The most neglected part of the human body is the feet. We take care of our feet only when we experience discomfort and foot pain. If we take regular care, foot hygiene and exercise it will go a long way to ensure healthy feet which will not only look good but also support the body weight easily. Many websites and books on feet care will give suggestions and tips on how to do a pedicure. The following are some of the foot care tips in general and herbal home remedies for relief for common foot problems.
* You can dip the feet in warm water containing a teaspoon of (preferably herbal) shampoo and one teaspoon of baking powder. Let them soak for 10- 15 minutes, before drying them. Apply a foot cream and then go to sleep. If you continuously do this for 2 weeks you’ll have softer looking skin.
* For treating dry skin on the feet and cracked heels, prepare a mixture with equal quantity of glycerin, fresh cream and honey. Apply this mixture to the feet, especially to the cracked heels and let it stay on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water. You can apply this method for three weeks (before sleeping) to find smooth feet and heels.
* A fast and easy pedicure that can be done at home involves adding a few (four to five) drops of vinegar to four or five table spoons (40-50 grams) of curd and mixing it well in a dish. You should then rub this mixture well on the feet, ankles, heels and the soles of the feet especially between the toes. After allowing it to stay on for ten minutes you can wash off with warm water. This process helps to rejuvenate the skin on the feet, removing dead cells and stimulating blood circulation.
* If you suffer from cracks on your heels your feet will require regular care. Try this natural remedy every three days before bed time. Immerse feet in warm water to which 10 ml lemon juice and 20 ml coconut oil has been added. Then scrub the heel area after twenty minutes with a pumice stone. Dry thoroughly and apply a foot cream. You can try this once every week till you find relief.
* A simple homemade moisturizer for the skin especially the feet can be prepared at home easily. A mixture of rose water and glycerin (glycerin) in equal proportion can be prepared and stored, to be used when ever required, especially after foot care treatment. Replace this mixture every one month.

There are many natural foods which are good for various ailments of the body. The following foods are extremely useful for a youthful looking skin. To ensure a youthful looking skin the following foods are useful. These are normal everyday foods that can greatly benefit your skin.

* Oranges contain vitamin C which is most essential to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Vitamin C is also useful to prevent wrinkles by producing collagen in the skin. You can eat one whole fruit every day, regularly for beneficial effects.

* Sunflower seeds contain essential fatty acids that help the skin to secrete natural oils that lubricate it and prevent water loss. It also helps in keeping the skin soft and supple. It improves hair texture and reduces blackhead formation. You can take three teaspoons twice a week or use sunflower oil to cook your food in.

* Papayas are filled with the goodness of carotenoids releasing vitamin A and are nutrient rich. They have an anti oxidant effect and help in maintaining younger looking skin. You can consume 200-250 gms of the fruit per day.

* A great source of vitamins of the B group lies in whole Grains. They help in fighting skin infections and replacing dead cells in the skin. Niacin in whole grain helps skin cells to absorb nutrients and release energy. You can replace normal white breads with whole grain bread , biscuits and pasta with whole grain products.

* Green Tea is loaded with flavonoids and antioxidants. They prevent skin from being harmed by UV rays and free radical chemicals in the atmosphere. Green tea also prevents wrinkle formation and help remove blemishes from the skin.

* Pulses are a rich source of proteins that help skin glow. Pulses also help in controlling hair loss as they contain biotin. You can cook pulses in boiling water to release nutrients and enjoy a protein rich meal.

* Aloe Vera has many positive effects on the human body. The juice of this plant is very beneficial for patchy skin. It also helps to prevent acne and skin pigmentation. Simply take 30-40 ml of juice daily for better skin.

By incorporating the above foods in your diet you can be assured of smooth, wrinkle free skin. You may note that simply taking minerals and vitamins in pills will not help the skin. You must consume the hidden nutrients in the fruits that offer great benefits.

Primarily found in bone, vitamin K is primarily used for preventing some forms of illness. Some cosmetic companies make use of this vitamin in eye and wrinkle creams to lessen the look of lines. Once it is absorbed into skin it helps to build up the skin around the wrinkle or line to actually erase the sight of them. Foods like green tea, asparagus, green leafy vegetables etc contain this vitamin.

Vitamin K is also useful for curing stretch marks and scars in addition to vitamin E. It also helps to fight against osteoporosis which is a condition described as having weak, thin and brittle bones. It is also essential to have this vitamin for the production of prothrombin that is essential for the clotting of blood. Taken in full this vitamin aids in promoting longevity.

