Well Tuned Naturally

Cellulite is the term given to the lumpy substance resembling cottage cheese which is most commonly found on the thighs, legs and butt. While cellulite can be seen on both males and females, it is more common for women as they have more body fat, which is typically stored on these problem areas, in the event of pregnancy.

Contributing Factors

There are a few different factors which typically contribute to the presence and extent of cellulite. Genetics plays a major role here, as does your gender, the amount of fat on your body, your age, and the thickness of your skin. Diet, insufficient water intake, drinking coffee, smoking, tension and stress, medication, and a sedentary lifestyle also play a factor in cellulite’s appearance.

Poor Skin Tone And Inflexible Skin Tissues

Poor skin tone, thin skin and inflexibility of the skin tissues allow the normally hidden large fat cells to make their appearance. Skin tone is necessary to keep fat cells smoothly beneath the skin. Stretched skin or thin skin does not have the ability to cover the fat cells adequately. When the connective tissues beneath the skin become inflexible, their attachment points to the skin pull the skin constantly, which gives the dimpled appearance.

Weight gain and loss of skin tone can cause the appearance of cellulite. Weight gain produces more fat cells and fills up fat cells underneath the skin surfaces. As more weight is gained, more cellulite may make its appearance. Though it’s important to understand that cellulite can be seen on a person who is not overweight if their skin tone and connective tissue become inflexible or have any of the other contributing factors.

Diet, Exercise And Massage

Your options for natural care of cellulite include diet, exercise and massage. Eating diets rich in nutrition while low in fat and sugar provides the body with the fuel it requires to keep cells healthy and functioning at their best. And healthy cells make healthy bodies.

Hydrate

Drinking plenty of water is always necessary to help the body stay hydrated and aid the body in flushing toxins out.

Work Out

Regular exercise brisk enough to break a sweat helps in many ways. Exercise is a great means to gain and maintain muscle tone, burn calories, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and aid in the removal of toxins. In addition, most people who exercise find it helps them not only feel better physically, but increases their self-esteem as well.

Massage Therapy

Massage is also a great way to keep the skin and tissues toned to prevent inflexibility and help keep the fat cells covered allowing the body to maintain a smooth look.

While there is not much you can do about your genetics, your gender or your age there is plenty you can do about the other factors that contribute to cellulite’s appearance. The degree to which the cellulite bothers you may be the factor that regulates your motivation to make some lifestyle changes in hopes of seeing its appearance fade.

Homeopathy is a system of medicinal treatment that would be considered a form of alternative medicine. The homeopathic system of treatment is based on two principles: Law of Similars and Potentization.

Law of Similars

Back in 1796 a German physician by the name of Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann published a paper in which he detailed his principle that “likes are cured by likes”. Hahnemann claimed that quinine, a medicine widely used for successful treatment of malaria, produced symptoms of malaria in a healthy person. The patients of malaria were treated with a medicine which created the same symptoms as those created by the disease. The observations with quinine and other medicines led Hahnemann to his “Law of Similars”.

Four years later Hahnemann advanced his doctrine of “potentization of dynamization” which stated that medicines in small doses effectively exerted their curative power.

Potentization

Potentization is a process by which medicine is diluted in precise steps and subjected to a vigorous shaking action called “succussion”. This process brings about an energetic change that gives medicines a deeper curative effect. Repeated dilution ensures that the medicine has no toxic effect. This allows homeopathic use of many substances which would be unsafe under normal conditions.

Homeopathy is relatively young – just over 200 years old. New medicines and treatments are constantly being evolved and documented. Such research studies are called “provings”, after a German word meaning ‘test’. As a result of these research studies, Homeopathy is used in a wide variety of health conditions.

Lower Concentrations More Effective

Homeopathic medicines do not work strictly by chemical action. At ‘higher potency’ the medicine is diluted so much that concentration of original medicine reduces to insignificant level. Yet at these lower concentrations, the medicines not only work, they are more effective. The “potentization” process brings energetic change in the medicine. In turn the medicine stimulates the body’s defense mechanism to fight the cause of disorder. This approach produces more stable cure as compared to treatment with drugs. Direct chemical action of the drugs often produces harmful side effects. Homeopathic medicines on the other hand have no or little side effects. They are safe and non-toxic.

Two centuries of existence has firmly established homeopathy. It is accepted form of treatment in many parts of the world. However, the theory of homeopathy is inconsistent with known laws of science; therefore the critics often dismiss it as pseudoscience and quackery.

While critics dismiss it as an effective treatment method, those who have been helped have a different opinion. Because homeopathic medicines have a relatively slow but lasting effect, they are not first choice in emergency situations, but do have their place in many others.

Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine that has been around for about 6000 years. Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils to address not only physical symptoms, but mental, spiritual and emotional factors as well, making it a holistic therapy. Holistic therapy recognizes that these aspects of your being are essential to take into account as they all greatly influence your overall health.

