Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Researches Find That Your Weight Can Affect Your Brain

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The common belief if that our weight can affect only our physical health and there’s absolutely no chance for it to affect our brain.

Obesity is certainly a horrible thing but it’s surely not so horrible that it will destroy the neurons in our brains right?

In fact, don’t many of us adopt a sedentary lifestyle to focus more on our career and work which basically involves sitting in front of a computer screen with take-out pizzas and gaining weight?

The Truth:

Well, here’s the harsh truth. As per a study, our weight can seriously affect the size of our brains and how quickly it deteriorates. Which means obesity and brain function are linked and that obesity can affect the white matter inside our skull. This not only leads to dementia, Alzheimer’s and depression but it also affects memory, language and visual skills. Battling obesity has never been this important.

The Research:

Scientists at the University of Cambridge did an experiment to see if obesity speeded up the brain shrinkage process that occurs naturally with age. The findings were published in the Neurobiology of Aging, titled ‘Obesity Associated With Increased Brain-Age From Mid-Life.’

The Procedure:

They tested 473 adults between the ages 20 to 87 of varying weights looking to for unusual differences in their comparative results. They found out that leaner middle-aged people had more white matter than those who were overweight. So the average 50-year-old obese individual had the brain matter of someone at least 10 years older than him.

In short, obesity deteriorates your brain.

Limitations:

However, this study does have some limitations. For instance, when the obese people were tested on their IQ, their overall cognitive ability remained unaffected thus hinting that more research needs to be done to establish the exact link between weight and brain function.

As Paul Fletcher, co-author of the research and psychiatry professor at the University of Cambridge says, “Going forward, older obese people should specifically be studied when it comes to obesity and premature ageing of the brain. We’re living in an ageing population, with increasing levels of obesity, so it’s essential that we establish how these two factors might interact since the consequences for health are potentially serious.”

What’s Important:  

Nevertheless, white matter, often dubbed as the ‘subway of the brain’ is responsible for maintaining connections between different areas of the brain and controlling neuron response, so a decrease in white matter is definitely dangerous and can lead to further complications.

What You Should Do:

If you’re reading this, you’re either obese and panicking or, you’re not obese but still worried. However, there is no reason to panic or be anxious about this, as obesity, like diabetes and other serious ailments can be kept under control and even minimised with these two simple steps.

1. First off, get off the couch and get some exercise. The more active you remain, the better. Try to get into an exercise regime. You can join a gym or set up one in your own house, or if these options are too expensive, get creative. Use the stairs instead of the lift, stretch and do yoga, be more active in the house, do at least  20-30 sit ups every day and go for long walks to contemplate your life.

2. Eat healthy. Keep a food diary or use an app to track your calories. Either way, keep junk food to a minimum. Take cooking lessons if possible or consult a dietitian to make a special chart for you and reward yourself for sticking to it.

In short, prioritise your health before anything else in your life, and that includes your career and monthly salary. If you’re looking for more ideas to lose weight check out these articles:

10 Simple Natural Hacks To Help You Lose Weight Fast
Four Ways to Lose Weight Fast
The 10 Easiest And Most Effective Tips For Weight Loss

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85% of Americans Suffer from Malnutrition Without Even Knowing It. Are You One of Them?

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Malnutrition doesn’t just happen to those in deprived circumstances.

The term “malnutrition” tends to conjure up images of people who live in less economically developed countries and suffer from food shortages. We rarely consider the possibility that those living in affluent countries could also be malnourished, but due to our modern dietary patterns, it is important to be alert to the signs and symptoms of nutritional deprivation.

But, how can a rich person become malnourished?

Just because a person ingests a sufficient number of calories on a regular basis does not mean that they are meeting all of their nutritional requirements. It is possible to maintain a normal or even high body mass yet fail to eat the kinds of food the body needs, which can result in malnutrition.

The Consequences of Malnutrition

A malnourished individual will not be able to live up to their full physical and mental potential. This is particularly important in the case of young children, who will not make the appropriate mental, physical and educational gains that they need to succeed in life if they do not receive a balanced diet. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, 85% of Americans do not consume adequate quantities of common vitamins and other nutrients needed to support all-round health. Malnourished individuals are more likely to suffer physical and mental illness. This has a knock-on effect for the economy, with work-based productivity impacted as a result.

Which nutrients do American people miss out on?

