Laughter: Truly The best medicine!

Sam’s intuition told him he had a short lifespan. And he consulted a medical practitioner. As the doctor scribbled on his prescription sheet, he expected several doses of vitamins, irons and minerals. He wouldn’t have minded if an injection or two was thrown in. Alas! The doctor scribbled ‘L.O.L’’ on the prescription sheet.

He had never heard of any drug named ‘L.O.L’. Puzzled, he asked the doctor what it meant. “Oh, pardon me for not writing it out in full” the doctor said, apologetically. He then retrieved the sheet, scribbled more words and handed it back to Sam. It read ‘Laugh Out Loud’. Sam reeled out a very long and hard bout of laughter – the sometimes annoying type. The doctor appeared infected and joined in the fray.

In a lowering crescendo, Sam’s laughter faded; so did the doctor’s. “So you were not joking”, Sam retorted as it dawned on him that the doctor’s prescription was not meant to bemuse him. “I thought you’d give me stress-relieving and pain-killing tablets. “Nope” the doctor said. “You just need to laugh more. You need several doses of laughter actually. By the way, how do you feel now? Laughter is cheaper than any drug o. It’s so cheap that it is free.”

Sam told the doctor he felt no difference. As the closed door to the doctor’s office closed behind him, he made up his mind to visit a more ‘serious’ medical practitioner and pondered over the ‘expensive joke’ this doctor just made out of his obviously serious situation. He soon let out a smile when he realised he did feel good after laughing so hard a few minutes ago. He began to see sense in the Doctor’s ‘L.O.L’ prescription. “Maybe I’ll just try laughing for a few weeks and see if it works out……..going to another doctor will be my plan B” Sam mustered.   
         

Do you want to live long? Want to enjoy sound health? Here a piece of advice that may shock you: All you need to do is laugh! Yes! Go ahead! Unleash that Laughter! See the lady in the picture above? Go ahead and go crazy with laughter just like she’s doing.

So why is it so important that we laugh? The reason is simple: laughter is one of the best ways of staying healthy!  I’m sure you’ve heard of the expression: Laughter is the best medicine. If you think it was coined just to make you feel positive during hard times, then think again. Laughter does have medicinal qualities!!

Research has shown that the health benefits of laughter are numerous. For one, it helps to increase the brain levels of serotonin (an important fluid found in the human brain) and endorphins (natural painkiller) that can help relax the mind.  Laughter also helps relieve general pain as well as increase the body’s immunity.

And if you still doubt the medical effects of laughter, the benefits are stated below

·         Laughter helps to lower blood pressure.

• ·         It improves the flow of oxygen to the heart and also regulates blood flow.
• ·         It reduces certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
• ·         It improves alertness, creativity and memory.
• ·         Laughter reduces pain and increases job performance.

If laughter is so beneficial to us, how come we seem to be doing little of it? According to experts, healthy children may laugh as much as 400 times per day while adults tend to laugh only 15 times. 

So are you laughing enough? Go ahead, laugh to jokes. Go and see a funny movie. Always see the funny side of life. Do something that will make you laugh.  And if that doesn’t work...laugh anyway. You really don’t need a reason. Just remember that you are doing a health a big favour.

http://www.thirdage.com/mental-health/researchers-support-benefits-of-laughter(http://www.muscleandfitnesshers.com/blogs/ann-titone/laughter-good-health). http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-health-benefits-of-laughter.htmlhttp://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/nov/10/researchers-support-benefits-of-laughter/?print=1

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Get That Highbrow Eyebrow!

Photo Credits: Toun Aj's world

It’s often said that the eye is the lamp of the body. If that is true, then the eyebrow plays an important role in making the lamp shine brighter.

The eyebrows define the eyes and also enhance the beauty of the face. It also plays a key role in protecting the eyes from unwanted moisture, sweat and to some extent, particles.

And just like any other part of the human body, the eyebrow varies from individual to individual. Some have it thick, others have it thin. Some have it long, others have it short.

