Diet and Nutrition for perfect Healthy weight

March 17, 2015

Diet and Nutrition for perfect Healthy weight: The impact of good lifestyle

Diet and Nutrition for perfect Healthy weight is the best foundation we can lay for our future generations

At the mention of the word diet this day’s people often switch their minds to weigh loss. And so I ask does the word diet make you think of an unpleasant weight-loss regimen? If your answer is yes, then you are not alone. It has been made so and even the institutions producing food products use this term diet in their marketing strategies like for instance diet soda and many more. Even though this is what is in the market circle diet and nutrition for perfect healthy weight is completely something different. Diet actually refers to the food and drink a person takes daily and the mental and physical circumstances connected to eating. It can be defined further as the act or process of nourishing or being nourished. When this happens effectively then the public notion of diet will change and people will apply diet as it should be. It therefore means that food involves many different things, including love, satisfaction, and enjoyment.

Nutrition involves more than simply eating a good diet. It is about nourishment on every level. It involves relationships with family, friends, nature (the environment), our bodies, our community and the world. Choices about nourishment are very much linked to other human beings and other life forms on this planet, so healthy and unhealthy decisions have great impact not just on your weight but also in your general health.

Diet and Nutrition for perfect Healthy weight: How Does Diet Impact on your weight and Health?

It goes without doubt that diet and nutrition are very instrumental to our wellbeing. And it is also true that the trends of diets and nutrition keep changing almost on a daily basis. Yet amidst all the changes, study after study indicates that good food choices have a positive impact on health, and poor diets have negative long-term effects including being overweight. It is therefore very important that we have certain facts right as follows:

It is important to appreciate that a healthy diet gives your body the nutrients it needs for the general body functionalities like to perform physical activities, maintain wellness, and fight disease. That means that people whose dietary patterns include fresh, whole foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meats, and fish have a reduced risk of contracting major chronic disease which are associated with being overweight or poor nutrition.
Unfortunately, the standard food consumed by many people today is rich in saturated fats, partially-hydrogenated oils, refined carbohydrates, and highly processed foods. Does this describe the content of your refrigerator?
This diet, in combination with a sedentary lifestyle, large portion sizes, and high stress, is blamed for the increase in obesity and associated diseases not just in the U.S but across the globe. (Research according to the Center for Disease Control indicates that in U.S alone over a third of the adult population is obese). This translate to this population being vulnerable to all the diseases which are associated with being overweight or obese like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and certain cancers, including breast cancer in women.

Doctor Akoury says that what we eat and how we eat is crucial to our health. Good food will acts as medicine to maintain good health as well as preventing and offering treatment to various diseases. You may not understand how this can be possible. If this is your concern, then you are at the right place and with the correct professional. You can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today to get the insight of healthy living through good diet and nutrition for perfect healthy weight.

Diet and Nutrition for perfect Healthy weight: Eating too much or too little

In the meantime obesity is increasing rapidly and as indicated above, being obese or overweight is associated with several chronic and life threatening diseases. Even with this increase in overweight, things are not getting better either because eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia (binge eating and purging), and binge-eating disorder, are also on the rise. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, in the United States alone, 20 million women and 10 million men have suffered from an eating disorder at some time in their lives. These disorders are significant threats to health and are often chronic. It is not a very good practice to be overweight at the same time suffer from an eating disorder. If this describes your situation, then you need not to get discouraged. You are not the only one in this situation. You can still get help if you seek for that with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of Doctor Akoury’s care today.

Diet and Nutrition for perfect Healthy weight: Nourishing ourselves

The increase in both eating disorders and obesity dramatically demonstrate that diet is not just about giving your body sustenance. Nourishing yourself engages every aspect of your being physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual. When any of these aspects are unbalanced, eating behaviors can suffer. Therefore a good nutrition will involves our relationships with family, friends, community, the environment, and the world. We need to make decisions about what and how we eat that foster not only our health and wellbeing, but the health of those around us and of our planet and environment.

Diet and Nutrition for perfect Healthy weight: What Experts Recommend for Healthy Eating

For a good diet to be observed, the following practices must be incorporated. Eat food, don’t eat too much and most of your food should be plants. This may sound very traditional and out of class as the current generation may put it, but it is the best approach. This approach will include choosing whole grains, eating lean protein like fish and chicken instead of red meat, drinking plenty of water, using healthy oils, and filling almost half your plate with healthy produce. If you can adopt this approach together with the following guidelines, then your road to good health will be up and straight:

Know your healthy body weight range, and eat and live to maintain (or achieve) it.
Combine healthy eating with physical activity.
Use the dietary guidelines, including recommendations for alcohol consumption, as an outline to help steer you toward the right foods and day-to-day proportions of foods.
Drink a significant amount of water (up to 2 quarts) per day.
Pay attention to when, why, and where you eat. When you start to notice unhealthy patterns, you will be better able to change them.

