Getting Your Target

What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and yet most people have never thought about what their "target of health" actually looks like. If you and your family were healthy, what would it be like? It is like this: Imagine you are shooting a bow and arrow at a definite target and you have no idea what the target is. What do you think the chances are that you will hit the target? Not very good. Knowing what the target is dramatically increases the chances of you hitting the target. Everyone usually has some definition of health but that is kind of like saying the target is round. A definition doesn't help much.

What would you feel like, what would your kids do, and what would life look like? Get a clear target of what you being healthy would actually be like. Instead of just shooting for some ambiguous non-defined target, figure out your target. How much energy will you have, what will happen to your symptoms and disease, and how else will you be free? Simply knowing your target dramatically increases the odds of you hitting it.

So what is "true" health? Let me begin to show you by pointing out what is not health.

When you wake up in the morning, do you spring out of bed, full of energy and vitality? Or do you hit the snooze bar two, three, or even nine times before you get out of bed? This, my friend, is a symptom. It is something that you think is part of life, part of working hard, part of whatever, and you accept it as the way it is, when it is nothing more than a lack of health. Because if you were healthy, you would wake up in the morning and get out of bed easily, with abundant energy.

Are you in a good mood all the time? Happy and fulfilled? Your moods are in direct relationship to your health, and when you are not as healthy as you could be, you are not as happy or happy as often as you could be, because of your lack of health. Happiness is just a certain chemical state in your body. Emotions are literally just different chemical reactions in the body. Different chemicals present in different amounts, and this is what produces different moods and emotions. That is why the medical profession gives drugs to try to change peoples' chemistry when they are depressed. If you can change the chemistry correctly, the moods and emotions of that person will change. If you are not abundantly happy and happy most of the time, that is a symptom.

As you go through the day, do you have high levels of energy to do whatever you want to do? Do you have energy levels to carry you right through the day? Or do you get sluggish and tired during parts of the day, especially after lunch? This is a symptom.

Do you experience stress? This is a symptom as well. Why is it that one air traffic controller goes home stressed out of his mind, and another air traffic controller sitting right next to him goes home perfectly fine? What is the difference? It is not the job. They both have the same job. The difference is how the individual people respond to the different situations. The healthier you are, the less stress you experience, no matter what is happening in the environment.

There are many more things, just like this, that many people accept as something they "have to" have, something they just must deal with because of circumstances. And this is simply not true. The full potential of health, to me, is that of a four- year-old child.

When is the last time someone had to fight you to get you to go to bed at night? When is the last time someone had to bargain with you to get you to take a nap? When is the last time you ran to the car, just because you could? Or even better, had a contest to see who could run "over there" the quickest, and then when you got there, had a contest to run back to exactly where you started? Or just ran anywhere, simply because you could and because you were in love with life, and wanted to do as much as possible? You don't see kids getting up in the morning, rubbing their eyes, scratching their butts, staggering around with their cup of juice, reading their Fisher-Price books before they finally wake up. When kids get up, they are up, ready to take on the day. This is starting, and I mean only starting, to point to what having health really and fully means.

You can begin to start forming what your target of health actually looks like. In one of the later lessons I am going to help you form your target of health. But first, we need to help you discover the false beliefs you have happily accepted about health that are just not true. Because it is what you know that just ain't so that prevents you from achieving true health.

What is the true and full meaning of health? This and this article are Part of a Free e-Course on Dieting and Eating Healthy. Go to http://www.bazuji.com/ecourse to sign up for the free e-course. Do you want to be Sexy, Slim, Slender and Healthy for Life. Dr. Jamie wants to help give you this with his "non-diet." He is also giving you dozens of valuable free gifts to "ethically bribe" you into helping him make his new book, "The Ultimate Non-Diet" a #1 best seller. For details go to: http://www.TheUltimateNonDiet.com/free

5 Secrets of Reading Food Labels Revealed

Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply losing weight, you want to eat a healthy diet and focus on foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, and balanced in fats, carbs, proteins.

There is only one way to incorporate healthy foods into our diet and that is to make the decision to do it! Practical information about the nutrition and safety of the foods we consume is absolutely vital in making this decision.

