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Women and Colonic Health

Women and Colon Cleansing, Women and Colonic Health
by: Nadia Alterio

90% of all sickness and disease begins inside an unclean colon.

Toxins and waste build up in your colon just like they do in the pipes of your home. Both demand immediate attention or the results can be disastrous.

Colon cancer is second only to lung cancer in terms of cancer deaths in the U.S., claiming the lives of nearly 50,000 men and women annually.

Have you ever said to yourself, "I'm not constipated or backed-up. I go to bathroom everyday.

I don't need a colon cleansing" ...or do you? Keep reading to find out if you're toxic!

The benefits of colon hydrotherapy

The colon plays a remarkable role in our body's health. The condition of our colon has very significant effects on every organ in the human body and on our sense of well being in general.

Despite what you may think or your daily bowel movements, many people are not aware of the fact that they need a good colon cleansing. Most people don't realize that the complete length of their colon is wedged with old, hardened fecal matter that only leaves a narrow enough channel for small, softer feces to pass through. Failure to cleanse your colon is like having an internal garbage dumping grounds within you left to accummulate as the years pass.

Your colon is the sewage system of your body. If the wastes in your colon are allowed to build up, they will decay and be absorbed through the walls of your colon and into your bloodstream. These toxins can poison your brain and nervous system so that you become depresses, weak, irritable, heavy and lethargic.

Your breath becomes foul because the toxins poison your lungs, you become bloated and distressed because the toxins have accummulated in your digestive tract, and your skin becomes sallow and unhealthy because of the toxins floating around in your blood. Every organ in your body is affected. You feel and look older, your joints become still and painful, your eyes get dull and your thinking becomes sluggish. Thus, the joy of living is no more!

Are you toxic?

Symptoms associated with toxic buildup and constipation:

Fatigue, Headaches, Irritablility, Anxiety, Nervousness, Gas-Belching or Flatulence!

Nausea and Abdominal Discomfort, Protruding, Tender or Rigid Abdomen,

Bad or Sagging Posture, INSOMNIA, Skin Blemishes, Acne, Sallow Complexion

Dark Circles Under Eyes, Brittle Hair and Nails, BAD BREATH!

Coated Tongue, Body Odors, Cold Hands and Feet, Lower Back Pain,

Menstrual Problems, High or Low Blood Pressure, Swollen Legs, Lack of Sexual Response

Lack of Interest in Work or Life, Loss of Memory, Difficulties Concentrating, Overweight Or Obese,

Underweight, Poor Appetite, Neuritis and Neuralgia (aches and pains throughout the body)

A healthy colon is important

The years of poor dietary habits, stress, little exercise, illnesses, smoking or drinking, pill popping, indigestion, constipation, the use of laxatives, etc. is all very taxing on the colon. When this becomes overburdening to your colon, it will no longer function as it's supposed to. Undigested food and body wastes accumulate, harden and become fixed into the walls of your colon further hindering complete elimination from the body.

Wondering where those extra pounds on you came from?

Over time, accumulated fecial matter causes the colon to become distorted in shape as anywhere from 5 to 40 pounds of matter can accumulate. This puts an unnecssary strain on the surrounding organs, the nervous system and even interferes with the absorption of essential nutrients from the colon.

As time passes and further fecial matter accumulates in the colon, excessive fermentation and putrefacation occurs which leads to the condition known as autointoxication. The toxins from this accumulated fecal matter are absorbed into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This then results in the weakening of the body and an open invitation to a whole slew of immune system-related diseases.

Structural, functional and metabolic imbalances are manifested in various forms. The effects of autointoxication and constipation in the colon reslts in either ballooning, colitis, diverticulitis, mucosal dysfunction, spastic bowel, strictures and ulceration.

A toxic colon will also affect the frequency at which you get colds, the flu and it will reduce your body's ablity to recover from illnesses as quick as it should. If left unchecked, serious problems can arise, but there are ways to restore colonic health and thus your body to it's optimal health.

The benefits of colon irrigation

Colon Irrigation is a method of colon cleansing and detoxification. Water is filtered through the intestine while the abdominal area is massaged thus softening and loosening the old impacted fecal matter and toxins built up in the colon. As your colon is cleansed, the process of autointoxication and its resulting health problems are reversed. The colon then repairs itself and and will start to function properly again.

About The Author Nadia Alterio http://www.nadiaalterio.ca/about-nadia-alterio.html nadia@smartwomensupplements.com

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You Don't Have To Suffer With PMS

You Don't Have To Suffer With PMS
by: Dr. Loretta Lanphier ND, CN, HHP

We now know that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is experienced by 60% of all women. What causes PMS has been difficult for researchers to pin down because each woman experiences symptoms differently.

PMS Symptoms

When making the diagnosis, the most important tool you can use is a chart of the cyclic nature in which they occur. If nothing is done to interrupt PMS, it often gets worse over time. You may begin by having symptoms just a few days before your period that stop abruptly as soon as your period begins. Later, the symptoms gradually begin to appear one to two weeks before the onset of menses. Over time, you may have only two or three days of the month that are symptom-free. Eventually no discernable pattern of good days and bad days can be detected. You feel as if you have PMS all of the time.

