Men And Food Allergies What’s Healthy and What’s Not Part1
Robert Walker

The Basics of Food Allergies In Men

Allergies affect the lives of millions of people around the world. Fresh flowers, a friends cat

or dog, even dust can make people itch, sneeze and scratch almost uncontrollably. But what about

that seemingly innocent peanut butter sandwich, glass of milk or fish fillet? Learn more about

food allergies and steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure to potentially dangerous

food allergens.

The Basics
Common Symptoms of Food Allergies
Most Common Food Allergens
Diagnosing Food Allergy
Treatment for Food Allergies
Other Resources
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The Basics
Each year more than 50 million Americans suffer from a variety of allergic diseases such as;

atopic dermatitis and other eczemas, hives, allergies to venom of stinging insects (honeybees,

wasps, and fire ants), allergic drug reactions and food allergies. According to the National

Institutes of Health, approximately 5 million Americans, (5 to 8% of children and 1 to 2% of adults) have a true food allergy.

Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance

Food allergy, also called food hypersensitivity,is a reaction of the bodys immune system to

something in a food or an ingredient in a food usually a protein. Food allergens are not broken

down by cooking or the digestive process. As a result, they enter the bloodstream and cause

allergic reactions throughout the body. Food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions.

Other reactions to foods are called food intolerances or food idiosyncrasies. Food intolerance is

an adverse reaction to a food substance or additive that does not involve the immune system.

These reactions are generally localized, temporary, and rarely life threatening. Lactose

intolerance is an example of food intolerance.

Note: It is very important for individuals who have true food allergies to identify them and

prevent allergic reactions to food because these reactions can cause serious illness and, in some

cases, be fatal.
Common Symptoms of Food Allergies
Symptoms of food allergy differ greatly among individuals. They can also differ in the same

person during different exposures. Allergic reactions to food can vary in severity, time of

onset, and may be affected by when the food was eaten.

Common symptoms may include: skin irritations such as rashes, hives and eczema, and

gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath can also result from food allergy.
Some individuals may experience a more severe reaction called anaphylaxis a rare but

potentially fatal condition which may include swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing,

lowered blood pressure and unconsciousness.
Symptoms usually appear rapidly, sometimes within minutes of exposure to the allergen.
Seek immediate medical attention standard emergency treatment often includes an injection of

epinephrine (adrenaline) to open up the airway and blood vessels.

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Most Common Food Allergens
The eight most common food allergens include:

Milk (including yogurt and ice cream, and anything that is made with milk)
eggs
peanuts
tree nuts (such as walnuts and almonds)
soy
wheat
fish
shellfish (such as shrimp, crayfish, lobster, and crab)
Note: These food allergens cause more than 90% of all food allergic reactions. However, many

other foods have been identified as allergens for some people.

Diagnosing Food Allergy
If you suspect you have a food allergy, get a medical evaluation. Treatment is basically avoiding

the food(s) after the specific food allergy is identified. You should see a board-certified

allergist to get a diagnosis, and a dietician to plan the proper diet.

Making a diagnosis may include a thorough medical history, analysis of a food diary, and several

tests including skin-prick tests, RAST tests (a blood test) and food challenges. Once a diagnosis

is complete, an allergist will help set up a response plan that may include taking medication by

injection to control allergic reactions.

Treatment for Food Allergies
Currently, there are no medications that cure food allergies. Strict avoidance is the only way to

prevent a reaction. Once the specific food has been identified, it must be removed from your

diet. It is important to read lengthy, detailed ingredient lists on each food you are considering

eating. The Food and Drug Administration requires ingredients in a food to appear on its label.

You can avoid most food allergens if you read food labels carefully, and avoid

restaurant-prepared food that might have ingredients to which you are allergic. Dont be shy

about asking for more information if the menu isnt clear.

Unfortunately, you cant take a medication in advance to reliably prevent an allergic reaction to

a specific food. However, there are several medications that will relieve food allergy symptoms

that are not part of an anaphylactic reaction. These include antihistamines to relieve

gastrointestinal symptoms, hives, or sneezing and a runny nose, and bronchodilators to relieve

asthma symptoms. These medications are taken after you have inadvertently ingested a food to

which you are allergic, but are not effective in preventing an allergic reaction when taken prior

to eating the food.

