Health-and-Fitness online information.

Muscle Building Workouts

2008-03-18T04:36:00.001-07:00

Building muscles are not really easy but if more effort is devoted to muscle building in no time we can gain the type of muscle we want. To build muscle fast requires a muscle building workout plan. I could remember when I tried muscle building without any workout plan, I had muscle pull for 1 week, I felt pains all over me to the extent I couldn't move some parts of my body because of this pains, I finally visited the hospital for some medical attentions. My friends advised me to use muscle building workouts that use free weights,these are not as good as the muscle building supplements that we see today,after some time i discovered what i was drinking was calories, I just had to dump and look for another alternative.

Its always advisable to make sure your heart is in good shape before starting the workouts for building biceps,begin first with a cardiovascular exercise which will last 3 times in a week. Doing this at the required time can make you to be health and fit and also reduce tiredness. Though big biceps can make you look cute, but having a good cadio workout plan could even make you look health. Muscle building workouts with aerobic exercises will make you body stiffer and also make you look less healthy.

If I have got the opportunity to ask all those who wants to have huge arms, I will ask them whether they don't want to be healthy as well while building huge biceps, well without asking them this I know they would for sure love to build huge arm muscles and also be healthy. The greatest goal to have in physical fitness is building biceps. It's a big risk to build biceps before anything else,this is so because the major muscles work in pair of opposing groups. The two groups are to be kept strong to reduce the risk of injuries,also make sure you are moving on your quads, pecks, shoulders and also the stomach muscles.

You may have wondered why many people believe building big biceps is the most effective type of muscle building activity, its simply because its more noticeable. Muscle Gain Truth is one of the best muscle building workout plan available for anyone that wants to build muscle the easy way. Many do otherwise while working to be physically fit. They never stop endless curls to build biceps and also take health supplements. Try not to get confused by health supplements, most of them contains steroids and other substances that are harmful for muscle building workouts. It's good to eliminate the risks of building only large biceps by following a full muscle building workout that covers both the biceps and other many activities.

Most muscle builders use electrical muscle simulators, they are often used to stimulate muscles and strengthen them as the muscle builder rests, it's not effective as exercising but it works well in neglected muscle building, have in mind that those with heart problems, epilepsy and related health problems shouldn't use electrical muscle simulators, always follow the tips of a successful muscle builder for your muscle building workouts.

Muscle Building Workouts

2008-03-17T03:05:00.000-07:00

Muscle Building Workouts

2008-03-15T02:32:00.003-07:00

Muscle Building Workouts

2008-03-15T02:32:00.001-07:00

Muscle Building Workouts

2008-03-13T22:59:00.000-07:00

Muscle Building Workouts

2008-03-11T03:39:00.001-07:00

Burdock-Drug Interactions, Side Effects and Precautions of Use-Herbal Medicines

2008-02-26T04:26:00.000-08:00

Taxonomic Class

Asteraceae

Common Trade Names

Multi-ingredient preparations: Anthraxiviore, Burdock Blend Extract, Burdock Root, Burdock Sarsaparilla Compound

Common Forms

Available as capsules (425 mg, 475 mg, cream for topical administration, dried root, liquid extract, tea, and tincture (made from crushed seeds).

Source

The crude drug is extracted from the dried root of the great burdock, Arctium lappa, or common burdock, Arctium minus. The seeds and leaves of burdock plants have also been used in folk medicine. Burdock is a large biennial herb grown in China, Europe, and the United States. The plant can be identified in the spring by the round heads of its purple flowers.

Chemical Components

The principal component of burdock root is a carbohydrate, inulin, which can account for up to 50% of the total plant mass. Additional components include anthroquinone glycosides; nonhydroxy acids; a plant hormone, gamma-guanidino-n-butyric acid; polyacetylenes; polyphenolic acids; tannins; and volatile acids. Seeds contain chlorogenic acid, fixed oils, a germacranolide, a glycoside (arctiin), Iignans, and other compounds. Some commercial teas that contain burdock have been prone to contamination with atropine.

Actions

Burdock is claimed to exert antimicrobial, antipyretic, diaphoretic, and diuretic activities. Uterine stimulation has been reported in in vivo studies. In animal studies, burdock extracts have reportedly demonstrated strong hypoglycemic activity and antagonism of platelet activating factor.

Various in vitro and animal studies have found that burdock possesses antimutagenic effects.

Reported Uses

Burdock is claimed to be useful for a wide range of ailments, including arthritis; cystitis; gout; hemorrhoids; lumbar pain; rheumatism; sciatica; skin disorders, such as acne, canker sores, dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis; and ulcers. It has also been used as a blood purifier. In the Far East, burdock is used to treat cancer, impotence, and sterility. Some studies have reported the use of burdock in the treatment of kidney stones and HIV infection.

Dosage

Burdock is taken internally as a tea or used externally as a compress.

Dried root: 2 to 6 g P.O. t.i.d.

Liquid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol): 2 to 8 ml P.O. t.i.d.

Tea: I cup P.O. t.i.d. or q.i.d.

Tincture (1:10 in 45% alcohol): 8 to 12 ml P.O. t.i.d.

Adverse Reactions

Skin: allergic dermatitis.

Other: allergic reactions.

Interactions

Insulin, oral antidiabetics: May increase hypoglycemic effects. Avoid administration with burdock.

Contraindications And Precautions

Burdock is contraindicated during pregnancy-especially in the first trimester-because of the effects of anthraquinone glycosides found in the roots of burdock plants. It is also contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the herb or related plant species.

Special Considerations

Allergic reactions have been demonstrated in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Other members of this family include chrysanthemum, daisy, mangold, and ragweed.

Alert Poisoning caused by atropine contamination of some commercial burdock teas can occur. Signs and symptoms of toxicity include blurred vision, dilated pupils, and rapid pulse rate. Treatment, if needed, includes physostigmine reversal .

Inform the patient that burdock products may be significantly contaminated with atropine and that toxicity has resulted from this contamination.

Inform the diabetic patient that burdock may increase the risk of hypoglycemia and that insulin or oral antidiabetic drug doses may need to be reduced.

Inform the patient that few scientific data evaluate burdock's effects in humans.

Caution women to avoid using burdock during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.

Points of Interest

Burdock root is commonly eaten in Asia, less often in the United States.

