Long-Term Health Consequences of Alcohol We Must Know

By Barbara Odozi

Alex was a man his family admired and friends envied. He had a great job, loving family, extensive social circle and investments here and there. Unfortunately, he was also heavily into drinking. But his habits rarely bothered anyone as he was a star performer at work. At home too, he devoted time and rarely got disoriented until one day when he was pronounced dead due to stroke.

Long-term alcohol consumption is associated with a host of adverse health outcomes like:

Brain disruptions - Even occasional drinking can disturb the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, causing delay in transmitting the signals due to which one may feel drowsy. Alcohol might also prompt behavioral and mood changes in the form of agitation, depression and cognitive decline. Heavy drinking might lead to the shrinkage of brain tissue, leading to disturbances in temperature regulation, motor coordination, sleep cycle and cognitive functions. Alcohol consumption also causes the release of another neurotransmitter, serotonin, which regulates endorphins and produces euphoria. The brain compensates for these changes by bringing some alterations which might produce negative effects like alcohol tolerance, dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Cardiac problems - Recurrent drinking weakens the heart muscles (cardiomyopathy). As a result, sufficient blood might not be pumped into various organs which might lead to organ failure. Cardiomyopathy results in shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat and can even cause heart failure. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption causes the heart to release certain chemicals that constrict the blood vessels and raise blood pressure. Both long-term and binge drinking might lead to stroke in people without coronary heart disease.

Liver-related problems - Excessive alcohol consumption, even for a few days, causes fat accumulation in the liver. The condition is known as steatosis or fatty liver. This is the most common alcohol-induced liver disorder. This paves the way for an inflammatory disorder known as alcoholic hepatitis. For some people, alcoholic steatosis may be asymptomatic, while in others it may produce symptoms like fever, nausea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. These symptoms may get aggravated by liver enlargement, jaundice, bleeding and clotting complications. In addition, alcohol can also cause scarring of the liver known as fibrosis. Fibrosis worsens to a condition called as cirrhosis that prevents the liver from performing important functions like nutrient absorption, scavenging harmful substances from the blood and managing infections. This might lead to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, jaundice and even liver cancer.

Cancer risk - Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increased propensity for developing cancer of mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, breast and liver. People who drink and smoke are more susceptible to developing cancer than people who don't. Alcohol breakdown in the body produces a chemical known as acetaldehyde which is toxic in nature. Acetaldehyde disrupts the genetic material of the cells, causing their rapid growth. Cancer can then manifest easily in such impaired cells. Alcohol can also increase the amount of estrogen in the body which might increase susceptibility to breast cancer.

Recovery from alcoholism

Alcohol consumption can disrupt the pancreas and its functions. It can also impair the immune system and make the body vulnerable to a host of health problems. In addition to psychological and physical damage, it can heighten the risk of drunk driving, violence, unsafe sexual practice and accidents. It is important that one seeks professional help before it is too late.

If your loved one is battling alcohol addiction, seek professional help. Contact the Florida Alcohol Addiction Helpline at 24/7 helpline 866-220-5381 for information on the finest alcohol rehab center in Florida offering treatment in a safe and compassionate environment.

Opioid Addiction Kept 1 Million People Out of Work in 2015, Says Study

By Barbara Odozi

The opioid epidemic has not just had a devastating impact on the lifespan of Americans, but also on the country's economy. It has cost billions of dollars to the nation as a large chunk of the population stayed away from workplace. This has been corroborated by a recently published study by the American Action Forum (AAF). The drugs had a profound effect on the productivity as nearly 1 million people (aged 25 to 54) remained absent from work in 2015 because of their opioid addiction problem, which grew each year from 1999 to 2015.

The study authors calculated that the loss of employees' productivity took a heavy toll on the economy, costing a total loss of $702 billion or nearly $44 billion loss every year. Co-author Ben Gitis, director of labor market policy at the AAF, stated that there was a loss of work hours by 0.2 percent in the given period. The average growth rate was 2 percent and if the workers attended work, the growth rate would have been 2.2 percent.

Gitis said not only opioids are causing fatalities, they are majorly hindering the nation's economic growth. He extrapolated the research results of Princeton University economist Alan Krueger, who stated that a decline in workforce participation of 20 percent and 25 percent was found for men and women, respectively due to an increase in the prescriptions for painkillers.

Kruger also noted that regions with the highest number of opioid prescriptions observed a high number of employees dropping off. According to Grtis's research also, for women, more work hours were lost between 1999 and 2015 (6.4 billion) than men (5.7 billion). Unfortunately, employers across the nation are having a difficult time in filling the vacancies because people are not able to pass the drug test.

Effects of opioids on body

The long-term use of opioids can have a devastating effect on almost all the body parts. Opioids can cause daytime sleepiness for which a stimulant might be required to counter the effects. Prolonged use is also associated with the development of major depression. Regular use can lead to slow breathing, respiratory depression, leading to organ failure. Opioid abuse is also responsible for causing nausea, constipation and for slowing down the gastrointestinal motility, which can result in perforation, small bowel obstruction and peritonitis.

Opioid use can lead to psychomotor impairment in which there is an overall slowing of the physical movements and loss of coordination. Long-term use can also lead to hyperalgesia characterized by an increased sensitivity to pain and is also responsible for low immunity. People abusing opioids often take acetaminophen that can lead to acute liver injury. If alcohol is added to the mix, it can lead to liver failure as its capacity for excreting the toxins gets affected.

Seek drug-free life

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (    CDC ), nearly 42,000 people succumbed to opioids in 2016 with 40 percent deaths involving prescription opioids. It's time that health authorities understand the magnitude of the problem and accelerate efforts in combatting the harmful effects. Addiction to opioids not just harms the user but also his/her family. Before it is too late, one must seek intervention to set things straight.

If you or someone you know is addicted to opioids or any other form of drugs, contact the Texas Drug Addiction Treatment to learn about the best drug addiction treatment in Texas. Call at our 24/7 helpline 855-980-5757 to know about reliable Drug abuse treatment centers offering personalized services.

