Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese therapy of inserting and manipulating very thin needles at specific points into the body to cure a variety of different ailments. It is an alternative treatment known to resolve chronic pain, persistent nausea, obesity, infertility and give a boost to overall good health and wellbeing.

Though there are many variations and kinds of acupuncture practiced in the world, there are certain principles in common. Many people find that they are able to supplement their weight loss program with the help of acupuncture, or that they derive such benefits from acupuncture alone.

Acupuncture is a natural method of losing weight

Whereas crash diets, diet pills and other weight loss supplements can have serious side effects and impact health negatively, acupuncture is thought to be a safe and natural means for losing excess weight.

Acupuncture points for weight loss

The specific points for weight loss by acupuncture could vary according to the individual practitioner, the sort of acupuncture they practice, as well as the person who requires treatment.

However once the effective points have been determined, superfine needles are then inserted into those points for a specific length of time. By the insertion of these needles, the Qi in the body (the life force or inner energy of the body) is sought to be realigned or to be brought into balance once again. The body has different zones or ‘Meridians’ and the specific acupuncture points correspond to these meridians to derive benefit.

One of the acupuncture points for weight loss is thought to be the earlobe. While the main therapy consists of insertion of the needles, these are removed after a while. In some cases, tacks or staples may be inserted at that point, which could continue the treatments between sessions.

Additionally there are acupuncture points located in the stomach meridian, to control appetite and digestion, the spleen that could help balance the secretion of certain hormones and restore the normal fluid balance of the body.

Many other acupuncture points are targeted for triggering weight loss. This works either by releasing certain hormones that suppress the appetite, or by bringing certain systems of the body into balance once again.

Acupuncture is based on the understanding that obesity and other diseases occur because the systems of the body are out of synch or balance. The aim of the treatment is to restore this balance once again, with the result that the body’s normal functioning is restored and immune system strengthened as well.

Those of us with oily skin probably despair at that oily shiny look, the propensity for acne and other blemishes. Skin care for oily skin can be tricky, but the one can take consolation from the fact that oily skin will remain youthful and wrinkle free for a longer time.

Why you need skin care for oily skin

The skin produces sebum, a natural skin lubricant. The problem may arise with overactive sebaceous glands that produce too much sebum that gives that dreaded shiny, deep fried look to the face. This excess sebum production also means blocked pores, whiteheads and blackheads that in turn lead to pimples, acne and other skin problems. Also this can cause build up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, making it appear dull and sallow.

How to care for oily skin

Here are some useful tips on taking care of your oily skin.

1. Cleanse skin using product formulated for oily skin and more particularly products that work for you. Clean skin is healthy skin; so make sure that you use a gel based cleanser (many dermatologists recommend that these work better than soap and water) about thrice a day.

2. Don’t over dry skin. There is some evidence to demonstrate that over drying the skin can actually cause overactive sebaceous glands and may worsen the skin’s oiliness. An astringent may be indicated for skin that is very oily since an astringent will not only remove excess oil, it will also help in making the large pores that oily skin typically has, less obvious and less visible. However alcohol based astringents are not recommended since they may cause over drying of the skin.

3. Moisturize. It may seem counter indicative but even oily skin needs moisturizing (since oil and moisture are different things) because sensing dryness the sebaceous glands may once again start to overproduce the oil. So moisturizing should be part of your skin care regime for oily skin.

4. Use oil free make up. You may be using make up to mask the oiliness of the skin, but unsuitable makeup may actually compound the problem of oil skin. Rather than an oil based foundation, use a mattifying formulation or use loose powder instead.

5. You are what you eat they say, so skin care for oily skin should also pay attention to one’s diet. Fewer refined starches, unhealthy fats and sugars in one’s diet and a greater proportion of natural foods and healthy fats as well as drinking plenty of water are important to tone down the shine as well.

More and more of us today are moving away from pharmaceutical solutions for our health issues, not wanting to use a bunch of chemicals for our body and the side effects that such formulations mean, choosing to rely instead on natural treatments. As estimated 300 million people in the world have asthma; so it is only obvious that a significant proportion of these people seek natural asthma treatment.

Here are some of the main treatment options for asthma:

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is thought to help in asthma management. Though studies have not been able to establish how it helps, there is anecdotal evidence that this therapy can help attacks become less frequent and severe.

2. Homeopathy

This treatment uses extremely diluted substances to affect a cure, by stimulating the body’s own immune response. Though we don’t understand fully how homeopathy works, it is seen to be effective for any number of ailments that seem to have no cure in terms of main stream medication. Many people find that homeopathy is effective for controlling asthma.