The eyebrow should also be properly taken care of, the way other parts of the body are cared for. A little pruning and grooming will go a long way in enhancing facial beauty. One should be mindful of excessive hair loss while waxing or while trimming the brow.

Loss of hair in the eyebrow could also occur as a result of illness; side effects from medications amongst others.

Truth is loss of the eyebrow can make a huge difference not only in facial appearance but also making the eye vulnerable to sweat running down the face and particles. Little wonder, individuals who suffer from loss of hair in their eyebrow are, more often than not, desperate to regrow them.

Though it takes between six to eight weeks or more to grow back eyebrows, eating nutritious and healthy foods can help speed up the process.

Growing Back Your Eyebrows

·         Protein

The main component of the eyebrow is hair, which is made up of protein. Some individuals, who suffer from deficiency of protein, usually have scanty or thin eyebrows. Eating a diet rich in proteins and Vitamins E, A, B3 and C will replenish the hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. Also, adding folic acid to your diet will help to promote the growth of well-defined and thick eyebrows.

·         Avocado, Walnuts and Olive oil;

Avocados are considered as one of the healthiest foods in the planet as they contain in excess of 25 essential nutrients. Walnuts, on the other hand, are a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acids.

Olive Oil is considered as a healthy dietary fat. It is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy food options are helpful in increasing the growth of fuller and trendy eyebrows.

·         Castor Oil

 Extracted from the seeds of the castor oil plant, it helps to boost the growth of eyebrows. It also thickens eyebrows and eyelashes by stimulating the hair follicle cells around the eyes.

·         Coco-Lemon (coconut + lemon) 

The application of coconut oil on eyebrows helps to reduce protein loss in both damaged and undamaged eyebrows hair. Lemon is also one of those super foods with so many health and cosmetic benefits. 

A mixture of coconut and lemon peel helps in restoring your eyebrows and gives it a fuller and thicker look.  

You can find out how to prepare the amazing combination here: http://www.newhealthguide.org/How-To-Make-Eyebrows-Grow.html)

·         Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is very essential for the growth of eyebrows. It is rich in protein, calcium and iron, and it helps to promote the growth of eyebrows speedily.

  So there you are. Just follow the above tips and you are on your way to having healthy eyebrows. Try it, thank us later and be a good friend by sharing this post.

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Agbalumo: The Humongous Benefits Of A Small Fruit

Agbalumo has an ‘English name’ o! (or maybe two). And it is the African Star Apple or White Star Apple. I used to think it was a cherry of sort; thanks to research, I know better…
Ever heard of African Star Apple? What about White Star Apple? Maybe not!  Okay, here’s another name that may ring a bell:  Agbalumo!

And if you are still wondering what it is, Agbalumo, is that round, sharp tasting, orange- coloured (sometimes red) fruit about the size of a table-tennis ball. Commonly known as Agbalumo by the Yorubas' in South-West Nigeria, Udara in the South Eastern part of the country and Uda in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, the fruit is widely loved by both adults and children alike in Nigeria; its sharp taste notwithstanding. Let’s settle for its most predominant name in the South Western part of Nigeria – Agbalumo – at least for the purpose of this article.

Its popularity is not the only unique thing about it. Agbalumo also happens to be a very nutritious fruit. It is an excellent source of vitamins and irons. It can be used as a good remedy for sore throat, toothache and constipation.

But that’s not all. Agbalumo lowers the blood sugar and cholesterol level in the body and it helps in preventing and treating heart diseases. Its seeds are used as ointments in the treatment of vaginal and dermatological infections. They are also an excellent source of calcium, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and many more.  And just in case you don’t know, the fruit contains more vitamin C than guava or orange.
Its nutritional value does not end there. Its outer skin is also very medicinal as it is used for the treatment of yellow fever and malaria. The leaf is also used as an emollient and for the treatment of skin eruption, stomach ache and diarrhea

Photo Credits: spurmag.com

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So the next time you pick up Agbalumo, remember that you are not only satisfying your craving for the delicious fruit, you are also providing your body with vital nutrition. And if you haven’t had your Agbalumo today, what are you waiting for?

