ECos2 - Own Global Online Store by a Click

Own Your Own Global Online Store

Consumers drive the worldwide economy by spending trillions of dollars. The amount of buying that is shifting online is growing exponentially every day.

What if you could claim your share of this multi-trillion dollar industry?

It’s easy, when you own a ready-made online store that offers amazing life-changing products backed by scientific research and human clinical trials!

You can share your website link with anyone – anywhere on the planet and everything is handled for you.

A very lucrative shopper program rewards your shoppers with up to 75% off if they share your link with other shoppers—which means your online store can go viral and you can be paid from customers all over the world!

Everything is completely done for you (no website development, hosting, stocking products, accepting payments or shipping) and you will receive 10% commission on all the sales from your worldwide online store.

We’ve made things very simple for you.

We build your international online store, we stock and ship all of the products worldwide, we maintain and host your website. We provide you with powerful videos that you can share with others. We give you online business tools to effectively promote and manage your business.
Your only job is to share and have fun!

How Your Online Store Works

Just send your link to powerful product videos to anyone, anywhere in the world. What do you think would happen if you sent the link to everyone you know? Everyone in the address book on your smart phone? All your connections on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media?

When your contacts make a purchase, they become your shoppers and you will receive 10% commissions on all of their purchases. Not just today, but on all purchases they make in the future.

Then, when they share your link with their own contacts, they’ll receive discount points they can use to save up to 75% on their own purchases. This can create exponentially more NEW customers for you!

Imagine a continuous and growing stream of new customers and existing customers repeating their purchases in your store, while you receive 10% commissions. How much can you make? It’s up to you! As long as your customers continue to shop and bring in new customers, you’ll continue to enjoy your commissions.

As an owner of an online global store, you’re also an Independent Business Owner and can earn additional bonuses under our eCos2 Plan.

For more information,  click here.

ECOS 2 Malaysia & Global

Dear Members

Online Stores are now LIVE!!

We are pleased to announce that our online stores for are now LIVE!

The online stores initially available are for Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia.

For more information,  click here.

Please take note that the IBO or shopper ID number is necessary to enter this website.

You will next be directed to the landing splash page for you to select your country of residence.

Note: Only to Malaysian IBO/shoppers: We have been informed that the Malaysia payment gateway is currently under maintenance, and as a result you may face difficulties while completing online transactions. If you are unable to complete a transaction please log in later and try again. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

More products, features and support tools will be added to the website from time to time, and members are advised to stay tuned for announcements, and regularly visit our online stores to find out on what’s new.

For enquiries please email to:-

pharmacistsharing@yahoo.com – for enquiries on shopping, your orders and products.

eCos2CS@ecosway.com. – for enquiries on eCos2 Plan and IBO membership, bonus matters

For more information,  click here.

Thank you.

eCosway

ECOS 2 are now LIVE

Dear Members

Online Stores are now LIVE!!

We are pleased to announce that our online stores for are now LIVE!

The online stores initially available are for Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia.

To access the online stores please use the URL:

www.bestrankedproducts.com/your ID.

Please take note that the IBO or shopper ID number is necessary to enter this website.

You will next be directed to the landing splash page for you to select your country of residence.

Next you will be brought to the site: www.ecglobalstore.com which is the online store of the country you have selected. Please note that temporarily all visitors will be brought to the Malaysian site while we upload country specific contents within the next few days. However visitors will be able to shop and sign up as IBOs or shoppers.

Note: Only to Malaysian IBO/shoppers: We have been informed that the Malaysia payment gateway is currently under maintenance, and as a result you may face difficulties while completing online transactions. If you are unable to complete a transaction please log in later and try again. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

More products, features and support tools will be added to the website from time to time, and members are advised to stay tuned for announcements, and regularly visit our online stores to find out on what’s new.

For enquiries please email to:-

pharmacistsharing@yahoo.com – for enquiries on shopping, your orders and products.

eCos2CS@ecosway.com. – for enquiries on eCos2 Plan and IBO membership, bonus matters

Thank you.

eCosway

Corn vs Callus

A callus, or callosity, is a section of skin that has become toughened and thick as a result of friction, pressure or irritation. If the friction (rubbing) is excessive, blisters will form rather than calluses. Calluses on feet are most commonly caused by frequent walking. In general, calluses are not harmful, but may occasionally lead to infections or ulcerations of the skin. 

