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Tuesday, July 10, 2018 • , UK

Health Insurance Facts to Know

By Peter Smits

How can health insurance help you out? Being an investment, it is imperative that people prioritize this expense along with many other financial responsibilities. Health insurance coverage should be there to support you and your family in times when you need immediate health care. Think of it as a nest egg where you can get funds from to pay for the various costs of medical treatment, hospitalization, medication, and more.



There are various types of health insurance plans that you can obtain, and there is an equally innumerable number of firms that offer such services. It can be a little challenging to choose one that is right for your budget, as well as tailor made to suit your health needs. Note that you don't have to spend a fortune to be able to get insurance coverage. There are ways by which you can earn discounts and save, while at the same time receiving quality and reliable services from your insurance provider. All it takes is the right knowledge to be able to evaluate your health insurance priorities and lock down your choice of provider.

In line with this, this article presents some interesting statistics that you might want to keep in mind regarding health insurance plans in the United States. Anders from www.kniftrygghet.no/ says "Knowing these important notes will help you make a wise decision with regards to choosing a plan for you and your family. Mentioned here is also vital news regarding the direction that the health insurance system is headed"

How many people in Europe are without health insurance? Regardless of how important it is to be covered, there is a significant percentage of the population who has no resources to obtain their needed health policies.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in America reports, about 45 million people in the US have no health insurance. And that translates to roughly 15 percent of the population. The Hispanics have the most number of uninsured children and adults, which is about 32 percent of the total Hispanic population. On the other hand, 19 percent of the total African American population does not have health insurance, and around 10 percent of all whites are uninsured as well.

How many children in the US are without any form of health insurance? This age group is considered as the minor group, comprised of children aged 18 and below. The CDC stated in a 2007 report that about 10 percent of the total minor population does not have health insurance. That means that there are 7 million children out there who may not be able to get afforded medical treatment. Which states have the most number of uninsured children? The Kaiser Health Foundation accounts that Texas ranks at the top of the list, with about 22 percent of the ages 0 to 18 population having no health insurance. Massachusetts is still the state with the least number of uninsured children, with only about 5 percent having no coverage.

 



In terms of the performance of insurance companies in the country, which are the ones that write the most number of health policies? As of the year 2007, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners reports ten of the largest insurance firms in the US, with respect to their market shares. Topping that list with approximately 12 percent of the market share is the UnitedHealth Group. Second is WellPoint, Inc, having almost 10 percent of the market share.

On a final note, what does the EU intend to do in response to the ever growing health insurance needs? Among the highest priorities of the European Union is to focus on revamping and further developing the health insurance system in Europe. About €150 billion is expected to be allotted for provision of more accessible and more affordable health insurance options for the population. In line with the recession which led to the loss of over 7 million jobs, €25 billion will be used to cover for nearly 65 percent of health insurance premiums for these employees.

To be able to answer to the health needs of children, it is expected that 5 million kids will be granted health insurance, as €87 billion will be for funding state health insurance programs, which assists minors from low income families as well. The rest of the funding will be for modernization of medical facilities.

Friday, June 22, 2018 • , UK

How to Make a Smoothie: 9 Golden Rules

By Peter Smits

The best thing about smoothies is their capacity for infinite experimentation. And like many subjective tastes, only you can determine the best combination of smoothie ingredients for you.

But how do you go about preparing a smoothie without botching it up?

 

 

There are some key considerations to bear in mind when going about the process, which should speed up the learning curve and get you preparing smoothies like a guru yourself.

Please keep reading as we break down how to make a smoothie great the first time by adhering to 9 simple rules.


1) Estimate The Proper Amount of Liquid to Add

All we are mean here is to ensure that you have enough liquid relative to the other ingredients so that you don't end up making a glass full of paste, or a smoothie with a runny, watery texture. Of course, everyone has different opinions, but I like my smoothies thick but still able to be sucked up with a large-diameter straw.

