Tuesday, April 24, 2007
FATTY ACID TIED TO DEPRESSION AND INFLAMMATION
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The imbalance of fatty acids in the typical American diet could be associated with the sharp increase in heart disease and depression seen over the past century, a new study suggests. Specifically, the more omega-6 fatty acids people had in their blood compared with omega-3 fatty acid levels, the more likely they were to suffer from symptoms of depression and have higher blood levels of inflammation-promoting compounds, report Dr. Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser and her colleagues from Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus.
These compounds, which include tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6, are "all-purpose 'nasties' for aging," and have been tied to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis and other ailments, Kiecolt-Glaser told Reuters Health.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods such as fish, flax seed oil and walnuts, while omega-6 fatty acids are found in refined vegetable oils used to make everything from margarine to baked goods and snack foods. The amount of omega-6 fatty acids in the Western diet increased sharply once refined vegetable oils became part of the average diet in the early 20th century.
Hunter-gatherers consumed two or three times as much omega-6 as omega-3, Kiecolt-Glaser's team notes in their study, published in Psychosomatic Medicine, but today Westerners consume 15- to 17-times more omega-6 than omega-3.
The researchers investigated the relationship among fatty acid consumption, depression and inflammation in 43 older men and women. The 6 individuals diagnosed with major depression had nearly 18 times as much omega-6 as omega-3 in their blood, compared with about 13 times as much for subjects who didn't meet the criteria for major depression.
Depressed patients also had higher levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and other inflammatory compounds. And as levels of depressive symptoms rose, so did the omega 6 and omega 3 ratio.
The effects of depression and diet enhanced each other, the researchers found. "It was more than additive," Kiecolt-Glaser said. "People who had few depressive symptoms and/or a good diet were generally fine." However, when depressive symptoms increased and diets become worse, "we really saw big differences."
Depression alone is known to increase inflammation, the researchers note in their report, while a number of studies have found omega-3 supplements prevent depression.
Following recommendations for a healthy diet -- and eating fatty fish like salmon, mackerel or sardines every now and then -- could go a long way to promote a healthier omega-6/omega 3 balance, Kiecolt-Glaser said. "If people actually had more fruits and vegetables in their diet, they probably would have less omega-6."
SOURCE: Psychosomatic Medicine, online March 30, 2007.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
HEALTH FOOD SHOCKERS
Egg-White Omelettes
No yolks in your omelettes? That's just utterly unnecessary. The yolk contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are crucial for eye health. Egg yolks are also an important source of phosphatidylcholine, a nutrient that boosts brain health. Worried about your cholesterol levels? Consider this: Half the fat in the yolk isn't even saturated.
Raised Salmon
You'd think eating penned salmon would be the healthier way to go, but the farm-raised fish are pumped full of antibiotics and are lower in nutritional value than their wild relatives. In addition, wild salmon get their red color from an antioxidant in their natural food source, krill. Farmed salmon get their color from dye.
Granola Bars
Most granola bars are simply candy bars in disguise, with very little fiber, lots of processed carbs, and a ton of sugar. You're better off making your own healthier version from raw oats, chopped almonds, coconut flakes, raisins and a dollop of raw organic honey.
Apple Juice
It's sweet, refreshing and a favorite among kids. But most apple juice is nothing more than sugar water with apple flavoring. One cup of apple juice has no fiber, 117 calories and 27 grams of sugar. And most people consume way more than a cup at a time. Stick to fiber-rich apples and skip the juice.
No yolks in your omelettes? That's just utterly unnecessary. The yolk contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are crucial for eye health. Egg yolks are also an important source of phosphatidylcholine, a nutrient that boosts brain health. Worried about your cholesterol levels? Consider this: Half the fat in the yolk isn't even saturated.
Raised Salmon
You'd think eating penned salmon would be the healthier way to go, but the farm-raised fish are pumped full of antibiotics and are lower in nutritional value than their wild relatives. In addition, wild salmon get their red color from an antioxidant in their natural food source, krill. Farmed salmon get their color from dye.
Granola Bars
Most granola bars are simply candy bars in disguise, with very little fiber, lots of processed carbs, and a ton of sugar. You're better off making your own healthier version from raw oats, chopped almonds, coconut flakes, raisins and a dollop of raw organic honey.
