EYESTRAIN

More and more people are spending more and more time working on personal computers in their homes, and that could mean an increased risk of eyestrain or fatigue. In fact, if you spend several hours a day staring at a video display terminal (VDT), the risk of eyestrain is relatively high, unless you take some basic precautions.

One way to avoid “VDT eyestrain” is to take regular breaks and get away from the monitor screen. This is especially important if you spend a full work day (6 to 8 hours) working on a computer. Experts recommend that you take a 10 to 15 minute break every 2 to 3 hours and refocus your eyes (some doctors recommend that you take periodic breaks every 20 to 30 minutes and focus on distant objects). You may also consider working from a printout of your screen, rather than the screen itself, whenever possible.

Another way to avoid eyestrain is to work from a darker screen. Many times computer users operate their VDTs at such a bright level, eyestrain is a frequent result. Try turning the brightness down to a relatively dim level and then adjust the contrast knob in order to make up the difference. If background lighting is not adequate, an adjustable desk lamp may be of help.

You can also cut down on the amount of monitor-screen glare, which can lead to eyestrain, by making a hood to put over your VDT. You can make such a hood, using heavy black cardboard placed on top of your monitor. Both sides of the cardboard should be folded down over the VDT. Filters are also available to help

reduce the glare on the screen

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HOW TO USE YOGA OR MEDITATION TQ RELIEVE TENSION, RELIEVE PAIN, AND FEEL BETTER

For some people, the ancient practice of yoga is the ideal way to induce relaxation response. In fact, many doctors recommend the practice of yoga for pain control and stress reduction. As practiced in the West ,yoga consists mainly of a combination of breathing, stretching and relaxation exercises which may be of great benefit in relieving tension and stress.

While there is no hard scientific evidence that yoga can be of benefit to overall health, there are indications that it may help in the cure and prevention of a wide range of disorders as well as in improving posture, strengthening certain muscles and enhancing flexibility.

The best way to perform yoga correctly is to attend classes led by an experienced instructor. Even though yoga exercises are performed slowly, and are safer than many other types of exercise, improperly performed they can cause injury.

To perform yoga exercises, you should wear loose clothing and no shoes. You should also find a room with few distractions and utilize a mat or a blanket ( When exercising, hold a position only as long as it is Comfortable and breathe normally through your nose. Stretch slowly and focus on relaxing a tight muscle You should not attempt an extreme yoga position without proper instruction.

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THE NATURAL HEALING POWER OF VITAMIN A AND BETA-CAROTENE

While vitamin A may be far from being a world-wide panacea, it is high on the list of vital nutrients. In recent years numerous medical research studies have revealed that certain fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene can help prevent cancer; cataracts; fight heart disease; strengthen the immune system; protect your skin from wrinkles; maintain good vision and prevent certain eye disorders such as night blindness; speed up the effective healing of wounds; eliminate acne and boils; and much more. While the research continues, there is no doubt that the natural wonders of Vitamin A, especially in the form of beta-carotene, is essential to the maintenance of good health.

There are two forms of Vitamin A—preformed Vitamin A or retinol is found only in foods of animal origin and provitamin A or carotene is found in foods of both plant and animal origin. It’s important to know the difference because preformed vitamin A can be toxic in large enough amounts over a long period of time. It builds up in the liver and cannot be excreted from the body in any significant amount. Toxicity can result from prolonged daily doses that exceed 50,000 IU in adults and children. The symptoms of a vitamin A overdose include nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, loss of hair, dry itching skin, and drowsiness. The toxicity will clear up in a few days if the excessive intake is halted. Overdoses of Vitamin A (retinol) can be caused by eating an excessive amount of animal liver over an extended period of time, but is more commonly due to high doses of vitamin supplements.

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CEREAL— THE BEST AND THE WORST

Not all cereals are equal in nutritional value. Some are high in sugar, while others have none. Some are fortified with up to 15 nutrients, and others aren’t fortified at all. Depending on which type you choose, cereal may not be your most healthful choice for breakfast. Here are some insider tips on choosing the best cereals from the worst:

1) The 6 to 8 grams of fiber in a one ounce serving of bran flakes with fresh fruit could make a good daily start on the National Cancer Institute’s recommendation that American adults consume from 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber a day.

2) Cereals that contain iron are also a good choice, especially for women. If you ^on’t eat red meat or other iron-rich foods, the American Dietetic Association suggests that you choose a cereal that contains at least 45 percent of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance for iron. Also be sure to have orange juice or another vitamin C-rich drink with your cereal, otherwise the iron won’t be well-absorbed.

3) Nutritionists agree that breakfast should make up about one quarter of your daily nutrient requirements. A fortified cereal, with 25 percent of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances can be helpful as long as you also eat a variety of healthful food throughout the day.

4) Select a cereal with no more than five grams of sugar. In general, the more sugar a cereal contains, the fewer complex carbohydrates and less dietary fiber it contains.