The Specific Heat of Humans

By Elizabeth Anne Williams

Pancake is to waffle as man is to aluminum? Well, yes, actually. Pancakes and waffles have lots in common and as it turns out, so do metals and humans too! What is this shared value? Specific heat! Remember back to high school chemistry class when we would set fire to different metal objects and then measure just how fast or slow the object would heat up and cool down? This value would vary drastically by metal. As a refresher, aluminum foil, just like what you use in your kitchen, heats up very quickly and also cools down very quickly. Aluminum is very different from iron, which on the contrary is slow to increase in temperature and likewise slow to cool off.

When it comes to emotions, humans have their own unique specific heat value too. Some of us get 'heated' (see what I did there?) rapidly and then calm down quickly but others exhibit remarkable patience up until a point and then get very heated and take a considerable amount of time to cool off. Think of the difference between a Buddhist monk and a two-year-old child. Which would you rather debate with or confront with an issue or concern? The specific heat of humans is basically a fancy way of saying temperament except that perhaps we can measure, quantify and compare the variance from one person to another in a logical way. There is no right or wrong, good or bad specific heat value. Instead, each has its own place and purpose for different things. For example, aluminum is a terrible conductor of heat but the molecular structure of aluminum allows the element to have rapid temperature changes versus any other metal, which makes great for cooking since you are less likely to get burned! Iron on the other hand, holds on to heat longer so it wouldn't be ideal in the kitchen but if you are out camping and want your food to stay hot longer in the pot, then it is great!

What if we could calculate what each of our own specific heat value is and then use that as a baseline for comparison to other people. Imagine on your dating profile next to your astrological sign and your age, you also included your human specific heat value to indicate how much of a temper you have? Some people like being around others who are quick to get upset but also quick to reconcile, especially if that is how they are too! Others on the other hand may seek mates who are slow to anger and likewise slow to decompress after an argument if that is how they are. For example, I am a hot-tempered redhead and my husband is an easy-going North African. Naturally, when we argue and I am fine five minutes later ready to move on, kiss and make up, I expect him to follow in this regard too but he does not at all. We have very different specific heats! If we had known each other's 'number', when we first met, it would inform and shape how we react to each other and our different distinct temper needs. This knowledge could help us sooth each other's burns instead of adding fuel to the fire without realizing it.

For metals, the formula for calculating specific heat capacity is this: c (specific heat capacity) = E (total energy) / m (mass) x �T (change in temperature). As we were discussing earlier, aluminum is very hot to trot with a specific heat capacity of.9 which is high when compared to iron which is around.45 and gold which is a mere.1. If we adapt this formula to humans, it would look something like this: h (specific heat capacity of human) = E (total energy or calories burned) / m (mass) x��T (change in time elapsed over course of argument). If I look at this morning's example, indicative of most instances, my specific heat value when I plug into this would be.02 and my husband's would be.01. It turns out, as pancake is to waffle, I am to aluminum as he is to iron.

Who remembers the website Hot or Not when we were teenagers? Well, this is the modern-day 'Hot or Not' experiment but more deliberative then assigning a 0 to 10 number to someone's photo online.

So, what is your number?

Looking For An Amazing Bus Tour? Factors You Ought To Consider

By Shalini Madhav

Bus tours can be some of the best, exciting and interesting in any given destination as long as you check the itineraries offered and make the right choice. They are called tours because they make it possible for you enjoy numerous areas and attractions all in a day. If you are limited on time yet you want to enjoy some of the best things in a given place, then you can never go wrong with the right bus day trips. You just need to check the following factors when choosing an itinerary that suits you.

Timing

What you need to remember is that the bus tours operate at scheduled times which means you need to be ready for pick up at given times. Apart from arriving on time to pick you up a good company could offer to come right to your accommodation facility to pick you up rather than creating a terminal for everyone. Determine what works best for your convenience when choosing among the tours. Drop-offs should be just as suitable.

On board snacks and drinks

Some tours can be quite long depending on the areas they are designed to cover in a day. Because you may not have the luxury to keep stopping to snack or eat because of the time schedules, it is important to consider what is offered on board so you can pack anything else as you deem fit. Some companies offer complimentary morning snacks, sandwiches and even water at no extra cost. The more you know the better prepared you will be for your day tour.

Sight stops

When it comes to bus tours, you are likely to stop at some sights and check others out from the bus. Find out about the sights you will be visiting and exactly at which ones you will be stopping for a little exploration and photo takes. This is important especially if you have target sights that you feel are a must visit during the tour. In case your favorite sights are not scheduled for a stop, you can make special requests if possible or choose a different itinerary that covers your preferred areas.

Guides

Experienced local guides make some of the best. This is because they are familiar with the localities and providing you with all information, stories and even interesting facts about the different spots comes easy. Also important to check is whether they are salaried or they rely on tips and commissions they get on the bus tour. Salaried guides are happier and interesting compared to commission based guides who might be more interested in taking you top optional sights at a fee.

Bus condition

It can determine how safe you remain during your tour. Competent tour companies have newer reliable busses that are well maintained for the tours for your safety. Every detail regarding the bus should impress you including the driver in charge. Check out the busses so you are confident about your tour experience. Grand Canyon tours offer very organized bus tours to make your experience most memorable. You can enjoy Las Vegas Tours in state of the art bus and complimentary morning snack to complete it.

5 Home Remedies To Beat Menstrual Pain

By Priyanka Maheshwari

Do you dread your approaching menstrual period? Does it make you irritable, give you cramps, make you weak and uncomfortable? Menstruating women deal with so many problems ranging from cravings to pain and body malaise. While you cannot entirely prevent these from occurring, there are home remedies that will help you tone down the extent of these menstrual problems and help you live through those five days like any other normal day. It's common to feel discomfort around your abdomen, lower back, and thighs when you're menstruating. During your period, the muscles of your womb contract and relax to help shed built-up lining. Sometimes you'll experience cramps, which are your muscles at work. Some women and girls may experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, or diarrhea as well.