Apple Juice
It's sweet, refreshing and a favorite among kids. But most apple juice is nothing more than sugar water with apple flavoring. One cup of apple juice has no fiber, 117 calories and 27 grams of sugar. And most people consume way more than a cup at a time. Stick to fiber-rich apples and skip the juice.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
8 MYTHS ABOUT DEPRESSION
By Stacie Z. Berg
Antidepressants are among the most prescribed drugs in America. So why isn’t everyone happy?
MYTH #1
YOU’LL GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS.Almost half the people in the U.S. with clinical depression don’t get diagnosed properly, says Wayne Katon, nosed M.D., of the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle. In part, that’s because many clinicians use a test developed in the 1950s called the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (“Ham-D”), which was designed to measure antidepressant effectiveness, not to diagnose depression, says Andrew G. Ryder, Ph.D., of Concordia University in Montreal. The test overlooks some symptoms that indicate depression (such as sleeping too much) and highlights others that aren’t always relevant (such as weight loss). When trying to diagnose or rule out depression, nothing is more important than detailed conversations with your doctor.
MYTH #2
MEN AND WOMEN HAVE THE SAME RISK FOR DEPRESSION.In fact, women are twice as likely as men to experience major depression. Scientists think hormones, an increased tendency to ruminate, and a possible heightened response to stress could all contribute to making women more vulnerable.
MYTH #3
ETHNICITY HAS NO BEARING ON DEPRESSION.Differences in the way people from various cultures express depression can result in a missed diagnosis or the wrong medication being prescribed. For instance, “‘having nerves’ in most Caucasian-American cultures means you’re anxious or stressed out; in Latino culture, it can mean you’re depressed,” says Carolyn Kaufman, Psy.D., of Columbus State Community College in Columbus, OH. So a Latina woman could walk away from her doctor with a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication when what she really needs is an antidepressant. The shocker: Doctors from the same ethnic backgrounds as their patients aren’t always better at figuring out what’s what. What to do? Make sure your physician can repeat back to you, in different words, what it is that she thinks you’re feeling.
MYTH #4
ETHNICITY SHOULDN’T AFFECT YOUR PRESCRIPTION.Most drugs are tested on white men. But about 40 percent of African- Americans and Asian-Americans actually metabolize drugs more slowly than Caucasians do, as a result of a genetic difference in liver enzymes, according to research conducted by L. DiAnne Bradford, Ph.D., of More house School of Medicine in Atlanta. The impact: They wind up with more of the drug in their bodies, which increases side effects (insomnia, diminished libido, and scores of others) without increasing benefits.
MYTH #5
DEPRESSION IS GENETIC.Scientists think that both your genes and your environment affect your mood. No one has found a gene that’s directly responsible for depression, but you can inherit one type of gene that can make you more vulnerable to depression after stressful events. So, while you may be able to blame your family for many things, it’s not all their fault if you’re depressed.
MYTH #6
ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAKE YOU FAT.Most antidepressants do carry about a 30-percent chance that you’ll gain weight, says Thomas L. Schwartz, M.D., of State University of New York Upstate Medical University. But one— Wellbutrin XL (buproprion)—may cause you to shed a few pounds. Other antidepressants raise serotonin, the chemical that regulates appetite, and may make you feel famished. Even if you eat less, the serotonin might make you store more fat and sugar. But buproprion raises levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, not serotonin, thus avoiding appetite issues.
MYTH #7
DEPRESSION IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD.Physical illness can trigger depression. One pathway may have to do with cytokines, a natural part of the body’s immune response to illness. In fact, when some patients are treated with a certain type of cytokine, they become depressed or even suicidal. In addition, “a mood disorder can potentially affect the body’s ability to fight an illness,” says David Spiegel, M.D., of Stanford University School of Medicine. Stress can lead to arterial spasms and heart attacks, even if your arteries are clear. Depression is also associated with a poorer prognosis for diseases including stroke, epilepsy, and diabetes. Bottom line: Get treatment for both your physical illness and your depression.
