What Is Autism Disorder?

It is hoped by many parents of autistic children that once the causes of autism are discovered, this condition will be curable and perhaps even prevented. Unfortunately medical research has been unable to isolate the primary cause of autism amongst children. Perhaps in the future autism disorder will be associated with a specific gene abnormality or a group of interrelated factors within a child's genetic makeup.

As things stand today, autism disorder cannot be prevented nor is there a cure. Given this reality, the very best thing we can do as a society is to be supportive of children and adults with autism and be willing to do what we can to make them feel comfortable and accepted. An important starting point is to identify what is factual information and what are myths about the causes of autism disorder.

Myth 1: Poor parenting causes autism in children. This is totally false. There is no valid research to support this claim about poor parenting skills leading to children developing autism disorder.

Myth 2: Autism is caused by poor eating habits. Once again there is no medical evidence to show that autism disorder is brought about by what you eat. Some autistic children do have food allergies or benefit from vitamin supplements however these are conditions that may be accented by having this disorder and certainly not the cause according to current research and theory.

Myth 3: Vaccinations cause autism. Currently there is on-going research into these claims, however without any concrete evidence to show a clear link between vaccinations and autism, it is still much safer to protect your child against disease and illness with a vaccination than it is to put them at risk by not having vaccinations due to fears it may lead to autism.

The exposing of the above myths surround autism begs the question as to "what is the cause of autism in children and adults"? Here are some facts about autism disorder:

* Current research and theory around autism focuses on strong links between autism disorder and the way the brain operates. For example, there is evidence to support the fact that autistic people have larger brains and their brains appear to be "hard wired" differently than a normal brain. Without getting into specific details, for the purpose of this article, it is sufficient to say that these brain differences exist in many areas of the brain and therefore can be viewed in simplistic terms as an overall brain malfunction is somehow bringing about the autism disorder in the individual.
* Another characteristic of many autistic children and adults are health problems brought on by an immune deficiency. As with vaccinations, this is another area of ongoing research. Cases of autism are often found to exist within the family tree of the parents plus there have been instances of parents having more than one autistic child. Immune deficiency problems combined with the occurrence of autism within family trees have some people thinking that finding a cure of autism may be through genetic research.

Without a doubt, autism disorder is a very complex problem that will require much more research which will hopefully provide us with better treatment alternatives in the future and perhaps one day, even a cure. In the meantime, parents and society in general, need to become better educated about autism disorder. The more we know about autism, the better we can help and support those individuals who are afflicted with this condition.

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5 Ideas to Buy Your Best Home Treadmill

Treadmills have been going our lives for many years and they are continuously being developed by all kinds of manufacturers. You can find it in the market from 100 dollars or so with basic functions to several thousands of dollars with many advanced features. It might be difficult for you to choose which the best for your home treadmill is.

Before buying a treadmill, you may have to know what the purpose you are to buy it or what your needs are on a tread. Is the treadmill for your family or only for yourself? Are you tall enough to buy a treadmill with longer deck or just a common one to get into shape? What is the budget for your treadmill? These all should be clarified before your next action.

This article will not focus on your needs and budget but give you 5 basic ideas how to choose your best home treadmill or what are the factors you may have to consider over before you are trying to buy a treadmill.

Here are the 5 basic ideas.

1. It is all about the motor

Unless you prefer a manual treadmill without motor on it, the motor is the most important and expensive part on an electric treadmill. It usually ranges between 1.5HP to 3.5HP or more and the most popular range is 2.0HP to 3.0HP for general use. If you are an athlete or you are extremely heavy, you may have to pursue the motor with higher horse power.

The most motors in the market are with continuous-duty feature. That means it can be running continuously for hours without a stop to get it cooling. Also some motors labeled with DC, which means direct current (DC) electricity, provide more silent than the AC motors.

The motor warranty time links to the quality of the motor. Think it over by yourself, if the motor has a life time warranty, it means the manufacturer is confident on its quality. If it was easy to be broken, the life-time warranty would cost the manufacturer more to repair than the profit they earn on this product.

