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 The Best Food For Headaches


Experts agree that knowing your triggers is one of the best ways to avoid the searing or pounding pain of a headache.
Triggers can be diet-related, and chronic headache sufferers often learn which eats and drinks are best for them to avoid. But if certain foods are off limits, are there also foods that help?
The evidence is less convincing, but there are a few potential pain-savers. The six foods below probably won't make a headache disappear completely, but they do seem to have preventive powers.

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 Top 10 of Benefits of Aloe Vera

Different parts of the plant are used for different effects on the body and Aloe Vera has both internal and external applications.

Here is a list of the Top 12 Benefits and Medicinal Uses for Aloe Vera:

1.  Aloe Vera Is High in Vitamins & Minerals:

Aloe Vera contains many vitamins including A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6. Aloe Vera is also one of the few plants that contains vitamin B12.
Some of the 20 minerals found in Aloe Vera include: calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese.

2. Aloe Vera is High in Amino Acids & Fatty Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are about 22 amino acids that are necessary for the human body and it is said that 8 of these are essential. Estimates of the amino acids found in aloe range from 18-20 amino acids, with all 8 essential amino acids.
Alove Vera also includes quite an impressive range of fatty acids. Aloe contains three plant sterols, which are important fatty acids- HCL cholesterol (which lowers fats in the blood), campesterol, and B-sitosterol. All are helpful in reducing symptoms of allergies and acid indigestion. Other fatty acids include linoleic, linolenic, myristic, caprylic, oleic, palmitic, and  stearic.

3. Aloe Vera is an Adaptogen

Aloe Vera is a well-known adaptogen. An adaptogen is something that boosts the body’s natural ability to adapt to external changes and resist illness. It is thought that aloe’s power as an adaptogen balances the body’s system, stimulating the defense and adaptive mechanisms of the body. This allows you an increased ability to cope with stress (physical, emotional and environmental stress like pollution)

4. Aloe Helps with Digestion

Poor digestion is related to many diseases. A properly functioning digestive tract is one of the keys and foundations of health. Aloe is known to soothe and cleanse the digestive tract and help improve digestion. The interesting thing about taking aloe internally is that, because it is an adaptogen, it helps with either constipation or diarrhea, helping to regulate your elimination cycles in whatever way you need.  It’s been a great remedy for people with problems such as irritable bowel syndrome as well as acid reflux. Aloe also helps to decrease the amount of unfriendly bacteria and in our gut keeping your healthy intestinal flora in balance. Aloe is also a vermifuge, which means it helps to rid the body of intestinal worms.

5. Aloe Helps in Detoxification

Aloe Vera is a gelatinous plant food, just like seaweeds and chia. The main benefit to consuming gelatinous plant foods in your diet is that these gels move through the intestinal tract absorbing toxins along the way and get eliminated through the colon. This will help the proper elimination of waste from your body and help the detoxification of your body.

6.  Aloe Alkalizes the Body

Disease cannot manifest in an alkaline environment. Most people are living and subsisting on mostly acidic foods. For great health, remember the 80/20 rule – 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acidic. Aloe vera is an alkaline forming food. It alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits

7. Cardiovascular Health

There hasn’t been a lot of studies conducted in this but there has been some research to show that Aloe Vera extract injected into the blood, greatly multiplies the oxygen transportation and diffusion capabilities of the red blood cells.
According to a study published in the 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal, beta sitosterol helps to lower cholesterol. By regulating blood pressure, improving circulation and oxidation of the blood, lowering cholesterol, and making blood less sticky, Aloe Vera juice may be able to help lower the risk of heart disease.

8. Aloe Helps Boost the Immune System

I think given the stresses of our daily lives, every one can use a boost to their immune systems. The polysaccharides in aloe vera juice stimulate macrophages, which are the white blood cells of your immune system that fight against viruses.
Aloe is also an immune enhancer because of its high level of anti-oxidants, which help combat the unstable compounds known as free-radicals, contributing to the aging process. (Free radicals are a bi-product of life itself, it is a naturally occurring process but we can overload ourselves with unnecessary free-radicals by living an unhealthy lifestyle) Aloe is also an antipyretic which means it used to reduce or prevent fever.

