Home Remedies

Natural Remedies

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Benefits of Home Health Care


Some patients with an illness or injury do not wish to receive assistance from caregivers in a professional setting. In contrast, these people wish to have practitioners visit them at their residences instead. Explore some of the benefits of home health care to determine whether this service fits your needs and budget.

Personalized Service

When caregivers come to a patient in the home, this assistance is typically more personalized and specialized to meet the unique needs of the patient. People usually receive a higher quality of service delivered in a more compassionate manner. It's common for relationships to develop between the patient and the staff members who visit regularly.

Convenience

Receiving visits from staff members in a residence is usually more convenient for both patients and families. Leaving the home to visit a facility will no longer be necessary because practitioners will come to the residence at times that fit the individual's schedule. This convenience can be particularly helpful during times of inclement weather when a patient should not venture outdoors due to cold, heat, or storms.

Help for Family Members

Family members caring for a sick or injured loved one usually experience significant time constraints because of this work. Hiring a company for home health care can reduce this burden for family members. The assistance provided can give family members more freedom to manage their own personal duties. With the reduced responsibility, families often begin to have more quality time with the person because they no longer become stressed over care duties. Family members often appreciate knowing that their loved one is receiving high-quality and professional care, which can lessen personal anxiety.

Promotes Healing

When people receive home health care, they may recover more quickly. In addition, people may receive dangerous exposure to germs and infections when visiting clinics and hospitals. The ability to have assistance at home can eliminate this exposure and promote faster healing. Many people even experience a reduced number of re-hospitalizations under this type of regimen.

Affordability

Inpatient care can be expensive for a family. The cost of leaving the home for ongoing outpatient appointments can also be expensive. In contrast, having a professional come to a residence is often more affordable.

Other Services

Shopping, running errands, and meal preparation are typical types of assistance that you might add to a package. Some assistants will also perform laundry and light cleaning work around the house. Inquire about personal care such as bathing, hair washing, and dressing.

Before making a final decision about home health care, perform a complete background inquiry for a company. After researching a company thoroughly, you should be ready to move forward with a contract.

When considering home health care, Southern Alabama residents visit Mercy Medical. Learn more at http://mercymedical.com/.

Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors



As people age, their nutritional needs change. Some may not be able to consume the same foods, or foods in the same quantities, as they could when they were younger and perhaps healthier. Too much sodium, sugar or fats can wreak havoc on the human body when people age.

Fiber for Heart Health

A diet high in fiber, including fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, can help reduce cholesterol and keep the digestive system regular. The only caution with fruits and vegetables is that if the stomach is sensitive to certain fruit acids, such as those found in tomatoes or citrus fruits, this may cause some discomfort, but overall vegetables and fruits should be consumed as much and as often as possible. Fruits and vegetables contain high plant fiber which helps cleanse the bowels and helps maintain a healthy blood glucose level, keeping early onset diabetes at bay.

High-Quality Protein

When most people think of protein, they may immediately think of a thick, juicy steak. For those so inclined, they may still enjoy steak as they age, but they may also want to consider lighter, white meat alternatives, such as pork, chicken and turkey, which are lean protein that promotes muscle strength and keeps muscle fibers from deteriorating. Grilled preparation is tasty and fast, and is a healthy alternative to fried meats. For those who would like to try a meat-free alternative, soy protein and nuts are another great way to add healthy protein and fiber into the diet.

Avoid Dairy

Younger people need the calcium in dairy to support growing bones and muscle health. Because dairy products are high in fat, aging bodies may not metabolize this fat as easily as it did when someone was younger. Those at high risk for heart disease, or people who suffer from high blood pressure, may want to avoid dairy-rich foods to keep their arteries clearer and to promote healthy blood flow. Too much fat in the diet may also make it difficult for the liver to function properly, so it may be best to avoid dairy as much as possible.

Lower Sodium Intake

People who suffer from high blood pressure should lower their sodium intake, whether this mean
s avoid salt or avoiding processed foods. Many convenience and processed foods contain high amounts of salt and sugar, so read labels carefully and keep a healthy weight and blood pressure in mind.

Hydrate

As always, hydration is important, no matter what your age. Drink more water throughout the day to help flush toxins from the body and to help the body cool down on a hot day. Water is healthy for skin, kidneys, and the body overall, so water is always a good option as a beverage.

Healthy eating takes on even greater importance as you get older. Visit Trinity Medical Group today for a check-up and to get more healthy eating tips that are personalized for your age and your lifestyle. Also check out our new Blog Post on Healthy Eating Tips For Seniors.
 

Your Body is Your Temple -- Treat it That Way

How many times in your life have you heard the statement, "your body is your temple?" It's one of those ideas that sneak into your consciousness and you don't know where you actually heard it.

Think about it for a moment. Do you believe that your body is your temple? Maybe it doesn't make sense to you at first. Let's see what the dictionary has to say about a "temple" and then you tell me.

· a place dedicated to worship

· having within it a divine presence

· a place reserved for a highly valued function

Let's take a look at them one by one.

Your body is a place that needs to be dedicated to worshiping itself.

If you don't worship your own body, who will? And what exactly does worshiping your body mean? Worshiping your body means taking care of it. Worshiping your body means doing what is best for it, not just on the outside but on the inside as well. Worshiping your body means nurturing it with proper nutrition, regular exercise and sufficient sleep. Worshiping your body means learning about it and listening to it. When your body is sick, it's letting you know that something is missing. It requires something that you are not giving it. I'm not talking about worship in terms of becoming obsessed with how you look. I'm talking about treating your body with respect, compassion and care.

Your body has within it a divine presence.

Doesn't it make sense that a divine presence resides within your body? You don't need to be religious to believe that we are all one with the universe. How else can we explain the miracle of our body. Just think for a moment about all the functions it performs without our even thinking about it. Our heart beats, our eyes blink, we breathe, we swallow, we digest--all with no conscious thought. We have countless hormones, enzymes, muscles, bones, organs, all working in perfect harmony. It is amazing, given how many of us treat our body, that it continues to work as well as it does. Who can possibly explain such an amazing machine without realizing that a power more powerful than we are dwells within us.

Your body is reserved for a highly valued function.