A corn, clavus (plural: clavi) is a specially-shaped callus of dead skin. It usually forms on hairless and smooth (glabrous) skin surfaces, especially between the toes or fingers. 

Corns and calluses generally form when the skin tries to protect an underlying area from injury, pressure or rubbing. They are not usually painful, but can become sore if they grow. 

Corns and calluses affect women more commonly than men, as well as people who wear ill-fitting shoes, individuals with sweaty feet, and those who have to stay standing for long periods each day. Corns and calluses are also more common among people with foot problems, such as hammer toes or bunions. 

A corn will most typically develop on the top and side of the toes - its inside may be either soft or hard. Hard corns are common; they tend to be small and occur in areas of firm, hard skin - areas of thickened skin or calluses. Bony areas of the foot are favorite sites for hard corns. Soft corns tend to be whitish in color, and have a rubbery texture - they more commonly occur between the toes (areas of moist and sweaty skin). 

Calluses are yellowish or pale in color; they feel lumpy to the touch. However, as the skin is thick it may be less sensitive to touch compared to the skin around it. Calluses are often bigger and wider than corns, and do not have such defined margins (edges). Calluses commonly appear where the skin frequently rubs against something, such as a bone, some item of footwear, or the ground. They typically form over the bony area just under the toes - areas of skin which take the person's weight when they are walking. 

Although complications are uncommon, people with diabetes or other conditions which affect circulation to their feet are more susceptible.

What are the signs and symptoms of corns and calluses?

A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign. 

Patients often say they feel as if they are walking on stones. The following signs or symptoms may indicate the presence of corns or calluses:

• A raised bump which is hardened
• A thick and rough area of skin
• Flaky and dry skin
• Flaky and waxy skin
• Pain under the skin
• Tenderness under the skin.

People sometimes mistakenly use the terms corns and calluses interchangeably - but they are not the same:

Corn VS Callus 

• Corns are smaller than calluses
• Corns generally (not always) have a hard center
• Corns have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin
• Corns usually occur in non-weight bearing parts of skin (not always)
• Corns can be painful when pressed
• Calluses are not generally painful
• Calluses are usually larger than corns, and vary in shape
• Calluses generally develop on the soles of the feet, especially under the heels or balls, on the palms of the hands, and also on the knees.

If a corn or callus becomes very inflamed or painful the sufferer should seek medical advice. Patients with poor circulation, such as those with diabetes, should talk to their doctors before self treating corns and calluses.

What are the risk factors for corns and calluses?

A risk factor is something which increases the likelihood of developing a condition or disease. For example,obesity significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes type 2. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2. The following risk factors are linked to a higher incidence of corns and calluses:

• Bunions, hammertoe and other foot problems and deformities - a bunion is an abnormal, bony bump that develops on the joint at the base of the big toe. A hammertoe is when a toe becomes curled up like a claw.
  
• Excessive hand friction - people who use hand tools without wearing gloves have a higher risk of developing calluses.
  
• Old age - elderly people have less fatty tissue in their skin, which can result in less padding and a higher risk of developing calluses, especially on the ball of their foot.

What are the causes of corns and calluses?

Anything that results in higher levels of pressure or friction on the skin can cause corns or calluses to develop.

• Badly fitting shoes - the shoes may be too tight (pressure), or sometimes too loose (rubbing/friction). Very high heels. A badly placed seam in a shoe can rub against the skin.
  
• Socks - either not wearing any socks or having socks that don't fit properly.
  
• Hand tools - some work, house or garden tools, if used repetitively, can cause calluses in the person's hands.
  
• Walking barefoot - if done regularly, the skin will thicken to protect itself.
  
• Repeated actions on the feet (or one foot) - jogging or walking in an odd way.

Diagnosis of corns and calluses

The GP (general practitioner, primary care physician) will interview the patient and ask about his/her lifestyle. The patient's footwear may also be checked. There will be a physical examination. 

If the doctor suspects there may be an underlying bone structure problem the patient may be referred for an X-ray.