9. Aloe Vera is Great for the Skin

Because of aloe’s well-known healing properties for the skin, aloe is one of the primary compounds used in the cosmetic industry. It is a known vulnerary, (meaning it helps heal wounds) and is great for applying topically to burns, abrasions, psoriasis and even to bug bites. Aloe acts as an analgesic, acting to help relieve pain of wounds. It’s feels especially good to cut a stem of aloe, place it in the fridge and rub it on sun burnt skin – the immediate soothing effect feels like an absolute lifesaver. Aloe is also an antipruritic: A substance that relieves or prevents itching. Aloe Vera is an astringent: which causes the contraction of body tissues, typically used to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions.

10. Disinfectant, Anti-biotic, Anti-microbial, Germicidal, Anti-bacterial, Anti-septic, Anti-fungal & Anti-viral:

Wow, I think that covers all anti- bases. Okay, I admit, that was just a sneaky way to add in another 8 good reasons why you should keep Aloe Vera handy and incorporate it into your lifestyle. Aloe Vera’s active ingredients are sulphur, lupeol, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, urea nitrogen and phenol which are substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms and act as a team to provide antimicrobial activity thus eliminating many internal and external infections, also active against bacteria. It also helps to treat fungal and viral infections.
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Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Fast, Safe, and Effective in 2014!


Even though people often associate acne with teenagers, adults well into their 30s, 40s, possibly even their 50s may have problems with acne. Not only does acne look unattractive, but most of the time it will eventually go away. However, another to reason to get rid of acne as quickly as possible is that it might leave our skin prone to scarring, which unlike the acne itself is not going to go away. Many people find that they have lowered self-confidence when struggling with acne and feel as though they are unattractive.

What is acne exactly?

There are small oil-producing glands called sebum inside our hair follicles. This oil mixes with skin cells inside of the follicle and they travel outwards onto the surface of our skin together. If there is something on the surface that will block the exit from the follicle, too many dead skin cells, or too much sebum, a blockage might happen. Bacteria then join the fray and this leads to the most common form of acne – acne vulgaris.

Some general tips on how to get rid of acne

Even though these tips are not necessarily going to prevent an acne outbreak, they may present the best way to get rid of acne in that it can help to avoid making it worse:
  • Avoid touching your face – This sounds easy for most people until they realize how often they touch their own face. They scratch their ears, wipe their lips, and relieve itches when they occur. If you paid attention to how many times you touch your face during a normal day, you might be surprised. Oil, grime, and sweat all spread across surfaces that we interact with daily. By not actively touching your face, you are avoiding the transfer of bacteria which helps reduce problems with acne.
  • Washing your face twice a day – Perhaps the best way to get rid of acne is to stop the buildup of grease and grime altogether. Washing your face two times a day will help, but doing it more than that might strip away the essential oils. Use a mild soap or cleanser, warm water, and a clean washcloth.
  • Check your makeup – Countless people wash their face to avoid acne but actively give themselves more acne problems by using makeup that causes blemishes. For many people, the best way to get rid of acne is by examining what they are putting on their face themselves and seeing whether it is hurting their appearance.

Use benzoyl peroxide

One of the most common ways to get rid of acne is by using benzoyl peroxide. Even though cleansers or lotions are available in prescription versions, you can get benzoyl peroxide products over the counter without any problem. Using benzoyl peroxide can help kill the bacteria responsible for the inflammation. It is important to be patient when using benzoyl peroxide because it can take upwards of three weeks before you notice any results.

Why salicylic acid can help?

Many people wonder why we would put salicylic acid in an article that explores the best way to get rid of acne. Because it does not have any effect upon sebum production nor does salicylic acid kill bacteria. However, it does remove the outermost layer of the skin, which means that blockages are not a serious problem anymore. Unfortunately, because it removes the outer layer it is not a good idea to use this on a skin with sores or cuts or even irritated or sensitive skin.