2. The cushioning is associated with your health

We know the strong point running on a treadmill compared to running outside is the cushioning system. A good cushioning system highly protects your feet, knees and joints from injuries. Also it contributes sound reduction and makes the whole treadmill quieter.

I heard a people bought a cheaper treadmill without good cushioning and jogged on it. After several months, her hips were damaged so hardly that she felt painful even when she was walking. That's the example we are trying to avoid. If you like running on a treadmill, this feature is essential for you to consider.

3. A good service and warranty will protect your investment

Like I said above, the warranty stands for the quality of the product, which means the producer guarantee the parts are seldom got problem during the promised terms while properly using it. The motor and frame warranty are the most important in the warranty policy of the product. Don't buy it if they are less than 5 years. For the other parts, for example, electronics and labor, they generally have at least one year warranty.

The service is also a part you need consider. Assuming you call the service number and ask for some help, but nobody answers the phone. What's your feeling on the product? So it is a good idea to call the service number or the technical number and ask some questions on the product before buying. In this way, you can test the sale service or their technical support is good or bad.

4. Always search the treadmill with quality brand name

A brand is the identity of a specific product, service, or business. A brand name is usually registered as a trademark by the owner or his company. It can be added much values by the advertisement, the quality of the product and the good experience of the users. A good brand name is not only well-known in the industry but also has a great reputation on its products. So choosing the treadmill with quality brand name is a must.

Moreover, you also need to see if the product which you are buying is still supported by the producer. Sometimes, a certain product will be out of market or be replaced by an advanced product although it has a good brand name. Nobody likes buying an outdated product which will not be supported anymore. You can check this information from the website of the manufacturer.

5. Check the product reviews from the real buyers

We all know Amazon is the largest online merchandise market in the world. It is also a good place to check the product reviews from the real users. For each product, including treadmills, there is an overall review ranking which maximum is 5 stars. You may only focus on at least 4 star ranking products with at least 10 reviews. The more reviews it has, the more popular the product is.

From the user reviews, you can not only check the good points of the product but also the week points. You may list all the weak points on a piece of paper and research them one by one and see if the weak point is a big issue on your needs.

Based on the above 5 tips, it is easy for you to find the best home treadmill to satisfy your needs. After buying the treadmill, you can start your workout plan to burn your fat or get in shape. It will be your best investment to benefit your health in your whole life.

Google is the best tool to search any exercise machine and its reviews. For example, you can search Sole F80 Treadmill Review in Google by typing the product name "Sole F80 Treadmill" plus the word "review", you will get a list of the review on the product.

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Are We Missing Something?

I have been asked quite often, "What is asthma?" Asthma is a disease of the airway.
It is characterized by inflammatory hyper-responsiveness with clinical manifestation of shortness of breath and wheezing. It is also sometimes associated with coughing and feelings of chest tightness. Asthma has become one of the fastest growing causes of medical disability and morbidity for all ages but especially for the young in industrialized countries.

Asthma may manifest as an acute attack or chronic exacerbations. The attacks are often triggered by:

1) exposure to irritants such as smoke, pollen, and cold air
2) allergens such as dust, mold, animal dander, air pollution, and petrochemical products 3) bronchial or sinus infection.

Acid reflux, viral infection, congestive heart failure, foreign bodies and drug reaction are also common conditions associated with recurrent asthma. However, there is a large portion of people suffering from no obvious triggering agents or infections. These individuals are not responding to conventional therapy.

Standard treatment for asthma typically consists of bronchodilators such as albuterol and corticosteroids in the forms of oral, nasal or intravenous preparations. There are many other forms of medications for asthma including cromolyn sodium, leukotriene antagonists like Singulair, theophylline and the new generation of long acting bronchodilators. Despite aggressive usage of multiple medications for the management of asthma, more than 15 million Americans are suffering. Over 5000 people die from severe asthma attacks every year. The total medical costs related to asthma are estimated at over 14 billion dollars. The overall rate of asthma and the resulting financial burden have been rising for the last 30 years. Are doctors missing something?

