Author: Staff (Page 27 of 31)

      How to Choose the Best Wellness Center

      March 11, 2011 /

      A wellness center is a facility whose primary goals are to promote healthy living in order to prevent disease and illness. These centers are typically run and staffed by a group of physicians, but in some cases, they are staffed by specialists such as acupuncturists, massage therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists, and fitness experts.

      Wellness centers can be found in a variety of settings from college campuses and hospitals to strip malls. Many corporations contract with wellness centers to provide programs for employees (called corporate wellness programs), and there are also specific programs for seniors, moms-to-be, and children. So the first step in choosing the best wellness center is to determine the type of program you’re looking for. Next, determine your goals, then choose which wellness services you think might help you reach your goals.

      If you are not part of a corporate program or any of the groups listed above, you’ll still find plenty of individual programs at just about every wellness center. After you have determined your goals (stress relief, pain relief, fitness, prevention, etc.), seek out centers that address these issues. The types of wellness services offered is not the only factor you should consider. The best wellness centers have a number of things in common including:

      -Focus is on patient health
      -Active in contributing to the rebirth of health care
      -Seek to successfully unite health maintenance, disease prevention and the treatment of acute and chronic conditions through both conventional and the alternative healing arts
      -Offer patients a comprehensive treatment regimen
      -Provide the best medical advice
      -Have multidisciplinary centers offering medical doctors, doctors of chiropractic, physical/occupational therapists, massage therapists and other professionals who work together as a dedicated team to reach an accurate diagnosis
      -Have doctors and specialists skilled at designing treatment plans tailored to each individual patient
      -Offer cost effective and time saving integrated health care
      -Offer a “whole body” healing approach
      -Share the philosophy of caring and concern for their patients that provides for a mutual pleasant experience
      -Offer convenient hours, ample parking, and little to no waiting
      -Employ physicians and staff that make continuing education a priority in order to stay abreast of new developments in patient care
      -Keep patients informed of their conditions as well as short and long-term goals

      Finding the best wellness center in your city or town will take some work, but in the end you’ll find a center that you feel comfortable with and one that has your best interests and wellness in mind. The best place to begin your search is online. It’s possible to find a local wellness center directory, but directories such as these do not list all of the centers in your area. Many of the wellness centers in the directory pay a fee to have their names listed.

      When searching for wellness centers in your area, all you have to do is enter “your city + wellness center” into any search engine. Next, choose 5-10 wellness centers and browse through their websites to find out about services, pricing, and credentials. You can also try typing the name of the center into a review site such as Yelp.com to see what real customers/patients have to say about it.

      Many wellness centers offer a free consultation. During this meeting, you can ask any questions that concern you, take a tour of the center, gather additional literature about the staff and services, and examine any credentials that are on display. Keep in mind that professional wellness centers will have this information on display in examining rooms, offices, and studio areas.

      If you want to dig a little deeper, check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as many wellness centers operate as private practices.

      Exercise, General fitness, Men's Health and Wellness, Nutrition

      How to Buy Running Shoes for Flat Feet

      March 4, 2011 /


      Buying running shoes can be a frustrating experience if you have flat feet.
      If you’re not too sure if you have flat feet, you can tell by looking at the insides of the feet. A person with flat feet has flattened arches in the insides of the feet. When a person with flat feet stands up, the entire foot touches the floor. A normal foot has an arch on the inside, so this part of the foot never touches the ground. The arch provides natural shock absorption. Without it, extra stress is placed on other parts of the body such as the hips, ankles, and knees. To reduce the impact on other parts of the body, including the other parts of the feet, running shoes that provide either extra cushion, support, motion control, and stability are essential.

      Although flat feet is a common condition, people with flat feet still have to search for special shoes that reduce the impact on other parts of the body, in order to prevent injury. Individuals with flat feet, especially those that play sports or exercise regularly, have a higher risk of medical and lateral midfoot injures such as metatarsal (the long bones in the forefoot) stress fractures. Metatarsal injuries are common in ballet dancers, gymnasts, and runners.

