Thoughtful Thursday GOKI Readers, continuing with my daily mission to share with you one health tip, provided by my trusty little desk calender titled: 365 Ways To Boost Your Brain Power, written  by Carolyn Dean, M.D., Valentine Dmitriev, Ph.D., and Donna Raskin.

March 31, 2011 Brain Health Tip Of The Day

PROTECT YOUR CELLS WITH SELENIUM

This very powerful antioxidant benefits the brain by preventing oxidation of fat. It's important because more than half of the brain is composed of a type of fat. By inhibiting oxidation, selenium slows age-related brain deterioration and preserves cognitive function. Because selenium levels tend to decline with age, older people should take selenium supplements in addition to adding selenium-rich foods to their diets.

In Japan, where people traditionally consume about 500 micrograms of selenium a day, the cancer rate is nearly five times lower than in countries where daily selenium intake is less. There is no established RDA for selenium, though men and women can safely consume between 50 and 200 micrograms daily, not exceeding 400 mcg per day for adults over eighteen.

As Always, To Your Health!

P.S.  Here's a video about selenium rich foods.
 

Wise Wednesday GOKI Readers, I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.
Today's health tip touches upon a topic I greatly believe in, which is "natural/alternative" medicine.
Personally, I think it is ironic to refer to natural medicine as alternative, since this is the very basis of medicine. The truth is that "conventional" medicine should be the one referred to as alternative and not vice-versa, especially with do much "medicine" being manufactured in labs, which we have seen have had more than once major side effects for its patients.

March 30, 2011 Health Tip Of The Day

Consult A Naturopath

Medical professionals especially trained in natural medicine, called naturopaths, are fully licensed MDs who generally recommend natural approaches for the treatment of health problems. To find a naturopath in your area, contact the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, 601 Valley Street, Suite 105, Seattle, Washington 98109 (206-298-0125 or www.naturopathic.org). Naturopathic doctors fees vary anywhere from $35 to $175 for an initial consultation, but you can expect the naturopathic practitioner to spend considerably more time with you than does the average MD, especially those who work for HMOs. And naturopathic doctors typically offer the same level of professionalism as does a regular MD.  

As Always, To Your Health!

P.S.  Here's another informative video about naturopathic medicine.

Thoughtful Tuesday GOKI Readers, my daily mission to share with you an informative health tip continues. As I have mentioned before in my previous posts, these tips come via a desk calender titled: 365 Ways To Boost Your Brain Power, written by Carolyn Dean, M.D., Valentine Dmitriev, Ph.D., and Donna Raskin.

March 29, 2011 Health Tip Of The Day

Study The Human Body

Your body is an extremely complex, finely tuned, and yet remarkably efficient machine. Many of us take better care of our cars than we do our bodies. When something goes wrong with our automobile, we immediately take it to a mechanic. Most of us know exactly what the mechanic is talking about when he tells us that this part of the car needs replacement or adjustment. The question is how well do we know the physiological makeup of our bodies? When a physician uses a scientific term in reference to a possible ailment, is the word familiar? Studying human physiology will challenge your brain (memorize the official names for your collarbone or your leg bones and what your pituitary gland does), improve your ability to visualize what's going on in your body, and help you understand the complex terminology doctors will use when discussing your health.

As Always, To Your Health!

P.S. I searched for a video about this topic, and after checking out quite a few from the more serious, to the more humorous, I decided to go for a more humorous route. I hope you enjoy this video.
   

Mindful Monday GOKI Readers, my question to you is: How are your brackets doing in relation to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament? The only pick I have right for the final four is UCONN! And yes, I did put them down to win it all! Well, I guess we'll all have to wait and see next week, who actually gets to lift up the trophy. 

Ok folks, do not think I forgot what the actual title of my post is, I realize I went off topic, but I felt I had to make at least one comment about the tournament.
Now let me continue with my tip of the day.

March 28, 2011 Health Tip Of The Day

Check For Lead Exposure

Lead poses one of the greatest health threats when it comes to our water. In high doses, this metal, which once was commonly used in household plumbing, can cause severe brain damage and even death; in low doses, it can cause nerve system damage in still developing fetuses, infants, and children. Those most at risk are individuals living in homes constructed between 1910 and 1940, when lead service pipes were commonly used. Also risky are homes with plumbing consisting of copper pipes connected by lead-based solder (which was banned by federal law in 1986) and older chrome-plated bathroom fixtures, which are made of brass consisting of 3 to 8 percent lead. If you suspect your home may be subject to lead contamination, have it tested.

As Always, To Your Health.

P.S. Here's an informative video about lead poisoning prevention. 

