Positive Emotions

Anthony Ong of Cornell University reviewed studies showing how maintaining a positive attitude can relieve stress, pain, and illness, influencing health outcomes in later adulthood.

The review highlights how positive emotions can protect from disease and poor health later in life. “We all age. It is how we age, however, that determines the quality of our lives,” says Ong who found several pathways responsible for good health that comes from positivity.

He explains happier people take time for a good night's sleep, exercise, and remain proactive about engaging in risky health behaviors such as smoking that adds up later in life as disease susceptibility increases and physical capacity declines.

Keeping emotions positive can lower chemicals in the body that contribute to disease and released by stress, found by Ong in the study review. Indeed studies show optimism lowers the chances of heart disease, while depression and isolation shorten lifespan.

He says positive emotions extend life and improve quality of living in measurable ways. Ong says he became interested in a phenomenon called the "paradox of aging" as a graduate student. When physical capacity declines, emotional capacity remains the same. Maintaining an optimistic and positive attitude is something Ong translates to being good for health.

Courtesy: http://www.emaxhealth.com/

Nutritional Value of Organic Food

Of all the claims made for the benefits of organically grown food, the most controversial is the claim that it is healthier than food grown conventionally. To proponents, the vitality and healthfulness of organic food is a basic tenet of organic farming. To skeptics, it is wishful thinking. Unfortunately there is as yet no definitive answer. Despite decades of research and more than 200 papers published on the subject, the claim remains unsubstantiated.

Food is undoubtedly healthier if it is not contaminated by pesticides, nitrates, and other agrochemicals. But the main health promoting properties of food lie in its ability to provide us with the vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fibre and protective factors we need for our growth, repair, reproduction, energy and good health. Plants produce these complex nutrients from water, air, soil and sunlight. How well they do this is under the influence of many environmental and genetic factors, of which the type of agriculture is but one.

The type of agriculture which is the norm in Britain developed since the second World War. It is an industrial process with a linear flow of nutrients and characterised by its use of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides. Inorganic fertilisers of the three main plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) are added to the soil with little attention to micronutrients such as selenium. When the crop is harvested, the nutrients accumulated by the plant and eaten by humans and animals are not returned to the soil but are eliminated as waste. The soil is viewed as nothing more than an inert container. High yield is the goal.

Organic farming is based on ecological principles of the cyclical flow of nutrients and does not involve synthetic chemicals. The soil is viewed as an essential part of the process. Microorganisms in the soil feed on the soil organic matter and make the inorganic part available to plants. The fertility of the soil is maintained by returning nutrients removed by the plant in the form of compost and manure and by a system of crop rotation in which crops which remove more nutrients alternate with crops such as legumes which remove less and add some.

There are clear differences between the two systems of agriculture in philosophy, sustainability, effect on the environment and wildlife, and amount and type of pollution they generate. But neither system is precisely defined and clear-cut in its practices. Some conventional farmers use compost and manure and crop rotations. All are affected by the soil type and climate of their region. There may or may not be differences in the varieties they choose to grow. Even when all these variables are carefully controlled, the studies either demonstrate no differences in nutrient levels or give inconsistent and unreproducible results.

It is extremely difficult to rule out all the possible environmental and genetic factors which might influence nutrient content. Many research studies on organic food do not manage to achieve controlled conditions, in which case it's impossible to say what might have caused any difference which is revealed. Before certification of organic food was widespread, unscrupulous producers capitalised on the higher prices they could obtain for organically labelled food. There was no way of verifying that the food had been grown organically. This may explain why a number of studies found no differences in nutritional value or in pesticide residues between so-called organic and conventional food.

Even where the studies are designed well, results are often uninterpretable, as in these two examples. Organically grown tomatoes in a Vermont (USA) study had significantly less vitamin C and carotene than the conventional ones. But when the trial was repeated the following year, the organic tomatoes had significantly more vitamin C and carotene. In a Canadian study on apples, the organic apples had a significantly higher content of potassium and phosphorous but no difference in calcium and magnesium levels.

Consistent results from one study to another and within each study would be more convincing of a real nutritional difference between organic and conventional food. But there is a bigger question about nutrition and that is whether people are getting all the nutrients they need from their overall diet, rather than from individual foods. Once the crops leave the fields, the loss of nutrients during storage, food processing and food preparation is of much greater significance than anything done by farmers.