3. Hypnosis

There is a significant number of asthma attacks that are known to have emotional triggers. Hypnosis can help to control the emotional aspects of asthma and thereby control the episodic frequency and severity.

4. Ayurveda

The ancient Indian discipline of healing seeks to address asthma by targeting the ‘Doshas’ in the body and to reduce symptoms of wheezing and difficulty in breathing during an attack. Certain herbal concoctions can be taken as soon as an attack is perceived so that the symptoms can be eased for a long duration.

5. The Buteyko Breathing Method

This is a specific method of breathing that helps to control asthma. It involves Breath Retaining, Nasal Breathing, Breath Holding, Reduced Breathing, and relaxation techniques. The idea is to re-train the asthmatic to breathe in the correct way, which is what helps in naturally controlling asthma

6. Yoga

Yoga improves overall health and fitness to increase immunity and strengthen the body’s systems. In addition it also has effective breathing exercises that help to improve lung function and also help to increase the amount of oxygen that reaches the organs.

7. Home Remedies for Asthma

Since asthma is usually trigged in the same manner as allergies, removing triggers from the home can help reduce attack frequency greatly. Minimizing mold, reducing pet dander, avoiding dust mites, using hypoallergenic bedding, being careful when cleaning and so on can help a person avoid a lot of the asthma triggers.

There are so many diet plans and weight loss programs out there, each claiming to be more effective than the other, that it can be confusing in the extreme. So what is a healthy diet plan; and what should be eaten and not eaten to be in the best health we possibly can?

1. Balanced diet

Have balance in your diet. This is the key to getting all the possible nutrients from your food which the body needs to function optimally. Any diet that says to cut out entire food groups has to be flawed.

2. Less of processed food

Minimize refined and processed food in your diet. While they may be convenient and many claim to be ‘healthy’ refining and processing food to make it last longer usually robs it of nutritional value and adds harmful additives.

3. Lots of veggies

Include lots of fruits and veggies. You probably know the value of eating fruits and veggies but it bears repeating. The proportion of fruits and vegetables should be high. Ideally you should source seasonal produce locally and eat it fresh.

4. Drink healthy

Many of us don’t realize how much refined sugar, i.e. empty calories we consume by way of tea, coffee, sodas, packaged juices and so on. See how much of this you can replace with plain water.

5. Eat colorful food

There is a lot of evidence to show that some of the brighter colored food is also some of the most nutrient laden. Eat plenty of dark green veggies such as spinach and broccoli, and vivid colored fruit such as grapes, berries and so on; these foods are packed with goodness. Consider for instance the fact that the brightly colored tomato is a terrific source of lycopene.

6. Cut down on red meat

Yes you have probably heard this as well, but let’s clarify that all meat is not bad. Eat more of chicken, turkey and fish and make sure you take off the skin. Restrict red meat to a couple of times a week only and have only lean cuts.

7. Control portions

Large meals means that the body probably stores more away as fat. Occasionally, you can indulge in the so called unhealthy foods; just make sure that they are in small quantities.

8. Smaller meals

Have smaller and more frequent meals. This way you make sure that you’re never feeling too hungry to binge, and your body is getting a sustained release of energy through the day.

9. Eat healthy fats

Cut out on trans fats completely and switch to cooking mediums such as olive oil, canola and so on.

10. Limit salt intake

Apart from all the other reasons to do so, too much salt can actually leach the calcium from your bones.

Probably one of the most coveted features of the male anatomy after those washboard abs and sleeve filling biceps would have to be pectorals, well developed chest muscles that let you feel comfortable about removing your shirt whenever, wherever!

In particular, pectoral exercises for men can have the following benefits.

1. Gives you a powerful looking, sculpted chest

A big deep chest gives the idea of great male power and is considered a measure of a man’s real strength. If you concentrate on doing weights for only some part of the body – say the shoulders and not the biceps; or the abs and not the chest, you can end up looking disproportionate. Doing the right exercises for the pecs can give you a proportionate and overall well muscled body.

2. Gives that enviable V Shape

Well developed pecs mean that your waist will appear attractively narrow by comparison; giving you that coveted Vee Shape that all men envy and all women desire.

3. More muscle you have, more fat you burn

If not for the sake of looks, develop your pecs for other reasons. The more muscle proportion there is in the body, the more fat is being burnt even when the body is at rest. Also muscle is more compact that fat and weighs more while taking up less space.

4. They give you an upper hand in sport

An increase in upper body bulk and strength can give men an edge in sport, letting them swim faster, throw harder, and even prevent injury.