Finally ensure that you involve the experts all the way so that mistakes can be avoided before they become huge mountains to climb. Doctor Akoury will be waiting to receiving you at her office in AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center any time any day. She is just a phone call away and your concerns will be professionally addressed.

Diet and Nutrition for perfect Healthy weight: The impact of good lifestyle

Foods That Help Boost Serotonin Level

March 17, 2015

Foods That Raise Serotonin Level

Serotonin is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin helps in regulation of mood and sleep. According to recent research findings, when the level of serotonin is below optimum it can cause increased incidences of aggressive behavior. Low serotonin levels have also been linked to anxiety and depression. If the recent research findings have to be believed which of course they are, then low serotonin levels are dangerous as it may lead to suicidal acts. In terms of dieting, making sure you’re not serotonin deficient is vital because serotonin triggers satiety after eating. Depressed serotonin levels is the likely reason why the vast majority of people cannot stay on a very low carbohydrate diet for the long term without feeling an unavoidable need to binge which may lead to more complex disorders. In the brain the production of neurotransmitter happens naturally without intervention of any other drug, however when you have used the drugs of abuse for some time they will lead to depletion in the levels of the brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. This therefore means that for healthy levels of serotonin to be achieved after use of drugs, there is need for replenishing and supplementing serotonin through diet. There are foods that are very helpful in raising the levels of serotonin . Here are some of them.

Serotonin

Fresh Vegetables

Fresh vegetables work in myriad ways to ensure good health. the greens are rich in various minerals and vitamins that go along way in boosting the levels of serotonin. some of the fresh vegetables that are actually beneficial in increasing the level of serotonin include Spinach which contains a substantial dose of folic acid. it is also a wonderful source of the mineral magnesium, a natural anxiety combatant. Without enough magnesium in your diet, you may find it hard to concentrate in addition to being fatigued and irritable. other foods that are rich in magnesium and hence helpful in boosting levels of serotonin include; cacao, seaweed, bananas, orange, tree nuts, peanuts, whole grains, corn, cheese, eggs, milk, and white fish.

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruits are rich in nutritional content. The fresh fruits are rich in vitamins that serve the purpose of rejuvenating the body and giving it a healing approach as well as protecting the body and restoring crucial neurotransmitters like the serotonin which therefore helps in ensuring good moods. fruits are rich in B3 vitamins. these fruits may include watermelon, peaches, bananas, cantaloupe, and avocado. Generally, the B vitamins are very essential in restoration of neurotransmitters especially after a period of long term use of drugs of pleasure that are known to disrupt the functions of the neurotransmitters.

Apples

An apple a day keeps the devil away is a common adage. The health benefits of apples are many and this explains why it is always recommended for patients. A compound found in apples called “quercetin’ is an antioxidant that studies have shown may not only help in the prevention of cancer but may also play an important role in the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders. the medicinal abilities of this compound is confounding. It also helps in boosting serotonin as well as dopamine levels.

Herbs that Boost Serotonin Levels:

St. John’s wort -St. John’s wort is effective against mild to moderate depression, alleviates anxiety, insomnia, and irritability and eases pain. It increases the level of serotonin in the brain as well.

Dandelion– This herb is widely used in Europe as an excellent liver detoxifier and mild diuretic. It increases the flow of bile and encourages both the transformation and transportation of nutrients. It has been used historically to treat liver disorders, arthritis and gout. In the addict it will ease the transportation of nutrients in the body and restore energy in the cells as well as boost the level of serotonin.

Cannabis- though known for all the wrong reasons, cannabis has very high medicinal content, however it is highly addictive and that dictates that it be used in moderation as unregulated use can cause addiction. It works in a way that it increases the levels of excitatory neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.

Burdock– burdock has been used to treat other conditions ranging from arthritis to diabetes to hair loss, and it’s an active ingredient in some cancer treatments this herb is also good in resoring the levels of serotonin.

Ginseng– contrary to what many people believe , ginseng does not only increase the level of serotonin in the body but also works in rejuvenating, restorative, boosts energy and vitality and is tonic to the brain. Ginseng is often prescribed for patients fighting depression which is a common symptom of withdrawal from drug use. This herb is a better therapy for those who are under physical, emotional, mental or spiritual stress as it is a very strong antidepressant and adaptogenic. Ginseng promotes strong nerves, sound sleep, improves memory, clear thinking and enhances concentration.