* Hot water bottle

The dreaded effect of having your period is the cramps. No one wants to feel like someone is stabbing their abdomen multiple times for several hours. To get relief, apply a heat pack on your lower back and abdomen. The heat will help soothe some of the cramps. Applying Heat to your abdomen and lower back may relieve pain. A 2012 study focused on women 18 to 30 years old who had regular menstrual cycles found that a heat patch at 104�F (40�C) was as effective as ibuprofen.

* Get more Calcium

Cramps can be reduced by increasing the intake of calcium in the food. Remember to include dairy products or calcium supplements in your diet.

* Fish Oil

Fish oil is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory properties. Taking a capsule of fish oil everyday helps keep menstrual cramps at bay.

* Chamomile Tea

Chamomile, an anti-depressant and nerve relaxant, is a life saver. Drinking a few cups of Chamomile tea helps in soothing your cramps and makes you relax during your periods. Massage therapy for about 20 minutes can help reduce menstrual pain. One study looked at women with period pain caused by endometriosis. The researchers found that massages significantly reduced pain immediately and afterward. Massage therapy for menstruation involves pressing specific points while the therapist's hands move around your abdomen, side, and back. Drinking chamomile tea increases urinary levels of glycine, which helps relieve muscle spasms. Glycine also acts as a nerve relaxant.

* Banana Flower

If you suffer from heavy bleeding, then include a lot of banana flower in your diet since it is rich in progesterone which can control help normalize hormones and stop heavy bleeding.

Stories of Hope: Child Receives Transgenic Skin Over Most of His Body

By Richa Verma

A child was saved from a life-threatening skin disease. The doctors replaced 80% of his skin made from his own cells. This is also known as transgenic replacement. This procedure shows the ability of the skin stem to cure a distressing disorder. This procedure helps clarify the way the skin regenerates.

Suffering from Epidermolysis bullosa, a genetic disease where the mutated proteins stop the epidermal layer of the skin from attaching to the dermis properly. This results in chronic wounds, blisters, immense pain and infections and many times it results in diseases that can be lethal.

The child suffered from a severe form of epidermolysis bullosa. The reason was a gene mutation of laminin b3, which controls the anchoring of the epidermal cells. He had 80 percent loss of epidermis. His chances of survival were small.

A biopsy was done to extract keratinocytes from undamaged epidermis. It was expanded in culture and then transuded with a retroviral vector carrying the healthy version of laminin b3 coding sequence.

These cells grow as a sheet and are expanded until enough sheets were created to cover the child's limbs and torso. Three operations helped cover the entire body. After a few weeks the cells that were transplanted proliferated to the wounds closing them.

The new skin stuck to the dermis and had normal morphology and levels of laminin b3. The skin had normal elasticity and wound healing action.

The transgenic skin showed how keratinocytes regenerates. Each month the human skin is replaced completely with new cells. But it is not known if this is the result of large number of potent progenitor cells or small number of stem cells which dominate the regeneration.

The presence of genotypes in the biopsy was a good sign. Patients with epidermolysis bullosa are more prone to cancer. By replacing the diseased cells with functional transgenic the risk is decreased.

There are many different forms of epidermolysis bullosa, including simplex, dystrophic and, junctional. Each is due to a different genetic fault leading to different building blocks of skin going missing.

For each person a different gene, different protein will result in a different outcome. If the treatment works the therapy can last a lifetime. The long living stem cells constantly renew his genetically modified skin. And the skin grows as he grows.

Transgenic stem cells can regenerate an entire tissue. This is good news to over 500,000 patients who suffer from epidermolysis around the world. It also is a blueprint to use genetically modified stem cells to treat many diseases.

A matchbook size piece of skin was cloned and modified for sheets of skin for the child's entire body. This regenerated skin does not require ointment. They reproduced as many cells as they wanted. This is not like grafting skin from one body to another. Previously only the only stem cells that have worked are the hematopoietic stem cells in blood and bone marrow.

This proves that cells are engraftable. The parent cell can reproduce and differentiate into certain cell populations for a particular organ.

This is the first indication that there's another cell population beyond hematopoietic stem cells that's able to do that.

Read more at   https://www.cordlifeindia.com/blog/benefits-stem-cells-umbilical-cord-tissue/

Tips to Help You End Up With The Best Dental Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery

By William Jam Smith

Choosing the right clinic for cosmetic dental procedures is the first step to ending up with the best services. The good news is that you will always find the best clinic if you take the time to do some research. You can use the internet to find out about clinics near you. You can also seek referrals from friends and relatives that have used services similar to the ones you seek.

That said, you need to consider some factors when searching for these services. It pays to compare what the clinics offer before settling on one.

The services offered

You need to find a clinic that provides the best possible services for you. They should be diverse and they should cover the specific problem that you have. The dental clinic should be in a position to provide the right solution for your dental issue. This gives you an assurance that you will get the relief that you are looking for from this clinic. This is only possible if the clinic has the equipment and facilities to provide you with the services effectively.

Consider technology in use

An up-to-date facility will utilize the latest technology in dental care. This gives you the certainty that the services will be fast and effective too. It will save you time and resources. For example, use of laser technology means that the process of teeth whitening will take a shorter time to complete. You will notice a difference after the first session of the procedure. Such solutions give you faster and lasting solutions. They are also cost-effective in the long run.

Sedation services available

The procedures, especially the complex ones, may require you to be under anesthesia. The clinic should provide you with the best options for these. Being in a deeply relaxed state enables you to undergo the procedure without any anxiety. You will experience minimal pain and most importantly, you will have a less traumatic experience. Having the option of sedation enables you to cope better with the procedures taking place. The dentist will also have an easier time completing the procedure with minimal interruptions or resistance from you.

Qualifications

The qualifications that the dentist has matter and you should check on the training he/she has. The experience is also important as it allows you to know that you are in safe hands. You will have less anxiety as you know that he or she will adequately take care of your needs. If the dental clinic utilizes modern technology, the dentist should have the necessary training and skills to handle the equipment. Some technology such as laser tech requires an expert hand. The dentist should have evidence of the additional training for this latest equipment.