Our health does not depend on whether we eat organic or conventionally grown food but on how much fruit and vegetables we eat in our diet. For a healthy diet, five portions a day are recommended (about 400g). The average British person eats only half this amount and the poorest tenth of the population eat next to none. The issue for the organic movement should be the same as that for the public health movement – how to make the consumption of fruit and vegetables easier, cheaper and more attractive than a diet of refined, highly processed, unhealthy food.

Article Courtesy:  http://www.positivehealth.com/

Ayurveda and Yogurt: Nutritional Health Benefits

The Ayurveda practice is a type of natural method that can effectively heal problems by utilizing holistic nutrition. By using nutrition to balance the internal essence of a body, it is believed to relieve problems that can cause health complications such as discomfort and disease. When discussing a more specific topic such as digestive complications, Ayurveda and yogurt come together to promote health and wholeness.

Digestion problems tend to be a major discomfort and can even lead to more serious issues. No one likes the pain, irregularity and the overall aggravation of these occurrences. So when you combine Ayurveda and yogurt to fix this common irritation the natural option not only fixes the problem but allows the body to become healthier in the long run.

The elements that make yogurt work so well in relieving digestive complications are the bacteria that are added to the yogurt making process. These bacterial cultures cleanse and promote digestive health and well being.

The Ayurveda technique is to add live bacteria to boiled milk. It is commonly blended with water to make something called lassi. This is a beverage that is usually consumed during the mid part of a person’s day. The reason for this is that in Ayurveda medicine it is believed that if it is consumed at the beginning or the end of the day the yogurt might reverse the positive effects on the body. By reversing the positive effects it typically means that the yogurt will turn harmful to the body. If the yogurt does not produce the desired results, other Ayurveda elements such as spices can be mixed in the yogurt to enhance the beneficial qualities.

The yogurt must be fresh in order for the healing powers of Ayurveda and yogurt to fully and properly work for an individual. According to Ayurveda professionals, the yogurt is more of a balancing property for Vata. It is not so much a balancing agent for Pitta or Kapha as much as it is for Vata.

The experts tend to stress that organic or fresh home made yogurt is the best. It is most important to them because they believe that only with the fresh made yogurt can it actually heal. So, if you are considering Ayurveda and yogurt for your digestive problems then keep the tips provided here in mind. Ayurveda is not for everyone as it is considered a religious method to healing by many supporters. Yogurt has long been used by nutritionists and the application of yogurt for healing the digestive tract has been well documented for all individuals. This is why this particular effective method is so widely employed.

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/43920.aspx#ixzz1HnuDQEtK

Managing Diabetes using Positive Thought Affirmations

Diabetes, the eighth largest cause of death in the world is reaching epidemic proportions due to sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and poor nutrition.  While diabetes remains incurable, through diligence, determination and effort, it can be managed.  With a modification of lifestyle, one can lead a normal life and detour the effects and complications of the disease that so often ruin the quality of life.

As with any type of lifestyle change, lasting results can only be achieved when an individual believes that they are capable of achieving that change, is enthusiastic about setting goals, willing to make the necessary modifications, and are expectant of positive results.  The acceptance of diabetes is the first step in controlling it.  Learning to embrace the disease through the use of positive affirmations can set one on the path to make the modifications needed for optimal health.

How Positive Affirmations Work

Positive affirmations program the mind by replacing negative, dysfunctional thoughts with positive, more productive and optimistic thoughts.  When the mind perceives circumstances and changes as helpful and constructive, the rate of success to manage the diabetes is high.  Repeating positive statements about accepting the diabetes, remaining upbeat, positive and enjoying the changes in eating habits and exercise routines can greatly affect the speed at which tight management can be achieved.

The Most Effective Use of Affirmations

The most rapid and effective approach to convincing the mind to embrace the disease and welcome the necessary changes is to repeat these affirmations during sleep when the mind is in a more relaxed state and more receptive to the statements.  The use of a machine specifically designed for this technique is all that is required.  This type of device, like the AWAKE2000, works by allowing an individual to record their own positive statements in their own voice and play them back numerous times during the night.  Research has shown that the brain cycles during sleep and these machines are programmed to release the affirmations at the perfect time during those cycles.  This process produces the right climate for the positive seeds of thought to take root and grow.