Use of drugs for along time causes damage to the neurotransmitters. apart from the foods and the herbs, you can also increase the level of serotonin by sunlight. Bright light increases the production of Serotonin in the body. Basking in the sunlight can absolutely improve your mood and also soothe muscle aches. It is good to note that by increasing the level of serotonin in your body, you are setting good grounds for addiction treatment and recovery. However, these problems need to be treated effectively through integrative medicine. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an expert at this. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Foods That Raise Serotonin Level

IV Niacin Is a Safe Treatment for Addiction

March 16, 2015

IV Niacin Is a Safe Treatment for Addiction

Niacin also known as vitamin B3 has been used for a long time for treating myriads of diseases. However, the Niacin therapy has been used mostly for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, most of us have never heard of the potential emotional benefits of Niacin. Though the reason for secrecy surrounding vitamin therapy has a complicated and deep-rooted past, a simple explanation is that natural remedies are not supported by the U.S medical field and so this is a reason why the niacin therapy for treatment of addiction especially the withdrawal symptoms are not welcomed or well known in the United States. To many people living in the United States the only thing they know about niacin is that; having enough niacin or vitamin B3, in the body is important for general good health. As a treatment, higher amounts of niacin can improve cholesterol levels and lower cardiovascular risks. They only relate niacin to improvement of cholesterol levels hence mitigating on the effects of lower cholesterol levels. That is the bit that is known by many people around the world but the truth is there is more to niacin or vitamin B3 than just improvement of the cholesterol levels in the body. Researchers have found out that intravenous niacin can be used for treatment of addiction related complications such as depression and anxiety that are common withdrawal symptoms of many drugs.

History of Niacin use in fighting depression and anxiety

IV Niacin Depression and anxiety are some of the most severe symptoms that most addicts have to grapple with. It is because of depression that most addicts find it hard to quit using their drugs of abuse. Whenever an addict tries to stop using the drugs they will face depression and this will make them sink in to drug use to find escapade. History has proved that niacin is effective in fighting depression. The founder of AA, Bill Wilson who had been struggling with chronic depression found relief when he become a part of a study which involved use of niacin as a cure for depression. The study was led by psychiatrists Humphrey Osmond and Abram Hoffer. It was done in the late fifties and that success marked a good publicity for the use of niacin in treatment of depression. After his success, Bill gave niacin use unwavering support and published many articles detailing his experiences with depression and how he got cure in niacin. These can be found in his book titled “Pass it on”.

Despite this success in the fifties there has been few prescription of niacin to patients, this owing to the myth that niacin use is dangerous catapulted by patients had taken the Niacin to clear their system of Cocaine in order to pass drug tests but instead experienced serious reactions with higher doses of the niacin. In spite of all this, a handful of enlightened doctors have been using niacin to treat their patients suffering from chronic depression. It is quite unfortunate that even with proven effectiveness in treatment of chronic depression and other illnesses the use of vitamin therapy places doctors at a risk since in the United Sates prescribing a nutritional therapy or vitamin therapy is against the law.

Treating Drug withdrawal symptoms; Depression and Anxiety Naturally

Niacin not only treats depression, but has also been shown to aid with sleeping problems, addiction, arthritis, schizophrenia, and high cholesterol. When a person has been using the drugs of pleasure for a long time they affect the balance of the brain chemicals. In most cases long term use of drugs causes depletion of niacin and its deficiency is first evident in brain-related symptoms of poor concentration, difficulty focusing, and attention deficit disorders. Niacin contains NAD which is important for energy production, so shortage of niacin leads to energy shortage which if lasts long enough, brain neurons cannot synthesize neurotransmitters. When this occurs, the molecules of consciousness such as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline are affected. Anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and other mood changes can then arise. These are not good for addicts as they may trigger them to use drugs as escapade. Therefore having an IV niacin therapy will help in supplementing NAD in the body. This will not only increase the production of energy but will also increase the level of NADH which is critical for enzymatic action. The IV Niacin goes straight to receptors in the brain and so is not digested in the stomach. NAD is also metabolic co-enzyme and is charged with the important job of structuring, repairing, and remodeling every cell in the body that are destroyed by the long term drug use.

Depression and anxiety are not the only problems associated with drugs but are some of the most severe effects of long term drug use and so should be taken seriously. Niacin therapy helps with treatment of depression induced by drug addiction however be sure to find help from a qualified medical doctor.