There are general symptoms that have been determined that include:

• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal cramping
• Accident proneness, coordination difficulties
• Acne, hives
• Aggression, rage
• Alcohol intolerance
• Anxiety, irritability, suicidal thoughts
• Asthma
• Back pain
• Breast swelling and pain
• Bruising
• Confusion
• Depression, withdrawal from others, emotional liability
• Edema
• Exacerbation of preexisting conditions (lupus, arthritis, ulcers, herpes, etc.)
• Fatigue, lethargy
• Fainting
• Food binges, salt cravings, sweet cravings
• Headache, migraine
• Heart palpitations
• Insomnia
• Joint swelling and pain
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Sex drive changes
• Sinus problems
• Sore throat
• Urinary difficulties

Don’t confuse PMS with cramps occurring at the beginning of your period, which is a different condition.

Chart the Pattern

You don’t have to suffer. By keeping a chart of your symptoms, you can often begin to see a pattern emerge and predict when the symptoms will start. Keeping a daily symptom journal can be a valuable tool when trying to uncover your premenstrual symptom triggers and the issues associated with them. Many events and other factors can contribute to or trigger your PMS by resulting in hormonal changes in the body, including:

• Onset of menses
• Perimenopause
• Discontinuing birth control pills
• Amenorrhea
• Childbirth, or termination of pregnancy
• Toxemia during pregnancy
• Tubal ligation
• Unusual trauma
• Decreased light associated with autumn and winter
• Family history of alcoholism; parent or grandparent who is an alcoholic
• High consumption of dairy products
• Excessive consumption of caffeine (soft drinks, coffee, chocolate)
• High blood levels of estrogen
• Low blood levels of progesterone, either due to lack of production or excessive breakdown
• Diet that leads to increased levels of the hormone prostaglandin F2
• Excess body weight which can increase you levels of estrogen
• Low levels of vitamins B, C and/or E
• Selenium deficiency
• Magnesium deficiency causing chocolate cravings

End the Suffering

Many of the factors in this list you can control. For years allopathic (traditional) medicine has given symptomatic treatments for PMS that do not work. Most physicians do not know the latest research on hormone balancing. Some never had any training in PMS. Treating a woman’s bloating with diuretics, headaches with painkillers, and anxiety with Valium ignores the underlying imbalance that led to PMS. Many of the treatments prescribed often have side effects. Psychotherapy can provide insight about stress, but this bypasses the nutritional and biochemical aspects of this disorder.

Don’t give up! There are answers that can help you heal your PMS:

• Adopt a diet of fresh, in-season, organic fruits and vegetables.
• Review your dietary needs eliminating caffeine, sugar, dairy and excess soy.
• Take good organic multivitamin mineral supplements.
• Reduce stress.
• Consider participating in a 12-step program if alcoholism runs in your family.
• Get at least 20 minute of aerobic exercise five times per week.
• Try reflexology.
• Get more natural or full-spectrum light.
• Test hormone levels and apply natural progesterone.

For more suggestions go to www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org and www.oasisserene.com.

At Oasis Advanced Wellness hormonal levels can be tested with a simple and inexpensive saliva test performed in the privacy of your own home. With these results and your symptom journal, you can determine your need for natural hormone replacement therapy (HRT). One product that is safe and non-toxic is natural progesterone. It helps to balance the effects of estrogen, and has a calming effect on the nervous system. The use of natural progesterone in combination with lifestyle changes often improves PMS symptoms. By reviewing your symptoms, we can evaluate your diet and exercise program, create a program and then monitor your progress.

You can find out more about the solutions in my e-Book, Balancing Your Hormones Without Drugs…You Can Feel Good Again.

About The Author Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist and Holistic Health Practitioner in the Houston, TX area and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. A teacher, educator and seminar speaker, she counsels Oasis Advanced Wellness clients on the aspects of getting the body healthy and keeping the body healthy. As a cancer survivor, she is able to relate extensively, both as a patient and a practitioner, to clients suffering from disease. She is also involved in researching new alternative disease treatments and products. Dr. Lanphier is Editor and contributor to the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. To receive a free subscription go to: www.oasisadvancedwellness.com. Be sure and visit our hormonal balancing site at www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org and www.oasisserene.com. staff@oasisadvancedwellness.com

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Balancing Your Hormones Naturally

Balancing Your Hormones Naturally -- What To Do First
by: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP

Balancing Your Hormones Naturally – What To Do First

By: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH

One of the questions that I frequently get asked is "What steps do I need to take to begin getting my hormones in balance?" The following is what I suggest:

1. Test your hormone levels. This should be done by utilizing both saliva testing and blood testing. For more information on how you can do this yourself call Oasis Advanced Wellness about how to obtain kits to use in the privacy of your own home. You will need to test for estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol.