MYTH #8
PILLS ARE THE ANSWER IF YOU HAVE A DOWN DAY HERE AND THERE.Placebos have been found to work as well as antidepressants in people with minor depression—meaning you can get through the day but have a low mood for a couple of weeks and don’t enjoy certain activities the way you used to. And yet drug-makers have been expanding the definitions of mood disorders so much that even healthy people who have the occasional bad day (and who doesn’t?) think they should reach for a pill, according to Ray Moynihan and Alan Cassels, authors of Selling Sickness. Don’t buy the hype: Some times, counseling or meditation is just what you need to feel like yourself again.
. . . AND TWO WE’RE MONITORING
■ ANTIDEPRESSANTS RAISE THE RISK OF SUICIDE.An analysis by Glaxo-SmithKline found that adults with major depressivedisorder who took its drug Paxil had a higher risk of suicide than similar people who were in a placebo group. But that was only one study of one drug. Furthermore, the increased risk may not be directly from the pills: Oddly enough, psychiatrists think the boost that occurs when people are first treated for depression—with therapy or medication—might give some people the energy to carry out suicidal thoughts they had before the treatment.
■ ANTIDEPRESSANTS ARE DANGEROUS WHEN YOU’RE PREGNANT.Most antidepressants have not been adequately tested in pregnant women, and some may not have undergone animal studies. But recent case reports suggest that babies born to mothers on antidepressants may be prone to jitters, irritability, feeding problems, and seizures. A report in the New Eng land Journal of Medicine recently found that a small percentage of babies exposed to SSRIs were born with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)—a condition in which too little oxygen reaches the blood. And the FDA warns against using Paxil during the first trimester. If depression is left untreated, however, babies may be born earlier and lower in birth weight because women are less apt to take care of their bodies when they’re depressed, says Nada Stotland, M.D., of Rush Medical College in Chicago. They’re also more likely to have postpartum depression and not bond well with their newborns.
Antidepressants are among the most prescribed drugs in America. So why isn’t everyone happy?
MYTH #1
YOU’LL GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS.Almost half the people in the U.S. with clinical depression don’t get diagnosed properly, says Wayne Katon, nosed M.D., of the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle. In part, that’s because many clinicians use a test developed in the 1950s called the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (“Ham-D”), which was designed to measure antidepressant effectiveness, not to diagnose depression, says Andrew G. Ryder, Ph.D., of Concordia University in Montreal. The test overlooks some symptoms that indicate depression (such as sleeping too much) and highlights others that aren’t always relevant (such as weight loss). When trying to diagnose or rule out depression, nothing is more important than detailed conversations with your doctor.
MYTH #2
MEN AND WOMEN HAVE THE SAME RISK FOR DEPRESSION.In fact, women are twice as likely as men to experience major depression. Scientists think hormones, an increased tendency to ruminate, and a possible heightened response to stress could all contribute to making women more vulnerable.
MYTH #3
ETHNICITY HAS NO BEARING ON DEPRESSION.Differences in the way people from various cultures express depression can result in a missed diagnosis or the wrong medication being prescribed. For instance, “‘having nerves’ in most Caucasian-American cultures means you’re anxious or stressed out; in Latino culture, it can mean you’re depressed,” says Carolyn Kaufman, Psy.D., of Columbus State Community College in Columbus, OH. So a Latina woman could walk away from her doctor with a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication when what she really needs is an antidepressant. The shocker: Doctors from the same ethnic backgrounds as their patients aren’t always better at figuring out what’s what. What to do? Make sure your physician can repeat back to you, in different words, what it is that she thinks you’re feeling.
MYTH #4
ETHNICITY SHOULDN’T AFFECT YOUR PRESCRIPTION.Most drugs are tested on white men. But about 40 percent of African- Americans and Asian-Americans actually metabolize drugs more slowly than Caucasians do, as a result of a genetic difference in liver enzymes, according to research conducted by L. DiAnne Bradford, Ph.D., of More house School of Medicine in Atlanta. The impact: They wind up with more of the drug in their bodies, which increases side effects (insomnia, diminished libido, and scores of others) without increasing benefits.
MYTH #5
DEPRESSION IS GENETIC.Scientists think that both your genes and your environment affect your mood. No one has found a gene that’s directly responsible for depression, but you can inherit one type of gene that can make you more vulnerable to depression after stressful events. So, while you may be able to blame your family for many things, it’s not all their fault if you’re depressed.
