Drinking Water Scams Revealed

Read this article before you consider paying for your drinking water.

Wouldn't it be nice to stop poisoning ourselves with polluted or unhealthy drinking water?  I, for one, felt that I would love to find a source of safe inexpensive drinking water. (Ideally, I'd love to turn on the tap, and out it would flow!)

Whether it's curing cancer with magnets or herbal wonder-remedies or Vioxx, we've all seen the fantastic claims people make about their health products AND about how your whole life will be changed! I can tell you right now that 90% are frauds.  You may even have fallen prey to some of these scams, selling you the latest fad. Me too. I've bought so many kinds of drinking 

water, I can't recall. (If a lie is repeated often enough, it becomes "the truth").

Finally, after many disappointments I got FED UP. I decided to get to the bottom of this desire we all have to make sure that our most basic nutrient -- water -- will keep us healthy, not make us sick.

I checked out endless commercial websites and a number of university and government sites; and I was dismayed at what I repeatedly found:

--Outdated information or info repeated from other websites

--Wild and sensational claims

--No research

--No refunds, etc.

I already knew that we can't trust our tap water because of the presence of up to 2000 contaminants.

Specifically, I found:

a) Bottled Water: a real mish-mash of quality, often no more than filtered tap water sold at outrageous mark-ups and at quite an environmental cost.

b) Reverse-osmosis and distilled water: completely ignored the medical evidence of the dangers in the ongoing drinking of water that is void of minerals, acid in nature and oxidizing.

I quickly realized that these products were either useless, overpriced or potentially harmful long-term.  And the companies were smiling all the way to the bank.

Nevertheless I was able to find products that were well-researched and legitimate: water ionizers and certain filters.  I found two websites providing comparisons of reliable water purifiers: www.waterfiltercomparisons.net and 

www.waterpurifier101.com.  (While the first of these sites does not address the problem of acidity in drinking water, it is straightforward in its assessment of what various water filters do.)

I hope that you're not misled by false claims, and take a look at these resources, for the sake of your health.

Correct Your Acid / Alkaline Balance with the Water You Drink: What the Experts Say

In health circles there has been much recent talk about acid /alkaline imbalance. Let's see if we can clarify how experts recommend we correct this imbalance.

The problem 

Your body functions best when neither too acid nor too alkaline. Unfortunately almost all of us have become acidic due to diet, drinks and stress -- both psychological and from pollution. Acids can build up in our body, causing systems  to be out of balance.

The effects 

According to Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky, "Acid wastes build up in the body in the form of cholesterol, gallstones, kidney stones, arterial plaque, urates, phosphates and sulfates. These acidic waste products are the direct cause of premature aging and the onset of chronic disease."

When this occurs, the body will restore its optimal pH by depleting certain minerals, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, from organs and bones. In addition, your immune system may become fatigued from dealing with an excess of acid. Your body then stores acidic wastes in 'hiding places' such as muscles etc. rather than releasing the acids into the bloodstream.

As Dr.Robert Atkins, the well-known author, health and diet expert, notes: "Just about every condition I can think of, from arthritis to diabetes to cancer, is associated with acidity."

"The countless names of illnesses do not really matter. What does matter is that they all come from the same root cause...too much tissue acid waste in the body!" Theodore A. Baroody, ND, Ph.D.

What can be done? 

A vast body of research reveals that you can help neutralize acid build-up in the  blood and maintain a balanced pH, by taking some simple steps, such as: 

-- Exercise 

-- Avoiding highly acid-forming food and drink

-- Drinking the right water

What is the "right" water? 

"International studies show that populations with little or no history of illness, such as cancer, drink higher pH (alkaline) waters. After all potential risk factors were considered and factored out, it became evident that they had been drinking waters with a pH of 9.0 to 10.0." Dr. Leonard Horowitz in "Aids and Ebola"

Alkaline ionized water "first came to notice in Japan, where researchers noted that people drinking water that came from certain fast- moving rocky mountain streams enjoyed extraordinarily good health. It turned out that this naturally occurring water was alkaline and had a different structure and electrical properties." Larry Clapp, PhD. in "Prostate Health in 90 days"

Alkaline water is produced at home with a small kitchen appliance called a water ionizer (long in use in Japan and Korea).  As water ionizers have become  popular in North America, more health professionals have had the opportunity to evaluate their effects on clients:

Sue Pollock, N.D. writes, we can "assist the body in being more alkaline with ...drinking alkaline water."