Wouldn't you agree that your body is reserved for a highly valued function? Without your body, you would have no vehicle to carry you through this life, no way to fulfill on what you see as your life's purpose, no way to do those things that are important to you. I suspect you can see that is a highly valued function. After all, what could be more important? Using your body to accomplish all those things you need to do every day. And, beyond that, being able to use your body to do everything you want to do. I'm going to get a little personal here. I've been in a position where my body was "sick" and I simply couldn't do many of the things I needed and wanted to do. It's no fun. Many of us take our body for granted. Unfortunately, it took a crisis for me to learn that lesson. Don't wait until you have a crisis in your life to begin to appreciate your body.

So, can we agree that your body really is your temple?

And, can we agree that, as your temple, your body deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care?

Many of us tend to focus much of our attention on cutting, coloring and arranging our hair, keeping our nails impeccably polished and making sure our makeup is perfect. But what do we do about everything below our neck? How much time do we spend tending to those parts of us?

How many of us pay careful attention to the nutrition we feed our body? If you don't put the right kind of fuel in a car, it simply won't run. How many of us make sure that we are giving our body enough exercise to keep it in good working order. Here comes the car again! You might know that, if you don't drive a car but simply leave it parked in the garage, it won't run very well. You won't be able to depend on it when you need it. Well, our body is no different. We need to use it. The more we use it, the better it runs.

Since you're reading this, I'm betting you've already realized what you've been doing to destroy your "temple". Insufficient exercise, poor nutrition, inadequate rest, stress. And, if you've made it to this paragraph, I imagine you're very interested in repairing the damage and learning how to take good care of your body from now on. Let me be the first to encourage you to begin healthy nutrition and exercise practices right now. You will never make a better investment in yourself. Your temple will thrive on it.

Marilyn is a successful exercise/nutrition trainer and coach who works with women who are 50+. Her website [http://www.fitandfabulouswoman.com] provides fitness information, fitness products, fitness services, fitness advice and on-line personal training that support mature women in being their best...one-stop shopping for a healthy body, a clear mind and a soaring spirit.


Human Fetal Tissue - Are You Consuming It?


Can it possibly be true that human fetal tissue is now in some foods, personal care products and vaccines? Surely it would have to say so on any label or informed consent form, right?

Ah, no.

Amazingly, both the number and type of products are increasing which contain human fetal tissue or contain ingredients made from them. Naturally, most don't include 'human fetal tissue' in their ingredient list, and you'd certainly not expect to find them in some of the places where they're actually used.

For example, some processed food companies use flavor enhancers made from them; some vaccines, particularly those against viruses, are grown using fetal cell tissue; some medications and some personal care products are also involved.

To raise your awareness further, you can check some online resources, including endalldisease.com, ewg.org, healthfreedomalliance.org, mercola.com and nvic.org. Meanwhile, here is a description of the type of products that may contain it:

1. Some soft drinks, various bottled beverages including coffee, bottled water, flavored bottled water, some juices, bottled teas, energy beverages.

2. Coffee creamers, particular brands of instant soups, bouillon cubes, catsups, sauces, seasoning, instant noodles.

3. Ten different brands of chewing gum, bubble gum.

4. At least twelve brands of candies and cough drops.

5. Beauty products, especially anti-wrinkle creams, restorative creams.

6. Vaccines from at least four different companies; fetal cells are present in a measles/mumps/rubella; measles/mumps/rubella/chickenpox; chickenpox; polio; hepatitis-A; hepatitis A & B combination; shingles; rabies.

7. Medications, including those for cystic fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

There are a number of concerns people hold about consuming fetal tissue. One is the possibility of setting up auto-immune responses. These are reactions in the vaccinated person's own immune system when it gets confused in carrying out its job: to determine what is 'me' (my own tissue) and what is 'not me' and therefore should be attacked and eliminated.

Other objections to consuming human fetal tissue include moral and/or ethical grounds. Still others simply think it's a bad idea.

If your response fits into any of those categories, your best bet is to follow up with your own research.

Last, if you don't want to consume fetal tissue, don't rely on this list only, as it is by no means complete. Also, manufacturers change ingredients frequently. If you want to avoid consuming human fetal tissue, your best bet is to research any product you purchase that you think might qualify for this list..

Meanwhile, at least if you avoid purchasing processed food altogether, you will avoid consuming it in food.

For lots of tips you can use to support your better health and greater well being of body, mind, spirit, emotions and relationships, and to request a topic you'd like covered, you're invited to go to http://www.betterhealthbytes.com to access the variety of resources there and to search for a topic you'd like to know more about.

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5 Low Cost Ways to Soothe the Sting of Sunburn



Each of us most likely has at least one memory of a nasty sunburn. Whether experienced personally, or by a close family member or friend, the symptoms are likely to include anything from red hot skin - either tender or painful to touch, to nausea, dehydration, blistering and flaking or peeling of the skin.

As anyone who has experienced bad sunburn will verify, the amount of time spent causing the sunburn, is largely disproportionate to the length of time that can be spent suffering the consequences of its effects. In this respect, and depending on the severity of burning, -- pain and discomfort can persist for several days after the event, as the body works to heal and recover from the unprotected UV exposure.

Unless the symptoms are severe, (in which instance you may need to consider medical treatment), here are 5 simple home remedies that will cost you next to nothing, and which will assist in soothing the sting and pain of sunburn:

1. Cool baths: Soaking in a cool bath is one of the best ways to draw heat from the skin and soothe the pain and discomfort of sunburn. (Avoid 'cold' as this can cause the body to go into shock.) Here are some additional things to add to your baths for further relief:

a. Add 10 drops of so of essential oil (chamomile or lavender) to the bath. Soak for 15 minutes or until relief is felt.

b. Adding baking soda (or oatmeal) to a lukewarm bath can also relieve sunburn pain. For this treatment to work best, try to make sure that all affected areas are submerged. Bath water can be poured over your body using your hands or a soft washcloth. Burned facial areas can be gently dabbed using the cloth, or alternately you can splash water directly onto your face. After soaking, lightly pat the skin dry with a soft towel (preferably cotton). If you've taken an oatmeal bath, let the light coating of oatmeal that clings to your skin remain.

c. Adding vinegar to the bath water will help in taking the sting out of sunburn.

2. Rubbing alcohol: Because it evaporates so quickly, dabbing on rubbing alcohol will quickly cool and ease the pain of sunburned skin.

