There are many things aside from physical factors that can impact your pregnancy. Stress is one of the more common problems many pregnant mothers face at some point during their pregnancy. While stress in and of itself isn’t always bad, prolonged stress can be damaging to a pregnancy. Most people associate stress that is harmful during pregnancy with physical labor. However, emotional stress may be just as damaging. Stress actually causes certain hormones in the body to be produced, and some scientists have suggested that these hormones can promote miscarriage or even bring on pre-term labor.

The best thin you can to do to ensure the well being of your baby is to minimize both physical and emotional stress as much as possible. Here are some stress reducing tips you can engage in during your pregnancy to promote a happy and healthy outcome:

Accept the fact that you are pregnant. Some women stress because they thrive on working a very demanding schedule, and attempt to continue to do so throughout their pregnancy. At some point or another however your pregnancy will catch up with you, and you will need to slow down a little bit. Rather than see this is as a burden, consider this a great time to prepare yourself for the life you are about to bring into the world. Take some time to pamper yourself a bit and give yourself more time for rest and relaxation during the week. This can be time that you spend just with yourself and your baby, without having to share with the world around you.

Give up some control. Having a baby changes everything. If you are the type of person that likes to be in control, keep in mind that there are many things related to pregnancy and child raising that will be out of your control. You won’t for example be able to sail through pregnancy without any aches and pains (unless you are extraordinarily lucky) but you can work to minimize them. You may have other symptoms such as fatigue and nausea that don’t go away. Some women have to go on bed rest during pregnancy. Simply recognizing however that some things are not under your control will help you get a better grip on your pregnancy and arm you to face the challenges that lie ahead.

Expect the unexpected. You just never know what will happen when you are pregnant. Your baby for example, might decide to come a few weeks early. You may find that midway through your pregnancy your physician recommends bed rest. If you prepare for the unexpected ahead of time however, when it happens it won’t seem like such a challenge and you will be better prepared to handle it.

Maintain close ties with friends, family and loved ones. Pregnancy is an emotional time. The more people you have around you to lean on, the less likely you will be to feel stressed.

Accept help. Let people know when you can use a hand. You don’t have to manage everything alone during pregnancy. If people offer to help you out and relieve some of the burden you are facing, be glad that there are people around you that love you enough to help out.

Another important thing to consider during pregnancy is communication. It is particularly important that you keep the lines of communication open with your partner during pregnancy. Remember that pregnancy is a very emotional time, and many women act in ways they would not ordinarily during their pregnancy. Don’t assume that your partner is a mind reader. This assumption has negatively impacted many relationships. If you have concerns, anxiety, feel sad or are even angry, be sure you share your feelings with your loved ones. Let people know what you are experiencing physically and emotionally and how it is affecting you. This will help them understand where you are coming from, and will help them learn the best way to help you during your pregnancy.

If you haven’t considered a prenatal massage already, you should during your pregnancy. Prenatal massage can be particularly helpful during the third trimester when your body is feeling burdened by the heavy load it is carrying. There are many qualified practitioners that offer prenatal massage in medical offices, chiropractic offices and even in traditional spa settings.

Article by Beverley Brooke, author of “Ensure a healthy safe pregnancy for you and your baby”, visit http://www.pregnancy-weight-loss.com for more on stress and pregnancy

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Health insurance today is a mess. We need it but can we afford it? We have our car insured, why not the family? “I hope nothing happens to me so I won’t need to go to the hospital.” These are all notions we have as concerned people and parents. Healthcare is on the rise as well as premiums. COBRA is expensive but if you have health conditions it is necessary. Are you a little overweight or smoke? All of these are factors for getting or not getting health insurance. What can you do in the meantime while you think about it or lose the weight or quit smoking or maybe you are even between jobs?

The Plan:

A little known policy lingers out there you may or may not be aware of, and that is the Short Term Medical plan. The plan is self explanatory as it is set for a period of time. The plans that we service go from anywhere between 30 days all the way up to 360 days of coverage. That means that you can have coverage for a month or two or even six months up to a year, the choice is yours. Short term medical plans are temporary plans and are not meant to be permanent. Think about it this way in that you don’t have health insurance doesn’t mean you don’t or won’t have health problems. The short term plan is a way to get coverage for a temporary fixed amount of time.