Essential oils enter your body in three main ways:

* through your skin
* through olfaction – your sense of smell
* through your lungs

The Skin

Using essential oils in massage is the most common use of aromatherapy. The massage oil is made from a carrier oil with a few drops of essential oils added, this allows the essential oils to be absorbed into the skin. Applying heat will increase the rate at which the oils are taken in. The massage itself will produce a bit of heat, and covering the area with towels or blankets or a heated wheat bag is also common.

Once the essential oils are absorbed into the skin they work their way into the underlying tissue thereby affecting the nerves, organs and blood stream.

Here’s a quick and easy experiment to prove that essential oils really can enter your body through your skin. Cut a clove of garlic in half and rub the liquid (garlic essential oil) from the cut end on the bottom of your foot. See how long it takes before you can taste garlic on your breath (usually about 15-20 minutes).

The Sense of Smell (Olfaction)

The olfactory receptors, which are called chemoreceptors, are nerve endings embedded deep within your nasal passages. Fragrance chemicals in the air are inhaled and dissolve once they hit the fluid lining in your nasal passages. This allows the chemoreceptors to pick them up and send the ‘chemical message’ to the brain.

These chemical messages are sent first to the frontal lobe of the brain where the smell is analyzed, and secondly to the limbic system and autonomous nervous system. This is where emotional and physical responses to the fragrance are created. For instance, you might feel calm or sleepy, or you might sneeze. Other times you might be reminded of something in your past, and this experience will have an emotional response attached to it.

You may be able to relate to how quickly and dramatically ‘chemical messages’ can be sent to the brain if you’ve ever had the experience of having smelled a real strong scent or odor that may, or may almost have, caused an upset stomach.

The Lungs

The fastest way to get essential oils into your bloodstream where they can start working is by inhaling them. Since your respiratory system is designed to get oxygen into your bloodstream, when you inhale the fragrance of vaporized essential oils, they too are carried quickly into your bloodstream.

Some Benefits of Essential Oils

In France, the birthplace of aromatherapy as currently defined, it is a part of mainstream medicine in the control of infections because of the strong antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal properties of many essential oils.

All essential oils are antiseptic to some degree. However, a few of the more powerful antiseptics are lavender, thyme, clove, cinnamon, tea tree, manuka and oregano.

Essential oils are extremely beneficial in skin care. The ancient Egyptians, who invented cosmetology, used essential oils in skin care around 5000 years ago.

A study in Japan showed that lemon, vaporized in a room, reduced typing errors by 54%. Lemon is well known for its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties which would make it additionally beneficial in office environments.

Some essential oils actively mimic neurotransmitters which have a powerful ability to alter mood. These can be helpful for conditions such as stress and depression.

These are just a few of the many uses of essential oils in aromatherapy. But there is also an important aspect of aromatherapy that is often overlooked – the pleasure aspect. Using essential oils is fun, even if you aren’t a qualified aromatherapist. Find authentic essential oil suppliers and have some fun discovering which fragrances you enjoy; they are bound to have a beneficial effect even if you just use a few drops in your bath water.

A Word of Caution

Please understand that these oils do affect the body, so inquire about the safety of use if pregnant or breastfeeding or with other conditions as some may not be suitable during that time. Also, as the field grows more popular, it’s important to find out where the product comes from and how it is produced to ensure its safety. Do a little homework first, and then enjoy.

From the youngest of age to those only young at heart, everyone loves a good sing-a-long whether you consider yourself a singer or not. Singing is a natural and enjoyable part of life. Many youngsters learn to sing before they learn to talk, because it’s so natural.

Everyone can be taught to sing; you don’t necessarily need to have a great voice just a desire to make a joyful noise. Whether you sing in a choir, the car, the privacy of your shower or at the pub’s karaoke night singing is an activity that is healthy, fun and affords a great many benefits to the body and mind.

Sing to Relax

Singing helps us to relax and feel better. It allows us to express deep emotion and releases us from stress. It often has a way of lifting our sprits in the midst of whatever circumstances we find ourselves in.

Physiological, Emotional and Psychological Benefits

Doctors believe that singing is good aerobic exercise for the lungs, abdominal muscles and blood circulation. Singing with or without music is also used in therapy for treating adults who have suffered emotional, physical, and psychological trauma and illnesses. For example music and singing can aid the treatment of stroke victims for whom speech is impaired. Singing is considered beneficial as it helps articulation, rhythm and breathing.

One of the ways in which singing has benefited people is in its use with the elderly. It is becoming popular in the UK and other parts of the country for seniors to join community groups and choirs to sing anything from hymns to modern songs.

