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obesity is on the rise; more and more of us should shout out "No thank you, I do not want any fries with my meal. obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her height. BMI, a standard measure to determine obesity, is calculated using weight and height.

A BMI of more than 25 is considered overweight, and more than 30 is obese. obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might tip the balance include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active.

The bad news

Being obese increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, eye disease and some cancers.

The good news

If you are obese, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases.

Blame it on Mom

A study by Dr. Mary Beth Terry at Columbia University in New York City of a group of 261 women born between 1959 and 1965 found that the amount of weight a woman's mother gained during pregnancy influenced her risk of being overweight at age 20 with every 10-pound increase in weight gain associated with a 65 percent greater likelihood of being overweight.

But maternal pregnancy weight gain had no effect on whether or not a woman would be overweight at age 40, suggesting that current environmental factors had a greater influence.

Mom's body mass index, as well as her own birth weight, also influenced the likelihood that the daughter would be overweight at age 20, but not at age 40.

Rapid weight gain between one and seven years of age was the only factor to influence obesity risk at both time points.

Given that people today are heavier than they were four decades ago, and that women tend to gain more weight during pregnancy (averaging 30.5 pounds in 2003), compared to 22 pounds in the early 1960s), "these trends all point to dramatic long-term consequences for the prevalence of overweight in adulthood", Terry and her team note.

Nevertheless, she added in an interview, the finds should not be interpreted as discouraging women from gaining enough weight during pregnancy. "Having a healthy weight gain and having a healthy size baby at birth is very important for reducing infant mortality." Terry said. obesity Linked to Eye Disease

OVERWEIGHT people are urged to shape up or risk losing their eye sight. Source: The "Daily Record" in Glasgow, UK

Scientists have found a link between obesity and a range of eye problems, including glaucoma, which can lead to blindness.

They say it is common knowledge that expanding waistlines are linked to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

now opticians warn the prospect of eye disease should also be a powerful incentive to lose weight.

Professor Michael Belkin, professor of ophthalmology at Tel Aviv University in Israel, found a link between obesity and four eye diseases that cause blindness, age-related eye degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and retinopathy.

"While this is something that most ophthalmologists know, it's not common knowledge and it should be."

"It's the risk factor that no one talks about."

BMI and colon cancer

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For men, the risk of colon cancer increases with body weight in a nearly linear manner, a study shows. For women, the risk is more variable but still trends upward, particularly for those younger than age 67.

The findings highlight the importance of weight control for colon cancer prevention, Dr. kenneth F. Adams, of the national Institutes of health in Rockville, maryland, and colleagues conclude in a report in the American journal of Epidemiology.

They examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and colorectal cancer incidence in 307,708 men and 209,436 women enrolled in the NIH-AARP diet and health Study.

Plume Apparition is a wordsmith. You can learn more at http://www.martialarts3000.com

posted by 46124  # 9:55 PM 0 comments

stress levels around the world are on the rise. In order to deal with this, relaxation and stress reduction therapies have sprung up from everywhere. Yoga instruction is no longer just a fringe population idea. It is now a mainstream fitness methodology. Yoga certifications are now available from many places in north America. As a result of this, yoga instructors are now available everywhere. Each gym now offers yoga classes from certified yoga instructors. Its time we understood what this is all about and where we are going with respect to the fitness industry.

The word yoga is a sanskrit word meaning joining or union. What are we joining? The human being consists of several entities commonly referred to as body-mind-spirit. An integrated human being is the goal of yoga. We are joining the different pieces of the human being to make an integrated, holistic being that is attuned to one goal. The body, mind and spirit are all integrated with a common attitude and viewpoint. This is different from the state of being where the body wants to satisfy one need and the mind another and the spirit yet a third. This is the state during which mental storms occur and the body responds in turn with a manifestation of that mental vortex.

Yoga seeks to align the human being using its own tool of breathing. When we breathe rhythmically, our body is more in tune with itself. We function better as an integrated being in a holistic way. Yoga was invented in India, about 5000 years ago, precisely to achieve the goal of integration. When our being is aligned our interaction with the world will be more efficient. We perform better at work and in our home life. Rela-tionships become easier. This is what yoga achieves.

