"So You Want To Build A Home Gym"

I walked into the commercial gym yesterday after a long day of work excited to begin my workout. After warming up I proceeded to the squat rack to start my resistance training workout. I unfortunately ran into a bit of a roadblock. I was planning on starting with some Back Squats but there was a young man in the power rack performing barbell biceps curls with horrible form (a definite no-no!).

I decided to go to Plan B and rearrange my workout only to find that the flat benches were all occupied as well. This trend continued and everywhere I turned the equipment I desired was being used. I was happy that so many people were working out but at the same time I was frustrated that my well-laid plans were spoiled. I learned a long time ago that it is wise to have a back-up plan in place for situations like this so I decided to head home and revert to Plan C, which was my home workout routine.

I have found that having the option to workout at home is essential for people with busy schedules, for others who do not like going to crowded gyms, or for people who need a contingency plan for just-in-case situations (that?s me!). Another reason to have a home gym is that warmer weather has finally arrived and you may be less likely to go to your commercial gym.

I have helped people design expensive, well-equipped home gyms and I have helped others design very cost-effective, space-saving workouts areas. My personal home gym consists of a Stability Ball, 5lb to 95lb Dumbbells, some Kettlebells, an adjustable Weighted Vest, Adjustable DB Handles, Elastic Bands, 2kg to 10kg Medicine Balls, Ankle Weights, an AB Roller, a variety of Exercise Videos, and a minimal amount of space!

Anyone can have a Home Gym and there are many reasons to have one. The following list of questions should help you design a Home Gym that will suit your needs, your space, and your budget!

Questions To Ask When Building Your Home Gym:

The First Step: Ask Yourself Why?

Why do you want a home gym? What will it give you that you do not already have? What is your empowering vision of your ideal physique or athletic accomplishment? What are your short and long term goals? Always begin with a vision of the end results in mind, as this will guide you in your efforts. If you have not developed a vision of what you want to accomplish at this point, then that is the first thing you need to do. Develop a plan of attack for building your body and building your home gym.

Without a plan you might end up disappointed with the lack of results and frustrated that you bought the wrong equipment. Ask yourself what kind of results you expect your home gym to deliver? Is your home gym going to supplement your commercial gym membership (as a contingency plan)? Will you be doing your cardiovascular exercise outside or inside on a machine? Will you be doing stretching, strength training, or both? Is your home gym going to be the only place that you work out? Think about these things when designing your home gym.

I. How much are you willing to spend ($$$$$$$)?

How much do you want to spend, plain and simple? If you are just starting out with an exercise program, you might consider starting small with a simple, yet very effective, pair of Dumbbells. You can perform a full-body workout with a pair of dumbbells, some bodyweight exercises, and with a little knowledgeable of proper exercise technique. If you want to do it inexpensively, hire a knowledgeable fitness professional to design an individualized exercise program that you can do with a pair of Dumbbells in the comfort of your home. I have listed a variety of items that you might consider adding to your home gym.

Equipment Considerations:

A. Cardiovascular Machine

If you insist on performing your cardiovascular exercise routine at home be prepared to spend some money! Be aware, a gym quality treadmill, stationary bike, rowing ergometer, or elliptical trainer is going to cost you. You can buy used or refurbished gym quality equipment for a discounted price and if I wanted a cardio machine for my home this is probably the route that I would take. If you are thinking, ?I?ll just save a few hundred dollars and buy an inexpensive treadmill at the mall,? make sure you do some research and ensure that you will buy something that is going to last and that will fit y our needs. I know many people who have purchased flimsy treadmills and regretted it soon thereafter. There are quality treadmills out there you just have to know where to look. I would recommend talking to my friend Bob McKinnon at McKinnon Technical Services (603-644-7539) who knows gym equipment like the back of his hand. He can point you in the right direction if you want to!

