iPhone Apps That Facilitate Wellness

There are many apps available that help people become and stay healthy.  The most common of these are weight-loss and fitness apps, but there are others as well.  Here are some of the best wellness apps available for the iPhone.

LoseIt
LoseIt is one of the best calorie-counting apps available.  It allows people to track the amount of calories consumed in each meal, as well as how many are burned through exercise.  After entering their weight and ideal weight, LoseIt will create a weight-loss plan that is based on calories.  It provides daily and weekly charts, so people can monitor their progress.  The app also fully integrates with LoseIt.com.  Price: Free.

Medsy
Medsy reminds people to take their medications, vitamins and supplements.  With this app, people no longer need to use pill boxes that arrange medications according to the day of the week.  It also can help people remember to take medications during the middle of the day, which pill boxes cannot do.  All medical information is stored on the local iPhone, not Medsy’s servers.  On the one hand, if Medsy is uninstalled, all the data will be deleted.  On the other hand, no one has access to a user’s information, except the user.  Price: $3.99.

Instant Heart Rate
Instant Heart Rate is one of the most popular wellness apps available in the iPhone store and on the android market.  It has been downloaded more than 4 million times, and there are over 40,000 five-star reviews for the app.  By using the phone’s camera, Instant Heart Rate reads a person’s heart rate.  It only takes 10 seconds, and users just place their finger over the camera.  Price: $0.99.

Asthma MD
Asthma MD helps people who suffer from asthma track their attacks.  Users can immediately log an asthma attack after it is over.  By tracking one’s attacks, it can be easier to identify triggers.  The reports can be sent to a physician, and they can be anonymously uploaded to a database that helps asthma researchers.  Price: Free.

QuantiaCare for Diabetes
QuantiaCare for Diabetes is a multi-purpose tool.  It allows people with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose, insulin doses, weight, exercise and nutrition.  It also has an index of more than 60,000 pharmacies and 80,000 medical professionals.  Price: Free.

WebMD
Web MD has several apps, which are sold on the android market and in the iPhone store.  The most commonly downloaded is WebMD App, the most general of the website’s apps.  WebMD App has a symptom checker, which helps people identify their illnesses, as well as a database of drug and treatment information.  Users can also use this app to find nearby medical services.  Price: Free.

These six apps are among the best wellness apps in the iPhone store.  They can be used to create a weight-loss plan or check one’s symptoms.  But, their use is not limited to general information.  There are also apps available for specific uses, such as monitoring asthma or diabetes.  By using a combination of these apps, people can track their health.

Wayne Page writes for CNA Training Center, an outstanding guide for any and all prospective CNAs looking for more information.

Sources:
http://www.loseit.com/
http://cnatrainingcenter.net/
http://cnatrainingcenter.net/cna-certification-and-training-in-california/
http://www.webmd.com/webmdapp

Benefits And Risks Of Meal Replacement Shakes

Meal replacement shakes are a great way to lose weight. These are usually liquid shakes that have extra protein and nutrients that are used in place of one or two meals. Many of these are pre-made, so you simply shake and drink. Others are in powder form and you mix with milk or water.

There are many great benefits to using meal replacement shakes, along with proper meals and exercise to help lose weight. These benefits include:

* Convenience

These are convenient to take with you on the go and are also quick to drink, so no matter what your day consists of, you can always find time to drink your meal.

* Control

You can easily control the amount of calories you intake by using meal replacement shakes in your daily routine. All the nutrient information is displayed on the can or box of powder, so you can easily plan your meals.

* Energy

These shakes are packed with nutrients and vitamins that you need to keep your energy up throughout the day. Different shakes have different nutrients, so you should look at different labels to find the best fit for your needs.

Along with the benefits, there are also some risks from using these shakes. These risks include:

* Obesity risk

If you do not use the shakes as described, you could gain weight. These are to be used instead of a meal. If you consume three or more meals and snacks per day, along with drinking these shakes, you could gain more weight.

* Stomach pains

These shakes contain whey, lactose, soy and other products. If you have an intolerance for any of these ingredients, you should not use these shakes, because you could have digestive problems.

* Long-term Safety

There could be some long-term problems from using these shakes. Long-term safety has not been tested and could also have a bad effect on the liver and kidneys.

For the most part, meal replacement shakes are a great way to help you lose weight. If you are concerned about risks, talk to your doctor. Make sure you read all information on the product and follow directions.

Mandi writes health-related topics dedicated for patients who have had laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery to promote proper weight management and healthy lifestyle.

Keep Your Hair Healthy With A Better Diet

Hair loss is a common problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. There are natural food supplements that have been specifically designed to tackle this problem like Viviscal on the market.
But you can also eat your way to a healthy head of hair by improving your diet.

