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The Importance of Exercise for Good Health

It seems like a silly thing to say, doesn’t it? We all know that exercise is one of the cornerstones of good health, but you would be surprised how many people across the world live a non-active or sedentary life style. With the ever-increasing number of office jobs, computer games and large screen TVs, people have become less active. Here are a few reminders of just how important exercise is as part of a healthy and fulfilling weekly routine.Weight ControlIt is no secret, but worth remembering that the best way to shift extra pounds is through diet and exercise. Exercise is the fasted way of burning calories and once your body starts to burn more calories than ingests, you begin to lose weight. Running, cycling, swimming, even walking, these are all great ways to get back in to exercise and make it a habit.Stronger BonesStudies have proven that regular exercise among adults can really help to strengthen the bones within the body and therefore help to prevent later in life ailments including joint pain, arthritis and osteoporosis. The great thing about exercise is that whilst making you feel better in the moment, it also helps to set up a less complicated life in a person’s later years.A Way To Release StressGood exercise results in a reduction of muscle tension and makes positive alterations in the brain’s neurotransmitters, and this can lead to a noticeable improvement in a person’s mood. Hormones released like endorphins and dopamine can cause favourable psychological changes and reduce anxiety levels, with exercise not only helping us physically but mentally too.Reduces Risk Of DiabetesRegular exercise will inevitably result in a loss of body fat, which in turn can help to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes which is becoming more and more of a problem in modern society. A few hours of hard work is worth it for a diabetes free future.

The Importance of Good Sleep for Good Health

We have all at some point in our lives heard and used the phrase “sleep it off”, but are you aware just how important it is to have a solid and regular sleeping pattern in order to maintain the best standard of health possible? It is easy to generalise and say that a good night’s sleep can do you the world of good, but let’s break it down and get in to some of the reasons that achieving an optimum rest can really benefit your health.Less PainThough it can be hard to get to sleep when suffering from chronic pain, research has shown to prove that sleeping and being a person who is well rested can act somewhat as a natural pain reliever, with discoveries made that appear to show links between a lack of sleep and a low pain threshold.Weight ControlInterestingly, your metabolism and sleep are controlled by the same sectors inside your brain. University studies showed that dieters who maintained a regular sleeping pattern lost up to 56% more fat than those who were less rested, and this is due that appetite driving hormones that are released when a person is suffering from tiredness.Improved Memory and AlertnessSleep has a profound impact on the daily performance of our brains. Getting the correct amount of sleep can vastly improve neurological function ranging from memory to hand eye coordination to general alertness, and this not only helps to improve your bodily functions but can also improve mood and psychological well being. People suffering with fatigue have been proven to be less synchronized in body and in mind.Heart HealthYou might not immediately associate sleep with the matters of the heart, but a number of incredibly serious heart problems including hypertension and an irregular heartbeat have been linked to sleep disorders and the effects they can have all over the body. Keeping a regular resting pattern can keep your hear equally regular.

Best Online Health Forums

With an increasingly stretched health service, successful self-diagnosis can sometimes be a preferable solution. Dealing with a health problem quickly using natural remedies or over-the-counter prescriptions can prevent routine medical problems from escalating, as well as reducing the burden on free healthcare providers.However, it is important that you visit your GP if you have any doubts or suspect a serious illness. Online health forums can still give an indicator of serious problems, however, and early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.The best medical forums avoid being an alternative to professional medical care. Websites such as www.patient.co.uk feature advice from doctors and work with the medical profession to provide an informative health forum. Often the focus of such sites is of a preventative nature; tips for keeping in good health rather than cures for illnesses. This particular site features a symptom checker with appropriate advice for the type of treatment that the condition requires.www.netdoctor.co.uk is a similar site which also features a discussion forum where individuals can discuss medical issues with people in a similar position. This site also features a symptom checker as well as online health surveys to enable individuals to monitor the state of their health.The National Health Service has an official site at NHS Choices, which gives official advice on medical issues and is fully endorsed by the health services. It features links to other specialist websites such as The Royal College of Psychiatry www.rcpsych.ac.uk.As this is an official site, the quality of advice and information given is of the highest quality. However, it does not feature an on-site discussion forum; rather it links to a site called www.healthunlocked.com to provide people suffering with medical ailments access to a community where they can share their experiences.In any case, such sites should be used for information purposes only, and should never be an complete alternative to consultation with a doctor.

Recent Progress in Health Research

We live in a time when it seems that new medical cures and treatments are emerging on a weekly basis. So, what are some of the latest advancements and trends in this truly exciting field?The ALS ChallengeThe ALS “Ice Bucket” Challenge was designed to raise money for a disease known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. This disease degrades the nerves within our brains and spinal cords; eventually resulting in death. Currently, this challenge has raised more than one hundred million dollars (and counting). It is hoped that this money will be used to further research and find a cure in the not-so-distant future.Stem CellsCompanies such as Biolamina have been spearheading the advancement of stem cell research and its availability to the public. In many ways, these cells represent a “one-size-fits-all” solution to a host of illnesses due to the fact that they can transform into nearly any cell within the human body. So, stem cells are expected to eventually treat serious illnesses such as cancers, birth defects and even the previously mentioned ALS. Although this seemed to be only a dream a few years ago, researchers have been making a great deal of headway and it is only a matter of time before these techniques become general practice.Attacking AIDSHIV and AIDS have been two of the most serious diseases to ever attack mankind. In the past, treatment options were extremely limited and most patients were facing a death sentence. Scientists have recently announced that a new group of antibodies is better able to adapt to the changing structure of this virus. In turn, the virus will have difficulty replicating and it is hoped that by modifying these antibodies, an eventual cure will be found.it is clear to see that these are much more than dreams. With further research and funding, the diseases of today may very well become the memories of tomorrow.

How to Achieve Good Health

It’s a common misconception that to be in good health is to simply be without disease but in fact there’s a lot more to it. To be considered healthy, we must be in a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being which can at times, be difficult to achieve. Let’s take a lot at some steps we can take which will help us on our way to fantastic health.ExerciseRegular exercise is extremely beneficial in a number of ways. Most obviously, it helps to prevent excess weight gain as well as building up muscular strength and endurance. However, it can also help fight against a wide range of issues including strokes, diabetes and arthritis. In addition, there have been strong links made between exercise and mental well-being as physical activity stimulates chemicals in your brain which will leave you feeling happier and more relaxed.DietSimilar to exercise, a good diet is most commonly associated with maintaining a healthy bodyweight but it has many other advantages too. By eating the right foods we can help prevent serious diseases such as diabetes, strokes, heart disease and even certain cancers. Once you’ve already developed an illness, a healthy diet can help you recover more quickly because you’re giving your body the fuel it needs to fight back. A good diet should have fruit, vegetables and starchy foods at the core with the remaining parts made up from protein and dairy products. Try to limit your intake of fats and sugars.Social InteractionsSocialising and building relationships with others are both key factors when it comes to maintaining a strong mental well-being. By surrounding yourself with people you love and who love you in return, you’ll find yourself in a much better state whatever your situation.Health CareUnfortunately, we sometimes fall ill despite our best efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In situations such as these which are out of our control, the best measure we can take to tackle them is to have regular check ups with our GP and to always seek help if we’re concerned that something may be wrong. Always ensure you have access to medical professionals and know who to contact if the need should arise.To be truly healthy we must find a balance between all of these components. Even in the unfortunate event of you falling ill, if you work on building up other areas of your well-being, you can still achieve a relatively healthy lifestyle.