If you’re looking for an all-natural way to enhance and moisturize your skin, decrease excess water from your body, or just provide a rejuvenating treatment for yourself, a body wrap can do wonders for your appearance.

Body wraps are designed to improve the texture and appearance of skin by removing excess fluid and toxins from the body. This method also firms loose skin and treats the unsightly appearance of cellulite. In addition, body wraps offer a variety of benefits that include detoxification, contouring, skin softening, and giving a boost to the lymphatic system and metabolism. People who have enjoyed a body wrap treatment may have also noticed another benefit: losing a few inches around the waistline.

How are body wraps performed?

For those who are new to body wraps, it’s a straightforward, as well as an indulgent treatment. Typically, the person receiving the body wrap has her torso, legs, arms, and neck wrapped with special cloths which have been soaked in a special mixture of ingredients. Oils, sea salts, and other mineral essential, natural ingredients are used during the wrap to provide the body with an overall exfoliating scrub. These ingredients help to improve the texture and appearance of the skin, while also cleansing the body through the process of detoxification. Body wraps are safe as they use only natural ingredients.

In preparation for the treatment, the cloths are wrapped snugly around the body, creating a kind of thermal blanket that promotes sweating and aids in the emptying of unnecessary interstitial fluid, or the fluid located between the small spaces of body tissues. Results sometimes may be realized immediately.

While bundled snuggly, the client lies peacefully as the body wrap begins to do its work. A warm sensation may be felt as the body begins to sweat out excess fluids and toxins. It’s believed that this process is what actually allows a few inches to be melted off. Toxins and interstitial fluids eventually re-accumulate, so regular body wraps may provide better long-term benefits.

Benefits of a body wrap:

* Body scrubs use salts and other natural ingredients to exfoliate and detoxify the skin.
* Body wraps use detoxifying organic materials such as mud or aloe vera to draw toxins from the body and soften skin.
* Most body scrubs use a blend of oils with fine and coarse grains, and are followed with the application of emollient lotions to further soften skin.
* Skin will feel soft and fine lines will lessen after just one treatment.
* Such deeply relaxing treatments are shown to decrease stress, thereby lowering blood pressure.
* Since the skin is our largest organ, detoxification can have profound effects on our health and sense of well-being.
* Body wraps help to tone skin and rid the body of unwanted inches.

Men’s natures are alike; it is their habits that separate them.  ~Confucius

Motivation is what gets you started.  Habit is what keeps you going.  ~Jim Ryun

When you find your passion, you’ll have a boost of motivation to get started and change your life.

However, this motivation won’t last if you don’t turn it into habits.

We are creatures of habits. Our human nature always looks for ways to create patterns and do things on autopilot.

Habits are what differentiate successful people from others.

The habits that you’ve developed in the LOST phase – where you used to wander aimlessly without a clear passion or purpose – won’t help you build a life of passion.

That’s why you need to develop a new set of habits to serve you in your newly passionate pursuit.

These are 10 habits of passionate people that you can start cultivating today:

1. Wake Up Early:

The sun has not caught me in bed in fifty years.  ~Thomas Jefferson

Passionate people are usually early risers. There is something magical in rising early, and preferably at dawn. This peaceful period before the rest of the world wake up can be the most productive period of your day.

When I started the habit of waking up early at 4:30 am everyday, I felt like I was not living before. The amount of progress, inner peace, and joy that I experienced all the day made me regret the years in which the sun always caught me in bed!

2. Read Vigorously

I find television to be very educating.  Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book.  ~Groucho Marx

If you replace some TV time by reading a good book, you’ll be the most educated person among your friends and associates. And you’ll be a high achiever too.

My mentor Jim Cathcart changed his life after he listened to Earl Nightingale on the radio saying that if you studied a certain topic for one hour every day, you’ll become a national expert in 5 years!

There is an amazing quote attributed to Mark Twain that says, “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”

If you don’t like reading, you can do with audio books. You’ve to find a way to READ, there are no workarounds.

3. Simplify

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.  ~Hans Hofmann

Simplify everything is your work and life. Start by eliminating the unnecessary. Everything that has nothing to do with your passion and purpose should be eliminated. They shouldn’t occupy any space in your daily life, because they are just a waste of time, energy and money.

When you have less needs, and you learn to enjoy more with less, you’ll increase your financial independence too.

4. Slow Down

For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.  ~Lily Tomlin

You can never embrace a life of passion in the middle of a busy, stressful, and chaotic environment.

