What You Should Know Before You Start A Weight Loss Plan

"What You Should Know Before You Start A Weight Loss Plan"

The measurements that count :

Know your Body Mass Index (BMI)Over the past twenty years, Americans have become more familiar with specific measurements related to health, such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings. When it comes to weight-related health risks, there are three important numbers that you should know. The first is your actual weight in pounds; the second is your Body Mass Index, or BMI; and the third is your waist measurement.

Your BMI is based on your height and weight. Doctors consider BMI to be a better measure of health risk than your actual weight in pounds. In fact, the medical terms "overweight" and "obesity" are based on BMI values. A BMI of between 25 and 30 is defined as overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk of developing a weight-related illness, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

Physicians refer to certain measurements that provide valuable information about a patient’s condition as "vital signs." Standard vital signs include blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate and body temperature. The AAFP Panel on Overweight and Obesity recommends that the BMI become a new vital sign, to be recorded during routine visits to the doctors' office. That is because, like blood pressure, a BMI reading that is too high should be recognized and treated.

What is your BMI? Are you overweight or obese?

You can find out by using the BMI Calculator or BMI Chart . The same BMI scale applies to both men and women.

What is your waist circumference?

Body fat that accumulates in the stomach area (described as "abdominal obesity") is more of a health risk than body fat that builds up in the buttocks and thigh areas. For this reason, your waistline provides valuable information about your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Doctors consider a waist circumference too high if it is 40 inches or more in men, or 35 inches or more in women.

Like the BMI, the AAFP Panel on Overweight and Obesity recommends that the waist circumference be measured during routine check-ups. The proper location to measure the waist is at the smallest spot under the rib cage and above the belly button.

Consulting your doctor about controlling your weight:

Talk to your doctor about healthy eating and physical activities that can help you lose weight, improve your fitness and decrease the chances of developing heart disease, high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. Be sure to set realistic goals. Small changes can make a surprising difference in your health. Your doctor can offer practical suggestions that do not require a complete overhaul of your current way of life. In some cases, your physician may refer you to a nutrition specialist, such as a registered dietitian, for in-depth counseling about food choices. You may want to start the conversation by asking a few questions of your own. For example:

*Ask your doctor for any educational brochures on topics such as eating habits, counting calories or physical activity.
*Request to have your BMI measured and ask your doctor what it means with regard to your health status .
*Have your waist circumference measured and discuss the significance of the measurement with your doctor .
*Be prepared to describe your current diet and activity level and what changes might promote better health .
*Think about how much change you're willing to make before you visit your doctor .
*Ask if specialists are available on your health plan and in your area, such as dietitians or physical trainers .

What is Metabolic Syndrome?
A high waist circumference can be one sign of a condition called Metabolic Syndrome. Although most people have never heard of it, this syndrome is quite common; it affects about one out of every four adults in the United States. Metabolic Syndrome often progresses to type 2 diabetes—and treating the syndrome can help prevent this form of diabetes.

A person has Metabolic Syndrome if they have at least 3 of the 5 conditions listed in the table below. If you think you may have Metabolic Syndrome, it is important to discuss the possibility with your doctor so that you can undergo the appropriate diagnostic tests. Treatments for Metabolic Syndrome involve basic lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating a healthier diet, and increasing your activity level. Your doctor can help you develop a specific plan for making the necessary changes.

More Information on Metabolic Syndrome
Condition:

• Condition-Abdominal obesity(measured by waist circumference)
  Men: greater than 40 inches
  Women: greater than 35 inches

Treatment: Lifestyle Changes-

Weight loss
Increased physical activity

Practical Suggestions-

Cut 250 calories a day*; lose 1/2 pound a week; aim for losing 20 pounds in a year
30 minutes of moderate activity 5 days a week

• Condition-High blood pressure
  130/85 mm Hg or greater

Treatment: Lifestyle Change-Weight lossReduced salt intake
More fruits and vegetablesLow-fat dairy products

Practical Suggestions-Aim for 20-pound loss/yearSalt shaker off the table; no salt when cookingGet at least 5 servings/dayGet 3 glasses of skim milk, low-fat yogurt, cheese/day.

• Condition-High blood sugar after fasting
  110 mg/dL or greater

Treatment: Lifestyle Changes-Weight lossIncrease soluble fiber

Practical Suggestions-Aim for 20-pound loss/year*Replace white bread with brown bread, whole grains, cereals

*(For example: replacing two 2-ounce cans of sugar sweetened soda with a beverage sweetened with a sugar substitute, such as sucralose (SPLENDA®) can cut over 350 calories per day.)