Commentary

Animal and in vitro studies suggest that burdock use might offer therapeutic benefits. Clinical trials are needed to support these claims. Also, data regarding the safety and efficacy of burdock are lacking.

Goldenseal - Drug Interactions, Side Effects and Precautions of Use-Herbal Medicines

2008-02-26T04:25:00.000-08:00

Taxonomic Class

Ranunculaceae

Common Trade Names

Alvita, Dandelion Goldenseal, Golden Seal Extract, Golden Seal Extract 4:1, Golden Seal Glycerin Extract, Golden Seal Power, Golden Seal Root, Nu Veg Golden Seal Herb, Nu Veg Golden Seal Root

Common Forms

Capsules, tablets: 250 mg, 350 mg, 400 mg, 404 mg, 470 mg, 500 mg, 535 mg, 540 mg

Also available as dried ground root powder, ethanol and water extracts, teas, and tinctures.

Source

The rhizome (root stock) of Hydrastis canadensis is commonly used to manufacture the dosage forms. The main chemical components are the alkaloids hydrastine and berberine. Also present are hydrastinine, canadine, berberastine, candaline, canadaline, chlorogenic acid, carbohydrates, fatty acids, volatile oil, resin, and meconin.

Actions

Goldenseal is claimed to have antihemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, laxative, and oxytocic properties. The pharmacologic properties are attributed to berberine and hydrastine, and scientific studies have usually focused on these alkaloids rather than on the herb itself.

An alkaloid component of goldenseal was reported to inhibit muscle contractions in rodent smooth muscle, whereas others have shown an oxytocic effect. Goldenseal extracts reduce hyperphagia and polydipsia associated with streptozocin-induced diabetes in mice.

Berberine was found to decrease the anticoagulant effect of heparin in laboratory tests of heparinated animal and human blood and to act as a cardiac stimulant (at lower doses), increase coronary perfusion, and inhibit cardiac activity (at higher doses) in animals. Antipyretic activity (greater than aspirin) and anthelmintic, antihistaminic, antimicrobial, anti muscarinic, antitumorigenic, and hypotensive effects have also been documented for berberine in animal and laboratory models.

Hydrastinine causes vasoconstriction and can produce significant changes in blood pressure.

Reported Uses

Claims for goldenseal include use for anorexia, cancer, conjunctivitis, dysmenorrhea, eczema, gastritis, GI disorders, mouth ulcers, otorrhea, peptic ulcer disease, postpartum hemorrhage, pruritus, tinnitus, and tuberculosis and as an anti-inflammatory, a diuretic, a laxative, and a wound antiseptic. There are few, if any, clinical trial data available to support these claims.

Goldenseal was found to be less effective than ergot alkaloids when used for postpartum hemorrhage in humans. Berberine has been shown to shorten the duration of acute Vibrio cholera diarrhea and diarrhea caused by some species of Giardia, Salmonella, and Shigella and some Enterobactereciae. Clinical studies in patients with hepatic cirrhosis have shown that berberine may correct some laboratory abnormalities and improve biliary secretion and function.

Dosage

Dried rhizome: 0.5 to 1 g P.O. t.i.d.

Ethanol and water extract: 250 mg P.O. t.i.d.

Adverse Reactions

CNS: CNS depression, paralysis (with high doses), paresthesias, seizures.

CV: asystole, bradycardia, heart block.

EENT: mouth ulcers.

GI: abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.

Respiratory: respiratory depression (with high doses).

Skin: contact dermatitis.

Interactions

Anticoagulants: Beneficial effects of therapeutic anticoagulants may be offset. Avoid administration with goldenseal.

Antihypertensives: Goldenseal or its extracts may interfere with or increase hypotensive effects. Do not use together.

Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin: May increase or interfere with cardiac effects of these drugs. Do not use together.

CNS depressants (alcoho benzodiazepines): May increase sedative effects. Avoid administration with goldenseal.

Contraindications And Precautions

Goldenseal is contraindicated in patients with CV disease, particularly arrhythmias, heart failure, or hypertension, and in pregnant patients.

Special Considerations

Alert Death can result from the ingestion of large alkaloid doses. Symptoms of overdose include depression, exaggerated reflexes, GI upset, nervousness, and seizures that progress to respiratory paralysis and CV collapse.

Monitor for unusual symptoms.

Monitor for signs of vitamin B deficiency (angular stomatitis, cheilosis, glossitis, infertility, megaloblastic anemia, peripheral neuropathy, seborrheic dermatitis, and seizures).

Caution the patient to avoid hazardous activities until CNS effects of goldenseal are known.

Instruct the patient not to consume goldenseal because of its potential to cause toxicity.

Points of Interest

Chronic use of goldenseal has been reported to decrease the absorption of vitamin B and thereby promote its deficiency.

Tolerance to the herb's pharmacologic effects is thought to develop after only a few weeks of chronic use.

Berberine is also a component of barberry (Berberis vulgaris).

Goldenseal extracts have been a component in sterile eyewashes for many years without supporting evidence for their inclusion. Also, the extracts or their components have been listed in the national pharmacopoeias of several countries.

Goldenseal has been inappropriately used to mask the appearance of illicit drugs on urine drug screens in humans and race horses. This information is false and originates from a fictional literary work that depicts the plant to be useful for hiding opioid ingestion.

Goldenseal has been used as a dye. The rhizome is bright yellow and popular for staining many fabrics and materials.

According to a survey inside a New York City emergency department, goldenseal tea is among the three most commonly cited herbal preparations consumed by patients .

Commentary

The pharmacologic effects of goldenseal have not been adequately studied. Because the risk of toxicity appears excessive for this plant, even some advocacy texts do not support its use for any disorder. Goldenseal and its alkaloids possess some promising pharmacologic properties; additional comprehensive, controlled studies in animals are needed before progressing to human studies.

Muscle Development Through Hip Rotation Yoga Exercise

2008-02-25T03:35:00.000-08:00

Hip Rotation

Benefits

Nourishes and opens up the hips fully

Tones the muscles of the waist

Focus

Keep your legs strong, so that you feel steady to rotate your hips as widely as you can without upsetting your balance.

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Inhaling, circle your arms overhead, and bring your palms together. Interlock your fingers, with index fingers pointing up.