Note: Randomly taking different food groups out of your diet can cause other health problems.

Seek the help of a doctor before making significant changes in your diet.

Other Resources
This is just a brief overview. For more information, check out these resources:

Click Here http://todays-man-health-advocate.com

Food Allergies:
Websites*:

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
Asthma & Allergy Foundation
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
Food and Drug Administration
International Food Information Council
USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center

For More Man Health Information Benefits Click Here http://todays-man-health-advocate.com

Consumer Focus: The Basics of Food Allergies

Tips for Avoiding Food Allergies
Eight percent of children in the U.S. are estimated to be affected by food allergies, along with

up to 2% of adults. The eight most common food allergens milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy,

wheat, fish and shellfish cause more than 90 percent of all food allergic reactions. However,

many other foods have been identified as allergens for some people.

About the Author

Robert Walker is a health information marketer and writer that writes for
The Men’s Health Advantage Report at http://todays-man-health-advocate.com.

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How Healthy Is Your Lifestyle
Loring A. Windblad

Copyright 2004 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Compelling evidence shows that certain lifestyle behaviours can improve health, prevent premature death and may even prolong life. The problem is that people often drift along, continuing their unhealthy ways – maybe vowing to stop smoking or drink less “some day soon” – until a disease or health problem strikes and it may be too late to reverse the damage. Assessing your lifestyle and how it affects health before illness occurs is a wise precaution. (However, changing one’s lifestyle even after illness can sometimes improve health – for instance giving up cigarettes and exercising more after a heart attack.)
Why assess lifestyle risks?
Accumulating scientific evidence shows that a few simple lifestyle habits can directly improve health and decrease disease risks. Much disability and premature death from today’s foremost killers – heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, suicide and unintentional injuries – stem from everyday habits. Over half the premature deaths in North America are blamed on unhealthy behaviours such as cigarette smoking, insufficient exercise, excessive alcohol intake and a fat-laden diet. Only six per cent of premature deaths are considered avoidable through better medical care.
A California study has demonstrated that disease risks can be reduced by not smoking cigarettes, moderating alcohol use, eating breakfast, having regular physical activity, maintaining desirable weight, getting enough (7-8 hours) nightly sleep and having close social networks. The effect is cumulative: the greater the number of good lifestyle habits, the greater the chance of better health and a longer life. A recent Canadian study confirmed a lower chance of premature death by avoiding cigarette smoking, high blood pressure (related to obesity and insufficient exercise), adult-onset diabetes (due to obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise) and excess alcohol consumption. (However, some everyday influences are an unavoidable part of the environment, over which individuals have little control – such as air pollution or traffic noise.)
To evaluate your lifestyle, ask yourself a few key questions about everyday activities such as the amount of fat you eat, smoking and drinking habits – see checklist below – and evaluate which might be improving your health or perhaps damaging it. Consider seeking advice from a health professional about habits you wish to change.
Quick, easy computer programs help rate your lifestyle
To help people assess the health impact of various lifestyle activities, a new Computerized Lifestyle Assessment (CLA) program, developed by the Addiction Research Foundation and the University of Toronto, provides a practical, quick, confidential and easy method of evaluating lifestyle strengths and weaknesses. The computer program, which takes 20 minutes to run, asks detailed questions about 16 lifestyle activities, with graphic feedback along the way and a printed report at the end. Identification and feedback about risk activities that undermine health often lead people to improve their lifestyle and seek advice from a health professional. For details about the CLA program, call (416) 978-8989 or contact the publisher, Multi-Health Systems, at 1-800-268-6011.
The computer program asks questions about.
* substance abuse;
* health maintenance;
* preventive activities;
* social and intimate relationships;
* mental and emotional wellbeing.
The program feeds back information about:
* lifestyle strengths or activities to keep up
* areas of concern or factors that can threaten health
* risk areas requiring action to prevent disease