3. Vinegar: Vinegar is an effective and cooling treatment for sunburn. Soak towels with it, and apply to the burned areas. Alternately you can fill a spray bottle and spray it directly on the skin as needed.

4. Egg Whites: If your burn is painfully hot, separating the white from the yolk of an egg, and then spreading the white over the affected area will help to cool the burning instantly. This can be repeated as often as needed.

5. Potatoes: Potatoes can also be used to relieve the pain of sunburn. Take 2 potatoes and wash them well. Cut them into tiny chunks and place in a blender to liquefy. (If the result appears too dry, add some water). Pat the affected areas with potato juice. Wait until dry, and then rinse off in a cool shower or bath.

Remember that as well as causing varying degrees of discomfort and pain, repeated sun exposure and sunburn also accelerates the aging process and can increase the risk of cataracts and skin cancer. Prevention therefore should also always be considered more preferable than treatment!

DISCLAIMER: These are home remedy tips only, and should not replace your regular health care provider. If in doubt at any time in relation to your sunburn, please seek the appropriate health care assistance.


Immune System Vitamins - Strengthen Your Immunity For Optimal Health



Nutrition and dietary choices are always the most important and natural way we can obtain the most essential immune system vitamins our bodies need to remain strong and healthy. We must examine what we eat, such as whether we get enough whole fruits and veggies, proteins, legumes and grains which are good for immunity, before we can consider how any immune system supplements or immune boosters can benefit the unique functioning and genetic makeup of our individual bodies and metabolisms.

The second most important thing we must examine to determine if we can make changes that can enhance our immune health is our everyday activities and lifestyle choices. It is important to consider that exercise, emotional well-being, stress levels, and everyday habits all play a part in the functioning of our immune functioning. What you do everyday can either cause harm to your body, or naturally act as immune boosters to improve your overall health and well-being.

Getting exercise, even a thirty minute walk daily, finding quite time for yourself, having fun or just relaxing if you are going through a time of stress, and quitting bad habits like excessive sugar or caffeine intake, or smoking are some of the most important things you can do for your body.

If you are worried about getting sick or have an illness or disease and are looking for a remedy, there are lots of immune system supplements that are supported by research and considered beneficial for strengthening the immunity.

The most important and well known immune system vitamin is vitamin C found especially high in citrus fruits is an anti-oxidant the body needs; as a supplement, it is absorbed especially well by the body when combined with bioflavonoids.

The B vitamins also help support immunity. Vitamins B6 and B12, specifically, are the most important vitamins for the immune system. There is research that the B vitamins all work together, so you should consider the benefits of taking a B vitamin complex when this using this as a part of an immune system vitamins regiment.

Vitamin A is also an important immune system vitamin. An anti-oxidant, it protects against free radicals, and also helps keep the mucous membranes healthy.

Vitamin E is good for immunity and is an effective anti-oxidant. Vitamin E acts as a type of immune armour, as it makes its way to the surface of cells in the body where it works fight off harmful substances that have entered the body.

Zinc, an important mineral, is good for overall functioning of the immune system. It is especially useful for fighting off a cold and helps to maintain the healthy functioning of all cell membranes.

Other herbal vitamins and immune system supplements that are extremely beneficial in supporting immunity include echinacea which is good at the start of a cold, elderberry extract which also helps fight off colds, and probiotics which keep the intestine supplied with good bacteria, which are vital for the body. Also everyday foods such as garlic which is antibacterial and anti-viral, ginger which is an antioxidant and known to kill the cold virus, and lemon which has lots of vitamin C are known for their immune building properties.

Nutrition, daily activity, lifestyles habits, and immune system vitamins are all the main factors to consider when trying to achieve optimal immune health. Always consider the simple changes that you can make to your daily lifestyle first and then look for immune boosters and immune supplements that can be beneficial as an addition to a healthy lifestyle.

What's the Best Treatment for Dandruff?


Dandruff affects the scalp and causes the scalp to flake - it is a common condition. Our skin cells are continually renewing themselves. When the skin cells on our scalp are renewed the old ones are pushed to the surface. If you are a person who suffers with dandruff the renewal process is faster, making the dandruff more of a noticeable problem.

The exact cause of dandruff is not known, although it is believed by some professionals to be associated with an over-growth of Malassezia, which is a fungus commonly found on the skin and scalp. Dandruff can be a long-term problem or it can be the result of certain lifestyle changes or stress. If you have dandruff you may also notice itching and redness on the scalp. Excessive flaking may be caused by an underlying illness or condition, such as psoriasis, a fungal infection, or even head lice.

Having dandruff can be a real blow to a persons self-esteem, knocking ones confidence. Therefore, finding an effective treatment for dandruff may be important for both physiological and psychological reasons.

How to help prevent Dandruff.

Before we start with the cures and for getting rid of dandruff let's have a quick look a some of the steps we can take to help prevent dandruff.
  1. When you shampoo your hair, try not to scratch your scalp too much.

  2. Try to avoid putting to many chemicals on your hair such as hair dye.

  3. Try to manage your stress better. Good quality sleep and meditation could help you de-stress.

  4. Brush your hair at least once a day. Shampoo it at least three times a week.

  5. Cut down on your use of hair products such as gel and spray until your dandruff calms down.

  6. Clean your comb everyday. Try using a good quality barbicide (The blue liquid you may have seen your barber or hairdresser using to store their combs and clippers etc)

  7. Get more Vitamin B in your diet. Include more seafood, fresh vegetables and nuts in your diet.

  8. Don't wash your hair in hard water. If you live in an area with hard water, have a filter fitted, or wash your hair with bottled water.

  9. Change your shampoo. Sometimes you may be using a shampoo which just doesn't agree with your scalp and can actually agitate the sebaceous glands and cause dandruff. Once you've found a shampoo that works for you, stick with it.

Okay, that's the preventative stuff out of the way... what about the cures?

How to get rid of Dandruff Naturally.

For those of you who prefer to do things the natural way there are plenty of options available to you. If you prefer to using commercially available medicated products instead of going the home remedy type route, then you can skip the next few paragraphs.
  • Yogurt makes an excellent hair conditioner. After washing your hair, try rubbing some plain yogurt into your scalp. Leave it for 10 of 15 minutes to do its stuff. Rinse your hair through with a vinegar water mix (you don't need much vinegar, just a tablespoon in a bowl of water). After you've rinsed with the vinegar water, rinse it again with warm water until it's clean. You can then wash your hair through with a little shampoo if you wish.