"I believe that the best water is water that is alkaline (reduced) and purified using a small device known as a water ionizer." (Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky)

"It is my opinion that ionized water will change the way in which all health practitioners and the public approach their health in the coming years." Dr. T. Baroody in "Alkalize or Die."

Why not just rely on a change of diet? 

According to Sang Whang, researcher and author of "Reverse Aging", the danger is that we might omit important foods:

"Since the waste products that we are trying to discharge are acidic, the right kind of water is alkaline water...My personal recommendation is to enjoy the foods that we like, but do not over-eat or exclude any food. Eat in moderation following the professional dieticians' "balanced diet" concept, and let alkaline water do the job of cleansing acidic wastes."

Raw Food Diet

Eating raw foods is natural. Our bodies thrive on all that is fresh and vital. A raw food diet (or increasing the amount of raw food that you eat) is bound to bring a feeling of increased wellbeing.

Raw food diets are based on unprocessed and uncooked plant foods, preferably organic, such as a variety of fresh fruits and vegies, nuts, seeds, grains, dried fruit, fresh juices and purified water.

Why Raw Foods?

Basically a vegetarian diet, the raw food diet promotes eating and drinking ‘living’ foods. Living foods and juices contain the maximum amount of fibre found in raw produce, fibre that can be lost in processing. Such foods are easily metabolised and tend to be lower in calories than the average diet.

Heating food above 116°F destroys enzymes in food that aid in digestion and in absorption of food, diminishing its nutritional value.

Benefits of a Raw Food Diet

A diet of at least 75% raw food offers numerous health benefits, such as increased energy, improved skin appearance, better digestion, weight loss and reduced risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

A raw food diet contains little or no saturated fats, is low in sodium, high in potassium, magnesium, folate and fibre.
Raw food diets are also excellent detox diets. Different combinations of raw, living foods and juices can be used for colon cleansing, liver cleansing, kidney cleansing and skin cleansing.

The Basics of a Raw Food Diet

Any fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, beans, nuts, legumes, young coconut milk – even seaweed – can be menu items of a raw food diet. Your choice of foods may depend on your reasons for dieting, for example:

- sprouted brown rice slows glucose absorption and improves the metabolism

- cabbage supports healthy cellular function; radish leaves act as an anti-oxidant,          as does Shitake mushroom

-carrots are a great source of vitamin A as well as encouraging healthy vision and a healthy cardio-vascular system

You can use a sprouter such as the Easy Green automatic sprouter to sprout seeds, grains, beans – even wheatgrass. Sprouts could be called a ‘super food’ – organic sprouts contain enormous levels of proteins, vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, chlorophyll pigments and enzymes, and are the ideal natural supplement.

Sprouts can be used in salads and soups, or can be juiced. Fresh juices are a great ready energy supply and a good quality juicer, such as the Kempo Greenpower juicer, produces living juices that are full of essential nutrients.
A great juicing recipe to complement a raw food diet is carrot juice with potato, fennel and apple. Simply juice 4 medium carrots, 2 apples, 1 small potato and 1 small stalk of fennel.
Fennel has been shown to reduce and control inflammation of arthritis, it evens mood fluctuation and depressive states and has the rare nutrient called manganese, plus zinc and vitamin B complex.
The nutritional value of grains and seeds is impressive. They contain most of the vitamins – particularly A, B, and E. They’re also fantastic natural sources of unsaturated fatty acids and lecithin, and an excellent source of proteins.

You can even use soy milk makers (such as SoyQuick) to make non-dairy drinks from different beans, rice, nuts, seeds and grains to have with breakfast. If you want something a little more substantial than soy milk you can make your tofu (or, of course, visit a good health food shop).