What is a Healthy Diet?
There are two key factors to eating a healthy diet: eating the right amount of food (depending on how active you are) and eating a large range of foods. The range of food in your diet should include: Fruit and Vegetables, Starchy foods such as bread, rice and pasta, some Milk and Dairy foods, some Meat, Fish, Eggs and Beans and a very small amount of foods high in fat and sugar.

How can I eat a Balanced Diet?
Eating a variety of foods is extremely important for healthy hair, and there are steps you can follow to make sure you are gaining all the nutrients and minerals you need. Try for 5 a day! Eating 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day can reduce the risk of hair loss dramatically by giving you the minerals and nutrients your body needs to repair and grow. Keep it colourful... Variety is the spice of life after all, and the bigger the variety of colours of fruits and vegetables on your plate, the better. Too much food as well as too little food can be bad for you, but everyone's plate will look slightly different depending on our size, shape and level of activity.

A Healthy diet for Healthy Hair
Your diet is a key factor for keeping your body healthy, and this includes your hair. Eating a healthy balanced diet, including a wide variety of fruits and vegetables can help promote healthy hair growth. Try eating the government recommended 5 different fruit and vegetables every day. Protein is the central component of your hair, so a protein-rich diet is extremely important for a healthy head of hair. Eggs and lean meat such as chicken, turkey and beef are all great sources of protein, and can easily be consumed as part of a healthy diet.

Iron deficency (anaemia) is one of the most common causes of unhealthy hair. So an iron rich diet will not only improve your overall health, but will keep your hair strong and shiny.
Great sources of iron include: liver, meat, beans, nuts and dried fruit.

Try adding some healthy hair foods to your diet and notice the benefits immediately!

About the Author: Emily is a writer for Peak Nutrition
who enjoys offering advice and guidance for Health and Well-being.

Attention Fellow Slackers... Get Active!

                                             

                                                              
It's often far too easy to find excuses not to get active. By saying we are too busy, too broke or too self-conscious to exercise, we can all justify a lack of physical activity. Finding the motivation to get active can indeed to be tough, but as things get easier and we reap the benefits, there are plenty of incentives to continue.

Finding Motivation

The scales can be a good indicator of weight loss but it can also be soul destroying to step aboard merrily only to find a disappointing result. Likewise, it's easy to rely too much on what the scales say and use them as an excuse to give up. If you don't like the numbers, find a new way to measure success, such as trying on a favourite item of clothing regularly. As those jeans begin to fit better, the results of exercise are more obvious.

A new exercise regime can seem daunting if you think about how much you need to lose to reach your target, so instead focus on mini-goals to make things more achievable. Go for a walk, sign up to a class that grabs your attention or perhaps make small dietary changes gradually.

Seeing Results

A negative attitude can play havoc with attempts to get fit, so to get the most out of exercise it can help to look at it in a positive light. Don't dread pounding away on the treadmill but instead use it as an opportunity to claw back some precious 'me time' and think of the end result to stay motivated.

If you really hate the idea of group activity, there are plenty of activities which can be done at home, such as using a step machine or exercising via computer games. Each chunk of activity burns calories and helps improve fitness levels, regardless of the environment.

If a home-based routine gets boring, or you require more of a challenge, try mixing it up by trying something new or getting out and about instead. A change of scenery can do wonders for motivation levels.

The gym may seem unappealing, but many are friendly and sociable places and if yours is a little competitive or intimidating, search around or seek recommendations to find somewhere ideal. With so many fitness jobs available, you might even find that achieving your ultimate goals can lead to a new career!

Although solitary exercise can have the desired effects, socialising will make any activity seem less like exercise and by committing to an activity with a friend you both have an important role in raising each others spirits when things get tough or you reach a plateau.

Try to keep things fresh by varying workouts and trying new activities that appeal. When the weather is good make the most of the great outdoors and when it is miserable outside take comfort from exercising somewhere warm and dry. Variety is the spice of life and can make all the difference when it comes to seeing good results.

Losing weight and getting fit can seem like a slow process, so constantly reward yourself for any progress made. It can also help to set new goals and challenges when things seem a little stale and to remind yourself of why you embarked on this journey in the first place.

Zoe is an avid health blogger and freelance writer from Cheshire in the UK. She loves to vary her exercise routine by attending fitness classes in between long walks with friends and family. Currently, Zoe is writing for healthcare charity Nuffield Health’s career site. Tweet your thoughts on this article to @bloggingstyle.

Smoothies Are Fabulous Snacks For Everyone

Smoothies are quick, easy, and if made well they can be very healthy; they are a fabulous breakfast and snack choice! You can blend up so many different fruits and vegetables into the same drink and add other vitamins and nutrients as well.