      There are several manufacturers that you probably have never even heard of that make the best shoes for flat feet. These include Brooks and Mizuno. Popular makers of running shoes for flat feet include New Balance, Nike, Saucony, Asics, and Reebok.

      No matter which brand you choose, you will still have to test them to make sure they are right for you. One of the best indicators of compatibility is how your ankles, feet, hips, and knees feel when you run or jog in them. Most large athletic stores will have a running track or enough space for you to jog around to see just how well the shoes work for you. Spend as much time as need to test cushion, support, motion control, and stability, with stability being top priority.

      Expect to pay the same price for specialty running shoes as you would for a high quality pair of non-specialty running shoes. In-store prices typically start at around $120. You can shop online where “Internet only” specials are plentiful, but purchasing specialty shoes without trying them out first is not recommended.

      In addition to wearing special running shoes, people with flat feet may perform foot exercises (using ping pong balls) to prevent injury and they may also use insoles for flat feet in other types of footwear. New Balance, ProKinetics, and Dr. Scholl’s sell a variety of insoles for flat feet.

      Equipment and Gear, Legs, Running

      Are Fish Oil Supplements Good For You?

      February 25, 2011 /


      Because it has a positive effect on memory, some people think of fish as “brain food.” Others believe it’s a healthier source of protein than meat or poultry. Whatever your feelings are about fish, the omega-3 fatty acids contained in this superfood have been proven to lower fats called triglycerides and prevent heart disease and heart attacks. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are also effective for high blood pressure, weak bones, hardening of the arteries, depression, psychosis, weight loss, memory loss, and high cholesterol.

      While recommended weekly amounts of fish vary, in order to reap the benefits of fish you should consider eating at least 2-to-3 servings of fish per week. Three ounces of sardines has about 1.3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, while a 3-ounce serving of herring or Atlantic salmon has around 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. Consuming 2-to-3 servings of fish each week is not always feasible. Fortunately, fish oil supplements can fill the gap.

      Although doctors recommend getting the fish oil you need from fresh fish, fish oil supplements are an excellent substitute. They offer the same benefits as consuming fish because they are made from the same types of fish that offer the most benefits. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (NIH) fish that are especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids include mackerel, tuna, salmon, sturgeon, mullet, bluefish, anchovy, sardines, herring, trout, and menhaden. They provide about 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids in about 3.5 ounces of fish. Fish oil supplements are usually made from mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, salmon, cod liver, whale blubber, or seal blubber.

      Many fish oil supplements contain other beneficial vitamins such as vitamin E to prevent spoilage, as well as calcium, iron, or vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, or D. The amount of fish oil that should be taken for any given condition will be determined by a physician, but for overall health, 650 milligrams to 1 gram of fish oil per day is recommended. For specific conditions, the recommended dosage amounts are:

      -Aging 1,000 mg twice a day
      -Angina 2,000 mg fish oils 3 times a day
      -Arrhythmia 1,000 mg 3 times a day
      -Asthma 1,000 mg 3 times a day
      -Cancer 3 capsules twice a day
      -Crohn’s Disease 2,000 mg twice a day
      -Diabetes 2,000 mg 3 times a day
      -Eczema 1,000 mg 3 times a day
      -Gout 1,000 mg 3 times a day
      -Heart Disease Prevention 1,000 mg 3 times a day
      -High Blood Pressure 1,000 mg 3 times a day
      -Lupus 2,000 mg 3 times a day
      -Psoriasis 2,000 mg 3 times a day
      -Raynaud’s disease 1,000 mg 4 times a day
      -Rheumatoid Arthritis 1000 mg (2 capsules) containing 600 mg EPA/DHA, twice a day
      -Skin Health 1,000 mg a day with food
      -Stroke 1,000 mg 3 times a day

      Before taking fish oil or any other type of supplement, it’s best to speak with your physician to determine if the supplement is right for you and the recommended dosage amount. Consuming high doses of fish oil may increase the risk of blood in the urine, hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke, and nosebleeds.

