Type O

According to D’Adamo, people who have type O blood flourish on animal proteins, and have a need for intense levels of physical activity or exercise. Although type O’s can effectively digest proteins because of their naturally higher levels of stomach-acid content, the consumption of dairy and grain products is a little more troublesome for them.

The restriction of grains, legumes, breads, and beans while first starting the diet is advised, and this restriction typically results in an initial weight loss. The main reasons that type O’s gain weight is because of the gluten that is found in wheat germ and products. The gluten interferes with a type O’s ability to efficiently process insulin, in addition to slowing the metabolic rate as well. Another main reason that type O’s gain weight is their naturally unstable thyroid process and low levels of thyroid hormones. Because of this, it is advised by the diet to avoid any foods that inhibit thyroid hormones such as brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Type A

The blood type diet recommends that people who have type A blood consume only vegetarian foods. According to D’Adamo, type A’s are more inclined to have medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Because of this, the blood type diet recommends that people who have type A blood get their nutritional needs from foods that are in as natural a state as possible. People who are type A and start the blood type diet will notice some initial weight loss due to the restriction of meats.

Because type A’s have a low content of stomach acid, they generally have problems digesting meat and most dairy products. When they do consume meat, they typically experience sluggishness and low energy levels. Because of their low acid content and general aversion to meat, type A’s must receive the majority of their nutritional needs through vegetables. Vegetables and certain fruits give type A’s the minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes that their body’s need in order to properly function.

Type B

The blood type diet mentions that people who have type B blood are more resistant to the common medical conditions that plague the other blood types such as cancer or heart disease. Although they may potentially be more resistant to those illnesses, they are more prone to develop certain disorders of the immune system such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The general diet that is laid out by the blood type diet plan for type B’s is for the most part well-balanced and wholesome, including a large variety of food types and groups.

For people who have type B blood, the foods that are direct factors in weight gain are corn, lentils, peanuts, sesame seeds, and buckwheat. Corn and buckwheat are two of the main factors in weight gain by type B’s. Because these foods have certain lectins that effect the overall efficiency of bodily metabolic processes, they can cause fatigue, hypoglycemia, and fluid retention. The gluten that’s found in wheat products can also cause complications for type B’s as well.

Type B is the only one of the blood types that can fully ingest the wide range of dairy products without complications. They also flourish on fish that are considered to be “deep ocean”. There are however certain foods that type B’s should avoid according to D’Adamo; Chicken, shellfish, peanuts, tomatoes, and certain types of seeds should all be restricted.

Type AB

According to the blood type diet, people who have type AB blood benefit the most from following a diet that is well balanced but properly portioned.

Type AB’s do not generally metabolize meats very well because of low stomach acid levels, so portion control is very necessary. Also, chicken is not a recommended source of protein for type AB’s. This is due to the lectins that are found in chicken which are known to be the root cause of blood and digestive tract irritations.  A good meat supplement for people who have type AB blood is tofu. Although nuts, seeds, legumes and beans can be eaten by type AB’s, it is advised by the blood type diet to do so in moderation and with caution.

D’Adamo advises that type AB’s can consume dairy without any major complications, but should do so sparingly to avoid the excessive production of mucus. Also advised by D’adamo is the consumption of grains and vegetables. Because people who are type AB have immune systems that are naturally weak, they will benefit from the high content of phytocheicals  found in vegetables.

Conclusion

The blood type diet advises that people should make their dietary choices based on which blood type they are. The diet’s creator, Dr. D’Adamo, believes that peoples weight and overall health are directly related to their blood type and correlating nutritional choices.  For further information on the Blood Type diet we recommend a look at The Diet Solution, a program based on the most efficient elements from the Blood Type Diet.

It happens all the time, you and a friend decide to go on a diet together and try to shed some extra pounds. The diet starts off well enough, but as time goes on you begin to notice your friend losing more and more weight while you are losing less. You might even begin to start gaining some of the lost weight back again. You may wonder why it happens like this, but in the medical community it is a well known fact that diets do not work the same for every person. In order to achieve success when attempting to lose weight, a diet must be individually suited and tailored around an individual.