To learn more about Cosmetic Surgery, please visit: Vancouver Dentist

My Healing Technique Is The Only One That Works

By Oliver JR Cooper

In 2015, I was speaking to a therapist called, Vijay Rana, about different healing techniques. I was talking about how some people believe that their technique is the best one available or the only one that works.

After bringing this up, I went into why I thought that it wasn't a good idea for someone to say these kinds of things. I remember saying that this can cause someone to experience problems when a technique doesn't work for them.

Self-Blame

They can end up believing that there must be something wrong with them, causing them to feel even worse than they did before. Also, instead of trying another technique that will assist them, they can continue to use the same technique.

There can be the frustration and anger that they experience as well, along with all the money that they are forking out. And after all this, they are not going to be any better off than they were before; if anything, they can worse off.

His Thoughts

Vijay listened to what I had to say and then he followed up with what he had heard Ken Wilber say. I think he said that he had heard him talk about how people can get so attached to what they do, that it impedes their ability to think clearly.

It was as though the technique they use becomes part of them, making them see everything though a certain lens. Their technique will be a hammer and this will cause them to see every issue as a nail - there will be a one-size-fits-all approach.

A Number of Options

He said that while he uses one technique, this was not the only way of working through inner blocks. There were a number of different options that he put forward, and this showed that his identity was not attached to a technique.

This allowed him to be more open minded and to accept that what works for one person might not have the same effect on someone else. It was not a surprise to hear Vijay say this as he is very down to earth and genuine.

A Long List

Over the years, I have tried a number of different approaches, and I have learnt a lot and dealt with a lot of stuff during this time. Some of the things I have tried have worked for others but not for me and certain approaches have been good for certain issues but not others.

I would say that there are techniques out that there that are far more effective than others, but I wouldn't say that one technique will solve everything. What I have also thought is that if someone uses a technique and says that it is the only one that works, and they are in a good place themselves, there is a strong chance that they have tried many different techniques over their life to get to where they are.

A Process

The technique they use will have been elevated, but there is likely to have been so many other factors that will have played a part in where they are today. Ignoring the other techniques they have used and experiences that have allowed them evolve will be similar to a car manufacturer overlooking how much of an impact the earlier models of a car have had on the latest model; if it wasn't for these models, the latest model wouldn't exist.

Therefore, if they hadn't have gone through these experiences, they would have been able to get to this point. In other words, it is unlikely that the technique they now use is the only one they have ever used.

Timing

Often, someone will be drawn to a technique that allows them to go to a level that they feel comfortable with at that point in time. It could be said that there is the technique and then there is how ready someone is to work through an issue.

How ready someone is can define how long it will take them to work through something; this is not something that a therapist or a healer can speed up. This is why it is important for someone to trust in their journey, to know that the answers they need will be provided at the right time.

Prolific writer, author, and coach, Oliver JR Cooper, hails from England. His insightful commentary and analysis covers all aspects of human transformation, including love, partnership, self-love, and inner awareness. With over one thousand seven hundred in-depth articles highlighting human psychology and behaviour, Oliver offers hope along with his sound advice.

To find out more go to - http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk/

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Proven Benefits of Fish Oil You Need to Know About

By Tapu Goswami

Consumption of fast food, deep fried snacks results in the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries that led to fatal health issues like heart attack and strokes. These calorie-rich foods also have a significant contribution to the nation's increasing rate of obesity. Besides consulting a physician or shedding sweat in the gym it is equally important to include a healthy diet and maintain a systematic lifestyle.

Intake of cold water fishes like salmon, herring, and sardines rich in Omega3 fatty acids helps in eliminating LDL- low- density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and oil extracted from fish is considered as one of the potent sources of omega3 fatty acids. Markets are flooded with many omega3 supplements but it is always beneficial to extract from the natural sources.

Fish oil offers a wide range of benefits to many health ailments which have been clinically proven. Consumption of the oil derived from fish's liver helps in getting rid of depression, tension, arthritis, weight loss and many more. Let's talk about some proven health benefits of the oil.

• Lower heart risks: The oil is considered as the best caretaker of the heart. The Omega3 fatty acids help in combating the bad cholesterol which higher the risk of heart attacks and related disease and also help in maintaining the normal heart rate.

• Fights cancer: Being a rich source of long-chain omega3 fatty acids, fish oil has the potential to blunt the production of Cox- 2 derived prostanoids in cancer cells. The two components of fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) plays a valuable role in cancer treatment.

• Treats Alzheimer's: From various studies, it has been proved that the fatty acid in the oil is essential for proper brain functioning and its long-term consumption by the adults may prevent brain shrinkage.

• Anxiety: Oil from fish is considered as an essential food for the healthy brain development during the growth period of a human being because providing fish to the kids at this stage will keep them away from stress and anxiety.

• Depression: To get rid of depression and mood disorders oil extracted from fish works as a magic wand. This oil can fight depression and effectively improves emotional well being.

• Fertility & pregnancy: Research proves that mothers who included liver oil of the fish in their diet during pregnancy gave birth to the children with great problem-solving skills in addition with good hair and skin.

• Fight Diabetes: New research suggests that oil derived from fish is capable of reducing the risk of diabetes by reducing oxidative stress which plays a crucial role in the development of diabetes. That is why this oil is now prescribed in the diabetic diet plan.

• Good for eyes: Dry eyes are the most common problem today and the omega3 in the fish oil helps in producing oil in the meibomian gland in the eyelids which floats across the eye keeping the eye moisturize with the tears and prevents it from getting evaporated.

• Good skin and hair: The fatty acid in the oil extracted from fish nourishes the skin and keeps the skin smooth with an elastic texture. The fatty acids contain EPA and DHA which prevents conditions like dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis and is a much essential component in keeping the skin and hair moisturized.

• Weight Loss: Fish oil can magically help to get rid of obesity. The omega3 help in fat oxidation by breaking down the fat molecules into fatty acids and triglycerides thereby mobilizing the fat and also helps in building muscles.

• Improves immune system: Omega3 in the oil helps in enhancing the functioning of the immune cells. Salmon is the ideal fish whose oil and astaxanthin works as the ultimate immune boosting health food.