Vitamin K also aids bone formation and repair. It also helps prevent certain kinds of cancers that affect the inner linings of the organs. Vitamin K has an important role in the intestines as it helps to change glucose into glycogen (carbohydrate) thus promoting healthy liver function. If this vitamin were not present it would result in abnormal or internal bleeding.

Although vitamin K is found in a lot of herbs and foods the majority of the supply of vitamin K is produced by “friendly” bacteria already present in the intestines. Alfalfa, kelp, nettle, oat straw and shepherd’s Purse are other herbs that contain this vitamin. Vegetables that are good in Vitamin K are cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.

Vitamins are very vital and form an important factor in our diet. You should pay good attention and thought to your food habits and while shopping for food items. We should not only pay so much attention to what goes on our skin, but also to what goes into our mouths and into our bodies. This will result in a healthy body and complexion in the long run. You are what you eat and this will surely show if you make the right choices instead of the wrong ones. Vitamin K in addition to other vital vitamins must be consumed everyday even by the aged people. Youngsters should also see that they eat a well balanced diet full of proteins, vitamins and minerals. As it has enough good properties one has to include vitamin K in their diet in sufficient quantities.

There are three kinds of prostate problems namely Prostatitis, or the infection of the prostate gland; benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or the abnormal enlargement of the prostate; and prostate cancer, which is the most severe prostate complication imaginable.

The first problem namely Prostatitis, can be treated with antibiotics just like any other health issue. There are specially prescribed types and dosages for each person which varies from one individual to another. In case your system doesn’t respond to antibiotics properly alternative medicine should be resorted to.

BPH can be treated with special medicine for the purpose. This medication will help in shrinking the prostate so that it will not obstruct the space reserved for the bladder opening. This would also lead to a healthier, and easier, urination process and prevent all possibilities in a patient to develop prostate cancer.

In its early stages, prostate cancer can be treated through surgery. The healing process can be quickened with a variety of medicine as well. But in its advanced stage prostate cancer is basically incurable. Hence early detection is the one and only way suggested by health care professionals to treat prostate cancer.

There are various options available to cure the problem of prostate cancer and also those of less serious nature through alternative prostate medications. Nutritional supplements made from herbs can work wonders and strengthen the prostate and cure infections such as Prostatitis and BPH. These are made from a variety of herbs which are rich with ingredients healthy for the said gland.

You should however maintain a dosage of the daily recommended allowance of vitamins and minerals which is the most effective way in keeping a healthy and happy prostate. Collagen injections have also been found as an efficient prostate medicine alternative by various studies. Collagen, an insoluble fibrous protein, is used to fortify the urinary muscles, and thus provides a cure for incontinence.

The above are some of the remedies for prostrate related problems and to maintain a healthy diet is the first step towards a healthy prostrate gland.

There are many myths with regard to acupuncture. The following are some of them:

1. Acupuncture is Painful: Those who have tried it say that it is not true and they only experienced a tiny prick while others did not feel anything at all. There is no tissue damage when the needle is inserted into the skin or pulled out and only in very rare cases are there traces of bruising.

2. Acupuncture can lead to Hepatitis or AIDS: This is true only if the needles used are not sterilized. This will never happen in the U.S because acupuncturists are required to use disposable needles and there is no risk from these two diseases.

3. Acupuncture is used to get relief from pain: This is only partially true as this holistic technique has been proven to do other things such as stop a person’s addiction, lose weight and prevent certain illnesses.

4. Acupuncture can be practiced only by Asians: This is a false notion as there are several schools in United States, Europe, South America and other Asian countries such as Singapore and India that teach students about this technique and become licensed acupuncturists.

5. Health care professionals Do Not Believe in Acupuncture: There are many doctors these days who are open to the idea of trying alternative methods other than conventional medicine. In fact, some of them even recommend an acupuncturist if they know that what they have done is not effective.

6. Various needle techniques will be used: This is not true as only four needle techniques will only be used when the specialist feels that the energy of the patient is virtually not moving.

7. It Is Better For Medical Doctors To Perform Acupuncture:  This is not true as you can choose someone who has learned about this much longer than a doctor who has no such experience.