MYTH #6
ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAKE YOU FAT.Most antidepressants do carry about a 30-percent chance that you’ll gain weight, says Thomas L. Schwartz, M.D., of State University of New York Upstate Medical University. But one— Wellbutrin XL (buproprion)—may cause you to shed a few pounds. Other antidepressants raise serotonin, the chemical that regulates appetite, and may make you feel famished. Even if you eat less, the serotonin might make you store more fat and sugar. But buproprion raises levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, not serotonin, thus avoiding appetite issues.
MYTH #7
DEPRESSION IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD.Physical illness can trigger depression. One pathway may have to do with cytokines, a natural part of the body’s immune response to illness. In fact, when some patients are treated with a certain type of cytokine, they become depressed or even suicidal. In addition, “a mood disorder can potentially affect the body’s ability to fight an illness,” says David Spiegel, M.D., of Stanford University School of Medicine. Stress can lead to arterial spasms and heart attacks, even if your arteries are clear. Depression is also associated with a poorer prognosis for diseases including stroke, epilepsy, and diabetes. Bottom line: Get treatment for both your physical illness and your depression.
MYTH #8
PILLS ARE THE ANSWER IF YOU HAVE A DOWN DAY HERE AND THERE.Placebos have been found to work as well as antidepressants in people with minor depression—meaning you can get through the day but have a low mood for a couple of weeks and don’t enjoy certain activities the way you used to. And yet drug-makers have been expanding the definitions of mood disorders so much that even healthy people who have the occasional bad day (and who doesn’t?) think they should reach for a pill, according to Ray Moynihan and Alan Cassels, authors of Selling Sickness. Don’t buy the hype: Some times, counseling or meditation is just what you need to feel like yourself again.
. . . AND TWO WE’RE MONITORING
■ ANTIDEPRESSANTS RAISE THE RISK OF SUICIDE.An analysis by Glaxo-SmithKline found that adults with major depressivedisorder who took its drug Paxil had a higher risk of suicide than similar people who were in a placebo group. But that was only one study of one drug. Furthermore, the increased risk may not be directly from the pills: Oddly enough, psychiatrists think the boost that occurs when people are first treated for depression—with therapy or medication—might give some people the energy to carry out suicidal thoughts they had before the treatment.
■ ANTIDEPRESSANTS ARE DANGEROUS WHEN YOU’RE PREGNANT.Most antidepressants have not been adequately tested in pregnant women, and some may not have undergone animal studies. But recent case reports suggest that babies born to mothers on antidepressants may be prone to jitters, irritability, feeding problems, and seizures. A report in the New Eng land Journal of Medicine recently found that a small percentage of babies exposed to SSRIs were born with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)—a condition in which too little oxygen reaches the blood. And the FDA warns against using Paxil during the first trimester. If depression is left untreated, however, babies may be born earlier and lower in birth weight because women are less apt to take care of their bodies when they’re depressed, says Nada Stotland, M.D., of Rush Medical College in Chicago. They’re also more likely to have postpartum depression and not bond well with their newborns.
7 PAINS YOU SHOULDN'T IGNORE
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Whoever coined the term "necessary evil" might have been thinking of pain. No one wants it, yet it's the body's way of getting your attention when something is wrong. You're probably sufficiently in tune with your body to know when the pain is just a bother, perhaps the result of moving furniture a day or two before or eating that third enchilada. It's when pain might signal something more serious that the internal dialogue begins:
"OK, this isn't something to fool around with.""But I can't miss my meeting.""And how many meetings will you miss if you land in the hospital?""I'll give it one more day."Etc.
You need a guide. WebMD consulted doctors in cardiology, internal medicine, geriatrics, and psychiatry so you'll understand which pains you must not ignore -- and why. And, of course, if in doubt, get medical attention.
No. 1: Worst Headache of Your Life
Get medical attention immediately. "If you have a cold, it could be a sinus headache," says Sandra Fryhofer, MD, MACP, spokeswoman for the American College of Physicians. "But you could have a brain hemorrhage or brain tumor. With any pain, unless you're sure of what caused it, get it checked out."