Essentially, the idea of a raw food diet is to eat unprocessed foods for at least 75% of the time. If the idea of raw food isn’t very appetising to you, you can warm the food a little as long as the food isn’t heated above 116°F.

Cautionary Note

As with any major change in diet, it’s wise idea to consult your doctor before beginning a special diet. This is especially true for children, pregnant women, anyone with anemia and anyone with a pre-existing medical condition.

Even natural foods can conflict with certain medications, so please ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any medication.

Because a raw food diet is detoxifying some people suffer a mild detox reaction including mild headaches, nausea and cravings. These symptoms may last for several days and you’ll get more enjoyment out of your raw food diet if you cut down on things like meat, sugar and caffeine a week or so before commencing the diet.

Last But Not Least…

A raw food diet is certainly a good way to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Like anything worthwhile it takes time, energy and commitment. Because many of the foods for this particular type of diet are made from scratch there is some preparation time involved. There are many great products on the market that can help you prepare your own living food and save you some time as well.

Combined with regular exercise, a raw food diet is also an excellent weight loss method. If you’ve been feeling ‘a little off’, or just need a pick-me-up and some extra energy, then a raw food diet is certainly a good way to go.

Dealing With Sorrow – Depression Management

Depression Management

While the term depression has been commonly used that people tend not to take it seriously anymore, it is a very serious condition that could impair one’s life. Depression is very difficult. It can debilitate one’s normal functions, making even the most mundane tasks such as getting up from bed or eating breakfast seemingly difficult. It is sad to think that a lot of depressed individuals are not treated because of the high costs of therapy. However, coping with depression is still possible without professional help if one knows depression management. Here are a few things that can help people deal with depression, it is important to note however, that professional therapy is still very invaluable with serious depression. These steps are just suggestions for alleviating the condition.

Staying active is one way to take one’s mind off depression. Primarily, activities help distract people from whatever it is that is causing their depression and it also helps channel unspent energies that build up when one is depressed. Keeping active also releases endorphins – natural mood boosters that somehow cheer people up.

It is also important to take a rest. Being depressed can be very exhausting, so it is essential to regain strength and energy if one is to deal with depression. Relaxation techniques can help one be more attuned to the self and be more at peace. When resting, stressors should be kept away from the bedroom so that ample rest can be obtained.

Depressed people should also express their emotions. Depression usually results from suppressed emotions. People who are grieving can be prone to depression if they keep their emotion to themselves. A lot of people avoid crying because they think it might be a sign of weakness. However, it is important to cry because it releases one’s emotions. When expressing feelings, it is important to avoid catharsis – venting up one’s anger by doing something violent like boxing, smashing things, and the like. Catharsis does not release one’s emotion, especially anger. Rather, it makes a person practice violence as an expression of emotion, and thus can be very dangerous.

Hang around with friends and loved ones. Depressed individuals need support very much. Other people can distract one from stressors. People can also remind a depressed individual that there can be more to life, and it is worth living even if it is simply because of the company of wonderful people.

Lastly, it is important to believe in oneself. A lot of people get depressed because they put themselves down. It is important to satisfy oneself and gain a sense of self-worth. It is good to do something that would make one happy. Prioritizing one’s self can help one to believe that one’s own life is important and can be enjoyed. Being kind to oneself is one of the most important steps to get away from a depressive state.

Depression management is possible and entails taking charge of one’s self. When dealing with depression however, it is important not to rush. Sadness does not disappear overnight; it takes time to get back on one’s feet. Little by little, one can get out of depression and have a normal life once more.

Applications Of Pueraria Mirifica

We hope that you finish this article having learned at least a little bit of new information. If so, then we have done our job.

Pueraria extract is a artless specialty produce designed to help promote regular healthy sexual function and rejuvenescence in women. Pueraria mirifica imitates the being estrogen that is a artless body compound affecting the being body, with growth and maintenance of all female sex characteristics. Therefore, when Pueraria mirifica is practical it will help reinstate the missing estrogen and rejuvenate the limited area.