B. A Multi-Purpose Home Gym Machine

There are numerous multi-purpose gyms on the market and some are better than others. Chances are, if you turn on your television late at night and flip through the channels, you will be exposed to clever marketing using beautifully sculpted fitness models promising results in six weeks or less if you purchase their machine! Guess what. You can get results without a two thousand dollar machine that will most likely be collecting dust in a year anyway! Why not begin your quest for improved fitness with a modest investment in a pair of Dumbbells? Why not purchase a $20 book on how to get into shape? How about meeting with someone who specializes in coaching people through the process of positive physical change such as fitness professional or Registered Dietician? Infomercials are notorious for clever marketing and they can be very compelling. Avoid impulsive buying and do some research first before purchasing an expensive multi-gym. I recommend consulting a qualified fitness professional about the usefulness of such a machine, interviewing people who have that machine, and possibly even test-driving one before you make this decision. I have to mention that every Spring and Fall I see countless multi-gyms sitting out on someone?s lawn as part of the annual yard sale. I wonder why that is?

C. Barbells

If I had the room in my apartment, I would go out and buy a Barbell today! With a 45 lb. Olympic Barbell you can perform a wide variety of exercises in a variety of different ways. If you are an athlete, you have the space available, and you want to improve your sports performance, learning how to correctly perform the Olympic Weightlifting movements (Clean and Jerk, Snatch, and all the variations) can take your performance to the next level! To name a few, exercises such as Squats, Overhead Squats, Deadlifts, Bent over Rows, Bench Presses, Overhead Presses, and Upright Rows can be performed. I would recommend having an adjustable Power Rack and adjustable bench to augment the versatility of the barbell. Space and total cost are big factors when considering purchasing a barbell.

D. Dumbbells

If you want to save money and space, dumbbells are the way to go. You might consider two to three sets of dumbbells (they can be purchased at a sporting goods store for any where between $.35-$.75/pound (In Concord, NH, Check out Olympia Sports in the Mall, Sears, Target, Walmart, Northeast Fitness, or check out the newspapers for the least expensive way to go!). I prefer the metal dumbbells but there are also rubber coated and adjustable dumbbells available. ?Power Blocks,? (perform a search on the internet to learn more about these) are adjustable dumbbells and are a great tool that take up a lot less space in your home gym, offers great versatility, and offers adjustable resistance to suit your needs. There are also other forms of adjustable dumbbells that consist of two handles, collars, and series of different size weight plates.

When selecting weights, it wise to start light and gradually purchase heavier dumbbells as you need them. I am able to perform wide variety of exercises with Dumbbells. If your goal is fat-loss, then a properly designed resistance training program that incorporates multi-joint Dumbbell exercises will help you achieve your goals more efficiently than many gym machines that ?isolate? certain muscle groups. Remember, the more muscle groups that you incorporate, the more energy your body burns, and the better your results will be! Exercise technique is a factor but I?ll happily let you know that I have taught 90-year-old women and 11-year-old boys how to perform the most ?difficult? Dumbbell exercises with pristine form.

E. Medicine Balls

Medicine Balls are a great tool depending upon your fitness goals and your current training level. For an athlete in search of sports performance enhancement, Medicine Balls are a great tool because they can be accelerated in a rapid fashion through many planes of motion. If general fitness is your goal, you can perform many traditional gym exercises with a Medicine Ball as well. Medicine balls come in all shapes, sizes, weights, and colors. Be sure that the ball you pick suits your needs. By the way, these are also great for outdoor workouts on a sunny day!

F. Benches and Stability Balls:

A bench can be a great tool that will allow you to perform more exercises during your home workout sessions. Some benches are adjustable and offer great versatility while others are just fixed benches. Space is a concern for many people and that makes the Stability Ball (a.k.a. Swiss Ball) a great alternative to a bench. With a Stability Ball you can perform inclined, seated, prone, supine, floor, and a number of lower body exercises. A knowledgeable fitness professional could teach you how to perform a full-body workout with a Stability Ball and a pair of dumbbells. There are a number of different ways to use it in order to maximize your home workout routines. Not only can it replace a more expensive exercise machine or bench, but it can also double as a chair, take up less space, and challenge your body?s balance in ways that a stable bench/machine cannot.

