Top Nutritional Tips To Support Healthy Hair Growth (Celebrity Health)

1. Eat adequate amounts of protein.

Protein is composed of the amino acids essential for the building of new cells, including hair. Five amino acids are of particular relevance to hair growth - cystine, cysteine, methionine, arginine and lysine.

Inadequate protein intake over a lengthy period can force hair into the resting phase with shedding a few months later. It is obvious then that sufficient portions of protein rich foods should form part of your daily diet. The best sources of dietary protein are lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, soy, nuts, grains and seeds. At least 15% of your daily calories should come from protein-rich foods.

2. Eat adequate amounts of useful carbohydrates.

Carbs are an essential source of energy and help in the growth of body tissues, including hair. They are an important source of the B vitamins that are vital to healthy hair.

It is important that you concentrate on consuming non-refined carbs rather than the sugars and white flour that are so prevalent in many over-refined carb products. You should place an emphasis on consuming vegetables, fruits, whole grains, brown rice and potatoes. It is recommended that you obtain 55-60% of your daily calories from the carbohydrates found in these foods.

3. Achieve a healthy balance of dietary fats.

Fat is used in energy production and can be found in both animal and plant foods. Your body needs sufficient levels of fat to maintain good health. That fat should be obtained from a mixture of lean animal and plant sources. Roughly 25-30% of your daily calories should come from these sources.

4. The right nutritional balance is one that suits your personal circumstances.

How much of each food group you eat depends on a host of factors including age, sex, health and level of physical activity. When choosing meals and snacks, take account of the following key principles of sound nutrition:

- Eat a variety of foods.

- Apply moderation to your consumption of junk foods.

- Choose natural and lightly processed foods as often as possible.

- Do not over cook.

5. Support a nutritious diet with a few carefully chosen supplements.

Following a nutritious diet is essential for good hair health, but on its own this may not be sufficient for a number of reasons:

- Modern farming methods may deplete the nutrient quality of food.

- High stress levels may diminish nutrients in your body.

- Dieting may affect nutrient levels.

- Aging reduces the ability of our bodies to utilize certain nutrients.

- Exercise can deplete some nutrients.

It may be sufficient to supplement with a well-balanced multi-vitamin / mineral product but a number of products are available that specifically cater for the requirements of healthy hair.


By Richard Mitchell
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the http://www.myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss. Please go to Hair Loss Nutrition to find out more about the issues covered in this article.

Stress and Hair Loss - An Amazing Relationship (Celebrity Health)

In the modern times in which we live, stress has become a part of everyday life. There is so much stress embedded even in simple, mundane, day to day living that it is almost unconceivable that stress could be eliminated from our lives. From school to work place, family to friends, the daily dose of stress every modern person encounters is terrifying and this, more often than not, tells on every system and part of the body.

Stress plays a very important role in our daily moods and feelings. You will agree with me that to be stressed up and happy at the same time is almost impossible. Stress comes with worries, anxieties, anger or even depression. No wonder stress has been associated with several life threatening diseases. Recent research has highlighted the role played by stress in diseases like high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke or diabetes. In some cases, it is even surprising to note that the relationship between stress and our emotions plays a more delicate role in causing some of these diseases, than even the conventional, established risk factors.

However, to suggest that stress can also induce hair loss could meet with utter amazement from some quarters. You want to ask; what the heck has stress got to do with my hair? Well, don't be shocked to hear this; stress really does cause hair loss and it has even gotten a medical name, to show you it's real. In medical jargon, Telogen Effluvium is the name given to hair loss induced by the sudden onset of stress.

Most people never get to realize this association because, oddly enough, the hair loss never seems to occur until after the end of the stressful event that is inducing it. It is explained that the sudden onset of a stressful event causes the hair follicles to stop hair production and relapse into a resting phase prematurely. The hair follicles remain in this resting phase for several months afterwards and during this period; an unusual amount of hair will be shed. However, for the most part, hair loss caused by stress is temporary and heals up after the hair follicles resume hair production.

If you really want to keep your hair intact, effectively managing stress could be a great thing to do. There are several ways to do this, as long as you are determined to reduce stress in your life and to live a better, stress-free life. Cutting out stress from our lives is undoubtedly a good thing, but we all know that it is almost impossible to expect to be free from stress totally. However, you can do a lot to reduce the impact of the daily stress on your body and health.

The first and perhaps most effective thing to do, is to learn the art of dissociation. Most people carry their emotions, worries, fears and anxieties on their faces and you almost always see stress in the faces of people you meet on the street. Dissociation entails freeing your mind and body from your problems and worries, at least for a short period of time, daily. Relax and forget your problems, even if just for a minute. The longer you can maintain this state, the better for your overall health. Our lives will be better without the worries we carry about. Forgetting your problems and worries allows the body to calm down and dissipate built-up stress. The longer you can maintain this state, the longer time the body has to calm down. This is not only good for your hair, it is very important for your overall health.

