Tips for Life

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

126-135 Tips

126. Feel Less Hungry
Chew food well and you'll probably feel less hungry.

127. Raw Foods
Raw food are not always better; e.g. approximately 4% of carotinoids (in some veggies and fruit) are absorbed when raw, 15-20% when cooked.

128. Eating Healthily Is Expensive
Many people think eating healthily is expensive, but a piece of fruit is often much cheaper than a chocolate bar or a cream cake.

129. Eat Slowly
Eat slowly, and wait 10-15 minutes before deciding whether you need a second helping.

130. Protect Yourself Against Strokes
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to reduce your chance of having a stroke.

131. Cataracts
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to delay the development of cataracts.

132. Hungry
Don't wait till you're really hungry to eat, because you're likely to eat a lot more. Spread your eating out through the day.

133. How To Get More Youthful Skin
Want your skin to look more youthful? Drink more water. Dehydrated skin looks older than it should. Drink at least 8 glasses a day, but not as tea or coffee.

134. Red Ears?
Do you or your child ever have one or both ears red and burning for no apparent reason? It could be that you are allergic to something you ate, drank or touched two hours before.

135. Travelling On A Bus Or Coach?
Sitting on the same side of the bus as the driver can increase your exposure to air pollution by 10 per cent. (Dr Roy Colville, senior lecturer in air pollution, Imperial College, London)

106-120 Tips

106. Insomnia?
Try valerian tablets if you can't sleep.

107. Kissing!
Kissing reduces the allergic response. Did you need another reason?

108. Taking A Zinc Supplement?
If you're taking a zinc supplement, don't wash it down with tea or coffee, as these interfere with your body's ability to absorb it.

109. Alzheimer's Disease
There's lots of research going on into avoiding Alzheimer's disease - most of it seems to boil down to keep your brain stimulated and active, and eat health, nutritious food.

110. Laxatives
Taking laxatives regularly can lead to your body becoming depleted of vital nutrients. Try drinking more water instead. This will often soften the faeces.

111. Bowel Cancer
You're more likely to get bowel cancer if you are obese. Yet another good reason to eat a healthy well-balanced diet.

112. Having Chemo?
The Duke University Medical Center (USA) says that acupuncture can alleviate the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.

113. Eat Less Fat?
It takes about 3% of energy in the fat found in food to convert it to body fat. It takes about 23% of energy in carbohydrate to convert it to body fat. Reduce fat to maintain a healthy body shape and weight.

114. Beating Travel Sickness
Eating ginger may help travel and motion sickness.

115. Chocolate And Wine
Yes, I know chocolate and wine contain antioxidants which are good for you, but there are a lot of other healthier sources.

116. Follow The Crowd!
According to a recent Wall Street Journal survey, 23% of Americans do meditation, yoga, or some other form of stress-reducing practice. Follow the trend, and do some yourself.

117. Sweaty Feet
Sweaty feet (particularly in children) can be a sign that the liver is having to work extra hard. Try taking a herbal supplement that supports the liver.

118. Men At Work
Did you know that men at work die most frequently from motor vehicle incidents, machine-related injuries, homicides, and falls? Take steps to protect yourself and others wherever you are.

119. Buying Ready-Meals?
Choose low fat options or supermarket healthy eating ranges, but check labels before buying. Go for meals that have less than 3g fat per 100g or less than 10g fat per serving. (British Dietetics Association)

120. Bad Breath?
Some research suggests that a high-fat diet can contribute to bad breath. Fats in meat, cheese and milk seem to be a particular problem.


91-105 Tips

91. Sit Comfortably
The American Chiropractic Association says: Keep your knees slightly higher than your hips, with your head up and back straight when sitting.

92. A Chamomile Bath
A bath made by adding 4 or 5 drops of chamomile oil, or several cups of chamomile tea is relaxing and can help dry, itching or sunburnt skin.

93. Protection Against Cancer
Salvestrols from fruit and vegetables have been found to be protective against cancer. Salvestrol supplements may help people with cancer.

94. Excess Lead
Excess lead in your system can give you a blue or black line on your gums.

95. Wheat Problems?
Quinoa is suitable for people who are avoiding wheat and other grains. It is a source of protein, vitamin E, calcium and iron. Use like rice or cous cous.

96. Asthma And Water
A surprising amount of chlorine is inhaled when you have a shower. If your have asthma, you benefit from fitting a water filter for the whole house.

97. Phthalates
Phthalates from plastic bottles and containers can migrate into food and drink so you end up consuming them. Phthalates have been linked to falling sperm counts and breast cancer. Choose glass containers wherever possible.