2. Educate yourself on the topic of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and balancing your hormones naturally. A good place to start is my e-book--Balancing Your Hormones Without Drugs...You Can Feel Good Again and also at www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org. This will not only address your hormone issues but also help you to bring your whole body into balance...from the comfort of your own home. You can purchase this at www.oasisserene.com.

3. Take your results to a healthcare professional that you trust and one that works with bio-identical hormones. If you cannot find a healthcare professional in your area we offer telephone consults and will be glad to assist you in reaching your health goals. Make sure that you employ a healthcare professional that will work as a team-player. Ultimately, you are the one responsible for your health – not your doctor.

4. If you are currently on HRT go to www.oasisserene.com for instructions on how to get off HRT. You will need to wean yourself off gradually.

5. As good as bio-identical hormones replacement therapy is, it is not an end-all. Your goal should be to bring your body into total health and balance.

6. Be willing to address detoxification, diet, water in-take, supplementation, exercise, physical / emotional stress and environment. This is a MUST.

7. Once you start on a program your hormone levels should be monitored every three months for one year. This eliminates all the guesswork as to whether or not what you are doing is actually working. The goal should be to get your system balanced and to hopefully stimulate the hormones to start producing again.

About Supplements: It would be easy for me to include, in the above suggestions, vitamin/supplement recommendations like B-Complex, Vitamin E, etc. The reason that I do not is because many will go to a local drugstore or grocery store to purchase these supplements. All supplements/vitamins are not created equal. Sometimes the fillers and excipients can negate any benefit that you might get from the vitamin. I believe this is one reason why natural medicine is not taken seriously by many people. They tried a $9.95 supplement and it did not work, so therefore the reasoning is that using a natural approach does not work. It can be over whelming and time consuming to decide which supplements are best and which ones will work. This is why I believe it is important to have a healthcare professional on your team who is trained in knowing what supplements will be absorbed, transported and utilized effectively by the body. For information about the supplements that we recomm!

end to our clients get the e-book – Balancing Your Hormones Without Drugs…You Can Feel Good Again.

At Oasis Advanced Wellness, we not only specialize in getting the hormones in balance for women and men, but in the process we will help you to get your whole body in balance. For many it is the first time in a long, long time that they begin to experience true health and well-being. We can help you, too.

About The Author Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP is a Naturopathic Doctor and the Founder of Oasis Advanced Wellness in the Houston, Texas area where she educates clients in fighting disease using natural, non-toxic methods. She has done extensive research in health science, hormonal balancing, nutrition, natural medicine, weight loss, herbology, cancer nutritional balancing and is involved in researching new alternative disease treatments and products. As a prolific seminar speaker her immense knowledge of the cancer industry, cancer politics and natural ways to balance the body plus her own personal experience with cancer allows the audience to come away with vast amounts of information. Loretta is Editor of the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness and co-author of the e-book Balancing Your Hormones without Drugs…You Can Feel Good Again. Both are available at: www.oasisserene.com. For more info please visit us at: www.oasisadvancedwellness.com; www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org. staff@oasisadvancedwellness.com

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Preventing Osteoporosis

Preventing Osteoporosis
by: Kim Beardsmore

Last month my 74-year-old mother while walking, tripped on a small tuft of grass, fell - and broke her rib! Her recovery has been painful, debilitating and at times depressing. It also affected my elderly father who relies heavily on her day to day.

Surprisingly, this instance of fracture was not due to osteoporosis. However my mom's experience caused me stop and think deeply. As a 40-something woman, am I doing everything possible to keep my skeletal system in tip-top condition?

Once we get past the inevitable scrapes of childhood, during our middle years we don't give too much thought to our bones. We understand that bones make up our structural frame, but we tend to think of our bones like the frame of a house. Supporting and rigid, and that's it.

The truth of it is that bone is an active, living tissue. Bone is constantly changing, undergoing synthesis and remodeling itself. Like all other bodily tissue, bone is totally dependent on many different micronutrients and enzymes for optimum bone function and health.

Unfortunately the typical western diet is now so heavily weighted with white flours, refined sugars and fats it is deplete of many of the micronutrients required for healthy bones.

There are other aspects of concern with the typical western diet. Do you regularly drink carbonated beverages? Did you know that carbonated drinks increase the body's intake of phosphorus - which, in turn, decreases our absorption of calcium. Decreased absorption of calcium can lead to an unhealthy, nutrient-starved skeletal system. And in time this can lead to osteoporosis.

Whilst calcium is necessary, it is not the only critical micronutrient for healthy bones. Make sure your diet has an adequate supply of magnesium, zinc, silicon, boron, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, Manganese, vitamin K, vitamin D and magnesium. These trace elements are important and many of us are not getting them from our regular food consumption patterns. For instance, the Journal of Nutritional Medicine reports between 80 to 85 per cent of Americans consume a magnesium-deficient diet!

The good news is that if many of us with diet deficiencies which may have impacted our bone health, can improve our situation with a few lifestyle adjustments. Medical evidence supports an improvement in bone density where people make lifestyle changes to incorporate weight bearing exercise, a diet more rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, complemented with high quality nutritional supplements.