• Inflammation: The process of fighting infection and healing injuries by our immune system is inflammation. Oil from fish contains anti-inflammatory properties that treat chronic inflammation.

• Fight bone disease: The omega3fatty acids contain in the oil of fishes like sardine, tuna, salmon helps in bone growth with higher density that prevents various bone disease. However, the effect may vary with the intake of supplements.

Conclusion: The benefits of fish oil has been proved clinically as essential components in fighting many health disorders but for the patients it is very important to go for proper medical diagnosis before undergoing any such dietary treatment.

Tapu Goswami, a diet and nutrition blogger has discussed about various   health benefits of fish oil and its capability to cure many health disorders. He stress more on the naturally occurring oil from the fish oil than the supplements.

Common Private Cord Blood Banking Myths Debunked

By Richa Verma

You may have noticed that there is a lot of marketing and promotions done by banks nowadays. But what is a cord blood bank exactly? Well, it is a medical bank where doctors extract the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from the newborn umbilical cord and can be preserved indefinitely. You can bank the blood in a private or a public one and can be used later on to treat diseases and illnesses. This may sound like a wonderful medical breakthrough, but there are many myths about private cord blood banking making the rounds. Let us have a look at these myths and break the misconceptions clouding the minds of parents-to-be.

1. Can It Harm My Baby Be Harmed?

Collection of this is in no way harmful to the baby or the mother. The blood that is discarded after birth normally is collected and stored at bank.

2. Private Cord Blood Banks May Send Our Baby's Cord Blood for Research

This is a complete myth as private cord blood banks give exclusive accessibility and control to what you store. They charge you annually for storing this and will give you access as and when you require it in the future. Unlink public banks wherein the blood may be sent further for research purposes.

3. Choose Any Bank, They Are All the Same

Wrong. Private blood banks have to follow stringent norms in terms of quality, cost, location, and need to be FDA-approved and AABB-accredited. However, not all private ones have DA approval and AABB-accreditation. Those who have both, have high annual storage fees and better facilities to store your baby's cord blood for a longer duration.

4. It is Always Better to Store Cord Blood in Private Banks

Many to-be parents often think storing their baby's cord blood in private banks is better than donating it to a public bank. If your family has a history of certain diseases and disorders, then choosing a private blood bank may sound logical. However, there is no such history and you don't even know if you will ever need to access the stored this, then donating this to a public bank is a wise decision.

5. You Can't Treat Your Child With His/ Her Own Blood as it May Be Diseased Itself

This statement does not hold much ground as autologous transplants have been in use for more than a decade. Use of one's own stem cells has helped in the treatment of many diseases ranging from neuroblastoma, lymphoblastic leukemia, etc.

6. This Blood can Remain Viable Only for 10 Years

Current studies have shown, stem cells stored for about 24 years remained viable without any decrease in viability or proliferation. It is even claimed by cryopreservationists these cells can be stored indefinitely in a controlled environment.

7. Cord Blood Banking And Ethical Issues

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), there are certain issues related to the self-use of blood as promoted by such banks. The ICMR guidelines for stem cell research (2013) states there is no scientific basis for preservation of this for future self-use. Thus, this practice is not officially recommended and any use other than bone marrow transplantation apart from clinical trials is termed as a medical malpractice.

8. You Can Decide About Cord Blood Banking Just Before You Deliver

It is not a good idea to make a last-minute decision in most of the cases. Your hospital may not have the collection kit ready during the child's birth. There are many logistics that need to be figured out before you can store this. Thus, make sure you enroll early to this of your choice for smooth and hassle free collection during the birthing process.

These are a few of the common myths that are busted above. this does have many benefits in cases where there is a family history of leukemia or thalassemia. However, it will remain as a personal choice whether or not one should store the blood.

Read more at   https://www.cordlifeindia.com/blog/still-unsure-cord-blood-banking-works/

Seven Ways to Build Your Marketing Skills Without Going Back to Study

By Pat Grosse

It's Sunday, 1 April, 7 am, and I'm about to listen to a webinar. There are another 99 people on the call, the first of two marketing-related webinars I will be listening to within the space of three hours. All this taking place on Easter Sunday. It's no April Fool's joke.

Today, more than ever, we are living in a world where access to learning is so readily available, it's on tap 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere on the planet. Much of this is for FREE. Even the busiest person can develop their marketing skills if they are hungry enough and know where to look.

Here are seven ways you can build contemporary marketing skills and knowledge without breaking into a sweat at the thought of using your precious free time to go back to study:

It's Sunday, 1 April, 7 am, and I'm about to listen to a webinar. There are another 99 people on the call, the first of two marketing-related webinars I will be listening to within the space of three hours. All this taking place on Easter Sunday. It's no April Fool's joke.

Today, more than ever, we are living in a world where access to learning is so readily available, it's on tap 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere on the planet. Much of this is for FREE. Even the busiest person can develop their marketing skills if they are hungry enough and know where to look.

Here are seven ways you can build contemporary marketing skills and knowledge without breaking into a sweat at the thought of using your precious free time to go back to study:

1 Webinars - webinars usually take up 60 to 90 minutes of your time without leaving your desk. They are designed as the first insight into more focused programs but are also a good way to filter out the skills you don't need without spending money, not just on educational resources, but also on time and travel to get to face-to-face venues. If you're going to spend money, then listening to webinars is an ideal way to try before you buy. Technology enables webinars to be presented morning, afternoon, evening, from anywhere in the world and as evergreen recordings. If you're too busy for one scheduled time, there's likely to be another one coming along real soon.

2 Join a local marketers club. If there's one nearby, join it. This is a great way to focus your attention on marketing and you will be mixing with, and learning from, like-minded people. If we are the sum of the people we hang around with, then joining a local marketing club can only enhance your skills, knowledge and passion.

3 Business networks - in the absence of a dedicated marketing group, there are more likely to be business networking groups. There may, or may not, be restrictions around membership of business groups, but if you can get into them, they are a great way to hone your networking skills. Many small business owners are not natural networkers. Joining a business network is an ideal way for you to strike up conversations with strangers. Uncomfortable for some at first, regular attendance positions you within your business community, and opens up the world of referrals, leading to new customers.