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How to eat your way to a healthy hair

Let’s create a scenario…  

You are watching an ad for a hair product. An attractive lady beams with smiles as she sways her long beautiful curls from side to side. As she does that, an enchanting voice introduces a hair product. As is the norm, the voice reels out the supposed wonderful abilities of the product. Then the pretty lady comes into focus again, still swaying her hair from side to side but this time, with the product in her hands. Then the advert ends with her saying: ‘Now you know my secret!’ Nice, isn’t it?

The human quest for long, shiny and lustrous hair is almost as old as ‘hair’ itself. Indeed many of us do not mind drilling holes into our pockets just to get the latest ‘miracle hair boosters’. No wonder the Hair cosmetics sector thrives so much! But is there really a cost effective way of achieving a healthy yet attractive looking hair? If you are one of those asking the question then the answer is yes.

This article is going to be focusing on how to maintain that bouncy, healthy hair without breaking the bank. Get ready to be shocked. It will probably come as a surprise to you how healthy dietary habits can affect the hair. Yes! Before the serums, conditioners and shampoos come into play, eating right actually guarantees lustrous hair. Just like every other part of your body, the cells and processes that support strong, vibrant hair depends on a balanced diet. However, it can take longer to notice the changes in the human hair brought about by eating certain kinds of food when compared with how our dietary habit affects the other human parts, say the skin. For example, eating a poor diet in a week can yield acne flare-ups or dry, dull or pale skin. But when it comes to the hair, it can take a few months for the effects of nutritional deficiency to show up. Knowing all of these, what are the required nutrients for the much desired long and lustrous hair?

§        Proteins

A quick chemistry lesson: Do you know that hair is made of about 97% protein? Yes, your hair is pretty much pure protein. Though you might be able to build some muscular biceps by eating less than enough protein, a bald head is certain if the protein content in your body isn't’ high. And even if you do hang onto your hair, eating too little protein can turn it gray.  It is true that all basic nutrients contribute to keeping us whole and healthy, but protein provides the building blocks that allow our bodies repair, replace, or grow bones, skin, muscles, and hair.  Large deposits of protein are found in meat, fish, chicken, eggs, bean, soy foods, and even some grains and vegetables- though in smaller quantities.

§         Fatty foods

Sure you’re thinking isn't fat supposed to be unhealthy?  Yes, there are the unhealthy types of fat such as saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, and hydrogenated fats amongst others which should be avoided. However, there is also the healthy type of fat including Omega-3 fatty acids which are found in sea foods, plant oils. Omega-3 fatty acids help to process the vitamins and minerals in your diets that are necessary for healthy hair production. So pick up a pen right now and add sardines, salmons, walnuts, shrimps into market list as they are foods that are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids.

§        Iron and zinc.

Have you ever noticed that your blood tastes like iron? Well, that’s if you've ever tasted it. This is because Iron is the nutrient responsible for delivering oxygen to your cells, from the blood in your toes all the way up to your hair follicles.  Iron is especially important, and too little iron (anaemia) is a major cause of hair loss, particularly in women. Lean animal meats are great ways to get iron, but if you're vegetarian, consider eating beans, lentils, and soy products.

Zinc, on the other hand, assists in the repair of body tissues. It ensures that the oil glands around your follicles are working properly in order to produce enough oil. In other words, problems such as dry scalp, dandruff and eventually, hair loss can be avoided with zinc. For your daily supply of zinc, eat oysters, low-fat beef, wheat, dark chocolate and cocoa powder.