In India, yoga is taught and researched as a science at a place in Bangalore called the swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusamdhana Samsthan (SVYASA). This means Yoga Research institute. One can obtain intensive instruction in yoga and therapy techniques using yoga. Recently, I completed a month long certificate course for yoga instructors at this institute. The yoga that is taught here is not just about the physical poses. The idea of yoga from the original meaning is to really integrate the whole human being. This involves all of our activities in life. We must be aligned and integrated during all of our tasks during the day. All of our activies can be divided into several broad categories. All actions like going to work, eating breakfast are classified as Karma yoga. All philosophical discussions are classified under Jnana yoga. Any devotional activities such as the singing of hymns or prayers are considered part of Bhakti yoga. The physical poses of Western ideas of yoga are a part of Raja yoga, which includes other methods for gaining mastery over the physical body. This is the original concept of yoga from India and is taught in that form at the SVYASA institute.

The institute is named after swami Vivekananda who was a monk and scholar of Indian philosophy. In 1893, swami Vivekananda was invited to speak at the Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago, on the topic of Hinduism. His speech became famous for explaining the unity of religions as many paths to God, and that Hinduism in its original sense encompassed that view. swami Vivekananda wanted the Western world to understand Indian spirituality in the correct view, as a synthesis of the four types of yoga, which ultimately leads to the goal of spiritual evolution. SVYASA is dedicated to the education and research of yoga in this context. The school retains strict attention to the original sources of yoga from sanskrit scripture.

The teaching styles of the school and environmental factors do not cater to the Western lifestyle. Those who come from abroad must acclimatize themselves to the pure Indian way. Meals are served on the floor and must be eaten using the hands. Vegetarian Indian food is served. No cutlery is provided. Footwear must be left outside of all classes. Be prepared to literally be on your feet for long amounts of time. While the majority of the students are comfortably able to sit on the floor during the long lecture sessions, chairs are available for those who will not be able to survive in that position. The philosophy of discipline is everywhere, starting from the boot camp like nature of the roll call before each session. Students who miss a portion of the attendance will not receive their certificate. Attendance is considered a very important factor of the study. In addition, a strict code of uniforms is enforced. Women must wear the Indian dress of salwaar kameez, which is a tunic, and pant set made of 100% cotton. This dress could be modified to be more forgiving for yoga poses. Men must wear loose fitting track pants and t-shirt. This is more conducive to rigorous physical activity. It must be noted that everywhere the students of the yoga instructors course can be identified by their uniform.

As attendance is strict, so is the keeping of students on the grounds. While exceptions can be made for justifiable reasons, students cannot usually leave the campus for any reason after the start of the course. The campus is 32 km north of the major city of Bangalore. Fortunately, Bangalore boasts many amenities including an international airport. The city of Bangalore itself is very multicultural. One can find the modern world mixed with the original flavour of India everywhere. The SVYASA institute has a city office in Bangalore from where a bus is arranged to take travellers to its campus outside the city in a place called Geddallahalli. The name of the campus is Prashanti Kutiram, which means abode of peace. While the name is very amenable to yoga studies, I found that one needs to practice yoga in sincerity to find the true peace, which is only inside the human being.

A variety of personal interests and professional paths have led the author to her current role as a personal trainer and lifestyle consultant with over 20 years experience. Siva is an author, lecturer and Can-Fit-Pro certified personal trainer who specializes in body-mind-spirit consulting and training women. Currently she is writing a book entitled body, Mind, and Spirit fitness, which discusses her particular style of training the complete being, rather than just the physical body.

Siva is a yoga instructor, an expert on East Indian Philosophy and teacher of sanskrit. She holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of toronto and has balanced her time between personal training and engineering for over 20 years. In February 2005, Siva spent an intensive month studying a course for Yoga Instructors, at the swami Vivekananda Yoga institute in Bangalore, India to further her interest in yoga as a science of holistic living and not merely as yoga postures.

For more information on yoga visit http://www.getshanti.com

posted by 46124  # 7:50 PM 0 comments

Using vitamin C products beyond recommended the limits may cause stomachaches and diarrhea. Even though the body would only use as much as it needs of the vitamin, vitamin C Overdose can hinder metabolic activities in the body.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C in nonsmoking adults is 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men. For smokers, the RDAs are 110 mg per day for women and 125 mg per day for men. A dose of 200 milligrams daily is almost enough to maximize plasma and lymphocyte levels.

Higher levels of vitamin C are needed when under environmental stress such as trauma, fever or infection. Full saturation is reached with daily intakes of 200-500 mg per day (in 2-3 divided doses). This is a water-soluble protein, and anything in excess is excreted by the body. vitamin C Overdose can cause diarrhea, gas, or stomach upset. Other side effects could be stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea, and an increased risk of developing kidney stones. Large amounts of vitamin C reduce body levels of copper, an essential nutrient. people with iron overload diseases must avoid vitamin C Overdose, as it increases iron absorption. Special medical advice must be taken by individuals who have kidney stones. If a pregnant mother takes 6,000 mg of vitamin C, the baby may develop rebound scurvy due to a sudden drop in daily intake. Hemochromatosis patients should not take vitamin C due to enhanced accumulation of non-heme iron in the presence of this vitamin.