8. Acupuncture is practiced only in Third World Countries: This is false as this technique originated in China more than 2000 years ago and this has spread to developed nations such as USA, Europe, Japan, etc.

So Acupuncture as a system of alternative medicine has become very popular and is used to treat incurable and rare diseases also.

According to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal, calcium supplements have very little benefit for preventing fractures in childhood and later adulthood.

The study carried out by researchers at Menzies Research Institute in Australia indicates that children who take such supplements have only small improvements in bone density, which are unlikely to reduce fracture risk. According to the study other approaches such as increasing vitamin D concentrations and eating more fruit and vegetables will help in reducing the risk of bone fractures among children.

Low bone mineral density is also a major risk factor for osteoporosis particularly in women that leads to osteoporotic fractures. After the menopausal stage bone density worsens for women, so intervention in childhood is essential to maximise peak bone mass by improving factors such as diet and physical activity. This can minimise the impact of bone loss related to age.

The study involved the findings of 19 different studies involving 2,859 children collectively aged between three and 18. They included randomised trials of calcium supplementation in healthy children that lasted at least three months and which measured bone outcomes after at least six months of follow-up.

The findings revealed that there was only a small effect on total body bone mineral content and upper limb bone mineral density — children taking the supplements only had 1.7% better bone density in their upper limbs than children not taking the supplements. There was however no effect at important sites in the body for fracture in later life — namely the hip and lumbar spine. The effect persisted at the upper limb, but disappeared for total body bone mineral content once the children stopped taking the supplements.

The authors concluded that the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density is very small and is unlikely to reduce the risk of fracture, either in childhood or later life, to a great degree. One must explore alternative health points, such as increasing vitamin D concentrations and intake of fruit and vegetables. Exercising frequently will also go a long way in ensuring health and fitness.

Calcium supplements have only a small role to play in the prevention of fractures. Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is recommended by health care professionals to lead a healthy life.

A vast majority of men and women have hair loss problems such as baldness or thinning of hair, however there is an array of treatments available that will help you solve the problem. 95% of men have some degree of hair loss by age 35 to 40. Hair loss is a common problem among American men and by age 50 approximately 85% of men having thinning hair. The extent of the problem is lesser among women but the problem still does exist.

Hair loss problems in women is mainly attributed to reasons such as diets, stress, hormones, or medications, as well as other things such as thyroid problems, frequent shampooing, unattended hair, lupus or even dying hair follicles. Men usually have hair loss because of genetic reasons, sadly.

Drugs such as Propecia, Rogain or Lasercomb help both men and women in getting relief from the problem of hair loss. If treatment is not available for your type of hair loss or the treatment is not effective for you, you can also try things like wigs, hair pieces, hair weaves or artificial hair replacement.

There are a lot of other alternatives which is the healthier route by not resorting to medications, pills, or drugs. Homeopathic cures and herbal remedies will go a long way in getting relief from hair loss. Various sites exist that offer this kind of information about health products apart from giving useful health points. Some sites also allow you to purchase health products by browsing the products of your choice. You can also be on the look out for products on the site and with in the forums and or articles on the sites.

Whether you choose the medicinal way or the herbal, hair loss is reversible and it can be helped. This isn’t a permanent problem and there are several options you can take depending on your personal preferences. You can also consult a health care professional for hair loss treatments that will be suitable for your body type. Ayurveda also offers numerous remedies for hair loss.

Hair loss problem is faced by both men and women but there are a lot of good remedies available which you can choose to get yourself relieved of this problem.

Restless legs syndrome is under diagnosed in kids according to Dr. Suresh Kotagal, M.D., chair of Mayo Clinic pediatric neurology and a sleep specialist. A fair number of children with restless leg syndrome have trouble falling asleep.

According to the doctor occassional growing pains are nothing to worry about, but growing pains every night may be restless legs syndrome. If somebody suffers from this condition then medical attention might be needed for that person.

According to a new Mayo Clinic study almost 6 percent of children observed in Mayo’s sleep clinic have the disease. The study, published in this month’s issue of Annals of Neurology, also notes that the most common risk factors for the disease in kids are family history of restless legs syndrome and iron deficiency.

The records of 538 children were reviewed by the study. These children had been seen in the pediatric sleep disorders program at Mayo Clinic between Jan. 2000 and March 2004. New, rigidly defined diagnostic criteria established by a consensus conference of the National Institutes of Health and the International Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation in 2003 allowed the Mayo Clinic researchers to classify their 32 patients as having probable restless legs in nine cases and definite restless legs syndrome in 23 cases.

