Studies have shown that those who consume alcohol in moderate amounts may have better health than does people who do not drink at all. So would you qualify alcohol as a health drink?
These researches showed that those who drink alcohol moderately have lower risks and fewer heart attacks and strokes. They are also less likely to have hypertension, peripheral artery disease, Alzheimer’s disease and even the common cold.
In the Old and New Testament, the medicinal properties of alcohol were mentioned. In the early 1900s, moderate alcohol drinking was already associated with decreasing the risk of heart attacks. Since then, there are continuous research studying on the medical attributes of alcohol.
Drinkers who drink sensibly are said to have longer lives. Harvard and Chinese research showing men who drink has lower risk of death compared to those who does not drink at all. Average difference would be from 21 to 28 percent. Longevity is associated with lower risk of coronary heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease. Moderate drinkers showed that they have less cases of hospitalization.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism discovered that in 20 countries world-wide, those who have 20- 40 percent lower chances of having coronary heard disease are those who moderately drink alcohol. Those who abstain and drink heavily has higher rate of mortality due to coronary heart disease. A Harvard study was also conducted and showed that women who drink half a glass or five grams of alcohol a date lower the risk of coronary heart disease by half.
Aside from decreasing heart disease risk factors, moderate consumption of alcohol also increases the survivability of those who fall victims of this disease. Light to moderate drinking of alcohol a year before an acute myocardial infarction or AMI can reduce the risk of death after. While those who drink two to four drinks of alcohol after a heart attack are less likely to have a second heart attack incident. Compared to those who abstain from alcohol, the risk factor is cut into half.
An American Heart Associate research states that light to moderate alcohol consumption can also lower the risk of stroke both in men and women, regardless of their age and their ethnicity. While those young adults who drink one to three drinks a day have the lowest levels of hypertension. Moderate drinkers are also less likely to have the Type 2 diabetes compared to high drinkers and abstainers.
Light to moderate drinkers are also more resistant to common colds compared to those who does not drink at all. They also have lower risk of kidney cancer. They also have lower risk of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or cancer by 27 percent compared to abstainers. And it goes on. Alcohol consumption, as long as it is light and moderate have significant health benefits.
But once alcohol is consumed in large doses and amounts, then there we will encounter a problem. When we talk about drinking moderately, medical researchers and professionals would say that is about one to three drinks a day. For women, it should be 20 to 30 percent less than the average consumption of a man. It is attributed mainly on smaller size and biological differences.
There are also some studies indicating the consumption of alcohol, even if in moderation, have significant effects on having higher risk of certain disease. For women, there are studies that showed that an average one to two drinks a day can increase their risk of breast cancer. Pregnant women drinking can also fall victims to miscarriage or fetal alcohol syndrome which can have negative effects on the nervous system of the unborn child. Cirrhosis of the liver, heart muscle damage and stroke can still e attributed to alcoholic consumption.
There are always two sides of a coin. For alcohol it can be a drink beneficial to our health, but too much would lead to more sickness than cure.
4.09.2011
4.08.2011
Exercise and Mental Health: Are There Connections?
We all know that exercise promotes healthier body and better sense of well-being. It boosts confidence for people who need newer self image while it prevents the aggravation of physical illnesses for some. While nearly all of the research on exercise is focused on demonstrating positive effects on the physical body, there is a growing mass of research that seeks to prove that exercise is good for mental health as well.
A study conducted by the researchers from the Duke University along with other similar studies proved that exercise could help treat depression for 60% of all the participants. This result is similar with the total number of participants who are using medications for their treatment from depression.
However, you don’t have to be a sufferer of a mental illness before you benefit from exercise. You can boost your sense of well-being while walking on the treadmill or by combining yoga and meditation. In a way, exercise could be used as a potential medium for preventing the development of psychological and emotional conditions.
There are three dimensions at which we could look at when examining the benefits of exercise in the mental wellness of a person. Among the less well known is the biological aspect.
One theory suggests that physical workout or exercise could stimulate a part of the brain to release endorphins. Activities that are more likely to trigger the release of endorphins are swimming, cross-country skiing, running, bicycling, aerobics and sports like soccer, football and basketball.
