What to do to Cure Athlete’s Foot

Posted on March 6, 2011 by admin

Athlete’s foot is one of the most common feet problems in the country. And despite being named after an athlete, this fungal infection can actually affect everyone. Sportsmen, office people, old people, children, men and women… all are affected.

Athlete’s foot is an infection in the feet caused by the fungus, tinea pedis, which often lives in warm and moist environments. These fungi can often be found in moist areas such as locker rooms, gyms and poolside areas.

People who suffer from athlete’s foot will experience itchiness in the affected areas, often in between the toes. There will be redness and tenderness in those areas as well as the cracking of the skin. Athlete’s foot may also cause the skin to break, resulting in blisters. In cases that are not treated early, people with athlete’s foot may also develop yellowed and thick toenails because of the spread of fungi.

There are a variety of medicines, topical medicines that will help cure athlete’s foot. One of the most common type of drugs for these fungal infection is the athlete’s foot cream. This over-the-counter medicine help treat the athlete’s foot by killing the fungi that inhabit the area. Some of the most popular brands are Lamisil and Lotrimin.

Another treatment for these fungal infections is the athlete’s foot powder, which primarily works as a drying agent that keeps the moisture away from the affected area. Without moisture, the fungus cannot live long. Besides treating the problem, athlete’s foot powder also prevents the foot from getting infected again. Remember that a dry foot will not be infected with fungus.

Another treatment option for athlete’s foot is the athletic sandals, which a person can use when inside the shower room or by the pool side. Fungus can live in puddles of water inside warm and moist environments such as the shower rooms in gymnasiums and other sports facilities. It is therefore important that you protect your feet by not going barefoot when inside these facilities.

Another great product that can help prevent or treat the problem is an athletic pair of socks. These socks can help keep your feet dry especially when you are on the go. The sweat in your feet and the moisture in the feet after showering can be absorbed by these socks, thereby keeping your feet dry. It is however important that you change your socks often. Reusing your socks is not a good practice as this only invites fungal infection to settle in.

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Athlete’s Foot Caused By Microscopic Fungus

Posted on March 2, 2011 by admin

Athlete’s foot fungus is the term used to describe a fungal infection of the skin on the foot. The scientific name for the fungus that causes athlete’s foot is tinea pedis.

Tinea pedis is an infection of the foot caused by a microscopic fungus that lives on dead tissue of the hair, toenails, and outer skin layers (dermatophyte). These fungi thrive in warm, moist environments such as shoes, stockings, and the floors of public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools.

Athlete’s foot is transmitted through contact with a cut or abrasion on the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot. In rare cases, the fungus is transmitted from infected animals to humans.

Dermatophyte (skin) infections cause raised, circular pimples or blisters that resemble the lesions caused by ringworm. The infections are named for the part of the body they infect; therefore, tinea pedis refers to an infection of the feet.

Athlete’s foot is the most common type of fungal infection. Prevalence of the condition is affected by personal hygiene and daily activity. Athlete’s foot is most common in men from the teens to the middle age and in people with compromised immune systems.

There are four common forms of athlete’s foot. Common symptoms include persistent itching of the skin on the sole of the foot or between the toes (often the fourth and fifth toes). As the infection progresses, the skin grows soft and the center of the infection becomes inflamed and sensitive to the touch. Gradually, the edges of the infected area become milky white and the skin begins to peel. A slight watery discharge also may be present.

Diagnosis is made by visual observation of the symptoms. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings is used to determine the type of fungus causing the infection and to rule out bacterial infection. Other tests include growing a fungal culture from skin scrapings and examining the patient’s foot under an ultraviolet light.

Tinea infections may disappear spontaneously or than can persist for years. They are difficult to treat and often recur. There are some natural remedy for fungus treatment. Best results usually are obtained with early treatment before the fungal infection establishes itself firmly. Antifungal drugs may be used to fight the infection. If the infection is bacterial, oral antibiotics may be prescribed.

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Antioxidants-Rustproofer From Nature

Posted on February 27, 2011 by admin

Everyone should probably be quite familiar with rust occuring on an automobile’s body. Rust is actually a layman’s word for the process of oxidation. This process takes place when oxygen comes into long-term contact with metals. Over time, oxygen mixes with metals at an atomic level. A new compound called oxide is eventually formed and oxide weakens the bonds of the metal itself.

The element that accelerates the rusting process is dihydrogen oxygen or H2O or what is commonly referred to as water. It is basically easy for water to penetrate cracks in metals. The hydrogen atoms in water can combine with other elements to form acids. Meanwhile, the oxygen atoms combine with metallic atoms to form the destructive oxide compound. This is why rust occurs quickly when an automobile suffers damage from a collision. It is a matter of time before the rust spreads and consumes the entire vehicle. So it is common to have the automobile rustproofed after repair in order to prevent rust from occuring.