According to James Braly, M.D., expert on food allergies, wheat, milk and eggs are among the most likely foods that will trigger an asthma attack. Corn, soy and peanuts are also common food allergens that can exacerbate asthma. Food coloring and preservatives are also unsuspected triggering agents. Food allergy tests and a rotation diet of foods are essential parts of managing asthma. Some of the natural remedies for asthma include nettle (Urtica dioica), mullein, licorice root, cayenne pepper and intestinal cleansers to remove the mucous build up in the small and large intestines. Hydration with plenty of water is essential. Avoiding mucous forming foods, especially all grains and dairy products, is also critical to the proper management of asthma.

Other therapies to consider include acupuncture, acupressure message therapy, spinal adjustments by an experienced chiropractor, and the Buteyko Method for controlling asthma. The Buteyko Method was developed by Konstatin Pavlovich Buteyko from Russia. It includes training in a technique for deliberate shallow breathing and carbon dioxide regulation. It is worthwhile to investigate.

In summary, asthma has become a very common debilitating medical epidemic in the United States for all ages with increased morbidity and mortality. A significant portion of asthma sufferers do not respond to conventional medical treatments. The more medical doctors use bronchodilator medications or corticosteroids, the more side effects and mortality occur.

It is time for us to reevaluate asthma medical management. It is time for medical doctors to ask the question, "Are we missing something?" We must look far beyond common infections and allergens. Consider hidden parasite infestations or dental infections. Consider other forms of alternative medical therapies as mentioned above. Sometimes, the response can be dramatic and almost miraculous.

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10 Best Natural Skin Care Products

If you are like many consumers today, you are looking for alternatives to your regular skin care, and choosing natural skin care products instead.
Luckily, companies are listening to consumers' demands and manufacturing products that do not contain any harmful ingredients or chemicals. Many of these products can be found in your local department or drug store.

1) Water: This isn't a skin care product per se, but it is vitally important to healthy skin. When you keep yourself hydrated with 8-10 glasses per day, your skin will have a radiant glow and look 10 years younger.

2) Oatmeal: This isn't just for breakfast; oatmeal makes a wonderful cleanser and scrub to wash away impurities and gently exfoliates, leaving your skin wonderfully clean and supple. Unlike other cleansers, oatmeal will not dry out your skin or cause chafing.

3) Aloe Vera: Aloe has many healing properties and is one of the best acne treatments you can buy. Aloe will keep your skin smooth and young looking by preventing lines and wrinkles. It will help reduce pores and acts as a barrier to the harmful toxins and chemicals we are subjected to every day.

4) Vitamin E: This is a vital antioxidant that smooths lines and wrinkles, fades the appearance of scars and keeps your skin moist and supple. Most quality products contain a good amount of vitamin E.

5) Jojoba Oil: This is wonderful for those who suffer from psoriasis and eczema. It will also make your hair shine radiantly. It helps to promote the growth of new skin cells, as well as reduce the sign of aging.

6) coQ10: This is a vitamin-like substance that is present in our bodies. This antioxidant will fight the free radicals that ravage our body from all of the toxins and chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis. It fights the aging process, while leaving skin soft and smooth.

7) Collagen: This helps your skin retain its firmness. A quality product with collagen will help your skin from becoming saggy. You can prevent those bags under your eyes and sagging skin.

8) Phytessence Wakame: Native to the Japanese Sea, this exotic kelp helps to block a destructive enzyme in your body, called hyaluronidase. This damages the hyaluronic acid in your skin, causing dark circles under your eyes, and other signs of aging.

9) Cynergy TK: This actually encourages growth of collagen and elastin; it promotes younger looking skin with fewer lines and wrinkles.

10) Sunscreen: It should go without saying that sunscreen is vitally important, even on cloudy days. Some natural skin care productscontain a small amount of sunscreen, but you should apply extra if you're going to be out in the sun. SPF30 or above is recommended.

