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• breast cancer awareness
• breast cancer
• cancer awareness

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

The incidents of breast cancer continuous to rise over the past years even with the advent of new technologies and new cancer intervention treatments. And this is not only confined to women but with men as well.

Cancer Causes

Even with breasts cancer awareness programs and information drives, plenty still of those who have it are still unaware of it. Most often this happened when these women are not in any line of cancer genes or has been healthy all their lives.

Breast cancer though can be very silent and can stalk you without knowing. Causes of breast cancer are detailed below:

• Old age
• Genetics/ hereditary
• History of breast cancer
• Breast lumps
• Estrogen exposure
• Obesity
• Height (taller women has higher chance of having it)
• Alcohol consumption
• Radiation exposure
• Specific Jobs(night jobs exposed to carcinogens and endocrine disruptors)
• HRT or hormone replacement therapy

Early Signs of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer intervention can be very effective once it is done at the start early onset of the condition. To be able to detect it early, women should be able to keep their selves aware of its different symptoms.

Angelina Jolie, when diagnosed with a certain rare cancer strand had a Mastectomy (removal of breasts). The beauty of early intervention is it keeps you even from acquiring it or making it worse. Jolie who undergo mastectomy have had a breast implant or breast augmentation after to go back to normal.

Many women who had mastectomy ahs found a savior from breast implants to restore normal look and be confident again. And for the early diagnosis and intervention, see below.

1. Change in nipple and breast feeling. Tendency is, there will be lumps or thickening near the breast. Mostly it appears near the underarm area also. Another notable one is the enlargement of pores in the breast. But don't panic once you detect a couple o lumps, some are not cancerous. To be sure, have a professional examine it for you.
2. Change in breast and nipple appearance. A change in the size of the breast as well as any dimpling can be an early sign. Uneven swelling or shrinkage should also be checked. When suddenly your nipples turn inverted or inward, it can be a sign that you need to be checked up.
3. Nipple discharge. A milky discharge is okay with women who are breastfeeding. But once you are not into it, chances are you may be experiencing something. Though it might not be cancer, it always pays to be careful.
4. Pain in the armpits. Once the pain in your armpits is bothering you and it isn't by any chance related to your period, then see a doctor right away.

Don't Panic, Be Calm

Once you have some of the symptoms above, don't panic nor be alarmed. Keep calm and go to a doctor right away. Have some laboratory tests scheduled. Some may even be a false alarm.

Once your first diagnosis is positive, always go for the second and third opinion. But if it is really positive, there are interventions in it.

There are plenty of treatments for cancer.  Treatments depend on the cancer stage. Known ones include chemotherapy, mastectomy (like those of Angelina Jolie), hormone therapy and biological treatment. But the biggest weapon you can have is a huge heart, a good fighting will and a strong spirit. So be aware of its symptoms and have early intervention once you suspect you have it.

• Weight Loss
• weight training
• healthy foods
• bananas

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Considered as one of the world's miracle fruits, the musa acuminata better known as a banana has a number of known and proven health benefits. In fact, it may even have more health benefits than any other fruit in the market. What makes a banana even better than most healthy fruits like apples, grapes, mangoes or an orange is that fact that it is a lot cheaper and is widely available in most parts of the world.

There have been numerous clinical studies in the past that link banana to various health benefits, some of which are presented below.

Bananas are good for your heart and blood

Potassium is one of the most abundant nutrients packed in a single banana serving. Needless to say, potassium has a lot of known benefits. For starters, potassium helps the heart by promoting better circulation of blood. A single banana serving also has vitamin B6 : an essential vitamin that aids in the production of helpful antibodies.

Likewise, vitamin B6 also helps in the production of hemoglobin, another important nutrient the human body needs.

Banana as a natural mood enhancer

It is also said that banana is a natural mood enhancer. This miracle fruit has tryphotan which can help smoothen and enhance the mood of people. Tryphotan is an amino acid which can help the human body produce serotonin. Serotonin, on the other hand, can produce a calming effect on the human body and is bound to stabilize the mood of the person taking it.

A banana a day is good for your kidney and bones

The old adage, an apple a day keeps the doctor away may just be it : old. Bananas have already proven its worth many times over. One of its many benefits includes helping your kidneys and bones to become stronger and less vulnerable to complications.

This is due to the high potassium content of a banana fruit. Potassium suppresses calcium excretion in the urine and is therefore minimizing the risk against kidney stones. For that matter, I guess it would be wise to say that a banana a day keeps the doctor away.

