Dec
27
2009
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones? That sounds barbaric. Well, in one sense, they are. Kidney stones are small, hard, mineral deposits produced inside these vital organs. When they form they can range everywhere from unnoticeable to something you hope you never notice again. But what are they made of and how do they form? What can we do about them?
As the small sacs (nephrons) in the kidneys go about their vital work of filtering the blood, regulating electrolytes and performing other tasks they can malfunction. When that happens, small crystals can form. They might be made chiefly of calcium, uric acid, or other materials found inside these fist-sized organs.
Continue Reading »
Dec
21
2009
Stop Smoking Now And Really Benefit!
Many who consider quitting smoking think “the damage is done”. Or, “Why bother, it’s too late”. The scientific data say otherwise. It says the benefits are immediate and long-lasting.
The First Hour
Continue Reading »
Dec
10
2009
A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Colon
Your colon does much more than just expel digested food. It’s a major contributor to your overall health. You can help keep it healthy in turn to perform that job by adopting the right diet.
You’ve probably heard that eating fiber helps, and there’s a lot of evidence for that. Like any topic in nutrition and health, there are always ongoing studies and they don’t always agree. But some things are known with high confidence.
Continue Reading »
Dec
01
2009
How to Quit Smoking and Deal With Weight Gain
One of the common effects of quitting smoking is weight gain, usually from 5-10 pounds, sometimes more. But, though common, it’s not inevitable.
Weight gain from a stop-smoking program can have a number of causes.
For many individuals, it’s a natural response to cravings from nicotine withdrawal. They substitute food for smoking. Increase the amount of calories taken in, as snacks add up, and sooner or later you’ve gained several pounds.
Continue Reading »