The Energy Within Us

If you are thinking that laying on of hands does not do anything good to someone, then you might want to think again. Over the years, we have been studying about unseen forces in our environment or especially in our own bodies.

Scholars say that during the medieval times; when the only light being used is through the candles; we can see intangible colors of light glowing and enveloping our bodies. We call these as "auras". They come in shades of red, green, blue or white as examples. As they say, a person's aura appears gray when he is sick or yellow or something bright when he is confident or healthy. Thus many believe that these unseen forces are what we call "life force."

Today we are going to talk about a practice to manipulate this life force in such a way that it contributes to healing and feelings of wellness. The practice is a form of stress reduction technique which is called "Reiki". This word originated from Japan in which Rei means "God's wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki is "life force energy." Hence, Reiki means in the actual sense as a "spiritually guided life force." Dr. Mikao Usui founded the Reiki system of natural healing. He recommended that one practice simple ethical principles of peace and harmony which is true to the whole world. Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

This practice is simple to learn and is a safe, natural method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective treating virtually every known illness and even offer beneficial effects and promote recovery. Reiki can also be an adjunct alternative therapy to other medical techniques.

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well-being. Many have reported miraculous results.

In a Reiki class, the ability to use the craft is not taught in the usual sense, but rather, it is transferred to the student by his Reiki master through the "attunement" ritual. By this, the student can tap into an endless supply of "life force energy" and enhance his health and quality of life.

Source:

http://www.reiki.org/faq/WhatIsReiki.html

The Widespread "Abdominal Obesity" Dilemma

Fat, chubby, or a little bit of everything, a bit flabby, or maybe a bit too much. These are descriptions or expressions that we refer to a person who is fat or overweight. But the more alarming issue is when someone goes beyond the overweight status and be called "obese".

The more prominent type of obesity is central obesity or abdominal obesity.

"Nearly four out of ten people will become obese within 5 years if they keep packing on pounds at the current rate. 31% or about 59 million people are obese, which is defined roughly over 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight. Almost 65% are either obese or overweight, 10 to 30 pounds over a healthy weight, which increases their chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, some types of cancer and a host of other health problems." as stated by Anne Collins.

"Abdominal obesity" is defined as the accumulation of visceral fat which contributes to the increase in waist size. Visceral fat means the fat tissues found deeper in the peritoneal cavity where the internal organs are located such as the small and large intestines, and the kidneys as examples. They are different from the muscular fat that is located between the muscles. Breaking down these layers and layers of adipose tissue will take days and months of exercise and proper diet.

There is no exact confirmed cause of the obesity factor but experts say that this is due to a net energy imbalance where in the person consumes more calories than he can use, or discard through voiding or elimination. Others attribute it to heredity or genetic factors. There is also the evidence of overeating while having a sedentary lifestyle. A victim of Cushing's syndrome is also a target of obesity.

Health Dangers:

- greatly increases the risks of heart disease

-hypertension

-insulin resistance

-contributes to acquiring diabetes mellitus type 2

-symptoms of metabolic syndrome

-lipodystrophies

-obesity inherited through the use of protease inhibitors,an anti AIDS drug

-dyslipidemia

-glucose intolerance

-Cushing's syndrome common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

The Relationship between Abdominal obesity and Diabetes:

According to research, the adipokines, a group of hormones secreted by the adipose/fat tissues, is said to impair the absorption of sugar thus it renders the glucose useless, and causes the glucose to remain in the bloodstream.

How to Know if you are obese?

There is a formula that we call waist-hip ratio. It is the waist's circumference divided by 0.9 in men and 0.85 in women. The result is your BMI (body mass index) or simply saying, the ratio of weight over the height. Although it does not measure directly the percentage of body fat, it is a useful tool in determining proportionate weight and height or any abnormalities like being overweight. If you fall under 35, then you are prone to obesity or are already obese. Optimal BMI range is 20-25. Females, during their puberty stage, their fat cells are evenly distributed in the buttocks, thighs, and hips. This distribution is strongly influenced by the hormone estrogen. When they reach the point of menopause, the estrogen levels decline until the ovaries stop secreting the hormone. Because of this event, the fat tissues then go to the waist which later on, settles in the belly and contributes to abdominal obesity.

Prevention and Treatment options?

There is a medication named thiazolidinediones which, although has a weight gaining side effect, the pathological development of abdominal fat is significantly reduced. Doctors also prescribe Orlistat or more popularly known in our country as Xenical. This drug binds with the fat cells and helps to eliminate it through elimination. For severe cases of abdominal obesity, people resort to surgery such as Bariatric surgery and or liposuction.

But one of the preventions, which I believe, is proper diet, no overeating, and doing regular exercise. You can tailor your own exercise needs and even best to consult a dietitian or nutritionist for that matter. So that's it, I have shown to you a glimpse of this alarming truth.

