Tai Chi for Health and Balance

These days, people are more concerned about their health and keeping fit than say five or ten years ago. In the evenings we can see groups of people, mostly senior citizens, practising some form of exercise in public parks. One popular form is Tai Chi. But what is Tai Chi, you may ask.

Tai Chi originated in China and was a deadly art used for killing but these days, it is a form of exercise that promotes mental clarity and a healthy body, assists with balance and helps the circulation of the blood. More..

Acupuncture enhances fertility

Some couples try very hard to have babies. Fertility can be due to many factors, one of which is stress. It has been found that the traditional Chinese medicine of acupuncture can help enhance fertility.

Back Pain

What Is Back Pain?
How Common Is It?
What Are the Risk Factors for Back Pain?
What Are the Causes of Back Pain?
Can Back Pain Be Prevented?

You can find the answer to all the above questions on this article on back pain.

One-Minute Osteoporosis Test

According to studies, one in three women, and one in five men will be affected by osteoporosis in their lifetimes.

Osteoporosis weakens bones which leads to fractures. It causes severe disability. But osteoporosis if detected early can be treated. Take a simple one-minute test to find out if you have a problem with osteoporosis.

Sports Drinks Can Be Tough on Teeth

It is the trend these days that after a workout, sportsmen and sportswomen take sports and energy drinks to get their body hydrated. This may be good for their body but studies show that these drinks do harm to their teeth. Read article..

Cholesterol

We hear a lot about cholesterol these days but what is it and how much do we know about it? Find out more about The Facts About Cholesterol, the Risk Factors, how to Improve Your Cholesterol and Other Things You Can Do from this Health & Fitness article.

Vitamin & Nutrient Guide

What are vitamins? Vitamins are compounds that our body requires to grow and stay healthy. They assist in everything from building new tissue, digestion, keep our system strong and others. The food that we take may not have the adequate supply of vitamins so most of us resort to taking supplements. However, there are some things we should bear in mind before we take vitamin supplements. More..

Basic Exercises

There are a variety of exercises one can do to stay fit and in shape. Find out the type of exercises that target specific areas of the body that can help you organize your workouts. For Abdomen exercises there are sit-ups, push-ups or cycling; for Body Weight Control there are dips, calf-raises exercises. Push-ups are also suitable to maintain body weight. If Strength Training is your target, you could play games like soccer. Read article..

Ergonomics and Workplace Health

Getting achy sitting in your office chair? Feel more tired than you should at the end of the day? Believe it or not, there are lots of things you can do to improve your overall health and wellness, even at the office. Try some of these simple tips and exercises to keep yourself feeling better during the workday and even after you go home. More..

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a mathematical formula that correlates highly with body fat. This height-weight calculation helps to determine whether you are at a healthy weight or have too much body fat.

Do you think you are underweight or obese or just perfect? Find out your BMI.

Take Care of Your Heart

Eating smart is taking care of your heart. These days the food that we take are filled with too much saturated fat and that is the main cause of high cholesterol levels which in turn is bad for the heart. It is recommended that we keep to less than 10 percent of saturated fat intake. Learn some tips as to how.

How to Use the Nutrition Facts Label

Most of us do not bother to read the nutrition facts label on packages. Probably, it's about time that we do so that we have enough facts to make informed decisions about buying food. Here's a guide on how to read the Nutrition Facts label.

Water Wise

Do you make this common mistake? Waiting until you¹re thirsty before taking a drink of water. Thirst isn¹t an early signal of water needs; it¹s a warning sign that you¹re dehydrated and need to drink up - and fast. By the time you feel thirsty you have already lost over 1 percent of your total body water. Some subtle signs of dehydration include dry lips, dark colored urine, muscle or joint soreness, headaches, crankiness, fatigue and constipation. More serious complications caused by extreme dehydration include seizures, permanent brain damage, or even death.

In addition to water, milk, juice and soup count toward your daily fluid intake because of their high water content. But don¹t include alcohol, coffee, tea, and soft drinks that contain caffeine as they may have a mild diuretic effect. Caffeine can hold back water from the tissues that need it. Since your body is nearly two-thirds water, it is important to stay ahead of dehydration. If you are out in hot, humid weather or exercising vigorously you need to replace 150% of the amount of water lost to keep hydrated. If you lose 1 pound of sweat during a workout (16 ounces) you need 24 ounces of fluid to rehydrate. The message is crystal clear: Drink plenty of water every day.

Nutrition Actions to Increase Water Intake
-Take water breaks instead of coffee breaks.
- Choose water instead of soft drinks or coffee.
- Drink water before meals and snacks.
- Drink water before, during and after any physical activity.
- Keep a bottle of water on your desk to sip from throughout the work day.
- Alternate sparkling or plain bottled water with alcoholic drinks at parties and social gatherings.

Source: Nutrition Resource