  • Boil the peels of a lemon or two in 1 liter of water for 15-20 minutes. Let it cool and rinse your hair with this solution about once a week.

  • Mix the juice of half a lemon with 4 tablespoons of warmed olive oil (obviously not hot, just warm. You don't want burn yourself). Rub the mixture into the roots before washing your hair with a mild shampoo.

  • Get some boric acid powder. This is available at the chemist or online and it is usually used as an eye wash. Warm any natural oil such as olive oil, coconut oil or castor oil, add one teaspoon of boric powder and allow it to dissolve. Part your hair into separate sections and apply the oil and massage it well into the scalp. Keep it on for 2-3 hours or ideally overnight if you can, and then wash your hair in the morning. Do this procedure once a week and if your dandruff is stubborn, try it twice a week.

  • Mix two tablespoons of malt or cider vinegar into a mug of warm water. After you have washed your hair and rinsed it of shampoo, do a final rinse with this vinegar mix. Do this two of three times a week.

  • Take 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds, leave them to soak overnight. In the morning grind them into a fine paste. This paste should be applied on the scalp and left for half an hour. The hair should be then washed thoroughly with mild shampoo.

  • Add a drop of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo. Tea tree oil has been used for centuries and is a highly effective anti-septic and anti-fungal substance. It's works great to combat dandruff.

Over the Counter Remedies.

If the natural home-remedies aren't helping to get rid of dandruff, you might want to try some of the many medicated shampoos that are available over the counter, T-Gel and Head & Shoulders being two which spring to mind. Try to get a trial sized sample of any brand medicated shampoo before making a purchasing. Some brands my work better for you than some others, because they can be quite harsh some medicated shampoos may even worsen your dandruff problem by irritating your skin. So shop around until you find one that works.

What if treatments don't work?

If you have tried all the above methods and nothing has seemed to work for you it could mean there are underlying problems. You may need to speak to a doctor or dermatologist so that they can diagnose what the problem is exactly.

Shoulder Health For Swimmers


The Achilles' Heal of Swimming

Swimming is a low-impact, safe, fun, and challenging form of exercise. If you have a history of injuries in your legs, then it's a great alternative form of cardio. Studies show that swimmers live longer and are less prone to various diseases, even compared to people who engage in other forms of exercise, including running, rowing, and cycling. Swimming can counter some of the negative effects of sitting and driving all day. It's a sport that actually elongates the spine.

Swimming promotes flexibility in many ways, but improving your shoulder health is crucial for optimal performance. It takes some time to promote shoulder health, and many swimmers often ignore it because they feel they don't have enough time. The other problem is that a stretching routine will only prevent injuries, so the benefits are subtle. But the cost of not doing it is an injury. The benefits outweigh the investment of time. You'll perform better, reduce the chance of injury and recover better.

Mike Harris is an aspiring professional swimmer in Northern Virginia. Harris was swimming everyday as an undergraduate college student for his team. His typical distance per week usually hovered around 50-60,000 meters. He felt strong but was always feeling sore in his shoulder after workouts. He had no recovery plan and continued to push through the pain. "I live for pain in the water, that's what I'm good at, but not this kind of pain. Very little strength training was involved in my routine. Almost all my training was done in the water along with the occasional 'extended stretching and flexibility' I would do on my own just to say loose.

He had been swimming his entire life since he was the age of. None of his coaches had ever shown him basic exercises to keep his shoulder healthy. While he learned some basic stretches that swimmers usually do before diving into the pool, he never learned how to properly recover from his long and intense workouts. Most of his coaches were a poolside presence, and prescribed a few dryland exercises.. Although he has a strong and large upper body, his shoulder health was becoming a limiter to his performance.

When I met Mike I introduced him to dryland exercises that he needed to do if he was going to keep his shoulder healthy, and if he was going to ever realize his dream of becoming a professional swimmer. These exercises were totally new and completely foreign to Mike. "Immediately after Kevin designed a dryland routine for me based on my personal workout load and training needs, I felt more flexible and able to perform drills with greater ease. Mobility is a must in my training schedule and is done every day."

Before your implement this program, it's important to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the shoulder joint. The glenohumeral joint actually comprises four muscles that surround the joint, and are referred to as the rotator cuff: the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor and the subscapularis. When they're flexible and strong, you'll avoid any kind of injury

The following program is the same one Mike uses to not only maintain his shoulder health, but to feel even more flexible and stronger in the water. He does them every day, including days he doesn't swim. He prefers to do them right after workouts.

Of course, you're probably not a professional swimmer. But even recreational swimmers and triathletes should include this program if they want to continue swimming without any problems. The program includes active-isolated stretching, a Swiss ball routine, and some dumbbell exercises.

Active-Isolated Stretches

Created by Aaron Mettes, the premise of active-isolated stretching (AIS) is that prolonged static stretches greater than two seconds actually decreases blood flow within tissue creating ischemia and lactate build up. AIS allows the target muscle to optimally lengthen without triggering the stretch reflex. AI stretching activates the opposing muscles, which contract, and force the target muscle to elongate. The body them remembers this new range of motion. Thus, the muscle is activated in this new position and isn't just stretched and released. AIS also increase blood flow and can increase core temperature.

Arm circles

Bend over and let your arms drop. Spin your arms in circles 10 times in each direction.

Horizontal Abduction

Bring your arms out and back. Hold stretch for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times. Extend your arms as far as you can.

Hyperextension.