Natural skin care products don't have to be expensive. Most products are very reasonably priced and will fit any budget. There are many home remedies you can make as well, that are just as effective. Do some online research to find the best products that are suited for your skin type.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6149077

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Mind Your Health

First, here's my story....
Back in July 2008, we celebrated our daughter's first birthday - what a milestone, we'd survived the first year! Time to come out of my box and have a look around.

Other than having a beautiful little girl, things weren't too flash. I'd just been made redundant from my part time job and I was still carrying around a lot of 'pregnancy weight' - I was a size 14 to 16. Now I know that's not huge, but I wasn't comfortable or healthy at that weight so I decided to do something about it.

As I thought about my options, I noticed something that had been in front of me for a while but I hadn't paid attention to. There was someone in my extended family who always ate a lot, but was thin and never gained weight. I started to think about how that could happen.

In talking to another family member about it, we came up with the idea that 'that's just how she is' and she was somehow 'lucky'. But with a bit more thought, I realised that the main difference between her and me was that she believed that that was 'just how she is'..... so maybe I could believe that about myself and I could be lucky too....

I realised that I had a major hurdle to overcome. I actually believed that because I had had a child, I would naturally be a bit heavier. That was just 'how it was' for me. I even remember being pregnant and saying 'goodbye' to clothes when I wore them for what I thought would be the last time, as I got bigger.

I had given myself permission to be big!

Having realised that this was 'just a belief', I then wanted to change it so I looked around for evidence that I was wrong. Yes - I knew other mums who had re-gained a trim figure and were active and healthy! I soon saw how silly I had been to condemn myself to being 'a bit heavy' for the rest of my life!

So I made a conscious decision to BE someone who was fit and healthy and could eat anything I wanted to, without affecting my weight.

This decision opened my mind to opportunities:

A few days later a friend told me about a gym she had started going to and she suggested I have a look. Now I'd been to gyms before and I hadn't really enjoyed them. But because I had made the decision to change, I was open to the idea and it seemed like the right thing to do.

So, I took ACTION and joined Curves, a local circut gym.

And I was surprised to find that I actually enjoyed it. I made it part of my weekly schedule - two times a week was all I could fit in, but it made a really big difference.

That is probably the main thing I actually changed to get the result I wanted. I never consciously changed my diet, but in hindsight I can see that I began to eat smaller meals more frequently. My better eating choices were quite subconscious because of the decision I had made to become more healthy.

Now I eat when I am hungry and I don't have any positive or negative feelings about food. If I want it and it's there I will eat it. I don't consider whether it will be 'good' or 'bad' for me.

What I have done is applied the basic formula for success in any area. It comes down to a simple idea:

BE, DO, HAVE

BE the person you want to be,
DO the things that they would do, and you will
HAVE the things that that person deserves to have.

Most people try it the other way - they say, when I HAVE more ______ (time, money, health etc) then I'll be able to DO those things that will make me BE that person.

Sorry if I'm bursting your bubble but, IT JUST DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!

The only way that anything becomes reality, is by imagining it is possible first. By changing the image of myself in my head, I could then imagine myself BEING someone who eats anything and stays thin and healthy.

Then, because I expected to BE that person, I was naturally inclined to DO the things that that person would do - exercise and eat sensibly. I never had to force myself - doing these things was easy because they fit with my new image of myself.

Only then, did I actually find that I started to HAVE the results that that person would have.

There is a logical explanation behind this idea that I hope will make sense to you.

When I change my focus and decide to BE something other than what I have been in the past, I am actually reprogramming what is called my RAS or Reticular Activating System.

My RAS is a part of my brain that is like a filter. It takes all the information that comes in through my senses and 'decides' what I become aware of.

Here's an easy example of your RAS in action. Last time you bought a car or decided on a car that you wanted, all of a sudden, you saw those cars EVERYWHERE!!! Has this happened to you? Of course, those cars were all there before, but your RAS was not programmed to bring them to your attention.