5. Increased support to your shoulders

Strong pectoral muscles help in stabilizing the shoulder joints, thus minimizing the risk of shoulder injuries.

There is a mind boggling variety of products out there that claim to ‘cure’ acne; some that are effective, and some that are less so. Let’s look at the common ingredients that most of the top acne products use, and then see what each may be useful for treating.

1. Benzoly Peroxide

This is among the most common acne product ingredients. Among the over the counter products available, you may have 2.5% or 5% concentrations. Higher concentrations may be available by prescription. It is not useful for certain kinds of acne, but may be suitable for mild acne, and acne prevention. It should be used in conjunction with moisturizers since it can have a drying effect on skin.

2. Salicylic Acid

This is another one of the commonly used acne product ingredients that works by unclogging pores and preventing white heads and black heads. So if you have the kind of skin that is prone to blackheads which proceed to develop into pimples, this ingredient could be suitable for you.

3. Alcohol

Alcohol is present in a lot of cleaning products and astringents. These help to clean the skin and keep it dry and the sebum under control. Acne products that contain alcohol are not recommended for severe acne however and in some cases may actually worsen a case of acne.

4. Alpha Hydroxy Acids

This ingredient is used not only in acne products but also in anti wrinkle products. Products containing this ingredient help reduce acne by controlling inflammation and improving cell turnover (removing deal cells and stimulating growth of new skin cells). These formulations also are used to reduce the appearance of acne scars since they help smoothing the skin.

5. Sulfur Containing Products

In acne products, sulfur is sometimes used in addition to other ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide etc. Sulfur also helps to dry the skin and causes fewer breakouts, but it may cause irritation in some skin types and may not be suitable.

6. Antibiotics

Since it is bacteria that cause acne, it makes sense to tackle them by using antibiotic containing products. They can help by killing the bacteria and causing the pimples to subside and can also stop the acne spreading. Sometimes oral antibiotics may also be prescribed. These however should only be taken under medical supervision and a proper understanding of the type of acne a person has.

Either because we like natural solutions and want to keep away from chemicals; or because other solutions don’t work or are too expensive, home remedies for dry hair have always been a popular option. The home remedy for dry hair that works best for you may be different from what works for someone else.

That being said, here are some of the most popular home remedies.

1. Hot oil massage your hair

Olive, coconut or almond oil are thought to have highly nourishing properties for hair so heating and applying the oil to the hair is thought to help reduce dryness. Massage the heated oil well into the scalp, from roots to tips of the hair and then wrap hair in a towel for best results

2. Use mayonnaise for your hair

If you can stand the idea of using a sandwich paste or salad dressing as nutrition for the hair, then consider using mayonnaise for your hair. Think about it – the main ingredients of mayo are oil and egg; both are great for your hair! Apply to the hair and leave for half an hour before washing.

3. Keep hair away from harsh chemicals

Chemicals, as we well know, can wreak havoc on hair; unfortunately chemicals of all kinds are likely to be come in contact with the hair. Sprays and gels that we use to fix our hair, the chlorine from swimming pools, the chemical in hair dyes and colors, those in processes such as rebonding and perming can all contribute to the dryness of hair.

4. Protect hair from heat

Whether it is heat that comes from a hot bath, from the sun or from curling tongs they can also cause drying of the hair. Strengthening or curling the hair requires heating that damages and dries out hair. Similarly baking in the sun without protecting your hair or bathing is too-hot water can also cause the same type of damage to hair, stripping it of its natural moisture.

5. Treat your hair right

Shampoo only as often as required; don’t over-shampoo since it can strip the hair. Use a good conditioner each time you shampoo, concentrating on the ends of the hair. Take regular trims to take care of scraggly split ends. Don’t brush hair too much and do not do so when wet, wait until partly dry, and use a brush with gently rounded bristles because this will prevent more oil being stripped from the scalp.

Anxiety is an apprehension, a state of physical and mental tension that can negatively impact our health, behavior, peace of mind and even relationships.

Feelings of anxiety or anxiousness if left to continue unresolved can lead to or contribute to mental disorders, anxiety attacks and so forth. Anxiety can be existential anxiety, test of performance anxiety, stranger or social anxiety, trait anxiety, choice or decision anxiety and paradoxical anxiety, so it can manifest in different situations and to different stimuli.

Anxiety can have physical impact such as causing palpitations, fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, weakness, raised blood pressure, etc. Emotional impacts may include mood swings, irritability, and so on; whereas even one’s behavior, cognitive levels and productivity may be negatively impacted.