Local women and rural communities in Thailand have worn Pueraria mirifica effectively as a traditional medicine for over hundred of years. Today, extracts from the burrow of Pueraria mirifica are claimed by mainstream remedial researchers, remedial physicians and herbalists as a "Fountain of Youth" that manifest properties contributory to rejuvenescence - firms breasts, regrows hair / strengthens and darkens existing ones, helps improve complexion and reverses wrinkle effects, alleviates chute problems, increases energy and drive leading to more reflexive physical movements, etc.

Although phytoestrogen can also be found in other artless goods such as soybeans and bean curt, phytoestrogen in Pueraria mirifica is far superior than that in other products. distant from daidzin, genistin, and daidzein that are commonly found in soybeans, Pueraria mirifica also contains miroestrol which is thought to have 3,000 period of force more than soybeans in promoting estrogenic activities.

We have had a lot of fun during the first portion of this article and hopefully you feel as though you have a firm grasp on the topic.

In closing, it will benefit you to seek out other resources on this topic if you feel that you dont yet have a firm understanding of the subject matter.

Pueraria Mirifica Pills KWAOTIP   THAI FDA.   G. 187/42 

      Kwaotip is a premuim grade Thai traditional herbal formula derived mainly from White Kwaotip Krua (Pueraria Mirifica). After many years of research from Dr. Wichai Cherdshewasart, the studies indicated that this herb shows estrogenic and rejuvenate effects to the female body especially at the breast, hip, facial skin, body skin, hair and vaginal epithelium. Thus elevate the appearance of the female secondary sexual characteristics and also the skin beauty.

ALL Natural Dietary Supplement

Hight Phytoestrogen (especially isoflavonet):

*Increases sensitivity and vitality

*Promotes silky shiny hair ,keeps hair pattem bone calcium accumulation

*Enhances breast and skin appearance

*Serves as a anti-wrinkle agent

*Enhances physical and mental ability

*Serves as a fountain of youth

Ingredients: Pueraria Mirifica and other herbs (60 capsules per box)

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 capsules after breakfast and dinner.

Precautions: - Not for women under 20 years old.

- Women with developing cyst at the ovary, breast, and uterus.

- Pregnant women and breast feeking mother should avoid taking this product.

- Women who are taking birth control pill should not take this product.

An Introduction To Perfumes And Colognes

The word perfume is from a Latin phrase meaning “through smoke” and was thought to have been invented by the ancient Egyptians who burned fragrant woods and plants for their pleasant odors. Over the years perfume has been used, refined and enhanced by every major civilization and today perfume as we know it is a very big business.

Today’s modern perfume has three main components:

The scent – Virtually anything natural or synthetic that has an odor can be used in the making of perfume. Typically scents are made from flowers, citrus, spices, woods and sometimes even leather.

The fixative – These ingredients act to stabilize the aromatic compound and help to make the scent last longer.

The solvent – This is usually alcohol and keeps bacteria from forming and helps maintain an even consistency so it can be easily applied.

The category a fragrance belongs to is defined by how much of the scent (or aromatic compound) is used in the product. This also plays a factor in determining the price as the higher the concentration of scent the more expensive the fragrance will be:

Lotions and aftershaves generally have a 1 to 2% scent base

Eau de Cologne products are generally 2 to 3% pure scent

Eau de Toilettes run between 5 to 20% scent

Eau de Parfums will have from 10 to 30% aromatic compound in them

Perfume Extract or Parfum has the greatest concentration of scent, between 20 and 40%

Women’s products are usually categorized as perfume, eau de parfum, toilet water, and cologne and for men’s products are sold as perfume, cologne, and aftershave.

Surprisingly fragrances and music share a common term, notes. Perfumes are often described by the different “notes” that make up the scent. These notes are designed to emerge at different times during the scent span of a fragrance just as an orchestra will have different instruments playing throughout a musical composition.

Top Notes are the strongest scents but do not last very long. This is the initial burst of smell you get when you first take a sniff of your favorite perfume or cologne. The top notes are often spice or citrus based.

Middle (or heart notes) makes up the main part of the scent that emerges after the top notes start to fade away and are usually softer and mellower than the initial scent. These scents are usually floral in nature.

