Sunday, May 20, 2012

Health and Fitness - Health Insurance on the Job Concerns

The more I read about these potential denials by employers regarding health care coverage and their myopic viewpoints toward their hard working employees I cannot help but think that at the back of these mindsets there appears to be a level of such greed and callous ungrateful thinking that it boggles the mind.

Disney has to be one of the richest enterprises in the world. If it were not for employees who perform the major running of these tourist attracting enterprises, where would Disney be?

Time and again greed and ungratefulness appear to show itself when employees need fair salary, coverage and benefits they certainly deserve.

Ask a member of the higher echelon of any large enterprise to cut down on anything they signed up for and it would certainly be a different scenario.

While it is true that higher officials in any company, business or enterprise does serious role playing in the laying out of operational procedures, keeping up with needed changes and on and on and on and on. Without men, women and kids taking the needed steps to bring about daily completion of these needed efforts, in one day, just one day it could all come to a screeching halt.

Imagine, no food preparation, or sanitary/hygiene needs not done. Trash collections. Changing the bedding in a room vacated by a visitor. Getting it ready for the next guest. The list is endless. The costumes one needs to wear in the course of their work day not prepared. Too many times these jobs are considered unimportant by those who might never get their hands dirty in order to achieve what is required in daily job descriptions. But without these operational procedures functioning every single day by their employees, what then???

Yet the powers that be do not appear to want to provide for the employees health insurance. They allege it costs too much.

I have this sense that behind the scene of American employment tactics are those who may be trying to bankrupt the disability programs of this country and bring health and well being coverages to a screeching halt. Much like what is called Third World country indifference to the needs of their working peoples. Expendable human lives. This is the perception by many in our country.

Let the taxpayers carry the burden of responsibility. To hell with the employee.

An employee shows up everyday. Does his/her job and goes home.

It appears to be the Never Ending Story of corporate greed and total disregard for the welfare of their employees. There are more where they came from, people looking for work to support themselves and their families. So the beat goes on.

What a really sorry state of affairs this country is in where corporate America and the rights and needs of American employees is concerned.

Will the exploitation of American rights ever end??? I really do not think so. Not while there is a network of highly placed wrongdoers behind the scenes (the shadow government) calling the shots.

Ginger Ferrer

(Fitness) Health Thoughts, Living on the Health Minimum Wage?

Random thoughts taken from valuable sources, what many nutrition experts consider to be the most important nutrients and health habits a person should have to help them stay healthy long term. We would categorize them into the following areas.

Dietary Fiber - Fiber is extremely important to your health in a number of different ways.

According to the National Institutes of Health one of the common causes of constipation is not enough fiber in the diet.

Fiber promotes cardiovascular health plus in studies has been indicated to help lower harmful cholesterol levels when combined with a healthy diet. But what most people don't know about fiber is all the various varieties there are of dietary fiber.

The point is with all the healthy benefits of dietary fiber most people don't get enough everyday - it is recommend that people get 25-30 grams of fiber per day. So if they're not getting it through their diet it pays to take a supplement. No wonder so many people are constipated.

Let's talk next about enzymes - did you know that enzymes control virtually all the chemical processes and reactions in your body - everything from digestion to breaking down old cells to generating new cells.

There is no doubt that enzymes are probably the most under-rated nutritional substance. Essentially because nobody talks about them. Most manufactures are not putting them in their foods or supplements. Most manufactures proudly state that their cereal is Vitamin Enriched. However, when was the last time you read a label that said our product is Enzyme Enriched!

However, with the importance of enzymes the question begs to be asked, Where do I get adequate enzymes from? It certainly isn't from our foods. Processed and cooked foods destroy all enzymes. Sure our body has the ability to manufacture certain enzymes, but just like anything else it could sure use a supplement boost. The best foods for getting enzymes are fresh raw fruits and vegetables, but the problem is less than 20 percent of all people eat even the minimum recommended amount.

Perhaps an enzyme supplement would be advisable.

And why would someone only want the minimum amount of health? That is like living off the minimum wage - not a pleasant thought.

Antioxidants - Gee, how important are antioxidants. With all the environmental pollutants, smoke, chemicals etc that our bodies are exposed to on a daily basis we just can't underestimate the importance of antioxidants. Antioxidants as you know deactivate dangerous free radicals. Free radicals are essentially what causes iron to rust and an apple to turn brown after cut. The next time you cut an apple in two put lemon juice on half the apple and none on the other half - notice how the one half without the lemon turns brown much faster. This is because the lemon juice is an antioxidant protecting the apple half.

Now think about what oxygen free radicals are doing to your body without an adequate supply of antioxidants.

So antioxidants are extremely important, however, what you may not know is that a variety (or network) of antioxidants almost always is more effective than just the same amount of individual antioxidants. So a variety of 15 different antioxidants would typically work better than the same amount of one single antioxidant.

Micronutrients or plant nutrients - these are present in virtually all plants here are some examples:

Cauliflower contains the micro- photonutrient sulforaphane. In research done at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, sulforaphane lowered the occurrence of breast tumors in lab animals by almost 40%.

In peppers you have micro- photonutrient capsaicin-it has been found to work as an anticoagulant, thus possibly helping prevent heart attacks or strokes caused by blood clot.

Lemons contain limonene, a compound shown to have anticancer properties in laboratory animals. Limonene also appears to raise the levels of beneficial enzymes in the liver.

And of course this is the tip of the iceberg as micro-phytonutrients are present in most plants, researchers are still uncovering all their many health benefits.

A couple more good health tips.

Clean Water - One of the most valuable things you can do for your health is to assure you drink at least 8 glasses of good clean pure water each day. This doesn't include soft drinks, beer, wine, coffee, tea, etc. This helps flush wastes from the body, keeps the cells hydrated and some experts believe it can even help keep healthy blood cholesterol levels down.

Finally Exercise - One can't underestimate the role regular exercise plays in long term health. It is important when starting an exercise to do something you enjoy and don't over commit and over do it. I.E. never bite off more than you can chew. You want to develop a good habit of exercise and the only way to do that is to start very slowly.

For example your goal for the first week may be to do 1 sit-up per day or walk to the end of your driveway and back. This may seem too easy, but our main concern is that we develop a good habit of doing some exercise everyday. And if you can do it for 21 straight days a good habit will develop.

One last thing to consider - too often most people think about what are the minimums in each area required for health. Why would someone only want the minimum amount of health?

That is like living off the minimum wage - not a pleasant thought.

Health & Fitness Guide

Health and fitness matters a lot for the healthy living being. With the growing age of the universe and the developing countries, people are more into business and works and have totally ignored their personal physical and mental life. Nowadays the routine is nothing more than a 12-hour job and sleepless nights just for the sake of earning money. But it is important to configure that money values only when the body is healthy and the living being is normal. Anyhow many countries stress on the physical heath and exercises, making the fitness valuable and prior to all people of all ages and either sex. Health and fitness is a thing to be maintained by all age groups and adults need to maintain it more. Health and fitness values for patients as well, the heart and the bones patients tend to give more attention to their health and fitness.

Health and fitness does not merely mean for the appearance and the figure look out but it does play a strong role in maintaining the senses and activities of the routine life. The health and fitness if carried properly answers a lot of questions related to diseases, body disorders and organs functions, not only this it can also cure to several mild disorders and relief stress. There are lots of clubs and exercise places located in cities where you can and give sufficient time to your body. Body needs care and rest, if you are unable to manage to go specific place and sort out hours for yourself, you can carry out exercises that are unsaid, work outs at your home and office and make your body fit with essential foods and diet that makes the body best maintained and healthy. The healthier you are the longer gets your life. Kids too need special attention regarding their fitness and diets. The necessary point to note is that people needs knowledge regarding health and fitness, this is available best at the internet as people are more comfortable to seek guidance on internet regarding any topic and when it comes to health and fitness, people seek for personal guidance, which is best available at internet along with supervision of experts and doctors of health and fitness.

