By Cameron Ross
Anyone who goes to a gym will notice the extremely well developed figures of bodybuilders. They look like comic book superheroes and a less developed person may envy their strength and appearance. While there is no harm in extensive exercise and muscle building, world-class bodybuilders are at risk for health problems more than one may think.
The main problem with bodybuilding is that most bodybuilders take anabolic steroids and human growth hormones (HGH). HGH can cost a person as much as $30,000 in one year.
Looking like Adonis requires a combination of high maintenance dieting and endless heavy lifting. Professional athletes have well-developed muscular figures but they also exercise their heart, something bodybuilders can neglect. The heart needs to be treated like a muscle. Exercised, rested, and even fed the proper nutrients.
Liver problems are another downside of bodybuilding. Unusually high levels of protein intake can be rough on the liver because as it processes the nutrients the liver may end up with an abundance of stored fat. This can lead to swelling of the liver or the disease cirrhosis.
The effect on the liver is similar to that of alcohol. Alcoholics have liver problems that often result in cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can lead to lack of bile production, which is on of the primary liquids used to digest food. The liver is like a filter or garbage disposal so when it is overloaded…. Well it’s obvious that it won’t end pretty.
Aerobic activity develops the heart like bench pressing develops pectorals. An athlete or even a normal fit person will likely run, swim, bike, or work on the elliptical machines while bodybuilders seem to concentrate on the side of the gym with the weights.
Carrying excess muscle can be bad for the body in a similar way to excess fat. When a person does cardiovascular exercise they are running up their heart rate for an extended period of time so that it speeds up blood flow and this makes the heart work. The heart assists with breathing which is vital for any physical activity because blood contains oxygen.
2007 Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler, did an interview a couple years ago where the journalist observed him in his house. Cutler reportedly got out of breath going up a flight of stairs in his house. He had just lifted the couch to vacuum under it minutes before, which is a marvelous display of strength, but one has to be curious if going up the stairs should wind someone who technically exercises all day.
A world class bodybuilder may weigh upwards of 250 lbs with a very low body fat percentage (3 to 8 per cent) but if their heart is not fit that weight will be difficult to move for extended periods of time. Some bodybuilders get out of breath as easy as overweight, unhealthy people.
The general message that must be sent is that a healthy heart is more important than an attractive body. In fact, having a healthy heart can lead to greater strength without anabolic supplements that aren’t natural.
Protein shakes, Creatine powder, carbohydrate-charged drinks, and other supplemental products are very popular and are better options than anabolic steroids.
Muscle fibers break down when are working out and the result is swelling or being “pumped”. When the fibers repair they heal larger and stronger as long as they are fueled with the proper nutrients. This is how muscle is grown.
Lately, more and more athletes are beginning to look like body builders and the steroid scandals are a field day for the media. It is no longer a secret that illegal steroids have found their way form the bodybuilding world to the professional sports world.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
You got the job! Just don't get hurt!
By Cameron Ross
The workers' compensation system in California has been a controversial topic of political discussion in recent years because of all the changes. When Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took office he intended to revamp the workers' compensation system.
Senate Bill 936 is a new measure which increases payments to permanently disabled workers. Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata introduced the bill with hopes of shrinking the amount of the cutbacks made on compensation given to disabled workers.
The nickname "job killer" has been given to any measure that will call for greater workers' compensation and there have been several since the original cutbacks. Schwarzenegger has vetoed bills that fall under this category so it is expected that he will veto SB 936.
While changes have been made, there has been little progress in satisfying both sides of the spectrum. Employers are happier with the revamped system because they have been saving money while unions representing disabled workers are fighting for greater compensation for disabled workers.
One bill that liberals and conservatives both seem to support is Assembly Bill 338, which extends the time period from which a disabled worker can collect workers' compensation.
The time period is extended from two year to four years. By considering this bill, Schwarzenegger would be going against the policy he has enforced since his election so it will probably be ignored.
AB 338 has the “job killer” label and this alerts Arnold like a sale on anabolic steroids or actresses who don’t know how to tattle if they’re harassed. No bill will be approved because the positive aspect of the new workers’ compensation system is being highly emphasized whenever the argument arises.