Sharon Brangman, MD, FACP, spokeswoman for the American Geriatrics Society, tells WebMD that when someone says they have the worst headache of their life, "what we learned in medical training was that was a classic sign of a brain aneurysm. Go immediately to the ER."
No. 2: Pain or Discomfort in the Chest, Throat, Jaw, Shoulder, Arm, or Abdomen
Chest pain could be pneumonia or a heart attack. But be aware that heart conditions typically appear as discomfort, not pain. "Don't wait for pain," says cardiologist Jerome Cohen, MD. "Heart patients talk about pressure. They'll clench their fist and put it over their chest or say it's like an elephant sitting on their chest."
The discomfort associated with heart disease could also be in the upper chest, throat, jaw, left shoulder or arm, or abdomen and might be accompanied by nausea. "I'm not too much worried about the 18-year-old, but if a person has unexplained, persistent discomfort and knows they're high risk, they shouldn't wait," says Cohen. "Too often people delay because they misinterpret it as [heartburn] or GI distress. Call 911 or get to an emergency room or physician's office. If it turns out to be something else, that's great."
He tells WebMD that intermittent discomfort should be taken seriously as well. "There might be a pattern, such as discomfort related to excitement, emotional upset, or exertion. For example, if you experience it when you're gardening, but it goes away when you sit down, that's angina. It's usually worse in cold or hot weather."
"A woman's discomfort signs can be more subtle," says Cohen, who is director of preventive cardiology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. "Heart disease can masquerade as GI symptoms, such as bloating, GI distress, or discomfort in the abdomen. It's also associated with feeling tired. Risk for heart disease increases dramatically after menopause. It kills more women than men even though men are at higher risk at any age. Women and their physicians need to be on their toes."
No. 3: Pain in Lower Back or Between Shoulder Blades
"Most often it's arthritis," says Brangman, who is professor and chief of geriatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y. Other possibilities include a heart attack or abdominal problems. "One danger is aortic dissection, which can appear as either a nagging or sudden pain. People who are at risk have conditions that can change the integrity of the vessel wall. These would include high blood pressure, a history of circulation problems, smoking, and diabetes."
No. 4: Severe Abdominal Pain
Still have your appendix? Don't flirt with the possibility of a rupture. Gallbladder and pancreas problems, stomach ulcers, and intestinal blockages are some other possible causes of abdominal pain that need attention.
No 5: Calf Pain
One of the lesser known dangers is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that can occur in the leg's deep veins. It affects 2 million Americans a year, and it can be life-threatening. "The danger is that a piece of the clot could break loose and cause pulmonary embolism[a clot in the lungs], which could be fatal," says Fryhofer. Cancer, obesity, immobility due to prolonged bed rest or long-distance travel, pregnancy, and advanced age are among the risk factors.
"Sometimes there's just swelling without pain," says Brangman. "If you have swelling and pain in your calf muscles, see a doctor immediately."
No. 6: Burning Feet or Legs
Nearly one-third of the 20 million Americans who have diabetes are undiagnosed, according to the American Diabetes Association. "In some people who don't know they have diabetes, peripheral neuropathycould be one of the first signs," says Brangman. "It's a burning or pins-and-needles sensation in the feet or legs that can indicate nerve damage."
No 7: Vague, Combined, or Medically Unexplained Pains
"Various painful, physical symptoms are common in depression," says psychiatrist Thomas Wise, MD. "Patients will have vague complaints of headaches, abdominal pain, or limb pain, sometimes in combination."
Because the pain might be chronic and not terribly debilitating, depressed people, their families, and health care professionals might dismiss the symptoms. "Furthermore, the more depressed you are, the more difficulty you have describing your feelings," says Wise, who is the psychiatry department chairman at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Va. "All of this can lead the clinician astray."
Other symptoms must be present before a diagnosis of depression can be made. "Get help when you've lost interest in activities, you're unable to work or think effectively, and you can't get along with people," he says. "And don't suffer silently when you're hurting."
He adds there's more to depression than deterioration of the quality of life. "It has to be treated aggressively before it causes structural changes in the brain."