You must find some quiet time for yourself. Slow down and listen to your inner voice. Slow down and evaluate your progress. Slow down and maintain your focus on what matters most.

If you could develop the habit of waking up early, you’ll find it easier to develop this habit. You can easily find time to breathe, reflect and meditate.

Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you.  ~John De Paola

5. Workout

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.  ~Plato

Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.  ~Edward Stanley

Health care is very important. So many people follow their passion with great enthusiasm, but they put too much pressure on their body and ignore their overall health and well being. They think they are supposed to work really hard to fulfill their purpose and grow their passion.

These are good intentions, but you should be aware that if you don’t take care of your body, it will soon collapse and this will not serve your passion well.

Health care should be on top of your priorities to maintain a good, prosperous and passionate lifestyle.

One of the best books I’ve read on the topic of health and well-being is 8 Weeks To Optimum Health by Dr. Weil.

6. Practice Daily

The more I practice, the luckier I get.  ~Jerry Barber

It has been said that luck is where preparation meets opportunity.

You’ve to practice your passion daily. If you failed to do so, your passion will soon fade away and you’ll be drifted away from the right path by the busyness of life.

Talent can’t survive without or can’t compensate practice.

You don’t even need talent if you exert enough effort in practicing and sharpening your skills.

Practice and be always prepared, so that when the right opportunity presents itself, you are ready to seize it.

7. Network

We cannot live only for ourselves.  A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.  ~Herman Melville

Surround yourself with passionate people. That’s the most important habit of all. It can accelerate your success like no other habit.

Connecting with passionate people forms the best support system for your passion. You’ll find the good advice, the necessary push, and the continuous encouragement.

What is the point of connecting with people who are still stuck in jobs they hate and not following their passion. What are your going to get from them except discouragement and trying hard to pull you down?

I believe the level you can reach in life is directly proportional to the level where the people you hang the most with exist.

It’s been said that your net-worth is determined by your network.

8. Keep a Gratitude Journal

If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.  ~Robert Quillen

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.  ~Epictetus

Gratitude is the best attitude.  ~Author Unknown

This one habit does wonders. Be grateful for what you already have and at the same time aim for the better. Rest assured that when you’re clear about your purpose in life, you’ll recognize better opportunities much easier. Just be patient and grateful.

Remember, when gratitude grows up, more joy shows up.

I urge you to develop the habit of having a “Gratitude Journal”. Every night before you go to sleep, write down just one thing you’re grateful for in the day. Then expect miracles to happen!

My life purpose coaching clients experience amazing results in the first week of doing this exercise.

9. Be Prolific

Over 300 banks refused and the 303rd bank agreed to give Walt Disney a fund to build Disney Land.

Over 1000 restaurants refused and the 1010th restaurant agreed to use Colonel Sanders’s chicken recipe that changed the eating habits of the whole world with KFC.

It took him over a million images spanning 35 years, before Steve McCurry’s photo of Sharbat Gula (The Afgan Girl) was globally recognized and linked to Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of the Mona Lisa.

134 publishers rejected Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen’s Chicken Soup for the Soulbefore it turns into a mega all-time bestseller.

Edison made 1,000 (or 10,000) unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb.

During his life time, Vincent Van Gogh sold only one painting for a very small amount of money. Today, his over 800 known works bring in hundreds of millions.

Mozart died with little to his name. Today, his over 600 pieces of music are considered some of the best ever created!

Can you see a pattern here?

If you want to turn your passion into a worldwide sensation, you got to be prolific and never give up. Keep producing great work, and one may take the world by surprise and make you a globally recognized star.

Produce more work than anyone could think humanly possible. I consider this the secret habit of champions (or legends).

10.    Have a Blog

“Blogs are much more powerful than most realize. They’re a simple way to explore and share the thoughts and beliefs you’re excited about and for people to immediately see and provide feedback.” - Scott Dinsmore of Live Your Legend

A blog is a multimedia platform through which you can share your passion with the world in text, audio or video formats. People can come read, listen or watch you delivering your value. And if they like what you do, they will share it with their friends and the community will grow.

It is also a perfect way to practice and share your passion with the world on a daily basis. It ensures a constant strong bond between you and your passion.

These 10 habits will make a huge difference for you. They form a strong foundation to build and grow your passion. Like any habit, it takes time to develop and make them work. But once they are there, you’ll be on the fast track to achieve remarkable success.