This very example can be applied to the human body. Oxidation (rust) also occurs within the human body. Oxygen damage (oxidation) to a body’s cells results when there are too many elements called free radicals present within the body. Free radicals occur from the normal production of cells by the body. But there is nothing normal about free radicals, in fact they are abnormal or damaged molecules.

Free radicals are abnormal in the sense that when produced, they lack an electron. In the process of fulfilling their needs, they steal electrons from other molecules thereby damaging the others. As you can probably imagine, with more damaged molecules in the body, more illnesses are going to occur.

Enter antioxidants. Antioxidants freely donate electrons to the free radicals. And just like a good automobile rustproofing system, they stabilize and neutralize the harmful effects of these bodily rust.

So the big question now is where does one obtain antioxidants?

The body produces antioxidants in itself but sadly, the amount is insufficient to combat the free radicals that are produced at a faster pace. The answer therefore is to find them through food. Green leafy vegetables such as cabbage as well as broccoli, cauliflower, russet potatoes and Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants. In fruits you can find them in purple colored berries like elderberries and blackcurrants. You can also include blackberries, blueberries and raspberries to the list. The spices that you add into your cooking can also be sources of antioxidants and these include garlic cloves, oregano, turmeric, cinnamon and curry.

The most powerful source of antioxidants though can be found in grape seeds, especially those of dark skinned grapes. This is because grape seeds are rich in a compound called procyanidolic oligomers or PCOs. PCOs are such powerful antioxidants they possess both the antioxidant properties of vitamins b and e with a lot more other properties to spare. While the idea of chewing on grape seeds may turn people off because of their bitterness and tartness, there are many health supplement manufacturers that have extracted their properties and packed them into capsule form. Basically you can buy antioxidant supplements to augment your diet.

Just like any owner that takes good care of their automobiles, people should also make an effort to rustproof their bodies. To do so would greatly reduce health risks as well as slow down aging. But unlike automobiles which you have to bring to a shop for the rustproofing process, antioxidants can easily be obtained at home by way of cooking the right foods and taking the appropriate supplements.

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Go Natural on Food Supplements

Posted on February 15, 2011 by admin



Have you ever wondered what food supplements you could use aside from those recommended by doctors. Most of the time doctors would recommend multivitamins as supplements for a diet and healthy body. They are usually sold in tablet form and pills and sometimes may cost a lot. But there are other natural food supplements that you could use as alternative to over the counter tablets and pills recommended by doctors.

When you want food supplements for your body, it means you want to have a healthy body and mind. You want to feel good that you are taking in vitamins or supplements that would make your body healthy and well.

Some of the natural food supplements are so common that you fail to notice them. They are just there in your regular diet and their use should be enough to supplement your dietary needs.

Vegetable, fruit milk shakes

Yes, fruits, vegetables milk shakes could be daily food supplements that you could use as alternative to vitamin tablets. There is so much energy and vitamins in these shakes that you could use them as a source supplement for your dietary needs. Example, mango and strawberry shakes has a lot of vitamin c that a glass of it could give you the daily doze of vitamin c that you need without having to take in a tablet or a pill. It is even very tasty that you would enjoy the delicious flavor and could custom make it to your palate’s appetite.

Vegetable and fruit salad meals with twists

Salads are another way of spicing up your food supplement. Instead of taking in multivitamins in tablets, you could take your time preparing the salad of your choice. You would enjoy the fun of munching on the leaves of lettuce, the sweetness of carrots and potatoes and the fun of having to prepare your meal every time you want to and have to eat it. Your meal wouldn’t have to be as dull as taking in a tablet and drinking water to have it swim into your stomach. It would be a simple adventure into your culinary talents in preparing your meal at the same time enjoying the deliciousness of the flavors combined.

Natural herbal tea and coffee

After a great meal, perhaps you could try coffee or tea. It has been proven that tea and coffee contain anti oxidants which will help you in having a healthy body and mind. Herbal teas also help in digestion. It could also be a tasty drink once mixed with other flavors. These would be wonderful after each meal, to chase away the tasty meals that you have had and give your body the aid to digest the food elements that you have eaten.

Daily doze of skim milk

Milk as a food supplement would be good at night. It is safe to drink cool or warm and could be a good aid to strengthen your bones and give you a good skin. Should you be uninterested with the taste of fresh milk, do not worry. Milk can be flavored with other tasty ingredient; such as fruits or vegetables and you could create your own flavor that you feel you would want to have for each day.

