The nutrition wonder of modern times � Omega-3 fish oil � is overwhelmingly supported by scientific proof to correct and prevent so many different health ailments that it is a no-brainer to include it as one of your daily supplements if not in your diet.
A partial list of health benefits would include:
� Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease
� Improves your memory
� Improves some forms of arthritis
� Helps people with asthma and allergies
� Protects against the symptoms of sinus infections
� Decreases depression
� Raises good cholesterol
� Lowers bad cholesterol
Benefits
From heart health to depression treatment to pregnancy health, omega-3 benefits are too good to ignore if you are interested in health. The benefits of fish oil are well-known. With such an abundance of scientific data to support the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids we don't have to look too hard to learn what the benefits are.
First, we need to learn that fish oil contains two important acids, EPA and DHA. Most of the benefit of fish oil is found in DHA, so when investigating which omega-3 product to purchase be sure it has DHA and EPA. Since DHA is found in much greater quantities in fish oil, that is the number one choice in order to get the full benefit of omega-3 fatty acids.
Benefits to Your Heart
Doctors and scientists believe that EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are found in fish oil, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Even the American Heart Association and Food and Drug Administration have come out with positive remarks about the potential benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids in relation to heart disease.
The fatty acids found in fish oil have been linked to helping prevent heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. However, if you currently have any heart condition, be sure to check with your doctor for the recommended dosage.
Brain
DHA and EPA are crucial for optimal brain functioning and development. The concentration of DHA in the brain is higher than in other organ of the body.
Although it is not understood yet exactly why omega-3 acids improve memory, the thought is that DHA helps to repair and nourish brain cells. For instance, it has been found that people who are chronically sad have low levels of serotonin. DHA appears to regulate the serotonin, improving a person's mood and even producing a calming effect.
Cholesterol
Research has shown that DHA and EPA fatty acids found in omega-3 supplements, particularly those containing fish oil, may increase levels of good HDL cholesterol in the blood stream, while lowering triglycerides.
Doctors and scientists believe that good HDL cholesterol helps to remove bad LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, preventing artery-blocking build-up known as atherosclerosis. So DHA and EPA fatty acids appear to play an important role in improving your cholesterol levels.
Memory
Two leading neuroscientists recently announced that an active lifestyle and a diet rich in the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils help prevent the memory loss associated with old age.
Conclusion
The facts are in � fish oil is a tremendous source of DHA, which is needed by our bodies to improve functions such as memory, our mood, and even suppress aggression. At the same time, it fights things such as heart disease, high cholesterol and asthma. Omega-3 is truly a wonder.
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Carol Stack has written numerous articles on health and other subjects. She lives in the United States with her husband, three children, and various dogs and cats. Carol and her sister Barbara have combined forces to produce a website that focuses on healhy recipes and nutritious foods. You can visit it at: http://www.healthyrecipesandmore.com
Herbal Remedies For Sinus Infection
Many people are affected by sinus problems each year. Once you get a sinus infection you are almost assured of getting more in the future. Many medications fail to help get rid of sinus symptoms such as headache, stuffy nose and infection. Herbal remedies for sinus have been used successfully for centuries. They are safe and easy to use and have no ill side effects that most medications have.
Here are some herbal remedies that can effectively treat sinus infections.
Licorice � The root of this herb helps reduce inflammation and stimulates the immune system to fight sinus infections. There are two types of licorice products. Be sure to take licorice capsules that boost the immune system and not those for treating ulcers.
Eucalyptus � This is a fragrant herb that soothes sore throats. It also has antiseptic properties and can help shrink swollen tissues such as swollen sinus passages. It is readily available in throat lozenges, which are a convenient way to take it. You can also drink eucalyptus tea. It is very helpful to steep some eucalyptus in a large pot of boiling water and use as an inhalant to unblock nasal passages.
Peppermint � The anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint help to calm mucous membranes. You may drink peppermint tea or steep the peppermint and breathe in the steam. The scent of peppermint when inhaled helps to ease your breathing.
Ginger � Ginger has long been known to relieve and prevent headaches. It is anti-inflammatory and contains substances that relieve pain. Take in capsule form, according to directions.
You can also prevent a sinus infection by taking certain herbs, supplements and foods.
Lemon balm � Lemon balm is helpful in fighting off viruses and bacteria. Steep the dried leaves for 10 minutes in hot water. Strain and drink the tea warm. Alternatively, lemon balm tea can be used as a gargle.
Echinacea � Echinacea helps boost the immune system and makes it function better. It has been known to kill some viruses of the respiratory system. Take in capsule form. Increase the dosage at the onset of illness and decrease after several days. Do not take if you have an allergy to ragweed.
Vitamins � Vitamin C and zinc can help to lessen the duration of colds as well as to keep the symptoms down. Many sinus infections come from lingering colds. By fighting a cold early, you can help stave off a sinus infection. Take supplements in the form of capsule or lozenge during cold season and especially with the onset of any symptoms.
Foods high in antioxidants help to build the immune system and prevent infections in the first place. Some of these foods include blueberries, artichokes, red beans, cranberries and pomegranates. Try adding these foods in your diet to help boost your immune system and prevent a sinus infection.
