Citrus Aurantium for Weight Loss An Alternative to Ephedra

In April of 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration finalized a nationwide ban on the popular diet supplement Ephedra. Despite a vigorous campaign by supplement manufacturers and retailers, the FDA, citing evidence of heart and blood pressure risks, pulled the supplement off the market. While the ban continues to be fought in court, it is clear that at least the perception of the dangers of Ephedra are here to stay.

Supplement companies understood that times had changed and began to identify alternatives to bring to the marketplace. Their enthusiasm was understandable-- the dietary supplement industry is a multi-billion dollar empire and with 70% of Americans tipping the scales at overweight or obese, the industry's unprecedented growth was certain to continue.

One of the supplements brought to the market is Citrus aurantium. More commonly known as bitter orange, it is an Eastern herb that has been used for years to treat a variety of conditions. What excited the supplement industry was the potential for increasing the metabolic rate (i.e., burning more fat) without the negative side effects that were reported with Ephedra. While it is true that negative side effects have not been reported, there is always concern about the purity and safety of any weight loss supplement.

One company in particular has positioned themselves as a leading provider of Citrus aurantium, backed with a number of US and Canadian patents and a host of scientific studies. Nutratech, the Wayne, NJ producer of Advantra Z, cites a number of studies that point out the effectiveness of their version of Citrus aurantium. For example, researchers at the University of Connecticut reported in the Winter 2005 issue of Pharmacotherapy that no adverse blood pressure effects were noted during a placebo controlled study of Advantra Z.

Nutratech also points out a number of quality control steps that may increase the final price of a Citrus aurantium supplement, but also increases it's value. Their proprietary extraction process, optimal harvesting and clinical support set them above the providers of generic Citrus aurantium.

Safety conscious consumers may be drawn to Advantra Z, but it is not available by itself. Just as important as the purity of the Advantra Z will be the overall quality and safety of the chosen weight loss supplement containing Advantra Z. One key measure to look for is a voluntary adherence to accepted manufacturing guidelines. Within the unregulated supplement industry, companies that adhere to standards, manufacture products in government monitored facilities, or are listed in a third-party reference such as the Physican's Desk Reference, stand out from the crowd.

Nutratech's patented Advantra Z, coupled with a quality natural supplement, may assist consumers the daily battle of the bulge.

Darcy Bunn is the owner of My Natural Supplements, specializing in premium weight loss and dietary supplement products and information. The Advantra Z powered Biolean II is one of the flagship products available online. More information about Advantra Z, including more on the studies cited in this article, is available at Nutratech's homepage. Advantra Z is a registered trademark of Nutratech.

Artificial Sweeteners Are They Safe?

To research the health risks Sweet ?N Low and other artificial sweeteners I examined both sides of the story. There seems to be no neutral position on any of these sweeteners.

Sugar has become the #2 dietary concerns, following only fat content.

There are 3 general reasons for using artificial sweeteners; weight loss, dental hygiene, and for diabetics. Just like almost everything in life used in moderation there seems to be few health affects.

The reduction in calories comes from the lower quantity needed to add the sweet taste. Wanting something sweet is a natural reaction we are born with. Remember that sugar is a natural product and one that our body is able to metabolize from birth.

From a health standpoint I would rather use small amounts of sugar than manmade sweeteners. Better yet, as many doctors agree, wean yourself totally off of sweets. The more natural ingredients in our bodies the easier it is for our bodies to properly metabolize them.

The health risks of Sweet ?N Low appears to be the same as all of the artificial sweeteners. Too much is bad for you, a little is okay, and none is best.

For dieting purposes we are all going to use some type of artificial sweetener. As I keep repeating on this site you know your body better than anyone. If you notice any kind of side affect discontinue use for 2 weeks. Than try it again. If you still have any side affects try a different sweetener.