·        Vitamin C

Vitamin C deficiency is one of the most common causes of hair loss, breakage and lack of lustre (shine). Our bodies use vitamin C to build collagen which is crucial in developing hair growth. Vitamin C also assists in breaking down iron, another building block of hair growth. The body cannot make vitamin C on its own, therefore, it’s crucial that you eat and drink foods that have high concentration of Vitamin C regularly. Citrus fruits, bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and spinach are all fantastic and great-tasting foods that are packed with vitamin C.

As iterated above, eating right is especially needed for the proper growth of your hair. However, smoking, hormonal imbalances, and stress/fatigue can negatively affect how your hair looks and feels and no magic nutrient can make up for those concerns. Eat and live right and soon enough, you might just be the envy of all eyes at the salon or barber’s shop!

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Sit Right!

Unless you happen to be on your feet all day at work, you probably sit too much. Most of us do. When we go home, we sit on the couch. When we have dinner, we sit on a chair. When we watch movies, we sit in the theatre. When we go out, we sit on a stool. Bottom-line: We spend a huge chunk of our lives sitting down. If that’s true then it’s important to be, well, good at sitting. Don’t you think?

Good sitting posture

Sitting for over six hours is considered to be too long and it has been noted to have serious health problems including back aches/pains, abdomen pains amongst others. Also, according to recent research, prolonged sitting can increase the risk of a heart diseases and attacks by up to 64%. So here’s the question, should we resign ourselves to a lifetime of pain and distress? The answer is a big NO. The good news is that it is easy to deal with the negative effects of sitting too long, no matter how lazy you are and most effectual way is to learn how to sit properly. Today, you are about to discover five easy steps to sitting correctly-almost automatically.

Step 1: Be aware of how you sit
When you sit down, take a moment to check your sitting posture. Scoot all the way back so your lower back rests against the back support of the seat. Your back should be straight. If your seat causes you to lean back or your head to push forward the next two steps will help.

Step 2: Choose the correct chair
A good chair will work wonders for your sitting pasture. Choose a chair with an arched seat to provide back support for good posture throughout the day. Look for seat without a head rest which pushes your head forward. 

Step 3: Use a back support pillowHave a bad chair or car seat? All is not lost. Use a well designed back support pillow to provide the right lumbar support and you will maintain proper back posture even in the worst of seats.

Step 4: Keep shoulders straight
Once you have adjusted your back to a more correct position, then it is time to bring those forward shoulders back. Most people that slouch also keep their shoulders in a curved position when sitting. This is poor practice and it is important that you straighten your shoulders. Again, at first, this will be uncomfortable, but, if you maintain this position for a few days, it will become easier and eventually, the discomfort will dissipate altogether. A great way to ensure that your shoulders remain straight while you sit is to keep them pressed against the back of the chair you are sitting on. If this is done, your shoulders will most certainly be in the correct position (unless of course your chair forms an arch at the back).

Step 5: Plant your feet firmly on the ground. 
It is important to keep your feet planted on the ground. keep them shoulder width apart. This will help support your back while you sit. If you are shorter than mst and your fit cannot touch the ground, either find a new chair that fits your needs or try your best to work without your feet. Once you have your feet plantedon the ground, keep them there!
Now that you learnt the basics of a good sitting posture, I hope you won’t be found slouching your way through the day!

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/workplacehealth/Pages/howtositcorrectly.aspx
http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2013/01/11/proper-sitting.aspx
http://www.livestrong.com/article/82061-correct-seating-posture/

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King of Fruits

If I asked you to describe apples in just one word, you might probably say ‘juicy’, ‘munchy’ or ‘delicious’.  I bet ‘healthy’may not find its way into your long list. But as attractive and delicious as apples are, nothing beats their highly beneficial characteristics.

 Now, why should the apple be known as the "King" of all fruits? The answer is because this fruit has so many virtues. 