Herbal remedies for sinus are better alternatives to drug medication. However, some herbs may have interactions with prescription medication so it is wise to check with your doctor before taking them.
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Healthy Lifestyle
New Year Resolutions are full of great intentions, great aspirations and great enthusiasm. Some resolutions are much more difficult to keep than others. Typically these resolutions are statements of ultimate purpose. Personal promises are made to lose weight, complete a monumental task, spend more time with the family or live a more healthy lifestyle. Plans and aggressive schedules are hastily cobbled together to attain our lofty goals, occasionally fueled by champagne and high spirits. The biggest challenge comes later, with 364 more days to fulfill the promises and commitments made on New Years Eve.
Commitments to take control of our lives are often sparked by some special occasion or change in season. Preparing for summer, facing ourselves in the mirror with a bathing suit and pale complexion, that is enough to ignite a temporary transformation. Preparing for a family gathering, a wedding or a school reunion can also be cause for personal reflection and prompt attention to our appearance and our lifestyle. You do not have to wait for a new year, a change in the seasons or a celebration to take control of your life. Taking control of your life can be a daily celebration, a renewable resolution and as gradual as the change in the seasons.
By focusing on the goal, and not on the process, sometimes we try to do too much at once. For example, joining a fitness club on Friday and deciding to work out one hour every day may seem like a great plan during the weekend, and then suddenly seem like a great burden by Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Losing 30 pounds can lose it's excitement once the first 10 pounds are erased and the next 20 pounds become a struggle. Sudden changes in eating habits can impact your level of energy, your emotions and your attitude. Drastic changes may be difficult to sustain, even after the goals are attained.
Creating a healthy lifestyle means adjusting your daily routine. If you can repeat something for 30 days, it becomes part of your routine and part of your lifestyle. You can adjust your lifestyle gradually over time, achieving your goals in a manner that can be sustained and maintained. For example, maybe you want to be able to run a mile or two every day. Start by walking for ten minutes at approximately the same time every morning or every evening. If you can maintain this commitment for one month, then you can extend it to twenty minutes another month, and then later to thirty minutes. After several months, you will be able to adjust your time, five minutes jogging and fifteen minutes walking, and so on. By the time that you are running for one or two miles, you will have established a comfortable routine, and you will have continuously improved your healthy lifestyle during the course of the preparation.
Creating a healthy lifestyle might also include controlling or decreasing unwanted or unfavorable habits. For example, you might have a desire to change your routine by decreasing consumption of alcohol or tobacco. You might want to limit your intake of salt, soda or sweets. Rather than punishing yourself with a starvation diet, you might begin by making a commitment to limit your 'fast food' consumption to three times per week. If you can maintain that lifestyle for one or two months, then you might reduce it to two days per week, or even one day. The secrets to success are consistency and realistic goals with personal commitment and tracking.
Begin by making a list of things that you want to do and a list of things that you want to reduce. Don't try to do everything at once. Rather, choose one thing that you would like to do, determine a reasonable portion of it to start with, and do that for one month. Remember, you are not going to start by running a mile on the first day, so choose a portion of your goal that you can turn into a daily commitment. Focus on your commitment, track, and keep your daily routine for one month. Then, the following month, continue to keep that routine while you begin to do something from the list of things that you want to reduce. Keep up the pace as you alternate months, adding good habits and slowly reducing the unwanted ones.
Don't worry that you are not changing everything overnight. By taking time to control your routines, change your habits and create a healthy lifestyle, you are making more permanent improvements to your life. Rapid changes with overnight improvements can sometimes result in rapid changes back to the unwanted habits. However, if you can make a continuous commitment, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant at the time, maintaining long term changes can have long lasting results.
It's time to create your healthy lifestyle. You can start right away. Now is the best time to start. Make a list of positive improvements in small and manageable steps. Make a list of thing that you would like to control, decrease or slowly give up. Choose your first new habit, track it for a month and make it your new routine. Keep that habit as you begin to work on the next one the following month. It's your life, and you have plenty of time to turn it into the lifestyle that you want to live.
For your convenience, a Healthy Lifestyle planner is available at http://www.executiveblueprints.com/pdf/healthy_lifestyle.xls
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Words of Wisdom
"Exercise alone provides psychological and physical benefits. However, if you also adopt a strategy that engages your mind while you exercise, you can get a whole host of psychological benefits fairly quickly."
- James Rippe MD
"I still need more healthy rest in order to work at my best. My health is the main capital I have and I want to administer it intelligently."
- Earnest Hemingway
"Taking control of your life can be a daily celebration, a renewable resolution and as gradual as the change in the seasons."
- John Mehrmann
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About the Author:
John Mehrmann is a freelance writer and President of Executive Blueprints Inc., an organization devoted to improving business practices and developing human capital. www.ExecutiveBlueprints.com provides resource materials for trainers, sample Case Studies, educational articles and references to local affiliates for consulting and executive coaching. http://www.InstituteforAdvancedLeadership.com provides self-paced tutorials for personal development and tools for trainers. Presentation materials, reference guides and exercises are available for continuous development.
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