January 9, 2009

Choosing the Right Treatment: Ice vs. Heat

You're working out like mad trying to lose those holiday pounds and all of your muscles are aching. Soaking for hours in a warm bath sounds great, but is that the right thing to do?You were out for a walk, stepped in a hole, and twisted your ankle and now it's bruised and swollen. Do you use ice or put a heating pad on it?This is one of the most common questions I receive. It's also one of the more common things that people do incorrectly. It does make sense…heat on something for a long time makes it feel good. It's true that ice is not very comfortable when you use it for a while. So heat should be better, right?As it turns out, ice is universally better for acute injuries and even some chronic ones. Ice serves as a natural anti-inflammatory and functions to constrict the blood vessels, thereby reducing the blood flow to the injured area. Inflammatory factors are carried in the blood. Having less of these present minimizes the swelling, bruising, and pain associated with inflammation. The sooner you apply an ice pack to a sprain or strain, the sooner it can do its job reducing […]

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Senior Dog Health Tips

Signs of aging in your dog are gradual, just as with us. Slowly becoming grey around the muzzle, slowing down, not a quick to get up from lying down, and sleeping more.These are natural normal signs of elderly dogs, and are inevitable. Depending on the breed and size of your dog, the rate of aging can be quite different. For example at 10 years of age, a dog under 20 pounds is approximately equivalent to 56 human years. Compare the same aged dog (10 years old) that is over 90 pounds, and they are equivalent to approximately 78 human years.Vets usually consider a small dog to be senior citizens around the 12th year. A large breed dog reaches the same stage around their 7th year. This is according to a report from Tuft's University.Using established guidelines to determine when your dog starts entering their golden years will help to understand any changes in behavior and health. Keeping regular checkups with your vet is also most important as your dog ages, as any irregularities can be found early.Signs of aging and tips to help keep your senior pet as perky as possible are:Difficulty getting […]

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Epimedium: Horny Goat Weed to Boost Vitality

Horny Goat weed, correctly named Epimedium, or Yin Yang Huo in Chinese, is one of over 60 herbaceous plants of the Berberdaceae family. It grows naturally in Southern China, and also in Korea, Southeast Asia and some parts of Europe. Other names given to include Fairy Wings and Bishop's Hat.
Horny goat weed has been viewed as a natural alternative to Viagra, and many species of Epimedium are said to possess aphrodisiac properties, and is said to have got its name from a Chinese goat herder who notice that his goats became more 'frisky' with the lady goats after eating the plant. In fact studies have indicated to increase vitality, particularly the libido and male sexual vitality, although it also possesses some other health benefits in its effect on dementia and osteoporosis.
The term 'horny' is used in the colloquial sense, and has nothing to do with the shape of the plant, the flowers of which are star-shaped. In fact the Chinese name for it means 'licentious goat weed', making the English translation quite clear.
The main ingredient in horney goat weed is icariin, a flavonoid glycoside that acts as a PDE5 inhibitor. Others include the similarly named, but […]

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