A proper diet and fitness guidance is served in Health and fitness articles and is found abundantly regarding any topic and under any conditions. You can now get contact with experts who throw their information on Internet. Health and fitness arises with several questions, these are all answered by health and fitness related articles. People from different regions have conditional problems regarding health and fitness, gyms, yoga center; diet plans and experts advice is available on Internet through variety of articles. Health and fitness though need to be concerned by doctor directly as Internet is a place where many websites claim to be big and trusted but they aren't in real. You can affirm any knowledge or new thing seen on Internet by doctor and then follow it if it suits you.

9 Pioneers of Fitness

In composing any list of important people in almost any field, everybody will have his or her own favorites. Also, in weight lifting, body building, physical fitness, aerobics, just to name a few areas, there are so many people who have contributed so much that it is difficult to pare the list down adequately. I have attempted, however, to include people who have repeatedly come to my attention since my first contact with weight training at age 16 in 1961. I have tried to put the emphasis on people who I felt were somewhat pivotal in the areas of weight lifting, body building, aerobics or general physical fitness. I am sure that many readers will have their own favorites.

Eugen Sandow The Non Pareil (1867 - 1925) Born in Germany, Eugen Sandow has often been called "Father of Modern Bodybuilding". Like Charles Atlas, as a youth, Sandow was a great admirer of Greek and Roman statues depicting athletes and gladiators. Sandow is considered to be a pioneer in bodybuilding because he measured statues to determine exact proportions and then worked to develop his own body parts to match them. In his late teens, while performing in strongman shows, he was spotted and taken on by legendary showman Florenz Ziegfeld. His big splash in America was at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. His intelligence, natural charm, and cultured appearance combined with his astounding physique and strength made him a star. Women actually paid him money for the privilege of feeling his muscles. For the men, he wrote widely on health, fitness, and bodybuilding. He, like Bernarr Macfadden and Charles Atlas offered a mail order course teaching his students how to achieve health and fitness. He eventually opened a progressive fitness club in London which stood in stark contrast to the dank, dark, and sweaty gyms of the day. Through his personality and innovation, he made exercise and physical fitness popular for a broader audience than had previously been reached.

Bernarr Macfadden (1868 - 1955) Born Bernard Adolphus McFadden in the state of Missouri, Bernarr Macfadden changed his first and last names because he felt that the new names had a greater appearance of strength. This was not the only strange activity of the man who advocated regular fasting, and some very esoteric health practices for the day and whose wife called him a kook. He combined his own personal views of fitness training and health practices into an entity he referred to as "Physical Culture" which became the title of his first magazine. He eventually became a bit of a publishing mogul, but was usually considered to be skirting the edges of reality in his obsessive approach to physical fitness. However, he inspired young men like Charles Atlas and brought the idea of health and fitness as a way of life to a broader portion of the public.

Charles Atlas (1892 - 1972) was born Angelo Siciliano in 1892 in Acri, Calabria, Southern Italy. In 1905, his parents emigrated to America with young Angelo. A few years later, he had changed his first name to "Charles" when he won a photo competition in a magazine run by the creator of "Physical Culture", Bernarr Macfadden. Young Charles was inspired to improve his physique.by Greek statues he saw at the Brookly Art Gallery. His first attempts at fitness was with improvised barbells made of sticks and stones. His observation of animals in the zoo, however, led him to base a series of fitness actions on their apparent means of maintaining their fitness in captivity. He called his discovery Dynamic Tension and went on to market his program to thousands of boys and men. On the path to becoming "Charles Atlas", he posed for statues of Atlas. Some of which were exhibited in the museum where he found his initial inspiration. At the time of his death, he was still exercising daily and running every other day. His course on Dynamic Tension had been the inspiration for over three million men and boys.

Bob Hoffman (1898 - 1985) Bob Hoffman is considered by many to be "Father of World Weightlifting" and was the founder of York Barbell. He was an athlete, nutritionist, weightlifter, coach and philanthropist. Although an exceptional athlete as a young boy, the mature Bob Hoffman was never a great weightlifter or coach. However, his vision, sense of purpose, and personal belief in the value of weightlifting led him to create York Barbell, a company which was long recognized as the leader in the manufacture of weightlifting equipment and which is still in existence today. while many felt his writings and opinions were "over the top", his personal bravery and willingness to face adversity was shown not only in his later life as he espoused and defended his positions, but also during World War I where he was awarded three Croix de Guerres with two palms and a silver star from France, The Belgian Order of Leopold by Belgium, the Italian War Cross by Italy, and the Purple Heart by America.