Source : http://www.pickthebrain.com by Mohamed Tohami

What we really need, and I’m being serious here, is grandmas. Hear me out on this. In years gone by, when someone was sick, injured or had contracted a disease, professionally trained doctors were not always available. As a result, people had to take it upon themselves for the vast majority of health related problems. This care typically fell into the hands of those who were the most compassionate, patient, experienced and no nonsense individuals. Who could that be? You guessed it – Grandma! With a lifetime of experience, grandma (not all grandma’s but many) seemed to have a remedy for just about everything.

As years and technology pressed itself upon us, established authority, using tactics of fear and intimidation, began to undermine the confidence of many of the tried and true remedies of the past. Most of our mothers were conditioned to take their kids to the doctor for a myriad of conditions that in times past were simply treated at home. As a result, constant and insistent drumming of the marketing of inferior and convenient foods and drugs, the health of our nation is in poor shape. Those who are in positions of authority are driven by deep pockets urging, even demanding, the prescribed course of treatment, which is usually a drug. While there are many in the medical field who are sincere in their intent to truly do what is best for the patient, the system truly is broken.

I have seen some significant positive changes in the nearly 30 years I have been in practice as a chiropractic physician, but the greed/profit motives behind so many powerful organizations (medical, insurance, pharmaceutical, government and food processing companies) are corrupt and I am afraid beyond reform.

So this is where you come in. If you’re a grandma, GREAT! If you are not, but you love a grandma, then you also qualify. We need to learn as much as we can to take care of those we love. We are not inviting you or even encouraging you to get involved in HEROIC Medicine. When a life is at risk or teetering on the brink, heroic medicine is truly in order. Get them to the emergency room for the lifesaving care that they may need. What you want to be is an UN-HERO. Someone who takes care of minor problems. Those aches and pains, those minor injuries – the bumps and bruises. The fleeting digestive pain. The fatigue, the blues and ‘I just don’t feel good’ syndromes. By taking care of the uneventful and mundane, little problems can be turned around before they become big problems. You can avert the crisis that needs a siren and catastrophic insurance reimbursement.

We need Grandmas. We need your love, your wisdom and your no nonsense approach to life. You’re life has not been an easy one. You’ve been there, done that and truly learned from the school of hard knocks. We need you learn natural home remedies. Remedies from your kitchen and from your garden. We need you to learn to put your compassion and heart into your healing hands. And then, we need you to teach your children and grandchildren, so they can become the grandmas of the next generation. The world is not going to get better without you. If you feel at all called to this work, please take it seriously. I am convinced that the world cannot be saved without grandma.

We invite each of you to make the necessary adjustments in your life and begin taking charge of the health of those within your influence.  Begin with your self if needed.  There is a wealth of information on our blog regarding herbs, programs to help restore your health and even delicious recipes.  Tackle one or two conditions, such as fighting the common cold or improving digestion, get really good with your knowledge, experience and advice and then build from there.

by Dr. Kyle Christensen - Western Botanicals

By Dr. Rita Louise

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a walnut sized gland that sits just below the bladder in men and is an integral part of the male reproductive system. Made up of two lobes and enclosed by a layer of tissue, the prostate goes through two main periods of growth. The first occurs early in puberty, when the prostate doubles in size. At around the age of 25, the gland begins to grow again. This second growth phase often results in what is identified as an enlarged prostate.

As the prostate gets larger, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to press against the urethra. While the data varies, it is believed that most men over the age of 45 experience some amount of prostate enlargement, but may live symptom free. This enlargement is usually harmless, but it often results in problems urinating later on in life. By 60, it is believed that 80% of all men experience some sort of urinary interference due to prostate enlargement.

Enlargement of the Prostate

Enlargement of the prostate is not a malignant condition, but it does put pressure on the urethra and can create a number of urinary complaints such as frequent urination, urinary urgency, the need to get up at night to urinate, difficulty starting, a reduction to the force of the urine stream, terminal dribbling, incomplete emptying of the bladder and even the inability to urinate at all. If left unchecked, benign prostatic hypertrophy can cause serious problems over time including urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones or incontinence.

Enlarged Prostate and Potential Impotency

It is important to take care of your prostate and address any prostate, be it an enlarged prostate, prostetitis (inflammation of the prostate) or prostate cancer early on. Take an active role and protect yourself by having your prostate checked regularly. Traditional treatments for prostate issues include the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate. While most people experience a relief of symptoms, it may leave them impotent. For the health conscious, this should only be used as a last resort.

