Author Archives: schatzi

Importance Of Human Tears In Relieving Dry Eye Syndrome

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The definition of dry eye syndrome is that it is a common condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable. Dry eye cases have nearly doubled over the last seven years and the list of lifestyle factors that can dry out your eyes is pretty long.

It can be caused due to central heating, air conditioners, hair dryers, car windscreen demisting, air travel, altitudes, dry climate, saunas, use of contact lenses, spicy foods, alcohol, smoking, activities decreasing blinking rate like driving, reading a lot, working on the computer for a long time, etc.

The main cause is that of normal aging where the volume of the lubricating background is less than half. People with wider eyes and those taking dehydrating medicines are more at risk. Older women going through their menopause are also susceptible due to hormonal changes. Medicines like antidepressants, tranquillizers, oral contraceptives or those taken for blood pressure also increase the risk of dry eyes. Parkinson’s disease too can be cited as a cause.

While we are awake, our eyes produce a mixture of antibiotic lubricants. Blinking spreads these over the eye’s surface before draining into the two tear ducts openings. If the eye cannot make sufficient tears or the tears are too thinly spread or are chemically imbalanced, then they evaporate easily before the next blink. This causes dry spots causing sore eyes.

There are three layers of tears – the first is the mucous layer which serves as a bio-glue. It is formed by the secretion of tiny conjuctival cells in the white of the eye and inner lid. The second layer is called the aqueous layer which is produced by the lachrymal gland below the eyebrow and produces tears according to environmental conditions. When there is an irritant, extra tears are made in a reflex action to combat injury. Hence it is ironic to know that those suffering from dry eye syndrome experience watery eyes. The last layer is called the lipid layer which is oily and seals the tear film by preventing evaporation. The oily substance is derived from a gland along the edges of the eyelids. Blocked glands cause deficiency in tear lipids and dry eyes by excessive evaporation.

Usually, people understand that they are suffering from dry eye syndrome due to redness of eyes, itchiness, etc but it’s better to get it confirmed by the doctor as he is able to measure the tear production and how soon the tears evaporate.

This condition can be treated through artificial tears but it’s a temporary and short term cure that can actually worsen the dry eye condition in the long run. A more permanent cure would be to inject collagen or silicon plugs that can be inserted easily into the tear ducts which work like a plug in the drainage sink in the kitchen. These plugs prevent the tears from draining and hence the human tears are preserved. These can also be removed as easily as they are inserted under local anesthesia. This takes a short time in the clinic of the ophthalmologist.

Drinking eight to ten glasses of water daily, avoiding constant rubbing of eyes and blinking often helps to relieve the pain, stinging, itchiness, burning and intermittent blurring of vision that are some of the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

Unique Six Pack Abs Exercises For Flat Abs

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If you are looking for exercises that will help you develop a six pack, then you are in luck. This is because you will find not one, but 7 different types of exercises here that will all help you to build a nice set of abs. Let’s have a look at those exercises now:

1. Motivational exercises

Before you start with the actual exercises, you have to do exercises of another nature – motivational exercises. These include writing down your reasons for wanting to get a six pack and reading it twice a day and also to keep a visual reminder of your number one reason where you can see it often. You can also keep a picture of a model with abs that you would want at a place you can see often. Setting goals will also motivate you to achieve them – make sure to set exercise and diet goals.

2. Diet make over exercises

Your diet is also very important if you want to build a six pack. Do the following diet make over exercises:

  • Cupboards clearing – Rid your cupboards of all the unhealthy and cheat foods.
  • Food dairy – Keep a food dairy where you can write down everything you eat. This will help you to see where your eating habits are wrong.
  • Food frequency – Switch from 3 square meals to 6 smaller meals more often and make sure that your meals are super healthy.

3. Weight training

Weight training is the most important exercise when you want to build a six pack. This is because the act of muscle building (trough weight training) burns a lot of fat and it also boosts your metabolism so that you burn calories even in your sleep. Aim to exercise your upper and lower body at least 2 times a week for 45 minutes each.

4. Cardio

Cardio is also an important element for building flat abs. It burns a lot of calories and fat. Don’t waste your time on long hours of steady state cardio – it is actually bad for your abs. Rather focus on super effective cardio interval training. Aim to get 3 cardio interval training sessions in a week of 20 minutes each.

5. Abs exercises

Abs exercises are mentioned after the other exercises because it is not the best way to get a six pack (except when you have no tummy fat). When you do abs specific exercises, make sure that you exercise all the different muscles of the abs – the internal and external obliques and the upper and lower abs.

6. Stress relieving exercises

When you stress too much, your body produces excess cortisol that in return causes your body to store excess fat on the tummy area. To avoid that from happening, do some relaxing exercises like yoga and Pilates.