Why Short Term Medical?

Short term medical can ease the pain of not having health insurance for different reasons. A popular reason why people use STM is because they are in-between jobs. The person had coverage here and is now unemployed, the insurance stays with the job, now they are without coverage. Maybe you are in a waiting period of 30-90 days but do not want to take the risk of not having any coverage at all. Waiting periods occur with group coverage and the employer basically wants to make sure you are worth it to offer medical coverage to.

When you have children that are reaching of age to where they come off your plan. Usually this is when the dependent is going off to college or graduating college. You want your dependents to have health insurance but don’t know what is offered in that state or maybe the health coverage does not travel well. The STM is a viable option for those in need and it is probably ranked number 2 in why the STM is used.

So many Americans are part time or temporarily employed as well as laid off and health coverage is not available to them. The STM is a way to get coverage fast and not have the burden of huge premiums lingering over their head. Remember the STM is for temporary coverage just like the person is temporarily unemployed, when you get on a job that offers coverage you just simply cancel.

COBRA is the alternative when you leave a job, get fired etc. but it can be expensive. If you have preexisting health problems, COBRA is probably your only alternative as you can roll that condition into an individual policy after 18 months of coverage. If you are a healthy individual, you don’t need to go on COBRA you could instead while looking for another job pick up a short term plan to get you through till your plan at your new job is available to you.

How it Works:

Typically the short term medical plan gives you the freedom of choosing any doctor or hospital and has a deductible for individual as well as the family. Once the deductible is met, then the plan kicks in up to a specified amount such as 2 million dollars. You will have an option of coinsurance benefits as well; this is the 80/20 split or 50/50 split. The coinsurance is limited to either the first $5000 or $10000 respectively depending on which plan is offered and with which company. After that is met, the plan should pay 100% of covered expenses. Pretty simple: you go to the hospital and pay the first $250 then depending on which plan you selected it will pay 80% of the next $5000 in charges which leaves you with $1000 and 100% after that. So if you had a whopping bill of $15000 of covered expenses your bill would be $1250!

Qualifications

The qualifications to apply for STM plans are limited. Typically anyone under 65 years of age and children under 19 or 25 if full time student qualify. There are limited questions with the application process, for example 7-9 questions to answer. Height and weight is not a factor in most plans, so if you are struggling with weight problems in the meantime you would qualify for short term medical plan. Be advised that these plans do not cover preexisting conditions and if one of them says they do, make sure you read it carefully. You can even just get your child covered maybe before they are eligible for your group plan or state plans.

To sum it all up the short term medical plan can be a significant tool for anyone to use. It can cover that gap in coverage for whatever reason is available to you. It is not an alternative to major medical coverage as it is only for temporary use, but when that coverage is not available to you this is an option for you. Many people do not know of the existence of these plans or are touted other MiniMed plans which can do more harm than good. Gulf Breeze Insurance Inc. a Florida health insurance provider, http://www.gulfbreezeinsurance.com, use this plan all the time to help people get through hard times and waiting periods. I believe the phrase goes “Something is better than nothing” and when you think your options have run out turn to the STM plan.

Molds and fungus are nearby virtually everywhere we go. For the most part these molds are relatively innocuous. Certain molds, however, do pose substantial health risks. According to Berlin D. Nelson, Ph.D., department of plant pathology, North Dakota State University, Stachybotrys Chartarum or “black mold” is the most prominent and notorious of the toxic molds (1).

Black mold is a heavy producer of mycotoxins (toxins created by a fungus). These mycotoxins cause a wide range of symptoms from headaches to flu-like symptoms, and chronic illnesses. The mycotoxins created by black mold are numerous, but fall into 3 main categories: Macrocyclic Trichothecenes, which inhibit protein synthesis; Phenylspirodrimanes and Cyclsporine, which are strong immunosuppressive agents; and Stachylysin, which can lyse erythrocytes (destroy red blood cells). With all three groups present there is little wonder why mycotoxicosis (mycotoxin poisoning) caused by black mold can lead to severe degradation in human health.

