What causes obesity?

If you are still unsure of what causes obesity, then the following will help you to better understand this common condition. More people are becoming obese each year in the UK. "Genes Some people have a tendency to gain weight easily, whereas others seem to stay the same weight for many years without any conscious effort. These differences may be due to genetic factors. Food People who tend to choose foods that are high in fat or contain a lot of energy (calories) in just a small portion are more likely to gain weight than people who fill their plates with bulky but low-energy foods, such as bread, potatoes and vegetables. Physical activity People who lead an active life are much less likely to gain weight than those who spend most of their day sitting in front of a computer or the TV, or in the car." Remember that a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reverse this situation. If you are obese, remember the patience and perseverence will get you back to a healthy weight again. Keep a food diary, and start exercising more.

BBC NEWS | Health | Jetlag 'can damage your health'

Recent research has proved that jetlag, and also working/partying irregular hours, is detrimental to our health. However, the governing factor to maintain good health appears to be sleep - the lack of good quality sleep is the cause of declining health, not the act of travelling or working unusual hours itself. "Jetlag - or working irregular shifts - damages health, a US study of elderly mice has suggested." "Writing in Current Biology, the team led by Dr Gene Block, said: "Whatever the precise mechanism, this raises important issues about the safety of counter-clockwise rotating shift work [where people's shift patterns are altered causing them to have less sleep] and the potential long-term health consequences for airline crews regularly crossing time zones." "

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Ban will 'eradicate lung cancer'

More good news is coming as a result of the bans on smoking in public places in Scotland. Trends suggest that new lung cancer cases are lowering, and a leading scientist believes that in the long term lung cancer could be almost eradicated in the future. "Lung cancer could be virtually wiped out in Scotland as a result of the smoking ban in public places, according to the chief medical officer. Dr Harry Burns, Chief medical officer, said lung cancer rates would be reduced to just a few hundred cases a year in the future. "In the 1960s, one in 100 men died of lung cancer. Today, rates are falling all the time and thanks to the smoking ban, I expect the reduction in deaths to accelerate until dying from the disease becomes a rare occurrence." Dr Harry Burns, Chief medical officer

BBC NEWS | Health | Logo shows 'approved' drug sites

There has been some good news for people that shop for medicine on the internet in the UK, as a new scheme offers more consumer protection. "Patients buying medicines over the internet will soon be able to look out for a logo assuring them that a site sells safe and genuine medicines. A pilot scheme is being launched by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society this week to protect patients. It comes days after leading cancer doctors warned patients are increasingly turning to the web because drugs are unavailable on the NHS. The RPS scheme will only apply to sites registered in the UK..... If the RPS pilot scheme is successful, it will be rolled out to all registered internet pharmacies"

Injury Prevention and Safety During Exercise

"Although there are many benefits to be gained from being active, there are also some risks associated with exercise. However, if you choose appropriate activities and take into consideration the safety factors, the risk of an accident or injury can be reduced. Many light activities, such as walking, aqua aerobics or tai chi, bear little risk of injury. However, several factors need to be considered before you take part in more strenuous exercise, such as contact sports, long distance running and martial arts. If you think through these carefully, the risk of injury will be reduced. Some of these factors relate to general activities and some are more to do with sport. "

Eastern way - Tui Na

"Tuina is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbalism and qigong. Tuina uses traction, massage and manipulation in conjunction with the stimulation of acupressure points and is used for both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as certain non-musculoskeletal conditions. It is an integral part of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is taught in TCM schools as part of formal training in Oriental medicine. "

Acupuncture

"Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating needles into acupuncture points on the body. According to acupunctural teachings this will restore health and well-being, and is particularly good at treating pain. The definition and characterization of these points is standardized by the World Health Organization. Acupuncture is thought to have originated in China and is most commonly associated with Traditional Chinese medicine. "

Improve Your Football Fitness

"Many people like to call football a game of inches. However, I believe that in order to turn these inches into touchdowns, many aspects are necessary in order for this to take place. This article is an in-depth guide to improving your abilities as a football player. You are going to learn how to increase your speed, acceleration, agility, balance, and the most important, strength."

Speed Training For Soccer Football Game

"So you want more speed in your soccer (football) game to out run your opponents and are at odds at how to go about it. Well, to develop speed to play soccer well is very much different from developing speed say, for a track and field race. Why is this so? That is because you have to develop various types of speed instead of just sprinting speed."