How to get active?
Regular physical activity has been shown to help prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and other chronic conditions. It is important for maintaining good health in all adults and children, regardless of whether their weight is a problem or not. As the following suggestions make clear, lifestyle changes do not have to be drastic. Simple measures applied every day can make a significant difference over time. Here are a few examples:

1. Increase whatever physical activity you are currently doing by adding 10 minutes a day, or increase the intensity from low to moderate. (See the box below for an idea of different activity intensity levels.)


2. Limit time spent online, watching TV and playing video games to less than two hours total per day.


3. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.


4. Park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to your destination, rather than parking as close as possible. You can also get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.


5. Do more household chores (such as dusting, vacuuming or weeding).


6. Walk or run with the dog and/or the kids.


7. Use an exercise machine (such as a treadmill or bike) while watching TV.


8. Take "active" vacations—go hiking or ride bicycles.


9. Walk to do errands (such as to the grocery store or post office) instead of driving.


10. Buy a pedometer, which measures how many steps you take each day. Gradually increase your daily number of steps. (Pedometers can be purchased at sporting good stores.)


11. Don't be embarrassed about exercising!

How Active Are You?

"Moderate physical activity"

1. Walking a mile in 15-20 min (3-4 mph)


2. Treading water


3. Bicycling (10 mph)


4. Dancing or tai chi


5. Yard work/gardening


6. Hiking


7. Vacuuming


8. Playing actively with children

"Hard physical activity"

1. Walking or jogging (12 min/mile)


2. Swimming laps (light effort)


3. Bicycling (12 mph)


4. High impact aerobics


5. Mowing lawn with hand mower


6. Playing doubles tennis


7. Moving furniture


8. Weight lifting

"Very hard physical activity"

1. Jogging (<10>
   
2. Swimming laps (vigorous effort)


3. Bicycling (> 14 mph)


4. Step aerobics (6- to 8-in steps)


5. Digging a ditch


6. Playing singles tennis


7. Playing basketball or soccer


8. In-line skating

Some Medical Conditions that May Make it Difficult to

Lose Weight:

condition**

1.Hormonal disorders, Polycystic ovarian disease, Cushing's disease, Diabetes, Hypothyroidism
2.Congestive heart failure, Idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Heart valve disorders

3.Obstructive sleep apnea, Upper airway resistance syndrome,

4.Eating Disorders, Bulimia, Carbohydrate craving syndrome.

Medications that May Cause Weight Gain:

• Allergies:
  Antihistamines (such as Claritin, Allegra)


• High blood pressure:
  Alpha blockers (such as Hytrin, Cardura)Beta blockers (such as Betapace, Blocadren, Tenormin)Methyldopa (Aldoment).


• Contraception:
  Progestins (a component of certain oral contraceptives, such as Lo/Ovral and Ortho-Tri-Cylcen).


• Depression:
  Tricyclic antidepressants (such as Norpramin and Sinequan)


• Diabetes:
  InsulinSulfonylureas (such as Diabinese and Glucotrol).


• Epilepsy:
  Valproate (such as Depakene)


• Manic-depressive illness:
  Lithium (such as Eskalith and Lithobid)


• Schizophrenia:
  Neuroleptics (such as Zyprexa and Risperdal).

Can diet pills and supplements help with weight loss?

Although diet drugs may help you lose weight at first, they usually don't help you keep the weight off and may have damaging side effects. Most diet pills have not been tested by the Food and Drug Administration, which means you can't be sure if the drugs are safe. Taking drugs also does not help you learn how to change your eating and exercise habits. Making lasting changes in these habits is the way to lose weight and keep it off.

Perimenopausal Women and the Use of Very-Low-Dose Birth Control Pills

What is perimenopause?

Menopause is when your periods stop completely. Perimenopause is the term for the period "around the time of menopause." The perimenopausal years are the 3 to 5 years before your final period. The timing of actual menopause is different for each woman. Although some women stop having periods in their 30s, the average age is the early 50s. So, perimenopausal women are usually in their 40s or early 50s.

What are very-low-dose birth control pills?

Very-low-dose birth control pills (brand names: LoEstrin 1/20, Alesse) have less estrogen than regular birth control pills. These pills typically have 20 micrograms of estrogen, compared with 30 to 50 micrograms of estrogen in regular birth control pills.