Wellness Recommendations for Enlarged Prostate

• If you are over 40, have your doctor perform a prostate exam during your regular checkup.
• Incorporate a healthful diet filled with lots of fruits and vegetables and low on unsaturated fats, sugars and processed foods.
• Kegel exercises can be done to improve circulation to these tissues. A kegel exercise is performed by pulling up all the muscles around the scrotum and anus. Repeat this movement 10 times. Try doing this ‘invisible’ exercise 5-6 times daily.
• For men suffering from prostate enlargement, saw palmetto is the place to start. Saw palmetto has a long history of relieving testicular inflammation and inhibiting the hormone responsible for prostate enlargement.
• Zinchas also been used for decades to support a healthy prostate.
• The herbs nettle and pygeum have also been show to be effective for relieving symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. They can be used alone or in conjunction with saw palmetto.
• A great combination for prostate issues is Nature’s Sunshine Men’s Formula with Lycopene, which contains pygeum, saw palmetto, gotu kola, stinging nettle and zinc.
• You can also try Nature’s Sunshine’s PS II or P-X. PS II contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for maintaining healthy prostate gland function.
• Incorporate the herb damiana into your wellness program. Damiana has a long history of helping balance the body’s hormones.
• Hydrangea is another herb that supports the urinary system, where it is know to promote the overall health of the prostate gland and help to reduce inflammation and swelling.
• Take antioxidants. Supplementation with antioxidants (vitamins A,C, E and selenium), such as those found in Defense Maintenance or super Antioxidant will help to protect these sensitive tissues from oxidative damage.

Source : http://healing.about.com

Long term stress can cause or exacerbate many physical ailments.

These include heart attacks, asthma, ulcers, irritable bowel, colitis, spots, eczema, dermatitis, alopecia (hair loss), dandruff, herpes, shingles, high blood pressure, strokes, and such immune related illnesses as colds, pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza.

According to some researchers, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune disorders, AIDS and cancer are all more likely with prolonged stress.

Non-physical ailments due to stress include personality problems such as increased pessimism, increased irritability/anger, and loss of confidence.

Phobias, depression, burn-out, panic attacks, schizophrenic and manic depressive episodes can also be triggered by stress.

Causes of increased vulnerability to stress

Although the stress response is a normal human reaction, some conditions predispose an individual to becoming stressed more easily and therefore having more difficulty in managing stress.

These include previous traumatic experiences, particularly during the period the brain is developing (two weeks post conception to around the age of sixteen), imbalances in the sex hormones: oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone (recent research suggests both men and women are at risk here), thyroid problems, diseases of the adrenal glands and diseases such as mononucleosis (glandular fever and hepatitis).

Due to modern day stressors e.g.: financial worries, work problems, relationship difficulties they very rarely completely disappear, the body remains tense and cannot relax. It is this unused response mechanism that causes so much damage physically and emotionally to people.

There are many strategies for managing stress: the only effective long term strategies are those which shut off the cycle at stage one,  i.e. which prevent the flow on effect of negative thinking.  Massage or relaxation techniques for example may relax tense muscles but will not alter your negative thinking.

Meditation will alter your thinking while meditating, but will not necessarily affect the way you think after you stop.

Tranquillisers, beta blockers and anti-depressants may affect your thinking but don’t necessarily address any of the issues that cause you stress; the risk of dependency on those medication is huge.

Article By Winnie Yu Scherer

Sometimes you know exactly what’s causing that pounding in your skull. Other times, you’re blindsided. Headaches—whether debilitating migraines or less-painful-but-still-annoying tension headaches—are often set off or made worse by a key trigger, says Brian Grosberg, MD, director of the Inpatient Headache Program at Montefiore Headache Center in New York City.

Here are some of the most common pain provokers, and how to head off the hurt.

You’re stressed

Stress accounts for 80 % of all migraines, according to a study in the journal Cephalalgia. That’s because it causes fluctuations in cortisol and adrenaline—the fight-or-flight hormones—which can lead to pain and nausea, says Sheena K. Aurora, MD, medical director of the Headache Center at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. Stress can also make you clench your jaw and neck muscles, causing neck pain that, in turn, can set off tension headaches.

Trigger Tamer: Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and massage can help.

You didn’t sleep well

Insomnia is associated with low levels of the hormone serotonin. That causes blood vessels in the brain to dilate and activate the trigeminal nerve—the main nerve involved in migraines, Dr. Grosberg says—leading to inflammation and the release of pain-causing chemicals.