What are the treatment options for corns and calluses?

If the corns and calluses have been caused by repetitive actions, avoiding them will most probably solve the problem. Wearing shoes and socks that fit properly, as well as having protective pads and other self-care measure also help. 

If the corn or callus does not go away, or continues to be painful regardless, the following therapies may help:

• Creams - special creams may be recommended to rehydrate areas with extra thick skin.
  
• Trimming or removing - the doctor pares down the thickened skin, or uses a scalper to trim a large corn. A podiatrist (foot doctor) may remove some of the hard skin that surrounds the corn so that the center of it can be removed.
  
• Salicylic acid - after trimming the doctor may apply a patch with 40% salicylic acid. The patient will need to replace the patch periodically. A pumice stone or metal nail file is usually used to rub away dead skin before applying a new patch.
  
• Foam wedges - these may be used for corns on the toes to reduce pressure. Sometimes special silicone wedges may be used.
  
• Antibiotics - an antibiotic ointment may be prescribed to lessen the risk of infection.
  
• Orthotics - these are custom-made padded shoe inserts which may help people with an underlying foot deformity.
  
• Bone problem surgery - the bone may need to be surgically aligned (rare).

How to prevent corns and calluses?

The following measures may help reduce the risk of developing corns and calluses:

• Wash your feet with soap and water every evening. Use a scrubbing brush.
  
• Apply a specially moisturizing foot cream after washing and drying them well. Do not use a body lotion.
  
• Make sure your shoes and socks are well-fitting, and with seams that do not rub the skin.
  
• Buy your shoes later on during the day - i.e. when trying on new shoes do so when your feet are at their largest (feet swell slightly as the day progresses).
  
• Any foot pain or skin irritation in the foot should not be ignored.
  
• Regularly see a foot specialist for a foot checkup.
  
• When trimming your toenails, cut straight across, and not down at angles or over the edges.
  
• Use a pumice stone or foot file regularly. Make sure you remove hard skin gently.
  
• Change your socks every day. Do not let your feet become sweaty.
  
• Protect your hands - when using tools, either wear padded gloves or pad the tool handles.

Causes of flatulence

There are several natural causes of flatulence. Flatulence can also be caused by some health conditions that are related to the digestive system.

Swallowing air

It is perfectly normal to swallow air while breathing and eating. However, it is easy to swallow a lot more air than usual without realising it. This can cause excessive flatulence.

Excess air can be swallowed by:

• chewing gum
• smoking
• sucking on pen tops or hard sweets
• having loose fitting dentures
• not chewing food slowly and thoroughly (swallowing large pieces of food will result in you swallowing more air)

Hot and fizzy drinks also increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your stomach, although this is more likely to cause belching rather than flatulence.

Food and drink

Much of the food we eat is carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are made up of long chains of sugar molecules. Some carbohydrates cannot be digested and absorbed by the intestines and pass down into your colon. These are known as unabsorbable carbohydrates, or fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs). 

Your colon contains more than 500 different types of bacteria. The bacteria start to break down the carbohydrates and in the process produce gas, which is released as flatulence.

Foods that contain a high amount of unabsorbable carbohydrates include:

• beans
• broccoli
• cabbage
• cauliflower
• artichokes
• raisins
• pulses
• lentils
• onions
• prunes
• apples
• Brussels sprouts

Other foods and drinks containing a sweetener called sorbitol (such as sugar-free gum or slimming products), or a type of sugar called fructose (such as fruit juice), can also cause flatulence.

Certain foods, such as cabbage or onions, can lead to the production of gases containing sulphur, which can result in foul smelling wind.

However, the production of smelly wind can vary from person to person depending on what you eat, so it is up to you to work out which foods cause the most smell.