G. Resistance Bands/Tubes:

The cable pulley system at your local gym offers a number of exercises that can increase the variety of your workouts tremendously. An alternative to the cable pulley system for your home gym could be resistance bands or tubing that you can tie to a pillar in the basement of fix in a closed door. You can buy tubing that comes with handles already attached in some fitness catalogs or you could just tie a loop in one end to make your own makeshift handle. It is important to mention that elastic resistance training has many benefits and many inherent flaws. If you understand how to properly combine elastic resistance training with inertial (free weight training) you can maximize your results! A knowledgeable exercise professional can help you design your home gym to take advantage of these tools.

H. Exercise Videos:

There are many great exercise videos out there (and a lot more bad ones!). There are videos for Yoga, Step Aerobics, Tae-Bo, Pilates, Strength Training, Stability Ball Training, and every other imaginable fitness topic out there. Check out your local sporting goods store or Borders for a selection of exercise videos. The key is to find a couple videos that you enjoy and that give you the workout that you are looking for.

I. Other Fun Tools:

If you walk into a sporting goods store or open a fitness equipment catalog you will see a variety of toys that can supposedly enhance your workouts and deliver unbelievable results. Buyer beware! No one piece of equipment can solve all of your home gym needs and you must consider how this piece of equipment will fit into your complete program. Watch out for gimmicks and miracle exercise machines. Ask a fitness professional their opinion before you buy and you may save yourself some money! Do a little research before purchasing equipment for your home or you may run the risk of buying an expensive coat rack!

II. How much square footage do you have?

Simply put, how much space do you have available? Do you have enough room for an adjustable bench or a mutli-purpose exercise machine? Is the area well ventilated? How much ceiling height do you have? Are your floors solid? Do you have neighbors that might not appreciate you jumping up and down? Will you have room for all of the equipment you want to get? Thinking about these issues in advance will save you a lot of hassle in the long run. Finally, determine what else your home gym is used for? Will your home gym also be used for family gatherings, a playroom for the kids, an office, a gathering area to watch the Final Four, or strictly as a home gym? These are some other aspects to consider when designing your home gym.

III. Do you know your way around the gym?

Are you a beginner, an intermediate, an expert, or an advanced exerciser? A beginner might start out with an exercise tape, a Stability ball, and a couple of 5 pound dumbbells where as a more advanced exerciser might have a Barbell, Olympic Bench, a Stability Ball, an Adjustable Step, a Selectorized Weight Machine, a Power Rack, and a variety of Dumbbells. Have you been properly trained in the use of Free Weights or do you feel more comfortable using a machine? What kind of equipment does your plan of attack call for? The answers to these questions will help you better choose a home gym that works for you.

In closing, be sure to spend considerable time looking into the process of designing and constructing your home gym as it can be a very important addition to your life and to your home. Consider consulting an exercise professional to make sure that your gym will suit your individual needs, your budget, and your home. There are many reasons to have a home gym and it can be designed to help you achieve the results that you are looking for!

On-Line Sources for Home Gym Equipment:

-Exertools: http://www.exertools.com

-Perform Better: http://www.performbetter.com

-Power Systems: http://www.power-systems.com

-Body Trends: http://www.bodytrends.com

-Clubbells: http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=186111

-Kettlebells: http://www.dragondoor.com/index.html?kbid=2094

-Multi-Gyms: www.megaftiness.com

Stay fit,

Kyle Battis CSCS, L/ATC, NSCA-CPT

ATTENTION: To build a home gym that really delivers results or to learn how to crank up progress from your current home gym go to www.HomeGymSecrets.com and you?ll receive a FREE special report valued at $15 just for stopping by!

Kyle is a fitness professional that has been in the trenches teaching his clients how to get amazing results from their home gyms for the past 6 years. Kyle started http://www.HomeGymSecrets.com to help people really understand what it takes to build a great body by using their home gyms. No matter what kind of equipment you have you can achieve great results if you know these secrets. Kyle may be contacted through e-mail kyle@homegymsecrets.com.

The Health Benefits of Vitamin B and B12

Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble vitamin which helps maintain healthy nerves cells and red blood cells. It functions as a methyl donor and works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is vitally important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath that surrounds nerve cells. Vitamin B-12 is also called Cobalamin as it contains the metal cobalt. During digestion hydrochloric acid in our stomach releases B-12 from proteins in foods. This vitamin B12 then combines with a substance called gastric intrinsic factor (IF). This complex can then be absorbed by the intestinal tract.