And finally, we at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to finding the best treatment for addicts. We have qualified doctors who will see to it that every addict is helped to break the bond of addiction and enjoy life of freedom. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is committed to availing help to every patient. Call on her at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

IV Niacin Is a Safe Treatment for Addiction

Effects of Cannabis Deregulation on College Students

March 16, 2015

Effects of Cannabis Deregulation on College Students

Scientifically Cannabis sativa popularly known by many titles such as weed, marijuana among others, has always been a drug that is accessible to many youths in spite of harsh laws that regulate its use in given countries. In most countries the use of this drug is prohibited and if you are unlucky to be caught you will serve a jail term longer enough to make you regret knowing it in the first place. Despite the stringent rules that have outlawed the use of this drug in many countries it has remained one of the highly abused drugs especially by college students and teens who are out of school.

Marijuana is currently an outlawed drug in most countries but it does not defy the saying that every dark cloud has a silver lining, it also has good effects that were once valued- this drug being rich in THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is one of the most active ingredient in cannabis that has medicinal qualities, due to its high content in this medicinal content, many researchers have opined that marijuana can be used in treatment of many diseases including cancer. However owing to the fact that it is a highly addictive drug that is prone to be abused it has attracted the attentions for all the wrong reasons making it outlawed in many parts of the world.

The use of cannabis is common despite the strict laws in fact it is on the rise among college students, thanks to its hallucinatory effects that has made it a darling to many students. Most college students begin using this drug without even knowing all the side effects that it is always associated with. Due to peer pressure and a need to belong some students also begin using this drug since some of their friends are using it. in the long run the number of college students affected grows and by the time they become aware of the dangerous effects of using cannabis they are have already become addicted to the drug so much that it can’t be easily stopped. This leads to a situation where college students become adversely affected with the drug so much that they cannot effectively study.

Cannabis and students

The use of cocaine on the rise among students

According to an article published on Michigan University News on Sept/8/2014; the use of illicit drugs has been rising at an alarming rate among American college students since 2006 when only 34 per cent indicated that they had used some illicit drugs in years prior to 2006. By 2013 the rate of those who indicated to have used illicit drugs had heightened by 39 per cent. The report also stated that marijuana is one of the drugs that are highly abused by college students. This study was done by University of Michigan scientists who conduct the nationwide Monitoring the Future study.

The report states that the use of marijuana is on the rise while that of other drugs of leisure is declining and this can be attributed to availability of this drug and affordability in comparison to such drugs as cocaine and heroin. According to this study, Daily marijuana use is now at the highest rate among college students in more than three decades. 51 percent of all full-time college students currently have used an illicit drug at some time in their lives; roughly four in 10 have used one or more such drugs in just the 12 months preceding the survey.

The results are based on a nationally representative sample of some 1,100 students enrolled full time in a 2- or 4-year college in spring 2013. The survey is part of the long-term MTF study, which also tracks substance use among the nation’s secondary students and older adults under research grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The study showed that marijuana has remained the most widely used illicit drug over the 34 years that MTF has tracked substance use by college students, but the level of use has varied considerably over time. In 2006, 30 percent of the nation’s college students said they used marijuana in the prior 12 months, whereas in 2013 nearly 36 percent indicated doing so. This shows how marijuana use in colleges is rising despite the fact that it is still regulated. The question is what will happen if it is deregulated.

If marijuana would be deregulated today, the students will begin using it like some sort of over the counter drugs, without fear of authorities and deregulation in itself may sound as an approval by the state on the positive effects of the drug hence many students will use it.

Cannabis

These are some of the problems that the students will face

Inconsistence in performance- consuming alcohol doesn’t end with blowing the smoke in the air; its effects are far more than the euphoric effects that an individual may get from using the drug. When used for a long time it will result in anxiety which will not enable the student to study and perform well in exams and being that it will be unregulated the dosage may hike to a dangerous limit that over a time may cause cognitive malfunctions.

Depression- this is a threat that most people using cannabis have to face. Depression is not good for a student as it alienates him from his studies and even lecturers it may graduate to other serious problems.

Addiction to marijuana is a serious concern that needs to be duly addressed. Here at AWAREmed we are dedicated to offer the best treatment available to addicts. Contact Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) for more help in any kind of addiction you may be wrestling with.