Health conditions

Health conditions that can cause symptoms of flatulence include:

• constipation 
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a common digestive condition, which can cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation
• coeliac disease – an intolerance to a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye and barley
• lactose intolerance – where the body is unable to break down lactose (a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products) and cannot absorb it into the blood
• gastroenteritis – a stomach and bowel infection
• malabsorption – where the intestines are unable to absorb nutrients properly

Source: http://www.nhs.uk/

Six Tips To Reduce The Stress Hormone, Cortisol

Author: Caroline MacDougall

Hearing all the reactions people have to coffee makes you wonder how can coffee have such a wide variety of effects on the body? After I began marketing Teeccino herbal coffee, our customers began telling me about their symptoms that were aggravated by coffee drinking. I began compiling a list that was astonishing in its range and diversity. I thought the reason coffee hadn’t been targeted for its health consequences, unlike tobacco, was that its effects couldn’t be specifically pinpointed like cancer of the lungs caused by smoking.

I was wrong. Stephen Cherniske in 1998 published his landmark book, Caffeine Blues, that attributed the effects of caffeine to its stimulation of the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, the body’s foremost stress hormone. After the publication of Caffeine Blues, studies about cortisol, its relationship to caffeine, and the long term consequences of elevated cortisol to one’s health proved Cherniske’s theories to be absolutely correct.

The subsequent publication of The Cortisol Connection by Shawn Talbott, Ph.D. provides an even stronger picture of what happens in the body when you live awash in cortisol.

“Fight or Flight”: The Body’s Stress Response 

Both Cherniske and Talbott explain that cortisol is a necessary stress hormone designed to help you wake up in the morning  and in emergencies, to cope with danger. A spike in cortisol triggers the release of amino acids from the muscles, glucose from the liver, and fatty acids into the blood stream so the body can access a tremendous amount of energy.

Sadly, since we lack the inclination in modern life to react to this surge by physically burning it up in intense physical activity, the elevated hormones continue to stimulate the release of even more stress hormones. Due to our sedentary lifestyle, we are usually drinking that cup of coffee while sitting at a desk, a meal, or in our car. When caffeine triggers a cortisol jolt, our state of stress surges in a day already filled with stressful events.

Aging and Catabolic Metabolism 

Elevated stress hormones puts the body in what both Cherniske and Talbott call a “catabolic” state. This is the destructive phase of cell life that includes widespread tissue destruction, muscle loss, bone loss, immune system depression and even brain shrinkage! As the body ages, cortisol production increases and coupled with low levels of DHEA, testosterone and estrogen, the loss of cartilage, bone and muscle tissue is accelerated.

Many people find they can’t tolerate caffeine after they turn 40 like they used to when they were 20. At midlife, we first feel our aging bodies start to complain as DHEA production falls, cortisol rises, and suddenly, we no longer have the same energy or endurance we once took for granted.

Weight Gain, Heart Disease, and Diabetes 

Chronic long-term exposure to stress hormones disrupts the body’s metabolism causing elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and increased body fat levels due to increased appetite. Stress stimulates cravings for sweet, calorie dense foods and salty, high carbohydrate snacks. The combination of high cortisol, low DHEA and low growth hormone production causes the body to store fat, lose muscle and slow the metabolic rate. No wonder diets like The Fat Flush Plan and The Rosedale Diet tell you to get off of caffeine in order to lose weight!

Stress makes you burn fewer calories and cortisol can actually reduce the body’s ability to release fat from its fat stores to use for energy. Instead, we become sugar burners and fat storers. Stress hormones cause increased body fat in the abdominal region, exactly where we don’t need or want it.

Chronic stress can lead the body to ignore the function of insulin. Insulin resistance develops when the cells fail to respond to insulin’s message to take in glucose from the blood stream. It is thought that elevated blood sugar due to stress and diet contributes to the development of insulin resistance.

When insulin fails to unlock our cells, the appetite is increased while the body’s ability to burn fat is decreased. This syndrome is part of the modern problem of rising rates of obesity and diabetes.

Impaired immune system 

Cortisol shrinks the thymus gland - one of the key immune regulators in the body – and inhibits white blood cell activity and production. It can actually signal immune-system cells to shut down and die. Prolonged exposure can cause the same immune system cells to attack the body’s own tissue leading to autoimmune system diseases.

Initially the immune system may overreact causing allergies, asthma and various immune system disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and fibromyalgia. Eventually, long-term exposure may lead to immune system suppression and far more serious diseases caused by the inactivation of our immune system protection.