Deficiency:

Though Vitamin B-12 is water-soluble it does not get excreted quickly in the urine, but rather accumulates and gets stored in the liver, kidney and other body tissues. Thus its deficiency may not manifest itself until after 5 or 6 years of a diet supplying inadequate amounts. The most common vitamin B-12 deficiency disease is pernicious anemia characterized by large, immature red blood cells. You may suffer from underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B-12.It is seen that many patients exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer's actually suffer from Vitamin B-12 deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin B12 has also been associated with.

Common signs and symptoms associated with Vitamin B-12 deficiency include:

?Anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss

?Neurological problems such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

?Difficulty in maintaining balance

?Depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory

?Soreness of the mouth or tongue

?Asthma, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, diabetic neuropathy and low sperm counts

?In infants it will lead to movement disorders, delayed development, and megaloblastic anemia

Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated by taking folic acid but it cannot correct the nerve damage also caused by B12 deficiency. Permanent nerve damage can occur if vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated. Amount required:

The amount of vitamin B-12 required by our body is about 2 micrograms or 2 millionth of a gram/day. Larger amounts of this vitamin has to be supplied through diet or supplementation as it does not get absorbed very well. Vegetarians have to be careful as vegetables and fruits do not provide sufficient vitamin B-12. It has been recorded that mainly strict, long-term vegetarians suffer from its deficiency. The production of the intrinsic factor required to absorb the vitamin from the small intestine also starts to decline rapidly with age. The richest dietary sources of vitamin B12 are liver, especially lamb's liver, and kidneys. Eggs, cheese and some species of fish also supply small amounts.

Supplementation:

Oral supplementation with vitamin B12 can be taken which is safe, efficient and not very expensive. If you take a B12 supplement containing ten micrograms or more everyday, it will be the same as consuming one microgram on three occasions through the day. 2000 micrograms of B12 consumed once a week would also provide an adequate intake. These B12 supplement tablet should be chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth to enhance absorption. You should not exceed more than what is required for maximum benefit.

It is best that you consult with your physician how much Vitamin B-12 you should consume as he can examine your body and tell you the dosage according to your body requirements.

Jeffrey Meier of Jam727 Enterprises offers detailed information on Vitamin B12 at http://www.jam727.com/vitaminb12.htm The website also has many other easy reading articles on various topics as well.

Water What Are We Really Drinking?

We all need water to survive. No way of trying to get around it, it is a fundamental part of just LIVING. Without water we would die. As I?m sure most people are aware, more than half our body weight is just water. Water is the main ingredient in our blood and is what makes our internal systems work. Be it the digestive system, lymphatic system or circulatory system they all need water for optimal function. Water is what flushes out the toxins and carries the nutrients to your cells.

The body cannot store water and so since we loose water all the time, through urine, bowel movements and perspiration it is imperative that it gets replaced. Dehydration is never a good thing. You feel weak, drained, tired, and lightheaded. To top it all off you suffer from terrible headaches.

Well now we know that we NEED to drink water but when we do so are we aware of exactly what it is that we are putting in our bodies?

The quality of the water we drink varies from place to place and from country to country. Don?t misunderstand all water contains impurities of some sort and need to be ?decontaminated? as there are many parasitic disease found in water ,but some people quite rightly want to know how much of the chemicals that go into the water are harmful to our bodies?

Due to this more and more people are drinking bottled water. Bottled water may come from a tap, spring water, well water, purified water or it may just be untreated water and so very contaminated. People seem to be under a sense of false security when it comes to bottled water. We all tend to believe that bottled water is safer than tap water. In some cases it is and in others it is far more harmful.

In the United Stated bottled water is regulated by the FDA but they too seem to fall short in some areas. Bottled water suppliers are not made to document the approval of their sources, so we the public have to ?go on their word?. I was completely horrified to learn that ?water bottlers are permitted to sell contaminated water if, and only if, their labeling notes the water contains ?excessive bacteria? or ?excessive chemical substances?.? I for one will be reading more labels.

