Heathy 365 News -Happiness and Your Health

 

Healthy 365 News  Issue # 24 - Nov. 15, 2011 Receive daily tips from Dr. W  Update From Dr. Weaver Hello Readers,   I recently came across a study that was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The conclusions of the study were basically that individuals who rated their feelings of happiness higher enjoyed living longer than those whose scores were lower.  This study from the University College of London took place over a 5 year period, involved about 4,000 participants who rated their feelings of anxiety or happiness on a variable scale several times a day, starting with the time they awakened. The study noted that after the 5 years, there was a 35% difference in the death rates between the individuals with higher happiness ratings compared to the less happy pairings. What does this study really mean?  Where does happiness really come from? Do you make a conscious effort to make happiness a major component of your life experience? Well, if not, I would like to encourage you to do so. Here are some tips on ways you might be able to do so as well as why you should do so DrW Health Tip of the Week Happiness and Your Health- The Number One Key to A Quality Life and Longevity How do you measure happiness? Happiness and your health go hand in hand but when asked, few people can really tell you what happiness really means, or rather what would truly make them happy. Many are quick to tell you what makes them unhappy, but research has shown that what we "think" would make us happy is not always the case. What is happiness? One of the reasons happiness is so elusive for so many is because it is purely subjective and is different for every type of personality. For example, what might make one person the happiest is an evening to themself with a good book sitting by the fire, while others may find this same activity to be boring because their version of happiness is to be surrounded by friends and family. The fact is that happiness is the general sense of well-being and it comes in almost as many versions as there are people. How does your happiness affect your health? A study at Carnegie Mellon University by psychology professor Sheldon Cohen found that individuals who displayed an over-all sense of well being and had a positive outlook on life were less likely to get as sick as individuals who were suffering from stress, depression or anxiety. In this study, the participants were given nose drops that contained a common influenza virus. The results  showed that the "happy" people when exposed to the virus were less likely to get sick, suffered from fewer symptoms and were sick for a much shorter period of time. The results of this study supports the idea that positive emotions boost your immune system and can help you fight off or lessen the severity of illnesses. Cohen stated in a press release, "We need to take more seriously the possibility that positive emotional style is a major player in disease risk." Were you born happy? Recent discovery of the 5-HTT or "happiness" gene indicates that genetics does play a certain role in our levels of overall satisfaction with life. So, in a sense, you can be born with a positive outlook on life. When a person inherits the 5-HTT gene from both parents your cells are better able to utilize the body chemical called serotonin. Harvard scholar, Mr. De Neve states, "Of course, our well-being isn't determined by this one gene - other genes and especially experience throughout the course of life will continue to explain the majority of variation in individual happiness." What really makes us happy? Many people have dreams of happiness or goals they are working towards in the attempt to find happiness. But do we really know what will make us happy? For many, the goal is financial freedom or wealth, but in truth, wealthy people are no happier than their less fortunate counterparts. Others seem to crave fame and popularity but if you look at the stars in Hollywood their behaviours would indicate that happiness is elusive to famous people too. The truth is that true happiness comes not from our own achievements but from helping others. Studies have shown that acts of philanthropy give us a better sense of well-being than all of the other achievements we often set our sights on. How to be happy and healthy Since science has proven that positive emotions have a direct effect on our health, we need to find ways of improving our sense of well-being. Remove negativity from your life. Sometimes easier said than done, but negativity breeds negativity. If you tend to think of the glass as half empty instead of half full there are mental exercises you can do to help you switch your outlook on life from the negative to the positive. Start counting your blessings. If you shift the focus to the things in your life that are good, you will spend less time focused on the things that are bad. This simple adjustment can make a world of difference to your happiness levels.  Being grateful and practicing gratitude on a daily basis causes a fundamental shift in brain activity leading to a positive realm. Take steps to become more physically fit. Studies have shown that even if a person is not at the peak of physical fitness, if they are taking action to move themselves toward that goal they have a better outlook on life. Reduce stress. One of the reasons people tend to think wealth will make us happy is because the lack of money can cause stress. The amount of stress and anxiety we suffer is directly associated with our sense of unhappiness.  Stress is also known to cause illnesses. Taking steps to de-stress your life should be a priority. Learn to recognise what your stressors are and develop coping techniques to combat them. Do a good deed. As mentioned above, giving others a helping hand gives us the most happiness so be sure to include little acts of kindness in your daily routines. The happiness you receive as a result just may make you live longer! Science has shown us that happiness is the number one key to a quality life and longevity. With the winter months ahead of us, and a statistical increase in more sullen moods as well as depression it is no coincidence that cold and flu season occur at this time of the year. Give your immune system a boost with a healthy dose of happiness. Now that you know happiness has a direct impact on your wellbeing and longevity, what are you going to do? Are you content with your current level of happiness or do you spend much more time focused on negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, hopelessness or even depression? If you realize that your happiness needs a boost, then take out your pen and use the next ten minutes to start working on raising the happiness index in your life. Do it right now, there is no reason to wait.  This is one of the most important areas of your life.  Write down 10 areas of your life that you think can be changed in a way that will make you happier.  Next, map out your strategies for how to get these things to become reality. Once you have completed these steps, then commit to take the actions that you feel will help you the most.  Every day for the next 30 days spend 5 minutes when you get up in the morning and 5 minutes before you go to bed at night reviewing your list and assessing your progress.  After 30 days, you should be well on your way to a happier existence. Read Dr. Weaver's Latest Blog Posts Anti-Aging Supplements- 5 Reasons You Need to Take Them 5 Ways Lupus Can Harm Your Skin And Things You Can Do to Stop It How to Improve Your Health with the Power of Visualization