Fiber, vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3 are among the most important nutrients missing from the typical American diet. Weakness, tiredness, and a susceptibility to increased infections are among the key signs to watch for. If you experience these symptoms on a regular basis, it is time to review your diet and take a trip to your physician for a checkup.

Fiber

A deficiency in fiber can lead to constipation and digestive sluggishness, which in turn can increase risk of hemorrhoids and colon cancer. Improve your fiber intake by eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Try some delicious smoothie recipes to make increasing your fruit intake simple.

Vitamins

Vitamins D, E, and A are required for healthy brain, skeletal, and immune functioning and are commonly underrepresented in the typical American diet. Along with regular exposure to sunlight, eating fortified cereal and dairy products a couple of times per day is the best way to ensure that you get enough Vitamin D. Vitamin E is important in supporting the immune system, skin, and eyes. Almonds, avocado, and spinach are great sources of this nutrient. Finally, Vitamin A is necessary for healthy vision. It is found in many vegetables including carrots and butternut squash. Learn how to cook some tasty vegetable-based dishes to boost your intake.

Minerals

Minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium are key in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. Nuts, seeds, dairy, and lean meats are great sources of magnesium and calcium whereas potassium is found in bananas, avocado, spinach, and coconut water.

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are important in managing blood pressure and safeguarding heart health. Key sources include cod liver oil, soybean oil, and flaxseed oil. Sardines and salmon are other great sources. Check out some salmon-based recipes here.

How can you track your nutrition?

Fortunately, there are easy ways to check your nutritional intake. For example, using an app such as Myfitness Pal can help you gain an overview of your daily consumption of key nutrients and help you make changes as required. It may seem daunting at first, but making a few adjustments to your daily diet and trying a few new recipes can help you become much healthier.

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39 Foods/Drinks That Are Rich In Good Bacteria For Your Gut

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Most of us already know that yogurt contains bacteria that eases digestion. Actually apart from yogurt there are a lot of foods that can have similar effects! Below is a big list of foods/drinks that you can try to boost your digestive health apart from ensuring enough fiber intake each day.

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5 Hacks to Prepare for an Amazing Ski Trip

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The upcoming ski season has many of us dreaming of the fresh powder days and beautiful bluebird ski moments to come. Skiing is arguably one of the most exciting things about the winter season, which will be arriving soon. If you’re used to skiing your local terrain, you’ve probably grown accustomed to riding on the resorts you’ve already explored in your area. Although this is fun for most of your ski days this season, it might be time to take one of your favorite winter pastimes on the road with a ski trip to explore new mountains and immerse yourself in different ski cultures.

Here are five hacks to help you prepare for an awesome ski trip in the 2016-2017 ski season.

1. Plan sufficiently

 As you probably know, packing up your equipment and hauling it off to the resort of your choice is no easy feat. Add on the unique challenges of traveling, and the entire process gets even more difficult. However, if you play your cards right and plan correctly, you’ll find that the additional work is well-worth the incredible experience you’ll have taking your skiing to a new destination.

First, you’ll want to make sure you have all of your bases covered in terms of what equipment you’ll need to bring, how you should prepare for the weather, and what challenges you might need to plan for. Ski Utah offers a solid guide to help you navigate this portion of the planning.

As for identifying the right skiing destination, I’d recommend checking out some websites which offer lots of useful information such as snow levels and ski area features so you can make an informed decision. You can also check out this great guide on incredible places to ski.

2. Bring snacks

We all know that the cost of dining at a ski resort can get a bit out of hand. That’s why smart ski travelers bring their own snacks to munch on before, during, and after a day of skiing.

Bring nutritional items that are easy to store and won’t get smashed easily, like an apple. You can also add in some granola bars for healthy carbs throughout the day. For lunch, pack a sandwich and maybe even a little dark chocolate to satisfy sweet cravings.

3. Take self-care items

One of the major differences between skiing at home and skiing on a ski trip is that you will need to reenergize at the end of the day to make sure you’re ready to go again on the next day of your trip. This is where the importance of self-care comes in.

Significant forces are applied to the feet and then transferred through the ankles and knees as we ski and this stresses the limits of our anatomy. This is why it is important to take additional measures to take care of your joints on a ski trip where you’re planning to ski each day.

Bring an OTC pain reliever like ibuprofen or Aleve with you. Bring along a brace if you have a knee or ankle that often gives you trouble during a day of skiing. Practicing a little yoga prior to heading out for the day will also help you warm up your body and protect your joints. Here is a great guide with yoga poses all skiers should know.