Why wait until you bones start breaking before you think about ensuring a healthy skeletal system?

(c) Kim Beardsmore

About The Author Kim is a successful weight loss coach who will cut through the diet-hype and help you reach your goal weight. No public 'weigh-ins', meetings that cost you money or fads...simply results you will love! You can receive a free consultation. Visit today: http://tinyurl.com/5pk5f. Are you interested in earning money from home? We can help you grow a profitable business: http://tinyurl.com/3ls99.

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Can You Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

Can You Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer
by: Kim Beardsmore

We hear it all the time…lose weight for your health. Few people however, realize the extent to which this is critical to their physical well-being and ultimately their life expectancy.

In January 2003, the Journal of the American Medical Association featured a study finding that obesity appears to lessen life expectancy, especially among young adults. The researchers compared Body-Mass Index (BMI) to longevity and found a correlation between premature death and higher BMIs. For example, a 20-year-old white male, 5’10” weighing 288 pounds with a BMI of greater than 40 was estimated to lose 13 years of his life as a result of obesity.Jamie McManus, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. and author of “Your Personal Guide to Wellness” notes that while this study referenced extreme levels of obesity, there are still millions of overweight people in developed countries with a life expectancy rate that is three to five years less than their healthy-weight counterparts. She also estimates that there are 600,000 obesity related deaths each year in America.

Just how does obesity shorten our lifespan? The answer to this question is complex, yet there is a clear link between obesity and the development of cancer. An extensive study conducted by the American Cancer Institute involving 750,000 people showed that obesity significantly increased the risk of cancer developing in the following organs: breast, colon, ovaries, uterus, pancreas, kidneys and gallbladder.

Michael Thun, MD, vice-president of epidemiology and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society (ACS) says one reason obesity may raise cancer risk is because fat cells produce a form of estrogen called estradiol that promotes rapid division of cells, increasing chances of a random genetic error while cells are replicating, which can lead to cancer. In addition, fat centered around the abdomen may increase insulin and insulin-like growth factors in the blood, which may increase cancer risk.

"Women who are obese after menopause have a 50% higher relative risk of breast cancer," notes Thun, "and obese men have a 40% higher relative risk of colon cancer…. Gallbladder and endometrial cancer risks are five times higher for obese individuals”. There is evidence that cancer rates in developed countries are increasing at 5 to 15 times faster than developing countries. A major contributor to this alarming reality has proven to be diet. In populations where the diet consists mostly of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains – in contrast to the typical Western diet of fatty meats, refined flours, oils and sugars – the risk of cancer is much lower.

The interaction of diet and the development of cancer is an active field of research and Dr David Heber, M.D., Ph.D. and author of “What Color is Your Diet”, says “It appears that diet has its most significant effects after the cancer has already formed, acting to inhibit or stimulate the growth of that cancer”. At the risk of oversimplifying a complex set of interactions, the typical Western diet that leads to obesity may actually act to stimulate the growth of cancer cells. It is never too late to improve your health through healthful eating and adopting a more health-giving lifestyle. Here are simple steps to follow which can make an immediate improvement to your health and vitality.

1. Check your Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine if weight has become health risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of Americans are overweight, defined as having a BMI (a ratio of height to weight) over 25. Of those, nearly half (27%) qualify as obese, with a body mass index of 30 or more. In 1980, just 15% of Americans were considered obese. You can check your BMI at the website below.

2. Match your diet to your body’s requirements. If you eat and drink more calories than your body requires you will put on weight. Learn to control calories and portion sizes, make recipes leaner, and eat infrequently from fast food restaurants. Also learn how to snack with healthful choices.

3. Color your diet with a large variety of colorful, cancer-fighting fruit and vegetables. There are seven different color ranges of both fruit and vegetables and by choosing between 5 to 9 daily serves from a wide range of fruit and vegetables, we are extending our consumption of cancer (and other disease) fighting nutrients.

4. Eat lean protein with every meal. Protein provides a powerful signal to the brain providing a longer sense of fullness. The right source of protein is essential to controlling your hunger with fewer calories and necessary to maintain your lean muscle mass. Choices of protein should be flavored soy shakes with fruit; the white meat of chicken and turkey, seafood such as shrimps, prawns scallops and lobster and ocean fish or vegetarians may prefer soy based meat substitutes.

5. Rev up your metabolism with activity. If you want to enjoy a lifetime of well-being, exercise is a key ingredient. Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, director of nutrition and physical activity for the American Cancer Society (ACS), says adults should do something for 30 minutes each day that takes as much effort as a brisk walk. Children should be active for an hour each day. We are more likely to develop habits around things we enjoy, so seek activities which you enjoy doing. It is also helpful to build physical activity into your daily routine: use the stairs instead of the escalator or lift at work, park your car in the parking bay furthest from the super marketing and don’t use the remote control to change TV channels.