Regular intake of bananas is said to make a person smarter

According to a study conducted on 200 students at a Middlesex school, a normal intake of banana after every meal makes pupils more alert and open to learning.

Bananas can promote better bowel movement

Another well known benefit of banana is that this miracle fruit is high in fiber and can restore and promote better bowel movement. That is the reason why people suffering from constipation are almost always given a serving of banana. In addition to that, better bowel movement brought about by a serving of banana is good for one's overall health.

Apart from the health benefits pointed above, bananas can also help people wanting to quit smoking and serve as a stress reliever for many. Heartburn, anemia and ulcers can also be improved by a daily intake of banana while morning sickness and hangover can be remedied with a single banana serving.

It is important to know and remember that a banana is a great natural remedy for many illnesses. Hence it would be wise to include a serving of banana in your daily diet.

• healthy diet
• Exercise
• diet and exercise
• eating right

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Dedicating yourself to a healthy lifestyle by eating the right diet and living a more actively seems simple. But it entails a lot of discipline and a little know how. This is true especially for those who are planning to spend a couple of hours at the gym.

The body needs a steady source of energy and nutrients. This holds true for those planning to lose weight or adding muscles. Energy is needed to power your various workout exercises and getting enough energy is essential to proper functioning in the gym. What happens after workouts is also essential. It determines the most safest and opportune time to eat and help your body in the recovery process.

Before Workouts

If you're planning to go on a workout it is important for you to adjust eating times accordingly. Working out with a full stomach could have a negative effect on your workout. The body spends energy digesting, energy which is needed during a workout. This only makes you tire easily as your body divides itself between digesting and providing you with energy during workouts.

Working out in the gym entails focus both mentally and physically. And a full stomach could make you feel lethargic or overly relaxed. Lifting weights especially free weights can be taxing mentally and needs full focus. Hard to do when your body is still busy digesting a meal.

Eating after Workouts

Your body's natural reaction after a workout is to replace lost energy stores. Strenuous workouts may have caused minor muscle tear which require immediate repair. Feelings of hunger is triggered, signaling you that your body is in need of instant nourishment.

If you're about to go through a long workout, one or two hours for example. Be sure to have something handy to provide you with a quick energy source. Eat snacks rich in protein and carbohydrates. Bring snacks in the gym to immediately replenish energy and jumpstart the repairing process. Water is also essential. This is needed to prevent dehydration after a grueling workout.

A 15 minute minimum is required after exercising before you eat.

For those not hungry

For some especially for those whose goal is losing weight, eating after your workout could be detrimental to your weight loss efforts. Eating after a workout actually helps the body restock lost fats which might have been lost during the workout. If you feel hungry, only consume that which is enough to keep you going through the day.

Drink water, pure fruit juices or an energy drink to prevent dehydration and replace lost electrolytes. Even when you're not feeling hungry or trying to lose weight, replacing lost electrolytes is essential for maintaining proper energy levels.

Eating habits before and after workouts

Working out in the gym is one of the best and fastest way to a healthier body. But it entails an extra sense of discipline. This includes proper eating habits to maximize every second you spend in the gym. So the next time you plan on going to the gym, take note of this simple guide on eating before and after workouts.

• Exercise
• yoga
• healthy exercise
• yoga for exercise

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Yoga as a movement has dated back in the ancient times of India. Today, 15 million Americans practice it while its fans are mostly women and those in the age brackets of 18-34.

Yoga has been known as one of the oldest practice of self-development and has evolved from its classic beauty to its modern charms today. It included discipline, medication, breathing and physical postures. Now a major physical fitness staple and movement in the West, it has come a long way since its establishment and practice from the East.

Understanding Yoga

Yoga is composed of stretching exercises, relaxation and controlled breathing. Its major focus though has been on its Asanas or the poses. It is an excellent activity to reduce stress.

Yoga poses are composed of different movements that are designed to increase flexibility as well as the strength. These poses are either done at home or in a yoga room. Yoga poses can be brought outdoors too and may be done even in offices and workplace. Poses also varies from simple floor stretching to complicated postures that make use of some yoga equipment.

Yoga has become a fitness phenomenon as well as a meditation option. It helps improve range, motion, strength and balance. Keeps you from injuring yourself from some physical endeavors and makes you healthy due to its capability to improve blood circulation and its flushing out f toxins benefits.

It has been known to help manage heart conditions, high blood and alleviate pain, anxiety and sleeping problems.