Good Examples of Affirmations for Diabetes

To achieve success in managing diabetes, one should create affirmations that are simple yet effective.  An affirmation should be stated in the present tense and in a manner that tells the mind that the act has already been achieved.  A few examples are:  “I accept my diabetes and I am managing it well every day.”, “I love green vegetables and I enjoy eating them every day.”, “I am full of energy and good health as I exercise everyday.”   Staying focused on optimistic words will produce effective results.  One should refrain from taking an approach like: “I love sugar but I am going to stop eating anything with sugar in it.”  This statement brings attention to the one thing that needs to be avoided and automatically suggests to the mind that sugar is good.  Following these suggestions will no doubt prove to be beneficial for the health of the body, managing diabetes and improving one’s attitude towards their illness.

Courtesy: http://www.awake2000.com/health-articles/managing-diabetes-using-positive-thought-affirmations.html

Stress Management

Stress Management and Health Benefits of Laughter

Research has shown that the health benefits of laughter are far-ranging. While more studies need to be done, studies so far have shown that laughter can help relieve pain, bring greater happiness, and even increase immunity. Positive psychology names the propensity for laughter and sense of humor as one of the 24 main signature strengths one can possess, and laughter yoga clubs are springing up across the country. Read on for more findings about the health benefits of laughter, and see how to incorporate more humor and fun into your life.

Stress Management Benefits of Laughter:

    * Hormones: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), dopamine and growth hormone. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.

    * Physical Release: Have you ever felt like you "have to laugh or I'll cry"? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release.

    * Internal Workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. It even provides a good workout for the heart.

    * Distraction: Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way than other mere distractions.

    * Perspective: Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a 'threat' or a 'challenge'. Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as 'challenges', thereby making them less threatening and more positive. (For more on changing your perspective, see this article on cognitive reframing.)

    * Social Benefits of Laughter: Laughter connects us with others. Just as with smiling and kindness, most people find that laughter is contagious, so if you bring more laughter into your life, you can most likely help others around you to laugh more, and realize these benefits as well. By elevating the mood of those around you, you can reduce their stress levels, and perhaps improve the quality of social interaction you experience with them, reducing your stress level even more!

How To Use Laughter:

Laughter is one of my all-time favorite stress management strategies because it's free, convenient, and beneficial in so many ways. You can get more laughter in your life with the following strategies:

    * T.V. and Movies: There's no shortage of laughter opportunities from the entertainment, both at the theater and in the aisles of the video stores, as well as at home with T.V. comedies. While wasting your time watching something marginally funny may actually frustrate you, watching truly hilarious movies and shows is an easy way to get laughter into your life whenever you need it.

    * Laugh With Friends: Going to a movie or comedy club with friends is a great way to get more laughter in your life. The contagious effects of laughter may mean you'll laugh more than you otherwise would have during the show, plus you'll have jokes to reference at later times. Having friends over for a party or game night is also a great setup for laughter and other good feelings. (See this article on laughing more for additional tips on getting more fun and laughter into your life.)

    * Find Humor In Your Life: Instead of complaining about life's frustrations, try to laugh about them. If something is so frustrating or depressing it's ridiculous, realize that you could 'look back on it and laugh.' Think of how it will sound as a story you could tell to your friends, and then see if you can laugh about it now. With this attitude, you may also find yourself being more lighthearted and silly, giving yourself and those around you more to laugh about. Approach life in a more mirthful way and you'll find you're less stressed about negative events, and you'll achieve the health benefits of laughter. (See this article on maintaining a sense of humor.)

    * 'Fake It Until You Make It': Just as studies show the positive effects of smiling occur whether the smile is fake or real, faked laughter also provides the benefits mentioned above. The body can't distinguish between 'fake' laughter that you just start doing on purpose, and 'real' laughter that comes from true humor--the physical benefits are exactly the same, and the former usually leads to the latter anyway. So smile more, and fake laughter; you'll still achieve positive effects, and the fake merriment may lead to real smiles and laughter.

Article courtesy: http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/laughter.htm