Democrats say the new system leaves too many disabled workers without workers' compensation checks. Local employers are pleased, however, as billions of dollars have been saved in California from the new policies.
Reduction in workers' compensation payments has led to fatter pockets for insurance companies and more desperation from disabled workers. While avoiding payments to disabled workers the insurance companies are saving money.
Schwarzenegger has preached the fact that the new system creates more job opportunities. Employers pay insurance companies to insure their employees. They are protected by lawyers who work for the insurance companies in case employees seek workers' compensation by way of fraud.
The bottom line is that collecting workers' compensation is more difficult than ever because of all the procedures one must go through and all the qualifications that must be met.
Employers are saving money and more jobs are becoming available. Disabled workers don't like this because they lose their jobs since they can't work and are unable to collect money as compensation, therefore resulting in their hardships.
The state is saving money or at least the businesses are saving money. The disabled workers are losing money and jobs. Workers' compensation is a perennial war between the disabled and the companies who employ them. The instigators are the fraudulent employees who have given real disabled workers a bad name.
SB 936 is the latest bill which will probably be vetoed if Schwarzenegger's trend continues.
There are many injured and sick workers who can't work because of their disabilities and are now forced to leave the workforce but don't qualify for compensation so they are without pay for the time being.
One might think the message of the governor's policy is that there are many jobs open but if you get hurt and can't continue to do the job, you're on your own. The criterium seem to mirror the morals of a large corporation. Workers can be easily replaced so treat them like a busted leg. Sever them!
The workers' compensation system in California has been a controversial topic of political discussion in recent years because of all the changes. When Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took office he intended to revamp the workers' compensation system.
Senate Bill 936 is a new measure which increases payments to permanently disabled workers. Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata introduced the bill with hopes of shrinking the amount of the cutbacks made on compensation given to disabled workers.
The nickname "job killer" has been given to any measure that will call for greater workers' compensation and there have been several since the original cutbacks. Schwarzenegger has vetoed bills that fall under this category so it is expected that he will veto SB 936.
While changes have been made, there has been little progress in satisfying both sides of the spectrum. Employers are happier with the revamped system because they have been saving money while unions representing disabled workers are fighting for greater compensation for disabled workers.
One bill that liberals and conservatives both seem to support is Assembly Bill 338, which extends the time period from which a disabled worker can collect workers' compensation.
The time period is extended from two year to four years. By considering this bill, Schwarzenegger would be going against the policy he has enforced since his election so it will probably be ignored.
AB 338 has the “job killer” label and this alerts Arnold like a sale on anabolic steroids or actresses who don’t know how to tattle if they’re harassed. No bill will be approved because the positive aspect of the new workers’ compensation system is being highly emphasized whenever the argument arises.
Democrats say the new system leaves too many disabled workers without workers' compensation checks. Local employers are pleased, however, as billions of dollars have been saved in California from the new policies.
Reduction in workers' compensation payments has led to fatter pockets for insurance companies and more desperation from disabled workers. While avoiding payments to disabled workers the insurance companies are saving money.
Schwarzenegger has preached the fact that the new system creates more job opportunities. Employers pay insurance companies to insure their employees. They are protected by lawyers who work for the insurance companies in case employees seek workers' compensation by way of fraud.
The bottom line is that collecting workers' compensation is more difficult than ever because of all the procedures one must go through and all the qualifications that must be met.
Employers are saving money and more jobs are becoming available. Disabled workers don't like this because they lose their jobs since they can't work and are unable to collect money as compensation, therefore resulting in their hardships.
The state is saving money or at least the businesses are saving money. The disabled workers are losing money and jobs. Workers' compensation is a perennial war between the disabled and the companies who employ them. The instigators are the fraudulent employees who have given real disabled workers a bad name.
SB 936 is the latest bill which will probably be vetoed if Schwarzenegger's trend continues.
There are many injured and sick workers who can't work because of their disabilities and are now forced to leave the workforce but don't qualify for compensation so they are without pay for the time being.