Black mold has also been linked to “sick building syndrome”, which describes situations in which the health and comfort of people is effected by time spent in a certain building or room, where there is no obvious cause.

Unless you experience symptoms that seem to be location dependant you probably don’t need to worry too much for the time being. However, mold spores, which are benign by themselves and found practically everywhere, can propogate wildly active colonies when exposed to an amply moist environment.

This effect is very common with flooding, which is why it is of pressing importance to ensure that a flooded house is cleaned up and dried out thoroughly before mold is allowed to proliferate. In the case that you are experiencing chronic symptoms in your home or work environment, the best course of action is to contact a professional that knows how to seek and eliminate fungal growth.

Another health concern with mold and fungus stems from foam. Polyurethane foam, which is the type of foam commonly used in cushion and bedding applications, can be broken down by mold into volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are toxic.

Dr T. James Sprott, OBE, Msc, PhD, FNZIC, In New Zealand, discovered that this was a major contributor to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), where used crib mattresses were the culprits (2). Though the effects in adults usually go unidentified you may find that you feel better when you aren’t exposed to them.

The solution for crib mattresses was a simple layer of plastic completely covering the entire thing, not so practical for adults. This is a major reason not to buy used mattresses, which often have mold already growing in them, besides the other obvious factors (what did those previous owners do in that bed?).

To prevent mold from building up in your mattress it is good to use a mattress pad which is washable and will absorb most of the moisture that would be going to perpetuate mold growth. It is best, however, to simply buy a mattress that doesn’t create a suitable environment for mold or other microbes, such as latex.

Latex is a natural product that provides a superb sleep system that will keep your bed free of mold and other harmful microbes. Mold will always be around, and will always be a health concern. It is by familiarizing ourselves with mold, it’s indications, and it’s environment that we are able to minimize the risk that it will effect our lives.

Resources:

(1) http://www.apsnet.org/online/feature/stachybotrys/

(2) http://www.pnc.com.au/~cafmr/sprott/

Mercury has basically two forms: Organic and inorganic, and both are toxins. Inorganic mercury is found in or near: thermometers, barometers, dental fillings, batteries, electric wiring and switches, fluorescent lights, pesticides, fungicides, vaccines, paint, skin-tightening creams, spills, antiseptic creams, pharmaceutical drugs and ointments. Organic mercury becomes methyl mercury when combined with carbon by water or soil organisms. It can bioaccumulate and pass up the food chain. This occurs in marine life and can be found in farm animals and produce. Humans can convert inorganic to organic forms. The concentrations in the body are highest in the brain and kidneys. It has also been reported in the red cells, liver, muscle tissues, and gall bladder.

The current main treatments for toxic metal removal are IV chelation with artificial compounds EDTA, DMPS and DMSA. Only EDTA is FDA approved. Interestingly EDTA (Edetic Acid) says on its International Chemical Safety Card: "EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE: The substance irritates the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the kidneys." And, "??Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment."

There are various alternative methods with substances that have mixed success with oral chelation. Because all of these current methods use standard evaluation methods; urine, feces, blood, and hair, they are limited to collected specimens and do not evaluate the tissues involved directly. SuperNutrient Corporation adds another dimension in testing for imbalances, metal toxicity and the effects of oral chelation of toxic metals through protein anabolism. Our methods of kinesiology (particularly Applied Kinesiology), and EAV (Electroacupuncture According to Voll) brought us into the use of the meridian (acupuncture) channels and points that had specific meaning diagnostically. Dr. Voll identified the protein, carbohydrate, and fat enzyme production points of the pancreas. Dr. Vickery then identified the cause of the pancreatic malfunction in enzyme creation and supplied the answer with SuperNutrient’s essential amino acids formulas.

The Vickery-Voll Test revealed that nine out of ten patients in clinical practice had a positive test meaning varying degrees of inadequate dietary protein digestion from a pancreas that was literally in deficit production of necessary enzymes. This was later named the alpha xP Factor. Years of clinical testing revealed that the best approach was the use of an optimal formula of free form essential amino acids. Most enzyme formulas and amino acids that had many non-essential amino acids did not work as well or stopped working after various lengths of time. The Vickery formula seemed to help the individual synthesize their own particular enzymes better than enzymes from beef, swine or fungi.