 Isotretinoin

Even if you have never heard of isotretinoin, you might have heard of the brand name Accutane. Even though the exact workings of isotretinoin are unknown, experts believe that it has something to do with the dramatic reduction of sebum production. One of the problems is that it can take a long time before the product finally starts to work, because many patients may not see any significant changes until four or five months after they start using the treatment. Unfortunately, some of the side effects are scary as well.

Antibiotics could be next.

If you find that your over the counter treatments are not the best way to get rid of acne, you may have to try something a little stronger and use antibiotics. At their most basic, these destroy or damage bacteria, which means that it would logically reduce the infection in the pores. It prevents future bacterial growth (providing that you keep using it) while reducing existing inflammation. However, they make your skin sensitive to light and may cause dryness or scaling. Finally, doctors are often hesitant to keep a patient on antibiotics for a long period of time.

Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne – Cheap Home Remedies For You

Especially when dealing with light acne, the best way to get rid of acne might be to try a home remedy. Even though they might not always be as effective as commercial products, they are still worth a shot:
  • Oatmeal mask – The oatmeal will dry and exfoliate your skin and the honey is going to tone the skin. Apply the mixture to your face and leave on for about 15 minutes.
  • Honey and cinnamon – A paste of three tablespoons honey and one tablespoon of cinnamon applied directly to the acne before heading to bed might help. Repeat this nightly before you head to bed for about two weeks.
  • Papaya – the papain enzyme in this fruit is a powerful treatment for acne and quickens healing time for superficial wounds. Mash the papaya into a thick paste and apply it to the parts of your skin that need it. This can help remove lipids from your skin before they have a chance to clog the pores, thus preventing future outbreaks.

Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne – A New Approach To Acne Treatment

Sometimes people say that ‘we save the best for last,’ which is what we did with this particular article. We wanted to take this moment to discuss what might possibly be the best way to get rid of acne, by using science and nature together to approach the entire spectrum of acne problems – Exposed Skin Care.
Exposed Skin Care acne treatment gel helps clear up acne that you already have, prevents the formation of new acne, but also helps reduce any possible acne scars and evens the skin tone. This makes it a tremendous breakthrough in the way that it addresses all the different issues with acne.
Considering that the product is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin, and you might understand why this is something to be excited about if you have ever struggled with acne. If you have never tried the Exposed Skin Care acne treatment gel before, it is highly recommended that you try it. Considering that it is currently on an introductory sale for 40% off and comes with a one-year money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose but unattractive acne.
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Make Your Resolutions Stick

Don't set yourself up to feel like a days fitness failure by setting unrealistic, impractical or boring workout resolutions. Instead, follow these surefire tips to keep your days resolutions and reach your fitness goals.

Make a short list

You can't reach goals unless you set them — but you won't reach your fitness goals if you set too many or make them too vague. It's wiser to make a list of three to five fitness goals instead of a long impractical list or one unspecific goal, such as "work out more." A short list will make your fitness resolutions less overwhelming and more achievable.

Here's an example of a short list of fitness resolutions:

  • Do 20 minutes of cardio three days a week (you can even specify the days to make you more accountable).
  • Take the kettlebell class at the gym on Mondays and Thursdays (insert any class here).
  • Try one new workout every two weeks (this can be a new fitness class, a fitness DVD or a session with a personal trainer).

Know your limits, but don't be limited

Reach for your dreams, but don't set the bar so high that you crash and burn. At the beginning of the year, you are super-amped to set goals and meet them, but your enthusiasm might wane once you encounter limitations caused by work, family, illness or fitness level. Instead of making a fitness resolution to run a marathon by spring, work your way up a big accomplishment. For example, make a fitness goal to run a 5K; once you do, make another fitness goal to run a 10K. Then, shoot for a half-marathon and then, a marathon. You may not run a marathon by spring, but you will be training for longer-distance events and meeting fitness goals along the way, which is key to staying motivated.

Exercise and enjoy it

Don't resolve to join the Zumba team if you hate dancing. Just because a workout is the new rage does not mean you must labor through it if you hate it. Determine the activities you like doing and make fitness resolutions to get more of them. Do try new workouts — we recommend once a week — to add variety to your routine, but if you know a certain mode of exercise isn't for you, don't force it. The more enjoyable your physical activities, the more likely you'll do them.