Even after adding flax seed oil, rose hip oil, fiber, and protein powder, you can still end up with a tasty drink. Smoothies make a great breakfast on the go!

You can mix up whatever kinds of fruits and vegetables you choose and add in whichever additional nutrients you like. Then you are set to leave the house with a very nutritious breakfast in hand.

It is recommended to use apples or apple juice for sweetener rather than some other fruits. You can try other fruits but apples truly do work the best.
Smoothies can also help curb your appetite which can be great when you are trying to lose a few pounds. You get to shed the extra weight and still consume the nutrients your body needs in a tasty way.

It is true sometimes as a parent you have to get creative in order to get healthy food into your children’s bodies. Of course it helps if they are taught healthy eating habits at a young age but it can still be challenging because let’s face it, some healthy foods just do not taste very good.

Smoothies are a great way to get children to consume vegetables and nutrients they would not normally touch. Smoothies look pretty and they can taste great so it doesn’t leave much room for your children to question what you are serving to them.

Most children love smoothies and you never have to reveal all of the healthy things you sneak into them. Smoothies also make a great afterschool snack for children in between the lunch and dinner hour.

How nice it is to feed your child something you know is actually healthy and full of good nutrients. If you use smoothies it is so easy to sneak in extra vitamins and minerals.

Your children look up to you as a parent especially when they are young so it is important you teach them good health habits. Encourage your children to exercise and eat healthy foods and snacks so they can have positive ideas of the best way to care for their bodies.

About the Author:

Cleopatra writes about health, nutrition, fitness tips and exercise machines such as treadmills. If you like this post you can follow her on Twitter.

Coconuts - New Cold Drink For This Summer

Coconut water is a very refreshing health drink to beat tropical summer thirst. Nature always create wonderful and full of benefits. The liquid found in coconuts are rich in ascorbic acid, iron, vitamin B, protein, fructose, nitrogen and some basic minerals like potassium, phosphoric acid, calcium and magnesium. It is considered as fluid of life. It's sweetenedw water has lesser calories, so it's good for those who are weight watchers. It has nimerous benefits if consumed in it's natural form.

Nutrional Facts And Health Benefits:

Fights Dehydration

It is better than any commercial drinks as it is richest source of electrolytes and potassium. The isotonic qualities in it helps in regaining fluids and salts which we often losses in sumers.

Helpful in intestinal disturbances

It is well known suggested for the old age peoples as it is good for those having digestion poblems. It sweet in nature and helps inintestinal disturbances for all ages.

Helpful in managing urinary symptoms

It relives in urinary infection. It has diuretic quality which dissolves kidney and urethral stones naturally. it cleans urinary passage. In case of UTI(urinal tract infection) it acts s antiseptic and removes the poisonous minerals.

Most prefered for Pregnant womens

Good for those women who hace acidity, heartburn and indigestion. It provide energy to women at different stages of energy. It boosta amniotic fluid which id good for the development of the baby.

Helps in increasing immunity

It is good source of Lauric acid, which has antimicribial properties. It not only prevents but helpful in treating bacterial infection caused by pathogens bacteria i.e. HIV, Herpes, Flu. In fever like malaria, chicken pox etc. It has electrolytes helps to settle stomach and control nausea.

It is a universally appealing drink and no reaction has been notified yet. It's not only healthy but safe for all ages. So, avoid all commercial summer drinks and enjoy coconut water this summer.

Depression Help - What To Do, How To Fight It

Long-term clinical depression is a mental condition that is serious, and usually requires the help of a counselor or therapist. For those who suffer from periodic bouts of mild depression, or for those who want help treating their depression without the use of drugs, there is a very effective, free method available to all of us. There is a way to reign in our emotions, increase our happiness, release stress, and restructure our thoughts to fight or end depression for good. Although it is still being studied, daily meditation looks to be a very promising cure for many mental and emotional disorders.

Depression is an emotional, chemical, physical, and mental response. It may come in the form of chronic exhaustion, lack of interest, or constant sad or unsatisfied thoughts. A lack of contentment and a lack of hope characterize the depressed state, which can last for weeks, months, or indefinitely without treatment. It takes a toll on our bodies and plants the seed for a lifetime of struggling with unhappiness and unsettling emotions. While most people use a combination of drugs and therapies to treat depression, science is discovering that twenty minutes of daily meditation may be the most effective treatment of all.

Breath and mindfulness meditation, as well as a Buddhist technique called meta-bhavana, or loving-kindness, meditation help us overcome unhappy thoughts in a number of ways. First, meditation takes us out of our misery and emotions, providing a needed reprieve. Second, meditation inspires feelings of peace, connectivity, and well-being. Finally, especially in the case of loving-kindness meditation, it helps us create new thoughts and emotions inside our brain. Since our minds are patterned and habitual, we tend to think the same thoughts over and over again. Purposely introducing new, loving, happy thoughts, means we are more likely to re-experience them later. It also gives us an alternative or a way to counter our negative thoughts.