Cells can destroy their own proteins to fulfill the essential amino acid production requirement, but ultimately this is exhausted. Normal healthy metabolism demands the constant influx of essential amino acids to maintain homeostasis. These are derived from the dietary protein intake with the aid of a balanced blend of essential amino acids.

As the scope of the protein deficiency and its impact on human health was observed daily in clinical practice, it became apparent that this nutritional crisis was the core problem underlying the many common health issues we see today including hypoglycemia, spinal disk lesions, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia. With essential amino acid therapy our patients have shown spinal disk degeneration (the basic cause of back pain) reversal in ten hours as well as rapid heavy metal detoxification.

Mercury, lead, aluminum, cadmium and arsenic readily are removed from the body as seen in fibromyalgia and other patients. Major detoxification mechanisms work in the cells and primarily the liver. Sulfation, in which the key player is glutathione, removes excess hormones such as estrogen, adrenaline, and testosterone. Stress raises the levels of production of these hormones and increases the need for glutathione. Metallothionein, a newly discovered enzyme works closely with glutathione in metals removal: MT lll is found in the brain and MT l and ll are found in the rest of the body. Glutathione is a tripeptide containing cysteine, essential,(sulfur bearing), glutamic acid, and glycine. MT (again sulfur bearing) has methionine and cysteine making up 1/3 of the chain which is 1/2 essential amino acids.

Platinum Plus Essential Amino Acid formula was specifically designed to enhance the phase ll detoxification of the liver with the additions to the original Essential Amino Acid formula of 200 mg of MSM sulfur and 30 mcg of molybdenum which are essential. Phase ll wraps up the heavy metals so that they may be eliminated from the body. If this is not accomplished they will remain in the fat tissues, brain, nerve sheaths of the body. In all of the cases of Fibromyalgia there was complete elimination of the five metals tested.

It should be readily apparent that the limiting factor in maintaining adequate supply of the body enzyme systems which control function, and structure is availability of that essential amino acid needed for synthesis of the enzymes and other proteins necessary for health and longevity. The point of this information is simple. Lack of digested complete dietary protein is causing degeneration and disease. SuperNutrient Corporation’s, http://www.supernutrient.com, balance essential amino acid formula is designed to correct this critical metabolic malfunction.

Dr Vickery, edited Nina Stout

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The chemical compound known as a phenol is characterized by an aromatic benzene ring with a hydroxyl group (OH) attached. This makes sense that poly-phenols refer to a chemical substance with more than one phenol group. Phenols function as potent antioxidants, reacting with free radicals. Phenols are responsible for the bright coloring in many fruits and vegetables. These fruit and vegetable phenols protect the plants from damage by disease and ultraviolet light.

Polyphenols are phytonutrients or phytochemicals. Phytonutrients are biologically active compounds in food. However, these phytonutrients are not classified as essential nutrients. This is because the body does not depend on these nutrients for proper bodily function. Phytonutrients do play a vital role in affecting our health just as significantly as vitamins and minerals do.

Polyphenols are classified as flavonoids, which is a class of phytonutrient. Polyphenols can form complexes with metal cations such as iron, zinc, and copper. This reduces the absorption of the mineral. This is beneficial because excess levels of these cations promotes the generation of free radicals. Polyphenols are potent free radical scavengers in the body. Polyphenols also protect and regenerate other dietary oxidants such as vitamin E.

Polyphenols are plentiful in green tea. Polyphenols have been found to be more powerful as an antioxidant than even vitamins C and E. In particular, EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate is the major polyphenolic constituent of green tea. EGCG is a potent antioxidant. A number of chronic diseases have been thought to be caused by free radical damage such as cancer, aging, and heart disease.

Antioxidants protect the body from free radical damage. What are free radicals? Free radicals are caused by cigarette smoking, radiation, pollution, and herbicides. Free radicals are atoms with unpaired electrons in the outer shell. The unpaired electrons make free radicals unstable. Free radicals want only to be stable. Free radical stability requires the electrons to be paired. Free radicals are extremely reactive and will oxidize the nearest molecule.