Look up at your hands. With your pointed fingers, "draw" a small, imaginary circle on the ceiling in a clockwise direction. Move your hips at the same time, also in a clockwise direction.

Make a slightly larger circle, with your arm and hip movements still coordinated.

Make progressively larger circles until you have completed 7 circles. With each rotation, stretch and lengthen through your arms and fingers as you bend forward, sideways, and backward. Bend fully in each direction until you feel your waist and back muscles begin to work. On the last rotation, your interlocked fingers should come low to the floor as you bend forward.

Pause and rest.

Start "drawing" large circles, close to the ground, in a counterclockwise direction. Make progressively smaller circles as you come back to the starting position, with your arms directly above your head.

Repeat the sequence in reverse, starting with small counterclockwise circles that get progressively larger, then making large clockwise circles that get progressively smaller.

Drop your arms to your sides, shrug your shoulders, and relax.

Liver-Stimulating Exercise

Benefit Increases the circulation and flow of prana to the liver to improve its function

Focus Firmly massage your abdomen.

Stage 1 Stand with your feet hip-width part. Place the palm of your right hand on your right upper abdomen, at the base of your rib cage.

Stage 2 Press your palm across the middle of your abdomen along your lower rib bones.

Push your palm up to your breastbone, to the left about 6 inches, down your lower rib bones, and back across to the right lower rib bones. (This pushing from right to left and back again constitutes one repetition.)

Repeat this movement firmly 36 times.

Kidneys This simple Chinese exercise should be done in the morning.

Benefits Stimulates the adrenal glands and the kidneys by increasing circulation and the flow of prana

Improves eyesight

Keeps the skin smooth

Strengthens libido

Focs Imagine the heat and energy flowing from your hands into your kidneys to promote healing.

Kidney Massage Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and lean forward a little. Rub the palms of your hands vigorously together to bring warmth into your hands and fingers, then place your hands over the small of your back.

Massage the small of your back by rubbing up and down, then in a circular motion around your lower back for 1 minute.

Pummel Kidneys Clench your fists, and pummel the small of your back for approximately 1 minute.

Repeat this alternating massaging and pummeling action for 1 minute at a time until you have completed 5 minutes, total, of both movements.

Hissing Cobra - Yoga

2008-02-25T03:31:00.000-08:00

Benefits Forcibly gets rid of stale air and toxins in the bottom of the lungs

Focus Keep your chest as low to the ground as you can for as long as you can before arching your body. Hiss as loudly as you can for maximum benefit. Once in the extended forward position with your arms locked, keep lengthening and stretching through your abdominal muscles as you hiss.

Sit on your heels on the floor. Lean forward and stretch your arms out in front of you, palms flat on the floor. Inhale.

Exhaling strongly through your mouth (making a hissing sound), slide your chin and chest forward along the floor. Keep your hips low.

Push up with your arms, and support your body on locked elbows; drop your head backward, arch your back, and stretch through your abdomen. Continue hissing until you empty your lungs completely.

When you run out of breath, inhale while you sit back on your heels, arms extended in front of you, palms flat on the floor.

Repeat Hissing Cobra 6 more times, hissing as you slide forward and inhaling as you sit back on your heels. Do not take any extra breaths in between.

Sit back on your heels with your arms outstretched and your head on the floor. Rest, and notice how clean your lungs feel.

Star Stretch- Improves Circulation to the Abdominal Area

The act of consciously tensing and releasing your muscles makes you more aware of the difference between the two and of how good relaxation can feel.

Benefits Improves circulation to the abdominal area

Releases tension across the abdomen, chest, and back to make breathing easier and deeper

Focus Focus on extending and tensing every muscle, even those of your face. As you tense your muscles, visualize your body as being as taut as a guitar string. As you release the tension, visualize yourself as being as soft as a rag doll.

Lie on the floor on your back with your arms and legs spread wide, palms facing up your body should resemble the shape of a starfish.

Inhale deeply, then exhale. Hold your breath for 7 counts as you stretch and lengthen through your arms, pressing the backs of your hands into the floor. Leave your legs soft.

Release and relax.

Inhale, then exhale. Hold your breath for a count of 7 as you stretch and lengthen through your legs while pointing your toes to the floor. Leave your upper body soft. Press your lower back to the floor, and tighten your abdominal muscles and buttocks.

Release and relax.

Inhale, then exhale. Hold your breath for 7 counts as you stretch through your right arm and left leg diagonally through your body, pointing your toes and fingers.

Release and relax.

Inhale, then exhale. Hold your breath for 7 counts as you stretch through your left arm and right leg diagonally through your body, pointing your toes and fingers. Exhale and relax.

Inhale, then exhale. Hold your breath for 7 counts, as you stretch through your arms and legs. Flatten the backs of your hands and your back to the floor, and tighten every muscle in your body, including those of your face.

Relax by practicing 3 Full Yoga Breaths.

The Best Rowing Machine Workout for Health and Fitness

2008-02-23T04:48:00.000-08:00

For an all-over body workout there really isn't any exercise equipment better than a rowing machine for both aerobic and anaerobic fitness. These types of machine are ideal for exercising the upper leg muscles, lower back, abdomen, and shoulders, and of course the cardiovascular system.

The first step in any rowing machine workout, or any other workout for that matter, is the warm-up. This will help to prevent any unwanted pulls and tears, and similarly the warm-down will help the body recover from the workout so that you don't feel too many aches and pains afterwards.

Rowing machines are one of the most popular items of fitness equipment among gym members and also those into home fitness. The range of rowing machines available and the affordable price tags allows anyone to use this type of equipment from the comfort of their own home. To benefit from the machine as much as possible though, it is important to have a rowing machine workout plan and schedule. This will help to provide a routine that you can stick to, and is also a good way to measure the progression and fitness levels.

If you are a beginner but want to reap the benefits of rowing it is a good idea to start at a low resistance setting. Many of the better rowing machines can be adjusted gradually in resistance so that as fitness increases, so can resistance settings. For heavy strength training the resistance will be high and the rowing motion will be slow, but for endurance the resistance can be lower but with more repetitions.

Starting at a resistance level that is beyond you current level of fitness can do more harm than good. It's important that you don't place too much strain on the muscles and joints, but you'll also want to have a resistance setting that is actually going to work the body so you get something out of the workout.