One way to learn more about what we eat, is to snoop around the supermarket. Check-out package labels to see what manufactures are adding (or removing) from the foods we eat. Read the information on the package and start making comparisons to determine which foods are the best for YOU. Know about nutritional labeling and the sometimes sneaky ways that manufacturers have of hiding what is in the food. Know and understand ingredient declarations, how they are used, and what a few of the "technical" terms mean. Are the unfamiliar ingredients good or bad for your health?

Since 1994 food manufacturers have been required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include food labels (or Nutrition Facts labels) on product packaging so that consumers have accurate nutritional information about the food they purchase. But food labels are more than just a federal requirement ? once you understand the information they provide, you can use food labels as a guide to planning healthier meals and snacks.

Food labels are required on almost all foods, except those that don't provide many nutrients such as coffee, alcohol and spices. Although some restaurants provide information about the food they serve, they aren't required to have labels. The FDA recommends that sellers provide nutritional information on produce, meat, poultry and seafood, but it's strictly voluntary.

What Is a Serving?

At the top of a food label under Nutrition Facts, you'll see the serving size and the number of servings in the package. The rest of the nutrition information in the label is based on one serving.

Calories, Calories From Fat and Percent Daily Values

This part of a food label provides the calories per serving and the calories that come from fat. If you need to know the total number of calories you eat every day or the number of calories that come from fat, this section provides that information. Remember that this part of the label doesn't tell you whether you are eating saturated or unsaturated fat.

On the right side of a food label, you'll see a column that lists percentages. These percentages refer to the percent daily values (%DV). Percent daily values tell you how much of something, whether it's fat, sugar or vitamin A, one serving will give you compared to how much you need for the entire day. It will help you gauge the percentage of a nutrient requirement met by one serving of the product. One way to use this section of the label is when you comparison shop. For example, if you're concerned with sodium, you can look at two foods and choose the food with the lower % DV. Are you trying to eat a low-fat diet? Look for foods that have a lower percent daily value of fat.

The %DV is based on how much or how little of the key nutrients you should eat whether you eat 2,000 or 2,500 calories a day. So if you eat a 2,000-calorie diet, you should eat less than 65 grams of fat in all the foods you eat for the day. If you're eating 12 grams of fat in your one serving of macaroni and cheese (remember that's one cup), you can calculate how much fat you have left for the day. You can use the bottom part of the food label in white to compare what you are eating to the % DV you're allowed for that nutrient, whether it's fat, sodium or fiber. If you need more or less than 2,000 or 2,500 calories, you'll need to adjust this accordingly.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

Substitutes for Butter

Instead of Butter: Use top quality, cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil, from the first pressing, or flaxseed oil. The taste of virgin olive oil is appealing to millions of people around the world, so why not adopt it to your taste?

Flaxseed oil is prized for health reasons and not for its taste. You can always compensate for that by adding spices to the appropriate dish. Let's say you want to add a little flaxseed oil to mashed potatoes, instead of butter. You could add basil, oregano, rosemary, curry, garlic, or any other spice that agrees with your palate.

You can use a little virgin olive oil on mashed potatoes with basil and roasted garlic, but it's up to the individual's own taste. At home, we use a little olive oil on toast, instead of butter. Again, you could spice it, but try to avoid salting.

Depending on whose study you read, flaxseed oil contains Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 Oils.

Olive oil has some Omega-6 value, but it tastes great.

If you want to learn a lot more about beneficial oils, visit:

http://www.math.ucsd.edu/~ebender/Health%20&%20Nutrition/Nutrition/oil_good.html

To name a few of the many conditions improved by Omega-3 Oils: High Cholesterol Levels, Prevention of Strokes and Heart Attacks, Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Multiple Sclerosis, Allergies, Angina, High Blood Pressure, Arthritis, and Asthma.

To read a little more about the link between cancer prevention and Omega-3 fatty acids, please visit:

http://www.seapet.com/EFA_cancer.htm#AICR

It goes without saying any further, that omega-3 fatty acids should be boosted in most of our diets.

