Can Fasting Help Me Lose Weight?

One way to lose weight is to just stop eating. It sounds simple, but in reality you have to know what you are doing to get any long term weight loss benefits from fasting. Let's look at the weakness and strengths of fasting for weight loss.

One way to lose weight is to just stop eating. It sounds simple, but in reality you have to know what you are doing to get any long term weight loss benefits from fasting. Let's look at the weakness and strengths of fasting for weight loss.

Like most forms of dieting, fasting can be used to bring about dramatic but temporary reductions of weight. You can go on a long fast, taking nothing but juice or eating grapes or taking some other low calorie meal substitute for several weeks, and while you are on the fast you will certainly lose weight. However, during the fast you may not be able to carry on your normal social interactions. It's not so easy to sit around sipping carrot juice while the rest of your family is eating a normal meal.

Another problem with long fasting is that your body requires vital nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein) and your favorite juice may not contain them. Long fasting without proper medical supervision can be dangerous.

Finally, a major problem with this kind of fasting is that once you stop fasting and resume eating your normal diet, you are likely to gain back all the weight that you have lost during your crash weight loss fast.

So, does fasting have any place in a weight loss plan? Yes it does. Periodic fasting is one of the secrets of a long and healthy life. Our body's digestive organs require a rest from time to time,just as we require days off from work. One-day fasting done in a methodical and regular manner provides the kind of rest that helps our digestive system, aids in the elimination of toxins from our body, and, yes, also helps us to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way.

How to do proper fasting

Here is a method of doing one day fasts: taking no food and (if your body is strong) no water in a period from the sunrise of one day to the sunrise of the next day.

Successful fasting has three stages: preparation, the actual fast, and breaking the fast. Each one of these stages is important.

Preparation: If you are not prepared both mentally and physically you will find it difficult to go one day without food. The mental preparation is simple, but very important. The night before the fast you have to take a firm determination that tomorrow you are going to fast, that you are not going to eat any food. If you fix your mind in advance then you will not start deliberating during the fasting day whether you should continue or not to continue. If you are undecided or waffling you can always find a hundred reasons why you should start eating.

Physical preparation is also important. The day before you fast you should eat a normal amount of food and take a good amount of liquids (especially if you are going to be fasting without taking any liquids). If you miss some meals on the day before fasting, then you may start feeling hungry during the fasting period. If you do not take enough liquids, especially during the night before the fast, then you will feel uncomfortable when you are fasting.

If you are physically and mentally prepared you will not feel very hungry while you are fasting. Once you decide to fast, your hunger just "shuts off" for the fasting period. This sounds hard to believe, but if you do it a few times you will see that it is true.

The actual fasting day:
It is best to do light physical tasks and concentrate more on intellectual and spiritual work during the fasting period. It is not a good idea to spend your time thinking about what you are going to eat tomorrow! If you have prepared yourself properly this shouldn't be a problem and you can use the time that you gain by not eating to do some constructive things that you normally don't get time to do.

Breaking the Fast:
One of the benefits of fasting is that it helps to eliminate toxins from the body. However, you can only get this benefit if you break your fast correctly. On the morning following the fasting day, take two glasses of lemon water. Put the juice of have of a lemon in one glass and add a bit of salt. (The drink should taste both lemony and salty). After some time, you can eat your breakfast. The lemon water will help you to flush your digestive system with a strong bowel movement and many toxins will be eliminated.

One day fasts like this can be done twice a month. This kind of fasting will give rest to your digestive organs, help eliminate toxins, build your will power and strength of mind. On top of this, the overall reduction in calories that you get from going two days without food each month, will definitely be one of the elements of a balanced and sustainable weight loss program.

Click Here to Know about Ayurvedic Weight Loss Fat Burning Herbs 

  

Article source : http://www.emaxhealth.com/69/881.html

Itchy Scalp Hair Loss? Here's Why

Itchy scalp and hair loss can be very frustrating and worrying, and there can be a number of factors which cause or aggravate the hair loss. The hair loss caused by itchy scalp problems is not always permanent, and will often grow back once the main itchy scalp problem is sorted out.

In saying this though, it is vital that you take swift action to properly diagnose the problem and search for suitable remedies and treatments in order to avoid long term scarring from the itchy scalp irritation, and thus enable your hair to begin growing back.

Here I'd like to tell you about a few common reasons for itchy scalp hair loss and what you can do to alleviate the problem.

Folliculitis - strong ingredients in shampoos can damage hair follicles and lead to infections such as folliculitis.

Symptoms are normally small, white-headed pimples around one or more hair follicles. Deep folliculitis will often result in larger painful red boils.

If left untreated the folliculitis can significantly injure the hair follicle resulting in localised areas of scarring and bald patches where there are no visible follicles; this is known as "cicatricial alopecia".