Let?s start by listing the major artificial sweetener ingredients and which major brands use each.
Saccharin- FDA approved 1958- found in Sweet ?N Low (except Canada)
Cyclamate- FDA banned 1969- found in Sweet ?N Low (Canada only)
Aspartame- FDA approved 1981- found in NutraSweet and Equal
Sucralose- FDA approved 1999- found in Splenda
Neotame- FDA approved 2002- not found in many products yet
Xylitol- used in products for diabetics

The health risks of Sweet ?N Low are directly related to saccharin. Saccharin is 300 times as sweet as sugar. Being the oldest FDA approved sweetener in widespread use it has undergone many trials and tests. In the 1970?s the FDA required warning labels. In 2000 the warning labels were removed. Bladder cancer is the major issue with saccharin. Canada has banned saccharin while allowing cyclamate. The U.S. banned cyclamate but allows saccharin. Both of these bans resulted from the same 1960?s tests. Most nutritionists seem to agree that moderate use of saccharin causes no major health risk. Cancer found in lab animals resulted from very large doses of saccharin.

NutraSweet and Equal use aspartame as a sweetener. Aspartame is 160 times as sweet as sugar. It is more expensive than saccharin and not as sweet but it has a better taste. Many conditions have been blamed on aspartame but only one has been proven. Women with advanced liver disease or PKU (phenylketonuria) should never use aspartame. The sweet taste of aspartame is lost during cooking so do not use it in place of sugar in recipes.

NutraSweet has introduced another form of aspartame called neotame. It is very similar with 2 major exceptions. Neotame does not lose its sweet taste during cooking and there is no danger of PKU. At the current time there are very few products using it.

Sucralose is the sweetener used in Splenda. It is 600 times as sweet as sugar. Being the new kid on the block it is just now beginning to be scrutinized in greater detail. Dr. Joseph Mercola is leading the charge against sucralose. However the Center for Science in the Public Interest ranks it the safest of all sweeteners. Its claim that it is made from sugar seems to be true but not true. All resemblance to sugar is lost in the processing. There are 6 lawsuits saying just that and claiming false advertising. According to Dr. Mercola the FDA rushed sucralose into the approved category with only 2 trials being completed prior to approval. Apparently no tests were done on children or pregnant women. Everyone?s body is different so metabolism rates vary greatly but at least 15% remains in your body. This is one sweetener I will keep monitoring and report any new developments. For now no side affects have been proven.

The sweetener Xylitol is more well known to those suffering from diabetes. It looks and tastes like sugar but does not require insulin in order to be metabolized because it is absorbed so slowly. It is also known as wood sugar because it originally came from birch. The sweetness is equal to sugar. Made popular in Finland the U.S. Army is going to start adding xylitol-sweetened gum to its MRE (meals ready to eat). It has actually been shown to have benefits to your teeth, including repairing small cavities. For those on a diet it should be said that xylitol has 40% less calories than sugar.

Although banned in the U.S., cyclamate, is the sweetener in the Canadian version of Sweet ?N Low. It is 30 times as sweet as sugar and leaves no after taste. The health risks of Sweet ?N Low in the U.S. is the same as those for cyclamate in Canada. Studies in the 1960?s linked cyclamate and saccharin to bladder cancer in lab rats. The Canadians read the results one way while the U.S. read them another. Some manufacturers in the U.S. have asked for re-approval of cyclamate. There are 55 countries that have approved cyclamate sweetener.

While there is no concrete evidence of health risks of Sweet ?N Low or any of these sweeteners caution is advised. Low to moderate amounts of artificial sweeteners are acceptable. My problem with them is that every body is different. How do you know what low to moderate intake is for your body? With that said, my recommendation is the less you use the better it is for your health.

Hello, my name is Frank Keller and I am the owner of the Women?s Health Supplements website. Don?t be fooled by the name, we are not another vitamin retailer. All articles are not just reviewed by me they are written by me. From artificial sweeteners and bottled water to pregnancy nutrition every word is written to help you make an informed decision about your health. Content is chosen from your suggestions. Please visit us at http://www.womens-health-supplements.net to review our articles or to give us your recommendations for new articles. Healthy eating and a good nutrition plan takes very little of your time but is the single most important thing you can do for your health. Have a happy and healthy day!