4. Invest in the right equipment

Certain equipment is really worth the investment. For example, smartphone-friendly gloves are sure to come in handy when you’re out skiing on a cold day and waterproof base layers can be a real life saver on a wet, snowy day on the slopes.

Before you head out for your trip, check the weather to determine what gear you might need to accommodate it.

You might also want to consider additional equipment like boot covers and ski straps to help you haul your gear from Point A to Point B during your travels. Although you probably have a system in place for carrying your gear around at your local resort, it would be helpful to have a little assistance from the right equipment when you’re carrying your skis through the airport and around new resorts. Read this helpful guide for some suggestions on this kind of equipment if you’re not quite sure where to start.

5. Use the resort app (if they have one)

Before you head out on your trip, check to see if the resorts you plan to visit have an official app. If they do, download it! This will help you stay informed on conditions and provide you with a digital map of the resort that you can easily store in your pocket or bag. Some apps also allow you to check the wait time on each lift as you maneuver your way through each new resort.

Now that you’ve got an idea of what it takes to prepare for a successful ski trip away from home, it’s time to start planning! Hopefully, these tips will prove useful as you embark on your journey to new resorts and new ski cultures across the globe.

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6 Huge Lifestyle Benefits of Small Houses

Renee and Greg Cantori of Pasadena, Maryland, own a light-filled 238-square-foot house with room for a queen-size bed in the loft. After they retire, they hope to live a “surf ’n’ turf” lifestyle, splitting time between their boat and the tiny house. Illustrates DESIGN-TINYHOUSE (category l), by Nina Patel, special to The Washington Post. Moved Thursday, June 25, 2015. (MUST CREDIT: Photo for The Washington Post by Mike Morgan.)

Living in small houses has a lot of advantages. You should now that big does not always mean good. If you move to a smaller living space then you should know that you can make the best of it. The larger homes may look like a better option because it is spacious but living in small places may be a more convenient option. You can do a favor to the environment by saving energy with a small house. You can also save resources and money.

1. Living a cost-effective and affordable Life

Living in a small place means that you can keep your expenses low as well. You do not have to waste extra money on filling up empty spaces with decorative items. When you only have a little space to fill then you are careful about the things that you buy. You will prefer to buy furniture, appliances, and electronics which are extremely useful and are essentially needed. Having a smaller room will help in prioritizing which items you should buy. Knowing that your expenses will stay within your budget will offer you peace of mind and you will be able to enjoy your humble abode more.

2. Spend less time Cleaning

Cleaning the house is something that you cannot ignore. To live a healthy lifestyle you need to keep your living space clean and tidy. A large house looks spacious but it is not easy to clean them. You need to dedicate a lot of time to cleaning a large house so it is not possible to do it regularly. But if you live in a small house, it is much easier to clean. It will be time-saving as there are fewer items in it to clean. You can clean the house every weekend because it is not difficult to dedicate about two hours to your house.

3. Easier to make it Secure

If you travel a lot then you need to make sure that your house is safe and secure. You need to do a lot of work in order to ensure the security of the house especially if it is a big one. It is easier to make a security plan for a smaller house. There are fewer doors and windows to monitor. It is easier to install an effective security system when there are only a few points to cover.

4. Customize the home according to your Taste

If you have small homes and cottages then you will find it easier to customize. If you try to customize a large space it can cost you a lot of money. You will need a large budget to furnish a large space. If you have a small space then you will find it easier to decorate it. You can create a warm and welcoming house with a small budget.

5. Do not worry about any Debts

Having a small living place will encourage a simple living which means that you will be able to keep the expenses under control. It will make sure that they never exceed your income which means there is no chance of you worrying about any debt. Even if you are tempted to buy expensive household items you will avoid them because there is simply not enough space to put them. It will help in downsizing and saving money which you can invest in a better place.

6. Good option for building Relationships

Families living in large places can be close also but a small place means that you have to come across the family members all the time. With time, you find it easier to walk around other people and this makes it easier to communicate and address any issues or problems. A small house means that you get to spend time together in one place. You can plan family nights which is good for building healthy relationships.

At first, you may find living in a small house compromising but if you are smart and look for all the positives, living in a small house will become a lot of fun and you will live a good life.

Featured photo credit: Daily Republic via dailyrepublic.com

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7 Highly Effective Ways to Generate Traffic to your Website

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A strong internet presence can play a major role in enhancing the sales of your business. Good internet presence helps in earning more revenue and ensuring brand loyalty. It is important that you keep your websites up to date. You should look at the latest trends and make changes accordingly so that it helps in getting more traffic and is more profitable. You do not have to redesign the whole website to make it better. Making little improvements will help in improving the user experience.