6. Get support to ensure you develop a healthful eating plan and reach your goal weight. Whilst a small percentage of people possess the discipline to lose weight, many obese people have developed strong thoughts and habits concerning the food they eat. In order to establish new habits, most people respond well to some form of consistent encouragement and coaching. A study, “Effects of Internet Behavioral Counseling on Weight Loss in Adults at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes” shows that participants who had the support of weight loss coaching lost more weight than those who didn’t. The study concluded that the support of a weight loss coach can significantly improve weight loss results.

Being overweight or obese has been identified next to smoking, as the most preventable major risk to developing cancer. Even small weight losses have been shown to have beneficial health effects. So it’s never to late to start and you can never be too young or too old to be concerned about your health and do something about achieving a more healthy weight.

(c) Copyright by Kim Beardsmore

About The Author Kim is successful a weight loss coach who will help you find consistent results. You will learn how to stabilize at your goal weight and never 'diet' again. No public 'weigh-ins', meetings that cost you money or fads...simply long term results. Free, no obligation consultation: http://leanmachine.org/?refid=bc-27546 Are you interested in earning money from home? http://www.article-emporium.com/submit-article.cfm.

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Get Rid of Cellulite

Can We Really Get Rid of Cellulite?
by: Danna Schneider

It has been the bane of every women's existence since the dawn of time - the affliction known as cellulite. We all have it to varying degrees, and it seems to get worse as we get older in many cases. So, should we just resign ourselves to the fact that it is here to stay, or is there a way to fight and get rid of cellulite?

Thankfully, the answer is yes, we can fight cellulite, or at least the appearance of cellulite, through several therapeutic treatments that are available on the market today. It is not, however, a one-time deal. Once you stop the treatments, the cellulite will inevitably return. So, the treatment of cellulite is an ongoing commitment, and it should be incorporated as part of your daily beauty regimen for consistent and lasting reduction in it's appearance.

Some of the over-the-counter cellulite treatments actually do quite a good job of significantly reducing the appearance of cellulite (for reviews of the best products see http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com/best-cosmetics-online-reviews.html ). In order to achieve maximum effectiveness with these products, it is imperative that you massage the affected areas vigorously for a few minutes when applying the treatment. In addition to the smoothing and tightening ingredients in the treatment, the massaging stimulates circulation and helps break the collagen bands that have constricted and resulted in the "puckered" look of the affected areas. The most effective ingredients, and what gives these products their smoothing effects, are caffeine and aminophylline. Many also add seaweed extract as well, but this is not the most effective ingredient in the product.

In addition to the cellulite creams, lotions and gels, there is a procedure called endermology that has many women reporting extraordinary results. It is actually a large mechanical pressure device that uses a technique similar to the process of a rolling pin rolling out dough to make cookies. This action kneads the problem areas with substantial pressure to break down the aforementioned collagen bands, and smooth the sponginess and puckering out for an even and toned appearance. Drawbacks are it is expensive and does require return visits for maintenance, it can be an uncomfortable and even slightly painful process, and it may result in some temporary bruising.

Another option is oral herbal or medicinal remedies for cellulite. Beware though. There have not been significant studies or proof verifying whether these products actually produce results. I cannot recommend investing in or experimenting with these newer products until substantial findings or proof are published regarding their effectiveness.

So, what else causes cellulite? This question is still the subject of scientific debate. We definitely know that it mostly affects women, so there is much speculation that the underlying cause is hormonal in nature. Many other studies suggest it is related to age, diet, genetics, and fitness/level of activity. It has been noted that strength and toning exercises, as well as steady weight maintenance will help with the appearance of cellulite. Frequent weight fluctuation, high fat diets, and even excessive carbonated beverages have been some of the suspected culprits as well.

Whatever the cause, if you want to minimize these unsightly dimples, there are options out there for you that are effective and affordable. New breakthroughs are being made every day in the field of cosmetic enhancement products, so we may soon see another product that blows them all away. It may be tomorrow, for all we know!

About The Author Danna Schneider is the webmaster of the beauty review and advice website CosmeticsGalore.com ( http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com ). She is a cosmetics and beauty product researcher and enthusiast. admin@cosmeticsgalore.com

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Men and Sperm Health

Men and Sperm Health
by: Dr. Mike Berkley

Men - What You Do On A Daily Basis Affects Your Sperm Maturation Process

While a woman is born with all the eggs she'll ever have, men produce sperm on a continual basis. Therefore, what a man does on a daily basis can affect the sperm maturation process.

Smoking, drinking, drugs, stress, poor nutrition and lack of exercise all can contribute to poor sperm quality. And, it was recently discovered, a man's sperm quality begins to decline around the age of 25.

There are five main factors that contribute to overall sperm quality. They include sperm motility, speed, count, concentration and morphology (shape and size).

A weakness in any of these areas can affect the chances of conception.

Motility

Sperm motility is a term that describes sperm's ability to move in an active fashion: in other words, are the sperm "strong swimmers?" In healthy sperm, typically more than 50% are active with over 25% moving forcefully in one direction. Motility enables the sperm to travel through the cervical canal, into the uterus and the fallopian tubes and, finally, to penetrate the egg.

