Commercials and the media today have us all in panic not to leave the house until we have slopped on layers of sun block, demonizing the sun as the biggest contributor to skin cancer, which actually is one of the many things that effectively fight cancer. I have often wondered what is in most sun blocks, and what else could it be doing to my body other than preventing a sun burn, which not always works. Much of this curiosity hit me after I had realized how permeable our skin is. I do understand that too much sun is not good, we do not want the skin to become burned, and if you are planning to be in the sun for long periods of time, it is very wise to use sun protection, but slopping on layers on sun block every time we leave the house concerns me.

The sun is the absolute best way our bodies receive the amount of vitamin D it needs to maintain optimal health. Sun block does more than prevent sun burn; it also prevents your skin from producing the very important vitamin D, which to me seems like a complete waste of sun exposure. The most natural skin care treatment one can receive is from the sun. The right amount of sun exposure is very critical for not just healthier skin, but a healthier immune system as well.

In just the past 10 years alone many scientists have been exploring vitamin D more and more rapidly, and are amazed how it affects the body. Some experts suggest that over 80% of children and adults are deficient in vitamin D, which deficiency in vitamin D causes the immune system to not do its job properly.

Vitamin D helps the body produce over 200 antimicrobial peptides that fight off infections such as Crohn’s disease. Vitamin D also helps prevent and treat many cancers such as lymphoma, lung, prostate, colon and skin cancer. Scientist and Doctors are beginning to discover more and more benefits of vitamin D, and are encouraging more so today than ever before, not just those who are deficient, but everyone to get their vitamin D levels checked 3-4 times a year.

You may live in an area where you cannot receive the right amount of vitamin D from the sun and are deficient. If this is the case you can take vitamin D supplements, but want to be careful you are receiving the right amount. When receiving vitamin D naturally from the sun the body self regulates the amount it needs through the skin. The body does not do this when taking vitamin D orally. Too much vitamin D can be harmful which is why it is very important to have your blood tested. The optimal level of vitamin D should be between 55-65 ng/ml. There are two different test available, 1, 25 (OH) D, and 25(OH) D. The 25 (OH) D which is also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D is most recommended by doctors as the better marker for vitamin D status.

Most important things to consider when wanting to obtain vitamin D naturally from the sun, is common sense, “don’t overdo it”! For the first few times being exposed to the sun limit yourself to about fifteen minutes or so, before protecting your skin from the sun’s rays, gradually build a tolerance. By midsummer you can spend nearly an entire day outside without getting sunburn, and of course if you are going to be exposed to extreme sun conditions for great lengths of time, then yes, protect your skin, whether it is wearing a hat, clothing, or using a natural sun screen, that is free from harmful chemicals.

All you know is that your stomach feels as though it is on fire and you need relief.  However, frequent heartburn and acid reflux can cause more serious problems.

By all means if you have received treatment from your doctor for this problem, continue to take the medication prescribed until you can discuss this with your doctor. Many people are under the impression that acid reflux medicine means they do not have to change their eating habits. They still eat whatever they want and how much they want, never realizing that they are damaging their esophagus. The medicine becomes a cure-all for the poor eating habits they have acquired.

Antacids:

The first class of medicines most commonly used in the fight against Acid Reflux is antacids. You’ve seen the commercials on television for all kinds of fizzy tablets. These tablets are usually dissolved in glass of water and work best when taken about an hour after meals. There are many different brands that you canpurchase that will help fight the acid production in your stomach.

Foaming Agents:

This medication works by providing a protective coating in yourstomach to prevent Acid Reflux. Foaming agents usually work bestwhen combined with other forms of treatment.

Histamine Antagonists:

In order to halt Acid Reflux, the production of stomach acid has tobe decreased. Histamine antagonists do just that. These are foundover-the-counter and can usually help treat only the symptoms of Acid Reflux. Long-term use is not recommended as the root of the problem won’t be addressed.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI):

This prescription medication
is highly effective at limiting the symptoms of Acid Reflux. PPIs work in a similar but more effectiveway than histamine antagonists. There are many television commercials that feature information on PPIs. You’ve probably seen them.

Prokinetics:

The least used treatment for Acid Reflux, prokinetics are known to have unpleasant side-effects that limit their usefulness. However, for some people, this form of treatment seems to work. Prokinetics work by boosting the strength of your LES and supercharge your stomach’s ability to empty.

Two problems can arise from this way of thinking. One, using acid reflux medication for long periods of time can cause serious side effects. This includes prescription medicine and your over-the-counter medicine. Due to the ingredients in these heartburn prevention medications, such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, and others they can actually cause harm if used for long periods of time. Long term use can cause problems with the kidneys, stomach, and chronic diarrhea. Sodium has been associated with heart problems, high blood pressure, and can result in death in the worst case scenario. So you may get rid of your heartburn or acid reflux, but are you exchanging that problem for another one.

Another problem is by the time you are experiencing heartburn or acid reflux, you have already begun damaging your esophagus. When you rely on the medication to take care of your problems without adjusting your diet and eating habits, you are asking for problems. Most people do not even take anything until they have a flare-up. So while you are suffering your esophagus is being damaged. Taking medicine may calm it down and keep it at bay for awhile, however the acid has already done damage.

Some people have symptoms of heart burn or reflux to the point they cannot do without medication. Others may keep it from getting this bad if they would change their eating habits. By doing this you keep your stomach from making too much acid and limiting where it can go once it starts churning. This may help you to take less medicine for acid reflux over timeFree Reprint Articles, thus going easier on your heart and stomach.

TV commercials recently show us about the scare of mental impairment from Alzheimer’s Disease. The aging relative who cannot remember the granddaughter’s name or the elder spouse who puts her house keys in the ice box have caused alarm. This has been augmented by spam promoting the latest mental formula, which one presumably needs if he forgets something which is part of his daily routine.

But how much of a problem like this, if you have one, is related to body chemistry? That is, if you are a little forgetful now and then, is it due to a lack of oxygen in your brain cells, which can be corrected by combination of choline and ginkgo biloba, for instance? Or, is your forgetfulness due to preoccupation with something more pressing, or possibly an aversion to what you have to do. In other words, is it a question of body chemistry or psychology? Read the rest of this entry »

Many of us would love to have the six-pack abs. Everywhere you look there are commercials or ads promising these wonderful abs, but what really works? There are many of these ads that say taking a supplement can give you the envious abs you’ve always wanted. Whether or not these supplement is still yet to be decided. One thing that we do know for sure is that hard work will get you the results you want.

Not all the supplements that are available to you are safe. Who knows what they are putting in these supplements that will give you these great abs. There have been reports of serious side effects resulting from taking these supplements. Read the rest of this entry »

Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everyone suffers from stress. And the stress we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, emotions and minds.

Feeling stressed out, worn out by fatigue or just simply having a miserable day, the best thing to do is relax. Read the rest of this entry »