Dr. Peter D’Adamo is the author and creator of the blood type diet. Publishing the book in 1996, he outlined a diet that is based on peoples specific blood types. His theory is that every blood type has certain antigens that have control of specific bodily functions (such as the digestive or immune systems). When antigens find foreign particles that have entered the body, they assess them as either threats or friendly, and let them through or attack them accordingly. The theory laid out by D’Adamo is that the antigens found in the blood react the same way when dealing with foods, assessing them as either threats or tolerable. So in theory, knowing your blood type will help you determine the foods that are most suited for your body.

When selecting healthy and lean foods over processed or fatty foods, it is probable that you will see various positive side effects such as an increases in energy level and weight loss. Like many other weight loss diets, the blood type diet advises against eating fatty foods and recommends daily physical activity. Because of this, a lot of people have experienced some level of success with the diet. Most doctors are in agreement that because the blood type diet plan encourages you to stay away from harmful foods and advises you to perform daily exercise, that it is generally a good diet. However, many are critical of the claims that it makes about the link between digestion and blood type.

There is currently a lack of research and support for the blood type diet. No solid evidence exists that can link digestion and blood type, and the limitation of certain food groups in your diet can have a negative effect on your body. The reason that some people can find success with the blood type diet is not because of its scientific claims, but because it changed their eating and lifestyle habits.

The Basics Of The Blood Type Diet

In order for one to start the blood type diet they need to know what their blood type is. If you don’t know your blood type than it is required that you find out before starting, because it will determine your specific food plan. You can find out what type you are by having a test done at your doctor’s office. In order to follow the diet and see the potentially positive results from it, you need to know your blood type.

After you find out which type of blood you have, all you have to do is simply eat the foods that the blood type diet has deemed appropriate for your body. Dr. D’Adamo also provides lists of foods that each blood type should avoid as well. It’s important to note that there is not a lot of talk about portion control in the blood type diet, but it’s best to eat in moderation.

Exercise & The Blood Type Diet

Daily exercise and physical activity are a big part of the blood type diet. If you are doing the diet for weight loss and health reasons, than it is probably one of the most important parts of reaching your desired goal. Just as the diet claims that certain foods work better with specific blood types, it also claims that certain exercises are better for the different types of blood as well.

People with type A blood are advised to perform calming and mind balancing exercises. This could include doing activities such as walking, yoga, pilates, and meditation.

Those with type B blood are thought by Dr. D’Adamo to have strong immune systems and do well with moderate intensity exercises. These could include activities that require cardiovascular exertion as well as mind concentration, such as swimming or tennis.

Those who are AB blood types have a complex mixture of A and B blood in their body. So the appropriate exercises would be a mix between the already mentions activities of A and B blood types.

People who have type O blood are advised in the blood type diet plan to perform intense levels of cardiovascular exercise. Anything that raises your heart rate, such as contact sports, is recommended.

Blood Type Diet Foods

As is the case with the majority of diets today, there are a lot of food limitations in the blood type diet. This is even more so in this type of diet, due to the restrictions of entire food groups depending on your blood type.

Those with type A blood will certainly experience a major change in lifestyle habits. The diet recommends that people with this type of blood consume a primarily vegetarian diet, with little to no meat or dairy intake.

People who have Type B blood can probably enjoy a little more freedom than the other blood types on this diet. Dr. D’Adamo believes that people with type B blood have bodies that are more adapted than others, which makes their blood more accepting of most food groups. Although they can generally eat any type of food, it is advised that people with type B blood stay away from overly processed foods, and try to enhance their diet with a mixture of carbohydrates and protein from various sources.

Because AB blood is comprised of both A and B blood types, Dr. D’Adamo says in the blood type diet that the best approach to take is to eat mainly vegetarian foods. The inclusion of lean protein sources is also recommended, while dairy intake is not.

The most common type of blood is type O. Dr. D’Adamo believes that people who are type O should have a diet primarily made of meat, while also including vegetables and fruit. A lot of the foods that compliment type A’s should be avoided by type O’s, says Dr. D’Adamo.

If you already know the type of blood you have or have found it out, you can conduct your own research to determine which foods you should be eating that compliment your specific blood type and are in accordance with the blood type diet. There are many blood type diet food lists that are on the internet as well as blood type diet recipes too. When choosing to start a new diet plan, it’s essential that you consult with your doctor first.