4 Online networks - since Facebook algorithms changed recently, business gurus have been encouraging people more than ever, to join online business groups as an alternative to paid advertising. Whilst spamming is not allowed in these online communities (there may be official opportunities to promote your services), these communities are ways to gain trust in you as the business owner knowledgeable in your field, and consequently, group members will recommend you when somebody has a problem that you can solve. You will find that combining online and business networking activities puts faces to the names in the groups. If you are looking for a specific skill to help you in your business, there will be plenty of people in these groups offering services, programs and workshops.

5 Face-to-face workshops - even with advancing technology, there is a lot of value in attending face-to-face workshops. Depending on what you are looking for, workshops vary from FREE to serious money. Face-to-face workshops are great opportunities to network and meet like-minded people. They are also assuring in that many attendees are just like you. Most effective though, is that by being in the same physical environment as the workshop facilitator/guru, if the workshop is good, you will continue your professional development relationship online. You will gravitate towards their options because the journey of trust has already begun.

6 Books, articles and blogs - the written media is as powerful today as it has ever been. For added benefit, much of this is also replicated in audio and video formats for the audio-visual person. Books are readily available, online as well as in physical bookshops. Investing in a Kindle or other book e-reader enables you to build your own personal business library that you can carry with you and read anywhere, anytime - great for those long plane and train journeys. Start your library with some of the most effective business books from the last 100 years. Read them and let their messages permeate your sub-conscious brain. It is amazing how much knowledge you soak up which can then be used to improve your business.

7 Invest in coaching and mentoring. We all consider our marketing needs to be unique to our businesses. You can absorb as much knowledge as the above six methods can convey but knowing isn't doing. A coach will help you overcome specific hurdles by showing you a better way, whilst a mentor will challenge your thinking and guide you to the next level.

Combine these learning strategies and your approach to marketing will change forever. As a business owner, even if you delegate the doing to another person, it is important to understand marketing principles and to stay ahead of the game. Better understanding and relevant knowledge lead to making informed choices and give you the competitive edge. Rather than spending hundreds of hours browsing the internet, attending workshops and listening to webinars, what if you could find this understanding and knowledge in one place?
This is why we I wrote "The Intuitive Marketer". I put in the hundreds of hours updating my marketing skills and knowledge and put my learning into the context of my experiences, to showcase how everyday marketing principles work in real life. The result is a book packed with so much information, that most people should walk sway something that they can incorporate into their business.

In The Intuitive Marketer - Timeless Marketing Principles to Create and Build Successful Businesses, I have outlined 20 intuitive marketing principles, to assist business owners in kick-starting their marketing strategy. The book is an essential resource for business owners with little knowledge of how marketing works, who are looking for some context to assist with making informed marketing decisions. The book is available for download from most online bookstores and available in hard copy from http://bit.ly/theintuitivemarketer.

Work-At-Home Hacks For People Just Like Me

By Marsha Maung

There are rules of thumb but there are no hard and fast rules. The 'things people do every day to become successful' in what they do has so many variables.

Some swear by morning coffees, others a 20-minute nap. Give or take, that's almost always the story. Like I said, variables.

Routine, or better yet, discipline is what makes people successful. I will never claim to be a 'successful person' but what I HAVE been doing is working from home for the past 18 years. I hope you can share YOUR story about how you soften the rough edges off of your everyday work week too because it helps. Every little bit of advice helps, actually, because most successful people listen.

1. No Emails - Most people start their days off by rolling off their beds with everyone screaming at them. Your alarm is screaming. Your boss is screaming, your kids are screaming, your email is screaming. So, one of the things that I DON'T do early in the morning is to check my emails. People who know me know not to expect an instant reply from me early in the morning. That's when I am trying to sort my shit together so that I can get stuff done for you throughout the day. So, no emails in the morning. Only coffee is allowed.

2. Stay Dressed - This one is for those who work from home. One of the things that I've noticed in nearly 2 decades is that I dress for work (even if I will be in my home office or living room) the whole time I am going to be working. I don't know about you but the moment I slip on my cutesy 'lil comfy clothes, my zest for life and roaring enthusiasm to get things done slithers off from me like a layer of dead skin cell.

3. Meditate -Oprah's said it. So did Deepak Chopra and Cameron Diaz. It's not the woo-woo-woo stuff, trust me. It's more like sitting there in complete silence or with soft music gently caressing my ear, or just sweeping the floor (the movement is meditatively repetitive, try it!). Instead of thinking of it as a 'new age fad', think of it as Loading Your Gun Ready to Kick Down the Doors of the World. Badass when reworded, huh? I use an app to 'help me along' - Insight Timer. It has music, guided meditation, and... well... complete silence.

4. Don't multitask - It's something I was really proud of and multitasking was the only way for me to move the needle forward when the list of things-to-do was just way too long. I don't do it anymore. Instead, I think doing things in spurts is far more productive. One example would be that if I found vacuuming the floor THE daunting task of the day, I would mindfully vacuum the living room and leave the rooms and kitchen for tomorrow.

Silly example, I know, but when applied to work, it's pretty amazing when you give the tasks at hand short bursts of active, productive attention. When I am tired, I will come back with a whole lot more to contribute AFTER I've dealt with my brain fog instead of muscling through it. I mean, who am I to argue with the chemicals in my brain?

5. Coffee - I am just going to leave this right here. Explaining it any further is going to make me angry if you don't understand it. It's my survival poison.

6. Laugh a Little - A sense of humor provides a buffer against the build-up of stress and anxiety in your system. So, occasionally, load up your Tumblr or Twitter (where you are encouraged to follow people like 9gag - just a personal preference, of course) and just laugh a little.

Experts say that humor provides a powerful buffer against stress and fear. "Humor is about playing with ideas and concepts," said Martin, who teaches at the University of Western Ontario. "So whenever we see something as funny; we're looking at it from a different perspective. When people are trapped in a stressful situation and feeling overwhelmed, they're stuck in one way of thinking: This is terrible. I've got to get out of here. But if you can take a humorous perspective, then by definition you're looking at it differently - you're breaking out of that rigid mind-set."

