Celebrity diets are weight loss diets that are endorsed, modeled or created by a celebrity. People are generally curious about the manner in which celebrities maintain their look, body and physique and want to emulate the various diets that are adopted by them. More often than not, this is done to be able to achieve the look that the celebrities have. The slim figures and six packs of the various celebrities endorsing the diets are normally enough to make the diets popular.

Over the years many not-so-healthy weight loss plans and diets have been associated with celebrities. There is a thin line that exists between being slim and looking good. Whether celebrity diets are targeted purely towards loosing weight or towards loosing weight in a healthy manner is today a matter that needs some thought.

Some of the most popular celebrity diets that are known are:

• Jennifer Aniston follows the Atkins Diet. This diet advocates high-protein and low carbohydrate intake. This basically means avoiding bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and other carbohydrates and concentrating on meats, poultry and fish.

• Madonna follows the Macrobiotic Diet. Even though it is not primarily a weight loss diet, its recommendations of low calorie foods and eating only when you are hungry help you to lose weight. Madonna is also known to have adopted the popcorn diet immediately after having her first child to shed the extra pounds that she had gained during pregnancy.

• Sarah-Michelle Gellar follows the Soup Diet. It is a detox diet that is primarily based on cabbage soup. The diet does not allow sugar, dairy products or fried foods and recommends living practically on soups.

• Sarah-Jessica Parker swears by the Zone Diet and ‘everyday exercise’. She prefers to walks rather than to take a cab! Similar to the Atkins Diet, the Zone Diet is a high protein and low carbohydrate diet.

• Liz Hurley was a fan of the Hay Diet before she became pregnant with her first child. The diet is based on an assumption that the body metabolizes proteins and carbohydrates in different ways and should not be taken together in the same meal.

• Lisa Kudrow follows the Weil Diet, which recommends a complete ban on commercial foods. Foods like chicken, pasta cooked al dente, salads, fish, olive oil, soy products, nuts and vegetables are allowed.

• Courteney Cox was brought up in the South where the normal diet is rich in carbohydrates and fats. She has adopted the Carbohydrate Addict Diet, which is about eating meat, seafood, butter, eggs, cheese and vegetables, but restricting carbohydrates to one ‘reward’ meal.

• Oprah Weight Loss and Bob Greene Diet are two diets that have been created by celebrities.

• South Beach Diet attained popularity simply on the basis of rumors that the former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hilary Clinton were using it.

For celebrities, the incentive to maintain desired weight is far higher than just health. Their financial worth depends upon how they look. The paranoia of gaining weight is so high that some celebrities have fallen seriously ill after crash diets. It is noteworthy to realize that celebrities may be able to afford a few weeks in hospital post a crash diet but such instances can leave a large hole in your pocket. Missing school, college, work or other daily commitments is far more difficult for you than missing a few dates for shooting for the celebrity.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

To understand whether there is a connection between emotional wellness and endorphins and serotonin at all, it is important to understand what endorphins and serotonin are. It is also important to understand their role in the functions of the body.

Endorphin is a neurochemical, an organic substance that occurs in neural activity. Serotonin, on the other hand, is a neurotransmitter, a neurochemical that transmits nerve signals across a synapse (the junction between two neurons or a neuron and a muscle).

Endorphins are produced during strenuous exercise by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, the system responsible for involuntary actions including a sense of emotional wellness. The term endorphin is derived from endogenous and morphine, implying that it is a morphine-like substance that is derived from within the body. Endorphins have analgesic properties and their action is similar to that of opiates. Its action in the body is also similar to a corticosteroid biochemical.

There are differing opinions about the level of exercise required for the release of endorphins in the body. Runner’s high, a much publicized phenomenon, is believed to occur when a person crosses a threshold, (when breathing becomes difficult). This phenomenon is known to activate the production of endorphins to deal with the stress and pain caused during arduous exercise. The contrarian’s view, however, is that the feeling of emotional wellness comes from accomplishment rather than from exertion.

Serotonin is synthesized within serotonergic (relating to serotonin) neurons in the central nervous system. It plays an important role in certain physical and emotional responses. It is actively involved in anger, aggression, mood swings, sleep, vomiting, sexuality and appetite. Serotonin also a peripheral signal mediator and is found in the gastrointestinal tract. Stimulants and antidepressants like SSRI can terminate the uptake of serotonin thus restricting its action in the body. The effect of neurotransmitters like serotonin on human moods, state of mind and consciousness is difficult to ascertain. But the therapeutic modulation caused by drugs suggests that serotonin has an affect on a large part of the brain that is responsible for overall emotional wellness.

The study of the human brain is a subject matter of neuroscientists but the human mind is a mystery that still defies all logic. Neuroscientists are involved in finding a link between brain chemicals and neurotransmitters and human behavior and emotions. Philosophers, on the other hand, have been trying for ages to rationalize and develop theories with regards to emotion. Despite scientific research and theories, moods, mood swings, emotional distress or wellness are still far from being explained completely.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

Women face a typical problem from the yeast, Candida albicans, which is otherwise a harmless fungus that lives in all of us. Just like there are bacteria in our mouths, Candida albicans is a part and parcel of the intestinal flora. The problem arises when the friendly bacteria that eat up the yeast are less than required for effectively combating the yeast. Reduced numbers of the friendly bacteria is one of the main causes behind a typical problem called vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina that is usually associated with candidiasis. The itch that it causes is a source of major embarrassment to women who suffer from genital candidiasis.