Speed

The forward movement of sperm called progressive motility, forward progression or rapid linear progression. There are also several different ways to classify forward movement.

According to the World Health Organization (1999), in a healthy male, greater than 25% of sperm will exhibit progressive motility. It is thought that these are the sperm with the best chance of successfully fertilizing an egg.

Rapid linear progression showed a greater than 60 % improvement after four months of treatment with acupuncture, herbal medicine and supplements.

Sperm Count

Sperm count refers to the number of sperm in the fluid that is ejaculated (semen). There are over 40 million sperm in a normal ejaculate. A total count below 40 million may indicate decreased fertility.

With the Berkley Center's unique protocol of acupuncture, herbal medicine and supplements, count increased more than 14 % after four months of treatment.

Concentration

Concentration is a measure of the number of sperm cells in a milliliter of semen. Normal concentration is at least 20 million sperm cells per milliliter of semen.

With the Berkley Center's unique protocol combining acupuncture, herbal medicine and the appropriate supplements, concentration improved after four months of treatment.

Morphology (shape and size)

A healthy sperm cell will have a shape similar to a tadpole. The sperm's oval head contains the genetic material, the center provides energy and the tail propels the sperm forward.

Using the strict criteria put forth by the World Health Organization (1999), studies of Assisted Reproductive Technology programs show lower pregnancy rates with less than 15% normal forms. Furthermore, experts believe that abnormally shaped sperm cannot fertilize an egg.

Subfertility

The term, subfertility, refers to couples that are unable to achieve conception after a year of unprotected intercourse (or 6 months if the woman is over age 35). It is different from infertility. A subfertile couple merely has lower odds of conceiving during any given month than fertile couples.

Statistics at a glance

• Human reproduction is surprisingly inefficient and quite complex -- the likelihood of pregnancy within any given month is believed to be only 25 percent among fertile couples.

• 1 out of 12 couples have subfertility.

• Male-related factors account for 40 percent of subfertility. Female-related factors account for another 40 percent and a combination of male- and female-related factors account for about 20 percent.

• About 90% of all subfertility can be traced to specific causes that can be treated.

Typical causes of male subfertility

• Sperm production problems
• Blockages in the sperm's delivery system
• Injuries to the testicles
• Low or high hormone production
• Anatomical problems
• Varicocele (varicose veins around the testicle)
• Past illnesses/infections/various diseases
• Certain medications

Sperm quality

Sperm quality is a contributing factor for 40 percent of couples experiencing infertility. There are five main factors that contribute to sperm quality:

• Motility: The ability to move in an active fashion. In healthy sperm, typically more than 50% are active with over 25% moving forcefully in one direction. Motility is what enables a sperm to travel up the cervical canal, into the uterus and the fallopian tubes and, finally, penetrate the egg.

• Speed: Progressive motility. In a healthy male, greater than 25% of sperm will exhibit progressive motility. It is thought that these are the sperm with the best chance of successfully fertilizing an egg.

• Count: The number of sperm in the fluid that is ejaculated (semen). There are over 40 million sperm in a normal ejaculate. A total count below 40 million may indicate decreased fertility.

• Concentration: A measure of the number of sperm cells in a milliliter of semen. Normal concentration is at least 20 million sperm cells per milliliter of semen.

• Morphology: The shape and size of the sperm. A healthy sperm cell will have a shape similar to a tadpole. The sperm's oval head contains the genetic material, the center provides energy and the tail propels the sperm forward.

Using the strict criteria put forth by the World Health Organization (1999), studies show lower pregnancy rates with less than 15% normal forms. Furthermore, experts believe that abnormally shaped sperm cannot fertilize an egg.

Motility, speed and morphology appear to be the most important factors to assess the fertilizing capability of sperm. Despite a low sperm count, many men with high-quality (viable and highly mobile) sperm may still be fertile.

By combining acupuncture, herbal medicine and supplements we have been able to effectively enhance and improve the quality of sperm. Not only do the count, morphology and motility improve but sperm fragmentation is often successfully treated.

Another excellent application of the Berkley Center's protocol is varicocelectomy recovery. One of the causes of lack of improvement in sperm quality and count after a varicocelectomy is due to a lack of blood flow to the testicles. The proper application of acupuncture, herbal medicine and supplements has been shown to successfully enhance blood flow to the testicles and facilitate healing and significant improvement after varicocelectomy.

About The Author Dr. Mike Berkley has been treating male factor fertility disorders since 1996 with amazing results. He works exclusively in the area of reproductive medicine and enjoys working in conjunction with some of New York’s most prestigious reproductive endocrinologists. Sign up for his free newsletter at www.BerkleyCenter.com

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14 Ways to Improve Sleep

14 Ways to Improve Sleep Now!
by: Barbara C. Phillips

Sleep disturbance or insomnia is not uncommon in women starting at midlife. While this may be due to a physical concern, usually it's not. Let's discuss some things you can do NOW to improve your sleep.