Look into your refrigerator and you just might find food that would be a good food supplement for your body. You do not need to buy expensive over the counter pills to supplement your body with the necessary nutrients it needs. All you need is a creative mind and an adventurous attitude towards the culinary science of mixing and matching your food to have it healthy and taste to your own needs and wants. Over the counter tablets of food supplements come from natural ingredients and those natural ingredients are just around the supermarket and your refrigerator. Use your creative genius in the kitchen and you would come up with tasty food supplements that does not cost as much and taste as bland as the tablets and pills.

by:Mario SK Churchill
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Protect and Improve Your Health With Antioxidants

Posted on February 7, 2011 by admin

Every minute of every day the cells of our bodies are assaulted by particles called oxygen free radicals, also called oxidants. We can’t escape free radicals because our cells produce them during normal metabolism. Additionally, our every day environment contains an abundance of free radicals.

Unfortunately these radicals produce chain reactions that lead to damage of the DNA in our cells. The aging of our cells is partly the result of free radical damage, also called oxidation.

Fortunately there are some simple steps that we can take to minimize the damage and to promote and prolong the health of our cells.

Oxidation

Free radicals are molecules that have an unpaired electron. They are chemically active and can be thought of as scavengers. They easily bond with the molecules of our cells in a process called oxidation.

We are familiar with the normal oxidation process of metals such as iron. Iron oxide is called rust, and we know that rust can deteriorate the quality of the metal. Other metals also can exhibit oxidation which we generally call corrosion. We normally take steps to prevent the corrosion of metals.

Damage to our cells caused by oxidation is often called inflammation. And we can take steps to protect ourselves from cellular oxidation.

Antioxidants

There are numerous chemical compounds that will neutralize the effects of oxidation. An antioxidant will bond with the free radical, creating a stable molecule, and prevent the radical from causing oxidation of the cell. This new molecule can then be removed during normal bodily processes.

The best known antioxidants are the nutrients, vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium. Numerous other vitamins, minerals, and enzymes perform important protective antioxidant functions.

Many of these substances, most notably the above mentioned vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium, cannot be produced by our cells but must be ingested through the foods we eat or the supplements we take.

The American Heart Association teaches us that atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes, is caused by fatty buildups in our arteries. Oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a large factor in the buildup of these fatty deposits. According to the AHA, vitamin E is the best of the naturally occurring antioxidants for providing protection against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Vitamin C is probably the most potent general free radical fighter. Its antioxidant properties are used by nearly every cell of the body. Vitamin C is a very strong immune system booster.

Here’s an interesting item from the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. A study investigated the effects of various cooking methods on broccoli. It concluded that microwave cooking depleted 97 per cent of the broccoli’s flavonoids, a major antioxidant. By contrast, steaming the broccoli depleted only 11 per cent of the same antioxidants.

How prevalent is microwave cooking in the kitchens of our homes? Dr Cristina Garcia-Viguera, co-author of the study, concluded that it is best “to cook vegetables in the minimum amount of water in order to retain their nutritional benefits.”

What To Do

To improve the health of our cells throughout our bodies and to protect our cells from the ravages of oxidation, it is essential to include a rich supply of important antioxidants in our daily diet. Two to four servings from the fruit group and three to five servings from the vegetable group daily are recommended.

If you find it difficult to consume an abundance of antioxidants from the recommended food groups, then taking daily supplements should solve the problem. Find easily digestible tablet or gel capsules from major companies or substitute good liquid supplements as a convenient and good-tasting alternative. As always, consult a physician before beginning a major new program.

by:Garry Gamber

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Is Acai Berry Fruit the Best Antioxidant Source in the World?

Posted on February 5, 2011 by admin

One of the main reasons why the little purple-colored berry from the Amazon rain forest has grown in popularity and worldwide fame in such a short period after being introduced to the general public, is because of this fruit’s mega antioxidant power. Acai is presently being recognized as the supreme superfood providing super potent antioxidant properties. This small berry fruit has so far proven itself to possess up to 10 times the antioxidants of grapes and at least twice the antioxidant power of blueberries. In addition to that, acai berry is quite rich in Vitamin E, protein, fiber, trace minerals, and contains a high degree of three kinds of omegas and essential fatty acids.

Why are Antioxidants in General So Important to Us? The National Cancer Institute have stated that there is actual a lot of laboratory proof revealing that antioxidants can in fact slow or even stop the dangerous growth of cancer. Antioxidants are believed to possess the incredibly unique ability to protect cells from the potential damage that is caused by molecules widely known as “free radicals.” Know that enough damages that are caused by free radicals can eventually lead to some form of cancer in your lifetime. So the many antioxidants in the acai berry fruit can truly help to prevent the destruction that free radicals often cause.

Acai is a Crucial Source of Anthocyanin. The acai fruit is widely becoming well-known as an important source for its antioxidant anthocyanin. Anthocyanin belongs in a group of phytochemicals that are found in red wine and that have almost been proven as fact to have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. This particular antioxidant has demonstrated itself to help improve circulation, fight cancer, and prevent both blood clots and artherosclerosis. In addition, the acai fruit contains oleic acid which helps maintain a healthy heart.