When used correctly, a rowing machine can have some fantastic benefits. They are often used by professional athletes because of the increase in fitness that can be achieved by using this equipment. Keeping fit doesn't have to mean enrolling at your local gym. A rowing machine can provide an excellent workout for the whole body, and are ideal for home use.

Home Based Business Ideas for the Health and Fitness Industry

2008-02-23T04:45:00.000-08:00

If you're considering your own home based business, the "health and fitness" industry is a great place to start. There are millions of people of all ages searching for good health tips, products, health advice, vitamins and minerals, etc. So, there's an ongoing need for health-related businesses - both online and offline. Here are some great ideas for starting your own health related home based business.

Focusing on a Woman's Health

A woman's health is very important to her. You can start a home based business based on health and fitness for women only. Women are always trying to lose weight, improve health, and discover the secrets behind true health. You can build a home based business that offers advice for women and "improve your health" products such as vitamins, minerals, diet foods, recipes, etc.

Men's Health and Fitness

Men are typically not as weight-conscious as women, but they do like to stay in shape. If you want to establish a home based business centered on men's health, focus on fitness and exercise. Offer exercise tips and products or vitamins that can help build muscle strength and increase energy.

Weight Loss

If it is weight loss that interests you, you can start an entire home based business about weight loss for men, women and children. You can promote only one weight loss program or a variety of weight loss programs. With a weight loss website, you can offer almost unlimited tips, recipes, articles, etc. Also, you can dedicate sections of your site to fitness and exercise. The possibilities are endless!

Start a Health Newsletter

You can also start your own newsletter about health-related issues. With a newsletter, you can offer it free to subscribers and charge for advertising. Advertisers might be retailers of vitamins and minerals, exercise equipment, health foods, weight loss products or programs, doctors, etc. You can also start a newsletter to promote your own health-related home based business. An online e-zine is even better!

Join with Experts in the Field

If you feel uneasy about starting a health home based business on your own, or simply don't have the expertise needed for such a venture, you can easily team with others who are knowledgeable about the health industry. Some companies, such as USANA, enable you to sell their products, and they do all the groundwork and research for you. So, you can start a home based business in the health industry with little or no prior knowledge.

Helping others to improve health, lose weight, or get in shape can be both a rewarding and lucrative home based business. Discover your rewards while the industry is still booming!

Adsense Optimization Tips To Help You Make More Money Online

2008-02-21T01:41:00.000-08:00

Making money with adsense can be a very powerful way to earn income online. If you own a website that gets traffic then as long as you place the adsense in an optimal manner you can increase your online income almost instantly. Of course if you do not own a site yet then consider creating one and learning how to optimize it for the search engines.

The main objective with adsense is to have good click through rates which will maximize your income. The main key with increasing click through rates is to make sure your ads blend in as much as possible with your site content and also the correct placement of ads is important. The link color of the ads is important as if the links on your site are red then you will want the links in the ads to also be red.

Also make sure that the url color is either black or grey as this will make the headline more noticeable. You want visitors to notice the headline of your ads because they are usually well written by most adwords advertisers since their goal is to get more clicks.

It is also a good idea to place some ads above the fold on your site. Above the fold means the section on your site that is visible without scrolling down. Make sure to place ads towards the center of the page as this area gets noticed the most. So consider having article content to the right or left of the page with adsense units in the middle. This can be accomplished easily by making the ad units like the 336x280 or 250x250 wrap around the content.

By placing ads right in the main content of your site you increase the chances of your ads getting noticed and clicked on. It is also important to keep in mind that the niche you are in must have lots of adwords advertisers in order to draw relevant ads that also pay well. The more advertisers there are the higher the bidding will get so on average you will get paid more per click.

There are certain ad units that tend not to perform well. The banner format has a record of poor performance so try to avoid that if possible. Also make sure that your ads do not have borders otherwise your visitors may ignore them as they will obviously look like ads. Be sure to make use of the channels feature in your adsense account. This will allow you to track your ads and learn what is working well and what is not.

Also you can experiment with the new Youtube adsense units as they could be profitable. However this feature is new so it is only through testing that you will know whether or not it is worth adding to your site. Try to use smaller text size on your site that is similar to the text size of the adsense units as this will help to blend your ads in better with the rest of your site.

When you are adding ads directly in the content be sure to not squeeze your content excessively as this may turn off a lot of visitors and people will simply leave your site and never come back. One of the goals of your site should be to build repeat visitors as these visitors can make you great adsense income and also affiliate income if you choose to add affiliate products to your site. Get your site optimized for adsense and maximize your online income from this powerful program.

Meditation Techniques - Learn How To Perform Meditation

2008-02-21T01:38:00.000-08:00

There are many different types of meditation and the techniques can vary from being very simple to being quite complex. The benefits of meditation can be great as many studies have been done outlining many of the potential health benefits from reduction in stress to less symptoms of disease. Here are a few different techniques to help you learn meditation.

Breathing Exercise:

This is a very simple technique and simply requires that you put your mental attention on your breathing. Simply turn your mental focus to your breathing as you breathe in and then out. Try to only think of your breathing, if you find other thoughts entering your mind then simply return your focus gently back on the breath.

Do this for five to ten minutes a day or whenever you feel you need to get rid of some tension and stress. Over time you will experience fewer distractions and you will be able to slip into that quiet frame of mind quicker and experience the peace and tranquility that it brings.

Guided Meditation:

This kind of meditation is usually accompanied by music usually sounds of nature or other non verbal music that is slow and gentle. It is also best to do this in a quiet room without any other kinds of distractions. You can light an incense that you like to help to relax you further.

Now focus on a pure space inside of your heart and see a light there. Then envision this light spreading slowly throughout your body and then see the light extending outside your body to the space around you. Maintain your focus on this light and avoid external thoughts. The idea is to get to that state of a quiet peaceful mind that is also potentially the least stressful and thus may offer great health benefits.

Chakra Meditation:

Chakra meditation is based on concentrating on the various energies that lie within us and by simply paying attention to different regions of our body we have the potential to get great health benefits in those particular regions. There are seven chakras that you need to learn when performing this type of meditation.

They are the root chakra, feeling chakra, personality chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, knowledge and crown chakra. There are indeed a few things to learn so be patient and take your time to learn this type of meditation. When performing this type of meditation make sure that your focus is on one chakra at a time and you need to clear your thoughts.