Ways That You Can Avoid The Triggers Of Cravings When You Are Quitting Smoking

Another cigarette goes off the box... before he knew it, Dan was puffing away another cigarette. Dan used to say ?But you don?t understand... my work just gets to me, I need something for my stress! People there are smoking in front of me, quitting smoking it?s not as easy you think it is, but somehow I?ll quit later when my job stabilizes?.

You see Dan is just like another smoker, with a weak faith and commitment to quit smoking. Many smokers seem to face this problem. If you?re trying to quit smoking, I?m sure you?ve came across this path at least once in your life again. The stress is just too much that you need to keep smoking.

Then one day, when you decided to really quit smoking, your peers are smoking in front of you, or that you happened to be at a wrong place at the wrong time where there are others smoking. Second hand smoke starts crawling into your lungs, the nicotine in your body wakes itself up alerting you of the addiction you wish you didn?t have.

I guess it doesn?t take a genius to figure out what?s next. You may be probably already lightning up a cigarette to ?soothe? the addiction to avoid the irritation. You see these are ?triggers? which will be responsible for your failure for quitting smoking.

If you only knew that?

Triggers Of Cravings And Urges Are Avoidable If You Take Precaution!

Here are some ways which you may avoid the cravings in the process of quitting smoking:

? Excuse yourself from the crowd
If you?re caught with your peers in the middle of them smoking, excuse yourself for awhile... I used to using the excuse of going to the washroom a lot, until I joked with my friends that I have a bladder problem. After that, take 10 deep breaths slowly and relax until you?re ready enough.

? Avoid places which allows smoking
Distance yourself away from smoking places such as bars. Instead spend more time in places where smoking is prohibited such as the museums, theaters, churches, libraries, etc

? Do not drink coffee or tea
Drinking Coffee or Tea tends to arouse and enhances the cravings for nicotine almost immediately. Avoid them if you?re on a plan to quit smoking.

? Exercise
People seemed to discard this away almost immediately at the sight of the word ?Exercise? Most people would think that they?re too tired to exercise, or whatever excuse they can give because their plain lazy. In fact; most successful people in the world never told you that exercise is partially responsible for their success. This is because exercise is not suppose to drain your energy, on the contrary, exercise suppose to boost your energy. With better energy, you will be more equipped to quit smoking.

Too many smokers failed to quit smoking most of the time due to the addiction and irritation or withdrawal symptoms. Thus, they must learn how to overcome this.

Tony James is an ex-smoker for 15 years and is currently helping smokers to quit smoking with ease without the discomfort of cravings or withdrawal symptoms.

Discover an easy, proven and tested way that you can quit smoking in 1 week without the discomfort of cravings or withdrawal symptoms.

Click here to find out how => http://www.easyquitsmokingsecrets.com

Recumbent Exercise Bikes Advantages

There are so many exercise bikes available that it?s easy to be overwhelmed. Spinning bikes, stationary bikes, dual action bikes, and recumbent bikes are probably some of the terms you?ve heard. It?s almost as though you have to be a fitness equipment engineer to understand the differences! Here?s a quick summary of these confusing terms.

? Spinning Bikes

You?ve probably heard about the spin craze that has become so popular in health clubs. Spinning bikes usually have at least a front wheel that spins (which is why they are so brilliantly named spinning bikes). These bikes might be the current fad, but they aren?t very comfortable. The seats are small and hard. The classes make these boring bikes more interesting, but as home exercise bikes, they quickly become tedious.

? Stationary Bikes

Stationary bikes (or upright bikes) are the exercise bikes that most people can identify. It?s the same basic model as in the 1980?s. Once again, it?s fairly uncomfortable. You can?t really do anything like read or watch TV because you?re leaning left and right and bouncing, so it, too, quickly gets boring.

? Dual Action Bikes

Dual action bikes are aptly named, as they give you both an upper and lower body workout. There are handles that move independently - much like an elliptical machine. It?s a good workout, but a bit tough for beginners, and as usual, the time on the bike will eventually get boring.

You can also get dual action bikes that allow you to adjust the machine to create an arm-pedaling workout. It?s usually fairly difficult to make the adjustments. It?s also two separate exercises, which create a longer workout. Most people aren?t as likely to keep up such a routine.

? Recumbent Bikes

Recumbent bikes are the exercise bikes with the comfortable bucket seats. You sit back and lower to the ground as you pedal. These exercise bikes are easy enough for even the most sedentary beginners, and they usually offer workout programs to keep the workouts from becoming mundane.

The Experts Recognize the Advantages of Recumbent Bikes

Most physicians and personal trainers recommend recumbent bikes. Recumbent bikes are better for people of all different fitness levels. You are more likely to keep up a recumbent bike routine over time, the bikes are safer, and there are different benefits for both men and women.

? Recumbent Bikes for All Fitness Levels

Even the most sedentary person will find a recumbent exercise bike easy to use. You can adjust the settings to offer little or no resistance as you pedal. People who are overweight will definitely find the seat much larger and more comfortable than other exercise bikes.

Athletes will find the recumbent exercise bike a challenge. The resistance can become incredibly difficult. The bike can simulate pedaling up hills. Most recumbent bikes offer various programs that will require you to sprint and tackle hills. If you want an upper body workout as you pedal, you can easily add weights and do repetitions as you sit back in the recumbent bike seat.

? Recumbent Bikes Offer a Sustainable Workout

The programs offered by most recumbent exercise bikes definitely keep the workout from becoming boring. You can simulate a course that is easy or difficult, flat or hilly. When shopping for exercise bikes, it?s better to get a bike with as many variations as possible.

The fact that a recumbent bike is suitable for all levels will keep you getting back on the bike. If you?re feeling particularly tired or lazy one day, you can have an easy workout where you can read a book or newspaper. If you really want to test your limits, you can crank up the music, set the machine to more difficult levels, and add some weights for an upper body workout.

? Recumbent Bikes are Safer

Because you sit back and lower to the ground in a recumbent bike, it is better for your body. Most exercise bikes force you to hunch over, causing a stiff back. Some dual action bikes are back injuries waiting to happen. Recumbent bikes require that you sit with good posture as you pedal.

Recumbent bikes also offer one of the few cardio workouts that put no pressure on your knees and other joints. You can?t ?cheat? on a recumbent bike and stand up when you?re finding it more difficult to pedal. Standing like that on other types of exercise bikes puts unnecessary pressure on your knees and ankles. Recumbent bikes let your body exercise at an angle where your body weight is not stressing your joints. Even people with back and knee problems will find a recumbent bike easy to use.

? Why Men Should Choose Recumbent Exercise Bikes

So many men neglect their lower bodies when they workout, especially in strength training. It?s common to see buffed out men with giant biceps and tiny little bird legs. That?s because it?s easier to get an upper body workout at home. If you just invest in a recumbent bike, you can set the machine to high resistance. You will build leg muscle, and you can even do curls while you pedal.

Recumbent bikes can also allow men to get a great cardio workout without the discomfort that only a man knows on regular bikes or other types of exercise bikes. With the large, comfortable seats of recumbent bikes, you are much more likely to enjoy your workout pain-free.

If you move the seat of a recumbent bike up a bit to bring your legs higher, you can even target the lower abs and have to do less crunches to get the bottom of your six-pack!

? Things Women Should Know About Recumbent Bikes

Two words, ladies: legs and bottoms. Recumbent exercise bikes are so comfortable and easy to use that eventually you can do workouts giving you results like you?ve spent hours a day on a stair-stepper.

Recumbent bikes can give you a fat burning cardio workout with enough resistance to help you build long, lean muscle. Picture Tina Turner legs. Recumbent bikes also are great for your inner thighs. Using different programs and settings, you will be able to target different muscle areas in your legs for longer looking, leaner legs.

According to most polls, women claim in higher numbers to not have time for exercise because of more responsibilities in the home. With the positioning of a recumbent bike, you can multi-task to more easily fit in a workout. You are able to read, catch the news, and even use a phone or your handheld organizer.

Finding a Recumbent Exercise Bike

With prices between $200 and $3000, there is quite a variety of recumbent bikes available. Use the Internet to find great deals (including free shipping most of the time). Because the bikes are great for any level and help you to finally be able to stick with a safe and effective workout routine, you can splurge a little. This is definitely one of the best investments you can make for your health.

Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about fitness bicycles, recumbent fitness bikes and spin bicycles. His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast.

Why Do You Need Raw Juice Therapy?

When I was a kid, my mom used to make me different kinds of juices like orange, tomato, and carrot juices. I always like them until now as they do increase the appetite.

But, I wasn?t sure about the benefits until one day, when I got older; I saw my aunt consumed so many juices everyday.

I noticed that this was part of her cancer treatment. She got better after an intensive course of consuming 13 glasses of juices each day. An example of her juice combinations is orange, carrot, and dark leafy greens.

Thanks to the juice therapy she is still with us until now.

Today, there are more and more people consuming fruit and vegetable juices as part of their lifestyle to increase healthy life. They think it is the simplest form of prevention and cure.

Most sicknesses are the direct result of the lack or deficiency of vitamins, minerals and salts needed by the body to function properly. It?s important for us to make sure we have enough of those substances. Raw juice therapy can be the answer.

Raw juice therapy is a way of healing and preventing sickness through an exclusive diet of fruits and vegetables juices. It is also the most effective way to bring back health and restore the body.

Based on the healthlibrary.com, here are some juices needed to cure some ailments:

1. Sore Throat ? apricot, grapes, lemon, pineapple, prune, tomato, carrot and parsley. 2. Headache - grapes, lemon, carrot, lettuce and spinach. 3. Colds ? lemon, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, onion, celery and spinach. 4. Influenza ? apricot, orange, lemon, grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, onion and spinach. 5. Allergies ? apricot, grapes, carrot, beet and spinach. 6. Eye Disorders: apricot, tomato, carrot, celery, parsley and spinach. 7. Constipation - apple, pear, grapes, lemon, carrot, beet, spinach and watercress. 8. Diabetes ? citrus fruits, carrot, celery, lettuce and spinach. 9. Acne ? grapes, pear, plum, tomato, cucumber, carrot, potato and spinach. 10. Asthma ? apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, carrot, radish and celery.

You may drink the juice every three hours or take five to six times a day until you feel better. The quantity of juice on each occasion may be 250 ml on the first day and increased by 50 ml each succeeding day ?till you can take 600 ml on each occasion.

If you want to do raw juice therapy, here are things you must consider to give the best juice for your body:

? Drink the juice immediately after you make it. ? Use only fresh ripe fruits and vegetables. ? Extract fruits and vegetables only as much as you need for immediate consumption. ? Oxidation happens rapidly in fruit and vegetables after you make them into juice. If you store them too long they might lose the medicinal value. For example, apples turn brown so quickly. ? Add water if the juice is too sweet, especially for diabetics.

Enjoy your favorite juice?

About the author: Riana Lance writes about health in some publications. Twice a week she informs her health tips and knowledge in a newsletter. Subscribe to get your free twice a week newsletters so you can stay healthy for the rest of your life from http://Heathifica.com

Seven Secret Agents That Can Help You Live To 120

You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B?s ? about how they boost the immune system and help the body repair itself. Well, that old hat. There are supplements now that are so far ahead of those that it?s like comparing a model-T car to the space shuttle. This stuff is the real cutting edge in nutrition and we?ve got them for you right now. Are you ready to slow down the aging clock? Here we go.

1 ? Alpha-GPC. This nutrient, derived from soy, provides high levels of choline, which protects brain cells. It also increases levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which triggers an increased release of HGH (human growth hormone). This hormone is naturally present in the human body when we?re young but decreases steadily as we age. Studies have shown that increased HGH can reduce body fat, boost energy levels, and restore youthful immune function.

