Irene Christodoulou's Corner

OK, we should this, we should that, but sometimes we do what we just like to do. Today I went to the gym after 6 days off ( DUE TO THE COLD). I needed so much to have an exhausting workout. Finally I did one hour on the treadmill, 1 hour on the bicycle, 37 min on the elliptical machine, and about 20 min in the weights and the abdominal trainer. I could do more, but at about 6 pm. the gym was like the one where Sly was exercising in Rocky 2 ( you know, with Apollo Creed).  It was too much, I know it, but it was WONDERFUL!!! ( I guess I was too low in my endorphins level ). Watch in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF8lzgAxVko&feature=fvsr  

In this week's episode we watch one contestant teeter on the edge of being obsessive about food. Though mindfulness is a good thing when it comes to eating, obsession, which can lead to a tendency to try and be perfect, is not. Some of characteristics of a perfectionistic dieter are: They typically begin a new diet on a Monday. They try to speed up the process by under-eating and over-exercising. They enjoy the thrill of eliminating certain foods. They battle strong urges to eat unhealthy foods and skip exercise. They use the words "good" or "bad" to describe certain foods and their eating behavior. They fall off the wagon after just one bad night and sometimes even after just making one bad food choice. They are convinced that past failed attempts were a lack of effort, or failing to stay focused. The perfectionistic dieter typically sees great results and feels completely in control for a few weeks or months. If this is you, then you

 We all know a few people who swear by working out at the crack of dawn every day. They naturally enjoy waking up and heading straight to the gym, and claim to get more out of their exercise routines in the early-morning hours. Then there's another group that wouldn't dream of getting on the treadmill, StairMaster or bike before 6 p.m., when the day is behind them and their muscles feel stretched and loose. So which is better? Personal trainers and experts on exercise say the effectiveness of your gym time depends partly on your body rhythms as well as what exactly you're trying to get out of it — whether it's losing inches around your waist or putting inches on your biceps . Primed in the P.M. First, you have to pay attention to your body's abilities, says Cedric Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise, the nonprofit fitness certification and education provider. He counsels people that the best time to exercise is the on

According to horticulturist Dr. Leonard Pike, these little carrots contain about 70 percent less beta-carotene than full-size ones. That’s because they’re actually pieces of larger carrots that have been specially bred to ripen faster and grow longer (real baby carrots also contain less beta-carotene). They’re still a fantastic source of beta-carotene, though, and since you’re probably eating more carrots now that “baby” ones are on the scene, I see no reason to dust off your peeler. By the way, if you’re really concerned about getting enough beta-carotene in your diet , you should cook your carrots. Cooking breaks down the veggie’s tough cell walls, thereby making available more of this antioxidant vitamin precursor.

1. Childhood 2. Pregnancy 3. Diabetes 4. Heart Diseases 5. Asthma 6. Schizophrenia 7. Nervous System Disorders.

I see that there is not any delay in any function of the PC. I am very satisfied.

Adverse reactions to high-quality standardized ginseng preparations are uncommon and usually minor. 1. Long-term use of ginseng may cause menstrual abnormalities and breast tenderness in some women. Ginseng may have estrogen-like activity resulting in mastalgia and postmenopausal bleeding in women. 2.Ginseng may also have a hypoglycemic effect requiring monitoring in diabetic patients. 3. Overdosage can lead to nervousness, insomnia, headache, skin eruptions, stomach upset, and increased menstrual bleeding and breast tenderness. 4.Ginseng should not be combined with anticoagulant drugs such as Coumadin, or with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that tend to cause bleeding. 5.To avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), even in non-diabetics, ginseng should be taken with food. 6.Consuming caffeine with ginseng increases the risk of over-stimulation and gastrointestinal upset. 7.Ginseng should not be taken by people who have hypertension. 8.Ginseng should be dis

http://www.kypros.org/cgi-bin/orthographic

Water Up to two-thirds of your body is made up of water, and many basic body functions rely upon this simple substance to run smoothly. So it comes as no surprise that fatigue is the top sign of dehydration. Starting your day with a large cup of water will not only help you stay hydrated, but it can rev up your metabolism too — bonus. If you find drinking plain water difficult, make your own flavored water or add sparkling water to juice to make a refreshing spritzer. Magnesium-Rich Foods The unsung mineral hero, magnesium is vital to energy production. It is rare to be low in the mineral, but a little extra dose of magnesium can give you a much-needed boost. Nuts and seeds are both high in the mineral, as are leafy greens like chard and spinach. Don't overlook tofu as a valuable source of magnesium, either. You can find these three food groups in one of my fave recipes: indian spiced chard featuring cashews and tofu. Inulin I have seen inulin o

Sally Hawkins is nominated for the Oscar Academy Award ( best actress nomination).