Restore Your Health and Energy In Spite of Your Age 

There is a saying that youth is wasted upon the young.  Ongoing research into the areas of health, wellness, and anti-aging might one day lead to a change in this statement so that perpetual youthful energy and vibrancy is still a possibility at any age.

While this might sound a little bit far fetched, it is becoming more and more of a possibility as each day goes by.  But, to tap into this realm of existence requires discipline, focused activity, with a specific purpose and target in mind.  So, I would like to ask you a question.

Is age starting to catch up with you?  Do you have less energy or vitality than you had when you were 5, 10, or 20 years younger?  Well if so, you don't have to feel like the Lone Ranger. 

As we age our body starts to not operate as well as it once did.  There are a lot of reasons for this.  Research into the aging process shows that metabolic changes take place within all of the cells of the body and a particular decrease is noticed in structures called "mitochondria" which are the energy reservoirs.  Muscle cells contain the highest concentration of mitochondria, especially cardiac muscle which is found in the heart.  While it is inevitable that these changes will take place, there are two things in particular you can do to make things better: follow a healthy diet or eating plan and exercise.

We'll start with exercise.  I know that most of us don't really always enjoy exercise; however there are fun ways that you can do it.  You can always grab an MP3 player and load up your favorite music or even an audio book and go for a walk.  It doesn't have to be a long walk in the beginning.  Just a walk around the block might be all you can do.  That's better than nothing though.

Perhaps for exercise you can find something that you like to do for fun.  For example, swimming is one of the best forms of exercise out there, working almost all parts of your body.  Simply getting out and playing a game can start you out with some exercise that is more enjoyable.  Get out and shoot some hoops with your kids or nephews or nieces.  Whatever you choose to do, try to get out and do it frequently and build a habit of doing some form of exercise.  Thirty minutes of exercise three days per week can have a big impact on your energy level as well as improve sleep habits, and how your body processes the food you eat.

When it comes to diet and eating healthy, there are lots of things to consider there as well.  Allergies are one of the biggest such as gluten sensitivity and lactose intolerance; the other consideration is whether or not you have a disease of some sort such as diabetes or high blood pressure.  If either of these is true, you need a little consultation before you make too many radical decisions in your eating habits.  This can be in the form of some good research online, or from your physician or a registered dietitian.