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
ORGASMS 101
Orgasms 101: Priming for the Big One
Orgasms are natural, so you’d think women would have no trouble experiencing “The Big O” any time they wanted one…or two…or 10. Yet, it’s estimated that 70% of women fake it at some point. What gives? Find out what could be robbing you of sexual pleasure…Maybe you’re too stressed out to enjoy a climax. Perhaps your partner’s not all that, ahem, stimulating. Whatever the cause, it’s time to stop going through the motions and start getting the big payoff.
Here are 10 ways to help yourself have amazing orgasms:
1 - Get out of your head If you’ve got a negative tape loop running through your brain – Nice girls don’t…, My thighs are too fat…, I’ll be too loud… – hit the Stop button. Self-criticism is a major passion squelcher. And who’s it squelching? You. If your guy is in bed with you, he’s not thinking about whether your thighs jiggle or your bum looks like orange peel. And nice girls do enjoy screaming orgasms, so release your inner vixen and let her have some fun.
2 - Experiment...or not Fur-lined handcuffs. Light spanking. Role play. There’s nothing wrong with (safely) pushing the sexual envelope. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with the tried and true. Being adventurous doesn’t make you slutty. And being aroused by missionary-position sex doesn’t make you a prude. It just means you know what feels good to you.
Which brings us to…3 - Love yourself, You can’t tell your partner what you like if you don’t know. So take your fingers for a walk and find out what makes you see stars. Hard and fast? Slow and soft? Experiment with different kinds of touch and different rhythms.“You learn about orgasms by having them with yourself,” explains Betty Dodson, PhD, masturbation maven and author of Orgasms for Two.
4 - Find your G spot...or not The existence of the G spot (named for German scientist Ernst Grafenberg, who first described it) is as hotly debated as the existence of extraterrestrials. Some sexperts believe this sensual real estate exists; others insist it’s sheer fantasy. Which camp do you fall into? That usually depends on whether you get orgasms from clitoral stimulation or vaginal penetration.
Where is this magic place? It’s behind the belly and pubic bone, about two inches inside your vagina. You can locate yours with fingers and some sex positions (being on top is one of the best). Just remember, the G spot isn’t the holy grail of sex.“All women have this sensitive area,” assures sex researcher Beverly Whipple, PhD, co-author of The Science of Orgasm (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006). “But not everyone likes it stimulated, just as not everyone likes when someone blows in their ear.”
5 - All roads lead to Rome There are many ways to reach orgasm. Some women can climax when their breasts are touched or when their necks are rubbed. Other lucky gals come by fantasizing – without any touch at all. The point? Be adventurous when exploring sexual terrain. You never know what will send you over the edge.“We’ve gotten into this mindset that there’s only one type of orgasm, and it’s from stimulating the clitoris,” says Whipple. “There are many other ways women can have orgasmic experiences.”
6 – Tell ’em what you want Once you’ve figured out works for you, clue your partner in, too. Trust us; he wants to know. Especially if what gets you off bears no resemblance to what he thinks is working. Most feigned orgasms are what Chicago sex and relationship therapist Laura Berman, PhD and author of Passion Prescription (Hyperion 2006), calls “mercy fakes.” But if you let your partner think he’s making the grade when he’s falling short, he won’t do anything differently. And that leaves you, well, faking it. How can you feel fireworks without trampling your partner’s ego? Give soft and sultry directions, says Berman. In your sexiest voice, whisper I go crazy when you ___. Or simply take your partner’s fingers (or lips or tongue or penis) on a tour of your erogenous zones. And let him know that you’re not always going to come, even if he’s doing everything right, notes Berman. It’ll ease the pressure and let you both enjoy the ride.
7 - Give yourself a hand Contrary to steamy Hollywood sex scenes, only 30% of women have orgasms through intercourse. So if you don’t buck like a bronco upon penetration, not to worry. There’s nothing wrong with you. Life doesn’t always imitate art. Don’t be shy. Reach down and give yourself a helping hand during sex.
8 - Go full speed ahead with foreplay Share this tidbit with your guy: Men can go from zero to orgasm in seven minutes, but women take as long as 20 to get warmed up. That’s why foreplay was invented.Foreplay revs the engines even if you’re not feeling frisky because the brain is a major sex organ. And if you’re mentally paying bills while your partner is looking for thrills, the only thing you’re likely to share is a sexless spat. Redefine foreplay, suggests Berman. Let your hubby put the kids to bed while you unwind with a bath and candles. “Then [you’ll be] in a better place to respond sexually,” Berman notes.