Trigger Tamer: Go to bed and get up at the same time every day (even on weekends!), cut down on caffeine, and exercise regularly.

You’re eating the wrong things—or not eating enough

The most likely offenders: Foods that contain the amino acid tyramine (like red wine and aged cheeses), nitrates (hot dogs, deli cold cuts, and other processed meats), or the amino acid phenylalanine (chocolate). All three substances cause blood vessels to constrict and then expand, causing migraines. Skipping meals triggers them, too, because the brain is hypersensitive to fluctuations in blood sugar, Dr. Aurora says.


Trigger Tamer: Eat and drink water regularly, and make sure those meals high in protein to help keep you satiated and maintain blood sugar levels. It’s also crucial to figure out which, if any, foods bother you, and ban them from your diet.

You’re hormonal (for women)

The dip in estrogen that occurs just before your period can lead to migraines. Similar hormonal fluctuations can also trigger headaches during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause.


Trigger Tamer: Take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like naproxen or ibuprofen two days before you expect your period, when the headache is likely to happen. If you’re experiencing headaches during pregnancy, ask your doctor to recommend a pain-relief plan.

Read more about this topic at http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20439308,00.html

Designed to promote whole-body health, a detox diet is a short-term program focused on eliminating environmental and dietary toxins from your system. Although there are many different types of detox diets, most focus on decreasing your intake of potentially harmful chemicals and increasing foods that aid the body in cleansing. By clearing toxins from your body, you may raise your energy levels, stimulate your digestive health, and improve your concentration. Considering the touted benefits, it’s easy to see why a detox diet might be appealing to some — but there are important things to consider before jumping in.

Is a Detox Diet Right for You?

If you’re considering a detox diet, it’s important to consult with your doctor prior to starting. People with certain health conditions (such as anemia, diabetes, and kidney disease) should either avoid this diet or perform detox only under the supervision of a health care provider.

People who are constantly exhausted and have low blood pressure may have a syndrome not recognized by most traditional doctors, but identified and treated by holistic and alternative doctors, called adrenal weakness or fatigue. A detox diet can be done, but it’s recommended after a person has rested and replenished their adrenal glands holistically through herbs, diet, and other natural remedies.

Before you begin your detox diet, you need to get your body ready for optimal cleansing. Here’s how:

1) Give Your Diet a Mini-Makeover

Some foods can interfere with the liver’s ability to detoxify your body, which could impair your detox efforts. For one to two weeks leading up to your detox diet, try to eliminate sugar, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, refined carbohydrates (such as white rice and white pasta), gluten, processed soy foods, alcohol, and packaged, boxed, canned, or fast food.

You may also want to take this time to rid your kitchen of any foods or beverages that might tempt you during your detox diet.

Plan your menu for the week and make time to grocery shop. If you don’t normally buy organic, look for local farmers’ markets, health food stores, or grocery stores with a good selection of organic foods. If you’re not able to buy all produce organic, get a fruit and vegetable wash (Environee makes one) to help rid your produce of pesticide residues, waxes, and other undesirable chemicals. See a sample menu on a detox diet.

2) Prevent Caffeine Withdrawal

If you drink caffeinated beverages on a regular basis, you may experience caffeine withdrawal at the start of your detox diet. To prevent headache, fatigue, and other withdrawal symptoms, gradually decrease your caffeine intake at least a week prior to starting your detox diet. Try substituting some of your coffee intake with swiss water decaffeinated coffee and gradually decreasing the amount, or switch to lower-caffeine green tea, white tea, matcha, or oolong tea.

3) Drink More Water

Your body needs plenty of water to flush out toxins during your diet. Drinking lots of water keeps you hydrated and may help flush out toxins, so make sure to drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of filtered water daily.

4) Stock up on Tools for Detox Success

Some practices may help promote cleansing throughout your detox diet. Exfoliating your skin with a dry brush, for instance, may help support circulation and prompt the passage of toxins from your lymph.

To enhance relaxation as you detox, consider buying some essential oils to add to your bathwater or use for massage. Incredibly calming, lavender oil may be especially helpful for those suffering from caffeine-withdrawal-related headaches. Learn about using essential oils safely

5) Know What Not to Cut Out

Do not stop taking any prescription drug for a detox diet. Many health conditions require a constant amount of the medication in the body and discontinuing them can have serious, possibly life-threatening consequences.