Bass notes form the foundation of the scent and are usually deep and musky in nature and emerge to blend with the middle notes not to replace them.

Fragrances are very complex products that go through many stages of development before reaching the consumer. There are tens of thousands of different perfumes and colognes available today, each one having its own unique scent signature and what once was reserved for the wealthy and privileged is now available to everyone.

An Introduction To Cosmetic Dentistry

White, evenly shaped teeth enhance the beauty of your face. Cosmetic dentistry offers many treatment options for people who want to improve their teeth. The methods can be as simple as teeth whitening or as complex as bracing and bridging.

How do teeth whitening work?

Teeth whitening products uses materials consisting of peroxide to give the teeth a white and clean appearance. You can either visit the cosmetic dentist or use a home-based whitening system. Home-based systems use 20% peroxide but is a longer process, lasting for two weeks. Cosmetic dentists will start the process by removing all the cavities from the teeth and ensuring the gums are healthy. Then a dental system for protection of the gum is applied. Gels are then added on the teeth. At times, high intensity lights along with 35% peroxide can be used to start the whitening process. The light will oxidize the stains on the teeth, resulting in activation of peroxide. You will notice the stains fade after an hour, thus making your teeth appear lighter.

What is tooth-shaping?

Tooth-shaping is the most basic procedure and is an half an hour process. It reshapes the unwanted shape of the teeth. The cosmetic dentist can completely alter the shape of your teeth or the shape of the upper ones to match the lower ones. Even the removal of small amount of tooth enamel will not cause any damage in the long and short run.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers, also called veneers, are porcelain slices that improve the appearance of the front of the teeth. They also cover any damage caused to the teeth. They have the same effects as dentures or artificial teeth. A cosmetic dentist would be able to provide the pros and cons of this treatment.

What is Resin?

Resins are kept on the teeth for a short time to improve their appearance. It is used to treat chips and cavities. The chips and cavities are filled with white fillings. The disadvantage is that these resins may lose their color after some time, thus losing their natural look.

What is Bonded-Bridge?

Bonded-bridge is a porcelain or resin tooth with metal or resin wings on both the sides. It fills the gap left by the missing tooth. The cosmetic dentist removes a small amount of enamel from teeth on both the sides of the hole and then the bonded-bridge is clipped on the teeth to fill the hole.

What is Gum-lift?

Gum-lifting, or gingivectomy, involves removing some part of the gums to even them out and make the teeth appear longer. It cures gummy smiles. A cosmetic dentist would be able complete the process in one or two sittings.

What are Braces?

Braces or orthodontics rectifies the gaps between the teeth, giving them an even appearance. It is a two-year process to help children and young adults. A cosmetic dentist would add the braces in one session.

Ageing Skin Care - Does Chemical Peeling Slow The Aging?

In skin care, doctors use chemical peeling as a procedure to remove sun damaged, pigmented and wrinkled skin by peeling it with chemicals. as the old skin peels off, new skin appears that is much fresher looking. But chemical peeling does not slow the aging process or prevent it. What is doe is to remove old damaged skin with a fresh looking new skin. After that it is up to you to take better care of your skin to keep it younger for more time by protecting it from sun. The process itself does not affect the internal ageing of the skin. If you expose your new skin to sun again, you will get damaged as you got damaged before.

Skin care with chemical peeling and skin damages- chemical peeling will remove mild skin wrinkles; sun damaged spots, and pigmentation. it also will remove the leathery appearance of the skin. Chemical peel will help remove some pre cancerous spots, and facial scars. Mild chemical peeling is used to treat acne in some cases.

 Can chemical peeling damage- in rare cases chemical peeling procedure can damage with infection and scarring. You must talk to your doctor about this. No procedure that changes body in any way is free from risk. +

AHA formulations are used to give light peel, TCA is used to give a medium depth peel and phenol is used to give deep peel to the skin. You can visualize the process like this- the deeper your skin problem, the deeper peel may be used. So for surface aberrations, a mild peel and for deeper scars a deep peel. Your doctor will decide that after looking at your skin and consulting with you about what results you desire, the time you want to give and the care and discomfort you are ready to undergo. Deep peels give, more discomfort but produce better results. You will have to discuss these issues with your doctor.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Ageing Skin Care - Know More About Common AHA Molecules

AHAs are becoming very popular in the fight against ageing skin and are getting added to most of the beauty and skin care products. AHAs are one of the ingredients that help us keep skin looking young for a longer time. Let us find out about common AHA molecules and how they help in skin care.