You can also add some relaxing music to the background if you like and make sure that you are in a room that is free of distractions so be sure to turn the television or radio off. The main idea is to feel a connection with everything around you. There are many books and tapes written that can show you in detail how to do this type of meditation as it can get complex.

Zen Meditation:

Zen meditation is also defined as the study of the self. It is best to do this in a seated position called the burmese position. Make sure to keep the back straight as this will make deep breathing occur much more naturally. The deep breathing that occurs during this type of meditation can offer many health benefits as by introducing more oxygen into your system you help to cleanse and energy your body.

One of the things you do in zen meditation is to stay in the same position for fifteen to twenty minutes. This will help you to develop a quieter mind by restricting your physical movements. Often a scattered mind is what causes significant stress in the lives of many so learning to reduce your thoughts can be very stress relieving. Pick a meditation approach you feel comfortable with and learn all you can about it and most importantly do it on a regular basis to reap the benefits.

Exercises For Losing Weight

2008-02-20T21:05:00.001-08:00

I have been asked a thousand times if there are exercises I can do to lose weight. My answer is always the same, yes and no. If you are trying to lose weight there are many different variables involved and you must combine these in order to effectively lose weight while at the same time build muscle tone. If your main goal is to just lose weight than you need to start by following a healthy diet and start a cardiovascular exercise program. By combining the two you can jumpstart your weight loss goals and get healthier in the process.

Cardiovascular exercises will not only get you in shape but will also increase your metabolic rate. When you increase your metabolic rate you will turn on the natural fat burning engine in your body.

Provided you have clearance from your doctor and don't have any health problems that will preclude you from exercising you can start with a few basic exercises to get you on your way.

The first thing you should do is to start a daily walking program. Get off the couch put on your sneakers and take a nice healthy walk. Start off with a slow walk and go as far as you can go before you get fatigued. Try and increase the distance and intensity of the walk till you are easily walking one to two miles at a time. When you reach this level you can add light hand weights and also light leg weights to help increase your strength and stamina.

I have seen people make incredible gains in both strength and weight loss by simply starting a daily walking routine. They are burning fat by raising their metabolic rate and at the same time avoiding the temptation to eat because they are seeing immediate results.

In addition to starting a walking program and eating healthy you can begin to incorporate some resistance exercises. Some resistance exercise could include pushups, crunches, jumping jacks and lunges. Perform three to five sets of each and twelve to fifteen repetitions. You can do these every day until you reach a plateau and feel you need to increase the intensity and or duration.

If you are determined to get in shape and lose fat then you must make a commitment to follow through. I've seen too many people start an exercise and fat lose program with the best intentions only to get bored and lose interest. You must keep it interesting and keep challenging yourself. You need to find a program that works for you and keeps you excited about achieving your goals.

Good Luck and remember being fit is a way of life.

Kevin has been training for over thirty years and has written many articles on training and muscle building. Don't even think about buying any more supplements, resorting to drugs or giving up until you read this revealing, no-holds barred muscle building report.

How To Choose A Perfect Diet - Achieve Earth Shattering Results Using These Tips

2008-02-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

So are you think about getting on a diet? Stop and stop right now. Do you know that most people out there choose diets which don't even suit their bodies? Do you know that if something works on one of your friends there is no guarantee that it's going to work on you too? You see we all have different bodies and this is the reason why results always vary from individual to individual therefore it's always recommended to choose the diet which is best for your body. Read on to discover some of the most mind blowing ways on how to choose a perfect diet and achieve the desired results within no time...

How much do you want to lose? - This is the first question you need to answer. How much weight do you want to lose and how fast? You see some people want to lose a lot of weight but they get on a light diet which does not help them lose any substantial amounts therefore it's best recommended to see how much you want to lose and choose a diet which helps you lose the appropriate amounts.

Would you have to stretch? - Another question you need to ask yourself is how much would you have to stretch with this diet and would this be comfortable for you? You see people first start off with a diet with great enthusiasm but with time find it extremely hard to keep up with it and give up before they get the desired results. This wouldn't work if you are really trying to lose weight therefore your best bet would be to choose a diet you are comfortable with.

Does it have your favorite foods- Do you know that if the diet you choose have some of your favorite foods and something which you enjoy eating you would be able to see better results with such diets? You see when you enjoy something you are completely devoted to it therefore you should always choose such a diet.

The Real weight loss secret- Can you imagine yourself losing 9 lbs every 11 days from now? Yes you heard it right "9 lbs every 11days guaranteed". This is the single most effective way which helps you lose weight. It is truly an absolute breakthrough in the weight loss industry. If you don't know this than you are missing out on the best ever secret "Guaranteed" to help you lose weight right away.

Natural Treatment for Cold Sores

2008-02-19T02:09:00.000-08:00

Cold sores are an unpleasant condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. While it remains in the body permanently, most of the time in a dormant state, there are steps we can take to prevent reoccurrence of the lesions. The drug companies have several OTC and prescription medicines available for treatment that deal with the symptoms; but there are also natural remedies available - treatment for cold sores that can prevent them reoccurring by helping strengthen the immune system.

Lysine is an essential amino acid, required by the body which cannot synthesize it itself and therefore requires we get it through food sources. It is used to make protein, which is required to produce hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and body tissue. Food sources such as red meat, eggs, milk, cheese and yeast all provide lysine, which has been linked to keeping cold sore outbreaks at bay. However, there is another essential amino acid that has the opposite effect; too much arginine in the diet has been demonstrated to raise the risk of an attack, which may be due to an imbalance between lysine and arginine. Dietary changes can therefore certainly help to reduce the frequency and duration of cold sores, which can also be treated with lysine supplements to aid healing, or lysine based ointment.

One treatment that is popular in Europe due to its effectiveness is lemon balm. A member of the mint family, lemon balm can reduce the severity and duration of an attack and is believed to decrease the tendency of cold sore reoccurrence. This treatment is not widely available in the United States however.

Looking to traditional eastern medicine, we find that Reishi, a type of mushroom found in Asia, is commonly used in the treatment of cold sores by strengthening the immune system. Available in the form of powder, it is advisable to see your doctor because it thins the blood and prevents clotting and should therefore not be used in conjunction with medicines such as aspirin. Reishi can also be used with Astragalus, a kind of herb. It also helps associated with boosting the immune system.