Here are some tips that you can use to improve the design of your website without doing a full redesign.

1. Make it Easier to Share Content

Sharing the content helps in increasing the traffic to the site. You can reach a wider audience if you can make it easier for the visitors to share your content on different social profiles. You should add plugins which allow users to share any post with just a few clicks. The sharing process should not be complicated because if it is, then the visitors will not go through the trouble of doing it. Adding social media plugins will help in making sure that your content is shared and it reaches a wider audience.

2. Add Videos for More Attraction

Videos are an excellent addition to any website design. Most visitors love to watch videos. It is also an excellent means of conveying information. It is a much faster and effective way of getting across your message as compared to the text. It is better to add a dynamic video instead of lengthy boring descriptions. People like to stay on sites which offer more videos. It is also one of the features which compel people to come back to your website.

3. Make use of All the White Space

Too much white space on a site can be a little unwelcoming. It is better to use most of the available space. You can use them for more advertising. But it is important to leave just enough of the blank space so that the site does not look overwhelming. There should be a good balance between the content and the empty space. Too much empty space will make the page look boring while too much content can make it look congested – so adopt a balanced design. You should put the most important things on top and surround it with images or text which highlights it.

4. Go for a Responsive Design

Most consumers like to visit sites by using different devices. Make sure that your website is easily accessible on different devices. Many people use smartphones while surfing online. Having a responsive design helps in uplifting sales and increasing the SEO of the site. Use platforms such as Drupal or WordPresUe to make the site more responsive.

5. The Quality of Content Matters

The type of content plays a major role in determining how much traffic your site gets. It is essential that the content is unique and is of good quality. People will only share your content on their social media profiles if the content is of good quality. You should also see the trend and determine the interests of people. Try to focus your content on what people like. You can also see the posts which have been shared most by the people. It will also give an idea about the content that people would like to see.

6. Avoid Posting Too Much

Posting new content regularly seems like a good move because it means that visitors will always have fresh content to check out. But always remember that adding new content is only a good idea if it is of good quality. You should not comprise the quality just so you can provide fresh content constantly.

7. Aim Bigger and Go Global

Offering content just in the English language means that you are limiting your potential visitors. You should look to integrate a system which offers translations. It will allow you to increase the visitor’s base and there are several translation tools that you can use. If you want to go global then you should make sure that you are sensitive to the norms of different cultures.

Featured photo credit: hubpile via hubpile.com

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7 Simple Actions to Turn your House into a Dream Home

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Your home is your personal space and the atmosphere of the house has a lot of effect on the mood of the person. It is important to pay attention to the interior designing of your house. If your house is well organized and well-designed then it will have a good impression on your day. You do not have to spend a lot of money to make your house look great and to turn it into your dream home.

Here are some tips that will help in improving the look of your place and make it more inviting.

1. Making Small Rooms Look Spacious

If you have small rooms, they do not have to look congested. You can make them look spacious by being a little smart. One way of making small rooms look spacious is to use light colors. Paint the walls with light paint because dark colors make the room look smaller. Having large windows is also a good move for making the place look spacious. You can put mirrors on the walls because it will create an optical illusion which will make the place look bigger.

2. Do Not Ignore Insulation

If you want to make your house eco-friendly and green then you should never ignore the insulation. It is an excellent way of making your house energy efficient. Good quality insulation will help in lowering the electricity bills. The heating and cooling system are huge contributors when it comes to the energy bills. You should make sure that there are no leaks around doors, windows or attic doors. You should be careful not to lose the heat because it will increase the energy bills.

3. Using Maintainable Building Materials

If you respect your environment and want to do something good for it then you should look for ways which will help in making your home green. One way of doing that is using sustainable materials. It is better to use materials which are environmentally friendly. Make sure that all the parts of the house such as cabinets, counters, roofing should be insulated with material which is not harmful to the environment. You can also make use of recycled glass, bamboo, hardwood floor refinishing, recycled plastic etc.

4. Bluetooth LED Bulbs

Technology has brought us so many amazing things and has made our lives so much easier. One of the excellent additions you can make to your house is LED Bluetooth light bulbs. These bulbs are easy to switch on and off by using just an app. You do not have to make the blinded walk back to bed after switching off the lights. You can switch them off while being in bed.