There’s been a few attempts to simply the blood type diet, the most well known being the Diet Solution, a diet we actually review here.

by Mike Geary, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Specialist
Author – The Truth about Six Pack Abs

I bet you didn’t know that there is a specific class of vegetables that contain very unique phytonutrients that actually help to fight against stubborn belly fat.

Let me explain what these unique vegetables are and why they help to burn stomach fat…

Chemicals that force your body to hold onto belly fat

Something you may have never heard about is that certain chemicals in our food supply and our environment, such as pesticides, herbicides, and certain petrochemicals from air and water pollution, household cleaners, plastics, cosmetics, etc can react with your hormones and make your body store excess abdominal fat.

These harmful chemicals are known as xenoestrogens.

Xenoestrogens are chemicals that you are exposed to (and are hard to avoid in the modern world) that have an estrogenic effect in your body.  Excess exposure to these can cause hormone balance disruptions for both men and women. So if you thought this article was just for the guys, these chemicals can wreak havoc in the body for both guysand gals.

These estrogenic chemicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis can stimulate your body to store belly fat, along with many other problems (including cancer risks in the long term).

So here’s where this specific class of vegetables comes in handy…

One of those cool tricks that I teach my clients that hire me for nutritional counseling is the use of cruciferous vegetables to help fight against stomach fat.

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, cabbage, etc. contain veryspecific and unique phytonutrients such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C) that help to fight against these estrogenic compounds…

And by fighting against these belly fat stimulating estrogenic chemicals, this is just 1 more step in helping you to win the battle against abdominal fat!

So there you go… just another excuse to do what mom always told you and eat more broccoli and cauliflower!

I’ve really learned to like brussells sprouts in the last year too… Melt a little grass-fed cheese on them and some garlic and they’re great!

I’m going to show you at least 12 other specific foods, teas, spices, etc that help to combat the xenoestrogens and can help you to burn abdominal fat faster inside the resource on the next page…

For more information on fat burning , visit  The Truth about Six Pack Abs

What does a guy with 3.7% body fat eat?Anytime the topic of discussion in my blogs, articles or newsletters has turned to my own personal grocery shopping list, there has always been a spike in interest.

Often it’s not even the specific food choices that you’re making that are hindering your progress, but rather, how you go about cooking them. Use the wrong cooking techniques and you could be damaging your diet even if the right foods are being included.

Fortunately, you can easily see success if you know three little cooking secrets.

Dave Ruel,  author of “Metabolic Cooking” .who’s touted as the master chef for building a better body, has come up with three simple yet highly effective cooking strategies that will put some fire back into your fat loss plan.

Now he’s here to share his three strategies with you. Use these and prepare to see accelerated fat loss you never thought was possible.

Fat Blasting Cooking Strategy #1: Make Good Use Of ‘Thermo Charge’ Ingredients

The first must-do strategy is to start using foods that will boost your metabolic rate, taking fat loss to a whole new level. Dave explains that not all foods are created equally in terms of the effects that they’ll have on your body.

Certain foods will cause an increase in heat production to take place, causing you to burn more calories after that meal than if they were included.

In addition to that, certain cooking ingredients can help to balance your blood sugar levels more favourably, making it much easier to maintain low levels of hunger all day long.

When that hunger demon isn’t beating you down minute by minute throughout the day, sticking to your diet just got ten times easier.

Fat Blasting Cooking Strategy #2: Use A Simplistic Metabolic Profiling Nutrient System

Are you someone who’s carefully planned out each gram of proteins, carbs, and fats in your diet – right down to the very last calorie?

If you answered yes, Dave has news for you. He states that putting so much time and effort into such calculations only works against you. Not only will you feel overwhelmed, but you’ll be miserable trying to stick with such a diet.

Instead, you need an easy to follow approach that delivers the perfect combination of nutrients that your body needs to maintain its energy while maximizing the fat burning processes taking place.

He’s designed such a system he terms, ‘Metabolic Nutri-Profile’. The best part is that no scientific calculations are required, so you can put that trusty calculator to rest once and for all.

Fat Blasting Cooking Strategy #3: Adopt Plenty Of Variation In Your Nutritional Approach To Fight Metabolic Adaptation

The final cooking strategy that Dave shares as his real secret to maximum fat loss is being sure to add plenty of variety into your diet plan. A real serious issue for most people on weight loss diets is something called the metabolic adaptation phenomenon.