Effects of Cannabis Deregulation on College Students

Motivational Interview So Important In Addiction Treatment

March 15, 2015

Crucial Stages of Motivational Interview as Part of Addiction Treatment

Addiction is a multifaceted issue that also needs to be given a multifaceted approach in treatment without which treating addiction will be a fallacy. There is required input and cooperation of the patient 100 percent. He has to have the will to quit using the drugs he is using; you can never force an addict to quit using a drug he has become addicted to. It also needs patience of both the doctor and the patient so that the addict will be able to completely recover from all the adverse effects of addiction especially during withdrawal. One of the ways through which an urge to quit using drugs can be imparted into an addict is through motivational interview. Motivational interview is often referred to as motivational therapy and us done by a motivational therapist. The main aim of the motivational therapist is to help the patient see the side effects that he is suffering as a result of the use of the abusive drug and help create a desire to quit using the drug in the addict. He will not try to victimize the addict or to oppose his views but uses the power of empathy to instill the desire to quit the use of the abusive drug into the addict.

Motivational Interview

For any motivational interview to be effective there is need of full cooperation from the addict. There is also need of input of an experienced motivational therapist to place the will to change from the use of drug abuse into the mind of the addict. The addict is the center of focus in motivational interview, he is the one who has to make the decision of whether to quit using the drugs or not. The motivational therapist is just there to help him make this decision by giving him a better option in quitting but he can’t decide for the addict, the addict has to own the decision to quit and that is when he is bound to succeed. In a journalistic point of view it appears that both the addict and the therapists are very crucial parties to this type of treatment because as much as the therapist may be good at his work. He may bear initial fruits in planting the desire to quit using the drugs in the mind of the addict but the addict must make the step of quitting the use of the drug.

Here are some crucial stages that the addict will be taken through by the help of the motivational therapist

Pre-contemplation
Contemplation
Preparation
Action
Maintenance and relapse

For effectiveness these stages should be followed in sequence, however if an addict may fall beck he should be encouraged to continue from where appropriate.

Pre-contemplation

This is the first stage in which the thought of changing has not even got into the mind of the addict. In most instances the drug users are in denial and they do not consider themselves as the right audience to the advice being offered. Here the will to change is not close even to the addict and it requires an input of an expert motivational therapist to let the drug addict see the need to overcome the addiction. During this stage, addicts do not consider change. They may not believe that their behavior is a problem or that it will negatively affect them or they may be resigned to their unhealthy behavior because of previous failed efforts and no longer believe that they have control over addiction. At this stage the therapist must be careful not be seen as opposing the lifestyle of the addict but as an empathizer who has placed his foot right in the moccasins of the addict. Here the therapist’s main goal is harmer the desire to quit using the drugs of abuse in the patient’s mind.

Contemplation Stage

At contemplation stage, patients are unsure about changing. They are weighing the benefits they get from the use of the drug against the benefits they will receive after quitting its use. At this stage the patients tries to look into the reasons why they can’t stop the use of the drug. Giving up an enjoyed behavior causes them to feel a sense of loss despite the perceived gain. This is the stage where the patient needs the help of the motivational speaker most as he gets in conflict with himself. He is torn between stopping the use of the drug and continuing using it. He must know the advantages and disadvantages of quitting the drug use. The therapist will be of help in letting the addict choose wisely.

Preparation Stage

Motivational Interview During the preparation stage, patients prepare to make a specific change. To test the waters of the new world, the addict may try using the drugs in lower doses and tests his body reaction to the deprivation. The therapist helps the patient to stay true to its course since the outcome of these experiments may make the addict to give up on the goal of quitting the drug use.

Action Stage

The action stage is the stage that needs more of the patient’s contribution to be successful. Many patients may fail once but with the help of the therapist they may get up and continue fighting addiction. Every effort that the patient puts forward must be appreciated by the therapist as this gives the addict the morale to continue.

Maintenance and Relapse Prevention

Every motivational therapist would want his patient to reach this stage. However the addict may go through the initial stages many times before fully landing on this stage. Change is not always easy to deal with and any discouragement from the therapists over the addicts’ occasional slip may thwart his hopes of ever overcoming addiction and hence he may give up.

Finally, the need to quit using drugs of abuse is crucial in motivational interview; the therapist has to instill this in the addict failure to which the interview will bear no success. All the same addiction is a jail that many are chained but the need for liberation is the very reason for our existence. Here at AWAREmed we are dedicated to finding the best solutions to addiction and dependence on substances. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is always in the mood of helping any patient to be addiction free. Do not hesitate to call on her for help in managing any sort of chronic pain or any type of addiction as well as other diseases.

Crucial Stages of Motivational Interview as Part of Addiction Treatment

Category Archives: Uncategorized