It is true that depression is not made up entirely of thougths, but good thoughts and peaceful mental states can counter impression by releasing certain hormones and chemical reactions that counter those which are prevalent in a depressed person. The biology of depression is mainly chemical. Luckily, so is the biology of happiness and contentment. Here are a couple of simple, twenty-minute meditations that can be done at home, to combat or prevent depression:

Meta-bhavana meditation:

The loving-kindness meditation is meant to cultivate feelings of love and good-will toward the self and others. We begin the meditation with ourselves, by wishing ourselves to be happy, well, and free from suffering. Then, we think of a friend or someone we love and wish to be happy, well and free from suffering. Next, we think of someone we barely know, or feel neutral about and extend our wish to that person. Then, we consider an enemy or someone we dislike and wish them well, happy, and free from suffering. Finally, we wish the entire world to be happy, well and free from suffering. While meditating for the twenty minutes, we actually in our minds, over and over, “may you/I be happy, may you/I be well, may you/I be free from suffering”

Some people find it impossible to start with themselves. If you do, start with someone you love and care about, then someone neutral, then yourself, then an enemy, or save yourself for dead last, or include yourself when you wish the whole world to be free. This meditation is extremely good for depression, anxiety, and anger. Use it often, and you will become a happier, more loving person.

Normal breathing meditation:

The breathing meditation is done by simply focusing on our breathing for twenty minutes. This can be done through counting the breath, alternating between counting the in breaths and out breaths, counting to ten breaths and starting over, then counting to just five breaths and starting over, then two breaths, then dropping the counting.

Counting keeps our minds occupied enough to stop them from wandering too far, and gives us a tool for bringing them back when they do. As our minds become more disciplined, we can begin to focus on breathing without the counting. The stronger our minds become, the less attached we will become to our thoughts and emotions, and the more peaceful and at ease we will be. Science has actually seen meditations such as this increase happiness in the human brain. Meditators generally have fewer mental and emotional disorders, and suffer less from high blood pressure, hyper-tension, obesity and other diseases.

Learn more about how to attract positive energy into your life to fight depression

Five Healthiest Fruits You Can Choose

Healthy Food Habits For Healthy Body

I often listen to my grandmother saying “What you eat now will help in your old age”, I realized it’s actually true. We spend a han’some amount of money on gyms and diets, but we cannot focus on the fact that we can even get better by following a simple rule. This simple rule is making our breakfast essential anyhow. In our daily busy lives we often skip breakfasts or we have less nutrient breakfast. To keep ourself healthy for life long we should just follow three simple rules:

Fix time for meal:

Yes, fix your time for your meal. Now we make execuses that we have no time for meals etc. but we cannot make excuses to ourself, our health, our stomach. We should not confuse our body by eating at different times. The things we eat in night is more beneficial if we eat it in morning. Skipping meals and obnoxious eating timings is sinful. Following this may lead to many health benefits, including weight control and improved performances.

Eat variety:

As colors add charm to life they sure do to your body. Try eating different colored fruits and vegetables as much as possible. Each one have unique nutrient content. And you need not to worry whether you are eating right or not. They surely have some nutrient, vitamin, fibre etc. Anything essential for your body.

Make breakfast essential:

Studies shows a person having breakfast have more nutritionally complete diet, have rich diet in terms of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. They have more Improved concentration and performance, more strength and endurance to engage in physical activity. And moreover have lower cholesterol levels. Eating breakfast is essential for everyone. Skipping your breakfast is worst decision for the day.

And as my grandma says if you keep doing the same on a regular basis, you might have to face its consequences once you cross your 40s. You body does not receive any nutrients post the previous night’s dinner. Follow these simple rules to be healthy for a life long.

The Way Sunlight Affects Your Mind and Body - Infographic

The sun is one of the unique features that allow the earth to be habitable, unlike most of the other planets in our solar system. However, the sun affects more than just the earth, it also plays an essential role in the health of the body. When light makes its long journey from the sun to the skin, it activates reactions that create vitamin D for your body. Vitamin D is an essential hormone necessary for your body to absorb calcium, as well as impacts other bodily functions, such as mood regulation in your brain and the function of your immune system. Not getting enough vitamin D can result in weak bones and muscles, as well as increases risks for depression and chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. However, a balance between sun exposure and sun safety is necessary to see the potential vitamin D benefits as listed below in this infographic.

Infographic via the Carrington College medical assistant training program