Oxidizing causes the free radical to gain an electron but also creates another free radical. This creates a chain reaction continuing until the disruption of a living cell. Free radicals can attack proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and DNA. However, DNA is usually preferred. DNA and free radical interactions usually result in mutations that adversely affect the cell cycle and potentially lead to malignancy. In fact, researchers believe this is how many forms of cancer arise.

Antioxidants protect the body from damaging oxidation reactions. Antioxidants safely interact with free radicals to prevent damage to vital molecules. Antioxidants donate an electron to the free radical, hence stabilizing the free radical and preventing damage. The antioxidant is stable with or without the electron, making this a win-win situation.

Polyphenols can be found in white, black, and green tea. Of course, the level of polyphenols along with other nutrients is based on how the tea is processed. Steamed white and green tea retains more polyphenols and nutrients than roasting and fermenting. Black teas and some green teas are fermented and roasted, damaging the bioactive substances in the tea leaf.

Why should you drink green tea? Many studies have been done on the health benefits of green tea. Dietary intake of green tea has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. Regular consumption of green tea shows no significant side effects. Green tea helps prevent cavities, strengthens teeth, and is thought to kill oral bacteria that is responsible for bad breath. Green tea has been shown to protect the brain from oxidative stress and lower monoamine oxidase activity; preventing age related brain degeneration. Green tea studies suggest an increase in exercise endurance by improving the metabolism of fat.

Green tea offers many health benefits to those who drink green tea regularly. Besides offering antioxidant benefits, green tea is excellent as a weight loss supplement offering weight loss results and safety. Of course, green tea should be used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise program. If you take medications for a health condition, consult your doctor before adding green tea to your diet.

Copyright 2006 Kristy Haugen

If you, or someone that you know, suffers from nighttime snoring they are likely to experience a restless night’s sleep whether or not they realize it. In addition, their family may also be suffering from loss of sleep due to the distraction.

There are many remedies available, which are said to cure snoring. However, before doing anything drastic or deciding to undergo surgery, perhaps there are some tips that may help either you or your loved one curb snoring and start to have a restful night’s sleep.

One of the most common reasons that people snore are because they sleep on their back and the fatty tissue in their throat relaxes and causes air passages to be blocked. Therefore, if the individual who suffers from snoring will try sleeping on their side, they may find some relief. One way to achieve this is by having the sufferer turn over on his/her side and place a large body pillow flat on the bed and against the subject. When he/she attempts to roll over on their back, they will find it difficult due to the presence of the pillow. In addition, there are special pillows that are designed to help those who snore.

The next tip to stop snoring is to do everything possible to avoid or correct allergy problems. Many things contribute to allergies, such as dust, cigarette smoke, pets, etc. In addition to allergies, colds and other sinus infections are known to promote snoring. Some cold and allergy medicines are available over the counter and may offer relief or, if other health problems are present, a physician should be consulted.

Obesity, another one of the most common reasons that people snore, should be corrected for many reasons. In addition to heart health and overall wellness, obesity allows the fatty tissue in the throat to relax during sleep and block the air passages of the throat. This occurrence is thought to cause snoring. Therefore, it is advisable to lose weight with the help of a supervised medical diet. While bettering your health, try to also avoid alcohol and cigarette smoke if possible because both are thought to induce snoring.

In more serious situations, where snoring cannot be corrected individually, the sufferer may decide to undergo surgery as a last resort. This may include procedures that include the removal or tonsils or the complete restructure of the mouth or jaws.

Finally, don’t discount non-invasive, inexpensive solutions out of hand. Although there are many “iffy” and unproven products on the market, there are some that are getting a lot of praise from users too. Chin straps have gotten a lot of press in the last year along with thousands of testimonials from users who claim to have ended their snoring completely the first night of use.

The chin strap solution simply keeps your jaw firmly and correctly positioned up and back and, with continued use, has been reported to actually re-train the muscles in the jaw and throat to remain closed. This is the best news open mouth snorers have ever received given that the alternative is invasive, expensive surgery.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, or in place of, professional medical advice. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and remedy.

