Hers To Know: Health http://www.herstoknow.com/ Get the latest information on Health http://www.herstoknow.com/health-Breaking-Out-of-Sugar-Hell http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-Breaking-Out-of-Sugar-Hell Breaking Out of Sugar Hell October 30, 2008

Breaking Out of Sugar Hell

I was recently in New York City, standing in line at Starbucks when my friend pointed out this sign to me: "Make Yourself Happy - Choose a Sweet Indulgence or a Non-Fat Option." As initially tempting as all the treats in the case behind the sign looked, I had to laugh at the irony of the words on the sign. Nothing against Starbucks (I'm a huge fan of their chai tea mistos), because they are only a small part of a huge industry that sells false messages about food, but I have got to set the record straight. Low fat will not make you happy. Neither will a sweet indulgence. Temporarily, maybe. Long term, never.

We are born into a world where we are given mixed messages about food, especially sugar. On the one hand: don't eat sweets -they are bad for you! They will make you fat! They will cause your teeth to rot! They will give you diabetes! And on the other hand: Eat sweets - they will make you happy! Or creative! Or inspired! Let's celebrate with cake! Here's a piece of candy, now please stop crying! Or here's a cookie because you were good! I love you - here's chocolate!

Pretty powerful - and confusing - messaging that is infiltrated into our brains from practically the time we are born (and then compounded a hundred times over by advertising). The message is this: That although sugar might be bad for our hea

]]> http://www.herstoknow.com/health-Facts-About-the-Flu-Shot http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-Facts-About-the-Flu-Shot Facts About the Flu Shot October 10, 2008


Facts About the Flu Shot

In order to protect yourself from the influenza virus, you may be considering getting a flu shot this year.  In order to help you make an informed decision, here are some facts about flu shots and vaccines in general.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) advises that the single best way to protect yourself is to get a flu shot or the nasal spray flu vaccine every year, but it should be noted that there is some controversy about the safety of flu shots and other vaccines.  Most of the controversy involves an ingredient called thimerosal, which is commonly used by manufacturers of the flu shot and other vaccines as a preservative.  Thimerosal is a mercury based preservative and over the last twenty years or so, it has been removed from many health care products in order to protect public health.  Most recently, doctors and scientists believe that they have established a link between thimerosal presence in vaccines and autism.  Because of this link, New York recently passed a bill banning the use of thimerosal in vaccines or flu shots to be given to young children and pregnant women.

Thimerosal is a known neurotoxin, meaning it is a poison that damages or destroys nerve tissue.  In small amounts, the human body can deal with the poison, but in larger amounts it can cause illness and death.  A yearly flu shot alone may not contain e

]]> http://www.herstoknow.com/health-Are-My-Arms-Shrinking-Or-Do-I-Need-Reading-Glasses http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-Are-My-Arms-Shrinking-Or-Do-I-Need-Reading-Glasses Are My Arms Shrinking Or Do I Need Reading Glasses September 24, 2008


Are My Arms Shrinking Or Do I Need Reading Glasses?

With age comes many things, one of which is the need to wear reading glasses. People over 40 will often realize that they are holding reading materials out at arms length just so they can read them. The cause is an age-related condition called presbyopia. It may not be preventable, but it doesn't need to be the end of the world.

Presbyopia is what causes people to need reading glasses. People without other vision problems will be more likely to notice the development of presbyopia. This condition is caused by hardening of the lens in the eye that causes it to lose flexibility. This loss of flexibility results in difficulty seeing up close, also known as nearsightedness. The condition generally worsens over time and should be diagnosed by a doctor. The symptoms of presbyopia are blurred vision when reading or working closely, headaches, eye strain and dizziness. A doctor can diagnose the condition and give you your prescription. Presbyopia is a normal condition that will strike almost everyone over the age of forty.