5. Being Smart and Mixing Things up

You can make your house look beautiful by mixing different things. There is no harm in combining antiquities with modern pieces. You can mix different patterns and textures. The decoration of the house is a reflection of your personality. You can decorate the house with different paintings or even use woodwick candles to create the required level of aroma. You can put two totally different and opposite things next to each other and they will look good together. 

There is no rule that you cannot put expensive things with the cheap ones. You can use rugs and pillows with different patterns and colors. Woodwick candles especially give more fragrance and further enhance the aroma and beauty of the home as they come in different scents.

6. Using Area Rugs

If you want to create some warmth or texture to the house then you do that by adding area rugs. The rugs are a good option for adding personality to the living space. They also make the place look comfortable. They are not just for decoration they are pretty functional as well. There is an extensive range of variety to choose from.

7. Make your House Smart

You can make your house much more comfortable by adding smart technologies. You can add security to the house by adding smart security systems like alarms and surveillance cameras. You can add programmable thermostat which will help in making the energy consumption more efficient.

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6 Easy Steps to Build your Dream Website

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Building a website and deploying it online is not always easy, especially when one is a complete novice. It is important you get it right because once you get it up, it will be online to the public.

Here are some simple steps you wish you had known to get your project up and running.

Step 1: Put Your Ideas Together

Having a clear idea of what to achieve is necessary for the success of building a website, it is worth to invest your time, and put things together before anything is done. However, most people consider this phase as a waste of time but it is always the most delicate and important aspect when planning on embarking on such a project.

Below are some questions, you could ask yourself before you proceed:

  • Why do I want to create a website?
  • What benefit will this site bring to my business?
  • What budget can I afford?
  • Will I have the time to regularly provide rich content for my site?
  • Do I have the skills to launch alone?
  • Should I outsource the creation of the website?

Step 2: Set a Budget

As an entrepreneur, the creation of a website will require you to set up a business plan, no matter the size of the site. It is better to map out the budget you want to allocate to your website, while you further break it down subsequently.

Here is an outline of how to get your budget listed.

  • Website creation costs (Development)
  • Web hosting Cost (Monthly or Annual costs).
  • Costs of maintenance and update (if you go through a web agency or S.E.O firm).
  • S.E.O costs (if you go through a web agency or S.E.O firm).
  • Costs of promotion of your website.

Step 3: Find and Choose a Domain Name

The domain name is the Internet address that users will type to reach your site; therefore, it is important to get a proper name. Though often difficult for newbies to decide what name to choose, you could use this tips to get a desirable name.

  • Choose a name aligned to your niche.
  • Use Maximum of 3 short words.
  • Choose a name that portrays what you intend using your site for.

Step 4: Building Your Website

If you are a beginner, it is often advised to undergo basic training to better understand the Internet language, and the possibilities offered. Once the training is completed, you will be able to choose the method you would want to use to get your website created.

To get good web designers, you could easily check online local directories where users can call for simple, and agile services that they need on a daily basis. For optimum results, search for developers locally using precise terms like web design San Diego, if you live in the San Diego area.

These web designers offer different site models, and a quote. Prices vary widely depending on the type of sites to create and the individual requirements.

But if you choose to do it yourself, here are some tips you could use.

  • Create a readable and effective website.
  • Use simple graphic.
  • Save the homepage as “index.html”, the server will know which page to open first.
  • Avoid empty pages or under construction.
  • No need to make an introductory page, and animation.
  • Do not overload the pages with colors, patterns, and music.
  • Do not use too large images; this will slow down your site.

STEP 5: Choose a Web Host

Once your sites have been created, it is time for your website to be accessible to all users. Therefore, it is necessary that you place the files of your website pages on a server. The role of a web host is quite simple; it must implement all necessary means, to ensure that your website is available all day long in optimal navigation conditions.

The choice of web hosting company must be based on your criteria’s (budget, memory, and type of site). You can review a comparative list of best web host company online, to make your choice.

Take time to compare different offers. The reliability and the age of the host, the quality of proposed tools and services, pricing, and customer service should be the subject of your attention.

STEP 6: Market Your Site On The Internet

One of the most important tasks after creating the site itself is its inclusion on search engines and online directories. Because there is no point in building a website, if you do not have visitors.

Therefore, you could use social media platforms  to ensure your site reaches your target audience.

These tips are not exhaustive; getting a website created and deployed online is easy if you have the budget, an idea of what you need, and the driving force.

Featured photo credit: Pixabay via pixabay.com

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