Antibiotics are often used to treat folliculitis, but as with all antibiotics they can lead to a resistance to the antibiotic used. Natural remedies containing Tea Tree Oil or Lavender Oil can be extremely effective in treating the itchy scalp hair loss of folliculitis, particularly in the early stages, and can help to stimulate hair growth.

Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) - a superficial fungal infection of the scalp. It is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes, and the symptoms include red, itchy patches on the scalp, hair loss and, if left untreated, can also lead to cicatricial alopecia.

The skin might peel or scale and be red and itchy, with swollen blisters or a rash (that can spread) that appears as black dots.

The rash, being highly contagious, is normally treated with over the counter products containing miconazole, clotrimazole, or similar ingredients. Sometimes prescription medications are needed to clear it up.

There are many natural products that can be used to aid the healing process and act as natural antibiotics, but it must be stressed that ringworm is an aggressive fungus requiring close monitoring and appropriate treatment.

Psoriasis - said to affect some 2.5% of the US population (about 7 or 8 million people) psoriasis is a fairly common, non-contagious skin disease in which the skin cells replace themselves too quickly and cause red lesions covered with scale to appear.

Scalp psoriasis is said to affect at least half of all psoriasis sufferers and is characterized by white scales on patches of very red skin, often accompanied by severe itching and possibly temporary baldness on the affected areas.

Using a shampoo containing zinc pyrithione (in its natural form) can be extremely effective at combating psoriasis and itchy scalp hair loss in general, as it has very strong anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

Home remedies using birch or avocado oil are also extremely effective in soothing and healing psoriasis.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis - similar in appearance to eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), this is an inflammatory reaction to the proliferation of a yeast called Malassezia (or Pityrosporum Ovale). It produces toxic substances that irritate the skin. This yeast is always present on the scalp in small numbers and feeds on the natural oils produced there.

Imbalances in the levels of oils (sebum) on the scalp, (often due to harsh shampoos, conditioners and hair dyes) can cause the yeast to multiply and grow, resulting in dry redness, flaking, itchy scalp and sometimes cause temporary hair loss. The flakes of skin are normally characterized by a yellowish colour and oily texture.

Since the dermatitis is generally caused by the use of harsh shampoos and the stripping and drying out of the scalp, it is advisable to use a shampoo containing only natural ingredients like Tea Tree Oil which will not only help to fight the infection but will control the yeast and condition the skin, as well as maintain the natural pH balance of the scalp. Adding Rosemary Oil to the shampoo can work wonders, in addition to using simple home remedies containing Manuka or Tea Tree Oil, as well as Lavender to stimulate hair growth.

There are many simple remedies for itchy scalp hair loss that you can make in the comfort of your own home.

Also Read   How to Get rid of Dandruff ? Ayurveda Remedies.

Author : Anne Cresacre

How to Make an Effective Weight Loss Plan

Many people fail with their weight loss because they set too high or too low targets, make sure not to do this mistake.. The extra pounds were added to your body gradually over a long period of time so don't expect to shed off the excess kilos in a couple of months.

Many people start a weight loss plan without using the help of health professionals (like a doctor or a nutritionist). If you want your weight loss plan to succeed, consider using the help of such experts. Such health professionals should have a lot of knowledge and experience, use their expertise.

A diet plan usually consists of two sub plans: balanced diet and fitness. When you have a balanced weight loss plan that includes nutrition and fitness you can consider using weight loss pills to boost things some more. In case you decide to use the extra help that top diet pills can give you, just choose the right pill for you.

It is important that you include both fitness and diet sub plans in your plan. Don't create a weight loss plan that consists of balanced nutrition without exercise or vice versa. Both of the sub plans are very important for your chances to lose weight.

Your diet should be well balanced and contain all of the nutrients. Make sure not to remove a specific nutrient from your diet completely as your body needs all nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, to function properly. Keep in mind that there is no extreme diet that is healthier than a well balanced one.

You already know that millions around the globe try to shed off some pounds, for many of them the fitness part is what prevents them from getting rid of all the excess fat. In order to make the exercise part of your plan a success, make sure that it is balanced and include some rest too.

If physical activity bores you, try to think about creative ideas that are both fun and effective for your weight loss goals. Try to think about different sport types that you like and try to check if people you know play in any of them in your neighborhood. Found some? great!, try to join the fun.

One good idea for those who get bored of casual fitness plans is exercise video games. Wii Fit, Eye Toy games, Dance Fest and others can help you both enjoy playing a video game and enjoy the weight loss advantages of exercising at the same time. You can actually make a progress with your weight loss while playing video games, isn't it awesome?

We still need to discuss the third part which is not a must but can help in many cases. There is a huge variety of weight loss supplements to choose from in the market, some of them require prescription and some of them are sold over the counter. You can find quality products online. When you are searching for the right weight loss product for you those are the main things you should keep in mind: Effectiveness (medically proven is ideal) and safety (treatment effects free is best).