Jack LaLanne (1914 - present) Francois Henri LaLanne, better known to the American public as Jack and considered the "godfather of fitness", had a widely viewed TV show in the 1950's. Interestingly, his show was probably seen and followed by more women than men, and he may have been instrumental in promoting the idea that women could "get fit". Unlike many of the earlier proponents of fitness, Jack LaLanne studied his field very carefully and introduced what he felt his studies told him was the proper way to do things. He is still active in fitness today, marketing a wide line of fitness and nutritional products.

Joe Weider (1922 - present) Joe Weider is probably one of the most easily recognized figures in the field of bodybuilding today. He has been credited with not only being a driving force in the fields of body building and fitness, but has helped the careers of innumerable bodybuilders, not the least of which was a young Austrian named Arnold Schwarzenegger. He began his own fitness career by building his first barbells out of junked car wheels and axles. At age 17, with a stake of $7, he began his publishing career by rolling out the first issue of "Your Physique" in 1939. In 1968, he changed the name of the magazine to Muscle Builder, and in 1982 changed it again, this time to "Muscle & Fitness". Together with his brother and partner, Ben Weider, Joe Weider founded the International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB). His publications now include such diverse offerings as "Shape", "Men's Fitness", "Living Fit", "Prime Health and Fitness", "Fit Pregnancy", "Cooks", "Senior Golfer", and "Flex". Weider now offers a broad range of books on fitness and bodybuilding, nutritional supplements, and bodybuilding and weight lifting equipment and accessories.

Kenneth Cooper (1931 - present) A doctor (MD) and former Air Force officer, Dr. Ken Cooper is probably most widely known for his book, "Aerobics" which was published in 1968 and which was a driving force in getting me interested in fitness. Dr. Cooper's down-to-earth description of what he called the "Training Effect" as well as a formatted process by which one could achieve health and fitness coupled with vivid descriptions of what the personal effects would be for someone pursuing a fitness program, made his book a success. In fact, some have speculated that Kenneth Cooper's simple little book, "Aerobics", may have been the impetus which put physical fitness into the minds and hearts of millions around the world. Today, Dr. Cooper is the head of the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas.

Richard Simmons (1948 - present) Flamboyant is one word commonly used to describe the bouncy, incessantly cheerful aerobics guru, Richard Simmons. It has been estimated that Richard Simmons has helped and encouraged people around the world to lose over 3,000,000 pounds through a combination of healthy eating and energetic exercise. Simmons has produced several programs, such as "Disco Sweat", "Sweatin' to the Oldies", and "Stretchin' to the Classics" that all include his humor and signature high level of excitement. He has created instructional products and programs that range from gentle stretching for the elderly to highly intense aerobic workouts. My wife, who hates exercise, loves Richard Simmons and actually got to where she could follow some very intense routines although she had to begin by sitting on the couch and just making the hand movements.

Jane Fonda (1937 - present) Many would not recognize the famous star of such films as "Barbarella" and "Coming Home", and daughter of actor Henry Fonda, as a fitness pioneer or guru. For many years she was better known as an actress with a sexy body, a big name, and intense political views. However, beginning in 1982 and continuing into the mid 90's, Ms. Fonda released several fitness videos which became very popular, particularly with women. In fact, today, many people who know of Jane Fonda know her more as a proponent of fitness, health, exercise, yoga, and aerobics than as a famous movie star. While Jane Fonda made no immediate contributions to the science of health and fitness, she, like Richard Simmons, was able to elevate its stature among a large female audience and helped make it fashionable to work out, sweat, be fit, AND feminine. Jane Fonda may have helped move the public awareness of the value and virtues of exercise and fitness to the point where many people now consider a physically fit woman to be a sexy woman just by virtue of her fitness.

Well, there you have it. Nine people who in some way positively affected, altered, or enhanced the fields of body building, weight lifting, aerobics, or physical fitness in general.