Why would I use very-low-dose birth control pills during perimenopause?
If you're still having periods, very-low-dose birth control pills prevent pregnancy and may also have some health benefits. They can reduce hot flashes and vaginal dryness (which are symptoms of perimenopause and menopause). Very-low-dose birth control pills can also help regulate your periods if they are heavy or irregular. They may also prevent bone loss (which occurs during menopause), and helps protect you from osteoporosis. Another potential benefit is protection from cancer of the ovary and uterus. The lower dose of estrogen in these pills (compared to regular birth control pills) is believed to be safer for women who are perimenopausal.

Who should not take very-low-dose birth control pills?
Perimenopausal women who have a history of deep blood clots, breast cancer or heart disease should not take very-low-dose birth control pills. Perimenopausal women who smoke also should not take them.

How are very-low-dose birth control pills taken?
Very-low-dose birth control pills are taken the same way as other birth control pills, which is orally. They are usually started on the first Sunday after your period starts. If you're perimenopausal but you aren't having regular periods, you can probably take a hormone called medroxyprogesterone acetate (one brand name: Provera) to start your period. (Your doctor will check you for pregnancy first.)These pills are taken for 21 days in a row and then not taken for 7 days. During the 7 days without medicine, your period will start. Seven days later, you will start taking the very-low-dose birth control pills for another cycle.

Do very-low-dose birth control pills have any side effects?
The hormone doses in these pills are so low that most women do not experience side effects. You might have breast tenderness, nausea, higher blood pressure or headaches. It's also possible that these very-low-dose birth control pills may not regulate your periods. If you're having any abnormal bleeding, it might get worse. There is also evidence that estrogen slightly increases your risk of breast cancer, so you should talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

If I'm taking birth control pills, how will I know when menopause starts?
You and your doctor will decide together how long you should take this medicine. You can stop taking very-low-dose birth control pills any time. The decision to change from the low-dose birth control pills to estrogen replacement therapy or another type of treatment for menopause is usually made around the age of 49 to 52. Your doctor can also measure a hormone called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) to see if you're in menopause.Talk to your doctor to see if very-low-dose birth control pills might be a good idea for you during your perimenopausal years.

"IS IT YOGA?"

Is it yoga??????

I don’t think it’s a big secret that my passion is yoga. The asana, the pranayama, the meditation, the focus, the self discovery, the divine connection, I eat it up. My view of what yoga actually is comes from study and practice, and it’s mostly a classical one. So when I was checking out the latest yoga news, I ran across a rather different approach to yoga that intrigued me. YogaSlackers are a group of yoga practitioners who practice their asanas not on a mat, but suspended on a piece of 1” flat, stretchy tubular webbing (like rock climbers use) tensioned between two anchor points above the ground.

"YOGA FOR ARTHITIS"

This excellent book covers the therapeutic applications of yoga for all types of arthritic conditions. The excellent overview of the pathology of arthritis, and the brief introduction to the therapeutic benefits of yoga, sets the foundation for the rest of the book, which is organized primarily by the effected joint. Each joint is addressed in detail with a list of poses that activate and benefit the joint, and each chapter ends with a table summarizing the poses intensity and actions on the joint. Many of the yoga poses utilize modifications with props (primarily chairs and straps) and have two stages to work with to suit all levels of ability.

The detailed step-by-step instructions for the yoga poses are illustrated with numerous photographs and illustrations, making it easy to see and understand the described exercises. The thoroughness and depth of this book make it an essential resource for yoga teachers and therapists, as well as being an invaluable tool for the understanding and healing of arthritis for those effected with this disease.

Purchase Yoga for Arthritis by Fishman and Saltonstall

"127 Foods That Fight Fat"

127 Foods That Fight Fat


Weight loss starts with shopping. Taking control of what you eat begins with taking control of what you buy.
Every time you toss a low-calorie food into the cart, you're taking responsibility for losing weight—even before you sit down to a meal.
There's a very simple formula for low-calorie eating: Stock up on low-calorie staples. These are the basic packaged, canned, and frozen ingredients that you'll reach for to create tasty, healthful, low-calorie meals anytime.
The Picture Perfect Anytime List is a menu of the lowest-calorie produce, soups, sauces, condiments, marinades, dressings, dips, candies, desserts, and beverages available. Stuff your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer with them, and reach for them anytime. Feel free to go to the foods on the Anytime List when you want a snack or are planning a meal. Eat any amount of them for any reason. When the Anytime List becomes the core of your eating—in other words, the main dish around which you build your meals—you'll have no trouble staying thin for life.