Click Here to Know about Ayurvedic Weight Loss Fat Burning Herbs 

Article source: http://www.weightlossdatabase.com/

Men are more prone to fungal infections during monsoon

Men may be from Mars, but that does not stop them from being more prone to fungal infections during monsoon.

Doctors say that due to high humidity in the air, there are infectious bacteria and viruses which become active and lead to various infections in males.

"During monsoon males are more prone to be affected by various types of fungal infection which include toes fungal infection, joint area fungal infection and tinea versicolor" said Dr Sachin Dhawan, director and consultant dermatologist, Skin n Smiles, a dermatology and orthodontic centre.

Most common among the band of infection during this season is joint area infection. Fungus often strikes the folds of the body. The underarms, groin and the area below the chest are the most commonly affected. There are two types of fungi which may affect these areas-- ringworm caused by the dermatophyte species and thrush caused by the candida species.

The large joints are most often affected. Dr Dhawansaid, "Men with weakened immune systems who travel or live in endemic areas are more susceptible to joint fungal infection".

Tinea versicolor is a long-term (chronic) fungal infection of the skin. Tinea versicolor is relatively common. It is caused by a type of yeast that is normally found on human skin. This condition is most common in adolescent and young adult males. It typically occurs in hot climates. The symptoms include increased sweating and itching.

Meanwhile, toes fungal infection is very common in males. It causes peeling, redness, itching, burning, and sometimes blisters and sores between the toes. The fungus grows best in a warm, moist environment such as shoes, socks, swimming pools, locker rooms and the floors of public showers. It is most common in the summer and humid climates. It occurs more often in people who wear tight shoes and who use community baths and pools.

"These infection occurs in male most often because male hormones induce more sweating in male than females," said Dr Dhawan.

Advisory to prevent fungal infections during monsoons:
* There are good quality Anti Fungal Powder, Cream and Soaps available to avoid the occurrence of any such condition

* Follow the hygienic practices for swimming like use personal sleepers, towel and have a gentle shower after swimming

* Consult your dermatologist as soon as you develop symptoms of fungal infection

* Avoid using home remedies and over the counter products for fungal infections

* Most importantly make sure that the Course of medication should be completed as per doctor's prescription

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-15/mumbai/32684484_1_fungal-infection-anti-fungal-powder-tinea-versicolor

Skin care during monsoon

During monsoon, the humid and damp weather takes a toll on not only the skin but also eyes, so here's some advise on how small changes in the skin care routine can keep your skin glowing and eyes fresh.

Type of skins:

Oily Skin: Limit washing your face to two or three times a day. Avoid heavy cleansing creams. Scrub your face on a regular basis. Also, it is advised to use warm water while washing face as it dissolves skin oil better than lukewarm or cold water. One also use mud-pack. Homemade pack made with "Chane ka atta and raw milk" can help in keeping skin refreshing and glowing.

Dry Skin: A moisturizer increases the water content of the outer layers of the skin and gives it a soft, moist look and it is always advised one with dry skin opt for alcohol free toner. Also, one can apply glycerin and rose water mixture to keep skin soft.

Combination Skin: Since it combines both the oily and dry skin it should be treated as if it were two different types of skin. The dry area requires gentle cleansing and regular moisturizing. The oily part needs to be deeply cleansed and toned with regular scrubbing.

Besides, switch to cotton clothes as they allow your body to breathe. Allow damp hair to dry before you tie them again. To circumvent allergies from mosquito bites, wear full-sleeved clothes and use a mosquito repellent cream and head for air-conditioned rooms. Bathe twice a day to keep the problems at bay.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/skin-care-monsoon/1/203862.html

Health benefits of sesame seeds

1. Sesame seeds contain Vitamin B1,B2, B3 and E.

2. They have powerful antioxidants and help to fight cancer.

3. These oil seeds contain antioxidants sesamol and sesamolin which protects the sesame oil from rancidity. Hence foods fried in sesame oil have long shelf life.

4. Sesame seeds are oil seeds and contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

5. They also contain minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

6. These seeds supply required iron and minerals in lactating mothers. Texts of ayurveda eulogize the galactogague properties of sesame seeds.

7. Texts of ayurveda recommend usage of roasted and powdered sesame seeds along with gur in conditions like painful menstruation.

8. Chewing of sesame seeds help to reduce toothache.

9. Consuming sesame seeds along with whole grains help to regularize bowel movement and relieve constipation.

10. They act as brain tonic.

11. Regular consumption of sesame seeds help to strengthen the bone and prevent osteoporosis. The minerals calcium and phosphorus present in these seeds, help to build strong bones.

12. Ayurveda acharyas recommend consuming of these seeds in diabetes to reduce frequency of micturition.

13. According ancient Indian medicine sesame seeds are very good aphrodisiacs and help in erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

Also Read  Ayurveda Medicinal properties of sesame

Article source = 13 Health Benefits of Sesame seeds