Caffeine; is it harmful?

Caffeine today is considered the most commonly used mind-altering drug in the world. Some of its benefits include: the ability to make you more alert, improved concentration, enhanced mood and a boost in your energy.

So what's the harm?

Medical experts say that while moderate caffeine intake (200 to 300 milligrams, or about two to four cups of brewed coffee a day) isn't likely to cause harm, too much can noticeably affect your health.

According to staff at the Mayo Clinic, heavy daily caffeine use—more than 500 to 600 mg a day, or about four to seven cups of coffee—can cause the following negative side effects.

Negative Effects of Too Much Caffeine

• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Nausea or other gastrointestinal problems
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Muscle tremors
• Headaches
• Anxiety

Additionally, it can cause frequent urination, dehydration, jittery hands, and increased anxiety and panic attacks.

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Wellness Training

Revenues for the industry held at $23.8 billion in 2009, only off 2008’s pace by 1.5 percent. When you consider the recession, the high unemployment rate and the massive numbers of foreclosures and loan defaults, that’s not a horrible statistic, according to industry expert (www.slimandfit.com) and former 8 Minute Abs guru Jaime Brenkus. In fact, he even knows why the industry is reasonably healthy amid a weak and floundering economy.

“It’s called wellness,” Brenkus said. “The industry, as a whole, is shifting its focus from just getting well-defined and fit toward the more general concept of wellness. As people are losing jobs and losing health benefits, they are realizing it is much less expensive to invest in their wellness than it is to pay for doctor visits when they get sick. If people are fit and healthy, they are far less prone to succumb to whatever bug is going around. That’s money in the bank for a lot of people, and they get to enjoy a better quality of life, as well.”

Brenkus understands that paradigm well, as he is also behind a chain of health clubs called Slim & Fit, which has combined the functions of personal training with the weight loss counseling and meals usually associated with outfits like Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. Brenkus is currently expanding into new markets around the country, and is already seeing the difference in the members who join.

“With a lot of people, they’ll join a gym, and go religiously for a few weeks, and then disappear, and they never get the value out of their membership,” he said. “Our members have a high usage rate, because we’re not just about making them fit with a personal training program, but we’re also about making them fit with our diet program. We’re trying to deliver wellness, not just muscles, and that’s the trend that kept the industry from tanking during the recession.”

Brenkus also thinks that there is another non-traditional health club clientele that could benefit from exercise and diet counseling -- children.

For more, visit: www.FloridaSpaGirls.com

Worst cities to live in for our skin

Are you having troubled skin? TotalBeauty looked at pollution levels, sunshine, humidity averages, skin cancer, smoking rates and even tanning salons per capita to determine which US cities could be disastrous for your skin. 

Portland, Maine, came in #13 thanks to skin cancer and  smoking rates, and there are 25 tanning salons for every 100,000 people. Tanning beds have been known to aggressively speed up your skin's aging process. Number 12 is Tacoma, Washington. According to TotalBeauty, you may want to avoid Tacoma, like the plague, because along with 21 tanning salons per capita and a high incidence of skin cancer, according to the Center for Disease Control, it's the most stressed out cit in our country. Stress raises your level of cortisol, which can affect oil glands and acne.

Macon, GA, is number 11 on the list. "Macon ma be the Heart of Georgia," but it's residents might want to run to the borders for the sake of their pores." macon is one of the most humid cities in the country. Your skin needs some humidity to prevent it from dehydrating, but too much can trigger breakouts. When you sweat, it mixes with oil and dirt which can clog pores and cause breakouts. 

Number 10 is Tampa, FL, with our above-average sunshine, tropical humidity levels and a smoking rate of 23.4 percent (the national average is about 20 percent). No excuse for UV worshipping. Say it ain't so, Kansas City, Missouri is number 9 on the skin care worst city list. Missouri has one of the highest levels of skin cancer in the country, more than one quarter of the residents smoke. Heavy pollution an 81 percent average humidity aren't helping complexions either. Smoking is the quickest way to age the skin. It prevent oxygen from reaching the skin, restricts blood vessels and triggers mmp1, the enzyme that destroys collagen. Collagen loss means looser skin tone and sagging skin. 

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10 Fun ways to live longer

Top 10 Fun ways to Live Longer

We've all come across advise (tips, techniques, etc) to live longer, or healthier, we know we should exercise, that we should cut out trans fats, eat healthier and so on but here are the Top 10 FUN ways to live longer. Enjoy! Remember, everything in moderation.

1. Drink Red Wine (over 21 please) Red wine contains resveratrol an antioxidant. These work to protect the body against the effects of aging. One or two glasses of red wine a day can help keep your body young.

2. Eat Dark Chocolate. Dark chocolate also contains antioxidants that protect the body from aging. Find a good quality dark chocolate and eat a little bit each day. It is recommended two ounces, so don't overdue it. Eating chocolate may lower your blood pressure and cholesterol while providing an energy boost. 

3. Smile! Smiling is a great way to change your attitude, connect with people and give benefit to your body. Like relaxation, smiling can work to counteract the effects of some stress. When smiling we actually trick our body into believing that everything is good, thereby reducing stress. Like a switch, smiling can actually change your mood. 

4. Have more sex. (also for consenting adults) Sex and touching are thought to be essential parts of health. Sex releases and assortment of beneficial chemicals in the body. Intimacy helps us bond with someone special, strengthens relationships and increases our own self-worth. Frequent sex may event extend your life by years.

5. Relaxation- while stress brings harmful health effects, relaxation helps our bodies to rest, heal and function better. By practicing daily relaxation techniques, you can train yourself to turn off your stress and replace it with calm energy. this will improve your blood pressure, heart  rate and ability to cope with life's challenges.

6. Make Exercise Play - Physical games and sports are a great way to keep both your body and mind healthy! Simple exercise routines are great for maintaining balance, flexibility, endurance and strength. Group games and sports can give your mind a workout as well as you anticipate other people's actions and how to work together. 

7. Sleep, an essential body function. Most Americans don't get enough sleep. The body needs sleep to regenerate itself, renew and rejuvenate. The health benefits of sleep include more energy and better immune function to name a few.

8. Spend time with loved ones. Most people may not realize it, but relationships are an important aspect of their health, mentally and physically. Not only do strong bonds with people mean you will have help when you need it, being connected also means protection from loneliness, depression and mental illness. 

9. Solve puzzles. Mind games are a great way to stay involved and engaged in the world. Games can exercise different parts of your mind and entice your curiosity. If possible, choose social games like chess or bridge that exercise your brain while keeping you connected with others. 

10. Be positive. Having a positive attitude about aging can add more than seven years to you life, according to researchers. Find ways to have pleasure in your increasing age and enjoy learning. 

(modified, from Mark Stibich, Ph.D., About.com)

Antioxidants, surprises

Chocolate lovers you are going to love this! Researchers a the University of Oslo wanted to know which foods have the highest concentration of antioxidants, the natural chemicals in food that make us healthy and prevent disease. They tested 1,113 common foods and drinks.

The most surprising? Chocolate ice cream rated higher than fruits like honeydew and green grapes! Here are the best 10 foods to eat to "anti" up:

1. Blackberries, 1 cup

2. Walnuts, 1 ounce

3. Strawberries, 1 c

4. Artichoke hearts, 1 c

5. Cranberries, 1 c

6. Brewed coffee, 8 ounces

7. Raspberries, 1 c

8. Pecans, 1 ounce

9. Blueberries, 1 c

10. Ground cloves, 1 teaspoon

originally published in Fitness magazine, November 2006.