Be flexible

In a perfect world, you'd make an exercise schedule, and nothing would get in the way of your daily workout. We don't live in a perfect world, though, so prepare for scheduling snafus, whether it's your boss calling a lunch meeting that keeps you from your noontime boot camp class, or you sleeping through your 6 a.m. alarm and having no time to run before taking your kids to school. Always have a backup workout plan, and don't stress about it. Fitness DVDs are the perfect substitute for class workouts, and they can be done whenever your schedule allows. Another option is to simply take a powerwalk when you get a break in your day and commit to getting back on your planned week of workouts. Being flexible will keep you from giving up and feeling like a fitness failure.

Plan for your workouts

Pull out your smartphone and put your workouts on your calendar. Being able to see them every week keeps you accountable. Consider it an exercise to-do list; you know how good it feels to check things off a list. In addition to scheduling your workouts, make it easy to do them. Lay your fitness attire out the night before your workout, set an alarm if you're doing early-morning exercise, and pack your gym bag with a bottle of water, nutrition bar, towel and anything else you'll need before and after you sweat.

Dress the part

Think about it: Are you going to be more motivated to go to the gym clad in your baggy sweats or in cute leggings and a tank top? Buy one or two flattering fitness outfits that you can mix and match. You'll feel better about yourself — and when you look in the mirror while you sweat, you'll know you look better, too.
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How to Lose Weight: 10+ Fast, Easy Tricks

You know the drill when it comes to losing weight: take in fewer calories, burn more calories. But you also know that most diets and quick weight-loss plans don't work as promised. If you're trying to drop a few pounds fast, these expert tips will make it easy for you to lose the weight quickly.

1) Write down what you eat for one week and you will lose weight.

Studies have found that people who maintain food diaries wind up eating about 15 percent less food than those who don't.

2) Add 10 percent to the amount of daily calories you think you're eating.

If you think you're consuming 1,700 calories a day and don't understand why you're not losing weight, add another 170 calories to your guesstimate. Chances are, the new number is more accurate. Adjust your eating habits accordingly.

3) Get an online weight loss buddy to lose more weight.

A University of Vermont study found that online weight-loss buddies help you keep the weight off. The researchers followed volunteers for 18 months. Those assigned to an Internet-based weight maintenance program sustained their weight loss better than those who met face-to-face in a support group.

4) After breakfast, stick to water.

At breakfast, go ahead and drink orange juice. But throughout the rest of the day, focus on water instead of juice or soda. The average American consumes an extra 245 calories a day from soft drinks. That's nearly 90,000 calories a year—or 25 pounds! And research shows that despite the calories, sugary drinks don't trigger a sense of fullness the way that food does.

5) Eat three fewer bites of your meal.

one less treat a day, or one less glass of orange juice. Doing any of these can save you about 100 calories a day, and that alone is enough to prevent you from gaining the two pounds most people mindlessly pack on each year.

6) Watch one less hour of TV.

A study of 76 undergraduate students found the more they watched television, the more often they ate and the more they ate overall. Sacrifice one program (there's probably one you don't really want to watch anyway) and go for a walk instead.

7) Wash something thoroughly once a week.

Whether that's a floor, a couple of windows, the shower stall, bathroom tile, or your car, a 150-pound person will burn about four calories for every minute spent cleaning. Scrub for 30 minutes and you could work off approximately 120 calories, the same number in a half-cup of vanilla frozen yogurt.

8) Wait until your stomach rumbles before you reach for food.

It's stunning how often we eat out of boredom, nervousness, habit, or frustration—so often, in fact, that many of us have actually forgotten what physical hunger feels like. If you're hankering for a specific food, it's probably a craving, not hunger. If you'd eat anything you could get your hands on, chances are you're truly hungry. Find ways other than eating to express love, tame stress, and relieve boredom.

9) The color blue suppresses appetites.