Stand straight. Bring arms up behind body with fingers pointing towards ground. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

External Rotation

Stand straight Lifts arms out to sides with elbows 90 degrees and hands making a fist. Knuckles should be pointing towards the sky. Rotate backwards and hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times
Internal Rotation

Stand straight. Bend your elbows at 90 degrees. Knuckes should be pointing towards the ground. Rotate shoulders fowward. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Horizontal Flexion

Stand straight. Bring one arm across body. Place other hand on elbow that is crossing the body. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Horizontal Flexion

Stand straight. Bring one arm across body and place it over your shoulder. Place other hand on shoulder. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Triceps stretch

Stand straight. Bring one arm up and back with elbow bent. Place other hand on elbow. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10 times

Posterior hand clasp

Stand straight. Clasp hands in each direction. Try to grab the hands. If you cannot, you can use a towel. Always strive to reach the hands. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Ys

Lie on the stability ball in a prone (face down) position. Place feet on the floor and stomach on the ball. Hold light dumbbells (weighing no more than a kilogram or 2.5 pounds), and lift the arms to form a Y. Bring the arms towards the floor and then lift again. Lower your arms and repeat. Make sure the top of your abs or on the middle of the ball. Retract your shoulder blades down and back

Ts

In the same position, hold the dumbbells straight down along the side of the ball. Lift the dumbbells to your side and repeat Pul your shoulder baldes in toward your spie and extend your arms to the sides. Keep your arms at 90 degrees. Lower your arms and repeat

Ws

In the same position, hold the dumbbells straight down. Bring your hands towards your chest and bend your elbows and repeat. Squeeze your elbows toward you ribs. Take your thumbs and rotate them back toward the ceiling, squeezing your shoulder blades together to form a W

Ls

In the same position, hold the dumbbells straight down. Bring the arms up and bend the elbows 90 degrees. Turn the forearms forward. Turn them backwards and then drop the arms to the original position. Flex your elbows until they are 90 degrees with your upper arm. Squeeze your shoulder blades together to raise your upper arms so they're 90 degrees to your torso. Once they form an L, externally rotate your upper arms so that the backs of your hand stretch toward the ceiling

Side-Lying External Rotation

This is a great exercises for the infraspinatus and teres minor, your shoulder external rotators. Lie on your side and hold dumbbell in your top arm. Your arm should be 90 degrees and the dumbbell should be just above the floor. Rotate your elbow until your arm is parallel to the floor. Slowly lower to the starting position.

Noticeable Benefits

Swimmer usually ignore dryland exercises, because they don't perceive the benefit or value. They simply don't think that stretching or strength training will improve their times like the thousands of meters they swim in the pool. But Harris disagrees: I believe that strength training is a must for any athlete who wants to achieve next level success. Every tool must be used in order to maintain a consistent level of peak performance," Harris says. Without a detailed strength training plan, my training intensity and load would steadily decline over time due to fatigue and strain. It's comforting to know that I can get the most out of every workout without losing a day to "being drained", or physically tired."

While you certainly won't set a world record or double your speed in the pool, that's not the point. A balanced strength and stretching program could give you the extra edge in a sport where hundredths of seconds separate 1st and 2nd place. "Times drop on a consistent basis and muscle fatigue has drastically decreased, which is great for any athlete to insure performing and drilling at the upper levels of your ability every time," Harris says. For Harris, the lack of stretching and strengthening was his 
Achielle's Heel, and it might be yours.

Kevin Burciaga is a personal trainer and head of Testosterone Lab, a personal training and nutrition service in Falls Church, VA. You can reach him at [http://www.testosteronelab.net] and automatically get a monthly
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Possible Dermatologist Concerns for Babies


A dermatologist is the medical specialist that we go to when we have concerns about our skin. They are educated and trained to diagnose, maintain and treat or correct any conditions that appear in this area. Since the dermis is the first line of defense that our body has against diseases and other sicknesses, it is understandable that we get concerned when we find something unusual or new with it. For the most part, adults have developed a good defense against many of the outside factors that tend to make our outer layer break out or develop rashes. Babies on the other hand have little or no immunity when they are born with regards to skin infections and other diseases that occur in this organ.

Possible Conditions

A diaper rash is one of the most common things that can happen to the infant's dermis during its first year. A dermatologist is usually consulted to bring it under control since babies feel discomfort and sometimes pain when the rash becomes too prominent. The main cause of this condition is the predictably warm and moist atmosphere that occurs within the diaper that comes in close contact with the infant, namely the buttocks and genital area. If the diaper is soiled by urine, many parents do not immediately notice this or do not change it yet thinking that the diaper is absorbent.

Although the diaper does absorb the urine, the outer layer closest to the skin retains some of the moisture and the elements of the urine which can cause sensitivity. Prolonged or regular exposure to this environment can trigger the rash. Feces should not be allowed to stay too long in contact with the dermis in order to prevent the rash getting worse. Changing soiled diapers often is the best thing that parents can do for their babies.

Another condition that warrants a visit to the dermatologist is intertrigo. This is a condition that develops in chubby babies or in those that have plenty of creases that do not often see the light of day or are not exposed to air. The most common areas for these to develop are the neck and groin areas where he baby may be sweating excessively or may have drooled on. A barrier cream made of zinc-oxide may be recommended by the doctor to prevent the rash from developing to a raw one. 
Cradle cap is a rash that often develops in the babies' head and sometimes eyebrows. For some, it may look like a mild case of dandruff but a dermatologist will say otherwise. Although the cause is not known, a local remedy is to rub a little olive oil or baby oil on the area to relieve the scalp and eyebrows of the scaly growth. Do not let the oil come close to the eyes.

These are just a few of the more common kinds of skin conditions that parents should be aware of. They do not need to panic when these occur, just bring the infant to the dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis.

Total Body Cleanse - The Best Post-Holiday Detox




We all overindulged this past holiday season and are eager to get back into shape or, in the case of some of us, get into shape. One of the most common New Years resolutions is to lose weight and get fit. Sales for gym equipment and nutritional supplements skyrocket in the month of January. The poor UPS driver experiences a large increase in the number of elliptical trainers and treadmills he has to unload and deliver. And everyone starts researching products that help us get started. "Detox" and "body cleanse" are entered into search engines at lightening speed. In the age of instant everything, we expect to find easy remedies for bad habits.

Unfortunately, there really aren't any quick fixes for bodily abuse. You didn't end up overweight and flabby overnight and the problem isn't going to get fixed without that old fashioned stand-by called effort. But, if you're ready to commit to a lifestyle change, a healthier and leaner body can be achieved. And it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg nor does it have to involve drinking disgusting concoctions while fasting and feeling weak. As a matter of fact, the worst thing you can do is restrict calories by fasting. It puts your body in starvation mode and tells it to save fat.