The Anytime List

Fruits and vegetables :
All fruits and vegetables—raw, cooked, fresh, frozen, canned—belong on the Picture Perfect Anytime List. Avoid any packaged fruits that have added sugar. Otherwise, the more fruits and vegetables you eat, the better.

Soups:
You've heard of value for your money. Soups give you very good value for the calories. They are filling; a bowl of soup can be an entire meal. They are satisfying. For many people, they are more satisfying than raw vegetables, while many give you all the benefits of veggies (if you choose the soups chock full of vegetables). They are inexpensive, convenient, easy, and quick to make. Soups don't make you feel like you're on a diet. Above all, soups are versatile. They can serve as a snack, as part of a meal, or as a cooking ingredient.

Sauces, Condiments, and Marinades :
Put the following items at the very top of your shopping list. They're invaluable for adding flavor, moisture, texture, and versatility to every food and every meal.
Salad dressings: oil-free or low-calorie (light or lite)
Mayonnaise: fat-free or light
Sour cream and yogurt: fat-free, plain, or with NutraSweet (or low-fat nondairy substitutes)
Mustards: Dijon, Pommery, and others
Tomato puree, tomato paste, and tomato sauce
Clam juice, tomato juice, V8 juice, and lemon or lime juice
Butter Buds or Molly McButter
Cooking sprays (such as Pam) in butter, olive oil, garlic, or lemon flavors
Vinegars: balsamic, cider, wine, tarragon, and others
Horseradish: red and white
Sauces: salsa, cocktail sauce, tamari, soy sauce, A1, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, duck sauce, chutney, relish, and others
Onion: fresh, juice, flakes, and powder
Garlic: fresh, juice, flakes, and powder
Herbs: any and all, including basil, oregano, tarragon, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, dill, chives, sage, and bay leaves
Spices: any and all, including cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cumin, nutmeg, coriander, curry, paprika, and allspice
Extracts: vanilla, almond, peppermint, maple, coconut, cocoa powder, and others.

Dressings and Dips :
I recommend fat-free or light dressings and dips. The light category—low-fat, reduced-fat, and low-calorie—is midway between totally fat-free and regular, and it's often more pleasing to the palate than fat-free. Dressings can be used as all-purpose condiments, dips, toppings, even cooking liquids. They already contain a mixture of ingredients, so just slather them on vegetables, seafood, and pretty much anything else. Or cook with them to make up for the lack of butter or oil. I recommend keeping several varieties of dressings and dips on hand, including at least one creamy version. Try brushing a light creamy dressing on seafood, then broiling; the dressing adds moisture and flavor.

Candy:
Yup, candy. The real thing—not the dietetic variety—is best when your sweet tooth starts aching. Dietetic candies have almost as many calories as regular candies, often lack flavor, and are an incentive to eat more. Stick to the real thing.
Chewing gum or gum balls: any and all
Hard candy: any and all, including sour balls, candy canes, lollipops such as Tootsie Pops or Blow Pops, Jolly Ranchers, Werther's Original, and TasteTationsYup, candy. The real thing—not the dietetic variety—is best when your sweet tooth starts aching. Dietetic candies have almost as many calories as regular candies, often lack flavor, and are an incentive to eat more. Stick to the real thing.
*Chewing gum or gum balls:
any and all
*Hard candy: any and all, including sour balls, candy canes, lollipops such as Tootsie Pops or Blow Pops, Jolly Ranchers, Werther's Original, and TasteTations.

Frozen Desserts :
Any fat-free frozen yogurt, frozen nondairy substitute, or sorbet is a fine addition to the freezer. Try the lower-calorie choices. Here are some examples:
Soft serve: up to 25 calories per ounce, including Skimpy Treat; TCBY, Colombo nonfat frozen yogurt, and Tofutti
Hard pack: up to 115 calories per 1/2-cup serving, including Sharon's Sorbet, Low-Fat Tofutti, all Italian ices, and Sweet Nothings
Frozen bars: Creamsicles, Fudgsicles, and Popsicles; any others containing up to 45 calories per bar, including Welch's Fruit Juice Bars, Weight Watchers Smart Ones Orange Vanilla Treats, Tofutti Chocolate Fudge Treats, Weight Watchers Smart Ones Chocolate Mousse, Dolly Madison Slender Treat Chocolate Mousse, and Yoplait
Individually packaged frozen bars: up to 110 calories each, including FrozFruit, Hagen-Dazs bars, and Starbucks Frappuccino Blended Coffee Bars .

