearly empty fat storage "tanks" (when you are lean), and when energy intake exceeds your needs, your fat cells "fill up" like balloons (not a pretty picture, is it?)

So you don't actually "lose" fat cells, you "shrink" or "empty out" fat cells. Since fat cells can not only get bigger, but also multiply, you have be diligent and consistent in your fat-burning lifestyle because even after you shrink your fat cells, the cells are still there (in your thighs, lower abs, etc), waiting to be filled up with more fat again, if you're not careful...

So stay active to keep burning fat and avoid consuming more calories than you burn, and your fat cells will get shrunk and stay shrunk!