7. Being understanding - I know this doesn't fit into the normal mold of 'things people do to be successful' but I think it's pretty important. Because most of us work with others, whether in the office or remotely, we often assume that people are being evil of mean when they're being a little less than nice to us. Sometimes, it's because they're tired just like you, exhausted just like you, overwhelmed just like you, have to pay bills just like you, are worried about their kids/parents just like you, or simply had an argument with a friend/spouse just like you.

I think this point is particularly important in the digital world. With the digital divide, we sometimes forget that we're dealing with human beings. Just like you.

Marsha Maung is a mother, writer, social media consultant, internet marketer and human. Her mission, as far as her work is concerned, is to bring brands, products, services and companies exposure. Find out more about her life from her personal blog (cooking, life, sense, parenting, writing, etc) or her professional WordPress blog MarshaMaung.Me. Hope to see you and connect there.

The Perfect Store Concepts For Repeat Visits

By Ann Y

When they walk into the store, first, you want them to feel welcomed. Two, you want them to feel at ease - no pressure and to-the-point. Three, you want them to freely browse around and find something that they want from your store. Even if they leave without purchasing something from you, the feeling that you want them to leave with them is that they are more than welcomed to come back any time that they want when they are in the neck of the woods.

'Consumer behaviour' has come under the microscopic scrutiny of marketing experts since the beginning of time. Back when people did not have the means nor the scope to analyze and collect data from consumers, they asked around through word of mouth. In modern day, needless to say, things have changed and we have enough data now to classify each decision, each action and each influence based on consumer behaviour.

There are no one-size-fit-all solutions and all industries have to depend on a deep understanding of their target markets and demographics. Methods that hold sway in the brick and mortar environment may not work in an offline one, and vice versa. But vying for our target market's attention and clocking in reminders to them on a regular basis is a given.

Marketing and the First Impression

Attending exhibitions, participating in promotions and partnerships, placement of advertisements, pasting of posters, handing out of brochures, engaging in potential customers on online platforms and sending of newsletters are all different effective ways to reach out to your target market.

What everyone in the marketing and advertising industry can agree on is that most consumers purchase based on their emotions, instead of needs. Standing out at first glance makes the best and most lasting impression - whether it is on Instagram or in a newspaper advertisement. People make decisions when they are done weighing all their options, often not on impulse.

One example would be this: a woman could be yearning for that kitchen appliance for months. She held back. A few months later, she purchases the first thing she remembers in an advertisement, but only when she feels that she either NEEDS the appliance to make HER life better, or it has reached an URGENT level.

So, the question is: are you and will you be there for her when she's ready to buy?

Target Audience and Purchasing Power

The general consensus is that yes, everyone wants a nicer or newer car, house, kitchen or sofa. But not everyone can AFFORD to get it on the whim. Your target market, hence, depends highly on your product branding and placement.

An example would be a company attending an exhibition. If you're an airline or a hotel participating in a Travel Fair, similar to our Malaysian MATTA Fair, you're targeting the right people. The attendees of the fair attend the fair based on their purchasing power, have a budget for a break, and are ready to spend money (albeit, with attractive discounts) on a holiday. The fair already has their segmented target group of people.

In the online world, most social media networks allow you to target your audience, although not as precise as the example above. In the offline one, handing out brochures and samples in a mall frequented by elite and wealthy prospects (based on the type of retail outlets and brands there are in the mall) will help you sell more extravagant goods as compared to budget items.

Bottom line is, know where your audience are, be there and STAND OUT.

Give People A Good Reason To Come Back... Soon!

You don't need a marketing expert to tell you that you need to give people a reason to come back. Stand a day behind the cashier counter of a retail outlet and watch people come in, go out time and time again, the whole day, and realize that a large percentage of your customers have been to your store before. Most real customers are returning visitors.

This is particularly important if you do not have an online presence, where you rely exclusively on people who walk in through your front door. A reason to return could be something as simple as a coupon, a friendly smile, or a brochure for them to look at when they're waiting at the bank. Some shops hold successful open houses and exclusive events and it works!

Placement of Promotional Items For That Impulse Purchase

This is a no-brainer but it bears a reminder. If you have something on promotion, place it strategically at the counter near the cashier. As you're crunching the final numbers, your customers' eyes are roaming around the surface area of the countertop and this is the perfect chance to grab that 'hard to resist' promotional item and pop it quickly into their basket. In modern day term, this is FOMO in action. Google it.

This works especially well if you are clearing your inventory, have a new product sample to offer, or are promoting a new product. Customers, when they are at the final leg of their shopping, feel limited by time and inventory, hence, they are more likely to take the deal that you're suddenly offering at the very last minute. The adrenaline is surging and they feel the urgency to make a decision - and they're likely to make a quick 'cheap' purchase at the end of it. The data says it all, and that's why you commonly see retailers taking advantage of that limited time frame to squeeze something extra into their customers' baskets.

Call Out To Them With Enticing Design And Colours

It's been shown that a colourful, well-thought-out and easy-to-navigate store is much more inviting and enticing than white-walled ones with nothing calling out to them. Your store tells a story by itself, from the windowpane to the cashier at the end. If your location enjoys a reasonable number of footfall, encourage them to step in (without pressuring them) for a look-around with designs that call out to them.

Design a window display that tells a short story about what they can expect to find in your store. Tug at their heartstrings, bring them in with just a suitably-themed window display or a well-positioned poster.

And if they don't walk in the first time, chances are, they might the second time round.

Find more useful articles, ideas, and inspiring pictures to fuel your passion as a designer or help you come up with a chic design for the renovation of your store from our websites. Check out Formedge.com.my. for products and services and Decowall.com.my for inspiration and promotional items on shopfitting products, furniture, wall-mounted slatwall systems and counters on discount.

What Makes Green Coffee Bean Extract A Healthy Choice?