This process is where the body adapts to the diet that you’ve been feeding it and slows the metabolic rate right down so that your calorie burn now matches your calorie intake precisely.

“The body doesn’t want to lose body fat,” explains Dave. He tells us that unless you’re making sure to trick it into thinking it’s off that diet once in a while, you’re going to hit a plateau – it’s basically inevitable.

That’s where your cooking strategies come in. By carefully placing higher and lower calorie days throughout the overall plan, you can see accelerated rates of fat burning and never have to deal with this frustrating process.

So as you can see, fat loss is not as simple as grabbing a calculator and figuring out your total daily calorie intake. While that may produce some results off the start, if you really want to kick-start your results and make a stark difference in the way you look, you need to use principles that ramp up your rate of fat burning.

Dave also recommends making sure you’re using interesting recipes in your diet so that dietary boredom doesn’t kick in. If there’s one thing that will take you off your diet quickly, dietary boredom is it.

If you’re interested in creating  better tasting, fat burning recipes, you can find out more in Dave Ruels “Metabolic Cooking” .

If you’re looking to burn fat as fast as humanly possible, you know you have to diet, you know you have to train with weights and you know you have to do cardio.

So here’s the problem…TIME.

Diet is one thing…everybody has to eat…but how are you supposed to hit weights AND cardio effectively if you’ve only got limited time available to you?

That answer, according to “Metabolic Surge – A guide to Rapid Fat Loss.” author Nick Nilsson, is a technique called Fat-Loss Circuit Training.

Nilsson describes Fat-Loss Circuit Training as a technique designed around the concept of circuit training…moving from one exercise to another with very little rest between exercises…with a couple of very unique twists that are designed to get crank your metabolism up FAR more than regular circuit training and help peel the fat off your body FAST.

It’s also one of the core components of his powerful “Metabolic Surge – A guide to Rapid Fat Loss.” program.

Fat-Loss Circuit Training is very simple once you get the hang of it, and it can be one of THE most demanding styles of training you can do…it absolutely WILL crank up your metabolism long AFTER your training is done.

If you’re familiar with normal circuit training (with timed, light-weight intervals), put aside any notions you might have of how this works. You will be harnessing the muscle-building and metabolism-stimulating power of intense, full-set weight training while incorporating the great calorie-burning effects of cardio interval training at the exact same time.

This unique combination of weights and cardio into one workout is, quite simply, phenomenal for fat burning.

In order to use Fat-Loss Circuit Training, you will need access to both weight equipment and cardio equipment (and/or benches or stairs), preferably located fairly close to each other.

How Fat-Loss Circuit Training Works:

This style of training is simple… your rest period for weights will be cardio and your rest period for cardio will be your weight sets.  You will be going back and forth between your weight training exercises and cardio exercise for the ENTIRE workout!

Yes, that means pretty much NO rest the entire time you’re in the gym!  And even though it sounds advanced, this style of training is that it can very easily be adjusted for ANY level of trainer…even total beginners.

According to Nick, this particular combination of weights and cardio is very effective for a number of reasons:

- It forces your body to burn calories continuously during the workout.

- It utilizes resistance training and cardio training so you get all the benefits of both in one workout.

- By forcing your body to work like this, you dramatically increase your metabolism leading to increased fat burning long after the workout (more so than either weights or cardio alone).

- It saves time – you get both your weights and cardio in the same amount of time as your regular workout.

- You will still be able to use relatively heavy weights in your weight training, helping to preserve muscle mass.

How To Do It:

Step 1 – The Set Up

For the most efficient workout possible, try to have most or all of your exercises pre-set and ready to go. The less time you spend on preparation during your workout itself, the more effective that workout will be, especially since you want to be continually active throughout the training session. You can use any type of cardio that is convenient and enjoyable to you.

If you are working out in a crowded gym, try to claim an area for yourself and focus on dumbell and barbell exercises while using a Step platform for your cardio training. If you don’t have access to convenient cardio machines, you’re going to have to go low-tech, using stair-stepping or skipping rope!

Step 2 – Warm-up

Do a few minutes of low-intensity cardio as a warm-up. You may wish to do a few light sets of a few of the exercises you’ll be working with before you start into the main training session.

Step 3 – Start with 40 seconds of moderate intensity cardio.