•Good sleep is a component of good health. Things that you do for good health are essential and will directly impact your quality of sleep. This means eating a healthy diet, regular exercise and good daily multivitamin/mineral supplements.

•A healthy diet that is high in phytoestrogens such as fruits and vegetables may help if the cause of your sleep disturbance happens to be related to being perimenopausal. Apples, carrots, cherries, green beans, oats, peas, potatoes, soybeans and sprouts - just to mention a few!

•Avoid stimulating agents such as nicotine and caffeine – that includes coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. Even one cup of coffee in the morning can affect sleep quality hours later. We, as women, tend to metabolize caffeine much slower than men. If you smoke or chew tobacco…quit. Short of that, avoid smoking/chewing within a few hours of going to bed.

•Sleep in a dark room. (How bright is your illuminated clock?)

•Develop a sleep routine: going to bed at the same time; rituals such as having a cup of relaxing tea and then washing up, and the like.

•Avoid taking naps.

•Is your sleeping space comfortable? Look at light, noise and temperature. How about your bed? Is it too firm or too soft?

•Avoid late night heavy meals. However, a light snack at bedtime may be helpful.

•Try relaxation – mediate, take a bath, listen to soft music, read a gentle book, get a massage.

•Avoid the news and other violent or emotional stimulation before bed! It's hardly relaxing!

•Avoid alcohol late in the day. It can cause waking in the night and impairs sleep quality.

•Limit your bed activities to sleep and sex.

•If you cannot sleep – get up and do something until you can sleep.

•If worries are keeping you awake, try journaling – it may provide a way for you to “release” the worry onto paper and thus relax and sleep.

There are natural supplements that can be tried. If you are a milk drinker, consider having a glass of warm milk. Milk when it is warm releases tryptophan, the same substance that was in that Thanksgiving turkey that had you napping. On the other hand, I recently read that warm milk also has substances that can keep you awake. Let your own body tell you what it likes about milk.

Other suggestions include valerian root, melatonin, passion flower and of course the chamomile, catnip, anise or fennel teas. Some companies package teas in their own formulations for sleep, such as "Sleepy Time". Your local herbalist or health food store may also be able to give you suggestions. As with anything else, the key to try different things and see what you respond to.

If none of these suggestions work, I would recommend the following. First of all, see your see your health care provider to ensure there is nothing physical that needs to be attended to. Keep a sleep diary for 3 months with the goal to see if there is some sort of pattern. Keep track of the time you go to bed, awaken, how often you are awake and/or up at night. Are you tired when you awaken in the morning? What time are you getting up? Is there something that is on your mind? Does any of this correlate with your cycles (if you still have them).

Use of sleeping medication is something that can sometimes be used to get your body back on track, but it's not for long term use, and should only be used when other remedies have been ineffective.

About The Author (c)2004 Barbara C Phillips, MN, NP For over 26 years, Barbara C. Phillips, MN, NP has been involved in health care. Now, as the founder of OlderWiserWomen, LLC, that experience and passion is focused on Women who want to experience the freedom, magic and wisdom of successful aging. She can be reached through http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com info@OlderWiserWomen.com

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African American Women Need Earlier Screening for Breast Cancer

African American Women Need Earlier Screening for Breast Cancer
by: Drahcir Semaj

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women, ages 40-55, and African American women under the age of 45 are more likely to develop breast cancer than any other group of women in the US.

Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer; every 12 minutes a woman dies from breast cancer and every year over 5000 African American women die from the disease.

Although the cause of breast cancer is still unclear, researchers have determined that African American women tend to develop breast cancer at earlier ages than white women and they typically develop more aggressive types of tumors.

Breast cancer often occurs in African American women under the age of 40 and as early as age 25.

In a study of breast cancer tumors in African American and white women, conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in 2004, researchers determined that breast tumors in young African American women were more likely to be fast-growing and more aggressive than those found in white women.

"One of the important conclusions from this study is that even when you correct for stage — that is, look at tumors of the same stage from white women and African American women — tumors from the African-American women tend to have features characteristic of more aggressive and rapidly growing cancers," said Dr. Peggy Porter, lead author of the study. "If their tumors tend to grow more quickly, this may help to explain why their cancers are being diagnosed at later stages, which can lead to poorer outcomes."

Other studies have indicated that there are other possible reasons that African American women suffer high death rates from breast cancer: unemployment or underemployment, lack of health insurance, and lack of proper health education have all been cited as possible socioeconomic contributing factors.

Overall, over 16 million women nationwide lack health insurance coverage and African American women are twice as likely to be uninsured as white women; over 30 percent of African American women live in poverty, and African American women are less likely to get mammograms.

Regardless of the socioeconomic factors that may contribute to the high death rate for African American women, medical professionals agree that early detection is paramount to surviving breast cancer and they’ve issued a number of recommendations to help African American women detect the disease in its earliest stages and improve their chances of survival.

Medical professionals recommend that African American women should:

• Practice monthly breast self-examinations (BSE) starting at age 20.
• Have a clinical breast examination, done by their physician, at least once a year.
• Have at least one mammogram completed, between the ages of 30 and 35.
• Have a mammogram completed every one to two years until age of 50.
• After 50, African American women should have an annual mammogram.

Breast cancer is a common disease among women of all races in America. This year, more than 200,000 women will develop the disease and 40,000 of them will die from it. Though African American women have less incidence of developing the disease, once diagnosed, their chances of survival are less than their white sisters.

To increase their chances of surviving breast cancer, African American women need understand the risk that breast cancer poses to them and get screened for the disease earlier and more often.

For more information about breast cancer and your risk, please contact your physician or visit:

National Breast Cancer Foundation: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org.

About The Author Drahcir Semaj is a freelance writer who writes about issues impacting the African American Community. He can be contacted at his email address: drachir@drahcirsemaj.com. drahcir@drahcirsemaj.com

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breast cancer

A Tiny Spot
by: Barbara Carr Phillips

A tiny spot is no big deal. Unless you’re a breast cancer survivor waiting for screen results.

My husband and I moved to another state with our children after my lumpectomy and chemotherapy/radiation treatments. He accepted a job transfer, and we felt it was a fresh start for all of us.

After we settled in, I scheduled my first follow-up exam.

When I met my new oncologist, I read off my list of concerns. I wrote them in my journal so I wouldn’t forget.

“Don’t take this personally,” I say, “but I don’t like going to the doctor’s office.”

The doctor smiles and nods.

“And I won’t schedule appointments with a new radiologist or a new surgeon for follow-ups. I just want you to take care of everything.”

He smiles again and says, “you won’t and I will.”

He gives me a prescription for Tamoxifen and schedules some follow-up screens. It’s been almost a year since my diagnosis.

“Will you schedule a surgery to have my port catheter removed?” I ask. The port catheter was surgically inserted in my chest before chemotherapy treatments began. The nurses used it to draw blood and administer chemotherapy instead of sticking my arm each time. Being the type of person who faints at the sight of a needle, I appreciated it during treatment.

“Yes, as soon as I receive the follow-up results,” he replies.

A few days later, I complete the screens. Piece of cake. I’m not scheduled to go back to the oncologist for three months.

I start to make plans. I’m excited because my hair has finally grown enough to ditch the bandana. When my port catheter is removed from my chest, I won’t feel so self-conscious about wearing a swimsuit.

A few days after the screens, the nurse calls me. “There is a tiny spot on your liver,” she says. The doctor wants you to go for a CT scan.”

“Fine,” I say.

I go to the grocery store with my daughters, Makenna, 4 and Amber, 17. When we check out, I notice I forgot several things on my list. I push my cart out to the parking lot and it feels like it weighs a ton. I almost make it to the car before the tears start flowing.

This cannot be happening again. I know what a “tiny spot” means. A one-centimeter “spot” detected by my mammogram a year ago initiated this entire nightmare.

“What’s the matter mom?” Amber asks.

“I’m very tired today,” I reply. She doesn’t ask any more questions. She saw first hand how being tired made me cry during chemotherapy treatment.

I show up for the CT scan the following Thursday. I tell the nurse I have a port to draw blood from.

"I’m sorry, honey, we can’t use a port for this type of blood test.”

When the nurse inserts the IV, I stare at the exit sign and imagine ripping the needle out and walking to my car. It’s my body.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say, but I keep my eyes on the exit.

The next day my husband, Randy, wakes up with a fever. Stomach virus. I decide to take Makenna to the neighborhood pool. I put on my swimsuit and tape a bandage over my port. I leave my cell phone in the house. When the doctor called me with bad news a year ago, Randy wasn’t with me. I won’t let that happen again.

We’re at the pool about two hours when I see my husband parking his car outside the gate. My heart sinks. There is only one reason he would drag himself out of bed to meet me at the pool.

“You forgot your phone,” he says. “And your oncologist called.”

Then he hands me a piece of paper.

“I can’t read it,” I say. My eyes are filled with tears.

“No, honey,” he says. “It’s good news.”

I blink and read the diagnosis: “Hemangioma. Group of blood vessels. Totally benign. Born with it.”

“I asked him to repeat the information twice,” he said. “I knew you’d want to know exactly what he said.”

Totally benign. I can breathe. We go home and I tape the note in my journal.

A “tiny spot” will always be a major deal for me, and that’s okay. I’ll continue to live fully and proactively. I’ll confide my fears in my journal when my family can’t understand them. And I’ll keep right on being a survivor.

This article is available for free reprint provided that the author’s bionote is left intact and the article is published complete and unaltered. If you are using this article on a website or e-book, please make sure that the link in the author’s bionote is live or clickable. Email notice of intent to publish is required: bcarrphillips@yahoo.com.

About The Author Barbara Carr Phillips, journaling instructor, believes dreams come true when you journal your way to success. Visit http://www.journalworkshops.com to order your one-to-one journaling workshop or to sign up for her FREE ezine.

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