Most smoothie recipes will attempt to achieve a proper consistency by starting with a cup or two of liquid. This can be regular (cow's) milk, soy milk, almond milk, coffee/tea/alcohol, fruit juice and/or simply water. The amount of liquid needed will increase as you increase the amount of dry ingredients added. Things like ground seeds, peanut butter, dryer fruits (e.g., banana), protein powders, and similar ingredients will soak up quite a bit of liquid. Consequently, you should start with a cup of your chosen liquid and add more as needed to get the mixture to blend. And if it becomes too watery, you can thicken it with more ingredients. No science here, just blend and taste - and repeat till perfect!


2) Plan Around The Most Dominant Flavor(s)

Although this is the #2 consideration, this is really the first decision that should be made. So, is this going to be a pineapple strawberry smoothie? Or perhaps you are leaning more towards an avocado yogurt smoothie? Whatever floats your boat, think about how you want the resulting smoothie to taste - should one or more ingredients stand out? I like to think about it in movie terms - who's the lead? For example, if you love blueberry and like the potent antioxidants they contain, you might make them your "star" ingredient and ensure you are adding at least a cup of them to your mixture. Once that decision is made, you can pick your liquid(s) of choice.

Yes, we know that some of the best smoothies are created by a random jumble of ingredients, but randomness will happen either way. We think it's always best to start with some kind of vision for a smoothie, regardless whether you reach it, or end up with something very different, and perhaps even better instead!

 


3) Choose Your Supporting Cast of Ingredients

Whatever primary flavors you are aiming for with your smoothie, you have a plethora of options in terms of a supporting cast. For example, for virtually any kind of fruit and even vegetable smoothie, bananas are a great addition since they add some sweetness as well as bulk to the mixture. Further, they can easily be peeled and frozen (in that order!) before addition to give the smoothie the desired slushy feel. Yogurt is another ingredient that complements so many kinds of smoothies by adding density and creaminess. And the great thing about yogurt is that it comes in its own myriad of flavors. For a very rich and thick smoothie, we like Greek yogurt best.


4) Choose Your Sweetener(s) Wisely

While it's always convenient to reach for white sugar to add sweetness to your smoothie, think bigger.

Some of the best choices for sweetening up your smoothie are honey, agave, maple syrup, chopped dates, and raw brown (or coconut) sugar.

Corn syrup is another option for those looking for a liquid substitute for table sugar that more easily mixes at cold temperatures.

 

5) Give it an Added Health Boost!

Each time you make a smoothie it's a good idea to try and add something special, something that packs lots of vitamins or nutrients. There are so many things that can be added to a smoothie that can turn it from being merely healthy to health super-charged. For example, chia seeds are one of the new superfoods that can make almost any smoothie nutritious; and best of all, chia itself has no flavor, so it doesn't alter the vision of the smoothie you planned to create. Other popular additions are flax seed or flax seed oil, wheat germ, oatmeal, algae (spirulina and chlorella), vitamin and protein powders/liquids. The sky is really the limit here. Just add and taste and see what you can include while keeping things tasty. Just keep in mind that protein powders and flax/chia seeds will soak up lots of water, so keep some extra liquid on hand to add to the mixture as needed.


6) Determine How Icy You Like It

For many people, myself included, a smoothie is not a smoothie without some iciness to it. You can easily add the necessary ice factor by simply freezing any fruit or veggies that you add, or you can simply add ice cubes until the proper slushiness is achieved. Just remember that by adding ice cubes, you are watering down the mixture, so where possible it's always advisable to freeze some/all of your main ingredients instead.


7) Use a High Quality Blender For Best Results

If you plan on making healthy smoothies a part of your lifestyle, then there is no substitute for purchasing a high-quality blender. By this we generally don't mean the kind you are likely to find in your local department store. Achieving the velvety smooth texture that you'll find at smoothie shops is something that requires a blender with lots of power so that very high blade rotational speeds can be obtained. We are talking about blenders with motors typically over 1,000 watts. All other things being equal, faster blades means a smoother blend. This is particularly important when using lots of ice, seed material, and green leafy foods. In short, don't skimp on your blender!


8) Make Smoothies a Regular Part of Your Day

One of the most important benefits of drinking smoothies is the huge does of vitamins and minerals they can provide, when consumed regularly. As such, we strongly encourage you to drink at least one healthy smoothie each day. Whether it is your own version of a breakfast smoothie, or a refreshing fruit smoothie you treat yourself to after dinner, make it good for you and drink them often. If you are looking for diet plans our friends at lifestyle.co.uk have lots of great ideas and daily meal prep plans.


9) Have Fun With It!

As we discussed at the outset, the best thing about smoothies is the endless creative possibilities they afford. Take advantage of this and experiment and have fun with the processes. We are certain that the more often you make smoothies, the more unique and interesting concoctions you will create. Also, when you've stumbled onto a real "winner," make sure to share it with others who may be looking for some inspiration - and perhaps use your experience to help teach them how to make a smoothie for themselves!

Friday, June 08, 2018 • , UK

Get the Fun back into your Exercise with Water Aerobics

Water FitnessWater Polo
By Peter Smits

water arobics

Exercise is ideally an activity that should be enjoyed. True, it is not exactly play, but it is not work either. In fact, it is closer to play than to work. Sadly, it has become a joyless, routine activity for most people. As ironic as it may sound, people get bored working out! The attainment of short and long-term wellness goals is not just about participating in any cardio activity, but engaging in one that you enjoy. Are you getting bored with your workout routine? Then jumping into the swimming pool for water aerobics may just be way to get the spark back.

Water aerobics, or aqua aerobics, routines are cardio and strength-training exercise routinesusually done on dry land, only they are done in the coolness and safety of the water. These exercises include walking, jogging, jumping, using free weights and more in the pool.

True, water aerobics require that your muscles work harder than land-based exercises as water provides more resistance than air, even so, the joints experience little stress. For this reason, those with joint-related pain, recovering from a joint injury or joint replacement surgery will find this water aerobics attractive.

Water aerobics is rising in popularity, so there are variations such as waterpilates, pool based tai-chi, aqua Zumba, and many more at community centres and pools.Some pools and centres have website, so you can check them out. Many older adults find water aerobics enjoyable. The Managing Director of Aquarama, one of such centres, UnniMeselsaid,“The number of people who come to use our services has almost tripled in since last year. There is definitely a rising interest in water related activities – and not just among youths, as older adults also represent a big percentage of our clients. Our clients are diverse too. We get patronage not just from Norwegians, but also from all over the world. Some come from as far as Africa and Asia. This increase in patronage has coincided with including our revamped pool on our website, https://www.aquarama.no/bad/info”

Health Benefits of Water Aerobics

1. Strong Bones

Regular exercise promotes bone health and is vital the prevention of osteoporosis, a disease that affects 50% of women and 25% of men over age 50 and above. According to the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), water aerobics exercises can help build and maintain bone mass.

2. Beneficial for those with Low Back Pain

The AEA maintains that training in deep water with the feet not touching the floor of the pool, can benefit those having low back pain as this greatly reduces the compressive load on the spine. The core muscles are also trained and this aids good posture, back health and proper alignment.

3. Reduces Arthritis Pain

The Arthritis Foundation promotes water exercises, saying that just walking in water can help those suffering from arthritis move easier with reduced joint pain, feel stronger and more flexible. The foundation's AEA-managed aquatic program offers programs mainly for people with arthritis, musculoskeletal conditionsand related rheumatic diseases.

4. Calories are Burned

Yes, you may not burn as much calories as land-based workout, but you will still burn calories. You can burn between 350 to 500 calories in 60-minute workout in the water.