Your pace should be fairly moderate…a level that is not easy but is not so challenging that you’re going to exhaust yourself right away. Go for 40 seconds.

Step 4 – Do a set of weights.

Right after you finish your first “set” of cardio, go as quickly as you can to your first exercise. Do a set of the first exercise on your program for the day. Do this with NO rest, going from the cardio immediately to the weights. Perform reps until you start to approach muscular failure.

It is very important to note that while this is definitely still intense weight training, DO NOT push yourself to muscular failure. The idea here is load the muscles with volume but not overtax your nervous system.

Step 5 – Go right back to the cardio.

Immediately go back to the cardio and do another 40 seconds of moderate-intensity cardio.

Step 6 – Repeat this cycle for the duration of the workout.

You will be going back and forth continuously between cardio and weight training exercises, using the cardio as the rest period between your weight sets. What this means is that over the course of your workout, you’ll be burning calories via cardio and weights AND you’ll be working your muscles with intense, heavy weight training as well. It’s tough training but very effective!

To give you an idea of what this looks like, here is a sample run-through:

40 seconds cardio
1 set of chest
40 seconds cardio

1 set of chest
40 seconds cardio

1 set of chest

40 seconds cardio

1 set of back

40 seconds cardio

1 set of back

As you can see you, you’ll do all your sets for your first body part (with cardio in between, of course), then move to your NEXT body part and do all the sets for that bodypart.

As you improve your cardio capacity, you can increase the intensity of your cardio training between sets. Also, this Fat-Loss Circuit technique can be used with nearly any form of cardio exercise as long as it’s convenient to go back and forth with the weights. The real key here is to maintain activity for the entire workout.

Nick also suggests keeping your workouts to no more than 45 minutes at the very most when doing this type of training. It’s a very demanding form of training as you’ll be working every major energy system in your body.

This is a KILLER training style that will get your metabolism cranking while helping preserve muscle mass…EXACTLY what you need when you’re looking to lose fat as fast as humanly possible.

Is this method of training for you?

Before making that decision  educate yourself on the latest research in the field by picking up a copy of Nick Nielsons remarkable book Metabolic Surge – A guide to Rapid Fat Loss.

General muscular aches and pains are often caused by either unaccustomed use or overuse of muscles.

However, more severe muscle pain accompanied by swelling and restricted movement may mean that muscles, tendons or ligaments have been damaged, torn, sprained or strained, possibly in a sports or other accidental injury.
Before treating, consider whether the problem is due to general aches or pains caused by overuse or something more serious, such as an injury. If an injury is involved, follow the RICE(R) approach immediately (see ‘Treatment tips’ further below).
When to see a pharmacist or other medical professional
Patients should see a pharmacist or other medical professional if:

• the pain or ache is accompanied by serious loss of movement
• the pain is severe, there is swelling or the area feels warm
• the pain or discomfort has not improved after treatment
• the problem is due to a back injury, or the pain is in the lower back and spreads to the legs
• worsens during the day, such as knee or hip pain
• there are other symptoms, such as morning joint stiffness, fever or numbness
• if the muscular pain is associated with a medical condition
• the patient is taking certain medicines known to be associated with muscle pains, such as treatments used to lower cholesterol levels
• the person is a child or elderly – they may be more sensitive to some medicines
• the sufferer is pregnant or breastfeeding, as certain medicines will not be suitable
• the pain persists beyond seven days.

If any of these apply, investigation of muscle aches and pains by a health professional is recommended, even if it confirms there is nothing seriously wrong.
Treatment tips
General muscle aches, stiffness or soreness caused by overuse may be relieved by anti-inflammatory gels or ‘heat rubs’. Where general muscle soreness and stiffness are the problem, gentle exercise, massage and medicine help restore mobility. Avoid heat, alcohol, exercise or massage for the first 72 hours, as they may limit healing.
Check with a doctor or physiotherapist before starting heat treatments and physical activity to avoid the risk of further injury.
If back pain is the problem, the patient should make sure they adopt good posture and appropriate lifting techniques to prevent back ache in future.
Treatment tips for sprains, strains and soft tissue injuries
It is important to use what is known as ‘RICE(R)’ therapy in the first 48 hours following injuries, following an injury such as a sprain.
Each of the letters in ‘RICE(R)’ has a meaning as follows:

• R – Rest: the patient should have no further exercise
• I – Ice: apply ice or a bag of frozen vegetables, wrapped in a towel to protect the skin, for 10–30 minutes every two hours
• C – Compress: wrap with a firm, elastic bandage, although this should be loosened if there is a sensation of tingling or numbness
• E – Elevate: keep the injured limb raised on a chair or cushion
• (R ) – Refer: see a doctor or physiotherapist for a precise diagnosis and ongoing care, as this will made a full recovery with less scarring more likely.