If you want to stay sharp and in control of your life well into your golden years, there are proactive methods to achieving the mental alertness you need. More and more research is pointing to the fact that physical activity and lifestyle choices have more to do with preventing Alzheimer s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia - once thought to be a normal part of aging - than pure genetics. So if you had a parent, grandparent or sibling with AD it doesn’t mean you have to follow the same path.

Statistics gathered from extensive research do point toward a higher risk of developing AD if you had a close relative with AD - as much as 50%, but that has less to do with genes and more to do with following their lifestyle patterns. If for example, your parents were smokers who rarely exercised, you may have developed some of the same destructive habits.

What can you do to break the cycle and prevent AD? Take action and take control today. Even if you are in your 60s or 70s you can reverse some of the damage done to your brain through poor diet, inactivity, or damaging lifestyle choices. Scientists have discovered very recently that the brain has the ability to repair cells and neurotransmitters and improve cognitive function and memory.

It’s Not Too Late to Make A Difference: Start the 5 Steps Today

1. Eat Right. It seems so simple, yet too many people just don’t get enough of the mind preserving antioxidants found in fresh fruits and vegetables. A well-balanced diet, free of diary products and using low fat sources of protein will protect both heart and mind.

2. Supplement where necessary. Many diets lack the nutrients proven to promote brain health. These include sources of essential fatty acids found in fish and specific herbs and minerals that can enhance cognitive function.

3. Exercise. Originally it was thought that exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain cells. This is still true, but a report prepared for the National Institutes of Health states that exercise can also stimulate the production growth factors, which are molecules produced by the body to repair and maintain nerves.

4. Lower Your Cholesterol. Many people with early dementia or AD symptoms may have actually experienced small strokes that damaged the brain’s neurotransmitters. By keeping cholesterol levels in check, the arteries are free and clear of plaque that can cause stroke.

5. Do your Mental Exercises. Keeping up with current events, working puzzles each day, learning and memorizing new information all work to keeping a mind strong and alert. It is normal for people to sometimes forget a name or date, but the more practice recalling such information the greater the brain’s ability to do this throughout old age. In the case of mental challenges, the more you do the more you can push back the clock on cognitive decline.

Five easy steps, when you think about it, can do much to make aging an event to celebrate instead of dread. With age there comes experience and wisdom, and we should all do whatever is within our power to be able to pass that on to the next generation.

Depression is a serious medical condition that can affect anyone. Men, women and children are all susceptible to this disease which can have devastating effects on someone’s daily life. Depression can come on suddenly, for no reason, or it might follow a traumatic experience such as a death or some other traumatic experience.

Symptoms of depression can interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study and enjoy life in a fruitful way. If you find that these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks you should discuss it with your doctor. The symptoms to look for include: sadness, irritability, no interest in hobbies and activities which once were loved, hopelessness, problems sleeping, fatigue, thoughts of suicide or death, feelings of guilt and significant weight change.

Once these symptoms start affecting the way you live your life, it’s time to seek help. M.I., who has had depression on and off for many years says, “I never really knew what was wrong with me. I would have these bouts with trying to cope with life, but all I would end up doing is staying sad and crying all the time. I couldn’t see any way out of what I was dealing with in my life, but I’m glad I hung in there. Being able to find out what was wrong with me and knowing that I could get treatment for it changed my life.”

Depression an also affect the physical health of a person, which is a symptom that is often overlooked. I. A., a depression sufferer shares, “I would get these pains in my arms, shoulder and hands. My doctor told me that he couldn’t find anything wrong. Nothing wrong with my bones or my joints, but the pains never seemed to go away. Now I know it was related to the depression.”

No one knows what exactly causes depression, but some believe it might be caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, and in that instance you and your doctor might decide that you need to take antidepressants. One form of depression called “Seasonal Affective Disorder” (SAD) uses light therapy as treatment since it’s thought that a lack of sunlight during certain times of the year could be a cause.

If you think depression might be entering your life, don’t wait to get help. There is nothing wrong with asking questions and trying to get help. Many people are too afraid or feel guilty about asking for help for depression. A lot of the world still thinks that depression is “just the blues” or just a person feeling down. Depression is a very real medical condition that is just as valid as having a broken bone that would need to be treated.