Vitamin C provides detailed information about vitamin C, benefits of vitamin C, topical vitamin C, vitamin C creams and more. vitamin C is the sister site of Frequent Sinus Infections.

posted by 46124  # 3:51 PM 0 comments

Who does not know about the Playstation 2? The best of the lot, a major player among the sixth generation video game consoles, the Playstation 2 was introduced by Sony Corporation in Japan in 2000. Today it is the most popular amongst all the video game consoles belonging to the sixth generation of the video game consoles.

Succeeding the fifth generation Playstation, Playstation 2 comes with some whooping accessories along with the video game console. Let me name a few accessories with their USPs. The DUALSHOCK 2 analog controller comes with pressure sensitive buttons. This hand controlled joystick features comparatively larger L2 and R2 and better vibration mode; is quite basic and easy to use. The cordless logitech Controller allows you to get into action as per your will. If you have developed your tastes for the numerous online games; then why do not you go for the most sought after logitech NetPlay Controller? With added provisions for chatting and playing at the same time, this key-board-joystick is something you would like to add to your wish list.

The S video cable and the Component AV cable give you the opportunity to get the best visual graphics with high resolution and an astounding picture quality. However the most path breaking and highly acclaimed accessory that Playstation 2 is equipped with is the Network Adaptor. Specially designed to support online games, this accessory allow the player to play against a player who might be sitting in another continent. The players reach the highest state of their adrenaline flow with the fast paced, action packed gameplays. The hardware accessories also include usb mouse and the usb headset along with dvd remote controller. The usb mouse is a standard for PC compatible games; whereas the dvd remote controller works wireless and also adds new dimensions to the dvd quality. Other accessories include the AV connection cable, the horizontal and the vertical stand etc. The 8 MB memory card of the Playstation 2 you to store innumerable data of your game statistics.

Apart from the gameplay quality, the graphics, the characters in the game and features, accessories are the prime features of the video game console that draws the attention of a potential purchaser or user. The Sony Playstation 2 accessories are the USPs of Playstation 2 consoles, which made it the most sought after among all the video game consoles of the sixth generation.

posted by 46124  # 5:04 AM 0 comments

niagara Falls, sometimes referred to as the Canadian Falls, draw tourists by the thousands each year to catch a glimpse of the stunning view of the falls, making it one of the most well-known and famous waterfalls in the world. The falls are situated right on the border of Canada and the United States. Further, the name Niagara Falls may at first be deceiving to people who have never visited the falls as it sounds as if it only refers to one waterfall. In essence, Niagara Falls is actually a total of three falls: the American Falls, the Bridal Falls and the Veil falls. This immense water feature allows the passage of well over 160,000 cubic meters of water to topple over its immense crest line every sixty seconds!

Best Time to Visit Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls and the surrounding area is an area that is exposed to a variety of weather. All four seasons occur in Niagara Falls because the area is roughly equal distance from the equator as is the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Thus, Niagara Falls experiences cold winters, and balmy springs and equally warm summers. Finally, autumn is a fantastic time to tour the Niagara Falls regionthe landscape and changing leaves make for a truly memorable experience.

The coldest temperatures in Niagara Falls occur during the months of early November to late March: in November the temperature ranges from 22 degrees Fahrenheit to 47 degrees Fahrenheit, while the month of March displays similar temperatures anywhere from 30 degrees Fahrenheit to nearly 43 degrees Fahrenheit. January is typically the coldest of all months, with low temperatures averaging around 15 degrees Fahrenheit and highs peaking right around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is typical and abundant during the winter months in Niagara Falls.

spring, especially in the time period between late March and mid-May, offers a mixture of mild to brisk temperature changes, as does the months of September through October. In striking contrast, the summers are comfortable enough in Niagara Falls that tourists can feel comfortable in casual shorts and short-sleeved shirts. In late May temperatures begin to warm considerably, averaging just about 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the months of June through August offer temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

No matter what the weather in Niagara Falls, no matter what the season, it is imperative that you are prepared for the weather. If you plan on visiting the falls, they should also make sure they have a change of clothing or they may even want to bring some rain gear along. Windy days can move the splashing water about and tourists often get wet while viewing the falls.

Traveling Around the Niagara Falls Area
Taxi services are available while staying in Niagara Falls. The taxi service is available 24 hours a day and tourists can be picked up when they arrive at the airport. Further, handicapped accessible vehicles are available upon request. Taxi rates vary depending upon destination, but taxis will transport you to all of the main attractions in the region.