Understanding the Definition of Health Related Fitness

Being a Health and Fitness Professional, it is my job to understand terms and definitions which are commonplace to this industry, as well to keep abreast of evolving trends. Through my experience, I have found that a number of terms deserve a little more clarification than that which they are granted.

Aside from clarifying the definition of Health Related Fitness, this article intends to shed some light on a few of the associated terms, and to show their respective distinctions.

Is it simply all in a name?

The fitness world seems to use the concept Health Related Fitness like a generic fitness principle - interchangeable with others like "Physical Fitness", "Health and Fitness" or simply "Fitness."

While all of these terms can be included under the broad term Health and Physical Fitness, they individually refer to different aspects - both generic and specific. Unfortunately, references to these and other fitness-related terms are often vague, while consistency in their intended use is meager at best; there is a kind of "generally accepted" use for them, but individuals often rely on own interpretation, and this can lead to confusion.

With that said, does Health Related Fitness simply infer fitness by means of good health? Not quite. That is why we need to understand a little more behind these words before digesting the definition.

How did the term Health Related Physical Fitness come about?

That is a good question. One could probably ask what is this concept all about - can we not simply use the terms "Fitness" or "Physical Fitness" instead?" Why Health "Related"?

The main reason stems from the fact that most health and fitness terms are used inconsistently and often refer to different concepts or notions. Subsequent to the 1996 report from the US Surgeon General (Physical Activity and Health; a report of the Surgeon General), there was a move to try and address the alarming rise in obesity levels among the general American public. Studies and initiatives required standardization among clinicians, health practitioners and fitness trainers to grapple with the task at hand. Enter "Health Related Physical Fitness", a working term to address the general state of health among the public.

The definition of Health Related Fitness

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the main authority in this field, ineffective definitions with unclear and subjective wordings, as well as definitions containing terms which themselves require defining, have contributed to confusing the term "Physical Fitness."

There exists no reliable guide for Health and Fitness Professionals to measure "Physical Fitness", because the term has been so loosely and inconsistently defined. It is therefore that one should consider the concept of Health Related Fitness. The definition therefore centers on the 5 Components of Physical Fitness which relate to "good health." These Components are:

  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness
  • Body Composition
  • Flexibility
  • Muscular Strength
  • Muscular Endurance
On the other hand, Skill Related Fitness Components are:
  • Balance
  • Reaction Time
  • Coordination
  • Agility
  • Speed
  • Power
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the definition of Physical Fitness emphasizes the difference between Health Related Physical Fitness and Athletic Ability Physical Fitness. Its point-of-departure is the "health" of the US nation, which is often referred to as the "public health perspective." In that respect, the 5 Health Related Fitness Components are more important than those related to Athletic Ability (or Skill Related Components).

Although the concept of Health Related Fitness has an integral association with "good health", the 5 Components are addressed individually by health professionals to allow for their measurement.

Now that we have a deeper understanding of the term, what purpose does it serve?

Continuing from where the definition left off, the objective of measuring the 5 Components is to advise clients about their own particular Health Related Fitness, and to use data obtained from the tests to design appropriate exercise programs which can then be evaluated.

The 5 Components contribute evenly to make up a holistic Health Related Fitness, which is of direct interest to the health of the ordinary citizen, in that the concept is normative. In other words, it is a standard which allows for consistent application.

It is therefore important for those working in the health and fitness industry not to mistake "overall physical fitness" with "Health Related Physical fitness."

To conclude, let us consider this distinction between Physical Fitness and Health Related Fitness

One needs to bear in mind that regular physical exercise can improve overall Physical Fitness, as well as Health Related Fitness. However, overall fitness is a generic term and is up to subjective interpretation, while Health Related Fitness can be assessed.

The distinction therefore, between these two terms, exists in that Health Related Physical Fitness can be measured according to a set of established comparative norms.

This is where the "rubber hits the road." The guidelines set out by the ACSM enable health professionals to work with clients to assess and measure their response to exercise and prescribe appropriate exercise programs. A client's progress can then be monitored and adjusted where necessary in order to obtain the desired fitness goals.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

What Are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis in Children?