Sunny Saturday GOKI Readers, I hope the sun is shining wherever you may be. 
Today's post continues the health tips I've been providing you
courtesy of my desk calender titled: 365 Ways To Boost Your Brain Power, written by Carolyn Dean, M.D., Valentine Dmitriev, PhD., and Donna Raskin.

March 26 & 27, 2011 Health Tip Of The Day
 
Consider Essential Oils

Today, people all over the world are paying attention to the healing effects of essential oils, and scientists are continuing to conduct research in an attempt to understand more about the effects of these amazing aromas on the human mind, body, and psychology. Essential oils are extracted from the aromatic essences of certain plants, trees, fruits, flowers, herbs, and spices. Natural volatile oils, they have identifiable chemical and medicinal properties. At this point, over 150 have been extracted, and each has its own definitive scent and unique healing properties. For optimum benefit, the oils must be extracted from natural raw ingredients, with attention to purity. They must be stored in dark, tightly stoppered glass bottles and kept away from light and heat in order to maintain their potency. They can be used individually or in combination.

As Always, To Your Health.

P.S. Here's a video on using essential oils. 
 

Friendly Friday GOKI Readers, a new day, a new tip.

March 25, 2011 Health Tip Of The Day

Be Aware Of Blood Pressure Cautions

People taking medication to lower their blood pressure should avoid licorice (the herb, not the candy), mistletoe, and eleuthero, according to Varro E. Tyler, PhD, ScD, advisor to Prevention magazine. Tyler also warns those using thyroid medication to avoid bugleweed, which can further decrease thyroid activity.

As always, To Your Health!

    

Thoughtful Thursday GOKI Readers, I hope is well in your part of the world and the weather is fine.
As I mentioned yesterday, the "snowstorm" that passed by last night was not too bad, luckily I would venture to say less than two inches of snow and with the temperature rising into the 40's F. the snow pretty much melted today :)
So onto the next health tip for today.

March 24, 2011 Health Tip Of The Day

Practice Pilates

By emphasizing the importance of the mind/body connection in attaining physical fitness, Joseph Pilates married critical elements of Eastern and Western philosophies. Westerners approach health and fitness as a scientific function of maintaining and nurturing the body's muscles, bones, and circulatory and digestive systems. Eastern philosophies place much more importance on the development of mental and spiritual powers in the pursuit of pure health. Pilates is a conditioning program designed to work the whole body - including your brain - simultaneously and uniformly. Joseph Pilates created his exercises with the intention "that each muscle may cooperatively and loyally aid in the uniform development of all our muscles. Developing minor muscles naturally helps to strengthen major muscles". As a result, every muscle is developed in every movement.

As always, To Your Health!

P.S. I've located this video for you to have a better knowledge of what Pilates workout looks like.

Wishful Wednesday GOKI Readers, another quick health tip for you today.
So you might ask why wishful, well I'm wishing that the Spring snowstorm coming our way will be a minor event and not a major one, as has been the norm this past winter. Well, I guess I'll find out when I wake up tomorrow, since so far no snow is one the ground.

March 23, 2011 Health Tip Of The Day

Eat Cereal

Cereal grains should also be a big part of your daily diet. They provide much needed fiber as well as variety of important vitamins and minerals. Obviously, this refers to low-fat, low-sugar cereals, such as natural granola, oatmeal, bran, bran flakes, etc. Fortified cereals offer another source of vitamins. 


  

Timely Tuesday GOKI Readers, yes, I am sending you another bit of healthy info, this by way of a short exercise video to help  start you on your way to that beach ready body :)  

Thoughtful Tuesday GOKI Readers, my daily health tips continue, as I have mentioned in my previous posts, courtesy of my desk calender titled: 365 Ways To Boost Brain Power, written by Carolyn Dean, M.D., Valentine Dmitriev, Ph.D., and Donna Raskin.

March 22, 2011 Health Tip Of The Day

Eat Nutrient Rich Vegetables

Vegetables are packed with all types of healthy nutrients. Daily requirements for several vitamins - including vitamin C, folic acid, and beta-carotene, the precursor for vitamin A - can be met almost exclusively from fresh vegetables and fruits. This is especially true with dark-green leafy vegetables, such as spinach or broccoli, and dark orange vegetables, such as carrots and yams. Some vegetables also supply sufficient amounts of calcium, iron, and magnesium. It's a good idea to load your diet with as many cruciferous vegetables as possible because of their cancer-preventing antioxidant properties (as well as other healthful benefits). Some of the most potent cruciferous vegetables, include bok choy (Chinese cabbage), broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and collard greens.

As always, To Your Health!