Those in the probable restless legs syndrome group were mostly younger. The most common symptoms were trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, which affected 87.5 percent. One commonality in the restless legs syndrome patients was a low iron level in the blood (as measured by serum ferritin) seen in 83 percent of the patients, the explanation for which is unknown, according to Dr. Kotagal.

The doctor also indicated that restless legs syndrome is underdiagnosed in kids. Other than iron deficiency Dr. Kotagal indicates that there may be a strong link between restless legs syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The treatments for both conditions address the same chemical imbalance to a certain extent.

While occasional leg pain need not be a cause for worry, restless leg syndrome warrants medical attention and ought to be seen by a health care professional when it becomes frequent. Only with sufficient treatment health and wellness can be maintained.

Studies have shown that the surest way to live longer is to cut back on calories. An experiment conducted on mice revealed that cutting calories not only extended their lifespan, but also their reproductive period. It is believed that a low calorie diet in humans can have a similar effect.

Lowering our calorie intake can have many advantages like lowering cholesterol, fasting glucose, and blood pressure. These parameters will have an indirect effect on the aging process and lessen age related diseases. One can maintain health and fitness to by lessening their calorie intake.

Studies have also proved that if one doesn’t want to cut back on eating their favorite dishes they can eat an antidepressant. In an experiment when worms were given an anti-depressant called mianserin (trade name Tolvon), their appetite center was tricked into thinking they had consumed much less calories than they actually did. This in turn increased their lifespan from 3 weeks to more than four.

According to Linda Buck, Nobel Prize winner and leader of this study, the drug works by modulating neurotransmitter serotonin, which controls appetite and hunger sensation in both these worms as well as in humans. It also stimulates octopamine, which is a trigger for starvation. Though the worms continued to eat as before their nervous system was tricked into thinking they were starving. Though these findings have yet to be proved in humans, we see ample evidence that diet does have a similar effect in us. For example, inhabitants of the RYAKYA Islands of Japan have the highest life expectancy. These people have always consumed a low calorie diet which is positively correlated with the number of people living over the age of 110.

But healthcare professionals have warned against diet especially amongst teenagers and children. With the expectation to imitate the lean models teenagers sometimes follow a very strict diet that does not give the body the much needed nourishment. The health points indicating a good and nutritious diet and active lifestyle must be kept in mind while following these tips for healthy living.

Though eating less is advised, it must be done within limits and a wise and balanced diet could only lead to a healthy body and long life without diseases.

There are various advantages of getting adequate sleep. Recent studies educate us about the effects of sleep patterns on body weight. The following health points outline the link between sleep deprivation and obesity and the importance of getting enough sleep.

One study indicates that children who slept less than 9 hours per night were three times as likely to be overweight, independent of their level of physical activity. Those who had shorter sleep duration were also more likely to be emotionally liable than children who slept longer. The second study reviewed sleep patterns in adult patients with chronic medical conditions. It was observed that those who got less than 7 hours of sleep per night were more likely to be obese than those who had slept for more hours. Too short or too long sleep was both linked to obesity in women.

It is difficult to pin point the connection between sleep and body weight is. Poor sleep might lead changes in hunger levels or decreased levels of physical activity during the day. Decreased sleep may also be caused by weight gain, causing individuals difficulty in sustaining normal sleep patterns. It is a well known fact that overweight adults are more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, which can cause severe disturbances that prevent a good night’s sleep.

Sleep helps the brain and body to function well, but how it actually benefits us is still poorly understood. Even slight sleep deprivation impairs our cognitive and physical functioning. It is absolutely essential that we get at least 8 hours of sleep per day to function optimally. Mental function will diminish with sleep deprivation and emotional liability will increase with a lack of rest.

As children grow so rapidly they will require more sleep than adults. It is recommended that pre-school children get 11-13 hours of sleep and older children get 10-11 hours per night. Patients with chronic diseases face metabolic and physical challenges and hence will have to rest more just to function normally; adults need at least 8 hours of sleep.

But even healthy adults are commonly sleep deprived, increasing their risk of various lifestyle diseases including infection, elevated stress, poor cognitive function and depression. It is very important to take the effort to let your body rest to prevent sleep deprivation and maintain health and fitness.