One might think the message of the governor's policy is that there are many jobs open but if you get hurt and can't continue to do the job, you're on your own. The criterium seem to mirror the morals of a large corporation. Workers can be easily replaced so treat them like a busted leg. Sever them!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Don't LauFat U.S.!
By Cameron Ross
Obesity is not an epidemic but some dietitians think of it as the modern form of the plague. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) roughly 30 per cent of Americans are obese.
That portion equates to nearly 50 million people. Roughly 60 per cent of Americans are overweight. The next “fattest” country is Great Britain with 24 per cent of the population clinically obese.
Being obese or overweight is not always a product of bad health habits but thyroid problems can only account for so much excess fat. The main cause of being overweight is bad discipline.
Statistics from scientifically published reports from organizations such as the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), and American Public Health Association (APHA) reveal that 95 per cent of cases of significant weight loss through non-surgical programs is regained within 3 to 5 years.
The last few years, bariatric surgeries have proven to be the most effective method of permanent weight loss. This surgery is also known as a gastric bypass.
Gastric bypasses are gaining popularity as a form of weight loss because reports show encouraging results and are proving to be less risky as the medical field makes advances.
Some obesity can be attributed to risk factors such as smoking. There are many assumptions about smoking, one that suggests it distracts from eating by minimizing appetite because of nicotine cravings.
One little-known fact is that going long periods of time without eating can slow down metabolism, leaving fat to be stored rather than metabolized.
Another dimension of obesity that is frequently neglected is diet. Walking into a café and ordering a 20 oz. vanilla latte is not the same as indulging in a cup of coffee. The objective of drinking coffee is to get caffeine for energy.
In American culture, such fads become saturated, much like the fat in a typical American diet. A flavored latte made with whole milk will have well over 300 calories. A plain (20 oz.) cup of coffee contains approximately 25 calories.
Before the mass production of drinks like the ones served at popular coffee franchises, people drank plain cups of coffee. This is one of many facts that can explain why obesity grows more every year.
Walking down the condiments aisle at a supermarket is like going to Disneyland for a lipids addict. Whether the choice is dressing, barbeque sauce, mustard, ketchup, or Alfredo sauce, the ingredients in the condiments are very concentrated.
The nutrition facts on the bottles or jar may not appear so bad until one realizes that the serving size is something miniscule such as one tablespoon or two teaspoons.
Devouring copious amounts of calories is not always a bad thing. If one were to ingest more calories than the standard 2,000 they would be maintaining his or her health if they exercised vigorously as some people do daily.
Burning calories by cardiovascular exercise helps build muscle out of the calories ingested and distributes the good vitamins and minerals while excreting the bad ones.
A balanced diet is still necessary, however, as this gives the body all the components necessary to perform such functions.
The statistics of increasing obesity are staggering and disturbing. Countless diet plans and nutritional theories flood the bookstores, Internet, and magazines all claiming to be the ideal.
Obvious truth to the matter is that different diets work for different people. DNA is the determining factor of health because it is hereditary nature of the body.
Obesity is the haunting result of a culture where luxuries are taken for granted. Proteins and fats are much more affordable than in the past when the country was not plagued with obesity.
It appears that weight will be a problem for the near future because health is a neglected discipline in American lifestyle that hasn’t improved in decades even with constant attention.
Obesity is not an epidemic but some dietitians think of it as the modern form of the plague. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) roughly 30 per cent of Americans are obese.
That portion equates to nearly 50 million people. Roughly 60 per cent of Americans are overweight. The next “fattest” country is Great Britain with 24 per cent of the population clinically obese.
Being obese or overweight is not always a product of bad health habits but thyroid problems can only account for so much excess fat. The main cause of being overweight is bad discipline.
Statistics from scientifically published reports from organizations such as the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), and American Public Health Association (APHA) reveal that 95 per cent of cases of significant weight loss through non-surgical programs is regained within 3 to 5 years.
The last few years, bariatric surgeries have proven to be the most effective method of permanent weight loss. This surgery is also known as a gastric bypass.
Gastric bypasses are gaining popularity as a form of weight loss because reports show encouraging results and are proving to be less risky as the medical field makes advances.