98. Probiotics
Taking probiotics (live yoghurt or as a supplement) regularly may help you if you suffer with gut disorders or an inflammatory disease (e.g. IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, clostridium difficile infection).

99. Relax The Mind And Sleep
Try herbal valerian tablets one hour before you go to bed, if you're having difficulty sleeping. They work by relaxing the mind and body and so aid natural sleep.

100. Burn Out
An Israeli study found that those who suffered from job 'burn out' were twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Your job is important, but so are you.

101. Period Pains?
A daily supplement of the mineral magnesium has been shown to help period pains and PMS.

102. Gum Disease
Gum disease has been linked to an increase in heart problems. Bizarre as it may seem, flossing your teeth and seeing a dental hygienist may help prevent heart disease.

103. Where To Sit
Sitting upstairs on a double-decker bus or coach reduces your exposure to air pollution. (Dr Roy Colville, senior lecturer in air pollution, Imperial College, London)

104. Surgery?
The Duke University Medical Center (USA) says research studies show that people who incorporate relaxation techniques before and during surgery often lose less blood, require less anesthesia, and have shorter hospital stays.

105. Glycaemic Index
Some surprising foods have a high glycaemic index. Rice cakes and parsnips, for example, cause blood sugar to rise rapidly and then drop rapidly.

76-90 Tips

76. Taking Lots Of Meds?
Always carry a list of any medication you are taking and the name of your doctor.

77. Back Hurting?
Lie on the floor with your calves on a chair. Get someone to check that there are right angles between your body and your thighs, and between your thighs and your calves. Lie like this for several minutes.

78. Creating Time
Being fit creates time - you can go upstairs more quickly, do household chores more easily, so take time to exercise and create more time.

79. Move While You Work
If you sit in an office, put your phone where you'll have to get up to answer it and walk around while you talk.

80. Beer And Spirits
Half a pint of beer contains the same amount of alcohol as a single measure of spirits. Don't underestimate beer, when working out how much to drink.

81. Heating Oils
Heating polyunsaturated oils (e.g. corn oil, sunflower oil, vegetable oil) make them toxic. They should be stored in a fridge and eaten uncooked.

82. Heart Disease
Transfats (produced when vegetable oils are artificially hardened to produce margarine) have been linked to heart disease. Fast foods are often high in transfats.

83. Take 5 (At Least)
Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and less saturated fat can help improve your health and may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

84. Buying Ready-Meals?
Choose low fat options or supermarket healthy eating ranges, but check labels before buying. Go for meals that have less than 3g fat per 100g or less than 10g fat per serving. (British Dietetics Association)

85. Arthritis Of The Knee?
Studies have shown that electroacupuncture can help arthritis of the knee.

86. Medical Errors
It has been estimated that between 44,000 and 98,000 patients in the USA die each year as the result of medical mistakes. Speak up if you are concerned. Be actively part of the process.

87. Shopping
Reduce the number of times you go to the supermarket. The more often you go the more you are likely to buy unhealthy food.

88. Waiting For Your Dinner?
While you're waiting for your dinner to cook, spend five minutes doing a set of push ups, a set of crunches and back extensions. Use a gym/stability ball if you've got one. If you're tired, do stretches instead.

89. Excess Mercury
Excess mercury in your body can result in muscle tremour, digestive upsets and/or dermatitis.

90. Drinking Enough Water?
Check your urine - it should be the colour of pale straw, although some medication and some supplements will affect the colour. If it's darker, drink more water.

61-75 Tips

61. Bad Breath?
Some research suggests that a high-fat diet can contribute to bad breath. Fats in meat, cheese and milk seem to be a particular problem.


62. Pesticides
The British Medical Association say that some pesticides can be stored in our body's fatty tissues for years. We just do not know the long term effects of this, so buy certified organic products.

63. Distance It
If you're worrying about something, imagine how important it will be to you in 5, 10 or 20 years.

64. Chronic Pain
Learn relaxation and stretching techniques if you suffer from chronic pain.

65. Migraines?
Try Bowen Therapy; there are therapists practising this gentle procedure in many different countries.

66. Skipping Breakfast?
You may think this will help you lose weight, but your body interprets it as a sign to slow down.


67. Abundance
Research supports the notion that rediscovering a sense of abundance by thinking about those people and things we love lowers the risks of coronary events," says Blair Justice, professor-emeritus of psychology in Houston.