The saying that "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" has been proven to be true in more ways than one.  Its qualities are endless, helping to prevent and fight a wide range of diseases. Well, let’s consider those benefit

• Apples assist in achieving whiter, healthier teeth. Though it won’t   replace your toothbrush, biting  stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria.
• Apples are filled with soluble fibre which helps to reduce intestinal disorders and haemorrhoids.
• Apples cleanse and detoxify the human system, which helps eliminate heavy metals such as lead and mercury in the body system. 
•  Apples are a good source of Pectin which helps to reduce cholesterol levels by lowering insulin secretion
• Risks of respiratory diseases such as Asthma can be lowered through increased and consistent consumption of apples.
• Apples strengthen the heart, quench thirst, lubricate the lungs, decreases mucous secretion and increases body fluids.
• Studies indicate that eating apples daily can help reduce skin diseases
• There’s no danger of adding unwanted weight since it contain no fat or sodium
• Apples are packed with vitamins C, A, and flavonoids and with smaller amounts of phosphorus, iron and calcium
• Apples provide a source of potassium which may promote heart health. Experts attribute the heart-healthy benefits to antioxidant compounds found in apples, which help prevent cholesterol from oxidizing and inhibiting inflammation

Asides the numerous health benefits of apples, here are five interesting fun facts I bet you didn’t know about apples

•   Apple trees take four to five years to produce their first fruit. 
•  Apples ripen six to 10 times faster at room temperature than if they are refrigerated. 
•  Apples are a member of the rose family 
•  If you threw an apple in water, it wouldn’t sink – apples float in water! This is because 25% of their volume consists of air. 
•   Isaac Newton is said to have discovered the Law of Gravity when an apple fell on his head!

In conclusion, if there is any one thing that you can do to stay well, then it is to eat at least two apples daily according to a whole raft of new scientific researches which place apples at the top of the healthy-living tree. In essence, better health could be as easy as reaching for the fruit bowl for some apples next time you need a snack!

http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/food-weight-loss/8-health-benefits-apples

http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/stories/10-reasons-to-eat-an-apple-a-day

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=15&tname=foodspice

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The Many wonders of the Nose

Most people believe that the primary job of the nose is to smell and breathe. If you belong to that camp, well you are right. Still, there are lots of other things you probably do not know about the human nose. If you want to learn a few truly amazing and interesting facts about the human nose, then just keep reading...
Though we do not pay proper attention to our noses except when they are runny or when a celebrity has just had a ‘nose-job’, the human nose still remains one of the body organs that maintain our health and helps ensure that we live good quality lives.


Here are some facts about the human nose that will help you understand more about how it works tirelessly for us.

• The human nose uses millions of cells to detect approximately 10,000 odors  far less than many animals, but very important in maintaining a good quality life.

• The human nose helps prevent air-borne infections.

• The human nose helps affect the resonance of your voice.

• After age 65, a human loses some of their ability to smell. By the time we reach our eighties, our sense of smell can decrease by as much as 50%.

• Although people are known to break their noses on occasion, there are no bones in them. What gets broken is a piece of cartilage.

• Any air we breathe in through our noses is cooled or warmed to body temperature before it hits our lungs.

• Anosmia is when we do not have the ability to smell, dyosmia is an incorrect sense of smell and hyperosmia is when someone is overloaded by their sense of smell.

• The human brain dedicates less of its brain to smelling than other animals, including fish.


Finally, I’ll like to tell you about a patient who once had asked to a doctor about what he needed to do to take good care of his nose. The doctor simply and straightforwardly replied to the patient that what was more important was what not to do to your nose. Bad habits such as nose-picking, sniffing, rubbing, blowing the noses hard or stuffing things such as tissue and handkerchiefs up to the nostril can do a lot of harm to your nose.
Now that you have increased your knowledge about your nose, I hope you will be kind enough to share the information with a friend. Will you?


http://hubpages.com/hub/Does-the-Nose-Really-Know
http://whatthafact.com/interesting-facts-about-nose/
http://alexanderchong.articlealley.com/how-to-take-good-care-of-your-nose-120282.html

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