The other day I made myself a berry, citrus, kale, apple, banana smoothie for breakfast. I couldn't finish it so put the rest in a tall glass, covered it with plastic wrap, and stuck it in the fridge. When I got home, it didn't look all the appetizing so I went to dump it out in the sink. I held the glass upside down and nothing came out. The kale and fruit sediment had apparently absorbed all the liquid and it all became kind of a solid mass. It was a great illustration for what happens in the colon when we don't consume enough liquid to keep things flowing. So, number one on the hit parade of products that we need for a total body cleanse is good, clean water. Sip water all day long. Set a water consumption goal. Increase it daily until you are drinking a healthy amount. An average sized woman needs about 70 ounces of water daily. Drink more if you're physically active.

Nature has provided all you need to keep your body healthy. Manufacturers cannot successfully duplicate what is already available. Fruit and vegetables help clean up your body just fine. The only caveat here is to add them slowly if you're not used to all that fiber. Add one serving each of a fruit and vegetable to your diet daily until you are eating healthy amounts. Kale packs a great nutritional punch. Citrus is a great fruit for cleansing your insides. What you want to avoid is twisting your gut up with too much too soon. Drink lots of water so you don't get clogged up like that mass in the glass I had yesterday. Make a good vegetable fruit smoothie and sip throughout the day. Add some ground flax seed to thicken and add fiber. Flax seed is a great source of Omega 3's and fiber and also has some anti-oxidant properties.

Digestion begins in the mouth. Chew well. Eat slowly. Make sure you're dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates. Switch from coffee to green tea. Add some chamomile in the evening. Dandelion root tea helps clear the system so sip a cup in the afternoon. Have a nice salad for dinner. Make sure to include healthy greens like spinach. Leave out the iceberg lettuce as it has very little nutritional value. Use a basic salad dressing that has an olive oil base. Throw on a few walnuts for protein.

Transit time is important to keep track of so you know you are eating properly and keeping your engine clean. Every now and again, add some beets or some other "dye" to your diet so you can see how long it is taking for food to travel from one end to the other. Carrot juice is a favorite of mine. Experts differ on what constitutes a healthy amount of time for food to commute from to coast but 12 to 24 hours is average for someone consuming adequate fiber.

There's no magic bullet for detoxing or maintaining health. Stay away from recipes that involve putting Epsom salts in any open orifice. Don't spend good money on tinctures that promise quick results. Good nutrient rich food is all any normal body needs to get and stay as clean as nature intended.

Benefits Of Following The Paleo Diet Lifestyle


The paleo diet really is more of a lifestyle than a true diet. Its main goal is a healthy living, not direct weight loss. However, this is for many, a side effect of making the required eating habit changes to one's daily diet. There are many benefits to living the paleo way and we will discuss that further in this very article. If you are interested in living a happier, more mentally alert and healthier life, then please keep reading.

The automatic result of changing eating habits to the foods our Paleolithic ancestors ate is, we no longer get bombarded with the complex and dangerous chemicals that are commonly added to the most popular foods in today's grocery stores. It is believed that our bodies have not evolved to properly process many of these chemicals. On the other hand, many of these chemical are plain old Dangerous to our bodies and mental capacity.

Eating real food, not processed foods, will make a noticeable and positive change to your mental and physical health. As stated earlier, this is not technically a diet plan, more of a lifestyle based around making healthy choices to fuel your body with the best wholesome foods possible. The results for many do include weight loss, but please consider the points below when considering what the paleo diet really has to offer to you and anybody who takes the proper steps to make changes in their own life.

Food Coloring May Be Pretty, But...

Did you know many of the most common foods (not found on the paleo diet food list) have food coloring added to them to make them look appetizing? This alone does not sound dangerous, but the actual chemicals to obtain these colors are very problematic. In the 1970's the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) banned red dye no. 2 because it was found that in high doses it would actually cause cancer in laboratory rats. The yellow no. 5 dye was found to increase hyperactivity in children by a British study in 2007 and to worsen asthma symptoms by studies that go back to the 1950's.

Naturally Sweet, Just Makes Sense

High fructose corn syrup has received a lot of negative media in the past few years and for good reason. This sweetener that is derived from corn, an alternative to natural sugar from sugar cane, has some major health concerns connected to it. This sweetener is found in soft drinks, junk food and just about anything that is sweet and carries a decent shelf like at the grocery store. It has been connected to the raise of obesity in America and the body does not metabolize it in the same way as sugar based sweeteners.

Mercury contaminants are found in it and this has yet to be regulated by the FDA. The companies that use this in their foods have spent millions to "educate" the public on its safety, yet the extraction process is still secret and unknown to all. This additive is almost exclusively used in poor quality "food like substances", so that should be enough for you to know you need to stay away from it.

Salty &Healthy Don't Belong In The Same Sentence

Americans love salt. There I said it. Many people love to put extra salt on foods that are already doused with butter (which normally already contains salt) to bring out this familiar taste. There are many dangers of high sodium diets. The most apparent is the hypertension or high blood pressure (that leads to heart issues) that is associated with too much salt in one's diet. In mature adults, high salt intake can lead to premature cognitive decline. Salt also changes the way your kidneys function, not allowing it to regulate the release of water to the body as normal and can lead to kidney stones. Salt can even lead to a skin condition called edema. This condition causes swelling of the extremities.

Living The Paleo Life

There are many other reasons that the paleo diet has become one of the most popular ways to change your health. The reasons discussed here are just the tip of the iceberg. The real magic starts when you realize that removing the things that have a negative impact on your health are magnified by adding more of the healthy vitamins and nutrients found in the foods that are paleo approved. Changing your lifestyle takes time and of course some work, but hopefully you have found enough reasons here that you find the determination to move forward with some healthy changes starting today!

Many people have already realized the benefits of making healthier choices to change the way they look and feel. If you want to be leaner and more mentally tough, it may be time to make some changes in your own lifestyle. Learn more about healthy paleo diet recipes that work and begin your journey to a healthier you!

Want to get started? Grab these free paleo recipes every week and start empowering your body with true health now!

3 Natural Cures For A Migraine Headache

 
























Only a migraine sufferer understands the pain. Regardless of how the migraine starts the end result is the same - excruciating pain that renders you helpless. Walking hurts, breathing hurts. Even thinking hurts.