68. Wheat &/Or Gluten Problems?
Buckwheat is not a cereal so is usually suitable for people who can't eat wheat or gluten. Try making traditional French galettes -buckwheat pancakes - delicious!

69. Concerned About Cholesterol?
In a study of 143 people with high cholesterol levels, taking 450 mg artichoke extract reduced total cholesterol by 18.5%, but check with your doctor, if you are already on medication. (UK Times June 30 2007)

70. Blood Pressure Check
71. Dont have your blood pressure taken when youre thirsty, as it could distort the reading.

72. Office Printers
If possible, make sure you sit away from an office printer, as these produce a lot of noxious chemicals.

73. Sleepless?
If you can't sleep, get up and do something really boring till you feel tired again.

74. Symptoms
Symptoms can be nature's way of telling us something is wrong. When you tackle the symptoms, are you killing the messenger?

75. Heavy Drinking
If you've had a night of heavy drinking it's best not to drink alcohol for 48 hours to allow your body to recover. Drink lots of water and fruit juice instead.

46-60 Tips

46. The Power Of Forgiveness
A Duke University Medical Center study found that people who have forgiven others experience lower levels of physical pain, anger, and depression.

47. Healthy Snacks
Keep healthy snacks at the front of the fridge or cupboard.

48. Constipated?
If you or your child are constipated, try drinking more water. Faeces are hard to pass if the body is short of water.

49. Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy
There have been reports that peppermint, ginger and cardamom can help the sickness associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. (Cancer Research UK)


50. Starting To Get Fit?
You can develop one routine, or you can do something different every day. Find fun ways to stay in shape and feel good, such as dancing, gardening, cutting the grass, swimming, walking, or jogging.

51. Cigarette Filters
Cigarette filters are usually made from cellulose acetate, and studies have shown that smokers commonly ingest and/or inhale some of these fibres. That can't be doing your health any good, can it? Yet another reason to quit.

52. Nickel Allergy
Nickel allergy is very common. Cheap jewellery and jean studs contain it. If you use a kettle where water is boiled in contact with a metal element you will have small amounts of nickel in your hot drink.

53. Loneliness
Loneliness has been linked to furring up of the arteries. Join a club, take up a sport or a new hobby and help your arteries to stay clear.

54. Watercress
Watercress contains 12 times as much vitamin C as lettuce and more iron than spinach.

55. Fast Food & Takeaways
Fast food and takeaways tend to be high in salt, sugar and fat. They also tend to be low in vitamins and fibre.

56. Tired All The Time?
If you're feeling tired all the time and there's no obvious medical cause, try taking Siberian or Korean ginseng.

57. Craving Chocolate?
Taking a zinc supplement can reduce a craving for chocolate.

58. Skin Problems?
Nutritional supplements based on salvestrols may help skin tumours, skin tags and eczema.


59. Thinning Hair
Stress, lack of iron and thyroid problems can cause hair loss. Check these out rather than just putting up with it.

60. A Filling Breakfast
Porridge/oatmeal is a great breakfast food - with a low GI value it helps to sustain you to lunch time without snacking.

31-45 Tips

31. Look At The Sky
Look at the sky. Research has shown that people in hospital make a better recovery if they can see the sky from their hospital beds. Why wait to be ill? Enjoy it now.

32. Diarrhoea After Antibiotics
Antibiotics kill approximately 10% of your friendly gut bacteria. If you get diarrhoea after a course of antibiotics, take probiotics (live yoghurt or as a supplement) to replace them.

33. Give Your Heart A Treat!
When you don't drink enough water, your blood thickens and your heart is forced to work extra hard. Make sure you drink 8 glasses of water a day.

34. Depressed After Flu
Take a B complex supplement if you are depressed after having flu.

35. Work Better
Go for a walk in your lunch break - you'll feel better and you'll work better.

36. Sit Comfortably
The American Chiropractic Association says: Keep your knees slightly higher than your hips, with your head up and back straight when sitting.

37. Meds
Always have at least a two week supply of any drugs you are taking. If you don't already, order your refills 3 to 4 days early each month for four months.

38. Repaint Your Bedroom
If you suffer from insomnia, consider repainting your bedroom - green is peaceful; blue is tranquilising and violet is calming.

39. What Is The Size Of Your Waist?
Men with a waist measurement of more than 100 cms (40 inches) and women with a waist measurement of more than 87.5 cms (35 inches) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

40. Electric Fields
Unplug an electric blanket before you sleep. An electrical field exists even if the blanket is not switched on. We do not know the long term effects of exposure to electric fields such as this.

41. Alcohol
Excess alcohol causes testosterone to drop and damages sperm. Yet more reasons to moderate your alcohol intake.