      Uncategorized

      Benefits of Green Tea

      February 18, 2011 /

      Tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world. Although water is the most widely consumed beverage, still, hundreds of millions of people drink tea every day based on health benefits and taste. Tea comes in three main varieties, black, green, and oolong. Green tea (Camellia sinesis), is believed to have the most health benefits thanks to the way it’s processed. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves, which contain the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants such as polyphenols in green tea neutralize free radicals and reduce or help prevent some of the damage they cause.

      Free radicals are damaging compounds in the body that alter cells, tamper with DNA (genetic material), and cause cell death. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet rays from the sun, radiation, cigarette smoke, and air pollution) also give rise to these damaging particles. Many scientists believe that free radicals contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of health problems including cancer and heart disease. Based on studies using human subjects, animals, and in laboratory experiments, green tea is useful for:

      -Arthritis
      -Atherosclerosis
      -Cancer
      -Colds
      -Diabetes
      -High Cholesterol
      -Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
      -Influenza
      -Liver Disease
      -Obesity
      -Tooth Decay
      -Weight Loss

      Green tea has been used as a stimulant, diuretic, astringent, and to improve heart health throughout the ages in China, India, Japan, and Thailand. Other traditional include improving mental processes, promoting digestion, regulating body temperature and blood sugar, and treating flatulence (gas).

      In addition to tea leaves, green tea is available in capsule form and liquid form made from leaves and leaf buds. A cup of green tea contains 50-150 mg of antioxidant (polyphenols). Decaffeinated green tea also contains polyphenols, but they are concentrated. If you are sensitive to caffeine, caffeine-free supplements are available.

      Anti-Aging, Cancer, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Heart disease, Nutrition, Prostate health, Supplements, Weight Loss

      What to Look for in a Weight Loss Program

      February 12, 2011 /

      For a weight loss program to be successful long term, it must be customized to fit the individual. According to renowned personal trainer Angelo Sorrenti, who charges around $10,000 for a personalized diet, supplemental recommendations, and 30 training sessions, “There’s no such thing as a diet for everyone.” This may be the reason why 90 percent of the people that go on diets regain the weight, plus a few pounds, shortly after the program is over.

      Sorrenti’s success is based on simple science. He states, “Your metabolism is different than mine; your needs are different. There are diets that can be good for 10 people but can harm 10 million people.” And it makes sense. Not just the metabolism part, but also because people have allergies, ailments, and other issues that dictate what they can and cannot eat. So a diet that calls for a boiled egg, grapefruit, and coffee for breakfast could be harmful for an individual with egg allergy and/or interstitial cystitis.

      For this reason, Sorrenti, and other successful weight-loss experts, will not recommend a diet and exercise program until they have thoroughly analyzed your blood work, medical history, and current physical condition. Sorrenti states that once a client has been analyzed, he can then create an all-encompassing diet and exercise plan calibrated for the individual’s needs.

      So when searching for a weight loss program, consider taking a personal, not a packaged, approach. Contact several trainers, weight-loss experts, and weight loss centers and interview them. The goal is to find a program that is made just for you in order to avoid a devastating failure shortly after the program is over.

      To recap, make sure the weight loss center or expert:

      ·Requires a physical exam
      ·Evaluates your blood work and physical condition
      ·Asks about ailments or allergies
      ·Evaluates your metabolism
      ·Will work with you one on one to create a safe and effective weight loss program

      Successful weight loss programs always include exercise. You may start out with light exercise while your body adjusts, then the exercise regimen will gradually increase as your weight and energy levels increase. A weight loss program that claims to help you lose weight without exercise is a program that should be avoided if you are interested in permanent weight loss.

      If you want to seek out Mr. Sorrenti, we wish you all the luck, but if you have trouble signing with the most sought after trainer in New York City, don’t worry. There are literally thousands of trainers and weight loss centers and experts around the world. It really doesn’t matter how popular they are. If they take a custom approach to individual weight-loss and former clients have walked away (and stayed away) with good results, it’s worth giving it a try.

      Diets, Exercise, Nutrition, Obesity, Weight Loss

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