Shuttle buses are another transportation choice for tourists, and there is an equal diversity in the various routes offered by shuttle bus companies. Places that can be visited via shuttle bus transportation include the American Falls, Casino Niagara, the Clifton Hill Amusement Area, Garner Road, Great Gorge, the Horseshoe Falls, the IMAX Theatre, Lundys Lane, Lundy's Lane Historical Museum, the Niagara Whirlpool, The Skylon Tower, and the Spanish Aero car just to name a few fantastic destinations.

tours Available at Niagara Falls
If you are visiting Niagara Falls for the first time you might want to take advantage of the numerous tours available. From guided to self-guided tours, you are bound to find a tour offered with a variety of services which include bus tours, limo tours, boat tours, and walking tours all available while visiting the Niagara Falls region.

Limo tours
Tourists can explore the Niagara Falls region in style when they book one of several limo tours available. View the citys sites while riding in a climate controlled limo. Some touring packages even offer picnic options to tourists. Further, tourists viewing the sites in Niagara Falls can choose their destination: check out great places like Buffalo, Lewiston, the Lower Niagara River, and Niagara on the lake, Old Fort Niagara and toronto during a stay in Niagara Falls.

bus tours
bus tours offer site seeing opportunities equal to those of limo tours. Depending on the package you select, you can take a ride on the world famous Maid in the Mist, and see fantastic sites like the Dufferin Islands, the International Control Dams, the Marineland in Niagara, the Niagara Parks Greenhouses, the Old Marooned Scow, the Sir Harry Oakes Estate and the toronto Power Plant. Some bus touring packages even have sight-seeing opportunities that include the Angel Inn, the Apothecary Museum, Fort George, Fort Niagara, the Shaw Theatre and the Old Town Clock.

Walking tour
Walking, self-guided tours can be taken any time at the Whirlpool Park. A walking tour along the hiking trails in Whirlpool Park takes roughly three hours to complete. One final note: some tours are only offered on a seasonal basis.

Night Life
You will certainly want to take advantage of the nightly entertainment available at Niagara Falls area. Music, dancing, exhibits, shows, and plenty of cultural activities are in abundance in this region.

Clifton Hills, ontario
From night time miniature golf games at the Dinosaur Park to unbelievable sites at the Ripleys Believe or Not Museum, Clifton Hill is the place to visit when looking for diversity in terms of entertainment. You can catch a movie, play video games in a fantastic arcade; bowl a game or two; or watch your favorite television show on one of several big screen televisions. Other attractions offered at Clifton Hill include an all star wax museum and a number of thrill rides!

Meanwhile, for those looking for a little music, the Caf Etclocated at 462 Third Street in Niagara Falls, New York offers live jazz entertainment every weekend. The hours of operation for Caf Etc are from 3 pm to 3 am every day and the menu the eatery offers is diverse. From Italian cuisine to seafood, the Caf Etchas something to please every palate.

Other Nearby Tourist Attractions
From gorgeous gardens and lakes, to fun recreational activities for the entire family, the Niagara Falls region offers something for everyones enjoyment.

Aquarium
Tourists and their families are sure to love the Aquarium of Niagara Falls, located at 701 Whirlpool Street. The aquariums operating hours are from 9 am to 4 pm each day and the aquarium is the home to penguins, seals, sharks, sea lions, and more. The cost of admission into the aquarium is reasonable: adults pay $8.00, children from 4 to 12 pay $5.50, and children under 4 are free. Group rates are also available at the aquarium.

Whirlpool Park
Whirlpool Park is also a fantastic family attraction in the Niagara Falls region. Whirlpool Park is easily accessed from the Ross State Parkway; its a natural park with hiking trails, and a view of incredible rapids and whirlpools. Whats best about Whirlpool Park is that it is open all year long and there is absolutely no cost for admission.

Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
Again, there is an abundance of fantastic sites in the Niagara region and tourist might enjoy visiting the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, located at 2565 Niagara Parkway. With more than 100 acres of land consisting of herbal, rock, vegetable, and floral gardens, in conjunction with the fantastic exhibits available, the entire family will have a memorable experience at this popular tourist destination.

Copyright Statement
This article was written by Jonathan Tan and may be reproduced on any travel-related website provided this copyright statement is displayed unedited in its entirety at the foot of the article and you use the exact same HTML code to ensure a clickable link back to the author's site. Further articles are also available. Contact the author for more information.

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posted by 46124  # 3:39 AM 0 comments