Glycolic acid- this is one of the most commonly used Alpha Hydroxy Acids in skin care. It is derived naturally from sugar cane juice. Glycolic acid has a very low molecular size. This low molecular size allows glycolic acid to penetrate skin faster. The dead skin cells that bind with the skin are removed by glycolic acid by loosening the glue that sticks the dead cells with the skin. As the glue loosens, the dead cells exfoliate giving a cleaner look to the skin. Shedding dead cells faster also allows growth of new cells. Glycolic acids also smoothen fine wrinkles. This acid also helps in treatment of blackheads and dries out the excess surface oil on the skin. It is also thought that glycolic acids stimulate collagen production to some extent. This acid also keeps the skin moisturized by keeping water bound to the skin and prevents drying of skin. It can also bleach some spots on the skin. One added advantage of glycolic acid is that it helps other skin care ingredients reach deeper in the skin and makes them more effective. Glycolic acid is on the frontier of skin care.

Lactic acid- it is derived from milk. Milk baths have been popular since ages to get fresh skin and better skin care. That is because of the lactic acid. Lactic acid is a good skin moisturizer as it helps retain water in the skin. It is also a good exfoliater of dead skin cells. It is generally used in combination with other AHAs in skin care products.

Citric acid is also an Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Citric acid is derived from citrus fruits. It accelerates collagen production and also removes spots on the skin. Citric acid is not a good exfoliator. It is considered a good anti oxidant, as it neutralizes free radicals that age the skin. Citric acid has been used for skin care since long in household remedies.

Malic Acid and tartaric acids are other popular Alpha Hydroxy Acids. They are not commonly used alone for skin care treatments but are added to make a combination of AHA skin care products to derive multiple benefits.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Acupressure For The Face

In the last twenty years, alternative medicine from Asia has become popular. Acupressure for the face is a new approach that has come on the scene and is worth discussing.

Acupressure For The Face

Time takes a toll on our bodies, particularly our faces. There is just no hiding the damage of the sun, wrinkles and so on. Many people look to surgical lifts for a solution. Others, however, are nervous about the invasive nature of the surgery, possible side effects or the cost. A possible alternative for those not needing intensive repair is acupressure. 

The results that you will get from an acupressure session are not going to be as dramatic or long lasting as those from traditional surgical options. Acupressure procedures are meant to be a holistic, massage-oriented alternative to having surgery, but are not to be considered on the same level. Acupressure is an ancient Chinese art of applying pressure to specific points on your body. This is believed to allow more blood and energy flow to the area that is pressed, which can correspond to other areas of the body. The results of acupressure have been seen for centuries by those practicing this craft.

Facial acupressure takes advantage of pressing these points on the face, and therefore allowing additional blood and oxygen to flow to these areas. This tightens the areas that are being massaged and pressed, leaving the client with a relaxed, youthful look. The facial area is massaged and stimulated with light pressure, which not only improves the facial circulation, but also helps to clean the facial lymph system. This technique also stimulates the underlying collagen of the face, which allows it to loosen and possibly regenerate faster, making the youthful look you get from the acupressure last.

Having an acupressure facial is not considered a medical procedure, but it is a certified practice by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. It is considered to be more intensive than a traditional facial which is commonly performed by a cosmetician. Some massage therapists will recommend more than one acupressure session to achieve full results, and you will want to consult with your therapist for the best course of action for your face.

Facial procedures are more and more common these days, but there are non-surgical options if you are not ready for the knife just yet. An acupressure session can give you a more youthful glow without surgery or any side effects. You also get the bonus of the relaxing technique of acupressure. It is a great compromise for those who need just a little help in the facial aging department.