9 - Better than ibuprofen For years women have used the ol’ dodge Not tonight, I’ve got a headache. Turns out, we should’ve been saying the opposite. Orgasms trigger endorphins, those feel-good brain chemicals that improve mood and curb pain.Animal studies have shown that orgasms can be as potent as morphine in quelling headaches, menstrual cramps, even whiplash and arthritis. True, the relief is short-lived (about eight minutes long), but orgasms aren’t toxic to your liver and they won’t upset your tummy like over-the-counter pain relievers can.
10 - Get the blood flowing Exercise is not only good for your heart, it’s good for your sex life. Running, walking, biking and other cardio gets blood moving everywhere – even down there. And the better the circulation, the better the titillation. And don’t forget Kegels. It’s strength training for your pubococcygeus (or PC) muscles – the ones that hold up your vagina, anus, uterus, bladder and urethra.
“The stronger these muscles are, the more intense your orgasms will be,” promises Berman. Don’t know how to work out your Kegels? Next time you pee, try stopping the flow. Those are your Kegel muscles. Just don’t make it a habit to do Kegels when you pee. Stopping and starting the flow continuously can actually put you at risk for urinary tract infections. Use the pee test only to assess what it feels like to use your Kegels. Berman recommends doing 100 to 150 Kegel squeezes a day to keep them in sexy shape. You can do them anywhere, anytime (just not while peeing). Yoga, Pilates and other core-strengthening workouts also tone PC muscles. How’s Your Sex Life? For some of us, having regular sex is like breathing – we couldn’t live without it. Others don’t mind an occasional dry spell. Where do you stand on the nookie spectrum?
Orgasms are natural, so you’d think women would have no trouble experiencing “The Big O” any time they wanted one…or two…or 10. Yet, it’s estimated that 70% of women fake it at some point. What gives? Find out what could be robbing you of sexual pleasure…Maybe you’re too stressed out to enjoy a climax. Perhaps your partner’s not all that, ahem, stimulating. Whatever the cause, it’s time to stop going through the motions and start getting the big payoff.
Here are 10 ways to help yourself have amazing orgasms:
1 - Get out of your head If you’ve got a negative tape loop running through your brain – Nice girls don’t…, My thighs are too fat…, I’ll be too loud… – hit the Stop button. Self-criticism is a major passion squelcher. And who’s it squelching? You. If your guy is in bed with you, he’s not thinking about whether your thighs jiggle or your bum looks like orange peel. And nice girls do enjoy screaming orgasms, so release your inner vixen and let her have some fun.
2 - Experiment...or not Fur-lined handcuffs. Light spanking. Role play. There’s nothing wrong with (safely) pushing the sexual envelope. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with the tried and true. Being adventurous doesn’t make you slutty. And being aroused by missionary-position sex doesn’t make you a prude. It just means you know what feels good to you.
Which brings us to…3 - Love yourself, You can’t tell your partner what you like if you don’t know. So take your fingers for a walk and find out what makes you see stars. Hard and fast? Slow and soft? Experiment with different kinds of touch and different rhythms.“You learn about orgasms by having them with yourself,” explains Betty Dodson, PhD, masturbation maven and author of Orgasms for Two.
4 - Find your G spot...or not The existence of the G spot (named for German scientist Ernst Grafenberg, who first described it) is as hotly debated as the existence of extraterrestrials. Some sexperts believe this sensual real estate exists; others insist it’s sheer fantasy. Which camp do you fall into? That usually depends on whether you get orgasms from clitoral stimulation or vaginal penetration.
Where is this magic place? It’s behind the belly and pubic bone, about two inches inside your vagina. You can locate yours with fingers and some sex positions (being on top is one of the best). Just remember, the G spot isn’t the holy grail of sex.“All women have this sensitive area,” assures sex researcher Beverly Whipple, PhD, co-author of The Science of Orgasm (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006). “But not everyone likes it stimulated, just as not everyone likes when someone blows in their ear.”