Beverages :
Avoid beverages labeled "naturally sweetened" or "fruit-juice sweetened," but help yourself to these:
Unsweetened black coffees and teas
Diet teas and juices: Crystal Light, Diet Snapple, Diet Natural Lemon Nestea, Diet Mistic, and others
Noncaloric flavored waters: orange, chocolate, cream, cherry-chocolate, root beer, cola, and other flavors of bottled or filtered water
Seltzer: plain or flavored, but check the calorie count if the product is labeled "naturally sweetened," since this usually means that the product has sugar in one form or another
Hot cocoa mixes: 20 to 50 calories per serving, including Swiss Miss Diet and Fat-Free and Nestle Carnation Diet and Fat-Free; avoid cocoa mixes with 60 or more calories per serving.

Let's Go Shopping :
Today's supermarkets are filled with choices for the weight conscious. Here are some of the lowest-calorie choices for a variety of food categories that aren't covered in the Anytime List.

Cereals :
Cheerios: a whole grain cereal with 110 calories and 3 g fiber per cup
Kellogg's All-Bran with Extra Fiber: 50 calories and 15 g fiber per 1/2 cup
Original Shredded Wheat: 80 calories and 2.5 g fiber per biscuit
Fiber One: 60 calories and 14 g fiber per 1/2 cup
Wheaties: 110 calories and 2 g fiber per cup
Whole Grain Total: 110 calories and 3 g fiber per 3/4 cup.

Understanding Cholesterol (Heart Basics #5)

Understanding Heart Disease (Heart Basics )

" Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias (For Home Health)"

"Coffee Drinkers Might Live Longer "

Good news for coffee lovers:

Drinking up to six cups a day of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee daily won't shorten your life span, a new study shows.

In fact, coffee might even help the heart, especially for women, the researchers found.

"Our results suggest that long-term, regular coffee consumption does not increase the risk of death and probably has several beneficial effects on health," said lead researcher Dr. Esther Lopez-Garcia, assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Autonoma University in Madrid, Spain.
Her team published its findings in the June 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Lopez-Garcia stressed that the findings may only hold true only for healthy folk. "People with any disease or condition should ask their doctor about their risk, because caffeine still has an acute effect on short-term increase of blood pressure," she said.

In the study, the Spanish team looked at the relationships between coffee drinking and the risks of dying from heart disease, cancer, or any cause in almost 42,000 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and more than 84,000 women who had participated in the Nurses' Health Study. At the study start, all participants were free of heart disease and cancer.

The participants completed questionnaires every two to four years, including information about their coffee drinking, other dietary habits, smoking and health conditions. The research team looked at the frequency of death from any cause, death due to heart disease, and death due to cancer among people with different coffee-drinking habits, comparing them to those who didn't drink the brew. They also controlled for other risk factors, including diet, smoking and body size.

The researchers found that women who drank two or three cups of caffeinated coffee daily had a 25 percent lower risk of death from heart disease during the follow-up (from 1980 to 2004) than non-drinkers. Women also had an 18 percent lower death risk from a cause other than cancer or heart disease compared with non-coffee drinkers.

For men, drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily was a "wash" -- not associated with either an increased or a decreased risk of death during the follow up, from 1986 to 2004.

More recently, research has found coffee drinking linked with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers, and preventing the development of cardiovascular disease, Lopez-Garcia said.

some compounds, such as the antioxidants found in coffee, may be healthy.

Galier's advice for consumers: "I would tell them to weigh the subjective risk of their coffee consumption," he said. For instance, "if they love coffee, but it makes them jittery, and they can't sleep, the need to adjust it," he said. "Look at your symptoms," he tells patients. "If decaf is no problem, I wouldn't put a limit on that."

The research was funded by grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

" LIVING WITH ASTHMA "

Asthma & coffee

Theophylline, a bronchodilator, is a drug frequently used in the treatment of asthma. Since caffeine is chemically similar to theophylline, could caffeine also work to dilate the airway passages in the lung?