Robert Duvall is nominated for an Oscar Award ( Best Actor) for his performance in the movie “Get Low”

With a simple step by step questionnaire, scheduled as a game, learn what vitamins you are in need for. Just jump to the link http://www.naturemade.com/Resource-Center/Wellness-Tools/Regimen-Builder

Most doctors agree that taking a daily multivitamin is a good idea. Whether it's supporting a healthy heart, supporting the immune system or promoting eye health, the reasons to take a multivitamin are almost as diverse as the formulas available. To help you choose the one that's right for you, here are some things you should know. Diet is not enough. No matter how well they eat, Americans – especially women – tend to be short on certain critical vitamins, namely calcium, folic acid, iron, and vitamin D. Not all vitamins are created equal. Take a calcium supplement. Because calcium is bulky, a daily multivitamin doesn’t contain enough to meet your daily requirement, especially if your diet is deficient in that nutrient. Prenatal vitamins are different.  Pregnant women and those who plan to become pregnant have special needs when it comes to multivitamins. For example, adequate folic acid may reduce a woman’s risk of ha

  Overview A raw food diet is one that eschews any foods that have been brought above about 116 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit at any point in production or preparation. To raw foodists, these temperatures destroy crucial enzymes in food. Though many raw foodists are also vegetarian or vegan, and eat primarily organic foods, this is not strictly required. Raw food bodybuilders use only raw foods, primarily those with beneficial proteins and fats, and dietary supplements to sculpt their bodies. Function The essential function of a bodybuilding diet is adequate calories to trigger an anabolic state and enough protein to foster production of muscle mass. Imposing a raw food diet on bodybuilding makes this basic challenge more difficult because many raw foods are low in calories and protein, and physical activity burns significant calories. Healthy fats are the most calorically dense foods generally available to raw foodists. A raw food bodybuilding diet carefully combines the mo

   Magnesium takes the number one spot not only because it has a theoretical mechanism of action (a plausible way it can help bodybuilders) but also due to recent studies identifying the performance enhancing benefits of magnesium supplementation.       Magnesium's role in bodybuilding revolves around energy production and protein synthesis. Studies on many different types of athletes have revealed excessive magnesium losses in sweat. Unfortunately, bodybuilders probably don't make up for these losses in their diets, as many food high in magnesium (nuts, legumes, etc) do not typically top a bodybuilder's grocery list.       Brilla and Haley from Western Washington University in Bellingham recently published the results of a research study in which magnesium supplemented lifters exerted greater quadriceps force that unsupplemented lifters. Considering magnesium's role in bodybuilding, factors leading to a possible suboptimal magnesium status in athletes and result

Overview: Every organ in the body -- especially the heart, muscles, and kidneys -- needs the mineral magnesium. It also contributes to the makeup of teeth and bones. Most important, it activates enzymes, contributes to energy production, and helps regulate calcium levels as well as copper, zinc, potassium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients in the body. You can get magnesium from many foods. However, most people in the United States probably do not get as much magnesium as they should from their diet. Foods rich in magnesium include whole grains, nuts, and green vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are particularly good sources of magnesium. Although you may not get enough magnesium from your diet, it' s rare to be truly deficient in magnesium. Certain medical conditions, however, can upset the body's magnesium balance. For example, an intestinal virus that causes vomiting or diarrhea can cause temporary magnesium deficiencies. Some gastrointestinal diseases