At the heart of anthocyanin in acai fruit is something called cyaniding-3 glucoside, which is about 3.5 times more powerful in comparison to the anthocyanin that is found in red wine as shown in an ORAC examination. ORAC actually means Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity. This is a method that is used to test the level of antioxidant activity of a property in question. It has been said that the average human being needs around 1670 ORAC everyday. The amazing acai berry provides an astounding ORAC level of 3871.

So now you know why this amazing little fruit from the Amazon rain forest of Brazil has grown in wild popularity in such a short period of time.

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Calcium Vitamin D Magnesium Supplement

Posted on January 25, 2011 by admin

Yes, many calcium-rich supplements available today are blends of calcium, vitamin D and magnesium. Many other minerals like potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins like vitamin K2 and K3 are also used in making high-quality calcium supplements.

For the development of healthy bones, teeth and muscles children as well as adults need adequate quantities of calcium either from food or from nutritional supplements. A calcium vitamin D magnesium supplement is ideal for people of all ages since vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium and magnesium has its own health benefits.

Women are advised to increase their intake of calcium-rich foods to reduce risk of developing osteoporosis in old age. Many other illnesses like depression and PMS in women are associated with calcium deficiency. Liquid calcium vitamin D and magnesium supplement is also available now and is very effective in overcoming calcium deficiency.

Divide the dosage of calcium-rich supplement in such a way that you receive up to 500 mg of calcium at one time. Read the instructions and ingredients on the bottle carefully before starting the course. Liquid calcium vitamin D and magnesium supplement can be used by taking 1-2 tablespoons daily. You can also have your serum calcium (blood test) performed to measure the level of calcium in blood and then consuming nutritional supplements accordingly.

Normally pregnant and lactating women require up to 1000 mg calcium daily. They are strongly advised to consult their doctor before taking any calcium-rich supplement. In addition to calcium you also need to know that women require 400 – 800 IU of vitamin D everyday. Multi-vitamin pills and calcium – vitamin D tablets can be consumed to fulfill these needs in addition to a healthy, balanced diet.

Doctors suggest exercising on a regular basis for proper absorption of calcium and other minerals in blood. Do not sit idle for long periods of time. Degenerative diseases occur in old age and one of their major causes is calcium deficiency. Calcium also assists in losing weight and controlling blood pressure. People who eat calcium-rich food and drink milk regularly are at reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, colon cancer and kidney stones.

Don’t forget to find high-quality calcium and vitamin D supplements available on the market. They are not only important for your bone health but are also needed by many other systems of the body to function properly.

by:John Gibb
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Everything You Need To Know About A Calcium Diet

Posted on January 10, 2011 by admin

Calcium is important for the development of our bones and teeth. Everyone knows that. But the question is: how to add calcium to your everyday diet? Keep reading on to learn about some of the rich sources of calcium and how to form a calcium diet.

Teenagers should get their calcium from milk. Fortified cereals and fortified orange juice are also good options to add to a calcium diet. Oatmeal, dairy products like frozen yoghurt and processed cheese, rice, green vegetables like broccoli and spinach, and fish such as tuna and sardines are rich sources of calcium.

In order to obtain optimal levels of calcium everyday you need to make sure that the above-mentioned calcium diet is strictly followed. However, many of us complain that the milk available to us today does not provide half the calcium that is found in pure milk. Similarly, some people don’t like eating vegetables and there are still others who don’t like the taste of fish.

What to do if your everyday diet is not sufficient to provide you with adequate quantities of calcium? Fortified cereals are a good way to start off. However, to address calcium deficiency in adults and in some children as well, doctors normally recommend consumption of calcium-rich tablets or to make liquid calcium supplements as part of your calcium diet.

There are many kinds of supplements now available on the market. Calcium carbonate has been found to be the best source of calcium as it provide up to 40% of elementary calcium and also reduces acidity in the stomach. Look around to find nutritional supplements made from coral calcium. This kind of calcium is obtained from fossilized coral reefs above sea level in an environmentally friendly manner. It’s the most refined form of calcium carbonate and also contains traces of many other important minerals.

Coral calcium is good for health as it is readily absorbed by the bloodstream. Certain minerals found in this type of calcium like magnesium and phosphorus have health benefits of their own. All these minerals work together to fight against many deadly diseases and help in maximum absorption of calcium by the bones and teeth.

It is important to know that marine coral calcium is not that much beneficial as it is not readily absorbed by the blood. Coral calcium, on the other hand, provides many extra benefits including assistance in weight loss and treatment of depression in women.

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