Other natural ingredients that have been used to treat cold sores successfully include resveratrol, peppermint oil and propolis. The former is a compound found in red grapes, while propolis is a substance used by bees to keep their hives germ free and is collected from buds. Care should be taken with peppermint oil, however, as it can have a toxic effect on the body and should never be taken internally.

Anyone suffering from cold sores regularly knows how unpleasant an attack can be. However, taking care of what we eat and looking after our own well-being have proved to be an extremely effective long term treatment for cold sores for many sufferers.

Reduce the Risk of Cancer by Drinking Green Tea

2008-02-18T01:53:00.001-08:00

Weight Loss And Many Other Health Benefits

Today's Baby Boomers are at the age where health concerns are at an all time high. People are more conscious about health issues and maintaining good health than ever before.

One great substance I have found to help me with depression and very low energy in the winter time is Green Tea. By drinking green tea my energy levels have increased dramatically. When I drink green tea on a regular basis I find I lose weight as a bonus.

In my studies I have found that Green tea has many health benefits one such as: reduces the risk of cancer by keeping the cells healthy. Drinking Green tea every day has antioxidants that help lose weight, reduces stress, stops depression, calms nerves, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and increases metabolism.

If you find that you do not like the blah flavor of traditional Chinese Green tea you will be happy to know that it comes in many different flavors.

Green Tea has been around for 4000 to 5000 years and was always known for its healing properties. It has just come to light in recent years. Next to water Green Tea is one of the three major non-alcoholic beverages in the world.

Traditional medicine has used Green tea in areas such as India, China, Japan and Thailand to help everything from controlling bleeding and helping heal wounds to regulating body temperature, blood sugar and promoting digestion.

What is the Secret to Green Tea you may ask? Well, Green Tea is charged with active natural ingredients called polyshenols, which are powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants in Green Tea fight your body's free radicals.

These chemicals are believed to be linked to destroying the cell DNA which leads to cancer. Green tea and extracts, have been used to prevent and treat a variety of cancers, including breast, skin and stomach cancers. The antioxidants in Green Tea help block cancer by keeping the DNA to the cells safe. Green tea is usually brewed and drank as a beverage. Green tea extracts can be taken in capsules and are sometimes used in skin products.

Tooth decay! is even prevented by drinking green tea. Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Green tea and green tea extracts have also been used for improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and protecting skin from sun damage. To my knowledge the only negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine and can cause anxiety, irritability, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or frequent urination some people. Coffee contains more caffeine than green tea and as in anything when using moderation and common sense it is safe for most adults.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux

2008-02-18T01:51:00.000-08:00

The symptoms of GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease are heartburn, regurgitation or acid reflux, and nausea. Other symptoms may also present if the situation is not corrected.

Acid reflux or Gerd are not diseases like the pharmaceutical companies would like us to believe. They are only conditions which makes them very easy to correct, and they should be before the problem causes even more damage to your digestive organs.

When your acidic stomach gases reflux on a constant basis they can cause the delicate cells of the esophagus to become inflamed and if the condition is not corrected it can lead to erosion of your esophagus. This can make swallowing extremely difficult.

In the majority of cases people experience reflux because the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach is being forced open from too much stomach pressure being exerted against the Lower Esophageal Sphincter valve (LES). Once the valve is forced open the acidic gases, and sometimes the stomach acid itself, will reflux into your esophagus

When reflux takes place the gases can effect your larynx and cause hoarseness, and they can even aspirate into your lungs and cause asthma-like symptoms. Imagine if you were diagnosed with asthma and put on asthma medication, when the real cause of your problem was only reflux. It happens all of the time.

The Lower Esophageal Sphincter and the esophagus do not have a protective coating to protect them like the stomach does, and over time the acid will cause problems. Continued acid exposure to these unprotected digestive organs will increase the probability of more damage and your heartburn or acid reflux will increase in severity

Continued acid exposure to your esophagus can lead to Barrett's Esophagus which is where the stomach cells start growing in your esophagus. This is natures way of protecting your esophagus from any further damage. However in a small number of cases, Barrett's Esophagus can lead to esophageal cancer. Which is one of the fastest growing cancers we have today.

It is the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES that is responsible for keeping the stomach acid in your stomach. However if your stomach pressure is increased and you find that you are experiencing stomach bloating, burping or flatulence more than normal you are more than likely in an acidic condition, which is causing the problems.

What Causes Increased Stomach Pressure?

Stomach pressure can be increased from a number of different things such as gastritis, H.pylori bacterium, IBS, ulcers, being too acidic, consuming a large meal, swallowing air, carbonated drinks, anger, frustration or stress.

The pressure from your stomach is being exerted against your LES valve and once the pressure becomes too great it will override the valve, forcing it open and allowing the gases to reflux into your esophagus.

Urinary Incontinence Issues Aren't the End of the World

2008-02-14T01:57:00.000-08:00

You're pregnant and one day you sit down and feel a slight wetness in your underwear? Then it happens again and you become alarmed. Stop worrying! It's common to have slight bladder weakness during pregnancy and even after it. There are other reasons for bladder leakage but it doesn't mean that it permanent, and if it is, it doesn't have to get in the way of your active lifestyle.

Everyday, millions of men and women deal with incontinence. Most commonly associated with women, males also experience incontinence issues. It is important to know that adult incontinence is not a disease, but rather a disorder that can be helped even though it may be embarrassing at first. Yes, it's inconvenient but don't let it get to your basic self esteem. There are many symptoms that trigger leaks. For instance, laughing, coughing and sneezing can produce accidental leaks, as well as frequent urination and overflow from an irritable bladder. And, incontinence also can be related to or a result of complications due to prostate surgery, nerve damage and yes, even pressure on the bladder during pregnancy. Whatever the cause, find protection both internally and externally from todays newest developments in washable and reusable incontinence garments. Technology is a wonderful thing.

These garments are not anything like diapers or plastic covered pants that make a lot of noise and feel like a wad is in your crotch. Well get ready to feel a natural pair of underwear, just like your regular ones. If surgery is not an option or you are not ready for it and you are tired of wearing a diaper, try the newest garments from manufacturers like Wearever. You will find that there are ways to help you feel more confident and secure without the discomfort. You can stay active, you can wear whatever you want without worry. The science of absorbency and the awareness of the industry has finally understood that active over 50 people want something better, pregnant woman don't want to wear "granny panties" and men want to wear something that looks like a regular jockey. These people all want to know that odor is not going to be a problem too. Now they have it all. Feel better, be active!