You will notice, I did not mention, margarine as a dietary recommendation. Trans-fats are formed as a result of chemical hydrogenation. Depending upon the brand you buy, margarine may contain up to 45 percent trans-fats.

"The problem with trans fatty acids is that your body doesn't know what to do with them," said Brian Olshansky, M.D., University of Iowa Health Care professor of internal medicine.

Trans fatty acids (trans-fats) are linked to diabetes, high cholesterol, sudden cardiac death, obesity, and heart disease.

Expect to see a warning on the labels of food containing trans-fats in the near future. New labeling for foods is expected soon, and total trans-fats contained within a product serving, will be listed. Believe it or not, at least one trans-fat, CLA (conjugated linolenic acid), is considered beneficial, but that is another story.

Suffice to say, it would be wise to avoid margarine until all the research is in. At that point, the composition of margarine will probably change for the better.

Paul Jerard, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

An Apple a Day, Does Keep the Doctor Away

Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to: reduce your cholesterol, reduce your hunger, lower your fat absorption, reduce surges in insulin levels, help with weight loss, lower the risk of colon cancer, and lower your risk of heart disease. WOW! Sounds like a miracle cure - where can I get this stuff? The answer: At your grocery store.

Old Ben Franklin, citing in Poor Richard's Almanac 250 years ago stated "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Well he was right. Not only because the apple contains vitamins and minerals, but also because it is a major source of fiber. Maybe three apples a day keeps three doctors away!

What is fiber? Well, it is basically indigestible complex carbo-hydrates that come from plant foods. What your Grandma called "roughage" is called fiber by scientists. When you look at some food labels, fiber is often listed under carbohydrates - but it is not a single food or substance and by itself has no calories because your body cannot absorb it.

There are actually two types of fiber and they have different health benefits. The two types are "water soluble" and "water insoluble". Soluble fibers include the skins of fruits such as apples, oranges (not the orange peel, but the white material after you peel it), pears, peaches and grapes; the skins of vegetables, seeds; oat bran, dried beans, oatmeal, barley, rye, and prunes. Insoluble fibers include the meat of fruits and vegetables, dried beans, wheat bran, seeds, popcorn, brown rice, and whole grain products such as breads, cereals, and pasta.

Bran of course does bulk up the diet and results in larger, softer stools. But it actually does more than prevent constipation - there are clear data showing that fiber also reduces the risk of colon cancers. The "stickiest" kinds of fiber are the gums and pectins (soluble fiber) and they help keep cholesterol under control by removing bile acids that digest fat. Bile acids, which promote better digestion, unfortunately also contribute much to the "reabsorption" from the bowel wall of our bodies own "home-made" cholesterol. Every gram of fiber intake per day reduces your total blood cholesterol by approximately one point. The same class of fibers may help regulate blood sugar as well. This latter feat is accomplished by coating the bowel's lining and delaying stomach emptying. As a result, fiber can slow sugar absorption after a meal and may reduce the amount of insulin needed to keep blood sugar at the right levels. Reducing the over-production of insulin is a major factor in reducing obesity.

Insulin "resistance" (abnormally high insulin levels) is common in very obese patients and may be a factor in "obesity begets obesity". Fiber is also a weight watchers dream since fibers called cellulose and hemicelluloses take up space in the stomach, making us feel full; thus lowering total caloric intake at meal time. Popular agents such as Metamucil are actually an important part of many weight reduction diets as they slow down absorption of sugars taken in as part of most meals - promoting further weight loss.

The average American gets only 14 grams of fiber per day in their diet. Most scientists agree that the optimal amount is closer to 35 grams per day. Increasing the consumption of "complex" carbo-hydrates is the best way to increase fiber intake. Fiber supplements are also available at the grocery. However, be aware that a large increase in your fiber intake over a short period of time may result in bloating, diarrhea, gas and general discomfort. It is important then to increase the fiber amount in your diet gradually over a period of time (up to three weeks) to allow your "gut" to acclimated and avoid abdominal side-effects.

Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.