Some obesity can be attributed to risk factors such as smoking. There are many assumptions about smoking, one that suggests it distracts from eating by minimizing appetite because of nicotine cravings.
One little-known fact is that going long periods of time without eating can slow down metabolism, leaving fat to be stored rather than metabolized.
Another dimension of obesity that is frequently neglected is diet. Walking into a café and ordering a 20 oz. vanilla latte is not the same as indulging in a cup of coffee. The objective of drinking coffee is to get caffeine for energy.
In American culture, such fads become saturated, much like the fat in a typical American diet. A flavored latte made with whole milk will have well over 300 calories. A plain (20 oz.) cup of coffee contains approximately 25 calories.
Before the mass production of drinks like the ones served at popular coffee franchises, people drank plain cups of coffee. This is one of many facts that can explain why obesity grows more every year.
Walking down the condiments aisle at a supermarket is like going to Disneyland for a lipids addict. Whether the choice is dressing, barbeque sauce, mustard, ketchup, or Alfredo sauce, the ingredients in the condiments are very concentrated.
The nutrition facts on the bottles or jar may not appear so bad until one realizes that the serving size is something miniscule such as one tablespoon or two teaspoons.
Devouring copious amounts of calories is not always a bad thing. If one were to ingest more calories than the standard 2,000 they would be maintaining his or her health if they exercised vigorously as some people do daily.
Burning calories by cardiovascular exercise helps build muscle out of the calories ingested and distributes the good vitamins and minerals while excreting the bad ones.
A balanced diet is still necessary, however, as this gives the body all the components necessary to perform such functions.
The statistics of increasing obesity are staggering and disturbing. Countless diet plans and nutritional theories flood the bookstores, Internet, and magazines all claiming to be the ideal.
Obvious truth to the matter is that different diets work for different people. DNA is the determining factor of health because it is hereditary nature of the body.
Obesity is the haunting result of a culture where luxuries are taken for granted. Proteins and fats are much more affordable than in the past when the country was not plagued with obesity.
It appears that weight will be a problem for the near future because health is a neglected discipline in American lifestyle that hasn’t improved in decades even with constant attention.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Insurance Hardly Makes a Difference
By Cameron Ross
Medical insurance is vital for families and the concept seems to make a lot of sense. Pay a certain amount of money every month to a health insurance company and when you require medical attention the insurance company will cover the cost(s). In theory the insurance will pay off in case of an emergency where the cost(s) may be astronomical but how often does that really happen? There are many angles from which one can verbally or legally attack insurance companies.
For a middle class male with a steady job and state or county insurance, they will pay over $1 thousand per month and in exchange, they have medical service at county hospitals and any practices that except the company on the card of insurance carriers. When an individual goes to the doctor for an examination they have a charge called a "co-pay", which is usually anywhere from $5-$15 depending on the location. From there, the patient will be lucky to even see a doctor because nurse practitioners are considered capable of handling the same duties at many practices.
Recently, Bonnie Jeffries, 67, of Stockton was hospitalized after suffering stroke. Jeffries also has diabetes. She has paid into Medi-Cal insurance her entire life since she began working in her early twenties. While recovering at the hospital, Jeffries fell when her walker got caught on a floor mat and caused her to lose her balance. The insurance covered the costs to tend to her bumps and bruises but will not cover the costs of placing her in a recovery center or a convalescent home. The insurance agent told Jeffries she must sell all her possessions and basically spend all of her own money on medical costs before Medi-Cal will begin to pay for such expenses.
If the objective of an insurance company is to pay for the customers' medical costs then why do they go to extreme measures to avoid it like an obligation? A business model is understandable and the idea is to profit but when the situation is analyzed it seems like an outright "rip-off." Restaurants do not avoid feeding customers. Barbershops do not avoid cutting hair. Insurance companies seem to be profitable, especially when so many people pay every month and rarely cost an amount to their insurance that equals what they pay over time.