Stress inhibits the production and activity of natural killer cells, known as NK cells, as much as 50%. NK cells are responsible for identifying and destroying cancer and virus cells. Even more scary, chronic stress can accelerate the growth of cancer cells in the body as well as block the body’s ability to fight cancer. It promotes the synthesis of new blood cells in tumors and accelerates the growth of some tumors.

Gastrointestinal Problems

We are all familiar with the heartburn caused by the high acidity of coffee. Moreover, caffeine, by elevating cortisol, causes energy to be taken away from the gastrointestinal tract, lowers the production of enzymes needed to digest food, and reduces the absorption of minerals and nutrients. High acidity coupled with low mineral levels can lead to the development of osteoporosis.

Additionally, cortisol inhibits the growth of beneficial microflora in the intestines. These essential bacteria support the immune system, create B vitamins, and increase the absorption of minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium. A decrease in their population results in more colds, sore throats, headaches, diarrhea, upset stomachs and the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and fungus like candida.

Mood Swings and Depression

Moodiness, anxiety, and depression are all consequences of elevated cortisol’s long-term effects on seratonin and dopamine production. Although stress hormones cause a temporary increase in short term memory for up to 30 minutes, elevated cortisol reduces blood flow and glucose delivery to the brain and interferes with the brain cell’s ability to uptake glucose. It can even cause brain cells to actually shrink!

Studies show that students who study late on caffeine, thus elevating cortisol levels, find their short-term memory fails them on the next day’s exam.

Fatigue and Insomnia

Cortisol production is naturally high in the early morning around 8 AM because one of its beneficial functions is to help you rise and shine for the day. People who chronically stress their adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol alter their cortisol concentrations so that cortisol is low in the morning when they wake up instead of high.

Of course if you wake up feeling sluggish, most people will reach for a cup of coffee to artificially spike their cortisol levels up again. If you drink coffee later in the day, elevated cortisol can interfere with the body’s natural circadian rhythms. Coffee with meals can trigger cortisol surges that can cause overeating when blood sugar subsequently drops. High levels of cortisol can interfere with a good night’s sleep because it can keep you from entering Stage 3 and 4 sleep; the deep, rebuild and repair sleep your body needs for recovery.

Skin Aging and Wrinkling

Last but hardly least, is our appearance. Caffeine dehydrates the body. So do elevated cortisol levels. This leads to dehydrated skin and premature wrinkling. Dr. Nicholas Perricone in his best selling books, The Perricone Prescription and The Wrinkle Cure, is emphatic about quitting coffee to prevent skin aging. His patients revealed to him the consequences of elevated cortisol levels on skin aging and wrinkling through both dehydration and the decrease of collagen and elastin production.

Six Tips To Lowering Your Cortisol Production: 

Cherniske and Talbott both emphasize the importance of increasing our “anabolic” metabolism, the rebuild, repair and rejuvenate cycle of cell life, to reverse the consequences of elevated stress hormones and aging. Cherniske likens the anabolic/catabolic metabolic model to a seesaw. You want to have the anabolic side of the seesaw up in the air and the catabolic, or breakdown and degeneration, side down as low as it can go.

Here are 6 tips that give you their top recommendations to decrease cortisol levels and thus catabolic metabolism while you increase anabolic metabolism and experience optimal health.


     1. Eliminate caffeine from your diet. It’s the quickest way to reduce cortisol production and elevate the production of DHEA, the leading anabolic youth hormone. 200 mg of caffeine (one 12 oz mug of coffee) increases blood cortisol levels by 30% in one hour! Cortisol can remain elevated for up to 18 hours in the blood. This is the easiest step to decrease your catabolic metabolism and increase your anabolic metabolism.

     2. Sleep deeper and longer. The average 50 year old has nighttime cortisol levels more than 30 times higher than the average 30 year old. Try taking melatonin, a natural hormone produced at night that helps regulate sleep/wake cycles, before going to sleep to boost your own melatonin production that also decreases with age. You may not need it every night, but if you are waking up in the middle of the night or too early in the morning, melatonin can help you sleep deeper and lengthen your sleep cycle. If you get sleepy during the day even though you had plenty of rest, back off the melatonin for a while. It’s a sign you are getting too much.