5. GroupEnvironment is a Motivator

Water aerobics provides a social experience. An AARP survey found that older adults are more likely to continue their fitness programs if they had committed to an exercise group or trainer. It is like a support group that provides motivation and gives a sense of belonging.

 

Water aerobics provides the mixture of fun and exercise. It also improves social interaction as is a sure way to avoid getting into a workout rut. Your body will not only benefit, but also your mind. Of course, you have to be a good swimmer before engaging in it.

 

Thursday, June 07, 2018 • , UK

Overcoming Sleep Apnea: A Beneficial Guide

sleeping disordersSleep
By Peter Smits

sleep apnea

 

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder which causes and individual’s breathing to be continuously interrupted during sleep. Breathing starts and stops several times and prevents you from having a normal sleep rhythm.   Sleep apnea is disruptive not only to the person who is suffering from it. It also disrupts the person’s relationship with a sleeping partner as loud, irritating snoring keeps the partner awake. 

Sleep apnea affects people of all ages, children inclusive. However, it has been found to be more prevalent in adults of 50 years and above.

Signs of sleep apnea

  • Loud snoring during sleep
  • Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
  •  Forgetfulness.
  • Jerking awake from sleep with a feeling of air deprivation
  • Dry mouth and sore throat
  • Headaches

"It is essential to note that sleep apnea can be differentiated from ordinary snoring by the fact that snoring does not disturb the sleeping rhythm. Sleep apnea on the other hand disrupts sleep and causes tiredness and other symptoms of hindered sleep." - Experts from Norway  https://www.hvitesmil.no/sovnapne/

Medical concerns caused by sleep apnea

  • The chronic deprivation of sleep as a result of hindered breathing leads to slow reflexes, a dull mind and poor concentration, daytime sleepiness, and an increase tendency to bump into things or have an accident.
  • Sleep apnea can cause depression, irritability, moodiness, and a decrease in confidence.
  • Untreated sleep apnea can lead to more serious medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, and liver problems.
  • Sleep apnea is said to be an independent risk factor for high blood pressure.

Types of Sleep apnea

  • Obstructive sleep apnea: is the most common type of sleep apnea. It happens when the airway is blocked as the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes during sleep. This causes interruptions in breathing, loud snoring, and a disruption in the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain.
  • Central Sleep apnea: this is a less common type of sleep apnea. It has to do with the central nervous system and occurs when the brain is unable to send a signal to the muscles that control breathing. This type of sleep apnea hardly causes snoring. Once the breathing signal is finally sent to the muscles, the person with this condition snorts and jerks awake from sleep gasping, smothering, or choking and tries to take a deep breathe.
  • Complex sleep apnea: a combination of central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.

How to Overcome Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be effectively managed through the following ways:

  1. Medical procedures:
  • This includes undergoing some surgery to widen the airway by stiffening or shrinking the obstructive tissue or simply removing the excess tissue or the enlarged tonsils.
  • CPAP therapy: a constant stream of air that provides positive pressure is passed through the respiratory tract through a mask.
  • Mandibular repositioning device: this is a mouthpiece that holds the jaw in a forward position during sleep expanding the airway behind the tongue.
  1. Lifestyle choices: to be able to enhance the breathing process during sleep a person with sleep apnea should try to avoid smoking and alcohol intake, and lose some weight by keeping fit.

 

Wednesday, June 06, 2018 • , UK

The Footballers Secret to Staying Fit

Football
By Peter Smits

Every sportsman values the importance of keeping fit so as to stay on top of his game. Football players, most of all, follow regular training and fitness routines especially during the off-season. To keep the team ahead the players must train hard and follow the rules of sportsmanship.

Let’s a look at the most successful British football club of all time,  which has over 200 supporter clubs in more than 50 different countries, and see how their players  have managed to stay on top.

Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC, founded in 1892, is a club loved by many and has its name right next to fame and glory,having won 7 FA cups, 5 European cups, 18 league titles, 8 league cups, and 3 UEFA league cups. Some of their most prominent players include Robbie Fowler, Terry McDermott, Peter Beardsley, Tom Watson, and Ian Callaghan.

Reiseshop shared that Liverpool FC athletes ensure that they improve their flexibility and mobility, follow a healthy nutritional plan, observe good sleeping habits, and strengthen their weak links. Each of these targets is addressed based on the specific athlete’s requirements, weaknesses, and strengths. Let us take a look at these one after the other.

Achieving Mobility and Flexibility

Every sportsman recognizes the importance of reducing his/her chances of getting an injury. To be able to perform optimally, a high level of mobility and flexibility is essential. Mobility of the joints and the flexibility of the various muscle groups in the body are essential to staying fit. Players are known tooften spend at least about 30-45 minutes each day working on their stretches and other flexibility and mobility improvement routines. You can work on your stretching with a partner or you can try a static band-assisted stretching if you do not have a training partner.

Focusing more power to improve your weak links

Weak links could be areas such as the ankle, forearm, neck, knees, and the rotator cuffs. You can avoid falling into bad habits and be able to improve your performance by strengthening your weak links. You can achieve this by engaging in exercises that focus on these areas of the body. Observing this necessary procedure would ensure that you maintain your strength and stability and keep you on top of your game.

Following a proper diet

To be able to stay fit and healthy every athlete is required to follow and maintain specific nutrition schedules and standards. This not only helps to ensure faster healing after an injury, but also sees that the athlete remains fit at all times and is capable of adequately following an often strenuous physical exercise routine.

 

Observing a healthy sleeping pattern

A good sleeping habit  is essential for the rejuvenation of the heart and blood vessels, restoration of the appetite, insulin response balance, restoration  and repair of the body tissues, maintenance of muscle mass, and keeping a sharp mind. Ensure that you observe at least 8 hours of sleep each day to stay healthy and strong. Try going to bed and waking up at fixed times every day. You would be able to sleep better, if you happen to be experiencing some anxiety, by getting a light workout and taking a shower before bed.

Tuesday, June 05, 2018 • , UK

Top 5 Ways cycling improves your wellbeing!

Wellness
By Peter Smits

bike

Cycling is a pleasurable and versatile form of exercise that can be done either indoors (using special bikes called trainers) or outdoors. It is good for people of all ages and from different works of life. It is a low impact sport and does not expose the body to wear unlike running and some other forms of exercise. It is gentle on the joints and therefore is convenient for people that want to get in shape or that experience joint pains.

Let us go through some of the great benefits of cycling:

  1.  Cardio Workout: According to fitness junkies on Birk sport, cycling is a great cardio workout and   can burn up to 400 calories in an hour. It increases your breathing rate, strengthens your core, and makes your lungs and your endurance stronger. It keeps your heart rate going and gets beneficial oxygenated blood pumping through the body. Cycling is said to help reduce the risk of getting heart disease and cancer.
  2. Mental health and wellbeing: cycling can be a great form of meditation. It frees the mind from worry and allows you think more clearly. Cycling releases endorphins and adrenalin which helps to boost your mood. It also helps to boost your confidence and provides the opportunity to explore and enjoy beautiful new sites. It creates the opportunity to meet new people and to expand your social circle as you find a group to ride with outdoors. Graeme Obree, the former Hour Record holder, says that he suffered from depression through most of his life but through biking with a group he was able to overcome his depression.
  3. Muscle building: cycling helps you to burn fat and build up your muscles. It builds your core, legs, glutes, and back, strengthening both the lower and upper parts of the body.
  4. Improved brain power and cognitive ability:cycling is a good form of exercise that helps to improve brain health and reduces the possibility of getting dementia later in life. During cycling blood flow to the brain rises considerably. It helps to improve your navigational capabilities and your natural sense of direction as you ride and explore new places without necessarily having a map.
  5. Improved immune system: cycling helps prevent the common cold simply by strengthening the respiratory system. As a great form of aerobic exercise, it help to knock down chances of falling ill by keeping white blood cells active and producing essential proteins in the body that help maintain the immune system. Cycling helps to encourage restful sleep afterwards which allows the body to heal and restore itself thereby keeping you healthy.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 • , UK

Easing Foot Pain Using Foot Exercises

Plantar Fasciitis
By Peter Smits

plantar-fascitt

Just like the rest of the body, your feet also need exercises to stay fit and healthy. Exercises are also effective in reducing pain. Your foot has a whole lot of moving parts. In fact, it has 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, ligaments and muscles. It is therefore not surprising that there are a myriad of problems that can affect your feet.


One of the most common foot problems in adults is known as plantar fascitt. This is a situation most likely caused by improper shoes, wrong standing posture and wrong walking pattern that results in severe pain in the heel and underside of the foot. There are several suggested ways to handle this health complication including therapy but certain simple exercises can help you ease the pain associated with foot problems.


Foot roll


One of the popular prescriptions for managing plantar fasciitis is by rolling your foot over a bottle of water or ball. This exercise concept is very simple; you simply place the bottle or ball under the heel of your foot, then you roll the bottle or ball around your foot or forward and backwards from the ball of your foot to the heel. This will effectively massage the underside of your foot and you can increase the pressure or pace as needed. Doing this for at least 2 minutes on each foot will provide relief.


Calf stretch


Calf stretch is a simple routine you can do to keep your Achilles tendon and plantar fasciitis from getting rigid. There are two ways you can do this routine. One is by sitting down on a strong chair with one leg stretched out before you. Then you wrap a towel around the ball of one foot and pull back towards you until you feel a stretch where the foot and calf meets. Hold for a few seconds and repeat on the second foot. Alternatively, you can place the ball of one foot firmly against a wall with your heel on the ground. Gently lean your weight on the foot towards the wall and hold for a few seconds. Switch to the other foot and repeat the process again.


Calf raise


This routine will help strengthen your feet and calves as well as improve balance. There are also two simple ways to do this exercise.


You can stand near a counter or doorway and hold on tightly. Then balance on one foot and leaning your weight on that foot, lift up on your toes. Hold the pose for a few seconds then lower down. Do the process multiple times using both foot. Alternatively, you can stand before a wall with your feet spaced apart by a few inches. Resting your palms firmly on the wall, lift your heels as high as possible placing your weight on the balls of your feet, hold the posture for a few seconds then lower your heels down to the floor. Repeat the process a few times more to be sure you got it all.

There are many other feet exercises you can do to ease the pain on your feet, but the above three are a good place to start from. Doing these exercises constantly will greatly relive the pain and help you heal faster.
 

Friday, December 01, 2017 • , UK

Use TestoFuel to boost your testosterone levels, increase muscle mass, improve your sex life, and reverse the aging process

Building Muscle
By Peter Smits

Testosterone Booster

Testosterone is a hormone that plays a vital role in the human body, especially in males. The male body has a higher level of testosterone compared to a females, and it’s actually this hormone that gives men their gender-specific features – body hair, deep voice, broader shoulders, etc.

The male body’s testosterone level spikes during puberty but goes on a decline after men turn 30 years old, dipping at a rate of about 1 percent per year. But don’t let that scare you, as it’s a totally natural consequence of aging.

A Serum Testosterone Level Test will help reveal if your levels of testosterone have fallen below the recommended range of 300 - 1000 ng/dL.

Consequences of Low Testosterone (or “low-T”):

  1. Scarcity of erections. The testosterone hormone activates a man’s sex drive, thus facilitating erections. While this hormone isn’t the sole ingredient in raising an erection, it is essential to it. When testosterone levels in a male body decline, an erection can become more difficult to obtain.

  2. Low sex drive. Testosterone’s contribution to having a high or low sex drive cannot be overstated. Men tend to gradually lose their sex drive as they age, but this particular effect of aging is more evident in men with consistently low testosterone levels.

  3. Semen shortage. The production of semen in a man’s scrotal sac is also heavily dependent on testosterone levels. If a man has high testosterone levels, the more semen he’ll produce. Low testosterone levels equals less semen quantity and quality per ejaculation.

  4. Balding: As earlier mentioned, testosterone plays a role in hair growth – facial, body, and head hair. Women with facial and chest hair are usually diagnosed with unusually high levels of testosterone. While balding counts as part of the aging process for some men, it can be avoided by reversing the decline of testosterone in their bodies.

  5. Lethargy. A shortage of testosterone in a man comes with extreme fatigue and noticeable decline in energy levels. Being tired all the time in spite of getting enough sleep, or feeling too lazy to get up and move around are signs of depleting testosterone.

  6. Shrinking muscle mass. Low testosterone levels can lead to a noticeable drop in muscle mass and strength. If low testosterone is not dealt with before trying to reverse muscle loss, a weight lifter might find himself working out in vain and pumping iron with no visible results.

  7.  

While it’s true that a decrease in testosterone level is a natural phenomenon, there are ways to trigger higher levels of testosterone in the body. One way is through consistent exercise and increased physical activity. Another solution and great additional help is the use of testosterone boosters, such as the highly rated TestoFuel which bring about noticeable and beneficial changes in a testosterone-lacking body.



 

Friday, September 08, 2017 • , UK

Vaping: A healthier Nicotine Alternative

smokingquit smoking
By Peter Smits

E Cig

Smoking has been estimated to kill at least 6 million persons a year around the world. A lot of efforts and research is made daily to help people quit smoking and ensure young people do not join the already high number of smokers in the world. For instance, tobacco industries have forced to stop advertising, smoking in public places has been banned, and a danger warning is written on the tobacco pack. Yet, there is no decrease in the number of smokers or reduction in the number of young people liable to smoke.

Research has identified that smokers are liable to suffer cancer, heart disease, lung disease and stroke. Third world countries with a poor economy and weak tobacco policies have suffered more casualties.

Hence, it should be asked, what is the alternative to smoking, if people have refused to stop smoking? Welcome the vaporizers. An e-cigarette.

"A vaporizer is a nicotine-delivering gadget. It delivers nicotine by heating nicotine containing propylene glycol also known as e-liquid to create an inhalable vapour or aerosol. Yes, they deliver nicotine effectively, if not better than the conventional cigarette which is highly-concentrated with other chemicals from burning and in the tobacco smoke." - Jonny E Cig Expert from ECigClick.co.uk

To avoid the dangerous after effects of smoking which is heavily laced with nicotine and other dangerous chemicals, vaping has become the new alternative. Electronic-cigarettes, as they are popularly called are vaped not smoked.

It is a new development in the tobacco industry to reduce the dangers of smoking, provide an alternative to smoking, and help smokers quit.

Why is Vaping a better alternative?

E-cigarettes like traditional cigarettes contain nicotine. However, vaping does not involve combustion. Rather, an e-liquid is heated to provide vapour or aerosol. This leads to an inhalation of the vapour, unlike smoke inhalation.

Also, tar or carbon monoxide isn’t produced with vaping. Addictive and flavours are also added to vaporizers.

Regular cigarettes expose you to harms, however, e-cigarettes lowers the dangers and harms attached to smoking.

A considerable reduction in the amount of nicotine. Switching to vaporizers means lesser toxins, a lesser cancer-causing substance in the body.

University College London’s Dr Lion Shahab, the lead author of the research into the effects of vaping concluded that e-cigarettes are safer than smoking and suggests associated lower risk.

Is it a trend or a cultural phenomenon?