There are frauds out there and it is understandable that the companies want to avoid being swindled but they have people hired precisely for such investigations yet other people suffer. Doctors seem to be timid to believe something is wrong with a patient because running tests costs a lot and negative results mean wasted money from the views of the insurance companies. A man with a bulging disc in his back that doesn't know the source of his pain may go in for a check-up and be told he is fine and to try physical therapy. He asks for an MRI but is told that is not necessary. After trying physical therapy his back condition worsens and he returns to the doctor and is told to stop exercising. His friend in medical school is an eager product of the science, not yet manipulated by the business side of being a doctor and tells him one of his vertebrae may be protruding. When the pain continues he returns yet again, demanding an X-ray or MRI. After his demands are granted, it is discovered that he has a bulging disc. The discovery is not from work of vigilant doctors but rather a persistent patient.
The insurance companies hold money over peoples' heads as a method of control. They intimidate in order to collect as much insurance payments as possible but then do everything possible to avoid keeping the promise of paying for medical expenses. In society it has become a joke in the sense that medical insurance is constantly ridiculed.
In countries with socialized medicine, all health care is covered for the people. Italy, Sweden, Canada, the list of countries with such healthcare continues while the U.S. continues to experience problems in this field. Taxes are paid in exchange for services and privileges. Citizens are supposed to get their money's worth out of their taxes but it doesn't seem to be the case. Health is always considered to be the most important quality of life. There is a cliché for when people are down that goes "At least you still have your health." Taxes could merge with the purpose of insurance and people could all be cared for equally. It works in other countries. This would mean higher taxes of course but maybe it would be worth it to everyone... we would probably never find out because the wealthy seem to run the country. Insurance companies are very wealthy. The U.S. is said to be a proud democracy. One may look at the country and see more similarities to capitalism but it is very difficult to make an unbiased observation.
Medical insurance is vital for families and the concept seems to make a lot of sense. Pay a certain amount of money every month to a health insurance company and when you require medical attention the insurance company will cover the cost(s). In theory the insurance will pay off in case of an emergency where the cost(s) may be astronomical but how often does that really happen? There are many angles from which one can verbally or legally attack insurance companies.
For a middle class male with a steady job and state or county insurance, they will pay over $1 thousand per month and in exchange, they have medical service at county hospitals and any practices that except the company on the card of insurance carriers. When an individual goes to the doctor for an examination they have a charge called a "co-pay", which is usually anywhere from $5-$15 depending on the location. From there, the patient will be lucky to even see a doctor because nurse practitioners are considered capable of handling the same duties at many practices.
Recently, Bonnie Jeffries, 67, of Stockton was hospitalized after suffering stroke. Jeffries also has diabetes. She has paid into Medi-Cal insurance her entire life since she began working in her early twenties. While recovering at the hospital, Jeffries fell when her walker got caught on a floor mat and caused her to lose her balance. The insurance covered the costs to tend to her bumps and bruises but will not cover the costs of placing her in a recovery center or a convalescent home. The insurance agent told Jeffries she must sell all her possessions and basically spend all of her own money on medical costs before Medi-Cal will begin to pay for such expenses.
If the objective of an insurance company is to pay for the customers' medical costs then why do they go to extreme measures to avoid it like an obligation? A business model is understandable and the idea is to profit but when the situation is analyzed it seems like an outright "rip-off." Restaurants do not avoid feeding customers. Barbershops do not avoid cutting hair. Insurance companies seem to be profitable, especially when so many people pay every month and rarely cost an amount to their insurance that equals what they pay over time.
There are frauds out there and it is understandable that the companies want to avoid being swindled but they have people hired precisely for such investigations yet other people suffer. Doctors seem to be timid to believe something is wrong with a patient because running tests costs a lot and negative results mean wasted money from the views of the insurance companies. A man with a bulging disc in his back that doesn't know the source of his pain may go in for a check-up and be told he is fine and to try physical therapy. He asks for an MRI but is told that is not necessary. After trying physical therapy his back condition worsens and he returns to the doctor and is told to stop exercising. His friend in medical school is an eager product of the science, not yet manipulated by the business side of being a doctor and tells him one of his vertebrae may be protruding. When the pain continues he returns yet again, demanding an X-ray or MRI. After his demands are granted, it is discovered that he has a bulging disc. The discovery is not from work of vigilant doctors but rather a persistent patient.