The study: Researchers looked at all the published clinical trials studying the use of oral caffeine to treat asthma. They analysed only clinical trials that compared patients taking oral caffeine to those taking a placebo and evaluated the effect on lung function. Two studies used a 'low' caffeine dose of 5 mg per kg of body weight and four studies used a 'high' dose of 6-10 mg per kg of body weight. The average amount of caffeine per cup of coffee is between 30mg and 150 mg.

The results: Six methodologically sound trials with a total of 55 patients were included in this review. All found that oral caffeine improved lung function measured by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF). FEV1 showed a small improvement up to two hours after caffeine. Mid-expiratory flow rates also showed a small improvement with caffeine and this was sustained for up to four hours. Adverse effects observed in patients taking high doses of caffeine were tremor, nervousness, agitation and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

The conclusion: The authors of this review of the literature found that caffeine was mildly effective in improving airway function. Results were so consistent that they felt asthmatics should avoid caffeine for 4 hours before any lung function test. However, they conclude that there is not enough evidence to determine if this improvement in lung function will reflect in improvements of asthma symptoms and quality of life.

"THE OXFORD CENTER FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES"

" ISLAMIC STUDIES"

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies provides a meeting point between the Islamic and Western worlds of learning. Through good scholarship it promotes a more informed understanding of Islam - its culture and civilisation.

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is a Recognised Independent Centre of the University of Oxford. It was established in 1985 to encourage the scholarly study of Islam and the Islamic world. HRH The Prince of Wales is the Patron of the Centre, which is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of scholars and statesmen from different parts of the world, alongside representatives of the University of Oxford.

The Centre is committed to the advancement of academic excellence in teaching, research and publication. Its outreach activities sustain dialogue and promote mutual understanding at national and international levels.

"St.Martin Island"

St.Martin's Island in Bangladesh

St. Martin's Island is a small island in the northeast part of the Bay of Bengal, about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula, and forming the southernmost part of Bangladesh. It is the only coral island in Bangladesh. The local name of the island is "Narical Gingira", also spelled "Narikel Janjina/Jinjera", translated from Bangla, meaning 'Coconut Island'.

St. Martin's Island has become a popular tourist spot. Currently, three shipping liners run daily trips to the island. They are Kutubdia, Sea-Truck and Keary-Sindbad. Tourists can book their trip either from Chittagong or from Cox's Bazar. The surrounding coral reef of the island has an extension named Chera Dwip.

In the past 5 years St. Martin's visitor population has increased dramatically. While this situation has proven very well for the islanders' pockets, it is killing the actual natural beauty of the island.

Pieces of the coral reef are being removed in order to be sold to tourists. Nesting turtles are sometimes taken for food, and their hatchlings are often distracted by the twinkling lights along the beach. Species of fish, a few just recently discovered, are being overfished. Every year the fishermen must venture further out to sea to get their catch. Most of them use motorless boats.

At high tide the island is about 3 miles around, and pinched in the middle. The island exists only because of its coral base, so removal of that coral risks erosion of the beaches. St. Martins has lost roughly 25% of its coral reef in the past 7 years.

"NATURAL PAIN RELIEF TECHNIQUES"

Natural Pain Relief Techniques

We all experience pain for a reason but on many occasions it is a warning for us to discontinue something we are doing. Pain can come from any type of injury, illness or condition but it is then our job to locate where the pain is originating from to stop it. Sometimes, however, pain isn't dealt with so easily and it remains with us despite all efforts to banish it.

This is called 'chronic' pain and is distinguishable from 'acute' pain by its persistence and common examples of chronic pain include backaches, migraine headaches, and arthritis. Untold millions of people suffer from chronic pain and despite medicines best efforts there is no way currently to eliminate or prevent the cause of it. Often the cause of chronic pain is actually cured but the nerves still believe the condition is still present and the pain will often become the condition itself.

Unfortunately, prescription medication, which is the normal way to deal with the pain, can become ineffective over prolonged periods requiring higher doses and the chance of dangerous side effects increase; now people are turning to wards more natural pain relief methods. One natural pain relief treatment that has been used for many thousands of years is acupuncture. Using tiny needles inserted into the body at specific locations, acupuncture is a well recognized traditional Chinese Medicine.

Patients with conditions like severe back pain, migraines and arthritis claim it makes their condition much more bearable and relieves pain more than any conventional treatment they have used. Herbal remedies are another time-tested alternative to conventional therapies, providing natural pain relief to sufferers without many of the unwanted side effects of conventional medicines. For the reduction in arthritic pain, Emu oil can be used and people with scarring pain can try vitamin E; these are just two natural pain relief remedies of the many available.