The Zimmers

There’s even a British ‘rock group’ made up of 40 old age pensioners called ‘The Zimmers’ who have made a cover version of The Who’s song ‘My Generation’. They have become a bit of a global phenomenon with their popularity reaching as far as the U.S. shores and beyond. The band was originally created as part of a BBC documentary about the treatment of elderly people in Britain. For the pensioners involved however this has certainly brought them out of ‘retirement’ and given them a new lease of life.

Many of the elderly see these singing groups as a lifeline and something to look forward to. These groups are a means of forging good friendships and giving them a sense of belonging which is bound to have a ripple effect as far as their health is concerned. Singing songs from their childhood may well evoke happy memories of youth and special occasions which will cause them to feel better within themselves. Studies in America have shown that singing in the elderly improves their breathing, posture, voices and life expectancy.

So regardless of your age or your ability to carry a tune, join in a chorus and tap into the joys of singing your way to health and healing!

If you’re an athlete of any caliber you’ve more than likely experienced that inner push to hit your personal best. As the drive to achieve peak performance is paramount particularly in the competitive world of athletics, proper training, the right mindset, sufficient sleep and a balanced nutritious diet are key elements to reaching your goal. Here we’ll examine the nutritional elements that make up an athlete’s diet alongside other tips worth considering.

Carbohydrates

An athlete’s diet is largely made up of carbohydrates which are categorized as either simple or complex. Complex carbohydrates are found in foods such as cereals, pasta and potatoes and simple carbohydrates are in foods namely sugar, honey and fruit.

Complex carbohydrates are broken down by the body during digestion and turned into glucose which is then stored in the body as glycogen. During exercise the glycogen is converted back to glucose and used for the energy required to sustain prolonged and strenuous bouts of activity. It is important that an athlete’s energy levels are kept up during this time as a lack of it may well lead to fatigue and a weakened mental attitude, vital if he or she is to win and perform at their best.

Glycogen

Glycogen is a form of glucose. The body cannot store much glycogen which athletes need a lot of. Therefore in order to keep the ‘glycogen tank’ full, try to eat carbohydrates as much as you can and drink plenty of water as glycogen is stored better when the body is well hydrated.

Try to avoid white sugar and honey as they increase the pain of injuries. Should an injury occur, get a fresh pineapple and eat as much of it as you can as it contains an enzyme called Bromelain, which is a natural anti-inflammatory and helps the healing process by breaking down the injured tissue. Taking vitamin B6 is also good as it is a natural diuretic and helps carry damaged tissue out of the system.

Vitamins and Minerals

A good diet which contains a variety of foods will ensure that an athlete gets sufficient vitamins and minerals. Vitamins such as Thiamin B1, Riboflavin B2 Niacin and Folacin maintain a healthy body and are found in foods such as whole grains, liver, lean meats, milk and green leafy vegetables. Calcium is also good for bone structure and strength and a lack of it can lead to osteoporosis later in life. An excellent supply of Calcium can be found in foods such as eggs, cheese and milk.

Iron serves an important part in the body as it carries oxygen to the red blood cells and removes carbon dioxide. Many growing athletes, women and vegetarians are prone to having an iron deficiency due to poor iron intake, low absorption or loss of iron in sweat. A diet sufficient in fruits, vegetables, cereals and red meat will help rectify any shortage.

Protein

The function of protein in the diet also provides a vital role. Protein is used for building and repairing muscle, bone, skin, hair and other tissues. It is essential in the diet as the body doesn’t store protein, the best sources coming from eggs, milk, meat and fish. In general athletes who train hard tend to need more protein than the average individual, and the amounts they need depend on the duration, intensity and frequency of the exercise. Athletes whose diet is low in protein may experience fatigue and poor performance.

Fats

Foods that contain fats provide fuel for the body and the amount of fat used depends on the athlete’s physical fitness and the event that he or she is competing in. Trained athletes tend to use up more fat than an untrained athlete. A good amount of body fat is needed and care must be taken when eating foods with a high fat content as it can lead to weight gain. Select lean cuts of meats and low fat dairy products along with ‘healthy’ fats and oils such as Canola and Olive oils.

Water

Water is crucial in the life of an athlete and drinking 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day will ensure that you are replacing fluids loss during exercise. Dehydration can cause fatigue and muscle cramps. Drinking chilled liquids throughout the event is advisable as they lower body temperature.

Other Tips:

Always eat breakfast as this will help kick start your day and your metabolism.
Do not eat any foods that you are not familiar with. An athlete doesn’t need any ’surprises’ on the big day. Experiment after the event and not before.

Any food eaten should be well digested before the exercise or event begins. The body must feel as light as possible. Leave 3.5 hours after eating a high carbohydrate meal and 2-3 hours after eating a big meal.

Keeping your body in good physical condition will not only be beneficial for excelling at your chosen sport, but is necessary to maintain strength, fight infections and injuries and provide energy. The saying ‘you are what you eat’ is a phrase that rings notably true in the world of athletics. The quality of the ‘fuel’ you intake will play a major role in allowing you to function at your best.