The insurance companies hold money over peoples' heads as a method of control. They intimidate in order to collect as much insurance payments as possible but then do everything possible to avoid keeping the promise of paying for medical expenses. In society it has become a joke in the sense that medical insurance is constantly ridiculed.
In countries with socialized medicine, all health care is covered for the people. Italy, Sweden, Canada, the list of countries with such healthcare continues while the U.S. continues to experience problems in this field. Taxes are paid in exchange for services and privileges. Citizens are supposed to get their money's worth out of their taxes but it doesn't seem to be the case. Health is always considered to be the most important quality of life. There is a cliché for when people are down that goes "At least you still have your health." Taxes could merge with the purpose of insurance and people could all be cared for equally. It works in other countries. This would mean higher taxes of course but maybe it would be worth it to everyone... we would probably never find out because the wealthy seem to run the country. Insurance companies are very wealthy. The U.S. is said to be a proud democracy. One may look at the country and see more similarities to capitalism but it is very difficult to make an unbiased observation.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Healthy Habits
Living a healthy life is simple but most of the general population does not scientifically qualify as "healthy" due to diet, lack of exercise, and/or stress. Many different aspects of life contribute to the overall spectrum of a person's health. A balanced diet provides the body with all the nutrients and fuel required to function properly. Exercise pushes the body physically to operate at intense levels and challenges the mind to push the body to the limits. Stress can affect one's health because when a person is sad, worried, annoyed, irritated, or in any way uncomfortable the body can produce hormones and chemicals that induce the feeling of stress which can result in fatigue, depression, and physical problems like ulcers.
An introduction to the theories of health involves simple, broad generaizations. Before getting into complicated ideas that fcus on specific elements of health, one must categorize things into different areas. People have a general sense of what's healthy because of natural instincts. Behavior often dictates what is heathy because trends and fads exist for the sake of improving people. The typical idea of health involves the body and how it operates. It usually does not extend beyond diet and exercise in basic portions. The truth is that being healthy involves emotional and spiritual progress aside from physical adequacy.
For instance, a person may live in a cold region of the world and exercise regularly and eat healthy. They may also love their job and be social but if they don't see much sun, they are lacking in vitamins that come from sunlight. While not an extreme problem, this is one angle to look at people who may not be entirely healthy and are not aware. These people can likely survive and lead satisfying lives but there are cases where people in certain regions are health-challenged because of their environment.
Fitness and health are complex subjects each with endless philosophies. The bottom line is usually whatever makes you happy makes you healthy. Unfortunately there is a little more to the idea than that and people are slowly learning such with progressive studies and discoveries. There are many varieties of health to study and discuss. There are new findings and suggestions practically every day. All people need to do it pick up a health-oriented magazine or read other types of publications concerning the topic.
An introduction to the theories of health involves simple, broad generaizations. Before getting into complicated ideas that fcus on specific elements of health, one must categorize things into different areas. People have a general sense of what's healthy because of natural instincts. Behavior often dictates what is heathy because trends and fads exist for the sake of improving people. The typical idea of health involves the body and how it operates. It usually does not extend beyond diet and exercise in basic portions. The truth is that being healthy involves emotional and spiritual progress aside from physical adequacy.
For instance, a person may live in a cold region of the world and exercise regularly and eat healthy. They may also love their job and be social but if they don't see much sun, they are lacking in vitamins that come from sunlight. While not an extreme problem, this is one angle to look at people who may not be entirely healthy and are not aware. These people can likely survive and lead satisfying lives but there are cases where people in certain regions are health-challenged because of their environment.
Fitness and health are complex subjects each with endless philosophies. The bottom line is usually whatever makes you happy makes you healthy. Unfortunately there is a little more to the idea than that and people are slowly learning such with progressive studies and discoveries. There are many varieties of health to study and discuss. There are new findings and suggestions practically every day. All people need to do it pick up a health-oriented magazine or read other types of publications concerning the topic.
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