Advertising works in the same way - repeatedly making you aware of something so that you will notice the opportunities to buy their products.

Your RAS will make you aware of anything that you have an emotional connection with or that you have thought about consistently. It is designed to help you identify opportunities to turn your thoughts into your reality.

This all sounds great - all we have to do is think about something and create a good feeling about it and we will see all sorts of ways to make it happen!

But here's the trap. How easy is it to feel bad or negative about something?

If I consistently focus on things I don't like, and dwell on the negative emotions attached to them, my RAS will make me aware of all the opportunities to bring about those things

Have you noticed how bad things seem to happen to people who are generally negative anyway? They complain about their situation, then it gets worse and they have more to complain about! This downward spiral is all too common, but I'm sure you can see how doing the exact opposite, can create an upward spiral.

It's just a choice and everyone has the ability to control their thoughts, if they choose to. But most don't.

So if I let my circumstances control my thoughts, it is easy to default to thinking about everything that's wrong with me (not to mention the rest of the world as well!). My RAS is programmed to 'beware of bad foods' then it will make me aware of them and think negatively about them which creates a negative feeling in me.

But if I choose to control my thoughts and focus on the results that I want to see, then my RAS is re-programmed and the opportunities to keep me trim and healthy for example, become really obvious to me. Only then can I see where I need to take action.

Now the important point about who we decide to BE, is that we need to BE that person with complete confidence and with absolutely no doubt. Doubt will allow your RAS to bring the negatives to your attention. It is only when we work to remove doubt that can we truly attract the right opportunities, take the right actions and have the results.

So how do we eliminate the doubt?

The way to eliminate doubt, is to find evidence for yourself. Talk to people who have done what you want to do. You may have even achieved similar goals in the past that can give you the confidence to know that you can BE this new person. Build up an overwhelming stack of evidence that this is not only possible for you, but that it IS your future reality.

It's a good idea to keep this evidence somewhere you can refer to it. This needs to be something that works for you. It could be a list on a piece of paper you carry with you, it could be a collection of pictures, a screensaver on your computer, a video on your phone. Anything you can refer to when you find yourself focusing on negative things. This is the best way to change your focus and change who you are being.

Everything is energy, including your thoughts. Think about when you've had to concentrate really hard, maybe when you've been in an exam. You're exhausted just from thinking! Good thinking is actually the hardest work there is, but the best news is that all that energy is not wasted.

The energy and emotion in the thoughts that you have, create a feeling or put you into a certain mood. This emotional feeling is recognised by your mind, your RAS, and the feeling programs it to make you aware of how you can get more of that feeling by getting the things you are thinking about.

As we know, our feelings can go both ways, positive and negative.

So one thing I would suggest you start with is to avoid talking about and focusing on things you don't want. When I was losing weight, I never focused on 'weight loss'. I focused on having a healthy, trim body that I was proud of and I celebrated every step in the right direction.

I regularly said to myself (and others) "I keep getting lighter!" and it made me feel GREAT! Yes, I was showing off, even with the smallest of changes on the scale, but that great feeling created positive energy and emotion which lead to more and more results. After around 6 months I got to the point where I was happy to maintain my weight, which I have now done for almost 2 years.

When I started going to the gym, I quickly made it part of my weekly routine - it is actually easier for me to go, than not to go. I also don't have any negative emotion attached to the gym. It's almost neutral - I just go, do it, and come home. It's not a chore, I don't have to make myself go. Once, I was actually unwell and I caught myself getting ready to go and had to kick in my rational thinking and decide that it's probably best if I don't go today!

Many of my friends and family have asked me to explain what I have done to improve my health. It's been quite challenging to find a way to tell people how I made it happen because it's wasn't a special diet or pills or supplements or anything like that.

That is one of the reasons I've written this all down. I'd like to pass on this powerful information so that you can start to understand the part that your mind plays when you decide to change your reality. And it doesn't just apply to health. This concept works for finances, relationships, anything that you would like to change about the reality you currently experience.