7. Free exercises

Free exercises helps you to burn off even more calories to help you lose body fat in order to see your abs. Anything like mowing your own lawn, taking the stirs instead of the lift and playing outside with your kids will help.

These exercises will help you to burn off excess calories and fat and will see that you develop a six pack abs. All you have to do is to implement all these exercises and be committed and dedicated to your goal.

High Protein Diets Are a Great Way to Meet Your New Years Resolution

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With 2011 just around the corner, many people are already making plans to “lose that extra weight” next year. However, many will give up on their resolution because following a diet is often hard and does not show instant results. Others may give up because the diet drains their energy. People wishing to lose weight, especially women, but not wanting to feel drained and lethargic should consider a high protein diet this year.

Isn’t A High Protein Diet All Meat?

A high protein diet does not necessarily mean that all you are going to do is eat meat and nothing else. It means that the bulk of the foods you consume each day will be protein-based. Protein rich foods include meat, many beans and legumes, nuts, peanut butter, eggs and Greek styled yogurt. Proteins are easily converted to energy and do not boost your insulin levels like high carbohydrate foods. This is especially important for women who have a tendency to be insulin resistant.

What Is Insulin Resistance And How Does Protein Help?

Insulin resistance occurs when your body cannot process the complex sugars you eat each day and automatically converts these sugars into fat storage. Protein, however, does not produce insulin, but converts to energy. With your body converting the food you intake into energy instead of fat, you will begin to lose weight. Also, during this process your body will start to recover from the insulin resistance and allow you to process complex carbohydrates better.

What Are Some Popular High Protein Diets On The Market?

The Adkins Diet is perhaps the most famous of these types of diets. However, The Protein Diet, The Flat Belly Diet and The Zone are all types of high protein diets that have been successful for countless people.

Are High Protein Diets Hard To Follow?

Just like any diet, a high protein diet takes some adjustment. If you often eat a doughnut for breakfast, making time to have an egg instead may require some more time on your part. This type of diet is about eating the foods that will cause your body to create energy and burn fat. You will need to get in the habit of eating specific foods by replacing your current choices. If you can make eating protein a habit, the diet will be a success.

Just remember: If you wake up one morning and eat a doughnut, the diet is not ruined. Finish the day eating on the diet and start your next day with the intention of completing the diet for the entire day. Through many failures comes success.

Type 2 Diabetes – Easy Ways to Prevent Diabetes From Ravaging Your Heart, Eyes and Nerves!

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In reality, Type 2 diabetes itself is no big deal. Other than roller coaster blood sugar levels making your head spin, diabetes isn’t a dangerous or life-altering disease in and of itself.

However, Type 2 diabetes and out-of-control blood sugar levels wreaks absolute havoc on nearly every one of your body’s systems. The likelihood of cardiovascular disease, cataracts and amputations shoots up in individuals with diabetes.

Obviously, the best way to keep these complications at bay is to manage your blood sugars as closely and as well as humanly possible. Research in the “Archives of Internal Medicine” found that diabetics who kept tabs on their blood sugar had half the rate of diabetic complications compared to those who simply let their blood sugar go wild.

In addition to that crucial strategy, here are some ways to limit the damage diabetes does to your body:

Olive Oil It: Olive oil is the flavorful oil that Italians and Greeks seem to put on just about everything. Research in the “Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences” found that olive oil had the unique ability to lower blood sugar levels in an animal model of diabetes. Also, olive oil is bursting with antioxidants that can reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

You can use olive oil as part of homemade salad dressing or to lightly sprinkle over grilled vegetables.

Fill Up on Fiber: If you’re diabetic, fiber is your friend. This doesn’t mean that you should simply “eat more” fiber. If you’re serious about cutting down your risk of diabetic complications then you need to dramatically increase your fiber intake. Research in “Diabetes Care” found that diabetics who ate 50 grams of fiber per day dramatically reduced their blood sugar levels.

Important for this discussion, the fiber also reduced blood pressure and “bad” LDL cholesterol – risk factors for diabetic complications like end stage renal disease and stroke. Fiber-rich foods to start eating today include black beans, broccoli and apples.

Get Enough Vitamins: With all the talk of fats and carbs, it’s easy to forget that vitamins and minerals are important for health and for controlling blood sugar levels. Certain vitamins and minerals, like chromium, magnesium and vitamin C, have been shown to boost insulin sensitivity. A study in “Diabetes Care” found that many diabetics with out of control blood sugar levels were deficient in at least one vitamin or mineral.

Also, vitamins like vitamin A and E are important for the health of your eyes – reducing the premature vision loss often found alongside diabetes.

You don’t need to mega dose on vitamins to notice a benefit. Simply eat a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and take a simple one-a-day vitamin.