The final printout pinpoints health-harming behaviours, some of which may come as a surprise, others that may be known to the person who might be “thinking about” changing them. For example, a woman who thinks she leads a healthy life – doesn’t smoke, drink or take other drugs, eats a low-fat vegetarian diet and exercises three times a week – may have emotional problems stemming from poor social relationships and a perfectionist attitude. Or, a man who doesn’t smoke, drinks little alcohol and has good work and personal relationships may endanger his health by being overweight with the beginnings of diabetes, hypertension and a potential heart problem.
Curiously, computers sometimes elicit more personal information about sensitive lifestyle areas than a doctors interview. For instance, many people find it easier to report excess alcohol consumption to a computer than to a physician. Women, especially, seem more likely to confide alcohol, sexual and other problems to a computer than to a doctor. Computerized psychiatric histories sometimes spot problems missed by clinicians – such as suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression or phobias.
Adolescent and student lifestyles especially poor. One recent study found that seven out of 10 people questioned were particularly worried about nutrition and half were also concerned about physical inactivity. A study of Queen’s University students found that over 80 per cent fail to get regular medical/dental care, and over half consume excess alcohol and have poor management of work-leisure time.
Study results show student health problems with:
* Alcohol:
* Cannabis:
* Cigarettes:
* Stress:
* Inactivity:
* Weight:
* Sex:
* Condom use:
Adolescent eating habits can endanger health. Many adolescents receive inadequate nutrition due to poor diets, irregular eating habits and eating disorders that stem from the wish to conform to society’s idealization of thinness. “Weight control” techniques such as self-induced vomiting and diarrhea are widespread. A recent U.S. National Adolescent Health Survey found 61 per cent of adolescent females and 28 per cent of adolescent males were dieting, 51 per cent often fasted, 16 per cent used diet pills and 12 per cent practiced vomiting.
Teens had poor dietary practices because of:
* Excessive preoccupation with physical appearance;
* Western society’s obsession with thinness;
* Eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia.
Lifestyle habits can improve health:
* not smoking tobacco;
* maintaining desirable weight (avoiding obesity);
* good nutrition (following Canada’s Food Guide);
* exercising regularly and sufficiently (at least 30 minutes three times a week);
* getting enough sound nightly sleep (7-8 hours);
* avoiding accidental injuries by taking safety measures (such as seatbelts and helmets);
* practicing motor vehicle safety;
* moderating alcohol use;
* avoiding other recreational drugs;
* getting regular dental care and medical check-ups as advised;
* fostering family, work and social networks;
* having safe and satisfying sexual relationships;
* avoiding or learning how to cope with excess stress;
* enjoining sufficient leisure-time activities and relaxation;
* getting any needed therapy for mental problems.
Lifestyle changes occur in five stages
Stage 1: Pre-contemplation – the health risk of a particular life-style activity is (largely) unrecognized, denied or trivialized.
Stage 2: Contemplation – admitting to a health risk and thinking about making a change “some day.
Stage 3: Preparation – motivated and ready for change “soon”, planning how and what to do, often setting an actual date.
Stage 4: Action – active steps to change behaviour – e.g., giving up cigarettes, walking to work instead of driving, drinking less – setting a specific schedule and definite goals.
Stage 5: Maintenance – long-term change achieved and kept up.
Just asking can make a difference. Surveys show that many people expect physicians or nurses to ask about and give advice or information regarding health. Given the chance, many people would like to discuss lifestyle concerns such as nutrition, obesity, alcohol,other drug use, family conflicts, elderly relatives, sexual problems and chronic pain – but often hesitate to do so unless asked.

About the Author

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer. Junes and Lorings latest business endeavors are at
http://www.organicgreens.us
http://junedawn.younglivingworld.com

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Healthy supplements make diet pills obsolete!
Armand Dupuis

Diet Pills

Taking diet pills is definitely not an effective weight loss strategy, because as soon as you stop taking them, all the weight you lost will return with a vengeance, because…

Most diet pills are nothing more than drugs which act as appetite suppressants, and the side effects can be devastating or even deadly so it’s not a good way to lose fat.

Most of them will usually act as effective appetite suppressants, which means that you won’t be hungry and will stop eating. Of course you are going to lose some weight, but…

When you are not eating, you are on a starvation diet, and your body responds by slowing down your metabolism, because it is being deprived of essential nutrients which it needs to survive.