In animal studies, alpha-GPC corrected age-related brain decline. In human studies it helped stroke victims retain cognitive functioning and improve mental functioning and mood of people with dementia. Dose: 600 ? 1200 milligram.

2 ? Ashwagandha Root. This herb is used extensively in Ayurveda ? the traditional medicine of India. It stimulates immunity and, as an antioxidant, rescues cell-damaging free radical. Its anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to be helpful with such inflammatory conditions as arthritis. increased oxygen-carrying hemoglobin, which rejuvenates cells. In addition, 70% of the men in the study said that their sexual performance improved ? some men even reported fewer gray hairs.

3 ? Beta-Glucan. This nutrient is derived from baker?s yeast, young rye plants, and medicinal mushrooms. It activates macrophages ? key immune cells that fight bacteria and other disease-causing organisms. Beta-glucan enhances the effectiveness of conventional antibiotic therapy. It acts as a free-radical scavenger, removing cells damaged by exposure to radiation, chemotherapy, and environmental pollution. It also lowers total and LDL (bad) cholesterol which increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. It also reduces risk of infection by stimulating white blood cell activity. Dose: 300 mg to 1,000 mg. per day.

4 ? Lemon Balm. Lemon balm is an important anti-oxidant. It contains a high concentration of phenols ? chemicals that fight cell-damaging toxins. This herb can improve sleep, decrease the pain of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, boost mental functioning, and combat viruses and bacteria. Avoid if you have glaucoma. Dose: 1,000 mg. to 1,500 mg. per day.

5 ? Omega-3 fatty acids. Also called essential fatty acids (EFAs), omega-3 fatty acids aren?t manufactured by the human body and must be supplied by diet or supplement. They are found primarily in fish but are present in smaller amounts in green, leafy vegetables, soybeans, nuts, and flaxseed and canola oils. Omega-3s decrease blood level of triglycerides (bad fats) and homocysteine (an artery-damaging amino acid) and lower blood pressure. They help thin the blood, preventing blood clots ? lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Omega-3s also act as anti-inflammatories, helpful in the treatment of such autoimmune diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. They are the building block of the outer layer of brain cells and may help treat depression. Dose: 3 g. to 10 g of fish oil capsules a day. It is extremely difficult to get sufficient omega-3 through dietary sources. The best sources are mackerel, salmon, sea bass, sardines, anchovies, and tuna. 6 ? Evening Primrose oil. Evening primrose oil is derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. The active ingredient is gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and omega-6 fatty acid.

As the body ages, it loses its ability to convert dietary fats into GLA. Supplementing with evening primrose oil is important in combating the general effects of aging. It also may help in treating rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, nerve damage, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer?s-related memory problems. Dose: 3,000 mg. to 6,000 mg. daily.

7 ? Resveratrol. This naturally occurring anti-oxidant is found in many plants ? including the skin of grapes. Red wine is the main dietary source. Resveratrol decreases the stickiness of blood platelets, reducing the risk of blood clots. It may help prevent the development and progression of various cancers. Red wine provides little, if any resveratrol (less than a milligram per glass. Supplements provide 15-20 milligrams per serving.

Dr. Jeffry Weiss, Ph.D.

Jeffry Weiss attended Drexel University (B.S.), Temple University (M.B.A.), The University of Pennsylvania (M.A.), and Clayton College (PhD, Naturopathic Medicine). These institutions, and his own independent studies, have provided him with unique insights in the realm of health and nutrition. Visit our Website for more information: http://www.why-we-eat.com

The Benefits of Colon Hydrotherapy

Underlying almost all diseases and ailments are some form of bowel disorder! All unwell people have bowel problems and all unwell people are tired ... toxic laden. It's like a sewer system; if the system gets blocked, the body remains soaking up its own toxic waste which is only conducive to disease development.