Another effective tool in managing stress is to find a form of relaxation that you really love and engage in it often. If you like reading, then find a lovely book and read for some period during the day or when you feel stress building up in you. If you are the movie type, then go see your favorite movie regularly. Just pick any fun activity which you enjoy and burn off that stress before your hair starts falling out.

by Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Hair Loss

20 Ways to Lose Weight (Celebrity Health)

20 WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT

1. Take it one step at a time

Start by paying attention to what you eat. Cut back on fat and sweets and add more fruit and vegetables. After you have that under control, add exercise. If you hate to exercise try it for only 15 minutes a day at first, then a 1/2-hour. Keep in mind that while you are exercising you are burning calories and not eating. Also, it will be easier if you chose an activity that you enjoy.

2. Find a friend

It is always good to have support when you are trying to lose weight. Find a friend who wants to lose weight and compare notes, weigh-in together and maybe even have a contest.

3. Use weights

Working out weights will build muscle and raise your metabolism so you will burn more calories. Also, muscle takes up less space than fat so you will be smaller ( but probably weigh more).

4. Eat fewer carbs

Don't eat as much bread and pasta and you will see a difference.

5. Set a goal

Set a deadline to lose the weight and write it down. For example, ' By Dec 14/04 I will weigh 150 lbs or less'. Put it somewhere you will see it daily.

6. Give up soda

If you drink a soda or 2 a day you are adding empty calories. If you find it hard to stop completely, cut back at first and drink water instead.

7. Grill or boil

Avoid fried meat, grill and use lots of spices. You will get used to it and probably enjoy it more.

8. Don't buy junk food

When you go shopping, don't go on an empty stomach and you will be less likely to buy junk food. Keep your home 'junk food free' so you won't be tempted to indulge.

9. Eat breakfast

Consume most of your calories early in the day and always eat breakfast. Don't eat after 8pm and not only will you avoid those added calories but you will sleep better.

10. Give yourself a treat

When you tell yourself that you can't have something you want it more. Give yourself a treat once a day ( ie. half a cookie) and you won't feel you are missing out.

11. Use smaller plates

Trick yourself into believing that you are eating more by using a smaller plate.

12. Drink lots of water

Drink water when you are feeling hungry and you will get that 'full' feeling.

13. Don't eat everything on your plate

Many times we eat just because it's there. Pay attention to when you have had enough.

14. Eat five or six meals a day

Eating more frequently will keep you from getting too hungry.

15. Plan your workout sessions

Write your workout sessions in your journal or planner.

16. Stay away from fad diets

Fad diets don't work. If you lose weight fast chances are that you will gain it back ( and more) just as fast. It takes time to put it on and time to take it off.

17. Do several workouts a day

While you are watching TV do crunches and leg lifts.

18. Measure your food

If you decide to have junk food for a snack - be sure to measure and control what you eat.

19. Keep pre-cut vegetables

...and ward off those cravings.

20. Create Good Habits

It is a known fact that when we do something twenty-one times it becomes a habit. Create good eating habits.

By Sheila Dicks
Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

Nude Aerobics Yoga? (Celebrity Health)

Nude aerobics yoga may sound vulgar, offensive and impossible but it does exists. A lot of people may not practice doing this but there are some who would really prefer doing nude aerobics yoga.

Nude aerobics yoga may imply something not applicable to some culture and society. There are some places that might not respect that kind of practice.

They say nudity is healthy natural. Those who do nude aerobics yoga say that clothes keep them disturbed and it prevents the flow of air in getting inside the body. This may be funny but they really think it that way. For them, wearing clothes is like an excess baggage.

Some can’t even carry out yoga with their clothes on. If this is the case, a lot of people will be intimidated or perhaps be interested in doing nude aerobics yoga.

Somehow, this brings some negative effects in the people or group doing this kind of practice. Some might think that they will take nude aerobics yoga for fun and for some other reasons which goes beyond imagination.

Clothes are considered an art in yoga exercises. Without clothes, where would art take place? Did they say that the body is considered the art, not mentioning nudity?

Nude aerobics yoga is believed to be a clean exercise because people believed that wearing clothes invited and encouraged the proliferation of microscopic fungi and bacteria. This is acquired in warm and humid temperature and circumstances.

When the temperature is warm, they are able to interfere with the natural body temperature of our control mechanism. This makes some of the parts hotter than the others.

People who do nude aerobics yoga can freely sweat and not be absorbed by cotton. This may sound gross but they claimed that people who perspire in clothes smell bad. Sweaty clothes are not pleasing to our nose. That is a fact. But those who perspire naturally smell better.

Wearing shorts and trousers will raise the temperature of the testicles for the male. This then results to hinder the growth of sperm and the male hormones which reduces fertility. This can also cause impotence to both genders.

Looking back to the early generation, nudity was our natural condition as they say. It was also added that nudity adds to the physical and emotional health of the individual.

The main reason why people love doing nude aerobics yoga is because it feels great. A lot of them have alleged the same reasons and they really stand for it. Nude aerobics yoga lets you articulate your natural emotions and let you speak for yourself. After all, it’s nice to feel the natural air slapping on your skin and feeling the sweat roughly come out of the inside.