Then we are faced with toxic spills. Thousands of environmental groups around the world demand that the public be made aware of toxic spills and some companies actually accommodate the public by informing them when these things happen but what about when they don?t/won?t do it? What happens when chemicals get purposefully dumped? In some cases these crisis are undoubtedly well managed but let?s not be na?ve. They can?t get them all.

Outbreaks sometimes just happen and there is no fore warning and no way of controlling it initially. These things take time. In 1993 Milwaukee, Wisconsin saw the largest waterborne disease out break in the history of the United States. A reported 400 000 people were sick. The disease was Cryptosporidium, which is a diarrheas disease caused by parasites. It is apparently a parasite that is one of the more common waterborne diseases in the United States and is found in both drinking water and recreational water. It is not just found in the United States however, it is a common parasite found world wide. The parasite has a hard outer layer that helps it to survive and so once inside you the parasite lives in the intestines and passes in the stool.

Sometimes it?s not the chemicals, not bacterial outbreaks that are harmful but the general wear and tear of your plumbing materials. As they start to corrode so you get the introduction of lead into your water. This is the water that you, your loved ones and children consume. Well, once off it probably doesn?t do much but over time it leads to high blood pressure and kidney problems in adults and in children it can delay physical and mental development. The results of this being a short attention span in children and in some cases learning disabilities.

We need water, no arguing it as we have already established, without it in a couple of days we will die. We can?t control everything in our lives but we can be more proactive in finding out what is in what we are drinking. Especially since when drinking water we are doing so to just stay alive. Ironically never to harm ourselves.

Article by: Michelle Ludick http://www.bhealthy247.com

Know More About Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is often also called nasal allergy, pollinosis or hay fever, especially when it occurs during the haying season.

Allergic rhinitis is the occurrence of several symptoms, usually in the eyes and in the nose, after exposure to particles that may be airborne like plant pollens, dander and most especially, dust.

An oversensitive immune system is usually cited for the occurrence of allergic rhinitis. Take note that the immune system is your shield against harmful and ailment-causing viruses and bacteria. In some people, immune systems react violently to substances or allergens that are not generally harmful or disease-causing.

The most common and primary cause of allergic rhinitis is allergy to pollen. Pollens are very fine and powder-like substances produced by seed plants? anthers. Allergic rhinitis can be similar to allergic reactions exhibited in some people by allergies to animal dander, inhaled allergens, mold and dust.

Some of the plants that usually produce pollens that cause reported cases of allergic rhinitis are deciduous and evergreen trees, flowering plants, ragweed and grasses.

Identifying allergic rhinitis

The most common manifestations or symptoms of allergic rhinitis are:

o Nasal congestion or what you call stuffy nose
o Wheezing
o Sore throat
o Sneezing
o Teary eyes
o Runny nose
o Smell impairment
o Headache
o Coughing
o Itching in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, skin or any other areas in the body

How to treat allergic rhinitis

Remember, most allergies are treatable but not curable. Allergic rhinitis is not an exception.

Treatments or medications available or prescribed for allergic rhinitis only reduce symptoms of allergy caused by inflammation in the infected or affected tissues.

Doctors advise that the best treatment would be prevention, but if you happen to already have it, several medications may be of help.

Antihistamines are usually over-the-counter or do not require prescriptions when you buy them in drugstores. Such medicines, however, are only recommended to relieve mild symptoms or moderate symptoms. Take note that antihistamines may cause drowsiness and should not be taken when driving.

There are antihistamines that are specifically described longer-acting. Included in this category are cetirizine and fexofenadine. These types of antihistamines will unlikely cause drowsiness.

Nasal sprays are the most common form of medications taken for allergic rhinitis. They are safe and effective especially for patients whose symptoms are not reduced by antihistamines.

Decongestants are not exclusive for cough. They can also be used to treat allergic rhinitis.

In taking medications, it is important to first seek a doctor?s recommendation and prescription even if some medicines are non-prescription to ensure health and safety. Proper administration and timing is also important. No one wants to get an overdose right?