When you begin asking yourself "do I need reading glasses?" the answer is probably yes. If you already wear glasses you will remedy the problem by adding a bifocal lens to your regular glasses. For those who do not normally wear glasses a pair of reading glasses will work to correct the condition. Reading glas

]]> http://www.herstoknow.com/health-Help-With-Your-Sleep-Problems http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-Help-With-Your-Sleep-Problems Help With Your Sleep Problems September 3, 2008
Help With Your Sleep Problems

Sleep problems can occur for all sorts of reasons.

Maybe you're away from home and the bed you're sleeping in is unfamiliar. Maybe there's some extra noises in the background - or maybe there are less noises. Or it could be that there are some other, deeper reasons that prevent you from getting a good night's sleep.

Opinions vary on how much sleep we need. But you can't get away with little or no sleep for any length of time.

Here are some ways to help sleep problems:

1. Stay off the caffeine

Caffeine in the form of coffee or soft drinks can keep you awake. Check the ingredients on any pain killers you are taking as they can also contain caffeine. Make your last "hit" of caffeine earlier in the day, to give it time to work through your system.


2. Let your brain unwind

If your brain is too active when you try to go to sleep, it will carry on

]]> http://www.herstoknow.com/health-Detoxification--What-is-it-and-why-should-I-do-it http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-Detoxification--What-is-it-and-why-should-I-do-it Detoxification: What is it and why should I do it September 2, 2008


Detoxification: What is it and why should I do it?

Detoxification is a widely used treatment in alternative medicine for removing harmful toxins from our bodies. Although this method of healing has been around for thousands of years and is very popular in Europe, it is only recently becoming a popular treatment in North America. Our body is designed to function and maintain itself at a high level of health. If this is true, why are so many of us unhealthy?

The answer to this question is modern society has created an environment full of preservatives, processed foods, drugs & medication which are very toxic to our bodies. In addition, industry produces many byproducts that are toxic not only to our bodies but also the environment. These man made toxins are entering our bodies faster than our body's natural detoxification system can cope with. As a result, they start to build up and accumulate throughout the body. If left unattended, these toxins will cause our body systems to malfunction and eventually lead to conditions such as premature aging, cancers, auto-immune diseases, skin disorders, hormone imbalances, anxiety, headaches, emotional disorders, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's and chronic fatigue.

To overcome this build up of toxins, we need to detoxify our body to the point where our body systems start functioning properly again. How will I know if my body needs to be detoxed? The

]]> http://www.herstoknow.com/health-Meditation-For-A-Better-Life http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-Meditation-For-A-Better-Life Meditation For A Better Life August 13, 2008

Meditation For A Better Life

Are you one of those unlucky people that dread turning the light off at night due to a constant struggle to get to sleep? Meditation aids in quieting and clearing the mind. When your mind is quiet, you feel peaceful and have a better chance of experiencing a good night's sleep as well as a more balanced life.

Anyone can apply meditation to their daily lives to achieve a calmer and more relaxed state of mind, even during stressful periods in their lives. Meditation has been described by many as a state of "restful alertness" which means that although your metabolism slows down like it would when you are sleeping; you are still awake and conscious. This allows your mind to remain clear from your usual continuous thoughts.

Meditation trains the mind and with repeated practice of the art a greater sense of control is experienced. In some cases meditation can aid in bringing to surface dormant tensions. By identifying these tensions and becoming more aware of them one is able to take control of them as well as other external pressures. If focus is kept on the present, less emphasis is placed on past and future worries, and success and self-fulfillment is more achievable.

Furthermore, meditation has been proven to keep you feeling younger. With re

]]> http://www.herstoknow.com/health-The-Negative-Effects-of-Alcohol-on-Pregnancy http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-The-Negative-Effects-of-Alcohol-on-Pregnancy The Negative Effects of Alcohol on Pregnancy July 30, 2008


 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: The Negative Effects of Alcohol on Pregnancy


Alcohol (wine, beer, or liquor) is the leading known preventable cause of mental and physical birth defects in the United States.


When a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, she risks giving birth to a child who will pay the price - in mental and physical deficiencies - for his or her entire life.