Add Simple Cardio to Your Diet For Ultimate Health and Weight Loss

2008-02-14T01:56:00.000-08:00

If you are at all familiar or have done any investigating of health and fitness of dieting or just general health, you have no doubt heard of Cardiovascular Exercise. This article will examine the basics of what cardio exercise is and how you can put it to use. Future articles will look at the types of cardio available and specific health benefits of this type of exercise.

Cardiovascular exercise (some people refer to it as "cardio") is an exercise involving the large muscles of the body such as the legs and is meant to improve and maintain the health of your heart and lungs. Cardio exercise has many benefits including the lowering of blood pressure and burning calories.

The word aerobic is closely associated with cardiovascular exercise in that "aerobic" refers to something that needs oxygen. During cardiovascular activity, oxygen is continuously delivered to your muscles.

To make beneficial use of cardiovascular or aerobic exercise, you need to perform your chosen activity with the proper level of intensity. You want to get your heart rate up, but not over do it. One way to measure the amount of intensity you are putting into your cardio exercise is by monitoring your heart rate. You can measure your heart rate either using a heart monitor or manually. Your heart rate is simply the number of times your heart beats per minute.

To understand the importance of the heart rate, you need to understand your "resting heart rate," your "maximum heart rate" and your "target heart rate." Your resting heart rate is simply the number of time your heart beats per minute while you are resting.

A person's maximum heart rate is just the maximum number of times your heart can beat in one minute. The target heart rate is actually a range of beats per minute that is considered to give your heart its best workout.

The target range is considered to be between 50% and 85% of your maximum heart rate.

Your maximum heart rate is best determined by a doctor, particularly if you have physical limitations or have been inactive for a while. However, you can use the following formula to calculate a rough estimate as follows:

For men simply subtract your age from 220 to get your maximum heart rate. For example, a 45 year old man would subtract 45 from 220 to arrive at a maximum heart rate of 175. Women should subtract your age from 226 to get their maximum normal heart rate. Then multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.50 to calculate the low end of your target heart rate. Multiply your maximum rate by 0.85 to get the high end of your target heart rate.

For example, the 45-year old man mentioned above would multiply 175 by 0.50 to get his lower end target heart rate of 87 and would multiply 175 by 0.85 to get his upper end target rate of 148.

Using the same formula a 35 year old woman would end up with a target range of 95 to 162 calculated as follows: 226 minus her age (35) = 191 multiplied by 0.50 for her lower end number of 95 and multiplied by 0.85 for her upper end number of 162 beats per minute.

The benefits of cardiovascular exercise are undisputed and can be easily incorporated into your life as will be discussed in future articles. However, as with any exercise regimen, you may want to consult a doctor if you have any doubts or concerns about your body's ability to undergo such a workout.

Cellulite Body Wrap - A Powerful Tropical Treatment

2008-02-13T02:10:00.000-08:00

There are many ways to fight cellulite problems, and a cellulite body wrap is just one of them. Many generations of women all around the world have been fighting this cosmetic problem for decades. That unhealthy looking, "dimply" appearance of skin can be really embarrassing for women of all age groups. And it isn't that only overweight women suffer from this problem. The truth is that even some of the top models, who seem to have the most perfect bodies, complain of cellulite formation under their skin because of genetic defects in their skin structure or due to excessively thin skin.

What Are Cellulite Wraps?

A cellulite body wrap is one of the more recent developments for combating cellulite. The main purpose of such wraps is to detoxify your body by stimulating the metabolism and circulation, with the use of ingredients like seaweed and algae extracts in the wrap. With the help of such wraps, you can sometimes see immediate "inch loss" taking place, while at other times it may take 2-3 sessions to see any noticeable effects. However, it should be noted that this particular cellulite treatment method is not a long lasting solution for this problem. It provides only a temporary fix that can be used to feel a little extra beautiful for that "special" night out!

How Does It Work?

There are 2 stages involved in a cellulite body wrap.

1. You are, first of all, required to remove your clothes, depending upon the area where the body wrap is to be applied. Then the practitioner exfoliates your skin with a sea salt scrub of your preference. After that, a cream made with mud, algae and seaweed is applied. Some hydrating lotions are also mixed in this cream sometimes. Generally this kit uses special mud from the Dead Sea, which is very effective in toning and smoothing the human skin, by drawing out all impurities from the pores of the skin. For its therapeutic effects, it is even used by many high-end spas and salons all over the world.

2. Once the application of the nourishing mud is complete, your body is wrapped in warm clothes or seaweed. The warmth generated thus helps to open your pores from which that "special mud" is able to draw out all toxins and impurities, acting like a sponge! The empty areas created under your skin by the removal of these toxins are immediately "firmed" with a "tight" wrap.

This cellulite body wrap is generally left on for about 20-45 minutes, and feels really refreshing and relaxing. Once the outer wrap is removed, the mud pack is thoroughly rinsed off. After that, some moisturizing lotion is generally applied on your skin as this wrap tends to dehydrate your body. You are also advised to drink plenty of water after this treatment. The entire process generally takes an hour to an hour and a half.

Worth Remembering

As mentioned before, this method of cellulite treatment cannot be used as a substitute for other longer-lasting methods, like diet, exercise and regular massage. A body wrap provides only a temporary immediate fix. It can be used as a supplement to other regular cellulite control methods, but not as a replacement for them. Moreover, if you are one of those people who suffer from claustrophobia, then you will probably not feel comfortable at all in a cellulite body wrap, and hence it will be better for you to stick to other treatment options.

The Prescribing Pharmacist - Why It's Not As Good As Everyone Thinks

2008-02-13T02:09:00.000-08:00

The health care industry has undergone a lot of changes over the past year, and one trend that is becoming disturbingly popular is that of the prescribing pharmacist. Normally, physicians write the prescription and pharmacists dispense the medication. However, recent legislation in Florida allows pharmacists to independently prescribe medications from an approved list.

The industry is embracing the concept of the prescribing pharmacist on the belief that it will lower health care costs and free up the physician's time for other issues.

