Kill Anxiety ... Before It Kills You!

A Simple Cure For Anxiety And Depression:

Our innate desire is to be happy, and when we move away from it, we experience fear.

This fear is actually millions of years old, for it arises from the biological programming of our species.

While we may not have to contend with a sabre-toothed tiger on any given day, we still use those very reactions to deal with events looming ahead.

We think, "Will I be fired for making that mistake at work?" or "Will I be able to meet the mortgage after I fix the car?" or "Will my health continue to decline?" or "Will my relationship fall apart after that argument we just fell into?"

Running questions with this type of urgency and helplessness trains our brains to prepare now for future danger by loading our bodies up with the stress hormone cortisol.

Anxiety is our anticipation of a dangerous future. We imagine having even less of the little that we have today.

This anxiety does not help us in any way to meet the future any better. In fact, it weakens and exhausts us. We usually worry most about things that we can't even control. Worrying about your dental visit, for example, will not make the visit better.

Anxiety, in fact, is a silent killer. It is enervating, and it drains you of purpose and hope, faith and initiative. It fogs up your thinking. And it makes the body susceptible to illness.

When anxiety--a fear of an event in the future--is high enough then you feel a deep sense of helplessness. This, in turn, translates into depression. You even begin to view the past as disappointing.

Caught between a miserable past and a frightening future you create a pattern of emotions that can lead to a variety of mood disorders, including manic-depression.

How do we escape from this vicious cycle?

Here is what I did 20 years ago and I have never since suffered from any serious mood disorder.

I started to cultivate my awareness of my mood swings--from elation to black despair.

I did this by basically watching myself when I was manic, and watching myself when I was depressed, and watching what I did to turn on these states. For example to get depressed, I used my love of literature to focus on dark, morbid, and unhappy stories about life. And to get elated, I would talk a lot, move very quickly, and do things in a dramatic way.

An interesting thing happened when I made my unconscious behavior conscious. I could not take my mood shifts seriously.

This is what I learned from that experience: when you are able to observe yourself over the course of a few weeks, you develop a curious detachment.

A paradoxical situation developed for me: I found it difficult to stay anxious and depressed when I was observing myself feeling anxious and depressed.

Ultimately, anxiety and depression are culturally-induced patterns of thinking that can be overcome through a deliberate cultivation of awareness. When you become your own observer, you weed out the unconscious habits that afflict you.

Despite the billions of dollars spent to heal anxiety and depression, and all the mood disorders and behavioral anomalies that arise from them, the cure is simple, quick, and free.

Scientific and Medical Prespective of Ramadan Fasting

Ramadan Fasting : Scientific Perspective

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The word Ramadan meant "great heat" as this occurred in the pre-Islamic solar calendar. Fasting in this month is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

We read in the Qur'an: ....the month of Ramadan, wherein the Qur'an was sent down to be a guidance to the people, and as clear signs of the Guidance and the Salvation. So let those of you, who are present at the month, fast it; and if any of you be sick, or if he be on a journey, then a number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and desires not hardship for you; and that you fulfill the number, and magnify Allah that He has guided you, and perchance you will be thankful. (Surah Baqara, 2: 185)

One can ask what are the benefits of fasting?

People have fast for health reasons. Scientists have studied the effects of fasting on the body and found that the intake of food increases the body's metabolism. After fasting, metabolism can become as much as 22 per cent lower than the normal rate. But research also has shown that after long periods of fasting, the body tends to adjust itself by lowering the rate of metabolism itself. After fasting, a person should gradually resume eating.

In some studies performed on fasting Muslims and Muslimah, it was observed that there was a slight loss of weight both in the males and the females. Their blood glucose levels increased significantly. Other parameters such as blood levels of cortisol, testosterone, Na, K, urea, total cholesterol, HDL (high density lipoprotein), LDL (low density lipoprotein), TG (triglycerides) and serum osmolality did not show notable variations.

Another study performed about a decade ago in Iran showed that sporadic restraint from food and drink for about 17 hours a day for 30 days does not alter male reproductive hormones, HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis) or peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones. Any changes noticed return to normal four weeks after fasting.

A recent study on "Increased fat oxidation during Ramadan fasting in healthy women: an adaptive mechanism for body-weight maintenance" was performed by Drs. Jalila El Ati, et al, published in the Am. J. Clin. Nutri. August 1995. In this study possible effects of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric and metabolic variables were investigated in healthy Tunisian Muslim women. Total daily energy intake remained unchanged whereas the qualitative components of nutrients were markedly affected. Neither body weight nor body composition were influenced by Ramadan fasting. Results also indicate the concomitant decrease of plasma insulin concentrations with respiratory and energy expenditure during Ramadan.