People often discount migraines without any true understanding of the suffering a migraine can inflict. They treat migraine sufferers like hypochondriacs or drama queens. This is simply not so. There are any number of painkillers and pills available to help curb the pain. The issue here is that many of these painkillers require repeat prescriptions and involve an ongoing cost. The other side effect of many of the prescribed medicines is that they can help with the pain of the migraine headache itself but tend to have a "knockout" effect on the sufferer.

Most migraine sufferers will be familiar with the "where did the day go?" effect of many of the stronger painkillers. There are natural remedies to the migraine plague. They're simple and cheap (if not free). None of these are to replace prescribed medication but can be used in conjunction with your medication to bring relief about faster. They also complement each other.

Dark Room

If you suffer from migraine headaches and an attack begins then find the quietest, darkest spot in your home and lay down there. The area or should also be relatively warm to allow you to relax faster. Your eyes should remain covered but open. This usually means using some sort of blindfold but a scarf, long handkerchief or other material works just fine. Keep your eyes open as much as possible because experience has shown that shutting your eyes to try and cope with the pain uses extra facial and jaw muscles that can just increase the problem and not cure it.

If an attack has already begun then follow the same routine and take whatever prescribed medication you have.

Relaxed Breathing

A migraine attack generally brings on a sort of anxiety attack in the sufferer. They know how much it's going to hurt so their heart rate increases. This increase in blood flow makes the problem worse. Once you've retreated to the quiet, dark area and covered your eyes from any possible stimuli then breathing is the next area to focus on. You must let your breathing relax. Panicked breathing will increase the pain you're already experiencing.

To allow your breathing to relax follow these steps:

1. Take a long slow deep breath and exhale equally slowly.

2. Again take a long, slow deep breath. As you're slowly inhaling focus on the sensation of the air filling your lungs. Feel the air filling your body. Once you've inhaled as much as is comfortable again exhale slowly. As you're exhaling focus on the sensation of the air leaving your lungs and escaping through your mouth. Breathe out completely.

3. Repeat the process of inhaling slowly, focusing on the sensation of the air filling your lungs and exhaling slowly 4 or 5 more times.

4. By the fourth repetition you should notice that your breathing is far more relaxed and calm. Your heart rate should now also have lowered back to a resting rate and you may even feel slightly sleepy. If so embrace that feeling and allow yourself to fall asleep.

Lavender Oil

This is the final step in the process. Lavender oil is renowned for its medicinal properties and this is doubly so for migraine headaches. Lavender oil is cheap and completely safe to use. Only use pure Lavender oil for treating migraines - lavender scented fragrances or scented oils are useless. It must be the purest lavender oil you can find.

If you feel a migraine attack coming then grab your lavender oil. Place a single drop of pure, undiluted lavender oil on each temple or behind each ear. Also place 2 or 3 drops of undiluted lavender oil on the pillow you're going to rest on.

Combined with a quiet, dark room and the deep breathing technique the lavender oil provides that final "punch" in the natural treatments. The scent of the oil will relax you and simply inhaling lavender infused air helps to ease the pain of a migraine almost immediately.


Four Steps to Reduce Stress

Do you ever find that you have become stressed out by all the pressures of life and don't know what to do?
Have you ever wished that you could find a way to reduce stress? The good news is that you can reduce stress in your life. Follow the four steps below to reduce stress:

1. The first step to reduce stress is to consider the things that annoy you the most.

A good way of identifying your main stressors is to keep a diary for two weeks.
Each day keep a list of the things that caused you tension or anxiety. Make a note of how, when and where those situations occurred. Consider what things continue to regularly cause you stress.

To help you to get started making your list here are some to the things that experts consider are the main causes of stress in our lives:
  • Fears, anxieties and phobias cause emotional stress.
  • Making decisions such as choosing a mate or deciding on a career.
  • Environmental problems such as noise, pollution or being too hot or too cold.
  • Relationship problems such as having to speak in public or dating problems.
  • Important changes such as moving home, a new baby or a new job.
  • Family problems such as financial difficulties or coping with an unruly teenager.
  • Chemical abuse including tranquilizers, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
  • Challenges at work such as meeting deadlines or unpredictable work colleagues.
At the end of each day consider how you handled those stressors. Make a note of how you felt physically and emotionally, and think about whether your reaction improved the situation or made it worse. Consider what action you could have taken to improve situation and determine to take that action if a similar situation arises.

2. Meditate on positive things that happen each day

Take some time to look back over everything that you were grateful for today. This could include a delicious meal, an uplifting conversation with someone, a project that you've completed or anything that made you smile or laugh. Develop an attitude of gratitude - you'll feel much better.

3. Understand yourself better as a person.

Understanding yourself better as a person will help you to find and then eliminate the root causes of your problems. This will reduce stress and reduce mood swings resulting in a happier life.

4. Determine which things give you the most joy.

The beauty of your life is you choose who you want in it and what you want to do with it. To help you get started find a pen and sheet of paper and set aside some time, at least an hour, when you're likely to be undisturbed. Quieten your mind and meditate on the things that give you the most joy. Write down whatever comes into your mind and then go through your list and put them in an order of priority. Then do them. It could include visiting somewhere that you've always wanted to see or anything else that would bring you joy.
  • Forget what others want and expect of you.
  • Find your passion and purpose.
  • Stay true to yourself.
Conclusion

You can reduce stress in your life. Follow the four steps above and you will experience less stress and more fulfillment and happiness in your life. You will be able to remove the emotional problems that you are experiencing and that are stopping you from succeeding. You will find that life is no longer controlling you but you will be free to take control of your life.

The result is that you will feel happier and more fulfilled so what are you waiting for.


Characteristics of Low Carb Cookies


A lot of innovation is being done in the field of nutrition so as to create such food items which limit the intake of carbohydrates. This is done mainly to limit the amount of calories that we consume daily so that the body utilizes whatever is available in the form of stored fats. Thus, it is able to burn the excess fats inside the body and in turn, the individual who is consuming such foods is able to lose weight quickly. It is to be noted that such diet provides all the necessary nutrients to the body.

Low carb cookies have caught the attention of everyone around us. This is because low carb cookies have numerous advantages over food items having both high and low carbohydrate content. They have limited carbohydrate content which increases their preference over the food items having high carbohydrate content. While manufacturing the low carb cookies, the conventional ingredients like wheat, oil, sugar and butter are avoided.