5 - All roads lead to Rome There are many ways to reach orgasm. Some women can climax when their breasts are touched or when their necks are rubbed. Other lucky gals come by fantasizing – without any touch at all. The point? Be adventurous when exploring sexual terrain. You never know what will send you over the edge.“We’ve gotten into this mindset that there’s only one type of orgasm, and it’s from stimulating the clitoris,” says Whipple. “There are many other ways women can have orgasmic experiences.”
6 – Tell ’em what you want Once you’ve figured out works for you, clue your partner in, too. Trust us; he wants to know. Especially if what gets you off bears no resemblance to what he thinks is working. Most feigned orgasms are what Chicago sex and relationship therapist Laura Berman, PhD and author of Passion Prescription (Hyperion 2006), calls “mercy fakes.” But if you let your partner think he’s making the grade when he’s falling short, he won’t do anything differently. And that leaves you, well, faking it. How can you feel fireworks without trampling your partner’s ego? Give soft and sultry directions, says Berman. In your sexiest voice, whisper I go crazy when you ___. Or simply take your partner’s fingers (or lips or tongue or penis) on a tour of your erogenous zones. And let him know that you’re not always going to come, even if he’s doing everything right, notes Berman. It’ll ease the pressure and let you both enjoy the ride.
7 - Give yourself a hand Contrary to steamy Hollywood sex scenes, only 30% of women have orgasms through intercourse. So if you don’t buck like a bronco upon penetration, not to worry. There’s nothing wrong with you. Life doesn’t always imitate art. Don’t be shy. Reach down and give yourself a helping hand during sex.
8 - Go full speed ahead with foreplay Share this tidbit with your guy: Men can go from zero to orgasm in seven minutes, but women take as long as 20 to get warmed up. That’s why foreplay was invented.Foreplay revs the engines even if you’re not feeling frisky because the brain is a major sex organ. And if you’re mentally paying bills while your partner is looking for thrills, the only thing you’re likely to share is a sexless spat. Redefine foreplay, suggests Berman. Let your hubby put the kids to bed while you unwind with a bath and candles. “Then [you’ll be] in a better place to respond sexually,” Berman notes.
9 - Better than ibuprofen For years women have used the ol’ dodge Not tonight, I’ve got a headache. Turns out, we should’ve been saying the opposite. Orgasms trigger endorphins, those feel-good brain chemicals that improve mood and curb pain.Animal studies have shown that orgasms can be as potent as morphine in quelling headaches, menstrual cramps, even whiplash and arthritis. True, the relief is short-lived (about eight minutes long), but orgasms aren’t toxic to your liver and they won’t upset your tummy like over-the-counter pain relievers can.
10 - Get the blood flowing Exercise is not only good for your heart, it’s good for your sex life. Running, walking, biking and other cardio gets blood moving everywhere – even down there. And the better the circulation, the better the titillation. And don’t forget Kegels. It’s strength training for your pubococcygeus (or PC) muscles – the ones that hold up your vagina, anus, uterus, bladder and urethra.
“The stronger these muscles are, the more intense your orgasms will be,” promises Berman. Don’t know how to work out your Kegels? Next time you pee, try stopping the flow. Those are your Kegel muscles. Just don’t make it a habit to do Kegels when you pee. Stopping and starting the flow continuously can actually put you at risk for urinary tract infections. Use the pee test only to assess what it feels like to use your Kegels. Berman recommends doing 100 to 150 Kegel squeezes a day to keep them in sexy shape. You can do them anywhere, anytime (just not while peeing). Yoga, Pilates and other core-strengthening workouts also tone PC muscles. How’s Your Sex Life? For some of us, having regular sex is like breathing – we couldn’t live without it. Others don’t mind an occasional dry spell. Where do you stand on the nookie spectrum?
Sunday, April 1, 2007
CANCER UPDATE
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental,food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver,kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do notresult in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites,which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice(most vegetables including bean sprouts)and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger,unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
Which is another reason you might opt to buy an oxygen shower head. Everything that goes on your skin, is absorbed into your body.
Aspartame found in sugar substitutes put my mother in the hospital.
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental,food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver,kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do notresult in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites,which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice(most vegetables including bean sprouts)and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger,unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
Which is another reason you might opt to buy an oxygen shower head. Everything that goes on your skin, is absorbed into your body.
Aspartame found in sugar substitutes put my mother in the hospital.
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