Eventually, you have to stop taking the pills or you’ll die. When you do stop, your hunger will return with a vengeance, because your body is trying to replace the nutrients it’s been lacking, and just look at the…

Side Effects of Diet Pills

Many of these diet pills are addictive and some of the side effects are high blood pressure, liver irritation, headaches, dizziness, sexual difficulties, increased heart rate, diarrhea, and even death, plus…

Guaranteed, you’ll regain all the weight you lost and then some, because now your metabolism is much slower than before, so in other words…

Diet pills make you gain weight in the long run, and also, just look at the harm to your body from both the starvation and the side effects.

That’s too high a price to pay for temporary weight loss. Instead…

Replace Diet Pills with Supplements
For healthy weight loss!

Healthy supplements are much better than diet pills for healthy weight loss. Also, supplements make a safe appetite suppressant without slowing down your metabolism, and… Make Diet Pills Obsolete!

People take diet pills in order to stop eating, but eating is required for survival. The reality is that you need to stop eating the junk foods, however…

That’s a lot easier said than done, as you are craving food because your body is asking you for nutrients which is not in the food you’re eating. The reality is that…

You can never satisfy your cravings, without giving your body “what it is craving”.

Healthy Supplements Satisfies Your Cravings

When you take the right kind of supplements, your body becomes more nutritionally satisfied, which greatly decreases your cravings, so you’ll lose some fat, without slowing down your metabolism, and you won’t regain all the weight you’ve lost.

But here’s the problem…

Not all Supplements are Created Equal

In order for your supplements to be an effective appetite suppressant, you need to take only “Quality Supplements” that your body can actually absorb, because…

When you take most vitamin and mineral supplements for example, it’s common knowledge that your body will only absorb about 4 to 5% of the nutrients in them.

It doesn’t seem to matter if you buy your supplements from a drugstore, a health food store, or if they are prescribed by a doctor.

What’s the point in spending money for supplements, if your body can’t absorb them, or if the nutrients you body is lacking is not in them to begin with?

Most people take lots of supplements, but they are still craving food all the time, and that means…

The supplements which you are taking are not making you nutritionally satisfied; otherwise you wouldn’t have all those cravings and keep gaining fat.

Breakthrough Super Supplements

In the Slim and America Weight-Loss Project, we only recommend supplements which are absorbed by the body, otherwise what’s the use?

Over the years we’ve come across a variety of different supplements which will affect different body functions, and just recently, we’ve come across a line of super supplements which act as effective appetite suppressants, because…

They are being fully absorbed by the body, and therefore making the body more nutritionally satisfied, otherwise, the cravings would remain.

Not only are our students who are taking these supplements eating a lot less, but they are also reporting a lot more energy, and a lot more stamina to get through the day.

The net result is…

Faster weight loss

Faster and safer weight-loss results are now possible without slowing down your metabolism, so that more effective fat burning takes place 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Weight loss that stays off!

Everybody is different, so the trick is for you to find the supplements which will give you the best results. Today there are many supplement manufacturers who have top quality products, however…

There are many others, who make misleading claims for products that are not only totally useless, but some can also be very dangerous to your health, so how can you know for sure what’s best for you?

The answer is simple: if the products solve your problem, “Great”, if not, they’re a waste of money and you should get your money back.

If you take a good comprehensive general supplement and are eating at least reasonably healthy, you’ll become more nutritionally satisfied and it should take a lot of your food cravings away, otherwise you are not absorbing them and they are a waste of your hard earned money.

Becoming more nutritionally satisfied is the only way to get rid of food cravings in order to lose weight permanently.

Diet pills on the other hand, work exactly the opposite and slows down your metabolism 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so…

Only a natural weight loss system together with healthy and effective diet supplements is the answer to staying permanently slim, fit, and healthy.

Isn’t your health your greatest asset?

Not only is losing weight in a healthy way, “real easy” once you know how, but more importantly…

The weight stays off!!!

What’s the point in losing and regaining the same 20 or 30 lbs. over and over again? That’s what happens when you slow down your metabolism by taking diet pills, instead of losing the fat the right way to begin with,.