“A reluctance to get help can lead to years of disability and not having a good and happy life,” says B.D., “I could have gotten help a long time ago, but I waited for about ten years before taking action. I thought I should have been a person strong enough to beat depression on my own. I sure wish I had made the move toward help instead of waiting.”

Remember, depression is a treatable condition that can get better. You need to take the steps to get the help you need.

About 2500 years ago, Hippocrates said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."

Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals are designer foods and supplements that are combined with nutritional value that are disease-preventative and have medicinal benefits. These are usually natural products which may reduce or prevent chronic and acute disease or promote good health.

Many chronic and acute diseases are caused or irritated by nutritional imbalances or deficiency. The link between diet, disease and the ability to process thought are sometimes subtle and complex. Many studies suggest that some 40% of cancers are linked to dietary choices. Unhealthy eating habits are sometimes caused by farming practices, lack of money, and a manufacturing industry that promotes the ignorance of true, beneficial nutrition.

There is conjecture and speculation in the field of Nutritional Science that mood and aggressive behavior has more to do with diet than what was first thought. The most effective way to raise neural serotonin levels, which is the chemical that helps the body relax, is to eat a high carbohydrate meal. The insulin released lets more tryptophan cross the blood-brain barrier by moving competing amino-acids out of the blood stream. A high-protein diet will tend to lessen the serotonin function at the expense of norepinephrine and dopamine, with a more aggressive and temperamental reaction from the subject.

Functional Foods and Nutraceutaicals work by balancing out the human bodies deficiencies or excessive chemical make-up. When foods are broken down in the mouth and stomach, they become massive ingredients for thousands of chemical reactions. Everything that a human consumes becomes a storehouse for chemical reactions that maintain the bodies life force. An example of this would be the cholesterol lowering effects of eating Oatmeal. How does this work? When a person consumes oatmeal, they consume carbohydrates called glucans, small fibers that fill the intestines which decreases the ability to absorb carbohydrates, it increases the movement of the food in the intestines and colon, and cleanses the body as it moves out as waste. The following would be other examples of how functional foods are working:

Erythema may be reduced by eating tomato paste ( Stahl W, Heinrich U, Wiseman S, Eichler O, Sies H, Tronnier H. J. Nutr. 131: 1449-1451, 2001 ).

Tomato and Tomato products may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

(Sanjiv Agarwal and Akkinappally Venketeshwer Rao Canadian Medical Association Journal 2000; 163(6):739-44. )

Soy may prevent bone loss in menopausal women. (Arjmandi BH, Smith BJ Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 2002, Vol. 13:130-137 )

Soy with isofalvones can reduce cholesterol. ( Vitolins MZ, Anthony M, Burke GL Current Opinions in Lipidology 2001, 12:433-437)

Garlic may reduce Cancer risk. (Dorant et al., 1993)

Cranberries aid in treatment of Urinary Tract Infection. (Schmidt and Sobota, 1988)

Dairy products aid in the prevention of Osteoporosis and Colon Cancer. (Fuller, 1994)

There are many, many more studies by accredited universities that have been done on a variety of plants and animals for functionality in nutritional therapies.

A diet of Functional foods can not only maintain better health, it can also repair chronic health issues. Functional foods would be foods that help to maintain better glucose control for diabetics, while having components that aid in repairing the pancreas. Foods that help to lower cholesterol levels in heart patients, foods that build the immune system in autoimmune patients.

Functional Food Specialists will be the physicians of tomorrow and those who manufacture functional foods will be the pharmacists that aid in healing the world of chronic and acute diseases.

D.S. Epperson is the top formulator for Home Blend Gourmet / South Pacific Health, a leader in the functional food industry in the U.S. With 20 years of experience in Nutritional Biochemistry, she has written reference books on botanicals and manufacturing of medicines from botanicals, and published articles on health, fitness and foods. She has formulated over 240 formulas and inventions for health, the environment and agricultural uses, and continues to research and study microbial advantages in nutraceuticals and functional foods. For more information or to view the articles that she has written: http://www.sugarblend.com

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