Feel Good Health Now

3 Makeup Products that could be Harmful to your Health

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:15:39 +0000

For most women, a typical morning ritual would include a cleansing bath, an application of sunscreen and putting on some makeup. But are you aware that with the wrong choice of products, these self-care activities could very well turn out to be very harmful to your health? In this article, we give you the low-down on three cosmetic products: mineral makeup, sunscreen, and lipstick.

The Dangers of Mineral Makeup

Compared to conventional makeup, mineral makeup is touted as being better for your skin because it is made from more natural ingredients and contains little or no additional preservatives, etc. Although mineral makeup has been around for several decades, most women prefer using non-mineral cosmetics because of convenience, better formulation, and the fact that conventional makeup companies are simply better at marketing. Now that mineral makeup is more widely available though, women are discovering its wonders.

Most mineral makeup is sold in powder form. Powder makeup, compared to their pressed or liquid counterparts, has a number of advantages. First, being dry, it is less likely to harbor bacteria which love moisture. Second, it does not require additional ingredients like alcohol or preservatives which are needed to compact or liquefy products. The downside is that mineral powder makeup can be quite harmful when repeatedly inhaled; the minerals accumulate in the lungs and cause various respiratory issues.

Sunscreen and Skin Cancer

As the incidences of skin malignancies around the world are increasing, there are numerous health campaigns which encourage the public to regularly wear sunscreen even with minimal sun exposure. As the ozone layer has lost much of its ability to filter UV radiation, direct sunlight has become more damaging to our skin.

Nanotechnology is being used to create much smaller particles of zinc and titanium dioxide, crucial ingredients which gives sunscreen its sun protection properties. This allows sunscreen to come on clear instead of white or pigmented, so that it can be worn without being noticeable. However, the use of nanotechnology in sunscreen manufacture has been causing a lot of concerns, because nanoparticles have characteristics and behavior that are different from conventional particles. In addition, because nanotechnology is still an emerging field, there are yet no health guidelines or controls in place for products containing nanoparticles.

Preliminary studies have shown that nanoparticles can be extremely toxic to cells because it can penetrate cell walls and cause inflammation, mutation or even cell death. While some studies did find that nanoparticles in sunscreen are only superficially absorbed, some advocates argue that these studies are limited in scope and are thus inconclusive.

Lipstick and Lead

It seems rather ironic than after all the trouble we all went through to make sure that our homes are only painted with lead-free paint, women would then go ahead and smear lead-containing lipstick on their lips. But that is exactly what is happening.

About five years ago, an independent testing of hundreds of popular lipsticks were tested and found to contain lead at levels that were alarming. Early this year, a follow-up study revealed that the lead levels have even increased. And this includes globally-distributed brands ranging from high end to drugstore prices too. Now, considering the fact that most women apply lipstick several times a day and that there are no safe levels of lead exposure for small children and pregnant women, the health implications are absolutely frightening.
In reality, there are harmful substances in everything we use or consume on a daily basis. In fact, even baby shampoos were found to contain carcinogenic ingredients like formaldehyde. While there are some who make the choice to look for organic and natural alternatives, most are simply not willing or capable of doing the same. The best we can do is to be aware of the risks, so that we can at least choose which ones to tolerate and which ones to avoid.

Chrystal Ventura is a registered nurse who also writes fresh and engaging content for UK's premiere supplier of clearance mattresses

3 Makeup Products that could be Harmful to your Health is a post from: Feel Good Health Now

Celebrate Health Care Providers

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:45:22 +0000

Last week was National Nurses Week, a good time to acknowledge that there are unsung heroes in our healthcare system keeping us literally alive. Here’s to them.

Courtesy of MyNursingUniforms & Dickies Scrubs.

Explaining the Benefits of Chia Seeds

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:41:56 +0000

In ancient times chia seeds were used by the Aztecs as part of a balanced diet. Today, nutritionists suggest that chia can be incorporated into a healthy diet. Yes, chia isn’t just used for cheap infomercials, there are health benefits. Here are four health benefits of eating chia seeds.