There are many foods out there which promote health and wellness.  For example, garlic has been known for centuries to have healing qualities.  Seek out vitamins that are high in fiber, vitamins and protein.  Beans, beans the musical fruit should be redone to read "beans, beans, the magical fruit."  Of course they're not really magical, but they offer great benefits nutritionally in the form of vitamins, protein and fiber.  Beans are definitely a food that you should add to your diet if you're not already.

Stay away from fried food and foods with a lot of fat.  These will clog up your arteries as well as excessive calories that can increase weight.  This, in turn, makes your body work harder to pump blood and will affect your stamina and cardiovascular health in general.  Sure you can eat these things, but like most things, do so in moderation or just occasionally.  Make sure to mix in some fresh fruits like a banana or blueberries with your breakfast.

The two areas of healthy diet and exercise are always a good place to start when it comes to health and wellness.  Used in combination with natural supplements, meditation, healthy relationships, and activities that fulfill your life purpose, diet and exercise will do almost everything you want.   

Do this regularly for at least 30 days and you will be sure to notice an increase in energy as your body becomes healthier. When so inspired, continue this as part of your plan for lifelong health and abundant energy.

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 Unsubscribe

Weaver P O Box 300322 Houston, Texas 77230-0322 United States

Hi Readers Here's Your Hair Loss Newsletter

Hi, How Finasteride Treats the Secondary Effects of DHT It is well known that DHT is linked to androgenetic alopecia. It's also quite well known that the drug finasteride can help reduce the rate at which this type of hair loss develops (and may even encourage new hair growth for some people). However, it is not so well known that the purpose of DHT in the body is for hair growth, not hair loss. This steroid hormone is used by the body to promote the growth of bone, muscle and hair. I believe the primary effect of DHT in the hair loss process is that it contributes to skull expansion by stimulating certain skull bones to grow. But DHT also has a secondary effect. This newsletter explains what this secondary effect is, and how finasteride provides some resistance to it. Hair loss develops because skull expansion causes a reduction in the capillary blood supply to the hair follicles. Eventually, this causes follicle miniaturization which chokes hair growth. The body reacts to this by starting "upregulation" (hyperandrogenicity). This means that the body tries to restore normal healthy hair growth again by increasing DHT production* within the follicles that are affected by skull expansion. * Remember, that's what DHT does: it stimulates growth, not loss. Now, higher DHT levels will accelerate mitosis (cell division) and so should help struggling hair to grow. But, when the rate of mitosis is increased, the blood supply becomes insufficient to grow hair that fast (i.e., because skull expansion has reduced the capillary blood supply). As such, the (papillae) cells in the root of the hair fail to meet the growth demand placed upon them by DHT. Instead, the result of all this extra DHT is to make the body rush through the growth phase (anagen) and reach catagen (the shedding phase) and telogen (the resting phase) much sooner than it normally would. This obviously causes the amount of hair loss to increase. It also means that more hair follicles are in the resting phase. And, whilst the hair growth cycle will restart again, strong healthy hair growth is less likely due to the progressive effects of skull expansion and further accumulation of DHT. Also, since hair growth in the outer (dermal) layer of the scalp has been restricted, DHT will instead promote more rapid cell division at a deeper level of the scalp (called the stratum germinatum layer). This interference with normal cell division can result in skin cells rising up towards the surface of the skin faster than normal, causing increased shedding of the skin - dandruff. (This was explained in a previous newsletter). Finasteride treats this secondary effect of DHT by reducing levels of 5 alpha reductase (an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT). And so, by reducing DHT levels in this way, finasteride extends the shortened anagen phase which, of course, allows more hair to grow. However, finasteride does not reverse the miniaturization of the hair follicles. I believe this is because it does not effectively treat the skull expansion process (i.e., the underlying cause of hair follicle miniaturization). It only addresses the negative effects caused by the body when it increases DHT production (upregulation). Another problem with finasteride is that further upregulation can easily occur. Many people experience this when they start using this drug. Basically, the body can compensate for the reduction in 5 alpha reductase forced upon it by finasteride. Essentially, it tries even harder to increase the quantity of 5 alpha reductase and DHT production in the affected region of the scalp. This explains why there can be an initial increase in hair loss when people start using finasteride and again when they stop using it. Although finasteride and other drugs such as dutasteride and minoxidil are used by some people to treat hair loss, there's a risk of developing side effects. The method I used and recommend is completely drug free. You can find out more at: http://www.top-hair-loss-remedy.com/stop-hair-loss.html Note: If your email provider does not support html, just copy and paste the link above into your browser address bar. Next issue: How skull expansion explains hair transplants. See you next week, Paul Taylor P.S. This newsletter runs in a continuous sequence. This means that any issue you might have missed will cycle back round again in about 15 weeks. Copyright © Paul Taylor 2011 You are subscribed to Reverse Hair Loss Now. If you wish to remove yourself from this mailing, please click on the following URL... http://top-hair-loss-remedy.com/cgi-bin/mailout/mailmgr.cgi?us=LQ.21149669.25338636.0a95230d571ac585f0d343afba7cfd99 (If the above URL is not a link, copy-and-paste the URL into your Web browser. That will confirm your removal.) To change your e-mail address, please click on the following URL... http://top-hair-loss-remedy.com/cgi-bin/mailout/mailmgr.cgi?ca=LQ.21149669.25338636.0a95230d571ac585f0d343afba7cfd99 (If the above URL is not a link, copy-and-paste the URL into your Web browser. That will confirm your change.)