What it came down to was a change in my belief. A change in the way that I see the person in the mirror. Changing my belief lead to a change in behavior that lead to a change in results.

BE, DO, HAVE

BE the person you want to be, DO the things that they would do and you will HAVE the things that that person deserves to have.

I truly hope that you can BE all that you want to BE!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6131435

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Fruits and Vegetables For Diet

The best and healthy remedy for weight loss is usually healthy diet and exercise. To lose weight you are required to remove the extra fats in your body through exercises. The kind of diet you eat during weight loss is the most important determinant factor in losing weight. Food is usually the main reason for weight gain in most people. So if you can control this area you can lose weight easily without having a hard time.

A diet of fruits and vegetables will surely go a long way to help you rid your body of those extra pounds. Vegetables and fruits contain plenty of natural nutrients that are beneficial to the general health. Remember that these are the foods given to us by nature for healthy living before we decided to upgrade them by adding harmful chemical products to fit our desires.

There are a variety of fruits and vegetables that contain the different nutritional elements for our bodies. They have sufficient minerals and vitamins that will keep you in good shape. Vegetables are a good source of fiber for the body. The good thing about vegetable diets is that you can eat as much as you want without worrying about adding calories; after all you are giving your body a treat that will help you lose weight and be healthy.

Fiber diet for weight loss helps in the digestion process and increase metabolism of cells. Increased metabolism means that your body burns fats faster therefore help in losing weight. Loss of water from the body is another reason for weight loss. Vegetable fiber helps the body get rid of excess water to avoid retention that is not useful.

Spinach is a great weight loss dieting and weight loss. It not only has very low amounts of calories it has the effect of making you feel full. This will make you eat less and not feel hungry for a long time and won't have to eat in between meals.

To lose weight through a diet of fruits and vegetables would require personal effort and discipline. In the process of losing weight it important not to neglect removal of toxins in the body that has piled up over the years of eating unhealthy food. Fruits are known to cleanse the body of toxins and boost the digestion off foods for effective absorption and metabolism. The toxins in the body are neutralized by fruits and then flashed out of your system by the water and fiber contain in fruits.

Toxins in the body are brought about by eating unhealthy food that is filled with chemicals that the body is unable to digest and synthesis. Garlic and onions are some of the vegetable antioxidants. Any diet that boosts the metabolism process aids in removal of toxins that promote good health. As you stop taking high sugar content food, your body will have the advantage of having natural sugars that are contained in fruits.

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Weight Loss Plan for Women Over 40

For some women over 40, belly fat is a big problem. Most women who have this problem want to know what a good weight loss plan for women over 40 is. What some women may not know is while belly fat is annoying and unsightly, it may cause more serious problems than not being able to zip up a great pair of skinny jeans. A survival mechanism from our distant past, belly fat was accumulated during times of plenty and then used up during the long months when food was scarce. This remnant from the past is no longer necessary with our plentiful supplies of food. Now, the problem for many people is how the belly fat just accumulates and accumulates!

What is interesting is that belly fat is unlike the other fat beneath our skin. Everybody knows our skin serves to protect us from the cold and absorbs the shock of minor bumps and scrapes. Belly fat is not the same thing! It accumulates around the waist line and is called visceral fat. This is the worst kind of fat due to it being attached to the internal organs. It is found on the outside of the stomach, the liver, spleen and the intestines. The biggest difference between it and subcutaneous fat (fat found beneath the skin on the rest of the body) is belly fat acts as a endocrine gland, secreting hormones into the body. One of the most damaging chemicals it secretes are cytokines that cause inflammation and damages tissues throughout the body.

The more belly fat a person has, the greater the chance for developing insulin resistance that can result in the development of Type 2 diabetes. With the advent of insulin resistance, blood sugar levels can swing wildly, increasing hunger and more overeating. It becomes a vicious cycle causing more weight gain and even more dangerous belly fat.

So, how can the cycle be broken? The guidelines are pretty much the same as for all good weight loss plans. Although belly fat tends to be more stubborn than subcutaneous fat, it will start to melt away with a right diet and exercise plan that specifically targets belly fat.