Source :  About.com By Cathy Wong

Summer’s not far away now, so what better way to prepare than doing a detox to cleanse your body, lose some excess weight and clear your mind, so you can enjoy this beautiful season to the fullest.

We have included some great recipes for a refreshing watermelon juice and a scrumptious grilled salmon salad.

Our book of the month is “The pH Miracle for Diabetes”, one of the most interesting books of the series. For people suffering from diabetes, don’t hesitate to inquire about our programs and how they can help you !

Inquire now about our “Prepare For The Summer” promotions during the months of May and June !

Enjoy !

http://newbodyandmind.com/resource/files/NBAM_May_2012_Newsletter.pdf

Eating a diet consisting largely of fast food could cause your waistline to bulge more than eating the same amount of fat from healthier sources.

Monkeys fed a diet rich in trans-fats – commonly found in fast foods – grew bigger bellies than those fed a diet rich in unsaturated fats, but containing the same overall number of calories. They also developed signs of insulin resistance, which is an early indicator of diabetes.

Trans-fats, or partially hydrogenated oils, are found in many fast foods and also in baked goods and processed snacks. They dramatically increase the risk of heart disease – even more than saturated fats found in animal products.

Kylie Kavanagh, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US, wondered how this “killer fat” would affect the risk of diabetes in 51 vervet monkeys.

She fed one group of monkeys a diet where 8% of their daily calories came from trans-fats and another 27% came from other fats. This is comparable to people who eat a lot of fried food, says Kavanagh. A different group of monkeys was fed the same diet, but the trans-fats were substituted for mono-unsaturated fats, found in olive oil, for example.

Both groups ate the same total calories, which were carefully metered to be just enough for subsistence.

Path to diabetes

After six years on the diet, the trans-fat-fed monkeys had gained 7.2% of their body weight, compared to just 1.8% in the unsaturated group. CT scans also revealed that the trans-fat monkeys carried 30% more abdominal fat, which is risk factor for diabetes and heart disease.

“We were shocked. Despite all our enormous efforts to make sure they didn’t gain weight, they still did. And most of that weight ended up on their tummies,” says Kavanagh, who presented her findings at the American Diabetes Association meeting in Washington DC. “This is walking them straight down the path to diabetes.”

This is the first study to show such a dramatic result on abdominal fat, adds Dariush Mozaffarian at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, US. “The days of thinking about fats just as calories are over,” he says.

Partially hydrogenated oils can easily be replaced by other oils during food production. Last week, fast-food giant Wendy’s announced that it was cutting partially hydrogenated oils from its food in the US and Canada, while in January, food manufacturers in US were ordered to label all trans-fats on packaged goods.

Source : http://www.newscientist.com

Sure, massage feels great and melts away stress. But a regular rubdown can also help you manage a host of chronic health problems. Here’s how to get the most out of massage therapy without breaking the bank.

The Main Benefits of Massage

By lessening the tension in your muscles, massage therapy can help you overcome a number of stress-related health issues, including insomnia, fatigue, and lack of focus. Massage also reduces stiffness in your muscles and joints, which could help boost your flexibility and mobility (both essential to healthy aging).

What’s more, research shows that massage can decrease stress hormones while increasing levels of feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which could explain the therapy’s positive effects on people with depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Treating Health Troubles with Massage

While massage can’t cure disease, there is evidence that it can help ease the negative effects of several chronic conditions. For instance, a 2008 study showed that massage therapy may help increase range of motion and decrease pain in people struggling with low back pain and sciatica. Other studies suggest that regular massage can help lower high blood pressure, decrease stiffness and improve functioning in arthritis patients, and reduce pain intensity for people prone to tension headaches.

Research also indicates that massage might benefit those with carpal tunnel syndrome and post-operative pain.

Save Money on Massage

Since regular massage sessions can be costly, consider skipping high-end day spas and trying a massage clinic or chiropractic office. You can also save by going to a local massage school, but keep in mind that the students’ skill levels may not be as high as those of experienced professionals. And if you’re receiving massage to help with a medical condition, find out if your insurance will cover some or all of the cost.

Practicing self-massage (by using a tennis ball to rub away muscle knots, for example) can also go a long way in releasing tension. But no matter which approach you take, remember that massage only provides short-term relief of stress and stress-related symptoms. For optimal health, make sure to incorporate other natural treatments for stress into your daily routine.

By Cathy Wong, About.com Guide