Lately though yoga has been emphasized as a stress buster. So how does it benefit stress?

Yoga in Fighting Stress

There are many stressors in everyone's everyday life. Say you got an inconsiderate boss, an exam tomorrow, or a deadline to meet. Work and personal life are often the two major fields in one's life that can cause stress. Physical and emotional stress once adds up can be tasking and may affect ones normal day to day living.

Yoga on the other hand can help remedy it and even reduce it. You can start saying goodbye to emotional tension and even to physical stress.6

Yoga poses helps better blood circulation which may prep up the body to function better and be stronger to fight against tasking mental stress and over thinking. Plus, yoga may help reduce the cortisone hormones as well as the adrenaline, two of the things that are known as chemical stressors.

Plus, consistent yoga practice may prevent depression and moods swings, one major result of long time stress. It helps increase the body's serotonin level which regulates sleep, appetite and mood.

Different Yoga Moves to Battle Stress

Here are some different yoga poses you may try to help combat stress.

1. Child's Pose. You may need a pillow for this pose. Lower on your knees and fold your upper body over the support or the pillow. Rest forearms in the floor and turn to one side.
2. Half Pigeon. Half pigeon pose asks you to go on all fours, move your right knee forward toward your right hand as you lower your right hip into the pillow. Let your hands support you.
3. Supported bridge pose. Lie on your back, bend your knees and plant your feet on the floor apart. Extend your arms by your side on the floor and lift your hips while sliding the yoga block under the base of the spine. Always do the pose first before putting the block support under you.
4. Reclining bound angle pose. This one's a bit easy. Lie on your back putting your feet soles together. Slide it up close to the groin as possible and put a cushion under your legs. Place your arms at your side in 45 degree angle while palm is up.

These yoga poses doesn't just need to be executed, you have to do the breathing exercises with it. It will calm you down, help you think better and keep you perked up for the day.

• coffee
• weight loss and coffee
• watch your coffee intake

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

There are always two sides to a story and when it comes to drinking coffee you might want to consider spending some time to consider its negative side effects to your health. This might be a hard thought to swallow for the millions of Americans who drink a cup or two of coffee daily. Too much of a good thing can have a negative effect on your health. So before you take your daily dose of coffee, here are a few things to consider.

Coffee Makes Sleeping Much Harder

Coffee's greatest benefit might also work against your health. Sleeping is a time when our body's recuperate and repair itself after a grueling day at the office. Research shows that people who drink more than two cups of coffee have a harder time going to sleep or have poor sleep quality.

Coffee can make you feel depressed

Coffee is a great way of instantly boosting our energy levels. But drinking large amounts of coffee also depletes the body's level of serotonin. This is a feel good chemically that gives us that natural good feel. Serotonin is often taken by people suffering from depression. And when we rob ourselves of  this chemical, it only increases the risk of us suffering from bouts of depression.

Coffee weakens our Immune System

Caffeine increases our body's production of glucocorticoids and cortisol. High levels of glucocorticoid decrease our immune system's effectiveness. Drinking more than normal amounts of coffee during those cold winter nights might warm your body but also increases the chance of you catching a cold.

Coffee can hurt your Liver

The liver is responsible for producing enzymes that breakdown caffeine. The more coffee you drink, less enzymes are available for detoxifying your bloodstream. When our liver is stressed to produce more enzymes, it increases the possibility of long term liver damage.

Coffee disrupts our metabolism

If you're on a diet or watching your weight then this could be a good reason to cut down on your coffee intake. Coffee can make you gain a few more pounds not because of the calories it contain but because it interferes with your normal metabolism. Coffee may not directly affect our body's metabolism but its action on the other organs ultimately leads to weight gain. The thyroid gland controls our rate of metabolism. Coffee has a negative effect on the adrenal gland which releases hormones that control the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

Coffee can interfere with your nutrition   

Coffee can interfere with how your body absorbs nutrients and vitamins. Drinking coffee or tea during meals increases the chance that most of the nutrients especially iron won't be absorbed. Calcium, sodium, zinc, potassium and thiamine are just some of these nutrients that are affected when we drink coffee during meals.

Coffee negatively affects our sex drive

Testosterone is a sex hormone responsible for sex drive in both men and women. These hormones are produced in the adrenal gland that is affected when we drink too much coffee. When the adrenal gland is hard pressed to produce adrenaline for example, it has little energy to produce other important hormones such as testosterone. You might be awake for a good portion of the night but have little drive or energy to perform sex.