Foods to avoid are refined carbohydrates and saturated fats and trans-fats. White flour, sugar, fatty meats and hydrogenated oils should be completely removed from the diet. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains and lean meat. Complex carbohydrates found in whole grains and produce are digested at a slower rate, preventing the spiking of blood sugar. High levels of blood sugar lead to storage as fats, so stick to foods that don't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. Fresh produce is full of the nutrients the body needs to stay healthy, and with today's diet conscious population you can find a multitude of recipes that use fresh vegetables as the main ingredient.

Starting an effective exercise plan is just as important as watching your diet. Walking is an excellent way to get calorie-burning exercise. It's low-impact on the joints, a wonderful way to burn calories, and provides a great cardiovascular workout. Walk at a brisk pace and aim for covering two to three miles every day. At the optimum pace, a walk this long should take between a half hour and 45 minutes. Although walking the dog is good exercise, if your dog likes to stop at every tree and fire hydrant, take him for a quick walk and circle back home. Then head out for a fast paced two-mile walk by yourself.

Interval walking burns even more calories. These bursts can be less than a minute in length but really pay off with fat burning that continues even after the exercise stops.

Now that you know that walking is easy and a great belly fat burning exercise, you can combine it with an excellent weight loss plan for women over 40. So grab your walking shoes, find some exciting vegetable-based recipes, and start losing that dangerous belly fat. You'll look spectacular and feel so much better!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6137986

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About Estrogen and Progesterone

Estrogen and Progesterone are female sex hormones. They are produced in the ovaries by developing follicles, the corpus luteum and the placenta.
Both of them are vital for the general health of the female and the fetus after fertilization. They are also important in the menstrual cycle of females. They even have medical uses. There is a lot of health information in the World-Wide Web which describes these two sex hormones, but this is a short and detailed article of their main roles and uses.

Their Role in the Menstrual Cycle

There two other sex hormones (FSH and LH) affect the development of the follicles in the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen and progesterone are then produced in the follicles. Once estrogen is produced and secreted by the follicles (approximately day 5 or 6 of the cycle), it stimulates the production of more FSH receptors on the follicle, thereby increasing the amount of estrogen secreted. With the help of positive feedback, the estrogen levels rise dramatically (day 8-12). This stimulates the repair of the uterus lining (endometrium). On day 12, the estrogen levels peak and then decline, leading to ovulation due to sharp incline of LH. The follicle which released the egg cell is then converted into the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone which repairs the endometrium further. Estrogen is also secreted by the corpus luteum, however in a much smaller amount that progesterone. Both estrogen and progesterone levels peak and then decline if no fertilization occurs (day 22-24). This results in menstruation.

Other Roles and Uses

Progesterone and estrogen are needed throughout pregnancy. They develop the endometrium throughout the entire pregnancy. At first, they are secreted by the corpus luteum. By the middle of pregnancy, the corpus luteum degenerates but estrogen and progesterone are still secreted by cells in the placenta. The levels of estrogen and progesterone increase constantly throughout pregnancy until childbirth occurs. The two sex hormones also develop female sexual characteristics. It is also known that estrogen affects the growth and development of the brain, breasts, bones, liver and heart. It even regulates our metabolism. Progesterone is known to encourage the production of milk in the breasts during pregnancy. Both of them are present in some forms of contraceptive pills, better known as the pill. This has some effects on health and the menstrual cycle. The main effect of the pill is to prevent ovulation from happening and thereby preventing pregnancy. The pill ensures that females have high levels of both of these sex hormones in their bodies. This inhibits the secretion of FSH and thereby the development of the follicle in order to release its egg cell.

Summary

Estrogen and Progesterone are sex hormones responsible for the repair and development of the endometrium. They have vital roles in pregnancy, where they develop the endometrium even more. Estrogen and Progesterone have other roles and uses such as; developing organs, producing milk during pregnancy and their use in the contraceptive pill.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6021635

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