You may have heard of it as colonic irrigation and also as colonic therapy or most commonly, colonics. The use of colon hydrotherapy is to cleanse, stimulate and rejuvenate the digestive system. A healthy colon is essential for optimal health and wellbeing of the entire body. It is also an important addition to a detoxification program.

I've heard of colon hydrotherapy years ago when England's Princess Diana famously embraced it and until recently, I poo-pooed the mere thought (excuse the pun!) But I can now confidently encourage everyone to do it. You may ask why would anyone want - let alone pay - to have this done.

The human body is designed to be a self-cleansing organism. Unfortunately however, the modern lifestyle often makes it difficult for the bowel to perform its natural functions efficiently.

Well, colonic therapists agree that stress combined with a sedentary, modern lifestyle often makes it difficult for the bowel to perform its natural functions efficiently and is responsible for most of what ails us.

In fact, it was just such a lifestyle that prompted me to try colon hydrotherapy. I've been feeling increasingly bloated and my various skin problems were not improving. On top of that, my visits to the throne as my father so quaintly refers to his daily constitutional, has diminished in frequency to where I could barely remember when the last time was!

Gross, I know, but that is just the problem! We're all so puritan with our Victorian upbringings that shamed us all into thinking that normal human body functions were somehow dirty!

I know that the more irregular my bowel movements became, the more I stuck my head in the sand and only heard all the other people who complained about their bowels or rather the lack of any movement. On the other hand, there's my darling husband! As regular as clockwork. I thought he had some form of dysentery - that's how regular he was compared to me!

I bravely made an appointment with a well-known colon hydrotherapist in Brisbane and set off, not knowing quite what to expect.

Before the procedure, I had a long chat with the therapist about my medical history and lifestyle. The usual colon hydrotherapy treatment lasts about 45 minutes. Modesty is preserved at all times. During the treatment itself, you are fully covered, wearing a gown, and a sheet is placed from the waist down to maintain dignity.

In the therapists' own words, it is probably one of the most vulnerable situations most people will find themselves in and she handled it with great sensitivity and no fuss!

Most people need a series of treatments, not just one - three to six colonics are usually recommended to successfully clean six feet of large intestine often referred to as the bowel or colon. In my case I've completed 4 sessions and will now go every change of season. The procedure is assisted by a full abdominal massage, which is done by the therapist using her hands, who by the way, stays at your side throughout the entire procedure.

After each colonic treatment I noticed my skin improving. The huge boil-like acne that I've endured for years, have virtually disappeared and all that remains are scar tissue. My visits are more regular, at least daily and whilst for some that doesn't sound like much, for me it is a whole new world! Provided I drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day - and what a hard habit that is to acquire!

I also noticed a flatter stomach and my favorite one of all a clear mind and head. A clean body will promote a clear mind, good thoughts and actions, attracting like-minded people to you.

I chose this therapy to strengthen my immune system and get rid of the increasing heaviness that I experienced. But also because poisons from the colon can weaken and stress the heart, cause skin blemishes, paleness, psoriasis, liver spots, wrinkles and other facial conditions, irritate the lungs and cause foul breath, disturb mental function and cause senility, cause joint pain and stiffness, cause muscle weakness and severe fatigue.

And most of all, it robs you of your youth, ruin your health, and cause you to become old long before your time!

Specific conditions which respond particularly well to colon hydrotherapy are chronic or acute constipation; indigestion; gas; fatigue, especially chronic fatigue syndrome; headaches; depression; stress and nervousness; allergies; lung disorders, including asthma; skin problems, including acne, eczema and psoriasis. Colonics also stimulate the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system to dump toxins.

If you already feel healthy and are interested in maintaining health and promoting longevity, colon hydrotherapy can help with increasing energy, maintaining proper weight and preventing disease.

Go on, try it!

Lizette le Clus-Fox is an ardent advocate for a holistic approach to health and runs http://www.wellnessthoughts.com and her ezine Wellness Thoughts provides regular in-depth information. To learn more about colon hydrotherapy visit her web site today!