Dr. John Rumberger is the Author of The WAY Diet, The complete lifestyle plan to live longer, reduce stress, and lose weight the healthy way. To purchase The Way Diet simply go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0974993387
&link_code=as2&camp=1789&tag=icobweb-20&creative=9325 or go to Empty Canoe Publishing http://www.emptycanoe.com and order your copy of The Way.

Gift Basket Idea for Senior Citizens

Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to health and quality of life with aging is widely recognized. Consuming fruits and vegetables can reduce an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease and many cancers.

Furthermore, fruits and vegetables are important components of diets for the secondary prevention of diabetes and hypertension. Of course, with diabetes, you want to use the low glycemic fruits. The highest sugar fruits are melons. Diets rich in nutrients and phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables have also been associated with delay or decreased risk of conditions associated with aging such as cataracts, diverticulosis, degeneration in neurological and cognitive performance, decline in bone mass, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Diets that are high in fruits and vegetables lower an individual's risk of chronic disease and contribute to healthy aging. Homebound seniors often have low intake of fruits and vegetables and limited access to fruits and vegetables with the most protective nutrients and phytochemicals.

Wouldn't it be a great idea to send someone you know who is a Senior Citizen or someone you know in your community that would benefit from a nice, juicy fruit gift basket?

Once a year, our home care agency sends a Thanksgiving gift Basket and Christmas gift basket to one of our patients who can really benefit from receiving one of these gift baskets. It not only makes them feel special, but they get a nutrition meal.

If you don't know what to give your friend for the holidays, consider a fruit and vegetable gift basket.

Home delivery of fruits and vegetables is an effective way to increase fruit and vegetable intake in homebound seniors.

Copyright 2005 Fern Kuhn, RN
Specializing in Diabetes

http://www.diabetestestingcenter.com
http://www.attentiondeficitdisordercenter.com
http://www.acidrefluxandgerd.com

You may reprint this article as long as you keep the links active.

Don't Let the Little Blue Pills Make You Blue

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, commonly affects sexually mature males. It is a condition marked by the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. Impotence can be caused by a number of issues such as smoking, alcohol abuse, pelvic trauma, hormonal deficiency, psychological problems, stress, or conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. When the cause is determined, the proper course of treatment will then be prescribed. These can range from oral prescriptions, direct injections to the penis, psychological counseling, mechanical sex aids or surgery.

One of the most popular oral treatments for erectile dysfunction is sildenafil citrate, which is selling under the brand name Viagra. Approved for use by the United States Food ans Drug Administration (USFDA), Viagra is a prescription oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor that has become incredibly popular with men who suffer from impotence or erectile dysfunction. It blocks the enzyme known as PDE5, which breaks down the chemicals that cause the erectile response. It also helps the penile muscles to relax, thus allowing it to engorge and stay firm for a longer period of time. But contrary to popular opinion, Viagra does not directly create an erection in the penis. It will only work on impotent patients who are sexually stimulated. However, it does increase the sensitivity of the male sexual organ. In fact, although there are other PDE5 inhibitors available on the market such as Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), surveys suggest that more men prefer Viagra because of the "hardness" that it produces.

Although these little blue pills have been hailed as a wonder drug by impotent men worldwide, Viagra is not without its complications. Side effects such as headache, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, muscle pains, flushing of the face and body, runny nose, palpitations, and vision disturbances have been observed in some patients. However, there has been some evidence that these side effects diminish with prolonged use. Viagra has also been reported to cause permanently impaired vision or even blindness in some patients. It is also not recommended for patients taking nitrate-based drugs or alpha-blockers, because interaction between those prescriptions with PDE5 inhibitors can be fatal in some cases.

The drug itself is easily absorbed by the body, especially on an empty stomach. It is recommended that men who suffer from impotence take the drug at least an hour before commencing sexual intercourse, but never more than once a day. Before taking the drug, impotent men are advised to consult with their doctors and get a complete physical check-up. They should also discuss the potential impact that Viagra may have on their health.

After any television ad for Viagra comes a little warning: "If you have an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, see your doctor." More often than not, we laugh at the thought. But men who do not suffer from impotence who wish to take the drug for enhancement of sexual pleasure must also consult with a doctor. Some studies suggest that the drug can actually cause priapism, a prolonged erection that is usually painful. Funny as it might sound, it is a very serious problem. If left untreated for more than 24 hours, it can cause substantial damage to your appendage.