There's a good reason you won't see many fast-food restaurants decorated in blue: it functions as an appetite suppressant. So serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Conversely, avoid red, yellow, and orange in your dining areas. Studies find they encourage eating.

10) Eat in front of mirrors and you'll lose weight.

One study found that eating in front of mirrors slashed the amount people ate by nearly one-third. Having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals, and reminds you of why you're trying to lose weight in the first place.

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Soy Isoflavones May Affect The Risk of Breast Cancer


Due to the estrogenic activity, these isoflavones are often used as a natural alternative to estrogenic drugs to relieve symptoms of menopause.

In fact, isoflavones can reduce symptoms when women are going through menopause, as well as reduce the risk of bone loss in elderly women, just like estrogen replacement therapy.
However, this use is controversial and many believe that the risks outweigh any potential benefit.
Animal studies show that soy isoflavones can cause breast cancer. There are also human studies showing that soy isoflavones can stimulate the proliferation and activity of cells in the breasts.
In one study, 48 women were split into two groups. One group ate their normal diet, the other supplemented with 60 grams of soy protein.

After only 14 days, the soy protein group had significant increases in proliferation (increase in number) of the epithelial cells in the breasts, which are the cells that are most likely to turn cancerous.In another study, 7 of 24 women (29.2%) had an increased number of breast epithelial cells when they supplemented with soy protein.

These changes may indicate an increased risk of breast cancer, which is the most common cancer in women. However, many observational studies show that women who consume soy actually have a reduced risk of breast cancer.It is a good idea not to make decisions based on observational studies, which tend to be unreliable. The biological changes in the breasts and the studies where soy causes breast cancer in rodents are a major cause for concern.
There are also some small human studies where soy caused mild disruptions of the menstrual cycle, leading to delayed menses and prolonged menstruation. 

Bottom Line: Soy isoflavones can increase the multiplication of cells in the breasts. However, observational studies show a reduced risk of breast cancer. Soy may lead to mild disruptions of the normal menstrual cycle.
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Tips to be followed before and after your blood donation



Diet before donating Blood:
Eat iron rich foods for two weeks before your appointment, for example, whole grains, spinach, rice flakes, watermelon etc.


Include foods which are rich in Vitamin C- having good levels of vitamin C will help to increase iron absorption. So consume more citrus fruits and juices, amla etc.


Drink plenty of water and Fruit juices in the night and morning before you donate. Drink at least eight glasses of liquids in the morning of donation. Avoid carbonated drinks in favour of plain water or juices


Avoid fatty foods for twenty –four hours before you donate blood. Fatty foods can affect the tests which will be done on your blood. Because of the excess fat in your blood, your donation can’t be tested for infectious diseases and the blood will not be used for transfusion.


Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Eating will keep your blood sugar levels stable, helping you to feel better after you have donated.


Diet after donating Blood:
Drinking plenty of liquids is very important just after giving blood, which begins to replace the fluid you just lost. You need to continue drinking plenty of fluids for the next 24 to 48 hours. It will help prevent low blood pressure.


Eat foods rich in Folic Acid: Your body uses Folate, also known as B-9, folic acid or folacin, to manufacture new red blood cells. This helps to replace blood cells lost during donation. Foods that contain folate include liver, dried beans, asparagus and green, leafy vegetables like spinach, orange juice fortified breads.


Eat foods rich in Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin): Riboflavin or vitamin B-2 is another vitamin necessary to produce red blood cells. Riboflavin helps your body turn carbohydrates into energy for the body. Since giving blood can make you feel weakened, this energy can benefit you. Foods containing riboflavin are similar to those that have iron and folate and include eggs, peas, nuts, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, asparagus and vitamin-fortified cereals. Dairy products like milk and yogurt also are good sources of riboflavin.


Eat foods rich in Vitamin B-6: Foods with vitamin B-6 have a number of benefits after you give blood. Your body needs the vitamin to build healthy blood cells and it helps the body break down proteins. Because proteins contain many of the nutrients you need after giving blood, eating vitamin B-6 foods can be helpful. Examples of vitamin B-6 foods include potatoes, bananas, seeds, nuts, red meat, fish, eggs and spinach.
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