Excessive anxiety can affect quality of life and one of the best and most holistic treatments for controlling anxiety is thought to be meditation or what is sometimes known as mindfulness meditation. This is a technique used to focus the mind on the here and now, to center and focus it so as to be in better control of the mind. Learning such control of the mind is vital since it can help a person resolve their anxieties and worries and reduce instances of panic attacks and severity of phobias.

Meditation as a means to control the mind not only helps one reduce anxiety it can also be a helpful coping mechanism that lets a person react to stressful stimuli in a healthy manner. Consider for instance someone with an eating disorder – their disordered behavior such as binging and subsequent purging is often triggered by a stressful situation or instance. The inability to handle a problem has them turn to food which obviously doesn’t help; rather serves to exacerbate the situation.

However learning an effective coping mechanism such as meditation can help a person develop a healthy and non-destructive response to stresses and strains that cause anxiety.

Meditation for anxiety can be practiced on its own or along with associated practices such as yoga and breathing techniques. Meditation involves calming down of the mind and the body, of focusing one’s energies, thoughts and body in one direction – it is the attempt to live in the present. This is different from living for the present and requires you to be mindful of yourself, your body, your thought process and your consciousness.

Bicycling is a great way to keep fit and in shape. It is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint if you use your bike to commute to work. Then there is the fact that bicycling can be great fun.

But then bicycling accidents also do happen, unfortunately. This is a contingency that you have to plan for, because cycling accidents can, and do have grave consequences. The consequences of an injury can be far-reaching – you can suffer great physical pain and mental distress; you could be forced to stay away from work for an extended period.

So if you get injured while cycling here is what you should do in order to get proper compensation:

Make mental notes of exactly what happened

If you have been unfortunate enough to be in a cycling accident, try to commit to memory exactly what happened (the sequence of events). Where did the other vehicle come from, what was its position relative to yours?

Also examine yourself to see what injuries you have sustained. Then when you receive medical attention, make sure you collect and preserve all relevant bills, prescriptions, hospital and other medical records.

Get the all the information about the other party involved; their contact information, insurance information and so on. If anyone else was present who witnessed the accident get their contact information as well.

Wait till the police arrive

Rather than negotiating with the other person involved, you should wait for the police to arrive. Let the police survey the situation and document everything in their report. You can assist them by telling them exactly what happened. It could be that the other person involved in the accident may be fined or ticketed and this will be useful information to include in the police report. If the bystander witness is still around, you can ask them to help as well.

Get professional advice

You could get up to 100% compensation for the loss or injury you sustain in a bicycle accident, if you take the right steps after the incident. Contacting a professional can be useful. They can guide you so that you can file an accident claim and follow the correct procedure to get the best outcome.

Contact a professional to see what you are legally and rightfully entitled to. You can get help getting financial redress for your physical injuries, mental trauma as well as the losses to your cycle and other equipment.

There are several risk factors for heart disease that you should be aware of – not only so that you know what to expect and when, but also so that you can take steps to avert the heart disease and perhaps tragedy.

1. Lifestyle factors

It is well documented that those who have sedentary lifestyles, suffer from obesity or those who have poor dietary habits that are high in saturated or transfats, sugar, salt and processed foods are at greater risk of heart disease. Excess weight and unhealthy foods put excess strain on the heart, predisposing a person to heart disease. Lifestyle factors can be amended and controlled by a person by exercising regularly, eating healthy and keeping weight within safe limits.

2. Poor Habits

Smoking is known to contribute to heart disease and research has shown that those who smoke are twice at the risk of developing heart disease as the general populace. Also avoid second hand smoke and drinking in excess.

3. Pre-existing Conditions

Conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol levels, diabetes, particularly if these conditions are not well controlled, put one at higher risk of developing heart disease.

4. Stress

The clichéd image of the stress or grief causing some poor soul a heart attack is unfortunately not far from the truth. Uncontrolled stress and unresolved anger causes hormonal changes and is also known to contribute to heart disease risk.

5. Uncontrollable risk factors

There are certain factors such as age, race, sex and family history that also predispose a person to heart disease, which however are beyond one’s control. If for instance a person has a family history of heart disease they are likelier to have it themselves. Also being male and being past a certain age put one more at risk of heart attacks. Also African Americans, Mexican Americans and American Indians are more at risk than Caucasians.

Risk factors for women

Women tend to have a natural protection against heart disease during their reproductive years because of the protection accorded by estrogen. However after the age of 50 (after menopause) this natural protection reduces and women become more prone.

Another reason why women have to beware of heart disease is the fact that they display signs of heart attack differently than men – the usual symptoms of chest pain and pressure may be absent, and other more subtle symptoms of feeling fatigued, nauseas and so on may be present.