Preventing allergic rhinitis

Prevention is better than treatment, as always. To prevent the onset of allergic rhinitis, people with history should try to remain indoors or inside air-conditioned rooms especially during the pollination or hay season.

Remember that most pollinating trees produce and air-spread pollens during spring.

In the case of flowers and grasses, they pollinate during summer and ragweeds produce pollen in early autumn.

Bear in mind these trivial but interesting facts so you would know how to prevent getting another allergic rhinitis episode. It could not be that deadly, but it would really feel uncomfortable. One more thing, who says complications do not kill?

Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

Charlene J. Nuble 2006.

For answers to All your frequently asked questions about allergic dermatitis, please go to: http://allergic-rhinitis.allergyanswers.net/

Why Aren't You Using Green Tea Capsules?

Green tea capsules and tablets represent a simple, excellent, and effective way to get the benefits of green tea.

Although drinking green tea is very enjoyable and soothing to some people, many others don't like the bitter taste. Moreover, some people are realistic enough to know that the more trouble they have to go through to get the benefits of something, the less likely they are to do it.

Everyone now knows that drinking green tea is healthy just like they know that juicing vegetables and fruits is healthy too. But not many of us have the time to juice vegetables and fruits everyday, just like we don't have the time to brew green tea and sip it.

That's why green tea capsules are a fantasic way to get the health benefits of this ancient drink in the few seconds a day it takes to swallow them.

Moreover, if you are taking a quality green tea supplement, you could get more of its potent antioxidants than you could if you drank 4 to 5 cups of the tea a day because of its concentrated nature.

Green tea has a history as colorful as it is flavorful.

Legend has it that almost 5,000 years ago a Chinese emperor was sipping hot water whilst relaxing under a tea shrub when some of the leaves accidently blew off the shrub and landed in his cup.

He took a sip, liked what he tasted, and since then green tea became the health drink of choice in Asia, and is now spreading to the Western world rapidly.

What's really amazing is that it wasn't until recently that research has discovered just how incredibly powerful the health benefits of green tea are.

What Green Tea Contains

Green tea has many beneficial substances, like catechins, tannins, fluoride but, most important of all, powerful antioxidants called polyphenols.

One of these polyphenols in particular, which is referred to as EGCG, has been shown in studies to have potent anticancer properties. Indeed, EGCG is now thought to be one of the most powerful anticancer compounds discovered to date.

For the health savvy people who have heard about EGCG, it is the primary reason they drink green tea or use green tea capsules and supplements.

In one large study with chinese participants, it was discovered that the men and women who drank green tea had lower rates of: rectal, pancreatic, and colon cancer.

Other studies conducted here in the United States revealed that EGCG may be able to get cancer cells to stop reproducing.

Amazingly, it may accomplish this by somehow signalling the cancer cells to die, which in scientific terms is called apotosis.

Even more remarkable is that EGCG doesn't appear to hurt the healthy, non-cancerous cells of our body, so it seems to work selectively. This study was conducted at Case Western Reserve University, located in Ohio.

Other studies are now showing that green tea may be able to help mitigate the damage from LDL cholesterol -- otherwise known as the bad cholesterol that is a key marker in heart disease.

In fact, its possible role in lowering cholesterol is another of the biggest reasons people are now turning to green tea capsules and supplements.

Despite all of the potential health benefits of green tea, some people avoid drinking it because it does naturally contain caffeine, which makes some people jittery and nervous.

The good news is that green tea used in green tea capsules and tablets often contains much less caffeine than a cup of green tea itself. A cup of green tea contains about 40 mg of caffeine whereas a daily typical serving of green tea capsules might only contain 5 mg of caffeine.

Importantly, the typical serving of green tea capsules or supplements will have the same concentration of the polyphenols and powerful antioxidants as the green tea.

Even better for some people is that green tea can be decaffeinated and used in green tea capsules so that you can get all the benefits with none of the caffeine.

So there you have it. If you aren't already using green tea capsules for your health, it's time to give it some serious consideration as part of your supplement regimen.

