Post a commentBy Stephen Daniells, 18-Feb-2011

Related topics: Omega-3, Research, Nutritional lipids and oils, Cognitive and mental function

Daily supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may improve measures of depression in seniors with mild to moderate depression, according to new findings from Iran.

The role of omega-3 in depression is controversial, but there is biological plausibility.

It’s the middle of winter and you are under attack by a silentenemy that invades your nose, throat and lungs, reducing you to asneezing, sniffling and aching mess.

Yes, the flu season is here again, ready to strike our bodiesand make us feel miserable for days or even weeks.according toCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza normallypeaksinthe United States in January and February, spreading likewildfire across the country.

“Along with the common cold, flu is the most contagiouscondition this time of year,” says Sara Oliver, CPT, owner of BayArea TX Adventure Boot Camp. “Unfortunately, it takes more than anapple a day or a bowl of chicken soup to keep these nasty virusesaway.”

But while we can’t stop the spread of influenza, we can avoidgetting sick by strengthening our defenses against the invadingviruses. In fact, there are several ways to increase our immunityagainst the flu, Oliver notes.

“Vaccination is the best protection, but there are otherpreventive measures you can take in addition to getting the shot,”she says. “Basically, it’s a matter of boosting your immune systemso it can stop viruses before they attack your body. this is whereexercise is very effective.”

Oliver points to recent studies showing that exercise createsdisease-fighting cells in the immune system, making it moreresistant to colds, flu, and illnesses in general. and, thesestudies have also reported that while brisk activity isrecommended, we don’t have to work out to the point of exhaustionin order to get the immunity benefits of exercise.

“Research proves that even people who work out moderately atleast 30 minutes five days a week, increase the number ofimmune-system cells that circulate in the body and kill viruses andbacteria,” she says.“These folks have 46 percent fewer colds thanthose who work out only once a week or not at all. and even if theydo get ill, their symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, coughing,and runny nose are much less severe.”

The message here is clear: “If you work out on a regular basis,your immune system will heal your body quicker, with fewercomplications,” Oliver points out. “Sometimes, simplest thingsreally do work best!”

Oliver adds that there are other good preventive measuresbesides exercise that protect our health during disease outbreaks.“For example, eating vitamin-rich foods, drinking plenty of water,washing our hands frequently, and avoiding crowded public placesthat are real germ-fests, will also help,” she says. “It all comesdown to common sense, good judgment, and a healthy lifestyle.”

About Bay Area TX Adventure Boot Camp:

Sara Oliver, CPT opened Adventure Boot Camp in the Bay Area inOct. 2006 and has expanded to include over 7 times and locations.Schedules and client testimonials are available atGetToBootCamp.com. Sara, a certified boot camp instructor with12 years of experience in the fitness industry, can be reached or 713-515-5081.

The levels of T3, T4, TSH and TPO can be measured at home with thyroid profile blood test kits. They are available to buy online, easy to use and, above all, to return accurate results as the expensive tests ordered by your doctor.

This type of testing is becoming the choice of millions of people around the world, giving them an easy affordable, given the method of diagnosis of possible thyroid problems. if you have never used a home thyroid test before you’re probably wondering;

“What are the tests taken, why they take, what the results of discovery and that is acceptable to my health professional”

So let’s look at putting your mind at rest;

The TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is used as a starting point for assessing thyroid function. it measures the level of this hormone in the blood sample, in search of a more or less than the recommended level.

A level above the points recommended for primary hypothyroidism, this is where the thyroid begins to fail and give an early sign of thyroid problems is approaching. a lower than recommended to indicate the person suffering from hyperthyroidism, a situation where the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone. this could also sometimes point to a problem with the pituitary gland does not produce enough leaves TSH (secondary hypothyroidism). a recommended level of TSH result points to a fully functional thyroid gland.

As you probably know, individuals may have one or overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and T3 test results are useful for the diagnosis of an overactive thyroid or severity of hyperthyroidism. a high level of T3 indicate that the patient is suffering from hyperthyroidism. only occasionally the result of the T3 to be of some help to those suffering from hypothyroidism and a normal T3 level can still say it looks very hypothyroidism, as this is the ultimate test of underactive thyroid to show how abnormal .

Free T4 levels are another result of the test that can indicate how it is functioning thyroid, T4 enters the tissues that need to use this hormone. Tests that measure this has a number of different names, free T4, free T4, free T4 index, FT4I and IVR. a high FT4 level indicates hyperthyroidism in a low point and hypothyroidism. I will not go into it too much here, but the combined results of FT4 and TSH tests are used as a very accurate indicator of the functionality of the thyroid. You can find a complete overview of the combined test results on my website by following the links below

The antibodies in our immune system normally protects us from viruses or bacteria that enter our bodies. Lymphocytes, a type of blood cell, produce these antibodies that attack foreign invaders. unfortunately for those suffering from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, the lymphocytes produce antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. this results in damage or over stimulation of the thyroid gland. Two such antibodies responsible for attacking the protein in thyroid cells are thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin measurement levels of these can help a more accurate diagnosis.

A thyroid profile test in the blood, a home test kits available thyroid, can return results for all previous tests and provide accurate real alternative, more affordable. One that is acceptable for professional medical, manageable and fit right into your lifestyle.