5) If you are primarily interested in insoluble fat—the kind that prevents constipation and may protect against colon cancer—select a cereal made with whole wheat. The best advice is to eat a multigrain cereal that will provide you with both soluble and insoluble fiber, or you can rotate among different types of cereals. Whatever you choose, it should have at least 2 grams of fiber per serving.

6) Try to avoid many of the hot cereals that are now available in single- serving packets. Hot cereal bought in large, economical boxes is not only as easy to cook on the stove or in the microwave, it’s also much less expensive. While the instant varieties may seem convenient, they quite often contain a lot of unnecessary salt and sugar.

7) Many cold cereals are highly processed, while hot cereals are less tampered with. However, some hot cereals, such as farina and Cream of Wheat are processed so highly they become very smooth and creamy and loose a great deal of their fiber. You can fortify your own cereal with fiber, by adding fresh or dried fruit, and with calcium by using skim or low-fat milk.

Whatever brand of cereal you buy, be sure to read the label so you’ll be certain it contains the nutrients you need.

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HEART PROBLEMS

Read This If You Have A Heart Murmur

A report by Dr. T. Welch states that people who have heart murmurs are in danger of infections of the heart valve. Therefore, they should take antibiotics before, during, and after dental or surgical procedures.

3 Vitamins That Help the Heart

Several recent studies reveal that certain vitamins can help to reduce the blood levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. This could cause a significant reduction in your risk of heart attack. These vitamins include beta carotene (15 to 20 milligrams per day), vitamin C, and Vitamin E. The best source of beta carotene is yellow vegetables, especially carrots.

Second Hand Smoke: New Data You Need To Know

A report in the Journal of the American Medical Association states that breathing second hand smoke results in increased heart attack risk. The study shows that non-smokers who are married to smokers have more heart attacks than nonsmokers who are also married to nonsmokers. This could result in as much as 35,000 heart attack deaths each year.

Baldness and Heart Problems

A study by Dr. Carlos Henera of the University of Texas Medical School shows the following. Men who lose their hair quickly also are twice as likely to have coronary heart problems. This is probably due to some genetic factors. It means that these men should pay particular attention to the other high heart attack risk factors. Lowering these other factors could help to normalize or lower bald men’s heart risks.

“Wonder Drug ” May Help Prevent A Stroke

People at high risk of stroke because of irregular heartbeat may benefit from taking low doses of warfarin, a blood-thinning drug.

According to the results of a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, warfarin can reduce the risk of stroke by almost 80 percent in people at high risk. The drug is already widely used to treat people who suffer from a heart irregularity also known as atrial fibrillation.

Following almost two years of tracking over 500 men with atrial fibrillation, researchers discovered that 23 men had suffered strokes— 19 were in a placebo group and 4 were using warfarin.

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A COMPEDIUM OF DRUGS: BETA-BLOCKERS

Propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol, and timolol are some of the many beta-blockers. Beta-blockers interfere with the effect of adrenaline on the heart, preventing an unnecessary increase in the speed and effort of the heart. Aside from the effect on angina pectoris and hypertension, beta-blockers can prevent and control certain kinds of abnormal heart rhythms. They can be used alone or in conjunction with digoxin, qui-nidine, or disopyramide. Usually, they are taken from one to four times daily. They slow the pulse, and some people may develop an inordinately slow heart rate. In patients with asthma or chronic bronchitis, beta-blockers may exaggerate wheezing. And in certain individuals, they may aggravate the symptoms of heart failure.

A new class of medications has become available for the treatment of angina pectoris. The calcium antagonists or calcium blockers add a new dimension to the control of angina pectoris. Many older people with anginal pain benefit from the use of nifedipine, diltiazem, or verapamil.

Medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) often overlap with those used for various forms of heart disease. Diuretics (“water pills”) are medications that cause the body to lose salt and water. In people who suffer from heart failure, there is an excessive accumulation of fluid because of impaired pumping of the heart. Diuretics allow the excess fluid to be passed through the kidneys and thereby decrease the shortness of breath, bloating, and swelling.

It may be necessary to use diuretics with other medications when high blood pressure is difficult to control. The most common diuretics, the thiazides, come in many forms, as individual medications and sometimes in combination with other drugs. They are slow acting and rarely create an urgency to urinate, as do the faster-acting diuretics, such as furosemide. The fast-acting diuretics are more potent than the thiazides for the treatment of heart failure but are not more effective in treating high blood pressure. The diuretics spironolactone, triamterene, and amiloride are often combined with other diuretics to enhance their effect and prevent excessive loss of potassium, which is often a problem with the other types of medications. Sometimes potassium tablets or syrup may be given with thiazides or furosemide. Potassium should not be taken if you are receiving spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride.    r

Medications for hypertension may cause an excessive loss of salt and water, which can lead to dizziness and fainting, or they may decrease the efficiency of the kidneys. In people who have a tendency to diabetes mellitus, diuretics may increase the level of sugar in the blood (see chapter 18, section on diabetes mellitus). In certain individuals gout may occur. If you are taking diuretics, expect to have periodic blood tests to measure electrolytes, blood sugar, and kidney function.

Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure act on the blood vessels, on the heart, or on the brain. Propranolol and other beta-blockers, as well as methyldopa, hydralazine, prazosin, and clonidine are effective antihypertensive medications.

Often, a combination of medications is given simultaneously. Each medication can have its own side effects. The main problem is the excessive lowering of the blood pressure, which often leads to dizziness and fainting. This can usually be reversed by decreasing the dosage. Medications known as ACE inhibitors, such as enalapril and captopril, can be prescribed for some people to lower blood pressure and/or treat heart failure. The use of these drugs must be carefully followed by your physician because they are usually started in very small doses and then gradually increased.

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CALCIFICATION AND CALCIUM PREPARATIONS – REMEDY

Whatever the case, calcification is a sign of ageing which appears as a result of a disturbance in the general metabolism and an unhealthy diet, primarily one containing too much protein. But by no means can we hold the calcium in food or a biological preparation responsible for the pathological process of calcification. The bones of the skeleton contain reserves of calcium that would be quite sufficient to calcify all our blood vessels, yet in practice, such a contingency never arises.

As far as possible, naturopathy treats arteriosclerosis with remedies that restore some elasticity to the vessels. The blood pressure will thereby drop, for it previously had to rise because of constriction, with the lack of elasticity of the vessels compelling the heart to generate greater pressure to keep the circulation going. Of course, for arteriosclerosis we do not prescribe any medicines containing calcium. What we do indicate are arnica and Crataegus, as well as Viscum album, garlic perles, Arterioforce capsules and bear’s garlic tonic. These remedies have an excellent effect. At the same time care should be taken to minimise the salt and protein intake. One of the best foods for preventing hardening of the arteries, or helping to reduce an existing condition, is brown rice. For this reason, anyone with arteriosclerosis should eat brown rice several times a week; it can be served morning, noon or evening and prepared in various appetising ways. The blood pressure will then fall, because a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, together with plenty of brown rice, will gradually halt the disease and improve the condition.

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ARTERIOSCLEROSIS, CORONARY THROMBOSIS AND HEART ATTACKS

Raw vegetables and soft white cheese (quark) should supplement the rice diet. Be sure to eat fresh salads every day, preferably dressed with Molkosan (whey concentrate) and unrefined oils.

For their curative properties, include in your diet wheat germ oil or wheat germ oil capsules, Sojaforce and Kelpasan, as well as any foods that contain seaweed. However, keep off Kelpasan if your blood pressure is high.

Instead of any other favourite cheese, eat only mild white soft cheese (quark) or cottage cheese. If it is difficult to give up the old habit of eating meat, eat very little of it and infrequently. The same advice holds true for eggs, which should never be eaten hard-boiled.

For seasoning, use salt very sparingly, It is best to change over to sea salt and Herbamare herbal seasoning salt. It is of the utmost importance to provide the body with plenty of oxygen. So take long country walks at a good pace to stimulate deep breathing. If it is not possible to do this on a daily basis, at least use the weekend for that purpose. Instead of spending time in one’s favourite cafe, bar or restaurant, sitting in front of the television or behind the wheel of a car, get out and exercise your legs in the countryside, in the woods and through the meadows.

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THE IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE ARTERIES – INTRODUCTION

When I think about the enormous amount of traffic that passes incessantly over the highways leading to and from major cities such as New York or London, I must say that the expression ‘arterial roads’ indeed seems appropriate and justified. If for some reason those traffic arteries were paralysed, life in those large cities would soon come to a standstill. The importance of the ‘arterial roads’ in our bodies, the arteries, will only begin to dawn on us when we study them closely. Even the most attractive human body, with shapely limbs and perfect muscular build, will begin to deteriorate and degenerate, just as the gifted and trained brain will begin to fail, when the walls of the arteries thicken and harden and thus lose their elasticity.

Even the anatomical structure of the arteries tells us a great deal about their importance. Imagine a pipe made up of various layers, the inside being a smooth, elastic tube. This tube is covered with other layers that consist of elastic, or loose but tensile, connective tissue. The tube can withstand a pressure of about 20 atmospheres (1 atmosphere equals 14.72 pounds to the square inch).

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OUR ALL-IMPORTANT CIRCULATION – STIMULATING CIRCULATION

Every cell is a miniature factory and needs raw materials and fuel for its processes. Only if it is supplied with all it needs, on schedule, can it be expected to perform as reliably and marvellously as it does. Shortages of the required quantities and flaws in the quality of raw materials force the cells to find a make-shift solution. It is only under the most trying conditions that the cells look for shortcuts and thereby suffer in their performance. A case in point is seen when the body begins to build giant cells, known as cancer cells. Of course, the cell itself cannot be blamed for the defect, for it fights and resists desperately to the point where failure can no longer be avoided.

We must, therefore, ensure that the ‘mail trains’ of our arterial system can keep their schedules by stimulating circulation through exercise and proper breathing. Furthermore, we must see to it that all the necessary raw materials are provided in the right quantities and quality. Only then can the laboratories of our cells perform their wonderful work in harmony with the divine purpose and programme assigned to them. We can then reap the full benefits of the cells’ willing performance on our behalf.

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