42. Wound Healing
Research has shown that appropriate gentle exercise can help wound healing.

43. Healthy, Fun Drinks For Children
Make ice cubes from fruit juice and add different coloured ones to water for a healthy, fun drink for children.

44. Walking Rough
Walking on uneven ground for a short time each day has been shown to benefit the health of seniors.

45. White Wine Problems
If youre only sensitive to white wines it is possible that they are reacting to bentonite, used extensively for refining white wine, but rarely for red.

16-30 Tips

16. Alcohol And Car Accidents
If you drive at two times the UK legal limit for alcohol, you are 50 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash.

17. Insect Bites
Take B vitamins before going on holidays if insects love to bite you.

18. Pumpkin Seeds
Eating pumpkin seeds has been shown to be good for the prostate. They've got a great taste too - add them to salads or just eat them as they are.

19. Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oils supplements can contain heavy metals and dioxins, so buy flax seed oil supplements instead.

20. Thinning Hair
Stress, lack of iron and thyroid problems can cause hair loss. Check these out rather than just putting up with it.

21. Time For Health
"Those who do not find some time every day for health must sacrifice a lot of time one day for illness." Father Sebastian Kneipp

22. Watercress
Watercress contains 12 times as much vitamin C as lettuce and more iron than spinach.

23. Cannabis & Teenagers
Cannabis use more than once a week has been linked to an increased risk of psychosis. Psychosis isnt cool. It could happen to you or someone you care about, so pass this information on.

24. Do You Drink For Confidence?
When you've had a lot of alcohol, you may feel sexy, confident and attractive, but excess alcohol makes most people unattractive, loud, stupid and embarrassing.

25. Want To Give Up Smoking?
When you smoke your last cigarette, concentrate on everything you hate about it. Commit the negative feelings and thoughts to your memory. Visit those memories often.

26. Coenzyme Q10
Some migraine sufferers find that the supplement Coenzyme Q10 reduces the frequency of attacks.

27. Take Away Meals
Take away food can be bad for your health, not only because it's often full of fat and salt, but also because you are more likely to get food poisoning from take-away meals.

28. Stomach Cancer
Eating processed meat products such as bacon, sausages and smoked ham increases your risk of getting stomach cancer.

29. Sleep And Weight
Being short of sleep increases your appetite. The levels of the hormone leptin, our natural appetite regulator, are reduced when we do not get enough sleep. Sleep more and eat less.

30. Nickel Allergy
Nickel allergy is very common. Cheap jewellery and jean studs contain it. If you use a kettle where water is boiled in contact with a metal element you will have small amounts of nickel in your hot drink.

1-15 Tips

1. Stress Incontinence
If you suffer from stress incontinence, learn how to do pelvic floor exercises. They work for both men and women.

2. Dehydration
Dehydration can impair your short-term memory by up to 7%. Make sure you're drinking enough.

3. A Little More Exercise
If you use the tube/subway or a bus, get off a stop early and walk to get some additional exercise.

4. Take Away Meals
Take away food can be bad for your health, not only because it's often full of fat and salt, but also because you are more likely to get food poisoning from take-away meals.

5. Healthy, Fun Drinks For Children
Make ice cubes from fruit juice and add different coloured ones to water for a healthy, fun drink for children.

6. Walk Faster
Don't like taking exercise? Commit yourself to walking faster when you do walk.

7. Lower Your Cholesterol
Eating oats every day can lower your cholesterol.

8. Look At Your Computer Screen
Your eyes should be level with the top of your computer screen.

9. Physical Fitness
"Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity." John F. Kennedy

10. Loneliness
Loneliness has been linked to furring up of the arteries. Join a club, take up a sport or a new hobby and help your arteries to stay clear.

11. Dehydration
Dehydration can impair your short-term memory by up to 7%. Make sure you're drinking enough.

12. Cannabis & Teenagers
Cannabis use more than once a week has been linked to an increased risk of psychosis. Psychosis isnt cool. It could happen to you or someone you care about, so pass this information on.

13. A Chamomile Bath
A bath made by adding 4 or 5 drops of chamomile oil, or several cups of chamomile tea is relaxing and can help dry, itching or sunburnt skin.

14. Depressed After Flu
Take a B complex supplement if you are depressed after having flu.

15. Concerned About Cholesterol?
In a study of 143 people with high cholesterol levels, taking 450 mg artichoke extract reduced total cholesterol by 18.5%, but check with your doctor, if you are already on medication. (UK Times June 30 2007)