Although they take longer to build up sufficiently in the system to provide any pain relief the greatest benefit is that everything that enters the system is perfectly natural and will not harm it. Although it may sound like well-worn advice, perhaps the best advice is to avoid the need for natural pain relief is to take care of yourself by getting proper nutrition and eating fewer processed foods but increasing fruit, vegetable, and whole grain consumption. People often underestimate the need for proper sleep and disregard any advice on regular exercise like walking and refraining from using the elevator to use the stairs, both of which are good for the heart.

About the Author:
After decades of documented studies, doctors have been using and recommended self hypnosis as a highly beneficial and long-lasting natural remedy for pain relief. Some of the best hypnosis cds for pain relief were created precisely for this.

NOW HIV- TEST AT YOUR HOME

"Home HIV testing with fast and reliable result"

HIV Self Test Kit - FAST, Accurate result in 15 minutes!

The HIV Self Test Kit is a test to determine the presence of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in Human Blood. HIV Self Test Kit is the same test approved for and used in hospitals and clinics nationwide to test for HIV.

How to use:

You stick your finger with the one-time use lancet and allow one drop of blood to fall into the sample well. Then 2 drops of a developer solution are added. Over the next few minutes, your blood migrates up into the test area. If your blood contains the antibody to HIV (present only if you have been exposed to and infected by HIV), it will attach at an area marked "T" for "test". A pink line appears to show that this has occurred. If there is no pink line next to "T", then there is no HIV detected in the blood at this HIV testing. The overall accuracy is 99.6%.

" FIGHT FOR HUNGRY CHILD"

Help stop hunger in schools

Exhibition of paintings from Bangladesh's thirty leading painters donated in support of the noble cause to
“Help Stop Hunger in Schools
(Tk. 131 or US$2 can feed a child in school for a month)

Funds generated from the sale of these paintings will go to the United Nations World Food Programmes’s (WFP) School Feeding Programme, where Tk. 131 or US$2 can feed a child in school for a month.

Some people of Bangladesh buying these invaluable paintings of the country’s leading painters and express their solidarity with the great cause to end child hunger by 2015.

If u want to donate; so please contact:

WFP Office in Bangladesh:Tel: +880 2 8116344; +880 2 8116348

Fax: +880 2 8113147

STRAWBERRY

Strawberry Tree - Arbutus sp.
General information: Most often seen as a multi-stemmed, rounded, evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 8 to 15 feet in height with an equal spread. Strawberry Tree is capable of reaching 20 to 25 feet in height, and makes a very attractive specimen tree when pruned to a short, single trunk. The trees take on a picturesque, somewhat twisted appearance over time, and exhibit dark, red/brown, flaking and shreddy bark accompanied by the lush, dark green, leathery, red-stemmed leaves. Growth rate is slow so trees over 20 feet tall are rare. Arbutus species are quite rare in bonsai use, but they adapt well to pot culture. The strawberry tree is an old European native, presumably brought by the Romans from the Mediterranean to England, while the madrone is an American native.

Family: Ericaceae

Lighting: Part shade, part sun, full sun, although some afternoon shade in midsummer may be necessary to prevent leaf scorch.

Temperature: The tree is hardy in zones 8B through 11. The strawberry tree should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing when used for bonsai.

Watering: Light to moderate, increasing during the heat of summer.

Feeding: Every 20-30 days from early spring-midautumn, breaking for a month in midsummer. Miracid is recommended.

Pruning and wiring: Prune new shoots back to 2-3 leaves during growth. Prune above a leaf facing in the direction you want new growth to extend. The flexible branches make wiring easy, although the bark will need to be protected. Wire from spring-autumn.

Propagation: By seed. Needs three months cold treatment, then requires an additional three months to germinate. I'm still waiting.

Repotting: Arbutus prefers an acid soil (although unlike most ericaceous plants, it can tolerate lime). 70-80% organic matter is recommended in the soil mix, with only 20-30% inorganic mater such as sand, grit or turface. However, a fast-draining soil is also preferred, so To achieve proper aeration of the soil, bark might be a useful soil component. Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. If the root pruning is drastic, removing all the leaves is suggested.

Pest and diseases: There are no significant pests or diseases affecting this species.