Abstract BACKGROUND: A proportion of patients do not recover fully from surgery or they develop chronic postsurgical pain. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence and predictors of unfavourable long-term outcome after surgery using a prospective cohort design. METHODS: Some 401 patients undergoing various elective surgical procedures filled in the RAND 36-item Health Survey 1.0 health-related quality-of-life questionnaire before operation and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up to assess changes in pain, physical functioning, mental health and vitality. Preoperative psychological assessment was obtained. RESULTS: Most patients showed improvement in the various aspects of health-related quality of life after surgery, but a considerable proportion (14-24 per cent) still showed deterioration at 6 and 12 months. Multivariable linear regression analysis identified acute postoperative pain, duration of the operation and preoperative physical condition as the most impo

In a society where being ‘ripped’ or ‘buff’ and having a steel ‘six-pack’ is revered, is it any wonder that some bodybuilders have crossed the line to addictive behavior? While many of us can barely muster the energy to walk over to the treadmill, many others spend countless hours in the gym. Exercise is a good thing; a great thing! It must, however, be done in moderation. Only you and your doctor can decide what a healthy exercise regimen is for you. When training, exercising or bodybuilding becomes excessive it can lead to eating disorders and a generally unbalanced life. Anytime someone is so focused on anything (substance or behavior) to the exclusion of all else, they run the risk of becoming an addict. Those who become addicted to working out and those who suffer from eating disorders are likely to have similar experiences: Perhaps overweight as a child, this person has a very negative body image No matter how this person looks today, they still feel like the

Whip this up for breakfast tomorrow!   4 tablespoons chopped broccoli 2 tablespoons chopped yellow onion 2 tablespoons finely chopped carrot 4 large egg whites 1 whole large egg 1/2 teaspoon spice mix 1 serving Light Cheese ( 30 gr) 2 tablespoons fat-free refried beans Lightly coat a medium nonstick sauté pan with cooking oil spray. Heat pan over medium  high heat and add vegetables. Sauté for about two minutes or until just tender, but still bright. While the veggies are cooking, whip the eggs with a whisk or beater until they are foamy and light. Add seasoning. Pour eggs over the vegetables, cover and cook for about two minutes or until eggs are almost set. Crumble cheese over the omelette. Distribute refried beans over cheese. Fold omelette in half and allow to cook two minutes longer over low heat. SOURCE: Biggest Loser Club

Watch videos and study in written form all the data about smart capnography in non intubated patients at http://www.smartcapnography.net/ MY COMMENT: Greece does not have enough ICU beds. So, we have to learn better than anyone else how to support critical patients when they are not intubated ( and to prevent need for intubation of course).

One of the most confusing issues for any athlete is supplementation. What to take, how much, when to take it, blah, blah, blah. Figuring out a supplementation regimen can be so frustrating at times that it becomes easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees, to forget the purpose of supplementation and to overlook exactly what makes successful bodybuilding.       It's sometimes easy to forget that the cells in our bodies, particularly muscle cells, rely on certain biochemical reactions for proper metabolism, growth and maintenance. These reactions, in turn, depend upon specific vitamins to help catalyze, or facilitate, their actions.       Without these vitamins, nothing happens. Even if only one of these critical substances is deficient, a bodybuilder's progress can be stifled without warning. Virtually every energy production or muscle growth process we rely on so heavily (and that we sometimes take for granted) is dependent upon, in one way or another, a vitamin.

It has critical functions in amino acid metabolism and the production of energy from many sources. It also may be one vitamin that some bodybuilders have trouble when attempting to maintain an adequate supply.       The reason bodybuilders may have difficulty with Biotin is because it can be blocked by a substance called Avidin. Avidin is found in raw egg whites, a staple for many athletes. In fact, bodybuilders who eat raw egg whites or who don't cook egg white well enough may experience growth problems with Biotin deficiency if their egg white consumption approaches 20 per day.

·   Biotin helps the body better use food for energy. This means that biotin may increase energy levels and, by making the digestive process more efficient, biotin may help people lose weight. This makes biotin an ideal supplement if you are looking to have more energy and lose weight. ·   Biotin is a member of the b-class vitamin family, and, like other members of this family, biotin plays a key role in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. In this way biotin plays a role in the Krebs energy cycle, and may aid in weight loss. But, biotin does much more than regulating the synthesis of macronutrients.