Yet many pregnant women do drink alcohol. It's estimated that each year in the United States, 1 in every 750 infants is born with a pattern of physical, developmental, and functional problems referred to as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), while another 40,000 are born with fetal alcohol effects (FAE).

Signs and Symptoms

If you adopted a child or consumed alcohol during pregnancy and are concerned that your child may have FAS, watch for characteristics of the syndrome, which include:


•    &nbs

]]> http://www.herstoknow.com/health-Anti-Aging-Skin-Care-Guide---3-Simple-Tips http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-Anti-Aging-Skin-Care-Guide---3-Simple-Tips Anti-Aging Skin Care Guide - 3 Simple Tips July 10, 2008


 Anti-Aging Skin Care Guide - 3 Simple Tips

 

It is quite probable that you are looking for an effective anti-aging skin care guide. An anti-aging skin care treatment that is easy for you to manage and does not take all of your spare time to follow. A guide where you do not need to plaster some concoction all over your face and wear it to bed or anything like that. Follow these three simple tips and you will be well on your way to younger skin for years to come.


Further along in this article I will talk about some very useful products that can be classed as an anti aging skin care treatment. For now here are my 3 simple tips.


Tip #1

Exposure to the sun is great and everyone knows that it is healthy. Sunlight provides you with vitamin D which is good for bones and teeth. On the other hand too much is unhealthy. When it is particularly hot ,stay out of the sun or wear a hat to protect your face. Sunscreen is not that good as it contains lots of chemicals. Too much sun can damage your hyaluronan which is an important component of the skin. The function of hyaluronan is tissue repair. Too

]]> http://www.herstoknow.com/health-Does-Counting-Sheep-Work-As-A-Sleep-Aid http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-Does-Counting-Sheep-Work-As-A-Sleep-Aid Does Counting Sheep Work As A Sleep Aid June 2, 2008


Does Counting Sheep Work As A Sleep Aid?

"One sheep, two sheep, three sheep..........zzzzzzzzz." Hey! Did someone just doze off into that grassy hillside where all those sheep like to spend their time jumping over fences? It's true what you've heard. Counting sheep actually works if you want to find a method for falling asleep! This is due to a simple fact about concentration and relaxation. The mind tends to become focused and relaxed over an extended period of concentration and counting sheep tends to make a person concentrate and relax at the same time.

Sleeplessness is a problem that a lot of people face when they have to finish something important or when something is bothering them. People who face difficulty concentrating or who experience memory lapses, energy loss, fatigue, lethargy or emotional instability, need to learn to focus their minds. Simple techniques like focusing the mind on something completely different can actually have a positive effect on a person's ability to relax. Without this practice, problems like sleeplessness can affect people's work performance or driving ability. Serious consequences like driving and workplace accidents can also occur due to severe lack of sleep. Counting sheep is actually a form of meditation that has been popularized over the centuries.

Counting sheep isn't the only method available. In order to prevent impairments, you can find your own ways to ma

]]> http://www.herstoknow.com/health-Staying-Focused-on-Your-Diet-While-on-Holiday http://www.herstoknow.com/Health-Staying-Focused-on-Your-Diet-While-on-Holiday Staying Focused on Your Diet While on Holiday June 2, 2008


Staying Focused on Your Diet While on Holiday:

How to Travel and Still Lose Weight

Being on a diet while you are traveling seems to be a difficult task for many people. In fact, some people use holiday time as an excuse to forget the diet and just eat what they want. The problem is they usually return home to find they have not only not lost weight but have gained some of what they already lost. There are ways you can have fun on your holiday trips and still lose weight.

Make Sensible Food Choices

When you are travelling you do not have to use that as an excuse to throw your diet into the waste bin. Even when you eat three meals out every day, you can stay on your weight loss program by making sensible choices. That doesn't mean you can't occasionally have something special as long as you plan for it. Some of the things you may want to consider include the following:

• Do not have a big breakfast

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