There is also the convenience aspect. Many people already turn to mega retail chains for a one-stop place where they can get groceries, get their oil changed, get their hair cut, and pick up their prescription. The idea of adding one more item to that "to-do" list, like getting treatment for an earache or a cold, is a tantalizing option for our convenience-centered society.

When an earache's not just an earache

Many common ailments could also be symptoms of a larger, more insidious problem, and while pharmacists may be able to prescribe certain medications, they aren't able to diagnose, and certainly not with the knowledge, experience and training that a physician has. With "retail health care," will there be somebody to follow up on unresolved problems? Will they arrange diagnostic lab testing or imaging? Or will they simply just hand the patient a prescription and send them on down the aisle?

Is this true patient health care?

This scenario may offer patients convenience, but does it offer them true health care? There are too many unanswered questions, and pharmacists don't possess the same medical training primary physicians do. The best way for patients to get true health care and convenience would be physician medication dispensing.

Instead of having to get a prescription from the doctor and drive to the pharmacy to have it filled, the patient can have their prescription filled at the point of care. The patient is already there, so why have them drive somewhere else? Not only is it convenient, but in many cases, physician dispensing is less costly for patients. Plus, patients will have the peace of mind of knowing that even if there are unresolved health problems, they can return to their physician to have them addressed.

Physician dispensing is also beneficial for physicians as well. When physicians dispense medications at the point of care, they cut down on the time spent fielding pharmacy callbacks, which can cost clinics an average of $30,000 a year. In addition, they add an extra revenue source by selling the prescriptions.

Prescribing pharmacists or dispensing physicians

The once-separate roles of the pharmacist and the physician are becoming more and more blurred as states grant autonomy to pharmacists and more physicians discover the benefits of physician dispensing. Although prescribing pharmacists offer quite a bit of convenience, they don't have the training and knowledge of the physician for follow-up care. When it comes down to it, dispensing physicians are more likely the ones who will be able to offer better patient care, both in terms of convenience and cost.

Physicians must take the time now to learn about dispensing the medications they prescribe. Point-of-care dispensing is an option for almost any physician, and it provides a competitive response to the threats posed by retail-based health care. Do yourself a favor and make 2008 the year you provide point-of-care dispensing.

Are Drug Detox and Rehab Requirements Being Driven By Drug Reps?

2008-02-12T02:03:00.001-08:00

Have you ever been to a doctor and been given free samples of drugs? You might feel grateful: there's something you don't have to pay for. But those free samples are actually not just given to you out of the goodness of anyone's heart - although the doctor may feel he's doing you a favor - they're part of a vast marketing ploy by drug companies to get doctors to prescribe their products. In fact, drug companies spend $18 billion a year on free samples. All with the hope of getting you on the drugs and with no regard to whether you'll become dependent or addicted, or whether you'll need drug detox to get off them.

Drug salespeople represent themselves as experts; someone a family doctor can trust to tell the truth about the drugs they sell. As we witnessed with OxyContin - whose manufacturer was fined $634.5 million for misleading doctors and the public - "trustworthy" is not an adjective we can use to describe drug companies or drug salespeople.

In fact, drug research is often financed by the drug company. Sometimes several trials are done on a drug - some with positive results, some with negative results, and some that show the drug works no better than a placebo. Drug companies just out to make a buck - actually, billions of bucks - don't ensure all those negative and neutral results get to doctors or the public: they push the positive tests that will support their claims about the drug's benefits.

It's difficult for doctors to know the truth. They'd have to spend huge amounts of time doing their own research and finding research that was not funded by the drug company - something that may be difficult because the information on funding is not always obvious. So, unfortunately, they tend to rely on what they can get their hands on. Which is often given to them by a drug rep. Is that drug rep going to tell the doctor that their patients might end up in drug detox, drug rehab or in the morgue? He's not likely to get a sale out of that, which is his job, so you do the math.

How does this affect you? You or someone you know could be one of millions of people who've been harmed by prescription drugs. You may know someone who's had to go to drug detox or rehab to get off them. You may even know someone who's died from OxyContin or some other dangerous prescription drug.

Do you want to ensure your safety? I'm afraid it's going to take a little work - you're going to have to do the research yourself, or have a trusted friend help you. There's plenty of information about drugs available on the Internet. Even drug company websites list the side effects - you won't see them plastered all over the front page in bold letters, but they do have to disclose them. They won't go as far as saying you may need drug detox or rehab to get off them, but the side effects are generally horrendous enough in themselves to make it clear you're not doing yourself a favor by taking them.

Educate yourself - your life may be at stake, and certainly your health is.

Your best bet is to find a doctor who prefers to treat without drugs and takes the time to find independent research - not financed by drug companies. And if you or someone you know is already being harmed by unnecessary prescription drugs, help them find a medical drug detox program so they can get off the drugs and find other solutions to their health problems.

Useful Hints On Alcohol And Drug Treatment

2008-02-12T02:01:00.000-08:00

Countless things have been written on the subject of alcohol and drug treatment. But I desire to address the issue from another perspective. Countless people are quick to blame the addict. But these people are looking at the issue from a narrow perspective. Countless writers out there are inscribing about treatment and leaving out the source of the drawback.

Countless of the people that are addicted to alcohol and drug don't do so without a reason. Countless of these people have a drawback. And they erroneously think that it will provide them succor. They resort to this after failing to get solution to their drawback. Some of the predicaments include loss of job, loss of a loved one, failed marriage or relationship, etc. So, when they could not locate a solution, they take solace in alcohol and drugs. While taking these, they are given the impression that there is no drawback. Alcohol and drugs give them a distorted view of life. They think the world is not fair to them, that there is no helper anywhere and that drugs and alcohol offer the succor they're looking for.

So, what does the society do for these people? We recommend they should go to a good alcohol and drug treatment center. This is a good advice no doubt. But the drawback is that we are not addressing the source of their drawback. For instance, if a loved one resort to this because of a failed relationship, you don't only send such a person to a center. Have a discussion with the fellow. Let him realize that the world has not come to an end because of the failed relationship. Countless people have been given hope at this phase. Hence, they don't go for alcohol and drugs again.

What I am advocating in this article is that you should address the source of alcohol and drug addiction before proffering solution. If you are an addict going through this, I recommend you to sit down and look at life from a positive perspective. You can make a change if you will. It is when you can't that you need to explore for effective treatment that can support you out.