Treatment options
General muscle aches and pains can be relieved by a range of medicines, though it may be better to avoid certain medicines immediately following an injury first injured – so check this with a pharmacist.
Take pain relievers regularly for the first few days, rather than waiting for the pain to subside.
Oral pain relief medicines (analgesics)
Paracetamol, aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) relieve pain. Aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac also reduce inflammation (swelling).
Paracetamol is a safe choice for most people but it is important not to take more than recommended. It is an ingredient in many cold and flu remedies so if a patient is taking one these, it is essential  to avoid taking a double dose.
The maximum daily dose of paracetamol for an adult is 4g (8 x 500mg tablets) – and no more than 1g (two tablets) every four hours.
Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not suitable for everyone.
Children under 12 years old must not take aspirin because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, which is a serious condition. It should also be avoided by adolescents under 16 years old who have a viral illness. Children and young people under 14 years should not take diclofenac.
Patients should check with a pharmacist before taking aspirin or NSAIDs if they:

• have a history of stomach problems, such as ulcers or indigestion
• have asthma – some people with asthma find their condition is made worse by these types of medicines
• have kidney problems or a heart condition
• take other medications
• have an allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• are elderly – older people may be at more risk of side effects
• are dehydrated.

Aspirin and NSAIDs can cause side effects. If indigestion develops or the patient has unusual or increased bleeding or bruising they should stop taking these treatments and and talk to the pharmacist.
Topical NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
These are gels, creams, mousses or sprays applied direct to the affected area that contain benzydamine, diclofenac, felbinac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen or salicylic acid. They may help relieve general aches, sprains and strains, and are applied and rubbed gently over the affected area.

The medication can be absorbed into the bloodstream so it is important to check that NSAIDs are suitable for the patient (see above).
If large amounts of treatment are used or the patient is sensitive to NSAIDs, side effects may occur (see above). If the patient’s skin becomes irritated the treatment should be stopped.
Topical NSAIDs  should not be applied to open wounds or the lips, or anywhere near the eyes, and whoever applies the treatment should wash their hands after use.

NSAIDs are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children.
Heat rubs and sprays (rubefacients)
This group of treatments contain methyl salicylicate, methyl nicotinate, capsicum, turpentile oil, camphor and menthol.
They work by masking pain by creating warmth in the area they are applied, and most should be massage-in for better effect. Heat sprays should not be massaged-in, however.

Heat rubs should not be applied to open wounds, eyes, mouth or nose. In some patients they may irritate the skin, and their use should be stopped if this happens.

Some heat rubs are not suitable everyone – check with the pharmacist before use.
Reducing bruising
Treatments containing heparinoid may be used to reduce swelling and bruising in an injured area.

Patient Information Leaflet: Muscle Aches and Pains
www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk

A new study claims the ordinary kitchen spice, ginger, touted for centuries as an effective and trustworthy root that is packed with health benefits may be good for staving off muscle pain linked with heavy housework, gardening and intense exercise.

Ginger is believed to contain pharmacological properties similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin, which are popularly used to reduce inflammation and keep pain at bay.

Lead researcher Professor Patrick O’Connor, of the University of Georgia, said, “Anything that can truly relieve this type of pain will be greatly welcomed by the many people who are experiencing it.”

Study to identify the healing powers of ginger

In a bid to identify the impact of ginger as a natural pain reliever in the raw and pre-heated form, the researchers conducted two studies. They enrolled a group of 74 volunteers with muscle pain.

As a part of the study, the subjects consumed capsules containing two grams of either raw ginger, heat treated ginger, or a placebo for a period of 11 days.

On the eighth day of the study, all the participants were asked to perform 18 extensions of the elbow flexors using heavy weights in order to induce muscle pain.