Help me inform everyone about this article so that we can stop the deadly abdominal obesity. Have a peaceful and a healthy day ahead!

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/abdominal_obesity

http://www.annecollins.com/weight_health/obesity-rate.htm

http://plasticsurgery.about.com/od/beforeafter/ig/Liposuction-Before---After-.--02/Liposuction-Photo-3.htm

Vegetarianism: Its Health Benefits and Concerns

I am featuring this article because a good friend of mine asked me if I can write a post with regards to a diet that she is following. She told me she had been a vegetarian for 9 years.

To my good friend Cham, here is your diet...

A diet based on eating plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, cereal grains, seeds, and with or without milk products and eggs. This is Vegetarianism. Although many of the vegans ( people who are vegetarians) do not eat fish, shellfish, shrimps, lobsters, and other products like pork and beef, some do eat eggs and dairy products coupled with honey. Most vegans eat eggs and consume dairy products. Lacto-vegetarianism includes milk but not eggs, while ovo-vegetarianism includes eggs but not dairy. There is also another type of vegetarianism wherein the person eats both eggs and milk products.

Vegetarianism does not only include eating any fruits, veggies, and other plant products as long as it's not meat. Including a wide array of foods and having enough calories to produce energy, are very essential.

Factors include such as:

1. Keeping your intake of fatty foods and sweets to a minimum. These are rich in empty calories.

2. Choose whole wheat or unrefined grains if possible. You can also use fortified cereal products.

3. If you drink milk products, choose those fat-free/nonfat, or low fat varieties.

4. Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables especially those ones rich in vitamins A and C.

5. Eggs are high in cholesterol (213 mg per yolk), so eat in moderation. Limit your egg consumption to no more than 300 mg per day.

Many people are vegetarians because of several reasons. One is for economic reasons like meat is costly in some countries, another is for ethical issues like being advocates to animal rights, and some for health reasons. So what are the reported health benefits of Vegetarianism?

The Benefits:

• It lowers risks of cancer, ischaemic heart disease
• Reduces risks of heart diseases, & osteoporosis
• Lowers saturated fat, cholesterol, and animal protein
• High in fibre, magnesium, potassium, folate, antioxidants
• Decreases blood pressure, lowers risks of acquiring type 2 diabetes, decreases risks of renal diseases, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease

Now what are the concerns then?

Before deciding to become a vegetarian yourself, it is recommended that you consult a registered dietitian first in order he/she can design a personalized diet for you that are rich in essential nutrients and vitamins. The diet must be balanced and equipped with the right portion of nutrients and essential minerals especially for those teenagers who are in their growing-up years. It is always better to think first, and research before deciding to practice Vegetarianism.

Sources:

http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/vegetarian.html

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4777

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarian_diet

Yoga Basics

Most of us will agree that the term Yoga will steer some ideas in our mind. But do we really know what is the meaning or essence of practicing Yoga?

In this article, we will tackle the origins of Yoga and how it is being practiced. Even so, is Yoga a religion?

The secret of yoga lies in a simple term: balance. Yoga is also regarded as a way of life, and in our lives, balanced moderation is essential. There are no exact definite accounts as to when Yoga practice started, but it is thought to be at least 5, ooo years old. The earliest evidence of practice can be traced back to 3,000 BC. Yoga came from the Sanskrit language and means to join, merge or unite.

Others also regard Yoga as a form of practical science because it can work for you and be applied in so many different ways that you are comfortable doing. Because of the many positions and the rhythmic breathing exercises involved, this practice is one of the several fitness routines geared towards losing and or maintaining weight, and balancing the energies in our body. In Yoga, we can be able to let go of our fears, inhibitions, and grow in ourselves- love, understanding, communicate properly, and develop a higher state of awareness.

In western parts of the world, Yoga is being practiced with the focus on the physical aspect. It is called Hatha yoga. Hatha is comprised of two words. Ha means the sun, and Tha means the moon. They are both joined together. Yoga is the union between them, suggesting that the healthy joining of opposites - in this case, the mind and body - leads to strength, vitality and peace of mind.

Yoga approaches our being as a whole- in body, in spirit, and in mind. It is a natural path to having qualities like discipline, intuitiveness, fitness, confidence, intelligence, and awareness. Practicing Yoga will help one to slowly become more grounded and satisfied with what he has.

Now going back to the question as to whether Yoga is a religion. Yoga is an independent tradition, even though it is closely associated with Hinduism. The practice does not conform with the traditional definitions of a religion. Rather it combines the physical, and psychological disciplines. What is embodied in Yoga, is the practice of non-violence, chastity, truthfulness, generosity, and non-stealing. It also involves purity, contentment, self study, self discipline, and focusing on the Divine.

Sources:

http://www.rivermaya.com/

http://www.yogaforbeginners.com/

http://www.healthspablog.org/