Fat oxidation was increased and carbohydrate oxidation was decreased during the light span of the nycthemeron. In non-Muslim countries such as the United States the physicians particularly the Family Physicians and Internists should be aware of changes of glucose and bilirubin during the month of Ramadan.

Rheumatic Disease

Fasting may enhance mucosa derived B lymphocyte cell responsiveness while having no effect on B cell responsiveness in both rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy volunteers. After a three-day, water-only fast, 7 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 17 healthy volunteers received influenza virus vaccine either orally or by injection. One week later blood samples were analyzed for B lymphocyte response. B lymphocyte response was enhanced in the group receiving the vaccine orally in both arthritis patients and volunteers. The response to injected vaccine was unchanged in both groups.

Longevity studies on laboratory animals have shown that restriction of caloric intake increases longevity, slows the rate of functional decline, and reduces incidence of age-related disease in a variety of species. The mechanism of action of caloric restriction remains unknown; however, data suggest that cellular functions are altered in such a way that destructive by-products of metabolism are reduced, and defense or repair systems are enhanced by this nutritional manipulation. Animal and human studies suggest potential benefits of dietary modification, exercise, antioxidants, hormones, and deprenyl.

Effect on Lactating Mothers

The effects of fasting and increased blood insulin and glucose on milk volume and composition were studied with glucose clamp methodology in exclusively and partially breast-feeding women (producing no more than 200 ml milk per day). There was no effect on milk volume, milk glucose concentration, total fat content or lactose secretion rate. It is concluded that human milk production is isolated from the homeostatic mechanisms that regulate glucose metabolism in the rest of the body, in part because the lactose synthetase system has a Km for glucose lower than the concentration available in the Golgi compartment.

Short-term fasting in normal women

In a study which investigated the effects of a short-term fast (72 hours) on female reproductive hormone secretion and menstrual function, it was concluded that in spite of profound metabolic changes, a 72-hour fast during the follicular phase does not affect the menstrual cycle of normal cycling women.

Fasting and healing

Studies are being conducted to treat serious illnesses like osteo-or rheumatoid arthritis or asthma utilizing fasting for a short duration of a few days to medically supervised water (only fasts of 30 days) to help the body heal itself. It has been known that both children and animals refuse to eat when sick as a natural response. The severely sick have no appetite, but they take the food only at the urging of the family members.

The severely sick feel no hunger because food in severe sickness intervenes with natural response. The body is always trying to heal itself. When the patient is resting and consuming water only, the body heals itself and fasting acts as a facilitating process. One can get rid of coffee, cigarettes salty or sugary foods, which are addictive, through fasting, as fasting can help clear the taste buds and healthful foods start to taste better again. However insulin-dependent diabetics should not fast because of ketosis in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, who cannot break down the ketones and use them as fuel. Healthy people use the ketones (by-products of fat metabolism) to maintain energy. (To conserve the glycogen stores, glucose becomes restricted to the central nervous system, mainly the brain. Instead of taking the glucose from the brain, the body begins breaking down the fatty acids in adipose (fatty) tissue). People with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (the majority of people who have diabetes) can improve their health through fasting.

Fasting helps cardiovascular disease, arthritis, asthma, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, ulcers, and digestive disorders, lupus, skin problems (including cysts, tumors and kidney stones). Even quitting smoking and obesity respond favourably to fasting.

Hence fasting during the month of Ramadan does not cause any adverse medical effects, on the other hand may have some beneficial effects on weight and lipid metabolism.

Ginger: Better Than Painkiller Drugs - - Eases Muscle Pain Caused by Heavy Exercise

Eating ginger can help ease muscle pain caused by heavy exercise, says a latest research.

Ginger root has been used as a household remedy since centuries for a variety of ailments, such as cough and colds and upset stomach, but now the study has revealed that ginger is particularly good for staving off muscle pain, reports dailymail.co.uk .


Professor Patrick O'Connor, of the University of Georgia , who led the research believes this remedy can be better than consuming painkiller drugs.

"Anything that can truly relieve this type of pain will be greatly welcomed by the many people who are experiencing it," he said.

The study showed daily ginger intake reduced the exercise-induced pain by 25 per cent. It is known to contain chemicals that work in a similar way to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

Beetroot Juice: A Natural Stamina Booster - - Increase Blood Nitrate Levels And Reduce Muscle Usage of Adenosine Triphosphate

Drinking half a litre – almost a pint – a day for one week enabled test subjects using exercise bikes to cycle for 16 per cent longer before they were tired out, a study found.

It followed earlier research that showed the juice increased endurance.