Endorphins are comparable to opiates in a way that they resemble morphine. Endorphins could work in two ways- as a pain reliever (which is produced in response to the stresses brought about by physical work or stress) and as an enhancer of well-being. There are, however, no definite data that could support this claim.
On the other hand, exercise is also found to trigger the release of hormones norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. All these are known to help improve mood and is actually the main effect of Prozac, a known antidepressant.
Increase in these hormones could be best observed in a condition known as "runner's high". This feeling during after an acute exercise is directly linked to the increased number of the said hormones. However, there are still no conclusive studies proving that improvements on mood could be facilitated for a longer period of time.
Another is the physiological aspect. Nearly all of the feelings we associate with mental wellness come from our personal evaluation of the way our body feels. Say for instance, if you perceive a stomach pain as a form of stress then you will feel stressed (and sometimes even depression) every time your stomach aches. Likewise, exercise could render feelings such as muscle relaxation and easier breathing which we associate with "feeling better". While this correlation is yet to have a better scientific grounding, we still could not deny the fact that muscle tension and increased blood flow go together with physical fitness.
No one knows yet how exactly exercise affects mental health. But it is common among patients to view exercise as a good medium to elevate their moods. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the Charity Mind nearly two-thirds of all people who said that they use exercise to relieve symptoms of stress and depression believe that exercise actually works for them. The scientific community is yet to understand how this happens though and for now, it remains a truth that people benefit from exercise for mental health.
A study conducted by the researchers from the Duke University along with other similar studies proved that exercise could help treat depression for 60% of all the participants. This result is similar with the total number of participants who are using medications for their treatment from depression.
However, you don’t have to be a sufferer of a mental illness before you benefit from exercise. You can boost your sense of well-being while walking on the treadmill or by combining yoga and meditation. In a way, exercise could be used as a potential medium for preventing the development of psychological and emotional conditions.
There are three dimensions at which we could look at when examining the benefits of exercise in the mental wellness of a person. Among the less well known is the biological aspect.
One theory suggests that physical workout or exercise could stimulate a part of the brain to release endorphins. Activities that are more likely to trigger the release of endorphins are swimming, cross-country skiing, running, bicycling, aerobics and sports like soccer, football and basketball.
Endorphins are comparable to opiates in a way that they resemble morphine. Endorphins could work in two ways- as a pain reliever (which is produced in response to the stresses brought about by physical work or stress) and as an enhancer of well-being. There are, however, no definite data that could support this claim.
On the other hand, exercise is also found to trigger the release of hormones norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. All these are known to help improve mood and is actually the main effect of Prozac, a known antidepressant.
Increase in these hormones could be best observed in a condition known as "runner's high". This feeling during after an acute exercise is directly linked to the increased number of the said hormones. However, there are still no conclusive studies proving that improvements on mood could be facilitated for a longer period of time.
Another is the physiological aspect. Nearly all of the feelings we associate with mental wellness come from our personal evaluation of the way our body feels. Say for instance, if you perceive a stomach pain as a form of stress then you will feel stressed (and sometimes even depression) every time your stomach aches. Likewise, exercise could render feelings such as muscle relaxation and easier breathing which we associate with "feeling better". While this correlation is yet to have a better scientific grounding, we still could not deny the fact that muscle tension and increased blood flow go together with physical fitness.
No one knows yet how exactly exercise affects mental health. But it is common among patients to view exercise as a good medium to elevate their moods. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the Charity Mind nearly two-thirds of all people who said that they use exercise to relieve symptoms of stress and depression believe that exercise actually works for them. The scientific community is yet to understand how this happens though and for now, it remains a truth that people benefit from exercise for mental health.
4.07.2011
Manage Your Health And Stress For A Better Life
We might not notice it but stress and your health are practically two sides of the same coin. One exists with the other and never without. Considering that we are living in a fast-paced generation, stress can be felt anywhere you go and whatever you do. And since health and stress are related, you might feel certain repercussion on your body that will slow you down.