     3. Exercise regularly to build muscle mass and increase brain output of serotonin and dopamine, brain chemicals that reduce anxiety and depression. Cherniske recommends taking DHEA supplements to shorten the adaptation period when out-of-shape muscles and cardiovascular system discourage people from continuing to exercise before they get in shape. DHEA also accelerates the building of muscle mass and increases the feeling of being strong and energetic.

     4. Keep your blood sugar stable. Avoid sugar in the diet and refined carbohydrates to keep from spiking your insulin production. Eat frequent small meals balanced in protein, complex carbohydrates and good fats like olive oil and flax seed oil. Diets rich in complex carbohydrates keep cortisol levels lower than low carbohydrate diets. Keep well hydrated – dehydration puts the body in stress and raises cortisol levels. Keep pure water by your bed and drink it when you first wake up and before you go to sleep.

     5. Take anti-stress supplements like B vitamins, minerals like calcium, magnesium, chromium and zinc, and antioxidants like vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid, grapeseed extract, and Co Q 10. Adaptogen herbs like ginseng, astragalus, eleuthero, schizandra, Tulsi (holy basil) rhodiola and ashwagandha help the body cope with the side effects of stress and rebalance the metabolism. These supplement and herbs will not only lower cortisol levels but they will also help you decrease the effects of stress on the body by boosting the immune system.

     6. Meditate or listen to relaxation tapes that promote the production of alpha (focused alertness) and theta (relaxed) brain waves. Avoid jolting alarm clocks that take you from delta waves (deep sleep) to beta waves (agitated and anxious) and stimulants like caffeine that promote beta waves while suppressing alpha and theta waves.

For a deeper exploration of the role of cortisol and the consequences of long-term elevation of stress hormones in the body, read The Cortisol Connection by Shawn Talbott, Ph.D. and The Metabolic Plan by Stephen Cherniske, M.S.

Caffeine may boost long-term memory

Numerous studies have suggested that caffeine has many health benefits. Now, new research suggests that a dose of caffeine after a learning session may help to boost long-term memory. This is according to a study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

The research team, led by Daniel Borota of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, notes that although previous research has analyzed the effects of caffeine as a cognitive enhancer, whether caffeine can impact long-term memory has not been studied in detail.

To find out, the investigators analyzed 160 participants aged between 18 and 30 years.

On the first day of the study, the participants were shown pictures of different objects and were asked to identify them as "indoor" or "outdoor" items.

Soon after this task, they were randomized to receive either 200 mg of caffeine in the form of a pill, or a placebo tablet.

The next day, the participants were shown the same pictures as well as some new ones. The researchers asked them to identify whether the pictures were "new," "old" or "similar to the original pictures."

200 mg of caffeine 'enhanced memory'

From this, the researchers found that subjects who took the caffeine were better at identifying pictures that were similar, compared with participants who took the placebo.

However, the researchers note that both groups were able to accurately distinguish whether pictures were old or new.

New research suggests that consuming 200 mg of caffeine a day may boost long-term memory.

The team conducted further experiments using 100 mg and 300 mg doses of caffeine. They found that performance was better after the 200 mg dose, compared with the 100 mg dose, but there was no improvement after the 300 mg of caffeine, compared with 200 mg.

"Thus, we conclude that a dose of at least 200 mg is required to observe the enhancing effect of caffeine on consolidation of memory," the study authors write.

The team also found that memory performance was not improved if subjects were given caffeine 1 hour before carrying out the picture identification test.

They investigators say there are many possibilities as to how caffeine may enhance long-term memory.

For example, they say it may block a molecule called adenosine, preventing it from stopping the function of norepinephrine - a hormone that has been shown to have positive effects on memory.

They note that further research should be conducted to better understand the mechanisms by which caffeine affects long-term memory.

They add:

"Given the widespread use of caffeine and the growing interest in its effects both as a cognitive enhancer and as a neuroprotectant, these questions are of critical importance."

Potential benefits and risks of caffeine consumption

According to the latest figures from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the average American consumes 300 mg of caffeine a day. The main sources of the compound are coffee, tea and soft drinks.

Many studies have suggested that caffeine offers health benefits. Last year, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting that caffeinated drinks may reduce the risk of liver disease, while another study says drinking 2-4 cups of coffee a day may reduce suicide risk.