Heathy 365 News -5 Tips You Should Know to Take Care of Diabetic Skin Problems

 

Healthy 365 News  Issue # 23 - Nov. 8, 2011 Receive daily tips from Dr. W  Update From Dr. Weaver Hello Readers,   This past week I saw a gentleman with a very red scaly itchy rash.  Due to the location of the involved area and its appearance, I asked him if he was diabetic.  His answer was yes, and as we talked more, I learned that he had not bought any test strips in 6 months and was not checking his blood glucose regularly at home.  So, even though he had tried multiple creams and powders the rash continued to progress over a three month period and made it difficult to get around.  After confirming the diagnosis with a microscopic scraping, I let him know that the rash represented a Candidal skin infection which was associated with diabetes and in order for his skin to heal he needed to pay closer attention to keeping his blood sugar levels under control. This is one example of how an individual with diabetes can develop a related skin condition. The American Diabetes Association has designated November as "Diabetes Month" to bring attention to how diabetes affects the lives of millions of Americans and to further the organization's movement to "Stop Diabetes" Today I would like to share with you tips on how to manage skin conditions associated with diabetes. DrW Health Tip of the Week Diabetes and Your Skin- 5 Tips You Should Know to Take Care of Diabetic Skin Problems Why is skin care so important for diabetics? When you have diabetes simple things such as skin care can't be taken for granted. The disease affects every part of your body including your skin and can be very dangerous if you are not aware of and take precautions with your daily routines to avoid complications. What skin problems do diabetics have? There are two types of skin disorders common to diabetics. Generic Skin Conditions/Disorders: These types of skin conditions are not a result of the disease but occur more frequently in people with high blood sugar. These include fungal and bacterial infections. Anyone can get them but if you have diabetes they present more often and with greater risk to your health. Diabetes Related Skin Diseases: These are the types of skin problems that are directly caused by your diabetes and do not develop in normal, healthy individuals. Generic Skin Conditions/Disorders Associated With Diabetes The main reason these types of skin conditions are so much more problematic for diabetics is because the organisms feed off of sugars. With your increased blood sugar levels, your skin is the perfect breeding ground and the bacteria or fungus can flourish and multiply at a more rapid rate than on a non-diabetic subject. Add to that the fact that most diabetics have decreased nerve sensation and impaired healing and you can see how something as simple as a stubbed toe can quickly become a health risk. Often the individual does not even feel the injury occur or the worsening of the infection until the infection is quite advanced. Bacterial Infections. Diabetics are more prone to having conditions such as styes (infection in the glands of the eyes), boils, carbuncles (similar to boils but in the deeper tissues), folliculitis (infection in the hair follicles) and staph infections in minor cuts and scrapes. Fungal infections. Jock itch, athlete's foot, nail fungus on hands and feet, vaginal yeast infections and ring worm are all very common in people with diabetes. Many of the infections occur in the folds of the skin where it is typically warm and moist and this condition is referred to as intertrigo. Diabetes Related Skin Diseases Diabetic Dermopathy. These are small oval or roundish shaped dark patches on the skin that are similar in appearance to age spots. They are slightly raised or scaly and most often occur on the front of the lower legs. Both legs may not be equally affected. These spots are not itchy or painful and are not open wounds. They do not require medical treatment. Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum (NDL). NDL is similar to diabetic Dermopathy in appearance but the spots are generally larger and deeper and often become painful and itchy. Because they itch they may break open. If this happens, you should see your doctor for treatment to prevent infection. Atherosclerosis Induced Changes. While atherosclerosis is not a skin condition but rather a vascular or circulatory disease of thickening in the arteries more common in individuals with diabetes, the resultant impairment to your circulation can be visible on your skin. The skin on your lower legs may become hairless and shiny; your toenails may thicken and discolor. You may notice pain in your calves when you walk or exercise. If you notice any of these symptoms you should tell your doctor. The symptoms are the result of lack of oxygen due to impaired blood flow to your lower extremities. In extreme cases, amputation is necessary so do not let this one go untreated. Diabetic Blisters. This sometimes happens when your diabetes is out of control. Blisters may erupt on the hands, feet, forearms and legs. They often heal by themselves within a few weeks and the skin problem itself does not need treatment unless infection is present. You do, however need treatment to get your blood sugar back to safer levels. Acanthosis Nigricans. This condition happens most often in people who are very obese. Patches of skin, usually in the folds, become darkened, raised and thickened. This usually is seen in the armpits, groin and folds of the neck but can also appear on the arms and the backs of the legs. Creams may be helpful to improve the appearance but the best treatment is to lose weight. Gangrene. Gangrene happens when an infection is unnoticed and untreated or if it resists treatment or when lack of circulation becomes so severe that oxygen to the lower extremities is cut off. When this happens, the effected skin begins to die and turn black. Amputation is the only treatment to prevent the gangrene from spreading. Many diabetics who do not practice proper foot care are at risk of losing limbs. Can people with Diabetes Mellitus prevent skin problems? Yes, if you take steps to practice good skin care and keep your blood sugar at safe levels you may never develop any of the diabetic-related complications listed above. 5 Tips You Should Know to Take Care of Diabetic Skin Problems The most obvious is to follow a strict diet and check your blood sugar levels with a glucose monitor on a regular basis to ensure your diabetes remains under control. The majority of skin diseases are directly related to the amount of glucose in your blood. Look after your feet. Make sure your shoes fit properly. Wearing a pair of ill-fitting shoes for even one day can have disastrous results for diabetics. A simple blister may advance to gangrene if you are not careful. Never walk around barefoot. Always wear shoes AND loose fitting socks. Your feet are the most vulnerable to injuries because of the poor circulation and lack of sensation that is associated with diabetes. Make sure the cuffs of your socks are not restricting in any way. Diabetic socks are available that do not have the same elasticity in the cuffs as normal socks. Be particularly careful when cutting toenails. Many diabetics will visit a foot care specialist for this purpose. Keep your skin clean and dry. After bathing make sure you thoroughly dry the folds of your skin and between fingers and toes to prevent fungal infections. Use a moisturizing cream to help prevent dry itchy skin. Ask your doctor to recommend one if you cannot find one that does the trick for you. Scratching can lead to open skin wounds so you need to minimize your risks. This is probably the most important factor. Regularly inspect your skin for any signs of damage. Catching an injury or skin disorder early can make all the difference in the outcome. Make it a habit to check over every square inch of your body after your daily shower or before you get into bed every night. Pay special attention to known problem areas such as your feet. If you have any concerns or notice any changes, no matter how minor you may think they are, visit your doctor. For diabetics, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. Read Dr. Weaver's Latest Blog Posts Anti-Aging Supplements- 5 Reasons You Need to Take Them 5 Ways Lupus Can Harm Your Skin And Things You Can Do to Stop It How to Improve Your Health with the Power of Visualization