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis in children usually depend on the affected nerve and this may result to several neurological symptoms. Multiple sclerosis symptoms may resolve overtime but this will resurface again. This is due to the fact that the disease comes with a partial or total remission period. Problems in coordination and balance, abnormal sensations in the skin and vision problems are some of the common symptoms of this condition and this can be experienced, not just by adults, but by children as well. Some of the symptoms that can be experienced include pricking or tingling sensations, numbness, eye-related discomforts and muscle weakness.

Early Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

It is hard to determine if a child is suffering from multiple sclerosis. This is because the symptoms of the condition are similar to other health conditions. However, when the disease starts to progress and it begins to interfere with other body functions, you, as a parent, will be able to identify the condition. Some of the most commonly observed early symptoms in children include the following:

· Blurred or double vision

· One of the eyes loses its vision

· Eye movements causes pain

· Eye movements are uncontrollable

· Difficulty when walking

· Difficulty in maintaining coordination and balance, also known as ataxia

· Muscle spasms and weakness

· One side of the body is weakened

· Muscle stiffness and muscle tone is lost

· Twitching of the muscles

· Tremors

· Tiredness and fatigue

· Bladder problems like inability to completely empty the bladder or urinary incontinence

· Bowel problems like bowel incontinence and constipation

· Vertigo and dizziness

· Pain in the legs and arms

· Abnormal speech patter

· Problems with memory, concentration and attention

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Multiple sclerosis is considered as an incurable disease and the treatments available are focused on alleviating and managing the symptoms alone. The commonly used medications for this condition include corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, and interferons, Natalizumab, Glatiramer and Mitoxantrone. Aside from these medications plasma exchange procedure may also be administered along with physical therapy for the management of the symptoms.

Performing regular exercises, getting sufficient amount of sleep and rest and maintaining a healthy diet is also necessary when suffering from such condition. An expert dietitian can devise a diet plan that is suitable for a child suffering from this condition. Increased body temperature and excessive heat can aggravate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Although not all children may experience this, it is still wise to be very cautious to prevent the symptoms from worsening.

As a parent, it is also important that you are aware of the factors that can trigger the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in your child. For this, make sure to discuss it thoroughly with your physician so that you are aware of the safety measures that you can do for your child. Being aware of the trigger factors can also help you alleviate or minimize the symptoms experienced by your child, as well as prevent the exacerbation of the symptoms and the condition itself.

Beating Multiple Sclerosis

There is a cure for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It may affect multiple areas of this system at different points in time. More women are likely to develop MS than men and it prevails mainly in people of European descent (Northern Europe). Usually MS affects people who are younger than 50 years of age.

People who suffer from this disease experience muscle weakness in their limbs and poor coordination and balance. It may lead to difficulty in walking and standing while some MS patients will develop paralysis. Most of them however report on abnormal sensory feelings like numbness and/or tingling (needles) sensations. They also may suffer from hearing or vision loss (all the way to blindness). Involuntary actions Nerves (like intestines and bladder) are often effected causing constipation and urinary retention. Many MS sufferers experience bladder and kidney infections or even blood infection.

According to western medicine a cure for multiple sclerosis does not yet exist. There are medications used to treat the disease but they have a slue of side effect including appetite suppression and impact on moods and energy level. Patients are encouraged to follow a healthy diet and regular aerobic exercise in order to enhance their quality of life (improve muscle strength as well as bladder and bowel control)

It is no wonder that people who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis are looking for a cure in places other than western medicine. We keep hearing continuously that the research for a cure is just on the threshold of the final discovery but the people who suffer from MS do not have to wait any longer. Ayurvedic medicine is curing Multiple Sclerosis and many other chronic diseases for years with incredible rate of success. You have to go to New Delhi, India to get this treatment but it is working without a doubt.

Many people will not even consider a trip to India because of the cost and the fear of the sanitary condition that they might have to endure there. In reality none of their fears are really justified. The treatment duration is about three weeks. The Ayurvedic Hospital in Delhi is very clean, the water are purified and the food is wholesome and fresh. You are practically isolated from the surrounding environment. The hospitalization cost is very low (about 10% of a hospital cost in North America). The best price available is during the summer months (July and August). It is the hot season but you have there an AC room and the saving is substantial.