But it is not all good news. One study suggests that the stimulant is able to disrupt sleep patterns hours after consuming it, while another proposes that caffeine from energy drinks may alter heart function.

Written by Honor Whiteman

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

Cosway 7 smile Slow Juicer Review

Retains 100% of the essential nutrients and natural taste of fruit and vegetable juices for optimal health.

Easy and convenient way to get your 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day!

Developed with unique technology, the Slow Juicer produces more juice than conventional juicers and better retains all the "live" nutrients, essential vitamins and enzymes.

Great for all kinds of fruits, vegetables, wheat grass, beans, and nuts!

Slow Juicer Features:

Continuous, clog–free operation – Pulp is automatically separated and pushed through a different outlet to allow for continuous juicing. There is no need to stop juicing to remove and discard the overflowing or clogged pulp. Just pour water through the feed chute for rinsing. Juicing can even continue with different types of fruits or veggies! The tastes don’t get mixed and the process is easy, convenient and hassie–free.

Low Speed Technology System (LIST) – Extraction is done at a low speed of 47 RPM with an ambient temperature so as not to disrupt the cellular structure of fruits and vegetables. This prevents oxidation and separation of the juices and produces 100% pure "living" juice that is filled with essential vitamins, nutrients and enzymes. It maintains the food’s natural flavor and color.

Unique method of pushing, pressing & squeezing – The special extraction process does not violently shred or disrupt the properties of the food, yet it actually extracts more juice than conventional juicers.

Conventional Juicers

High speed rotation and grinding – High heat is produced that disrupts the cellular structure of fruits and vegetables and allows oxidation (and loss of essential nutrients) because it exposes much of the juice’s surface to air.

Juice extraction with graters and blades – Can’t extract all of the juice from fruits and vegetables. (Just notice how wet the leftover pulp is).

Pulp accumulations in the juicer – The operation is slowed down because the pulp accumulates and clogs the juicer. The juicing process needs to be stopped to remove the pulp.

Laughter is good for your health

Humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use

Laughter is strong medicine for mind and body

“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.”
~ Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.

Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.

 

Laughter is good for your health

• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

The Benefits of Laughter
Physical Health Benefits: Boosts immunity Lowers stress hormones Decreases pain Relaxes your muscles Prevents heart disease	Mental Health Benefits: Adds joy and zest to life Eases anxiety and fear Relieves stress Improves mood Enhances resilience	Social Benefits: Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding

Laughter and humor help you stay emotionally healthy

Laughter makes you feel good. And the good feeling that you get when you laugh remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss.
More than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh–or even simply a smile–can go a long way toward making you feel better. And laughter really is contagious—just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun.

The link between laughter and mental health

• Laughter dissolves distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.
• Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.
• Humor shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

The social benefits of humor and laughter

Humor and playful communication strengthen our relationships by triggering positive feelings and fostering emotional connection. When we laugh with one another, a positive bond is created. This bond acts as a strong buffer against stress, disagreements, and disappointment.

Laughing with others is more powerful than laughing alone

Creating opportunities to laugh

• Watch a funny movie or TV show.
• Go to a comedy club.
• Read the funny pages.
• Seek out funny people.
• Share a good joke or a funny story.
• Check out your bookstore’s humor section.
• Host game night with friends.
• Play with a pet.
• Go to a “laughter yoga” class.
• Goof around with children.
• Do something silly.
• Make time for fun activities (e.g. bowling, miniature golfing, karaoke).

Shared laughter is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. All emotional sharing builds strong and lasting relationship bonds, but sharing laughter and play also adds joy, vitality, and resilience. And humor is a powerful and effective way to heal resentments, disagreements, and hurts. Laughter unites people during difficult times.
Incorporating more humor and play into your daily interactions can improve the quality of your love relationships— as well as your connections with co-workers, family members, and friends. Using humor and laughter in relationships allows you to:

• Be more spontaneous. Humor gets you out of your head and away from your troubles.
• Let go of defensiveness. Laughter helps you forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts.
• Release inhibitions. Your fear of holding back and holding on are set aside.
• Express your true feelings. Deeply felt emotions are allowed to rise to the surface.