As with any drug, Viagra has both its pros and cons. But with proper care and medical advice, drugs such as this can be a liberating experience for those who are suffering from impotence.

Don't Let The Heat Zap Your Work From Home Zippity Do Da!

Your Work From Home business can be very stressful. It is a wonderful business, however there are pluses and minus to everything. It's great to be able to work F/T or P/T from home, but many people do not get as much exercise as they should and most do not eat properly.

The heat and humidity are on its way. For some it is merely an inconvenience and for others it can be extremely debilitating causing dizziness, nausea, fatigue, "rubber" legs, leg cramps, heart palpitations and even death. When we feel like this from the heat we know that our electrolytes are low and need replenishing. I would like to share with you a product available called Emer'gen-C that is by far the best I have ever found in replenishing electrolytes. It is nutrient rich with 1000 mg's of Vitamin C, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, folic acid, B12, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, chromium and a touch of sodium. The vitamin C is buffered with the minerals so it prevents stomach distress. Emer'gen-C is a powerful antioxidant and immune enhancer as well. Some use it daily for it also is a natural energy booster.

Those with chronic fatigue syndrome greatly benefit from taking this product on a dally basis. Many complain of a craving for sweets and a drop in energy between 2 and 4 in the afternoon. This is a perfect time for an Emer'gen-C fizzy drink. Emer'gen-C is a powder that comes in little packets. Just add 1 packet to some water and you have a delicious effervescing drink… it doesn't even need stirring and it totally dissolves in seconds. It is 100% bio-available and works fast, delivering the nutrients to our trillions of cells in seconds. Natural flavors available are; lemon-lime, tropical, cranberry, orange, tangerine and strawberry. The lemon-lime is the most popular. It is sweetened with fructose containing only 5 gram's of sugar. For diabetics not able to handle fructose a "lite" version is available without any sweetener. On average, 1 packet 2 times a day sufficient. Each person is different, some may need more and some less.

Oh, I almost forgot, Emer'gen-C is also the best we have found for Charlie-horses that occur at night while in bed. (If muscle cramps occur throughout the day, the cause may not be electrolyte related but more of a circulatory one). We have seen a 100% success rate in eliminating these painful nighttime muscle cramps by taking 2-3 packets's a day at first, then reducing to 1-2 packets a day.

For those on diuretics, a prescription of potassium is usually given, but what about all the other electrolytes? 1 or 2 packets of Emer'gen-C a day replenishes potassium and other important electrolytes lost with diuretic use.

The elderly with heart problems are extremely vulnerable to the heat and humidity. A friend of mine's mother, Elizabeth, has never tolerated the heat and humidity well, and it is even worse now with her age and heart condition. There were days where Elizabeth took as many as 4 Emer'gen-C packets on one day. They said they carry packets with them at all times.

So, before reaching for the poplar sport drink that it is mostly sugar (14gram's) and salt with a touch of artificial color and flavor, consider a drink that is truly nutritious and delicious to.

Don't Let Grapefruit Juice Squeeze the Juice Out of You

Viagra. Cialis. Levitra. These brand names for prescription oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors have become increasingly popular with men who suffer from impotence or erectile dysfunction, a condition marked by the ability to achieve and/or maintain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. These drugs help the penile muscles to relax, thus allowing it to engorge and stay firm for a longer period of time. So with sexual stimulation, impotent patients can achieve erections. However, these so-called wonder drugs are not without side effects. Among the most commonly reported side effects are headache, muscle pains, vision disturbances, change in heartbeat (fast or slow), indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and flushing of the skin especially on the face and upper body.

While most patients are aware that taking nitrate-based drugs or alpha-blockers in combination with PDE5 inhibitors can be fatal, what most are unaware of is that these drugs also interact with certain foods. These drug interactions can be detrimental to the effects of the drug and can possibly cause serious damage to the patient. They can also aggravate the side effects of a drug they interact with. The most alarming part is that the most innocuous food items can be the cause of these drug interactions.

Take grapefruit juice, for example. It has been lauded in the medical community as a nutraceutical, or food that supposedly has health and medicinal benefits such as disease prevention. Some studies have concluded that the juice of a grapefruit contains chemicals that can reduce the risk of cancer and of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis has been linked to some cases of sexual impotence, and there are many impotent men who drink grapefruit juice for preventive and/or therapeutic purposes in conjunction with one of the PDE5 drugs. What they don't realize is that the effects of the medication are limited by the juice, and even make the side effects worse. Researchers believe this is because compounds in grapefruit juice called furanocoumarins block the enzymes that normally break down these drugs in the body, and this can last for up to 24 hours after ingestion.

This drug interaction was actually discovered accidentally by researchers when they used grapefruit juice to mask the taste of alcohol for their study, which was to see how an oral calcium-channel blocker called Plendil (felodipine) reacts to alcohol. They were surprised to find that in that particular trial, both the effects and side effects of the drug were amplified by the grapefruit juice because of the increased blood levels of felodipine. With further research, they were able to discover that the culprit was the juice itself and that it not only interacts with that specific drug but also with medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

By amplifying the blood levels of these PDE5 drugs into toxic levels, grapefruit juice can impair the normal function or cause damage to vital organs. Because of the prolonged effect of the juice on the body, many doctors are now telling their patients to stop drinking it altogether if they are taking these medications daily. Be sure to ask your doctor for more information about drug interactions, because that information may actually save your life.

A Proven Eastern Medication for Infertility

Getting pregnant can be a big problem for a lot of couples. Some of these couples use the latest technology the modern medicine has offered. According to the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC), five percent of infertility treatments involve in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other kinds of assisted reproductive technologies. It is a method in which a laboratory is used to try to help a couple become pregnant. More than 70,000 babies have been born in the United States using assisted reproductive technologies, including 45,000 born as a result of in vitro fertilization. IVF makes pregnancy possible for more than half of the couples who pursue treatment.

Techniques like IVF have been in use since the 1970s, but they are still something of an inexact or inaccurate science. The success rates for each therapy range from as low as 1% to as high as 50%, and a successful pregnancy depends on a variety of factors. It can include the age of the woman, the cause of infertility, and the skill of the technician performing the procedure.

But there is another procedure for aiding pregnancy that has been in use since the ancient times. Although modern medical science has failed to conclusively explain just how it works, acupuncture is said to be a an effective method for helping a couple to have a baby. Acupuncture is based in the Chinese belief that a balance in the energy flow known as qi and chi through the body is needed in order to stay healthy. When a blockage or imbalance occurs in that flow, one's health is negatively affected. There are 20 major pathways that qi is believed to travel along and these pathways, or meridians, are accessible through 400 different acupuncture points.

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicines believe that a variety of energy patterns can interfere with becoming pregnant. Acupuncture works in the treatment of infertility by increasing the production of endorphins in the brain, which then helps people de-stress and relax. The traditional treatment can help stabilize hormone levels of a couple trying to have a baby. This can lead to an increase in sperm production for men and the improvement of blood supply in the uterus and the ovaries among women. Doctors believe that integrating acupuncture, at least, helps relieve some stress and anxiety suffered by patients struggling with infertility.

Acupuncture can be used in combination with other Western Medicine treatments for infertility. Acupuncturist Jin Jin Hua claims that the 4,000-year-old practice of using hair-thin needles to penetrate and stimulate organs can work alongside IVF to create a successful pregnancy. It has a surprising success rate of sixty percent among infertile women. And there is some scientific evidence to back this up, said Ms Jin. A German study published in April 2002 showed that 42.5 per cent of women who underwent acupuncture, once before and once after the transfer of the embryos in the uterus, became pregnant.

Moreover acupuncture has helped a lot of women as it has shown promising results in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome in regulating their periods. In another study, almost all women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome who undergone acupuncture had their periods regulated.

Acupuncture provides a holistic and a noninvasive approach to reverse infertility, and this traditional method has helped a lot of couples. Soon, getting pregnant will never be a problem, all it takes are some needles with a pinch of a balanced and positive outlook in life.