By Emilio Vargas

Green coffee isn't your regular coffee, a good thing before drinking. They are fresh coffee beans and doesn't roast. When they mature and go through a series of processes until they become roasted coffee, these are hand-selected. Although roasted give you with the aromatic and addictive beverages known today. It can destroy the chlorogenic acids in the beans, which can help to lose weight in several useful ways. This coffee promotes healthy weight loss.

How does raw coffee beans work?

Green coffee beans contain polyphenols, plus chlorogenic acids, grape grain extract. Green tea has antioxidants that boost the body offset destructive free radicals. Studies show chlorogenic acids promote regular blood pressure. Distinct coffee beverages, the extracts have no caffeine and are not stimulants. When dried, chlorogenic acid destroyed, and don't have the privilege of coffee. So, health benefits of green coffee bean extract compared to roasted coffee beans. Today, coffee bean extracts become the new weight loss diet for production of Arabica plant. The only antioxidant compound that promotes successful weight loss through green coffee is chlorogenic acid.

The form of Chlorogenic acid is a plant-derived compound known for its strong antioxidant action and various body benefits. Unrefined green coffee beans are the best source of natural chlorogenic acid. The extract containing chlorogenic acid is a recipe for a better and healthier life. There are other plants that contain chlorogenic acid, but much less, so raw coffee is the most popular. Essential and believed to be a congenital occurring active compound that helps keep healthy blood glucose levels. Strong antioxidants and studies of antioxidants shown that they can support cardiovascular health and the immune mechanism.

How chlorogenic acid works

When you take from raw coffee, it inhibits the release of glucose in the body, help stimulate metabolism. These two mechanisms beget two main roles. One is to prevent fat storage in the body and the other to suppress appetite. This double effect prevents the body from gaining extra weight. You can't enjoy drinking plain black coffee because it goes through the roasting method. It destroys any chlorogenic acids found in the original green coffee beans.

The potential health benefits of raw coffee chlorogenic acids:

1. Strong antioxidant

Although roasted contain antioxidants, most of the antioxidant content lost during roasting and processing. So, it has found that green coffee beans contain higher antioxidant content. Many people have seen that antioxidants have anti-aging properties. Because they can help protect the body and skin from harmful free radicals. Antioxidants help the body neutralize harmful free radicals and help you consider young and healthy.

2. Lose weight

Besides promoting more effective control of blood glucose levels, it promotes weight loss and weight control. The potential fat burning effect and the increase in raw coffee metabolism are due to chlorogenic acid. The specific dosage helps limit fat accumulation and helps burn existing fat.

3. Protect the liver

It helps protect the liver from acute hepatotoxicity caused by lipopolysaccharide. It can help detoxification and help protect the liver.

4. Anti-inflammatory

Scientific research shows it can have anti-inflammatory properties, can help inflammation and redness, and help restore quicker.

5. Antibacterial effect

Help fight certain viruses and bacteria and help strengthen the immune mechanism. Helps fight free radical damage, the antioxidants help promotes better detoxification.

Is there any other choice?

There is different green coffee available, but the best is a supplemental form. Because beverages are bitter because they didn't simmer. Pure Green Coffee 7000 mg capsules give you with a convenient way to gain no bitter benefits. In addition, when raw concentrated into capsules, you get the energy to burn fat. For many supplements, this coffee is more useful, pure organic supplements and 100% premium.

How to take Green Coffee Bean Extract

The bean extract cannot consume a liquid, tea or juice. But to take the form of tablets, pills, or capsules that contain green coffee bean powder. You should take one serving around half an hour before every meal. (see the recommended dosage on your package).

The author a part-time blogger. Visit my personal site at   https://www.almamis.com/blog.

Why Magic Isn't Real and How You Can Harness It

By William T Batten

I'm here to tell you that the old magics work. I don't believe in any fantasies. I'm a capital-C cynic who would point out that supernatural literally means 'not found in nature'. None of this matters. Magic works.

How can I say that I'm a sceptic and I believe in magic? Don't be ridiculous. Magic isn't real and I never said that it is. I only said that it works.

What kind of magic? All kinds. Shamanism, Wiccan, Christian and D&D wizardry all work perfectly. You can use them to enhance your health, predict the future, banish problems, win battles and receive the wisdom of the gods.

See, the magic of magic isn't in some spirit realm. It lies in the rituals that people used to try (and fail) to invoke the blessings of pixies or whatever.

Magic isn't real but its rituals are powerful. Why? Because your unconscious mind loves rituals. This is why you have your little good luck charms and superstitions. This is how going to the doctor and receiving no treatment can still cure you.

Rituals and symbols are why you feel submissive (or hostile) around cops. They are why you have a certain style of dress, even if that style is 'I pick whatever so I don't have to think about it'. Going to your favourite park or turning on the TV after a long day are both rituals.

Everything you do can get the benefits of the most powerful spellbook, even as you obey physics to the letter.

People recommend having a dedicated place in your home for meditation. The idea is that you'll associate the place and the state together. Simply entering your meditation space will plunge you into a deep, pleasant trance.

Definitely do this. Then go even further.

The best magical rituals in fiction use ancient words of power. Choose your mantra and use it while meditating. Which ancient words of power? It doesn't matter! The words are irrelevant but the ritual matters to your inner mind.

What spell would be complete without great hand flourishes? Do whatever feels natural. Use huge sweeping movements or subtle caresses of the air.

Of course, the most powerful spells require you to have the right state of mind. No grump ever cast a Patronus charm. Find a state of mind that works for you.

None of these antics will do anything. At least, not at first. Keep them up and you'll associate them to the meditative state. When you do, you'll tap into the psychological principle behind every culture's ceremonies, chants, dances and festivals. Your inner mind loves rituals, so use them.

I don't hear many meditators suggest that you go to these extremes. It's the sort of quirky, yet psychological sound, advice that only self-hypnosis brings. If meditation isn't fun for you anymore, then look beyond it. There's a whole new way of interfacing with your unconscious mind. Harness your own unreal yet real enough magic today:

   https://guided-thought.com/downloads/unlock-vault-self-hypnosis/