Filling
People are not advised to eat chia seeds raw; they need to be soaked in water first. While soaking, chia seeds swell in size. The large, prepared seeds quickly fill a person’s stomach, but they consist primarily of water. Therefore, they have few calories. Eating chia seeds is much healthier than munching on chips, and chia seeds fill people’s stomachs.

Good Fat
A general rule of thumb is that fat is bad. However, as with almost all rules, there are exceptions. One exception is omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in chia seeds. Omega-3s are good, healthy fats that nutritionists encourage people to consume. Many people rely on fish or avocado as their primary source of these fats, but chia seeds are another option, one which vegetarians can enjoy.

Stabilize Sugars in the Bloodstream
Chia seeds have both soluble and insoluble fibers, which work together to stabilize blood sugars. The soluble fibers are quickly digested, because they dissolve easily in water. The insoluble fibers take longer to digest, because they do not dissolve as well. Together, they provide a quick, but sustainable, source of energy.

Low-Fat Baking
Chia seeds can be used in baking, to create reduced-fat or low-fat muffins, cakes and breads. They also work in cookie and brownie recipes. Bakers can replace up to one-half of the butter or oil content of a recipe with soaked chia seeds. Because the prepared chia seeds have a gel-like outer coating, they act like oil or butter in baking recipes. (Bakers should note that the same results cannot be guaranteed for non-bread baking recipes, such as quiches or casseroles).

There are many ways to incorporate chia seeds into one’s diet. As mentioned, they can be used in backing; they also can be placed on top of salad greens or blended in smoothies. Many nutritional stores have supplements that provide the health benefits of chia seeds, but the best way to enjoy them as fresh. People can find chia seeds at their nearby grocer or health food store.

Although chia seeds provide many health benefits, anyone with a sensitive diet should first consul their doctor or medical professional for guidance. Before changing a diet, people should talk to a nutritionist, certified nurse aide (CNA), registered nurse or medical doctor. In almost all cases, chia seeds are safe for people to eat, but it is best to make sure.

In between writing pieces for the CNA Training Center of Michigan, Wayne Page enjoys running and making Chia seeds a regular part of his diet. Anyone who would like to become a CNA can check out his site, while he also recommends this site for chia seed recipes.

Explaining the Benefits of Chia Seeds is a post from: Feel Good Health Now

Eat Healthier To Live a Happier Life

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:37:33 +0000

In today’s fast paced life having healthy meal plans set in place in order to eat healthier becomes increasingly important. Too many people are suffering from various conditions at the most unexpected ages. Decades ago heart attacks before thirty, teenage obesity or preteen cancer were unheard of and unlikely. Nowadays in spite of all the progress, of the best and fastest technology there is known, all the advances medical science can pride itself with these conditions are not uncommon. Eating habits have evolved too, or have they?

If progress means having your meal ready in seconds and enjoying it while driving or at your work station something is terribly wrong because diet is responsible for our overall health along with exercise. While exercise takes a bit more time and planning and extra effort eating can be a source of enjoyment and fun with only a few twitches. It is important to start every day with a breakfast and there are not enough words to repeat and stress this mantra enough: a good breakfast is essential to a good day. Eggs are a good choice for this meal since they pack a good amount of protein to the calories they pack. Skipping the bacon is a great idea at least on more days than not at first.

Mid-morning snacks are fairly common though not always necessary. Nuts are a favorite and healthy too. Have then unsalted and raw whenever possible. Lunch can be tricky since so many more people find themselves munching on a take-out or even a home brought meal at their desks.

For an energy boost and a refreshing taste add some sprouts on your sandwich. Sprouts grow quick and easy in any home. Soak overnight and rinse twice a day and in three days they’re ready to flavor your salads or shakes and bring lots of energy and B vitamin in the process. Dinners are best had as early as possible. An early bird is a healthier bird. If enjoyed them with family at home or out with friends try to be mindful about the portion. A better night sleep follows a poorer dinner. Save the rich ones for holidays or celebrations.

A healthy dessert is as hard to find as a gold coin and just as hard to keep a secret. When at home some find that whipping up some fat free Greek yoghurt with a tablespoon of maple syrup (it tastes even better than it does at breakfast time) and a dash of cocoa powder. Share and enjoy! Paying attention to ones eating habits is a life-changing experience for most. Pick organic as often as possible. Juice some veggies if they seem hard to be combined in a salad.

Home-made freshly squeezed lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil in a ratio of one to three beats any store bought dressing by miles. Sprouts add flavor, tons of vitamins, minerals and energy for cents a day to any diet. With little planning and lots of care eating can become a fun and affordable source of entertainment and joy.

Eat Healthier To Live a Happier Life is a post from: Feel Good Health Now

Great ideas for you to keep up with exercise even when you are busy

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:42:24 +0000

Between work, study, family and social life, most people are living extremely busy lives these, not leaving enough time for them to exercise and relax. If you’re in a similar situation, here’re some ideas on how you can fit exercise into your busy schedule.

Alter your habits to squeeze in some exercises at work

Just squeezing in light exercise for as little as 15 minutes a day can help you stay healthy and extend your lifespan. Start taking the stairway instead of the lift when you go to a meeting at work if the meeting room is just a few floors away. Take a short walk outside the office to relax and breathe the fresh air during your lunch break. Also, make sure you take a few minutes break after you’ve worked at your desk for more than 2 hours.

Some simple exercises to do while resting at home after work

People now have less time to pursue their hobbies or exercise as they hardly have the energy after a long day work. This is understandable. However, if you are one of them and keep avoiding exercise because you’re “too tired”, keep in mind that exercise should actually energize you and improve your fitness. So, even when you are back home watching your favourite TV programs, why not do some simple exercises like stretching your legs and arms, crunches, or pushups in the commercial breaks? It’s simple and easy to do.

Choose a gym that’s close to your work place or home

To save up the commuting time, the best way is to sign up for a suitable fitness training course at a gym which is in close proximity to your office or home. It doesn’t always mean that you have to exercise for a long session. The important thing is to make a commitment and do your exercises regularly.

Integrate exercise into your playtime activities with your children

Choose some sport activities in your playtime with your children. There are plenty of options – playing tennis / basketball, and even hide-and-seek games. By doing this, you can also take the opportunity to exercise while having fun with your family.

Build up your mental fitness

Mental fitness is as important as physical health. Dedicating a short time every day to your mental fitness will make you feel rejuvenated. There are a few ways that will help relieve your stress and strengthen your mind:

Make exercise a habit in your everyday routine and don’t forget to let yourself to take a break from your worries and stress – it’s important to strengthening both your physical and mental fitness.

Author Bio: Sarah Paige is a freelance writer who is interested in health and wellbeing.

She hopes to get her Certificate III in Fitness to help share her love of health and fitness with others.

Great ideas for you to keep up with exercise even when you are busy is a post from: Feel Good Health Now

Nursing Scrubs Giveaway

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:14:04 +0000

To all the nurses or medical professionals who read this blog and wear scrubs, well here’s a deal to say thank you to you. It does require a bit of work on your part, but I guarantee it’s not a scam (I know, saying that makes it a scam to many, but have a read if you wish).

My Nursing Uniforms, online leader in Dickies scrubs, is launching our popular nursing scrubs giveaway campaign to lucky nurses in the United States. Who’s eligible for our giveaway? From now until the end of March 2012, any nurse, or medical practitioner (that can use scrubs), that’s been blogging for a least six month is eligible to receive a gift certificate to the My Nursing Uniforms web store.

What’s the catch?! Quite simply we want your thoughts on our scrubs, the whole buying process, and even comment on our web store, and who better to ask then our customers?

The president of MNU, Alan Weissman had this to say about the promotion,

We’re always looking to continually improve customer experience. To do that we need constant feedback which we get through our checkout process and store reviews. But we also want to entice new shoppers to check us out and give us their thoughts as well. What better way to say hello to new customers than a free gift card?

Gift card giveaways range in value from $25 to $100 depending on blog size and interest.

If you fit our qualifications of a relevant blog that’s been active for at least 3 months then send us email expressing your interest and we’ll get back to you.

Details: MNU reserves the right to reject any blog application. Bloggers agree to review their purchase within 15 days of receipt.

About MNU: My Nursing Uniforms is a discount scrubs and medical uniform apparel online store that ships direct to consumers from the manufacturers routinely saving customers between 15-40% on nursing scrubs. Nurses can choose from every available style, color, size and print from your favorite uniform brands. Shop in the comfort of your home or office and see why My Nursing Uniforms is a leader in online scrubs shopping!

Nursing Scrubs Giveaway is a post from: Feel Good Health Now

Back to Vitamins, Flushing $$$

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:13:59 +0000

Taking too many vitamin supplements will mean you’re body will rid of the excess. How does the body do that? Pee. Literally, buying vitamin supplements means you pee money into the toilet. The evidence is mounting that the links between vitamin supplements and their various benefits is weak at best. (I haven’t actually read anything pertaining to the placebo effect mind you.)

So what are you to do?

Simply put if you eat a healthy diet you’ll be fine when it comes to vitamins. Yes, some women need to take supplements, especially during pregnancy, for things like iron. However, generally speaking healthy people, even when sick, don’t need to take vitamin supplements.

Save you money and instead invest that into a balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Shouldn’t be rocket science…..mind you, if all you eat is friend chicken and pizza, maybe a supplement is all the vitamin A you get……

Back to Vitamins, Flushing $$$ is a post from: Feel Good Health Now

Wanna Get Skinnny

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:41:47 +0000

Help yourself with a simply test that we all do but tend to forget to act rather than lament.

Get some skinny jeans! Can’t find into your old jeans? Trouble breathing comfortably? Maybe it’s because you had too many Christmas bon bons with your Super Bowl goodies.

Motivation leads to action, so don’t throw away your tight jeans just yet. Forgo the trip to Walmart for triple XXX sized pants either, that’s never a healthy indicator!

Wanna Get Skinnny is a post from: Feel Good Health Now

Healthcare Costs in US to hit 3 Trillion

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:23:55 +0000

http://www.forbes.com/sites/danmunro/2012/01/19/u-s-healthcare-hits-3-trillion/

Healthcare Costs in US to hit 3 Trillion is a post from: Feel Good Health Now

Nothing Feel Good About No Health

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:35:10 +0000

Healthcare spending in 2010 barely rose from 2009 record-low recession levels. In a country where healthcare is not a right, high unemployment and the loss of health insurance forced many Americans to delay or forego medical treatment. Certainly the years of ‘feeling good’ about your health don’t happen in recession years.

Spending was up 3.9 percent, bringing the total size of the healthcare system to $2.6 trillion, or $8,402 per person, according to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Growth in 2010 was only a slim 0.1 percentage point higher than the 3.8 percent recorded in 2009, which was the lowest rate recorded in half a century.

Obama’s 2010 healthcare reform law approaches the Supreme Court. If it were to pass we’d see the complex solution increase healthcare spending as average Americans (and of course those under the poverty line) seek much needed treatment that any other first world nation would offer for free.

Yes, our cost of guns and wars and small government certainly takes it toll.

But increasing healthcare spending won’t necessarily fix the root problems, overall health. It’s one thing to treat the end symptoms, but it’s quite another to work towards prevention. PReventative measures for a generation of malnourished Americans wont’ happen overnight. Or health is at stake and it’s going to take a massive change in health paradigms to not only help the system, but help America get healthy.

Nothing Feel Good About No Health is a post from: Feel Good Health Now