Why Not Lose It 4 Life

Only by following a safe and easy system like the Slim America weight-loss program, will you be able to burn the fat much faster, and lose the weight for the rest of your life, so diet pills are just not an option.

About the Author

Armand Dupuis is a Personal Trainer, Lecturer, Teacher, & Permanent Weight Loss Specialist, who has been a Serious Researcher into Human Consciousness for 5 Decades.

Mr. Dupuis has presently specialized his Teachings, into a powerful permanent and “free” Weight Loss System, and Information is available on his Web Site.
http://www.slimamericaweightlossproject.com/ga

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The major complaint of those who use the Atkins diet is the intestinal problems that are associated with reducing carbohydrates. These problems can include constipation and diarrhea. These symptoms can happen to anybody at some point, but those who follow a low-carb diet are especially prone.

Most commonly dieters will experience diarrhea during the early days of induction. This is a result of the body getting rid of excess carbohydrates. It also marks the beginning of the ketosis process. So in actuality, experiencing diarrhea at the beginning of the diet is a good thing. It indicates that you are on the road to becoming a fat burning machine.

Constipation is a side effect of lack of fiber in the low carb diet. Whole grains, legumes and fruit are the normal sources of dietary fiber, and they are all restricted on the Atkins diets initial phases.

However, you shouldnt be scared off from the low-carb way of life because of these issues. There are simple solutions that can prevent and help with these symptoms and allow you to continue with staying on the diet plan.

The first tip is to make sure to include the proper amount of low-carb vegetables in your daily diet. In the induction phase, you can eat up to 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. This is roughly equal to 3 cups of salad vegetables. Some people are tempted to use their carbohydrate grams on cheese or artificially sweetened soda. Eating acceptable vegetables is a vital part of maintaining intestinal health while following the Atkins plan. Its also important to drink a minimum of 8 eight-ounce glasses of water per day and get exercise. Both of these steps can help with intestinal programs.

If you are experiencing constipation specifically, then there are many methods for relief. When you switch from a diet full of processed and refined sugar products, your body will need some time to adjust to this new way of eating. Youll need to make sure to up your fiber intake with acceptable vegetables and fruits (certain fruits are allowed after the initial induction phase). You can also try a fiber supplement like sugar-free Metamucil.

Make sure you are eating enough fats and oils. Constipation can be a result of too little fat in your diet. Adding tablespoon of olive oil or flax oil to salads or other vegetables can help your intestinal health. Also, try to incorporate a variety of vegetables in your salad. Pale iceberg lettuce does not have much fiber in it. Try dark green lettuces or have a serving of dark green steamed veggies (broccoli, asparagus or spinach are good choices).

If these tips dont work, try cutting out all salt from your diet for a couple of days. This includes pickles, mustard, diet soda, ham, bacon and bottled salad dressing. This will decrease your fluid retention and sometimes helps with bowel movements.

Diarrhea should not be a problem after the first week of the Induction plan. However, on rare occasion, it does persist longer. First, analyze your diet. If you are eating low carb protein bars or other sugar free products, eliminate them. They may contain sweeteners like glycerine, sorbitol and malitol which are known to cause diarrhea and gas. Homemade low carb desserts may also be a cause of problems. Most of them use maltodextrin, an artificial sweetener used in baking. Maltodextrin is made from corn and can cause problems for some people.

If you are not used to eating raw vegetables everyday, this may be a cause of diarrhea. Understand that your body will adjust to the vegetables and the intestinal side effects wont last forever. Make sure you are chewing your raw vegetables thoroughly. Also, using lightly steamed vegetables rather than raw can be a solution to this problem.

Intestinal problems are common during the first portion of the Atkins diet. Keep in mind, however, that these problems will go away within the first few weeks of the new way of eating. If the problems persist, try the previously mentioned tips to get relief.

Tags: Atkins, Atkins Diet, constipation;, diarrhea;, Eating Habits, flax oil;, Fruits And Vegetables, Healthy Diet, ketosis;, Low Carb Diet, olive oil;, processed and refined sugar products;, sorbitol, sugar free products; —