E-cigarettes have been existing in the UK since 2006. Regulations into its use started in 2016. Vaping has come to stay and is finally a new culture, a healthier alternative. Vape manufacturers now have apparels, gears, and hats to advertise vaporizers. There are vape bars and online vape communities. Cloud chasing is a competitive vape sport to produce the biggest and thickest vapours is becoming more common.


Kinds of Vapes

1.    Vaporizers: They are used to vape dry herbs. It is the most expensive of all the vapes. Weed is turned into vapour through extreme heating.

2.    Electronic-cigarettes: E-juice or e-liquid is turned into vapour. They are the most common vaporizer type. They may be flavoured e-juices with or without nicotine.

3.    Vape Tanks: It comes in 4 major types; Standard, Re-buildable dripping Atomizers, Re-buildable tank atomizers and Sub-Ohm.

4.    Vape Mods: It is an enhanced vape mod enhanced with extra parts, more power and features. It is easier to inhale and produces vape tricks such as big plumes or thick vapour.

Conclusion

In comparing the dangers of smoking, vaping or e-smoking are clear winners of the nicotine war. Potentially safer, environmentally cleaner, less harmful and lower nicotine levels, it offers a better alternative to smoking.



 

Friday, July 21, 2017 • , UK

Holistic Medicine — the Treatment a Patient Deserve

holistic
By Peter Smits

Holistic Medcine          
 

Many treatments administered to ailing patients these days are mostly to combat the manifestation of the diseases they are suffering from, and in most cases these manifestations tend to disappear after the treatments have be done...unfortunately it doesn’t necessarily mean that the source of the symptoms have been found and rectified.  Conventional treatments usually involve several doses of very unpalatable medicines — that also bring about very horrible side effects, painful injections and intravenous fluid therapies that may cause swelling of the body and sometimes temporarily hamper mobility, and invasive surgeries that are meant to rectify body functions by manipulating the inner anatomy of the body. All these common treatments, though somewhat effective, tend to neglect the core of the health issue facing the patient, instead concentrating more on solving the visible abnormalities responsible for the patient's suffering.


What is holistic medicine?


Holistic medicine is a unique brand of health care that saddles itself with nurturing a patient’s body from the state of unwellness until the condition of the body returns to its normal level prior to the onset of the illness. It accomplishes this by not only finding the root source of the health problem, but also administering to that source several types of less invasive treatments until the body returns to its default wellbeing. Holistic medicine doesn’t approach illnesses and diseases in the same light as conventional medicine, it explores beyond the physical state of the patient, taking a comprehensive look at the emotional and mental structure of the patient’s mind. More often than not, the root or underlying cause of a physical illness tend to be non-physical; but conventional medicine neglects this possibility to aggressively focus on the symptoms, which does provide a quick fix to the problem...but leaves the cause unattended to.


With Holistic medicine, healing is approached from several channels thus ensuring that a solution to the medical condition is swiftly identified and tackled. By utilizing all mediums of human wellbeing including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual, true healing and the restoration of normal body functions can by effectively facilitated.


Potency of holistic medicine


Holistic medicine should not be seen as an alternative to conventional medicine, simply because their visualisation and approach to disease detection and treatment vastly differ. In fact it is really not appropriate to categorize holistic medicine as a type of healthcare; it can be accurately described as a way of life...a lifestyle of some sorts. Because the journey to effective living and an infirmity free life never truly ends, one must continuously seek holistic measures and answers in a bid to enjoy true health.


Again, holistic medicine shouldn’t be mopped up in the same category as spiritual healing, which has no factual substance to back its application. The Doctors that practice holistic medicine are highly trained and knowledgeable — capable diagnosing and treating the direst of physical conditions. It is very important to consult a competent holistic healer in order to not only get the safest of treatments but to also ensure that your time and money isn’t wasted. You can visit imaginewellnesscentre.com to get the best of holistic healing services or advice.

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Peter Smits

Hi I am Peter I am a personal trainer and I also enjoy eco aspect to life. I am friendly and approachable so feel free to come and chat with me.
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