Stress affects your bodies in different ways. While in throes of stress, you might feel that you’re emotionally, physically and mentally down. The three imbalances might prove harmful to your health – you could suffer from depression, migraines, high-blood pressure, heart problems, and so on.
Take care of your health
If stress is part of your everyday routine, then it is only crucial that you take care of your health to compensate for the pressure that you will feel when stress lands on you feet. Try to carefully observe how your body reacts to certain stimuli that produce stress so that you will know how to avoid negative effects on your body.
Some might think that they’re bodies will adapt to these stress and will improve their performance. Well, this is wrong. This is not like some online games that the more you get experience from fighting monster, the stronger you become. Our bodies have limits, and it is very important to understand and gauge our limits carefully before it’s too late.
Certain stress, certain remedies
Since problems will affect your mental, emotional and biological health; certain techniques can be applied to divert stress-related problems and give your body time to rejuvenate to cope with it.
If you think that you are mentally and emotionally bothered by your problems. You may use relaxation techniques to keep your balance. Meditation and music therapy may prove to be beneficial when suffering from mental and emotional stress. The rhythm the certain sounds like nature music or instrumental songs can normalize your bio-rhythm and put your body at peace during bouts of stress.
When you feel that your body is getting worn out due to the stress of your career or social routine, then you better take some much needed vacation and put your body on the road to recovery. Try to give your body a break by taking a much needed vacation – visit friends and families, take a nature trip or two, go to the beach and soak some much needed rays, or go socializing with friends. Changing your mental focus from work to rest can do wonders on your tired body.
You can also visit health spas and avail of body-pampering services that can get rid of stress. This method is usually for those who can’t leave their work and must cope with its pressure everyday. Take a well needed massage and get rid of those tight muscles, and various aches and pains.
Physical exercise improves your cardiovascular functions and improves the circulation of healthy chemicals and oxygen in your body. This will help your body fight the negative effects of stress and will strengthen your adaptability on your workload.
It is crucial to recognize the signs and symptoms that stress can do to your body. The secret to get rid of stress is to know what it can do to your body, and what you can do to avoid it.
Stress affects your bodies in different ways. While in throes of stress, you might feel that you’re emotionally, physically and mentally down. The three imbalances might prove harmful to your health – you could suffer from depression, migraines, high-blood pressure, heart problems, and so on.
Take care of your health
If stress is part of your everyday routine, then it is only crucial that you take care of your health to compensate for the pressure that you will feel when stress lands on you feet. Try to carefully observe how your body reacts to certain stimuli that produce stress so that you will know how to avoid negative effects on your body.
Some might think that they’re bodies will adapt to these stress and will improve their performance. Well, this is wrong. This is not like some online games that the more you get experience from fighting monster, the stronger you become. Our bodies have limits, and it is very important to understand and gauge our limits carefully before it’s too late.
Certain stress, certain remedies
Since problems will affect your mental, emotional and biological health; certain techniques can be applied to divert stress-related problems and give your body time to rejuvenate to cope with it.
If you think that you are mentally and emotionally bothered by your problems. You may use relaxation techniques to keep your balance. Meditation and music therapy may prove to be beneficial when suffering from mental and emotional stress. The rhythm the certain sounds like nature music or instrumental songs can normalize your bio-rhythm and put your body at peace during bouts of stress.
When you feel that your body is getting worn out due to the stress of your career or social routine, then you better take some much needed vacation and put your body on the road to recovery. Try to give your body a break by taking a much needed vacation – visit friends and families, take a nature trip or two, go to the beach and soak some much needed rays, or go socializing with friends. Changing your mental focus from work to rest can do wonders on your tired body.
You can also visit health spas and avail of body-pampering services that can get rid of stress. This method is usually for those who can’t leave their work and must cope with its pressure everyday. Take a well needed massage and get rid of those tight muscles, and various aches and pains.
Physical exercise improves your cardiovascular functions and improves the circulation of healthy chemicals and oxygen in your body. This will help your body fight the negative effects of stress and will strengthen your adaptability on your workload.
It is crucial to recognize the signs and symptoms that stress can do to your body. The secret to get rid of stress is to know what it can do to your body, and what you can do to avoid it.
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Muscles with brain
Good training