Bringing more humor and laughter into your life

Want more laughter in your life? Get a pet…

Most of us have experienced the joy of playing with a furry friend, and pets are a rewarding way to bring more laughter and joy into your life. But did you know that having a pet is good for your mental and physical health? Studies show that pets can protect you depression, stress, and even heart disease.

Laughter is your birthright, a natural part of life that is innate and inborn. Infants begin smiling during the first weeks of life and laugh out loud within months of being born. Even if you did not grow up in a household where laughter was a common sound, you can learn to laugh at any stage of life.
Begin by setting aside special times to seek out humor and laughter, as you might with working out, and build from there. Eventually, you’ll want to incorporate humor and laughter into the fabric of your life, finding it naturally in everything you do.
Here are some ways to start:

• Smile. Smiling is the beginning of laughter. Like laughter, it’s contagious. Pioneers in “laugh therapy,” find it’s possible to laugh without even experiencing a funny event. The same holds for smiling. When you look at someone or see something even mildly pleasing, practice smiling.
• Count your blessings. Literally make a list. The simple act of considering the good things in your life will distance you from negative thoughts that are a barrier to humor and laughter. When you’re in a state of sadness, you have further to travel to get to humor and laughter.
• When you hear laughter, move toward it. Sometimes humor and laughter are private, a shared joke among a small group, but usually not. More often, people are very happy to share something funny because it gives them an opportunity to laugh again and feed off the humor you find in it. When you hear laughter, seek it out and ask, “What’s funny?”
• Spend time with fun, playful people. These are people who laugh easily–both at themselves and at life’s absurdities–and who routinely find the humor in everyday events. Their playful point of view and laughter are contagious.
• Bring humor into conversations. Ask people, “What’s the funniest thing that happened to you today? This week? In your life?”

Developing your sense of humor: Take yourself less seriously

One essential characteristic that helps us laugh is not taking ourselves too seriously. We’ve all known the classic tight-jawed sourpuss who takes everything with deathly seriousness and never laughs at anything. No fun there!
Some events are clearly sad and not occasions for laughter. But most events in life don’t carry an overwhelming sense of either sadness or delight. They fall into the gray zone of ordinary life–giving you the choice to laugh or not.

Ways to help yourself see the lighter side of life:

• Laugh at yourself. Share your embarrassing moments. The best way to take yourself less seriously is to talk about times when you took yourself too seriously.
• Attempt to laugh at situations rather than bemoan them. Look for the humor in a bad situation, and uncover the irony and absurdity of life. This will help improve your mood and the mood of those around you.
• Surround yourself with reminders to lighten up. Keep a toy on your desk or in your car. Put up a funny poster in your office. Choose a computer screensaver that makes you laugh. Frame photos of you and your family or friends having fun.
• Keep things in perspective. Many things in life are beyond your control—particularly the behavior of other people. While you might think taking the weight of the world on your shoulders is admirable, in the long run it’s unrealistic, unproductive, unhealthy, and even egotistical.
• Deal with your stress. Stress is a major impediment to humor and laughter.
• Pay attention to children and emulate them. They are the experts on playing, taking life lightly, and laughing.

Checklist for lightening up

When you find yourself taken over by what seems to be a horrible problem, ask these questions:

• Is it really worth getting upset over?
• Is it worth upsetting others?
• Is it that important?

• Is it that bad?
• Is the situation irreparable?
• Is it really your problem?

 

 

Using humor and play to overcome challenges and enhance your life

The ability to laugh, play, and have fun with others not only makes life more enjoyable but also helps you solve problems, connect with others, and be more creative. People who incorporate humor and play into their daily lives find that it renews them and all of their relationships.
Life brings challenges that can either get the best of you or become playthings for your imagination. When you “become the problem” and take yourself too seriously, it can be hard to think outside the box and find new solutions. But when you play with the problem, you can often transform it into an opportunity for creative learning.
Playing with problems seems to come naturally to children. When they are confused or afraid, they make their problems into a game, giving them a sense of control and an opportunity to experiment with new solutions. Interacting with others in playful ways helps you retain this creative ability.


Source: http://www.helpguide.org