Get more facts and info on green tea and learn how to choose quality green tea capsules and supplements at: http://www.nutritional-supplement-info.com/benefits-of-green-tea-extract.html

Ways to Boost Your Immune System

There are many ways by which you can boost your immune system function. Many people become more prone to infections and illness as they suffer from weak immune systems. Do you suffer from weak immune system? If yes than you should research on methods of boosting immune system function to help your body fights against the next burst of common colds or influenza in your area.

The easiest way to boost your immune system function is by eating healthy and balanced diet. Constantly eating fast foods or diet that contains little nutrient value can never be associated with boosting immune system function and result in weak immune system.

Balanced diet that is rich in Vitamin C and also those that have large amounts of Vitamin E are thought to work towards boosting immune system function. Experts believe this type of diet helps in boosting immune system performance. Anyone can include these vitamins in their diet as these vitamins are readily available in many vegetables and fruits. Garlic also helps in assisting immune system functions if you like the taste of garlic as it can be easily used in many dishes including soups, sauces and salads. Many people with weak immune system use garlic in their daily diet to supplement immune system.

Regular exercise also plays an important role in supplementing immune system as diet is not the only way to boost immune system performance. As it is said, healthy mind is the base for a healthy body. Exercising regularly helps to keep mind fresh and also fights depression. Hence, exercise also helps to maintain mental health in addition to boosting immune system.

Stress levels play a major role in boosting immune system functions. Many people dealing with problems like loss of job or death of close relative or business tensions are easily prone to cold, flu or an infection. Stressful life with less physical and mental rest results in compromise of their immune system. Even if you can t does anything to reduce stress then you must at least take extra vitamins and take a balanced diet.

One of the major factors for weak immune system is insufficient sleep and hectic schedule. Sleeping for eight hours for people who does mental work and six hours for people for those who do physical work is necessary for a good immune system. To sleep well is essential for a healthy lifestyle. A good night?s sleep helps in boosting immune system functioning. Yes, I can understand that it is difficult to get enough sleep each night in the today?s busy world where we have to work for long hours and also fulfill the demands of home and family. Lack of sleep results in becoming more susceptible to picking up illnesses and may lead to a run down feeling and a lack of energy and even depression in some people.

How to boost your immune system is in your hands. You will have to follow some simple rules and steps to overcome this problem. For a good immune system you need to consume a healthy diet, exercise regularly and try to reduce stress. To stay healthy care for your body and mind!!

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Hiatal Hernia Signs and Symptoms

When the upper part of the stomach pokes through the esophageal hiatus, because of a weakness in its muscles, hiatal hernia occurs. The esophageal hiatus is the opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus enters the abdominal cavity.

At the esophagus' end there is the lower esophageal sphincter which has the role of a valve - it only allows food to travel one-way. There is also a second valve, which is the esophageal hiatus. The two valves are synchronized so that food from the stomach does not return back where it came from.

If the muscles get weak and the abdominal pressure increases, eventually the hiatus will stretch so much that the upper part of the stomach will pass through it thus causing the hiatal hernia.

In the early phases hiatal hernia does not present any symptoms so mostly it is discovered when you visit your doctor for a routine check. But as the illness advances symptoms are starting to appear. Among these there is heartburn, epigastric pain and rarely some infections.

Paraesophageal hernia may cause some incarcerations or more acute epigastric pain, because of a strangulation. This type of hernia is rare but it is dangerous, life threatening maybe. Sometimes complications like stomach strangulation appear but in most cases this does not happen.

The most common hiatal hernias are the sliding hernias. These are not that dangerous, one of their bad symptoms is reflux esophagitis, which was noticed in any people that suffer from hiatal hernia. Some of them were also affected by Barrett's esophagus because of the hernia. Barrett's esophagus may present dysphagia or reflux symptoms.

Unfortunately hiatal hernia has parsyntoms that are multifactorial, like esophagitis and peptic ulcer. In extreme cases a carchinoma appears in the hernia or chest infections.

Doctors advise people who are suffering from hiatal hernia to try to lose some weight and not to wear tight clothes.

If you want to find more information on hernia or hiatal hernia, and also about their symptoms and how to treat them, please follow these links.