Fitness-related Benefits of Massage

"Ask someone their reason for getting a massage and you're likely to hear "because it feels good". We all know that a massage can relieve stress, help to make sore muscles feel better and even reduce anxiety, but can it help us achieve our fitness goals? Research shows that the massage you get to relieve stress can also have a positive effect on your muscle-building capabilities and fitness level. "

Massage Your Head The Indian Way

"Massage, a revered form of healing is in practice since decades. Touch which is a vitally important to human well being takes the form of skilled and sensitive massage. Beside relaxing and revitalizing an ailing or tired body, it communicates warmth, reassurance and a sense of self worth. Massage is an ideal way to ease anxiety, worries and soothe tight muscles resulting from tension and stress. There are many kinds, variations, styles and sequences of massage, influenced by local traditions, used in different parts of the world. Indian head massage is one of the most popular forms of head massage also known as 'Champissage' is characterized by a sequence of massage movements."

Prenatal Massage

"Pains and aches are part and parcel of every pregnancy. Physical discomfort, muscular tensions, headaches, backaches, pains occur due to increase in weight, shifting posture and hormone levels. Pre natal massages aim to improve circulation, alleviate aches and pains, eases muscular tensions and other pregnancy related symptoms, perking up expectant mother's mood and mental attitude. Stress related areas which demand attention are back, neck and shoulder. Massaging the legs reduces blood pooling and full body massage to the head/scalp, feet, hands and face area provides relief from tensions and aches. All the areas should be massaged gently and pressure should be applied when needed. "

Thai Massage

"Thai massage is a traditional form of massage therapy that has been used in Thailand for centuries. In Thailand, it is called Nuad Phaen Boran which means ancient massage. It is based on the Indian medical system of Ayurveda and incorporates many ancient Indian Yogic techniques. "

Health Benefits Of Foot Massage

"Massage of any kind is relaxing and promotes a feeling of calmness. To many health practitioners, in fact, foot massage has been known to be good for health and well-being. Foot massage is common throughout the east as a healing method. In the east, foot massage is not only practiced on adults but on children as well. "

BBC NEWS | Health | Vegetables ward off Alzheimer's

Once again diet is proved to play a key role in long-term health. There is a lot of advice concerning improving diet and increasing exercise to ward of problems such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke, but people often fail to consider the long-term health of the brain when looking to improve their diet today. People in their 30's and 40's need to start thinking about how healthy their mind will be in old age, as well as how healthy their body is. Preventing heart disease and cancer is all very well, but to live a fulfilling life we must forget about the health of our minds. "Eating a diet rich in vegetables may be one way to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, research suggests. US scientists found that a diet high in unsaturated, unhydrogenated fats - found in vegetables and some oils - may help lower risk. However, a separate study found antioxidant vitamins - widely touted as good for general health - offer no such protective effect against Alzheimer's."

BBC NEWS | Health | Flu jabs for pregnant women call

Research has revealed that diseases in childhood, such as leukaemia and other cancers, could be triggered as a result of mothers suffereing from influenza during pregnancy. Because of this government advisers bhave put forward this proposal, although it is still to be agreed by government. "Pregnant women in the UK should be vaccinated against seasonal flu, government advisers say. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said the vaccine would help protect women and their unborn babies. The JCVI is to recommend to ministers that mothers-to-be should get the jab in their second and third trimesters."

BBC NEWS | Health | Eating bread 'raises cancer risk'

Latest cancer research, as reported by the BBC, reveals once again that a balanced diet is essential for good long-term health. "People who eat a lot of bread are at greater risk of kidney cancer, Italian research has suggested. The study of more than 2,300 people also claimed pasta and rice could moderately raise the risk, while vegetables and poultry reduced it. Cancer Research UK said it was the first time such a claim had been made and warned people not to be alarmed." Many people "fill up" on bread, and very often white bread made from refined flour. It has been known for many years that making bread a large part of carbohydrate intake can lead to weight problems and constitutes poor diet due to its limited nutritional benefits. But now research reveals that it has the potential to cause, or at least increase the likelihood, of cancer forming. The research report also suggested that the increased risk was due to the high glycaemic index of bread: "High GI foods raise blood sugar levels dramatically which is thought could feed the growth of tumours in some way" The research methods have been criticised due to the unscientific method of collecting the data, so the report cannot be read as fact yet. Further research will be carried out, so hopefully more conclusive proof will be announced in the next few years.