Now scientists believe they know how the beetroot boost works. The juice doubled the amount of nitrate in the volunteers’ blood and cut the rate at which their muscles used up energy and oxygen, the University of Exeter team said.

‘While our previous research demonstrated the benefits of nitrate-rich beetroot juice on stamina, our latest work indicates this is consequent to a reduced energy cost of muscle force production,’ said study leader Prof Andy Jones.

‘Since our first study came out, we have seen growing interest in the benefits of drinking beetroot juice in the world of professional sport and I expect this study to attract more attention from athletes.’

Prof Jones’ team studied seven healthy men aged 19 to 38, who were asked to complete knee extension exercises while measuring their exertion levels.

Beetroot was found to increase blood nitrate levels and reduce muscle usage of adenosine triphosphate – the body’s chief energy source. The findings are published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Increasing Risk of Heart Disease And Type 2 Diabetes Due to Excessive Use of Processed Meats - - Revealed by a Recent Research at Havard

Cardiologists will tell you that eating a lot of meat is probably not the best thing for your heart health.

But now a new study out of Harvard finds that it all depends on what form of meat you're eating.

Here's Chuck Roberts with this morning's Get Fit, Get Healthy Tri-States tip.

Harvard researchers report on this week's website of the journal, Circulation, that eating processed meats, such as sausage, bologna and bacon may raise a person's risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But on the flip side, the analysis found eating red meat that was not processed, such as beef, pork and lamb, did not elevate a person's risk for either of these health problems. The researchers looked at data from 20 large studies on meat and health and found processed meats were associated with a 42 percent higher risk of heart disease and 19 percent higher risk of type 2 diabetes. But red meat had no significant effects. Even though they found processed meat and red meat to have approximately the same amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, the researchers say the processed meat had four times more sodium and 50 percent more nitrate preservatives in them than the red meat, suggesting these elements could have more effect on heart disease and diabetes, than fat. The meat industry has a different view. The American Meat Institute Foundation says meat contains protein, amino acids, iron and zinc, which are the keys to good health. The AMIF says this is just one study from a wealth of research that has clearly demonstrated processed meat is a healthy part of a balanced diet.

Angel Burton, Eight-year-old British Girl, Got Extra Pair of Kidneys Miraculously After The Failing of Original Pair

An eight-year-old British girl whose kidneys failed because of constant infections has astounded doctors by growing two new organs.

Specialists found the two extra kidneys while operating on Angel Burton in 2007 when she was just five, the Daily Mail reports.

They discovered the two "healthy" spares had taken over the role of the old kidneys, curing her of her problem.

Angel has a rare condition called duplex kidneys — where the kidneys are fused together.

Doctors didn't see the extra organs on X-rays because they looked like one.

"It's a real miracle," Angel’s mother Clair Burton said.

"It's absolutely amazing that none of her earlier scans picked the extra kidneys up."

Angel, who lives in Louth in the country's east, was diagnosed with bilateral reflux shortly after she was born.

The condition means urine leaks into the bladder because the valves to the kidneys do not work. It was the leak which caused Angel's infections.

Doctors said her kidneys were permanently scarred when they discovered the two new ones.

Three years later, Angel has completely recovered.

A Cup of Coffee Can Increase Workplace Performance - - Concluded by a Latest Study at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Bleary-eyed shift workers appear to make fewer mistakes on the job when they consume caffeine, such as a cup of coffee or a caffeinated energy drink, researchers report.

Shift and nighttime work can sometimes disrupt the body's natural clock, or circadian rhythm. This can lead to shift-work disorder, a sleep disorder in which a person has symptoms of insomnia or excessive sleepiness related to work schedules. The lack of quality sleep can make workers very drowsy while at work.

About 14% of Americans are shift workers, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Nurses, truck drivers, and emergency personnel are some examples of people who usually work off-hour shifts. Sleepiness on the job has been linked to medical errors, automobile accidents, and occupational injuries.

Researcher Katherine Ker and colleagues of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine reviewed data from 13 studies regarding the effects of caffeine on shift workers' performance. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 65, but most were between the ages of 20 and 30.

Depending on the study design, the workers received caffeine through coffee, energy drinks, food, or pills. In most studies, the workers completed neuropsychological tests to gauge their memory, attention, reasoning, and perception skills. Several studies compared the results of neuro-psychological testing in participants given caffeine versus a placebo.

The study authors say that, compared to doing nothing at all, the caffeine helped shift workers improve their cognitive performance and reduced job-related errors. None of the studies reviewed assessed the effects of caffeine on work-related injuries.

“It seems reasonable to assume that reduced errors are associated with fewer injuries, although we cannot quantify such a reduction,” Ker says in a news release.