The healthy balance between friendly bacteria and Candida albicans is usually disturbed by the reckless use of antibiotics, birth control pills, spermicidal agents, hormones for menopause, chemical douche and nicks in the vaginal wall due to use of tampons. Pregnancy and diabetes too are commonly responsible for vaginitis.

Once the gynecologist or an obstetrician diagnoses the condition, it is normal that she will initially advise topical creams as part of Candida treatments. However, home remedies are an essential part of any Candida cure and as effective in conjunction with other treatments or as a standalone yeast infection treatment.

• Keep the area ventilated. A moist vaginal area is an invitation to yeast as it thrives in damp environments. Make sure that you take off your panties before sleeping to allow for air circulation.
• Wear fabrics that breathe. Plastic, leather and polyester fabrics do not allow for the free circulation of air. Whenever possible, prefer skirts over tight pants. If you are wearing jeans, do not wear panties under the panty hose. Remove extra layers of clothing once you reach home.
• Avoid after bath powders. Never dust powders in your panties. Most of the powders are starch- based and therefore a perfect medium for growing yeast cultures.
• Keep chemicals out. Unnecessary addition of chemicals to an already delicate situation leads to an aggravation of the problem. Avoid chemical douches, contraceptive jellies and sprays. If you must douche, use plain cool water as the vagina has natural self-cleaning properties.
• Vinegar mixed with water is another natural substitute for a douche liquid. Vinegar has practically the same acidity as the vagina.
• Keep spermicides out of the vagina and place them in the reservoir tip of the condom, which is exactly where they should be.
• Stick to cotton panties. Cotton not only allows for air circulation but also absorbs moisture and keeps your skin dry. Prefer panty hoses that have a cotton crotch. If you do not have one, use a panty liner or a mini pad instead.
• Keep yourself clean. It is always better that both partners urinate before and after an intercourse. This helps in preventing infection from each other.
• Observe a period of no sex if you have vaginitis. Sex can cause more irritation in an already itching vagina. It can also lead to the risk of re-infection from your partner.

Vaginitis is a problem faced exclusively by women but Candida can also cause rectal irritation in men. It can also affect the nervous system and cause other physiological symptoms as well. Long term prevention is better than looking for a Candida cure after it has surfaced. Avoiding too much sugar and simple carbohydrates and proper hygiene are some of the long term solutions that can keep Candida at bay.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

Considering all of the running around that most of us do just to make a living, it’s only natural that we are always pressed for time.  There were days when mothers made it a point that everyone had a home cooked meal, but that has practically become a thing of the past.  Apparently we hardly seem to have enough time to sit down and eat nor to pay attention to what we are eating anymore.

Our bodies were never meant to consume chemicals and toxic substances.  Despite advertisements to the contrary, we don’t know what actually goes in them that increases the shelf life of ready to eat snack bars that are touted as nutritional supplements.  The less said about commercial foods, junk foods and fast foods the better it is.  They all seem to focus on our taste buds while giving little or no regard to their effect on our health.

Another common threat comes from conventional medications.  Despite vociferous warnings that certain drugs should not be taken without a proper prescription and still only in the recommended doses, there is an alarming tendency to self medicate.  Conventional drugs are based on single compounds that bacteria can easily use to their own advantage and can become resistant to it over time.  Newer discoveries too, meet the same fate.

Herbal remedies, unlike conventional drugs, comprise of complex compounds which are difficult for bacteria to metabolize and use for colonization.  This secret of nature’s remedies was used for the benefit of mankind by ancient and traditional therapies like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Homeopathy is the more recent entrant into the field of natural remedies that uses herbs, minerals and metals to prepare remedies using a typical process of dilution without using anything that does not occur naturally.

Herbal remedies can make use of any or all components of a plant, tree or shrub including roots, flowers, fruit, bark and even branches.  They come in various formulations meant for topical applications and oral ingestion for medicinal purposes, as well as natural supplements.

Aside from being non-toxic and devoid of side effects, herbal remedies treat the sickness as well as the root cause of the condition – an attribute missing in allopathic treatments.  Along with those qualities, herbs also boost immunity and enhance the body’s defenses and increase the ability to combat invasion of foreign pathogens.

Contrary to general belief, herbs have naturally occurring antibiotic properties as well.  Goldenseal and garlic have natural antibiotic and anti-viral properties.  Licorice soothes the throat, ginger prevents blood clots that are harbingers of heart diseases, and herbal teas help soothe tension.  Similarly there are herbs that can address respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological and sexual problems also.  In many cases herbal remedies can even help in managing side effects of aggressive treatments like chemotherapy.

The only word of caution is that certain herbs can become toxic to the level of being poisonous in their undiluted or raw forms and should only be taken in specific potencies.  Because of this, homeopathy is the safest method, since it has a perfect system of dilution in place.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies