There are many different types of holidaymaker, from those who enjoy nothing more than lounging on a beach to those whose vacation is not complete without trying out an exciting new sport such as water-skiing or mountain climbing. There are also those who enjoy discovering the culture and history of different destinations, exploring museums and visiting ancient monuments.Unfortunately this latter type of holiday has traditionally come at a price – many of the world’s best cultural gems are often either major tourist attractions that charge a premium price, or are capital cities where the cost of everyday leaving is elevated. With that said, there are certainly more than a few great cultural breaks in Europe that are available on a budget.One of the most interesting places to visit is Amsterdam in the Netherlands, which unfortunately has a reputation as only being a party city where groups of friends escape for the weekend to discover the city’s famous coffee shops. In reality, however, this hotspot makes for a fantastic cultural break that can be enjoyed by all of the family.Amsterdam is first and foremost a city of immense culture and history, with a thriving artistic scene. It is well worth discovering as a solo traveller, couple or even by booking one of many all inclusive family holidays here. For Brits, the city is a mere stone’s throw from the UK, making it an excellent budget option.Perhaps surprisingly, there are many top family attractions in Amsterdam, including the Science Centre Memo, the Artist Royal Zoo and the Amsterdam Dungeon. Many of these attractions are included in all inclusive family holidays, meaning that there is something for both adults and kids in this fascinating, multi-faceted destination.The next European cultural gem on a budget is the country of Greece, which has arguably the most impressive and fascinating history out of all the European countries. Although many of the Greek islands are renowned party destinations, there are many deals for solo travellers, couples and all inclusive family holidays here too – all for very low prices.Athens, Delphi, Crete, Hera lion and the Peloponnese all make for fascinating adventures through the country’s history, with archaeological tours, cultural festivals and sumptuous cuisine. There are also plenty of beach resorts for those who enjoy their share of sun, sea and sand, with quieter or livelier spots depending on the preferences of holidaymakers.Whereas capital cities such as Paris and Berlin are wonderful but have a hefty price tag, there are lesser-explored capitals that are less expensive to visit and just as interesting. One of these is Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, which offers everything that any holidaymaker could ever want from a city break – sea, sand, sunny weather, and a rich history and culture just waiting to be discovered.The city itself was once a strong European maritime power base, and as a result has anenchantingmedieval quarter, plenty of museums and several world class palaces. Whereas it is famous for being a very friendly city, it is also very lively, and cultural explorers can enjoy a wealth of Portuguese music, performances and cuisine here.For those who are active holidaymakers, there are biking and hiking trails along the coast, as well as water sports to enjoy here. The Portuguese food is also sumptuous, and as far as transport goes, there are cheap flights here from many other cities in Europe.Soaking up some culture in Europe does not have to be expensive – and it is certainly not necessary to hit the tourist hotspots for an impressive experience. Enjoy Amsterdam’s more sophisticated side, travel to some of Greece’s most epic locations, and discover one of the continent’s most underrated capital cities – all on a surprisingly small budget.
Solid Wood Furniture: A Rare Piece Of Furnishing
Solid Wood Furniture is a cut above the rest of modern day furniture that is on display with fancy looking designs. As the name suggest, this brand of furniture will outlast any other brands which are mostly made of engineered woods. The furniture made of natural material is very hard to lay hands upon today and so if you can lay your hand on furniture made of hard-wood never let it go. Because in the coming years furniture made of such material might not only be rare, but might even be extinct.If you talk about it today, it reminds of the furniture made in olden days. Those were the days when furniture was made from quality woods that were available in abundance. If you happen to visit a house that still keeps vintage accessories like beds, chairs, tables and other wooden furniture take a look at it and you will find that this furniture has not suffered the passage of time. It might still look as fresh as it was made yesterday with the polish still looking bright. These beds, tables and chairs might have been made even before you were born but it looks as solid as any fresh furniture.Unlike the furniture sets made from it, most of the other type of furniture today is artificial and wholly created with laminates, pressed boards, plywoods and other engineered woods. Its durability is also very short and when it becomes defective it is very hard to repair. What we are hinting here is that you might be taken over by the fancy design of the modern furniture, but please do check the material with which the furniture is made up of. When buying furniture, the design and looks certainly does count but you will also want something that will last for a longtime. Otherwise you will have to soon buy a second set of furniture because the earlier one you bought was fragile.When you decide to buy furniture, we suggest that you better opt for furniture made of high quality material like wood. The look, style and design of the furniture of course will depend on the craftsmen skill but providing the right type of material is the job of the manufacturer. Therefore you must buy furniture from a manufacturer who has the reputation of providing the best furniture in your town.With increasing awareness that the trees have to be preserved as indiscriminating felling will result in climate change, so woods, for making furniture, are being sparse. With government intervention, felling of trees in many places have become illegal. But there are places where trees for felling are still available and manufacturers tap this availability for manufacturing wooden furniture. So, this type of furniture might be rare but you can still be able to buy at a higher price. If you come across furniture made of solid wood we suggest that you better buy it even if it is little expensive than others because soon you might not be able to get furniture made of such material.
Instant Payday Loans: Pros and Cons Worth Remembering
The rise of instant payday loans as a financing option is no great surprise. The whole purpose is centered on the convenience of the Internet, with fast access, fast searching and fast approval all available. Perhaps more precise is the fact that they are designed to cater to the short-term and emergency funding needs that can be so prevalent these days.The main advantage, of course, is that funds can be accessed within hours of the application being submitted. There is no waiting around for the green light, and no fiddling over the purpose of the loan. In fact, the whole application process is streamlined, with fax less loan approvals one of the most significant speedy services.Payday loans do not have the best reputation, though only because of the terms that relate to them. High interest rates and short repayments terms are two specific characteristics, but there are also many advantages.How They WorkAs the name suggests, an instant payday loan refers to a finance package that is granted in relation to the next payday of the borrower. Basically, the loan is set to be paid on the next pay day, and usually in one sum.However, it is also a very short-term loan, with extremely high costs making them one of the most expensive loans around. Strangely this is not enough to put applicants off, and it is because of the advantages that they offer. Approval is almost guaranteed, as long as the applicant has a full-time job and a bank account.And with fax less loan approval offered, it means that many of the bureaucratic processes in loan applications are avoided. There is no need for pay stubs and receipts, just basic information, like your name, address, employer details and your bank account. And when payday loans approval is given, the funds are deposited onto the bank account of the successful applicant.Key Payday DetailsThe chief advantage of getting an instant payday loan is that they can provide access to emergency cash in a matter of hours. But there are also some negative aspects that should be known before submitting an application. One is the cost that is associated with these loans, and another is the limited funds on offer.Lenders providing these loans have set strict limits, making them idea of securing small sums capable of dealing with only small debts and expenses. The range of loan sums, for example, is anything from $100 to $1,500. Even if we are talking about getting fax less loan approval, this is still a narrow scope of loan sums.The interest rates charged on payday loans are also extremely high, with some lenders charging as much as 35% in interest. What is more, the normal repayment term is extremely short, often 14 days to 30 days, though it is also possible to negotiate longer terms, up to 90 days.Why Get a Payday Loan?That is a good question, and for many people, it is not the preferred choice of financing. The reason is the interest rates charged push the cost up too high. For example, a $1,500 instant payday loan, at 30% interest rate, needs $1,950 to clear the debt. This is often within 30 days of the loan being taken out, while leaving little time to raise the money elsewhere.Also, the fact that the loan is cleared in one payment means that very little money is left to cover the usual monthly bills and obligations. If $1,950 is taken out of a normal monthly paycheck, then how much is left to buy groceries, or pay utility bills?Getting fax less loan approval is certain convenient, but the best thing is that with an instant approval process, money from a payday loan really is accessed quickly.
What is an Employer Brand and Why Should You Care?
There is an increasing body of evidence that makes the case for solid employer brand management. From an organization’s point of view, an employer brand encapsulates the key qualities current and prospective employees associate with you as an employer. These qualities can be economic (remuneration), functional (training and skills) or psychological (such as a sense of identity or status).As an organization, whether you’ve taken the time to define it or not, you have an employer brand. What are the benefits of building a good employer brand? Three benefits that have been identified in studies that make a case for employer brand management are enhanced attraction, increased retention and greater engagement with staff.In essence, this means attracting better quality candidates at a lower cost, more effective and proactive employees and, ultimately, increased revenues.How does one reach the heart of employer brand management? The answer to this question is that the key principles for employer brand management are much the same as for regular brand management. Whoever is tasked with developing the employer brand needs to spend quality time and effort defining the key components of the brand. This definition is characteristically encapsulated by a model that defines how you’d like the brand to be received by the target audience (which in the case of an employer brand is prospective and current employees). This model will provide the starting point for your brand strategy.There is an implicit danger in this approach however as one needs to be cognizant of the fact that just defining the vision of the brand is not the brand itself. This is merely the way you’d like people to perceive the brand. The real brand lives in people’s everyday experiences of the brand and the perceptions and associations they have in their heads about your organization.People have a tendency to become cynical of brands which promise a great deal, but under deliver. To bridge the gap between the perception of a brand and the brand reality, many top brand-led companies create two definitions of the brand: one that enshrines the brand as it is currently perceived and experienced, and the other describing how the company would like the brand to be perceived.There is a delicate balance between these two definitions. On the one hand, organizations should be striving for the latter, but change too much about the former and the brand may lose focus, change too little and the brand may lose relevance.Within the employer brand context, you need to understand the explicit needs to your employees as a point of departure. But, to ensure and effective internal brand strategy, you also need to develop an understanding of employees implicit needs as well as the broader organizational and cultural context in which it will operate.The benefits of having a strong employer brand are numerous. Enhanced attraction, increased retention and greater engagement with staff have already been mentioned. This presents a number of opportunities for human resources, as well as enhanced marketing functions. Richard Mosley goes into greater detail about this in an eArticle entitled “Employer Brand – The performance driver no business can ignore”.Richard Mosley also makes a compelling argument about why employer brand thinking is here to stay. Broadly, there are three reasons for this.First, organizations are realizing more and more that they cannot take the commitment and loyalty of their staff for granted. The old notion that if you give someone a decent job, they will gratefully do your bidding is ill-conceived and somewhat irrelevant in modern organizations. Valuable employees, just like profitable customers, are free to make their own choices and engage as they wish. The way to attract and retain skilled and able employees who perform to the best of their ability is through a coherent benefit-led approach that many companies are not accustomed to providing.Second, employer branding provides an effective bridge between HR, internal communications and marketing. Recruiting, retaining and developing the right people is becoming all the more important in business as most organizations now recognize their staff as their most important asset.Third, employer branding draws on a discipline that has proven lasting value in the marketplace. Employer branding draws on established principles of branding and brand management. This is the most effective way to sustain people’s commitment and loyalty.In today’s world, overlooking your organization’s brand strategy and how your brand is perceived by employees is short-sighted. One of the most effective ways to ensure commitment and buy-in from your employees is by building a strong employer brand with which they can identify.
Free iPad – The Truth Behind the Gadget
So, who wants a free iPad?We all do of course. The iPad announcement delivered great news to all of the Apple geeks and converts out there, of which I include myself. By now, the majority of people have either tried out, or own an iPhone, an iPod – and maybe even larger Apple gadgets such as an iMac or Apple TV.Even if the iPad does just seem to be an oversized iPhone, it will be sure to become one of the must have gadgets of 2010 and beyond. As a tablet computer, the iPad probably offers little more than other devices already on the market, but as with most Apple products, it’s the added extras that will make the iPad so desirable, and makes the offer of getting a free one even greater.Since its announcement, the internet has gradually become saturated with free iPad offers and promises. Many of these appear genuine, but I can assure you, most are not. The promise of a free gadget of this value is not one to jump at – when you read the small print, it soon becomes obvious that the ‘free’ offer will actually end up costing something in the long term, and usually far more than the iPad would have cost in the first place!As far as I am aware (and I am very experienced in receiving free gadgets online), there are three ways to get an iPad for nothing. One is to steal it and is obviously not recommended or endorsed! The second is to wait a while until you can get one as an incentive for taking out a very expensive cell phone contract! The third is to partake in a referral based advertising scheme, and this is how I receive at least one free gadget a week.There are many of these affiliate based sites around, a quick search on Google for ‘ free iPad ‘ will probably reveal at least 20-30 – but how do you know which can be trusted? The answer is that you can’t. At least not until you have received your first gadgets.Luckily, there are some very well established and trusted sites out there serving customers all over the world.With these trusted and proven free gadgets sites all you need to do for your free gadget is sign up, complete one (just one) partner offer – and lots are free trials – and refer a few others. Once you have referred a certain number of others you will be sent the gadget of your choice.Using this method, I have amassed a small fortune through reselling, or just taking the cash value of the gadgets, and now I pass on this valuable, and well-kept, eBay sellers secret to all of you – so you too can begin to profit from this e-venture.
Why Marketing Automation Boosts Sales by 220% for Start-Ups & Smbs?
The Marketing Automation market is swelling at an incredible pace. Thanks to its affordability and key features of being an enabler and accelerator, now more and more start-ups and small businesses are signing up to its benefits.Need more reasons?Run through these quick FAQs to know just why Marketing Automation is the undisputed armour in a start-up’s kitty.Q. As a start-up founder, I am willing to go for the free-trial, but why would I want to use it thereafter?A. More than two-thirds of the companies that sign up for a free trial of Marketing Automation, end up realizing they should continue using it.Q. How long does it take to see the initial ROI after automating my marketing system?A. Of all the businesses that use marketing automation, nearly 3.75% witness a progressive ROI within the first year. For a start-up, this is insane!Moreover, start-ups can boost their ROI by using marketing automation and stand to gain from prominent features like zigihub’s micro-segmentation which can enhance campaign efficacy by 40-50%.Q. What is the biggest benefit of using marketing automation for my start-up?A. The biggest benefit is “saved time” as reported by most marketers. Marketers have expressed their delight for the amount of time they have been able to save with marketing automation. It is tremendous time… time that can be efficiently utilized in performing other equally important tasks.Q. What would my lead management be like after using it?A. Marketing Automation (MA) automatically captures twice as many leads as companies generate with a basic email system.Q. How does marketing automation help scale up my small business?A. Small businesses using MA outgrow their competitors by 63%, according to a finding by Lenskold Group.And what’s more?A whopping 451% surge in qualified leads have been reported by companies using MA system, as per a Wishpond study.To top it all, start-ups have seen their sales increase by 220% after using Marketing Automation.That for one, is quite a number!In a nutshell, your start-up or business journey can be best viewed through this flowchart… which points out the role and significance of marketing automation and what it can do for the success of your business.Voila! That is some challenging job!
Yes, but there are trusted experts like zigihub who can do this job for you effortlessly with its in-built intelligent algorithms.zigihub is a marketing automation platform for businesses and sales and marketing professionals to integrate all their marketing efforts under one umbrella. Using data science and machine learning algorithms, this CRM platform eases the job of marketers and makes the entire process of marketing a cakewalk. For small businesses, MA is full of advantages, as it literally sweeps away a large chunk of time-consuming efforts allowing businesses to scale up faster.The Enablers of Marketing AutomationCampaign ManagementCreate, run and evaluate campaigns across various channels; micro-segmentation of customers based on behaviour, buying patterns, demographics, etc. for executing targeted campaigns.Event Driven MarketingTriggered responses are generated based on customer-specific personal events like birthday or after payments, subscriptions, signing up for free trials, website visits, etc.Website MonitoringIntegrated website monitoring system uses intelligent analytics to increase website traffic and lead conversion rate.Social Media IntegrationIntegrates various social media channels into your marketing strategy by engaging customers in the digital world, thereby identifying and obtaining a holistic view of your existing customers.zigihub’s social media integration efficiently works towards 360? understanding of customer’s social behaviour. It uses fuzzy logic algorithms to match active social media users in the customer base.Email MarketingOn-the-fly segmentation of customers and leads to send personalized marketing messages through templates for increasing open rates.The Accelerators of Marketing AutomationPersonalized CommunicationFor engaging customers, segmented lists are created on the basis of their behaviour, interests and activities for sending personalized messages.Customer ProfilingSummarizing your customers and creating individual profiles from their specific purchasing patterns, demographics, etc. is known as customer profiling.Reference EngineThe Marketing Automation and CRM platform zigihub uses more than 60 algorithms through predictive analytics and machine learning to identify most promising deals and leads.Customers are increasingly looking forward to receiving product recommendations that match their preferences, buying history and likes.Campaign EffectivenessMonitoring and evaluating campaigns closely to improve its effectiveness is crucial to the success of any campaign. It includes detailed insights into analytics like opened, read, deleted, etc.MA platforms are retaining existing customer base with strategic development of their tools in line with the customer’s tastes and preferences. This helps in offering novelty, safeguarding the interests of customers and making them feel valued.These attributes of MA work in perfect harmony to drive a start-up engine and help small businesses scale up.So, if you are planning to start your own business or already have a start-up or SMB, you will find all your marketing related synergies being taken care of by Marketing Automation.As most marketers using it say, it is a silver bullet for start-ups and SMBs.
The 10 Elements of a Comprehensive Brand Identity, and How to Use Them to Your Business Advantage
The use of brand identities have evolved over the years with corporate organizations adorning their various office complexes, products packaging and other marketing collateral with aesthetic logos and designs.The proliferation of brand identities is nothing new. Their use stems from the need to help existing and potential customers differentiate a particular organization’s brand from that of another. Wikipedia notes that, “Branding began as a way to tell one person’s cattle from another by means of a hot iron stamp… with origins in ancient times.” What then is new about corporate identities? What’s new is the sophistication that today’s brand managers have incorporate into their identities; and how many organizations are positioning their brands in order to remain relevant in today’s competitive marketplace.Brand identities have increasingly grown in importance and relevance that marketing professionals cannot afford to overlook its potential. An effective brand identity possesses two unique powers – recognition and differentiation. First and foremost, brand identities help an organization’s target audience “recognize” a brand among several competing brands. The recognition attribute activates our sensory organs to identify with a particular brand.General observation shows that customers are usually favourably disposed to a brand whose identity can be easily recognized. Hence, more and more organizations continue to strategize on improving their brand identities in order to help their target audience recognize them quicker and easier too than others.Second, brands have the power to “differentiate” themselves from those of similar competing ones. What differentiates various mobile phone manufacturers is their brand identity – Nokia, Samsung, Siemens, Blackberry, Apple, and Techno. Brand identities help customers to distinguish a particular product, service or business from that of another.The hundreds of books – and thousands of articles like this one – makes one appreciate the importance and relevance of brand identities in business marketing. However, it is a paradox and alarming the fact that brand managers have largely failed to realize that the brand identity contest is more than just having compelling logos and designs on some packaging, stationery, company vehicle and signage! The author believes that there are at least ten unique elements that constitute a comprehensive and top-notch identity system. An understanding and correct application of these elements will help you beat corporate obscurity pants down and position your brand for long-term success.Brand Identity and the Logo
Just as a person’s personality goes beyond his/her name, a brand identity extends beyond the corporate logo which most graphic designers and company executives have erroneously and solely ascribe as their corporate or brand identity. This failure, however, permeates through and rubs off on the entire organization; and limits the prosperity of such brands.Successful brands are compelling, well-positioned, marketable and above all, comprehensive. They extend beyond just their brand names and logos. Without sentiments, just a few Nigerian brands come to mind in this category – GTB, Cadbury, Glo (and the rest of the GSM network providers), Unilever, Indomie, Vitafoam, Fan Milk, and UAC (you may complete the list).What then are the 10 identity elements that makes of a comprehensive brand identity system as identified by the author?
1. THE BRAND NAME – the brand name is what your brand is called. It identifies a product or service and the organization behind it. The name is the commonest element and starting point of a brand identity system. Customers spontaneously relate with a brand name easily more than any of the other brand identity elements. Smart companies give their brand names the most professional attention it deserves.2. THE LOGO – a symbol, sign or an emblem that depicts the visual image of your business. It identifies your business in its simplest form. In a world where visuals are more appealing, it pays to have a visual frame of reference.3. THE BRAND COLOURS – brand colours are an effective way to connect with your audience in an emotional way. The most prominent brands are defined by their colour. Think of GTB’s dominant Orange; MTN’s yellow; Facebook’s blue; and GLO’s green.4. TYPEFACE (OR FONT) – a typeface is a set of characters that share common design features. Compelling brands are consistent in the use of typeface on every business stationery, and in every business communication including advertising. There are hundreds of typefaces to choose from – Arial, Garamond, Calibri, etc.5. THE OFFICE AMBIENCE – Grossly ignored by many, the office ambience tells more of the type of organization a client or customer is dealing with. It is very important to have a lively and at the same time professional work environment. Did you know that office setting and furniture like chairs and desks have a lot to do with the kind of environment prevailing in the office?6. THE CORPORATE TONE – the corporate tone is very important in moulding your audience’s perception of the kind of brand that you are. A tone is an attitude or emotion towards the subject and the reader or listener. Successful brands know that the corporate tone must be courteous and professional at all times; and must convey strength and confidence at all times.7. THE POSITIONING STATEMENT – a positioning statement is a very short descriptive summary of how an organization or individual wants to be perceived, usually in about 6 to 15 words. Brand positioning is about recognizing a niche for your business and constantly communicating it.8. THE BRAND PACKAGING – the saying, “how you look will have a lot to do with how people perceive you,” also come to play in brand packaging. Most of us have bought products at one time or the other for just the reason of a compelling packaging. Packaging is designed to capture a customer’s attention and it can directly effect whether they buy the product or not. Innovation and creativity come into play when it comes to packaging.9. THE CORPORATE DRESS CODE – Businesses of all sizes typically adopt a dress code to help guide employee
decisions related to proper appearance and attire for the workplace. The corporate dress code could be something from corporate dress, business casuals, to uniforms. Some organizations may allow employees to wear casual clothes on Fridays or during special occasions, while enforcing the corporate dress code during the majority of workdays.10. THE BRAND’S INTERNAL SYSTEMS (Substance) – to succeed, a product and service need both positioning and substance. Media firms have brilliantly positioned products and services only to see them die because they didn’t align with consumer expectation. If you are a First Bank, and you position yourself as “Truly the first”, your bank products and services should reflect commitment to excellence and innovation. If your substance and positioning are not in sync, you will eventually get out of business or you will have to change your content, positioning or both.
What Can I Do to Increase Sperm Count Naturally?
All the reasons due to which one may have low sperm count can be treated by herbal supplements to increase the count. Though herbal supplements can cure all the possible causes but by healthy lifestyle, habits and diet one can support the effects of herbal supplements to get better results in short time. Herbs are excellent treatment as they naturally cure the problem and leave no side effects.There are many reasons because of which one may suffer from low sperm count. Some reasons are related to lifestyle like wearing tight undergarments, too much alcohol intake, too much smoking, excessive stress, long sitting hours and being over weight. People suffering with diseases like hydrocele, varicocele, malformed reproductive organs, problems related to prostrate gland and zinc deficiency also have lesser sperms in their semen. Some people are in the habit of masturbation or have frequent sex, such people also have poor quality semen due to frequent ejaculation and most of the time lack of quality semen is due to low semen count. Certain types of medicines, over exposure to toxins and anabolic steroids also cause low sperm count.There are many herbal supplements which can increase the sperm count caused due to any reason, but most effective of them are maca roots. These roots are adaptogenic herbs which work to treat the problems according to gender and age. These herbs have rich sources of amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamin B1, B2, C, and E and provide vital minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous and zinc. Ample quantity of zinc in the body increase sperm count and promotes good functioning of reproductive organs for better sexual health. It increases immunity system, provides sexual energy, maintains hormonal balance and promotes healthy sperm count. Ginseng has been used in Chinese medication since ancient times to cure problems of impotence, low libido and lack of energy. This herb improves production and secretion of testosterone hormone to promote healthy semen production and strengthen muscles for more power and energy for sexual performance. Secretion of testosterone hormone increases sex drive in a male.Tribulus terresteris is powerful nervine tonic and aphrodisiac, it treats infection and problems of prostrate gland and increases testosterone secretion for healthy sperm count and increased sexual desire and energy. Mucuna pruriens increases muscular strength by providing protein to the muscles, it has anti-depressant properties, supports weight loss, increase testosterone secretion and promotes energy to counter fatigue and weakness. Saw palmetto is used as an ingredient in many herbal medicines because of its extremely effective properties helpful for tissue building and gland stimulation to strengthen the reproductive organs. This property of saw palmetto is also beneficial in increasing the effects of herbs which are taken along with this and these properties augur well for healthy sperm count in males. All of these herbs can increase low sperm count if taken as supplement or as herbal medicine. The effects of these herbs are supplementary to each other to affect all the possible aspects of the problem.Helping the effects of herbs by exercising, taking healthy and timely diet, avoiding alcohol and smoking and taking proper rest and sleep to avoid stress will bring better results in short time.
The Link Between Free Radical and Disease
What do all of the following conditions have in common: heart disease, cancer, hypertension, wrinkled skin, aging spots, arthritis, cataracts, and failing memory? These conditions are not associated with aging. In fact, even young people suffer from some of these ills. The one that ties all these conditions together, as well as most other degenerative disease, is free radicals.They are renegade molecular entities that cause destruction throughout the body. They are unstable molecules that have lost an electron, causing them to become highly reactive. In an effort to achieve balance, they steal electrons from adjacent molecules. In the process, these other molecules themselves become free radicals, which in turn attack nearby molecules stealing their electrons. A chain reaction occurs where hundreds and even thousands of molecules are affected.Once a molecule becomes a free radical, its physical and chemical properties change. The normal function of such molecules is permanently disrupted, affecting the entire cell of which they are apart. A living cell attacked by the free radicals degenerates and becomes dysfunctional. These highly reactive radicals can attack your cells, literally ripping their protective membranes apart. Sensitive cellular components like the nucleus and DNA, which carries the genetic blueprint of the cell, can be damaged, leading to cellular mutations and death.They have been identified as the primary cause or at least a contributing factor to some common health problems. Free radicals don’t necessarily cause all of these conditions, but they are involved at least as accomplices. It has been suggested that most of the damage caused by these health problems are actually the result of free-radical destruction and not from the disease itself.
A Dose Of Truth About Weight Loss Diets
As the world changes, people are becoming more and more conscious about their physical appearance and their overall health. Knowing that obesity can affect not only their lifestyle and social lives but their total well-being as well, people who are overweight are now determined to seek for solutions that can lead then back to leaner and healthier physique.Since people are what they eat, one of the most popular weight loss aids today is indulging into weight loss diets. Aside from trying rigorous exercises, enrolling in various weight loss classes and programs, enduring routine workouts, and even trying different weight loss products, having a weight loss diet is one of the effective eats of losing weight.EATING AND EFFECTIVE WEIGHT LOSS DIETSPeople often associate weight gain with food intake. This is the reason why more and more of them take dieting as the ultimate solution to weight loss. Although it is a fact that eating greatly affects weight gain, it is not the sole reason why people become overweight. Other factors like the nutritional content of the food they eat, eating behavior and patterns, nutrients required by the body are the major reasons why people become obese.By now, people should have realized that losing weight is not an overnight thing. They should know by now that eating less through improper dieting can make it harder for them to lose weight. Wanting people to be more educated in proper weight loss diets and effective means of losing weight, nutritionists and experts continue to research on various subjects to prove that having a proper weight loss diet can be the solution to lose weight safely.Through the years, many weight loss diets and programs have emerged. Majority of these promote the achievement weight loss through the simple process of burning calories.One of the most popular weight loss diets today is the Atkins Nutritional Approach. This specific weight loss diet has become one of the most after weight loss diets out there because it allows a person to eat satisfying amounts of delicious and nutrient foods while customizing the program to specific individual needs, tastes and preferences. This weight loss diet works by stabilizing a person’s blood sugar, lowering cholesterol and triglycerides levels while addressing other obesity-related conditions.Bill Phillips’ Eating For Life, on the other hand, is a plan that is based on four primary ingredients such as food, amount, combos, and times. By encouraging the intake of right foods, balancing the right amount, matching right combinations, and eating at the right time, this weight loss plan will lead to the formulation of the right recipe to satisfy the body’s needs. Since it the diet plan aims to provide a balanced, healthy, satisfying, and effective way of losing weight, the person who is into it will be able to reduce body unwanted fats, gain energy, and can have that youthful glow.While the former focuses on formulating the ultimate weight loss formula, the Blood Type Diet says that losing weight can be achieved by matching the body’s biological profile through blood type. This specific weight loss diet believes that since people have individual needs, they should eat the foods that their bodies require.For people on-the-go and do not have much time to indulge into healthy and freshly-prepared foods, the NutriSystem can be the perfect weight loss diet for them. Since this weight loss diet deals with managing diet through prepackaged foods, by providing a list of prepackaged meals monthly. Although this is perfect for busy people who would want to lose weight, experts say that this weight loss diet plan may not encourage effect.No matter which of these weight loss diets you plan to do, bear in mind that food is quite important for the body’s overall well being. It is a must that you become particular about the food you eat because it will determine the success and failure of your weight loss attempts. Aside from focusing on weight loss diets, learn to practice healthy lifestyle by eating and exercising properly.