Restore Your Health and Energy In Spite of Your Age 

There is a saying that youth is wasted upon the young.  Ongoing research into the areas of health, wellness, and anti-aging might one day lead to a change in this statement so that perpetual youthful energy and vibrancy is still a possibility at any age.

While this might sound a little bit far fetched, it is becoming more and more of a possibility as each day goes by.  But, to tap into this realm of existence requires discipline, focused activity, with a specific purpose and target in mind.  So, I would like to ask you a question.

Is age starting to catch up with you?  Do you have less energy or vitality than you had when you were 5, 10, or 20 years younger?  Well if so, you don't have to feel like the Lone Ranger. 

As we age our body starts to not operate as well as it once did.  There are a lot of reasons for this.  Research into the aging process shows that metabolic changes take place within all of the cells of the body and a particular decrease is noticed in structures called "mitochondria" which are the energy reservoirs.  Muscle cells contain the highest concentration of mitochondria, especially cardiac muscle which is found in the heart.  While it is inevitable that these changes will take place, there are two things in particular you can do to make things better: follow a healthy diet or eating plan and exercise.

We'll start with exercise.  I know that most of us don't really always enjoy exercise; however there are fun ways that you can do it.  You can always grab an MP3 player and load up your favorite music or even an audio book and go for a walk.  It doesn't have to be a long walk in the beginning.  Just a walk around the block might be all you can do.  That's better than nothing though.

Perhaps for exercise you can find something that you like to do for fun.  For example, swimming is one of the best forms of exercise out there, working almost all parts of your body.  Simply getting out and playing a game can start you out with some exercise that is more enjoyable.  Get out and shoot some hoops with your kids or nephews or nieces.  Whatever you choose to do, try to get out and do it frequently and build a habit of doing some form of exercise.  Thirty minutes of exercise three days per week can have a big impact on your energy level as well as improve sleep habits, and how your body processes the food you eat.

When it comes to diet and eating healthy, there are lots of things to consider there as well.  Allergies are one of the biggest such as gluten sensitivity and lactose intolerance; the other consideration is whether or not you have a disease of some sort such as diabetes or high blood pressure.  If either of these is true, you need a little consultation before you make too many radical decisions in your eating habits.  This can be in the form of some good research online, or from your physician or a registered dietitian.

There are many foods out there which promote health and wellness.  For example, garlic has been known for centuries to have healing qualities.  Seek out vitamins that are high in fiber, vitamins and protein.  Beans, beans the musical fruit should be redone to read "beans, beans, the magical fruit."  Of course they're not really magical, but they offer great benefits nutritionally in the form of vitamins, protein and fiber.  Beans are definitely a food that you should add to your diet if you're not already.

Stay away from fried food and foods with a lot of fat.  These will clog up your arteries as well as excessive calories that can increase weight.  This, in turn, makes your body work harder to pump blood and will affect your stamina and cardiovascular health in general.  Sure you can eat these things, but like most things, do so in moderation or just occasionally.  Make sure to mix in some fresh fruits like a banana or blueberries with your breakfast.

The two areas of healthy diet and exercise are always a good place to start when it comes to health and wellness.  Used in combination with natural supplements, meditation, healthy relationships, and activities that fulfill your life purpose, diet and exercise will do almost everything you want.   

Do this regularly for at least 30 days and you will be sure to notice an increase in energy as your body becomes healthier. When so inspired, continue this as part of your plan for lifelong health and abundant energy.

If you no longer wish to receive our emails, click the link below:
 Unsubscribe

Weaver P O Box 300322 Houston, Texas 77230-0322 United States