At first it may be too cognizant to practice the nude aerobics yoga but once you get the hang of it, you will feel that it is nourishing and exfoliating. You will realize after that doing this exercise is not that gross as what you think. Later on you will feel its effect on your body and it wouldn’t be surprising to see that your body has changed because you have bared it all.

It is now time to change your viewpoint in life and go on a different level. After you have experienced all the styles of yoga, try the nude aerobics yoga and have that nice feel.

By Melvin Chua
© Copyright Melvin Chua, All Rights Reserved.
Melvin has dozens more related articles and tips on doing yoga at his site: doing yoga, check them out today!

Yoga for Life (Celebrity Health)

No matter what your current level of fitness; you can do, and you can benefit from, yoga.

You don’t need to renounce your religion, be able to tie yourself in knots or hold your breath for ten minutes. All you need is a desire to improve your physical and mental health – and a good guru to guide you.

The word “guru” is the combination of two Sanskrit words: “gu” meaning darkness; and “ru” meaning light. Enjoy this journey from the darkness to the light.

Yoga is a wonderful and relaxing way to lower your stress, increase strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and ability to concentrate.

People who practice yoga can retain full range of motion and excellent balance into their 90’s and beyond. I can’t stress enough how valuable that is to quality of life.

To give you some idea, think of all the falls not taken, backs not wrenched and ankles not sprained or broken. With good range of motion and the balance to adjust to life’s little missteps, you are less likely to fall and, even if you do, you are less likely to suffer serious injury.

When anyone asks me how to come back to exercise after an injury or depression or many years as a couch potato, I recommend they begin walking and sign up for a beginner’s yoga class.

When a fit exerciser hits a plateau and asks me what they can do to provide new challenges and take their body to the next level, I again suggest yoga.

Yoga is one of the world’s oldest exercise disciplines, having been practiced continually for over 5,000 years. That certainly says a lot for its content.

It is interesting to note how many “new” disciplines borrow from, or are even based on, classical yoga. Floor Pilates should probably be named “Pilates Yoga”. It incorporates many classic yoga poses or “asanas” and emphasizes deep breathing coordinated with the movements, as well as development of the body’s “core” – all ideas central to the practice of yoga.

If you have any exercise experience, you might be surprised to learn how many of the moves you’ve picked up in various classes actually come from Hatha Yoga – the most common form of yoga practiced in the West.

Almost all of those stretches at the end of a typical aerobics class come directly from yoga. The child’s pose (garbh-asana) is sitting on your heels with head down and back rounded – and it is sooo relaxing.

On hands and knees, you would probably recognize the cat back (marjari-asana) and the table (svan-asana). And what about all those wonderful twists to release the spine: seated twist (matsyendr-asana); and the knee down twist (supta matsyendr-asana).

These are the same stretches orthopedists recommend for back pain linked to stress or disuse. Lying on your back, you might recognize the knee squeeze (pavana mukt-asana) and standing, the stretch tall (tad-asana).

So it seems, you can learn a lot of yoga moves by taking a variety of exercise classes. You might ask, “Why then should I take yoga classes?”

My answer is that “doing” the poses can be quite different from doing them correctly. The coordinated breathing, the sustaining of poses and the concentration that are so integral to yoga are not likely to be achieved in a general exercise class.

Yoga teaches deep diaphragmatic breathing in tempo with each movement. Focusing on breathing allows you to transition smoothly from asana to asana and helps the muscles and joints to achieve greater range of motion.

In yoga, you will never bounce or force a stretch. You will be coached to go to your point of resistance, breathe in deeply, and stretch a tiny bit further on the exhale. You relax into the stretch; never force it.

Focusing on breathing into each asana serves yet another purpose. It takes you away from your day-to-day concerns. Once you get into your yoga zone, you will be amazed at how light you feel, how relaxed and how focused. And then, ironically, when you complete your workout and come back to earth, you will feel invigorated and energized.

Anyone undergoing a life transition or under any kind of stress (whether negative or positive) can benefit from getting away from it all and into their yoga zone where they feel calm, centered and focused. It’s a lot less expensive and easier to schedule than a vacation!

Many asanas combine the stretching of one muscle and the contraction of an opposing muscle. This is why yoga is often recommended for well-muscled athletes. Muscle building alone results in imbalances between opposing muscles. To maintain flexibility, body builders should make sure they are getting enough proper stretching work.

Very little equipment is needed to begin yoga. Your clothing should be comfortable but close-fitting so that you can observe your form. As you focus on proper breathing you want to be able to see your diaphragm moving in and out. Yoga can be done barefoot but, for sanitary reasons, most people now prefer to wear yoga socks.

Likewise, yoga can be done on a bare floor but most people prefer to use a mat. It is not just for sanitation that mats and socks have become so popular. Many poses are sustained and at first may feel awkward and difficult to maintain. The non-slip socks and mat provide the optimal surface. Further, your portable yoga surface will be the same no matter where you take your class, making it easier to perform consistently and progress rapidly.

By Jean Bowler
By: Jean Bowler. For more articles about exercise for the boomer generation, visit http://www.ageless-beauty.com/exercise.html