Instead of the above specified items which have high fat and carbohydrate content, products like soy flour, almonds etc are used. In fact, soy products have a low fat and carbohydrate content. Besides this, they have highest protein content as compared to any other food item. Thus, they have become popular for other food items with low carbohydrate content. Such food items include muffins, breads and doughnuts which are readily available in the market.

Another advantage of such cookies is that these are high in fiber content. Fibers are needed by the body to absorb other nutrients such as vitamins and proteins. Thus, such cookies aid in their absorption and in turn, help the body to become healthy. Moreover, you can grab few cookies for any meal of the day. For example, if you are running late for office, you can munch some on your way. You can even eat these in lunch or dinner. Besides being healthier option, these are light weight too.

Carpal Tunnel - Why Does My Hand Curl at Night?


One of the unofficial symptoms of Carpal Tunnel is waking up at night due to increased pain and/or numbness in the hand....and from the fingers and wrist clenching and curling forward into a claw.

This not only annoys people, it can scare them. It's not really supposed to do that! Why does it do that?

The answer is pretty simple, but like all simple things it takes a little bit of explaining.

There is a process that leads up to the hand curling while you sleep at night. It goes like this.

1. Lots of use of the hand.

2. Muscles get tighter and tighter.

3. The nervous system sets those tight muscles as the new normal. So muscles get tighter and stay tight, progressively.

4.  A lot of other bad stuff happens under the skin that you don't notice. And continues to as time passes.

5.  The body fights off these negative factors until it starts to lose.

6. You start to feel ache, then pain.

7. You ignore it and avoid thinking about it as long as possible.

8. It -really- starts to hurt, and doesn't go away like it used to.

9. By now, your muscles are REALLY tight. Constantly. 

10. When you sleep at night, you think your muscles relax but they don't because tight is the new normal. It's kind of like you go to sleep at night holding up a 30 pound barbell.

Because your muscles are so tight, they are constantly pulling. Since you're asleep and not paying attention, the natural laws of physics take control, and the muscles on the palm side of your forearm (which are tighter than those on the opposite side) pull, pull, pull. 

The fingers and hand curl forward because the muscles are pulling them forward.

And they constantly pull, for hours maybe. And they get tired. And then they start to hurt. And the nervous system gets scared and does what it does best to protect you...tighten up muscles to guard you. The tightness becomes almost a spasm. Imagine holding up that 30 pound barbell for hours. You would get fatigued, then hurt. The same thing happens while you sleep.

And because the curl and muscle contraction can compress the median nerve, you get more numbness and pain.

The fingers and hand curling forward is not a neurological problem. It is not because of nerve damage. 

This is not something to be scared of. It is, however, a good clue that there is something that you need to start dealing with. And you might as well deal with it the RIGHT way.

If you are ready to Eliminate your Carpal Tunnel, get The Carpal Tunnel Treatment That Works.

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Copper Deficiency Linked to Aneurysm and Stroke Risk




Don't underestimate the importance of copper in your diet. It's true that your body only needs it in small amounts, but having the proper copper levels in your body are critical to your long-term survival. The body needs copper for the many tasks it performs, from building the enzyme ceruloplasmin (this carries iron in the blood) to its major role in the production of collagen. But for my money, the most important thing about this little trace mineral is its ability to help produce elastin.

Elastin is found primarily in the artery walls, lungs, intestines, and skin and is a structural protein that gives your body flexibility and healthy connectivity. Copper is absolutely necessary in manufacturing elastin, helping create our elastic fiber. No copper, no elastin, right? It's easy to see that copper deficiency would lead to a loss of elasticity in the tissues found in your arteries, skin and organs. And if your body goes without normal elastin production, big problems will arise.
Copper deficiency and its link to aneurysm

As elastin production deteriorates, so does the viability, flexibility and connectivity of body tissue. So what happens when tissue in your arteries and organs are weakened? Those weakened tissues become prone to thinning. Arteries will balloon at their weakest point with the possibility of rupturing, kind of like a garden hose with a weak spot bulging in the line... pressure will eventually blow it out. In your arteries, those weak, bulging spots are called aneurysms. Of course, aneurysms can be life-threatening, especially when they blow. I don't think it's a stretch to think that weak tissue, resulting because of less elastin, will sometimes cause existing aneurysms to worsen, or new ones to develop. And as shown, less elastin is a direct result of a copper deficiency.

Copper deficiency and its link to hemorrhagic stroke

A blood vessel that leaks or breaks into the brain results in a hemorrhagic stroke, which account for twenty percent of all strokes. Again, without elastin, blood vessels lose elasticity. Tissue starts to harden, fissures form on the inside of the arterial wall, and begin to crack. These cracks are weak spots which slowly get worse, begin to leak, then break. Absence of proper copper levels means less elastin, causing tissues to harden and weaken. There appears to be a correlation here between hemorrhagic stroke and low copper levels in the body.

What other conditions does copper deficiency create?

Did you know that a doctor can tell if you have copper deficiency by looking at the color of your hair? Copper is a crucial component in the creation of hair pigment. White, gray and silver hair are quick give-aways to a trained eye. Here's something that got me thinking: isn't it interesting that Albert Einstein, famous for his white crazy hair, dropped dead of an aneurysm when he was 68? 

What are the chances that he had a copper deficiency?

Varicose veins and hemorrhoids are common conditions too, but they wouldn't be as common if people would keep a normal level of copper in their systems. These two ailments are caused by weak tissue, tissues that are struggling to maintain their elasticity, but can't because they lack the trace mineral that can help create the elastin they need. If you suffer from either of these two ailments, you might consider having your copper levels tested.

How do you maintain a proper copper balance in your body?

The body does not manufacture copper, so you must ingest it. There are many foods rich in copper, like pumpkin and sunflower seeds, garbanzo beans, lima beans and soybeans. Do you like cashews? This is one of the best copper foods you can eat, second only to sesame seeds in copper content. If you have copper plumbing, you are getting trace amounts of it in your drinking water. And of course, there are supplements to help you get your daily allowance.

Now, don't overdo it. Remember, copper is a trace mineral, and your body needs only a small amount daily to ward off any copper deficiency malady. Copper toxicity is not something you want, either, so follow the established guidelines of two milligrams daily. That's all you need. The important thing here is that your body has a consistent flow of this natural mineral. Avoid copper deficiency in your diet, and you will avoid some of life's biggest pitfalls.