In each group, the arm function, pain, inflammation and the biochemical involved in pain was assessed both before and after three days of performing the exercise.

Findings of the study
The researchers found that ginger reduced pain and inflammation by 25 percent when compared to placebo.

Contrary to the popular belief that the healing powers of ginger are enhanced when the root is cooked, the researchers found no significant improvement in the pain by using heat-treated ginger.

They concluded, “Daily consumption of raw and heat-treated ginger resulted in moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury.”

The research was funded by the McCormick Science Institute and will be published in the September issue of The Journal of Pain.

Other health benefits of ginger

Ginger is most commonly known for its effectiveness as a digestive aid. The root increases the production of digestive fluids and saliva, thereby helping relieve indigestion, gas pains, diarrhea and stomach cramping.

Ginger is also used to treat nausea related to both motion sickness and morning sickness. Its anti-inflammatory properties help relieve pain and reduce inflammation related with arthritis, rheumatism and muscle spasms.

Ginger’s therapeutic properties stimulate circulation of the blood, removing toxins from the body, cleansing the bowels and kidneys, and nourishing the skin.

The other health benefits of ginger include the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. The ginger root also aids in breaking fevers by warming the body and increasing perspiration.

Ginger Effective in Easing Pains and Aches–Study
By Neharika Sabharwal | www.themedguru.com

In most of the cases, the bones become weaker when you have unsubstantial level of calcium and other minerals in your body. Usually, osteoporosis leads to fracture. But the most dreadful aspect of osteoporosis is that it affects spinal cord, hip or wrist in most of the cases. Mostly, women are the victim of the disease but it also impacts men.

There is an initial stage of osteoporosis as well when this disease has not attacked fully yet but the condition of bones is heading towards that direction. So the people who have less bone-density are potentially at the risk. But, in such initial-stage cases, the disease can be prevented by taking effective measures.

But the initial stage of osteoporosis is not easy to identify because the affected person does not have pain or any other sign. The patient comes to know that he has become the victim of the disease when he has severe backache due to some dislocation or fracture in the spinal cord. The person develops hunch and can not have an erect posture.

Other symptoms include fracture in the wrist or hip bone. As there are no identifiable signs before the disease is fully developed, doctors suggest a bone density test if a woman has attained the age of 65 years and a man has attained the age of 70 as a precautionary measure.

Osteoporosis: Disease of Porous Bones
www.buzztab.com

It is one of the most annoying and common problems. Backaches can give you sleepless nights and disrupt your normal life. Here are some common habits that could be causing the pain.

Sitting for too long
Did you know that sitting on your desk, working for hours on end, could be doing you harm? Experts say that sitting puts 40 per cent more pressure on your spine than standing. When working for hours on end, most of us tend to forget to keep a check on our posture. Try sitting at a 135-degree angle and make sure your office chair supports the curve of your spine.

Avoiding your exercises
It’s important to workout on a regular basis and whether you prefer to go to the gym, a dance class, aerobics session or prefer playing a sport, some form of movement is necessary. Research shows that the best way to avoid aches and pains is doing some exercises. Light workouts in the form of walks, and yoga can help ease stiffness in lower back.

Food junkie
What you eat, plays a large role in determining your health. Those who suffer from back pain probably have clogged arteries as well. Healthy circulation is necessary to avoid inflammation. Reducing your daily intake of caffeine and unhealthy processed foods can help as does consuming whole grains, nuts, vegetables and fruit.

Carrying the load
The fairer sex is guilty of carrying a whole lot of unnecessary items in their bags. A heavy bag carried over a period of time can cause the shoulders to become imbalanced, causing back muscles to ache. Your bag shouldn’t weigh more than 10 per cent of your body weight and alternating the shoulder you carry it on can also help.

Bed trouble
Haven’t replaced your mattress since you were a child? Avoid the money saving tactic and ensure you get a new one every seven years. Sleeping on an old and worn out mattress can cause backache.

Heel disaster
Yes, women love them, but continual wearing of heels can cause foot instability and hurt your back. High heels make you arch your back, while flat chappal can give a poor grip. Restrict usage of these shoes.

Not letting go
Holding onto grudges can do you more harm than good! Research suggests that those who can’t forgive are more likely to suffer from lower back pains.

Back out!
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